Molecular markers linked to the <Emphasis Type="Italic">fin</Emphasis> gene controlling determinate growth habit in common bean

The S-genotypes of 16 apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars native to China were determined by the S-allele PCR approach and the results were confirmed by cross-pollination tests among these cultivars. Primer combination EM-PC2consFD + EM-PC3consR, based on the conserved regions C2 and C3 of Rosaceous S-RNase genes, was the most useful primer combination for identifying Chinese apricot S-alleles. Twelve S-RNase alleles were identified using this primer combination, and they were defined as follows: S ₉ was 657 bp, S ₁₀ was 266 bp, S ₁₁ was 464 bp, S ₁₂ was 360 bp, S ₁₃ was 401 bp, S ₁₄ was 492 bp, S ₁₅ was 469 bp, S ₁₆ was 481 bp, S ₁₇ was 487 bp, S ₁₈ was 1337 bp, S ₁₉ was 546 bp and S ₂₀ was 1934 bp. S ₁₁–S ₂₀ were new S-RNase genes deposited in GenBank under accession numbers DQ868316, DQ870628-DQ870634, EF133689 and EF160078, respectively. Our findings contribute to a more efficient breeding program of Chinese apricot and further studies on the S-RNase genes.     

Sustainable palm oil as a public responsibility? On the governance capacity of Indonesian Standard for Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO)

This paper is motivated by the observation that Southern governments start to take responsibility for a more sustainable production of agricultural commodities as a response to earlier private initiatives by businesses and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Indonesia is one of the leading countries in this respect, with new public sustainability regulations on coffee, cocoa and palm oil. Based on the concept of governance capacity, the paper develops an evaluation tool to answer the question whether the new public regulation on sustainable palm oil (ISPO) may become a viable alternative to private regulation. ISPO embraces a tremendous governance challenge as thousands of companies and millions of smallholder farmers are expected to participate. It is concluded that, although ISPO has initiated a process of change, it has not yet developed its full potential. The main reason regards ISPO’s rather loose problem definition, weak authority of the implementing organization, and the fact that the reliability of ISPO is still too low to convince (parts) of the global market. ISPO may therefore face difficulties in meeting its own targets and solving palm-oil related problems, such as deforestation, biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and social conflicts between big plantations and local communities. The main governance challenge regards combining a more authoritative implementation mechanism with a convincing balance between sustainability objectives and economic interests of the sector.     

No evidence of superclones in leaf-feeding forms of austrian grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae)

European Journal of Plant Pathology - The genetic structure of ten grape phylloxera populations, sampled in summer of 2006 and 2007 from four distinct viticultural areas in Austria, Daktulosphaira...     

Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis

A poorly described, painful disorder of incisor and canine teeth, variably causing periodontitis, with resorptive or proliferative changes of the calcified dental tissues, has recently been documented in aged horses. No plausible aetiopathogenesis for this syndrome has been recorded. Eighteen diseased teeth from eight horses were examined grossly and microscopically and showed the presence of odontoclastic cells by tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. A chronological sequence of odontoclastic resorption followed by hypercementosis was demonstrated and, consequently, the term equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) is proposed for this disorder. EOTRH shares many features with similar dental syndromes described in humans and cats. An aetiological hypothesis proposes mechanical stress of the periodontal ligament as the initiating factor.     

Effects of C and N availability and soil-water potential interactions on N2O evolution and PLFA composition

Mitigation of agricultural N₂O emissions via management requires quantitative information about the regulation of the underlying processes. In this laboratory study, short-term evolution of N₂O from repacked soil was determined using an arable sandy loam soil adjusted to three water potentials (−15, −30 or −100 hPa) that were reached by adjustment of partly air-dried soil with nutrient solutions or water; a water retention curve of repacked soil had been determined prior to the incubation experiment. The amendments included a control treatment receiving water (CTL), and aqueous solutions of carbon in the form of glucose (C), ammonium sulfate (N), or both (CN). Rates of CO₂ and N₂O evolution were followed during 14 days. Soil inorganic N and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) composition were analyzed by the end of incubation. Across all nutrient treatments, the soil at the lower moisture content (−100 hPa) showed little or no N₂O evolution irrespective of nutrient treatment. Adding glucose alone reduced N₂O evolution relative to CTL. The addition of N alone had no effect on soil respiration, but significantly increased nitrate accumulation and N₂O evolution. The CN treatment resulted in higher respiration than with C amendment alone, but less N₂O evolution than with N alone, at least at −15 and −30 hPa. Whole-soil PLFA fingerprints at the end of incubation reflected the complex response of gaseous emissions. At −15 hPa growth of Gram negative bacteria, probably including denitrifiers, in the CN treatment was indicated by low cyclopropane-to-precursor ratios. At −100 hPa differentiation of branched-chain fatty acids was taken as evidence for an effect of C amendment on Gram positive bacteria. The highest potential for N₂O evolution was observed at the intermediate soil wetness level; the corresponding gas diffusivities indicated that this parameter may be a better predictor of N₂O emissions than water-filled pore space.     

