Population structure and genetic diversity suggest recent introductions of Dothistroma pini in Slovakia

Dothistroma pini is one of two pathogens causing Dothistroma needle blight (DNB), a foliar disease of pines. The species was redefined in 2004 and subsequently recorded in several European countries. In Slovakia, the first report of the pathogen was in 2013. In this study, the population structure, genetic diversity, and reproductive mode of 105 isolates collected from 10 localities and seven hosts were determined in Slovakia. Species-specific mating type markers, ITS haplotype determination, and 16 microsatellite markers were used to characterize and genotype the isolates. Overall, 15 unique multilocus haplotypes (MLHs) based on microsatellite markers and three ITS haplotypes were identified. Three independent methods (DAPC, STRUCTURE, EDENetwork) separated the isolates into two distinct population clusters corresponding with ITS haplotypes. A high level of clonality was recorded suggesting that conidia are the primary source of pathogen dispersal. The low genetic diversity, predominantly asexual reproductive mode of the pathogen, and the fact that most isolates were collected from introduced tree species and native species in artificially planted urban greenery, supports the hypothesis that D. pini has been recently introduced into Slovakia.     

Monoclonal antibodies putatively recognising activation and differentiation antigens.

In the activation/maturation section, 46 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were analysed using freshly isolated as well as mitogen activated and recall antigen re-stimulated cells. A total of 10 internal standards as well as 6 antibodies with established reactivity for human cells, reported to cross-react with porcine leukocytes, were included in the panel. The standard antibodies were anti-CD25, CD44, CD45, SLA II, SWC1, SWC2, SWC7 and SWC8 reagents. The test panel contained antibodies with putative reactivity to CD25, SLA II and other mAbs directed against ill-defined targets. Single and double colour surface staining was performed in the attempt to group the mAbs tested into clusters of differentiation. Five new anti-class II reagents, two directed to SLA-DQ and three to SLA-DR, could be added to the previously established ones. One new anti-CD25 as well as two new antibodies with SWC7 and SWC8 specificities, respectively, could also be added to the previously established ones. The identity of the two latter antibodies was also confirmed in other sections of this workshop (B-cell section for SWC7 antibodies and myeloid section for the SWC8 antibodies). The antibody JM2F12, in our hands, has shown strong similarities to the cross-reactive anti human-CD49f reagent. No other clusters were identified, as all remaining antibodies behaved in a different way on different target leukocyte populations. The second purpose of the section was fulfilled: interesting staining profiles of several antibodies on differentiating lymphocytes were recorded and are discussed here.     

Classification of toxigenic and atoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus with hyperspectral imaging

Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) produces secondary metabolites, aflatoxins, that are harmful to both humans and animals. Because of stringent federal regulation requirements as well as the limitations of available detection methods, there is an urgent need for rapid, non-invasive and effective techniques such as hyperspectral imaging, for the detection of the toxigenic strains of A. flavus. Hyperspectral images of toxigenic and atoxigenic strains of A. flavus were classified. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied for data decorrelation and dimensionality reduction. A Genetic Algorithm (GA) was implemented for the selection of principal components (PCs) based on Bhattacharya Distance (B-Distance). A Support Vector Machine (SVM) was successfully applied for the classification. Under halogen light sources, in average 83% of the toxigenic fungus pixels and 74% of the atoxigenic fungus pixels were correctly classified; while under UV light sources, 67% of the toxigenic fungus pixels and 85% of the atoxigenic fungus pixels were correctly classified. The pair-wise classification accuracies between toxigenic AF13 and each atoxigenic fungus species (AF38, AF283 and AF2038) were 80%, 91% and 95% under halogen light sources, and 75%, 97% and 99% under UV lights, respectively.     

Fish-isolated strains of Hartmannella vermiformis page, 1967: morphology, phylogeny and molecular diagnosis of the species in tissue lesions

Based on morphological and molecular characterisation, four amoeba strains isolated from organs of freshwater fish were identified as Hartmannella vermiformis Page, 1967. Small subunit rRNA gene sequences of these strains expand the set of corresponding complete and almost complete sequences of this species to twelve. A new species-specific oligonucleotide probe inferred from recently available SSU rRNA gene sequences was designed and successfully tested in tissue lesions produced by one strain of H. vermiformis in experimentally infected fish.     

Larval toxocarosis in sheep: the immunohistochemical characterization of lesions in some affected organs

Morphological and immunohistochemical responses of lambs following oral infection with 10,000 infective Toxocara canis (T. canis) eggs were studied up to 28 days post-infection (pi). The small intestine, liver, lungs and brain of both infected and control lambs were examined using the routine histological methods for paraffin sections and immunohistochemical techniques for frozen tissue sections. Eosinophil-rich hepatic granulomas and diffuse T. canis-induced pulmonary inflammation were the most prominent pathological features. CD2+, CD4+, CD8+, IgM bearing cells, and macrophages were demonstrated in the liver granulomas. The observed histomorphologic changes were similar to other paratenic hosts. It was concluded that larval toxocarosis followed the classical migratory path in the infected lambs.     

Electrophoretic study of incubated infertile eggs

Albumen and yolk samples from infertile fresh and incubated (7 d) eggs were subjected to starch‐gel electrophoresis. Considerable disintegration of protein fractions occurred as a result of incubation. The changes described offer a reliable method of differentiating incubated infertile from fresh eggs.     

The Modeling of Production and Economic Indicators in Suckler Cows Herds

The aim of this study was to analyse the most important factors affecting the profitability of suckler cows herds in Slovakia in 2010. The economic models were used to verify whether the suckler cows farming is profitable without subsidies in the current production conditions in Slovakia as well as their optimal location in the agricultural natural conditions of Slovakia from the perspective of economic efficiency. The breeding of cattle, mainly for the beef meat production, has long been unprofitable as it is apparent also from the analysis of several studies. In the model without inclusion of subsidies, it was calculated that the suckler cows farming is unprofitable at the current production parameters and realization prices of calves. The losses per cow and year were ranged from -240ε in the model by using a combination of the maximum threshold values of input parameters to -818ε by using a combination of the minimum threshold values of the input parameters. In the models including of subsidies amount of loss and/or profit per cow and year varied depending on the input parameters mainly on natality, average daily gain, the realization price of calves and the level of subsidies provided to breeder as well. The economic results are ranged from -277ε to 724ε per cow and year. From economical as well as production point of view, the most appropriate agricultural natural regions for suckler cows farming in Slovakia are upland and highland regions.