New insights into radiata pine seedling root infection by Fusarium circinatum

Pine root infection by Fusarium circinatum has been reported in the literature, but the underlying pathogenic interaction is poorly understood. A green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged F. circinatum isolate, together with confocal microscopy, was used in order to monitor the events associated with root infection of Pinus radiata seedlings. It was found that in order to reach and successfully infect pine roots, F. circinatum employed features that are similar to those previously described for other root‐infecting pathogens, such as mycelial strands, single runner hyphae and simple hyphopodia as well as other features that are reminiscent of those that are known to be involved in biotrophic invasion, such as bulbous invasive hyphae and filamentous invasive hyphae. Abundant sporulation was observed at the root surface as well as inside tracheids both in roots and in the root collar region. The fungus can spread from the roots to the aerial parts of the plant, and once there, colonization appears to be similar to the process that occurs when the pathogen is inoculated in the stem. Wilting symptoms and plant demise may be the result of a reduction in water uptake by roots and of the blockage of the vascular system by fungal hyphae and resin.     

扁桃叶斑病菌主要生物学特性研究

[目的]研究不同培养条件下扁桃叶斑病菌(Alternaria alternaria)的生长特性,明确该病菌的生物学特性.[方法]在不同培养条件(包括温度、pH值、培养基、碳源、氮源条件)下,培养扁桃叶斑病菌7d,测量其菌落直径大小或者菌丝净生长量,观察其菌落及菌丝生长状况,采用统计软件DPS7.01分析各数据间的差异显著性.[结果]病菌在5～35℃均能生长,在20～30℃生长较为适宜;菌丝在pH值3～13间均能生长,两个菌株菌丝生长适宜pH值为5～8;两个菌株在大多数培养基上生长良好,在PDA培养基上长势最好,在麦芽糖琼脂培养基上长势最差;病菌以果糖、葡萄糖、乳糖和木糖为碳源均生长良好,处理间差异不显著;在不同氮源处理下菌落生长状况良好,不同菌株间对不同氮源要求有一定差异.[结论]该病菌生长的最适温度为25℃,最适pH值为6,最适培养基为PDA培养基,最适碳源为果糖和木糖,最适氮源为硝酸钾和硝酸钠.     

Expression of the high mobility group A1 (HMGA1) and A2 (HMGA2) genes in canine lymphoma: analysis of 23 cases and comparison to control cases

Overexpression of high mobility group A (HMGA) genes was described as a prognostic marker in different human malignancies, but its role in canine haematopoietic malignancies was unknown so far. The objective of this study was to analyse HMGA1 and HMGA2 gene expression in lymph nodes of canine lymphoma patients. The expression of HMGA1 and HMGA2 was analysed in lymph node samples of 23 dogs with lymphoma and three control dogs using relative quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR. Relative quantity of HMGA1 was significantly higher in dogs with lymphoma compared with reference samples. HMGA2 expression did not differ between lymphoma and control dogs. With the exception of immunophenotype, comparison of disease parameters did not display any differences in HMGA1 and HMGA2 expression. The present findings indicate a role of HMGA genes in canine lymphoma. This study represents the basis for future veterinary and comparative studies dealing with their diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic values.     

Late nitrogen fertilization affects nitrogen remobilization in wheat

A pot experiment with wheat plants was carried out to study how late application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer affects the use of pre‐anthesis N reserves during the grain‐filling period. Increasing doses of N fertilizer were applied (0, 40, and 52 mg N plant^–1), either in two amendments (growth stages GS20 and GS30, according to Zadoks scale) or in three amendments (GS20, GS30, and GS37). The experiment was arranged in a complete randomized three‐block design with 129 plants per treatment. The plants were watered daily, harvested every 2 d between anthesis and maturity, and were separated into roots, leaf sheaths, leaf blades, and ears for further N determination. Grain N concentration improved due to a late N application in GS37 by 14% (higher N dose) and by 7% (further splitting the same N‐fertilizer dose, respectively). The higher the N‐fertilizer dose applied, the greater was the amount of pre‐anthesis reserves in vegetative organs, these reserves became later available for remobilization. Although splitting the same N dose in three amendments did not increase the N reserves, these reserves were more efficiently remobilized allowing an improvement in grain N concentration. The fertilizer management did not change the temporary pattern of N accumulation in the ear, but did induce a change in the amount of N remobilized and in the contribution of each organ (root, leaf sheath, leaf blade) to this remobilization. Late N amendment allowed a greater N availability of leaf blades and ear N reserves (from 20% up to 26% and from 19% up to 22%, respectively) for remobilization towards the grain, decreasing the root contribution from 28% down to 15%, while the contribution of leaf sheaths was maintained around 35% irrespective of the N applied.     

