Porcine endogenous retrovirus copy number in different pig breeds is not related to genetic diversity

The risk of zoonoses is a major obstacle to xenotransplantation. Porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) poses a potential risk of zoonotic infection, and its control is a prerequisite for the development of clinical xenotransplantation. The copy number of PERV varies among different breeds, and it has been suggested that the PERV integrations number is increased by inbreeding. The purpose of this study was (i) to examine the copy number of PERV in different Spanish pig breeds, Spanish wild boar and commercial cross-bred pigs from five different farms and genetic background (CCP1-CCP5) and (ii) to investigate the correlation between PERV copy number and the genetic background of the pigs in order to improve the selection of pigs for xenotransplantation. PERV copy number was determined by quantitative, real-time polymerase chain reactions. Thirty-four microsatellite markers were genotyped to describe the genetic diversity within populations (observed and expected heterozygosities, Ho and He, respectively) and the inbreeding coefficient (F). Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between PERV copy number and Ho, He and F. The copy number of PERV among different pig breeds was estimated to range between three (CCP1) and 43 copies (Iberian Pig). Statistical differences were found among the studied populations concerning PERV copy number. No correlation was found between the PERV copy number and the heterozygosity (calculated at an individual level or at a population level) or the inbreeding coefficient of each population. Our data suggest that pigs inbreeding does not increase PERV copy number and support the idea that careful selection of pigs for organ donation with reduced PERV copy number will minimize the risk of retrovirus transmission to the human receptor.     

Distribution of As and Zn in Soils Affected by the Spill of a Pyrite Mine and Effectiveness of the Remediation Measures

The concentrations of As and Zn in 100 georeferenced soils uniformly distributed throughout the area affected by the spill from the Aznalcóllar mine (April 1998) were analysed at three depths (0–10, 10–30, and 30–50 cm) and on four dates (autumn–winter 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2004). For an estimate of the geochemical background, 30 unaffected soils near the edge of the spill were also analysed at the same depths. The soils were contaminated before the spill and, the accident seriously increased the concentration of As and Zn in the first 10 cm of almost all the affected soils. After the enormous efforts of cleaning up the tailings, around 45% of the soils had a concentration higher than 100 mg As kg^?1 dry soil, and some 35% had a concentration higher than 1,000 mg Zn kg^?1 dry soil. Both As and Zn penetrated between 10 and 30 cm in 25% and 45% of the soils, respectively, but reached 30 cm in only 12% of the soils. The remediation actions, especially the tilling and homogenisation of the uppermost 25 cm of the all soils, caused the As and Zn concentrations to decline in the soils, but this change was not very effective from the standpoint of pollution. Thus, 6 years after the spill, the uppermost 10 cm of 30% of the soils continued to have an As concentration higher than 100 mg As kg^?1, while the Zn concentration diminished considerably on the surface due to its greater mobility, accumulating between 10 and 30 cm in depth, where 20% of the soils continued to register more than 1,000 mg Zn kg^?1 dry soil.     

How is agroforestry perceived in Europe? An assessment of positive and negative aspects by stakeholders

Whilst the benefits of agroforestry are widely recognised in tropical latitudes few studies have assessed how agroforestry is perceived in temperate latitudes. This study evaluates how stakeholders and key actors including farmers, landowners, agricultural advisors, researchers and environmentalists perceive the implementation and expansion of agroforestry in Europe. Meetings were held with 30 stakeholder groups covering different agroforestry systems in 2014 in eleven EU countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom). In total 344 valid responses were received to a questionnaire where stakeholders were asked to rank the positive and negative aspects of implementing agroforestry in their region. Improved biodiversity and wildlife habitats, animal health and welfare, and landscape aesthetics were seen as the main positive aspects of agroforestry. By contrast, increased labour, complexity of work, management costs and administrative burden were seen as the most important negative aspects. Overall, improving the environmental value of agriculture was seen as the main benefit of agroforestry, whilst management and socio-economic issues were seen as the greatest barriers. The great variability in the opportunities and barriers of the systems suggests enhanced adoption of agroforestry across Europe will be most likely to occur with specific initiatives for each type of system.     

