First molecular detection of canine herpesvirus 1 (CaHV-1) in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon

BackgroundCanine herpesvirus type 1 (CaHV-1) infects dogs and is associated with neonatal deaths and reproductive, ocular, neurological, and respiratory problems. In Brazil, reports of CaHV-1 have been restricted to the southeast and south regions, particularly in municipalities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.ObjectivesTo assess the presence and variability of CaHV-1 in canine populations in the state of Pará, North Brazil.MethodsBiological samples from 159 dogs from 4 municipalities in the State of Pará were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction and phylogenetic analyses, with the target being the viral enzyme, thymidine kinase.ResultsCaHV-1 was detected in 13 dogs (8.2%), with 2 animals being from the municipality of Santa Bárbara do Pará, 8 from Algodoal Island, 2 from Salinópolis, and one from Capanema. The study sequences revealed 100% identity among themselves and 64% to 100% identity with the other nucleotide sequences from Australia, Brazil, United Kingdom, and United States, including 100% identity with the 2002 isolate from Australia. The 1996 isolate from France was grouped in a branch that was different from the sequence of this study.ConclusionsThis study presents the first molecular detection of CaHV-1 in dogs from the Amazon region in northern Brazil. The nucleotide identity between the strains and cytosine insertion in the sequences isolated in this study suggests at least 2 strains of CaHV-1 circulating in Brazil (Pará and BTU-1).     

Tomato yield, biomass accumulation, root distribution and irrigation water use efficiency on a sandy soil, as affected by nitrogen rate and irrigation scheduling

Florida is the largest producer of fresh-market tomatoes in the United States. Production areas are typically intensively managed with high inputs of fertilizer and irrigation. The objectives of this 3-year field study were to evaluate the interaction between N-fertilizer rates and irrigation scheduling on yield, irrigation water use efficiency (iWUE) and root distribution of tomato cultivated in a plastic mulched/drip irrigated production systems. Experimental treatments included three irrigation scheduling regimes and three N-rates (176, 220 and 230 kg ha⁻¹). Irrigation treatments included were: (1) SUR (surface drip irrigation) both irrigation and fertigation line placed right underneath the plastic mulch; (2) SDI (subsurface drip irrigation) where the irrigation line was placed 0.15 m below the fertigation line which was located on top of the bed; and (3) TIME (conventional control) with irrigation and fertigation lines placed as in SUR and irrigation being applied once a day. Except for the “TIME” treatment all irrigation treatments were controlled by soil moisture sensor (SMS)-based irrigation set at 10% volumetric water content which was allotted five irrigation windows daily and bypassed events if the soil water content exceeded the established threshold. Average marketable fruit yields were 28, 56 and 79 Mg ha⁻¹ for years 1-3, respectively. The SUR treatment required 15-51% less irrigation water when compared to TIME treatments, while the reductions in irrigation water use for SDI were 7-29%. Tomato yield was 11-80% higher for the SUR and SDI treatments than TIME where as N-rate did not affect yield. Root concentration was greatest in the vicinity of the irrigation and fertigation drip lines for all irrigation treatments. At the beginning of reproductive phase about 70-75% of the total root length density (RLD) was concentrated in the 0-15 cm soil layer while 15-20% of the roots were found in the 15-30 cm layer. Corresponding RLD distribution values during the reproductive phase were 68% and 22%, respectively. Root distribution in the soil profile thus appears to be mainly driven by development stage, soil moisture and nutrient availability. It is concluded that use of SDI and SMS-based systems consistently increased tomato yields while greatly improving irrigation water use efficiency and thereby reduced both irrigation water use and potential N leaching.     

Subpopulations of Stromal Cells from Long-term Human Bone Marrow Cultures: Ontogeny of Progenitor Cells and Expression of Growth Hormone Receptors *

Long-term culture of bone marrow derived stromal colony forming cells (S-CFC) in matrix and nutrient defined agar medium resulted in stromal cell colonies that pass sequentially through three distinct morphological stages: firstly, aggregated loose syncytium of round to ovoid cells (stage I), a second developmental stage of large branching colonies in which the cells become enlarged, elongated with cytoplasmic projections forming a loosely anastomized network with adjacent cells (stage II), and finally cells become dissociated, loosing their long, thin cytoplasmic filaments and breaking their contacts with one another, but remain large and retain a bi-polar nature (stage III). Cells were also grown in liquid medium in a culture microenvironment closely resembling conditions of haemopoiesis in vitro. Using a panel of well defined monoclonal antibodies reactive against the rat, rabbit and human growth hormone receptors, this study found immunochemical evidence of the presence and localization of binding sites of growth hormone (GH) in the cell membrane and extra-nuclear Golgi area of long-term bone marrow derived human stromal cells in liquid and semi-solid nutrient agar mediums. GH-receptor immunoreactivity was present in small proliferating progenitor cells, myofibroblast-like cells, large reticular fibroblast cells, adipocytes and endothelial cells. Only MAb known to be reactive against human tissue resulted in strong immunoreactivity. The expression of GH-receptors not only on small proliferating, but also on the well differentiated cells, indicates a role for growth hormone on non-progenitor cells. GH-receptor immunoreactivity on differentiating and/or differentiated cells suggests that GH is also necessary for, or has a trophic function in differentiation. We propose that direct GH action is necessary not only for differentiation of progenitor cells as implied by the dual effector hypothesis, but also their subsequent clonal expansion, differentiation and maintenance.     

