bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Allometric association betweenin vivoestimation of body composition during growth using deuterium dilution technique and chemical analysis of serial slaughtered pigs
Authors: Landgraf S. , Susenbeth A. , Knap P. W. , Looft H. , Plastow G. S. , Kalm E. , Roehe R.
Published: March 2006

The objective of this study was to develop accurate mathematical-statistical functions to estimate body composition of live pigs between 20 and 140 kg weight from total body water (TBWA) determined by the deuterium dilution technique. Chemical body compositions during the growth period are essential input parameters for biological pig growth models, which are used to estimated the nutrient requirements, improve the entire production system, determine optimal slaughter weight, optimize selection for food intake, etc. In the present study, 48 pigs (17 female and 31 castrated males) were used in an experimental station to obtain protein, lipid, ash and water content at 20, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 140 kg live weight. At each target weight, body water of the animals was determined by the deuterium dilution technique. Eight pigs of each live-weight group were slaughtered and chemically analysed. Water content of the empty body decreased from 74 to 53%, whereas lipid content rose from 7 to 30%. Between 20 and 30 kg body weight, protein content increased from 16 to 17% and thereafter decreased to 16%. Ash content was constant at 3%. To estimate body composition of the remaining animals from TBWA (%) determined by deuterium dilution technique, two sets of exponential prediction functions were used to describe the relationship between chemically analysed body components and TBWA (%). The first set of prediction functions fitted one intercept for the entire growth period and the second set of prediction functions fitted a different intercept for each weight class. Correlation coefficients between estimated and chemically determined empty body water, lipid, protein and ash for the first set of functions were 0·93, 0·86, 0·83 and 0·65, respectively. The second set of prediction functions showed higher accuracy (2 to 10%), but had the disadvantage of non-continuous estimates over the entire growth period. In contrast, by using the first set of prediction functions, a continuous accurate estimation of body composition of live pigs was obtained over a large range of growth (20 to 140 kg) based on deuterium dilution space.
Milk progesterone profiles and their relationship with fertility, production and disease in dairy cows in Northern Ireland
Authors: McCoy M. A. , Lennox S. D. , Mayne C. S. , McCaughey W. J. , Edgar H. W. J. , Catney D. C. , Verner M. , Mackey D. R. , Gordon A. W.
Published: March 2006

A detailed investigation was conducted to identify the main factors influencing the current poor reproductive performance in dairy herds in Northern Ireland. Nineteen herds were selected and a comprehensive database was established, comprising detailed information collected over a 2-year period. Milk progesterone monitoring (no.=1423 cows), based on twice weekly sampling, was included in this on-farm investigation. The mean interval from calving to commencement of luteal activity was 30·1 days and 13·4% (184/1378) of these cows had not commenced luteal activity by day 50post partum. In addition, there was a high incidence of abnormal progesterone profiles: delayed ovulation type I; 15·6% (242/1388), delayed ovulation type II; 11·7% (125/965), persistent corpus luteum type I; 19·4% (212/1121) and persistent corpus luteum type II; 11·9% (70/619). Delayed commencement of luteal activity and abnormal profiles were associated with reduced fertility performance manifested as increased interval to first AI service and ultimately prolonged calving interval. Delayed commencement of luteal activity and abnormal progesterone profiles, with the exception of ‘delayed ovulation type II’ profiles, were not associated with lower conception rates. Assistance at calving was associated with delayed commencement of luteal activity. Delayed commencement of luteal activity and delayed ovulation types I and II profiles were associated with indicators of nutritional stress and poorer production performance in early lactation. Retained foetal membranes were strongly associated with prolonged luteal phases (persistent corpus luteum types I and II profiles). While hormonal therapy may prove useful in treating cows with abnormal milk progesterone profiles, the prevention and treatment of associated diseases and the implementation of good management practices are likely to be more rewarding.
Ewes increase their intake when offered a choice of herbage species at pasture
Authors: Cortes C. , Damasceno J. C. , Jamot J. , Prache S.
Published: March 2006

