TRAP molecular markers as a system for saturation of the genetic map of durum wheat

Target region amplification polymorphism (TRAP) is a relatively new PCR-based technique that detects large numbers of loci in a single reaction without extensive pre-PCR processing of samples. The aim of this study was to integrate TRAP markers in an EST-derived SSR linkage map of a RIL mapping population from the cross of the durum wheat cultivars Ciccio and Svevo, for a more general purpose of establishing a high-throughput system for genetic map saturation. Primer combinations producing PCR products with at least 4–5 polymorphic bands were selected and analyzed across the mapping population. The PCR reactions produced a total of 2,881 fragments with an average of 52 peaks per reaction. A total of 142 new TRAP markers were mapped and found to be randomly distributed in the genome. The total length of the map was 2,043.0 cM, with an average chromosome length of 145.9 cM. Homoeologous group one had the highest number of TRAP markers (38 loci) and the longest map length (407.9 cM) for a total of 87 markers, while the homoeologous group five had the lowest TRAP marker number (5 loci) and the shortest map length (232.5 cM). The distribution of markers among the seven homoeologous groups was random. The results indicate that TRAP is highly efficient in genetic mapping, generating a large number of markers scattered across the genome. This closes many existing gaps in marker coverage and may join otherwise separate linkage groups.     

Three cases of prolapse of the nictitans gland in cats

We report three cases of adult cats showing a prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid. Three different breeds were affected: Burmese, Persian and Domestic Short-haired. In all cases, the disorder occurred spontaneously, without any other ocular sign. Surgical replacement of the gland was performed using the Morgan pocket technique. Good esthetic results were obtained, and no recurrence occurred.     

Successful management of jejunojejunal anastomosis dehiscence by extra-abdominal exteriorization and bandaging in a cat with septic peritonitis

Duodenal and jejunal resections were performed in a cat with septic peritonitis due to small intestinal perforations by a linear foreign body. Three days later jejunal resection and anastomosis were repeated due to dehiscence of the anastomosis site. This segment of intestine was exteriorized through the body wall and managed with bandages for 5 days before it was surgically replaced into the abdomen. The cat made a full recovery.     

Etude de la remanence du DDT sur legumes a la suite de l'application des traitements insecticides

Résumé On présente des données sur la persistence du DDT sur tomates, poivrons, et aubergines en plein champ, et sur tomates en serre, à la suite de l'application des traitements par concentrés émulsifiables. Dans le cas des tomates on a constaté que le dépôt résiduel est audessous de 1 ppm apres un intervalle de 11 jours depuis l'application du traitement en champ. En serre, et pour la même quantité de substance toxique, la persistence se maintient jusqu'à 36 jours.Le dépôt initial sur aubergines est plus élevé que dans le cas des tomates, atteignant jusqu'à 1 ppm. après environ 22 à 29 jours. Chez les poivrons, le résidu initial est très grand par rapport aux deux premières légumes et atteint 19 ppm. 22 Jours après le traitement celui-ci varie entre 0,8–1,3 ppm.Ensuite, on a étudié la dynamique de la répartition dans le temps de la substance toxique par unité de surface. Les résultats obtenus démontrent l'uniformité des traitements; la diminution de la quantité de substance toxique dans le temps est due autant au facteur croissance qu'aux conditions de climat.

---

Summary The paper deals with data on the persistence of DDT on tomatoes, sweet peppers and eggplants in the field, and on tomatoes in the greenhouse, following the application of emulsions. It is shown that in tomatoes, residual deposits are below 1 ppm 11 days after treatments in the field. In the greenhouse, the persistence is long-lasting, attaining up to 36 days when the same amount of toxicant is applied.In eggplants, the initial deposit is higher than in tomatoes attaining about 1 ppm after 22–29 days. In sweet peppers, the initial amount of residue is very large as compared to the first two vegetables and attains 19 ppm; 22 days after the treatement it ranges between 0.8–1.3 ppm.Besides, the dynamics of toxicant distribution with time, per area unit was studied. The data obtained demonstrate the uniformity of the treatments, and that the diminution of the amount of toxicant with time is due to both the growth factor and the climate conditions.

---

Zusammenfassung In diesem Beitrag werden Daten betreffs der Karenzzeit der DDT-Rückstände auf Tomaten, Paprika und Eierfrüchten nach Behandlung des Feldbestandes und auf Tomaten, die im Treibhaus mit DDT-Emulsionen behandelt wurden, wiedergegeben. Aus unseren Untersuchungen geht hervor, daß der Rückstandswert auf Tomaten 11 Tage nach der Behandlung des Feldbestandes weniger als 1 ppm beträgt. Im Treibhaus hingegen erstreckt sich die Karenzzeit (Verweildauer) bis auf 36 Tage unter Anwendung derselben Wirkstoffmenge.Auf den Eierfrüchten ist der anfängliche Rückstandswert größer als auf den Tomaten und erreicht nach ungefähr 22–29 Tagen Werte unter 1 ppm. Im Falle der Paprikaschoten sind die Rückstandswerte anfangs sehr hoch im Gegensatz zu den vorher genannten Gemüsesorten und zwar erreichen sie 19 ppm. Nach 22 Tagen verzeichnen wir hier Werte von 0,8–1,3 ppm.Anschließend verfolgten wir die Dynamik der Wirkstoffverbreitung im Verhältnis der Zeit zur Oberflächeneinheit.Die erzielten Ergebnisse deuten sowohl auf eine uniform durchgeführte Behandlungsweise hin als auch auf die Tatsache, daß der zeitliche Rückgang der Rückstandsmenge von Wachstum und Klimabedingungen abhängig ist.

---

---

avec 4 figs.     

