Epidemiology theory and disturbance spread on landscapes

Abtract Epidemiology models, modified to include landscape pattern, are used to examine the relative importance of landscape geometry and disturbance dynamics in determining the spatial extent of a disturbance, such as a fire. The models indicate that, except for very small values for the probability of spread, a disturbance tends to propagate to all susceptible sites that can be reached. Therefore, spatial pattern, rather than disturbance dynamic, will ordinarily determine the total extent of a single disturbance event. The models also indicate that a single disturbance will seldom become endemic,i.e., always present on the landscape. However, increasing disturbance frequency can lead to a landscape in which the proportion of susceptible, disturbed, and recovering sites are relatively constant. Research supported by Ecological Research Division, Office of Health and Environmental Research, U.S. Department of Energy under contract No. DE-AC05-840R21400 with Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. Contribution No. 10 to the Sevilleta LTER program. Environmental Sciences Division Publication No. 3812, ORNL.     

Proteomic profiling of plasma-derived small extracellular vesicles: a novel tool for understanding the systemic effects of tick burden in cattle

Cattle ticks pose a significant threat to the health and profitability of cattle herds globally. The investigation of factors leading to natural tick resistance in cattle is directed toward targeted breeding strategies that may combat cattle tick infestation on the genetic level. Exosomes (EXs), small extracellular vesicles (EVs) of 50 to 150 nm diameter, are released from all cell types into biofluids such as blood plasma and milk, have been successfully used in diagnostic and prognostic studies in humans, and can provide essential information regarding the overall health state of animals. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a highly sensitive proteomics application that can be used to identify proteins in a complex mixture and is particularly useful for biomarker development. In this proof of principle study, EXs were isolated from the blood plasma of cattle (Bos taurus) with high (HTR) and low tick resistance (LTR) (n = 3/group). Cattle were classified as HTR or LTR using a tick scoring system, and EXs isolated from the cattle blood plasma using an established protocol. EXs were subjected to MS analysis in data-dependent acquisition mode and protein search performed using Protein Pilot against the B. taurus proteome. A total of 490 unique proteins were identified across all samples. Of these, proteins present in all replicates from each group were selected for further analysis (HTR = 121; LTR = 130). Gene ontology analysis was performed using PANTHER GO online software tool. Proteins unique to HTR and LTR cattle were divided by protein class, of which 50% were associated with immunity/defense in the HTR group, whereas this protein class was not detected in EXs from LTR cattle. Similarly, unique proteins in HTR cattle were associated with B-cell activation, immunoglobins, immune response, and cellular iron ion homeostasis. In LTR cattle, unique exosomal proteins were associated with actin filament binding, purine nucleotide binding, plasma membrane protein complex, and carbohydrate derivative binding. This is the first study to demonstrate that MS analysis of EXs derived from the blood plasma of HTR and LTR cattle can be successfully applied to profile the systemic effects of tick burden.     

Nucleotide sequence of UK and Australian isolates of feline calicivirus (FCV) and phylogenetic analysis of FCVs.

We have determined the first complete genome sequence and capsid gene sequences of feline calicivirus (FCV) isolates from the UK and Australia. These were compared with other previously published sequences. The viruses used in the comparisons were isolated between 1957 and 1995 from various geographical locations and obtained from cats showing a range of clinical signs. Despite these diverse origins, comparisons between all strains showed a similar degree of sequence variation within both ORF1 (non-structural polyprotein) and ORF2 (major capsid protein) (amino acid distances of 7.7-13.0% and 8.8-18.6%, respectively). In contrast, ORF3 (putative minor structural protein) sequences indicated a more heterogenous distribution of FCV relatedness (amino acid distances of 1.9-17.9%). Phylogenetic analysis suggested that, unlike some other caliciviruses, FCV isolates within the current data set fall into one diverse genogroup. Within this group, there was an overall lack of geographic or temporal clustering which may be related to the epidemiology of FCV infection in cats. Analysis of regions of variability in the genome has shown that, as well as the previously identified variable regions in ORF2, similar domains exist within ORFs 1 and 3 also, although to a lesser extent. In ORF1, these variable domains largely fall between the putative non-structural protein functional domains.     

