Differential induction of nitric oxide, degranulation, and oxidative burst activities in response to microbial agonist stimulations in monocytes and heterophils from young commercial turkeys

The toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize microbial pathogens and pathogen-associated molecular patterns and trigger inflammatory immune responses to control the infection. Here, we examined functional innate immune responses to Salmonella enteritidis (SE, live or formalin-killed) and various TLR agonists including lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and peptidoglycan (PGN) from Staphylococcus aureus and synthetic lipoprotein Pam3CSK4 (PAM), poly I:C (synthetic double-stranded RNA analog), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from S. enteritidis, flagellin (FGN) from S. typhimurium, loxoribine (LOX) and R837 (synthetic anti-viral compounds), and CpG oligodeoxydinucleotide (CpG ODN)by measuring antimicrobial activities including oxidative burst and degranulation in heterophils and nitric oxide production in peripheral blood monocytes. Our results demonstrate differential nitric oxide responses to TLR agonists in turkey monocytes. LTA and CpG ODN were the most potent stimuli for nitric oxide induction followed by PAM, poly I:C, and LPS, whereas FGN, PGN, LOX, R837, and control ODN stimulated little or no nitric oxide production. Live SE stimulated significantly less NO production than formalin-killed SE (FKSE). Although FKSE induced significant degranulation and oxidative burst, most TLR agonists stimulate little oxidative burst and degranulation responses in turkey heterophils.     

Atrazine intoxication in cattle,confirmed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Ten of 40 cows died within 48 h of gaining access to a barn in which various chemicals were stored. Some of the surviving cows exhibited drooling, muscle tremors, and agitation. Postmortem examinations of 2 cows were performed in the field, and revealed nonspecific, moderate-to-severe pulmonary congestion. Liver and rumen contents, each from a different cow, were analyzed using a qualitative, multi-residue GC-MS method validated for the detection of pesticides and other chemical analytes. Using this method, extracts from the liver and rumen content samples were compared to atrazine (neat standard) and matrix-matched, control samples fortified with atrazine. GC-MS analysis detected atrazine at 215 m/z (NIST match >97%) with a retention time of ~13 min in liver and rumen content samples from our case. Detection of atrazine in the samples from the cows in this herd, combined with the clinical history, indicate that atrazine toxicity was the likely cause of clinical signs and death observed in this herd.     

Taenia serialis causing exophthalmos in a pet rabbit

A 16-month-old, male, neuter Dwarf Lop rabbit presented with exophthalmos of the right eye of 3 weeks duration. Under sedation an ultrasound of the right eye was performed and showed an orbital hypo-echoic area posterior and ventrolateral to the right globe, which was presumed to be a cyst. Fine needle aspirate removed 5.5 mLs of straw-colored fluid from the cyst, which allowed the globe to return to its normal position. Two months later the rabbit re-presented with exophthalmos of the right eye. Exploratory surgery was performed and a large cystic structure was removed from the ventro-lateral conjunctival fornix. Histology confirmed the cyst to be a coenurus of Taenia serialis.     

Using geomorphologic mapping to strengthen natural resource management in developing countries. The case of rural indigenous communities in Michoacan, Mexico

This paper describes the use of geomorphologic knowledge for resource management in rural areas of less developed countries. Specifically, we discuss the contribution of geomorphologic mapping (coupled with landscape knowledge) to natural resource management using geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing techniques. We describe a case study conducted at Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro, an indigenous forest community in the Paricutin area, in Michoacan, Mexico.The analysis described in this paper was used to improve the mapping of forest quality units, and to explore the relationships between land suitability and land utilisation requirements for potential diversification of economic activities in the indigenous community. The approach proved useful for the management of natural resources and was made operational by the actual managers of the resources. The community of Nuevo San Juan was granted the green certification (Smart Wood) by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and produced a fully automated resource management plan.     