Identification of mycobacterial infections in wild boars in Northern Sardinia, Italy

During a six-month period a region of Northern Sardinia was monitored to check the presence of mycobacterial infections in wild boars. Forty-eight serum and 229 biopsy samples were collected from different animals and examined by both traditional diagnostic techniques (culture, bacterioscopic and molecular tests) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The latter was used to determine the antibody response against both methylated and nonmethylated Heparin-Binding Haemagglutinin (HBHA) protein. Nine mycobacterial strains were isolated: three M. avium ssp. paratuberculosis (Map), three M. avium, one M. interjectum and two M. scrofulaceum strains. By PCR, only one animal was positive for M. bovis, whereas 10 animals were positive for Map. Out of the 48 sera tested, 19 showed a good humoral response to methylated HBHA and 17 to nonmethylated HBHA. Our data provide new information on the prevalence of mycobacterial infection among wild boars in Northern Sardinia and suggest that a more effective program should be developed to monitor mycobacterial infections in the wild animal population.     

Cat and dog ownership and management patterns in central Italy

Three hundred and ninety-seven randomly selected households were interviewed by telephone to determine the numbers and management of owned cats and dogs in the Teramo Province of Italy. The households were selected using stratified random sampling for each municipality; municipalities were combined into coastal, central hills and mountain regions for analysis. The interviews were completed during May and June of 2004 with a response rate of 74% (397/536). Forty-six percent of households (n=181) owned pets; 15% of all households (n=60) owned cats and 33% (n=130) owned dogs. Twenty-seven of these households (7%) owned both cats and dogs. Data were provided on 91 cats evenly divided between males and females. The median age was 3 years (range 0.2-10 years). Forty-one percent of cats (36/87) entered the household as strays. Nearly half lived entirely outside. Seventy percent (62/88) had visited a veterinarian at least once; 43% (39/91) were sterilized. About 1/3 had had a litter and all litters were considered accidental rather than planned. Age, indoor/outdoor status, veterinarian visit and region were all associated with sterilization. Age, confined to a yard, veterinary visit and region were associated with allowing the cat to roam freely. Data were provided on 182 dogs. Sixty-two percent (113/181) were male, with a median age of 4 years (range newborn to 17 years) and 40% (72/181) were purebred. Almost half were acquired as a gift. Sixty-two percent (112/180) were kept entirely outside despite the fact that 82% (147/180) were considered companions rather than working dogs. Almost all of the dogs had been to a veterinarian at least once; only 20% (n=29) were sterilized. Male dogs were significantly less likely to be sterilized than females. Almost half the dogs had had at least one litter. Seventy-six percent (137/180) of dogs knew some basic commands. Sex, source and training to sit/stay/come were significantly associated with whether the dog was sterilized. Dog size, confinement to a yard, trained to leash walk, veterinary visit and region were predictors of roaming freely. Source and trained to leash walk were associated with dog registration. For cats and dogs, education about sterilization seemed to be critically important. For dogs, factors relating to training, which may reflect the strength of the human-animal bond, were also important.     

Post-mortem recovery,in vitro maturation and fertilization of fallow deer (Dama dama,Linnaeus 1758) oocytes collected during reproductive and no reproductive season

Habitat degradation leads to small and fragmented populations, lower genetic variability and fertility overtime. Assisted reproductive techniques represent important tools to cope with the dramatic loss of biodiversity. Fallow deer (Dama dama), beyond its high commercial value and wide distribution, may represent the most suitable model to study endangered cervids. In this study, oocytes were recovered post-mortem from fallow deer during the breeding and no breeding seasons and were in vitro matured (IVM). The ability of cryopreserved thawed sperm samples recovered by electroejaculation from four adult males was tested by in vitro fertilization of IVM oocytes. The number of oocytes collected per ovary did significantly vary across seasons from 6.2 ± 0.92 during breeding season to 10.4 ± 1.26 during no breeding season (p = .006). Oocytes collected during the breeding season showed higher in vitro fertilization rate compared to the no breeding season (p = .045). However, no embryos reached the blastocyst stage. Semen samples obtained by electroejaculation were successfully cryopreserved, although the cryopreservation process negatively affected most kinetic parameters, mainly at 2 hr post-thawing. Moreover, the percentage of rapid spermatozoa significantly decreased between fresh samples and at 2 hr post-thawing, whereas the percentage of slow spermatozoa increased across the same period (p < .05). Our study provides the logistic steps for the application of assisted reproductive techniques in fallow deer and might be of great interest for genetic resource bank planning.     

Fungizidleistung von Wirkstoffgruppen mit unterschiedlichen Mode of action gegen Braunrost (Puccinia recondita f.sp.secalis Rob.ex Desm.) in Winterroggen

The economically most damaging disease to winter rye is brown rust (Puccinia recondita f.sp.secalis Rob.ex Desm.). There are fungicides of different drug groups in order to fight brown rust in agriculture. Usually mixtures of different active ingredients with different modes of action can be used for the treatment of fungal pathogens. In experiments single agents like pyrazole-carboxamides, azoles and strobilurines were compared to drug combination products like azole strobilurin, azole-carboxamide, or azole carboxamide-strobilurin mixture and their fungicide performance was determined. The active ingredients Epoxiconazole, Pyraclostrobin, and Fluxapyroxad were tested. In eight trials from 2012 to 2013 Fluxapyroxad reached the highest levels of efficiency for P. recondita. Pyraclostrobin or the combination of Pyraclostrobin and Epoxiconazole showed higher efficiencies than Epoxiconazole or the combination of Epoxiconazole and Metconazole in all trials. The thousand seed weight and income from the harvest reflect the efficiency against P. recondita. Both azole strobilurin mixtures as well as the azole carboxamide mixtures are suitable for the control of leaf rust in agriculture. In order to minimize the risk of resistance to strobilurin and azole carboxamide mixtures should be used alternately.