Multiple resistance of Papaver rhoeas L. to 2,4‐D and acetolactate synthase inhibitors in four European countries

The issue of cross‐ or multiple resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors and the auxinic herbicide 2,4‐D was investigated in Papaver rhoeas L., a common and troublesome weed in winter cereals, in a broad‐scale study across four European countries. A combination of herbicide sensitivity bioassays and molecular assays targeting mutations involved in resistance was conducted on 27 populations of P. rhoeas originating from Greece (9), Italy (5), France (10) and Spain (3). Plants resistant to the field rate of 2,4‐D were observed in 25 of the 27 populations assayed, in frequencies ranging from 5% to 85%. Plants resistant to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides (sulfonylureas) were present in 24 of the 27 populations, in frequencies ranging from 4% to 100%. Plants resistant to 2,4‐D co‐occurred with plants resistant to sulfonylureas in 23 populations. In four of these, the probability of presence of plants with cross‐ or multiple resistance to 2,4‐D and sulfonylureas was higher than 0.5. ALS genotyping of plants from the field populations or of their progenies, identified ALS alleles carrying a mutation at codon Pro197 or Trp574 in 2,4‐D‐sensitive and in 2,4‐D‐resistant plants. The latter case confirmed multiple resistance to 2,4‐D and ALS inhibitors at the level of individual plants in all four countries investigated. This study is the first to identify individual plants with multiple resistance in P. rhoeas, an attribute rarely assessed in other weed species, but one with significant implications in designing chemical control strategies.     

Development of a PCR test for the identification of Staphylococcus intermedius based on the 16S rDNA sequence

The development of a PCR assay based on the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) sequence was carried out for the identification of Staphylococcus intermedius. Sixty-six strains of S. intermedius, 70 of Staphylococcus aureus and 2 of Staphylococcus hyicus were examined for the assay. The 16S rDNA, of which the PCR target fragment makes up 901 bp corresponding to the sequence data of the gene, was detected in all strains of S. intermedius, but it was not detected in any strains of either S. aureus or S. hyicus. These results suggest that the PCR allows a simple and precise identification of S. intermedius.     

Etude de la remanence du DDT sur legumes a la suite de l'application des traitements insecticides

Résumé On présente des données sur la persistence du DDT sur tomates, poivrons, et aubergines en plein champ, et sur tomates en serre, à la suite de l'application des traitements par concentrés émulsifiables. Dans le cas des tomates on a constaté que le dépôt résiduel est audessous de 1 ppm apres un intervalle de 11 jours depuis l'application du traitement en champ. En serre, et pour la même quantité de substance toxique, la persistence se maintient jusqu'à 36 jours.Le dépôt initial sur aubergines est plus élevé que dans le cas des tomates, atteignant jusqu'à 1 ppm. après environ 22 à 29 jours. Chez les poivrons, le résidu initial est très grand par rapport aux deux premières légumes et atteint 19 ppm. 22 Jours après le traitement celui-ci varie entre 0,8–1,3 ppm.Ensuite, on a étudié la dynamique de la répartition dans le temps de la substance toxique par unité de surface. Les résultats obtenus démontrent l'uniformité des traitements; la diminution de la quantité de substance toxique dans le temps est due autant au facteur croissance qu'aux conditions de climat.

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Summary The paper deals with data on the persistence of DDT on tomatoes, sweet peppers and eggplants in the field, and on tomatoes in the greenhouse, following the application of emulsions. It is shown that in tomatoes, residual deposits are below 1 ppm 11 days after treatments in the field. In the greenhouse, the persistence is long-lasting, attaining up to 36 days when the same amount of toxicant is applied.In eggplants, the initial deposit is higher than in tomatoes attaining about 1 ppm after 22–29 days. In sweet peppers, the initial amount of residue is very large as compared to the first two vegetables and attains 19 ppm; 22 days after the treatement it ranges between 0.8–1.3 ppm.Besides, the dynamics of toxicant distribution with time, per area unit was studied. The data obtained demonstrate the uniformity of the treatments, and that the diminution of the amount of toxicant with time is due to both the growth factor and the climate conditions.

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Zusammenfassung In diesem Beitrag werden Daten betreffs der Karenzzeit der DDT-Rückstände auf Tomaten, Paprika und Eierfrüchten nach Behandlung des Feldbestandes und auf Tomaten, die im Treibhaus mit DDT-Emulsionen behandelt wurden, wiedergegeben. Aus unseren Untersuchungen geht hervor, daß der Rückstandswert auf Tomaten 11 Tage nach der Behandlung des Feldbestandes weniger als 1 ppm beträgt. Im Treibhaus hingegen erstreckt sich die Karenzzeit (Verweildauer) bis auf 36 Tage unter Anwendung derselben Wirkstoffmenge.Auf den Eierfrüchten ist der anfängliche Rückstandswert größer als auf den Tomaten und erreicht nach ungefähr 22–29 Tagen Werte unter 1 ppm. Im Falle der Paprikaschoten sind die Rückstandswerte anfangs sehr hoch im Gegensatz zu den vorher genannten Gemüsesorten und zwar erreichen sie 19 ppm. Nach 22 Tagen verzeichnen wir hier Werte von 0,8–1,3 ppm.Anschließend verfolgten wir die Dynamik der Wirkstoffverbreitung im Verhältnis der Zeit zur Oberflächeneinheit.Die erzielten Ergebnisse deuten sowohl auf eine uniform durchgeführte Behandlungsweise hin als auch auf die Tatsache, daß der zeitliche Rückgang der Rückstandsmenge von Wachstum und Klimabedingungen abhängig ist.

