Identification of resistance gene analogue markers closely linked to wheat powdery mildew resistance gene Pm31

Specific oligonucleotide primers, designed for the sequences of known plant disease resistance genes, were used to amplify resistance gene analogues (RGAs) from wheat genomic DNA. This method was applied in a bulked segregant analysis to screen for the RGA markers linked to the powdery mildew resistance gene Pm31, introgressed into common wheat from wild emmer. Two RGA markers (RGA200 and RGA390) were found to be closely linked to Pm31 and completely co‐segregating with the marker allele of Xpsp3029 linked to Pm31, with a genetic distance of 0.6 cM. These two RGA markers were then integrated into the formerly established microsatellite map of Pm31 region. The result showed the effectiveness of the RGA approach for developing molecular markers linked to disease resistance genes and demonstrated the efficiency of denaturing polyacrylamide‐gel electrophoresis for detecting polymerase chain reaction polymorphism.     

Uterine torsion in cattle - frequency, clinical symptoms and theories about the pathogenesis

Aim of the present study was to summarize the available literature about the incidence, frequency, clinical symptoms and ideas as to the pathogenesis of uterine torsion in the cow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysis of the literature using electronic libraries (Pub Med, Medline), German veterinary medicine journals and obstetrical textbooks. RESULTS: Uterine torsion is a very important maternal reason for dystocia as most cases occur during parturition. The post-cervical torsion (combined uterine and vaginal torsion, Torsio uteri and vaginae) is more commonly diagnosed than an intra-cervical or pre-cervical torsion. Torsions to the left occur more frequently than to the right. Clinical symptoms clearly vary depending on the degree of torsion. The frequency in relation to all parturitions is described as between 0.5 and 1%, whereas the percentage of uterine torsions presented to the veterinarian as a reason for dystocia varies between 2.7 and 65%. The pathogenesis of uterine torsion remains unclear; however, general agreement exists that the cow is predisposed to uterine torsion due to its anatomy. It appears that the Brown Swiss is more often affected than other cattle breeds.     

Environmentally benign alternatives: Plasma and enzymes to improve moisture management properties of knitted PET fabrics

Effects of enzymatic and atmospheric plasma treatments individually and their combinations on knitted PET fabrics were investigated in terms of hydrophilicity, surface modification and moisture management properties. Cutinase from Humicola Insolens, lipase from Candida SP and atmospheric plasma with air and argon gases were applied to PET fabrics. To evaluate results, moisture management tester (MMT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized. Wicking heights of samples were measured by wicking test method. Improved moisture management properties were observed with environmentally benign processes compared to the untreated ones. Especially combined treatments have given the same or slightly better results than those of conventional alkaline treatments. Fabrics treated with plasma and then followed by enzymatic incubations have significantly improved the wetting time, absorption rates and spreading speed results.     

Effects of various densities of Ophiostoma ips inoculations on Pinus sylvestris in north‐western Spain

The aim was to determine the inoculation density above which Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is overcome by the blue‐stain fungus Ophiostoma ips that is associated with the bark beetle Ips sexdentatus. In north‐western Spain, stems of 16 Scots pines were inoculated at various densities (0, 400, 800 or 1600 inoculi/m²) along circumferential 100 or 150 cm wide inoculation belts. Each inoculum consisted of a 5 mm diameter cylinder of malt extract agar colonized by the fungus. Three months later, all trees were harvested and trunk resinosis and foliage colour were visually assessed. The percentage of healthy, desiccated, resin soaked, and blue‐stained sapwood, as well as growth productivity indices, were calculated from stem disks cut from within the inoculated zone of each tree. Sapwood‐specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks) of each tree was measured in the middle of the inoculated zone. All parameters of tree vigour changed dramatically to the worse when inoculation densities were above 400 inoculi/m², and foliage changed from green to yellow‐green or yellow when an inoculation density of 800 instead of 400 was used. The percentage loss of sapwood‐specific conductivity (PLC) increased from 30 to 90% and the percentage of healthy, conductive sapwood dropped from 85 to 35% at 800 inoculi/m². No effect of the width of the inoculation belt was observed, and there was no relationship between tree productivity indices and the level of resistance. A non‐linear negative relationship was found between PLC and the percentage of healthy sapwood. It is concluded that tree resistance was overcome and that trees were going to die when the inoculation density was ≥800 inoculi/m².     

Air sampling procedure for evaluation of viral excretion level by vaccinated pigs infected with Aujeszky's disease (pseudorabies) virus.

Five groups of eight fattening pigs were vaccinated and then infected with Aujeszky's disease virus. Viral excretion was evaluated by two means: deep nasal swabbing and air sampling. It appeared that infectious airborne virus could be recovered from day 1 to day 6 after infection in the isolated units where control animals were raised. In vaccinated animals, airborne particles were also detected but the amount and duration varied in relation to their immune status at the day of virulent challenge: viral excretion was significantly lower in pigs presenting a high antibody level (1/16 to 1/64) just before infection. Results obtained with nasal swabs and with air samples were closely related. Despite its low sensitivity, the air sampling procedure could be considered as an efficient tool for reflecting infectious viral pressure in a confined atmosphere.     

Inflorescence and seed production in festuca pratensis var. apennina (2n\t=28)

Summary Plants of tetraploid Festuca pratensis var. apennina (2n=28) collected from Switserland and Northern Italy produced few inflorescences when grown in the field and under glasshouse conditions. The effects of winter and spring treatments upon reproductive growth were investigated and it was concluded that exposure to low winter temperatures and the control of tiller density in the spring were two important factors controlling the production of inflorescences. A procedure for the production of seed is suggested which will allow breeders to obtain efficient multiplication of collected plant material.     

Fumarolic activity in marie byrd land, antarctica

Ice towers, probably formed by recent fumarolic activity, have been found around the summit calderas of two volcanoes in Marie Byrd Land. These active (?) volcanoes lie within a broad belt of Mesozoic intrusion and late Cenozoic extrusion that appears to be part of the circum-Pacific orogenic province.