Unravelling the Phellinus pini s.l. complex in North America: a multilocus phylogeny and differentiation analysis of Porodaedalea

Phellinus sensu lato (s.l.) is a complex of segregate genera that act as aggressive pathogens of woody plants. Nearly all of the genera in this complex have unresolved taxonomies, including Porodaedalea, which is one of the most important trunk rot pathogens of coniferous trees throughout the northern hemisphere. In an attempt to elucidate the species within Porodaedalea, a multilocus phylogenetic analysis was performed with partial sequences from four loci (internal transcribed spacer, nuclear large subunit, tef1 and rpb2) using 41 isolates that originated from North America and Europe. For reference, we analysed the neotype isolates of Porodaedalea pini and P. chrysoloma. Our results confirmed that Porodaedalea pini s.s. and P. chrysoloma s.s. are unique phylogenetic species that do not occur in North America. We detected two discrete clades of Porodaedalea originating from the southwestern and southeastern United States. Isolates from these regions grouped with significant statistical support and represent undescribed taxa. With the exception of P. cancriformans, our analyses revealed monophyly among 28 isolates originating from the northern United States, Canada and Fennoscandia, a group we have labelled the ‘Holarctic group’. Holarctic group isolates were collected from Larix, Picea, Pinus, Pseudotsuga and Tsuga and were presumed to represent at least four morphological species (P. gilbertsonii, P. laricis, P. pini s.l. and P. piceina). Tests of gene flow and genetic differentiation detected significant differences among Holarctic group isolates by region of origin, and three subgroups were designated: (i) Atlantic‐Boreal; (ii) Interior; and (iii) Pacific. Neutrality tests using the Holarctic group demonstrated significant departures from the standard neutral model of evolution and could indicate that a diversifying selection has maintained rare phenotypes in the population, which has fostered taxonomic confusion in Porodaedalea.     

Liming and reacidification reactions of a forest lake ecosystem,lake Lysevatten,in SW Sweden

Long-term monitoring, 1973 to 1987, of reactions to liming and reacidification of a forest lake ecosystem near the Swedish west coast is reported in this study. Treatment of Lake Lysevatten with a slag product of limestone in 1974 resulted in neutralization and a positive alkalinity. Prolonged dissolution proceeded for about 7 yr whereby 86% dissolved. During 1984–86 Lake Lysevatten approached maximum reacidification with high Al concentrations and an affected biota. Asellus aquaticus L. decreased and dominance within chironomid groups approached preliming conditions. However, the most obvious biological change was the development of the filamentous algal genus Mougeotia and increased growth of Sphagnum. Populations of both plants increased notably when pH declined to about 5. Our study suggests that extensive reacidification (pH < 6.0) of limed lakes should be avoided by successive treatments to prevent development of destabilized lake ecosystems.     

Hypofractionated radiation therapy for the treatment of malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma in dogs and cats

This study describes the experience with hypofractionated radiation therapy of squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma in dogs and cats. A total dose of 32-48 Gray (Gy) was delivered once a week in 8 Gy fractions. 34 animals in which a complete surgical excision was impossible were treated. There was no tumor detectable macroscopically in 14 patients at the beginning of radiation therapy. In 20 animals the median volume of the tumor was 9.9 cm3. The median survival times and the local tumor control of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral and nasal cavities and of the body are comparable to results which were reached with a Monday-Wednesday-Friday scheme. For the treatment of Melanoma the hypofractionated radiation therapy is first choice. There are no significant side effects. Late side effects did not occur. 88% of the owners are satisfied with this kind of treatment and would choose it again.     

Texas entry-year agriculture teachers' perceptions, practices, and preparation regarding safety and health in agricultural education

The purpose of this study was to gather benchmark data for the assessment of the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding agricultural safety issues and curricula held by Texas agricultural teachers with less than two full years of teaching experience (entry-year teachers). Seventy-four of 118 well-distributed teachers responded to this survey. Researchers concluded that more females were entering a traditionally male-dominated field. Overall, teachers addressed safety within units of instruction rather than as separate units. The most useful forms of new teaching resources that this group of teachers would like to see produced were safety videos and study guides, and class demonstration/simulation activities. There was a significant difference in rankings between teachers less than 26 years old and teachers more than 26 years old regarding the usefulness of transparencies as a new teaching resource (F = 5.00, p = 0.0268). Few teachers were currently CPR and first aid certified, even though most had received training and completed a general safety and/or health related course while in college. Teachers generally agreed philosophically with most practices and exhibited personal beliefs consistent with proper safety preparedness and practice in agricultural settings. However, many of these teachers failed to practice what was expected of safe tractor operators, such as wearing safety belts and allowing younger drivers to operate the equipment.     

Effect of different blood‐guided conditioning programmes on skeletal muscle ultrastructure and histochemistry of sport horses

The effects of three different blood‐guided conditioning programmes on ultrastructural and histochemical features of the gluteus medius muscle of 2‐year‐old sport horses were examined. Six non‐trained Haflinger horses performed three consecutive conditioning programmes of varying lactate‐guided intensities [velocities eliciting blood lactate concentrations of 1.5 (v_1.5), 2.5 (v_2.5) and 4 (v₄) mm respectively] and durations (25 and 45 min). Each conditioning programme lasted 6 weeks and was followed by a 5‐week resting period. Pre‐, post‐ and deconditioning muscle biopsies were analysed. Although training and detraining adaptations were similar in nature, they varied significantly in magnitude among the three different conditioning programmes. Overall, the adaptations consisted in significant increases in size of mitochondria and myofibrils, as well as a hypertrophy of myofibrillar ATPase type IIA muscle fibres and a reduction in number of type IIx low‐oxidative fibres. Together, these changes are compatible with a significant improvement in both muscle aerobic capacity and muscle strength. The use of v_1.5 and v_2.5 as the exercise intensities for 45 min elicited more significant adaptations in muscle, whereas conditioning horses at v₄ for 25 min evoked minimal changes. Most of these muscular adaptations returned towards the pre‐conditioning status after 5 weeks of inactivity. It is concluded that exercises of low or moderate intensities (in the range between v_1.5 and v_2.5) and long duration (45 min) are more effective for improving muscle features associated with stamina and power in sport horses than exercises of higher intensity (equivalent to v₄) and shorter duration (25 min).     

