Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with root‐feeding bark beetles on Scots pine in Poland

Ophiostomatoid fungi are known to be associated with various species of bark beetles. However, information about fungal associates of root‐feeding bark beetles in Europe is still fragmentary. For this reason, the fungal associates of Hylastes ater, H. opacus and Hylurgus ligniperda on Pinus sylvestris were isolated and identified. A total of 743 fungal isolates were collected and separated into 10 morphological groups. Analyses of ITS rDNA and partial β‐tubulin gene sequences confirmed that these groups represented distinct species. The 10 species included a total of 13 associations between fungi and bark beetles that had not been recorded previously. All of the bark beetles examined were frequently associated with ophiostomatoid fungi. The fungal diversity and relative abundance of species were very similar in the three species of root‐feeding bark beetles. The most commonly encountered associates of these beetles were Grosmannia radiaticola, Leptographium lundbergii, L. procerum and L. truncatum. Insect infestation data furthermore suggest that Hylastes spp. and Hg. ligniperda are also important vectors of the fungal pathogen Sphaeropsis sapinea.     

Luteinising hormone attenuates the vascular response to norepinephrine

The present study examines the direct effect of luteinising hormone (LH) on the reactivity of the porcine uterine artery to norepinephrine (NE). Three-mm-long arterial segments collected during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle were mounted in an organ bath for isometric tension recording. After 30 min of equilibration in optimal passive tone, one part of the vessels was treated with 10 ng/ml of LH in PBS (experimental), while a second part of the arterial segments was treated with 10 ng/ml of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in PBS (control). After 30 min of equilibration, NE was given to each organ bath in a cumulative concentration manner, ranging between 1 x 10(-8) mol/l to 3 x 10(-4) mol/l. NE caused a dose-dependent contraction of all experimental and control arteries. The addition of LH caused a rightward shift of the dose-response curve to NE. The corresponding EC50 values were 2.17 (+/- 0.39) micromol/l in PBS-pretreated vessels and 3.35 (+/- 0.41) micromol/l in LH-pretreated vessels (P < 0.05). The results of the present study demonstrate that LH attenuates the vascular response to NE in third-order branches of the uterine artery. Therefore, it can be suggested that besides the known effect of LH-hCG on the formation of vasoactive eicosanoids, an additional mechanism is involved in the direct action of LH on blood flow in the uterine arteries in pigs.     

Decorin concentrations in canine normal and neoplastic mammary gland tissues

In the present study, the concentration of decorin in canine normal and neoplastic mammary gland tissues was examined to understand the potential role of decorin in development and progression of canine mammary tumours. The homogenates of 48 mammary gland tumours (10 benign and 38 malignant) and 10 samples of normal canine mammary gland tissue were used in the study. The presence and quantification of decorin was examined in the homogenates using Western blot and specific canine ELISA. Western blotting confirmed the presence of decorin both in the normal mammary gland tissues and in the mammary gland tumours. The concentration of decorin was significantly higher (p < .05) in the benign tumours and non-metastatic malignant tumours than in the normal mammary gland. The concentration of decorin was significantly lower (p < .05) in the malignant tumours with metastasis to regional lymph nodes compared with benign tumours and non-metastatic malignant tumours. No significant differences were found in the level of decorin between the benign and the non-metastatic malignant tumours. Both the histological type of malignant tumours and the histological grade did not significantly affect the concentration of decorin. These findings suggest that neoplastic transformation in the canine mammary gland leads to increase in the decorin protein synthesis. The reducing decorin concentration in canine malignant mammary tumours appears to facilitate the metastatic spread of these tumours.     

Correction to: Differences in C and N release from Alliaria petiolata leaves and stems: consequences for nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems

European Journal of Forest Research -     

Records of Anthropogenic Pollution in Silesia Captured in Scots Pine Tree Rings: Analysis by Radiocarbon,Stable Isotopes,and Basal Area Increment Analysis

Water, Air, &; Soil Pollution - This paper proposes adaptive microwave technologies for assessing the state of water systems. The expected results will allow the rapid assessment of temperature,...     

Nɛ-(carboxymethyl)lysine,Available Lysine,and Volatile Compound Profile of Biscuits Enriched with Grape by-Product During Storage

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - We investigated the changes in N?-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) and available lysine content, antioxidant properties, volatiles, and oxidation products of...     

Effects of different diets on juvenile tench, Tinca tinca (L.) reared under controlled conditions

In a laboratory experiment at 28 °C, four commercial starters (Carp Starter, Uni Starter, Perla Plus, Asta) were fed intensively to 11-month-old juvenile tench Tinca tinca of initially 41 mm TL and 0.70 g BW, over a period of 120 days. Frozen chironomid larvae were fed to fish below satiation as a reference diet for comparison of the fish body chemical composition. Final survival rates of 99–100% and satisfactory growth were attained with all dry diets, ranging from 73.3 (Carp Starter) to 84.8 mm TL (Asta) and from 5.39 (Carp Starter) to 8.09 g BW (Perla Plus). External body deformities of up to 96.4% specimens appeared in those fed Uni Starter, Carp Starter and Perla Plus, whereas 0% were recorded for Asta and chironomids. Fish in groups with deformities showed significantly elevated lipid content in their bodies, lower ash content and higher condition coefficient values. Juveniles in groups without deformities did not substantially change lipid content, but the ash content increased. Thus, among four dry diets studied, only Asta starter can be fed effectively and safely to juvenile tench reared intensively under controlled conditions.     

Congenital bipartite atlas with hypodactyly in a dog: clinical,radiographic and CT findings

A three‐year‐old Border collie was diagnosed with a bipartite atlas and bilateral forelimb hypodactyly. The dog showed signs of acute, non‐progressive neck pain, general stiffness and right thoracic limb non‐weight‐bearing lameness. Computed tomography imaging revealed a bipartite atlas with abaxial vertical bone proliferation, which was the cause of the clinical signs. In addition, bilateral hypodactyly of the second and fifth digits was incidentally found. This report suggests that hypodactyly may be associated with atlas malformations .     

The carbon dioxide laser: an alternative surgery technique for the treatment of common cutaneous tumors in dogs

Background

Tumors of the skin and subcutaneous tissue are the largest group of canine neoplasms. Total excision is still the most effective method for treatment of these skin tumors. For its universal properties the carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser appears to be an excellent surgical instrument in veterinary surgery. Laser techniques are alternatives to traditional methods for the surgical management of tumors. The aim of this study was to compare various types of laser techniques in skin oncologic surgery: excision, ablation and mixed technique and to suggest which technique of CO₂ laser procedure is the most useful in particular case of tumors in dogs.

Findings

The study was performed on 38 privately-owned dogs with total number of 40 skin tumors of different type removed by various CO₂ laser operation techniques from 2010–2013. The treatment effect was based on the surgical wound evaluation, the relative time of healing and possible local recurrence of the tumor after 3 months post surgery. Local recurrence was observed in two cases. The study showed that in 30 cases time needed for complete resection of lesions was less than 10 minutes. Time of healing was longer than 12 days in 6 cases (42.8%) with tumor excision and in 14 cases (87.5%) where excision with ablation technique was performed.

Conclusions

The advantages of the CO₂ laser surgery were better hemostasis, precision of working, non-contact dissection, less instruments at the site of operation and minimum traumatization of the surrounding tissues.