Response of saproxylic insect communities to logging history,tree species,stage of decay,and wood posture in the central Nearctic boreal forest

Saproxylic insect assemblages are essential functional components of forest ecosystems that can be affected by forest management.We used a split-plot ANOVA design to analyze differences in selected saproxylic insects(all arthropod orders and dipteran and parasitic hymenopteran families) emerging from dead wood of sites with different logging histories(horse-logged,mechanically-logged and unlogged),tree species(Populus and Picea),stage of decay(early-and late-decay stages) and posture(standing and downed logs) in the boreal forest of central Canada.No clear effects of logging history were seen for the studied taxa; however,interaction between logging history and other dead wood features was apparent.Cecidomyiidae consistently emerged more from Populus than from Picea dead wood.Most of the studied saproxylic families were more abundant in late-decay than in early-decay wood.Dipterans of the Cecidomyiidae,Ceratopogonidae,Empididae,Mycetophilidae and Sciaridae families,and hymenopterans of the Diapriidae and Ichneumonidae families were significantly more abundant in downed than in standing dead wood.In contrast,Mymaridae was most abundant in standing dead wood.Our study provides evidence that some insects at high taxonomic levels respond differently to dead wood quality,and this could inform future management strategies in the boreal forest for the conservation of saproxylic fauna and their ecological functions.     

Evaluation of reticulocyte hemoglobin content (RET‐He) in the diagnosis of iron‐deficient erythropoiesis in dogs

Background

Reticulocyte hemoglobin content provided by the Siemens ADVIA (CHr) is an established marker of iron deficiency. The IDEXX ProCyte Dx hematology analyzer now provides a similar variable, reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (RET‐He).

Objectives

The objective was to evaluate RET‐He and its diagnostic utility in dogs, and to calculate a cutoff value for diagnosing iron‐deficient erythropoiesis (IDE). Furthermore, the prevalence of RET‐He values below this cutoff value was established.

Methods

One hundred and seventy‐one CBCs of healthy dogs were used to establish a RI. Stability of RET‐He was evaluated by repeated measurements over 48 hours (n = 10). The 25‐run coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated, and correlation and bias between measurements of RET‐He and CHr were assessed (n = 190). A cutoff value for diagnosing IDE was calculated. The utility of RET‐He in the detection of IDE was evaluated in 123 dogs. The prevalence of low RET‐He values was assessed retrospectively in a multicenter study (2012–2014) under participation of 7 veterinary clinics.

Results

Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent with an RI of 22.2 to 28.6 pg was statistically stable over 48 hours (P = .10). The CV was 1.8%. A fair correlation (ρ = 0.74) between RET‐He and CHr with a small bias of ?0.6 pg was found. The cutoff value for diagnosing IDE was 20.9 pg (sensitivity: 85%; specificity: 99%). The prevalence of RET‐He values below 20.9 pg was 10.3% (1084/10,553 dogs).

Conclusions

RET‐He on the ProCyte Dx is a precise screening tool in dogs to detect iron‐deficient erythropoiesis.     

How does tolerance affect urban innovative capacities in China?

This study investigated how urban cultural and economic tolerance affects urban innovative capacities based on China's prefecture‐level cities. Several tolerance indices, including ratios of migrants, rental housing, gay people, and private economies were introduced and the cities’ tolerance scores were measured using factor analysis. The results show that cities with higher cultural and economical tolerant scores were agglomerated in three metropolitan areas in China's southeastern coastal region. The spatial regression model demonstrates that urban cultural and economic tolerance increases urban innovation output and promotes innovation capacities. We also introduced the crime rate as an instrumental variable and found that the effect of tolerance on innovation remains robust. Our study suggests it is important for the Chinese government to establish an open and tolerant environment to attract migrants, creative artists, and entrepreneurs to foster urban vitality and improve urban innovative capacities.     

