Epidemiologic investigation of an outbreak of goose parvovirus infection in Sweden

An outbreak of goose parvovirus (GPV) infection on a Swedish goose farm in the spring of 2004 increased the mortality rates from 2% in the early unaffected hatches to 90% and 99% respectively in the two hatches following virus introduction and 40% in goslings hatched later in the same breeding season. In this paper we describe the clinical observations, diagnostic procedures, and epidemiologic investigation carried out to elucidate the source of the infection. The diagnosis was confirmed by serology, virus isolation, and sequence analysis of a 493-bp-long fragment of the VP1 gene. Phylogenetically the causative virus was closely related to pathogenic GPV strains isolated in 2003 and 2004 from Poland and the United Kingdom, respectively. The Swedish isolate exhibited less homology with pathogenic strains from Hungary and Asia and with attenuated vaccine strains. The epidemiologic investigation showed that the virus was first introduced to a contract farm (farm A) and then was transferred with newly hatched goslings to the farm that had submitted the birds for necropsy (index farm). The exact time and source of the virus introduction to farm A could not be determined with absolute certainty. Possible sources of the infection included backyard goose eggs that had been delivered to farm A for subcontract incubation and hatching, wild geese that frequented the flock of breeding geese on pasture on farm A, and a clutch of Canada goose eggs (Branta canadensis) that had been produced by wild geese and was hatched in the same machine as the eggs produced by farm A.     

Neuroanatomical distribution and partial sequence of cDNA encoding brain cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450aromB) in pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis

The molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding the pejerrey brain cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450aromB) is described. This form shares higher identity to other brain aromatases than with their respective ovarian counterparts and the self ovarian aromatase. Tissue-specific expression of both aromatases was examined in pejerrey by RT-PCR. The immunocytochemical distribution of P450aromB was described.     

Combining agent-based and stock-flow modelling approaches in a participative analysis of the integrated land system in Reichraming, Austria

The integrated modelling of coupled socio-ecological systems in land-change science requires innovative model concepts capable of grasping the interrelations between socioeconomic and natural components. Here, we discuss the integrated socio-ecological model SERD (Simulation of Ecological Compatibility of Regional Development) that was developed for the municipality of Reichraming in Upper Austria in a participative 2-year process involving local stakeholders. SERD includes three main components: (1) an agent-based actors module that simulates decisions of farmsteads, the municipal administration and other important actors; (2) a spatially explicit (GIS based) land-use module that simulates land-use change at the level of individual parcels of land and (3) an integrated socio-ecological stock-flow module that simulates carbon and nitrogen flows through both socioeconomic and ecological system compartments. We report on outcomes of a scenario analysis that outlines possible future trajectories depending on both external (e.g. agricultural subsidies and prices) and internal (e.g. innovation, willingness to co-operate) factors. We find that both external and internal factors can affect the behaviour of the integrated system considerably. Local and regional policies are found to be able to counteract adverse global socioeconomic conditions to some extent, but not to reverse the trend altogether. We also find strong interdependencies between socioeconomic and ecological components of the system. Fully evaluating these interdependencies is, however, not possible at the local scale alone and will require explicit consideration of higher-level effects in future research.     

Characterization of the key aroma compounds in apricots (Prunus armeniaca) by application of the molecular sensory science concept

An aroma extract dilution analysis applied on an aroma distillate prepared from fresh apricots revealed (R)-gamma-decalactone, (E)-beta-damascenone, delta-decalactone, and (R/S)-linalool with the highest flavor dilution (FD) factors among the 26 odor-active compounds identified. On the basis of quantitative measurements performed by application of stable isotope dilution assays, followed by a calculation of odor activity values (OAVs), beta-ionone, (Z)-1,5-octadien-3-one, gamma-decalactone, (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal, linalool, and acetaldehyde appeared with OAVs >100, whereas in particular certain lactones, often associated with an apricot aroma note, such as gamma-undecalactone, gamma-nonalactone, and delta-decalactone, showed very low OAVs (<5). An aroma recombinate prepared by mixing the 18 most important odorants in concentrations as they occurred in the fresh fruits showed an overall aroma very similar to that of apricots. Omission experiments indicated that previously unknown constituents of apricots, such as (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal or (Z)-1,5-octadien-3-one, are key contributors to the apricot aroma.     

Increase in milt production by hormonal treatment in the pejerrey fish Odontesthes bonariensis (Valenciennes 1835)

In spite of interest in the cultivation of the pejerrey fish Odontesthes bonariensis (Cuvier & Valenciennes 1835), there are few studies on subjects required to advance this activity. One of the problems is the synchronization of female and male maturation to provide eggs and sperm for larval production. The low volume of expressible milt, either in wild or culture fish, is a major problem. The aim of this work was to study the effectiveness of the administration of different hormones on sperm production in pejerrey. Milt production was enhanced by the injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (16.7‐fold increase, 625 IU kg^?1), carp pituitary extracts (13.5‐fold increase, 30 mg kg^?1), salmon pituitary extracts (12.8‐fold increase, 30 mg kg^?1), salmon‐type gonadotropin‐releasing hormone analogue (GnRH) (16.7‐fold increase, 10 μg kg^?1) and mammalian‐type GnRH analogue (10.8‐fold increase, 20 μg kg^?1). Sperm concentration, motility and the fertilization rate were not statistically different compared with control groups. It was also demonstrated that sperm could be obtained off‐season. Taken together, hCG is recommended to stimulate pejerrey spermiation because it is effective in low doses is inexpensive and is widely available.     