In stall-feeding conditions, food diversity has been shown to increase an animal's motivation to eat and its level of food intake. This effect has also been suggested, but not demonstrated, for free-grazing animals. In free-grazing conditions, however, animals may have to search for the preferred plant species and this may reduce their intake rate. Moreover, the management of diverse swards faces a risk of overgrazing the preferred species and undergrazing the less preferred species, leading to resource degradation. We investigated the effect of food diversity on foraging behaviour and intake in grazing sheep, in interaction with the type of diversity (conterminal monoculturesv. mixtures) and management (two monocultures offered simultaneouslyv. successively over time). Five treatments were compared with five groups of five dry INRA 401 ewes for five periods, using a Latin-square design: LOL=grazing a monoculture ofLolium perenne cv.Herbie (L); FES=grazing a monoculture ofFestuca arundinacea cv.Florine (F); STRIPS=grazing conterminal monocultures of L and F, 0·5:0·5 by ground area, with animals having a free choice between both species; TIME=grazing L from 16:00 to 09:00 h and F from 09:00 to 16:00 h; MIX=grazing an intermeshed mixture of L and F. Sward height was maintained at 9 cm. Each period comprised a 5-day adaptation subperiod followed by a 5-day measurement subperiod. Dietary choices and intake were measured usingn-alkanes, and grazing time was assessed using the Ethosys®recording system. Intake rate was calculated as the ratio of intake to grazing time. Intake in the monoculture treatments were higher than predictions made for housed animals given similar foragesad libitum, demonstrating that sward conditions were favourable for the expression of voluntary intake in all treatments. Intake was higher in LOL than in FES, this result being consistent with predictions for stall-feeding conditions. There was no difference in diet composition, foraging behaviour and intake between the bispecific treatments (STRIPS, TIME and MIX). Intake was higher in the bispecific treatments than in LOL (1666v. 1492 g digestible organic matter per day,P<0·001). Grazing time was higher in STRIPS and MIX than in LOL (420 and 430 min respectivelyv. 366 min,P<0·01). Dry ewes increase their intake when offered a choice of herbage species at pasture, this being mediated via an increase in grazing time rather than an increase in intake rate. There was no interaction with type of diversity or type of management.
Growth and food utilization of the Australian short-finned eel, Anguilla australis australis (Richardson) given paired iso-energetic diets with increasing crude protein content
Authors: Engin K. , Carter C. G.
Published: March 2006

This study investigated the effects of 100 g/kg increments of crude protein (approx. 250 (P25) to 550 (P55) g/kg of crude protein) in paired iso-energetic diets on the growth performance of the juvenile Australian short-finned eel (1·83 (s.e. 0·01) g average wet weight). The highest growth response was obtained with treatment P45 followed by P35, P55 and P25. It appeared that food efficiency ratio (FER) increased with increasing crude protein content in low energy diets (treatments P25 and P35). However, 100 g/kg increase in dietary crude protein content (from 450 to 550 kg crude protein per kg diet) in high energy diets resulted in lower FER for treatment P55 than for the treatment P45. The protein efficiency ratio (PER, %) was higher in low protein:low energy diets (treatments P25 and P35) than that of high protein:high energy diets (treatments P45 and P55). The protein productive values (PPV, %) for treatments followed a similar trend to PER in this experiment. The lowest PPV was obtained by the treatment P55 and it was significantly different from that of the other three treatments. A proportional increase in dietary crude protein content in paired iso-energetic diets did not significantly change the whole body protein content. However, a small increase in whole body protein content with increasing dietary crude protein in each group was detected. In conclusion, the present study showed protein sparing effects of lipids and carbohydrates in the diets of the short-finned eel. Further studies specifically investigating the effects of dietary carbohydrate to lipid ratios at different protein levels would improve diet formulation and reduce nutrient impact in intensive recirculation systems.
Estimation of whole body lipid mass in finishing pigs
Authors: Kloareg M. , Noblet J. , Van Milgen J.
Published: March 2006

Most nutritional pig growth models are based on the deposition of whole body protein (P) and lipid (L) mass. Chemical analysis of the whole animal is the best method to determine body composition. However, this method is expensive, time consuming and the carcass is lost. Alternatively, P and L may be estimated using simple indicators that should be precise and easily accessible. Although empty body weight (EBW) is a good indicator for P (through the strong relation between water and P), L is more difficult to estimate. This study was carried out to evaluate the relationship between simple carcass measurements and L. Measurements included backfat thicknessin vivoand at slaughter in the hot and cold carcass and the weight of carcass, organs and primal cuts. To maximize variations in adiposity a total of 30 females and barrows from two genotypes (Piétrain×(Landrace×Large White) and Large White) were slaughtered at body weights typically used in Europe (i.e. 90 to 150 kg) and ground for chemical analysis. Backfat mass (in combination with EBW) was the best indicator for L (L (kg)=0·0590×EBW (kg)+2·99×backfat mass (kg),R2=0·96). Different backfat thickness measurements were highly correlated and appeared reasonable indicators for total backfat mass. Backfat thickness measured in the hot carcass between 3rd and 4th last lumbar vertebra at 8 cm from the mid line was the second best indicator for L (L=(0·0855+0·0073×backfat thickness)×EBW,R2=0·94). On average, 18% of total body lipids were located in the backfat. Although these equations can be used to obtain a reasonable estimate of whole body lipid mass, a significant genotype effect remained. Differences between genotypes in the partitioning of lipids between different tissues suggest that the quantification of an external lipid depot alone is insufficient to precisely estimate whole-body lipid mass across genotypes.
Genetically modified soya bean in rabbit feeding: detection of DNA fragments and evaluation of metabolic effects by enzymatic analysis
Authors: Tudisco R. , Lombardi P. , Bovera F. , dˇAngelo D. , Cutrignelli M. I. , Mastellone V. , Terzi V. , Avallone L. , Infascelli F.
Published: March 2006

