Efficacy of a polyvalent injectable vaccine against Flavobacterium psychrophilum administered to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss L.)

Flavobacterium psychrophilum is one of the most important pathogens affecting cultured rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Recent information from UK salmonid farms showed country‐wide distribution of genetically and serologically divergent clones, which has hampered the development of a vaccine for rainbow trout fry syndrome. The current study assessed the efficacy of an injectable polyvalent vaccine containing formalin‐inactivated F. psychrophilum in rainbow trout. The vaccine was formulated with an oil adjuvant (Montanide ISA 760VG) or formalin‐killed cells alone. Duplicate groups of trout (60 ± 13 g) were given phosphate‐buffered saline or vaccine formulated with Montanide by intra‐peritoneal (i.p.) injection and challenged by intra‐muscular (i.m.) injection with a homologous and a heterologous isolate of F. psychrophilum at 525 degree days post‐vaccination (dd pv). Significant protection was achieved in vaccinated fish (p = 0.0001, RPS 76% homologous, 88% heterologous). Efficacy of the adjuvanted vaccine was also demonstrated by heterologous challenge at 1155 dd pv resulting in 100% protection, whereas survival in the un‐adjuvanted group was not significantly different from control fish. Levels of specific antibody at 1155 dd pv, as measured by ELISA, were significantly higher in the fish vaccinated with adjuvant when compared with unvaccinated fish.     

Population changes of early successional forest species after shifting cultivation in Northwestern Vietnam

The population changes of early successional forest species, Wendlandia paniculata, Schima wallichii, Camellia tsaii, and Lithocarpus ducampii, were described and analyzed in a chronosequence of 1–30 year-old secondary forests representing regrowth after shifting cultivation in northwestern Vietnam, utilizing 51 temporary plots for stem census. Another five temporary plots were used for stem census in surrounding old-growth forest for comparison. In the first year after land abandonment, seedling stem density (H < 2 m) was 65,800/ha, increasing to 161,200/ha by third year, then sharply decreasing to 2,500/ha in 21–30 year-old forests. The sapling stratum (H ≥ 2 m and DBH < 5 cm) started to be recruited in the fifth year, increasing to reach a peak density of 4,530 stems/ha at year ten, then decreased to 580 stems/ha at year 21–30. The tree stratum (DBH ≥ 5 cm) achieved the maximum density of 600 stems/ha at year ten. Meanwhile, the density of all strata in the old-growth forest was 2,980 stems/ha. Sprouts played an important role, accounting for 34% at the first year then increased gradually to 73% at year 21–30. Total basal area attained a peak at 5.43 m²/ha at year ten; it was 4.9 m²/ha in the old-growth forest. These four species played an important role in providing ecological services for recruitment of other species during the first 10 years of fallow stand development, which increased to 35 species in 21–30 year-old secondary forest.     

Effect of phosphite–phosphate interaction on growth and quality of hydroponic lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Although the fungicidal properties of phosphite have been recognized, its potential as a fertilizer is still being debated. The information on how phosphite affects the growth and quality of plants in relation to phosphate (P_i) also remains unknown. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of phosphite in relation to P_i on growth and quality parameters of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The results showed that addition of phosphite to the nutrient solution at different rates ranging from 0.05 to 2 mM significantly increased total P, water‐extractable P_i, and phosphite in both shoots and roots, but did not improve plant growth under various P_i supplies (0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.3 mM as P_i levels for approximately 50%, 80%, 90%, and 100% of the maximum plant growth, respectively), indicating that phosphite was well absorbed by roots and mobile inside the plants, but did not provide any P nutrition. Also, no stimulating effect of any P_i–phosphite combination was observed. The effect of phosphite on plant growth was strongly dependent on the level of P_i supply. In general, application of phosphite up to 2 mM did not influence the growth of P_i‐sufficient plants. However, plants fertilized with P_i for about 90% of maximum growth were still vulnerable to phosphite at 2 mM. The negative effect of phosphite was found even at concentrations as low as 0.2 mM, when plants were supplied with P_i adequate for about 80% of maximum growth or less. At 0.05 mM, phosphite had marginal effects on plant growth under all the P_i levels. Although phosphite itself had little influence on the ascorbate and mineral concentrations of lettuce, its application to P_i‐deficient plants may decrease the mineral concentrations of plants brought about by the inhibitory effect of phosphite on root growth and hence nutrient uptake. Since phosphite is an effective fungicide for lettuce, care should be taken on P_i supplies prior to application of phosphite products to minimize the harmful effects.     

