Genetic and physical mapping of photoperiod insensitive gene Ppd-B1 in common wheat

Photoperiod response is a major determinant of duration of growing stages in wheat. Conscious selection for these photoperiod response genes in plant breeding programs will yield genotypes with better adaptation to diverse environments. To provide a starting point for the development of molecular markers useful for the selection process, genetic maps around the photoperiod insensitive gene Ppd-B1 were built employing three segregating populations. Of 25 markers that were selected for the Ppd-B1 region, only two could be mapped across all three populations. In pairwise comparisons, the extent of transferable markers ranged from three to eight. Recombination frequencies of markers distal to Ppd-B1 were more homogeneous than those of proximal markers. This finding suggested a closer proximity of Ppd-B1 to the markers that were mapped distal to breakpoint 0.83 in the physical map of chromosome 2BS. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Fate of (14)C-labeled soybean and corn pesticides in tropical soils of Brazil under laboratory conditions

The dissipation rate of seven currently used soybean and corn pesticides in two tropical soils (Ustox and Psamments) of Brazil was studied in a laboratory incubation experiment. Dissipation half-lives of pesticides ranged between 2 (monocrotofos) and 90 days (endosulfan-beta). The contrasting clay contents of the studied tropical soils (130 versus 470 g of clay kg(-1) of soil) did not influence the dissipation dynamics of pesticides substantially. Mineralization to CO(2) was high [up to 78% of the applied radioactivity (AR)] for the studied organophosphorus compounds and deltamethrin, which also formed considerable amounts of bound residues (>20% of AR) during the 80 days of incubation. The highest portion of nonextractable residues was found for alachlor and simazine (55-60% of AR). In contrast, the nonpolar trifluralin and endosulfan formed only small amounts of bound residues (mostly <20% of AR) but showed the highest dissipation half-lives (>14 days) in the studied soils, also due to a low mineralization rate. When endosulfan-sulfate, as the main metabolite of endosulfan, was considered, the half-life time of endosulfan compounds (sum of -alpha, -beta, and -sulfate) was enhanced to >160 days in both soils. In comparison with the laboratory experiments, dissipation half-life times of chlorpyrifos, endosulfan-alpha, and trifluralin were shortened by a factor of 10-30 in field trials with the same soils, which was related to the volatilization potential of pesticides from soils.     

Bestimmung der Lagerungsdichte in stark skeletthaltigen Böden

Determination of bulk density in stony soils A new method is represented which makes it possible to measure the bulk density easily even in the case of stony soils. First results demonstrate the reliability of this new method.     

Estimates of sea turtle mortality from poaching and bycatch in Bahía Magdalena, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Bahia Magdalena on the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico, is an important feeding and nursery ground for black turtles Chelonia mydas, loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta, olive ridley turtles Lepidochelys olivacea, and hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata. Despite international and national protection, sea turtles continue to be caught incidentally and hunted for consumption in large numbers. This study examines the mortality of sea turtles in Bahia Magdalena, focusing on (1) species distribution and number of carcasses found, (2) causes of death, (3) size frequency distribution and % juveniles in the catch, and (4) changes in average size over the past years. A total of 1945 turtle carcasses were found from April 2000 to July 2003 along beaches and in towns of the region with loggerhead (44.1%) and black turtles (36.9%) being the dominant species. Slaughter for human consumption was the primary cause of death of carcasses found in towns (95-100%), while carcasses on beaches mostly died of unknown causes (76-100%). Circumstantial evidence suggests however, that incidental bycatch was the main mortality cause on beaches. Black turtles suffered the highest consumption mortality overall (91%), followed by olive ridley (84%), hawksbill (83%) and loggerhead turtles (63%). Over 90% of all turtles found were juveniles or subadults. Carapace length of black turtles declined consistently over the sampling period, while that of loggerhead turtles increased. Our results strongly suggest that turtles are being taken at high and unsustainable rates; this may partially explain why the populations have not recovered despite widespread protection on nesting beaches.     

Stability of expression of reference genes in porcine peripheral blood mononuclear and dendritic cells

Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is a critical tool used to evaluate changes in gene expression. The precision of this tool is reliant upon the selection of reference genes whose expression remains unaltered in culture conditions and following stimulation. Stably expressed reference genes are used to normalize data so observed changes in expression are not due to artifacts but rather reflect physiological changes. In this study, we examined the expression stability of the porcine genes glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit A (SDHA), eukaryotic elongation factor 1 gamma-like protein (eEF1), ribosomal protein L19 (RPL19), beta-actin (ACTB) and ATP synthase mitochondrial F0 complex (ATP5G1) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), monocytes, monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs), blood isolated dendritic cells (BDCs) and T cells with or without stimulation with lipolysaccharide (LPS). An M value was used as a measure of gene stability as determined using geNORM software. Recommendations for the use of reference genes include using GAPDH and B-actin in PBMCs: RPL19 and SDHA in T cells; RPL19 and B-actin in monocytes; RPL-19 and SDHA in BDCs: and RPL-19 and ATP5GA in MoDCs.     

