Molecular epidemiology of white pine blister rust: recombination and spatial distribution

ABSTRACT Multilocus haplotypes (MLHs) were derived for the spermogonial (monokaryotic haploid) stage of Cronartium ribicola, the causal agent of white pine blister rust. Six random amplified polymorphic DNA loci and three single-strand conformational polymorphism markers were analyzed for 246 rust samples collected from two heavily infected white pine plantations. All cankers sampled were spatially located within the plantations. The hypothesis that spores are not locally disseminated was supported by the absence of any spatial clustering in the distribution of the MLHs. A large number of MLHs was found at both sites and the haplotypic diversity was close to the maximum (one) in both populations. All measures of recombination were not different from expectations under a scenario of sexual recombination. Genetic differentiation between the two sites was very low (theta = 0.023), yet it was significantly different from zero (P < 0.01). This analysis is in agreement with a scenario of extensive sexual recombination followed by some long-distance dispersal.     

Alteration of extracellular collagen matrix in the myocardium of canines infected with Dirofilaria immitis

The heart consists of cardiocytes and the interstitial extracellular matrix (ECM), which is made up mainly of collagens. The ECM has been suggested to be important in maintaining the structure and function of the heart. This investigation attempted to elucidate the changes in the ECM collagens in the hearts of canines with dirofilariasis. The ECM collagen fibrils of the heart are grouped into endomysial struts, epimysial weaves, and perimysial coils. In the present study, we used the modified silver impregnation technique to stain paraffin-embedded sections to demonstrate three types of ECM. The results revealed that the ECM content of the heart was significantly reduced in heartworm-infected dogs, and became fragmented and dissociated. In addition, the amounts of collagen in the septum (Sep), RVs and LVs in canines with dirofilariasis (Sep=11.55+/-0.65, RV=12.07+/-0.59, LV=11.72+/-0.62 microg/mg, n=24) were significantly lower (p<0.01) than that in the normal canines (Sep=15.09+/-0.72, RV=15.16+/-0.83, LV=14.91+/-0.89 microg/mg, n=8). These results indicated that heartworm infection induced the remodeling of the extracellular matrix, thus markedly altering the architecture and function of the heart.     

Effect of phytocompounds from the heartwood of Acacia confusa on inflammatory mediator production

Acacia confusa Merr. (Leguminosae) is traditionally used as a medicinal plant in Taiwan. In the present study, anti-inflammatory activity of extracts from the heartwood of A. confusa were investigated for the first time. Results demonstrated that ethanolic extracts of A. confusa heartwood strongly suppressed NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Among all fractions derived from ethanolic extracts, the EtOAc fraction exhibited the best inhibitory activity. Following column chromatography and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, 13 specific phytocompounds including 5 new flavonoids (i.e., 7,8,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-4-methoxyflavan-3-ol, 7,8,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavone, 7,8,3'-trihydroxy-3,4'-dimethoxyflavone, 7,3',4'-trihydroxyflavone, and 7,3',4'-trihydroxy-3-methoxyflavone) were isolated and identified from the EtOAc fraction. In addition, melanoxetin (3,7,8,3',4'-pentahydroxyflavone), a major compound in the EtOAc fraction, markedly suppressed LPS-induced NO and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) production. Moreover, melanoxetin completely suppressed gene expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at 50 and 100 microM, respectively. This is the first report to identify the inhibitory bioactivities of melanoxetin on iNOS and COX-2.     

An immunohistochemical study of the distribution of intermediate filaments in the ovary of the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

The immunohistochemical localization of the intermediate filaments desmin, vimentin and smooth muscle actin (SMA) in the ovary of the emu was described in the present study. The cortical region of the ovary contained developing and atretic primordial, pre-vitellogenic and vitellogenic follicles. Vimentin immunostaining was demonstrated in the granulosa cell layer of primordial, pre-vitellogenic and vitellogenic developing and atretic follicles. An interesting finding of the present study was the localization of SMA in fibroblasts located in the theca externa of late vitellogenic follicles. The presence of SMA in these fibroblasts suggests that they possess characteristics of smooth muscle cells.     

播期和密度对棉花叶柄和根系硝态氮含量的影响

为探讨大田棉花氮代谢随播期和密度的变化规律,选用华棉3109(G.hirsutum L.)于2014年在华中农业大学试验农场,采用裂区设计:播期(月-日)(S1,05-30;S2,06-14)为主区,密度(株·m-2)(D1,7.5;D2,9.0;D3,10.5)为副区,研究了硝态氮含量在主茎叶柄和根系的分布特点。结果表明:1)随生育进程推进,叶柄和根系硝态氮含量先升高后降低,初花期最高。2)主茎叶柄硝态氮含量随叶位变化,蕾期、初花期由上而下逐渐降低,第1叶最高;盛花期逐渐增高,第1叶和第4叶最高;不同生育时期棉花叶柄硝态氮含量在叶位间的下降幅度随播期推迟而降低,随密度增加先升高后降低。3)播期和密度对不同生育时期棉花叶柄和根系硝态氮平均含量的交互作用均显著,但播期和密度主效应影响不同:见花施肥前,随推迟播期,棉花叶柄硝态氮平均含量显著降低了42.9%,根系硝态氮平均含量显著升高了12.1%,增加密度对叶柄和根系硝态氮平均含量无显著影响。见花施肥后,随播期的推迟,叶柄硝态氮平均含量无显著性变化,初花期平均为5.05 mg·g-1,盛花期平均为2.62 mg·g-1;而根系硝态氮平均含量,初花期S1S2,盛花期S1S2;随密度增加,D1,D2与D3初花期叶柄和根系硝态氮平均含量均显著降低;盛花期叶柄硝态氮平均含量呈先升高后降低趋势变化,而根系硝态氮平均含量则与初花期相反,呈显著递增趋势。综上所述,晚播高密条件下,见花一次施肥后,推迟播期不改变棉花地上部叶柄硝态氮平均含量水平,适度增加密度有利于棉花叶柄维持较高的硝态氮含量,有利于为叶片氮代谢提供充足的底物。     

Safety of a non-adjuvanted therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of feline dermatophytosis

The safety of a non-adjuvanted inactivated fungal vaccine for the treatment of dermatophytosis in cats was investigated in two studies: a controlled laboratory study, and a placebo-controlled double-blind field study with a cross-over design in Europe. In the laboratory study, two groups of 10 cats each were administered an intramuscular twofold overdose, followed by five single 1 ml doses, of either vaccine or control product at 14-day intervals. In the field study, cats were treated with three intramuscular injections of 1 ml vaccine administered at 14-day intervals, as recommended by the manufacturer. A total of 89 cats were enrolled in the field study and divided into two groups to receive either vaccine or placebo for the first three treatments, followed by the opposite product for the final three treatments. The cats enrolled in the two studies were 12 weeks of age or older, as recommended by the manufacturer. All the cats were monitored closely for possible injection site reactions, systemic reactions (including changes in rectal body temperature) and adverse events. The results from both studies showed no significant differences between the vaccinated cats and the control or placebo-treated cats with regard to local or systemic reactions. A few mild to moderate local reactions were noted, but these were evenly distributed between the vaccinated and placebo-treated cats and resolved within a few days. No severe or serious adverse events related to the vaccinations were observed.