Reference values for cortisol, T4 and T-uptake in different horse groups using the fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA)

Reference values for Cortisol, T4 and T-Uptake, determined with the Fluorescence-Polarization-Immunoassays (FPIAs) in blood-plasma of different horse groups were established. The highest Cortisol values were measured in blood samples from thoroughbred racehorses and riding horses taken between 7 and 8 a.m. (181 +/- 37 and 268 +/- 43 nmol/l), the lowest gained between 5 and 6 p.m. (69 +/- 45 and 85 +/- 32 nmol/l respectively). Peak values for T4 in riding horses were found in blood samples collected between 1 and 2 p.m. (28.2 +/- 5.7 nmol/l) followed by the samples taken at 5-6 p.m. and 7-8 a.m. T-Uptake values did not show a diurnal variation. Values of thoroughbred racehorses were much lower than in thoroughbred broodmares and riding horses (0.11 +/- 0.03, 0.18 +/- 0.03 and 0.24 +/- 0.05 units). The blood samples collected on 5 successive days showed significant variations for Cortisol. T4-values were stable whilst T-Uptake had small variations.     

Vergleichende Untersuchungen an verschiedenen Backkürbissorten und ihre diätetische Bewertung

Zusammenfassung Die Verfasser prüften die organoleptischen Eigenschaften 14 verschiedener Kürbissorten, die Zusammensetzung von rohem und gebackenem Backkürbis sowie die biologische Wertigkeit seines Carotingehaltes. Die Durchschnittswerte der untersuchten Inhaltsstoffe sind die folgenden: Trockensubstanz 20%, Asche 1,47%, Refraktion 12,5%, Roheiweiß 1,54%, C-Vitamin 29,6 mg%, Carotin 3,8 mg%. Unter diesen machen sie auf den C-Vitamin- und Carotingehalt aufmerksam und bezeichnen Backkürbis auf Grund dieser letzteren Inhaltstoffe als wichtige Vitaminquelle im Winter.Bei den gebräuchlichen Backverfahren erfolgt bei 20–30% Gewichtsverlust ein durchschnittlich 62%-iger, auf den Trockensubstanzgehalt berechneter Verlust an C-Vitamin und ein etwa 55%-iger an Carotin. Nach Tierversuchen ist Backkürbis eine der besten A-Provitaminquellen, da bei mit Backkürbis ernährten Ratten der A-Vitamingehalt der Leber um 62% höher ist als bei den mit identischen Mengen Carotin enthaltenden gelben Rüben gefütterten Tieren.

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Summary The organoleptic properties of 14 various types of pumpkins, the chemical composition of raw and baked samples, and the biological value of their carotene content were investigated by the authors.The mean values of the results were as follows: dry matter content 20%, ash content 1.47%, refraction value 12.5%, crude protein content 1.54%, ascorbic acid content 29.6 mg%, carotene content 3.8 mg%. The authors point to the importance of the content of ascorbic acid and of carotene, on the basis of which baked pumpkins can be classified as an important winter source of vitamins.With the conventional baking technique, considering a mean weight loss of 20–30%, the losses of ascorbic acid and carotene, respectively, range 62 and 55%, in respect to dry matter content.According to animal tests, baked pumpkins are one of the best sources of provitamin A, as the content of vitamin A of the liver of rats consuming baked pumpkins was higher by 62% than the liver of rats fed with carrots containing equal amounts of carotene.

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mit 2 Fig.     

Diätetische Bewertung verschiedener in Ungarn angebauter Zucker- und Wassermelonensorten

Zusammenfassung Bei 7 der Sortenprüfung unterzogenen Zuckermelonen- und 6 Wassermelonensorten untersuchten Verfasser die Verteilung im Zucker- und Säuregehalt sowie den Gehalt an Vitamin C und Carotin.Beim gesamten Untersuchungsmaterial wurde die quantitative und qualitative Verteilung der Kohlenhydrate und Säuren bestimmt.Den Untersuchungsergebnissen gemäß erhöht sich bei Zuckermelonen der Saccharosegehalt, bei Wassermelonen der Fructosegehalt in Richtung des Fruchtinneren, wo auch sowohl bei Zucker-, wie bei Wassermelonen die meiste Säure nachweisbar ist.Auf Grund des Gehaltes an Kohlenhydraten, Säure, Vitamin C und Carotin wurden die verschiedenen Melonensorten auch diätetisch bewertet.

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Summary Seven types of sugar melon and 6 types of water melon applied in selection experiments in Hungary were examined by the authors as regards sugar content, nature and quantity of acids, further the contents of ascorbic acid and carotene.The nature and quantity of sugars and acids were determined in the flesh and in the peels of all types examined.According to the analytical results, the content of sucrose of sugar melons increases when nearing the centre whilst in the case of water melons, the content of fructose becomes higher in the central portion.The content of acid showed maximum values in the centre with both sugar and water melons.The examined types of melons were also evaluated from a biological aspect, considering the contents of sugar, acid, ascorbic acid and carotene.

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mit 2 Fig.