植物角质蜡质代谢及抗病机制研究

角质蜡质是植物在长期的生态适应过程中进化形成的一类次生代谢产物，广泛参与了植物抗逆、抵御病虫害侵染等诸多抗性生理过程。角质蜡质在植物-病原互作中发挥了重要作用，是植物抗病机制的重要组成部分。随着分子生物学的发展，人们对植物角质蜡质代谢及其抗病机理的认知不断深入。本研究综述了植物角质蜡质生物合成与其抗病机理的最新研究进展并对未来研究提出展望。目前，植物角质蜡质的抗性机理研究主要集中于组成型抗性和诱导型抗性2类。角质蜡质作为角质层主要成分，一方面可作为组成型抗性成分发挥物理抗性(物理屏障)和化学抗性(抑菌)作用；另一方面，也可作为诱导型抗性成分发挥作用，诱导产生的角质蜡质单体除了作为角质层主要成分发挥物理抗性外，也可作为信号分子或者诱导子激活下游的抗性反应进而发挥其化学抗性功能。未来可侧重于对角质蜡质诱导抗性机理的深入阐释，进一步丰富植物化学生态学研究理论体系。此外，基于角质蜡质的诱导抗性作用，可开发角质蜡质类生物农药(植物免疫诱导剂)，为植物病害防控提供新思路。图1参71     

A VALENTINE‐SHAPED CARDIAC SILHOUETTE IN FELINE THORACIC RADIOGRAPHS IS PRIMARILY DUE TO LEFT ATRIAL ENLARGEMENT

Conflicting information has been published regarding the cause of a valentine‐shaped cardiac silhouette in dorsoventral or ventrodorsal thoracic radiographs in cats. The purpose of this retrospective, cross‐sectional study was to test the hypothesis that the valentine shape is primarily due to left atrial enlargement. Images for cats with a radiographic valentine‐shaped cardiac silhouette and full echocardiography examination were retrieved and independently reviewed. A subjective scoring system was used to record severity of radiographic valentine shape. Subjective radiographic evidence of left atrial enlargement in a radiographic lateral projection and a final diagnosis based on medical records were also recorded. A total of 81 cats met inclusion criteria. There was a strong positive correlation (P < 0.001) between echocardiographic left atrial size and severity of radiographic valentine shape. There was no effect of echocardiographic right atrial size on the severity of valentine shape, except when concurrent with severe left atrial enlargement. In this situation, right atrial enlargement increased the likelihood of observing a severe valentine shape. There was no effect of right atrial enlargement on the shape of the cardiac silhouette when left atrial enlargement was absent or only mild to moderate. There was no correlation between the category of final diagnosis of cardiac disease and the severity of valentine shape. Findings from this study supported the hypothesis that a valentine‐shaped cardiac silhouette in radiographs is due primarily to left atrial enlargement in cats, with right atrial enlargement only impacting the shape if concurrent with severe left atrial enlargement.     

A KCNJ10 mutation previously identified in the Russell group of terriers also occurs in Smooth-Haired Fox Terriers with hereditary ataxia and in related breeds

Background

Hereditary ataxias with similar phenotypes were reported in the Smooth-Haired Fox Terrier, the Jack Russell Terrier and the Parson Russell Terrier. However, segregation analyses showed differing inheritance modes in these breeds. Recently, molecular genetic studies on the Russell group of terriers found independent mutations in KCNJ10 and CAPN1, each associated with a specific clinical subtype of inherited ataxia. The aim of this study was to clarify whether or not Smooth-Haired Fox Terriers with hereditary ataxia and dogs of other related breeds harbor either of the same mutations. A sub goal was to update the results of KCNJ10 genotyping in Russell group terriers.

Findings

Three Smooth-Haired Fox Terriers with hereditary ataxia and two Toy Fox Terriers with a similar phenotype were all homozygous for the KCNJ10 mutation. The same mutation was also found in a heterozygous state in clinically unaffected Tenterfield Terriers (n = 5) and, in agreement with previous studies, in Jack Russell Terriers, Parson Russell Terriers, and Russell Terriers.

