Notes on the role of water potential in the pathogenesis of fire blight,caused by Erwinia amylovora

The rate of multiplication of fire blight causing bacteriumErwinia amylovora (Burrill) Winslow et al. depends on the availability of water. Water availability can be quantified by means of the parameter water potential. The relationship between water potential and relative multiplication rate ofE. amylovora was derived from experiments of L. Shaw (1935). This relationship appears to be applicable toE. amylovora in plant tissues and in nectar of flowers.Multiplication and expansion ofE. amylovora in a restricted space, e.g. an intercellular hole, creates a pressure, which may cause schizogenic cavities in soft tissue. Strong tissue, however, may be able to resist this multiplication pressure of the bacteria, so that symptom progression can be prevented. A hypothesis is formulated on how the multiplication pressure may be quantified by means of the parameter water potential. Expansion of bacterial ooze may alo be due to absorbtion of water without increase of dry weight (e.g. a daily cycle of shrinkage and expansion). This expansion may give rise to a swelling pressure, which again may be quantified by means of the parameter water potential.Samenvatting De vermenigvuldigingssnelheid van de bacterie die bacterievuur veroorzaakt (Erwinia amylovora (Burrill) Winslow et al.,), hangt af van de beschikbaarheid van water. De beschikbaarheid van water kan worden gekwantificeerd met de parameter waterpotentiaal. De relatie tussen waterpotentiaal en relatieve vermenigvuldigingssnelheid vanE. amylovora werd afgeleid uit experimenten van L. Shaw (1935, Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station, Ithaca. Memoir 181). Deze relatie kan zowel worden toegepast op de pathogenese in planteweefsel als op de epifytische ontwikkeling in nektar.Vermenigvuldiging vanE. amylovora in een beperkte ruimte, bijvoorbeeld in een intercellulaire holte, creëert een druk, die tot scheuren van zacht weefsel kan leiden. Sterk weefsel kan de vermenigvuldigingsdruk van de bacteriën vermoedelijk wel weerstaan, zodat uitbreiding wordt verhinderd. In een hypothese wordt beschreven hoe de vermenigvuldigingsdruk zou kunnen worden gekwantificeerd met behulp van de parameter waterpotentiaal. Wateropname door bacterieslijm zonder toename van het drooggewicht (bijvoorbeeld een dagelijkse gang van krimpen en zwellen) kan ook leiden tot een druk. Deze druk kan eveneens worden berekend met de parameter waterpotentiaal.     

‘Plantibodies’: a flexible approach to design resistance against pathogens

Engineering resistance against various diseases and pests is hampered by the lack of suitable genes. To overcome this problem we started a research program aimed at obtaining resistance by transfecting plants with genes encoding monoclonal antibodies against pathogen specific proteins. The idea is that monoclonal antibodies will inhibit the biological activity of molecules that are essential for the pathogenesis. Potato cyst nematodes are chosen as a model and it is thought that monoclonal antibodies are able to block the function of the saliva proteins of this parasite. These proteins are, among others, responsible for the induction of multinucleate transfer cells upon which the nematode feeds. It is well documented that the ability of antibodies to bind molecules is sufficient to inactivate the function of an antigen and in view of the potential of animals to synthesize antibodies to almost any molecular structure, this strategy should be feasible for a wide range of diseases and pests.Antibodies have several desirable features with regard to protein engineering. The antibody (IgG) is a Y-shaped molecule, in which the domains forming the tips of the arms bind to antigen and those forming the stem are responsible for triggering effector functions (Fc fragments) that eliminate the antigen from the animal. Domains carrying the antigen-binding loops (Fv and Fab fragments) can be used separately from the Fc fragments without loss of affinity. The antigen-binding domains can also be endowed with new properties by fusing them to toxins or enzymes. Antibody engineering is also facilitated by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). A systematic comparison of the nucleotide sequence of more than 100 antibodies revealed that not only the 3′-ends, but also the 5′-ends of the antibody genes are relatively conserved. We were able to design a small set of primers with restriction sites for forced cloning, which allowed the amplification of genes encoding antibodies specific for the saliva proteins ofGlobodera rostochiensis. Complete heavy and light chain genes as well as single chain Fv fragments (scFv), in which the variable parts of the light (V_L) and heavy chain (V_H) are linked by a peptide, will be transferred to potato plants. A major challenge will be to establish a correct expression of the antibody genes with regard to three dimensional folding, assembly and intracellular location.     

