Genetic manipulation for enhancing calcium content in potato tuber

Increased calcium (Ca) in potatoes may increase the production rate by enhancing tuber quality and storability. Additionally, increased Ca levels in important agricultural crops may help ameliorate the incidence of osteoporosis. However, the capacity to alter Ca levels in potato tubers through genetic manipulations has not been previously addressed. Here we demonstrate that potato tubers expressing the Arabidopsis H+/Ca2+ transporter sCAX1 (N-terminal autoinhibitory domain truncated version of CAtion eXchanger 1) contain up to 3-fold more Ca than wild-type tubers. The increased Ca appears to be distributed throughout the tuber. The sCAX1-expressing potatoes have normally undergone the tuber/plant/tuber cycle for three generations; the trait appeared stable through successive generations. The expression of sCAX1 does not appear to alter potato growth and development. Furthermore, increased Ca levels in sCAX1-expressing tubers do not appear to alter tuber morphology or yield. Given the preponderance of potato consumption worldwide, these transgenic plants may be a means of marginally increasing Ca intake levels in the population. To our knowledge, this study represents the first attempts to use biotechnology to increase the Ca content of potatoes.     

Identification of some analogs of the hallucinogen phencyclidine.

The drugs 1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine, 1-[1-2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]pyrrolidine, 1-(-phenylcyclohexyl) morpholine, and 1-(1-phenyleyclohexyl) pyrrolidine are identified by spectroscopic techniques. The ultraviolet and proton magnetic resonance spectra of analogs are similar, but mass and infrared spectra are distinctly different, and reference spectra are provided. Gas-liquid ant thin layer chromatographic systems for the analysis are discussed.     

Chylothorax in a dog with pulmonary lymphangiosarcoma

Lymphangiosarcoma of the pulmonary pleura was found to be the cause of persistent chylothorax in an eight-year-old, intact male golden retriever. After a two-month course of medical management, a lymphangiogram and thoracic duct ligation were performed with the objective of decreasing further effusion. At surgery, gross lung pathology was biopsied and yielded a histopathological diagnosis of pulmonary pleural lymphangiosarcoma. A relatively rare tumor, lymphangiosarcoma of the pulmonary pleura has not previously been documented as a source of chylothorax in the dog.     

Combinations of alfalfa hay and wet corn gluten feed in limit-fed growing diets for beef cattle

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of alfalfa hay (AH) and wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) combinations on ADG and gain efficiency of cattle limit-fed growing diets. In Exp. 1, crossbred beef steers (n = 220; initial BW = 262 kg) were limit-fed diets consisting of steam-flaked corn and 40% WCGF (DM basis) with 0, 10, or 20% ground AH (0AH, 10AH, and 20AH, respectively). A fourth diet containing 20% ground AH and steam-flaked corn served as a control. All diets were fed once daily at 1.8% of BW (DM basis). Growing period ADG, gain efficiency, and dietary NE calculated from performance data decreased linearly (P < 0.01) with addition of AH to diets containing WCGF. Rate of DMI increased linearly (P < 0.05) with AH addition to diets containing WCGF. Following the growing period, steers were finished on a common diet offered ad libitum. Gain efficiencies during the finishing period were higher (P < 0.05) for steers fed the 20AH diet than for steers fed the control diet. In Exp. 2, crossbred beef heifers (n = 339; initial BW = 277 kg) were limit-fed diets containing steam-flaked corn with 10, 20, or 30% ground AH and 0, 40, or 68% WCGF in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement, fed once daily at 1.6% of BW (DM basis). An AH x WCGF interaction occurred (P < 0.05) for growing period ADG and gain efficiency. Increasing AH or WCGF decreased cattle ADG, gain efficiency, and dietary NE with the exception of heifers fed 30AH/40WCGF, which had ADG that did not differ (P > 0.10) from that of heifers fed 20AH/0WCGF or 30AH/0WCGF, and which had greater gain efficiencies (P < 0.05) than heifers fed 30AH/0WCGF. Rate of DMI increased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing AH and decreased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing WCGF. Heifers were finished on diets containing 33% WCGF with 0 or 0.5% added urea (DM basis) offered ad libitum. Increasing WCGF in growing diets tended (linear, P < 0.10) to increase finishing ADG and gain efficiency, whereas increasing AH decreased (linear, P < 0.05) kidney, pelvic, and heart fat, and the percentage of carcasses grading USDA Prime. Urea tended to increase ADG (P < 0.10), but decreased (P < 0.04) the percentage of carcasses grading USDA Choice. Results suggest that the value of WCGF relative to steam-flaked corn in limit-fed growing diets might be improved in diets containing 30% AH relative to diets containing 10 or 20% AH.     

Top 20 environmental weeds for classical biological control in Europe: a review of opportunities, regulations and other barriers to adoption

Classical biological control remains the only tool available for permanent ecological and economic management of invasive alien species that flourish through absence of their co‐evolved natural enemies. As such, this approach is recognized as a key tool for alien species management by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) and the European Strategy on Invasive Alien Species (ESIAS). Successful classical biological control programmes abound around the world, despite disproportionate attention being given to occasional and predictable non‐target impacts. Despite more than 130 case histories in Europe against insect pests, no exotic classical biological control agent has been released in the EU against an alien invasive weed. This dearth has occurred in the face of increasing numbers of exotic invasive plants being imported and taking over National Parks, forests and amenity areas in this region, as well as a global increase in the use of classical biological control around the world. This paper reviews potential European weed targets for classical biological control from ecological and socioeconomic perspectives using the criteria of historical biological control success, taxonomic isolation from European native flora, likely availability of biological control agents, invasiveness outside Europe and value to primary industry and horticulture (potential for conflicts of interest). We also review why classical biological control of European exotic plants remains untested, considering problems of funding and public perception. Finally, we consider the regulatory framework that surrounds such biological control activities within constituent countries of the EU to suggest how this approach may be adopted in the future for managing invasive exotic weeds in Europe.     

Lindane seed treatment for control of wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) on wheat in the Pacific Northwest

Seventeen field trials were conducted at 14 sites in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington to assess efficacy of lindane (gamma HCH) as a seed treatment for control of wireworms on wheat. The performance of lindane-treated seeds was compared with that of seeds treated with fungicide only, in plots treated with fonofos before planting and in untreated control plots. Plant stands were affected negatively by wireworms in control plots in different locations. Generally, lindane and fonofos protected spring wheat but not winter wheat against wireworms, based on plant stand counts and yields. Plant counts in lindane plots were significantly greater than those in control plots in six out of seven spring wheat trials, but in only one out of 10 winter wheat trials. Yields were significantly greater in two spring wheat trials and one winter wheat trial. Performance of fonofos was similar to that of lindane.