Dorsal midbrain syndrome associated with persistent neck extension: Clinical and diagnostic imaging findings in 2 dogs

Two young dogs were evaluated for an acute onset of abnormal head posture and eye movement. Neurological examination was characterized mostly by permanent neck extension, abnormalities of pupils, and eye movement. A mesencephalic mass lesion was detected on magnetic resonance imaging in both cases. Neurophysiological pathways likely responsible for this peculiar clinical presentation are discussed.     

PCR-based detection of sunflower white blister rust (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pustula helianthicola</Emphasis> C. Rost &; Thines) in soil samples and asymptomatic host tissue

Sequencing of partial cox2 (part of the mitochondrial cytochrome-c-oxydase (COX) gene) was performed with samples from the oomycete genus Pustula, the white blister rusts of Asteraceae and related families. Sequence comparison uncovered several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) between P. spinulosa and host specific strains of Pustula isolated from Senecio vulgaris, Tragopogon pratensis and cultivated sunflower, Helianthus annuus. Based on these differences, specific primers were designed for PCR-based detection of white blister rust strains pathogenic to sunflower. The specificity of the primers was confirmed by cross testing with DNA from various oomycetes occurring in the same locality. The limit of detection for DNA of P. helianthicola was 10 pg. This allowed detection with DNA from single sporangia and single oospores. The PCR-based experiments allowed detection of the presence of sunflower white blister rust in soil samples from fields on which infected plants had been cultivated several months before. Moreover, the molecular tools were successfully applied to trace the pathogen in asymptomatic tissue of infected plants, demonstrating the systemic nature of Pustula on sunflower.     

Genetic immunization with the immunodominant antigen P48 of Mycoplasma agalactiae stimulates a mixed adaptive immune response in BALBc mice

A DNA vaccine against contagious agalactia was developed for the first time, encoding the P48 of Mycoplasma agalactiae. Specific immune responses elicited in BALB/c mice were evaluated. Both total IgG and IgG1 were detected in mice vaccinated with pVAX1/P48. Proliferation of mononuclear cells of the spleen, levels of gamma interferon, interleukin-12, and interleukin-2 mRNAs were enhanced in immunized animals. Results indicate that pVAX1/P48 vaccination induced both T_h1 and T_h2 immune responses. Nucleic acid immunization could be a new strategy against M. agalactiae infections and may be potentially used to develop vaccines for other Mycoplasma diseases.     

Non-thermal Plasma as an Innovative Option for the Abatement of Volatile Organic Compounds: a Review

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) cause global and local impacts, resulting in environmental, health, and economic adverse effects. Industrial and waste management activities are the main anthropogenic stationary sources of VOCs in the atmosphere. The traditional technologies for the treatment of VOC-contaminated air present several limitations when treating effluents with low VOC concentrations, high airflow rate, and with compounds with low solubility in water. However, a novel technology, based on non-thermal plasmas (NTPs) and catalysis, has shown promising results in air purification. In this framework, after an initial overview on NTP-catalysis principles, this review presents and discusses 20 recent papers, with a threefold purpose: evaluating the most recent applications of NTP and NTP-catalysis reactors to the treatment of air-VOC mixtures, analyzing all the parameters that may influence the abatement efficiency and the by-product formation, and providing the reader with insights into the choice of the preferable configurations to use, based on the effluent type and the destination of the treated air. As a result of this review, NTPs may represent a promising option for indoor air treatment, especially because of the lower expected byproduct formation when treating low-concentrated VOC mixtures with relatively low air flow rates. If the target is the abatement of higher VOC concentrations, the higher energy efficiency obtainable in such conditions makes NTP-catalysis a cost-effective option for industrial applications. In addition, the formation of simpler and more soluble by-products makes NTPs a suitable technology for air pretreatment upstream of water-based removal technologies, such as absorption columns and biofilters.     

