Comparison of resistance of triticale,wheat and spelt to septoria nodorum blotch at the seedling and adult plant stages

Summary On average, the cereal species studied were susceptible to septoria nodorum blotch (SNB), except for spring triticale on leaf and head and winter titicale on leaf, that appeared to be significantly more resistant, than the other ones.In all three species the SNB response of the adult plants was to a limited extent only predicted by the reaction on first leaf seedlings. In most cases it was impossible to predict the response to SNB of adult plants on the basis of seedling reaction. Correlations between the adult plant stage and the seedling stage, or detached seedling leaves, appears not to be sufficient for use in practical breeding work. A reversal of reaction to SNB was even found between the above growth stages in studied spring and winter wheat varieties.     

If a tree falls in the forest: terrestrial habitat loss predicts caddisfly (Insecta: Trichoptera) assemblages and functional feeding group biomass throughout rivers of the North-central United States

Landscape Ecology - Understanding the specific natural and anthropogenic drivers of aquatic insect assemblages and feeding ecology is critical to managing aquatic ecosystems. Utilizing the counts...     

Seeing the forest for the deer: Do reductions in deer-disturbance lead to forest recovery?

High levels of deer browsing can prevent canopy tree regeneration, but little is known about changes to forest size-structure following long-term deer herd reductions. We monitored changes in forest stand structure and composition in southwestern Ontario, Canada, over 28-years using permanent plots. Our study site was the largest remaining tract of Carolinian (deciduous) forest in Canada (11 km²), a habitat type that contains up to a fifth of Canada’s species at risk and is under intense anthropogenic pressures. We recorded declines in all tree size classes between 1981 and 1996, during which densities of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) reached a peak of 55 deer km⁻². Despite significant and sustained deer herd reductions between 1996 and 2009, which reduced deer densities to 7 deer km⁻², there was limited recruitment of small trees and declines in basal area of tree species that were sensitive to deer browsing. Our results suggest that recovery from herbivory is a protracted process during which canopy tree regeneration may continue to decline despite a reduction in browsing pressure due to deer culling. Large declines in canopy-tree densities in Carolinian forests may lead to forest size-structures and herbaceous plant communities that resemble rare oak savanna habitat, creating difficult decisions for conservation managers aiming to protect rare and endangered species within native ecosystems. We recommend that managers protect Carolinian forest stands and encourage canopy tree regeneration by increasing seed sources of native trees. While deer control is essential in reducing forest damage, our results highlight the need to explore other forms of active management to expedite otherwise slow increases in tree density.     

Estimating mortality of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) in an experimental recreational catch-and-release fishery

The abundance of Atlantic bluefin tuna has been severely reduced since the advent of industrial fishing. A recreational catch-and-release fishery is currently being developed to target bluefin tuna in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, off the coast of Prince Edward Island, Canada. To evaluate the sustainability of this fishery, it is necessary to quantify post-release mortality for use in management models. Using pop-up archival satellite tags, we estimated the post-release mortality rate of bluefin tuna captured and released in an experimental recreational fishery. Fish were captured using bait on circle hooks and all fish were hooked in the jaw. Fish were released without being brought onboard the boat. Tags reported from 2 to 246 days post release. Two of 59 bluefin tuna died after catch-and-release yielding a mortality rate of 3.4% (95% C.I. = 0.8% < u < 12.6%). Four tags failed to report. Alternate estimates of the rate or mortality that included an incidental mortality (5.1%; 95% C.I. = 1.6% < u < 14.4%) and removal of the four tags that did not report from the sample (5.6%; 95% C.I. = 1.8% < u < 15.6%) were calculated. The range of fight times was 6–79 min (mean of 33 min; SD of 21 min). These data provide the first mortality estimates for angled and released bluefin tuna and will enable managers to evaluate the potential for developing a catch-and-release fishery in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.     

Comparison of odor-active compounds in grapes and wines from vitis vinifera and non-foxy American grape species

Native American grape (Vitis) species have many desirable properties for winegrape breeding, but hybrids of these non-vinifera wild grapes with Vitis vinifera often have undesirable aromas. Other than the foxy-smelling compounds in Vitis labrusca and Vitis rotundifolia , the aromas inherent to American Vitis species are not well characterized. In this paper, the key odorants in wine produced from the American grape species Vitis riparia and Vitis cinerea were characterized in comparison to wine produced from European winegrapes (V. vinifera). Volatile compounds were extracted by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and identified by gas chromatography-olfactometry/mass spectrometry (GC-O/MS). On the basis of flavor dilution values, most grape-derived compounds with fruity and floral aromas were at similar potency, but non-vinifera wines had higher concentrations of odorants with vegetative and earthy aromas: eugenol, cis-3-hexenol, 1,8-cineole, 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP), and 3-isopropyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IPMP). Elevated concentrations of these compounds in non-vinifera wines were confirmed by quantitative GC-MS. Concentrations of IBMP and IPMP were well above sensory threshold in both non-vinifera wines. In a follow-up study, IBMP and IPMP were surveyed in 31 accessions of V. riparia, V. rupestris, and V. cinerea. Some accessions had concentrations of >350 pg/g IBMP or >30 pg/g IPMP, well above concentrations reported in previous studies of harvest-ripe vinifera grapes. Methyl anthranilate and 2-aminoacetophenone, key odorants responsible for the foxiness of V. labrusca grapes, were undetectable in both the V. riparia and V. cinerea wines (<10 μg/L).     

