Estimation of heritability of atopic dermatitis in Labrador and Golden Retrievers

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the heritability of atopic dermatitis in Golden and Labrador Retrievers. ANIMALS: 429 dogs related to 13 dogs with atopic dermatitis. PROCEDURE: Atopic dermatitis was defined on the basis of the type and frequency of clinical signs recorded in the clinical records, and each dog was classified with atopic dermatitis or probable atopic dermatitis or as nonatopic. By use of data from atopic and nonatopic dogs, regression analyses of parental status on offspring status were performed to estimate heritability. RESULTS: There was no difference in the frequency of atopic dermatitis between sexes or between breeds. There was a marked association between the atopic status of the parent and that of the offspring, particularly for sires. By use of data from 32 litters in which the status of both parents was known and considering only those dogs classified with atopic dermatitis or as nonatopic, the heritability (+/- SE) of atopic dermatitis was estimated to be 0.47 (+/- 0.17). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Atopic dermatitis has a strong genetic component, and breeding of dogs with clinical signs of atopic dermatitis should be discouraged.     

Establishment of the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) and the current status of veterinary clinical pathology in Europe

After 5 years of development, the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) was formally recognized and approved on July 4, 2007 by the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS), the European regulatory body that oversees specialization in veterinary medicine and which has approved 23 colleges. The objectives, committees, basis for membership, constitution, bylaws, information brochure and certifying examination of the ECVCP have remained unchanged during this time except as directed by EBVS. The ECVCP declared full functionality based on the following criteria: 1) a critical mass of 65 members: 15 original diplomates approved by the EBVS to establish the ECVCP, 37 de facto diplomates, 7 diplomates certified by examination, and 5 elected honorary members; 2) the development and certification of training programs, laboratories, and qualified supervisors for residents; currently there are 18 resident training programs in Europe; 3) administration of 3 annual board-certifying examinations thus far, with an overall pass rate of 70%; 4) European consensus criteria for assessing the continuing education of specialists every 5 years; 5) organization of 8 annual scientific congresses and a joint journal (with the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology) for communication of scientific research and information; the College also maintains a website, a joint listserv, and a newsletter; 6) collaboration in training and continuing education with relevant colleges in medicine and pathology; 7) development and strict adherence to a constitution and bylaws compliant with the EBVS; and 8) demonstration of compelling rationale, supporting data, and the support of members and other colleges for independence as a specialty college. Formal EBVS recognition of ECVCP as the regulatory body for the science and practice of veterinary clinical pathology in Europe will facilitate growth and development of the discipline and compliance of academic, commercial diagnostic, and industry laboratories in veterinary clinical pathology. Future needs are in developing sponsorship for resident positions, increasing employment opportunities, increasing compliance with laboratory, training, and continuing education standards, and advancing relevant science and technology.     

Avian influenza A H5N1 infections in cats

Although cats had been considered resistant to disease from influenza virus infection, domestic cats and large felids are now known to be naturally und experimentally susceptible to infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 (HPAIV H5N1). The virus causes systemic infection, lung and liver being the mainly affected organs. Infected cats show fever, depression, dyspnoea, and neurological signs, but subclinical infections have also occurred. Mostly, cats have been infected by direct contact with affected birds, especially by eating raw poultry; transmission from cat to cat may also occur. Little is known about the role of cats in the epidemiology of the virus. So far, no reassortment between avian and mammalian influenza viruses has occurred in cats, but experts fear that cats might give the virus an opportunity to adapt to mammals. This publication gives a review on avian influenza in cats with a focus on practical aspects for veterinarians.     