Effect of induced compaction by wheel traffic on soil physical properties and yield of maize in Romania

Results of field experiments with soil compaction induced by wheel traffic applied uniformly to cover the entire surface of the experimental plots are reported. Compaction was done immediately before sowing, and each year, in each location, the same treatments were repeated on the same plots. The number of tractor passes varied between 0 and 30. The experiments were conducted during the 1978–1981 period in four locations with different soil and climatic conditions.Changes in soil physical properties, as well as in the yield of maize grain, were shown to be related to the number of tractor passes according to regression formulae of the type: Y = aX^b. Most of the changes were recorded between 0 and 8–10 passes, while with more than 15–20 passes changes became negligible. The average maximum increase in bulk density was 20–25% as compared with the non-compacted control plot, and the average maximum decrease in yield was 46%. Moisture content in the compacted control plot, and the was 2–3% (w/w) lower than in the control plot, except for the soils with poor drainage where the lower part of the compacted topsoil showed an increase in moisture content. Air content in the compacted plots often dropped below 10, and occasionally to nearly 0% (v/v). For three of the four locations, grain yield of maize linearly decreased by 13 kg ha^?1 (or 0.18% of the control plot yield) for each 1 kg m^?3 increase in bulk density.     

Requirement of Cks2 for the first metaphase/anaphase transition of mammalian meiosis

We generated mice lacking Cks2, one of two mammalian homologs of the yeast Cdk1-binding proteins, Suc1 and Cks1, and found them to be viable but sterile in both sexes. Sterility is due to failure of both male and female germ cells to progress past the first meiotic metaphase. The chromosomal events up through the end of prophase I are normal in both CKS2-/- males and females, suggesting that the phenotype is due directly to failure to enter anaphase and not a consequence of a checkpoint-mediated metaphase I arrest.     

Regeneration of peroxiredoxins by p53-regulated sestrins, homologs of bacterial AhpD

Acting as a signal, hydrogen peroxide circumvents antioxidant defense by overoxidizing peroxiredoxins (Prxs), the enzymes that metabolize peroxides. We show that sestrins, a family of proteins whose expression is modulated by p53, are required for regeneration of Prxs containing Cys-SO(2)H, thus reestablishing the antioxidant firewall. Sestrins contain a predicted redox-active domain homologous to AhpD, the enzyme catalyzing the reduction of a bacterial Prx, AhpC. Purified Hi95 (sestrin 2) protein supports adenosine triphosphate-dependent reduction of overoxidized PrxI in vitro, indicating that unlike AhpD, which is a disulfide reductase, sestrins are cysteine sulfinyl reductases. As modulators of peroxide signaling and antioxidant defense, sestrins constitute potential therapeutic targets.     

Energy conservation

We can no longer afford to ignore the serious potential consequences of our lavish use of energy. Continuation of the present rate of increase, particularly with the trend to imported fuels, will lead in short order to a level of dependency on imports which is disturbing for both the national security and the balance of payments. The inevitable rise in the price of energy will presumably lead to some increases in the domestic energy supply. But our reserves, particularly in the preferred forms of petroleum, gas, and even low-sulfur coal, are finite. Thus, the energy problem must also be attacked from the standpoint of energy conservation. The forthcoming rise in fuel prices will, of course, make more attractive some forms of conservation which at present are economically marginal. Nevertheless, consumers, industry, and government will have to make difficult choices in the years ahead: between greater convenience and lower energy bills, between the high capital costs of energy conservation measures and the long-term dollar savings from increased energy efficiency, and between environmental protection and the availability of needed energy supplies. Existing capabilities and technology, on which short- and midterm improvements must be based, appear to offer substantial possibilities for reducing U.S. energy consumption within the next decade (11). Long-term solutions to the energy problem, however, will depend to a considerable extent on the continuing appearance of new technological capabilities for increased efficiency of energy utilization and increased integration of energy applications. The capacity for continuing technological advances is, of course, dependent in turn on a strong relevant scientific base. A word of caution is necessary. Recent experience has shown that technological advances alone will not solve the problem. The problem spans not only the traditional physical and engineering sciences but also those sciences which deal with human attitudes and actions, that is, the social sciences, and includes a more fundamental understanding of underlying economic principles. The challenge to all sectors of American science should be clear.