薄皮甜瓜内源激素对不同夜间温度的响应及与果实生长的关系

 【目的】探讨薄皮甜瓜内源激素对夜间不同温度的应答及果实内源激素与果实发育之间的关系。【方法】采用HPLC方法,测定果实膨大期不同夜温处理后薄皮甜瓜果实中内源激素的含量,分析不同夜温处理下内源激素含量与单果重增长率的相关关系。【结果】薄皮甜瓜果实中内源GA3和ZT含量均在果实膨大前期出现高峰,IAA在果实膨大后期出现高峰,ABA含量一直维持较低的水平。不同夜温处理后薄皮甜瓜果实中内源激素含量变化明显。与其它处理相比,夜温9℃处理后,果实内源GA3、ZT、IAA含量均明显降低,GA3/ABA、ZT/ABA明显减小,ABA含量在果实发育后期明显升高,均达到极显著水平。夜温18℃处理后果实内源GA3、GA3/ABA含量明显低于夜温15℃和12℃处理。在薄皮甜瓜整个夜温处理过程中,夜温15℃和12℃间的内源激素无显著差异。进一步分析果实内源激素与果实膨大的关系表明,GA3/ABA与单果重增长率呈极显著正相关,不适宜夜温下其二者直线相关的斜率较小,其中9℃最小。ZT/ABA与单果重增长率间,除夜温15℃和18℃达到显著正相关外,其它夜温处理均不显著。【结论】不同夜间温度对果实内源激素含量的影响不同,GA3和GA3/ABA可能与薄皮甜瓜果实生长具有一定的关系,同时还与其它因子有关。     

Linking long-term dietary patterns with gut microbial enterotypes

Diet strongly affects human health, partly by modulating gut microbiome composition. We used diet inventories and 16S rDNA sequencing to characterize fecal samples from 98 individuals. Fecal communities clustered into enterotypes distinguished primarily by levels of Bacteroides and Prevotella. Enterotypes were strongly associated with long-term diets, particularly protein and animal fat (Bacteroides) versus carbohydrates (Prevotella). A controlled-feeding study of 10 subjects showed that microbiome composition changed detectably within 24 hours of initiating a high-fat/low-fiber or low-fat/high-fiber diet, but that enterotype identity remained stable during the 10-day study. Thus, alternative enterotype states are associated with long-term diet.     

Calibration and performance of moisture sensors in soilless substrates: ECH2O and Theta probes

Reliable and affordable moisture sensors for measuring the water content in soilless substrates are limited. In this study, we examined the efficacy of two moisture sensors (ECH₂O-10 and Theta probe ML2X) for measuring water content in soilless substrates. We developed calibration equations and analyzed the effect of increasing electrical conductivity (EC) and substrate temperature on the voltage output of probes. We found that a single equation (one for each probe) could be used to adequately measure water content in different custom-made substrates maintained at low EC and a substrate temperature of ∼23 °C. The calibration equation developed for the Theta probe from substrates maintained at low EC could also be used in two commercial substrates with high EC (2.0–5.0 dS m⁻¹). Further measurements in substrates maintained at different water contents and EC levels indicated that the output of the ECH₂O-10 probe, but not the Theta probe, was significantly affected by substrate EC. The lack of a substrate EC effect on the Theta probe readings was surprising, because the probe was sensitive to EC when fertilizer solutions with different ECs were measured. Increasing the temperature of the substrate from 10 to 40 °C increased the voltage output of ECH₂O-10 probes by 1.88 mV °C⁻¹, or on average 0.0022 m³ m⁻³ water content per °C. There was no effect of increasing substrate temperature on the Theta probe. It was concluded that ECH₂O-10 probes can be used in greenhouse operations requiring less measurement precision (like irrigation), however for accurate measurements of water content, the Theta probe is preferred.     

Role of catalase in the virulence of Brucella melitensis in pregnant goats

An isogenic katE mutant derived from virulent Brucella melitensis 16M displays hypersensitivity to hydrogen peroxide in disk sensitivity assays but retains the capacity to colonize pregnant goats and induce abortion. These experimental findings indicate that although the sole periplasmic catalase of Brucella melitensis functions as an antioxidant, this enzyme does not play a critical role in virulence in the natural host.     