Organic residues affect phosphorus availability and maize yields in a Nitisol of western Kenya

 The effects of organic residues and inorganic fertilizers on P availability and maize yield were compared in a Nitisol of western Kenya. Leaf biomass of Calliandra calothyrsus, Senna spectabilis, Croton megalocarpus, Lantana camara, Sesbania sesban, and Tithonia diversifolia were incorporated into the soil at 5 Mg ha^–1 for six consecutive seasons in 3 years and responses compared with those following the application of 120 kg N ha^–1, 0 kg P ha^–1 (0P); 120 kg N ha^–1, 10 kg P ha^–1; and 120 kg N ha^–1 25 kg P ha^–1 as urea and triple superphosphate (TSP); K was supplied in all treatments. Addition of Tithonia, Lantana and Croton increased soil resin-extractable P over that of fertilizer-amended soil throughout the first crop, but the amounts in the former treatments became similar to those for soils amended with inorganic fertilizers for subsequent crops. Addition of Sesbania, Calliandra and Senna had a similar effect on resin P as inorganic fertilizers. Total maize yields after six seasons were tripled by the application of Tithonia compared to 0P, and were higher than those of the Calliandra, Senna, Sesbania and Lantana treatments, and similar only to that of the Croton treatment. P recovered in the above-ground biomass and resin P, immediately after the implementation of the treatments, was higher in the Senna, Sesbania, Croton, Lantana and Tithonia (35–77%) treatments than in the inorganic fertilizer treatments (21–27%). The P content of organic residues, and the soluble C:total P ratio, were the main residue parameters predicting soil P availability and maize yield. All organic residues used in this study can replace inorganic fertilizers for the enhancement of P availability and maize production, while an additional benefit could be obtained from the use of Croton, Lantana and Tithonia. Received: 19 January 2000     

Integrated pest management and weed management in the United States and Canada

There is interest in more diverse weed management tactics because of evolved herbicide resistance in important weeds in many US and Canadian crop systems. While herbicide resistance in weeds is not new, the issue has become critical because of the adoption of simple, convenient and inexpensive crop systems based on genetically engineered glyphosate‐tolerant crop cultivars. Importantly, genetic engineering has not been a factor in rice and wheat, two globally important food crops. There are many tactics that help to mitigate herbicide resistance in weeds and should be widely adopted. Evolved herbicide resistance in key weeds has influenced a limited number of growers to include a more diverse suite of tactics to supplement existing herbicidal tactics. Most growers still emphasize herbicides, often to the exclusion of alternative tactics. Application of integrated pest management for weeds is better characterized as integrated weed management, and more typically integrated herbicide management. However, adoption of diverse weed management tactics is limited. Modifying herbicide use will not solve herbicide resistance in weeds, and the relief provided by different herbicide use practices is generally short‐lived at best. More diversity of tactics for weed management must be incorporated in crop systems. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of endophytic Bacillus spp. on accumulation and distribution of iron in the shoots of lowland rice grown under iron toxic conditions

Background

The tolerance of plants against abiotic stresses can be greatly influenced by their interaction with microbes. In lowland rice (Oryza sativa) production, the iron toxicity of the soils constitutes a major constraint. Although there are tolerant cultivars, the mechanisms underlying the tolerance against excess iron are not fully understood. Even less is known about the role of microbes in the response to iron toxicity.

Aim

In the study presented here, the effects of different Bacillus isolates on the accumulation and distribution of iron within the shoots of different rice cultivars grown under iron toxicity were analyzed.

Methods

Three lowland rice cultivars with contrasting tolerance to iron toxicity (IR31785-58-1-2-3-3, Sahel 108, Suakoko 8) were inoculated with three Bacillus isolates (two B. pumilus and one B. megaterium) and, after 1 week, exposed to excess iron (1,000 ppm) for 8 days. Tolerance was evaluated by leaf symptom scoring.

Results

Bacterial inoculation mitigated leaf symptoms in the sensitive cultivar IR31785-58-1-2-3-3 despite no significant differences in shoot iron concentration between inoculated and noninoculated plants. In the tolerant excluder cultivar, Suakoko 8, leaf symptoms were exacerbated when inoculated with B. pumilus Ni9MO12. While the total shoot Fe concentration was not affected in this bacteria × cultivar combination, the distribution of iron within the shoot was clearly disturbed. Tolerance to iron toxicity of the tolerant includer cultivar, Sahel 108, was not affected by Bacillus inoculation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our results show that Bacillus inoculation can affect the tolerance of lowland rice to iron toxicity and that the effects strongly depend on the bacteria × cultivar combination.     

