The effect of zinc (Zn) application on uptake of cadmium (Cd) in some cereal species

It is widely accepted that plants absorb more Cd when they suffer from Zn deficiency, as the Zn deficiency is a critical problem in the world. The effect of increased Cadmium (Cd) application (0 and 15 mg kg^-1 Cd) on growing and Cd concentration in some cereal species was investigated at the increasing rate of Zinc (Zn) applications (0 and 15 mg kg^-1 Zn). The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions using a Zn deficient soil. According to the results, that increased Cd applications severely reduced dry matter production of plants. Dry matter production decreased in the following order: bread wheat > oat > maize > barley. These decreases were determined to be statistically significant (P < 0.01). Cd concentration of cereal species increased with the application of increasing rate of Cd, with a similar trend to that of the dry matter. Dry matter production of plants increased and Cd concentrations of plants decreased with the application of increasing rate of Zn. These results show that Cd accumulation of plant increase in Zn deficient soils. Cd accumulation in plants is hindered with the application of Zn.     

Spatio‐temporal analyses of marine predator diets from data‐rich and data‐limited systems

Accounting for variation in prey mortality and predator metabolic potential arising from spatial variation in consumption is an important task in ecology and resource management. However, there is no statistical method for processing stomach content data that accounts for fine‐scale spatio‐temporal structure while expanding individual stomach samples to population‐level estimates of predation. Therefore, we developed an approach that fits a spatio‐temporal model to both prey‐biomass‐per‐predator‐biomass data (i.e. the ratio of prey biomass in stomachs to predator weight) and predator biomass survey data, to predict “predator‐expanded‐stomach‐contents” (PESCs). PESC estimates can be used to visualize either the annual landscape of PESCs (spatio‐temporal variation), or can be aggregated across space to calculate annual variation in diet proportions (variation among prey items and among years). We demonstrated our approach in two contrasting scenarios: a data‐rich situation involving eastern Bering Sea (EBS) large‐size walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus, Gadidae) for 1992–2015; and a data‐limited situation involving West Florida Shelf red grouper (Epinephelus morio, Epinephelidae) for 2011–2015. Large walleye pollock PESC was predicted to be higher in very warm years on the Middle Shelf of the EBS, where food is abundant. Red grouper PESC was variable in north‐western Florida waters, presumably due to spatio‐temporal variation in harmful algal bloom severity. Our approach can be employed to parameterize or validate diverse ecosystem models, and can serve to address many fundamental ecological questions, such as providing an improved understanding of how climate‐driven changes in spatial overlap between predator and prey distributions might influence predation pressure.     

QTL analysis and regression model for estimating fruit setting in young Citrus trees based on molecular markers

This study was conducted to assess the genetic basis and develop a regression model for a QTL trait, fruit setting of a full sib population of 164 hybrids obtained between ‘Clementine’ mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco ‘Clementine) and ‘Orlando’ tangelo’ (Citrus paradisi Macf. ‘Duncan’ × C. reticulata Blanco ‘Dancy’). Fruit setting of a 164 full sib population field-planted in 2007 was evaluated by visual counting of fruits in 2008, 2009, and 2010. We estimated linkage groups and effects of QTLs by using MapQTL5. Based on interval mapping, seven linkage groups of the maternal and eight linkage groups of the paternal maps harboured QTLs of the fruits setting, covering a total 300 of 1744 cM Citrus map. Only three segments were associated with all three-year data (one in ‘Clementine’ and two in ‘Orlando’ map) spanning 60 cM of 1744 cM of Citrus linkage map. Twenty-seven (17%) and 13 (8%) hybrids consistently produced less than 5 fruits and the highest number of fruits (≥50) in their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th ages. Based on BACKWARD elimination procedure of PROC REG option nested in SAS program, regression models constructed for 2008, 2009, and 2010s fruit setting explained 35, 81, and 38% of the total phenotypic variation (R²) observed in the 164 full-sib hybrids, respectively (P ≤ 0.05). This study indicated that early fruit setting was a complex trait affected by many QTLs and the regression model developed in this study might be used to predict performances of hybrids with similar genetic background.     