The spatial and temporal disappearance of different oral rabies vaccine baits

Bait disappearance can give valuable information for the assessment of oral vaccination campaigns of foxes against rabies. In this study, the spatial and temporal disappearance of three different vaccine baits under almost identical conditions was investigated. In the study area, 350 baits were placed at previously marked positions during two different periods; late autumn and early spring. The distribution of baits was in accordance with the method as recommended by the European Union; a density of 20 baits per km2 along flight lines 500m apart. Bait disappearance was checked 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after distribution. At least 80% of the baits had disappeared within one week after distribution. No difference in bait disappearance was observed between the two selected periods. However, a significant higher bait disappearance was observed in forested areas when compared to open agricultural areas. Furthermore, the differences in bait disappearance between the three type of baits tested were relatively small and not significant.     

Simulation of local anaesthetic nerve block of the infraorbital nerve within the pterygopalatine fossa: anatomical landmarks defined by computed tomography

To provide anaesthesia of the maxillary cheek teeth, a local block of the infraorbital nerve in the pterygopalatine fossa has been suggested. The aim of this study was to re-examine the anatomy of the pterygopalatine fossa, giving special attention to relevant arteries, veins and nerves; simulate the infiltration of an anaesthetic by injecting a contrast medium; improve the injection technique to avoid puncturing of relevant anatomical structures. Five heads and two living horses were investigated using contrast medium injections and computed tomography (CT). Needles were inserted using two insertion techniques: "Palatine Bone Insertion" (PBI) and "Extraperiorbital Fat Body Insertion" (EFBI). Both techniques are suitable for achieving a consistent distribution of contrast medium around the infraorbital nerve. The periorbita prevents the contrast medium from penetrating into the intraperiorbital compartment. The EFBI-technique is most appropriate for providing a sufficient infraorbital nerve block with a minimised risk of complications.     

Associations between proteinuria, systemic hypertension and glomerular filtration rate in dogs with renal and non-renal diseases

Proteinuria and systemic hypertension are well recognised risk factors in chronic renal failure (CRF). They are consequences of renal disease but also lead to a further loss of functional kidney tissue. The objectives of this study were to investigate the associations between proteinuria, systemic hypertension and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in dogs with naturally occurring renal and non-renal diseases, and to determine whether proteinuria and hypertension were associated with shorter survival times in dogs with CRF. Measurements of exogenous creatinine plasma clearance (ECPC), urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC), and Doppler sonographic measurements of systolic blood pressure (SBP) were made in 60 dogs with various diseases. There was a weak but significant inverse correlation between UPC and ECPC, a significant inverse correlation between SBP and ECPC and a weak but significant positive correlation between UPC and SBP. Some of the dogs with CRF were proteinuric and almost all were hypertensive. Neoplasia was commonly associated with proteinuria in the dogs with a normal ECPC. CRF was the most common cause leading to hypertension. In the dogs with CRF, hypertension and marked proteinuria were associated with significantly shorter survival times.     

Chicken lung lectin is a functional C-type lectin and inhibits haemagglutination by influenza A virus

Many proteins of the calcium-dependent (C-type) lectin family have been shown to play an important role in innate immunity. They can bind to a broad range of carbohydrates, which enables them to interact with ligands present on the surface of micro-organisms. We previously reported the finding of a new putative chicken lectin, which was predominantly localized to the respiratory tract, and thus termed chicken lung lectin (cLL). In order to investigate the biochemical and biophysical properties of cLL, the recombinant protein was expressed, affinity purified and characterized. Recombinant cLL was expressed as four differently sized peptides, which is most likely due to post-translational modification. Crosslinking of the protein led to the formation of two high-molecular weight products, indicating that cLL forms trimeric and possibly even multimeric subunits. cLL was shown to have lectin activity, preferentially binding to alpha-mannose in a calcium-dependent manner. Furthermore, cLL was shown to inhibit the haemagglutination-activity of human isolates of influenza A virus, subtype H3N2 and H1N1. These result show that cLL is a true C-type lectin with a very distinct sugar specificity, and that this chicken lectin could play an important role in innate immunity.