Overview of investigations into mercury in ground water, soils, and septage, new jersey coastal plain

Since the early 1980s, investigations by health departments of eight counties in southern New Jersey, by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and subsequently by the US Geological Survey (USGS), have shown that Hg concentrations in water tapped by about 600 domestic wells exceed the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 2 μg/L. The wells are finished in the areally extensive unconfined Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system of New Jersey's Coastal Plain; background concentrations of Hg in water from this system are < 0.01 μg/L. Evidence of contributions from point sources of Hg, such as landfills or commercial and industrial hazardous-waste sites, is lacking. During 1996–2003, the USGS collected water samples from 203 domestic, irrigation, observation, and production wells using ultraclean techniques; septage, leach-field effluent, soils, and aquifer sediments also were sampled. Elevated concentrations of NH₄, B, Cl, NO₃, and Na and presence of surfactants in domestic-well water indicate that septic-system effluent can affect water quality in unsewered residential areas, but neither septage nor effluent appears to be a major Hg source. Detections of hydrogen sulfide in ground water at a residential area indicate localized reducing conditions; undetectable SO₄ concentrations in water from other residential areas indicate that reducing conditions, which could be conducive to Hg methylation, may be common locally. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mostly chlorinated solvents, also are found in ground water at the affected areas, but statistically significant associations between presence of Hg and VOCs were absent for most areas evaluated. Hg concentrations are lower in some filtered water samples than in paired unfiltered samples, likely indicating that some Hg is associated with particles or colloids. The source of colloids may be soils, which, when undisturbed, contain higher concentrations of Hg than do disturbed soils and aquifer sediments. Soil disturbance during residential development and inputs from septic systems are hypothesized to mobilize Hg from soils to ground water.     

Inorganic fertilizer enrichment of soil: effect on decomposition of plant litter under subhumid tropical conditions

 Litter decomposition is controlled by many factors, including the quality of the litter and conditions within the soil environment. The decomposition and N and P release from prunings of three agroforestry plant species (Sesbania sesban, Croton megalocarpus, and Calliandra calothyrsus) were evaluated on field plots which were amended with: (1) no fertilizer (control), (2) 120 kg N ha^–1 applied as urea (urea), and (3) 150 kg P ha^–1 applied as triple superphosphate (TSP) over a period of 77 days. For all litters, the percentage of initial mass, N and P remaining (dry weight basis) over time followed the single exponential model and was strongly influenced by the interaction of plant species and fertilizer. Decay rate constants (k) of loss of litter mass (k _B), and release of N (k _N), and P (k _P) varied among litters and fertility regimes. The k _B, k _N and k _P of Sesbania and Croton were enhanced more by urea than by TSP and control treatments. For Calliandra, k _B with TSP was higher (0.016 day^–1) than with urea (0.012 day^–1) and control (0.012 day^–1). Sesbania and Croton showed no differences in k _B, k _N and k _P between control and TSP. For Sesbania and Croton, leaching may have accelerated the release of P to meet the needs of decomposer organisms, resulting in no significant effects of TSP on their decomposition processes. The low rate of decomposition of Calliandra may be partly due to its high lignin content. In conclusion, the higher the total N or P of litter, the less likely would be the significant effects of additions of the inorganic form of fertilizer on the decomposition processes. Received: 1 July 1998     

Water deficit stress,ROS involvement,and plant performance

Crop productivity is impaired by stress factors, biotic or abiotic. The main are pathogens, diseases, insects, cold, heat, salinity, drought, radiation and others. Among these unfavorable conditions, drought is one of the main occurrences and negatively affects crop development. This environmental adversity generally induces the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These molecules lead to oxidative stress, and at high levels cause cell effects, like loss of organelle functions, electrolyte leakage, and reduction in metabolic efficiency. High concentration of ROS in cells can still cause molecular damage that include damage in proteins, amino acids, and lipids, and even lead to cell death. To neutralize these damages, plants increase enzymatic antioxidant activity and non-enzymatic antioxidant contents. ROS are essential to life in plants, and at basal levels performs cellular functions, such as signaling and defense responses. Here, we focus on the ROS production, the involvement and damages of these species in water deficit condition, changes in activity of antioxidant enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidant contents in plants under drought stress. In addition, the signaling reactions of ROS under stress water restriction, changes on yield components of species under water deficit and the antioxidant genes involved in plant responses to stress were also addressed.