Silicon Increases Tolerance to Boron Toxicity and Reduces Oxidative Damage in Barley

ABSTRACT

Silicon (Si) protects plants from multiple abiotic and biotic stresses The effect of exogenous Si levels (50, 75, and 100 mg kg^?1) on the growth, boron (B) and Si uptake, lipid peroxidation (MDA), lipoxygenase activity (LOX; EC 1.13.11.12), proline, and H₂O₂ accumulation, non-enzymatic antioxidant activity (AA) and the activities of major antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD, EC 1.15.1.1; catalase, CAT, EC 1.11.1.6 and ascorbate peroxidase, APX, EC 1.11.1.11) of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were investigated under glasshouse conditions. Increasing levels of Si supplied to the soil with 20 mg kg^?1 B counteracted the deleterious effects of B on shoot growth. Application of B significantly increased the B concentration in barley plants. However, Si application decreased B concentrations. Increasing application of Si increased the Si concentration in barley plants. The concentration of H₂O₂ was increased by B toxicity but decreased by Si supply. Boron toxicity decreased proline concentrations and increased lipid peroxidation (MDA content) and LOX activity of barley. Compared with control plants, the activities of AA, SOD, CAT, and APX in B stressed plants grown without Si decreased, and application of Si increased their activities under toxic B conditions. The LOX activity was decreased by Si. Based on the present work, it can be concluded that Si alleviates B toxicity by possibly preventing oxidative membrane damage, both through lowering the uptake of B and by increasing tolerance to excess B within the tissues.     

Pathological effects of Arcobacter cryaerophilus infection in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum)

Arcobacter cryaerophilus was isolated from naturally infected rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum), and its pathogenicity was tested by intramuscular injection into 40 healthy 1-year-old rainbow trout at 16 degrees C. The lethal dosage of 50% end point (LD50) for A. cryaerophilus was calculated 2.25 x 10(4) viable cells. Experimental infection caused deaths with gross clinical abnormalities such as degenerated opercula and gills, liver damage, haemorrhagic kidney and serous fluid in swollen intestines. The counts of A. cryaerophilus in kidney, liver and gills of experimentally infected fish ranged from 1.59 x 10(10) colony forming units (cfu)/g to 7.41 x 10(12) cfu/g. The means of erythrocyte (RBC) count, haematocrit level, serum cholesterol, triglyceride, albumin and total protein concentrations in the blood of the experimentally infected rainbow trout group were significantly lower than in the healthy fish. Leukocyte (WBC) counts of the experimentally infected rainbow trout were significantly higher than those of healthy fish. The present work shows that the selected blood characteristics may be good indicators of response to infections in rainbow trout.     

Effects of curcumin on tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in the late phase of experimental acute pancreatitis

Summary Inflammatory cytokines have been demonstrated to play an important role in the induction and severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) in the recent studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin on inflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 in the late phase of AP. The study was conducted on 40 male Wistar Albino rats. The animals were divided randomly into four equal groups. AP was induced by the infusion of 3% sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct (in groups I and II). Starting on day 20 prior to the induction of AP, rats in group I received daily dose of 100 mg/kg of curcumin, dissolved in 9% ethanol via an intragastric tube. The same procedure was repeated for 6 days following the onset of AP. Group III was infused only on saline solution. Group IV (curcumin control group) received 9% ethanol via an intragastric tube, during the experimental period (totally 26 days). All the animals were sacrificed on day 6 after the collection of blood samples and serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels were determined. Tissue samples were taken from pancreas, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, lungs, spleen and the kidneys for histopathological evaluation. Serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in the group, which received curcumin (group I), were determined to be significantly lower than those of the untreated group (group II) (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was detected in terms of total histopathological scores in the treatment group versus untreated group. Curcumin has been shown to markedly reduce serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in the late phase of AP, but failed in the prevention of tissue injury.     

