Inflammation-related changes in cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP in bovine mastitis

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) cocentrations in milk and plasma samples from healthy and mastitic cows were determined by radioi-immunoassay and compared with prostaglandins (PGE2, PGF2 and thromboxane B2 [TXB2]), phospholipids and other relevant parameters in milk and blood. The concentrations of cAMP were about five times higher in plasma (p<0.01) than in milk, whereas the cGMP concentration in milk was three times higher (p<0.01) than that in plasma in both healthy and diseased animals. In mastitic milk, the cAMP and cGMP concentrations were 19% and 65% and in blood plasma 13% and 84% higher respectively than in healthy animals. In milk, cyclic nucleotide concentrations correlated with the markedly elevated cell count and also with the prostaglandin concentration and pH. In blood, cAMP correlated positively with phospholipids and cGMP with reduced glutathione (GSH). These changes are considered to be important in the disease process and, in particular, the increase in cGMP deserves further study.     

Effect of dietary protein content on live and carcase performance of heterozygous naked neck and normally feathered broilers

1. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different dietary protein contents on the performance of naked neck (Na/na) and normally feathered (na/na) broilers.

2. Chicks from the two genotypes were reared in wire‐floored cages and divided at random into 3 groups. Birds were fed on high protein (HP, 12.99 MJ ME, 238 g crude protein/kg and 12.94 MJ ME, 216 g crude protein/kg from 0 to 3 and 3 to 7 weeks, respectively), medium protein (MP, 12.99 MJ ME, 219 g crude protein/kg and 12.87 MJ ME, 201 g crude protein/kg from 0 to 3 and 3 to 7 weeks), and low protein (LP, 12.94 MJ ME, 205 g crude protein/kg and 12.75 MJ ME, 184 g protein/kg from 0 to 3 and 3 to 7 weeks) diets.

3. The LP diets resulted in a significantly lower daily body weight gain of males from 0 to 3 weeks. Dietary protein content had no effect on body weight gain from 3 to 7 weeks, body weight at 7 weeks, and the food intake of birds. Carcase composition of birds from both genotypes was unaffected by dietary protein.

4. Naked neck birds had significandy higher body weights at 7 weeks. Yields of carcase and breast of Na/na males were significantly higher than those of na/na males. There were no significant differences between females from the two genotypes as regards carcase yield.

5. It was concluded that the dietary protein requirements of naked neck birds were similar to those for normally feathered birds.     

Serological evidence of the occurrence of bluetongue in Iraq.

Precipitating antibodies against bluetongue were detected in sheep and goat serum samples collected from animals slaughtered in Baghdad abattoir. Out of 294 sheep serum samples and 110 goat serum samples examined, 28 and 18 samples respectively showed precipitating activity. In addition, examination of sheep serum samples collected from localities where clinical cases similar to bluetongue were previously reported revealed the presence of bluetongue precipitating antibodies in 101 sera out of 198 samples examined. This is the first report confirming the occurrence of bluetongue in Iraq.     

Biological features and life table parameters of the mealy plum aphidHyalopterus pruni on different apricot cultivars

Development, survival, reproduction rate, and population growth parameters of the mealy plum aphidHyalopterus pruni (Geoffroy) (Hom.: Aphididae) were evaluated on four different apricot cultivars (Tyrinte, Sakıt, Colomer, and Bebeco) under field conditions in the Van region of Turkey. Experiments were carried out on exterior leaves of trees, 1.5–2 m above the ground. Plexiglas clip-cells (25×6 mm) with the upper side covered by muslin were used in the experiments. The mealy plum aphid performed better on Tyrinte than on the other cultivars tested. The fastest development time (first instar to adult; 9.4 days), highest daily reproduction rate (2.6 offspring/aphid/day), and highest total fecundity (48.1 offspring/aphid) were obtained on Tyrinte. The intrinsic rate of increase — a good indicator of the growth potential of a population — of individuals fed on Tyrinte was significantly greater than that of individuals fed on cvs. Colomer and Bebeco. While mean generation times (T _o ) of populations on different cultivars were close to each other, the net reproductive rate was the highest (29.45 offspring/aphid/generation) on Tyrinte and the population doubling time on Tyrinte was 18.7%, 25.2% and 26.3% faster than those of individuals on other cultivars tested. The results obtained in this study indicated that Tyrinte appeared to be the most susceptible to the mealy plum aphid among the cultivars tested. http://www.phytoparasitica.org. posting Nov. 23, 2004.     