A probabilistic model for tropical tree seed desiccation tolerance and storage classification

Knowledge of seed desiccation tolerance is fundamental for conservation and use of forest species. The protocol used for classification of seed desiccation tolerance and storage is time consuming and many times limited by the lack of information about optimum conditions for seed germination and treatments to overcome seed dormancy. This study evaluated 66 Brazilian tree species aiming to correlate seed characteristics with desiccation tolerance. For this purpose, a model was established to explain the relationship of tegument/seed mass ratio (SCR), seed mass, and water content of embryo + endosperm with desiccation tolerance. The principal component analysis showed the establishment of two groups, indicating the interaction between desiccation tolerance and seed characteristics. Recalcitrant seeds are more often associated with the water content of embryo + endosperm and water content of tegument + endocarp, while orthodox seeds are more associated with SCR and number of seeds per kilogram. The classification found using the model proposed was significantly correlated with desiccation tolerance and storage, with 92% confidence for the analyzed species. Seeds morphological characteristics can be used for prediction of desiccation tolerance and storage behavior; however, the use of a model that combines more variables increases the chance of accurate classification.     

Acclimatation of three co-occurring tree species to water stress and their role as site indicators in mixed pine-oak forests in the Sierra Madre Oriental,Mexico

Water availability and salt excess are limiting factors in Mexican mixed pine-oak forest. In order to characterise the acclimatation of native species to these stresses, leaf water (Ψ_w) and osmotic potentials (Ψ_s) of Juniperus flaccida, Pinus pseudostrobus and Quercus canbyi were measured under natural drought and non-drought conditions under two different aspects in the Sierra Madre Oriental. Factorial ANOVA revealed significant differences in Ψ_w and Ψ_s between two aspects, species and sampling dates. In general, all species showed high predawn and low midday values that declined progressively with increasing drought and soil–water loss. Seasonal and diurnal fluctuation of Ψ_w and Ψ_s were higher for J. flaccida and Q. canbyi than for P. pseudostrobus. Leaf Ψ_w and Ψ_s were mainly correlated with soil water content, while Ψ_s of P. pseudostrobus were hardly correlated with environmental variables. Thus, species have different strategies to withstand drought. P. pseudostrobus was identified as a species with isohydric water status regulation, while J. flaccida and Q. canbyi presented water potential patterns typical for anisohydric species. The type of water status regulation may be a critical factor for plant survival and mortality in the context of climate change. Nevertheless, for precise conclusions about the advantages and disadvantages of each type, further long-term investigations are required.     

Novel Prunus rootstock somaclonal variants with divergent ability to tolerate waterlogging

Plants require access to free water for nutrient uptake, but excess water surrounding the roots can be injurious or even lethal because it blocks the transfer of free oxygen between the soil and the atmosphere. Genetic improvement efforts in this study were focused on the increased tolerance in roots to waterlogging. Among a pool of clones generated in vitro from leaf explants of rootstock Mr.S.2/5 of Prunus cerasifera L., the S.4 clone was flood tolerant whereas the S.1 clone was sensitive. The S.4 clone formed adventitious roots on exposure to flooding. Moreover, the chlorophyll content and mitochondrial activity in the leaf and root, soluble sugar content, alcohol dehydrogenase activity and ethylene content were different between the clones. The sorbitol transporter gene (SOT1) was up-regulated during hypoxia, the alcohol dehydrogenase genes (ADH1 and ADH3) were up-regulated in the leaves and down-regulated in the roots of the S.4 clone during hypoxia, and the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-oxidase gene (ACO1) was up-regulated in the leaves and roots of the S.4 clone during hypoxia and down-regulated in the wild-type roots. In addition, in the S.4 root, hypoxia induced significant down-regulation of a glycosyltransferase-like gene (GTL), which has a yet-undefined role. Although the relevant variation in the S.4 genome has yet to be determined, genetic alteration clearly conferred a flooding-tolerant phenotype. The isolation of novel somaclonals with the same genomic background but with divergent tolerance to flooding may offer new insights in the elucidation of the genetic machinery of resistance to flooding and aid in the selection of new Prunus rootstocks to be used in various adverse environments.     

