Estimating the onset of cambial activity in Scots pine in northern Finland by means of the heat-sum approach

We estimated the date of onset (Date(est)) of cambial activity by the pinning method in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees at Vanttauskoski (Site 1) and Laanila (Site 2) near the latitudinal limit of Scots pine in northern Finland. In each year and at each site, observations were made on a different set of five trees. The estimated dates of onset of cambial activity were compared with the corresponding heat sums, calculated in degree-days according to two models. Within years, Date(est) varied among trees by up to 15 days at Site 1 and up to 13 days at Site 2. Among years, mean Date(est) varied by 15.3 days at Site 1 and 12.0 days at Site 2. The overall mean Date(est) differed between sites by 6 days (June 5 at Site 1 and June 11 at Site 2). Among all trees in all years, the mean number of degree days (d.d.) calculated from mean daily temperature above a threshold of 5 degrees C before Date(est) ranged from 68.7 to 135 d.d. at Site 1 and from 37.4 to 154.7 d.d. at Site 2. Among years, the mean heat sum before Date(est )ranged from 94 to 112.5 d.d. at Site 1 and from 61.4 to 136 d.d. at Site 2. Variation among years in heat sum before Date(est) at Site 2 was highly significant, indicating that one or more factors other than, or in addition to, heat sum determines the onset of cambial activity in Scots pine. Similar results were obtained when heat sum was computed from the area between the sine wave generated by daily maximum and minimum temperature and the threshold temperature.     

Control of seed-borne pathogens on legumes by microbial and other alternative seed treatments

Greenhouse trials were carried out in order to test the efficacy of different seed treatments as alternatives to chemicals against Colletotrichum lindemuthianum cause of anthracnose on bean and Ascochyta spp. cause of Ascochyta blights on pea, respectively. Resistance inducers, commercially formulated microorganisms, non-formulated selected strains of different microorganisms (fungi, bacteria and yeasts) and plant extracts were applied as dry or liquid seed treatments on naturally infested seeds. Seedling emergence and disease incidence and/or severity were recorded. Almost all seed treatments turned out to be ineffective in controlling the Ascochyta infections, which is in line with the literature stating that these pathogens are difficult to control. The only alternative treatments that gave some control of Ascochyta spp. were thyme oil and a strain of Clonostachys rosea. The resistance inducers tested successfully controlled infections of bean by C. lindemuthianum. Among the formulated microorganisms, Bacillus subtilis-based formulations provided the best protection from anthracnose. Some strains of Pseudomonas putida, a disease-suppressive, saprophytic strain of Fusarium oxysporum and the mustard powder-based product Tillecur also proved to be effective against bean anthracnose. However, among the resistance inducers as well as among the other groups, certain agents caused a significant reduction of plant emergence. Different alternative seed treatments can therefore be used for the control of C. lindemuthianum on bean, while on pea only thyme oil and a strain of Clonostachys rosea showed some effectiveness against Ascochyta spp.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE NORMAL AND DISEASED FELINE MIDDLE EAR

The magnetic resonance imaging appearance of the feline middle ear is described in three healthy cats and in five cats with middle ear disease. Owing to the good spatial resolution, multiplanar slice orientation as well as display high contrast resolution of soft tissue, in particular fluids, MR imaging was helpful prior to surgery. It is superior to radiography which failed to allow identification of the abnormality in two of our five cats. MR imaging for middle ear disease should include dorsal and transverse plane images using T1- and T2-weighted sequences. In the presence of a mass within the bulla or the external ear canal application of contrast medium is helpful.     

Information Linkages in Local Economic Development

Profitable private investments may be bypassed in struggling regions due precisely to such regions' isolation, leading to a self‐reinforcing cycle of marginalization. In many cases, development in such regions may be most effectively promoted by providing key information to the private and public sectors, thus addressing potentially significant market failures. In the case study project, the calculation of private and social returns have been particularly crucial in sparking both private investor interest and public support of this business venture. The project's example suggests an updated role for universities in the assistance of productive economic development programs.     

Diversity and activity of cellulolytic bacteria,isolated from the gut contents of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) (Valenciennes) fed on Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense) or artificial feedstuffs

Herbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) has a powerful capability to digest cellulose from aquatic plants, depending on the cellulase complex produced by the cellulolytic bacterial community in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, it remains uncertain which bacteria taxa may actively participate in the digestion of food fibre. In this study, a total of 499 cellulolytic bacteria from the gut content of grass carp fed on Sudan grass (242 strains) and artificial feedstuffs (257 strains) were randomly isolated and characterized using carboxymethyl‐cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose and cellobiose agar media. The results showed that more than half of the isolates were capable of degrading carboxymethyl‐cellulose and cellobiose, while the remaining isolates were restricted to microcrystalline cellulose decomposition, exclusively. The cellulolytic bacterial community was dominated by Aeromonas, followed by Enterobacter, Enterococcus, Citrobacter, Bacillus, Raoultella, Klebsiella, Hydrotalea, Pseudomonas, Brevibacillus and some unclassified bacteria, as revealed by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Notably, grass carp fed on grass with high‐fibre content harboured a higher diversity of cellulolytic bacteria than the ones fed on low‐fibre feedstuffs. Our results provided evidence for a positive correlation between the content of food fibre and the diversity of cellulolytic bacteria in grass carp intestines. Thus, improving growth conditions and cellulase activities for GI cellulolytic microorganisms in grass carp intestines are critical for effective utilization of feedstuffs containing high fibre levels.     

