Survey of ixodid ticks and two tick-borne pathogens in African buffaloes, Syncerus caffer, from the Caprivi Strip, Namibia

A capture operation to ascertain health status in free-ranging buffaloes from six different areas in the Caprivi Strip in the northeast corner of Namibia was conducted in October 2009. Basic information on the ticks and tick-borne pathogens normally found in wildlife from this area are scarce. The objective of this study was to assess the host status of African buffaloes, Syncerus caffer, for ixodid ticks and two selected tick-borne pathogens in the Caprivi Strip, a key area bordering Angola, Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. Four different tick species have been identified among the 233 collected specimens, and, of 95 tested buffaloes, 54 (57%) were positive for Theileria parva, whereas only 3 (3%) showed evidence of being infected with Ehrlichia ruminantium.     

Glycerophospholipid and triacylglycerol distribution in corn kernels (Zea mays L.)

The distribution of various molecular species of triacylglycerols (TAGs) and phospholipids among three corn kernel parts was determined by LC/ESI-MS. A comparison between three corn kernel parts demonstrated that there was a significant (p < 0.05) difference in their contents of various glycerophospholipid classes. Phosphatidylcholine was the most abundant class in germ and pericarp fractions (51.4–70.6% of the total glycerophospholipids), followed by phosphatidylinositol (11.3–25.1%) and phosphatidylethanolamine (8.4–12.6%). In contrast, phosphatidylethanolamine was found to be the most abundant class in the endosperm fraction (41.4–48.5%), followed by phosphatidylcholine (30.2–33.4%) and phosphatidylinositol (13.2–14.4%). Various molecular species were detected in each class of glycerophospholipid and their levels were significantly (p < 0.05) different among three corn kernel fractions. The major molecular species of triacylglycerol detected in three corn parts were OLL, OOL, LLL, POL, PLL, OOO and POO; where L represents linoleic acid; O, oleic acid; and P, palmitic acid. The TAG composition was significantly different among three corn kernel fractions. In Astro germ fraction, LLL (27.2%) was detected as the dominant TAG molecular species, followed by OLL (21.9%) and PLL (13.4%); however in Astro endosperm fraction, OLL (21.5%) was the major form followed by PLL (18.6%) and LLL (13.5%).     

The influence of stand density and canopy position on sulfur content in needles of Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.)

Analysis of total S in tree foliage has become widely accepted as a means of assessing S pollution of forests when air quality data are lacking. An investigation of total S content of mixed needle samples of different age and canopy height from two stands of young Norway spruce with different densities showed that S-content exceeded the maximum natural S-content (i.e. in the absence of SO₂-pollution) for spruce. Significantly higher average needle S contents were encountered with decreasing stand density. Changed aerodynamic roughness and physiological status of thinned trees indicated combined action of atmospheric and tree physiological variables on S deposition and uptake in forest ecosystems. A marked increase in S content from 1 yr old to older needles and from the lower to the upper canopy was observed.     

Dysgenesis atypica ovarü bei einer XY-Kalbin. Histologische, biochemische, genetische und Rezeptor-Befunde

Inhalt: Die Phänomene der gonadalen Dysgenese weisen eine erhebliche Bandbreite au Die hier vorgestellte XY-Kalbin hatte ein geringgradig hypoplastisches, weibliches Genitale, in den dysgenetischen Gonaden lagen 2 Primordialrestfollikel vor. Ihre inter-stitiellen Zellen waren hyperplastisch, doch gab es keine Anzeichen für eine tumoröse Entartung, in Art eines Gonadenblastoms oder Dysgerminoms. Das Tier hatte zur Behandlung der bestehenden primären Amenorrhoe keine Hormonbehandlung erfahren. Die Konzentrationen uon Sexualsteroiden (Testosteron, Epitestosteron, Dehydroepian-drosteron) glichen solchen, wie sie im Zyklus des Rindes auftreten, ein Konzentrations-anstieg nach Pregnylapplikation war nichtzu erzielen. Nucleare Rezeptoren für Dihydro-testosteron waren nicht nachzuweisen. Die Persistenz von einzelnen Follikeln und von Keimzellen in den postpartalen resp. postpubertären Gonaden wurde in den letzten Jahren beim Menschen gelegentlich beschrieben, ist jedoch fur die reine gonadale Dysgenese nicht charakteristisch. Contents: Dysgenesis atypica ovarii in a XY-heifer The phenomena of gonadal dysgenesis show a wide range of variations. The XY-heifer described in this article showed low grade of hypoplasia of the inner female genital organes. Two primordial residual follicles were detected in serial sections of the dysgenetic gonads. The interstitial cells were hyperplastic, but there was no indication of tumorous degeneration, such as gonadoblastoma or dysgerminoma. No hormones had been given to treat primary amenorrhoe. Levels of sexual steroids (testosterone, epitestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone were similar to those occurring in normal bovine cycle; Pregnyl failed to produce any rise in the concentration of sexual steroids. No evidence was found of nuclear receptors for dihydrotestosterone. Persistence of singular follicles and germinal cells in the postpartal and postpubertary gonads resp. of XY females has been sometimes observed (Cussen & Mac Mahon, 1979; Russel et al., 1980; Warner et al., 1985), but this is — by no means —characteristic for pure gonadal dysgenesis.     

