Varanid herpesvirus 1: a novel herpesvirus associated with proliferative stomatitis in green tree monitors (Varanus prasinus)

Stomatitis is a common problem in lizards, and the etiologies of stomatitis in lizards are not well understood. Four green tree monitor lizards (Varanus prasinus) from two different collections were evaluated because of proliferative stomatitis. Degenerate PCR primers targeting a conserved region of herpesvirus DNA-dependent DNA polymerase were used to amplify and sequence a product from gingival tissue of three of four lizards (cases 1, 3, and 4). DNA in situ hybridization of tissues from three lizards was positive for herpesvirus in the oral mucosa of all three lizards tested (cases 1-3) and the brain of two lizards (cases 1 and 3). Comparative sequence analysis suggests that this virus is a novel member of the subfamily alpha-herpesvirinae, and is here termed varanid herpesvirus 1.     

Watching the growth of bulk grains during recrystallization of deformed metals

We observed the in situ growth of a grain during recrystallization in the bulk of a deformed sample. We used the three-dimensional x-ray diffraction microscope located at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France. The results showed a very heterogeneous growth pattern, contradicting the classical assumption of smooth and spherical growth of new grains during recrystallization. This type of in situ bulk measurement opens up the possibility of obtaining experimental data on scientific topics that before could only be analyzed theoretically on the basis of the statistical characterization of microstructures. For recrystallization, the in situ method includes direct measurements of nucleation and boundary migration through a deformed matrix.     

Specific dietary selection for tryptophan by the piglet

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether pigs prefer diets varying in Trp content and whether these preferences change with time. To that end, a feeding trial was carried out over a 6-wk period. Piglets (equal proportion of males and females) with an initial BW of 8.20 +/- 0.90 kg were randomly subdivided into four groups of 12 pigs each. Two reference groups were fed (as-fed basis) either 0.11% Trp (Trp-deficient) or 0.20% Trp (Trp-adequate) diets. Two other groups had a choice of two diets containing either 0.11 or 0.16% Trp (Trp-choice 1), or 0.11 or 0.20% Trp (Trp-choice 2). Average daily feed intake reached 335 and 366 g in pigs fed Trp-deficient and Trp-choice 1 diets, respectively. For Trp-choice 2 and Trp-adequate diets, a higher (P < 0.05) feed intake of 589 and 645 g/d, respectively, was observed. Piglets on Trp-choice 1 and Trp-choice 2, respectively, selected 87 and 93% of the higher Trp diet. Resulting Trp contents of total diets were 0.15 and 0.19% (as-fed basis) in Trp-choice 1 and Trp-choice 2, respectively. In wk 1, pigs on Trp-choice 2 chose lower proportions of the Trp-deficient feed (31% of total diet) than did pigs on Trp-choice 1 (44%), but at the end of the experiment, pigs of both groups almost exclusively chose the feed with the higher Trp content (96 and 98% for Trp-choice 1 and 2). Pigs on Trp-choice 1 had an ADG of 218 g, which was only slightly above the ADG of Trp-deficient pigs (198 g). Pigs on Trp-choice 2 and Trp-adequate diets had ADG of 404 and 458 g, respectively, which were higher (P < 0.05) than those observed for Trp-deficient and Trp-choice 1 groups. Plasma Trp concentrations in Trp-choice 2 and Trp-adequate groups (9.21 and 9.01 micromol/mL, respectively) were higher (P < 0.05) than in Trp-deficient and Trp-choice 1 groups (5.88 and 4.96 micromol/mL, respectively). Conversely, the sum of essential AA showed a higher (P < 0.05) concentration in plasma from pigs on the Trp-deficient and Trp-choice 1 diets than in plasma from pigs on Trp-choice 2 and Trp-adequate diets. Nutritional depletion of Trp influences the food selection behavior of piglets. Results of growth performance and the dietary preferences suggest that piglets are able to detect Trp-deficiency-induced metabolic changes and respond with an aversion against the Trp-deficient diet.     

