Comparative analysis of replication characteristics of BoHV-1 subtypes in bovine respiratory and genital mucosa explants: a phylogenetic enlightenment

ABSTRACT: In general, members of the Alphaherpesvirinae use the epithelium of the upper respiratory and/or genital tract as a preferential site for primary replication. Bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) may replicate at both sites and cause two major clinical entities designated as infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and infectious pustular vulvovaginitis/balanoposthitis (IPV/IPB) in cattle. It has been hypothesized that subtype 1.1 invades preferentially the upper respiratory mucosa whereas subtype 1.2 favors replication at the peripheral genital tract. However, some studies are in contrast with this hypothesis. A thorough study of primary replication at both mucosae could elucidate whether or not different BoHV-1 subtypes show differences in mucosa tropism. We established bovine respiratory and genital organ cultures with emphasis on maintenance of tissue morphology and viability during in vitro culture. In a next step, bovine respiratory and genital mucosa explants of the same animals were inoculated with several BoHV-1 subtypes. A quantitative analysis of viral invasion in the mucosa was performed at 0 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h post inoculation (pi) by measuring plaque latitude and penetration depth underneath the basement membrane. All BoHV-1 subtypes exhibited a more profound invasion capacity in respiratory tissue compared to that in genital tissue at 24 h pi. However, at 24 h pi plaque latitude was found to be larger in genital tissue compared to respiratory tissue and this for all subtypes. These similar findings among the different subtypes take the edge off the belief of the existence of specific mucosa tropisms of different BoHV-1 subtypes.     

Inverse association between endotoxin exposure and canine atopic dermatitis

The development of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) may be related to exposure to mite allergens, bacterial endotoxin and/or fungal glucans. In this study, indoor exposure levels of house dust mite allergens, endotoxins and fungal glucans were measured to determine their possible association with CAD. A case-control study including adult Labrador retrievers with (n=28) and without (controls; n=65) CAD was conducted. Dust samples were collected from the living room floor and the bedding and coat of the dog and these were analyzed for house dust mite allergens Der p1 and Der f1, endotoxin and (1→3)-β-d-glucan levels. Dog owners were also required to return a questionnaire regarding their home characteristics. The endotoxin exposure level in the coats of dogs was significantly inversely associated with CAD (odds ratio 0.38; 95% confidence interval 0.15-0.97; P<0.05). No significant difference was found in exposure levels to house dust mite allergens and fungal glucans. The results indicated that endotoxin exposure is inversely associated with CAD, suggesting a protective effect of high indoor endotoxin exposure towards the development of the condition.     

Solar radiation intensity influences extensive green roof plant communities

Two studies were conducted on a third-story rooftop to quantify the effect of solar radiation (full sun versus full shade) on several US native and non-native species for potential use on extensive green roofs. In the first study, plugs of six native and three non-native species were planted in May 2005 on substrates of two different depths (8.0 and 12.0 cm) both in sun and shade. Absolute cover (AC) was recorded using a point-frame transect during the growing season beginning in June 2005 and every 2 weeks thereafter for a period of 4 years. By week 174 (23 September 2008), most species exhibited different AC within a depth between sun and shade. However, when all species were combined, overall AC did not differ between sun and shade within a depth. This indicated that while species make-up was changing among solar radiation levels, that overall coverage was not significantly different between sun and shade. For all substrate depths and solar levels, the most abundant species were Sedum acre, Allium cernuum, Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’, and Talinum calycinum. Less abundant species included Talinum parviflorum, Carex flacca, Sedum stenopetalum, and Sedum divergens, which all exhibited 0 or near 0 AC regardless of depth or solar radiation levels. With the exception of T. calycinum, native species were less abundant than non-native species.In the second study, six common extensive green roof species of Sedum established from seed in May 2005 on a 10.0 cm (3.9 in) substrate depth were compared in both sun and shade over four growing seasons. AC was evaluated as in the previous study. Solar radiation did not affect AC, but overall species composition differed between sun and shade levels. The most abundant species in full sun were S. acre (0.57 AC) and S. album ‘Coral Carpet’ (0.51 AC). Sedum kamtschaticum (0.57 AC) and Sedum spurium ‘Coccineum’ (0.35 AC) performed the best in the shade. For both solar levels, the least abundant species at week 174 were Sedum pulchellum (0.0 AC) and S. album ‘Coral Carpet’ (0.1 AC).     