The presence of DNA fragments in tissues from rabbits given genetically modified (GM) soya-bean meal (solvent extracted) was investigated by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach. Moreover, the possible effects on cell metabolism were evaluated by determination of several specific enzymes in serum, heart, skeletal muscle, liver and kidney. The chloroplast sequence for tRNA Leu by using the Clor1/Clor2 primers designed on chloroplast trnL sequence was clearly detected. On the contrary, two couples of species specific primers for conventional (Le1-5/Le 1-3 which amplifies the soya bean lectin gene) and genetically modified (35S1/35S2 which amplifies the 35S CMV promoter that is present in the genomic structure of GM soya bean) soya bean were not found in all samples. No differences in enzyme levels were detected in serum, but a significant increase of lactic dehydrogenase, mainly concerning the LDH1 isoenzyme was found in particular in kidney and heart but not in the muscle, thus suggesting a potential alteration in the local production of the enzyme. Finally, no significant differences were detected concerning body weight, fresh organ weights and no sexual differences were detected.
Genetic parameters for direct and maternal effects on body weights of Muzaffarnagari sheep
Authors: Mandal A. , Neser F. W. C. , Rout P. K. , Roy R. , Notter D. R.
Published: March 2006

Estimates of co(variance) components were obtained for weights at birth, weaning and 6, 9 and 12 months of age in Muzaffarnagari sheep maintained at the Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, India, over a period of 28 years (1976 to 2003). Records of 5530 lambs out of 169 rams and 1631 ewes were used for the study. Analyses were carried out by restricted maximum likelihood (REML), fitting six animal models, including various combinations of maternal effects. Heritability estimates for weight at birth, weaning and 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 0·09, 0·21, 0·06, 0·10 and 0·14, respectively. Maternal heritability of body weight declined from 0·07 at birth to 0·02 at weaning. The maternal permanent environmental component contributed 10 to 11% to the total variance for all traits except weight at 12 months. A significant large negative genetic correlation was observed between direct and maternal genetic effects on weaning weight, suggesting the presence of antagonistic environmental, as well as perhaps genetic, effects in daughter and dam. Results suggest that maternal additive effects were only important in early stages of growth, whereas a permanent environmental maternal effect existed at all ages up to 9 months, probably as a carry-over effect of maternal influences present at weaning. Modest rates of genetic progress appear possible for all weights, but the presence of an antagonism between direct and maternal effects on weaning weight would complicate attempts to improve both by selection.
Reproductive toxicological effects of gossypol on male rabbits: semen characteristics and hormonal levels
Authors: Taha T. A. , Shaaban W. F. , El-Mahdy A. R. , El-Nouty F. D. , Salem M. H.
Published: March 2006

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two sublethal doses (4 and 20 mg/kg live weight (LW); every other day) of gossypol on semen and hormonal characteristics of male rabbits. The experiment lasted 16 weeks and included two periods: a treatment period (first 8 weeks) where the animals were given the test materials, and a recovery period (second 8 weeks) where drugs were withdrawn. Results showed that LW and respiration rate (RR) decreased ( P<0·05) among animals that received gossypol, while rectal temperature increased ( P<0·05). Animals in gossypol treatment groups had decreased ( P<0·05) blood plasma levels of tri-iodothyronine (T3) and testosterone. This was accompanied by reductions ( P<0·05) in sperm concentration, total sperm output, percentage incidence of forward motility, total functional sperm fraction and semen initial fructose concentration. Gossypol however increased ( P<0·05) reaction time (i.e. decreased libido), percentages of dead sperm and abnormal sperm (AbSp) and altered acrosomes. Estimated weights of testes and semen ejaculate volume increased ( P<0·05) possibly due to increased water retention. Values of LW, RR, AbSp, and blood plasma T3 and testosterone returned to control levels after withdrawal of gossypol, while the effect of this drug on other parameters continued during the recovery period.
Piglet use of the creep area and piglet mortality – effects of closing the piglets inside the creep area during sow feeding time in pens for individually loose-housed sows
Authors: Berg S. , Andersen I. L. , Tajet G. M. , Haukvik I. A. , Kongsrud S. , Bøe K. E.
Published: March 2006

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of closing the piglets inside the piglet creep area during the first two or four sow feedings on piglet mortality from birth until weaning and piglet use of the creep area within the first 3 days after farrowing. A total of 96 sows in individual loose-housing farrowing pens were randomly allotted to one out of three groups: C0 – control (piglets not closed inside the creep area during feeding), C2 – piglets closed inside the creep area during the first two sow feedings after farrowing, C4 – piglets closed inside the creep area during the first four sow feedings after farrowing. Production results were registered on all sows, and the behaviour of 33 of the sows and litters were recorded, using instantaneous sampling every 10 min for 6 h during day 1, 2 and 3 after farrowing (farrowing=day 0). There were no effects of closing the piglets inside the creep area during sow feeding on piglet mortality, piglet activity or location. However, to make this conclusion reliable, this should be tested for several herds and with different types of creep areas. The piglets were lying increasingly more in the creep area from day 1 to day 3 (P<0·001), and at the same time mean proportion of the litter observed lying in close proximity of the mother decreased (P<0·001). How much the piglets used the creep area differed strongly between sows (P<0·05).
Does natural larval parasitism of Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) vary between years, generation, density of the host and vine cultivar?
Authors: Xuéreb A. , Thiéry D.
Published: March 2006

