Root-knot nematodes (RKN) are major pest of olive tree (Olea europaea ssp. europaea), especially in nurseries and high-density orchards. Soil samples were collected from main olive growing areas of Morocco, to characterize Meloidogyne species and to discuss the contribution of biotic and abiotic factors in their spatial distribution.
Results
RKN were found in 159 soil samples out of 305 from nurseries (52.1% occurrence) and in 11 out of 49 soil samples from orchards (23.2% occurrence). Biochemical and molecular characterisation (PAGE esterase and SCAR) revealed the dominance of M. javanica both in nurseries and orchards with minor presence of M. incognita only in nurseries, and M. arenaria in only one nursery. RKN were distributed on aggregated basis. Frequent presence of M. javanica in orchards might have come from nurseries. In contrast, the detection of M. incognita in nurseries alone suggests that this species could not reproduce in orchards because of either the competition with other plant-parasitic nematodes or unfit local habitats. The impact of environmental variables (climate, habitat origin and physicochemical characteristics of the substrates) on the distribution of Meloidogyne species is also discussed.
Conclusion
Olive nurseries in Morocco are not able to guarantee the safety of rooted plants. As a result, olive production systems are exposed to strong RKN invasion risks. Consequently, the use of healthy substrates in nurseries may prevent plant-parasitic nematode induction in orchards.
Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) are one of the most common malignancies in dogs and are associated with significant mortality. Serum tumor markers and non-coding microRNAs have gained widespread popularity in human oncology studies. The present study has two aims, first one is to investigate the miR-21 expression compared with changes in serum tumor markers (CEA and CA15-3) in CMT. The second aim is to detect the immunohistochemistry markers as vimentin, P63, and -SMA in CMT.
Methods
This study enrolled 17 female dogs: 10 with mammary tumors and seven controls without tumors. Blood samples were collected to measure miR-21, CEA, and CA 15-3, and histological samples were prepared for histological grading and immunohistochemistry.
Results
CA 15-3 was elevated in all animals, whereas CEA levels showed no change compared with controls. miR-21 was upregulated 12.84-fold in animals with CMT. The most frequently recorded CMT was the mixed type. Myoepithelial cells were identified by P63 immunoreactivity, but not SMA. High expression of miR-21 was observed with positive vimentin immunoreactivity, indicating the mesenchymal origin of the tumor cells.
Conclusion
The present study showed that miR-21 was elevated to a greater extent than CA 15-3 (12.84-fold vs. threefold). Tumors that was positive for vimentin immunoreactivity was also associated with an elevation in the levels of miR-21, showing that miR-21 is released from mesenchymal cells. These findings support the hypothesis that miR-21 may be a more sensitive, noninvasive indicator for CMT.
Although color Doppler ultrasonography has been used to evaluate testicular blood flow in
many species, very little has been done in goat. Eight male Shiba goats were exposed to a
single intramuscular injection of either gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH group; 1
µg/kg BW) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG group; 25 IU/kg BW).
Plasma testosterone (T), estradiol (E2) and inhibin (INH) were measured just before (0 hr)
and at different intervals post injection by radioimmunoassay. Testis volume (TV) and
Doppler indices, such as resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of the
supratesticular artery, were measured by B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonography,
respectively. The results indicated an increase in testicular blood flow in both groups,
as RI and PI decreased significantly (P<0.05), but this increase was
significant higher and earlier in hCG group (1 hr) than in the GnRH group (2 hr). A high
correlation was found for RI and PI with both T (RI, r= −0.862; PI, r= −0.707) and INH in
the GnRH group (RI, r=0.661; PI, r=0.701). However, a significant
(P<0.05) correlation was found between E2 and both RI (r= −0.610) and
PI (r= −0.763) in hCG group. In addition, TV significantly increased and was highly
correlated with RI in both groups (GnRH, r= −0.718; hCG, r= −0.779). In conclusion, hCG
and GnRH may improve testicular blood flow and TV in Shiba goats. 相似文献
Growth and ontogeny of digestive function were studied in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) larvae weaned on artificial food at different ages. Three weaning treatments initiated respectively on day 9 (W9), day 15
(W15) or day 21 (W21) post-hatching (p.h.) were compared with a control group, fed Artemia nauplii from first feeding until the end of the rearing trial on day 36 p.h. The digestive enzyme activities and the ontogeny
of digestive structures were investigated using enzymatic assays and histological methods. Growth of pikeperch larvae was
significantly affected by precocious weaning. Pancreatic (trypsin and amylase) and intestinal (leucine-alanine peptidase,
leucine aminopeptidase N and alkaline phosphatase) enzyme activities were detected from hatching onwards, increased at the
moment of first feeding and then decreased. Pepsin secretion occurred at day 29 p. h. only, concurrently with the stomach
development and differentiation of gastric glands. In the early weaning group (W9) the maturation process of intestinal enterocytes
seems to be impaired and/or delayed and several signs of malnutrition were recorded. Except for alkaline phosphatase activity,
no differences in enzyme activities and development of digestive structures were observed among the control, W21, and W15