Diagnosis of canine claw disease – a prospective study of 24 dogs

The aetiology of claw disease in 24 dogs exhibiting only claw disease was investigated with cytologic examination of claw exudate, complete blood count (CBC), serum biochemistry panel, urinalysis, total thyroxine (tT4) concentration, antinuclear antibody (ANA) titre, bacterial culture and sensitivity testing, fungal culture, histopathology of claw biopsy samples and elimination diet. Abnormalities on the CBC, serum biochemistry panel and urinalysis were minor and nonspecific. Total T4 concentrations were within the normal laboratory reference range. Fungal cultures and ANA titres were negative in all dogs. A bacterial infection was present in approximately half of the dogs. On histological examination of claw tissue, a cell-poor or cell-rich interface onychitis was seen in all but one dog. Evidence for an adverse reaction to food was present in four dogs. One dog responded completely to antibiotic therapy. Interface onychitis seems to be a histological reaction pattern of the claw matrix in the dog with various possible underlying aetiologies. In dogs with claw disease as the only clinical sign, the recommended initial diagnostic evaluation includes cytologic examination, bacterial culture and sensitivity, claw biopsy and an elimination diet.     

Should farmers apply fertilizer according to when their daffodils are in flower? Utilizing a “farmer‐science” approach to understanding the impact of soil temperature on spring N fertilizer application in Wales

Perennial ryegrass starts growing when soil temperatures reach 5.5°C for five consecutive days; applying N fertilizer before this risks environmental losses. To test whether daffodil flowering signified when to apply N fertilizer, farmers volunteered to take part in a citizen science study. The PROSOIL project used a “citizen science”, participatory approach to create farmer‐informed science, aiming to increase awareness of the importance of soil health. In 2014, over 300 farmers completed a “How do you manage your soil” survey. The survey included a question on the use of daffodils (Narcissus spp.) to indicate the best time to apply the first nitrogen fertilizer of the season, based on anecdotal feedback from farmers involved in the PROSOIL project. The survey recorded 7% of farmers based their first fertilizer application on when daffodils flowered. To increase farmer awareness of soil temperatures, we provided them with soil thermometers, held workshops and hosted interactive stands at agricultural events in 2014. In autumn 2014, farmers planted daffodil bulbs of the same variety, across Wales, and monitored soil temperatures. Farmers returned postcards once their daffodils were in flower, noting the soil temperature. An assessment of whether daffodil flowering date could indicate when to apply N fertilizer was made. Overall, in spring 2015, daffodils flowered when soil temperature was 6.4(±0.35)°C, suggesting daffodil flowering date is a more reliable indicator for fertilizer application, than first hypothesized. Findings show a scientific validation of local knowledge, regarding the use of daffodils to indicate the “not‐before” date for the first N fertilizer application.     

Anti-Neospora caninum antibody detection and vertical transmission rate in pregnant zebu beef cows (Bos indicus): Neospora caninum in pregnant beef cows (Bos indicus)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate anti-Neospora caninum antibodies and the vertical transmission rate in naturally infected pregnant zebu beef cows (Bos indicus) reared on pasture. The present study began with 200 cows from four farms (50 cows from each farm), and these animals were submitted to timed artificial insemination (TAI). After ultrasonography, 76 pregnant cows were selected, 22, 15, 22, and 17, respectively, from farms 1, 2, 3, and 4. Blood samples were taken from cows thrice during the first, second, and third trimester of gestation, and a blood sample was collected from 31 calves before colostrum milking. From 76 cows 23 (30.3%) had anti-N. caninum antibodies detected by indirect ELISA (Idexx), and 53 (69.7%) did not. Sixty-four cows that initiated the experiment were negative to N. caninum and 11 became positive either during the second or third trimester of gestation, this mean an infection incidence of 17.2% (11/64). OD for ELISA was higher (OD = 2.08) during the second and third (OD = 2.10) trimesters of pregnancy when compared with the first (OD = 1.81), however, there were no statistical differences (P = 0.45). The vertical transmission was calculated to be 29.0% (9/31), and the risk of vertical transmission of N. caninum in seropositive dams was 26.25 times higher than seronegative animals (OR = 26.25, 2.38 < OR < 289, P = 0.007). In conclusion, the rate of vertical transmission of N. caninum in pregnant zebu beef cows was 29%, and the risk was 26.25 higher in seropositive dams relative to than seronegative animals.