Parasite density and impaired biochemical/hematological status are associated with severe clinical aspects of canine visceral leishmaniasis

We have performed a detailed investigation in 40 dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum (syn. chagasi), subdivided into three groups: asymptomatic (AD = 12), oligosymptomatic (OD = 12) and symptomatic (SD = 16), based on their clinical features. Twenty non-infected dogs (CD) were included as control group. Serological analysis, performed by IFAT and ELISA, demonstrated higher antibodies titers in SD in comparison to the AD. A positive correlation was found between parasite density in the spleen and skin smears as well as the bone marrow parasitism with clinical status of the infection. We observed that the progression of the disease from asymptomatic to symptomatic clinical form was accompanied by intense parasitism in the bone marrow. It is likely that this led to the impaired biochemical/hematological status observed. Finally, we believe that the follow-up of these parameters could be a relevant approach to be used as markers during therapeutic and vaccine evaluations.     

Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings in lymphoid tissues of the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is the most threatened wild feline in the world. Little is known about the diseases and pathology that affect this animal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological status of the peripheral lymphoid tissues and thymus of Iberian lynxes necropsied between 1998 and 2003. Seventeen animals including females (n=8) and males (n=9), age range of 10 months to 16 years, with different causes of death were histopathologically and immunohistochemically (anti-CD3, CD79, MAC387, CD68) studied. Feline immunosuppressive virus laboratorial tests were negative. Five individuals presented neoplasia and/or tuberculosis. All animals presented some degree of both B and T cells depletion in peripheral lymphoid tissues and follicular hyalinosis in the center of depleted follicles. A viral origin of the lymphoid depletion is postulated although other causes (inbreeding, stress, toxic) are not ruled out. The loss of the effectiveness of the immune system increases the vulnerability of the critically endangered Iberian lynx to pathogens.     

Acute effect of tea, wine, beer, and polyphenols on ecto-alkaline phosphatase activity in human vascular smooth muscle cells

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an ecto-enzyme widely distributed across species. It modulates a series of transmembranar transport systems, has an important role in bone mineralization, and can also be involved in vascular calcification. Polyphenol-rich diets seem to have protective effects on human health, namely, in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to investigate the effects of polyphenols and polyphenol-rich beverages upon membranar alkaline phosphatase (ecto-ALP) activity in intact human vascular smooth muscle cells (AALTR). The ecto-ALP activity was determined at pH 7.8, with p-nitrophenyl phosphate as the substrate, by absorbance spectrophotometry at 410 nm. Cell viability was assessed by the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) method, and the polyphenol content of beverages was assessed using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. All polyphenols tested inhibited ecto-ALP activity, in a concentration-dependent way. Teas, wines, and beers also inhibited ecto-ALP activity, largely according to their polyphenol content. All tested compounds and beverages improved or did not change AALTR cell viability. Stout beer was an exception to the described behavior. Although more studies must be done, the inhibition of AALTR ecto-ALP activity by polyphenolic compounds and polyphenol-containing beverages may contribute to their cardiovascular protective effects.     

Sperm chromatin condensation as an in vivo fertility biomarker in bulls:a flow cytometry approach

Background:Genetic selection in cattle has been directed to increase milk production.This,coupled to the fact that the vast majority of bovine artificial inseminations(AI)are performed using cryopreserved sperm,have led to a reduction of fertility rates over the years.Thus,seeking sensitive and specific sperm biomarkers able to predict fertility rates is of vital importance to improve cattle reproductive efficiency.In humans,sperm chromatin condensation evaluated through chromomycin A3(CMA3)has recently been purported to be a powerful biomarker for sperm functional status and male infertility.The objectives of the present study were:a)to set up a flow cytometry method for simultaneously evaluating chromatin condensation and sperm viability,and b)to test whether this parameter could be used as a predictor of in vivo fertility in bulls.The study included pools of three independent cryopreserved ejaculates per bull from 25 Holstein males.Reproductive outcomes of each sire were determined by non-return rates,which were used to classify bulls into two groups(highly fertile and subfertile).Results:Chromatin condensation status of bovine sperm was evaluated through the combination of CMA3 and Yo-Pro-1 staining and flow cytometry.Sperm quality parameters(morphology,viability,total and progressive motility)were also assessed.Pearson correlation coefficients and ROC curves were calculated to assess their capacity to predict in vivo fertility.Sperm morphology,viability and total motility presented an area under the ROC curve(AUC)of 0.54,0.64 and 0.68,respectively(P>0.05),and thus were not able to discriminate between fertile and subfertile individuals.Alternatively,while the percentage of progressively motile sperm showed a significant predictive value,with an AUC of 0.73(P=0.05),CMA3/Yo-Pro-1 staining even depicted superior results for the prediction of in vivo fertility in bulls.Specifically,the percentage of viable sperm with poor chromatin condensation showed better accuracy and precision to predict in vivo fertility,with an AUC of 0.78(P=0.02).Conclusions:Chromatin condensation evaluated through CMA3/Yo-Pro-1 and flow cytometry is defined here as a more powerful tool than conventional sperm parameters to predict bull in vivo fertility,with a potential ability to maximising the efficiency of dairy breeding industry.     

Wood ash effects on nutrient dynamics and soil properties under Mediterranean climate

Aims

This study aims to evaluate the effects of wood ash application on nutrient dynamics and soil properties of an acidic forest soil (Arenosol).

Methods

Treatments were loose and pelleted ash application (11?Mg?ha^?1), alone or together with N fertiliser, and control treatment in a lysimeter experiment. Nutrient leaching was followed during a 2-year period and soil chemical and biological properties were evaluated at the end of the experiment.

