Objectives and applications of phenotyping network set‐up for livestock

Providing phenotypic information, which is accurate, reliable, repeatable and comparable across countries or laboratories, is critical to gain a better understanding of the relationship between genes and phenotypes. So far, it is indeed extremely difficult to combine different sources of phenotypic data from multiple origins, partly because of the variability in the methods of phenotyping. The phenotyping program of livestock involves the definition of complex phenotypes obtained from data integration at different levels (from molecules to herds), the implementation of the latest technologies to accurately characterize at high speed and low cost, the greatest number of animals in a better characterized environment, and the development and sharing of large databases for data analysis and modeling. Such a program also involves the construction of a coordinated network of research and professional facilities and a common language with shared definition of unambiguous animal traits and of methods to assess them. To this end, it will build on the ‘Animal Trait Ontology of Livestock’ (ATOL) project with the objective of defining precisely the phenotypes of interest for farm animals. Then, it will be necessary to combine an environmental information system related to animal husbandry and associated methods to capture the phenotypic differences between animals.     

Cryopreservation of sperm in annual fish Austrolebias minuano (Cyprinodontiformes; Rivulidae)

The effects of the cryoprotectants dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerol and methyl glycol at different concentrations on Austrolebias minuano sperm quality parameters were evaluated in this study. The cellular kinetic parameters, determined using flow cytometry, indicated the best results with the samples cryopreserved with 7.5% methyl glycol. Dimethyl sulfoxide concentrations of 7.5% and glycerol concentrations of 10%, 12.5% and 15% demonstrated the least benefit across all evaluated sperm kinetic parameters. When assessed using flow cytometry, a concentration of 7.5% methyl glycol similarly showed better sperm kinetic parameters than 12.5% dimethyl sulfoxide. We conclude that cryoprotectants, especially methyl glycol, are effective for the preservation of sperm quality in A. minuano. However, high sensitivity of spermatozoa against glycerol was observed in these studies; thus, it is not recommended for cryopreservation purposes.     

Essential oil of Lippia alba in the diet of Macrobrachium rosenbergii: Effects on antioxidant enzymes and growth parameters

The juveniles of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (0.060 ± 0.004 g and 2.018 ± 0.071 cm) were fed during 60 days with diets containing different doses of Lippia alba essential oil (EOLA) (0.0—control, 1.0, or 2.0 ml EOLA/kg diet; in triplicate, with 20 prawns/replicate). After the experimental period, were verified the survival, growth parameters and the antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation and Na/K‐ATPase activities in hepatopancreas and gills, respectively, of the animals. There were no significant differences on survival, growth parameters and gill Na/K‐ATPase activity. However, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione‐S‐transferase activities were lower in hepatopancreas of prawns fed with 1.0 ml EOLA/kg diet compared to the control. Moreover, the activity of the enzyme superoxide dismutase was higher in hepatopancreas of prawns that received 2.0 ml EOLA/kg diet compared to those fed with 1.0 ml EOLA/kg diet. Although the addition of both EOLA doses has not improved the survival and growth parameters of M. rosenbergii, these doses contributed to decrease lipid peroxidation. Additionally, the dose of 2.0 ml EOLA/kg diet contributed for increasing the antioxidant enzymes activities in the hepatopancreas, improving antioxidant status, and therefore, it can be recommended as diet supplementation for M. rosenbergii.     

Colletotrichum species causing grape ripe rot disease in Vitis labrusca and V. vinifera varieties in the highlands of southern Brazil

Ripe rot is one of the most important bunch diseases of grapes in the highlands of southern Brazil and a matter of concern for winegrowers. Sixty-one strains isolated from berries of Vitis labrusca and V. vinifera varieties with symptoms were classified by phylogenetic analysis of the sequences of β-tubulin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, D1/D2 domain of 28S rDNA, and rDNA internal transcribed spacer. They were also characterized by morphology, and their pathogenicity was evaluated. The combined molecular data allowed identification of six Colletotrichum species: C. fructicola, C. kahawae and C. viniferum (gloeosporioides complex), C. limitticola, C. nymphaeae (acutatum complex), and C. karstii (boninense complex). This is the first report of C. karstii and C. limitticola associated with the ripe rot of grapes. Morphological characteristics varied within and among species, confirming their separation at the complex level. Pathogenicity tests on V. vinifera berries showed that the most prevalent species, C. viniferum (37.8%) and C. fructicola (36.1%), were more virulent than the less prevalent species C. limitticola and C. karstii. Our findings indicate that there is a high diversity of Colletotrichum species associated with ripe rot disease of grapes in Brazil. There were no clear differences in the distribution of Colletotrichum species between V. labrusca and V. vinifera varieties. The determination of fungal species responsible for grape ripe rot in Brazilian vineyards may contribute to further epidemiological studies and the development of more efficient prophylactic methods for ripe rot management.     