pulations of European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana Franc, Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sémillon) using a natural L. botrana population during the first year, and a natural population supplemented with artificially inoculated individuals during the second year. Levels of natural populations of larval parasitoids were measured by their parasitism rate. The ichneumonid Campoplex capitator Aubert was the most common species collected from L. botrana larvae. Its incidence was higher during the spring compared to summer. The overall parasitism rate found on the experimental vineyard varied from 23% in 2000 to 53% in 2001, and was mainly due to C. capitator. Parasitism was not affected by the grape cultivar on which the host developed but was positively correlated with the host density, per bunch or per stock, suggesting that among the five grape cultivars tested, C. capitator females probably do not discriminate between hosts feeding on different grape cultivars, but rather the densities of L. botrana larvae.
Structure of worldwide populations of Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) as revealed by amplified fragment length polymorphism profiles
Authors: Blanc M.P. , Lugon-Moulin N. , Panighini C. , Pijnenburg H. , Rossi L.
Published: March 2006

The cigarette beetle Lasioderma serricorne through transportation affects the infestation of stored tobacco. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), DNA polymorphisms were assessed in 16 populations of L. serricorne collected from 15 countries. The dendrograms constructed from profile distance matrices revealed well-supported colony clusters. There was no clear clustering as a function of the geographic origin of the samples. The results suggest extensive insect dispersal among geographical regions due to movement of infested commodities worldwide. This first AFLP population study of a stored-product insect demonstrates the potential of AFLP for distinguishing L. serricorne populations.
Genetic differentiation of geographically separated populations of the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
Authors: Kavar T. , Pavlovčič P. , Sušnik S. , Meglič V. , Virant-Doberlet M.
Published: March 2006

Genetic variation in the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula (Linnaeus) from 11 geographically separated sampling locations (Slovenia, France, Greece, Italy, Madeira, Japan, Guadeloupe, Galapagos, California, Brazil and Botswana) was studied by sequencing 16S and 28S rDNA, cytochrome b and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene fragments and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Sequencing revealed 11 distinct haplotypes clustering into lineages A, B and C. Lineage C was characteristic for a single analysed specimen from Botswana. Lineage B was detected in Japan, and it probably arose in Asia. Haplotypes of European and American specimens belonged to lineage A; specimens from France, Slovenia, Madeira and Brazil shared highly similar haplotypes (>99%) from subgroup A1, while all the specimens from Greece, California, Galapagos and Guadeloupe shared a haplotype from subgroup A2. RAPD data were more variable but consistent with mtDNA sequences, revealing the same clustering. They separated the Botswanian specimen from Japanese specimens and from a group of more closely related specimens from Europe and America. Sequence and RAPD results both support the African origin of N. viridula, followed by dispersal to Asia (lineage B) and, more recently, by expansion to Europe and America (lineage A). RAPD analysis revealed two highly supported subgroups in Japan, congruent with mtDNA lineages A2 and B, suggesting multiple colonization of Japan. Invariant sequences at the 28S rDNA combined with other results do not support the hypothesis that cryptic (sibling) species exist within the populations investigated in this study.
Population ecology of Heteronyx piceus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in a peanut/maize cropping system
Authors: Ward A.L. , Rogers D.J.
Published: March 2006

Large larval populations of the scarabaeid beetle Heteronyx piceus Blanchard that occur under peanuts, but not maize, in the South Burnett region of Australia are the result of a high rate and prolonged period of egg production by females feeding on peanut foliage. Heteronyx piceus is a relatively sedentary species and movement of females between adjacent fields is low. Populations of H. piceus varied markedly with landscape position. High larval populations are more likely (1 in 4 chance) to be encountered on the ‘scrub’ soils in the upper parts of the landscape than in the ‘forest’ soils in the lower half (1 in 20 chance), indicating that soil type/landscape position is a key risk factor in assessing the need for management intervention. The studies indicate that, because of the species' sedentary nature, the most meaningful population entity for management of H. piceus is the individual field, rather than the whole-farm or the region. The implications of this population ecology for management of the pest are discussed in relation to control strategies.
Population regulation of a classical biological control agent larval density dependence in Neochetina eichhorniae Coleoptera Curculionidae, a biological control agent of water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes
Authors: Wilson J.R.U. , Rees M. , Ajuonu O.
Published: March 2006

The release of classical biological control agents has reduced the economic, environmental and social problems caused by water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes; however, additional control measures are needed in some locations. Water hyacinth plants were treated with different densities of eggs of the weevil Neochetina eichhorniae Warner, one of the main control agents, under different nutrient regimes in a controlled experiment. Plants were destructively sampled and the development of N. eichhorniae was assessed. The survival of first and second instars declined as larval density increased. Plant nutrient status did not directly affect the mortality rate of larvae, but at higher nutrient concentrations larvae developed faster and were larger at a given developmental stage. It is argued that the density dependence operating in N. eichhorniae occurs through an interaction between young larvae and leaf longevity. Consequently, events which disrupt water hyacinth leaf dynamics, e.g. frost or foliar herbicides, will have a disproportionately large effect on the control agents and may reduce the level of control of the host.
Genetic differentiation among various populations of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella Lepidoptera Yponomeutidae
Authors: Pichon A. , Arvanitakis L. , Roux O. , Kirk A.A. , Alauzet C. , Bordat D. , Legal L.
Published: March 2006

