Testing banker plants for biological control of mites on roses

We tested whether plant species used in a banker plant system influence the success of a biological control program with predatory mites. Banker plants (BP) may sustain a reproducing population of predators and provide long-term pest suppression. In an experiment lasting 12 weeks, we analyzed the responses of the predatory mite Amblyseius californicus and the pest mite Tetranychus urticae to eight species of potential BP with different morphological structures. Every BP was paired with a rose plant and infested with pest and predatory mites. The measured parameters were vitality and growth of the plants and numbers of predators, pests and their eggs. Reproduction and establishment of the pest and predatory mites differed among plant species as well as plant growth and vitality. Vitis riparia and Viburnum tinus were the most efficient BP in this combination of pest–predator species. Their presence resulted in best health of the rose crops, highest number of predatory mites and lowest number of pests. Both these BP possess domatia which may be responsible for the efficiency in hosting predatory mites. Overall, the species which fulfilled the requirements of a BP best was the local shrub V, tinus, which bore no pests and a very large number of predators and has a compact growth form suited for application in greenhouses. Although our study gives only evidence for an artificial system with a high BP:crop ratio, high numbers of introduced predators and short distances between plants, this study contributes to knowledge of BP systems and to improve the understanding of the criteria for the choice of local plant species to be used as BP for biological control in IPM.     

Acepromazine‐dexmedetomidine‐ketamine for injectable anaesthesia in captive European brown hares (Lepus europaeus)

ObjectiveTo evaluate a combination of acepromazine, dexmedetomidine and ketamine (ADK) on induction and recovery from anaesthesia, and on physiological parameters in hares undergoing non‐invasive procedures.Study designProspective clinical study.AnimalsSixteen European hares (Lepus europaeus), seven males and nine females, aged (mean ± SD) 3.25 ± 0.9 months and weight 2.1 ± 0.6 kg.MethodsAcepromazine 1% (A), dexmedetomidine 0.05% (D) and ketamine 5% (K) were mixed and given intramuscularly (IM) at 0.25 mL kg^?1, representing 10 mg kg^?1 K, 0.25 mg kg^?1 A, 12.5 μg kg^?1 D. If the righting reflex was present after four minutes, a second injection of 0.15 mL kg^?1 (6 mg kg^?1 K, 0.15 mg kg^?1 A, 7.5 μg kg^?1 D) was administered IM. Surgical anaesthesia was judged as present when righting, palpebral, ear‐pinch and pedal withdrawal reflexes were absent. Anaesthetized hares were tagged, and underwent blood sampling and ocular ultrasound examination. Physiological parameters were recorded every ten minutes, and were compared by Kruskal‐Wallis tests.ResultsA single dose induced loss of righting reflex in 11/16 (69%) hares within four minutes; the second dose was effective in the remaining hares. Ten minutes after the loss of the righting reflex, a surgical plane of anaesthesia was present in all hares. Sleep time to regaining righting reflex was 34 ± 11 (range 21–62) minutes and recovery was calm. Although there were some statistical differences over time, cardiovascular parameters remained within an acceptable range but there was respiratory depression and hares were hypoxemic.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe ADK mixture produced a smooth and rapid induction of anaesthesia, a low incidence of untoward side effects and full recovery after four hours. Supplementary oxygen might be advisable if a deeper plane of anaesthesia was required. Chemical restraint was adequate to perform non‐invasive procedures.     

Viscosity determination of synovial fluids from the canine hip and elbow joint as well as the human knee joint

The development of pathological changes in both human and canine hip joints is mainly caused by a lack of synovial fluid lubrication. This results in an increased joint abrasion. Even after implantation of joint prosthesis, inadequate lubrication can lead to abrasion in the tribological pair. This can finally result in aseptic loosening of the prosthesis. In spite of the enormous number of studies that have been performed on human, only little knowledge about the tribological properties of the joints in dogs is available in the literature. For this reason the viscosities of synovial fluid, derived from physiological and pathologically changed canine elbow joints were measured. The viscosities were determined by the use of a cone-plate viscometer at different temperatures and shear rates. The obtained values were compared with the viscosity values of pathologically changed synovial fluids from human knee joints as well as with pathological samples from the canine hip joint. The results show that the viscosity values vary within a series of measurements and are inversely proportional to the temperature of the sample and the shear rate. The differences between the average viscosities of canine and human synovial fluids taken from pathologically changed joints are below 4% (22.5 s(-1) at theta1 = 25 degrees C). The findings of this study are being implemented in a FE-Model for the computation of actual forces in the hip joint during different movements. This would represent a contribution to an improved prosthetic treatment of canine and human hips.     