Effects of oral potassium supplementation on acid-base status and plasma ion concentrations of horses during endurance exercise

OBJECTIVE: To compare effects of oral supplementation with an experimental potassium-free sodium-abundant electrolyte mixture (EM-K) with that of oral supplementation with commercial potassium-rich mixtures (EM+K) on acid-base status and plasma ion concentrations in horses during an 80-km endurance ride. ANIMALS: 46 healthy horses. PROCEDURE: Blood samples were collected before the ride; at 21-, 37-, 56-, and 80-km inspection points; and during recovery (ie, 30-minute period after the ride). Consumed electrolytes were recorded. Blood was analyzed for pH, PvCO2, and Hct, and plasma was analyzed for Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca2+, Mg2+, lactate, albumin, phosphate, and total protein concentrations. Plasma concentrations of H+ and HCO3-, the strong ion difference (SID), and osmolarity were calculated. RESULTS: 34 (17 EM-K and 17 EM+K treated) horses finished the ride. Potassium intake was 33 g less and Na+ intake was 36 g greater for EM-K-treated horses, compared with EM+K-treated horses. With increasing distance, plasma osmolarity; H+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, phosphate, lactate, total protein, and albumin concentrations; and PvCO2 and Hct were increased in all horses. Plasma HCO3-, Ca2+, and Cl- concentrations were decreased. Plasma H+ concentration was significantly lower in EM-K-treated horses, compared with EM+K-treated horses. Plasma K+ concentrations at the 80-km inspection point and during recovery were significantly less in EM-K-treated horses, compared with EM+K-treated horses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increases in plasma H+ and K+ concentrations in this endurance ride were moderate and unlikely to contribute to signs of muscle fatigue and hyperexcitability in horses.     

Consequences of climate change for European agricultural productivity, land use and policy

This paper reviews the knowledge on effects of climate change on agricultural productivity in Europe and the consequences for policy and research. Warming is expected to lead to a northward expansion of suitable cropping areas and a reduction of the growing period of determinate crops (e.g. cereals), but an increase for indeterminate crops (e.g. root crops). Increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentrations will directly enhance plant productivity and also increase resource use efficiencies.

In northern areas climate change may produce positive effects on agriculture through introduction of new crop species and varieties, higher crop production and expansion of suitable areas for crop cultivation. Disadvantages may be an increase in the need for plant protection, the risk of nutrient leaching and the turnover of soil organic matter. In southern areas the disadvantages will predominate. The possible increase in water shortage and extreme weather events may cause lower harvestable yields, higher yield variability and a reduction in suitable areas for traditional crops. These effects may reinforce the current trends of intensification of agriculture in northern and western Europe and extensification in the Mediterranean and southeastern parts of Europe.

Policy will have to support the adaptation of European agriculture to climate change by encouraging the flexibility of land use, crop production, farming systems etc. In doing so, it is necessary to consider the multifunctional role of agriculture, and to strike a variable balance between economic, environmental and social functions in different European regions. Policy will also need to be concerned with agricultural strategies to mitigate climate change through a reduction in emissions of methane and nitrous oxide, an increase in carbon sequestration in agricultural soils and the growing of energy crops to substitute fossil energy use. The policies to support adaptation and mitigation to climate change will need to be linked closely to the development of agri-environmental schemes in the European Union Common Agricultural Policy.

Research will have further to deal with the effect on secondary factors of agricultural production, on the quality of crop and animal production, of changes in frequency of isolated and extreme weather events on agricultural production, and the interaction with the surrounding natural ecosystems. There is also a need to study combined effects of adaptation and mitigation strategies, and include assessments of the consequences on current efforts in agricultural policy to develop a sustainable agriculture that also preserves environmental and social values in the rural society.