Search

HighlightsCotton gin saws 0.91 and 1.14 mm thick were compared.Thicker saws had approximately 10% lower processing rate at full motor load.Thicker saws used about 35% more energy to gin the same amount of lint.Abstract. Most cotton fiber (lint) is separated from the seed by gin saw teeth that pull the lint between metal bars (ribs). These ribs are spaced close enough to each other that the seeds cannot pass with the lint. Cotton gin saws are available in three thicknesses, 0.9144, 0.9398, and 1.143 mm (0.036, 0.037, and 0.045 in.). No data from controlled experiments has been published which compares the effect of saw thickness on the economically important performance measures gin processing rate and energy consumption. Two shafts were prepared by installing, at the proper spacing, 406 mm (16 in.) diameter saws of 0.9144 and 1.143 mm thickness for testing on a reduced-width (46-saw) Continental Double Eagle gin stand with constant rib spacing at the USDA-ARS Southwestern Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Energy consumption was recorded for target processing rates 4.88 and 6.08 g saw-1 s-1 using pre-cleaned seed cotton grown in New Mexico, Texas, and Mississippi in a randomized complete block experiment with five replicates. On this equipment we found that the thicker saws averaged 90% (4.69 g saw-1 s-1) the processing rate of the thinner saws (5.21 g saw-1 s-1). Net ginning energy of the 1.143 mm gin saws was 26.5 W-h kg-1 compared to 19.7 W-h kg-1 for the 0.914 mm saws, or about 35% more energy. Results were consistent for cottons from all three regions. Thicker saws are less likely to break under harsh conditions at the ends of the gin stand and are still recommend for use there, but there appears to be no advantage with regard to processing rate or energy use to installing thicker saws across the full width of the gin stand if rib spacing remains unchanged. Keywords: Cotton gin, Energy use, Gin saw thickness, Processing rate.

Maternal dietary conditions play a major role in fetal growth and brain development. The primary aim of this study was to determine the effects of 5% of energy substitution by vegetables in a maternal dietary fat on placental and fetal weight and on fetal brain gene expression. Two-month-old female C57BL/6 mice were fed 16% (normal-fat, NF), 45% fat (HF), or HF substituted with vegetables (5% energy, HF+VS) diets for 12 weeks. Dams were then bred with NF diet-fed male mice. Placenta and fetal weights were measured at gestational age 19 (D19). RNA was isolated from fetal whole brains and sequenced using Illumina HiSeq. HF+VS diet prevented maternal HF diet-induced decreases in placental weight at D19. Feeding of a maternal HF diet was associated with 79 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), while maternal vegetable substitution was associated with 131 DEGs. The vegetable substitution diet decreased Apold1 (P=.0319), Spata2l (P=.0404), and Celsr1 (Plt;.03) expression compared to HF diet. Enrichment analysis of HF vs. HF+VS DEGs identified that synapse organization and regulation of embryonic development were significantly represented. KEGG enrichment analysis identified a significant representation of DEGs in the ubiquitin mediated proteolysis pathway in HF vs. HF+VS, and chemokine signaling pathway in NF vs. HF. These findings suggest that at D19, in a rodent model, a maternal HF diet alters placental and fetal growth, and that vegetable supplementation renders a protective effect against these changes.

OBJECTIVES: A Mediterranean diet (Med Diet) decreases atherogenic lipoproteins and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. It is unknown how high cholesterol intake within a Med Diet will affect these parameters. The objective of this project was to evaluate the daily inclusion of whole eggs, a high cholesterol food, in the Med Diet on lipid and lipoprotein profiles. METHODS: Overweight to obese men (8) and women (25) were recruited into a randomized, cross-over designed, controlled feeding study evaluating three isocaloric test diets: a) Control –average American diet from What We Eat in America, b) Med Diet, and c) Med Diet plus whole, fresh eggs (1 whole egg/1000 kcal; Med Diet + Egg). The Control and Med Diet contained egg substitute. Participants were directed to consume only those foods provided during each 4-week diet treatment period. Each treatment period was separated by > 4-week washout period. Fasting blood was taken pre- and post-treatment for determination of lipid concentrations, lipoprotein particle size and number. RESULTS: Intake of the Control and Med Diet, but not the Med Diet + Egg, decreased (time effect, P

Insects exposed to low temperature stress can experience chill injury, but incorporating fluctuating thermoprofiles increases survival and blocks the development of sub-lethal effects. The specific parameters required for a protective thermoprofile are poorly understood, because most studies test a limited range of thermoprofiles. For example, thermoprofiles with a wave profile may perform better than a square profile, but these two profiles are rarely compared. In this study, two developmental stages of the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata, eye-pigmented pupae, and emergence-ready adults, were exposed to one of eight thermoprofiles for up to 8 weeks. All the thermoprofiles had a base of 6°C and a peak temperature of either 12°C or 18°C. The duration at peak temperature varied depending on the shape of the thermoprofile, either square or wave form. Two other treatments acted as controls, a constant 6°C and a fluctuating thermal regime (FTR) with a base temperature of 6°C that was interrupted daily by a single, 1-h pulse at 20°C. Compared with constant 6°C, all the test thermoprofiles significantly improved survival. Compared with the FTR control, the thermoprofiles with a peak temperature of 18°C outperformed the 12°C profiles. Bees in the eye-pigmented stage exposed to the 18°C profiles separated into two groups based on the shape of the profile, with higher survival in the square profiles compared with the wave profiles. Bees in the emergence-ready stage exposed to 18°C profiles all had significantly higher survival than bees in the FTR controls. Counter to expectations, the least ecologically relevant thermoprofiles (square) had the highest survival rates and blocked the development of sub-lethal effects (delayed emergence).