Impact of noncovalent interactions between apple condensed tannins and cell walls on their transfer from fruit to juice: studies in model suspensions and application

The adsorption of procyanidins (condensed tannins) on cell-wall material was quantified by bringing into contact solutions of procyanidins and suspensions of cell-wall material. A model was developed on the basis of the Langmuir isotherm formulation and a factorial experimental design. The parameters that influenced the adsorption were the concentration and molecular weight of the procyanidins, the ionic strength of the solution, the temperature, and the apple cell-wall concentration. The model was applied to partitioning of procyanidins from apple between juice and mash. The parameters to be taken into account are the composition of the apples and, specifically, (i) the concentration and molecular weight of the procyanidins, (ii) their acidity and pH as a determinant of the ionic strength, and (iii) their cell-wall content and the temperature at pressing. To estimate the ability of the model to relate procyanidin concentrations in the juice to their concentration in the apple, apples of three varieties of widely different procyanidin compositions were pressed in conditions that prevent oxidation. In these conditions, yields in the juice were >80% for phenolic acids or catechin monomers but <50% for procyanidins, with the lowest rates obtained for the higher polymers in accordance with the model.     

Spatial variations of chemical composition, microbial functional diversity, and enzyme activities in a Mediterranean litter (Quercus ilex L.) profile

Litter decomposition on the forest floor is an essential process in soil nutrient cycles and formation. These processes are controlled by abiotic factors such as climate and chemical litter quality, and by biotic factors such as microbial community diversity and activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of litter depth with respect to (i) chemical litter quality as evaluated by solid-state ¹³C NMR, (ii) enzyme activities, and (iii) microbial functional diversity in four different litter layers (OLn, OLv, OF, and OH). A Mediterranean soil profile under an evergreen oak (Quercus ilex L.) forest was used as a model. The recalcitrant OM fraction, corresponding to the deepest layer, showed low enzyme activities. Peroxidases and fluorescein diacetate hydrolases (FDA) were more active in the OLn layer and probably originated largely from plants. High cellulase activity in the OLn and the OLv layers, which are rich in polysaccharides, corresponded with the high content of O-alkyl carbon compounds. Following polysaccharide degradation, laccases and lipases were much more evident in the intermediate layers. This spatial variation in nutrient demand reflected a preferential degradation of the specific plant polymers. Phosphatases were more active along the three upper layers and probably reflected a P limitation during litter degradation. Alkaline/acid (AcPAlP/AcP) ratio increased in the deepest layer, suggesting an increased participation of bacteria AlP in phosphatase pools. Results of Biolog^TM also indicated spatial variations in microbial functionality. Indeed, FF plates showed the highest functional diversity in the uppermost layer, while ECO plate functional diversity was highest in the intermediate layers. Finally, our results indicated that microbial activity and functional diversity of micro-organisms change with litter depth on a very small scale and vary with chemical organic matter (OM) composition. Thus, the observed increases in the biological variables studied were determined by the evolution of OM chemical structures, the nature and availability in C nutrients, and they ultimately resulted in a progressive accumulation of recalcitrant compounds.     

Lack of genetic differentiation after host range extension argues for the generalist nature of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pityogenes chalcographus</Emphasis> (Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Context  

The bark beetle, Pityogenes chalcographus, is one of the main pests in Picea abies stands, and it has also been found on other European Pinaceae species. With massive introductions of North American conifer species into European forests, this insect has extended its host range to exotic Pinaceae species.     

Probing the threshold to H atom transfer along a hydrogen-bonded ammonia wire

We characterized the entrance channel, reaction threshold, and mechanism of an excited-state H atom transfer reaction along a unidirectionally hydrogen-bonded "wire" -O-H...NH3...NH3...NH3...N. Excitation of supersonically cooled 7-hydroxyquinoline.(NH3)3 to its vibrationless S1 state produces no reaction, whereas excitation of ammonia-wire vibrations induces H atom transfer with a reaction threshold approximately 200 wave numbers. Further translocation steps along the wire produce the S1 state 7-ketoquinoline.(NH3)3 tautomer. Ab initio calculations show that proton and electron movement along the wire are closely coupled. The rate-controlling S1 state barriers arise from crossings of a pipi* with a Rydberg-type pisigma* state.     

Food grade lingonberry extract: polyphenolic composition and in vivo protective effect against oxidative stress

Fractionation of the polyphenols constituting a food grade lingonberry extract (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) highlighted a composition more complex than described until now in the berry. Procyanidins B1, B2, and A2 were identified by UPLC/ESI-MS(2) along with the presence of other flavanol oligomers. Processing induced the release of large amounts of aglycones for ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and quercetin. The described anthocyanic composition of lingonberry was completed with hexoside derivatives of peonidin, petunidin, malvidin, and delphinidin. Besides confirmation of in vitro antioxidant activity, in vivo study was performed on rats fed a diet inducing oxidative stress. Supplementation with lingonberry extract significantly decreased the total oxidant status and favorably affected antioxidant defense enzymes in red blood cells and liver. A drop in the serum reduced glutathione level was also prevented, and uric acid was maintained at low level, confirming the antioxidant activity of the extract (5% proanthocyanidins) from a dosage of 23 mg/kg of body weight.