Immunolocalization of Aquaporins 1 and 9 in the Ram Efferent Ducts and Epididymis

Aquaporins (AQPs) are essential membrane protein channels for the transport of water across membranes. Fluid movement in the epididymis is important for modulation of the luminal environment, in which sperm mature and reside. This study was designed to understand the morphology and localization of AQPs in ram efferent ducts (ED) and epididymis. For this purpose, the epididymis of seven animals were removed for histologic and immunohistochemical analyses. AQP1 immunoreactivity was observed in the apex of the ED, and AQP9 was found adjacent to the nuclei of the epithelial cells of the ED. The epithelial lining of ram epididymis is pseudostratified columnar and presents principal, basal, apical and narrow cells. In the initial segment (IS), a moderate reaction for AQP1 was observed in the apical cytoplasm of epithelial cells. An intense reactivity for AQP1 was noted over the microvilli of principal cells and in spermatozoa in the caput. In the corpus and cauda, AQP1 was noted only over the endothelial cells of vascular channels located in intertubular spaces. A weak‐to‐moderate reaction for AQP9 was observed in the nuclei of epithelial cells in the IS, caput and corpus of the epididymis. In the cauda, an intense reaction to AQP9 was observed in the epithelial border. In the IS, caput and corpus, the reactivity for AQP9 differed from those observed in domestic animals. The cauda showed a pattern similar to that previously described. These results indicate that AQPs 1 and 9 have reversed locations and roles in rams, suggesting activity variations related with fluid and solute absorption throughout the epididymis.     

An acute case of Pimelea elongata toxicity in cattle in western New South Wales

In May 2019, 96 cattle died from Pimelea toxicity in a period of 19 days after potential exposure, with the first deaths occurring within 5 days. After examining the circumstances, we suspect that several factors contributed to the deaths. These included that recently purchased stock and transported had access to flooded land containing Pimelea elongata. This weed species contains simplexin and 18 other compounds. Roots, flowers and seeds are significantly more toxic than the stem, branches and leaves. We suspect that thirsty and hungry stock consumed seed and roots from flooded pastures and consumed lethal doses of simplexin. Blood tests were not good indicators of the conditions. Management strategies are suggested.     

Sources of inoculum of Lophodermium seditiosum on Pinus sylvestris1

A survey of the incidence of Lophodermium seditiosum, L. pinastri and L. conigenum in plantations of Pinus sylvestris in north-east Scotland showed that L. seditiosum predominated on fallen cones and on young needles which tell prematurely in early summer. L. pinastri predominated on old senescent needles which fell in autumn. The incidence of L. conigenum was low on fallen cones and needles and it is not thought that tins species could effectively replace L. seditiosum. It is concluded that the main source of L. seditiosum inoculum for infections in plantations and nearby nurseries is young infected fallen needles on which ascocarps form in late summer and autumn.     

Adelges aphids and fungi causing premature defoliation of Larch

Meria laricis invaded needles of Larix X eurolepis at the feeding sites of Adelges spp and caused pre-mature needle fall. The position of the feeding site on the needle determined the time of their fall. Among other fungi isolated from needles attacked by aphids were Cladosporium herbarum, Lophodermitim laricinum, Aureobasidium pullulans, Stereum sp., Thyssanophora penicillioides, Botrytis cinerea and Epicoccum sp. The feeding sites on the needles, the remaining unattacked parts of the needles and the naturally senescent needles were found to be colonized by different fungi at different times.     

Pathogenicity of three Lophodermium species on Pinus sylvestris L.

The pathogenicity of Lophodermium pinastri, L. conigenum and L. seditiosum on 14-month old transplants was investigated in Scotland. While L. seditiosum was found to be a serious pathogen, L. conigenum and L. pinastri were not. Under outdoor conditions, L. seditiosum was found to kill needles five months after inoculation.     

Hendersonia acicola on pine needles infected by Lophodermella sulcigena

Hendersonia acicola normally infects only needles already infected, in July-August of their first year, by Lophodermella sulcigena. Secondary infection, by H. acicola, occurs at the base of the L. sulcigena lesion either in August-October of the first year (early secondary infection) or after fruiting of L. sulcigena in June-July of the second year (late secondary infection). Early secondary infection prevents fruiting of L. sulcigena. An intercellular matrix forms at the base of the L. sulcigena lesion in response to both early and late secondary infection and rapid tissue disorganisation and disintegration ensues. Secondary infection decreases with increase in height up the tree and often results in needle breakage.     