Diapause is a non-feeding state that many insects undergo to survive the winter months. With fixed resources, overall metabolism and insulin signaling (IIS) are maintained at low levels, but whether those change in response to seasonal temperature fluctuations remains unknown. The focus of this study was to determine 1) how genes in the insulin signaling pathway vary throughout diapause and 2) if that variation changes in response to temperature. To test the hypothesis that expression of IIS pathway genes vary in response to temperature fluctuations during overwintering, alfalfa leafcutting bees, Megachile rotundata, were overwintered at either a constant 4 °C in the lab or in naturally fluctuating temperatures in the field. Expression levels of genes in the IIS pathway, cell cycle regulators, and transcription factors were measured. Overall our findings showed that a few key targets of the insulin signaling pathway, along with growth regulators, change during overwintering, suggesting that only cell cycle regulators, and not the IIS pathway as a whole, change across the phases of diapause. To answer our second question, we compared gene expression levels between temperature treatments at each month for a given gene. We observed significantly more differences in expression of IIS pathway targets, indicating that overwintering conditions impact insulin pathway gene expression and leads to altered expression profiles. With differences seen between temperature treatment groups, these findings indicate that constant temperatures like those used in agricultural storage protocols, lead to different expression profiles and possibly different diapause phenotypes for alfalfa leafcutting bees.

Plant–pollinator interactions are mediated by floral signals and by the quantity and quality of floral rewards. Biotic and abiotic disturbances can influence plant reproductive success through both direct effects on plant performance and indirect effects on pollinator attraction. In this study, we examined the effects of drought on buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moensch), a globally cultivated plant that is prone to drought stress, dependent on insect pollinators for reproduction, and increasingly utilized in on‐farm conservation. Between drought‐stressed and control plants, we compared: nectar quantity and chemical composition, pollen quantity, floral volatile emissions, visits by both managed and wild pollinators, and plant reproductive success. Drought‐stressed plants produced significantly fewer flowers and less nectar per flower, though pollen quantity per flower was unaffected. Nectar from drought‐stressed plants had a lower proportion of sucrose relative to total sugars, though overall sugar concentration was unaffected. Significantly fewer bumble bees, honey bees, and flies were recorded on drought‐stressed plants. While there was no significant difference in the quantity of total floral volatile emissions, volatile compositions differed, with drought‐stressed plants having higher emissions of (Z)‐3‐hexenol, isobutyraldehyde, 2‐methylbutanal, and 3‐methylbutanal. Finally, drought stress had negative effects on seed set and total seed mass per plant. Our results show that drought stress can have significant effects on floral traits and pollinator attraction, reducing plant reproductive success, and the nectar resources available to pollinators. Thus, the potential value of this plant in pollinator conservation and as a honey plant may be reduced under drought stress.

CORE IDEAS Corn increases the number of differentially expressed genes and the intensity of differential gene expression in response to increasing weed density. Genes associated with kinase signaling and transport functions are upregulated by weeds. Genes associated with protein production are downregulated by weeds. A sugar transporter (PMT5) and NUCLEOREDOXIN 1 are upregulated by weeds under diverse conditions. The phenological responses of corn (Zea mays L.) to competition with increasing densities of winter canola (Brassica napus L.) as the weedy competitor were investigated. Changes in the corn transcriptome resulting from varying weed densities were used to identify genes and processes responsive to competition under controlled conditions where light, nutrients, and water were not limited. Increasing densities of weeds resulted in decreased corn growth and development and increased the number and expression intensity of competition-responsive genes. The physiological processes identified in corn that were consistently induced by competition with weeds included protein synthesis and various transport functions. Likewise, numerous genes involved in these processes, as well as several genes implicated in phytochrome signaling and defense responses, were noted as differentially expressed. The results obtained in this study, conducted under controlled (greenhouse) conditions, were compared with a previously published study where the response of corn to competition with other species was evaluated under field conditions. Approximately one-third of the genes were differentially expressed in response to competition under both field and controlled conditions. These competition-responsive genes represent a resource for investigating the signaling processes by which corn recognizes and responds to competition. These results also highlight specific physiological processes that might be targets for mitigating the response of crops to weeds or other competitive plants under field conditions.

False smut (Ustilaginoidea virens) is an important emerging disease of rice (Oryza sativa) in the southern United States, where all major rice cultivars and hybrids are susceptible to the disease. False smut susceptibility was evaluated in traditional paddy-rice fields and under furrow-irrigated conditions to determine the effects of alternative agricultural practices on the severity of this disease. Highly effective false smut suppression was observed in furrow-irrigated rice, where the disease was nearly eliminated in susceptible rice entries. False smut suppression was observed for two hybrids and one conventional rice cultivar, demonstrating that suppression was not limited to specific germplasm sources. Kernel smut severity was also monitored, but no effect on this disease was observed from the irrigation treatments. Therefore, suppression of disease severity in nonflooded rice appears to be a phenomenon unique to the rice–false smut pathosystem, which can be exploited to achieve effective field resistance to this disease.

