Bringing the voice of consumers into plant breeding with Bayesian modelling

Improving flavour quality traits in fruit breeding calls for innovative consumer-oriented product development. This paper explores the potential of marker-assisted breeding from genomics and consumer-based quality-improvement models from marketing, and exploits the progresses at both sides as technology push and market pull. An integrative and cross-disciplinary quality-improvement model is proposed based on Bayesian modelling. This Bayesian modelling allows for the integration of elicited knowledge of breeders and flavour researchers concerning the degree of causal associations of metabolites and flavour quality traits of fruits in the model. We also present the flavour quality improvement challenge as a multi-criteria optimization process and show the potential and current limitations of the proposed model. Insights gained from the model would help flavour researchers determine the optimum concentration of flavour-affecting metabolites which could be used for further DNA marker development. These ideas and concepts will help translate consumer-desired product features into genomic information, ultimately resulting in successful new cultivars.     

Effect of dietary avoparcin on performances and carcass composition in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

Two levels (40 or 80 mg kg^?1) of avoparcin were tested as a growth promoter in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), fed for 14 weeks. At 80 mg kg-¹ the weight gain was higher (P <0.05) than in the unsupplemented control or at the 40 mg kg-¹ dose. At either dose, the feed conversion rate and the protein efficiency ratio were more favourable (P <0.05) than in the control. Inclusion of the antibiotic significantly improved (P < 0.05) the apparent digestibility of lipids. The lipid content of flesh was significantly increased by inclusion of avoparcin in the diet; moreover, at the high level of inclusion the content of some unsaturated fatty acids (18:3ω3 and 20:5ω3) appeared to be significantly increased. No avoparcin residues were detected in the flesh.     

Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block in horses: a cadaver study

ObjectivesTo describe dye distribution and spinal nerve involvement after a simulated erector spinae plane (ESP) block performed on fresh equine cadavers.Study designExperimental cadaver study.AnimalsA group of 11 adult equine cadavers.MethodsThe spinal region surrounding the sixteenth thoracic vertebra (Th16) of one cadaver was removed and underwent magnetic resonance imaging. In 10 adult equine cadavers [body weight, 549 ± 58 kg (mean ± standard deviation)], 0.2 mL kg^–1 of a 50:1 2% lidocaine/dye solution was injected bilaterally (n = 20 injections) into the fascial plane between the transverse process of Th16 and the erector spinae muscles. An in-plane ultrasound-guided technique with a convex transducer was used to guide injection. Dissection was performed immediately following injection. The craniocaudal and lateral extent of dye distribution was measured (cm) and the number of vertebral bodies involved were counted (n = 20). Abdominal and thoracic cavities as well as the epidural space were also examined for presence of dye (yes/no) (n = 20). Further dissection was performed to evaluate if staining of the dorsal and ventral rami of the spinal nerves and sympathetic chain occurred (n = 14).ResultsThe thoracolumbar fascia was stained in 17/20 (85%) injections and three injections terminated intramuscularly. Multisegmental staining of the dorsal rami was observed in the 14 injections in which staining was evaluated. Ventral rami staining was observed in 3/14 injections where staining was evaluated. Epidural migration was observed in 4/20 (20%) injections. No evidence of dye was found in the thoracic and abdominal cavities or on the sympathetic chain.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe ESP block may prove beneficial to desensitize structures innervated by the dorsal rami of the thoracic spinal nerves. Further investigation is necessary to evaluate complications caused by epidural contamination.     

Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy in swine--technique, methods, indications

The aim of this study was to investigate in 20 healthy pigs the practicability of the oesophagogastroduodenoscopic examination technique in regard to equipment, method of examination, indications and its suitability as a diagnostical tool for the assessment of the oesophagus, stomach and upper duodenum in one procedure. Preparation of the patient for endoscopy, the procedure of the endoscopic examination as well as the topographical findings of the upper intestinal tract including the duodenum until the flexura duodenojejunalis are described. Flexible oesophagogastroduodenoscopy is a suitable method for the observation and natural visualisation of mucosal surfaces and for the digital documentation of peristaltic movements. The procedure is easy to perform in anaesthetized animals, is in most cases completed within 15 min, and can be repeated in the same animal. Indications of this interesting diagnostic imaging technique are discussed.     