Simulation of pressure caused by multiplication and swelling of Erwinia amylovora in intercellular space of host tissue

WhenErwinia amylovora grows, in an intercellular space of a host, and fills this space, further multiplication or swelling may create a pressure, and may cause tearing of host tissue. Theoretically, this bacterial pressure equals the actual water potential of the host tissue minus the water potential at which the bacterial biomass would completely fill the intercellular space, but without exerting pressure.Simulation runs indicate that, when the pressure increases, the extracellular slime ofE. amylovora shrinks by releasing water, thus allowing further production of bacterial dry matter. The slime remains around the bacterial cells as a dense substance, low in water content, having a strong capacity to swell when the pressure induces tearing apart of the host tissue. Simulation runs show that the pressure attains its highest values at evening and night.Some fire blight symptoms that illustrate the evidence of bacterial pressure are discussed.     

蛋雏鸡传染性喉气管炎的诊治

鸡传染性喉气管炎(ILT)是由鸡传染性喉气管炎病毒引起的以剧烈咳嗽、气喘、高度呼吸困难和气管内有血样渗出物等为特征的一种急性呼吸道传染病.育成蛋鸡感染该病多有报道,而蛋雏鸡感染发病比较少见.本文以一起48日龄海兰褐蛋雏鸡传染性喉气管炎病例为题材,从发病情况、临床症状、病理剖检变化、诊断、防治等几个方面对该病做了详尽阐述.     

猪败血性链球菌与附红细胞体混合感染病例

猪败血性链球菌病是猪链球菌感染引起的一种急性败血性传染病,猪附红细胞体病是由猪附红细胞体寄生于猪红细胞而引起的一种散在的热性、溶血性传染病.本文以某猪场这2种病混合感染病例为题材,从发病基本情况、临床症状、剖检变化、实验室检验、防治措施等6个方面对该混合感染病例做了详尽的阐述.     

Simulation study of the competitive ability of erect, semi-erect and prostrate cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes

Ecophysiological simulation models provide a quantitative method to predict the effects of management practices, plant characteristics and environmental factors on crop and weed growth and competition. The INTERCOM interplant competition model was parameterised, calibrated by monoculture data for three cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes that differed in growth habit, common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and common purslane (Portulaca oleracea), and used to simulate competition of cowpea cover crops with sunflower or purslane. The simulation results were compared with observations from field competition experiments in 2003 and 2004. INTERCOM more accurately simulated actual field data for the competition of cowpea genotypes and sunflower than companion field experiments for the competition of cowpea and purslane. The validated simulation model of cowpea and sunflower at two densities was used to study the effects of cowpea growth habit on final biomass production of cowpea and sunflower. The model suggested that erect growth habit was more competitive than semi‐erect and prostrate growth habit, when cowpea genotypes were grown with sunflower. Cowpea leaf area distribution was important to higher cowpea biomass production, while cowpea height growth was important to reduce sunflower biomass. Our simulation approach is suggested as a method for crop breeders to gauge the likely success of selection for competitive crops before undertaking expensive long‐term breeding experiments.     

Failure of passive transfer in foals: incidence and outcome on four studs in New South Wales