Within integrated pest management options, fumigation of stored products is one method to help control post-harvest insect infestations in our food and agricultural products. Fumigant gas concentration monitoring is important to confirm that the treatment was adequate to achieve the desired insect control, but monitoring can be relatively expensive and labor intensive. This study evaluated how accurately dosimeter tubes could monitor phosphine fumigation treatments. The dosimeter tube is designed to continuously react with phosphine gas during the fumigation period and yields a measurement in terms of concentration ∗ time product or CT, which can be interpreted as cumulative exposure. Two models of dosimeter tubes were evaluated (high range and low range). The reference method for these trials were wireless phosphine monitoring sensors, which recorded gas concentrations at hourly intervals during an exposure, and from this a CT product was also calculated. Model LPG-1, high-range dosimeter tube, measured within ± 25% of the phosphine monitoring sensors for CT dosages less the 70,000 ppm∗hr. Model LPG-2, low-range tube, tended to significantly over-estimate phosphine CT dosage by 50%–100% of the phosphine monitoring sensor references. Secondly, bioassays of fumigant efficacy were performed using susceptible and resistant adult Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), lesser grain borers, and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), red flour beetle, for estimating insect control at the varied fumigation CT treatments. For the susceptible strains, CT dosages ∼5000 ppm∗hr controlled both species. However, the insect control varied from 60% to 100% for resistant adults at CT dosages of ∼20,000 ppm∗hr. The dosimeter tubes function in these ranges of dosages where each insect species are controlled and the dosimeter tube model LPG-1 provides reasonable estimates of the fumigation dosage for a given treatment level.

The U.S. broiler meat market has grown over the past 16 years and destinations for U.S. broiler meat exports expanded to over 150 countries. This market opportunity has spurred a corresponding increase in industrialized poultry production, which due to the confined space in which high numbers of animals are housed, risks accumulating nutrients and pollutants. The purpose of this research was to determine the level of pollutants within poultry litter and the underlying soil within a production facility; and to explore the impact of spent litter deposition into the environment. The study follows a production facility for the first 2.5 years of production. It monitors the effects of successive flocks and management practices on 15 physiochemical parameters: Ca, Cu, electrical conductivity, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, moisture, Na, NO3(-)/N, organic matter, P, pH, S, and Zn. Litter samples were collected in-house, after clean-outs and during stockpiling. The soil before house placement, after the clean-outs and following litter stockpiling was monitored. Management practices markedly altered the physiochemical profiles of the litter in-house. A canonical discriminant analysis was used to describe the relationship between the parameters and sampling times. The litter profiles grouped into five clusters corresponding to time and management practices. The soil in-house exhibited mean increases in all physiochemical parameters (2-297 fold) except Fe, Mg, %M, and pH. The spent litter was followed after deposition onto a field for use as fertilizer. After 20 weeks, the soil beneath the litter exhibited increases in EC, Cu, K, Na, NO3(-)/N, %OM, P, S and Zn; while %M decreased. Understanding the impacts of industrialized poultry farms on the environment is vital as the cumulative ecological impact of this land usage could be substantial if not properly managed to reduce the risk of potential pollutant infiltration into the environment.

Salmonella Typhimurium (Le Minor and Popoff 1987; Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae) is a pathogen that causes gastroenteritis in humans and can be harbored by house flies. Factors influencing excretion of S. Typhimurium from infected flies have not been elucidated but are essential for assessing transmission potential. We determined the persistence and excretion of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressing strain of S. Typhimurium from house flies. Individual male and female flies were fed either sterile Luria-Bertani (LB) broth (controls) or cultures of "high" (~105 colony forming units [CFU]) or "low" (~104 CFU) doses of bacteria (treatments). Bacterial persistence was determined over 16 h by culturing whole-fly homogenate. Both sex and dose affected persistence between 6 and 12 h postingestion. In a separate experiment, fly excretion events were monitored during this time interval and excreta droplets were individually cultured for bacteria. Female flies had more excretion events than males across treatments. We observed interactions of fly sex and bacterial abundance (dose), both on the proportion of Salmonella-positive droplets and the CFU shed per droplet (CFU/droplet). In the low-dose treatment, males excreted a greater proportion of positive droplets than females. In the high-dose treatment, males excreted more CFU/droplet than females. High-dose male flies excreted more CFU/droplet than low-dose males, but low-dose females excreted more CFU/droplet than high-dose females. Irrespective of sex, low-dose flies excreted a greater dose-adjusted CFU (CFU droplet/CFU fed) than high-dose flies. This study demonstrates that both bacterial abundance and fly sex may influence excretion of bacteria from flies, and should be considered when assessing the risk of house fly transmission of pathogens.

Emission abatement cyclone performance is improved by increasing collection effectiveness or decreasing energy consumption. The object of this study was to quantify the pressure drop and fine particulate (PM2.5) collection of 1D3D cyclones (H = 4Dc, h = 1Dc) at inlet velocities from 8 to 18 m s− 1 (Stk = 0.7–1.5) using heterogeneous particulate as a test material at inlet concentrations from 3 to 75 g m− 3. Cyclone exhaust was passed through filters. Laser diffraction particle size distribution analysis was used to estimate PM2.5 emissions. Response surface models showed a strong correlation between cyclone pressure loss (Euler number) and inlet velocity and predicted a 46% reduction in pressure loss for a 25% reduction in inlet velocity (Stokes number). The model for PM2.5 emissions was less definitive and, surprisingly, predicted a 31% decrease in PM2.5 emissions when operating 25% below the design inlet velocity. Operating below the design inlet velocity (at a lower Stokes number) to reduce pressure losses (Euler number) would reduce both the financial and the environmental cost of procuring electricity. The unexpected co-benefit suggested by these trials was that emission abatement may improve at the same time, though other empirical trials have shown emissions to be independent of inlet velocity and Stokes number.