Localization of Helicobacter spp. in the fundic mucosa of laboratory Beagle dogs: an ultrastructural study

ABSTRACT: In dogs Helicobacter spp. are found in all gastric regions usually localized in the surface mucus, gastric glands and parietal cells. The aim of this study was to detail the distribution of Helicobacter spp. in the fundic mucosa of asymptomatic Beagle dogs and their intracellular localization within parietal cells, in order to evaluate species-specific pathogenetic effects on gastric cells. The presence of Helicobacter spp. was investigated by immunohistochemistry, TEM, and PCR in the fundic mucosa of six Beagle dogs. Helicobacter spp. were found in all dogs examined, and H. bizzozeronii and H. felis were identified by PCR and confirmed by TEM. In the lumen of the fundic glands, co-localization was common. H. bizzozeronii was present in larger numbers than H. felis in both intraluminal and intraparietal localization. The amounts of H. bizzozeronii were similar in superficial and basal portions of the glands. H. felis was predominantly localized in the superficial portions of gastric glands but almost absent from the base. Within parietal cells, most Helicobacter organisms were intracanalicular, but intact and degenerate Helicobacter organisms were also visualized free in the cytoplasm or in secondary lysosomes. No specific degenerative lesions were found in infected parietal cells. Helicobacter organisms were also observed within macrophages in the lamina propria. In conclusion, there is a differential distribution of H. bizzozeronii and H. felis in the fundic mucosa of Beagle dogs, and their intracellular localization in parietal cells and macrophages suggests novel pathogenic scenarios for the development of immune response and maintenance of chronic gastritis in dogs.     

Systemic Accumulation of 12-oxo-phytodienoic Acid in SAR-induced Potato Plants

In potato plants induced for systemic resistance by infiltration with Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola, 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA) accumulated in infiltrated leaves as well as in non-treated leaves of infected plants. In contrast, jasmonic acid (JA) levels increased only in infiltrated leaves, suggesting that the biosynthetic precursor of JA, OPDA, might play a role in systemic acquired resistance.     

Soil CO2 concentration,efflux, and partitioning in a recently afforested grassland

Relatively few studies have documented the impacts of afforestation, particularly production forestry, on belowground carbon dioxide (CO₂) effluxes to the atmosphere. We evaluated the changes in the soil CO₂ efflux—a proxy for soil respiration (Rs)—for three years following a native grassland conversion to eucalypt plantations in southern Brazil where minimum tillage during site preparation created two distinct soil zones, within planting row (W) and between-row (B). We used root-exclusion and carbon (C)- isotopic approaches to distinguish Rs components (heterotrophic-Rh and autotrophic-Ra respirations), and a CO₂ profile tube (1-m deep) to determine the concentration ([CO₂]) and isotopic C signature of soil CO₂ (δ¹³[CO₂]). The soil CO₂ efflux in the afforested site averaged 0.37 g CO₂ m^?2 h^?1, which was 56% lower than the soil CO₂ efflux in the grassland. The δ¹³CO₂ in the afforested site ranged from ? 14.1‰ to ? 29.4‰, indicating a greater contribution of eucalypt-derived respiration (both Rh and Ra) over time. Higher soil CO₂ efflux and lower [CO₂] were observed in W than B, indicating that soil preparation creates two distinct soil functional zones with respect to C cycling. The [CO₂] and δ¹³[CO₂] decreased in both zonal positions with eucalypt stand development. Although the equilibrium in C fluxes and pools across multiple rotations is needed to fully account for the feedback of eucalypt planted forests to climate change, we provide quantitative information on soil CO₂ dynamics after afforestation and show how soil preparation can leverage the feedback of planted forests to climate change.