Behaviour of sulphur and nitrogen compounds measured at marine stations Lista and Säby in Scandinavia

Long distance transport of various air pollutants has been studied at two Scandinavian coastal sites. The measuring period has covered one year divided into 4 campaigns. Seasonal variations for sulphur and nitrogen compounds as well as anthropogenically emitted metals are reported. Concentrations of Pb and Zn as well as the ratio of V/Ni concentrations have been used to trace sulphuric episodes. Covariation of anthropogenic pollutants for the two sites is demonstrated.     

Production of interspecific F1 hybrids, BC1, BC2 and BC3 populations between Lycopersicon esculentum and two accessions of Lycopersicon peruvianum carrying new root-knot nematode resistance genes

Two accessions of Lycopersicon peruvianum Mill. (PI270435, PI126443) carrying Mi-2 and Mi-3, respectively, new root-knot nematode resistance genes, were selected as the male parents for crosses with L. esculentum Mill. in order to produce interspecific hybrids. Crossability barriers between these two distantly related species were circumvented by ovule culture. A total of ten interspecific F₁ hybrid plants were produced. The hybrid nature of the putative F₁ plants was confirmed by a comparison of several morphological characteristics and a PCR-based assay. Eight of ten hybrid plants were backcrossed with L. esculentum to generate a total of 98 BC₁ progeny. Two lines were advanced to the BC₂ and BC₃ levels. Based on these results, ovule culture was found to be an effective method for the production of novel interspecific F₁ and BC₁ plants. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comparative fine mapping of fruit quality QTLs on chromosome 4 introgressions derived from two wild tomato species

Despite their unsuitability for agricultural production, the wild relatives of crop species represent a largely untapped resource of novel QTLs potentially useful for crop plant improvement. In this regard, previous introgression studies, involving several different wild tomato species, have shown that the long arm of chromosome 4 contains QTLs for many horticulturally important traits including soluble solids content, fruit shape, lycopene content and biochemical composition. However, these earlier studies were unable to determine how many genes control these traits and whether genes affecting the same character from different wild species are allelic or not. In an effort to shed light on these issues,we have constructed a series of lines containing small, overlapping introgressions for portions of the long arm of chromosome 4 from L. peruvianum and L. hirsutum and tested these lines in replicated field trials. The results provide evidence for multiple, non-allelic loci controlling soluble solids and fruit weight. They also show that the loci controlling some traits (e.g. fruit shape, fruit weight, epidermal reticulation) co-localize to the same portions of chromosome 4, a result that maybe attributed to pleiotropy and/or gene dense areas with lower than average recombination. The implications of these finding for molecular breeding and utilization of exotic germplasm are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Benefits and risks of barefoot harness racing in Standardbred trotters

There is a lack of research on the benefits and risks of shoeing conditions in harness racing. Thus, our objectives were to: (a) investigate whether velocity times (VT; s/km) are affected by racing unshod (N = 76,932 records on 5,247 horses); (b) determine the potential risks of galloping, being penalized, and disqualification when competing unshod (N = 111,755 records on 6,423 horses); and (c) identify additional environmental factors that affect VT and risks. VT was found to be significantly influenced by shoeing condition (e.g., unshod, shod front, shod hind, or fully shod), but also by sex, age, season, track, track condition, start method, start position, distance, and driver‐horse performance level (p < 2e‐16). The risks of galloping and disqualification were significantly influenced by shoeing condition, sex, age, season, track, start method, start position, or driver‐horse performance level (p ≤ .05). Horses racing unshod had 0.7 s/km lower VT than fully shod horses and showed better performance when racing on neutral tracks during the late summer than horses with other shoeing conditions during the same period. However, racing unshod increased the relative risks of galloping and disqualification by 15%–35% in all seasons. Horses shod only on the hind hooves showed better performance than fully shod horses, without higher risks associated with competing unshod.     

Molecular discrimination of sheep and cattle isolates of Echinococcus granulosus by SSCP and conventional PCR in Turkey

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by hydatid cysts, is a widespread and hazardous disease in humans and animals worldwide. The aim of the current study was to investigate the genetic characteristics of sheep and cattle isolates of Echinococcus granulosus obtained from eastern Turkey using Single Stranded Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and conventional PCR method. A total of 54 isolates collected from Erzurum and Elazig provinces of east-Turkey were examined. The 31 of these were obtained from liver of sheep while 23 cattle isolates (12 of liver and 11 of lung) were tested. After the total genomic DNA isolation 12S rRNA gene of all isolates were examined by PCR for the aim of genetic characterization by conventional PCR and mitochondrial CO1 gene for SSCP analysis. The 12S rRNA-PCR yielded 254 bp of amplification product with all samples analyzed. Thus, these samples were identified as G1-G3 cluster (E. granulosus sensu stricto). At least two major single stranded bands were resolved for G1-G3 cluster and G5 in SSCP analysis. While the resolution of more than two additional single stranded bands in SSCP indicated the existence of G7 genotype. The SSCP analysis was identified the G5 and G7 while failed to G1 and G3. The present SSCP analysis classified all 54 cyst isolates from sheep and cattle as E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1-G3 cluster). However, some sequenced samples for G1 and G3 showed the same band patterns by SSCP.     

