bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Cell Wall‐bound Phenolic Compounds and Lignin in Roots of Date Palm Cultivars Differing in Susceptibility toFusarium oxysporumf. sp.albedinis
Authors: Modafar C. El , Tantaoui A. , Boustani E. El
Published: March 2003

The roots of date palm contain four cell wall‐bound phenolic acids identified asp‐hydroxybenzoic,p‐coumaric, ferulic and sinapic acids. The ferulic acid represents the major phenolic compound since it constitutes 48.2–55.8% of cell wall‐bound phenolic acids. All these phenolic acids were present in the resistant cultivar (BSTN) and the susceptible cultivar (JHL). However, the pre‐infection contents ofp‐coumaric, ferulic and sinapic acids were greater in the resistant cultivar than in the susceptible one. For the contents ofp‐hydroxybenzoic acid, there was no significant difference between the resistant cultivar and the susceptible cultivar. Similarly, the pre‐infection contents of lignin were approximately equal for both cultivars. Inoculation of the date palm roots byFusarium oxysporumf. sp.albedinisinduced important modifications to the contents of the cell wall‐bound phenolic compounds and lignin, which made it possible to distinguish between resistant and susceptible cultivars. The post‐infection contents of cell wall‐bound phenolic compounds underwent a rapid and intense increase with a maximum accumulation on the tenth day forp‐hydroxybenzoic acid (1.54 μmol/g),p‐coumaric acid (2.77 μmol/g) and ferulic acid (2.64 μmol/g) and on the fifteenth day for sinapic acid (1.85 μmol/g). The maximum contents accumulated in the resistant cultivar were greater than those in the susceptible cultivar, namely, 11 times forp‐hydroxybenzoic acid, 2.6 times forp‐coumaric acid, 1.8 times for ferulic acid and 12.3 times for sinapic acid. In the susceptible cultivar,p‐coumaric acid and ferulic acid contents also increased after inoculation although they did not reach the pre‐infection contents of the resistant cultivar. The contents ofp‐hydroxybenzoic acid in the susceptible cultivar roots did not present post‐infection modification and those of sinapic acid decreased instead. The lignin contents increased in both cultivars with a maximum accumulation on the fifteenth day. However, the maximum contents accumulated in the resistant cultivar roots were 1.5 times greater than those of the susceptible cultivar. These results showed clear differences between the resistant BSTN and the susceptible JHL cultivars. The implication of cell wall‐bound phenolic compounds and lignin in the resistance of date palm toF. oxysporumf. sp.albedinisappears to be dependent on the speed and intensity of their accumulation with greater contents in the first stage of infection.
Effectiveness of Four New Pyrazole‐pyrimidines on Phytopathogens: Ultrastructural Evidences on Pythium ultimum
Authors: Mares D. , Romagnoli C. , Sacchetti G. , Fabiano A. , Vicentini C. B. , Bruni A.
Published: March 2003

Four newly synthesized molecules derived from pyrazole‐pyrimidine were assayed on Botrytis cinerea Micheli, Fusarium moniliforme Sheld and Pythium ultimum Trow. All proved effective in inhibiting the growth of the phytopathogens at all of the test concentrations (10, 20, 50, 100 μg/ml). The most effective compound was 1‐(3)nitrophenyl ‐ 6 ‐ trifluoromethylpyrazolo[3,4 ‐ d]pyrimidine 4(5H)‐thione (CF33). Ultrastructural studies on P. ultimum treated with CF33 revealed alterations in the normal hyphal shape and, at high concentration, plasmolysis and damage to the wall texture was observed. At 20 μg/ml different vesicles were seen in the cytoplasm: some appeared quite dense, and specific cytochemical reactions indicated that they were most likely peroxysomes; other vesicles seem to be vacuoles of varying content. In some cases there was disintegration of the nuclear envelope. The effects on membrane lipids and interference in protein synthesis are hypothesized as possible mechanism of action of the molecule.
Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) as suitable markers to study orobanche cumana genetic diversity
Authors: Gagne G. , Roeckel‐Drevet P. , Grezes‐Besset B. , Shindrova P. , Ivanov P. , Grand‐Ravel C. , Vear F. , Charmet G. , Nicolas P.
Published: March 2003

Orobanche cumana Wallr., an obligate root parasite of sunflower can cause severe damage to this crop. The genetic diversity obtained with random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) on two Orobanche populations were compared. Nei and Li distance matrices obtained with both methods among the two populations were correlated significantly according to Mantel's test and could partition the populations. The sampling variance of genetic distances within and among populations estimated using bootstrap procedure were not significantly different between the two techniques. The principal difference between the two techniques is that AFLP markers gave a higher degree of resolution for discriminating closely related germplasm than RAPD.
Sequence Diversity in the Coat Protein Coding Region of Wheat Yellow Mosaic Bymovirus Isolates from China
Authors: Chen J. , Chen J. , Du J. , Adams M. J.
Published: March 2003

Isolates of wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV) were collected from 11 sites in China and the 3′‐terminal portions of RNA1 (including the coat protein coding region) were amplified by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. No fragment could be amplified from one isolate although WYMV was shown to be present. The sequences of the remaining 10 isolates were compared with other published sequences. The isolates sequenced all had a coat protein coding region of 879 nucleotides and had 96.7–99.9% nucleotides identical to other isolates and between 0 and 11 amino acid differences between them. Unusually for a virus in the family Potyviridae, these differences were mostly in the central region. A consensus amino acid sequence for all bymoviruses was constructed. The 3′‐UTR sequences had from 255 to 259 nucleotides with 96.9‐100% identical nucleotides between them.
Plectosporium tabacinum Root Rot Disease of White Lupine (Lupinus termis Forsk.) and its Biological Control by Streptomyces Species
Authors: Youssef Y. A. , El‐Tarabily K. A. , Hussein A. M.
Published: March 2003