Genetic variation among 14 populations of Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) from USA (Geneva, New York), Brazil (Brasilia), Japan (Okayama), The Philippines (Caragan de Oyo), Uzbekistan (Tashkent), France (Montpellier), Benin (Cotonou), South Africa (Johannesburg), Réunion Island (Montvert), and five localities in Australia (Adelaide, Brisbane, Mareeba, Melbourne, Sydney) were assessed by analysis of allozyme frequencies at seven polymorphic loci. Most of the populations were not in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and had a deficit in heterozygotes. The global differentiation among populations was estimated by the fixation index (Fst) at 0.103 for the 14 populations and at 0.047 when populations from Australia and Japan, which differed most and had a strong genetic structure, were excluded from the analysis. By contrast, the populations from Benin (West Africa) and Brazil (South America) were very similar to each other. Genetic differentiation among the populations was not correlated with geographical distance.
Morphological discrimination of Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) populations feeding on Compositae
Authors: Margaritopoulos J.T. , Tzortzi M. , Zarpas K.D. , Tsitsipis J.A. , Blackman R.L.
Published: March 2006

Aphis gossypii Glover is a polyphagous aphid pest with a worldwide distribution. However, there is evidence that on a global scale the name A. gossypii is being applied to a number of forms with different life cycles and/or host-plant associations. Morphometric variation of A. gossypii samples from crops and non-cultivated plants in many parts of the world was examined, to determine whether this variation is correlated with the hosts from which the aphids originated. Samples of A. gossypii were collected from Cucurbitaceae and Malvaceae in Europe, and from Compositae in various parts of the world. Morphometric data for 13 parameters measured from 97 clonal lineages (728 specimens) and 27 field-collected samples (313 specimens) were analysed by a series of canonical variates analyses, using the field sample/clonal lineage as grouping factor. Clonal lineages were reared on a common host in controlled conditions to standardize the effect of host and environment on morphology. The analyses provided a clear morphometric separation of the aphids originating from Compositae and those collected on Cucurbitaceae and Malvaceae, regardless of the geographical origin of the aphids and the host plant on which they were reared. This indicates that within A. gossypii there are two widely distributed host races or subspecies with different plant family associations. The taxonomic implications are discussed.
Mark–recapture without estimating population sizes: a tool to evaluate termite baits
Authors: Crosland M.W.J. , Su N.-Y.
Published: March 2006

The mark–recapture technique is currently being used by many termite researchers. Here it's two uses are explained and disentangled. Use 1 is mapping the geographical location of the colony and use 2 is estimating the number of termites in the colony. Use 2 is controversial because the accuracy of the estimates has been widely questioned. In this article, it is explained that use 1 is not controversial and that use 1 (not use 2) is the criterion that is currently being used for evaluating the efficacy of termite baits.
Tomato fruit size, maturity and α-tomatine content influence the performance of larvae of potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)
Authors: Mulatu B. , Applebaum S.W. , Kerem Z. , Coll M.
Published: March 2006

Various physical and chemical properties of host plants influence insect larval performance and subsequent adult fitness. Tomato plants are relatively new hosts to the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), with the fruit being its preferred feeding site. However, it is unclear how the biochemical and physical properties of tomato fruits relate to potato tuber moth performance. Significant amounts of α-tomatine were detected in maturing green and ripening fruits of cherry (cv. Ceres) and processing (cv. Serio) types of tomatoes whereas none was detected in a fresh market variety (cv. Marglobe), at comparable stages. α-Tomatine is negatively and significantly correlated with development rate (head capsule size) of larvae reared in the fruits of the cherry and processing type tomatoes. Generally, survival, growth and development were significantly superior for larvae reared in the ripening fruits of the fresh market cultivar. At this stage, the fruits of this cultivar are also the largest. Based on these results it is concluded that fruit α-tomatine content, as wellas fruit size and maturity, all affect performance of P. operculella larvae in the fruits of cultivated tomatoes.
Digestive proteinases of the larger black flour beetle, Cynaeus angustus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Authors: Oppert B. , Walters P. , Zuercher M.
Published: March 2006

Digestion in the larger black flour beetle, Cynaeus angustus (LeConte), was studied to identify new control methods for this pest of stored grains and grain products. The physiological pH of the larval gut, as measured with extracts in water, was approximately 6.1, and the pH for optimal hydrolysis of casein by gut extracts was 6.2 when buffers were reducing. However, under non-reducing conditions, hydrolysis of casein and synthetic serine proteinase substrates was optimal in alkaline buffer. Three major proteinase activities were observed in zymograms using casein or gelatin. Caseinolytic activity of C. angustus gut extracts was inhibited by inhibitors that target aspartic and serine proteinase classes, with minor inhibition by a cysteine proteinase inhibitor. In particular, soybean trypsin and trypsin/chymotrypsin inhibitors were most effective in reducing the in vitro caseinolytic activity of gut extracts. Based on these data, further studies are suggested on the effects of dietary soybean inhibitors of serine proteinases, singly and in combination with aspartic and cysteine proteinase inhibitors, on C. angustus larvae. Results from these studies can be used to develop new control strategies to prevent damage to grains and stored products by C. angustus and similar coleopteran pests.
ControllingLygusplant bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae) with EuropeanPeristenus relictus(Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Canada – risky or not?
Authors: Haye T. , Kuhlmann U. , Goulet H. , Mason P.G.
Published: March 2006

