Communicating with oncology clients.

Empathic, honest, and consistent communications that establish realistic goals and focus on quality of life (during and after therapy) for pets with cancer provide the basis of an excellent client-veterinarian relationship. From this foundation, a client can team up with his or her veterinarian to make the best possible decisions for the pet and for himself or herself regarding care for the companion animal.     

Evaluation of the status of capsicum viruses in the main growing regions of Turkey

The incidence, severity and distribution of six viruses infecting capsicum were determined in the main growing areas of Turkey during the 2004 growing season. The surveys covered 50 randomly selected capsicum fields from four different areas in south-east Anatolia and the eastern Mediterranean region. 515 samples were individually collected and tested by DAS-ELISA for Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV), Alfalfa mosaic alfamovirus (AMV), Potato X potexvirus (PVX), Potato Y potyvirus (PVY), Pepper mild mottle tobamovirus (PMMoV) and Tobacco etch potyvirus (TEV). 64.8% of ELISA-tested capsicum samples (334 out of 515) were infected by one (41.7%) or more (23.1%) viruses. PVY was the most widespread (26.4%), followed by PVX (25.8%), AMV (25.2%), TEV (23%), PMMoV (9.1%) and CMV (8.3%). Surprisingly high AMV infection was found in three areas (Kahramanmaraş, Şanlıurfa and Gaziantep) where AMV is reported for the first time in this study. However, AMV was not detected in Hatay. PMMoV is another new virus, in all the tested areas.     

Evaluation of the API 50CH and API ZYM systems for rapid characterization of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, causal agent of potato ring rot

API 50CH and API ZYM systems were used to characterize fifty-three strains of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus from different geographic locations and several reference strains of the same and different species, including other potato pathogens. Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus strains displayed a high level of homogeneity, both in carbohydrate utilization and in enzymatic activity. Using API 50CH and API ZYM it was possible to differentiate C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus strains from the remaining taxa analysed in this study, which included representative strains of the other subspecies of C. michiganensis as well as other bacterial pathogens affecting potatoes. Therefore, these systems could be used as an effective method to characterize C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus. Such a procedure would constitute an alternative system to the conventional nutritional and physiological identification tests currently included in the official methods employed in the European Union to detect and identify this bacterium. The results obtained with the API systems agreed with the current taxonomic classification of C. michiganensis, clearly separating sepedonicus from the other subspecies belonging to this species.     

Habitat Selection and Breeding Success in a Forest-nesting Alcid, the Marbled Murrelet, in Two Landscapes with Different Degrees of Forest Fragmentation

We studied habitat selection and breeding success in marked populations of a protected seabird (family Alcidae), the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), in a relatively intact and a heavily logged old-growth forest landscape in south-western Canada. Murrelets used old-growth fragments either proportionately to their size frequency distribution (intact) or they tended to nest in disproportionately smaller fragments (logged). Multiple regression modelling showed that murrelet distribution could be explained by proximity of nests to landscape features producing biotic and abiotic edge effects. Streams, steeper slopes and lower elevations were selected in both landscapes, probably due to good nesting habitat conditions and easier access to nest sites. In the logged landscape, the murrelets nested closer to recent clearcuts than would be expected. Proximity to the ocean was favoured in the intact area. The models of habitat selection had satisfactory discriminatory ability in both landscapes. Breeding success (probability of nest survival to the middle of the chick rearing period), inferred from nest attendance patterns by radio-tagged parents, was modelled in the logged landscape. Survivorship was greater in areas with recent clearcuts and lower in areas with much regrowth, i.e. it was positively correlated with recent habitat fragmentation. We conclude that marbled murrelets can successfully breed in old-growth forests fragmented by logging.     

Assessment of real-time PCR as a method for determining the presence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Verticillium dahliae</Emphasis> in different Solanaceae cultivars

Real-time PCR was used to detect and quantify Verticillium dahliae and to assess the susceptibility of four Capsicum annuum cultivars (Luesia, Padrón, SCM331 and PI201234) and the Capsicum chinense cv. C118 to this pathogen. The symptoms which developed after infection included stunting and yellowing, and were more acute in the cv. SCM331, which also suffered defoliation in later stages of the disease and in C118, which suffered severe stunting. Quantification of the pathogen DNA in roots 23 and 34 days post-inoculation (dpi) revealed that there were significantly higher amounts of Verticillium dahliae DNA in C118 than in the other cultivars, followed by SCM331, Padrón and PI201234. The lowest amounts of fungal DNA in roots were found in Luesia. In hypocotyls, the highest amounts of fungal DNA were found in SCM331, while Luesia, Padrón and PI201234 had much lower amounts, and C118 had intermediate levels. When a compatible versus an incompatible system was studied, using the near-isogenic tomato lines LA3030 (susceptible) and LA3038 (resistant to V. dahliae), we were able to detect fungal DNA in both lines. As expected, the fungus/plant DNA ratio was lower in LA3038 than in LA3030 and it decreased with time in LA3038. The amount of Verticillium dahliae DNA in the roots of LA3030 remained constant between days 23 and 34 post-inoculation, but increased 10-fold in collars. Finally, when real-time PCR was applied as a diagnostic method to samples from pepper plants, soil and water collected from farms in northwest Spain, we were able to detect V. dahliae DNA in these samples even when symptoms of the disease were not evident.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Amaranthus leaf mottle virus</Emphasis>: 3′-end RNA sequence proves classification as distinct virus and reveals affinities within the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potyvirus</Emphasis>