Plectosporium tabacinum root rot disease of white lupine is reported for the first time in Cairo Governorate provinces. Symptoms of the disease appeared on young seedlings as stunting, yellowing and wilting of the foliage. Rotted roots were first became light brown and the lesions progressively extended over the whole root system and became dark brown. Plants died when the whole root system had become infected. For successful biological control of the disease 70 rhizosphere actinomycetes were isolated by the use of normal standard isolation techniques. Three of these isolates were found to be strongly antagonistic against P. tabacinum in vitro. They also significantly reduced the incidence of white lupine root rot disease in soil infested with P. tabacinum in greenhouse trials. The three actinomycete isolates were identified as Streptomyces cyanoviridis, Streptomyces murinus and Streptomyces griseoplanus.
Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA and Polymerase Chain Reaction Markers for the Differentiation and Detection of Stenocarpella maydis in Maize Seeds
Authors: Xia Z. , Achar P. N.
Published: March 2003

The genetic relationship of 34 isolates of Stenocarpella maydis from different geographic regions in South Africa was analysed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and ribosomal DNA markers. Two genetic groups were differentiated by using three RAPD primers and correlated to the cultural morphology of the isolates. Of all the isolates tested, 79.4% were clustered into RAPD group I (RG I), which did not sporulate when cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 25°C for 10 days. The rest of the isolates designated as RG II sporulated on PDA medium and showed a higher genetic variation. Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the universal primers, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 and ITS 4. Restriction digestion of PCR products displayed three types (RF A, RF B and RF C) of profiles. RF A was in accordance with RG I. RF B was consistent with RG II except for one isolate, U5. However, U5 displayed a unique profile and had no restriction sites for Hpa II and Hae III. The results indicate that two distinct genetic groups exist among S. maydis isolates from maize in S. Africa. The ITS1 and ITS2 regions of rDNA were sequenced and primers were designed. The designed primer pair P1/P2 permitted a sensitive and specific detection of S. maydis.
Gas Exchange and Flowering in Verticillium‐wilted Pepper Plants
Authors: Goicoechea  , Aguirreolea  , Cenoz  , García‐Mina
Published: March 2003

In Navarra, Northern Spain, Verticillium dahliae Kleb. is one of the pathogens that causes drastic reductions in pepper production. The aim of this study therefore was to describe how infection by V. dahliae affects gas exchange during the flowering of pepper in order to determine some possible factors contributing to the significant decrease of plant yield. Verticillium was inoculated when plants had started flowering. The first leaf wilting symptoms appeared on day 18 after inoculation, but leaf water potential rapidly decreased after infection. The inoculated plants produced more flowers than the controls between 15 and 33 days after inoculation, but flower production declined after day 33. Inoculated plants also suffered more defoliation and chlorophyll degradation. Leaf conductance and photosynthesis clearly decreased in both groups of plants as a consequence of senescence, but the values in those inoculated were significantly lower. Results suggest that the decrease in photosynthesis was in part due to defoliation and chlorophyll degradation, as well as premature flower fall. These factors contributed to the negative effects of Verticillium infection on pepper yield.
The Occurrence of a Rhabdovirus in Daphne mezereum in the Czech Republic
Authors: Fránová  , Karešová  , Šimková  , Nebesářová  , Navrátil
Published: March 2003

A virus detected in symptomless Daphne mezereum L. plants in the Czech Republic had bacilliform virions which, in thin sections, measured 162–215 nm by 62–75 nm. They occurred mostly in the parenchymatous cells of vascular bundles and cambium, and were located in perinuclear spaces and within cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum, either singly or in aggregates; occasionally, isolated particles or particle aggregates were seen within the nuclei. This is the first record of a rhabdovirus occurring in daphne.
Genotypic Diversity among Brazilian Isolates of Sclerotium rolfsii
Authors: Almeida A. M. R. , Abdelnoor R. V. , Calvo E. S. , Tessnman D. , Yorinori J. T.
Published: March 2003

Thirty isolates of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. from different hosts and regions of Brazil were studied in relation to morphology, mycelial compatibility, analysis of genomic DNA through random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), variation within the nuclear rDNA [internal transcribed spacers (ITS)] and sequencing of ITS fragments. There was considerable variability among isolates in relation to the number, size and location of sclerotia on the medium surface. Thirteen mycelial compatibility groups (MCG) were identified among 23 isolates. Seven isolates were only self‐compatible. With the exception of group 3, where all the isolates came from soybean, there was no apparent correlation between group and isolate origin. On the basis of RAPD profiles, 11 haplotypes (A to K) were identified. There was an association between the RAPD groups and MCG. Haplotypes A, B, D, G, I and K belonged to MCG groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively. All other RAPD haplotypes contained incompatible isolates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification with primers 4R and 5F amplified two fragments containing ITS1, ITS2 and 5.8 S rDNA sequences, that were present in all isolates, with molecular sizes of 739 and 715 bp. Restriction analysis of PCR products showed that the two fragments had sequence divergency which is referred to as ‘ITS types’. Four arbitrarily chosen soybean isolates (2, 6, 7 and 23) and two non‐soybean isolates (11 and 22) were used to investigate the variation within the ITS sequence and its role in the phylogeny. The strict consensus of nine most‐parsimonious trees inferred from the data set which included six isolates of S. rolfsii, four of which have two different ‘ITS types’, showed three well‐supported groupings. The neighbour‐joining tree inferred from the data set also showed three major clades as did the parsimony tree. The major difference was that in the neighbour‐joining tree the ‘ITS type’ 11 was resolved and grouped in one clade. These results show that the ‘ITS types’ within isolates are almost always phylogenetically distinct. There was no clear correlation between ITS‐based phylogeny and isolate origin.
Physiological Performance of Asymptomatic and Yellow Leaf Syndrome‐affected Sugarcanes in Venezuela
Authors: IZAGUIRRE‐MAYORAL M. L. , CARBALLO O. , ALCESTE C. , ROMANO M. , NASS H. A.
Published: March 2003