Conclusions

A KCNJ10 mutation, previously associated with an autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia in Jack Russell Terriers, Parson Russell Terriers, and Russell Terriers segregates in at least three more breeds descended from British hunting terriers. Ataxic members of two of these breeds, the Smooth-Haired Fox Terrier and the Toy Fox Terrier, were homozygous for the mutation, strengthening the likelihood that this genetic defect is indeed the causative mutation for the disease known as “hereditary ataxia” in Fox Terriers and “spinocerebellar ataxia with myokymia, seizures or both” in the Russell group of terriers.     

Epizootics of Streptococcus agalactiae infection in captive rays from Queensland,Australia

The aim of this study was to describe two epizootics of high mortalities from infection with Streptococcus agalactiae, occurring in captive rays held in a marine display aquarium in south‐east Queensland, Australia, in 2009 and 2010. Five different species of rays were affected, including mangrove whiprays (Himantura granulata), estuary rays (Dasyatis fluviorum), eastern shovelnose rays (Aptychotrema rostrata), white‐spotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) and blue‐spotted mask rays (Neotrygon kuhlii). This report describes the history of both epizootics including collection, quarantine and husbandry of rays, the disease epizootics, clinico‐pathological features of the disease, antimicrobial therapy, autogenous vaccine production, and laboratory studies including clinical and histopathology, bacteriology, PCR, molecular serotyping and sequencing of the bacterium S. agalactiae.     

Towards F<Subscript>1</Subscript> Hybrid Seed Potato Breeding

Compared to other major food crops, progress in potato yield as the result of breeding efforts is very slow. Genetic gains cannot be fixed in potato due to obligatory out-breeding. Overcoming inbreeding depression using diploid self-compatible clones should enable to replace the current method of out-breeding and clonal propagation into an F₁ hybrid system with true seeds. This idea is not new, but has long been considered unrealistic. Severe inbreeding depression and self-incompatibility in diploid germplasm have hitherto blocked the development of inbred lines. Back-crossing with a homozygous progenitor with the Sli gene which inhibits gametophytic self-incompatibility gave self-compatible offspring from elite material from our diploid breeding programme. We demonstrate that homozygous fixation of donor alleles is possible, with simultaneous improvement of tuber shape and tuber size grading of the recipient inbred line. These results provide proof of principle for F₁ hybrid potato breeding. The technical and economic perspectives are unprecedented as these will enable the development of new products with combinations of useful traits for all stakeholders in the potato chain. In addition, the hybrid’s seeds are produced by crossings, rendering the production and voluminous transport of potato seed tubers redundant as it can be replaced by direct sowing or the use of healthy mini-tubers, raised in greenhouses.     

Not the one,but the only one: about <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cannabis cryptic virus</Emphasis> in plants showing ‘hemp streak’ disease symptoms

Interveinal chlorosis and leaf margin wrinkling are widespread symptoms of Cannabis sativa. They are traditionally attributed to the so-called hemp streak virus (HSV), but its existence has not been demonstrated yet. To our knowledge, no molecular investigation has so far been performed in order to identify the causal agent of this symptomatology, we therefore decided to use traditional and molecular virology techniques to better characterize symptoms and pursue the etiological agent. No pathogenic virus was found by using targeted PCR reactions and by RNA sequencing, whereas we were able to detect the Cannabis cryptic virus (CanCV) with both techniques. We, therefore, developed an RT-qPCR assay based on a CanCV-specific TaqMan probe and applied it to a wide range of symptomatic and symptomless plants, using a two-step (for quantification), or a one-step (for fast detection) protocol. Both symptoms and the virus were only shown to be transmitted vertically and did not pass via mechanical inoculation or grafting, though we could not find any cause-effect correlation between them. In fact, the virus was found in all the tested hemp samples, and its abundance varied greatly between different accessions and individuals, independently from the presence and severity of symptoms. The suggestion that hemp streak is caused by a virus is therefore questioned. Some abiotic stresses seem to play a role in triggering the symptoms but this aspect needs further investigation. For breeding purposes, a selection of parental plants based on the absence of symptoms proved to be efficient in containment of the disease.