Characterization of molecular variants of GnRH, induction of spermiation and sex reversal using salmon GnRH-A and domperidone in the protogynous diandric fish, Synbranchus marmoratus Bloch, (Teleostei, Synbranchidae)

This paper studies the molecular variants of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) present in the brain of the protogynous swamp eel, Synbranchus marmoratus, and the effects of the administration of salmon GnRH analogue (sGnRH-A) and the dopamine receptor antagonist, domperidone (DOM) on final maturation and gamete release in this species. Evidence for the presence of two GnRH variants, sGnRH and cIIGnRH were obtained by reverse phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and radioimmunoassay with different antisera. The effects of treatment with sGnRH-A+DOM were checked by three ways: oocyte and milt release by stripping, histological analysis of the gonadal tissue, and androgen serum levels at different times throughout the experiment. In males, spermiation was induced after three weeks of treatment. In the female group, sGnRH-A+DOM did not induce ovulation at the end of the experiment. Histological analysis of the gonads from the female group showed evidence of sex reversal. All the treated fish had elevated androgen serum levels from the third week, with respect to control fish. In all cases, serum estradiol levels were undetectable. These results suggest that treatment with sGnRH analog and DOM induce sex reversal in female and spermiation in males. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

LC-MS/MS quantification of sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol metabolites in human plasma and urine after dietary intake of selenium-fortified broccoli

This study aimed at developing a sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of sulforaphane (SFN) and indole-3-carbinol metabolites in plasma and urine after dietary intake of regular and selenium-fertilized broccoli using stable isotope dilution analysis. In a three-armed, placebo-controlled, randomized human intervention study with 76 healthy volunteers, 200 g of regular (485 μg of total glucosinolates and <0.01 μg of selenium per gram fresh weight) or selenium-fertilized broccoli (589 μg of total glucosinolates and 0.25 μg of selenium per gram fresh weight) was administered daily for 4 weeks. Glucoraphanin and glucobrassicin metabolites quantified in plasma and urine were SFN-glutathione, SFN-cysteine, SFN-cysteinylglycine, SFN-acetylcysteine, and indole-3-carboxaldehyde, indole-3-carboxylic acid, and ascorbigen, respectively. Dietary intake of selenium-fertilized broccoli increased serum selenium concentration analyzed by means of atomic absorption spectroscopy by up to 25% (p < 0.001), but affected neither glucosinolate concentrations in broccoli nor their metabolite concentrations in plasma and urine compared to regular broccoli.     

Demonstration of two different H2-oxidizing activities in soil using an H2 consumption and a tritium exchange assay

H₂-oxidizing activities were assayed in slurries of four soils by measuring the consumption of H₂ and the exchange of ³H₂ with H₂O at increasing mixing ratios of H₂ or ³H₂. Both H₂ consumption and ³H₂ exchange were abolished by autoclaving or the addition of formaldehyde. The rates of H₂ consumption and ³H₂ exchange were proportional to the quantity of soil used. Both activities increased with increasing concentrations of H₂ or ³H₂ and displayed biphasic kinetics, demonstrating the existence of two different H₂-oxidizing activities, one with a relatively low K _m and V _max, and a second with a relatively high K _m und V _max. The first type of activity was characteristic of abiontic soil hydrogenases, and the second of aerobic H₂-oxidizing bacteria. In contrast to H₂ consumption, which required the presence of either O₂ or ferricyanide, ³H₂ exchange operated equally well without an external electron acceptor. The ³H₂ exchange assay may thus be particularly useful for enrichment of soil hydrogenases which have not yet been isolated and for which no natural electron acceptor is known.     

Solar wind neon from Genesis: implications for the lunar noble gas record

Lunar soils have been thought to contain two solar noble gas components with distinct isotopic composition. One has been identified as implanted solar wind, the other as higher-energy solar particles. The latter was puzzling because its relative amounts were much too large compared with present-day fluxes, suggesting periodic, very high solar activity in the past. Here we show that the depth-dependent isotopic composition of neon in a metallic glass exposed on NASA's Genesis mission agrees with the expected depth profile for solar wind neon with uniform isotopic composition. Our results strongly indicate that no extra high-energy component is required and that the solar neon isotope composition of lunar samples can be explained as implantation-fractionated solar wind.     

Location of genes for common bunt resistance in the European winter wheat cv. Trintella

The location of new genes for resistance to common bunt in wheat is valuable for gene pyramiding in breeding. For this purpose, the genetics of the relatively high level of resistance in the European winter wheat variety Trintella was investigated using a doubled haploid mapping population of a cross between Trintella and the susceptible variety Piko. The population was scored for bunt infection in the field for 2 years following inoculation with a mixture of teliospores of Tilletia tritici and T. laevis. A genetic map consisting of 29 linkage groups was constructed using polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers. This map was used for QTL analysis, and in both years, results indicated that resistance to common bunt could mostly be attributed to a gene on chromosome 1B, near to the centromere and closest to marker Xgwm273 on the short arm. Additionally, in 2008, smaller QTL effects were ascribed to chromosomes 7A and 7B, and another smaller QTL effect to chromosome 5B in 2009 only.