A new multistage dynamic model for biological control exemplified by the host–parasitoid system <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spodoptera exigua</Emphasis>–<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chelonus oculator</Emphasis>

Over the last few decades, important advances have been made in understanding of host–parasitoid relations and their applications to biological pest control. Not only has the number of agent species increased, but new manipulation techniques for natural enemies have also been empirically introduced, particularly in greenhouse crops. This makes biocontrol more complex, requiring a new mathematical modeling approach appropriate for the optimization of the release of agents. The present paper aimed at filling this gap by the development of a temperature- and stage-dependent dynamic mathematical model of the host–parasitoid system with an improved functional response. The model is appropriate not only for simulation analysis of the efficiency of biocontrol agents, but also for the application of optimal control methodology for the optimal timing of agent releases, and for the consideration of economic implications. Based on both laboratory and greenhouse trials, the model was validated and fitted to the data of Chelonus oculator (F.) (Hym.: Braconidae) as a biological control agent against the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua Hübner (Lep.: Noctuidae). We emphasize that this model can be easily adapted to other interacting species involved in biological or integrated pest control with either parasitoid or predator agents.     

Globalization, international trade and animal health: the new roles of OIE

In order for countries and their stakeholders to maximize the benefits of globalization they must become familiar with, and must adhere to, the rights and obligations set out by the World Trade Organization (WTO) under the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS). For the purpose of trade in animals and animal products, they must also adhere to the standards, guidelines and recommendations established by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Countries are also encouraged to participate in this standard setting process of the OIE. Only after implementing these requirements and after strengthening the veterinary infrastructures and their surveillance and monitoring systems, will countries be able to fully benefit from these new international trade rules.     

Enhanced resistance to bacterial infection byErwinia carotovora subsp.atroseptica in transgenic potato plants expressing the attacin or the cecropin SB-37 genes

Blackleg and soft rot diseases, caused by the bacteriumErwinia carotovora, are among the diseases that cause important losses in culture and storage of potato. In this paper, we introduced bacterial resistance into potato, via genes encoding for proteins with antibacterial activity. For this purpose, potato clones were transformed either with the gene encoding the acidic attacin protein fromHyalophora cecropia, or with the gene encoding the cecropin analog peptide SB37. These clones were evaluated for soft rot and blackleg resistance, after inoculation with the bacterial strainErwinia carotovora subsp.atroseptica T7. Results reported in this paper indicate that a considerable percentage of the potato clones (15–22%) showed increased resistance to bacterial infection, revealed by reduced severity of blackleg or soft rot symptoms. Expression of the transgenes was demonstrated in some of the clones by Northern blot analysis. This is the first report indicating that expression of the gene encoding for an attacin protein and for the cecropin SB-37 peptide in transgenic potato confers increased resistance to bacterial infection.     

Microscopic postmortem changes in adrenal glands of the domestic fowl

Eighty-four male white leghorn chickens were killed by CO2 gas to determine the type, rate, and sequence of microscopic postmortem changes in the adrenal glands of dry and wet intact carcasses. They were held at 29 or 18 C with 50% relative humidity for different times postmortem. The sequence of microscopic postmortem changes was similar in all chickens except at 18 C, when karyorrhexis of cortical and medullary cells was observed. Cellular changes occurred earlier at 29 C than at 18 C and in dry chickens but not in chickens wet with detergent solution before storage, although slight quantitative and qualitative differences between wet and dry chickens were noted. Medullary cells underwent postmortem changes earlier than cortical cells. Nuclei of medullary cells decreased in size, with chromatin clumping leading to pyknosis, followed by cytoplasmic vacuolation, cellular shrinkage, and finally karyolysis and cell dissociation. Cortical cells had nuclear chromatin marginated, nuclei reduced in size initially, and some nuclear fading, followed by pyknosis and karyolysis. Karyorrhexis was not a prominent feature of cortical and medullary cells, although it occasionally occurred before pyknosis. Cytoplasm of cortical cells remained eosinophilic, granular, and vacuolated, but vacuoles became finer later. Pyknotic medullary cells with vacuolated cytoplasm were observed as early as 3 hr postmortem, regardless of the temperature. Diffuse pyknosis of medullary cells was noted at 18 hr in chickens held at 29 C and at 48 hr in chickens held at 18 C. Marked cortical pyknosis was noted only at 36 hr in wet chickens held at 29 C, when bacterial invasion started. Dry chickens held 36 hr at 29 C had diffuse cellular dissociation, karyolysis and cytoplasmic acidophilia, and marked bacterial invasion. Erythrocytes were pyknotic and had cytoplasmolysis. It was concluded that adrenal glands may still be useful for histopathological examination before 18 hr at 29 C and before 48 hr at 18 C.     

