Identification of PCR markers linked to different Or genes in sunflower

Broomrape is a parasitic plant that significantly decreases yield of sunflower. Breeding for resistance has proved to be the most efficient method for suppressing broomrape infestation in the field; however, new races of parasite constantly emerge, and new resistance genes need to be discovered and introduced into cultivated sunflower lines. The aim of this work was to test SSR markers from linkage group 3 (LG3) to investigate whether they could be used for identification of a particular Or gene. Twenty sunflower inbred lines were used, and polymorphism between the lines with various resistance genes and genetic background was investigated. The used markers revealed DNA polymorphism between the investigated lines. Strong association of markers from LG3 with Or₆, as well as Or₄ and Or₂ genes, was found. Identified markers could be used for introduction of these resistance genes into commercial sunflower lines and for establishment and identification of differential lines.     

Successful medical treatment of an orbital osteoma in a dog

A 6‐year‐old neutered male German Shepherd‐mixed breed with a 2‐month history of bilateral conjunctival hyperemia, epiphora, and a firm, slowly progressive swelling of the medial canthal region of the left eye (OS) was examined. Ophthalmic examination OS revealed a firm and smooth mass, extending from the medial canthus toward the medial orbital wall. Indirect ophthalmoscopy revealed indentation of the nasal part OS, which corresponded to the position of the orbital mass. Orbital neoplastic diseases were the main differential considerations. Computerized tomography revealed a bony smooth orbital mass without bone destructive features. Biopsy was performed, and histologic features were suggestive of osteoma. Systemic nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory (NSAID) drugs resulted in complete mass regression and absence of clinical signs for 5 years following initial diagnosis. This report describes the first case of canine orbital osteoma, which was responsive to NSAIDs.     

Soil‐carbon turnover under different crop management: Evaluation of RothC‐model predictions under Pannonian climate conditions

Despite the importance of soil organic matter (SOM), very few long‐term data concerning soil organic‐C dynamics are available for calibrating and evaluating C models. The long‐term ¹⁴C‐turnover field experiment, established in 1967 in Fuchsenbigl, Lower Austria, offers the unique opportunity to follow the fate of labeled C under different crop‐management systems (bare fallow, spring wheat, crop rotation) over a period of more than 35 y. Compared with the crop‐rotation and spring‐wheat treatments, the decline of total organic C was largest in the bare‐fallow treatments, because no significant C input has occurred since 1967. Nonetheless, the decline was not as fast as predicted with the original RothC‐26.3‐model decomposition rate constants. In this work, we therefore calibrated the Roth‐C‐26.3 model for the Pannonian climatic region based on the field‐experiment results. The main adjustment was in the decomposition rate constant for the humified soil C pool (HUM), which was set to 0.009 instead of 0.02 y^–1 as determined in the original Rothamsted field trial. This resulted in a higher HUM pool in the calibrated model because of a longer turnover period (111 vs. 50 y). The modeled output based on the calibrated model fitted better to measured values than output obtained with the original Roth‐C‐26.3‐model parameters. Additionally, the original decomposition rate constant for resistant plant material (RPM) was changed from 0.3 to 0.6 y^–1 to describe the decomposition of ¹⁴C‐labeled straw more accurately. Application of the calibrated model (modified HUM decomposition rate) to simulate removal of crop residues showed that this can entail a long‐term decline of SOM. However, these impacts are strongly dependent on the crop types and on environmental conditions at a given location.     