Expressed gene sequence of the IFNγ-response chemokine CXCL9 of cattle, horses, and swine

This report describes the cloning and characterization of expressed gene sequences of bovine, equine, and swine CXCL9 from RNA obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and other tissues. The bovine coding region was 378 nucleotides in length, while the equine and swine coding regions were 381 nucleotides. Mapping showed that all three sequences were coded for in four exons in the genome, as are the human and mouse genes. The bovine, equine, and swine coding regions shared 83%, 86%, and 84% homology with human CXCL9, respectively, and all three were 74% homologous with mouse CXCL9. Cladogram comparison of the nucleotide sequences of CXCL9 showed that the bovine, equine and swine sequences were more closely related to one another than to either the human or the mouse sequences. However, the human sequence was more closely related to them than it was to the mouse sequence. These relationships were preserved when the deduced amino acid sequences were evaluated and all sequences showed conservation of the characteristic four cysteines. This work sets the stage for further work with these molecules; an integral goal of the U.S. Veterinary Immune Reagent Network is to develop reagents for investigating diseases in livestock species, poultry, and fish.     

Sebaceous adenitis in Havanese dogs: a retrospective study of the clinical presentation and incidence

Sebaceous adenitis is a suspected immune-mediated disease that targets and destroys sebaceous glands. This retrospective study evaluated the clinical presentation and incidence of sebaceous adenitis in Havanese dogs. Sebaceous adenitis was diagnosed in 35% (12 of 34) of Havanese dogs presented over a 5-year period. Onset of clinical signs occurred during young adulthood. Follicular casts were present in 92% (11 of 12) of affected dogs. Other common clinical signs included alopecia and hypotrichosis. The trunk, head and ears were commonly affected, with 67% (8 of 12) of cases having pinnal and/or external ear canal involvement. Secondary pyoderma was seen in 42% (5 of 12) of dogs. Histopathology revealed absent sebaceous glands in 83% (10 of 12) and a lymphoplasmacytic periadnexal infiltrate in 92% (11 of 12) of samples. Treatment included multiple modalities. Cyclosporin was prescribed in 83% (10 of 12) of cases. Other systemic therapies included vitamin A and fatty acid supplementation. Topical therapies included antiseborrhoeic shampoos and sprays, and oil soaks. Follow-up ranging from 2 months to 3 years was obtained in 67% (8 of 12) of dogs. Improvement ranged from minimal to marked, with better clinical response associated with longer duration of treatment. Owners with follow-up of more than 1 year commonly reported occasional flares of the clinical signs. This study found that sebaceous adenitis was a common diagnosis in Havanese dogs, that the ears were commonly affected and that a lymphoplasmacytic periadnexal infiltrate associated with absent sebaceous glands was frequently seen on dermatohistopathological examination.     

Increase in cone biomass and terpenophenolics in hops ( Humulus lupulus L.) by treatment with prohexadione-calcium

Humulus lupulus L. (hop), a specialty crop bred for flavor characteristics of the inflorescence, is an essential ingredient in beer. Hop inflorescences, commonly known as hop cones, contain terpenophenolic compounds, which are important for beer flavoring and of interest in biomedical research. Hop breeders focus their efforts on increasing cone biomass and terpenophenolic content. As an alternative to traditional breeding, hops were treated with prohexadione-calcium (Pro-Ca), a growth inhibitor previously shown to have positive agronomic effects in several crops. Application of Pro-Ca to hop plants during cone maturation induced increases in cone biomass production by 1.5-19.6% and increased terpenophenolic content by 9.1-87.3%; however, some treatments also induced significant decreases in terpenophenolic content. Induced changes in cone biomass production and terpenophenolic accumulation were most dependent on cultivar and the developmental stage at which plants were treated.     

Blood gas analysis and cooximetry in retired racing Greyhounds

Objective – The purposes of this study were to evaluate the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin (Hb) in healthy retired racing Greyhounds via cooximetry, and to establish reference intervals for blood gases and cooximetry in this breed. Design – Prospective clinical study. Setting – University Teaching Hospital. Animals – Fifty‐seven Greyhounds and 30 non‐Greyhound dogs. Interventions – Venous blood samples were collected from the jugular vein and placed into heparinized tubes. The samples were analyzed within 30 minutes of collection using a blood gas analyzer equipped with a cooximeter. Measurements and Main Results – Greyhounds had significantly higher pH, PO₂, oxygen saturation, oxyhemoglobin, total Hb, oxygen content, and oxygen capacity and significantly lower deoxyhemoglobin and P₅₀ when compared with non‐Greyhound dogs. Conclusion – These findings support the fact that this breed is able to carry a higher concentration of total oxygen in the blood. As reported previously, this breed also has lower P₅₀ and, therefore, high oxygen affinity. In light of recent findings suggesting that in certain tissues a high affinity for oxygen is beneficial, this adaptation may be of benefit during strenuous exercise.