Farmers’ reasoning behind the uptake of agroforestry practices: evidence from multiple case-studies across Europe

Potential benefits and costs of agroforestry practices have been analysed by experts, but few studies have captured farmers’ perspectives on why agroforestry might be adopted on a European scale. This study provides answers to this question, through an analysis of 183 farmer interviews in 14 case study systems in eight European countries. The study systems included high natural and cultural value agroforestry systems, silvoarable systems, high value tree systems, and silvopasture systems, as well as systems where no agroforestry practices were occurring. A mixed method approach combining quantitative and qualitative approaches was taken throughout the interviews. Narrative thematic data analysis was performed. Data collection proceeded until no new themes emerged. Within a given case study, i.e. the different systems in different European regions, this sampling was performed both for farmers who practice agroforestry and farmers who did not. Results point to a great diversity of agroforestry practices, although many of the farmers are not aware of the term or concept of agroforestry, despite implementing the practice in their own farms. While only a few farmers mentioned eligibility for direct payments in the CAP as the main reason to remove trees from their land, to avoid the reduction of the funded area, the tradition in the family or the region, learning from others, and increasing the diversification of products play the most important role in adopting or not agroforestry systems.     

Relationship of parental genetic distance with agronomic performance,specific combining ability,and predicted breeding values of raspberry families

Previous findings in some crops suggest that parental distance is correlated with heterosis and agronomic performance. However, this pattern is not always evident in the progeny. The present study aimed to assess the relationship of parental distance with the agronomic performance of raspberry families and three estimators based on non-environmental effects: specific combining ability, general combining ability, and best linear unbiased prediction. A total of 35 genotypes, including eight open-pollinated raspberry cultivars and their 28 F₁ hybrids, were scored for vegetative and fruit traits. The relationship between estimators and parental distance ranged from 0.02 to 0.66. The estimators based on purely additive effects were superior to the per se performance of raspberry crosses. Additionally, it was observed that the specific combining ability—as an estimator associated with the parental genetic relatedness—performed poorly, and low correlation coefficients were observed for most of the traits. It was found that the degree of association for the estimators increased when narrow-sense heritability was high. It is concluded that the estimators based on only additive effects show a better association with parental relatedness, and therefore parental distance was an effective parameter in identifying crosses with high yield and large fruit size.     

Metal uptake by wetland plants: implications for phytoremediation and restoration

Purpose

This study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of using three aquatic macrophytes, Phragmites australis, Juncus effusus and Iris pseudacorus, to phytoextract potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from a contaminated area by mining activities.

Materials and methods

An artificial pond was constructed with two topsoils (yellow and black samples) collected from Portman Bay. In order to simulate the mixing with carbonate materials, which naturally occurs in this area, a stabilisation approach was applied by mixing with 30 % of limestone filler. Three replicates of each type of soil have been prepared in pots for the selected species. The total PTEs content (arsenic, cadmium, copper, iron, lead and zinc) was determined and the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and transfer factor (TF) calculated.

Results and discussion

Soil samples showed high PTEs content as a result of mining activities. As regards the root contents, the PTEs is higher in yellow samples (YS) than in black ones, because in these samples the PTEs content that could be mobilised is higher. The BCF results were higher than unity for arsenic, copper, lead and cadmium for I. pseudacorus and P. australis growing on YS soil. Overall, copper and manganese showed a larger number of plants with BCF higher than unity. The PTEs content in leaves is low, and the TF results are lower than unity in almost all samples.

Conclusions

The results indicate that it is possible to use the selected species for phytostabilisation of soils contaminated with PTEs. J. effusus, P. australis and I. pseudacorus could be considered as tolerant, and natural or artificial wetlands containing these species could be used for remediation purposes.

