A logistic regression model building approach was used to evaluate the association between the development of impoundment shell disease in an American lobster (Homarus americanus) storage facility, and prestorage physiological parameters (hemolymph total protein concentration, molt stage, sex, and shell hardness) and environmental factors (surface sludge accumulation). A total of 540 disease-free, winter-harvested lobsters from southwest Nova Scotia were tested prior to storage and then examined for signs of shell disease at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days of storage. Total protein concentration was the strongest predictor of shell disease, with the odds of developing shell disease ranging from 4.3––26.7 times higher for lobsters with low total protein concentration versus lobsters with high protein concentration, depending on the time point examined. Lobsters in the intermolt stage and removal of sludge from the surface of the lobster also emerged as important risk factors for shell disease development. These results reinforce the observation that the quality of lobsters entering an impoundment facility is critical and ultimately predicts the extent to which shell disease will develop.

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) is an essential enzyme that hydrolyzes triglycerides (TGs) and cholesteryl esters (CEs) in lysosomes. Genetic LAL mutations lead to Wolman disease (WD) and cholesteryl ester storage disease (CESD). An LAL-null (lal−/−) mouse model resembles human WD/CESD with storage of CEs and TGs in multiple organs. Human LAL (hLAL) was expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana using the GENEWARE® expression system (G-hLAL). Purified G-hLAL showed mannose receptor-dependent uptake into macrophage cell lines (J774E). Intraperitoneal injection of G-hLAL produced peak activities in plasma at 60 min and in the liver and spleen at 240 min. The t1/2 values were: ∼90 min (plasma), ∼14 h (liver), and ∼32 h (spleen), with return to baseline by ∼150 h in liver and ∼200 h in spleen. Ten injections of G-hLAL (every 3 days) into lal−/− mice produced normalization of hepatic color, decreases in hepatic cholesterol and TG contents, and diminished foamy macrophages in liver, spleen, and intestinal villi. All injected lal−/− mice developed anti-hLAL protein antibodies, but suffered no adverse events. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of using plant-expressed, recombinant hLAL for the enzyme therapy of human WD/CESD with general implications for other lysosomal storage diseases.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is crucial for both food security and poverty alleviation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Cassava improvement for SSA started at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in 1970, and several improved lines with different characteristics have been developed to date. The primary focus of breeding work has been to increase root yield, early bulking, tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and increased dry matter content. This paper represents a study of 112 varieties cloned and introduced between 1970 and 2000, and evaluated in 2003 and 2004 to quantify genetic gains in root yield and disease resistance. The genetic gain per year was 1.3% for fresh root yield, 1.2% for dry root yield, 0.65% for cassava mosaic disease resistance, 0.21% for cassava anthracnose disease resistance, and -0.03% for cassava bacterial blight disease resistance. Though there was no statistical significance in the net negative genetic gain in cassava bacterial blight resistance, it is essential that more emphasis be placed on improving this trait to enhance stability and productivity in African environments.

The induction and maintenance of resistance to gray mold rot (Botrytis cinerea) in tomato fruit during storage, exposed to hormic dose of UV-C (3.7 kJ/m2) was studied. Treated fruit were more susceptible to disease immediately after treatment, but thereafter, they became gradually resistant and the resistance was maintained until the end of the storage period of 35 d. Pre-storage treatment of tomato with the hormic UV dose-induced synthesis and accumulation of rishitin. This accumulation was gradual and reached a maximum level (46.23 mg/kg) by 15 d after treatment before the rishitin level declined to 3.5 mg/kg at the end of storage. Inoculation of untreated fruit also induced rishitin accumulation but this response was much higher in UV-treated fruit. In both control and UV-treated fruit, the capacity to accumulate rishitin declined with ripening. There was a significant correlation between rishitin accumulation in UV-treated fruit both before and after inoculation and disease resistance. The enhanced disease susceptibility immediately after treatment is likely the result of transient but severe oxidative stress-induced by both UV and inoculation. Subsequent gradual resistance observed in treated fruit during the early period of storage could be attributed to the accumulation of rishitin both before and after inoculation. The level of rishitin present at the time of inoculation appears to be the primary factor in the expression of resistance while its accumulation after inoculation appears to play a reinforcing role in resistance. However, rishitin level cannot account for the observed prolonged resistance of UV-treated tomato to gray mold rot, and it is suggested that other induced defenses might also be involved.