The EuropeanPeristenus relictusLoan (syn.P. stygicus) has been considered for biological control ofLygusplant bugs native to Canada. Laboratory and field studies were conducted in the area of origin to evaluate the host specificity ofP. relictus. Laboratory choice and no-choice tests demonstrated thatP. relictusattacked all non-target species offered (fundamental host range). However, closely related non-target mirids (tribe Mirini) were generally well accepted byP. relictus, while hosts from the tribe Stenodemini were less frequently attacked and less suitable for parasitoid development. To validate the laboratory results, a thorough examination of the parasitoid complex of common mirids in Europe was conducted to determine which non-target species may serve as alternative hosts forP. relictusin a natural situation (ecological host range). When comparing both approaches, the fundamental host range ofP. relictusmatched its ecological host range. In addition to threeLygusspecies, the ecological host range ofP. relictusin the area of Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany, contains at least 16 non-target species, including hosts belonging to the subfamilies Mirinae, Phylinae and Bryocorinae. A broad ecological and fundamental host range suggests thatP. relictusis a generalist; however,P. relictuswas not the primary contributor to parasitism of most non-target hosts studied. AlthoughP. relictusis assumed to be of minor importance for regulating non-target populations in the area of investigation, the results of the present study indicate thatP. relictushas the potential to use non-target host populations for reproduction.
A common mode of attraction of larvae and adults of insect predators to the sex pheromone of their prey (Hemiptera: Matsucoccidae)
Authors: Branco M. , Franco J.C. , Dunkelblum E. , Assael F. , Protasov A. , Ofer D. , Mendel Z.
Published: March 2006

The attraction of several adult predators, genera Elatophilus, Hemerobius and Sympherobius, to the sex pheromones of pine bast scales, Matsucoccus Cockerell, has already been demonstrated. Here, the hypothesis that the larvae of these predators are similarly attracted to the host prey sex pheromone is tested. The response of predators was tested in field trials using pine tree arenas baited with the sex pheromones of M. josephi Bodenheimer & Harpaz, M. feytaudi Ducasse and M. matsumurae Kuwana. Experiments were conducted in Israel in stands of Pinus halepensis infested by M. josephi and in Portugal in stands of P. pinaster infested by M. feytaudi, respectively. The selectivity of larvae for the three sex pheromones was tested in Petri dish arenas in the laboratory. In the field, the larval stages exhibited similar modes of attraction to those of the conspecific adults: Elatophilus hebraicus Pericart in Aleppo pine forest, E. crassicornis Reuter and Hemerobius stigma Stephens in the maritime pine forests. Laboratory choice tests confirmed the kairomonal selectivity of larvae. Both forest and laboratory tests demonstrated the response of a coccinellid of the genus Rhyzobius to the sex pheromones of M. feytaudi and M. matsumurae. A unique chemical communication system among several taxa of predators of Matsucoccus spp. was highlighted that may be attributed to their coevolution on a geological time scale.
Ovipositional preferences, damage thresholds, and detection of the tomato–potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli (Homoptera: Psyllidae) on selected tomato accessions
Authors: Liu D. , Trumble J.T.
Published: March 2006

The tomato–potato psyllid Bactericera [Paratrioza] cockerelli (Sulc) has recently caused losses exceeding 50% on fresh market tomatoes in California and Baja, Mexico by injecting a toxin that results in a condition known as ‘psyllid yellows’. The objectives of this study were to: (i) document oviposition preferences on a range of tomato cultivars; (ii) determine threshold levels for psyllid densities that would cause psyllid yellows on tomatoes within the first three weeks following transplanting; and (iii) identify the most important ‘psyllid yellows’ symptoms that might be used in surveying and monitoring for this pest. Plant lines tested included the commonly-planted commercial cultivars ‘Shady Lady’ and ‘QualiT 21’, an older, previously commercial cultivar ‘7718 VFN’, a common cultivar planted by consumers ‘Yellow Pear’, and a wild type plant accession, PI 134417. When given a choice, psyllids significantly preferred ‘Yellow Pear’ and avoided PI 134417 for oviposition. Under no-choice conditions psyllids laid significantly fewer eggs on PI 134417, but all the other plant lines were equally good substrates for laying eggs. Thus, oviposition preference is not likely to provide a functional management strategy in large plantings. On ‘Shady Lady’, psyllids preferred to oviposit on plants already infested with adults. On both ‘Shady Lady’ and ‘7718 VFN’ oviposition was significantly greater on plants previously infested by nymphs as compared to uninfested control plants. This suggests that, at least for some cultivars, there is a physiological change in plant attractiveness following psyllid feeding. ‘Yellow Pear’ and ‘QualiT 21’ were relatively tolerant of psyllids, requiring 18 nymphs per plant to produce the disease symptoms. Only eight nymphs per plant were needed on ‘Shady Lady’ and ‘7718 VFN’. For all cultivars, the pest density showed strong correlations with measurements such as the number of yellowing leaves and leaflets and distorted leaves, which were as good as or better than the first factor extracted from principal component analysis. Therefore, such measurements have the potential to simplify field surveys.
Grape variety affects larval performance and also female reproductive performance of the European grapevine mothLobesia botrana(Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
Authors: Moreau J. , Benrey B. , Thiéry D.
Published: March 2006

