Comparison of nutritional quality of the crops grown in an organic and conventional fertilized soil

Organic farming is growing rapidly in its potential for producing healthy foods and has been adopted in a wide range of climate and soil types. The perception among consumers is that organically produced crops possess higher nutritional quality. However, there are many factors that can affect the nutritional quality of crops, and few studies have been able to account for these differences.     

Mini-cuttings: an effective technique for the propagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus pinaster</Emphasis> Ait.

Pinus pinaster Ait. is one of the main forest tree species planted in Spain, Portugal and France. Due to its high economic relevance, there is considerable interest in developing techniques for vegetative breeding aimed at mass propagation. In this study we present a mini-propagation protocol in order to define an efficient method to propagate families or clones of P. pinaster. We carried out three experiments using mini-cuttings of 3–5 cm in length with the aim of evaluating the effects of temperature (4°C vs. 25°C), plant growth regulator (IBA) and shoot age on rooting ability. Percentage of rooted cuttings and morphological root variables were recorded. The percentage of rooted cuttings per treatment ranged from 68 to 97%. Treatment with IBA significantly influenced the rooting process at 25°C but not at 4°C. The number of apexes, length, area and volume of roots were all positively affected by temperature treatment. Shoot age also had a positive effect on rooting capacity of cuttings, with the cuttings from the youngest shoots (70 days after pruning) having higher rooting percentages, ranging from 84.7 to 98.3%. The use of juvenile material, good environmental conditions and IBA all benefited the rooting of clonal material, resulting in high rooting capacity. This study presents an innovative propagation protocol for P. pinaster that can be used as a tool in breeding programs.     

Residual effect after salmon oil supplementation on semen quality and serum levels of testosterone in dogs

The objective of present study was to evaluate the effects of oral supplementation of salmon oil on seminal parameters and testosterone serum levels in dogs, following also the residual effects for 60 days after treatment. Nine healthy male dogs with proven fertility, weighing between 10 and 36 kg, ageing from 2 to 11 years, of different breeds, fed diets supplemented with salmon oil at the manufacturer's recommended dosage. The parameters measured were sperm volume, motility, vigour, normal morphology and concentration, live/dead ratio, membrane viability by means of HOST test and serum testosterone levels. Evaluations occurred at baseline (D0), after 90 days of supplementation (D90) and at the end of the experiment, 60 days after supplementation cessation (D150). Results (mean ± SD) obtained at time D0, D90 and D150 were as follows: motility of 76.66% ± 13.7, 92.77 ± 4.41 and 93.0 ± 7.90 (p = .001); normal spermatozoa of 69.11% ± 24.90, 90.00% ± 5.15 and 80.66 ± 16.04 (p = .05); live/dead (%) from 64.44 ± 22.86 to 85.33 ± 8.41 (p = .001); and spermatozoa (%) with integral membrane in the membrane integrity (HOST) test ranging from 76.44 ± 20.74 to 91.22 ± 4.68 (p = .05). Serum levels of testosterone (ng/ml) increased from 5.50 ± 1.13 to 8.84 ± 1.13 at D90 (p = .003) and decreased after 2 months (D150) to 5.13 ± 1.13. In conclusion, a 90‐day supplementation with salmon oil had a positive influence on semen quality and serum testosterone levels. The supplementation of omegas 3 and 6 at the ratio of 10:1 for 90 days determined an increase in concentration and motility of the sperm, and these effects were maintained for 60 days, with the only exception of testosterone levels.     

Use of Quorum Sensing Inhibition Strategies to Control Microfouling

Interfering with the quorum sensing bacterial communication systems has been proposed as a promising strategy to control bacterial biofilm formation, a key process in biofouling development. Appropriate in vitro biofilm-forming bacteria models are needed to establish screening methods for innovative anti-biofilm and anti-microfouling compounds. Four marine strains, two Pseudoalteromonas spp. and two Vibrio spp., were selected and studied with regard to their biofilm-forming capacity and sensitivity to quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors. Biofilm experiments were performed using two biofilm cultivation and quantification methods: the xCELLigence^® system, which allows online monitoring of biofilm formation, and the active attachment model, which allows refreshment of the culture medium to obtain a strong biofilm that can be quantified with standard staining methods. Although all selected strains produced acyl-homoserine-lactone (AHL) QS signals, only the P. flavipulchra biofilm, measured with both quantification systems, was significantly reduced with the addition of the AHL-lactonase Aii20J without a significant effect on planktonic growth. Two-species biofilms containing P. flavipulchra were also affected by the addition of Aii20J, indicating an influence on the target bacterial strain as well as an indirect effect on the co-cultured bacterium. The use of xCELLigence^® is proposed as a time-saving method to quantify biofilm formation and search for eco-friendly anti-microfouling compounds based on quorum sensing inhibition (QSI) strategies. The results obtained from these two in vitro biofilm formation methods revealed important differences in the response of biosensor bacteria to culture medium and conditions, indicating that several strains should be used simultaneously for screening purposes and the cultivation conditions should be carefully optimized for each specific purpose.     

Antimicrobial activity of extracts and some compounds from Calea platylepis

The antimicrobial activity of dichloromethane extracts (leaves, flowers and underground parts) and some compounds isolated from Calea platylepis were evaluated by the well diffusion method.     

Genetic diversity of Castanopsis acuminatissima (Bl.) A. DC. in northern Thailand and the selection of seed trees for forest restoration

Castanopsis acuminatissima (Bl.) A. DC. is one of a number of framework species which are being planted to restore seasonally dry tropical forests in northern Thailand. This study describes the level of microsatellite variation within and among three populations of this species in three National Parks in northern Thailand: Doi Suthep-Pui, Doi Inthanon and Jae Sawn, using published primers developed for Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii Nakai. The five microsatellite loci employed in this study detected a total of 54 alleles (n = 72). The informativeness of the microsatellite loci varied from six to 18 alleles, with an average of 10.8 alleles found over all loci. The mean observed heterozygosities in the three populations showed no significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg expectations. The vast majority of genetic diversity was contained within the populations, with no significant differentiation between them (F_ST = 0.006). Algorithms were designed to capture microsatellite diversity, and the rationale for using microsatellite markers to inform genetic conservation is discussed. The implications for seed collection of C. acuminatissima for forest restoration are also discussed.     

Repair of oronasal fistulae using auricular cartilage grafts in five cats

OBJECTIVE: To describe repair of chronic palatine defects in cats, with free cartilage graft harvested from either the pinna (scapha) or vertical ear canal (annular cartilage). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Cats (n=5) with chronic oronasal fistula. METHODS: Cartilage was harvested from either the scapha or annular cartilage and epithelium removed. After preparation of the edges of the palatal defect by separation of the oral and palatal mucosa circumferentially, the graft was inserted between the epithelial layers and secured without tension. The graft acted as a scaffold for migration of granulation tissue and epithelialization. RESULTS: Oronasal fistulae were successfully repaired in 5 cats (3 pinna grafts; 2 annular cartilage grafts); 1 cat required a second graft after the first graft was dislodged. CONCLUSIONS: Auricular cartilage provides a reliable framework for repair of oronasal fistulae in cats. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Chronic oronasal fistulae refractory to conventional repair can be treated by use of auricular free graft (pinna or annular cartilage) without disfigurement. Use of annular cartilage to support palatal repairs offers surgeons an additional option when other methods have failed. We recommend using conchal cartilage as the initial treatment approach for repair of small oronasal fistulae in cats.