Growth loss of Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani) stands as related to periodic outbreaks of the cedar shoot moth (Dichelia cedricola)

An outbreak ofDichelia cedricola (Diakonoff) (Lep.: Tortricidae), the cedar shoot moth (CSM), began in spring 1998 and lasted 3 years. This was the first monitored outbreak of the CSM in Isparta, Turkey. Tree crowns recovered to near normal condition by the middle of each growing season (in early June) during the outbreak. Tree volume and volume element increments were examined throughout the outbreak cycle from 1954 to 2001. In the past, CSM activity in stands of Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) was assessed through radial increment analyses. Cedar tree ring chronologies were analyzed for evidence of the CSM. Tree-ring chronologies from nonhost cedar (nondefoliated sample trees) were used to estimate potential growth in the host cedar (defoliated sample trees) during current and past outbreaks; all trees selected were the same subspecies and varieties. Regional outbreaks of the CSM were identified by synchronous and sustained growth periods of the trees. In 2001, increment cores were collected from 17 host and 16 nonhost dominant or codominant trees and annual radial growth indices from 1954–2001 were calculated for each of two host and two nonhost sample plots. Growth functions were defined as the cumulative sum of radial, height, and volume increment, and were graphically compared between CSM host cedar and nonhost cedar trees. Tree ring evidence suggests that a large-scale outbreak occurred in 1955 (from 1955 to 1966) and a small outbreak occurred in 1985 (1985–1990) and in 1998 (1998-continued) in the study area. The average diameter growth reductions around 1955, 1985 and 1998 were 40%, 46% and 7% of potential, respectively. It was concluded that a narrow latewood band is significant indicator of defoliation by the CSM and the outbreaks appear to be associated with dry winter and spring weather prior to the autumn and winter in which wood feeding occurred. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Nov. 24, 2004.     

Development and fecundity ofSitobion avenae on some wheat cultivars under laboratory conditions

Nymphal development time and fecundity ofSitobion avenae (F.) (Homoptera: Aphididae) were determined on nine widespread wheat varieties cultivated in Tekirdağ Region in Turkey. Tests were carried out in controlled environment chambers (25±1°C, 65±5% r.h.; 16:8, L:D). Development time (±S.E.) ranged from 5.75±0.25 to 7.20±0.20 days. Fecundity per female ofS. avenae was found to be the highest (12.87±1.50) on wheat cv. ‘Sana’. In this investigation cvs. ‘MV-17’, ‘Miryana’, ‘Pehlivan’ and ‘Saraybosna’ were particularly resistant againstS. avenae. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 8, 2002.     

Plant parasitic nematodes of Tylenchida (Nematoda) associated with groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) fields in the Mediterranean region of Turkey

In a nematode survey of Tylenchida carried out in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) growing areas in the Mediterranean region of Turkey, 15 species were determined as belonging to ten genera of eight families within the superfamilies Tylenchoidea, Dolichodoroidea, Hoplolaimoidea and Anguinoidea. Each of them constitutes a new record on groundnut in Turkey, andScutylenchus tumensis Skwiercz andPratylenchus brachyurus (Godfrey) are reported for the first time in the nematofauna of Turkey.     

Identification of irisin immunoreactivity in porcupine (Hystrix cristata) adrenal glands and kidneys

Irisin, a novel peptide, was initially been shown to be expressed explicitly in the muscle tissues. We studied the presence of irisin immunoreactivity in porcupine adrenal glands and kidneys. Immunocytochemistry showed that irisin was localised both in the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. In organs, irisin immunoreactivity was found in the tubular and collecting system of the nephron. The functional role of irisin in the adrenal gland and kidney has not been precisely yet. However, irisin might have a paracrine and autocrine function as do other locally produced peptides.     

Association of Potato Psyllid (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bactericera cockerelli</Emphasis>; Hemiptera: Triozidae) with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycium</Emphasis> spp. (Solanaceae) in Potato Growing Regions of Washington,Idaho, and Oregon

Potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (?ulc), causes economic damage to potato crops throughout the major potato growing regions of western North America. When cultivated crops are not available, potato psyllid often occurs on non-crop hosts. In the southern U.S. and northern Mexico, native species of Lycium (Solanaceae) are important non-crop hosts for the psyllid. We determined whether Old World species of Lycium now widespread in the Pacific Northwest are reservoirs of potato psyllid in this growing region. We examined Lycium spp. across a wide geographic region in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho at irregular intervals during three growing seasons. Potato psyllids were present at all locations. To determine whether Lycium is also a host during intervals of the year in which the potato crop is not available, we monitored a subset of these sites over the entire year. Six sites were monitored at 1- to 3-week intervals from June 2014 to June 2016. Psyllids were present on Lycium throughout the year at all sites, including during winter, indicating that Lycium is also a host when the potato crop is seasonally not available. Psyllid populations included a mixture of Northwestern and Western haplotypes. We observed well-defined spring and fall peaks in adult numbers, with peaks separated by long intervals in which psyllid numbers were very low. Seasonal patterns in psyllid numbers on these non-native Lycium hosts were very similar to what has been observed on native Lycium in the desert southwest region of the U.S. Our findings demonstrate that potato psyllid associates with Lycium across a broad geographic region within the Pacific Northwest. These results will assist in predicting sources of potato psyllid colonizing potatoes in this important growing region.