Isolation and characterisation of a bacterial strain degrading the herbicide sulcotrione from an agricultural soil

BACKGROUND: The dissipation kinetics of the herbicide sulcotrione sprayed 4 times on a French soil was studied using a laboratory microcosm approach. An advanced cultivation‐based method was then used to isolate the bacteria responsible for biotransformation of sulcotrione. Chromatographic methods were employed as complementary tools to define its metabolic pathway. RESULTS: Soil microflora was able quickly to biotransform the herbicide (DT₅₀ ≈ 8 days). 2‐Chloro‐4‐mesylbenzoic acid, one of its main metabolites, was clearly detected. However, no accelerated biodegradation process was observed. Eight pure sulcotrione‐resistant strains were isolated, but only one (1OP) was capable of degrading this herbicide with a relatively high efficiency and to use it as a sole source of carbon and energy. In parallel, another sulcotrione‐resistant strain (1TRANS) was shown to be incapable of degrading the herbicide. Amplified ribosomal restriction analysis (ARDRA) and repetitive extragenic palendromic PCR genomic (REP‐PCR) fingerprinting of strains 1OP and 1TRANS gave indistinguishable profiles. CONCLUSION: Sequencing and aligning analysis of 16S rDNA genes of each pure strain revealed identical sequences and a close phylogenetic relationship (99% sequence identity) to Pseudomonas putida. Such physiological and genetic properties of 1OP to metabolise sulcotrione were probably governed by mobile genetic elements in the genome of the bacteria. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Variability in the phloem restricted plant trypanosomes (Phytomonas spp) associated with wilts of cultivated crops

Plant trypanosomatids (Phytomonas spp) have been isolated from the crude sap of coconut tress and oil palm trees affected with Hartrot or Marchitex diseases in South America andAlpinia purpurata affected with wilt in the Caribbean. They are also commonly isolated from the fruits and latex of Euphorbiaceae or Asclepiadaceae. Thirty-fourPhytomonas stocks were studied by isoenzyme electrophoresis (11 loci) in order to investigate genetic variability in the intraphloemic group. Our results showed that variability in phloem restrictedPhytomonas is very high, and that Marchitez or Hartrot associated trypanosomatids are not readily separated into two distinct groups. Moreover, the two isolates fromAlpinia are very close to the other intraphloemic isolates. The results confirm the existence of several distinct groups, comprising of at least 2 groups of phloem restricted trypanosomatids, not related to the host species, 3 groups of latex trypanosomatids, and one group of fruit trypanosomatids.     

Effects of inter- and intra-observer variability on echocardiographic measurements in awake cats

The objective of this study was to determine intra- and inter-observer variability of echocardiographic measurements in awake cats. Four observers with different levels of experience in echocardiography performed 96 echocardiographic examinations in four cats on four different days over a 3-week period. The examinations were randomized and blinded. The maximum within-day and between-day CV values were 17.4 and 18.5% for inter-ventricular septal thickness in diastole, 18.7 and 22.6% for left ventricular free-wall thickness in diastole, 9.8 and 14.9% for left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, 20.8 and 15.2% for left ventricular end-systolic diameter, and 21.2 and 18.4% for left ventricular shortening fraction. The maximum within-day CV values were most often associated with the least competent observer (i.e. the graduate student) and, the minimum CV values with the most competent observer (i.e. the associate professor in cardiology). A significant interaction between cat and observer was also evidenced. Thus, the most competent observer could not be replaced by any of the other observers.     

A Markov model of land-use change dynamics in the Niagara Region,Ontario, Canada

Regional Niagara is the site of an intense three-way land-use conflict among urban, agricultural and natural uses. Large scale spatial and temporal land-use data were used to investigate the dynamics of land-use change in this area. A first order Markov chain was used as a stochastic model to make quantitative comparisons of the land-use changes between discrete time periods extending from 1935 to 1981. The Markov model allowed for two main conclusions about the historic dynamics of land-use change in the Regional Municipality of Niagara.

1. The urbanization of agricultural land was the predominant land-use change.
2. A continuing ‘exchange’ of land area occurs between wooded and agricultural land-use categories that has little effect on the net amount of wooded land but which could undermine the long-term ecological value of remaining natural areas in Niagara.

     

Molecular epidemiology of chicken anemia virus (CAV) in southeastern Chinese live birds markets

Between January 2004 and December 2005, cloacal swabs from essentially healthy chickens and silky chickens from live birds markets in Guangdong and Hunan provinces in southeastern China were screened for chicken anemia virus (CAV) by polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic analysis of the major structural protein VP1 sequences showed no clear genotype cluster and no correlation with the geographic origin of CAV strains. Virus evolution at the amino acid level was very slow, which corresponds to a strong negative selection of the VP1 gene in China and worldwide. A high proportion (87%) of birds was CAV positive, suggesting that many farms in the region were infected. Further investigations are necessary to evaluate the economic losses caused by CAV and the cost-benefit of vaccination.     

Achieving sustainable aquaculture: Historical and current perspectives and future needs and challenges

Important operational changes that have gradually been assimilated and new approaches that are developing as part of the movement toward sustainable intensive aquaculture production systems are presented via historical, current, and future perspectives. Improved environmental and economic sustainability based on increased efficiency of production continues to be realized. As a result, aquaculture continues to reduce its carbon footprint through reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Reduced use of freshwater and land resources per unit of production, improved feed management practices as well as increased knowledge of nutrient requirements, effective feed ingredients and additives, domestication of species, and new farming practices are now being applied or evaluated. Successful expansion into culture of marine species, both off and on shore, offers the potential of substantial increases in sustainable intensive aquaculture production combined with integrative efforts to increase efficiency will principally contribute to satisfying the increasing global demand for protein and food security needs.     

Influence of dietary fatty acids and cholesterol on the growth and survival of the Argentine prawn,Artemesia longinaris Bate

The influence of essential fatty acids and cholesterol on the growth and survival of the Argentine shrimp Artemesia longinaris, was tested using experimental pelleted diets based on a standard diet. A series of diets were designed and prepared by adding cholesterol, pure oleic acid, raw linseed oil and fish oil (rich in fatty acids of the ω 3 series).After 30 days, no significant differences in growth were registered among the animals fed different rations, although significant differences in survival were found. The best survival was obtained with the diet supplemented with fish oil (87.3%). Survival of prawns fed the other diets was significantly lower (53.3–56.7%). Animals fed low fat diet, showed the lowest survival (30%).The results indicated the importance of cholesterol in the diet, and stressed the dietary necessity of highly unsaturated fetty acids of the linolenic acid series for the optimal survival of A. longinaris.     

Towards a universal scale to assess sexual maturation and related life history traits in oviparous teleost fishes

The literature presents a confusing number of macroscopic maturation scales for fish gonads, varying from over-simplified scales comprising three to four stages to highly specific and relatively complicated nine-stage scales. The estimation of some important life history traits are dependent on a correct assessment and use of the gonadal maturation scales, and frequent mistakes have been made in many studies. The goal of this report is to provide a synthetic, relatively simple, yet precise maturation scale that works for most oviparous teleost fishes. The synthetic scale proposed here is based on the correspondence between key physiological and cytological processes of gamete development and corresponding modifications observed at the macroscopic level. It is based on previous and ongoing studies of several fish species pertaining to some of the most important African and Neotropical taxa, including Characiformes, Siluriformes, Osteoglossiformes and Perciformes. This scale should allow for standardized protocols of field studies and improve intra- and inter-specific comparisons of life history traits. Guidelines on the correct use of this scale to estimate these life history traits are provided.