Canine oral primary melanoma cells exhibit shift to mesenchymal phenotype and phagocytic behaviour

Canine oral malignant melanoma (COMM) is a potentially lethal cancer disease. We established primary cell lines from mostly amelanotic primary COMM and metastases and assessed lesions and derived cells for Melan A, PNL2 and CD146 expression. Then, migration and invasion of CD146‐enriched vs ‐depleted COMM cells were analysed. Epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) was addressed by Vimentin‐staining and MMP2/MMP9 zymography. Phagocytic behaviour was analysed by histopathological examination and phagocytosis assay. While Melan A‐ and PNL2‐staining yielded inconsistent data, 100% of COMM sections and primary cells showed CD146 expression, suggesting that this protein may serve as a prognostic marker. An overall correlation between CD146‐expression and migration/invasion was not observed. All primary cell lines consistently expressed Vimentin and secreted biologically active MMP2, indicating that they had undergone EMT. Importantly, COMM sections exhibited cell‐in‐cell structures, and all primary cell lines exhibited phagocytic activity, supporting the concept that cell cannibalism may have a role in COMM progression.     

Association of the bovine leukocyte antigen major histocompatibility complex class II DRB3*4401 allele with host resistance to the Lone Star tick, Amblyomma americanum

The MHC of cattle, known as the bovine leukocyte antigen (BoLA) complex, plays an integral role in disease and parasite susceptibility, and immune responsiveness of the host. While susceptibility to tick infestation in cattle is believed to be heritable, genes that may be responsible for the manifestation of this phenotype remain elusive. In an effort to analyze the role that genes within the BoLA complex may play in host resistance to ticks, we have evaluated components of this system within a herd of cattle established at our laboratory that has been phenotyped for ectoparasite susceptibility. Of three microsatellite loci within the BoLA complex analyzed, alleles of two microsatellite loci within the BoLA class IIa cluster (DRB1-118 and DRB3-174) associated with the tick-resistant phenotype, prompting further investigation of gene sequences within the DRB3 region. DRB3 is a class IIa gene, the second exon of which is highly polymorphic since it encodes the antigen recognition site of the DR class II molecule. Analysis of the second exon of the DRB3 gene from the phenotyped calves in our herd revealed a significant association between the DRB3*4401 allele and the tick-resistant phenotype. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a putative association between a class IIa DRB3 sequence and host resistance to the Lone Star tick. Elucidation of the mechanism involved in tick resistance will contribute to improving breeding schemes for parasite resistance, which will be beneficial to the cattle industry.     

Quantification of ptaquiloside and pterosin B in soil and groundwater using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

The carcinogenic compound ptaquiloside is produced by bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum L.). Ptaquiloside can enter the soil matrix and potentially leach to the aquatic environment, and methods for characterizing ptaquiloside content and fate in soil and groundwater are needed. A sensitive detection method has been developed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for analyzing ptaquiloside and its transformation product pterosin B. Detection limits are 0.19 microg/L (ptaquiloside) and 0.15 microg/L (pterosin B), which are 300-650 times better than previously published LC-UV methods. Sequential soil extractions are made using 5 mM ammonium acetate for extraction of ptaquiloside, followed by 80% methanol extraction for pterosin B. Groundwater samples are cleaned-up and preconcentrated by a factor of 20 using solid-phase extraction. The LC-MS/MS method enables quantification of ptaquiloside and pterosin B in soil and groundwater samples at environmentally relevant concentrations and delivers a reliable identification because of the structure-specific detection method.     

Alleviation of nickel toxicity and an improvement in zinc bioavailability in sunflower seed with chitosan and biochar application in pH adjusted nickel contaminated soil

This study demonstrates the reduction of nickel (Ni) toxicity and enhancing zinc (Zn) bioavailability from sunflower seed with biochar (BC) and chitosan (CH) application to Ni contaminated soil. The pH of experiment soil was adjusted to value 6.5 prior to its use in a greenhouse experiment. Acidified Ni contaminated soil was amended with Zn (4 mg kg^?1 soil), while BC and CH, both as alone [1% each (w/w)] and in combination [0.5% each (w/w)], were used as immobilizing agents for Ni. Significantly higher concentrations of Zn were found in seed receiving ZnSO₄ treatments. However, these results were more pronounced in the treatment (Zn+CH+BC) where Zn, CH, and BC were together applied. The Zn+CH+BC treatment improved seed quality parameters, phytate/minerals molar ratios, increased seed weight (per pot) up to 75%, Fe 41%, Zn 42% in seed, while reduced Ni concentration up to 17% in seed, over control. Similarly, Zn+CH+BC treatment significantly decreased oxidative stress by improving antioxidant defense system in sunflower. The results of this preliminary study suggest that further studies are obligatory to corroborate the extent of Ni immobilization in soil and enhancing Zn bioavailability from sunflower seed under field conditions with realistic and applicable rates of BC and CH.