     

Understanding biological characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia melanoxylon</Emphasis> in relation to fire to implement control measurements

Key message

Acacia melanoxylon produces abundant seeds leading to large seed banks in the soil. These seeds display a large viability and their germination is stimulated by heat. To control the populations, it is necessary to remove adults and young individuals, and to prevent seedling establishment after fire occupying the space with rapid growth and high competitive native species.

Context

Acacia melanoxylon displays a widespread distribution in South West Europe, and an improved knowledge of its reproductive characteristics is required in order to control its expansion.

Aims

This experiment was designed to provide useful indicators for an efficient management of A. melanoxylon populations based on its biological cycle in relation to fire.

Methods

We explored the reproductive biology of A. melanoxylon, from seed dissemination—–quantifying seed rain over a year, their germination with and without fire—the seedling and sapling banks and the structure of the adult population. We analysed the effects of fire, seed maturation and scarification on the viability of seeds and the stimulation of seed germination in the aerial seed bank and in the different strata of the soil seed bank.

Results

Our results indicate that A. melanoxylon produced millions of seeds per ha and per year, half of which germinated and the other half went to the soil seed bank, maintaining the viability many years. The germination was the most critical step in the population dynamics of this species, and fire stimulates germination up to 90%.

Conclusion

A. melanoxylon adults and seedlings removal, followed by colonization of rapid growth and high competitive native species that cover the ground very quickly would be a good control action.

     

Effects of dietary inclusion of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Moringa oleifera</Emphasis> leaves on growth and some systemic and mucosal immune parameters of seabream

The effect of the dietary incorporation of drumstick, Moringa oleifera, leaf meal (MOL; 0, 5, 10 and 15%) on the growth, feed utilization, some skin mucus and systemic immune parameters and intestinal immune-related gene expression in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) specimens. The experiment lasted 4 weeks. The results revealed that MOL can be incorporated in S. aurata diet up to 10% with no significant negative effect on growth and feed utilization. However, there was a significant decrease with MOL at a level of 15% after 2 weeks of feeding. The systemic immune status of fish fed with the different levels of MOL showed an improvement in head kidney leucocyte phagocytosis, respiratory burst and peroxidase activities. Also, serum humoral components, including protease, ACH₅₀ and lysozyme activities and IgM level, increased with MOL inclusion especially at the 5% level. MOL at 5% improved skin-mucosal immunity such as protease, antiprotease, peroxidase and lysozyme activities. Moreover, the feeding of MOL revealed an upregulation of the intestinal mucosal immunity genes (lyso and c3), tight junction proteins (occludin and zo-1) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (tgf-β) with a downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine (tnf-α). Therefore, it is recommended to incorporate MOL in S. aurata diets at a level of 5% for the best immune status or 10% for the high growth performance and acceptable immune surveillance.

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Graphical abstract ?

     

Dry matter content during extension of twigs,buds and leaves reflects hydraulic status related to earlywood vessel development in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus pyrenaica</Emphasis> Willd.

A quantitative method was tested to describe crown phenophases in relation to water content and to secondary growth in ring-porous species, based on the hypothesis that new shoots require hydrated tissues to maintain the necessary turgor for extension, leading to a reduction in dry matter content (DMC). We collected a three-year-old branch from 11 Quercus pyrenaica Willd. trees at 10-day intervals to estimate DMC of newly developing buds, leaves, and twigs, and processed two opposite stem microcores for xylogenesis. Branch phenophases and shoot length were recorded in the field. The DMC of all organs decreased during crown development, with a minimum in early June, followed by a gradual increase up to initial values in late September. The shoot extension period concurred with the lowest DMC, but also with the beginning of earlywood maturation in the main stem, suggesting a high tissue hydration only when earlywood vessels become functional to fulfill enough water requirements for shoot and leaf extension. These results confirm the usefulness of DMC to accurately quantify the phenology of primary growth from bud swelling up to full leaf extension, as a complement to qualitative methods. This variation in DMC appears to be linked to secondary growth as a result of earlywood vessel development.