Size selectivity of Korean flounder (Glyptocephalus stelleri) by gillnets and trammel nets using an extension of SELECT for experiments with differing mesh sizes

In 2008, Korean flounder (Glyptocephalus stelleri) was designated by the Korean Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as a species for restoration in the coastal waters of Korea. However, there are currently no regulations regarding the minimum landed size of flounder, or the minimum legal mesh size used by the coastal gillnet and trammel net fisheries. Selectivity experiments for gillnets and trammel nets were conducted using commercial vessels in several areas off the eastern coast of Korea between October 2006 and June 2009. The selectivity analysis required an adaption of the SELECT method because trammel net mesh sizes were altered part-way through the experiment. Gillnet and trammel net selectivity was best described using a bi-modal selection curve. The two gears were found to have different selection curves for a given mesh size. The length of maximum retention was similar for the two gears, but the selection curve of the trammel net was substantially wider than that of the gillnet. For the largest size of mesh used in the commercial fishery (8.5 cm stretched), 50% relative retention was estimated to occur at a length of 20.4 cm for the trammel net, and 22.5 cm for the gillnet. In comparison, the length of 50% maturity for this species is approximately 26 cm. As there are currently no size restrictions on landings of Korean flounder, these results suggest that use of these gears may pose a serious threat to local stocks of this species.     

MAPP对麦秸纤维-聚丙烯复合材料热力学性能的影响

以麦秸纤维为增强材料、聚丙烯为基体物质、马来酸酐接枝聚丙烯（MAPP）为改性剂,制备麦秸纤维-聚丙烯复合材料。利用DMA、DSC、TG和SEM,探讨了MAPP的添加量（质量百分比1%、2%、5%、10%）和麦秸纤维形态（9、9～28、28～35、35目）对麦秸纤维 聚丙烯复合材料的热力学性能和结晶性能的影响。结果表明:①当MAPP的添加量为2%时,麦秸纤维-聚丙烯复合材料的储能弹性模量减小;当MAPP的添加量增加到5%、10%时,复合材料的储能弹性模量增加。②在麦秸纤维-聚丙烯体系内添加MAPP后,麦秸纤维 聚丙烯复合材料的结晶温度提高约1℃,结晶度增加了4%～8%;麦秸纤维以28～35目的形态作为聚丙烯基体的增强材料时,其复合材料的结晶温度为122.7℃,结晶率达到45.8%。③麦秸纤维-聚丙烯复合材料的热分解峰温分别为355和460℃。④麦秸纤维以纤维束的形态分布在基体聚丙烯中起增强作用,在整个体系内,麦秸纤维局部团聚且断裂明显。添加MAPP后,有利于基体物质在麦秸纤维表面的均匀覆盖。      

Pest survey of softwood boxes,with special emphasis on pinewood nematode,Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae)

Wood packaging material (WPM) is an important pathway for the spread of non‐native plant pests. To reduce the likelihood of plant pest movement with WPM, the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15: “Regulation of Wood Packaging Material in International Trade” (ISPM 15) was developed in the framework of the International Plant Protection Convention. To be compliant with this Standard, WPM shipped internationally must be either heat‐treated or fumigated, regardless of any specific characteristics of the WPM. The objective of this survey was to determine if Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae) or insects, especially Monochamus spp. (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), were present in a specific subset of softwood boxes. While not compliant with ISPM 15, these boxes had been treated with wood preservatives, stored indoors for over five years, and, in addition to meeting various quality standards, almost all had a moisture content below 20 percent. United States Department of Agriculture staff inspected a sample of 630 softwood boxes, focusing on those showing signs of possible pest infestation. Based on a binomial distribution with an efficacy of detection equal to 0.95, a sample size of 630 provides a 95 percent confidence of detecting pests if >0.5 % of boxes are infested. No B. xylophilus or insect pests were found in the boxes, though other nematode genera (Aphelenchoides, Aphelenchus, and Filenchus), which feed on decomposing fungi in wood and do not damage trees, were found in 21 boxes. This study demonstrates that not all types of WPM present a high phytosanitary risk. It may be worthwhile to consider an amendment to ISPM 15 to differentiate between various risk categories of WPM in order to minimize costs and environmental impacts associated with treatments currently prescribed in ISPM 15.