T and B lymphocytes in horses persistently infected with equine infectious anaemia virus

The percentage of T and B lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of horses chronically infected with equine infectious anaemia (EIA) virus was determined and the results were compared with the percentage of these cells in healthy uninfected horses. Cells with membrane receptors for sheep erythrocytes (T and active T lymphocytes) were determined by E and A rosette techniques, while cells with receptors for the C3b component of complement and those with receptors for mouse erythrocytes (B lymphocytes), were determined by the EAC rosette method. The percentage of Fc positive cells was assayed by the EA rosette test.The majority of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from both uninfected and EIA-infected horses formed rosettes of each kind with only three erythrocytes indicating a low density of the corresponding receptors on the cell membrane under the condition of the assays used. The percentage of T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of diseased horses (52.4±1.6%), as detected by E rosettes, was significantly (p<0.01) higher than in control animals (42.4±3.5%). In clinically healthy horses 8.9±1.1% of PBL were identified by A rosettes as active T cells, whereas animals with a chronic form of EIA had a much lower (p<0.001) percentage of these cells (4.7±0.7%). In the B lymphocyte subpopulations the percentages of cells bearing Fc and C3b receptors were markedly elevated (p<0.001) in EIA-infected horses (24.7±0.8% and 42.8±2.2% respectively) as compared to uninfected animals (15.1±1.4% and 29.6±1.2% respectively). Receptors for mouse erythrocytes, as yet undescribed on equine PBL, were demonstrated in approximately equal proportions on lymphocytes from EIA-infected (24.8±1.5%) and uninfected horses (24.3±2.1%).     

Changes in soil carbon and crop yield over 60 years in the Zurich Organic Fertilization Experiment,following land‐use change from grassland to cropland

Changes in land‐use and agricultural management affect soil organic C (SOC) storage and soil fertility. Grassland to cropland conversion is often accompanied by SOC losses. However, fertilization, crop rotation, and crop residue management can offset some SOC losses or even convert arable soils into C sinks. This paper presents the first assessment of changes in SOC stocks and crop yields in a 60‐year field trial, the Zurich Organic Fertilization Experiment A493 (ZOFE) in Switzerland. The experiment comprises 12 treatments with different organic, inorganic and combined fertilization regimes. Since conversion to arable land use in 1949, all treatments have lost SOC at annual rates of 0.10–0.25 t C ha^?1, with estimated mean annual C inputs from organic fertilizers and aboveground and belowground plant residues of 0.6–2.4 t C ha^?1. In all treatments, SOC losses are still in progress, indicating that a new equilibrium has not yet been reached. Crop yields have responded sensitively to advances in plant breeding and in fertilization. However, in ZOFE high yields can only be ensured when mineral fertilizer is applied at rates typical for modern agriculture, with yields of main crops (winter wheat, maize, potatoes, clover‐grass ley) decreasing by 25–50% when manure without additional mineral fertilizer is applied. ZOFE shows that land‐use change from non‐intensively managed grassland to cropland leads to soil C losses of 15–40%, even in rotations including legumes and intercrops, improved agricultural management and organic fertilizer application.     

The Fusarium graminearum genome reveals a link between localized polymorphism and pathogen specialization

We sequenced and annotated the genome of the filamentous fungus Fusarium graminearum, a major pathogen of cultivated cereals. Very few repetitive sequences were detected, and the process of repeat-induced point mutation, in which duplicated sequences are subject to extensive mutation, may partially account for the reduced repeat content and apparent low number of paralogous (ancestrally duplicated) genes. A second strain of F. graminearum contained more than 10,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, which were frequently located near telomeres and within other discrete chromosomal segments. Many highly polymorphic regions contained sets of genes implicated in plant-fungus interactions and were unusually divergent, with higher rates of recombination. These regions of genome innovation may result from selection due to interactions of F. graminearum with its plant hosts.     

Sandwich immunoassays for the determination of peanut and hazelnut traces in foods

People suffering from food allergies are dependent on accurate food labeling, as an avoidance diet is the only effective countermeasure. Even a small amount of allergenic protein can trigger severe reactions in highly sensitized patients. Therefore, sensitive and reliable tests are needed to detect potential cross-contamination. In this paper two fast sandwich immunoassays are described for the determination of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) and hazelnut (Corylus avellana) traces in complex food matrices. Mouse monoclonal antibodies were used as capture antibodies, and labeled rabbit polyclonal antibodies were used as detection antibodies in both assays. The assay time was 30 min in total, and cross-reactivities against a variety of fruits and seeds were found to be in the low 10(-4)% (ppm) level or in some cases not detectable. The recoveries in all tested food matrices ranged from 86 to 127%, and the limits of detection were in the range of 0.2-1.2 mg/kg (ppm) in food for both peanut and hazelnut, respectively.     