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avec 4 figs.     

Cushing's disease in dogs: cabergoline treatment

The treatment of pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) in dogs has for a long time been focused on inhibiting the adrenal gland using drugs such as o-p'-DDD, Ketoconazole and Trilostane, without attacking the primary cause: the corticotrophinoma. Corticotroph cells can express the D2 dopaminergic receptor; therefore cabergoline (Cbg) could be effective as a treatment. Follow-up over 4 years was carried out in 40 dogs with PDH that were treated with Cbg (0.07 mg/kg/week. Out of the 40 dogs, 17 responded to Cbg (42.5%). A year after the treatment, there was a significant decrease in ACTH (p<0.0001), alpha-MSH (p<0.01), urinary cortisol/creatinine ratio (p<0.001), and of the tumor size (p<0.0001) evaluated by nuclear magnetic resonance. Dogs responding to Cbg lived significantly longer (p<0.001) than those in the control group. To conclude, Cbg is useful in 42.5% of dogs with PDH, justifying its use as a treatment.     

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy under field conditions in Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) rescued from illegal bile farming in Vietnam

Nine adult Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) previously rescued from illegal bile farming in Vietnam were examined via abdominal ultrasound and exploratory laparoscopy for liver and gall bladder pathology. Three bears demonstrated notable gall bladder pathology, and minimally invasive cholecystectomies were performed using an open laparoscopic access approach, standard 10 to 12 mmHg carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum and a four-port technique. A single bear required insertion of an additional 5 mm port and use of a flexible liver retractor due to the presence of extensive adhesions between the gall bladder and quadrate and left and right medial liver lobes. The cystic duct was dissected free and this and the cystic artery were ligated by means of extracorporeal tied Meltzer knot sutures. The gall bladder was dissected free of the liver by blunt and sharp dissection, aided by 3.8 MHz monopolar radiosurgery. Bears that have had open abdominal cholecystectomies are reported as taking four to six weeks before a return to normal activity postoperatively. In contrast, these bears demonstrated rapid unremarkable healing, and were allowed unrestricted access to outside enclosures to climb trees, swim and interact normally with other bears within seven days of surgery.     

Evaluation of the association between microalbuminuria and the urine albumin-creatinine ratio and systemic disease in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate semiquantitative and quantitative assays for microalbuminuria and determination of the urine albumin-creatinine (UAC) ratio in detection of systemic disease in dogs without overt proteinuria. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 408 dogs. PROCEDURES: Urine samples that had been obtained from dogs for which a complete medical record was available and in which results of a dipstick test for urine protein were negative were evaluated. Urine protein-creatinine ratios (cutoff values, 0.5 and 0.1), semiquantitative and quantitative microalbuminuria values (cutoff value, 1 mg/dL), and UAC ratios (cutoff values, 100 and 200 mg/g) were determined. Clinical diagnoses rendered within 3 months of enrollment in the study were recorded. Sensitivity and specificity were determined with disease status serving as the standard. Associations with clinical diagnosis, sex, age, BUN and serum creatinine concentrations, blood pressure, results of bacterial culture of urine, temperature, pyuria, hematuria, and bacteriuria were evaluated by use of logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: 48 dogs were healthy, and 360 had at least 1 disease. Significant associations were detected between age, presence of disease, presence of neoplastic disease, BUN and serum creatinine concentrations, and hematuria and results of 1 or both of the microalbuminuria assays. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Microalbuminuria was associated with underlying disease. The sensitivity and specificity of the semiquantitative microalbuminuria test for detection of systemic disease were superior to those of other tests. Microalbuminuria testing in conjunction with other screening procedures may increase diagnosis of subclinical disease, but a prospective study in which the predictive values of screening tests are evaluated, with and without microalbuminuria determination, is needed.     

