Characterization of 12 Novel Microsatellite Markers of Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) Identified From Next-Generation Sequence Data

The white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), is a major pest of rice and has long-range migratory behavior in Asia. Microsatellite markers (simple sequence repeats) have been widely used to determine the origins and genetic diversity of insect pests. We identified novel microsatellite loci for S. furcifera samples collected from Laos, Vietnam, and three localities in Bangladesh from next-generation Roche 454 pyrosequencing data. Size polymorphism at 12 microsatellite loci was verified for 40 adult individuals collected from Shinan, South Korea. The average number of alleles per locus was 7.92. The mean values of observed (H_o) and expected heterozygosities (H_E) were 0.615 and 0.757, respectively. These new microsatellite markers will be a resource for future ecological genetic studies of S. furcifera samples across more broad geographic regions in Asia and may assist in estimations of genetic differentiation and gene flow among populations for implementation of more effective management strategies to control this serious rice pest.     

Heat Shock Protein 70 and Sex Steroid Receptors in the Follicular Structures of Induced Ovarian Cysts

The purpose of this study was to estimate the expression and relative amounts of estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) and their isoforms as well as heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in ovaries of rats with induced cystic ovarian disease (COD). Primary, secondary, tertiary, atretic and cystic follicles were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and total ovarian proteins were analyzed by Western blot. In the granulosa layer, growing and cystic follicles in the treated group have a higher expression of ERα than growing follicles of control individuals. In the theca interna layer, tertiary follicles presented a significantly higher expression of ERα in the treated group. An increase in total ERα protein was detected in the treated group. Granulosa cells of all growing, atretic and cystic follicles show a lower expression of ERβ in animals with COD, and the total protein expression of ERβ was lower in this group. The expression of PR was lower in the granulosa cell layer of tertiary and cystic follicles in treated animals, and theca interna layer had less intense immunostaining in this group. Although there were no differences in the expression of PR-B by Western blotting, the expression of PR-A was higher and the expression of PR-C was smaller in the treated group. An intense HSP70 immunostaining was observed in the cells of cystic follicles. By Western blotting, higher protein expression of HSP70 was detected in the ovarian samples of the control group than those of the treated ones. Ovaries of animals with COD exhibited an altered steroid receptor expression and subtype balance as compared with control animals, and an increase in HSP70 immunoexpression.     

Comparison of two methods of detecting purulent vaginal discharge in postpartum dairy cows and effect of intrauterine cephapirin on reproductive performance

Objective   Part 1: compare the use of a Metricheck™ device (a stainless steel probe with a semi-spherical rubber cup attached at one end) to sample the contents of the anterior vagina with a vaginal speculum examination for the diagnosis of pus in the vagina of postpartum dairy cows and to investigate the association of that pus with reproductive performance. Part 2: assess the effect of a single intrauterine infusion of 500 mg cephapirin in cows diagnosed with vaginal purulent or mucopurulent discharge 7 to 28 days after calving on reproductive performance.
Procedure   Six herds were visited fortnightly to examine cows that had calved between 7 and 28 days (n = 423) with both the Metricheck device and a vaginal speculum to score, by each method, the vaginal discharge from 0 (clear or absent) to 3 (purulent) for each animal included in the study. Half of the cows that had a positive discharge score (1 to 3 by either examination method) were then treated with an intrauterine infusion of 500 mg of cephapirin. The relationship between Metricheck score, vaginoscopy score, treatment and reproductive performance was assessed.
Results   There was a substantial measure of agreement between each method when scores were analysed by status. Cows that were positive with either method had inferior reproductive performance compared with cows with a score of zero. Treatment of cows diagnosed with a purulent or mucopurulent discharge with intrauterine cephapirin improved reproductive performance in both the vaginoscopy and Metricheck groups.     

Susceptibility of European bread and durum wheat cultivars to Tilletia indica

Representative European wheat cultivars were tested under quarantine containment for their susceptibility to Tilletia indica, the cause of Karnal bunt of wheat. Fifteen winter and 15 spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) and 11 durum wheat ( Triticum durum ) cultivars were inoculated by boot injection just prior to ear emergence to test their physiological susceptibility. Selected cultivars were then re-tested by spray inoculation after ear emergence to determine their morphological susceptibility, which is a better predictor of field susceptibility. At maturity, the ears and seeds were assessed for incidence and severity of disease. For the physiological susceptibility tests, 13/15 winter wheat cultivars were infected and the percentage of infected seeds ranged from 1 to 32%. For spring cultivars, 13/15 cultivars were infected and the percentage of infected seeds ranged from 1 to 48%. For the durum cultivars, 9/11 were infected and the percentage of infected seeds ranged from 2 to 95%. Across all cultivars, 35/41 were infected. Based on historical Karnal bunt susceptibility categories using coefficients of infection, one cultivar was classed as highly susceptible, three as susceptible, 11 as moderately susceptible, 20 as resistant and only six as highly resistant. The spray-inoculation morphological susceptibility tests broadly confirmed the physiological susceptibility results, although lower levels of infection were observed. Overall, the range of susceptibility was similar to that found in cultivars grown in Karnal bunt affected countries. The results demonstrate that European wheat cultivars are susceptible to T. indica and thus could potentially support the establishment of T. indica if introduced into Europe.     

