The role of dietary L‐ascorbyl‐2‐polyphosphate on the growth and physiological functions of beluga,Huso huso (Linnaeus, 1758)

Effects of dietary ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation were carried out on growth performance and physiological indices in juvenile beluga Huso huso fed different levels of dietary L‐ascorbyl‐2‐polyphosphate as AA source consisting of 0 (control), 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 mg AA kg^?1 diet for 16 weeks. No significant differences were found in growth performances between treated groups except for condition factor. Using AA caused significant differences in haemoglobin, number of red blood cells, white blood cells, aspartate aminotranspherase and lactate dehydrogenase, while no significant difference was found in haematocrit, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, differential white blood cells count and alkaline phosphatase activity at the end of the experiment. Lysozyme activity after 8 weeks was significantly affected by dietary treatments with the lowest value in fish fed control diet, but not at completion of 16‐week feeding trial. Liver AA concentration showed a significant increase in correlation with dietary AA increase. Air exposure stress test showed significant differences among the treatments in case of cortisol and glucose concentrations. Also between pre‐ and post stress, significant changes were observed in some of treatments. The lowest and highest levels of cortisol were 9.2 ± 3 (in 200 mg kg^?1) and 16.8 ± 5.1 ng mL^?1 (in control), 6 h post stress (P < 0.05) respectively. Also, the lowest and highest levels of glucose were measured in fish fed 200 and 800 mg AA kg^?1 respectively. The obtained results showed that most growth parameters were not affected by dietary AA, but some physiological and immunological parameters of this species were influenced by this vitamin. We suggest that under rearing conditions, AA should be added to the diet especially during early life stages for improving health status and resistance to stressors.     

Two new species,Phytophthora nagaii sp. nov. and P. fragariaefolia sp. nov., causing serious diseases on rose and strawberry plants,respectively, in Japan

A new disease of rose was noticed in Chiba Prefecture of Japan in 1968, and the pathogen was initially identified as Phytophthora megasperma based on morphological characteristics. Similar Phytophthora isolates have since been collected from rose plants in Chiba, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka Prefectures. In 2005, several Phytophthora isolates were recovered from crowns of strawberry plants in Hokkaido Prefecture. These were considered to be members of a new species. In this study, we re-examined all these isolates using morphological and physiological studies and a multilocus phylogenetic analysis. The rose and strawberry isolates were mostly similar morphologically and physiologically, with some exceptions. The rose isolates differed significantly from P. megasperma sensu stricto and other related Phytophthora species. The rose and strawberry isolates had external proliferation of sporangia, characteristic funnel-shaped oogonia, predominantly paragynous antheridia, and fast growth rates of 10.5 mm/24 h at an optimum temperature of 28 °C. In the multilocus phylogenetic tree constructed using sequences from the rDNA ITS regions, rDNA LSU, and the translation elongation factor 1-α, β-tubulin and coxI genes, they formed a distinct monophyletic group in clade 7 with strong bootstrap support. The rose and strawberry isolates separated into two distinct groups. The results indicate that the rose and strawberry isolates constitute two separate species, designated here as Phytophthora nagaii and P. fragariaefolia.     

Effect of Modified Oat Starch and Protein on Batter Properties and Quality of Cake

Starch and protein separated from oat were chemically modified using cross‐linking and acetylation protocols for starch, and deamidation and succinylation for protein isolate. Cross‐linking decreased swelling power of starch, whereas syneresis increased, but cross‐linking does not have a significant effect on gelatinization temperature. Acetylation increased swelling power, but gelatinization temperature and syneresis diminished. Deamidation and succinylation increased nitrogen solubility index, emulsion activity, foaming capacity, and water and oil binding capacity. Emulsion stability did not change with deamidation and it diminished with succinylation, while foaming stability decreased with both treatments. Acetylated starch and two types of modified proteins were substituted for 5, 10, 15, and 20% of oat flour to bake cake samples and then physical properties of the cakes were measured. Acetylated starch increased batter viscosity, cake volume, and whiteness of cake crust. Increased level of deamidated protein produced cakes with lower batter viscosity, higher volume, and darker color (increase in redness). Application of higher levels of succinylated protein led to higher batter viscosity and lightness, and lower cake volume. Therefore, substitution of deamidated protein and acetylated starch can improve cake properties.     