Canine fetal echocardiography: correlations for the analysis of cardiac dimensions

The aim of this study was to develop regression models for correlation of canine fetal heart development with body size to characterize normal development or suggest cardiac anomalies. Twenty clinically healthy pregnant bitches, either brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic, were examined ultrasonographically. Transabdominal fetal echocardiography was conducted every 4 days from the beginning of cardiac chambers differentiation until parturition. Ten cardiac parameters were measured: length, width and diameter of the heart; heart area; left and right ventricular dimensions; left and right atrial dimensions; and aortic and pulmonary artery diameter. Femoral length, biparietal diameter and abdominal cross-sectional area were also recorded. Regression equations were developed for each parameter of fetal body size, and linear and logarithmic models were compared. The model with the highest correlation coefficient was chosen to produce equations to calculate relative dimensions based on the correlations. Only the left-ventricular chamber differed between the two racial groups. Biparietal diameter was the independent parameter that produced the highest correlation coefficient for the most fetal cardiac dimensions, although good correlations were also observed using femoral length and abdominal cross-sectional area. Heart width and heart diameter were used as surrogates of cardiac development, as these measurements showed the best statistical correlation. Quantitative evaluation of fetal cardiac structures can be used to monitor normal and abnormal cardiac development.     

The assessment of partial resistance of potato clones to cyst nematodes at six test centres

Summary Eleven potato cultivars or clones representing a range of resistances to potato cyst nematodes derived fromSolanum vernei orSolanum tuberosum ssp.andigena CPC 2802 were assessed in eight pot tests and one field trial. Six involvedGlobodera pallida Pa2/3, oneG. pallida Pa1, and twoG. rostochiensis Ro1. The nine tests were at six different centres each using their own nematode populations and standard techniques. The results showed that with the same nematode species there was a strong correlation between experiments in the ranking of the resistance of the clones. If only those clones with quantitative resistance were considered there was good agreement over all tests. Analysis of the data indicated a small clone by test interaction, but this arose mostly as a result of genotypic rather than environmental effects. The results support a proposal that partially resistant reference clones should be included in tests to assess resistance to potato cyst nematodes.

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Zusammenfassung Elf Kartoffelsorten oder Klone mit unterschiedlichem Resistenzgrad gegen Kartoffel-Zystennematoden, vonSolanum vernei oderS. tuberosum ssp.andigena CPC 2802 (Tab. 1) abstammend, wurden in acht Topfversuchen und in einem Feldversuch untersucht. Sechs Tests beinhaltetenGlobodera pallida Pa2/3-, einerG. pallida Pa1- und zweiG. rostochiensis Ro1 — Populationen. Die neun Tests wurden an sechs verschiedenen Zentren, von denen jedes seine eigenen Nematoden- Populationen und seine eigenen Techniken verwendete, durchgeführt (Tab. 2). Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass in Tests mit den gleichen Nematoden-Species eine strenge Korrelation zwischen Experimenten und der Rangfolge der Resistenz der Klone vorhanden war (Tab. 4). Wenn nur Klone mit quantitativer Resistenz betrachtet werden, ergaben alle Tests gute übereinstimmung. Die Tests zeigten Unterschiede in den allgemeinen Vermehrungsraten zwischen den Tests (Tab. 3) und zeigten, dass der Ausdruck der Ergebnisse bei den partiell resistenten Klonen im Verh?ltnis zu den Vermehrungsraten bei nicht-resistenten Kontrollen diese Unterschiede nicht eliminierten (Tab. 5). Die statistische Analyse der Daten ergab eine geringe, aber statistisch signifikante Klon/Test-Wechselwirkung, aber diese ergab sich prinzipiell eher als Ergebnis genotypischer als umweltbedingter Effekte. Die Ergebnisse dieser Tests stützen die Vermutung, dass Klone mit bekannter partieller Resistenz in Tests zur Ermittlung von Resistenz gegen Zystennematoden eingeschlossen werden sollten, sowohl zur Erm?glichung einer Vergleichbarkeit als auch zur Definierung von Kategorien für die Resistenz.

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Résumé Onze variétés ou cl?nes de résistance diverse aux nématodes à kystes dérivés deSolanum vernei ouS. tuberosum ssp.andigena CPC 2802 (tableau 1) sont testés dans huit essais en pots et un essai de plein champ. Six tests comportentGlobodera pallida Pa2/3, un testG. pallida Pa1 et deux tests de populations deG. rostochiensis Ro1. Les neuf tests sont conduits dans six centres différents, chacun ayant sa propre populations de nématodes et ses propres normes techniques (tableau 2). Les résultats indiquent que dans les tests ayant les mêmes espèces de nématodes, la corrélation entre les expérimentations est très bonne en ce qui concerne le classement de résistance des cl?nes (tableau 4). Si l'on ne prend en compte que la résistance quantitative des cl?nes, les résultats sont concordants pour tous les tests. Les taux de multiplication sont différents entre les tests (tableau 3) et les résultats obtenus sur cl?nes de résistance partielle exprimés par rapport aux taux de multiplication des témoins non résistants ne modifient en rien ces différences (tableau 5). Une analyse statistique des résultats montre une faible mais néanmoins intération clone × test due davantage à des effets génotypiques que d'environnement. Les résultats de ces essais appuient l'idée que des cl?nes de résistance partielle de référence devraient être inclus dans des tests d'évaluation de la résistance aux nématodes à kystes de la pomme de terre pour faciliter les comparaisons et définir des catégories de résistance.