Interactions between the striped stem borer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chilo suppressalis</Emphasis> (Walk.) (Lep., Pyralidae) larvae and rice plants in response to nitrogen fertilization

A screenhouse experiment was conducted to examine the damage and compensation in rice plants when injured by the striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker), larvae at tillering stage, as well as larval survival and development of the insect at different nitrogen (N) fertilization levels. Potted plants were fertilized at late seedling stage at the rates 0, 200, 400, 600 and 800mgN/pot, respectively. More deadheads were caused as fertilization increased. Plants compensated well for injury at the fertilization concentrations of 200 and 400mgN/pot by producing new tillers, but such compensation did not take place at 600 and 800mgN/pot. Two weeks after infestation, the highest number of remaining healthy tillers was found in plants fertilized at 400mgN/pot. Larval survival varied little among the treatments 200 to 800mgN/pot. Larval weight attainment and/or developmental rate increased with increasing fertilization level from 200 to 600mgN/pot, but both declined rapidly as fertilization reached 800mgN/pot, indicating the great dependence of plant suitability on N fertilization levels. Conclusively, both the compensation response of rice plants and their suitability for C. suppressalis larvae could be significantly affected by N fertilization levels.     

Enhancement of the immune response and virological protection of calves against bovine herpesvirus type 1 with an inactivated gE-deleted vaccine

Four immunisation protocols based on inactivated and attenuated commercially available marker vaccines for bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) were compared. The first group of calves were vaccinated with an attenuated vaccine administered intranasally and an inactivated vaccine injected subcutaneously, four weeks apart; the second group were vaccinated twice with the attenuated vaccine, first intranasally and then intramuscularly; the third group were vaccinated twice subcutaneously with the inactivated vaccine; and the fourth group were vaccinated twice intramuscularly with the attenuated vaccine. A control group of calves were not vaccinated. The cellular and humoral immune responses were highest in the two groups which received at least one injection of the inactivated vaccine. Virological protection was observed in all the vaccinated groups after a challenge infection and reactivation by treatment with dexamethasone, but the calves which received one dose of the inactivated vaccine as a booster or two doses of the inactivated vaccine excreted significantly less of the challenge virus than the calves which were vaccinated only with the attenuated preparation.     

Glucagon-like peptide 2 function in domestic animals

Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) is a member of family of peptides derived from the proglucagon gene expressed in the intestines, pancreas and brain. Tissue-specific posttranslational processing of proglucagon leads to GLP-2 and GLP-1 secretion from the intestine and glucagon secretion from the pancreas. GLP-2 and GLP-1 are co-secreted from the enteroendocrine L-cells located in distal intestine in response to enteral nutrient ingestion, especially carbohydrate and fat. GLP-2 secretion is mediated by direct nutrient stimulation of the L-cells and indirect action from enteroendocrine and neural inputs, including GIP, gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and the vagus nerve. GLP-2 is secreted as a 33-amino acid peptide and is rapidly cleaved by dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP-IV) to a truncated peptide which acts as a weak agonist with competitive antagonistic properties. GLP-2 acts to enhance nutrient absorption by inhibiting gastric motility and secretion and stimulating nutrient transport. GLP-2 also suppresses food intake when infused centrally. The trophic actions of GLP-2 are specific for the intestine and occur via stimulation of crypt cell proliferation and suppression of apoptosis in mucosal epithelial cells. GLP-2 reduces gut permeability, bacterial translocation and proinflammatory cytokine expression under conditions of intestinal inflammation and injury. The effects of GLP-2 are mediated by a G-protein-linked receptor that is localized to the intestinal mucosa and hypothalamus. The intestinal localization of the GLP-2R to neural and endocrine cells, but not enterocytes, suggests that its actions are mediated indirectly via a secondary signaling mechanism. The implications of GLP-2 in domestic animal production are largely unexplored. However, GLP-2 may have therapeutic application in treatment of gastrointestinal injury and diarrheal diseases that occur in developing neonatal and weanling animals.     