The expression of intermediate filaments in canine mammary glands and their tumors

Monoclonal antibodies specific for different types of intermediate filaments (cytokeratin, vimentin, desmin and neurofilaments) were used to study the histogenesis of canine mammary glands and 57 canine mammary tumors by immunocytochemistry. The intra- and interlobular duct epithelium, acinar, and intralobular myoepithelial cells stained positively for cytokeratin. Peripheral ductal and acinar cells, as well as interstitial cells, stained positively for vimentin. A similar staining pattern was seen in adenomas, complex adenomas, benign mixed tumors, ductular carcinomas, and one myoepithelioma-like tumor. Additionally, cytokeratin positive cells were scattered interstitially in one single adenoma, most complex adenomas, some benign mixed tumors, complex carcinomas, and in the malignant mixed tumors. All stromal cells stained positively for vimentin. The fibrosarcomas were positive only for vimentin, while the following expressed both desmin and cytokeratin: epithelial-like cells in one adenoma, three complex adenomas, the myoepithelioma-like tumor, the single comedo carcinoma, two complex carcinomas, the single lobular carcinoma, one malignant mixed tumor, and three osteosarcomas. Epithelial-like cells in one adenoma, six complex adenomas, two benign mixed tumors, two complex carcinomas, the lobular carcinoma, and the malignant schwannoma stained for neurofilaments. Three tumors, one adenoma, one complex adenoma, and the lobular carcinoma expressed both desmin and neurofilaments in addition to cytokeratin and vimentin. The results show the expression of different types of intermediate filaments and indicate that there might be a stem cell origin in most of the canine mammary tumors.     

Activation of complement system in kidney after ketoprofen-induced kidney injury in sheep

Background

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used to treat inflammatory pain in humans and animals. An overdose of an NSAID is nephrotoxic and can lead to acute kidney injury (AKI). Complement activation occurs in several types of renal disorders with proteinuria. The aim of this study was to investigate whether complement system becomes activated in kidneys after a high dose of NSAID. Kidney tissue and urine samples were collected from six sheep with ketoprofen-induced AKI and from six healthy control sheep. The localization of complement proteins in kidney tissue was carried out using immunohistochemical stainings, and excretion of C3 was tested by immunoblotting.

Results

The complement system was found to become activated in the kidney tissue as demonstrated by positive immunostaining for C1q, C3c, C4c, C5, C9 and factor H and by Western blotting analysis of C3 activation products in urine samples in sheep with AKI.

Conclusions

Our results thus suggest that the alternative complement pathway is activated, and it may contribute to the acute tubular injury seen in the kidneys of NSAID-induced AKI sheep. Inhibition of complement activation may serve as potential therapeutic target for intervention in drug-induced AKI.     

An assessment on CRISPR Cas as a novel asset in mitigating drought stress

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Drought stress is currently one of the major threats to the global food security as it primarily is the main cause behind yield loss and hence overall...     

Factors influencing biological traits and aggressiveness of Colletotrichum species associated with cashew anthracnose in Brazil

Anthracnose is the main fungal disease on cashew orchards in Brazil, occurring on both vegetative and reproductive organs of cultivated and noncultivated host plants. Understanding the effect of physical and chemical exogenous factors on the biological traits of Colletotrichum spp. and determining their host range are key to developing appropriate anthracnose control measures. The present study aimed to estimate the optimum temperatures for mycelial growth, sporulation, and conidial germination of seven Colletotrichum species (C. chrysophilum, C. fragariae, C. fructicola, C. gloeosporioides, C. queenslandicum, C. siamense, and C. tropicale) associated with cashew anthracnose in Brazil. Their aggressiveness on cashew leaves and six alternative host fruits, and their sensitivity to three fungicides were also investigated. The optimum temperatures for mycelial growth, sporulation, and conidial germination ranged from about 25 to about 33°C. All Colletotrichum species induced anthracnose symptoms on wounded cashew leaves, but none of them caused lesions on intact leaf surfaces. The Colletotrichum species, except for C. fragariae and C. fructicola, were pathogenic to wounded fruits of avocado, banana, guava, mango, and papaya, and some isolates also produced lesions on nonwounded fruit tissues. No symptoms were observed on passion fruits, regardless of the inoculation method. Mycelial growth, sporulation, conidial germination, and/or appressorial formation of the seven Colletotrichum species were inhibited by azoxystrobin, difenoconazole, and thiophanate-methyl to varying degrees. The present study will contribute to the development of forecasting models based on prevailing weather of cashew cropping zones and improve cashew anthracnose management in Brazil.     

Progeny production of Steinernema abbasi in lepidopterous larvae

Progeny production of a new entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema abbasi in various lepidopterous prepupae was investigated. Most dauer juveniles (DJs) developed in the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (234 000) but the bollworms Helicoverpa virescens (220 000) and Spodoptera exigua (166 000) were also good hosts. Progeny production was independent of the number of nematodes invading the host between the doses of 40 and 230 DJs. The infectivity of DJs declined when they were stored for 3 months but at 30°C approximately 11% of the DJs were still infective. S. abbasi is a nematode of the semi-arid tropics and it would be possible to use the nematode to target pests in these areas if it can be produced satisfactorily locally.