Phoma leaf spot of wasabi (Wasabia japonica) caused by Leptosphaeria biglobosa

A leaf spot disease on wasabi plants grown in commercial greenhouses in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia was characterized. Mycelial growth and pycnidial formation were observed within lesions when leaves were incubated under conditions of high humidity. Isolation from diseased tissues consistently yielded colonies of a Phoma species. Sequence analysis of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2) region of eight isolates showed 100% nucleotide sequence identity with Phoma wasabiae and Leptosphaeria biglobosa subspecies ‘occiaustralensis’ and 99.2% identity with L. biglobosa ‘canadensis’. Pathogenicity studies on wasabi leaves showed that wounding greatly facilitated infection and enhanced lesion development for most isolates but was not required for all isolates. Chlorotic areas appeared around the inoculation sites within 4 days, followed by necrosis. Isolates displayed a range of virulence, from weakly to highly virulent, on wasabi leaves. Similar results were observed on leaves of canola cultivar Westar, i.e. wounding significantly increased lesion size and isolates displayed a range of virulence. An isolate of Leptosphaeria maculans ‘brassicae’ from canola was highly virulent on wasabi and canola leaves, causing lesions similar to those of L. biglobosa ‘occiaustralensis’ while an isolate of L. biglobosa ‘canadensis’ from canola was weakly virulent on both hosts and required wounds to infect. These results demonstrate that isolates of L. biglobosa ‘occiaustralensis’ from wasabi are as virulent as L. biglobosa ‘canadensis’ on wasabi and canola leaves but in some cases were comparable in virulence to L. maculans ‘brassicae’.     

Chemical composition controls residue decomposition in soils differing in initial pH

Laboratory incubation studies were conducted to determine the dynamics of low-molecular-weight aliphatic carboxylic acids and their anions (LACAs) and respiration in three soils incorporated with five types of plant residues differing in chemical composition. Concentrations of total and individual LACAs in soils decreased sharply with initial 3 days after addition of plant residues, and varied with types of plant residue and soil. Irrespective of soil types, the amount of total extractable LACAs was highest in the soils treated with chickpea, followed by lucerne and high-N wheat straw, and lowest with low-N wheat straw. Lancelin soil [initial pH(CaCl₂) 5.06] contained higher concentration of extractable LACAs compared with Bodallin (pH 4.54) and Wodjil soil (pH 3.87). Soil respiration rate was rapidly increased by the addition of plant residues, and reached the peak by Day 3. Respiration rate was the greatest in Lancelin soil and the smallest in Wodjil soil. The amounts of CO₂ respired over 7 days were equivalent to 6-25% of the added C for Wodjil soil, 6-39% for Bodallin soil and 6-47% for Lancelin soil, depending on type of plant residue. Those amounts over 105 days increased further. Irrespective of plant residue and soil type, the cumulative respiration correlated positively with concentrations of N, excess cations and soluble C in plant residues and initial soil pH, and negatively with C:N of plant residues. The results suggest that chemical composition of plant residues plays an important role at the initial stage of residue decomposition.     

Real-time PCR detection of Mycoplasma felis in domestic cats suffering from chronic conjunctivitis (Poland)

Real-time PCR directed to intergenic spacer (IGS) noncoding region between 16S and 23S rRNA genes was used for species specific detection of Mycoplasma felis in conjunctival scrapings. Samples were collected from 57 cats suffering from chronic conjunctivitis in 2008-2010 (Wroc?aw, Poland). Samples from 36 cats (63.2%) were shown to be positive for Mycoplasma felis. Our research gives a first insight in the occurrence of Mycoplasma felis among domestic cats in Poland suggesting that this pathogen may constitute an underestimated cause of chronic conjunctivitis.     

Lung cancer and indoor air pollution in Xuan Wei, China

In Xuan Wei County, Yunnan Province, lung cancer mortality is among China's highest and, especially in females, is more closely associated with indoor burning of "smoky" coal, as opposed to wood or "smokeless" coal, than with tobacco smoking. Indoor air samples were collected during the burning of all three fuels. In contrast to wood and smokeless coal emissions, smoky coal emission has high concentrations of submicron particles containing mutagenic organics, especially in aromatic and polar fractions. These studies suggested an etiologic link between domestic smoky coal burning and lung cancer in Xuan Wei.     