Serological analyses revealed the presence of the sugarcane yellow leaf virus (ScYLV) in asymptomatic (S–) and symptomatic (S+) yellow leaf syndrome‐affected sugarcane plants of the cultivars PR.692176, C.323–68, V.64–10, V.71–47, V.75–6, SP.72–2086, SP.72–1210, SP.74–2005, C.323–68, B.80–549 and B.82–363. Tests for the presence of the sugarcane yellows phytoplasma, carried out by Dr P. Jones (IACR‐Rothamsted), gave negative results in all cultivars. Physiological analyses were performed in the top visible dewlap (TVD) leaf of S– and S+ plants of the cultivar PR.692176. All plants were at the second ratoon and flowering. When compared with S– plants, the S+ plants showed: (a) a marked reduction in the area of the leaf and internodes; (b) a high accumulation of total reducing sugars (TRS), glucans and α‐amino‐N in the leaf blade and of TRS in the corresponding leaf sheath; (c) a decrease in the chlorophyll, phosphorus and nitrogen content in the leaf; (d) the disappearance of the leaf diurnal fluctuations in TRS accumulation and export as well as the daily oscillations of TRS and glucans between dawn and dusk; and (e) major ultrastructural alterations in the companion cells of the phloem, including the accumulation of ScYLV particles in the cytoplasm. In S– plants, none of the growth and physiological alterations described above were observed, in spite of the high density of ScYLV particles in the cytoplasm. The location of S– and S+ plants close to each other without a discernible pattern of distribution in plots subjected to optimal irrigation and fertilization rule out the possibility that environmental conditions underlay the appearance of symptoms. In plots under severe drought for 3 months, however, all S– plants become S+. Symptom expression did not affect the acid phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere of S+ plants.
The Association of Clover Proliferation Phytoplasma with Stolbur Disease of Pepper in Spain
Authors: CASTRO S. , ROMERO J.
Published: March 2003

A phytoplasma disease, `stolbur', affects pepper (Capsicum annuum) in Spain. Affected plants have short internodes, green flowers buds and other symptoms that are characteristic of phytoplasma‐induced diseases. Herein the detection and classification of the phytoplasma that may cause the disease is reported. DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis indicate that this phytoplasma should be classified in the clover proliferation group 16SrVI, a group that is clearly distinct from the stolbur group 16SrXII.
Evidence Supporting the Recognition of Cole latent virus as a Distinct Carlavirus
Authors: BELINTANI P. , GASPAR J. O. , TARGON M. L. P. N. , MACHADO M. A.
Published: March 2003

Some molecular properties are described of Cole latent virus (CoLV), hitherto designated a tentative species of the Carlavirus genus. CoLV genomic RNA (Ribonucleic acid) of 8.3 Kb is polyadenylated. Two unencapsidated polyadenylated subgenomic RNAs (2.6 and 1.3 Kb) and three double‐stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) (8.3, 2.6 and 1.3 Kbp), which are twice the size of the genomic and subgenomics ssRNAs, are produced in CoLV‐infected plants; two additional dsRNAs (7.2 and 6.3 Kbp) were also detected in plant extracts. By using a Carlavirus specific primer and a CoLV cDNA, a‐3′‐terminus fragment of 116 bp was amplified; it had homology with the carlaviruses Potato virus M (62%), Hop latent virus (37%) and Blueberry scorch virus (36%) but no significant homology with 11 other carlaviruses. These results support the classification of CoLV as a distinct species of the Carlavirus genus.
Seedborne Pathogenic Fungi that Affect Seedling Quality of Red Angico (Anadenanthera macrocarpa) Trees in Brazil
Authors: Dhingra O. D. , Maia C. B. , Lustosa D. C. , Mesquita J. B.
Published: March 2003

Internal and external seedborne fungal pathogens of Anadenanthera macrocarpa reduced seedling emergence and the quality of seedlings grown from contaminated seeds. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium lateritium, F. semitectum, Pestalotiopsis sp. and Phomopsis dalbergiae were the only fungi consistently isolated from seed samples collected from afforestation companies, university forestry departments and a Forest Reserve Park. Their frequency was much lower in surface disinfested than in untreated seeds. The temporal dynamics of the pericarp and seed infection on trees used for seed harvest in the Forest Reserve Park showed that colonization by these fungi starts soon after pod and seed formation, and continues to increase to pod maturity. Although the maximum proportion of infected seeds occurred at full maturity, their proportion was also high at physiological maturity. The high external seed infestation appears to occur during on‐floor sun drying of the pods and separation of pericarps from seeds by broom sweeping. All five fungi were highly pathogenic to seeds and seedlings, causing seed rot, root rot and reduced height and thriftiness of surviving seedlings. Our results explain the heavy losses suffered by nurserymen due to low quality seedlings. This is the first report of the occurrence of these fungi on this host causing economical losses.
Restriction of Virus Movement into Axillary Buds is an Important Aspect of Resistance in Cassava to African cassava mosaic virus
Authors: Ogbe F. O. , Dixon A. G. O. , Atiri G. I. , Thottappilly G.
Published: March 2003

