Evaluation of the Nutritional Quality of the Grain Protein of New Amaranths Varieties

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - The efforts for promoting the consumption of food of plant origin are increasingly growing. The amaranth grain is an important vegetable protein source, superior...     

Somatic embryogenesis inCephalotaxus harringtonia embryo-megagametophyte co-culture

Somatic embryogenesis was initiated fromCephalotaxus harringtonia (Forbes) K. Koch embryo culture. Explants consisted of embryo and megagametophyte halves both cut longitudinally. They were removed aseptically from mature seeds and grown together on a solid Murashige and Skoog modified medium supplemented with 5 mg·l ⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Embryogenic cultures started from callus after three or more months on the primary medium. The embryogenic callus originated from the suspensor region of the embryo. All chromosome counts made in the cells of the embryonic structures demonstrated a diploid stage, which suggest that they originated from zygotic embryo tissue. The early stages of somatic embryogenic development were achieved,i.e., formation of small clusters consisting of an embryonal region made up of isodiametric meristematic cells. A more advanced stage was reached in some cultures in which the distal embryonal end of the embryo appeared smooth and opaque. The ultrastructural characteristics of the embryos, the two types of embryo cells, embryonal and suspensor cells, as well as their contents were similar to those already reported in the case of somatic embryogenesis of other conifers.     

Ecotoxicological assessment of the effects of glyphosate and chlorpyrifos in an Argentine soya field

Background, Aim and Scope

Continuous application of pesticides may pollute soils and affect non-target organisms. Soil is a complex ecosystem; its components can modulate the effects of pesticides. Therefore, it is recommended to evaluate the potential environmental risk of these compounds in local conditions. We performed an integrated field-laboratory study on an Argentine soya field sprayed with glyphosate and chlorpyrifos under controlled conditions. Our aim was to compare the sensitivity of a series of endpoints for the assessment of adverse effects of the extensive use of these agrochemicals.

Materials and Methods

A RR soya field in a traditional farming area of Argentina was sprayed with glyphosate (GLY) or chlorpyrifos (CPF) formulations at the commercially recommended rates, according to a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. In laboratory assays, Eisenia fetida andrei were exposed to soil samples (0–10 cm depth) collected between the rows of soya. Endpoints linked to behavior and biological activity (reproduction, avoidance behavior and bait-lamina tests) and cellular/subcellular assays (Neutral Red Retention Time — NRRT; DNA damage — Comet assay) were tested. Field assays included litterbag and bait-lamina tests. Physico/chemical analyses were performed on soil samples.

Results

GLY reduced cocoon viability, decreasing the number of juveniles. Moreover, earthworms avoided soils treated with GLY. No effects on either reproduction or on avoidance were observed at the very low CPF concentration measured in the soils sampled 10 days after treatment. Both pesticides caused a reduction in the feeding activity under laboratory and field conditions. NRRT was responsive to formulations of CPF and GLY. Comet assay showed significantly increased DNA damage in earthworms exposed to CPF treated soils. No significant differences in DNA migration were observed with GLY treated soils. Litterbag field assay showed no differences between treated and control plots.

Discussion

The ecotoxicological effects of pesticides can be assessed by monitoring the status of communities in real ecosystems or through the use of laboratory toxicity tests. Litterbag field test showed no influence of the treatments on the organic matter breakdown, suggesting a scarce contribution of soil macrofauna. The bait-lamina test, however, seemed to be useful for detecting the effects of GLY and CPF treatments on the activity of the soil fauna. CPF failed to give significant differences with the controls in the reproduction test and the results were not conclusive in the avoidance test. Although the field population density of earthworms could be affected by multiple factors, the effects observed on the reproduction and avoidance tests caused by GLY could contribute to its decrease, with the subsequent loss of their beneficial functions. Biomarkers measuring effects on suborganism level could be useful to predict adverse effects on soil organisms and populations. Among them, NRRT, a lysosomal destabilization biomarker, resulted in demonstrating more sensitivity than the reproduction and avoidance tests. The Comet assay was responsive only to CPF. Since DNA damage can have severe consequences on populations, it could be regarded as an important indicator to be used in the assessment of soil health.

Conclusions

Reproduction and avoidance tests were sensitive indicators of GLY exposure, with the former being more labor intensive. Bait-lamina test was sensitive to both CPF and GLY. NRRT and Comet assays revealed alterations at a subcellular level, and could be considered complementary to the biological activity tests. Because of their simplicity, some of these bioassays seemed to be appropriate pre-screening tests, prior to more extensive and invasive testing.

Recommendations and Perspectives

This study showed deleterious effects of GLY and CPF formulations when applied at the nominal concentrations recommended for soya crops. Further validation is needed before these endpoints could be used as field monitoring tools in Argentine soya soils (ecotoxicological risk assessment — ERA tools).

     

Magnetic resonance imaging features of canine incomplete humeral condyle ossification

Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (IOHC) is characterized by an intracondylar fissure located where the intercondylar physis is present in growing dogs. Its radiologic and computed tomographic features have been described but the magnetic resonance (MR) features have not been characterized. Our purpose was to further describe the range of MRappearances of IOHC, to assess the diagnostic capability of MRrelative to radiology, and to determine whether MRis able to identify the disease before a fissure forms. Thirty-eight elbow MRscans and radiographs, when available, were reviewed and divided into three groups. In Group 1 (affected elbows, n = 22), there was an intracondylar defect on MRwith variable appearance; the defect was not visible radiographically in 32% of the elbows. The main difference between Group 2 (nonaffected elbows, n = 6) and Group 3 (contralaterals to IOHC or to condylar fracture, without fissure, n = 10) was the appearance of the humeral condyle in short tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequences: all elbows in Group 2 had a homogeneous humeral condyle, whereas all but one in Group 3 were heterogeneous. One dog in Group 3 developed a complete condylar fissure 7 months after the first examination, when no evidence of an intracondylar defect had been detected. The MRappearance of IOHC is variable and a heterogeneous humeral condyle in STIR images without a clear defect may warn of the possibility for the subsequent development of a condylar fissure.     

CT and MRI characterization of presumed persistent ossiculum terminale in dogs

Anecdotally, during the review of CT and MRI studies of canine patients including the cranial cervical spine, authors have identified a small osseous structure between the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) with no relevant clinical signs. This structure appeared comparable to a “persistent ossiculum terminale” in humans. The aim of this retrospective, multi-center, case series study was to describe the CT and MRI features of presumed persistent ossiculum terminale in a group of dogs presented with unrelated medical conditions.  Two databases (the imaging database of the teleradiology service VetCT Specialists and the clinical database of the University of Vienna) were scrutinized by different approaches. Medical records of dogs that underwent imaging investigation (CT and/or MRI) that included the atlanto-axial junction were reviewed. Data collected included signalment, sex, breed, age, presenting symptoms, and final diagnosis. Eighteen dogs met the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 85 months (6–166) and breed variation was present. A total of 20 imaging studies were evaluated: CT was performed in 17 dogs; MRI in three dogs; two dogs had both MRI and CT performed. In all cases the presence of at least one small osseous body on the cranial aspect of the odontoid process compatible with a persistent ossiculum terminale was identified as a possible incidental finding without any overt clinical implications. Findings indicated that a small osseous body on the cranial aspect of the odontoid process (presumed persistent ossiculum terminale) in CT and MRI studies may be present in dogs with no clinical signs of neurologic disease.