Arbovirus isolations from mosquitoes in South Slovakia.

In the years 1973 and 1975 mosquitoes and some other Diptera (Tabanidae, Simuliidae, Hippoboscidae) were tested for virus. 13,924 mosquitoes, 75 horseflies and 60 blackflies were processed in 1973. Five strains of Tahyna virus were isolated from mosquito species Aedes vexans. 3,378 mosquitoes and 12 sheep keds were tested for virus in 1975. Twelve strains of Calovo virus were isolated from Anopheles maculipennis and one strain of Tahyna virus was obtained from Aedes vexans mosquitoes.     

A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Phase I Inactivated Vaccines to Reduce Shedding of Coxiella burnetii From Sheep and Goats From Routes of Public Health Importance

Q fever in humans and coxiellosis in livestock are both caused by Coxiella burnetii. The public health importance of vaccination against C. burnetii shedding from sheep and goats was evaluated using systematic review and meta‐analysis to provide evidence for policy direction to prevent potential zoonotic spread. Publications reporting shedding of C. burnetii in vaginal and uterine secretions, milk, placenta and faeces were included. A single observational (one goat) and seven experimental (four goat and three sheep) vaccine studies were included in the review. No relevant publications on other interventions were identified. Random effects meta‐analyses were performed for the risk of shedding in individuals in the control and vaccinated groups and for the mean difference in the level of bacterial shedding in sheep and goats stratified by age and previous exposure status. Limited data were available for further analytic evaluation. From the pooled analysis, an inactivated phase I vaccine significantly reduced the risk of shedding from uterine (RR = 0.10; 95%CI 0.05–0.20) secretions in previously sensitized goats. Individual studies reported significant risk reduction in milk (RR = 0.03; 95%CI 0.01–0.26), vaginal secretions (RR = 0.40; 95%CI 0.22–0.75) and faeces (RR = 0.79; 95%CI 0.63–0.97) from naïve goats. The pooled mean levels of bacteria shed from placental [mean difference (MD = ?5.24 Log₁₀; 95%CI ?6.75 to ?3.7)] and vaginal (MD = ?1.78 Log₁₀; 95%CI ?2.19 to ?1.38) routes were significantly decreased in vaccinated naïve goats compared with controls. Shedding through all other routes from vaccinated goats was not significantly different than shedding from control goats. No effect of vaccination was found on the risk of shedding or the mean level of shedding in vaccinated sheep compared with control sheep. Our conclusions are based on a limited amount of data with variable risk of systematic error.     

水稻重要农艺性状的QTL分析和主效QTL近等基因系的构建

水稻许多重要农艺性状都是数量性状,水稻遗传改良的大部分工作就是改良这些数量性状。1980年以后,随着分子标记的出现,水稻高密度遗传连锁图谱的大量绘制,各种作图群体的迅猛构建,功能强大的各种统计学软件的快速开发,全基因组序列测序的完成,特别是多个QTL精细定位和先后克隆,使得我们对数量性状的认识得到了长足的进步,QTL的研究正在走进新时代。     

Studies on the Epidemiology of Tropical Theileriosis (Theileria annulata Infection) in Cattle in Central Anatolia,Turkey

