In vitro plantlet regeneration from Australian Red Cedar (Toona ciliata,Meliaceae)

In vitro regeneration of complete plants from nodal single-bud segments of 2-year-old Australian Cedar (Toona ciliata) trees were obtained under defined nutritional and environmental conditions. Explants were dissected from plants obtained by germination of seeds and growth in pots in a greenhouse. The best medium for shoot regeneration was that of Murashige and Skoog at 1/4 strength with 3% sucrose (1/4 MS), supplemented with 0.1 mg/l IBA and 0.5 mg/l BAP. Rooting of regenerated shoots was observed in MS medium with 0.1 mg/l IBA. Using mature tree material was more difficult. Forced flushing was used to induce shoot development on branches of a 10-year-old tree. Nodal segments of these epicormic shoots formed shoots in vitro on 1/4 MS + 0.01 mg/l IBA + 5 mg/l BAP, but rooting was never observed.     

大额牛群体遗传多样性的微卫星标记分析

 利用26对黄牛微卫星引物,对分别来自云南省泸水县凤凰山大额牛保种区和贡山县独龙野牛种源保护基地的2个大额牛群体进行遗传变异分析,研究其群体内的遗传变异和群体间的遗传分化。结果共检测到105个等位基因,每个座位的等位基因数从2~6不等,所有座位平均等位基因数、平均有效等位基因数、平均期望杂合度、平均多态信息含量分别为4.0385±0.9999,3.1393±0.9507,0.6490±0.1246和0.5904±0.1334,表明大额牛群遗传多样性比较丰富。F统计量、基因流、Nei氏遗传距离和遗传相似系数等值反映出两个群体遗传差异较小,遗传分化不明显,遗传一致性较大。     

Pharmacokinetics and residues of a new oral amoxicillin formulation in piglets: a preliminary study

The pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin (Amx) were determined in pigs following intravenous (IV) administration of a single dose of 15 mg/kg and a single dose of 15 mg/kg of a new oral formulation (Amx-FP containing 10% amoxicillin). Residue studies were performed to determine residues in edible tissues of healthy pigs after chronic oral administration of Amx-FP at a daily dose of 15 mg/kg for five consecutive days. After IV administration, the plasma concentration was characteristic of a two-compartment open model. The main pharmacokinetic variables were: t(1/2lambda(n)), MRT=90.1 min, V(darea)=0.81 L/kg and Cl(b)=3.9 mL/kg/min. After single oral administration the main pharmacokinetic variables were: C(max)=758 mug/L, t(max)=347 min and Cl(b/f)=3.7 mL/kg/min for Amx-FP. The oral bioavailability (F) was calculated at 11% for Amx-FP. Based on maximum residue levels (MRL) for AMX in pigs established at 50 microg/kg for all tissues, the withdrawal times of AMX in muscle and skin plus fat were estimated (95% tolerance limit and 95% confidence) to fall below the MRL after a withdrawal period of seven days. Levels of AMX in the liver and kidneys were estimated to fall below the MRL after a withdrawal period of four days.     

Seasonal variation of macro and micronutrients in blades and petioles of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Mencía and Sousón

In the case of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), leaf blade and petioles at different sampling times are used for nutritional diagnosis and planning fertilization practices. However, reference values for each nutrient depend on the scion‐rootstock combination. In this sense, the current study aimed at determining the reliability of leaf blade and petiole for diagnosis at different phenological stages and, also, of the period of validity, around flowering and veraison, in which the nutrient concentrations obtained could be compared with reference values. The study was carried out in three vineyards (two planted with cv. Mencía and one with cv. Sousón) within the Ribeira Sacra Designation of Origin (NW Spain). Blades and petioles were collected throughout a growth season (2014) and total concentrations of ten essential elements were determined in both tissues. In general, petioles showed greater variability between replicates for P, K, Ca, Mg, and Zn, while N, Fe, Mn, Cu, and B presented greater variability in blades. Differences between consecutive sampling dates suggest that references for flowering were valid until fruit‐set. Furthermore, blade and petiole references at the beginning of veraison were valid until the advanced ripening stage for most nutrients, with the exception of N, P, and Zn. The seasonal variation of the concentrations in both tissues confirmed the need for reference values for each phenological stage and tissue.     