Amaranthus leaf mottle virus (AmLMV) was classified as a member of the genus Potyvirus on the basis of its particle morphology, serology, and biological properties (Casetta et al., 1986). Based on these properties, an Amaranthus viridis-infecting virus isolated in Spain, causing mottle and leaf blistering as well as reduced growth has been identified as AmLMV. The 3′ terminal genomic region of this and a reference isolate from Italy has been sequenced and reveals a 95% nucleotide identity between the two isolates. The sequenced part comprises the coat protein with 281 amino acids and 315 nucleotides of the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) preceding a polyadenylated tail. Pairwise comparisons and phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the CP and 3′ UTR of the cloned cDNAs with those of other potyviruses shows that AmLMV is a distinct potyvirus closely related to Potato virus Y.     

Occurrence in Italy and characteristics of lettuce downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) resistant to phenylamide fungicides

Control of lettuce downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) with phenylamide fungicides has failed in some intensive lettuce-producing areas in Northern Italy since Spring 1993. Before then, these chemicals and particularly metalaxyl, provided the best disease control. The sensitivity of Bremia lactucae isolates collected in such areas to metalaxyl was evaluated in the laboratory. These strains grew and sporulated profusely on lettuce seedlings treated with 100 and 200 ppm of metalaxyl, whereas sensitive control strains were completely inhibited when treated with fungicide concentrations ranging from 0.5–1 ppm. Thus in Italy occurrence of resistance to phenylamide fungicides in Bremia lactucae has also been demonstrated, as in almost all the countries where these chemicals were previously authorised. Subsequently, a demonstration of occurrence of resistance was made and the virulence pattern of several strains (resistant and sensitive to metalaxyl) was characterised using differential NL series containing the 13 DM resistant genes or R factors. The results suggest the occurrence of a new pathotype in Italy different from all the 16 NL Bremia lactucae races studied.     

Density estimates of rural dog populations and an assessment of marking methods during a rabies vaccination campaign in the Philippines

We estimated the population density of dogs by distance sampling and assessed the potential utility of two marking methods for capture-mark-recapture applications following a mass canine rabies-vaccination campaign in Sorsogon Province, the Republic of the Philippines. Thirty villages selected to assess vaccine coverage and for dog surveys were visited 1 to 11 days after the vaccinating team. Measurements of the distance of dogs or groups of dogs from transect lines were obtained in 1088 instances (N = 1278 dogs; mean group SIZE = 1.2). Various functions modelling the probability of detection were fitted to a truncated distribution of distances of dogs from transect lines. A hazard rate model provided the best fit and an overall estimate of dog-population density of 468/km² (95% confidence interval, 359 to 611). At vaccination, most dogs were marked with either a paint stick or a black plastic collar. Overall, 34.8% of 2167 and 28.5% of 2115 dogs could be accurately identified as wearing a collar or showing a paint mark; 49.1% of the dogs had either mark. Increasing time interval between vaccination-team visit and dog survey and increasing distance from transect line were inversely associated with the probability of observing a paint mark. Probability of observing a collar was positively associated with increasing estimated density of the dog population in a given village and with animals not associated with a house. The data indicate that distance sampling is a relatively simple and adaptable method for estimating dog-population density and is not prone to problems associated with meeting some model assumptions inherent to mark-recapture estimators.     

Plants,small mammals,and the hierarchical landscape classifications of Patagonia

Assemblages of plants were studied at 14 sites in northern Patagonia corresponding to localities at which we (Monjeau et al. 1997) earlier studied the relationship between small mammal assemblages and landscape classifications. This allowed us to test predictions that both plants and small mammals correspond to the more inclusive hierarchical landscape divisions but that plants track better than small mammals the less inclusive divisions. Species presence or absence of plants at each locality was used in a series of multivariate analyses and compared by correlation analysis with those generated from small mammal species data. Assemblages of both plants and small mammals corresponded to the upper divisions, which are based on climatic and geomorphological features, but small mammal assemblages did not correspond to the lower divisions of the landscape classifications. Three factors are considered as explanations for the observed differences between plants and small mammals: a) small mammal habitat is determined more by plant growth form than by plant species; b) trophic level differences between the two groups; and c) species pool size affects the resolution of microhabitat correspondence. Our data indicate that both plant assemblages and small mammal assemblages respond to climatic and geomorphological features, which is in contrast to the paradigm that mammal assemblages simply follow plant assemblages. We also attempted to reconcile classification systems in Patagonia by proposing a nomenclatural system based on a hierarchical classification. In the system proposed, ecoregion is the lowest division small mammal assemblages can recognize in Patagonia. Finally, we conclude that the hierarchical nature of landscapes based on a holistic view of environments reflects real entities that are not just the perceptions of landscape ecologists.