Axillary buds and bark samples of resistant, moderately resistant and susceptible (control) cassava genotypes either naturally infected under field conditions or experimentally inoculated by grafting were indexed for African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV). Virus detection was carried out using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reactions to determine the distribution of the virus within the plant and elucidate the genotypes response to virus movement. Significantly more bud and bark samples were positive for virus on the susceptible genotype TME 117 than resistant genotypes TMS 30001 and TMS 91/02319, or the moderately resistant genotype TMS 30572. Detectable virus concentration was significantly lower in the buds of moderately resistant and resistant genotypes than the susceptible control. Under field conditions, it was significant that more primary stem buds were infected than the buds of secondary and tertiary stems but such a gradient was not obvious with bark samples. Shoots that had asymptomic new leaves after the initial symptomatic leaves had no virus in their buds, but some of the bark samples from the same plants tested positive. A significant interaction was observed between year and stem type, and among year, genotype and stem type with respect to virus detection in bud and bark samples. Restriction of virus movement into axillary buds occurred in all the resistant and moderately resistant genotypes. This may explain ACMV‐infected stem cuttings of resistant genotypes producing healthy plants in subsequent generation.
RAPD and Pathotype Analyses of Magnaporthe grisea Populations from the north‐western Himalayan Region of India
Authors: Sharma T. R. , Chauhan R. S. , Singh B. M. , Paul R. , Sagar V. , Rathour R.
Published: March 2003

Using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, 250 isolates of Magnaporthe grisea collected from the north‐western Himalayan region were separated into 25 DNA fingerprint groups or lineages. Of these 25 groups, 13 were exclusive to isolates obtained from Himachal Pradesh (HP), five from Uttaranchal and one from Jammu and Kashmir (J & K), India. Seven remaining groups were composed of isolates from different locations and 26 isolates could not be classified. Although RAPD analysis revealed high genetic variability among M. grisea populations from HP and J & K, genetic variation was low in the isolates collected from Uttaranchal. DNA fingerprint groups specific to a particular geographical region were also obtained. Pathogen population consisting of 119 isolates from north‐western Himalayan region has been grouped into 52 pathotypes on the basis of disease reaction on international differential rice lines. Highest frequency of virulence was trapped on the rice line Caloro (Pi−ks) followed by NP125 (Pi−? and K‐60 (Pi−kp) while it was lowest on Tadukan (Pi−ta and/or Pi−ta2) and BL‐1(Pi−b and Pi−sh). Virulence was rare on Fukunishiki (Pi−zs). Rice line Tetep (Pi−kh+?) was found to be highly effective in north‐western Himalayan region as none of the isolate could infect this line. These blast resistant rice lines can be used in resistance breeding for the effective management of rice blast in this region of India.
Yield Loss Associated with Soya Bean Rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd.) in Uganda
Authors: Kawuki R. S. , Adipala E. , Tukamuhabwa P.
Published: March 2003

Studies were conducted to quantify the yield loss attributable to soya bean rust, a relatively new disease in Uganda. This was carried out for three consecutive seasons in the central, eastern, northern and western parts of the country, using three commercial varieties (Nam 1, Nam 2 and Namsoy 3) and two elite varieties (UG‐5 and GC‐00138‐29). The commercial varieties recorded higher yield losses (26.9–36.3%) and higher rust severities >50%, whereas the elite varieties recorded lesser yield losses of <10% and rust severities of <30%. Yield losses were highest in the central region (22.9%), and lowest in the northern region (15.1%). Yield losses differed significantly between seasons and were associated with reduction in seed weight and filled pod per plant.
A Simple Technique for Determining the Reaction of Barley Genotypes to Pyrenophora graminea
Authors: Arabi M. I. E. , Jawhar M.
Published: March 2003

An in vitro technique was used to determine the reaction of 10 barley genotypes to Pyrenophora graminea, the seed‐borne pathogen causing barley leaf stripe disease. Determination was based on the percentage of inoculated seeds that produced fungal hyphae when cultured on potato dextrose agar. The technique allows low, intermediate and absolute levels of resistance to leaf stripe to be determined. Genotypes CI‐5791 and Banteng were resistant, Thibaut, Igri and PK (30‐531) were moderately resistant, Gollf was moderately susceptible, and WI2291, Arabi Abiad, Furat 1 and Arrivate were susceptible.

The in vitro and in field assessments were significant (correlation coefficient r=0.96), results indicating that repeated measurements for infected seeds by this in vitro method were very similar to those of field assessments.
Integrated Botrytis cinerea Management in Southeastern Spanish Greenhouses
Authors: Moyano C. , Raposo R. , Gómez V. , Melgarejo P.
Published: March 2003