Published in Agron. J. 107:799–810 (2015) doi:10.2134/agronj14.0017 Available freely online through the author-supported open access option. Copyright © 2015 by the American Society of Agronomy, 5585 Guilford Road, Madison, WI 53711. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ABSTRACT

False smut (Ustilaginoidea virens) and kernel smut (Neovossia horrida) are diseases of rice (Oryza sativa) that reduce both grain yield and quality. Susceptible rice cultivars are in widespread use on production acreage in the United States, and the effects from crop management practices on smut control are poorly understood. We studied the long-term effects of crop rotation, soil tillage, and fertility level on rice smut severity. The highest levels of false smut observed in this study were on cultivars grown in rotation with soybean, on traditionally tilled soils, with high fertilizer treatments. The highest levels of kernel smut were observed in a rice-soybean rotation with winter wheat grown between summer crops. These rotations are commonly used in rice-growing regions of the southern United States. Using combinations of crop rotation, soil tillage, and fertility rate, several alternative crop-management practices were identified that provided effective control of smuts in susceptible rice cultivars. The most effective method for controlling both false smut and kernel smut was in 3-year rotations of rice, soybean, and corn. Regardless of rotation order or tillage and fertility treatments within the rotations, rotating out of rice for 2 years was the most effective approach for smut control.

The effect dirt-floored broiler houses have on the underlying native soil, and the potential for contamination of the ground water by leaching under the foundation, is an understudied area. This study examines alterations in fifteen quantitative soil parameters (Ca, Cu, electrical conductivity, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, NO3, organic matter, P, pH, S, soil moisture and Zn) in the underlayment of a newly constructed dirt-floored broiler house over the first two years of production (Native through Flock 11). The experiment was conducted near NW Robertson County, Texas, where the native soil is a fine, smectitic thermic Udertic Paleustalfs and the slopes range from zero to three percent. Multiple samples were collected from under each of three water and three feed lines the length of the house, in a longitudinal study during February 2008 through August 2010. To better define the relationship between the soil parameters and sampling times, a canonical discriminant analysis approach was used. The soil profiles assembled into five distinctive clusters corresponding to time and management practices. Results of this work revealed that the majority of parameters increased over time. The management practices of partial and total house clean-outs markedly altered soil profiles the house underlayment, thus reducing the risk of infiltration into the ground water near the farm. This is important as most broiler farms consist of several houses within a small area, so the cumulative ecological impact could be substantial if not properly managed.

Taking advantage of the high frequency of conjugation tube formation in mating mixtures and α-pheromone-treated a / a cells derived from saturation phase cultures of opaque cells of Candida albicans , 56 up-regulated and 30 down-regulated genes were identified employing microarray and Northern analyses. Combining these results with previous profiling studies of pheromone-induced cells, a more comprehensive transcript profile was developed for comparison with Saccharomyces cerevisiae . This comparison revealed the following: (i) that while a majority of mating-associated genes are regulated similarly between the two species, a significant minority are regulated dissimilarly; (ii) that filamentation genes are uniquely up-regulated and opaque-specific genes uniquely down-regulated during C. albicans mating; and (iii) that a newly identified class of genes is selectively down-regulated in opaque, but not white, cells that have entered saturation phase in a growth culture and then are up-regulated by pheromone. The observations that opaque cells are uniquely mating competent, that saturation phase facilitates mating, and that a newly identified group of genes is down-regulated only in opaque cells that have entered saturation phase led us to hypothesize that entering saturation phase may be requisite for mating. A test of this hypothesis revealed, however, that cells, whether in the exponential or saturation phase, may simply have to be in G 1 of the cell cycle to respond to pheromone and that the response includes G 1 arrest. These results add to the lists of similarities and dissimilarities between the mating processes of C. albicans and S. cerevisiae and underscore the unique regulation of filamentation and switching genes in the C. albicans mating process.

The gene encoding yeast-enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) was placed under control of ALS gene promoters in Candida albicans. The PALS-GFP reporter strains were validated using various techniques including a new real-time RT-PCR assay to quantify ALS gene expression. The PALS-GFP reporter strains were grown in media that promoted yeast or germ tube forms, and the resulting fluorescence was measured by flow cytometry. In addition to results that indicate differences in ALS gene expression due to growth medium, growth stage and developmental programme, new data show large differences in transcriptional level among the ALS genes. Expression of ALS1 was associated with transfer of the PALS1-GFP strain to fresh growth medium. ALS3 expression increased markedly when germ tubes were visible microscopically and ALS7 expression exhibited a transient peak between 2 and 3 h following inoculation into fresh YPD medium. Transcription from the ALS1 and ALS3 promoters was strongest among those tested and contrasted markedly with the weaker promoter strength at the ALS5, ALS6, ALS7 and ALS9 loci. These weaker transcriptional responses were also observed using real-time RT-PCR measurements on wild-type C. albicans cells. Assuming a positive correlation between transcriptional level and protein production, these results suggest that some Als proteins are abundant on the C. albicans cell surface while others are produced at a much lower level.

Candida albicansstrain SC5314 contains twoALS3alleles, which differ in sequence with respect to the number of copies of the 108 bp tandem repeat sequence within the central domain of the coding region. One allele (ALS3(12)) has 12 tandem repeat copies while the other (ALS3(9)) has 9 copies. Wild-typeC. albicans(ALS3(12)/ALS3(9)) and those containing variousALS3alleles (ALS3(12)/als3Δ(9),als3Δ(12)/ALS3(9) andals3Δ(12)/als3Δ(9)) were assayed for adhesion to monolayers of cultured vascular endothelial and pharyngeal epithelial cells. These assays showed obvious adhesive function for the larger Als3p protein, compared to a minor contribution to adhesion from the smaller protein. These functional differences in strain SC5314 prompted examination ofALS3allelic diversity across the five major genetic clades ofC. albicans. This analysis focused on the number of copies of the tandem repeat sequence within the central domain of the coding region and showed a range of alleles encoding from 6 to 19 tandem repeat copies. Clades differed with respect to prevalentALS3alleles and allele distribution, but were similar for the mean number of tandem repeat copies perALS3allele. Analysis of allelic pairing showed clade differences and the tendency forC. albicansstrains to encode one longer and one shorterALS3allele. The allelic variability observed forALS3and its functional consequences observed in strain SC5314 highlight the importance of understanding ALS allelic diversity in order to draw accurate conclusions about Als protein function.

