Nutrient activation of Trichoderma fungal spores for improved biocontrol activity

The effect of preliminary nutrient activation on the ability of conidia of the antagonist Trichoderma harzianum P1 (ThP1) to suppress Botrytis cinerea was investigated in laboratory, greenhouse and field trials. Preliminary nutrient activation at 21 ℃ accelerated subsequent germination of the antagonist at temperatures from 9 ℃ to 21 ℃; at ≥ 18 ℃ the germination time of preactivated ThP1conidia did not differ significantly from that of B. cinerea. When coinoculated with B. cinerea,concentrated inocula of preactivated but ungerminated ThP1 conidia reduced in vitro germination of the pathogen by ≥ 87 % at 12 ℃ to 25 ℃; initially-quiescent conidia achieved this level of suppression only at 25 ℃. Application of quiescent ThP1 conidia to detached strawberry flowers in moist chambers reduced infection by B. cinerea by ≥85 % at 24 ℃ , but only by 35 % at 12 ℃. Preactivated conidia reduced infection by ≥60% at 12 ℃. Both quiescent and preactivated conidia significantly reduced latent infection in greenhouse-grown strawberries at a mean temperture of 19 ℃, while only preactivated conidia were effective in the field at a mean temperature of 14 ℃ on the day of treatment application.     

In vivo investigation of the efficacy of a customized solution to attenuate injury following low-flow ischemia and reperfusion injury in the jejunum of horses

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a customized solution to attenuate intestinal injury following 20% low-flow ischemia and reperfusion in the jejunum of horses. ANIMALS: 10 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURE: Two 30.5-cm-long segments of jejunum were exteriorized through a ventral midline incision and the mesenteric artery and vein supplying that portion of the intestine were instrumented with flow probes. Blood flow was decreased to 20% of baseline for 90 minutes followed by 90 minutes of reperfusion. In 5 horses, 60 mL of the customized solution was placed in the lumen of each segment (treatment-group horses), and 60 mL of lactated Ringer's solution was placed in the lumen of 5 additional horses (control-group horses). Biopsy specimens were obtained from 1 segment in both groups for histologic evaluation. Aliquots of luminal fluid were obtained from the other segment in both groups for determination of albumin concentrations as an index of mucosal permeability. RESULTS: Compared with control-group horses, treatment-group horses had a significant decrease in luminal albumin concentration following reperfusion. Although differences in mucosal grades were not significantly different between control- and treatment-group horses, treatment-group horses had significantly greater jejunal villous length and area, compared with that of control-group horses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intraluminal administration of the customized solution in the jejunum, compared with lactated Ringer's solution, results in an improvement in histologic findings and mucosal translocation of albumin in horses with mild intestinal injury.     

Evaluation of day-to-day variability of serial blood glucose concentration curves in diabetic dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate day-to-day variability of serial blood glucose concentration curves in dogs with diabetes mellitus. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: 10 dogs with diabetes mellitus. PROCEDURE: Paired 12-hour serial blood glucose concentration curves performed during 2 consecutive days were obtained on 3 occasions from each dog. Dogs received the same dose of insulin and meal every 12 hours on both days. For each pair of curves, comparison was made between the results of days 1 and 2. RESULTS: Mean absolute difference (without regard to sign) between days 1 and 2 for each parameter was significantly > 0, disproving the hypothesis that there is minimal day-to-day variability of serial blood glucose concentration curves when insulin dose and meals are kept constant. Coefficient of variation of the absolute difference between days 1 and 2 for each parameter ranged from 68 to 103%. Evaluation of the paired curves led to an opposite recommendation for adjustment of the insulin dose on day 2, compared with day 1, on 27% of occasions. Disparity between dosage recommendations was more pronounced when glucose concentration nadir was < 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L) on 1 or both days. In this subset of 20 paired curves, an opposite recommendation for dosage adjustment was made on 40% of occasions. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There is large day-to-day variation in parameters of serial blood glucose concentration curves in diabetic dogs. Day-to-day variability of serial blood glucose concentration curves has important clinical implications, particularly in dogs with good glycemic control.     

Ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry profiling of anthocyanins and flavonols in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) of varying genotypes

The structure of flavonoids in food plants affects bioactivity and important nutritional attributes, like micronutrient bioavailability. This study investigated flavonol and anthocyanin compositions of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) of varying genotypes. Black, red, green, white, light brown, and golden brown cowpea phenotypes were analyzed for anthocyanins and flavonols using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry. Eight anthocyanins and 23 flavonols (15 newly identified in cowpea) were characterized. Mono-, di-, and tri(acyl)glycosides of quercetin were predominant in most phenotypes; myricetin and kaempferol glycosides were present only in specific phenotypes. The red phenotypes had the highest flavonol content (880-1060 μg/g), whereas green and white phenotypes had the lowest (270-350 μg/g). Only black (1676-2094 μg/g) and green (875 μg/g) phenotypes had anthocyanins, predominantly delphinidin and cyanidin 3-O-glucosides. Cowpea phenotype influenced the type and amount of flavonoids accumulated in the seed; this may have implications in selecting varieties for nutrition and health applications.     

Variation Among Physical,Compositional, and Wet‐Milling Characteristics of the F1 Generation of Corn Hybrids of Introgressed Exotic and Adapted Inbred Lines

Hybrids with high grain yield and higher starch, protein, or oil content are available to corn growers; however, they result from crossing adapted Corn Belt inbred lines that rarely include exotic germplasm. This study was conducted to determine whether Corn Belt lines introgressed with exotic materials from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Cuba, and Florida have appropriate wet‐milling characteristics in their hybrids. Ten lines from the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) project with different starch contents were crossed to three adapted inbred lines used as testers. The B73×Mo17 hybrid was used as a control. The F₁ generation of these 30 experimental hybrids was analyzed using both near‐infrared transmittance (NIT) technology and a 100‐g modified wet‐milling procedure, and measuring test and 1,000‐kernel weight. There was great variation among physical, compositional, and wet‐milling characteristics of the experimental hybrids, suggesting that exotic germplasm can be used to improve wet‐milling characteristics of Corn Belt hybrids.