A strategy for integrated biological and chemical control of Botrytis cinerea in unheated tomato greenhouses in southeastern Spain was tested. The biocontrol agent used was a commercial preparation developed from an isolate of Trichoderma harzianum T39 (Trichodex®). Decisions concerning whether to spray the biocontrol agent or a fungicide were made based on a future weather disease warning system called BOTMAN implemented as follows: no spraying when slow or no disease progress was expected; use of a chemical fungicide when an outbreak of epidemics was expected; in all other cases, application of Trichoderma harzianum T39 was recommended. A 4‐day weather forecast provided by the Eastern Andalusian Weather Forecast Service was used for predictions. The integrated strategy was compared with weekly applications of fungicides in two experiments conducted over 1998–99 and 1999–2000. Reduction of disease incidence was obtained only with the fungicide‐only treatment in the 1998–99 experiment (55%, P < 0.05). Application of BOTMAN gave high disease risk only in 2 dates or times in that experiment, so fungicides were only applied twice. For the remaining 12 dates or times, Trichodex® was sprayed. In the second experiment, application of BOTMAN gave moderate risk all the weeks and Trichodex® was applied nine times. In this experiment, disease level did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) from untreated plot. The reasons for failure of BOTMAN in Spanish conditions were discussed.
Reaction of Cassava Genotypes to the Cassava Mosaic Disease in Three Distinct Agroecologies in Nigeria
Authors: Ngeve J. M. , Nukenine E. N. , Dixon A. G. O.
Published: March 2003

Nine cassava genotypes were grown at six representative sites in Nigeria for 3 years to study their response to cassava mosaic disease (CMD), investigate the influence of genotype × environment (G × E) interactions on their reactions to the disease, and identify genotypes with stability to the disease, using the Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction statistical model. Environments, genotypes and G × E interactions were highly significant (P < 0.01) for the disease. The G × E interactions accounted for 19.5% of the treatment sums of squares for CMD and influenced the relative ranking of genotypes across environments. The magnitude of the G × E interaction effect for CMD was larger than that of genotypes. Examination of the G × E interaction structure revealed specific areas where screening of cassava genotypes for resistance to CMD could be performed best. The study identified genotypes such as TMS 30001 and 63397 with resistance to CMD and CMD‐stable clone U/41044, which could be distributed to growers, and sites such as Ibadan and Ubiaja with high CMD severity for screening genotypes for reaction to CMD.
Elimination Half‐Lives of Sulphadimethoxine and its N4‐acetyl Metabolite in Tissues of Laying Hens
Authors: Furusawa N.
Published: March 2003

The depletion rates of sulphadimethoxine (SDM) and its metabolite N4‐acetylsulphadimethoxine (N4‐AcSDM) were estimated in blood and various tissues of laying hens. The tissue contents (ppm) of SDM and N4‐AcSDM after the withdrawal of SDM, which was fed to hens at 400 ppm diet for 5 successive days, were determined by HPLC. The elimination half‐life (t1/2) of N4‐AcSDM in the liver, ovary and muscle was estimated to be 4.3 h with a 95 % confidence interval from 3.6 to 5.3 h. No significant difference between t1/2 of N4‐AcSDM in the tissues and that of SDM (4.4 h) in the blood, kidney, muscle, ovary and adipose tissue was observed. On the other hand, the t1/2 of N4‐AcSDM in the kidney (8.1 h) was significantly longer than that in the above 3 tissues.
Effects of Dominance and Familiarity on Behaviour and Plasma Stress Hormones in Growing Pigs During Social Confrontation
Authors: Otten W. , Puppe B. , Kanitz E. , Schön P. C. , Stabenow B.
Published: March 2003

Behavioural patterns and plasma adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol responses were studied in domestic pigs with different dominance status during 10‐h social confrontation tests with a familiar and an unfamiliar group. Eight trials were carried out, where in each trial two groups of nine growing pigs (12 weeks old) were randomly formed. The pigs with the highest (HR) and lowest (LR) rank from each group were selected as test animals, provided with surgically implanted catheters and kept in single housing for 2 to 3 weeks. After this period, each test animal was introduced once into the familiar and once into the unfamiliar group for 10 h. Introduction of the test animals into the groups caused frequent agonistic interactions during the first 30 min and significantly more agonistic interactions during the confrontation with the unfamiliar group. The agonistic behaviour was accompanied by a rapid increase of plasma catecholamines and cortisol. HR pigs showed significantly higher plasma catecholamine concentrations and more agonistic interactions during the first 30 min compared with the LR pigs. During confrontation with the unfamiliar group, HR pigs experienced more defeats and showed a higher increase of plasma cortisol levels than during the confrontation with the familiar group. No influences of rank or familiarity were found on the other behavioural patterns examined. The results show that agonistic behaviour and activation of the sympatho‐adrenomedullary and the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal system in pigs during a social confrontation test are determined by the former dominance rank of the animals and the familiarity of the group.
Disseminated Mycoses in a Dog byPaecilomycessp.
Authors: Garcia M. E. , Caballero J. , Toni P. , Garcia I. , Martinez de Merlo E. , Rollan E. , Gonzalez M. , Blanco J. L.
Published: March 2003

We describe a case of canine mycoses initially diagnosed by clinical signs and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay anti‐fungal test, and later confirmed by the isolation ofPaecilomycessp. during the post‐mortem examination. The fungus was isolated from lesions in the kidneys, mitral valve, abdominal aorta and vertebral discs. In this kind of process, it is important to identify the responsible agent early in order to make a study of anti‐fungal susceptibility and establish effective treatment.
The Humoral Immune Response to Recombinant Nucleocapsid Antigen of Canine Distemper Virus in Dogs Vaccinated with Attenuated Distemper Virus or DNA Encoding the Nucleocapsid of Wild‐Type Virus
Authors: Griot‐Wenk M. E. , Cherpillod P. , Koch A. , Zurbriggen R. , Bruckner L. , Wittek R. , Zurbriggen A.
Published: March 2003

