The impact of sugarcane filter cake on the availability of P in the rhizosphere and associated microbial community structure

This study aimed to evaluate the interaction between filter cake (FC), and phosphorus fertilizers with differing solubility on the growth and P nutrition of sugarcane. Effects of soil amendment with FC on different soil P fractions and influence on microbial community structure in the rhizosphere were also assessed. Two glasshouse experiments were conducted with completely randomized block designs. The first experiment evaluated rates of FC using a factorial design (5 × 2): 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 15 g FC kg^?1 soil applied as either broadcast in bulk soil or in the planting furrow. The second experiment used a factorial design (2 × 3): without and with FC (5 g kg^?1 soil, dry basis), both without P (NP) and with P supplied as either triple superphosphate (TSP) or as rock phosphate (RP), both at the rate of 78.4 mg kg^?1 based on total P. Microbial community structure was determined using TRFLP and dynamics of soil P by Hedley fractionation. Filter cake applied at increasing rates in the absence of P was effective in increasing shoot growth and P uptake by plant, particularly when applied to bulk soil as compared to furrow application. Also, FC improved P uptake and increased the availability of labile inorganic P in the rhizosphere and modified the structure of fungal and bacterial communities, whereas only bacterial and archaea communities were influenced by P fertilizer use. Filter cake was more effective when combined with RP, with increased growth and P utilization and thus can be considered as a feasible and practical option for farmer use in substitution to TSP, a more expensive source.     

Simultaneous infection with distinct strains of Torque teno sus virus (TTSuV) in healthy slaughter-age pigs

The aims of this study were to evaluate torque teno sus virus (TTSuV) infection in healthy slaughter-age pigs and to compare the similarities of the untranslated region (UTR) nucleotide (nt) sequences obtained from different biological samples of the same animals. Fifty-eight pigs were evaluated by PCR assay for the presence of TTSuV in paired samples of liver and serum (Group 1, n?=?27) and lung and serum (Group 2, n?=?31). All the pigs were positive for TTSuV infection in the organs sampled and 94.8 % (n?=?55) presented with viraemia. The nt sequence similarities between the Groups 1 and 2 varied from 91.7 % to 96.6 % (TTSuV1) and 91 % to 95 % (TTSuV2). In Group 1, the nt sequence similarities were 93 % (TTSuV1) and 95.4 % (TTSuV2). In Group 2, the nt sequence similarities were 95 % (TTSuV1) and 91 % (TTSuV2). These results revealed the simultaneous infection with distinct strains of TTSuV1 and 2 in healthy pigs at slaughter age.     

Magnetic Field and Plasma Observations at Mars: Initial Results of the Mars Global Surveyor Mission

The magnetometer and electron reflectometer investigation (MAG/ER) on the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft has obtained magnetic field and plasma observations throughout the near-Mars environment, from beyond the influence of Mars to just above the surface (at an altitude of approximately 100 kilometers). The solar wind interaction with Mars is in many ways similar to that at Venus and at an active comet, that is, primarily an ionospheric-atmospheric interaction. No significant planetary magnetic field of global scale has been detected to date (<2 x 10(21) Gauss-cubic centimeter), but here the discovery of multiple magnetic anomalies of small spatial scale in the crust of Mars is reported.     

Antiproliferative effect of Canavalia brasiliensis lectin on B16F10 cells

Lectins are proteins or glycoproteins with the ability to link to carbohydrates at the cell surface in a specific and reversible manner. Studies have showed that lectins are demonstrate immunomodulatory and antitumor agents. This study aims to evaluate the effect of lectin extracted from the seeds of Canavalia brasiliensis (ConBr) on murine melanoma B16F10 cells by analyzing cell viability, apoptosis index, cell migration, production of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO). Results showed that ConBr was able to reduce cell viability and thwart apoptosis, which could be observed by decrease in cell migration. ConBr also induced NO and IL-12 synthesis. Altogether, these data demonstrate the potential of ConBr as a therapeutic agent for melanoma.     