With the aim of identifying rice (Oryza spp.) germplasm having enhanced grain nutritional value, the mineral nutrient and trace element concentrations (or ionome) of whole (unmilled) grains from a set of 1763 rice accessions of diverse geographic and genetic origin were evaluated. Seed for analysis of P, Mg, K, S, Ca, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Sr, and Zn concentrations by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was produced over 2 yr in Beaumont, TX, under both flooded and unflooded watering regimes. The distributions of all element concentrations analyzed were skewed toward higher concentration. A significant portion of this ionomic variation has a genetic basis (broad sense heritabilities 0.14–0.75), indicating an ability to breed for improved grain concentration of all elements except possibly Ni. Variation in grain elemental concentrations was not strongly associated with plant height, heading time, or grain shape, suggesting these physiological factors are not of primary importance in controlling ionomic variation in rice grain. Accessions high in specific elements were sometimes found to have similar genetic or geographic origins, suggesting they share a heritable mechanism underlying their enhanced ionomes. For example, accessions with high Ca, Mg, or K were more common in the indica than in the japonica subgroup; low As was most common among temperate japonica accessions; and several lines high in Mo originated in Malaysia or adjacent Brunei.

Background Vaccination as a control method against the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus has been practiced since the introduction of two products in the mid-1990s. There is a need for a vaccine that could provide effective control of R. microplus in a more consistent fashion than existing products. During our transcriptome studies of R. microplus, several gene coding regions were discovered to encode proteins with significant amino acid similarity to aquaporins. Methods A cDNA encoding an aquaporin from the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, was isolated from transcriptomic studies conducted on gut tissues dissected from fully engorged adult female R. microplus. Results Bioinformatic analysis indicates this aquaporin, designated RmAQP1, shows greatest amino acid similarity to the human aquaporin 7 family. Members of this family of water-conducting channels can also facilitate the transport of glycerol in addition to water. The efficacy of this aquaporin as an antigen against the cattle tick was explored in cattle vaccine trials conducted in Brazil. A cDNA encoding a significant portion of RmAQP1 was expressed as a recombinant protein in Pichia pastoris, purified under native conditions using a polyhistidine C-terminus tag and nickel affinity chromatography, emulsified with Montanide adjuvant, and cattle vaccinated intramuscularly. The recombinant protein provided 75% and 68% efficacy in two cattle pen trials conducted in Campo Grande, Brazil on groups of 6 one year old Holstein calves. Conclusion The effectiveness of this vaccine in reducing the numbers of adult female ticks shows this aquaporin antigen holds promise as an active ingredient in cattle vaccines targeted against infestations of R. microplus. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-014-0475-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Two rates (0.4 mg/kg body weight/d and 0.6 mg/kg body weight/d) of a daily feed-through formulation of novaluron (Novaluron 0.67% active ingredient Cattle Mix), a newer benzoylphenyl urea insecticide, were evaluated for efficacy in controlling the larval stage of horn flies, Haematobia irritans (L.), house flies, Musca domestica L., and stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), developing in cow manure. Both rates of feed-through novaluron, delivered consecutively for 10 d, reduced adult emergence of all three species when compared with the untreated control. The presence of deformed puparia indicated that novaluron had an insect growth regulator effect on the developing fly larvae. Both of the feed-through rates evaluated resulted in 100% reduction of adult stable fly emergence after the second day of feed-through treatment. The level of control efficacy observed against these three fly species make this feed-through formulation a candidate for use in an integrated livestock pest management program, particularly in confined cattle production situations where a feed-through product could be easily administered.

Next generation sequencing (RNA-seq) technology was used to evaluate the effects of the Ligon lintless-2 (Li2) short fiber mutation on transcriptomes of both subgenomes of allotetraploid cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) as compared to its near-isogenic wild type. Sequencing was performed on 4 libraries from developing fibers of Li2 mutant and wild type near-isogenic lines at the peak of elongation followed by mapping and PolyCat categorization of RNA-seq data to the reference D5 genome (G. raimondii) for homeologous gene expression analysis. The majority of homeologous genes, 83.6% according to the reference genome, were expressed during fiber elongation. Our results revealed: 1) approximately two times more genes were induced in the AT subgenome comparing to the DT subgenome in wild type and mutant fiber; 2) the subgenome expression bias was significantly reduced in the Li2 fiber transcriptome; 3) Li2 had a significantly greater effect on the DT than on the AT subgenome. Transcriptional regulators and cell wall homeologous genes significantly affected by the Li2 mutation were reviewed in detail. This is the first report to explore the effects of a single mutation on homeologous gene expression in allotetraploid cotton. These results provide deeper insights into the evolution of allotetraploid cotton gene expression and cotton fiber development.

Harvest index is a measure of success in partitioning assimilated photosynthate. An improvement of harvest index means an increase in the economic portion of the plant. Our objective was to identify genetic markers associated with harvest index traits using 203 O. sativa accessions. The phenotyping for 14 traits was conducted in both temperate (Arkansas) and subtropical (Texas) climates and the genotyping used 154 SSRs and an indel marker. Heading, plant height and weight, and panicle length had negative correlations, while seed set and grain weight/panicle had positive correlations with harvest index across both locations. Subsequent genetic diversity and population structure analyses identified five groups in this collection, which corresponded to their geographic origins. Model comparisons revealed that different dimensions of principal components analysis (PCA) affected harvest index traits for mapping accuracy, and kinship did not help. In total, 36 markers in Arkansas and 28 markers in Texas were identified to be significantly associated with harvest index traits. Seven and two markers were consistently associated with two or more harvest index correlated traits in Arkansas and Texas, respectively. Additionally, four markers were constitutively identified at both locations, while 32 and 24 markers were identified specifically in Arkansas and Texas, respectively. Allelic analysis of four constitutive markers demonstrated that allele 253 bp of RM431 had significantly greater effect on decreasing plant height, and 390 bp of RM24011 had the greatest effect on decreasing panicle length across both locations. Many of these identified markers are located either nearby or flanking the regions where the QTLs for harvest index have been reported. Thus, the results from this association mapping study complement and enrich the information from linkage-based QTL studies and will be the basis for improving harvest index directly and indirectly in rice.