This study compared the humoral immune response against the nucleocapsid‐(N) protein of canine distemper virus (CDV) of dogs vaccinated with a multivalent vaccine against parvo‐, adeno‐, and parainfluenza virus and leptospira combined with either the attenuated CDV Onderstepoort strain (n=15) or an expression plasmid containing the N‐gene of CDV (n=30). The vaccinations were applied intramuscularly three times at 2‐week intervals beginning at the age of 6 weeks. None of the pre‐immune sera recognized the recombinant N‐protein, confirming the lack of maternal antibodies at this age. Immunization with DNA vaccine for CDV resulted in positive serum N‐specific IgG response. However, their IgG (and IgA) titres were lower than those of CDV‐vaccinated dogs. Likewise, DNA‐vaccinated dogs did not show an IgM peak. There was no increase in N‐specific serum IgE titres in either group. Serum titres to the other multivalent vaccine components were similar in both groups.
Progesterone Profiles of Fat‐Tailed Tuj Ewes Following Tactile and Visual Separation of Rams at the Beginning of the Breeding Season
Authors: Yildiz S. , Güven B. , Colak A. , Uzun M.
Published: March 2003

The aim of this study was to determine the level and duration of progesterone secretion during the sequential oestrous cycles in fat‐tailed Tuj ewes following tactile and visual separation of rams during the breeding season. For these purposes, rams were separated from the main flock for 50 days starting from the beginning of the breeding season and 21 ewes were randomly selected for the current experiment. In order to assess luteal activity and the length of oestrous cycles, the ewes were blood‐sampled thrice or twice weekly for the measurement of progesterone in plasma. The data showed that 3 ± 0.2 oestrous cycles were observed in this time window, and the first oestrous cycle observed was shorter (P < 0.05) than the following cycles (mean ± SEM, 14.6 ± 0.82, 16.5 ± 0.48 and 17.0 ± 0.54 days, respectively, for cycles 1, 2 and 3). Progesterone production was significantly lower in the first oestrous cycle compared with the second and third cycles on days 9, 12 and 14 of the cycles. The follicular periods of ewes showed four accumulations (maximum values using a 3‐day moving average technique) throughout the study and the percentages of ewes at each accumulation (peak day ± 1 day) were 50, 35, 65 and 80% for the first, second, third and fourth accumulations, respectively (P < 0.05). It was concluded that progesterone production was lower and the oestrous cycles were shorter during the first oestrous cycle and that tactile and visual separation of rams at the beginning of the breeding season might enhance the synchronizing effect towards the end of the breeding season in the fat‐tailed Tuj ewes.
Effect of Short‐term Hypothermia on Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Enzyme Activity in Rats
Authors: Dede S. , Deger Y. , Meral I.
Published: March 2003

This experiment was carried out to determine the effect of short‐term hypothermia on blood malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G‐6‐PD) concentrations in rats. Twenty Sprague–Dawley rats were used weighing 180–200 g and on average 3.5 months old. They were randomly divided into two experimental groups: control (without cooling) and hypothermic (with cooling). The rats of the hypothermic group were cooled by immersion into cold water (10–12 °C), and the control rats were immersed into water of body temperature (37 °C) up to the neck without using any anaesthetic or tranquilizer for 3 min Rectal body temperatures of both groups were measured and blood samples to analyse MDA, GSH, SOD, GSH, GSH‐Px and G‐6‐PD were collected immediately after the treatment. It was found that the MDA level was higher and the GSH and G‐6‐PD levels were lower in the hypothermic group than those in the controls. There was no difference between the control or hypothermic group regarding SOD or GSH‐Px levels. It is concluded that acute hypothermia increased the lipid peroxidation and decreased the GSH and G‐6‐PD levels in rats.
Environmental Toxicology: Polychlorinated Biphenyls Impair TNF‐α Release In Vitro
Authors: AHNE W. , JARRE T.
Published: March 2003

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF‐α) was induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS)/phytohemagglutin (PHA) stimulated human whole blood in vitro. Levels of TNF‐α were evaluated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Blood samples treated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB 77, PCB 126) exhibited impairment of TNF‐α release: 50 pg/μl PCB reduced by up to 66% and 500 pg/μl PCB reduced by up to 93% the TNF‐α release compared with the controls.
Small Intestinal Morphology and Disaccharidase Activities in Early‐weaned Piglets Fed a Diet Containing Spray‐dried Porcine Plasma
Authors: VAN DIJK A. J. , NIEWOLD T. A. , NABUURS M. J. A. , VAN HEES J. , DE BOT P. , STOCKHOFE‐ZURWIEDEN N. , UBBINK‐BLANKSMA M. , BEYNEN A. C.
Published: March 2003

The purpose of this study was to test whether dietary spray‐dried porcine plasma (SDPP) in early‐weaned piglets prevents small intestinal villus atrophy by trophic or protective activity. Fifty‐four weaned, 18‐day‐old piglets were used to determine the effect of dietary SDPP on small intestinal villus length, crypt depth, enterocyt mitotic activity and brush border enzyme activities during the first week after weaning. The piglets were offered a diet containing either 8% SDPP or 8% casein. At 2 and 7 days after weaning, piglets were anaesthetized to provide samples of the small intestinal wall and killed immediately afterwards. There were no differences in daily gain and daily feed intake between the two dietary treatments. At day 2 after weaning, all piglets showed a marked reduction in villus height when compared with baseline values. In all piglets, small intestinal enterocyte mitotic activity had decreased by day 2 and was increased again on day 7. There were no significant effects of dietary SDPP on small intestinal villus length, crypt depth and enterocyt mitotic activity. This indicates that SDPP has no trophic effect on the small intestinal mucosa and that it does not protect against the damaging effect on the small intestinal villi that is associated with the process of weaning. There was no effect of SDPP on lactase‐, sucrase‐ or maltase‐specific activities that are a measure of the digestive function of the small intestine. It can be concluded that SDPP versus casein has no effect on small intestinal morphology and disaccharidase activities in early weaned piglets kept under low infection pressure.
Effects of Hyperinsulinaemia under Euglycaemic Condition on Liver Fat Metabolism in Dairy Cows in Early and Mid‐lactation
Authors: ANDERSEN J. B. , MASHEK D. G. , LARSEN T. , NIELSEN M. O. , INGVARTSEN K. L.
Published: March 2003