Genetic variation among populations of wild safflower, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carthamus oxyacanthus</Emphasis> analyzed by agro-morphological traits and ISSR markers

Wild species of safflower, Carthamus oxyacanthus Bieb., is highly crossable with cultivated species, C. tinctorius L. and could be directly exploited in broadening safflower gene pool and improving the crop for biotic and abiotic stress environments. In this study, genetic diversity among accessions of C. oxyacanthus and their relationships with cultivated safflower were evaluated using agro-morphological traits and polymorphic inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers. Significant variation was observed among accessions particularly for seeds per capitulum, seed yield per plant, harvest index and capitula per plant. Cluster analysis based on agro-morphological traits classified the wild accessions in two groups according to their geographical regions, and separated them from the cultivated genotypes. ISSR marker also revealed a high genetic variation among the accessions, and cluster analysis based on this marker divided genotypes into four groups, with cultivated ones in a separate clade. Genetic variation observed among the wild safflower germplasm at the DNA level was higher than the agro-morphological traits, indicating that ISSR is an effective marker system for detecting diversity among safflower genotypes and their genetic relationships. Accessions of C. oxyacanthus with high genetic relationship to cultivated species could be used for interspecific hybridization in breeding programs of safflower.     

Physicochemical,including spectroscopic,and biological analyses during composting of green tea waste and rice bran

The aims of this study were to monitor the changes in physicochemical, including spectroscopic, and biological characteristics during composting of green tea waste–rice bran compost (GRC) and to define parameters suitable for evaluating the stability of GRC. Compost pile temperature reflected the initiation and stabilization of the composting process. The pH, electrical conductivity, NO₃ ⁻-N content, and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio were measured as chemical properties of the compost. The color (CIELAB variables), humification index (the absorption ratio Q _4/6 = A ₄₇₂ / A ₆₆₄ of 0.5 M NaOH extracts), absorption at 665 nm of acetone extracts, and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra were measured to evaluate the organic matter transformation; germination of komatsuna or tomato seeds was measured to assess the potential phytotoxicity of composting materials during composting. No single parameter was capable of giving substantial information on the composting process, the nutrient balance, phytotoxicity, and organic matter decomposition. The FT-IR spectra at 3,300, 2,930, 2,852, and 1,065 cm⁻¹ provided information on the molecular transformation of GRC during composting and they decreased over the composting. Most of the assayed parameters showed no further change after about 90 days of composting suggesting that GRC can be used for agricultural purposes after this period.     

Effects of tramadol on the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane in dogs

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of tramadol on sevoflurane minimum alveolar concentration (MAC_SEVO) in dogs. It was hypothesized that tramadol would dose-dependently decrease MAC_SEVO.Study designRandomized crossover experimental study.AnimalsSix healthy, adult female mixed-breed dogs (24.2 ± 2.6 kg).MethodsEach dog was studied on two occasions with a 7-day washout period. Anesthesia was induced using sevoflurane delivered via a mask. Baseline MAC (MAC_B) was determined starting 45 minutes after tracheal intubation. A noxious stimulus (50 V, 50 Hz, 10 ms) was applied subcutaneously over the mid-humeral area. If purposeful movement occurred, the end-tidal sevoflurane was increased by 0.1%; otherwise, it was decreased by 0.1%, and the stimulus was re-applied after a 20-minute equilibration. After MAC_B determination, dogs randomly received a tramadol loading dose of either 1.5 mg kg^?1 followed by a continuous rate infusion (CRI) of 1.3 mg kg^?1 hour^?1 (T1) or 3 mg kg^?1 followed by a 2.6 mg kg^?1 hour^?1 CRI (T2). Post-treatment MAC determination (MAC_T) began 45 minutes after starting the CRI. Data were analyzed using a mixed model anova to determine the effect of treatment on percentage change in baseline MAC_SEVO (p < 0.05).ResultsThe MAC_B values were 1.80 ± 0.3 and 1.75 ± 0.2 for T1 and T2, respectively, and did not differ significantly. MAC_T decreased by 26 ± 8% for T1 and 36 ± 12% for T2. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the decrease between the two treatments.Conclusion and clinical relevanceTramadol significantly reduced MAC_SEVO but this was not dose dependent at the doses studied.     

