COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN CANINE ELBOWS ARTHROSCOPICALLY DIAGNOSED WITH EROSION OF THE MEDIAL COMPARTMENT: AN ANALYTICAL METHOD COMPARISON STUDY

Medial compartment erosion is an advanced stage of medial coronoid disease, an important cause of elbow lameness in dogs, with treatment and the expected prognosis depending on the extent of the cartilage lesions. The identification of specific computed tomographic (CT) findings might facilitate the nonsurgical diagnosis and add to treatment decision making. Aims of this retrospective, analytical, method comparison study were to describe CT findings in elbows of dogs arthroscopically diagnosed with medial compartment erosion and to compare CT vs. arthroscopic findings. A total of 56 elbows met inclusion criteria. Elbows with focal (n = 13), diffuse (n = 11), and complete (n = 32) erosion were compared. Prevalence findings for CT lesions were as follows: periarticular osteophytosis (100%), abnormal shape of the medial coronoid process of the ulna (96.4%), and subchondral bone defect of the medial part of the humeral condyle (MHC; 96.4%). The three groups significantly differed for presence of medial coronoid process fragmentation, radial head subchondral bone sclerosis, and widening of the humeroulnar joint space. No significant agreement was found between CT and arthroscopy for presence of a subchondral bone defect of the MHC. A significant agreement was found between CT and arthroscopy for presence of fragmentation of the medial coronoid process. However, some of the calcified body/fragment(s) visualized on CT in the region of the medial coronoid process could not be identified via arthroscopy. Findings indicated that an accurate estimation of the extent of the elbow cartilage lesions still requires arthroscopic joint inspection.     

Dietary L-carnitine supplementation enhances the lipopolysaccharide-induced acute phase protein response in broiler chickens

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential effects of dietary L-carnitine supplementation on acute phase protein response upon a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge of male broiler chickens receiving a commercial broiler diet supplemented with 15 or 100 mg L-carnitine/kg or an unsupplemented (control) diet from 14 days of age onwards. At 28 days of age, eight chickens per dietary treatment were weighed and subcutaneously injected with 300 microg LPS from E. coli (100 microg LPS/ml saline) or 3 ml saline (unsupplemented group only). During the next 10 days, blood samples were taken repeatedly and analysed for their hemopexin (HX) and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) levels. Extra dietary L-carnitine did not affect broiler performance. At day 1 postinjection, plasma HX and AGP levels were significantly increased in all treatment groups. However, the elevations in circulating HX and AGP levels were more pronounced in the L-carnitine supplemented chickens, especially in the 100mg L-carnitine group. It is concluded that extra L-carnitine in the diet of broiler chickens enhances or advances the acute phase protein response. The exact mode of action needs to be elucidated but seems to be consistent with a glucocorticoid mimicking effect.     

Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of Phytophthora infestans in South Korea during 2009–2016 reveals clonal reproduction and absence of EU_13_A2 genotype

In order to better understand the Phytophthora infestans population structure in South Korea, 172 isolates were collected between 2009 and 2016 from four major potato cultivation areas. Fungicide (metalaxyl and dimethomorph) response, mating type, and microsatellite (SSR) genetic fingerprints were analysed to characterize these isolates. Ten isolates collected in Gyeongnam Province, which specializes in protected winter cultivation in polytunnels, were A2 mating type. All other isolates were A1 mating type. Overall, 42% of the isolates were resistant to metalaxyl, and 43% were sensitive. All isolates were sensitive to dimethomorph. From the SSR fingerprints, 45 distinct genotypes were identified, which could be clustered into four clonal lineages: KR_1_A1, KR_2_A2, SIB-1, and US-11. KR_1_A1 was the predominant P. infestans genotype in South Korea. KR_2_A2 was only found in Gyeongnam Province; all isolates were A2 mating type and resistant to metalaxyl. SIB-1 was dominant until 2013 but its frequency has gradually decreased in more recent years. US-11 was first found in 2014, after which its frequency has increased to become codominant with KR_1_A1. The calculated standardized index of association (I_A) suggests that the South Korean P. infestans population is undergoing clonal reproduction. When compared with populations of P. infestans from the Netherlands, it has less genetic diversity and the dominant Netherlands P. infestans genotype, EU_13_A2 (Blue_13), was not found in South Korea. Such monitoring of the pathogen population contributes to a more efficient integrated pest management-based control strategy for potato late blight control in South Korea.     

Dissolution kinetics of macronutrient fertilizers coated with manufactured zinc oxide nanoparticles

The solubility of Zn in Zn fertilizers plays an important role in the agronomic effectiveness of the fertilizer. On the basis of thermodynamics, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) should dissolve faster and to a greater extent than bulk ZnO particles (equivalent spherical diameter >100 nm). These novel solubility features of ZnO NPs might be exploited to improve the efficiency of Zn fertilizers. In this study, we compared the Zn solubility and dissolution kinetics of ZnO nanoparticles and bulk ZnO particles coated onto two selected granular macronutrient fertilizers, urea and monoammonium phosphate (MAP). The main Zn species on coated MAP and urea granules were zinc ammonium phosphate and ZnO, respectively. Coated MAP granules showed greater Zn solubility and faster dissolution rates in sand columns compared to coated urea granules, which may be related to pH differences in the solution surrounding the fertilizer granules. The kinetics of Zn dissolution was not affected by the size of the ZnO particles applied for coating of either fertilizer type, possibly because solubility was controlled by formation of the same compounds irrespective of the size of the original ZnO particles used for coating.     

