Ethylene is Involved but Plays a Limited Role in Tomato Chlorotic Dwarf Viroid-Induced Symptom Development in Tomato

To investigate whether ethylene is involved in tomato plants in response to the invasion of viroid, tomato cv. Pearson and its ethylene-insensitive mutant Never ripe (Nr) was challenged with Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid (TCDVd). Both Pearson and Nr plants developed various symptoms including dwarf, bunch, reduced leaf size, leaf chlorosis, and necrosis at 3-wk-post-inoculation and thereafter even though the stunting in Nr was not as severe as in Pearson plants. The sizes of fruits were also significantly reduced in the viroid-infected plants. Treatments of Pearson with ethephon, an ethylenereleasing compound, mimicked TCDVd in induction of stunting and pathogenesis-related (PR) genes in the plants. Pretreatmeut of Pearson plants prior to TCDVd-inoculation or ethephon application with silver thiosulfate (STS), an ethylene action inhibitor, partially suppressed the viroid- or ethephon-induced symptoms as well as PR gene expression.In addition, Nr and STS-treated Pearson exhibited a slightly lower viroid titre in comparison to the control Pearson plants.These results suggest that ethylene is involved but plays a limited role in TCDVd-indueed symptom development.     

Variations in Bran Carotenoid Levels within and between Rice Subgroups

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a major grain in the human diet and carotenoids are valuable antioxidants. However, little is known about varietal differences in the carotenoid contents of the rice bran. The objective of this study is to determine the relative differences in bran carotenoid levels among all the five subgroups of rice. Measurements were made by a recently described, rapid non-destructive fluorescence quenching method. Confirmation by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after solvent extraction of the bran indicated that the major carotenoid was lutein. Our data showed that carotenoid levels were stable over 10 years of storage. Tropical japonica rice, the most consumed subgroup in the United States, tended to have the lowest levels of carotenoids in the bran while temperate japonicas had the highest. These differences in carotenoid content may open up new opportunities for identifying or breeding rice varieties with higher nutritional value.     

Prebiotics from Marine Macroalgae for Human and Animal Health Applications

The marine environment is an untapped source of bioactive compounds. Specifically, marine macroalgae (seaweeds) are rich in polysaccharides that could potentially be exploited as prebiotic functional ingredients for both human and animal health applications. Prebiotics are non-digestible, selectively fermented compounds that stimulate the growth and/or activity of beneficial gut microbiota which, in turn, confer health benefits on the host. This review will introduce the concept and potential applications of prebiotics, followed by an outline of the chemistry of seaweed polysaccharides. Their potential for use as prebiotics for both humans and animals will be highlighted by reviewing data from both in vitro and in vivo studies conducted to date.     

Thermoregulatory value of cracking‐clay soil shelters for small vertebrates during extreme desert conditions

Deserts exhibit extreme climatic conditions. Small desert‐dwelling vertebrates have physiological and behavioral adaptations to cope with these conditions, including the ability to seek shelter. We investigated the temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) regulating properties of the soil cracks that characterize the extensive cracking‐clay landscapes of arid Australia, and the extent of their use by 2 small marsupial species: fat‐tailed and stripe‐faced dunnarts (Sminthopsis crassicaudata and Sminthopsis macroura). We measured hourly (over 24‐h periods) the T and RH of randomly‐selected soil cracks compared to outside conditions, during 2 summers and 2 winters. We tracked 17 dunnarts (8 Sminthopsis crassicaudata and 9 Sminthopsis macroura) to quantify their use of cracks. Cracks consistently moderated microclimate, providing more stable conditions than available from non‐crack points, which often displayed comparatively dramatic fluctuations in T and RH. Both dunnart species used crack shelters extensively. Cracks constitute important shelter for small animals during extreme conditions by providing a stable microclimate, which is typically cooler than outside conditions in summer and warmer in winter. Cracks likely play a fundamental sheltering role by sustaining the physiological needs of small mammal populations. Globally, cracking‐clay areas are dominated by agricultural land uses, including livestock grazing. Management of these systems should focus not only on vegetation condition, but also on soil integrity, to maintain shelter resources for ground‐dwelling fauna.     

The application of palaeolimnology to evidence‐based lake management and conservation: examples from UK lakes

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Foliar chemistry of juvenile Eucalyptus grandis clones does not predict chemical defence in maturing ramets

The tendency for managers of eucalypt plantations to plant large, homogeneous (i.e. clonal) stands presents a new suite of problems. Perhaps foremost among them is the elevated risk of disease or predation. One way to counter this risk is to select material with high natal resistance, such as material with high concentrations of plant secondary metabolites. This would be much simpler if we could predict future defences from the chemistry of juvenile plants. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between the concentrations of formylated phloroglucinol compounds (FPCs) in the leaves of newly established Eucalyptus grandis (Hill ex Maiden) clones in the nursery and those in the same genetic material in experimental plantations. There was almost no relationship between the concentrations of defensive chemicals in the leaves of newly established E. grandis clones growing in pots in the nursery and of those in the same genetic material growing in plantations. This implies that age effects and probable gene × environment interactions prevent evaluating the defensive qualities of clones until they are several years old and even then the results are site-specific.     

Complement C3 in Bernese Mountain dogs

Background: Previous research suggests that low serum concentrations of the third component of complement (C3) are associated with both the susceptibility to infectious agents such as Borrelia burgdorferi and the development of glomerular disease. We hypothesized that low levels of C3 are associated with the coincident occurrence of B. burgdorferi infection and glomerulonephritis in Bernese Mountain dogs. Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the serum concentration of C3 in Bernese Mountain dogs with and without antibodies against B. burgdorferi and to compare this concentration with that of healthy control dogs. Methods: Eighty‐three clinically healthy Bernese Mountain dogs and 46 control dogs were included. Antibodies against B. burgdorferi were determined using an ELISA with a whole cell sonicate as antigen. Results were confirmed using Western blot. C3 was measured using a single radial immunodiffusion test. Results were reported as the percentage concentration of C3 compared with that in pooled preserved canine serum (100% C3 concentration). Results: Median C3 concentration was 128.5% in Bernese Mountain dogs with antibodies against B. burgdorferi, 133.5% in B. burgdorferi‐negative Bernese Mountain dogs, 87.8% in positive control dogs, and 102.2% in negative control dogs. Within Bernese Mountain and control groups, C3 was lower in dogs with antibodies against B. burgdorferi compared with those without. Percentage concentration of C3 was higher in healthy Bernese Mountain dogs compared with control dogs. Conclusion: Low C3 concentration is not an explanation for the high prevalence of B. burgdorferi infections and glomerular disease in Bernese Mountain dogs.