Genetic variability in French dog breeds assessed by pedigree data

Pedigree data of nine French dog breeds, namely Barbet (BAR), Basset fauve de Bretagne (BAF), Beauceron (BEN), Berger des Pyrénées (BRP), Bouledogue Français (BUF), Braque Saint‐Germain (BQG), Dogue de Bordeaux (DOB), Epagneul Breton (EPB) and Montagne des Pyrénées (MOP), were analysed. The effective numbers of ancestors of dogs born from 1997 to 2001 were equal to 6.7 (BAR), 40.2 (BAF), 36.5 (BEN), 16.0 (BRP), 37.0 (BUF), 13.1 (BQG), 28.9 (DOB), 33.3 (EPB) and 34.0 (MOP). The expected contributions of the major ancestors were found to be highly unbalanced in the EPB and BRP. The average coefficient of inbreeding of dogs born from 1997 to 2001 with both parents known was equal to 12.4% (BAR), 3.9% (BAF), 5.4% (BEN), 7.2% (BRP), 3.3% (BUF), 6.0% (BQG), 4.1% (DOB), 4.5% (EPB) and 4.0% (MOP). These values were found to be significantly higher than the average coefficient of kinship between the male and the female parents of these animals, except in the BAR and BQG, revealing an usual practice of mating between related animals. The results are discussed in relation with the demographic situation and the use of each breed. The method used to class an endangered breed and the ways to preserve the genetic variability, when necessary, are evoked.     

Metabolic labeling of plant cell cultures with K15NO3 as a tool for quantitative analysis of proteins and metabolites

Strategies for robust quantitative comparison between different biological samples are of high importance in experiments that address biological questions beyond the establishment of protein lists. Here, we propose the use of ¹⁵N-KNO₃ as the only nitrogen source in Arabidopsis cell cultures in order to achieve a metabolically fully labeled cell population. Proteins from such metabolically labeled culture are distinguishable from unlabeled protein populations by a characteristic mass shift that depends on the amino acid composition of the tryptic peptide analyzed. In addition, the metabolically labeled cell extracts are also suitable for comparative quantitative analysis of nitrogen-containing cellular metabolic complement. Protein extracts from unlabeled and from standardized ¹⁵N-labeled cells were combined into one sample for joined analytical processing. This has the advantage of (i) reduced experimental variability and (ii) immediate relative quantitation at the level of single extracted peptide and metabolite spectra. Together ease and accuracy of relative quantitation for profiling experiments is substantially improved. The metabolic labeling strategy has been validated by mixtures of protein extracts and metabolite extracts from the same cell cultures in known ratios of labeled to unlabeled extracts (1:1, 1:4, and 4:1). We conclude that saturating metabolic ¹⁵N-labeling provides a robust and affordable integrative strategy to answer questions in quantitative proteomics and nitrogen focused metabolomics.     

复方泛菌克对犬细小病毒的临床疗效观察

复方泛菌克是(犬毒必治)一种新型高效复方抗菌、抗病毒药物,能迅速消除动物肠毒素和内毒素,增强胃肠吸收能力,提高机体免疫功能。试验用犬毒必治对30只患犬细小病毒的病犬进行治疗,治愈28只,死亡2只,治愈率为93.3%。     

Allelopathic potential of watermelon tissues and root exudates

Allelopathic potential of watermelon in hydroponic culture was investigated using the continuous root exudates trapping system (CRETS). Laboratory bioassays and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used for quantification of phytotoxins in different plant tissues and root exudates collected using XAD-4 resin. Seedling growth of both watermelon and lettuce was significantly inhibited by watermelon root exudates and the degree of inhibition increased with increasing concentration of exudates. Root exudates had inhibitory effects throughout the experiment and these were most pronounced during the period 41–50 days after transplanting. Inhibitory effects of various plant tissues were demonstrated using the bioassay tests. Frulic acid was the dominant component found using HPLC and the amounts of allelochemicals found in the plant extracts were correlated with the bioassay results using the Petri dish test. The results indicate that the allelopathic potential of watermelon may play an important role in the phenomenon referred to as ‘soil sickness’.     

Malvastrum leaf curl Guangdong virus is a distinct monopartite begomovirus

Virus isolates GD6, GD7, GD8, GD9 and GD10 were obtained from Malvastrum coromandelianum showing leaf curl symptoms in Guangdong Province of China. A specific 500 bp product was consistently detected in total DNA extracts, amplified with universal primers specific for members of the genus Begomovirus. Analysis of their partial DNA sequences revealed that they are isolates of the same begomovirus species, sharing 92·8%–97·1% nucleotide sequence identity. The complete DNA sequences of both GD6 and GD9 were found to be 2767 nucleotides, with all the characteristic features of begomovirus genome organization. The two isolates have less than 85·2% nucleotide sequence identity with other reported begomoviruses. Consequently, GD6 and GD9 are considered to be isolates of a novel begomovirus species, for which the name Malvastrum leaf curl Guangdong virus (MLCuGdV) is proposed. Sequence analyses suggest that MLCuGdV may have arisen by recombination between viruses related to Papaya leaf curl China virus , Tomato leaf curl Philippines virus and other undiscovered virus ancestors. Neither the DNA-B component nor the DNAβ molecule associated with these begomovirus isolates was found. An infectious clone of GD6 was constructed. GD6 efficiently infected Nicotiana benthamiana , N. glutinosa and Petunia hybrida by agro-inoculation, and Malvastrum coromandelianum by whitefly transmission, inducing leaf curling, vein swelling and stunting symptoms. GD6 was also infectious in N. tabacum , but did not induce observable disease symptoms.     