For insect herbivores, the quality of the larval host plant is a key determinant of fitness. Therefore, insect populations are supposed to be positively correlated with the nutritional quality of their host plant. This study aimed to determine if and how different varieties of grapes (including the wild grape Lambrusque) affect both larval and adult performance of the polyphagous European grapevine mothLobesia botrana(Denis & Schiffermüller). Significant differences were found in larval development time, but not in pupal mass, adult emergence rate, or sex ratio. Although the fecundity of females is not different among varieties, females fed on some varieties produced eggs of different sizes which are correlated to their fertility. Thus, females adapt resource allocation to eggs depending on their diet as larvae. Using a fitness index, the average reproductive output was found to be highest for females reared on cv. Chardonnay. Females reared on wild grape produced a fitness index identical to the cultivated grapes. However, Lambrusque and Gewurztraminer separate themselves from the cultivated varieties according to our discriminant analyses. It is emphasized, through this study, that cultivars fed on by larvae should be considered in the population dynamics ofL. botranaand that egg number is insufficient to determine host plant quality.
NSAID-Induced Acute Phase Response is Due to Increased Intestinal Permeability and Characterized by Early and Consistent Alterations in Hepatic Gene Expression
Authors: Tugendreich Stuart , Pearson Cecelia I. , Sagartz John , Jarnagin Kurt , Kolaja Kyle
Published: March 2006

Toxicogenomics using a reference database can provide a better understanding and prediction of toxicity, largely by creating biomarkers that tie gene expression to actual pathology events. During the course of building a toxicogenomic database, an observation was made that a number of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds (NSAIDs) at supra-pharmacologic doses induced an acute phase response (APR) and displayed hepatic gene expression patterns similar to that of intravenous lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Since NSAIDs are known to cause injury along the gastrointestinal tract, it has been suggested that NSAIDs increase intestinal permeability, allowing LPS and/or bacteria into the systemic circulation and stimulating an APR detectable in the liver. A short term study was subsequently conducted examining the effects of aspirin, indomethacin, ibuprofen, and rofecoxib to rats and a variety of endpoints were examined that included serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, histologic evaluation, and hepatic gene expression. Both indomethacin and ibuprofen injured the gastrointestinal tract, induced an APR, and increased serum levels of LPS, while rofecoxib and aspirin did not affect the GI tract or induce an APR. In treatments that eventually showed a systemic inflammatory response, hepatic expression of many inflammatory genes was noted as early as 6 hours after treatment well before alterations in traditional clinical pathology markers were detected. This finding led to the creation of a hepatic gene expression biomarker of APR that was effectively shown to be an early identifier of imminent inflammatory injury. In terms of the relative gastrointestinal safety and the NSAIDs studied, an important safety distinction can be made between the presumptive efficacious dose and the APR-inducing dose for indomethacin (1—2-fold), ibuprofen (5-fold), and rofecoxib (~250-fold). Our data support the notion that NSAID-induced intestinal injury results in leakage of commensural bacteria and/or LPS into the circulation, provoking a systemic inflammatory response and that hepatic gene expression-based biomarkers can be used as early and sensitive biomarkers of APR onset.

[The table referenced in this paper is not printed in this issue of Toxicologic Pathology. It is available as a downloadable text file in the online edition of Toxicologic Pathology, 34(2). In order to access the full article online, you must have either an individual subscription or a member subscription accessed through www.toxpath.org .]
A machine learning information retrieval approach to protein fold recognition
Authors: Cheng Jianlin , Baldi Pierre
Published: March 2006

Motivation: Recognizing proteins that have similar tertiary structure is the key step of template-based protein structure prediction methods. Traditionally, a variety of alignment methods are used to identify similar folds, based on sequence similarity and sequence-structure compatibility. Although these methods are complementary, their integration has not been thoroughly exploited. Statistical machine learning methods provide tools for integrating multiple features, but so far these methods have been used primarily for protein and fold classification, rather than addressing the retrieval problem of fold recognition-finding a proper template for a given query protein.

Results: Here we present a two-stage machine learning, information retrieval, approach to fold recognition. First, we use alignment methods to derive pairwise similarity features for query-template protein pairs. We also use global profile–profile alignments in combination with predicted secondary structure, relative solvent accessibility, contact map and beta-strand pairing to extract pairwise structural compatibility features. Second, we apply support vector machines to these features to predict the structural relevance (i.e. in the same fold or not) of the query-template pairs. For each query, the continuous relevance scores are used to rank the templates. The FOLDpro approach is modular, scalable and effective. Compared with 11 other fold recognition methods, FOLDpro yields the best results in almost all standard categories on a comprehensive benchmark dataset. Using predictions of the top-ranked template, the sensitivity is ∼85, 56, and 27% at the family, superfamily and fold levels respectively. Using the 5 top-ranked templates, the sensitivity increases to 90, 70, and 48%.