A unique novel reptilian paramyxovirus, four atadenovirus types and a reovirus identified in a concurrent infection of a corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) collection in Germany

In 2009, 26 clinical samples (organs and oral/cloacal swabs) from a total of 24 corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) from a single owner were sent to our laboratory to be tested for the presence of viruses. Paramyxoviruses (PMV), adenoviruses (AdV) and reoviruses were detected by RT-PCR, PCR and virus isolation methods. Three snakes were infected with all three viruses at the same time, while two other snakes had a double infection (PMV and reo, AdV and reo) and nine other snakes had a single infection with any of the three viruses. No viruses were detected in 10 animals. All isolated reoviruses were identical to one another and to the reptilian orthoreovirus isolate 55-02 in the partial RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RDRP) gene sequence. AdV partial polymerase sequences represented four different types, one of which was first described here: most similar to SnAdV-1, while the other three were identical to known types: SnAV-1, -2 and -3. However, the detected single PMV differed distinctly from described reptile PMV and was a new type. According to partial L gene, HN gene and U gene sequences it may be the first described representative of a third squamatid PMV cluster: "group C" within the proposed reptilian PMV genus "Ferlavirus". Nucleotide identity values for the L gene of the new PMV compared to group A viruses range between 76.5 and 80.3%, and between 80.5 and 81.2% compared to group B viruses. For the HN gene, these values were similar: 78.2-80% (A) and 79.9-80.5% (B) and somewhat lower for the U gene: 72.7-75.4% (A) and 69.7-70% (B). No reports on the prevalence of concurrent viral infection in captive snake populations have been published so far. The possibility of concurrent infection with several different viruses and subsequent consequences for animal health should be kept in mind when testing reptile samples for viruses.     

Microbiological colonisation of bovine teat canal--significance and influencing factors

The teat canal of lactating dairy cattle is of particular importance for the defence of facultative pathogenic and pathogenic microorganisms (e.g., staphylococci) invading the bovine udder. Furthermore the canal is usually colonized with microorganisms, too. In addition to microorganisms inhibiting mastitis pathogens the teat canal is colonized by staphylococci. The microbial colonization can be influenced by the environment of the animals, the care and disinfection of the teat skin and indirectly by the effects of forces being associated with machine milking. Because of vacuum fluctuations occurring under the teat tip microorganisms, which colonize the teat canal, can invade the bovine mammary gland and cause infections there. This paper gives a review of the microbial colonization of the bovine teat duct and of influencing factors on the microbial populations as well as of the significance of the teat canal colonization for the development of mastitis.     

Pathogenesis of classical swine fever--similarities to viral haemorrhagic fevers: a review

In spite of differences in etiology, viral haemorrhagic diseases share similarities in their pathogenesis. Characteristic for these diseases are thrombocytopenia, petechia and increased vascular leakage. Most lesions can be attributed to cytokine-mediated interactions triggered by infected and activated monocytes and macrophages, rather than by virus-induced direct cell damage. Causative agents of viral hemorrhagic diseases are enveloped RNA viruses. In most cases, they are transmitted to humans from their animal hosts by rodents or arthropod vectors (Arboviruses). Due to the clinical picture, the acute lethal form of classical swine fever (CSF) is also considered as a viral haemorrhagic disease. CSF is caused by an RNA virus in the family Flaviviridae, and members of the Suidae family are the only ones clinically affected. It is a highly contagious, therefore notifiable disease. In contrast to other viral hamorrhagic diseases, it is mainly transmitted oro-nasally by contact with infected pigs, or by contaminated items (semen, swill feed, clothing). The present survey summarizes analogies between classical representatives of viral haemorrhagic fevers, and recapitulates current knowledge concerning the pathogenesis of classical swine fever.     

Effects of an additional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory therapy with carprofen (Rimadyl Rind) in cases of severe mastitis of high yielding cows

This field study focuses on the possible effects of a combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory treatment (carprofen) and a local and parenteral antibiotic on cure rates, survival rate and return to milk production of severe clinical mastitis cases. 69 cows in 3 herds (blocked by parity) with severe clinical mastitis during the first 120 d of lactation (median = 28 d) were treated with antibiotics and one-half of these cows were treated with 1.4 mg/kg bodyweight carprofen (Rimadyl Rind, Pfizer GmbH Tiergesundheit, Germany). Double milk samples for bacteriology were collected from clinically affected udder quarters before treatment and at 14 (+/- 3) and 21 (+/- 3) days after commencement of treatment for cytomicro-temperature, clinical, bacteriological, cytobacteriological cure rate and in the number of cows that were defined as treatment failures (i.e., died, re-treated, relapse). Six (22.2%) vs. seven (19.4%) cows in the carprofen and control groups failed, respectively. The milk yield was significantly higher in the carprofen-treated group compared with the control group after treatment. The present work gives first indications that treatment of cows with severe clinical mastitis with a combination of carprofen and antibiotics could result in a faster return to milk production compared to treatment with antibiotics alone. If this effect can be affiliated to the administration of carprofen alone has to be examined in further studies.     

Comparative study on antioxidant activity of lycopene (Z)-isomers in different assays

Several studies have implicated the potent antioxidant properties of lycopene. However, most of the studies used only the (all-E)-isomer. (Z)-Isomers of lycopene were found in substantial amounts in processed foods and in human tissues. In the present study, we investigated in vitro the antioxidant activity of (5Z)-, (9Z)-, and (13Z)-lycopene compared to the (all-E)-isomer. Additionally, prolycopene, the (7Z,9Z,7'Z,9'Z)-isomer found in tangerine tomatoes, was analyzed. No significant differences were found between the isomers in ferric reducing antioxidant power assay and in bleaching the radical cation of 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), both based on ET mechanisms. In contrast, scavenging activity against peroxyl radicals generated by thermal degradation of 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) (AAPH) was higher in the (Z)-isomers. (5Z)-Lycopene was most antioxidant in scavenging lipid peroxyl radicals, evaluated by analyzing the inhibition of MbFe(III) lipid peroxidation of linoleic acid in mildly acidic conditions (pH 5.8) in a micellar environment, modeling a possible antioxidant action in the gastric compartment.