Identification,occurrence and clinical findings of canine hemoplasmas in southern Brazil

Hemoplasmas are ubiquitous pleomorphic and epicellular bacteria detected in erythrocytes in several species. In Brazil, studies on hemoplasmas have not included information on occurrence, clinical signs, and risk factors in dogs. This paper investigates the occurrence of hemoplasmas in dogs, focusing on risk factors and clinical status. Conventional PCR for the four types of canine hemoplasmas was performed in 331 blood samples collected from dogs clinically treated at a teaching veterinary hospital. Of all samples, 17/331 (5.1%) were positive for Mycoplasma haemocanis and 6/331 (1.8%) were positive for a ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum-like’ organism. Risk factors included the presence of vectors, old age, dog bite wounds, and neoplastic diseases. In the multivariate analysis, a 4.40 odds ratio in dogs with vector-borne diseases indicated risk for hemoplasmosis. There was correlation between hemoplasma infection and neoplastic disease, suggesting that neoplastic conditions are a risk factor for hemoplasma infection in dogs.     

Feeding goats on scrubby Mexican rangeland and pasteurization: influences on milk and artisan cheese quality

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of foraging on local scrubby rangeland versus stable feeding with high-protein concentrate as well as the compulsory pasteurization process on goats’ milk and artisan soft cheese quality in terms of chemical composition and fatty acid profile. The results indicated that there were no significant differences in the energy, fat, or ash content of milk and cheese due to feeding; however, a significant influence of feeding on cheese protein and fatty acids in both milk and cheese was detected. Feeding on scrubby rangeland tended to increase the amounts of major polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk and cheese from goats. Pasteurization, which is mandatory in Mexico, did not alter the fatty acid concentrations in milk or cheese. Small goat-keepers using rangeland resources might claim better economical returns for products recognized as healthier. Further investigations to assure ecosystem sustainability of shrubby rangeland joined with economical evaluations and best animal management to avoid deleterious effects are recommended.     

Post‐capture survival of whale sharks encircled in tuna purse‐seine nets: tagging and safe release methods

1. Whale shark, the world's largest fish, is believed to be particularly vulnerable owing to its biological characteristics (slow growth, late maturation, great longevity) and is listed as Vulnerable by IUCN and included in Appendix II of CITES. 2. Whale sharks are occasionally encircled in tropical tuna purse‐seine nets, throughout this global fishery. Although apparent immediate survival rates following encirclement and release have recently been assessed through scientific onboard observer programmes, a more rigorous methodology is still required for studying post‐released survival. 3. This work provides a method for applying pop‐up satellite tags and reports an enhanced release procedure for whale sharks. The first assessment of survival after release from purse‐seine nets involved six whale sharks tagged between May and September 2014 in the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean. Five tags transmitted data: three popped up as programmed (after 30 days), while two surfaced prematurely (one after 21 and the other after 71 days (programmed to pop off after 30 and 90 days, respectively)) but showed no sign of unusual behaviour. 4. Overall, whale sharks survived at least 21 days (one at least 71 days) after release from purse‐seine nets. These observations based on five large individuals (total length > 8 m), suggest that whale sharks have a good chance of survival when released with the proposed method. 5. Additional tagging in this and other oceans, especially of juveniles which may be more sensitive to encirclement and release operations, is essential to further assess whale shark post‐release survival rates in tuna purse‐seine fisheries. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anaplasma phagocytophilum in dogs in Germany

A total number of 111 dogs were included in the present prospective study investigating the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in dogs in Germany. Dogs were divided into two groups. Dogs of group 1 (n = 49) showed clinical and/or haematological signs seen in infections with A. phagocytophilum, whereas those of group 2 (n = 62) did not have any evidence of anaplasmosis. For each dog, an A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-anticoagulated whole blood analysis, a microscopic evaluation of a buffy coat and a serum indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) were performed. Forty-eight seroreactive dogs were identified altogether, which amounts to an overall point prevalence of 43.2%. There was no significant difference between the seroreactivity to A. phagocytophilum antigens among group 1 (44.9%) and 2 (41.9%) (P > 0.5). Seven dogs (6.3%) had positive PCR results. All of them were seroreactive. Six belonged to group 1. Morulae in neutrophilic granulocytes were found in two dogs of group 1 but in none of group 2. Both dogs were seroreactive. Very high antibody titres (> or =1:1024) were detected significantly more frequently in dogs with clinical signs attributable to infection with A. phagocytophilum (group 1) than in those without (group 2) (P < 0.001). There was no significant correlation of overall positives or antibody titres to age, breed, sex, or whether the dogs were family or working dogs. Dogs with high tick infestation were significantly more often seroreactive to A. phagocytophilum than those with no or low tick infestation (P = 0.007). In conclusion, there seems to be a high risk of infection with A. phagocytophilum in Germany. Results of this study suggest that severe illness solely caused by A. phagocytophilum may be possible although definitive evidence does not exist. Very high antibody titres (>1:1024) may be associated with clinical anaplasmosis.