The objective was to examine the effects of insulin under euglycaemic conditions on liver long chain fatty acids (LCFA) metabolism with special focus on the aetiology of hepatic lipidosis in early lactation. A 4‐day hyperinsulinaemic–euglycaemic clamp (clamp) was conducted on four dairy cows starting in weeks 4 and 17 postpartum. Insulin was infused continuously (1 μg/kg BW per h) and a 50 % glucose solution was infused to maintain euglycaemia. Liver biopsies were taken 6 days before, the last day of, and 5 days after the clamp, and blood samples were taken in the same period. In the liver tissue, the relative triglyceride content decreased (P < 0.01) and the glycogen content increased (P < 0.0001) in response to the clamp. Hepatic in vitro palmitate oxidation capacity was lowest during the clamp period and could be explained by a significant decrease in incomplete oxidation (ketogenesis) (P < 0.04) and a tendency to a decreased complete oxidation of palmitate (P < 0.10). Plasma non‐esterified fatty acids concentration was decreased during the clamp in early lactation (P < 0.05) but there was no effect on the mid‐lactation clamp. The present study shows that increased insulin under euglycaemic conditions seems to depress hepatic LCFA oxidation capacity. However, in terms of preventing hepatic lipidosis, the anti‐lipolytic effect of insulin on adipose tissue, which results in decreased mobilization of and hence hepatic load with LCFA, appears more important.
Institut für Tierärztliche Nahrungsmittelkunde, Bakteriologie and Hygiene der Milch, der Justus‐Liebig‐Universität Gießen, Gießen, Germany Isolation and Further Characterization of Phase Variants of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus
Authors: Abdulmawjood A. , L C. , ämmler .
Published: March 2003

In the present study the soft agar technique was used to isolate phase variants of S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus‐cultures isolated from infections of horses. The phase variants were characterized by a compact or diffuse colony morphology in this media. The variants could be cultivated separately and further characterized genotypically by RAPD analysis and by macrorestriction analysis of their chromosomal DNA by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis, indicating the identity of both strains of each pair. The diffuse colony variants grew uniformly turbid after cultivation in fluid media, did not haemagglutinate rabbit erythrocytes, and displayed a reduced surface hydrophobicity in hexadecane and phenyl‐sepharose adherence tests. The compact colony variants generally grew as sediment with clear supernatant in fluid media, haemagglutinated rabbit erythrocytes and showed an enhanced surface hydrophobicity in both hydrophobicity tests. The presented soft agar technique allowed a demonstration of phase variation of S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus and a subsequent isolation of the variants. This might be an important prerequisite to understanding the pathogenic importance of phase variation among isolates of this bacterial species.
Efficacy of an Intranasal Immunization with gEgC and gEgI Double‐deletion Mutants of Aujeszky’s Disease Virus in Maternally Immune Pigs and the Effects of a Successive Intramuscular Booster with Commercial Vaccines
Authors: Nauwynck H. J. , Labarque G. G. , Pensaert M. B.
Published: March 2003

In this study, an intranasal immunization strategy was set up in maternally immune pigs in order to protect them not only clinically but also virologically. Two genetically engineered Aujeszky’s disease virus (ADV) strains, Kaplan gE−gI− and Kaplan gE−gC−, were used for intranasal immunization. Both strains were safe for 4‐week‐old pigs. A single intranasal inoculation of 106.0 TCID50 of Kaplan gE−gI− and Kaplan gE−gC− at 4 weeks of age in the presence of moderate titres of maternally derived antibodies (SN titres: 12–16) reduced the amount of weight loss, fever and virus excretion upon challenge 6 weeks later. In a second experiment, the effect of an additional intramuscular booster with three different commercial vaccines (containing attenuated Bartha or NIA3‐783 or inactivated Phylaxia; all suspended in an oil‐in‐water emulsion) at 10 weeks of age was evaluated. One month after the last intramuscular booster, between five and seven pigs from each group were selected for challenge. All intranasally/intramuscularly immunized pigs showed a significantly better clinical and virological protection after challenge than the single intranasally immunized pigs. In the double immunized group, the protection was better when Kaplan gE−gC− was used for the intranasal priming (only two of 14 pigs excreted virus with a duration of 4 days) than when Kaplan gE−gI− was used (13 of 18 pigs excreted virus with a duration ranging from 1 to 4 days). The virological protection was not influenced by the type of vaccine used for booster vaccination. Because the intranasal/intramuscular immunization approach is very compatible with current pig movements on farms and pigs with moderate levels of maternally derived antibodies can effectively be immunized, it can be considered as a good alternative to intramuscular/intramuscular vaccinations especially in regions with a high ADV prevalence.
Antibacterial Susceptibility Patterns ofPseudomonasStrains Isolated from Chronic Canine Otitis Externa
Authors: Martín Barrasa J. L. , Lupiola Gómez P. , González Lama Z. , Tejedor Junco M. T.
Published: March 2003

