Salmon cells SHK‐1 internalize infectious pancreatic necrosis virus by macropinocytosis

We have previously shown that infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) enters the embryo cell line CHSE‐214 by macropinocytosis. In this study, we have extended our investigation into SHK‐1 cells, a macrophage‐like cell line derived from the head kidney of Atlantic salmon, the most economically important host of IPNV. We show that IPNV infection stimulated fluid uptake in SHK‐1 cells above the constitutive macropinocytosis level. In addition, upon infection of SHK‐1 cells, IPNV produced several changes in actin dynamics, such as protrusions and ruffles, which are important features of macropinocytosis. We also observed that the Na+/H+ pump inhibitor EIPA blocked IPNV infection. On the other hand, IPNV entry was independent of clathrin, a possibility that could not be ruled out in CHSE 214 cells. In order to determine the possible role of accessory factors on the macropinocytic process, we tested several inhibitors that affect components of transduction pathways. While pharmacological intervention of PKI3, PAK‐1 and Rac1 did not affect IPNV infection, inhibition of Ras and Rho GTPases as well as Cdc42 resulted in a partial decrease in IPNV infection. Further studies will be required to determine the signalling pathway involved in the macropinocytosis‐mediated entry of IPNV into its target cells.     

Fine‐scale population structure and connectivity of bottlenose dolphins,Tursiops truncatus,in European waters and implications for conservation

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A Profound Effect of Hyperthermia on Survival of Litopenaeus vannamei Juveniles Infected with White Spot Syndrome Virus

This study was conducted to examine the effect of increasing seawater temperature on White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) infection in juvenile Pacific White shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei ). Infection by WSSV was achieved using two methods, intramuscular injection and per os (oral) administration. Forty injected and 20 per os infected animals were kept in heated tanks at 32.3 ± 0.8 C, and the same number of WSSV infected animals were maintained in tanks at ambient temperature (25.8 ± 0.7 C). Despite the route of exposure, there were no survivors among the animals kept at ambient temperature; whereas, in heated tanks the survival of the WSSV infected juvenile shrimp was always above 80%, suggesting the existence of a beneficial effect from hyperthermia that mitigated the progression of WSSV disease. Moreover, this beneficial effect was not attributable to viral inactivation. Infected animals kept at 32 C had histologically detectable lymphoid organ spheroids suggestive of a chronic viral infection but were PCR negative (hemolymph) for WSSV. These findings might be related to low viral replication in WSSV-infected shrimp held at the higher environmental temperature. When the WSSV-infected shrimp were transferred from 32 C to ambient temperature, the mortality from WSSV ensued and was always 100%. Although the mechanism related to the beneficial effect of heating was not determined, our results indicate that increasing the water temperature modifies dramatically the natural history of the WSSV disease and the survival curves of WSSV-infected juvenile Pacific White shrimp.     

Effects of a dairy product fortified with multiple micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids on birth weight and gestation duration in pregnant Chilean women

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that maternal food fortification with omega-3 fatty acids and multiple micronutrients increases birth weight and gestation duration, as primary outcomes. DESIGN: Non-blinded, randomised controlled study. SETTING: Pregnant women received powdered milk during their health check-ups at 19 antenatal clinics and delivered at two maternity hospitals in Santiago, Chile. SUBJECT: Pregnant women were assigned to receive regular powdered milk (n = 477) or a milk product fortified with multiple micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids (n = 495). RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analysis showed that mean birth weight was higher in the intervention group than in controls (65.4 g difference, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5-126 g; P = 0.03) and the incidence of very preterm birth (0.80 just for mean birth weight and birth length in the on-treatment analysis; birth length in that analysis had a difference of 0.57 cm (95% CI 0.19-0.96 cm; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The new intervention resulted in increased mean birth weight. Associations with gestation duration and most secondary outcomes need a larger sample size for confirmation.     

Development and agronomical validation of new fertilizer compositions of high bioavailability and reduced potential nutrient losses

To optimize the economical cost of each unit of fertilizer applied and to reduce the environmental contamination caused by nutrient losses, the development of highly efficient granulated fertilizers is of great importance. This study proposes a strategy that consists of developing specific fertilizers having nutrient release patterns that are dependent on plant activity in the rhizosphere. This type of fertilizer is named "rhizosphere-controlled fertilizer" (RCF fertilizer). This fertilizer is based on the introduction of an organomineral matrix composed of metal [Mg (Ca is also possible), Zn (Fe and other metals are also possible)]-humic phosphates. The presence of this matrix modifies the nutrient release pattern of the fertilizer. In this way there are two main nutrient fractions: (i) a water-soluble fraction or "starter" fraction and (ii) a "rhizosphere-controlled" fraction insoluble in water but soluble by the action of the rhizospheric acids released by plants and microorganisms. This study shows the chemical and structural characterization of the organomineral matrix, as well as its efficiency in slowing the nutrient release rate of the RCF fertilizer, principally with respect to P and N. It is demonstrated how these properties of the matrix were also reflected in the significant reduction in both ammonia volatilization and N leaching in a pot system consisting of wheat plants cultivated in a calcareous soil and fertilized with a RCF fertilizer.     