Pharmacokinetics and dynamics of mycophenolate mofetil after single‐dose oral administration in juvenile dachshunds

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is recommended as an alternative/complementary immunosuppressant. Pharmacokinetic and dynamic effects of MMF are unknown in young‐aged dogs. We investigated the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single oral dose MMF metabolite, mycophenolic acid (MPA), in healthy juvenile dogs purpose‐bred for the tripeptidyl peptidase 1 gene (TPP1) mutation. The dogs were heterozygous for the mutation (nonaffected carriers). Six dogs received 13 mg/kg oral MMF and two placebo. Pharmacokinetic parameters derived from plasma MPA were evaluated. Whole‐blood mitogen‐stimulated T‐cell proliferation was determined using a flow cytometric assay. Plasma MPA C_max (mean ± SD, 9.33 ± 7.04 μg/ml) occurred at <1 hr. The AUC_0–∞ (mean ± SD, 12.84±6.62 hr*μg/ml), MRT_inf (mean ± SD, 11.09 ± 9.63 min), T1/2 (harmonic mean ± PseudoSD 5.50 ± 3.80 min), and k/d (mean ± SD, 0.002 ± 0.001 1/min). Significant differences could not be detected between % inhibition of proliferating CD5+ T lymphocytes at any time point (p = .380). No relationship was observed between MPA concentration and % inhibition of proliferating CD5+ T lymphocytes (R = .148, p = .324). Pharmacodynamics do not support the use of MMF in juvenile dogs at the administered dose based on existing therapeutic targets.     

Signatures of adaptation to obligate biotrophy in the Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis genome

Many oomycete and fungal plant pathogens are obligate biotrophs, which extract nutrients only from living plant tissue and cannot grow apart from their hosts. Although these pathogens cause substantial crop losses, little is known about the molecular basis or evolution of obligate biotrophy. Here, we report the genome sequence of the oomycete Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis (Hpa), an obligate biotroph and natural pathogen of Arabidopsis thaliana. In comparison with genomes of related, hemibiotrophic Phytophthora species, the Hpa genome exhibits dramatic reductions in genes encoding (i) RXLR effectors and other secreted pathogenicity proteins, (ii) enzymes for assimilation of inorganic nitrogen and sulfur, and (iii) proteins associated with zoospore formation and motility. These attributes comprise a genomic signature of evolution toward obligate biotrophy.     

Characterization and mode of inheritance of a paroxysmal dyskinesia in Chinook dogs

Background: Paroxysmal dyskinesias are episodes of abnormal, involuntary movement or muscle tone, distinguished from seizures by the character of the episode and lack of seizure activity on ictal EEG. Hypothesis: Paroxysmal dyskinesia is an inherited, autosomal recessive disorder in Chinook dogs. Animals: Families of Chinook dogs with paroxysmal dyskinesia. Methods: Pedigrees and medical histories were reviewed for 299 Chinook dogs. A family of 51 dogs was used for analysis. Episodes were classified as seizures, paroxysmal dyskinesia, or unknown, and segregation analysis was performed. Results: Paroxysmal dyskinesia was identified in 16 of 51 dogs and characterized by an inability to stand or ambulate, head tremors, and involuntary flexion of 1 or multiple limbs, without autonomic signs or loss of consciousness. Episode duration varied from minutes to an hour. Inter‐ictal EEGs recorded on 2 dogs with dyskinesia were normal. Three dogs with dyskinesia also had generalized tonic‐clonic seizures. One of 51 dogs had episodes of undetermined type. Phenotype was unknown for 6 of 51 dogs, and 28 dogs were unaffected. Segregation was consistent with an autosomal recessive trait. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: This movement disorder is prevalent in the Chinook breed, and consistent with a partially penetrant autosomal recessive or polygenic trait. Insufficient evidence exists for definitive localization; episodes may be of basal nuclear origin, but atypical seizures and muscle membrane disorders remain possible etiologies. The generalized seizures may be a variant phenotype of the same mutation that results in dyskinesia, or the 2 syndromes may be independent.     

欧拉羊在甘南半农半牧区与山谷型藏羊的适应性对比

从甘南州玛曲县河曲马场引进欧拉羊种公羊30只,投放到卓尼县的半农办牧区进行放牧,观察欧拉羊的行为表现、生长发育、生理生化指标、繁殖性能、发病与死亡情况,结果各项指标正常,适应性良好,充分发挥了种公羊的生产性能,且具有杂交改良山谷型藏羊的优势,引种获得成功。     

欧拉型藏羊杂交改良山谷型藏羊F_1代生长发育对比分析

为研究甘南地区欧拉羊杂交改良山谷型藏羊效果,对欧拉羊与山谷型藏羊杂交试验组和山谷型藏羊本交对照组所产后代的初生、3月龄、6月龄、12月龄、18月龄的体尺、体重进行了跟踪测定,并对不同年龄段杂交后代与对照组后代进行了对比分析和差异显著性检验。结果表明：杂交F1代初生、3月龄、6月龄、12月龄、18月龄的体尺、体重极显著的高于对照组（P〈0.01）,初生、18月龄管围差异显著,3月龄、6月龄、12月龄管围差异不显著（P〉0.05）。