Organic compounds and heavy metals in the atmosphere of the city of Caracas,Venezueala — II: Atmospheric deposition

Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, fatty acids and heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn, Fe and Cd) were analyzed in bulk deposition samples at two locations within the metropolitan area of Caracas, Venezuela. One of the sampling sites was located in the center (urban site, 1), while the other was in the outkirts of the city (rural site, 4). In general, a higher flux was observed for the deposition of pollutants at site 1 than at site 4. These fluxes showed relatively large short-term variations, while the long-term integrated deposition was found to be relatively constant throughout the sampling period. Wet deposition did not affect the flux of most of the pollutants studied, with the exception of Pb and the fatty acids of an anthropogenic origin.     

Fusarium langsethiae and mycotoxin contamination in oat grain differed with growth stage at inoculation

European Journal of Plant Pathology - High levels of mycotoxins are occasionally observed in Norwegian oat grain lots. Mycotoxins of primary concern in Norwegian oats are deoxynivalenol (DON)...     

Toxigenicity and pathogenicity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium poae</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium avenaceum</Emphasis> on wheat

In a field experiment between 2004 and 2006, 14 winter wheat varieties were inoculated with either a mixture of three isolates of F. poae or a mixture of three isolates of F. avenaceum. In a subsequent climate chamber experiment, the wheat variety Apogee was inoculated with individual single conidium isolates derived from the original poly conidium isolates used in the field. Disease symptoms on wheat heads were visually assessed, and the yield as well as the fungal incidence on harvested grains (field only) was determined. Furthermore, grains were analysed using LC-MS/MS to determine the content of Fusarium mycotoxins. In samples from field and climate chamber experiments, 60 to 4,860 μg kg⁻¹ nivalenol and 2,400 to 17,000 μg kg⁻¹ moniliformin were detected in grains infected with F. poae and F. avenaceum, respectively. Overall, isolate mixtures and individual isolates of F. avenaceum proved to be more pathogenic than those of F. poae, leading to a higher disease level, yield reductions up to 25%, and greater toxin contamination. For F. poae, all variables except for yield were strongly influenced by variety (field) and by isolate (climate chamber). For F. avenaceum, variety had a strong effect on all variables, but isolate effects on visual disease were not reflected in toxin production. Correlations between visual symptoms, fungal incidence, and toxin accumulation in grains are discussed.     

Impact of a simultaneous application of anionic salts and rumen buffer on acid-base-balance and mineral metabolism in dairy cows

In this study, the influence of simultaneous application of anionic salts (AS) and rumen buffer (RB) on the metabolism of dairy cows was examined. Eleven rumen fistulated, non-pregnant and non-lactating dairy cows received equal amounts of one AS (CaCl2 or CaSO4) and one RB (NaHCO3 or KHCO3) via rumen cannula during feeding time over a period of eight days. Before the first application of AS and RB and on day eight of the treatment period, blood, urine and rumen fluid samples were taken. The following parameters were measured: whole blood: pH, base excess, bicarbonate; serum: sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium; urine: pH, net acid base excretion, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium; rumen fluid: pH. The changes of each parameter were compared via ANOVA.The changes in acid-base balance on day eight were very small, although significant. But p-values showed that the statistical evidence was low.The most changes occurred when NaHCO3 was fed in combination with one of the AS used. In this case a small acidogenic load was seen in blood (p < 0.05), and calcium concentrations increased slightly (p < 0.05). No alkalotic reaction could be detected when any combination of AS and RB were given to the cows. Simultaneous application of AS and RB results in a loss of effectivity of AS. Neither an adequate acidification of blood nor an activation of calcium metabolism occurred. In feed ration for cows in the last weeks of pregnancy, rumen buffer must not be fed, if anionic salts are given for prevention of parturient paresis.     

A concept in adaptive ecosystem management—An engineering perspective

Uncertainty how ecosystems will behave and look like in the future has been increasing. Several concepts, such as sustainable, adaptive, or risk-based management, were proposed to cope with uncertain, incomplete knowledge, and with changing environmental conditions. However, there is a lack of agreement what those concepts mean and how they differ from traditional forest management approaches. The paper aims at (1) exploring general systems theory, control theory, and risk management theory for general principles that may be guiding the future development of ecosystem management, and that (2) developing a concept in adaptive ecosystem management that may act as a shared mental model for both scholars and practitioners.