Importance of various marine coastal habitats during the life cycle of Spratelloides delicatulus in Con Dao,the oldest MPA in Vietnam

• 1. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are set up to conserve biodiversity, but their design is not always based on strictly scientific considerations. Ideally, an MPA should protect all key habitats necessary for a marine species to complete its life cycle. The identification of these key habitats is complex, especially during the early life of marine fishes.
• 2. A widely distributed tropical and important low trophic‐level fish species, Spratelloides delicatulus (Clupeidae), was used to evaluate the significance of various coastal habitats for its larvae and juveniles in the Con Dao Archipelago MPA in Vietnam. Early stages (larvae and juveniles) were sampled monthly over one year (June 2016 to May 2017) using light traps in three main habitats (seagrass beds, coral reefs and harbour). The species was identified using morphometry and DNA barcoding. Age and growth variables were estimated using otolith daily growth increments.
• 3. A total of 3,581 fish were caught. The species was not found in captures between January and February, directly linked to the decrease in seawater temperature and was most abundant from April to June. For a subsample of 248 fish (7–38 mm standard length), ages ranged from 7 to 108 days.
• 4. Captures and back‐calculated birthdates using otolith daily increments showed that S. delicatulus spawns during the period of high seawater temperature, from March to October. The species colonizes all three habitats during the early stages (0–26 days old), with growth rate lowest on the seagrass beds. Nevertheless, the species occupies seagrass beds exclusively during the older stages.
• 5. The conservation of seagrass beds in the Con Dao archipelago is essential for protection of juvenile stages of this species but this habitat is presently not included in the MPA patches. Establishment of a continuum of protected areas linking habitats, rather than the existing patches is needed to conserve the complete life cycle of this species in the Con Dao MPA.

     

Effects of dietary phospholipid level and fraction on the feed intake of non‐fish meal diet in yellowtail,Seriola quinqueradiata Temminck & Schlegel, 1845

Three feeding studies were conducted to investigate whether dietary soybean lecithin (SBL) enhanced feed intake of non‐fish meal, SPC‐based diet, in yellowtail, and also to clarify which fraction of phospholipid (PL) was effective to enhance feed intake. In experiments 1 and 2, fish were fed SBL level at 0%–5%, and it was revealed that the daily feeding rate (DFR) of fish was significantly higher for SBL 2% than for SBL 0%, while a further increase of SBL in the diet did not additionally increase the DFR. Moreover, the DFR of fish fed a diet without feeding stimulants (FS) was the lowest among the dietary treatments, indicating that the SBL does not have an effect of enhancing feed intake in yellowtail. In experiment 3, fish were fed a diet with several products containing PL at 2%. Phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol concentrations in these products positively correlated to the DFR of fish. This result revealed that these two fractions in the SBL are effective for enhancing feed intake of yellowtail when FS is present in the diet.     

Maillard reaction and protein cross-linking in relation to the solubility of milk powders

Protein changes in relation to solubility, Maillard reaction (MR), and protein cross-linking in whole milk powder (WMP), skim milk powder (SMP), and whey protein concentrate (WPC) stored at different relative humidities (RHs) were investigated by chemical and electrophoretic methods. WMP and SMP reached minimum solubility rapidly, while WPC showed no change in solubility. The loss of solubility corresponded with development of high-molecular-weight protein complexes observed by two-dimensional electrophoresis. The maximal MR rate occurred at 66% RH for WMP and SMP (high lactose/protein ratios) and 84% RH for WPC (low lactose/protein ratios) based on the furosine and hydroxymethylfurfural contents. However, browning was greatest at 84% RH in all powders. The minimum solubility corresponded with the casein and fat contents. The retention of solubility and minimal protein cross-linking of WPC compared to casein-containing powders suggest that the casein content and cross-linking strongly influence the decrease in the solubility of milk powder.     

