Identification of parents suitable for molecular mapping of immunity and resistance genes in solanum species

A survey of DNA polymorphisms and bacterial ring rot reactions inSolanum species was conducted to identify parents that when crossed would produce an F₁ mapping population useful for identifying DNA markers tightly linked to genes for immunity or resistance to bacterial ring rot.Solanum tuberosum, S. acaule, diploidSolanum species, doubled monoploid lines ofS. phureja, and somatic fusion hybrids betweenS. tuberosum andS. brevidens were established in tissue culture from single true potato seeds or tubers and evaluated for bacterial ring rot reactions in greenhouse studies with root-inoculated tissue cultured plantlets. Establishment of tissue culture stocks insured the availability of homogeneous genetic material for use in bacterial ring rot assays and genetic analyses. Presence ofClavibacter michiganense subsp.sepedonicum was assessed in stems by an immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFAS). Two accessions were found to be immune to bacterial ring rot. DNA polymorphisms were detected within and among 24 accessions evaluated with 24 RFLP markers and 10 arbitrary oligonucleotide primers (RAPDs). These results identify parents suitable for future mapping of gene (s) for immunity or resistance to bacterial ring rot.     

Kinetic analysis of 5 sugar probes in dog serum after orogastric administration

The objective of this study was to describe the kinetics of orally administered sugar probes in serum for the assessment of gastrointestinal permeability and intestinal absorptive capacity in dogs. Eight healthy dogs received lactulose (L), rhamnose (R), methylglucose (M), xylose (X), and sucrose (S) by orogastric intubation. Baseline blood samples and subsequently timed blood samples were taken during 24 hours. Sugars were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Statistical analysis was performed using a Friedman test with Dunn’s multiple comparison post test and a Kruskal-Wallis test. Statistical significance was set at a P-value < 0.05. Sugars in serum were detected after orogastric administration. Concentrations of L and R were significantly different from the baseline from 90 to 240 and 60 to 300 min, respectively, and those of X, M, and S were different from 30 to 240 min post-dosing (P < 0.05 for all 5 probes). Maximum concentrations of L and R were obtained at 180 min, while X, M, and S reached their maximum concentrations at 90 min post-dosing. For all sugars, no statistically significant differences were found between concentrations at 90, 120, and 180 min or between the coefficients of variation (CV%) of those mean concentrations for these 3 time points. Based on these data, the collection of 2 blood samples, one taken at baseline and the other obtained between 90 and 180 minutes after dosing, might be sufficient for the determination of gastrointestinal permeability and mucosal absorptive capacity using these 5 sugar probes in canine serum.     

Linking coastal aquaculture of meagre Argyrosomus regius and Western Mediterranean coastal fisheries through escapes incidents

Escape incidents in coastal aquaculture lead to economic losses for farmers and may have indirect socio‐economic effects on local fisheries. In this study, the relationship of meagre, Argyrosomus regius (Asso), production in open‐sea cages and coastal small‐scale fisheries was analysed through captures of escapes, which are easily detected because this species is considered locally absent in native communities in Western Mediterranean regions. Scale reading showed that 100% of captured meagre were escapees. The existence of a direct relationship, in terms of biomass, between the development of meagre coastal aquaculture and the increase of captures of this species by local fisheries was demonstrated. The spatial distribution of meagre captures suggested that there is a local environmental and economic interaction between meagre aquaculture and fisheries through escapees. Monitoring the presence of locally absent species such as meagre within landings might help to assess the magnitude of escapes, the potential economic effects on local aquaculture and fishery industries, and the potential adverse ecological impacts on local ecosystems.     

Characterization of the urogenital microbiome in Miniature Schnauzers with and without calcium oxalate urolithiasis

BackgroundCalcium oxalate (CaOx) uroliths are common in dogs. Humans with CaOx urolithiasis exhibit alterations of the urinary and urogenital microbiomes that might mediate urolith formation. Detection of urogenital microbes associated with CaOx in dogs could inform disease pathophysiology.ObjectiveTo identify compositional differences in the urogenital microbiome of Miniature Schnauzers with and without CaOx uroliths.AnimalsNineteen midstream, voided urine samples from Miniature Schnauzers with (n = 9) and without (n = 10) a history of CaOx urolithiasis.MethodsAnalytical cross‐sectional study. Microbial DNA was extracted from previously frozen urine samples and sequenced for the bacterial 16S rRNA V3‐V4 hypervariable regions. Diversity and composition of microbial populations were compared between urolith formers and controls.ResultsAlpha and beta diversity measures were similar between groups. Five individual bacterial taxa differed in abundance (indicator values >0.5 and P < .05): Acinetobacter, 2 Geobacillus variants, and Hydrogenophaga were overrepresented in the urine of urolith formers, and Sphingopyxis was overrepresented in controls. Two distinct subtypes of urine microbial composition were observed based on beta diversity measures, independent of urolith status, and other clinical variables.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceAlthough we did not detect a difference in the overall urogenital microbial composition between groups, observed differences in individual bacterial taxa might be clinically relevant. For example, Acinetobacter was overrepresented in urolith formers and is associated with CaOx urolithiasis in humans. Two unique clusters of the microbiome were identified, independent of urolith status, which may represent distinct urotypes present in Miniature Schnauzers.