Integrating single-species management and landscape conservation using regional habitat occurrence models: the northern goshawk in the Southwest,USA

Conservation planners and land managers are often confronted with scale-associated challenges when assessing the relationship between land management objectives and species conservation. Conservation of individual species typically involves site-level analyses of habitat, whereas land management focuses on larger spatial extents. New models are needed to more explicitly integrate species-specific conservation with landscape or regional scales. We address this challenge with an example using the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), a forest raptor with circumpolar distribution that is the focus of intense debate regarding forest management on public lands in the southwestern USA. To address goshawk-specific habitat conservation across a management area of 22,800-km² in northern Arizona, we focused on the territory scale rather than individual nest sites. We compiled a 17-year database of 895 nest sites to estimate territory locations. We then estimated the likelihood of territory occurrence for the entire management area using multiple logistic regression within an expert-driven, spatially balanced, and information-theoretic framework. Our occurrence model incorporated forest structure variables that were derived from USFS Forest Inventory and Analysis plots and high-resolution satellite imagery. Results indicated that high canopy-bulk density, intermediate canopy-base heights, and low variation in tree density were strong predictors of territory occurrence. We used model-averaged parameter estimates for these variables to map and explore patterns of territory distribution across multiple land jurisdictions and ecological subregions. Our iterative modeling approach complements previous demographic studies in the region. It also provides a robust framework for integrating species conservation and landscape management in ongoing and future regional planning efforts.     

From explanation to application: introducing a practice-oriented ecosystem services evaluation (PRESET) model adapted to the context of landscape planning and management

The development and use of the conceptual framework of ecosystem services (ES) has been very successful in supporting the broad diffusion and application of ES within science and policy communities. However, most of the currently proposed interpretations of the framework neither correlate to environmental planning nor to decision-making contexts at the local and regional scale, which is a potential reason for the slow adoption and practice of the ES conceptual framework. This paper proposes a practice-oriented ES evaluation (PRESET) model specifically adapted to the requirements of local and regional planning and decision-making contexts, and discusses its potential benefits and implications for practice. Through the usage of PRESET we suggest making a distinction between ‘offered ES’, ‘utilized ES’, ‘human input’, and ‘ES benefits’ as relevant information for decision-making. Furthermore, we consider it important to link these decision-support categories to different value dimensions relevant in planning and management practice. PRESET provides guidance to inject the ES concept into planning, but needs to be implemented together with concrete assessment methods, indicators and data. The planning strategic benefits of using PRESET include its reference to existing legislative objectives, avoiding the risk that monetized ES values might dominate decision-making, clarification of human contributions, and easier identification of land use conflicts and synergies. Examples are given for offered and utilized ES, as well as for respective evaluation approaches and instruments of implementation.     

Options for Management of Fusarium Wilt of Strawberry in California

ABSTRACT

The emergence of Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, as a problem for strawberry production in California has been associated with delivery of fumigants to beds through drip-lines rather than flat-fumigation of an entire field. Our research shows that bed fumigation fails to eliminate propagules of the Fusarium wilt pathogen, which remain particularly abundant in bed shoulders at a depth of 30 cm. Controlled environment studies confirmed that inoculum at this depth could cause disease. Screening of currently grown strawberry cultivars documented a wide range of susceptibilities to Fusarium wilt, with some being highly resistant.     

Major polyphenols in aerial organs of greater plantain (Plantago major L.), and effects of drying temperature on polyphenol contents in the leaves

Plantago major L. (common plantain) has been used in folk medicine all over the world, mainly for the healing of wounds. This species already has a high market demand in Asia, and attempts to domesticate P. major as a medicinal crop in horticulture are emerging also in Europe. Both polysaccharides and polyphenols have been proposed to have bioactive effects. In this study, major phenols were analysed in leaves, flower stalks and seeds of P. major plants from five homogenous offspring families, as verified by DNA-marker analysis. Furthermore, leaves were harvested and dried at different temperatures. The contents of plantamajoside, verbascoside and a hitherto unidentified compound, P1, differed greatly between plant organs. Degradation of leaf polyphenols increased with an increase in drying temperature, and consequently, freeze-drying resulted in the highest content of phenols. Thus it is important to select plant material of a suitable organ or combination of organs, and to use the lowest possible drying temperature to obtain a high content of a specific phenolic compound in P. major.