Development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a problem of great concern. It is important to establish the convenience of antimicrobial susceptibility tests in animal infections. The aim of this study was to test the susceptibility to antibiotics ofPseudomonasstrains isolated from chronic canine otitis externa. We tested 23 strains ofPseudomonas: 19Ps. aeruginosa, threePs. fluorescensand onePseudomonasspp. The most effective antibiotics were tobramycin (100 % susceptible), marbofloxacin (91.3 %) and ceftazidime (91.3 %). Ticarcillin and gentamicin, commonly used for the treatment of otitis externa also showed good results (susceptibility of strains was 86 and 65.2 % respectively). Lower susceptibility was found using enrofloxacin (52.1 %) probably due to its indiscriminate use. We emphasize the need for a rational policy of antibiotic prescribing in order to prevent the selection of resistant strains.
Clostridium perfringens Toxin Types in Hooded Seals in the Greenland Sea, Determined by PCR and ELISA
Authors: Aschfalk A. , Müller W.
Published: March 2003

Very little is known about the occurrence of Clostridium perfringens and of diseases caused by this anaerobic bacterium in marine mammals, especially those that are free‐living. During a scientific expedition to the Greenland Sea (West Ice) in spring 1999, faeces samples from 70 hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) were taken to isolate C. perfringens. Subsequently, PCR analysis of the isolates was performed with oligonucleotide primers of the genes encoding the four major lethal toxins (alpha, beta, epsilon and iota) for classification of toxin type and of the genes encoding C. perfringens β2‐toxin and enterotoxin for further subclassification. In addition, a commercial ELISA kit for detection of C. perfringens α‐, β‐ and ɛ‐toxin was used. C. perfringens was isolated in samples from 38 (54.3%) hooded seals. All isolates were C. perfringens toxin type A (α‐toxin positive). This is the first report on the occurrence of C. perfringens in this arctic marine mammal species. Myositis and enterotoxemia caused by C. perfringens were described in other marine mammals and it may be assumed that the pathogenesis of an outbreak of disease is similar to that encountered in terrestrial animals. Although there is some controversy surrounding the enteropathogenicity and virulence of α‐toxin (concerning enterotoxemia), this study suggests that a possible outbreak of enterotoxemia caused by C. perfringens type A in hooded seals may, however, not be excluded.
First Report of Post‐Weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome and Porcine Dermatitis and Nephropathy Syndrome in Pigs in Greece
Authors: SAOULIDIS K. , KYRIAKIS S. C. , KENNEDY S. , LEKKAS S. , MILIOTIS CH. C. , ALLAN G. , BALKAMOS G. C. , PAPOUTSIS P. A.
Published: March 2003

Post‐weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) are two recently described conditions of pigs at the late nursery and fattening stages. The aim of this short communication was to describe the first reported occurrence of these conditions and of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection in Greece. The clinical signs, gross post‐mortem changes and histopathological changes observed in affected pigs, were similar to those previously described for both PDNS and PMWS. As in previous reports, the lesions were associated with PCV2 infection, which was demonstrated by immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization methods.
Phylogenetic Analysis of the 5′‐Untranslated Region of German BVDV Type II Isolates
Authors: BEER M. , WOLF G. , KAADEN O.‐R.
Published: March 2003

On the basis of genetic differences, bovine viral diarrhoea viruses (BVDV) are subclassified into two distinct genotypes, BVDV type I and BVDV type II. We selected German BVDV type II isolates using the BVDV type I‐specific monoclonal antibody WB160 and flow cytometric analysis for further characterization. For molecular characterization, a 288‐bp fragment of the 5′‐untranslated region (5′‐UTR) of the selected isolates was investigated by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and sequencing. Sequence comparisons of the partial 5′‐UTR sequences and their phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that the 18 German BVDV type II isolates all belong to either subtype IIa (10 isolates) or subtype IIc (eight isolates). Nevertheless, the German BVDV type II isolates were genetically different (89.9–94.3% sequence identity) from the standard BVDV type II strain 890 from North America, which was recently classified as BVDV type IIa. Furthermore, a clear subdivision of the German BVDV type II isolates into two distinct subtypes (BVDV IIa Germany and BVDV IIc Germany) is shown. Viruses of both subgroups differed in the analysed 5′‐UTR fragment from each other (91.6–95.2% sequence identity), but were highly conserved within the same German subtype (97.2–100% sequence identity). These findings are discussed in the context of BVDV type II origin, possible introduction into Germany, its epidemiology and impact for vaccine development.
Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV‐1) Myeloencephalopathy: a Case Report
Authors: STIERSTORFER B. , EICHHORN W. , SCHMAHL W. , BRANDMÜLLER C. , KAADEN O.‐R. , NEUBAUER A.
Published: March 2003

An outbreak of neurological disease occurred in a well‐managed riding school. Ataxia and paresis were observed in several horses, five of which became recumbent and were euthanized. Post‐mortem analysis revealed scattered haemorrhages along the spinal cord, that were reflected by multiple haemorrhagic foci on formalin‐fixed sections, with the thoracic and lumbar segments being the most affected. Pathohistologically, perivascular mononuclear cuffing and axonal swelling, especially in the white matter, were evident. Parallel to the course of disease, alterations in myelin sheets and activation of astrocytes and microglial cells were also observed. Virological findings confirmed an acute equine herpesvirus type 1 infection and virus was isolated from the spinal cord of a 26‐year‐old mare.