The chemotherapeutic efficacy of imidocarb dihydrochloride on concurrent bovine anaplasmosis and babesiosis

Summary The chemotherapeutic efficacy of imidocarb dihydrochloride (3,3′-bis(2-imidazolin-2 yl) carbanilide dihydrochloride) administered as single intramuscular doses of 1·0, 2·0 and 2·5 mg/kg, against concurrent bovine anaplasmosis and babesiosis, is reported. Dosages of 2·0 and 2·5 mg/kg of imidocarb dihydrochloride rapidly inhibited acute ascending concurrent parasitaemias ofAnaplasma marginale, Babesia bigemina andBabesia argentina; however, 1·0 mg/kg had a minimal effect onA. marginale but was very effective againstB. bigemina andB. argentina. Imidocarb dihydrochloride at 1·0, 2·0 and 2·5 mg/kg inhibited the development of immunity of the acuteBabesia spp. infections, making the calves more susceptible to babesiosis upon challenge. The inhibition ofA. marginale parasitaemias was directly related to increasing doses of imidocarb dihydrochloride; however, recrudescing and persisting post-treatment parasitaemias also occurred more frequently at higher doses.

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Sumario La eficiencia quemoterapéutica del imidocarb dihydrochloride (3,3′-bis (2-imidazolin-2 yl) carbanilide dihydro chloride) administrada como dosis intramuscular unica de 1·0, 2·0 y 2·5 mg/kg, en infecciones concurrentes de anaplasmosis y babesiosis es reportada en este trabajo. Dosis de 2·0 y 2·5 mg/kg de imidocarb dihydrochloride, rapidamente inhibieron las parasitemias concurrentes ascendientes y agudas deAnaplasma marginale, Babesia bigemina yBabesia argentina; sin embargo, 1·0 mg/kg tuvo un efecto minimo sobreA. marginale, pero fue muy efectivo contraB. bigemina yB. argentina. El imidocarb dihydrochloride en dosis de 1·0, 2·0 y 2·5 mg/kg inhibió el desarrollo de inmunidad contra la forma aguda deBabesia, haciendo a los terneros mas susceptibles a la babesiosis al desafio. La inhibición de parasitemias deA. marginale estuvo directamente relacionada al aumento de la dosis de imidocarb dihydrochloride; sin embargo, parasitemias debido al recrudecimiento ó a la persistencia despues del tratemiento, tambien ocurrieron mas frecuentemente en dosis altas.

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Résumé L'efficacité de ce produit administré à l'occasion d'une unique injection à la dose de 1,0, 2,0 et 2,5 mg/kg contre l'anaplasmose et la babésiose simultanées est rapportée. La dose de 2 à 2,5 mg/kg inhibe rapidement le développement aigu de parasitémies dues à la fois àAnaplasma marginale, Babesia bigemina etBabesia argentina; cependant la dose de 1 mg/kg n'a qu'un effet modeste surA. marginale, alors qu'il conserve toute sa valeur contreB. bigemina etB. argentina. A la dose de 1,0, 2,0 et 2,5 mg/kg, ce corps entrave le développement de l'immunité dans les accés aigus dus àBabesia spp. rendant les veaux plus sensibles à de nouvelles attaques de babésioses. L'inhibition de parasitémie à base deA. marginale est directement en rapport avec l'accroissement de la dose d'Imidocarb dihydrochloride; toutefois, la recrudescence et la persistance après traitement de parasitémies sont plus fréquentes après usage de doses élevées.

     

Comparisons of the complement-fixation and indirect fluorescent antibody reactions in the detection of bovine babesiasis.

Complement-fixation (CF) and indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) antigens were prepared from Babesia bigemina isolates obtained in Texas. These serologic procedures were evaluated on 130 serum samples sequentially collected from 5 B bigemina-infected mature cattle, beginning on the day of exposure and continuing for 175 day thereafter. Both tests were effective in detecting specific antibodies for the first 84 days of infection, with 57 of 60 (95%) serums tested being positive on the CF test and 57 of 57 (100%) tests being positive to the IFA test. During the interval from 98 to 175 days, 24 of 60 (40%) of the serums tested were positive with the CF test, and 53 of 56 (95%) were positive with the IFA test. During the first 84 days, a similar linear regression occurred in both CF and IFA serum titers, but after 98 days the IFA regression flattened out, whereas the CF titers decreased below the sensitivity threshold in 60% of the serums tested.