Within-crown structural variability of dwarfed mature Abies mariesii in snowy subalpine parkland in central Japan

We investigated mature dwarf Abies mariesii trees growing in conifer thicket–meadow parklands on a snowy subalpine plateau, where these dwarf trees are buried in the accumulated snow in winter. We focused on structural variation in the needles, shoots, and branchlets within different crown positions (leader crown vs lower crown) of the dwarf trees. In the leader crown, which appears above the snow surface earlier than the lower crown, current-year shoots and branchlets had greater total biomass, and foliage was more closely packed along the stem axis than in the lower crown, whereas current-year shoots in the leader crown had a lower needle mass ratio than in the lower crown. These results suggest that current-year shoots and branchlets in the leader crown have a specific structure that allows them to harvest more light, although construction and maintenance costs would be higher. In contrast, the structural characteristics of current-year shoots and branchlets in the lower crown efficiently concentrate incoming light by avoiding mutual shading within foliage, thus leading to increased biomass of photosynthetic needles within shoot and branchlet biomass. Such within-crown variability at various hierarchical levels from needles to branches in mature, but very dwarf, A. mariesii trees maintains the crown and allows survival within conifer clumps in areas of subalpine parklands that receive heavy snowfall.     

Decreased potassium fertilization is associated with increased pathogen growth and disease severity caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acidovorax citrulli</Emphasis> in melon foliage

The gram-negative bacterium Acidovorax citrulli causes bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) disease of cucurbits, which represents a serious threat to melon and watermelon production worldwide. To date, there are no efficient means to manage the disease, and reliable resistance sources for cucurbit germplasm are lacking. Mineral nutrition markedly affects plant diseases. Recently, we reported that disease severity on melon foliage and A. citrulli growth in the leaf tissue were significantly influenced by the form of nitrogen supply. In the present study, we investigated the influence of potassium nutrition on BFB severity and A. citrulli establishment in the foliage of melon plants. Fertilization with relatively low concentrations of potassium increased these variables compared with higher potassium concentrations. Since establishment of A. citrulli during the growing season is assumed to increase the incidence of fruit infection, the fact that mineral nutrition influences BFB incidence in the plant foliage is of particular importance.     

Kinetics of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning toxins,okadaic acid,dinophysistoxin-1, pectenotoxin-6 and yessotoxin in scallops <Emphasis Type="Italic">Patinopecten yessoensis</Emphasis>

ABSTRACT:   Four toxins, okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX1), pectenotoxin-6 (PTX6), and yessotoxin (YTX), all associated with diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), were administered via syringe to Scallops Patinopecten yessoensis and their distribution in the hepatopancreas, adductor muscle, and combined other tissues (mantle, gill, gonad) was analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Toxins exclusively remained in the hepatopancreas irrespective of the injection site, adductor muscle or hepatopancreas. When injected into hepatopancreas, OA, DTX1, and YTX were metabolized to 7- O -palmitoylOA, 7- O -palmitoylDTX1 and 45-hydroxyyessotoxin (45OH-YTX), respectively. Such metabolic changes were insignificant when toxins were injected into the adductor muscle. The residual ratio for each toxin in the hepatopancreas was less than 20%. Mortalities of scallops treated with PTX6 were lower than those treated with other toxins.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF CANINE NONPARENCHYMAL HEMANGIOSARCOMA

The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe pre‐ and postcontrast computed tomographic (CT) characteristics of confirmed nonparenchymal hemangiosarcoma in a group of dogs. Medical records were searched during the period of July 2003 and October 2011 and dogs with histologically confirmed nonparenchymal hemangiosarcoma and pre‐ and postcontrast CT images were recruited. Two observers recorded a consensus opinion for the following CT characteristics for each dog: largest transverse tumor diameter, number of masses, general tumor shape, character of the tumor margin, precontrast appearance, presence of dystrophic calcification, presence of postcontrast enhancement, pattern of postcontrast enhancement, presence of regional lymphadenopathy, and presence of associated cavitary fluid. A total of 17 dogs met inclusion criteria. Tumors were located in the nasal cavity, muscle, mandible, mesentery, subcutaneous tissue, and retroperitoneal space. Computed tomographic features of nonparenchymal hemangiosarcoma were similar to those of other soft tissue sarcomas, with most tumors being heterogeneous in precontrast images, invasive into adjacent tissue, and heterogeneously contrast enhancing. One unexpected finding was the presence of intense foci of contrast enhancement in 13 of the 17 tumors (76%). This appearance, which is not typical of other soft tissue sarcomas, was consistent with contrast medium residing in vascular channels. Findings indicated that there were no unique distinguishing CT characteristics for nonparenchymal hemangiosarcoma in dogs; however, the presence of highly attenuating foci of contrast enhancement may warrant further investigation in prospective diagnostic sensitivity and treatment outcome studies.     