Sheath blight (ShB) caused by the soil-borne pathogen Rhizoctonia solani is one of the most devastating diseases in rice world-wide. Global attention has focused on examining individual mapping populations for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for ShB resistance, but to date no study has taken advantage of association mapping to examine hundreds of lines for potentially novel QTLs. Our objective was to identify ShB QTLs via association mapping in rice using 217 sub-core entries from the USDA rice core collection, which were phenotyped with a micro-chamber screening method and genotyped with 155 genome-wide markers. Structure analysis divided the mapping panel into five groups, and model comparison revealed that PCA5 with genomic control was the best model for association mapping of ShB. Ten marker loci on seven chromosomes were significantly associated with response to the ShB pathogen. Among multiple alleles in each identified loci, the allele contributing the greatest effect to ShB resistance was named the putative resistant allele. Among 217 entries, entry GSOR 310389 contained the most putative resistant alleles, eight out of ten. The number of putative resistant alleles presented in an entry was highly and significantly correlated with the decrease of ShB rating (r = -0.535) or the increase of ShB resistance. Majority of the resistant entries that contained a large number of the putative resistant alleles belonged to indica, which is consistent with a general observation that most ShB resistant accessions are of indica origin. These findings demonstrate the potential to improve breeding efficiency by using marker-assisted selection to pyramid putative resistant alleles from various loci in a cultivar for enhanced ShB resistance in rice.

Background Cotton fiber length is an important quality attribute to the textile industry and longer fibers can be more efficiently spun into yarns to produce superior fabrics. There is typically a negative correlation between yield and fiber quality traits such as length. An understanding of the regulatory mechanisms controlling fiber length can potentially provide a valuable tool for cotton breeders to improve fiber length while maintaining high yields. The cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fiber mutation Ligon lintless-2 is controlled by a single dominant gene (Li 2 ) that results in significantly shorter fibers than a wild-type. In a near-isogenic state with a wild-type cotton line, Li 2 is a model system with which to study fiber elongation. Results Two near-isogenic lines of Ligon lintless-2 (Li 2 ) cotton, one mutant and one wild-type, were developed through five generations of backcrosses (BC5). An F2 population was developed from a cross between the two Li 2 near-isogenic lines and used to develop a linkage map of the Li 2 locus on chromosome 18. Five simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were closely mapped around the Li 2 locus region with two of the markers flanking the Li 2 locus at 0.87 and 0.52 centimorgan. No apparent differences in fiber initiation and early fiber elongation were observed between the mutant ovules and the wild-type ones. Gene expression profiling using microarrays suggested roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis and cytokinin regulation in the Li 2 mutant phenotype. Microarray gene expression data led to successful identification of an EST-SSR marker (NAU3991) that displayed complete linkage to the Li 2 locus. Conclusions In the field of cotton genomics, we report the first successful conversion of gene expression data into an SSR marker that is associated with a genomic region harboring a gene responsible for a fiber trait. The EST-derived SSR marker NAU3991 displayed complete linkage to the Li 2 locus on chromosome 18 and resided in a gene with similarity to a putative plectin-related protein. The complete linkage suggests that this expressed sequence may be the Li 2 gene.

Yield is the most important and complex trait for genetic improvement in crops, and marker-assisted selection enhances the improvement efficiency. The USDA rice mini-core collection derived from over 18,000 accessions of global origins is an ideal panel for association mapping. We phenotyped 203 O. sativa accessions for 14 agronomic traits and identified 5 that were highly and significantly correlated with grain yield per plant: plant height, plant weight, tillers, panicle length, and kernels/branch. Genotyping with 155 genome-wide molecular markers demonstrated 5 main cluster groups. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) decayed at least 20 cM and marker pairs with significant LD ranged from 4.64 to 6.06% in four main groups. Model comparisons revealed that different dimensions of principal component analysis affected yield and its correlated traits for mapping accuracy, and kinship did not improve the mapping in this collection. Thirty marker–trait associations were highly significant, 4 for yield, 3 for plant height, 6 for plant weight, 9 for tillers, 5 for panicle length and 3 for kernels/branch. Twenty-one markers contributed to the 30 associations, because 8 markers were co-associated with 2 or more traits. Allelic analysis of OSR13, RM471 and RM7003 for their co-associations with yield traits demonstrated that allele 126 bp of RM471 and 108 bp of RM7003 should receive greater attention, because they had the greatest positive effect on yield traits. Tagging the QTLs responsible for multiple yield traits may simultaneously help dissect the complex yield traits and elevate the efficiency to improve grain yield using marker-assisted selection in rice.

