Genotypic diversity and distribution of Sphaeropsis sapinea within Pinus radiata trees from northern Spain

Sphaeropsis sapinea is an important latent pathogen of Pinus spp., outbreaks of which have a considerable impact on plantations. This study considers the population diversity and distribution of S. sapinea in northern Spain at different spatial scales from single plantations to a wide area covered by Pinus radiata trees. Estimation of genotypic diversity is an important component of the analysis of the genetic structure of plant pathogen populations. Ten simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used, together with vegetative compatibility tests, to study the genetic diversity among S. sapinea isolates. Polymorphism analysis at SSR loci is a simple and direct approach for estimating the genetic diversity of S. sapinea isolates. From a total of 86 isolates collected from four different areas, 14 microsatellite haplotypes and 13 vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) were identified. The percentage of maximum genotypic diversity, based on Stoddart and Taylor's index, for microsatellites of the northern Spain population ranged from 14.6% to 38.1% and from 8.0% to 29.4% for VCGs. Analysis of these markers and vegetative compatibility groups confirmed that S. sapinea reproduces mainly asexually due to its reduced genotypic diversity in spatially close populations. Isolates of S. sapinea from northern Spain populations were predominantly monomorphic at the tested SSR loci. Vegetative compatibility groups also indicate a low level of genetic variability in these samples, which appear to be clonal.     

SSR markers reveal the uniqueness of olive cultivars from the Italian region of Liguria

Twenty-three important Ligurian olive accessions corresponding to 16 cultivars were studied using 12 SSR markers and 40 Mediterranean cultivars were included in the study in order to investigate the relationships between Ligurian and Mediterranean germplasm. All SSRs produced polymorphic amplifications. One hundred and forty-nine alleles were found in the 63 accessions analysed. Twenty-two alleles were specific to germplasm from Liguria and of these 12 were unique to single cultivars. Heterozygosity and discriminating power calculated in this regional germplasm were high on average (0.70 and 0.74) and not so much lower than the values in the total sample that includes cultivars from different Mediterranean countries (0.77 and 0.88 respectively). No cases of genetic identities were found between Ligurian and Mediterranean accessions. Several cases of homonyms and synonyms within the Ligurian germplasm were explained. Cluster analysis generally revealed a clear discrimination of the profiles from Liguria and Italy with respect to the cultivars from other Mediterranean countries. Only one Ligurian cultivar, “Negrea”, appeared to have a different origin, grouping with the Mediterranean cultivars.     

Doppler sonography of uterine blood flow at mid‐oestrus during different degree of clinical endometritis in dairy cows

The present study was aimed at analysing the mid‐oestrous uterine blood flow parameters during varying degree of endometritis in dairy cows. Degree of clinical endometritis was adjudged on the basis of visual examination of uterine discharge collected from cows at mid‐oestrus, that is mild (slightly turbid; n = 13), moderate (turbid with pus flakes; n = 14) and severe (milky; n = 13). Pulsatility and resistance indices (PI and RI), time average mean velocity (TAMEAN), time average maximum velocity (TAMAX), diameter of the artery, volume of blood flow, Doppler pulse duration (DPD) and systolic upstroke/acceleration time (AT) were measured to study the spectral waveforms at mid‐oestrus. Significantly higher (p < .01) PI and RI were found in cows diagnosed with mild degree in comparison with cows diagnosed with moderate and severe degrees of clinical endometritis. There was significantly higher (p < .01) velocity (TAMEAN and TAMAX), volume of blood flow (BFV‐TAMEAN, BFV‐TAMAX) and DPD in both the middle uterine arteries during moderate and severe degrees of clinical endometritis as compared to mild endometritis. However, significantly higher (p < .01) AT was recorded in cows diagnosed with mild degree as compared to moderate and severe degrees of clinical endometritis. Pearson's correlation analysis has shown that RI was positively correlated with PI and AT in all the groups under study (mild degree, r = .72 and .49; moderate degree, r = .54 and .38; severe degree, r = .90 and .42; p < .05). However, there found significantly negative correlation (p < .05) with other parameters in all the cows irrespective of degree of inflammation. Therefore, it may be deducted that assessment of uterine inflammation can be done with a non‐invasive technique known as Doppler sonography which can be useful in adjudging the hemodynamic changes inside uterus and future fertility of dairy cows.     