Evaluation of adverse events in small‐breed dogs treated with maropitant and a single dose of doxorubicin

BackgroundThe recommended doxorubicin (DOX) dose for small dogs is 1 mg/kg. Recent data suggest that DOX‐induced gastrointestinal (GI) toxicosis can be reduced with maropitant treatment.ObjectivesTo investigate the incidence of adverse events (AEs) in small‐breed dogs administered a single 25 mg/m² DOX followed by administration of maropitant (DOX25). The primary aim was to assess myelo‐ and GI toxicoses for 2 weeks after DOX administration. The secondary aim was to compare the incidence and grades of AEs found in the DOX25 group with a historical control group (DOX 1 mg/kg without administration of antiemetic or antidiarrheal medications).AnimalsNineteen small‐breed tumor‐bearing dogs.MethodsA prospective, observational study of tumor‐bearing dogs, weighing 5 to 10 kg, administered a single 25 mg/m² dose of DOX IV, followed by administration of maropitant for the next 5 days.ResultsInappetence, vomiting, and diarrhea were found in 7/19, 2/19, and 6/19 of the DOX25 dogs, respectively. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia was 12/19 and 3/19, respectively. Most AEs were grades 1 and 2, except for grades 3 and 4 inappetence and neutropenia in 3 and 4 dogs, respectively. Furthermore, febrile neutropenia occurred in 3/19 dogs in the DOX25 group. All AEs between the DOX25 and historical control groups were not significantly different.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceVomiting and diarrhea were deemed acceptable with 25 mg/m² DOX followed by maropitant treatment in 5 to 10 kg dogs; however, additional supportive care might be needed for dogs with inappetence and neutropenia.     

Disease symptoms caused byBotrytis cinerea inRuscus hypoglossum plants and their control

Small spots are a newly-defined manifestation ofBotrytis cinerea infection on phylloclades of ruscus. The dark, water-soaked spots encircled by a faint halo, which are found on young phylloclades, become brown lesions later but do not grow in size. Control of all symptoms caused byB. cinerea on ruscus (Ruscus hypoglossum L.),i.e., phylloclade rot or restricted lesions, upper branch rot, and stem canker, was achieved by sprays of fenetrazole (alone), diethofencarb + carbendazim, vinclozolin (alone) or alternately by sprays of diethofencarb + carbendazim, polyoxin B, and polyoxin D. Delay of disease development was achieved by copper sulfate pentahydrate and by the spray adjuvant Nufilm at a high rate of application. Mixing vinclozolin with copper, fenetrazole, TMTD or Nufilm did not control disease better than vinclozolin or fenetrazole alone. Postharvest control of gray mold (up to 72% reduction) in mature branches stored at 18°C was achieved by some of the above mentioned fungicides and by dichloftuanid, tebuconazole (alone or mixed together), iprodione, polyoxin AL, and vinclozolin + TMTD. Measures designed to improve field control of Botrytis epidemics in ruscus are discussed.     

The canine RAD51 mutation leads to the attenuation of interaction with PALB2

RAD51 forms a complex with BRCA2 and plays a central role in the DNA damage response pathway that is associated with homologous recombination. The structures of RAD51 and its homologues are highly conserved from prokaryotes to higher eukaryotes. Although a large number of BRCA2 mutations have been reported, there are only a few reports on the mutations of RAD51, which have been shown in humans and dogs. However, several mutations of canine RAD51 were identified from mammary gland tumour tissues in a recent study. Some of these mutations seem to have an influence on the homo‐oligomerization or interaction with “Partner and localizer of BRCA2” (PALB2). In this study, we cloned the canine PALB2 homologue and investigated the effect on its interaction with the RAD51 mutants to evaluate the alteration in the function of RAD51 mutants. The A209S and T225S mutants of RAD51 show an attenuation of the interaction between RAD51 and PALB2. These results indicate that the canine RAD51 mutations can potentially alter the homologous recombination pathways in response to DNA damage in dogs.     

Post infection application of DL-3-amino-butyric acid (BABA) induces multiple forms of resistance against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bremia lactucae</Emphasis> in lettuce

DL-3-amino-butyric acid (BABA) induces local and systemic resistance against disease in numerous plant species. In a recent study we showed that preventive application of BABA to lettuce (Lactuca sativa) plants induced resistance against downy mildew caused by the oomycete Bremia lactucae by callose encasement of the primary infection structures of the pathogen. Now we show that post-infection application of BABA to the foliage or the roots, even at progressive stages of disease development, is highly protective against B. lactucae. Resistance induced by BABA is manifested in multiple microscopic forms, depending on the time of its application. When applied at 1 day post inoculation (dpi) BABA induced HR in penetrated epidermal cells; at 2 dpi it caused massive encasement with callose of the primary haustoria; and, at 3 or 4 dpi it enhanced the accumulation of H₂O₂ in the developing mycelia runners and altered their colour to red. The pronounced change in the colour of the mycelium was visually apparent to the naked eye. In all cases the pathogen failed to sporulate on the treated plants. This is the first indication that an immunizing compound may be protective at advanced stages of disease development.