Results

Wood ash increased leaching of total N, NH ₄ ⁺ -N, base cations and P, mainly during the first months, the effect being more pronounced for the loose formulation. At the end of the study period, a positive effect on soil nutrient availability and soil acidity reduction was seen. The application of loose and pelleted ash alone decreased N leaching and increased N microbial biomass at the end of the experiment. The C dynamics was weakly affected.

Conclusion

Wood ash can be used to improve nutrient availability and balance nutrient exported by tree harvesting in acid forest soils, the effects at short-term being stronger for loose than for pelleted ash. However, their application should be carried out when vegetation is established to minimise nutrient losses at short-term and reduce the potential risk for water bodies. In N-limited soils, wood ash should be applied with N fertilisers to counteract N immobilisation.     

Effects of region, soil, land use, and terrain type on fuelwood properties of five tree/shrub species in the Sahelian and Sudanian ecozones of Mali

? Context

There is little information about inter- and intra-specific variation in fuelwood properties of trees/shrubs in West Africa.

? Aims

We studied variation in fuelwood properties of Balanites aegyptiaca, Combretum glutinosum, Guiera senegalensis, Piliostigma reticulatum, and Zizyphus mauritiana in the Sahelian and Sudanian ecozones of Mali.

? Methods

Trees were sampled on different soil (sandy, sandy/loam, or rocky), land use (parkland agroforest or woodland), and terrain (flat, temporarily flooded, or hill slope) types in five regions extending from the drier eastern to the more humid western parts of Mali. Basic density, volatile matter, fixed carbon, ash content, moisture content, gross calorific value, and fuel value index were measured for each tree and adjusted for tree age.

? Results

All fuelwood properties differed significantly among species, but there were significant species by region interactions. Most fuelwood properties of four species differed significantly among regions. Soil and/or land use type had significant effects on a few fuelwood properties of four species.

? Conclusion

In general, fuelwood production is recommended in all regions for G. senegalensis, in drier regions for B. aegyptiaca and C. glutinosum, in more humid regions for Z. mauritiana, and on rocky soils for all species. Fuelwood production of P. reticulatum is not recommended.     

小滨麦易位系山农6343抗白粉病基因的分子标记定位

本研究通过抗性接种鉴定对从普通小麦品种烟农15与八倍体小滨麦杂交后代中选育的抗白粉病小滨麦易位系山农6343的白粉病抗性遗传特点进行了分析,结果表明,山农6343的白粉病抗性由显性单基因控制,暂将其命名为PmSn6343(t);利用辉县红与山农6343杂交构建了包含302个家系的F2分离群体,对其进行白粉病抗性基因分子标记的连锁分析和染色体定位。在分析的1980对SSR、EST-SSR和STS引物中,有403对基因组SSR引物可在亲本间揭示多态性差异,其中Wmc658和Barc122两个引物在优选小群体中可以扩增出多态性谱带;采用F2群体对两个标记进行连锁分析证明Wmc658和Barc122与山农6343抗白粉病基因PmSn6343(t)的连锁距离分别为3.4cM和5.4cM,并将抗白粉病基因定位在染色体2AL上。利用F2:3家系对两个标记进行验证,结果表明,两个标记是与白粉病抗性基因PmSn6343(t)连锁的可靠分子标记。     

小麦TaCKOX4基因变异与旗叶叶绿素含量相关性分析

本文以京411/红忙春21构建的重组自交系群体(RILs)为研究材料,通过对小麦抽穗期、盛花期和灌浆期旗叶叶绿素含量分布频率的分析,得出叶绿素含量在花后7d以前多呈正态分布,而灌浆中后期呈偏态分布或双峰分布,说明前者为受多基因控制的数量性状,而后者存在与其相关的主效基因。在多个生长发育时期中,旗叶叶绿素含量呈现先上升后下降的趋势,在盛花期达到最大值,花后24d,叶绿素含量则急剧下降,成熟时接近为0。在RILs群体中对小麦细胞分裂素氧化酶基因等位变异进行鉴定,得出TaCKOX4基因在群体中表现较好的多态性,其变异与小麦旗叶多个生长发育时期(如抽穗期,盛花期及灌浆期)叶绿素含量呈显著或极显著相关,且具有A带型家系的叶绿素含量显著高于B带型家系的叶绿素含量,说明TaCKOX4基因变异与小麦旗叶叶绿素含量关系密切。     

转双价抗虫基因BmkIT-Chitinase玉米株系的获得

通过超声波辅助花粉介导法,将双价抗虫基因BmkIT-Chitinase分别导入以玉米自交系昌7-2及郑58的花粉为受体的不同基因型的自交系中。本研究共处理玉米雌穗1072穗,获得T0代种子1563粒,经卡那霉素初筛,T1代～T4代PCR及SouthernBlot杂交分子跟踪检测共获得20个转化株系,田间抗虫性鉴定表明共有16个转化株系与对照在抗虫性方面有显著差异,且此抗性随着各代稳定遗传。农艺性状调查结果表明,所获得的转基因玉米株系中大部分材料的农艺性状与对照无显著差异,除了N55材料及N20-1材料。N55材料的穗位高度与对照相比略低6±0.5cm,而穗粒数增加75±5粒。而N20-1材料百粒重增加5±0.5g。因此,转入此双价抗虫基因对玉米农艺性状影响不是很大。经过分子检测、田间抗虫性鉴定及农艺性状调查我们最终选育了9个转双价抗虫基因昌7-2自交系优良株系,6个郑58转双价抗虫基因自交系优良株系。