The isolation and preliminary genetic classification of temperature-sensitive mutants of bluetongue virus.

Temperature-sensitive mutants of bluetongue virus were isolated and classified in 6 genetic recombination groups. The frequency of recombination varied both within and between groups. The 4 mutagens used viz. nitrous acid, N-methyl-N-nitroso-N-nitroguanidine, proflavine and 5-fluoro-uracil were found to differ in their efficacy. The period of incubation required for maximum recombination was 48 h at 28 degrees C.     

Evidence for a phytoreovirus associated with tobacco exhibiting leaf curl symptoms in South Africa

ABSTRACT Three forms of tobacco leaf curl (termed classes I, II, and III, based on symptomatology) recently have been described in southern Africa. Numerous attempts to isolate virus particles responsible for a nongeminivirus-induced leaf curl disease (class I) of tobacco in South Africa have been unsuccessful. Recently, 12 dsRNA segments were isolated from tobacco exhibiting class I leaf curl symptoms, suggesting a possible reovirus genome. The objective of our study was to confirm whether the dsRNA segments are associated with a reovirus. Isolation of icosahedral particles with an outer core 60 to 65 nm in diameter and an inner core 40 to 45 nm in diameter was achieved. Twelve distinct nonpolyadenylated dsRNAs were isolated from purified virions, and the total molecular masses of the dsRNAs ranged from 17.86 to 18.40 x 10(6) Da in polyacrylamide and agarose gels, respectively. Using hybridization analysis, dsRNAs were identified as non-homologous distinct segments. Comparisons with other known reoviruses revealed a unique banding pattern that was most similar to the wound tumor virus (WTV), the type species of the genus Phytoreovirus. Hybridizations of WTV cloned DNA probes (segments S4 and S6 to S9) and dsRNAs from infected tobacco indicated no significant sequence similarity, whereas indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with a polyclonal antiserum to WTV showed strong positive cross-reactivity to tobacco virions. Our results indicate a virus with features consistent with those of phytoreoviruses. This is the first report of a plant reovirus in tobacco, the first record in Africa, and the second example of a field-isolated dicot phytoreovirus.     

Identifying areas of high-value vertebrate diversity for strengthening conservation

Identifying areas with relevant features of biodiversity is useful to rank priorities for strengthening the design of well-sited natural protected areas and to optimize resource investment in conservation. This study provides decision makers critical tools for highlighting pieces of land worthy of conservation in Spain. We studied four taxa—amphibians, reptiles, nesting birds and mammals—in a 50 × 50 km grid (n=259 cells). We used five criteria for identifying areas of high-value diversity: species richness, rarity, vulnerability, a combined index of biodiversity, and a Standardized Biodiversity Index that measured all four taxa together. As far as we know, the combined index of biodiversity and the Standardized Biodiversity Index are original. Areas of high-value diversity were defined as those cells within the 15% top segment of ranked values for the different criteria. Congruence of areas of high-value diversity for taxa pairs was moderate to low, and averaged 38.5% for areas of high-value diversity based on the combined index of biodiversity. The performance based on the average proportion of threatened species excluded from areas of high-value diversity followed the rank combined index of biodiversity=rarity (0.3%) > vulnerability (9.9%) > species richness (13.8%). The areas of high-value diversity identified according to the Standardized Biodiversity Index included all amphibian and mammal species, all but one reptile species (categorized as rare) and all but six bird species (three of which were categorized as threatened). About 70% of the areas of high-value diversity identified based on the Standardized Biodiversity Index included natural protected areas. However, they average only 274.6 km², thus occupying a small fraction of the areas of high-value diversity, and there is no guarantee that the species found in an area of high-value diversity site will be present in its protected fraction. Consequently, we urge managers of natural protected areas to conduct diversity surveys. We also urge that additional natural protected areas be established to include the gap of 30% of areas of high-value diversity not currently protected. We took an step for biodiversity conservation planning in the studied region, and discuss the usefulness of maps of areas of high-value diversity for conservation, ecological restoration, and environmental impact assessment and mitigation.