Induced systemic resistance in Trichoderma harzianum T39 biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea

Biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea with Trichoderma spp. is generally believed to result from direct interaction of the biocontrol agent with the pathogen or from a Trichoderma-induced change in environmental conditions that affects B. cinerea development. In this work we provide arguments for the participation of induced plant defence in T. harzianum T39 control of B. cinerea. In tomato, lettuce, pepper, bean and tobacco, T. harzianum T39 application at sites spatially separated from the B. cinerea inoculation resulted in a 25–100%percnt; reduction of grey mould symptoms, caused by a delay or suppression of spreading lesion formation. Given the spatial separation of both micro-organisms, this effect was attributed to the induction of systemic resistance by T. harzianum T39. The observation that in bean the effect of T. harzianum T39 was similar to that of the rhizobacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa KMPCH, a reference strain for the induction of systemic resistance, confirmed this hypothesis. Since B. cinerea control on tobacco leaves sprayed with T. harzianum T39 was similar to the control on leaves from T. harzianum T39 soil-treated plants, induction of plant defence might also participate in biocontrol on treated leaves.     

Selection of virulence in Meloidogyne chitwoodi to resistance in the wild potato Solanum fendleri

The possibilities of selecting virulence from a virtually avirulent root-knot nematode population towards resistance in wild potato have been investigated. Single egg masses of Meloidogyne chitwoodi, which had occasionally been produced on roots of resistant Solanum fendleri gave rise to eight lines after one generation on tomato. Five lines were able to circumvent completely the resistance of S. fendleri 93-114-12 resulting in a susceptible response similar to that of the control potato cv Nicola. Subsequently, a resistance test with other resistant genotypes of S. fendleri, S. bulbocastanum, S. stoloniferum and S. hougasii revealed that the virulent lines were also able to break through the resistance in most other species, but clear differences were noticed between the virulent lines. The results suggest a simple inheritance of virulence in M. chitwoodi towards resistance in S. fendleri. However, more virulence factors are involved to explain the differences on the other Solanum species between the virulent lines. The implications of the ease to select virulence with respect to the practical use of resistance in potato breeding and growing are discussed.     

Setting targets in strategies for river restoration

Since about 90% of the natural floodplain area of rivers in Europe has been reclaimed and now lacks river dynamics, nature rehabilitation along rivers is of crucial importance for the restoration of their natural function. Flood protection, self-purification of surface water, groundwater recharge, species protection and migration are all involved in this process. It is now generally recognised that rivers form natural arteries in Europe but are also of economic importance and are recognisable cultural landscape. Many examples are already available of successful small river restoration projects. Several species thought to be extinct have now reappeared and characteristic species have also expanded in recent years. This paper concentrates on the concept of setting targets for river restoration as exemplified by the Meuse River. A modelling exercise shows the restraints of current habitat configuration and the potential for habitat restoration along the river. A policy analysis, using a strategic approach, illustrates the influence of the decision making process on the targets for natural river development. River dynamics play a key factor in determining the potential for persistent populations of target animal species along the river, with the help of an expert system (LARCH, Landscape ecological Analysis and Rules for the Configuration of Habitat). The potentials for the increase of dispersion and biodiversity and the maximisation of ecological benefits at different scales, are also considered.     

Present status of bacterial blight in cotton genotypes evaluated at Busia and Siaya counties of Western Kenya

Bacterial blight (BB) incited by Xanthomonas citri subsp. malvacearum (Xcm) is an important bacterial disease occurring in all cotton growing areas throughout the world, including parts of Western Kenya, that are characterized by a hot and humid climate. The disease causes seedling blight, angular leaf spot, boll rot and black arm on petioles and branches leading to a loss of fruiting branches with yield losses of up to 35 %. Fifty- one Kenyan cotton genotypes (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were established in the two counties of Siaya and Busia famous for their cotton cultivation in the western region. The BB symptoms caused by natural Xcm infection in the field were scored for each cotton accession. In addition artificial inoculation with the same strains was done to confirm the status under controlled greenhouse conditions. The results of BB disease scoring revealed that some accessions (e.g. T 24A and T 24B) possess a reasonable level of resistance. However, most of the Kenyan genotypes surveyed showed medium to severe symptoms of BB, including KSA 81 M, the only commercially grown cultivar in the region of Western Kenya. Overall, 71 % of the genotypes showed susceptibility and 29 % were classified as either resistant or moderately resistant. There is therefore need to improve the local commercial genotypes by introducing new genetic resources with a more durable BB resistance to ensure a successful revitalization of the Kenyan cotton sector.     

Sensitivity towards DMI fungicides and haplotypic diversity of their CYP51 target in the Mycosphaerella graminicola population of Flanders

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Septoria leaf blotch, caused by the fungus Mycosphaerella graminicola, is the most important wheat disease in Northwestern Europe, and is currently...