Expression of the Arabidopsis MCM Gene PROLIFERA During Root-Knot and Cyst Nematode Infection

ABSTRACT Expression of the Arabidopsis thaliana gene PROLIFERA (PRL) was examined during development of root-knot and cyst nematode feeding sites. These obligate plant parasites establish specialized feeding structures in roots that allow them to withdraw nutrients from the host. In the process of establishing feeding sites, nematodes alter cell cycle regulation. PRL is normally expressed specifically in dividing cells at all stages of plant development and was used here as a marker for cell division. PRL expression, reported from a PRL::GUS fusion protein, was detected in nematode feeding sites of both root-knot and cyst nematodes from the earliest stages of infection in both giant cells and syncytia. However, unlike other cell cycle genes, expression of PRL was detected only occasionally in cells surrounding the feeding sites. PRL::GUS activity persisted until late in the infection cycle, past the time when other cell cycle genes are expressed. These data indicate that some aspects of the PRL expression pattern during nematode infection differ from that of other cell cycle genes.     

Genetic and molecular analyses in crosses of race 2 and race 7 of albugo Candida

ABSTRACT The inheritance of avirulence and polymorphic molecular markers in Albugo candida, the cause of white rust of crucifers, was studied in crosses of race 2 (Ac2), using isolates MiAc2-B1 or MiAc2-B5 (metalaxyl-insensitive and virulent to Brassica juncea cv. Burgonde) with race 7 (Ac7), using isolate MsAc7-A1 (metalaxyl-sensitive and virulent to B. rapa cv. Torch). Hybrids were obtained via co-inoculation onto a common susceptible host. Putative F(1) progeny were selfed to produce F(2) progeny. The parents and F(1) progeny were examined for virulence on the differential cultivars B. juncea cv. Burgonde and B. rapa cv. Torch. Segregation of avirulence or virulence of F(2) populations was analyzed on cv. Torch. Putative F(1) hybrids were confirmed by random amplified polymorphic DNA markers specific for each parent. Avirulence or virulence of F (2) progeny to B. rapa cv. Torch suggested 3:1 in each of three populations, supporting the hypothesis of a single dominant avirulence gene. Amplified fragment length polymorphism markers also segregated in regular Mendelian fashion among F(2) progeny derived from two F(1) hybrids (Cr2-5 and Cr2-7) of Cross-2. This first putative avirulence gene in A. candida was designated AvrAc1. These results suggest that a single dominant gene controls avirulence in race Ac2 to B. rapa cv. Torch and provides further evidence for the gene-for-gene relationship in the Albugo-Brassica pathosystem.     

Efficacy of an E. coli phytase expressed in yeast for releasing phytate-bound phosphorus in young chicks and pigs

Four chick trials and one pig trial were conducted to investigate the phosphorus-releasing efficacy oftwo commercial phytase enzymes (Natuphos and Ronozyme) and an experimental E. coli phytase enzyme (ECP) when added to corn-soybean meal diets containing no supplemental inorganic P (iP). In the 13- or 14-d chick trials, three or four graded levels of iP (0, 0.05,0.10,0.15%) from KH2PO4 were added to the basal diet to construct standard curves from which bioavailable P release could be calculated for the phytase treatments. In all cases, phytase supplementation levels were based on an assessment of phytase premix activity (i.e., P release from Na phytate at pH 5.5). Linear (P < 0.01) responses in tibia ash and weight gain resulted from iP supplementation in all assays. In the first chick trial, supplementation of 500 phytase units (FTU)/kg of ECP resulted in superior (P < 0.01) weight gain and tibia ash values compared with 500 FTU/kg of Natuphos. Results of the second chick trial revealed P-release values of 0.032 and 0.028% for 500 FTU/kg Natuphos and Ronozyme, respectively, and these were lower (P < 0.01) than the 0.125% P-release value for 500 FTU/kg of ECP. Tibia ash responded quadratically (P < 0.05) in response to graded levels of ECP up to 1,500 FTU/kg in the third chick trial. Combining Natuphos with either Ronozyme or ECP in Chick Trial 4 revealed no synergism between phytases with different initiation sites of P removal. The pig trial involved 10 individually fed weanling pigs per diet, and and phytase enzymes were supplemented to provide 400 FTU/kg in diets containing 0.60% Ca. Based on the linear regression of fibula ash on supplemental iP intake (r2 = 0.87), P-release values were 0.081% for Natuphos, 0.043% for Ronozyme, and 0.108% for ECP. These trials revealed an advantage of the E. coli phytase over the commercial phytases in young chicks.