玉米种质材料遗传多样性的ISSR分析（英文）

【目的】利用ISSR分子标记分析越南北部山区当地玉米种质材料的遗传多样性。【方法】采用ISSR技术和10个引物对从越南和老挝北部山区3个省收集的21份玉米种质材料即12份普通玉米和9份糯玉米的遗传多样性进行分析。【结果】在21份玉米种质材料中可以检测到108个ISSR片段,其多态性为100%。ISSR引物的多态性信息量值为0.10～0.39,每条引物平均为0.24;分辨力为14.29~0.48,平均每条为4.48。除ISSR-T1以外,所有ISSR引物在13份玉米材料中均产生特异性片段。根据聚类分析结果,使用70%的遗传相似性作为切割点,建立了玉米种质材料系统树,21份玉米种质材料被分为3大类。不同玉米材料的相似系数为0.52~0.90.【结论】ISSR标记可提供玉米种质遗传多样性信息,对越南玉米种质材料的收集、保护和育种具有重要作用。     

Production of embryogenic tissues and regeneration of transgenic plants in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

Disorganised embryogenic tissues have been utilised as target tissues for transgene insertion and transgenic plant regeneration in cassava (Manihot esculenta). The production of friable embryogenic callus in fourteen geographically diverse cassava cultivars, from which eleven were established as embryogenic suspension cultures, is reported. Embryogenic tissues were similar in nature in all cultivars tested although there was variation in the time required to generate friable callus and the growth rates of suspension cultures. Regeneration of plants has been achieved from eight cultivars but varied significantly in efficiency, with cv. TMS 60444and Line 2 from Zimbabwe being the most responsive. Tissues from the remaining eight cultivars became arrested at globular and torpedo stages of regeneration indicating that they most likely process an inherent ability to produce plants but require further research to allow this to be realised. Significant numbers of transgenic plants containing transgenes for putative resistance to important viral diseases of cassava in addition to visual marker genes have been regenerated. Transgenic plants from three the cultivars TMS 60444, Bonoua Rouge and M.Col 1505 were recovered after particle bombardment of embryogenic suspension cultures. Correlation's have been made between abnormal leaf morphology and plant vigour with the use of embryogenic suspension cultures for transgene insertion. As an result friable embryogenic callus is now being successfully utilsed as the target tissue for genetic transformation and plant regeneration at ILTAB. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

How temperature and aridity drive lignin decomposition along a latitudinal transect in western Siberia

Climate change drives a northward shift of biomes in high-latitude regions. This might have consequences on the decomposition of plant litter entering the soil, including its lignin component, which is one of the most abundant components of vascular plants. In order to elucidate the combined effect of climate and soil characteristics on the decomposition pattern of lignin, we investigated lignin contents and its degree of oxidative decomposition within soil profiles along a climosequence in western Siberia. Soil samples were collected from organic topsoil to mineral subsoil at six sites along a 1500-km latitudinal transect, stretching from tundra, through taiga and forest steppe to typical steppe. The stage of lignin degradation, as mirrored by decreasing organic carbon-normalized lignin contents and increasing oxidative alteration of the remnant lignin (acid-to-aldehyde ratios of vanillyl- and syringyl-units [(Ac/Al)_V and (Ac/Al)_S]) within soil horizons, increased from tundra to forest steppe and then decreased to the steppe. Principal component analysis, involving also climatic conditions such as mean annual temperature and aridity index, showed that the different states of lignin degradation between horizons related well to the activity of phenoloxidases and peroxidases, enzymes involved in lignin depolymerization that are produced primarily by fungi and less importantly by bacteria. The low microbial lignin decomposition in the tundra was likely due to low temperature and high soil moisture, which do not favour the fungi. Increasing temperature and decreasing soil moisture, facilitating a higher abundance of fungi, led to increased fungal lignin decomposition towards the forest-steppe biome, while drought and high pH might be responsible for the reduced lignin decomposition in the steppe. We infer that a shift of biomes to the north, driven by climate change, might promote lignin decomposition in the northern parts, whereas in the south a further retardation might be likely.