     

Genetic Variation for Heat Tolerance During the Reproductive Phase in Brassica rapa

We investigated heat tolerance at the reproductive stage in six spring‐type B. rapa accessions and one B. juncea accession as a control. Plants were subjected to two temperature treatments for seven days in controlled environmental rooms, beginning one day before the first open flower on the main stem inflorescence. The high‐temperature treatment ranged from 25 °C to 35 °C during 16 h light and 25 °C during 8 h dark. The control temperature treatment was set at 23 °C during 16 h light and 15 °C during 8 h dark. Soil moisture was maintained at close to field capacity to avoid drought stress. Main stem buds that emerged during the treatment period were tagged, and pod and seed production was recorded at each reproductive node. Leaf temperature depression and leaf conductance increased in the high‐temperature treatment which indicated that plants were not drought stressed. A leafy vegetable type of B. rapa from Indonesia was the most tolerant to high temperature, as defined by its ability to set seed equally well in the control and high‐temperature treatments, followed by an oilseed type from Pakistan. Pollen viability remained above 87 % in all accessions and treatments. We conclude that bud number and length, and pod number produced under high temperatures, might provide a useful preliminary screen for high‐temperature tolerance and that B. rapa may be a valuable source of heat tolerance in canola (B. napus).     

Volatile compound content and fatty acid composition of pork as influenced by linoleic acid content of the diet.

Eighty pigs (average weight of 60 kg) were allotted by weight and sex to pens and treatments. There were four dietary treatments, five pens per treatment, and four pigs per pen. Diets consisted of a typical corn-soybean mix containing 9% total fat, 3% from the corn-soybean mix and 6% added. The four dietary treatments included 1) 6% safflower oil, 2) 4% safflower oil and 2% tallow, 3) 2% safflower oil and 4% tallow, and 4) 6% tallow, resulting in 6.1, 4.6, 3.2, and 1.76% linoleic acid, respectively, in the diet. Pigs were slaughtered at an average weight of 100 kg. Proximate composition, tristimulus color coordinates (L, a, and b values), pH, and flavor difference of the longissimus muscle (LM) were evaluated. Fatty acid content (milligrams per 100 grams of tissue) of the subcutaneous fat and LM and headspace volatile content of the LM were determined by capillary gas liquid chromatography. Proximate composition, color, pH, and flavor of the LM were not influenced by diet. Fatty acid content of the subcutaneous fat and LM and volatile content of the LM were influenced by diet. Increased levels of safflower oil in the diet resulted in less C16:0 and C18:1 and more C18:2, C20:2, and C20:3 in the subcutaneous fat. The LM contained more C18:2 and less C18:3 and C24:0 due to increased levels of safflower oil in the diet. Compared with the 6% tallow diet, LM from pigs fed the 4 or 6% safflower diets contained more pentanal, hexanal, 2-heptanone, trans-2-heptenal, 2-pentyl furan, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, decanal, and undecanal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Sampling and repeatability of radiometric faecal culture in bovine Johne's disease

The repeatability of detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) within and between samplings from 16 paratuberculous dairy cows (13 subclinical; 3 clinical) was investigated by radiometric culture of quadrants of faecal dung pats collected on four to seven occasions over a 10-16-day period. Results were compared to serological status and to pathological and bacteriological findings in multiple tissues obtained at slaughter from 15 of the animals 2-6 weeks after the faecal samplings. From faecal samples taken on 77 occasions over the 2-week period, 296/308 (96%) quadrants were culture positive, with samples from all cattle showing evidence of faecal shedding of Map. Histological lesions typical of paratuberculosis were present in 14 of the 15 cows examined at slaughter, varying in severity from mild (two animals) to moderate (4) and advanced (8), and all predilection tissue sites yielded Map. The negative faecal samples were derived from a single animal that was culture positive in two quadrants on each of the first two (of four) sampling occasions (i.e. culture positive in only 4 of 16 collected quadrants). This animal was found to be histologically negative at slaughter, and culture positive from three of five predilection tissue sites. Faecal samples from cows with subclinical and clinical paratuberculosis, with lesion severity ranging from mild to severe at multiple predilection sites, produced faeces with relatively consistent concentrations of Map within samples. There was significant variation in concentrations of Map between samples in individual animals over a period of 2 weeks, but this did not affect the dichotomous positive-negative culture status for 15 of the 16 cattle. A faecal sample collected non-randomly per rectum thus provides a representative specimen for detection of Map by radiometric culture on a single sampling occasion.