Liu, G., Jia, Y., Correa-Victoria, F. J., Prado, G. A., Yeater, K. M., McClung, A., and Correll, J. C. 2009. Mapping quantitative trait loci responsible for resistance to sheath blight in rice. Phytopathology 99:1078-1084. Rice sheath blight (ShB), caused by the soilborne pathogen Rhizoctonia solani, annually causes severe losses in yield and quality in many rice production areas worldwide. Jasmine 85 is an indica cultivar that has proven to have a high level of resistance to this pathogen. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of controlled environment inoculation assays to detect ShB resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in a cross derived from the susceptible cv. Lemont and the resistant cv. Jasmine 85. The disease reactions of 250 F5 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were measured on the seedlings inoculated using microchamber and mist-chamber assays under greenhouse conditions. In total, 10 ShBQTLs were identified on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 9 using these two methods. The microchamber method identified four of five new ShBQTLs, one on each of chromosomes 1, 3, 5, and 6. Both microchamber and mist-chamber methods identified two ShB-QTLs, qShB1 and qShB92. Four of the ShB-QTLs or ShB-QTL regions identified on chromosomes 2, 3, and 9 were previously reported in the literature. The major ShB-QTL qShB9-2, which cosegregated with simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker RM245 on chromosome 9, contributed to 24.3 and 27.2% of total phenotypic variation in ShB using microchamber and mistchamber assays, respectively. qShB9-2, a plant-stage-independent QTL, was also verified in nine haplotypes of 10 resistant Lemont/Jasmine 85 RILs using haplotype analysis. These results suggest that multiple ShBQTLs are involved in ShB resistance and that microchamber and mistchamber methods are effective for detecting plant-stage-independent QTLs. Furthermore, two SSR markers, RM215 and RM245, are robust markers and can be used in marker-assisted breeding programs to improve ShB resistance.

Recent culture-independent studies have revealed that a healthy vaginal ecosystem harbors a surprisingly complex assemblage of microorganisms. However, the spatial distribution and composition of vaginal microbial populations have not been investigated using molecular methods. Here, we evaluated site-specific microbial composition within the vaginal ecosystem and examined the influence of sampling technique in detection of the vaginal microbiota. 16S rRNA gene clone libraries were prepared from samples obtained from different locations (cervix, fornix, outer vaginal canal) and by different methods (swabbing, scraping, lavaging) from the vaginal tracts of eight clinically healthy, asymptomatic women. The data reveal that the vaginal microbiota is not homogenous throughout the vaginal tract but differs significantly within an individual with regard to anatomical site and sampling method used. Thus, this study illuminates the complex structure of the vaginal ecosystem and calls for the consideration of microenvironments when sampling vaginal microbiota as a clinical predictor of vaginal health.

Microarrays were used to identify changes in gene expression associated with Candida albicans biofilm development. Two biofilm substrates (denture and catheter), and two C. albicans strains for each substrate, were tested to remove model- and strain-dependent variability from the overall dataset. Three biofilm developmental phases were examined: early (6 h), intermediate (12 h), and mature (48 h). Planktonic specimens were collected at the same time points. Data analysis focused primarily on gene expression changes over the time-course of biofilm development. Glycolytic and non-glycolytic carbohydrate assimilation, amino acid metabolism, and intracellular transport mechanisms were important during the early phase of biofilm formation. These early events increase intracellular pools of pyruvate, pentoses and amino acids, which prepare the biofilm for the large biomass increase that begins around 12 h of development. This developmental stage demands energy and utilizes specific transporters for amino acids, sugars, ions, oligopeptides and lactate/pyruvate. At mature phase (48 h), few genes were differentially expressed compared with the 12 h time point, suggesting a relative lack of initiation of new metabolic activity. Data analysis to assess biofilm model-specific gene expression showed more dynamic changes in the denture model than in the catheter model. Data analysis to identify gene expression changes that are associated with each strain/substrate combination identified the same types of genes that were identified in the analysis of the entire dataset. Collectively, these data suggest that genes belonging to different, but interconnected, functional categories regulate the morphology and phenotype of C. albicans biofilm.

The number of cotton (Gossypium sp.) ovule epidermal cells differentiating into fiber initials is an important factor affecting cotton yield and fiber quality. Despite extensive efforts in determining the molecular mechanisms regulating fiber initial differentiation, only a few genes responsible for fiber initial differentiation have been discovered. To identify putative genes directly involved in the fiber initiation process, we used a cotton ovule culture technique that controls the timing of fiber initial differentiation by exogenous phytohormone application in combination with comparative expression analyses between wild type and three fiberless mutants. The addition of exogenous auxin and gibberellins to pre-anthesis wild type ovules that did not have visible fiber initials increased the expression of genes affecting auxin, ethylene, ABA and jasmonic acid signaling pathways within 1 h after treatment. Most transcripts expressed differentially by the phytohormone treatment in vitro were also differentially expressed in the ovules of wild type and fiberless mutants that were grown in planta. In addition to MYB25-like, a gene that was previously shown to be associated with the differentiation of fiber initials, several other differentially expressed genes, including auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (AUX/IAA) involved in auxin signaling, ACC oxidase involved in ethylene biosynthesis, and abscisic acid (ABA) 8'-hydroxylase an enzyme that controls the rate of ABA catabolism, were co-regulated in the pre-anthesis ovules of both wild type and fiberless mutants. These results support the hypothesis that phytohormonal signaling networks regulate the temporal expression of genes responsible for differentiation of cotton fiber initials in vitro and in planta.