Processing and storage effects on the ellagitannin composition of processed blackberry products

Changes in blackberry ellagitannin composition in response to juicing (clarified and nonclarified), pureeing, canning (in water or syrup), and freezing as well as changes in processed products during 6 months of storage were investigated. Canning, pureeing, and freezing had little effect on ellagitannins, but processing berries into nonclarified and clarified juices resulted in total ellagitannin losses of 70 and 82%, respectively, due to removal of ellagitannin-rich seeds in the presscake. Minimal changes in total ellagitannin content were observed during storage of thermally processed products, but compositional changes indicative of ellagitannin depolymerization were apparent. The ellagitannin content and composition of frozen berries remained stable over 6 months of storage. Ellagitannins are well retained in canned, pureed, and frozen blackberries, but methods are needed to prevent losses during juice processing and/or exploit the ellagitannin-rich coproducts.     

Compositional stratification in the deep mantle

A boundary between compositionally distinct regions at a depth of about 1600 kilometers may explain the seismological observations pertaining to Earth's lower mantle, produce the isotopic signatures of mid-ocean ridge basalts and oceanic island basalts, and reconcile the discrepancy between the observed heat flux and the heat production of the mid-ocean ridge basalt source region. Numerical models of thermochemical convection imply that a layer of material that is intrinsically about 4 percent more dense than the overlying mantle is dynamically stable. Because the deep layer is hot, its net density is only slightly greater than adiabatic and its surface develops substantial topography.     

SSR-based genetic diversity assessment among Tunisian winter barley and relationship with morphological traits

For studying genetic diversity caused byselection for adaptation and end-use, 17microsatellites (SSR), representative ofthe barley genome, were used in 26 barley(Hordeum vulgare L.) accessions andcultivars in Tunisia. Theaccessions/cultivars originate fromdifferent geographic regions and are ofdifferent end-use. For the 15 polymorphicSSR, the mean number of alleles per locuswas 3.6 and the average polymorphisminformation content was 0.45. Clusteranalysis based on SSR data and onmorphological data clearly differentiatethe genotypes according to their type(local landraces vs. varieties), row-numberand end-use. The correlation between bothdiversity measures was highly significant(r = 0.25, p<10^-5) and thecorrespondence between the clustering basedon SSR and morphological data wasrelatively good. Our results show the largegenetic diversity of the Tunisian barleycultivars and the association of thisdiversity with adaptation traits.     

Quantitative expression analysis of GH3, a gene induced by plant growth regulator herbicides in soybean

Symptoms resembling off-target plant growth regulator (PGR) herbicide injury are frequently found in soybean fields, but the causal agent is often difficult to identify. The expression of GH3, an auxin-regulated soybean gene, was quantified from soybean leaves injured by PGR herbicides using real-time RT-PCR. Expression of GH3 was analyzed to ascertain its suitability for use in a diagnostic assay to determine whether PGR herbicides are the cause of injury. GH3 was highly induced by dicamba within 3 days after treatment (DAT) and remained high at 7 DAT, but induction was much lower at 17 DAT. GH3 was also highly induced at 7 DAT by dicamba + diflufenzopyr, and to a lesser extent by the other PGR herbicides clopyralid and 2,4-D. The non-PGR herbicides glyphosate, imazethapyr, and fomesafen did not significantly induce GH3 expression above a low constitutive level. These results indicate that a diagnostic assay for PGR herbicide injury based on overexpression of auxin-responsive genes is feasible, and that GH3 is a potential candidate from which a diagnostic assay could be developed. However, time course analysis of GH3 expression indicates the assay would be effective for a limited time after exposure to the herbicide.