UV-B radiation increases paraquat tolerance of two broad-leaved and two grass weeds in relation to changes in herbicide absorption and photosynthesis

Depletion of the protective ozone layer in the atmosphere leads to increasing UV‐B radiation on the earth's surface with potential effects on the response of plants to different stresses. Abutilon theophrasti, Amaranthus retroflexus, Digitaria sanguinalis and Chloris virgata are common weeds encountered in most arable fields in China. The effectiveness of herbicides used in controlling these weeds needs to be evaluated with increased UV‐B radiation. Seedlings of these four weeds were therefore grown under ambient and elevated UV‐B radiation to compare the efficacy of paraquat, a commonly used contact herbicide. Irrespective of species sensitivity to radiation, the elevated UV‐B radiation decreased the effectiveness of paraquat. Net photosynthesis rate was adversely affected except for D. sanguinalis, while the chlorophyll content was significantly reduced in A. retroflexus and C. virgata. UV‐B treatment increased the leaf surface wax and decreased the absorption of ¹⁴C‐paraquat in A. theophrasti, D. sanguinalis and C. virgata. These results suggest that the response of weeds to paraquat or the use of the herbicide may be affected by increased UV‐B radiation, to the extent that larger doses may be required to achieve desired effects. This may have damaging consequences for the environment.     

A dynamic model forecasting infection of pear leaves by conidia of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Venturia nashicola</Emphasis> and its evaluation in unsprayed orchards

A dynamic model, called VenInf, was developed to forecast infection of pear leaves by conidia of Venturia nashicola. By simulating conidial infection processes following a rain event, the model estimates % conidia that successfully infected leaves at the end of an infection period. The model is mainly derived from logistic models developed from recent laboratory and glasshouse experimental results on infection of pear seedlings to estimate the rates of infection and mortality. It simulates the conidial infection process at 5 min intervals using temperature, relative humidity (RH), surface wetness and rainfall as input. The model was evaluated against pear scab in four unsprayed orchards in China over a 4-year period. In all orchards, all significant disease increases were associated with infection periods predicted by the model. In one orchard, in 2004 the incidence of leaf infection remained very low (<3%) during the entire season despite the model forecasting several severe infection periods. Results of orchard evaluation suggest that the model is able to identify all important potential infection periods. Thus, further field studies should be carried out to determine whether and how the model can be used in practice to assist farmers in making decisions on fungicide applications.     

Identification of Tomato Leaf Factors that Activate Toxin Gene Expression in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000

ABSTRACT Coronatine is a non-host-specific chlorosis-inducing phytotoxin produced by the tomato and crucifer pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000. How the chromosomal gene cluster controlling toxin synthesis in this strain is regulated in planta is unknown. Ice nucleation-active cor:inaZ marker-exchange derivatives of strain DC3000 were used to determine coronatine gene expression in various host and nonhost plants and in a minimal medium supplemented with selected tomato plant constituents. Ice nucleation activity, which was first detected 4 h after inoculation, was highest in cabbage, tomato, and soybean and lowest in melon and cucumber. No correlation existed between bacterial population size and expression level on the various plants. Crude tomato leaf extract and intercellular fluid were strong inducers of toxin synthesis. Based on high-performance liquid chromatography analyses and bioassays, we concluded that the active components of both preparations were malic and citric acids, with minor contributions coming from shikimic and quinic acid. Although several compounds including glucose and inositol activated the toxin genes when tested at high concentrations (3 to 5 mM), shikimic and quinic acids were the only ones with activity at concentrations below 0.1 mM. Neither acid could be used as a sole carbon source by strain DC3000. The signal activity of shikimic acid was enhanced 10-fold by the addition of glucose. None of the plant phenolics that we screened affected coronatine gene expression.     

Gross Anatomy of the Pancreatic Lobes and Ducts in Six Breeds of Domestic Ducks and Six Species of Wild Ducks in China

A previously unreported pancreatic duct was found by Liu (1989) in Pekin ducks. This duct has now been consistently found in six breeds of domestic ducks and six species of wild ducks in China. For purposes of Nomina Anatomica Avium it is hereby called the ‘first pancreatic duct’(Ducius pancreaticus primus) since it enters the duodenum at or near the flexure where the descending duodenum becomes the ascending duodenum. All other pancreatic ducts enter the duodenum later, closer to where it joins the jejunum. This first pancreatic duct drains the caudal extremity of the dorsal lobe of the pancreas and can be easily exteriorized for experimental purposes. Within the parenchyma of the dorsal lobe of the pancreas this duct communicates with the dorsal pancreatic duct. In the present study of the gross anatomy of the pancreatic lobes of domestic and wild Chinese ducks we describe and illustrate variations in position and number of all biliary and pancreatic ducts.     

Nucleotide sequence homology to bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 (BVDV 2) in the 5′ untranslated region of BVDVs from cattle with mucosal disease or persistent infection in Japan

Cytopathogenic and non-cytopathogenic bovine viral diarrhea viruses (BVDVs) were isolated from cattle with mucosal disease or persistent infection in Japan. These isolates were compared for antigenic properties by cross-neutralization tests with Japanese reference strains of BVDV belonging to classical type 1. Significantly low cross-reactivity to reference strains was noted, indicating the viruses to possibly represent a new serotype in Japan. Thus, to determine the genotype of the isolates, nucleotide sequences of the 5′ untranslated region were determined and compared with those of previously reported BVDV 1 and 2. The isolates were clearly shown to belong to BVDV 2, not to BVDV 1.