Bilateral phalangeal fillet technique for metacarpal pad reconstruction in a dog

Loss of the metacarpal or metatarsal pad requires reconstruction with other pad tissue to allow functional weight-bearing on the limb. This report describes the use of a bilateral phalangeal fillet technique to reconstruct a weight-bearing surface in a dog following complete excision of its right metacarpal pad for malignant melanoma. This resulted in a functional weight-bearing limb.     

Quantification of tissue shrinkage in canine small intestinal specimens after resection and fixation

The aim of this study was to quantify the longitudinal shrinkage of canine small intestinal specimens after resection and fixation in 10% formalin. Samples were obtained from 12 clinically normal dogs of medium to large breed via ventral midline coeliotomy and enterectomy. The length of each sample was measured before excision, immediately after excision, and after 24 h in 10% formalin. The results were interpreted with the use of single-sample t-tests of the average changes; P-values of less than 0.01 were considered significant. The samples indicated a significant decrease in length after resection and fixation. The mean shrinkage from the pre-excision state was 28.3% immediately after excision (P < 0.0001) and 26.3% after 24 h of fixation (P < 0.0001). There was a small but not significant increase in the length of the specimens between the 2nd and 3rd measurement points. Quantification of the longitudinal shrinkage of resected intestinal specimens may improve interpretation of the distance of surgical margins from abnormal tissue in histopathology reports and allow investigation of the margins required for the clearance of specific tumors.     

Characterization of HMW-GS and evaluation of their diversity in morphologically elite synthetic hexaploid wheats

High molecular weight glutenin subunit composition and variation in 95 Elite-1 synthetic hexaploid (SH) wheats (Triticum turgidum/Aegilops tauschii; 2n = 6× = 42; AABBDD) were determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis method (SDS-PAGE). Twenty two different alleles at Glu-1 loci in SHs were observed. Forty four different patterns of HMW-GS in synthetics were found. This higher HMW glutenin composition was due to higher proportion of D-genome encoded subunits in these SHs. 8% urea/SDS-PAGE better discriminated subunit 2* than 12% gels. However 12% urea/SDS-PAGE allowed differentiated mobility of Glu-D^t1 subunits. Genetic variability at Glu-D^t1 locus was greater than Glu-A1 and Glu-B1 loci. The relative high frequency of superior alleles, Glu-B1b and Glu-D^t1d indicated the superior bread making quality attributes embedded in these synthetic hexaploid wheats. Of the 95 Elite-1 SHs 27.1% possessed superior alleles at Glu-A1 and 51% had superior alleles at Glu-B1 locus. At Glu-D^t1 frequency of inferior allele 1Dx2 + 1Dy12 was very low (5.26%) and nine different rare alleles along with the higher frequency (22.1%) of D-genome encoded subunit, 1Dx5 + 1Dy10, were observed. These superior alleles shall form the priority selective sieve for their usage in wheat improvement efforts.     