The persistence of foot-and-mouth disease virus on wool

SUMMARY Five Suffolk sheep, held in a high-security isolation room, were exposed for 2 hours to the aerosol of 3 mature pigs that had been infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), strain O₁-BFS. The fleeces of 3 of the sheep were contaminated with FMDV at 2 days post exposure (dpe), while at 5 dpe the fleeces of all 5 sheep were more extensively, and more heavily, contaminated. The persistence of FMDV on contaminated wool was examined in vitro using multiple 0.5 g samples of Merino wool that were each contaminated with one of 3 strains of FMDV in tissue-culture medium: O₁-BFS, O-Morocco (O-MOR 9/91) or an Asia 1 strain (TAI 1/90). Wool samples were held at either 4°C, 18°C or 37°C, and decay curves were established for each virus at each temperature. These curves predicted that O₁-BFS, O-MOR 9/91 and TAI 1/90 would fall below detect-able levels at 72, 70 and 48 days post contamination (pc), respectively, for wool stored at 4°C; at 11, 12 and 12 days pc, respectively, for wool stored at 18°C; and at 57, 68 and 33 hours pc, respectively, for wool stored at 37°C. For wool contaminated with O₁-BFS-infected sheep faeces, urine or blood, or with O₁-BFS-infected cattle saliva, decay curves predicted virus to persist for 5 to 11 days pc at 18°C. We demonstrated that the simulated scouring of FMDV-contaminated wool at 60° to 70°C would usually reduce virus to below detectable levels. The detergent component of the scouring process had little, if any, antiviral activity, and scouring at 20°C or 50°C had limited impact on FMDV titres . We recommend that either (1) simple storage of FMDV-contaminated wool for 4 weeks at temperatures of 18°C or higher, or (2) scouring of contaminated wool at 60° to 70°C would be sufficient to remove the threat of FMDV-contaminated wool being infectious to other animals .     

Cessation of clinical disease and spirochete shedding after tiamulin treatment in pigs experimentally infected with “Brachyspira hampsonii”

With the emergence of “Brachyspira hampsonii” associated with swine dysentery in North America, identification of effective treatments and interventions is a pressing need. Denagard® (tiamulin hydrogen fumarate) Liquid Concentrate 12.5% is approved in the United States for treatment of dysentery caused by Brachyspira hyodysenteriae at 0.006% in the water. In this study, the effectiveness of tiamulin in resolving clinical disease, eliminating viable spirochete shedding, and reducing neutrophilic colitis following infection with either “B. hampsonii” or B. hyodysenteriae was evaluated. Seventy-eight 7-week-old crossbred pigs were divided into three groups [sham-inoculated (n = 18), “B. hampsonii”-inoculated (n = 30), and B. hyodysenteriae-inoculated (n = 30)]. Each inoculum group was divided into three subgroups which received either 0.006% tiamulin, 0.018% tiamulin, or no medication. Both levels of tiamulin resolved clinical disease within 24 h of treatment initiation, eliminated spirochete shedding within 72 h of treatment initiation, and resolved and/or prevented histologic lesions in pigs infected with either Brachyspira spp.     

Distribution and persistence of atypical porcine pestivirus in experimentally inoculated pigs

Atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) is a cause of congenital tremors (CTs) in piglets and has been found in swine populations around the globe. Although systemic distribution of the virus has been reported, there is limited information regarding viral localization at the cellular level and distribution at the tissue level. We collected multiple tissues from 2-d-old piglets (n = 36) born to sows inoculated at 45 or 62 d of gestation with APPV via 3 simultaneous routes: intravenous, intranasal, and directly in amniotic vesicles. In addition, 2 boars from APPV-inoculated sows with CT were raised and euthanized when 11 mo old. In situ hybridization performed on tissue samples from piglets demonstrated a broad and systemic distribution of viral RNA including endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle. Labeling in tissues was more pronounced in piglet tissues compared to boars, with the notable exception of diffuse labeling of the cerebellum in boars. Presence of APPV in boar tissues well after resolution of clinical signs suggests persistence of APPV similar to other pestiviruses.     

Identification and validation of SNPs in the phytoene synthase 2 (psy2) gene associated with yellow color of the root in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) accessions of the Brazilian Amazon

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - The biofortification of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) roots is one of the actual goals of genetic breeding, with the development of roots richer in...     

Effects of Sperm Concentration and Straw Volume on Motion Characteristics and Plasma, Acrosomal, and Mitochondrial Membranes of Equine Cryopreserved Spermatozoa

The advantages of using cryopreserved semen in equine reproduction are well known. During cryopreservation, spermatozoa undergo many changes that lead to a decrease in fertility. There is no agreement on the ideal sperm dose and concentration to maximize fertility rates. Thus, the objectives of this experiment were to evaluate sperm motion by computer-assisted analysis (CASA), sperm membrane integrity and function with fluorescence probes of cryopreserved sperm at three concentrations: 100 (C100), 200 (C200) and 400 × 10⁶ sperm/mL (C400), and two straw volumes (0.50 and 0.25 mL). There was no interaction between sperm concentration and storage volume (P > .05). Sperm motion characteristics were influenced by concentration (C100 > C200 > C400; P < .05). Curvilinear velocity (VCL) in 0.25-mL straws had higher average values (P < .05). Membrane integrity and function were not changed by straw volume (P > .05). However, sperm concentration changed the percentage of cells with intact plasma membrane (C100 > C200 > C400; P < .05) and the percentage of cells with high mitochondrial membrane potential (C100 = C200; P > .05 and C400 < C100 and C200; P < .05). According to this experiment, the best freezing method was that involving 100 × 10⁶ sperm/mL, regardless of straw volume.