Published in Agron. J. 107:691 (2015) doi:10.2134/agronj14.0888 Available freely online through the author-supported open access option. Copyright © 2015 by the American Society of Agronomy, 5585 Guilford Road, Madison, WI 53711. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Supplemental material available online. B. Glaz, retired; J. Wiersma, University of Minnesota, Northwest Research & Outreach Center, 2900 University of Minnesota, Crookston, MN 56716; J.A. Hernandez, University of Minnesota, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, Saint Paul, MN 55108. N. Martin, Syngenta Biotechnology, Stanton MN; and K.M. Yeater, USDA-ARS-PANRRC, Office of the Director, Fort Collins, CO 80526. All five authors comprise the Agronomy Journal Statistics Committee. Received 19 Dec. 2014. Accepted 22 Dec. 2014. *Corresponding author (barry.glaz@gmail.com). Mark Twain popularized the saying

Candida albicans is the most common etiological agent of vaginal candidiasis. Elevated host estrogen levels and the incidence of vaginal candidiasis are positively associated. Elevated estrogen levels may affect host and/or fungal cells. This study investigates the effect of 17-β-estradiol, 17-α-estradiol, ethynyl estradiol, and estriol on several C. albicans strains at concentrations ranging from 10 −5 to 10 −10 M. The addition of 17-β-estradiol or ethynyl estradiol to C. albicans cells caused an increase in the number of cells forming germ tubes and an increase in germ tube length in a dose- and strain-dependent manner. The addition of 17-α-estradiol or estriol did not have a significant effect on germ tube formation by the cultured cells. Exposure to exogenous estrogens did not significantly change the biomass of any C. albicans culture tested. The transcriptional profile of estrogen-treated C. albicans cells showed increased expression of CDR1 and CDR2 across several strain-estrogen concentration-time point combinations, suggesting that these genes are the most responsive to estrogen exposure. Analysis of strain DSY654, which lacks the CDR1 and CDR2 coding sequences, showed a significantly decreased number of germ tube-forming cells in the presence of 17-β-estradiol. PDR16 was the most highly up-regulated gene in strain DSY654 under these growth conditions. The cell biology and gene expression data from this study led to a model that proposes how components of the phospholipid and sterol metabolic pathways may interact to affect C. albicans germ tube formation and length.

The ALS (agglutinin-likesequence) gene family encodes eight large cell-surface glycoproteins. The work presented here focuses on Als2p and Als4p, and is part of a larger effort to deduce the function of each Als protein. BothALS4alleles were deleted from theCandida albicansgenome and the phenotype of the mutant strain (als4Δ/als4Δ; named 2034) studied. Loss of Als4p slowed germ tube formation of cells grown in RPMI 1640 medium and resulted in decreased adhesion ofC. albicansto vascular endothelial cells. Loss of Als4p did not affect adhesion to buccal epithelial cells, biofilm formation in a catheter model, or adhesion to or destruction of oral reconstituted human epithelium (RHE). Although deletion of oneALS2allele was achieved readily, a strain lacking the second allele was not identified despite screening thousands of transformants. The remainingALS2allele was placed under control of theC. albicans MAL2promoter to create anals2Δ/PMAL2-ALS2strain (named 2342). Real-time RT-PCR analysis of strain 2342 grown in glucose-containing medium (non-inducing conditions) showed that althoughALS2transcript levels were greatly reduced compared to wild-type cells, someALS2transcript remained. The decreasedALS2expression levels were sufficient to slow germ tube formation in RPMI 1640 and Lee medium, reduce adhesion to vascular endothelial cells and to RHE, decrease RHE destruction, and impair biofilm formation. Growth of strain 2342 in maltose-containing medium (inducing conditions) restored the wild-type phenotype in all assays. Real-time RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that in maltose-containing medium, strain 2342 overexpressedALS2compared to wild-type cells; however no overexpression phenotype was apparent. Microarray analysis revealed little transcriptional response toALS4deletion, but showed twofold up-regulation of orf19.4765 in the glucose-medium-grownals2Δ/PMAL2-ALS2strain. orf19.4765 encodes a protein with features of a glycosylated cell wall protein with similarity toSaccharomyces cerevisiaeCcw12p, although initial analysis suggested functional differences between the two proteins. Real-time RT-PCR measurement ofALS2andALS4transcript copy number showed a 2·8-fold increase inALS2expression in theals4Δ/als4Δ strain and a 3·2-fold increase inALS4expression in theals2Δ/PMAL2-ALS2strain, suggesting the potential for compensatory function between these related proteins.

The ALS (agglutinin-likesequence) gene family ofCandida albicansencodes eight cell-surface glycoproteins, some of which are involved in adherence to host surfaces. A mutational analysis of each ALS gene is currently being performed to deduce the functions of the encoded proteins and to better understand the role of these proteins inC. albicansbiology and pathogenesis. This paper describes construction of anals3/als3mutant and comparison of its phenotype to anals1/als1strain. Efforts to disruptALS3indicated that the gene could be deleted in two transformation steps, suggesting that the gene is encoded by a single locus and that theALS3-like locus,ALS8, does not exist. Strains lackingALS3orALS1did not exhibit a defect in germ tube formation when grown in RPMI 1640 medium, but theals1/als1mutant formed significantly fewer germ tubes in Lee medium. Analysis ofALS3andALS1promoter activity using green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter strains and flow cytometry showed that when cells are placed into medium that promotes germ tube formation,ALS1is transcribed prior toALS3. Comparison of the mutant strains in adhesion assays showed that theals3/als3strain was defective in adhesion to both human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and buccal epithelial cells (BEC), but not to fibronectin-coated plastic plates. In contrast, theals1/als1strain showed decreased adherence to HUVEC, but adherence to BEC and fibronectin were the same as wild-type controls. Inoculation of the buccal reconstituted human epithelium (RHE) model of oral candidiasis with the mutant strains showed nearly a total lack of adhesion and epithelial destruction by theals3/als3mutant while theals1/als1strain showed only a slightly reduced degree of epithelial destruction compared to the wild-type control. Adhesion data presented here suggest that, in the assays performed, loss of Als3p affectsC. albicansadhesion more than loss of Als1p. Collectively, these results demonstrate functional similarities and differences between Als1p and Als3p, and suggest the potential for more complex interrelationships between the ALS genes and their encoded proteins.