Stability of hydrolytic enzyme activity and microbial phosphorus during storage of tropical rain forest soils

Storage can markedly influence microbial and biochemical properties in soils, yet recommendations for sample storage are based on studies of temperate soils that regularly experience extended cold periods. We assessed the influence of storage conditions on microbial phosphorus and the activity of four hydrolytic enzymes (phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, β-glucosidase, and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase) in three lowland tropical forest soils from the Republic of Panama that experience a constant warm temperature. The soils spanned a strong rainfall gradient and contained contrasting physical and chemical properties (pH 3.6-5.9; total carbon 26-50 g C kg⁻¹; clay 33-62%; total phosphorus 0.30-0.60 g P kg⁻¹). Storage treatments were: (i) room temperature (22 °C in the dark), (ii) refrigerated (4 °C in the dark), (iii) air-dried (10 d, 22 °C), and (iv) frozen (−35 °C). There were significant changes in enzyme activities and microbial phosphorus during refrigerated and room temperature storage, although changes were relatively small during the first two weeks. An initial marked decline in enzyme activities for one soil analyzed within 2 h of sampling was attributed to a flush of activity caused by sampling and soil preparation (sieving, etc.). For longer-term storage (>2 weeks), ambient laboratory temperature appeared preferable to freezing and cold storage, because one month of storage caused a marked decline in enzyme activities and microbial phosphorus in one soil. Freezing preserved the activities of some enzymes in some soils at rates comparable to cold or room temperature storage, but caused a marked decline in microbial phosphorus in two soils. Air-drying caused a marked decline in microbial phosphorus and the activity of all enzymes. We therefore conclude that enzyme assays and microbial phosphorus should be determined in tropical forest soils after no more than two weeks storage in the dark at ambient laboratory temperature.     

Problems in Paradise: Taiwanese Immigrants to Auckland,New Zealand

Migration from Asia to New Zealand is now a topic of heated public debate within New Zealand. This study traces the experiences of Taiwanese migrants to Auckland over the past decade and documents their adaption and revised expectations. By the end of June 1995, over 21,000 Taiwanese had been granted permanent residence in New Zealand on the basis of their skills, qualifications and work experience. Although expecting a fall in income as the necessary ‘price’ to pay for an improved quality of life, as well as some language difficulties, few immigrants were prepared for the magnitude of the drop in income, the hardship it would bring and the heavy reliance this would place on their remaining investments in Taiwan. The net result has been unemployment and underemployment of immigrants many of whom are now resigned to net gains through education coming not to them but to their children. As a result of the inability to secure adequate employment, many Taiwanese immigrants have relocated one or all of the family members back to Taiwan. The introduction in October 1995 of stricter English standards and the flatter, less academic basis to point earning qualifications, validation of job offers, recognition of New Zealand work experience together with the spouses’ human capital as well as a clearer commitment to New Zealand should all go some way to addressing many of the difficulties the history of recent Taiwanese immigration has uncovered.     

Nematode community composition and diversity associated with a topoclimatic transect in a rain shadow desert

The effect of a topoclimatic gradient on soil nematode communities was investigated in the Israeli Judean Desert. Four locations along a 35 km gradient, from an elevation of 650 m above sea level with 620 mm rainfall to a –60 m relative to sea level with a rainfall below 110 m, were studied: Givat Yearim, Maale Adumim, Mishor Adumim and Kalia. Monthly soil samples were collected between January 1994 and December 1995. Thirteen nematode families and 17 genera were observed. Cephalobus, Heterocephalobus, Aphelenchoides, Tylenchus, Dorylaimus and Eudorylaimus were found to be the dominant genera. Ecological measurements of soil nematode community structure, diversity, and maturity indices were assessed, and comparisons between four locations and four seasons were made. Significant differences in the total numbers of nematodes were found between the locations (p < 0.01) and seasons (p < 0.05), where Givat Yearim > Maale Adumim > Mishor Adumim > Kalia, winter > spring > autumn > summer. Bacterivores were found to be the most abundant trophic group across locations and seasons, with a mean relative abundance of 55.0%. The densities of bacterivores, plant parasites and omnivores-predators during the winter season exhibited similar trends at all four locations, with Givat Yearim > Maale Adumim > Mishor Adumim > Kalia. None of the ecological indices were significantly different between locations. However, the maturity index (MI), trophic diversity (TD) and Simpson diversity (SI) exhibited significant differences between seasons.