The Use of Decapsulated Cysts of the Brine Shrimp Artemia as Direct Food for Carp Cyprinus carpio L. Larvae

Decapsulated Arremia cysts have been evaluated as a direct food source for larvae of the carp Cyprinus carpio L. All decapsulated cyst diets gave excellent survival of carp larvae during the first two weeks of culturing. Unlike traditionally brine-stored decapsulated cysts, dried Artemia embryos provided growth results comparable to those obtained with freshly hatched Artemia nauplii. Furthermore, except for Artemia embryos that lost their hatchability after long-term storage in air, several other inactivation treatments, simulating improper harvesting and processing of cysts, did not produce a significant decrease in the nutritional quality of the decapsulated cysts.
Using decapsulated cysts 89 a direct food source for carp larvae, instead of nauplii, the quantity of cysts needed can be reduced by about 25% to 35% after one and two weeks of culturing, respectively. Moreover, the use of decapsulated cysts advances the possible commercialition of poor-hatching and less expensive cyst products for culture of carp larvae.     

An apparatus and technique for sampling aerially applied sprays in conifers

A technique and apparatus that facilitated the sampling of aerially applied pesticides on artificial surfaces in the canopy of balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.] and spruce (Picea spp.) are described. Field testing showed that sample units in the canopy were as receptive to droplets as those on the forest floor, and did not discernibly disturb the microenvironment in the tree.     

Limitations of Irrigation Water Quality Guidelines from a Multiple Use Perspective

The standards for irrigation water qualityare currently provided by global andnational guidelines that are mostly basedon the assumption that threshold valuescould be applied to protect crops. Thisapproach can create problems for a largelyunrecognized group of people who make useof irrigation water for non-agriculturalpurposes. At the same time, increasingwater scarcity will lead to the need forrecycling of water in irrigated riverbasins, and the use of low qualityirrigation water. Apart from hazards ofhigh pollutant levels, a sustainabilitycriterion has to be included in the waterquality guidelines to account for long-termlow-level application of certain pollutantsthat can accumulate in the environment.Using the example of cadmium, it is arguedthat the current guidelines need to berevised and should take local factors andfuture developments into account.     

The primary structure of wheat glutenin subunit 1Dx2 revealed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) play a key role in end-use quality of wheat. Their particular primary structure is mostly derived from DNA sequencing, which gives no information on potential post-translational modifications. This paper reveals the primary structure of HMW-GS 1Dx2 by proteomic analysis. For this purpose, HMW-GS were first isolated from wheat flour (cv. Contra). The relative molecular mass (M_r) of subunit 1Dx2 present in the HMW-GS mixture was then very accurately determined with high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry using a quadrupole-time-of-flight mass analyzer (HPLC–ESI-QTOF-MS). The obtained M_r value (87,105) differed from the value derived from its protein sequence in the NCBI database (87,007). The subunit was further purified by preparative reversed-phase HPLC and partially hydrolyzed with chymotrypsin. The resulting 1Dx2 peptides were then analyzed by HPLC–ESI-MS/MS and the MS data were compared to amino acid sequences in protein databases. The discrepancy between the calculated and the measured M_r of 1Dx2 was explained by a missing proline in the 1Dx2 amino acid sequence from the database and not by any post-translational glycosylation.     

Ex-post evaluation of erosion control measures in southern Mali

As part of an impact study of a soil and water conservation (SWC) project in southern Mali, the effect of erosion control measures on soil erosion was evaluated. In one village, a baseline situation from 1988 was compared with the situation in 2003, after farmers had installed stone rows, live fences and grass strips, and had started cultivating across to the slope. This comparison showed a spectacular decrease in gully volume in cultivated fields of 87%, from 58 to 8 m³ ha⁻¹. Estimated annual soil loss decreased with 77% from 42 to 10 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. However, baseline data on erosion gullies were not available for other villages. In the absence of baseline data, a simple ‘with–without’ comparison does not allow a correct evaluation because farmers install erosion control measures especially in fields with more erosion. Two alternative methods were used: a reconstructed baseline and a virtual time series. Using the reconstructed baseline, looking not only at active gullies but also at (partly) reclaimed gullies, we concluded that line interventions, gully interventions, and a combination of both, reduced the proportion of active gullies by 48%, 47% and 70%, respectively. Using a virtual time series, comparing erosion in fields with erosion control measures installed in different years, we concluded that erosion gradually decreased by 50% during the 3 years after installation of erosion control measures. In a separate study, we found a positive effect of gully interventions and sowing across to the slope in reducing sheet erosion. A reduction of the slope of the sowing direction by 1% reduced the cover of runoff deposit of coarse sand with 8%. Although a documented baseline is preferred, both a reconstructed baseline and a virtual time series are useful tools and make ex-post evaluations more relevant than a simple with–without comparison.