Plant somatic hybrid cytoplasmic DNA characterization by single-strand conformation polymorphism

Unlike maternal inheritance in sexual hybridization, plant somatic hybridization allows transfer, mixing and recombination of cytoplasmic genomes. In addition to the use of somatic hybridization in plant breeding programs, application of this unique tool should lead to a better understanding of the roles played by the chloroplastic and mitochondrial genomes in determining agronomically important traits. The nucleotide sequences of cytoplasmic genomes are much more conserved than those of nuclear genomes. Cytoplasmic DNA composition in somatic hybrids is commonly elucidated either by length polymorphism analysis of restricted genome regions amplified with universal primers (PCR-RF) or by hybridization of total DNA using universal cytoplasmic probes. In this study, we demonstrate that single-stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis is a powerful, quick and easy alternative method for cytoplasmic DNA characterization of somatic hybrids, especially for mitochondrial DNA. The technique allows detection of polymorphisms based on both size and sequence of amplified targets. Twenty-two species of the subfamily Aurantioideae were analyzed with eight universal primers (four from chloroplastic and four from mitochondrial regions). Differences in chloroplastic DNA composition were scored in 98% of all possible two-parent combinations, and different mitochondrial DNA profiles were found in 87% of them. Analysis by SSCP was also successfully used to characterize somatic hybrids and cybrids obtained by fusion of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb. and C. excelsa Wester protoplasts.     

Spatial and temporal variability of physical properties of Aquands under different land uses in southern Chile

The aquands found in southern Chile are derived from volcanic ash and contain high levels of organic matter. Due to the presence of an impermeable stratum, they have shallow soil profiles, which induce waterlogging for several months each year. These fragile soils, locally known as ‘Ñadi’, cover an area of 475 000 hectares and have undergone intensive land use changes, which have affected the soil physical properties. These are still not well understood but are relevant for the design of efficient drainage systems. The aim of this research was to analyse the impact of the land use change in Ñadi soils on the spatial and temporal variability of their soil physical properties. For the land use change from secondary native forest (sNF) to naturalized grassland (NG), the effective soil depth was measured at defined points. Time‐ and space‐dependent changes of water‐table depth and penetration resistance were recorded. Volumetric water content and soil temperature were measured with sensors installed at three depths and the water retention curve and air permeability at these depths were also determined. The changes in land use over time have induced a reduction in soil depth. Soils under NG showed a smaller soil water storage capacity, air capacity and permeability compared with soils under sNF, as well as waterlogging during winter and greater mechanical strength and soil profile temperatures during summer. Therefore, the land use change affected the spatial and temporal variability of soil physical functions across the field.     

Effect of incorporation of thermo-regulatory genes into exotic layers on egg production and quality under tropical environment

A breed development strategy aimed at making exotic layers (Lohmann Brown) more productive under tropical environment using thermo-regulatory genes is underway at Akate Farms in Kumasi, Ghana. The present experiment was carried out to find out the effect of the genes on egg production in hot and humid environments. Three genetic groups comprising naked-neck, frizzle and their normally feathered sibs were obtained after successive generations of crossing between naked-neck and frizzle cocks and Lohmann brown hens. A total of 270 18-week-old pullets, 90 each of the 3 groups, were selected randomly and assigned to a completely randomized design experiment with 3 replicates, with 30 birds in each replicate group and kept up to a period of 72 weeks. The birds were kept in a partitioned open-sided deep-litter house constructed with sandcrete blocks with 30 pullets in each compartment. They were fed ad libitum with layer diets containing 18 % crude protein and 2,800 kcal ME/kg. Results obtained showed that the crossbred naked-neck and frizzle phenotypes produced eggs at a significantly (P?<?0.05) higher rates than their normally feathered sibs and also out-performed their normally feathered sibs in other egg production parameters measured, even though they all segregated from similar parents. This is an indication of the favourable effect of the genes on egg production under hot and humid environments.     

Reciprocal rewards stabilize cooperation in the mycorrhizal symbiosis

Plants and their arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal symbionts interact in complex underground networks involving multiple partners. This increases the potential for exploitation and defection by individuals, raising the question of how partners maintain a fair, two-way transfer of resources. We manipulated cooperation in plants and fungal partners to show that plants can detect, discriminate, and reward the best fungal partners with more carbohydrates. In turn, their fungal partners enforce cooperation by increasing nutrient transfer only to those roots providing more carbohydrates. On the basis of these observations we conclude that, unlike many other mutualisms, the symbiont cannot be "enslaved." Rather, the mutualism is evolutionarily stable because control is bidirectional, and partners offering the best rate of exchange are rewarded.