Granulomatous giant cell submandibular sialadenitis in a dog

A 4-month-old dog was presented with a progressive swelling of the submandibular area. The history, course, cytological, and sialographic findings were consistent with an aseptic pyogranulomatous sialadenitis with concurrent duct blockage. This rare entity, responsive to medical treatment, appears to be similar to the granulomatous giant cell sialadenitis of humans.     

Traditional agroforestry systems of multi-crop “milpa” and “chichipera” cactus forest in the arid Tehuacán Valley,Mexico: their management and role in people’s subsistence

Agroforestry systems (AFS) derived from the cactus forest “chichipera” and cultivated with “milpa”, the traditional multi-crop system of maize-beans-squash were studied in the Tehuacán Valley, Mexico. Plant management types practiced by people, role of agricultural and forest resources in households’ subsistence, and consequences of changes in AFS were investigated through ethnobotanical, ecological, and economic approaches. People maintain in this AFS 122 plant species that provide useful products for 14 different purposes. Nearly 90% of useful plants are native to the region, representing 54% of all plant species recorded in the chichipera forest. Management strategies were identified occurring on 63 species at landscape, parcel, and individual plant levels. About 67% of managed plant species are left standing during clearance of vegetation; 35% are transplanted to the parcels’ surrounding area, 32% receive particular protection, and 10 species from other areas are cultivated inside the fields. During years of higher rainfall (~745 mm) AFS supply nearly 75% of the maize grain and 50% of the maize straw used as fodder by households. AFS with intermediate vegetation cover have higher economic value than monocultures and forest. However, plots with low forest cover and monocultures are progressively more common as consequence of socio-cultural processes. Local traditional ecological knowledge and management techniques are crucial for managing resilience of these AFS.     

Marine Pharmacology in 2009–2011: Marine Compounds with Antibacterial,Antidiabetic, Antifungal,Anti-Inflammatory,Antiprotozoal, Antituberculosis,and Antiviral Activities; Affecting the Immune and Nervous Systems,and other Miscellaneous Mechanisms of Action ?

The peer-reviewed marine pharmacology literature from 2009 to 2011 is presented in this review, following the format used in the 1998–2008 reviews of this series. The pharmacology of structurally-characterized compounds isolated from marine animals, algae, fungi and bacteria is discussed in a comprehensive manner. Antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, and antiviral pharmacological activities were reported for 102 marine natural products. Additionally, 60 marine compounds were observed to affect the immune and nervous system as well as possess antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Finally, 68 marine metabolites were shown to interact with a variety of receptors and molecular targets, and thus will probably contribute to multiple pharmacological classes upon further mechanism of action studies. Marine pharmacology during 2009–2011 remained a global enterprise, with researchers from 35 countries, and the United States, contributing to the preclinical pharmacology of 262 marine compounds which are part of the preclinical pharmaceutical pipeline. Continued pharmacological research with marine natural products will contribute to enhance the marine pharmaceutical clinical pipeline, which in 2013 consisted of 17 marine natural products, analogs or derivatives targeting a limited number of disease categories.