An evaluation of sand-culture techniques for studying the tolerance of fruit crops to soil-acting herbicides

Sand-culture techniques for determining the tolerance of fruit crops to herbicides applied to the roots were investigated. Of the methods examined, a single application to pots with a closed drainage system was the most useful provided they were protected from rain. A semi-automatic system for applying herbicides was developed for use where repeated treatment was required. Visual scoring of plant condition was the most informative method of assessing response and was reliable. Results correlated well with weight measurements of leaves, shoots or whole plants. For each herbicide ED50 values were derived from dose-response curves and used to express relative tolerance. The slopes of these curves provided an indication of the rate of change of response with dose. The relative tolerance of a range of fruit crops to simazine corresponded to known relative tolerance in field conditions in the U.K. It is concluded that sand-culture techniques can be used as a preliminary screen to find new soil-acting herbicides for perennial crops and to detect differences in tolerance between cultivars. They also enable the direct influence of plant and seasonal factors on response to root-applied herbicides to be studied. Large numbers of treatments can be tested in a small area with the certainty of obtaining positive results. Evaluation des techniques de culture sur sable pour l'étude de la résistance des cultures fruitières aux herbicides agissant par le sol Les auteurs ont étudiè les techniques de culture sur sable pour déterminer la résistance des cultures fruitiéres aux herbicides racinaires, Parmi les méthiodes examinées, celle comportant une seule application, avec un systéme clos de drainage, s'est révélée la plus pratique, à condition qu'elle comporte une protection contre la pluie. Un systéme semi-automatique pour l'application des herbicides a été mis au point pour les cas où des traitements répétés sont nécessaires. L'observation visuelle du comportement de la plante s'est montreée la méthode la plus instructive pour apprécier les réactions; c'est aussi une méthode súre. Les résultats ont montré une bonne concordance avec les mesures pondérales des feuilles, des pousses, ou des plantes entiéres. Pour chaque herbicide, les valeurs de la E.D. 50 ont ét? déduites des courbes de réaction en fonction de la dose et utilisées pour exprimer la résistance relative. La pente de ces courbes a fourni une indication sur le taux de modification de la réaction en fonction de la dose. La résistance relative d'une série de cultures fruitiéres ? la simazine a correspondu ? la résistance relative constatée au champ dans les conditions du Royaume-Uni. Il en est conclu que les techniques de culture sur sable peuvent être utilisées comme tests de sélection primaire pour découvrir de nouveaux herbicides agissant par le sol pour le désherbage des cultures pérennes, ainsi que pour déceler les différences de résistance entre cultivars. Ces techniques rendent ègalement possible l'étude de l'influence directe de la plante et des facteurs saisonniers sur les réactions aux herbicides racinaires. De nombreux traitments peuvent ètre étudiés sur une surface réduite avec la certitude d'obtenir des résultats positifs. Beurteilung von Sandkulture-Techniken für die Untersuchung von Obstgewächsen aufihre Toleranz gegenüber Bodenherbiziden Es wurden Sandkultur-Techniken zur Bestimmung der Toleranz von Obstgewächsen gegenüber bodenapplizierten Herbiziden geprüft. Von den geprüften Methoden war die einmalige Herbizidgabe zu Gefässen mit einem geschlossenen Drainage-system das brauchbarste Verfahren, unter der Voraussetzung. daß die Gefässe vor Regen geschützt waren. Für die Fälle, in denen eine mehrmalige Herbizidapplikation zu erfolgen hat, wurde ein halbautomatisches System entwickelt. Das informativste und zuverlässigste Auswertungsverfahren war die visuelle Bonitur. Die Ergebnisse waren mit Messungen des Gewichts, der Blätter, Sprosse oder der ganzen Pflanzen gut korreliert. Für jedes Herbizid wurden mit Hilfe von Dosis-Wirkungskurven ED₅₀-Werte ermittelt und als Maß der relativen Toleranz benutzt. Die Steigung der Dosis-Wirkungskurven ermöglichten es. die Abhängigkeit von Aufwandmenge und Reaktion zu erfassen. Bei einer Reihe von Obstgewächsen entsprach die relative Toleranz den Werten. die in Großbritannien unter Feld-bedingungen ermittelt wurden. Die Ergebnisse lassen den Schluss zu, dass Sandkultur-Techniken als erster Schritt bei der Suche nach neuen Bodenherbiziden in mehrjährigen Kulturen verwendet werden können, womit auch Toleranzunterschiede zwischen Sorten erfasst werden können. Derartige Verfahren ermöglichen es auch, den Einfluss von Pflanzen und Klimafaktoren auf die herbizidwirkung zu studieren. Mit diesen Techniken können auf kleiner Fläche brauchbare Ergebnisse erzielt werden.     

Population genetic structure,gene flow and recombination of Cochliobolus miyabeanus on cultivated wildrice (Zizania palustris)

A collection of 168 Cochliobolus miyabeanus isolates was made from cultivated wildrice (Zizania palustris) paddies in Minnesota, USA, during 2007 and 2008. Analysis of 26 polymorphic amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers generated with three primer‐pair combinations indicated a moderate average gene diversity () of 0·283. Genotypic diversity was high in all collection areas with the exception of a paddy in Itasca County. Significant population subdivision by collection site was found with amova tests using both the entire fungal population data (F_ST = 0·29, P < 0·001) and the clone‐corrected data (F_ST = 0·08, P < 0·001), and with a Markov chain Monte Carlo approach. Abundant immigrants, shared haplotypes and admixed genotypes were found in paddies in central‐eastern areas. Although indirect tests did not support the hypothesis of random mating at the subpopulation level, sexual recombination nevertheless may be possible in areas where both mating type idiomorphs, MAT1‐1 and MAT1‐2, were found. These results may have implications in breeding for resistance and disease management.