Potential associations between fecal shedding of Salmonella in feedlot cattle treated for apparent respiratory disease and subsequent adverse health outcomes

A prospective cohort study was used to assess whether Salmonella fecal shedding in commercial feedlot cattle treated with antimicrobials for respiratory disease was associated with subsequent adverse health outcomes. Feces were collected per rectum from cattle that were examined for apparent respiratory disease, had a rectal temperature > or = 40 degrees C, and subsequently received antimicrobial treatment. Salmonella were recovered from 918 (73.7%) of 1 245 fecal samples and weekly prevalence estimates ranged from 49 to 100% over the 3-month study. Genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of Salmonella strains in the population were determined. Serogroup E Salmonella were most common (73.3%), followed by C1 (11.0%), C3 (8.6%), and B (1.1%). Predominant serotypes were Orion (46.5%), Anatum (19.8%), Kentucky (8.7%), Montevideo (7.5%), and Senftenberg (4.9%). Few isolates (36/918) were positive for antimicrobial resistance-associated integron gene intI1. Phenotypic susceptibility was associated with isolate intI1 status. Crude re-pull, re-treatment and case fatality risks were higher for cattle that were Salmonella-positive versus -negative at initial treatment, but not statistically different on multivariable analysis. However, case fatality risk was higher for cattle shedding Group B Salmonella than for cattle shedding other serogroups. Lots (groups) with a higher Salmonella prevalence at first treatment had a higher proportion of mortalities occur in a hospital pen, higher overall re-treatment risks, and were more likely to be sampled later in the study. Results indicate a high prevalence of Salmonella in this population of cattle treated for apparent respiratory disease, but that effects associated with clinical outcomes may depend on the Salmonella strain.     

Comparison of intramuscular and footpad subcutaneous immunization with DNA vaccine encoding HSV-gD2 in mice

Herpes simplex virus type 2 is the most common infectious agent in humans that causes genital herpes disease and vaccination is a desirable method to prevent herpes infections. An effective therapeutic vaccine will need to elicit virus-specific immune responses. The route of immunization has important role in immune responses. In this study, DNA vaccine encoding glycoprotein D of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-gD2) was prepared and injected via intramuscular and footpad routes to determine the optimal method of delivery for immune stimulation. The control manipulation of immune response by concerning route of administration is highly appreciated issue by researches. Although DNA vaccine containing HSV-gD2 is effective in both intramuscular and footpad injection routes, the latter could induce significantly higher cellular responses against HSV-2.     

Neotyphodium endophytes trigger salt resistance in tall and meadow fescues

Infection with Neotyphodium spp. endophytes increases resistance to drought stress and soil mineral imbalances in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. = Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S. J. Darbysh.) and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds. = Lolium pratense (Huds.) Darbysh.). We hypothesized that resistance of these grasses to salinity stress may also be attributed to endophyte infection. Two tall fescue genotypes, Fa75 and Fa83, and one meadow fescue genotype, Fp60, infected (E+) with their endophytic fungi, Neotyphodium coenophialum (Glenn, Bacon and Hanlin) and N. uncinatum (Glenn, Bacon and Hanlin), respectively, and their noninfected counterparts (E–) were cultured in nutrient solution at three salinity levels of 0, 85, and 170 mM NaCl. Except for genotype Fa75, E+ plants exhibited higher leaf survival rates than E– clones at a high salinity level (170 mM). Root dry matter was higher in E+ than in E– plants, but shoot dry matter was not affected by endophyte infection. This resulted in a lower shoot‐to‐root ratio in E+ plants (1.63) compared with E– plants (2.40). Sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl^–) concentrations were greater in roots of E– than in E+ clones. In shoots, Na⁺ and Cl^– concentrations were not affected by the endophyte. In contrast, E+ plants accumulated more potassium (K⁺), which resulted in a greater K⁺ : Na⁺ ratio in shoots of E+ than in those of E– plants. Our results show that endophyte infection reduced Na⁺ and Cl^– concentrations in tall fescue and meadow fescue roots but increased K⁺ concentrations in the shoots. Based on these results, we conclude that endophyte‐infected grasses may thrive better in salinity‐stress environments.