Potato storage in Great Britain is focused on delivery of high quality crops for premium markets. For the fresh sector, crops from storage need to have clean skins free from blemish. Control of black dot, silver scurf and skin spot is, therefore, paramount to secure the best returns. Cold storage is used as a primary means of suppressing disease development and sprout growth. Recent work on black dot has also illustrated the importance of the time the crop spends in the ground (measured as crop duration from 50% emergence to harvest) in relation to the level of disease at harvest, with rapid reduction in storage temperature providing best control of the disease once in store. Storage for processing is carried out at higher temperature with the use of CIPC for sprout suppression. Optimisation of the application process has been a primary objective to maintain frying quality and ensure compliance with new legislation on residue levels. The addition of a catalytic converter to a CIPC fogger minimised any detrimental effect of the fogging process on fry colour. The use of CIPC, where the application of fog has been assisted by slow speed ventilation, has proved to be very successful in trials carried out over 3 years in bulk stores. This has resulted in more uniform sprout control across the store and the need for less CIPC per season. Computerised control systems offer close regulation of storage temperature which reduces the likelihood of condensation that can otherwise compromise crop quality. AssiStore[trade mark sign]--a new risk-driven decision support system developed at Sutton Bridge for store managers--is now being evaluated in commercial storage. Whilst development of enhanced management and control remains a key element of storage improvement strategies, it must be remembered that the important aspect of any control system is to ensure the interface with the operator is sound to ensure that any system is meaningful and easy to use. PCR diagnostics also offer great potential for identifying likely storage risks at harvest more accurately; a new test for skin spot has just been successfully developed. As storage becomes more sophisticated, costs inevitably increase. These have been recouped in recent years through improved quality delivered from store. But now there is a need to apply new, more sustainable approaches in order to lower inputs and reduce losses. Developments include the use of inverter drives to match ventilation (and hence energy needs) to demand, and humidification which offers scope for lowering weight loss and providing adiabatic cooling. Reduced reliance on chemicals is also needed and, whilst the adoption of ethylene for fresh market storage has been a significant step forward in recent years, it remains likely that the plant breeders will offer the most sustainable and cost-efficient route to effective storage in the longer term.

Several phosphonate biopesticides were evaluated in three field trials over 2 years for efficacy in suppressing tuber infections caused by Phytophthora infestans. Tuber disease was assessed at harvest and (for two trials) after 2 months in storage; foliar disease was assessed during the growing season. The phosphonates were dipotassium phosphonate-dipotassium phosphate; mono- and dipotassium phosphorous acid, potassium phosphite; mono- and dibasic sodium, potassium and ammonium phosphites; and aluminum tris O-ethyl phosphonate. Each phosphonate was applied at weekly intervals to the foliage. Additionally some phosphonates were applied in combination with, or in alternation with a conventional fungicide. Although tuber blight was highly variable in these small plots, tubers from plots treated with phosphonates generally had less tuber blight relative to tubers from plots treated with chlorothalonil. The effect on tuber blight was particularly visible after 2 months in storage. All phosphonates applied alone or in combination with chlorothalonil suppressed foliar disease.

An 8-year-old male mynah (Gracula spp.) was presented for depression, anorexia, and respiratory distress. The patient's diet consisted of sponge cake and yogurt alone. Physical examination revealed high body condition score (4/5), abdominal distention, and severe orthopnea. Hepatomegaly was observed on abdominal radiographs. The patient died 4 h after presentation, and severe hepatomegaly was observed at necropsy. Based on histopathological findings, the bird was definitively diagnosed with iron storage disease with concurrent hepatic lipidosis.

In 2005-2008 an estimation of Belarusian apple tree cultivars possibility to storage under various gas atmospheres and determination of loss of their fruit basic components under it were made. The objects of the research were the fruits of the cultivars Alesya, Verbnaye, Imant and Charaunitsa. It was determined that the species composition and the development level of this or that disease differs depending on a cultivar and gas atmosphere. It was founded out loss decrease from physiological diseases at all researched cultivars under the storage in modified gas atmosphere. The way of storage in the modified gas atmosphere shall be recommended for the cultivars disposed to wilt and having a large natural loss in weight under the storage in typical gas atmosphere. For the storage of the researched Belarusian cultivars in controlled gas atmosphere the optimal one is the standard adjustable atmosphere (4% of oxygen, and 4% of carbonic acid)

A 5-month-old Hereford calf with neurologic disease was euthanatized, and a necropsy was done. No gross lesions were seen in the brain. Microscopically, neurons throughout the brain and spinal cord had distended, foamy vacuolated cytoplasm. Ultrastructure showed clear vacuoles filling the neuronal cytoplasm. A lysosomal storage disease was suspected. Sphingomyelinase deficiency was confirmed by biochemical analysis of liver and brain.

BACKGROUND: Bamboo shoot is sensitive to chilling, and low-temperature injury is a major limitation to its long-term storage. Studies on the causes of postharvest deterioration in bamboo shoot are few. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ethylene and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatments on the physiological and biochemical responses of bamboo shoot and their ability as a postharvest tool to alleviate chilling injury and lignification of bamboo shoot during storage at 2 °C.RESULTS: Disease incidence, electrical conductivity (EC), respiration and ethylene production of control bamboo shoot increased after about 2-3 weeks of cold storage, associated with higher chilling injury (CI) index. Increased shoot firmness during cold storage was positively correlated with higher lignin and cellulose accumulation, and this accumulation of lignin in flesh tissue was also positively correlated with the activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) and peroxidase (POD). Ethylene treatment was associated with higher disease incidence, CI index, EC, respiration and ethylene production, enhanced lignin and cellulose accumulation and accelerated the activities of PAL, CAD and POD. In contrast, 1-MCP treatment was associated with lower respiration, ethylene production, CI index and EC, reduced lignin and cellulose accumulation and retarded the activities of PAL, CAD and POD.CONCLUSION: The present findings throw light on the role of ethylene in postharvest physiological disorders such as chilling injury and lignification and suggest that 1-MCP could be used commercially to control these disorders in bamboo shoot during cold storage.