Issues and special features of animal health research

ABSTRACT: In the rapidly changing context of research on animal health, INRA launched a collective discussion on the challenges facing the field, its distinguishing features, and synergies with biomedical research. As has been declared forcibly by the heads of WHO, FAO and OIE, the challenges facing animal health, beyond diseases transmissible to humans, are critically important and involve food security, agriculture economics, and the ensemble of economic activities associated with agriculture. There are in addition issues related to public health (zoonoses, xenobiotics, antimicrobial resistance), the environment, and animal welfare.Animal health research is distinguished by particular methodologies and scientific questions that stem from the specific biological features of domestic species and from animal husbandry practices. It generally does not explore the same scientific questions as research on human biology, even when the same pathogens are being studied, and the discipline is rooted in a very specific agricultural and economic context.Generic and methodological synergies nevertheless exist with biomedical research, particularly with regard to tools and biological models. Certain domestic species furthermore present more functional similarities with humans than laboratory rodents.The singularity of animal health research in relation to biomedical research should be taken into account in the organization, evaluation, and funding of the field through a policy that clearly recognizes the specific issues at stake. At the same time, the One Health approach should facilitate closer collaboration between biomedical and animal health research at the level of research teams and programmes.     

Effect of dietary carbohydrate-to-lipid ratios on growth, lipid deposition and metabolic hepatic enzymes in juvenile Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis, Kaup)

A study was undertaken to determine the effect of various dietary carbohydrate‐to‐lipid ratios on growth performance, whole‐body composition and tissue lipid content in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles. Data on the dietary regulation of key hepatic enzymes of the lipogenic and glycolytic pathways (glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, G6PD; malic enzyme, ME; fatty acid synthetase, FAS; pyruvate kinase, PK and glucokinase, GK) were also generated. Four isonitrogenous (crude protein: 52% dry matter (DM)) diets were formulated to contain one of two lipid levels (11% and 21% DM). Within each dietary lipid level, the nature of the carbohydrate fraction (raw or extruded peas) was varied. Triplicate groups of 54 sole (initial body weight: 23.6±1.2 g) were grown in recirculated seawater over 67 days. Fish were fed using automated feeders. At the end of the study, whole‐body, liver, viscera and muscle samples were withdrawn for analyses. During the experimental period, the mean fish weight about doubled in all treatments. No significant differences were found in growth performance (ranging from 1.1% to 1.4% body weight day^?1) among dietary treatments. High‐fat diets increased whole‐body fat content. Similarly, daily fat gain ranged from 0.54 to 0.78 g kg^?1 day^?1 and highest values were found in fish fed high‐lipid diets. Dietary treatments also affected tissue lipid content (liver, viscera and muscle), with highest values in fish fed high‐fat diets. The nature of dietary carbohydrates had little influence on performance criteria, but affected tissue lipid deposition. The activities of G6PD, ME and FAS were depressed by elevated levels of dietary lipid, confirming the inhibitory effect of dietary fats on lipid biosynthesis. At both dietary lipid levels, ME and FAS activities were little affected by dietary carbohydrate. Activities of PK and GK were not affected by the starch level of the diets. In Senegalese sole juveniles, the lipogenic pathway is more susceptible to modulation by dietary means (particularly through lipid intake) than the glycolytic pathway.     

Model Experiments on the Influence of Artificial Humic Compounds on Chemodenitrification

Chemodenitrification is of importance in both soils and the treatment of some types of wastewater. During model experiments,the impact of various conditions, such as pH and especially artificial humic matter and oxygen on this process was studied to build upkinetic models. The chemodenitrification rate decreased due to the ongoingautoxidation/polymerization of hydroquinone to artificial humic matterfrom 11.02 μg (L h)^-1 after 7 days autoxidation to 5.38 μg (L h)^-1 after 14 days at pH 4 under aerobic conditionsand an initial nitrite concentration of 250 μg L^-1. At the same pH,with the same nitrite concentration, and in the presence of Roth humic matter(2 mg L^-1) under aerobic conditions, the chemodenitrification rate was0.73 μg (L h)^-1, whereas under anaerobic conditions itwas considerably higher (2.88 μg (L h)^-1). In anothermodel experiment, it was shown that the amount of nitrite incorporated into the artificial humic matter was less then 1%. Further, it was found that the main reaction product of chemodenitrification is NO.