Diurnal variation in thermal environment experienced by salmonids in the North Pacific as indicated by data storage tags

Eight temperature-recording data storage tags were recovered from three salmonids in Alaska (pink and coho salmon and steelhead trout) and five chum salmon in Japan after 21–117 days, containing the first long-term records of ambient temperature from Pacific salmonids migrating at sea. Temperature data imply diel patterns of descents to deeper, cooler water and ascents to the surface. Fish were found at higher average temperatures at night, with narrower temperature ranges and fewer descents than during the day. Fish tagged in the Gulf of Alaska were at higher temperatures on average (10–12°C) than chum salmon tagged in the Bering Sea (8–10°C). Chum salmon were also found at a wider range of temperatures (−1–22°C vs 5–15°C). This is probably related both to the different oceanographic regions through which the fish migrated, as well as species differences in thermal range and vertical movements. Proportions of time that individual fish spent at different temperatures seemed to vary among oceanographic regions. Steelhead trout may descend to moderate depths (50 m) and not be limited to the top few metres, as had been believed. Japanese chum salmon may seek deep, cold waters as they encounter warm surface temperatures on their homeward migrations. Temperature data from all fish showed an initial period (4–21 days) of day and night temperatures near those of sea surface temperatures, suggesting a period of recuperation from tagging trauma. A period of tagging recuperation suggests that vertical movement data from short-term ultrasonic telemetry studies may not represent normal behaviour of fish. The considerable diurnal and shorter-term variation in ambient temperatures suggests that offshore ocean distribution may be linked more to prey distribution and foraging than to sea surface temperatures.     

A new citrus linkage map based on SRAP,SSR, ISSR,POGP, RGA and RAPD markers

Sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP), simple sequence repeats (SSR), inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR), peroxidase gene polymorphism (POGP), resistant gene analog (RGA), randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and a morphological marker, Alternaria brown spot resistance gene of citrus named as Cabsr caused by (Alternaria alternata f. sp. Citri) were used to establish genetic linkage map of citrus using a population of 164 F₁ individuals derived between ‘Clementine’ mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco ‘Clementine) and ‘Orlando’ tangelo’ (C. paradisi Macf. ‘Duncan’ × C. reticulata Blanco ‘Dancy’). A total of 609 markers, including 385 SRAP, 97 RAPD, 95 SSR, 18 ISSR, 12 POGP, and 2 RGA markers were used in linkage analysis. The ‘Clementine’ linkage map has 215 markers, comprising 144 testcross and 71 intercross markers placed in nine linkage groups. The ‘Clementine’ linkage map covered 858 cM with and average map distance of 3.5 cM between adjacent markers. The ‘Orlando’ linkage map has 189 markers, comprising 126 testcross and 61 intercross markers placed in nine linkage groups. The ‘Orlando’ linkage map covered 886 cM with an average map distance of 3.9 cM between adjacent markers. Segregation ratios for Cabsr were not significantly different from 1:1, suggesting that this trait is controlled by a single locus. This locus was placed in ‘Orlando’ linkage group 1. The new map has an improved distribution of markers along the linkage groups with fewer gaps. Combining different marker systems in linkage mapping studies may give better genome coverage due to their chromosomal target site differences, therefore fewer gaps in linkage groups.     

Diffuse mesenteric lipodystrophy (massive fat necrosis) in a cat

Clinical, radiographic, and pathological findings of diffuse mesenteric lipodystrophy in a 3-year-old, female domestic short-haired cat are described. The animal had fallen from a height of approximately 20 metres 6 weeks previously, after which it developed respiratory distress and anorexia. The cat was thin, exhausted and had rapid, shallow, open-mouthed breathing. Serial upper gastrointestinal contrast radiographs showed a prolonged transit time of the contrast medium due to restricted gastric emptying, and filling defects of the duodenojejunal portions of the small intestines. The cranial abdominal cavity contained large, firm, white masses that adhered to most of the anterior abdominal organs. The intestinal walls were completely surrounded by large, hard, lobulated masses of lipomatous tissue. The masses were characterised histologically by extensive areas of coagulative necrosis of adipocytes containing foci of saponification. The lesions resembled those of massive fat necrosis or lipomatosis in cattle, pigs and deer.     

Tuberculosis in geese (Anser anser) in Turkey

Tuberculosis was detected in seven geese at the breeding unit of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafkas University, during 1998. In the necropsy, lesions of nodular type were seen in the liver, spleen, and lungs. Histopathologically, the lesions were characterized by central areas of caseous necrosis surrounded by epithelioid cells, multinucleated giant cells, lymphocytes, and an outer fibrous capsule. Acid-fast bacilli were visualized by the Ziehl-Neelsen staining method in paraffin sections and smears. Inoculation into Lowenstein-Jensen media with glycerin yielded Mycobacterium spp.