groups. Moreover, at the end of the experiment, no differences in proteolytic activities were observed among larvae from the
different treatments, indicating that, in surviving individuals, the digestive structures were properly developed and the
larvae had acquired an adult mode of digestion. Based on the artificial diet used, our results suggested that pikeperch larvae
can be weaned from day 15 p.h. without significant adverse effect on digestive capacities (except for alkaline phosphatase)
or development of digestive tract, while earlier weaning impaired the onset of the maturation processes of the digestive system,
both in terms of morphological structures and enzymatic activities. 相似文献
Soil compaction is one of the major problems facing modern agriculture. Overuse of machinery, intensive cropping, short crop rotations, intensive grazing and inappropriate soil management leads to compaction. Soil compaction occurs in a wide range of soils and climates. It is exacerbated by low soil organic matter content and use of tillage or grazing at high soil moisture content. Soil compaction increases soil strength and decreases soil physical fertility through decreasing storage and supply of water and nutrients, which leads to additional fertiliser requirement and increasing production cost. A detrimental sequence then occurs of reduced plant growth leading to lower inputs of fresh organic matter to the soil, reduced nutrient recycling and mineralisation, reduced activities of micro-organisms, and increased wear and tear on cultivation machinery. This paper reviews the work related to soil compaction, concentrating on research that has been published in the last 15 years. We discuss the nature and causes of soil compaction and the possible solutions suggested in the literature. Several approaches have been suggested to address the soil compaction problem, which should be applied according to the soil, environment and farming system.
The following practical techniques have emerged on how to avoid, delay or prevent soil compaction: (a) reducing pressure on soil either by decreasing axle load and/or increasing the contact area of wheels with the soil; (b) working soil and allowing grazing at optimal soil moisture; (c) reducing the number of passes by farm machinery and the intensity and frequency of grazing; (d) confining traffic to certain areas of the field (controlled traffic); (e) increasing soil organic matter through retention of crop and pasture residues; (f) removing soil compaction by deep ripping in the presence of an aggregating agent; (g) crop rotations that include plants with deep, strong taproots; (h) maintenance of an appropriate base saturation ratio and complete nutrition to meet crop requirements to help the soil/crop system to resist harmful external stresses. 相似文献
The nativity of Populus alba in the Mediterranean has only been confirmed in the last decade, following the discovery of 8,000-year-old leaf imprints
in Southern France. Recent evidence has even emerged from molecular studies suggesting that the species is native to some
of the islands, and these populations may be relicts of a native flora that arrived there much earlier than previously thought.
In view of this, samples obtained from the Central Mediterranean archipelago of Malta and other neighbouring regions were
analysed to determine the native status of the Maltese populations and possibly trace their origins. All 38 samples were investigated
in order to assess the genetic diversity and origin of Maltese trees. Nuclear microsatellite analysis revealed that all 28
trees sampled from the two islands of Malta belonged to one clone. Chloroplast data suggested relatedness of the Maltese clone
to Italian P. alba samples. However, nuclear data suggested additional admixture through pollen from North Africa. Existing archival and palaeontological
records were also examined for any supporting evidence. On considering the latter records in combination with molecular evidence,
we arrived to the conclusion that arrival of this clone in Malta through human introduction in the sixteenth century is the
most likely explanation, since alternative scenarios like autovegetative propagation or arrival by seed seem highly unlikely. 相似文献
Allergic diseases occur in most mammals, although some species such as humans, dogs and horses seem to be more prone to develop allergies than others. In horses, insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH), an allergic dermatitis caused by bites of midges, and recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), a hyperreactivity to stable born dust and allergens, are the two most prevalent allergic diseases. Allergic diseases involve the interaction of three major factors: (i) genetic constitution, (ii) exposure to allergens, and (iii) a dysregulation of the immune response determined by (i) and (ii). However, other environmental factors such as infectious diseases, contact with endotoxin and degree of infestation with endoparasites have been shown to influence the prevalence of allergic diseases in humans. How these factors may impact upon allergic disease in the horse is unknown at this time. The 3rd workshop on Allergic Diseases of the Horse, with major sponsorship from the Havemeyer Foundation, was held in Hólar, Iceland, in June 2007 and focussed on immunological and genetic aspects of IBH and RAO. This particular venue was chosen because of the prevalence of IBH in exported Icelandic horses. The incidence of IBH is significantly different between Icelandic horses born in Europe or North America and those born in Iceland and exported as adults. Although the genetic factors and allergens are the same, exported adult horses show a greater incidence of IBH. This suggests that environmental or epigenetic factors may contribute to this response. This report summarizes the present state of knowledge and summarizes important issues discussed at the workshop. 相似文献