Factors associated with fusarium crown and root rot of asparagus outbreaks in quebec

ABSTRACT The Fusarium spp. causing Fusarium crown and root rot (FCRR) are ubiquitous and abundant in soils, but in contrast, disease expression is localized and sporadic. Previous studies have related FCRR infection to phenolic acids released by asparagus, to the repression of Mn-reducers in soil, and to various soil physicochemical conditions. Fifty commercial asparagus plantations were surveyed using an exploratory approach in order to pinpoint the ecological conditions associated with FCRR development. Twenty-eight variables were used to describe the soil environments of the asparagus crops as well as the influence of crop management practices used locally. The data set was analyzed both as a whole and parsed by main cultivars (Jersey Giant and Guelph Millenium). Both field conditions and percentage of field area affected by FCRR varied widely between asparagus plantations. Planting depth was positively correlated with percentage of field area affected by FCRR and, hence, deep planting may favor FCRR infection. Plantation age was positively correlated with percentage of field area affected by FCRR, while soil available Mn was inversely correlated. Most importantly, soil Mn availability decreased with increasing plantation age, supporting the hypothesis of an asparagusmediated negative impact on Mn-reducing bacteria and of the involvement of reduced Mn availability in FCRR development. Improving the availability of Mn could provide a solution to the problem of FCRR in asparagus plantations.     

Mode of action of the anilino-pyrimidine fungicide pyrimethanil. 2. Effects on enzyme secretion in Botrytis cinerea

The effect of pyrimethanil on the levels of cell wall degrading enzymes secreted by Botrytis cinerea Pers. was investigated in diseased plant tissues and in liquid B. cinerea cultures. Total proteinase activity isolated from infected carrot slices which were treated with 5.0 μM pyrimethanil was decreased by 76%, 3 d after inoculation. Polygalacturonase, cellulase, proteinase and laccase activities were all decreased in the medium of three day-old cultures grown in the presence of pyrimethanil. The pyrimethanil concentrations resulting in 50% reduction in total enzyme activities (IC₅₀) were approximately 0.25 μM for polygalacturonase, cellulase and proteinase, and approximately 1.0 μM for laccase. No significant growth inhibition was observed at these pyrimethanil concentrations. Pyrimethanil did not inhibit the enzymes directly, nor did it inhibit the synthesis of cytosolic proteins. Therefore, it was proposed that the fungicide inhibits protein secretion at a post-translational stage in the secretory pathway. Large differences were found in the effects of pyrimethanil on the growth of B. cinerea in liquid cultures and on agar plates, depending on the composition of the medium. In liquid media containing cellulose and protein as carbon and nitrogen sources, growth inhibition occurred at 5.0 μM pyrimethanil, whilst no growth inhibition was observed with 50 μM pyrimethanil in malt extract. Similarly, growth occurred on potato/dextrose agar (PDA) at 0.5 μM pyrimethanil, but no growth was seen at this concentration on agars containing cellulose and protein. Thus it appears that pyrimethanil is most active in media where the fungus has to utilise extracellular enzymes to mobilise the nutrients it requires for growth.     

Management of pelvic trauma: neurological damage, urinary tract disruption and pelvic fractures

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: Cats commonly present with pelvic trauma following road traffic accidents (RTAs). A logical step-wise approach to diagnostics and subsequent management can significantly improve the prognosis in the majority of cases. This article provides a practical guide to assist decision-making and optimise management of these cats. CLINICAL CHALLENGES: Affected cats may have sustained trauma to several body systems and, hence, their management can be complex, requiring good clinical, diagnostic and surgical skills (often both soft tissue and orthopaedic!). PATIENT GROUP: Any cat allowed access to the outdoors is potentially at risk of being involved in an RTA and sustaining pelvic trauma. Young male cats are most commonly affected. EVIDENCE BASE: Many original articles and textbook chapters have been published on aspects of pelvic trauma. However, to the authors' knowledge, this is the first comprehensive overview of the assessment and management of the feline pelvic trauma case. The review begins by discussing initial triage and neurological examination, and then focuses, in turn, on assessment and management of the 'tail pull' injury, the diagnosis and management of urinary tract rupture, and the approach to managing specific pelvic fractures.     

USE OF ULTRASOUND-GUIDED FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION BIOPSY AND AUTOMATED CORE BIOPSY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES IN SMALL ANIMALS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy and core biopsy in the diagnosis of infiltrative gastrointestinal diseases. Six dogs and seven cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease underwent ultrasonography and intestinal lesions were identified. One or more ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy and/or core biopsy procedures were performed in each patient. Each patient also underwent one of the following additional procedures for comparison of results: 1) surgery (n=4), 2) endoscopy (n=2), 3) post mortem exam (n=3), and, 4) for lymphoma diagnosed with ultrasound-guided procedures, response to chemotherapy (n=4). Correct diagnoses were obtained in nine of the 13 patients, incorrect diagnoses in two of the 13 patients, and inconclusive diagnoses in two of the thirteen patients. Of the 16 total ultrasound-guided procedures performed, ten were confirmed as correct, three as incorrect, and three were non-diagnostic. Intestinal lesions with bowel wall thickness greater than 2.0 cm had a higher percentage of correct diagnoses than lesions of lesser wall thickness. Gastric lesions had a higher percentage of correct diagnoses than small and large intestinal lesions. Malignant lesions had a higher percentage of correct diagnoses than benign lesions. There were no complications. Ultrasound-guided gastrointestinal fine-needle aspiration biopsy and core biopsy appears to be a safe, accurate, and rapid procedure for use in the diagnosis of infiltrative gastrointestinal disease.     

Flow and storage in groundwater systems

The dynamic nature of groundwater is not readily apparent, except where discharge is focused at springs or where recharge enters sinkholes. Yet groundwater flow and storage are continually changing in response to human and climatic stresses. Wise development of groundwater resources requires a more complete understanding of these changes in flow and storage and of their effects on the terrestrial environment and on numerous surface-water features and their biota.     

Origin of Clostridium perfringens isolates determines the ability to induce necrotic enteritis in broilers

Since the ban on growth-promoting antibiotics in animal feed in the European Union, necrotic enteritis has become a major cause of mortality in broiler chickens. Despite the importance of the disease, the pathogenesis is still not completely understood. In the current study, Clostridium perfringens strains isolated from healthy flocks and isolates from outbreaks of necrotic enteritis were evaluated for the ability to cause gut necrosis in an intestinal loop model in laying hens and in an experimental infection model in broilers. High, intermediate and low alpha toxin producing strains were chosen from each isolation source. Only the isolates from field outbreaks induced necrotic gut lesions, independent of the amount of alpha toxin produced in vitro. It was also shown that alpha toxin producing isolates from calf hemorrhagic enteritis cases were not able to induce necrotic enteritis in poultry. These results suggest the presence of host specific virulence factors in C. perfringens strains, isolated from chickens with intestinal necrotic enteritis lesions.