Availability: The FOLDpro server is available with the SCRATCH suite through .

Contact:  pfbaldi@ics.uci.edu

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at
Identification of the Acidobacterium capsulatum LexA box reveals a lateral acquisition of the Alphaproteobacteria lexA gene
Authors: Mazón Gerard , Campoy Susana , Erill Ivan , Barbé Jordi
Published: March 2006

Acidobacterium capsulatumis the most thoroughly studied species of a new bacterial phylogenetic group designated the phylum Acidobacteria. Through atblastnsearch, theA. capsulatum lexAgene has been identified, and its product purified. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays have shown thatA. capsulatumLexA protein binds specifically to the direct repeat GTTCN7GTTC motif. Strikingly, this is also the LexA box of the Alphaproteobacteria, but had not previously been described outside this subclass of the Proteobacteria. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis of the LexA protein clusters togetherAcidobacteriumand the Alphaproteobacteria, moving the latter away from their established phylogenetic position as a subclass of the Proteobacteria, and pointing to a lateral gene transfer of thelexAgene from the phylum Acidobacteria, or an immediate ancestor, to the Alphaproteobacteria. Lastly,in vivoexperiments demonstrate that theA. capsulatum recAgene is DNA-damage inducible, despite the fact that a LexA-binding sequence is not present in its promoter region.
A unique serine-rich repeat protein (Srr-2) and novel surface antigen (ε) associated with a virulent lineage of serotype III Streptococcus agalactiae
Authors: Seifert Kyle N. , Adderson Elisabeth E. , Whiting April A. , Bohnsack John F. , Crowley Paula J. , Brady L. Jeannine
Published: March 2006

Group B streptococci (GBS) are pathogens of both neonates and adults, with serotype III strains in particular being associated with invasive disease and meningitis. In this study, a novel GBS surface antigen, ε, was found to be co-expressed with the previously reported δ antigen on an identical subset of serotype III GBS. Expression of δ/ε on the surface of serotype III GBS was shown to distinguish the restriction digest pattern (RDP) III-3 and multilocus sequence typing (ST)-17 lineage. ε-Specific antibodies were reactive with a unique, high-molecular-mass, serine-rich repeat protein (Srr-2) found exclusively in RDP III-3 strains. The gene encoding Srr-2 was located within a putative accessory secretory locus that included secY2 and secA2 homologues and had a genetic organization similar to that of the secY2/A2 locus of staphylococci. In contrast, serotype III δ/ε-negative strains and strains representative of serotypes Ia, Ib, Ic and II shared a common Srr-encoding gene, srr-1, and an organization of the secY2/A2 locus similar to that of previously reported serotype Ic, δ/ε-negative serotype III and serotype V GBS strains. Representative serotype III δ/ε-positive strains had LD90 values 3–4 logs less than those of serotype III δ/ε-negative strains in a neonatal mouse model of infection. These results indicate that the RDP III-3/ST-17 lineage expresses Srr-2 and is highly virulent in an in vivo model of neonatal sepsis.
Superoxide dismutase-encoding gene of the obligate anaerobe Porphyromonas gingivalis is regulated by the redox-sensing transcription activator OxyR
Authors: Ohara Naoya , Kikuchi Yuichiro , Shoji Mikio , Naito Mariko , Nakayama Koji
Published: March 2006

Inspection of the genomic DNA sequence of the oral anaerobePorphyromonas gingivalisreveals that the micro-organism possesses the peroxide-sensing transcription activator OxyR, but not the superoxide-sensing transcription factor SoxR. Investigatation of oxidative-stress-responsive proteins inP. gingivalisby two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed that two proteins were predominantly upregulated in oxidative conditions. In aP. gingivalis oxyRmutant these two proteins were not induced by treatment with hydrogen peroxide under aerobic conditions. By N-terminal amino acid sequencing, the two proteins were found to be superoxide dismutase and alkyl hydroperoxide reductase, encoded bysodandahpC, respectively. Northern blot andlacZfusion analyses revealed thatP. gingivalis sodandahpCwere positively regulated by OxyR. Primer extension analysis located the promoter regions ofsodandahpC, and putative −35 boxes of these promoters were found immediately adjacent to their putative OxyR-binding sequences. Moreover, the promoter regions ofsodandahpChad the ability to bindP. gingivalisOxyR protein. These results demonstrate thatP. gingivalis sodis one of the OxyR regulons, suggesting that OxyR functions as an intracellular redox sensor rather than a peroxide sensor in this organism. Asodgene ofBacteroides fragilis, which is taxonomically related toP. gingivalis, is inducible by redox stresses but not controlled by its OxyR. A DNA fragment including theB. fragilis sodpromoter region could bind theP. gingivalisOxyR protein; however, a putative OxyR binding sequence within the DNA fragment was 14 bases distant from a putative −35 box of its promoter.