Objective To determine the regional incidence and effectiveness of treatment of failure of passive transfer (FPT) in foals. Design A study of disease incidence. Animals Eighty-eight foals and 57 mares from four studs in the practice area of the Rural Veterinary Centre were tested. Procedure Foals were tested for their serum IgG and total serum protein (TSP) concentration within the first 72 hours of life. Colostrum was collected from mares and specific gravity determined. FPT and partial failure of passive transfer (PFPT) of immunoglobulins was diagnosed when serum IgG concentrations were < 4 g/L and 4 to 8 g/L respectively. Owners of foals diagnosed with FPT were offered treatment with 1 to 2 L plasma (TSP > 70 g/L); 9 (64%) of the affected foals were treated. Results Fourteen foals (16%) had FPT whereas 15 (17%) had PFPT. There were significant differences between the mean TSP concentration in foals with FPT (42.6 ± 4.2 g/L), PFPT (48.1 ± 3.9 g/L) and those acquiring adequate passive immunity (58.9 ± 5.5 g/L) (P < 0.01). Sixteen (29%) mares had pre-suck colostral specific gravity < 1.060 and 12 (71%) foals raised by these mares had FPT or PFPT. The incidence of severe disease (categorised by a sepsis score > 11, positive culture of bacteria from blood or disease requiring hospitalisation) in all foals in the first 2 months of life was 10%. However, none of the nine foals with FPT that received plasma experienced severe disease. In contrast, foals with PFPT had an increased susceptibility to severe disease (P < 0.001) when compared with normal foals. Conclusion Treatment of foals with FPT may reduce the subsequent incidence of severe disease. Pre-suck colostral specific gravity and foal TSP may be used to predict the likelihood of FPT and PFPT. Even though the number of foals studied is small the results highlight the importance of optimal management practices in reducing the incidence of FPT and disease associated with this process.     

Immunohistochemical Expression of Growth Factors in the Follicular Wall of Normal and Cystic Ovaries of Sows

The expression of growth factors was evaluated immunohistochemically in normal and cystic ovaries of sows. The immunohistochemically stained area (IHCSA) was quantified by image analysis to analyse the expression of these proteins in the follicular wall of secondary, tertiary and cystic follicles. IGF‐I immunoreactivity was strong in the granulosa cell layer (GC), moderate in the theca interna (TI) and mild in the theca externa (TE) of the normal follicles. There was severe reduction of the labelling to IGF‐I in the GC of the follicular and luteinized cysts. In the normal follicles, the reactivity for IGF‐II was very similar to pattern noted in IGF‐I. There was reduction of the IHCSAs in the GC of the follicular and luteinized cysts, but the decrease was not significant. The staining of the IGF‐II in the TI and TE of the cysts was increased, in comparison with normal follicles. The IHCSAs for VEGF were higher in the GC and TE of the normal follicles in contrast to TI, but this difference was noted only in the tertiary follicle. The VEGF reactivity increased in the GC of the cysts, in relation to normal follicles. The results of the current study show that the formation of ovarian cysts in sows is associated with alterations in the immunohistochemical expression of some growth factors.     

Intraperitoneal Insemination in Mammals: A Review

This review focuses on factors associated with the development of intraperitoneal insemination in mammals. Findings to date indicate that fertility improves as the sperm cell concentration rises, but that the optimal sperm number differs in each species. Sperm washing before intraperitoneal insemination favours fertility. Peritoneal fluid shows a variable effect on spermatozoa, depending on the hormonal status of the female. The optimal time for insemination appears to be just prior to ovulation. The technique may be performed either through the abdominal or the vaginal wall. Verification of sperm deposition in the proximity of the ovaries improves fertility rates. Although associated with some risk of infection and an immune reaction against spermatozoa, the intraperitoneal technique rarely gives rise to severe anaphylactic shock, peritonitis, adhesion formation and the production of anti‐sperm antibodies and these complications may be prevented by adequate sperm pretreatment and antibiotic therapy. The success of intraperitoneal insemination in humans, with results comparable with those of intrauterine insemination in the treatment of infertility, suggest the potential use of this technique in domestic mammals, especially in those in which intrauterine insemination poses practical difficulties. Some of the methods applied in human intraperitoneal insemination, such as confirming the position of the needle in the peritoneal cavity, and sperm pre‐treatments might also improve results in domestic species. Conversely, the use of the animal model should help to develop some aspects of this technique in humans.     

Polyploidy in garden tulips. I. A survey of Tulip a varieties for polyploids

Summary As part of a breeding programme for polyploid tulips, chromosome counts have been made on about 600 tulip varieties in the past 10 years. Four tetraploid and 81 triploid varieties were found.An account of the results together with a list of the counts is presented.