An epidemiological survey for Theileria annulata infection was conducted in 12 selected villages around Ankara in Central Anatolia, Turkey, during the period April 1990 to January 1993. During the survey, 198 cattle of 30 local breeds, 84 Holstein-Friesian×local breeds and 84 Holstein-Friesian breed were examined for antibodies to T. annulata and the presence of the vector ticks. Four species of Hyalomma ticks were identified: Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, Hyalomma anatolicum excavtum, Hyalomma detritum and Hyalomma marginatum marginatum. Salivary gland staining indicated that infected adult ticks of all four species were present and, therefore, were implicated in the transmission of tropical theileriosis in the field. Generally, the Hyalomma infestation rate was low, with the heaviest infestations occurring on the older animals. Young adults and calves had very low infestation rates. Most ticks seen on cattle were adults, very few nymphs were found. The blood smear and serological examination of the 198 cattle conducted in March, before the start of the first disease season, showed that the prevalence of piroplasmosis was 11.1% (22 out of 198) and the seroprevalence of T. annulata was 10.6% (21 out of 198). Forty-three animals were then excluded from the study because they were seropositive and/or harboured piroplasms. Ninety-two seronegative animals showed piroplasmosis (92 out of 155) and 34 seronegative animals became seropositive for T. annulata (34 out of 155) during the three disease seasons. One animal became clinically ill with tropical theileriosis and required treatment. The incidence of cattle showing piroplasmosis and disease in the total study sample was 50.7% and 0.5% per disease season, respectively. The seroconversion rate of new infection with T. annulata in the total study was 14.3% per animal season. The number of cattle showing piroplasmosis was much greater than the number of seropositive cattle, which may indicate the presence of another species of Theileria. The two different management systems encountered in the study were considered to have influenced the tick infestation levels.     

In vitro effect of levamisole on the cell viability,phagocytosis and respiratory burst of Barbel chub (Squaliobarbus curriculus) macrophages

The present study was to determine in vitro effect of levamisole on the immune functions of Barbel chub (Squaliobarbus curriculus), head–kidney‐derived (HKM), spleen‐derived (SM) and peripheral blood monocyte‐derived macrophage (PBM). Macrophages were incubated with levamisole 10³, 10¹, 10⁻¹ and 10⁻³ ng mL⁻¹ to assay the cell viability, respiratory burst and phagocytosis. The results showed that macrophages treated with levamisole 10⁻³ ng mL⁻¹ gave a maximum respiratory burst response, whereas levamisole 10³ ng mL⁻¹ had no effect. Phagocytosis activity of the macrophages treated with levamisole enhanced significantly when compared to control, maximum response being at 10⁻³ ng mL⁻¹. While using the methylthiazoletetrazolium method to measure the cell activity for 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 h, there was no significant role on proliferation and the cell viability began to decline after 24 h. In conclusion, levamisole is a potent enhancer of Barbel chub macrophage activity with low concentration.     

Spermatozoa Concentration,Seminal Plasma Composition and Their Physiological Relationship in the Endangered Stellate Sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) and Russian Sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii )

Comparative studies of ionic composition, osmolality, protein concentration and pH of seminal plasma along with spermatozoa concentrations were carried out in stellate sturgeon, Acipenser stellatus, and Russian sturgeon, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii. Analysis of A. gueldenstaedtii sperm showed significantly higher concentrations of Na⁺ (34.58 ± 4.61 mm ), Ca²⁺ (0.35 ± 0.12 mm ), Mg²⁺ (0.70 ± 0.25 mm ), Cl^? (13.50 ± 4.04 mm ) and proteins (0.60 ± 0.29 mg/ml) in the seminal plasma than did seminal plasma of A. stellatus: Na⁺ (20.08 ± 10.75 mm ), Ca²⁺ (0.28 ± 0.06 mm ), Mg²⁺ (0.29 ± 0.05 mm ), Cl^? (7.50 ± 3.00 mm ) and 0.30 ± 0.11 mg/ml proteins. Significantly higher concentration of K⁺ (5.42 ± 1.06 mm ) was observed in A. stellatus compared to A. gueldenstaedtii K⁺ (2.29 ± 0.50 mm ). Concentration of Na⁺ was positively correlated with osmolality (r = 0.819), levels of Cl^? (r = 0.922) and Mg²⁺ (r = 0.727) and pH (r = 0.848). The concentration of Mg²⁺ was positively correlated with protein concentration (r = 0.774), Na⁺ (r = 0.727), Cl^? (r = 0.872) and Ca²⁺ (r = 0.801). A positive relationship was also found between concentration of K⁺ and spermatozoa concentration (r = 0.709). Results revealed strong inter‐species differences in several parameters. The data should be useful for artificial fertilization and for cryopreservation of sturgeon sperm.