Presumptive herpesvirus-associated erythema multiforme in a cat

Erythema multiforme (EM), an uncommon immune-mediated skin disorder of cats, conceivably could be triggered by feline herpesvirus type-1 (FHV-1) infection, in a manner analogous to human herpesvirus-associated EM (HAEM). This report describes a 10-year-old Persian-mixed cat with a presumptive diagnosis of HAEM.     

Host genotype and amoxicillin administration affect the incidence of diarrhoea and faecal microbiota of weaned piglets during a natural multiresistant ETEC infection

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is the aetiological agent of postweaning diarrhoea (PWD) in piglets. The SNPs located on the Mucine 4 (MUC4) and Fucosyltransferase 1 (FUT1) genes have been associated with the susceptibility to ETEC F4 and ETEC F18, respectively. The interplay between the MUC4 and FUT1 genotypes to ETEC infection and the use of amoxicillin in modifying the intestinal microbiota during a natural infection by multiresistant ETEC strains have never been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the MUC4 and FUT1 genotypes and the administration of amoxicillin through different routes on the presence of diarrhoea and the faecal microbiota composition in piglets naturally infected with ETEC. Seventy-one piglets were divided into three groups: two groups differing by amoxicillin administration routes—parenteral (P) or oral (O) and a control group without antibiotics (C). Faecal scores, body weight, presence of ETEC F4 and F18 were investigated 4 days after the arrival in the facility (T0), at the end of the amoxicillin administration (T1) and after the withdrawal period (T2). The faecal bacteria composition was assessed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. We described that MUC4 and FUT1 genotypes were associated with the presence of ETEC F4 and ETEC F18. The faecal microbiota was influenced by the MUC4 genotypes at T0. We found the oral administration to be associated with the presence of diarrhoea at T1 and T2. Furthermore, the exposure to amoxicillin resulted in significant alterations of the faecal microbiota. Overall, MUC4 and FUT1 were confirmed as genetic markers for the susceptibility to ETEC infections in pigs. Moreover, our data highlight that group amoxicillin treatment may produce adverse outcomes on pig health in course of multiresistant ETEC infection. Therefore, alternative control measures able to maintain a healthy faecal microbiota in weaners are recommended.     

Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and cytolethal distending toxin genes in laying hens

As no data are available on the prevalence of cytolethal distending toxin (cdt) genes carried by Campylobacter spp. in laying hens, this study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the prevalence of both Campylobacter spp. and cdt genes in 1680 laying hens from four different farms. The samples were analyzed by culture methods and by polymerase chain reaction. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 1097/1680 cloacal swabs. Among the isolates, 913 were identified as Campylobacter jejuni whereas 345 were identified as Campylobacter coli. All isolates carried cdt genes. The results presented here confirm the very common occurrence of C. jejuni and C. coli in laying hens and underline that the cdt genes may also be frequently present in both C. jejuni and C. coli isolates from laying hens.     

Production of Galacto-oligosaccharides by the β-Galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis : comparative analysis of permeabilized cells versus soluble enzyme

The transgalactosylation activity of Kluyveromyces lactis cells was studied in detail. Cells were permeabilized with ethanol and further lyophilized to facilitate the transit of substrates and products. The resulting biocatalyst was assayed for the synthesis of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and compared with two soluble β-galactosidases from K. lactis (Lactozym 3000 L HP G and Maxilact LGX 5000). Using 400 g/L lactose, the maximum GOS yield, measured by HPAEC-PAD analysis, was 177 g/L (44% w/w of total carbohydrates). The major products synthesized were the disaccharides 6-galactobiose [Gal-β(1→6)-Gal] and allolactose [Gal-β(1→6)-Glc], as well as the trisaccharide 6-galactosyl-lactose [Gal-β(1→6)-Gal-β(1→4)-Glc], which was characterized by MS and 2D NMR. Structural characterization of another synthesized disaccharide, Gal-β(1→3)-Glc, was carried out. GOS yield obtained with soluble β-galactosidases was slightly lower (160 g/L for Lactozym 3000 L HP G and 154 g/L for Maxilact LGX 5000); however, the typical profile with a maximum GOS concentration followed by partial hydrolysis of the newly formed oligosaccharides was not observed with the soluble enzymes. Results were correlated with the higher stability of β-galactosidase when permeabilized whole cells were used.     

Genotoxic Effects in Erythrocytes of Oreochromis niloticus Exposed to Nanograms-per-Liter Concentration of 17??-Estradiol (E2): An Assessment Using Micronucleus Test and Comet Assay

Pharmacologically active substances used in the treatment of human and animal illnesses may usually enter the aquatic environment via effluents from sewage treatment plants, as they are not completely biodegraded or removed during waste water treatment. 17??-Estradiol genotoxicity was evaluated in Oreochromis niloticus (family Cichlidae) using micronucleus test, other nuclear abnormalities assessment, and the comet assay with erythrocytes. Fish were exposed to aqueous systems contaminated with 6 ng/L 17??-estradiol for three periods: 24 h, 48 h, and 10 days. The results showed that 17??-estradiol has genotoxic potential in different periods, since significant differences (P?=?0.036) were observed in the micronucleus frequencies of the 10-day exposure groups in relation to the control group. Also, the same was observed when comparing the nuclear abnormality frequencies (P?=?0.018) of the 24-h exposure group with the negative control group, and when using comet assay (P?<?0.001) for 48-h evaluations. The tested concentration of the 17??-estradiol gave rise to mutagenic and genotoxic effects on the blood cells of O. niloticus, therefore the substance being considered a clastogenic chemical contaminant on both acute and chronic exposures. The assessment using a combination of micronucleus test, nuclear abnormalities, and comet assays proved to be suitable and useful in the genotoxicity testing of 17??-estradiol at nanograms per liter.     

Characterization of Italian chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) germplasm by multidisciplinary approach

Characterization of 15 chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) accessions (6 cultivars, 3 selected lines and 6 landraces) was performed using morphological, agronomic, and technological traits, together with biochemical (seed storage proteins) and molecular markers. Field trials, performed in two different geographical areas of Southern Italy, one in a plain area near Tyrrhenian sea and one in an hilly internal area, revealed a high influence of field location on yield. A wide variation was also registered for technological traits and molecular markers. Microsatellite (SSR) markers grouped chickpea accessions in different clusters, providing useful information on genetic variation and relationships among them, with polymorphic fragments useful to discriminate among all accessions. On the contrary, seed storage protein pattern showed scarce variation resulting very similar among all the accessions considered.     

EFFECT OF PEAT-REDUCED AND PEAT-FREE SUBSTRATES ON ROSEMARY GROWTH

The objective of this work was to study the use of four composts, obtained by agro-industrial, urban and green wastes, as growing media components on Rosmarinus officinalis L. Substrates were obtained by mixing each compost with peat in different proportions. Main physical and chemical characteristics of prepared substrates have been compared and, at the end of growing cycle, the biometric survey on main growing parameters and plant nutritional status was performed. The obtained results showed that substrates with 30% compost have main physical and chemical parameters comparable with those of the control. Best quality plants have been obtained substituting peat with 30% of compost, except with the olive mill compost. At the end, the green pruning compost can be recommended as growing media component (up to 50%) for the growth of Rosmarinus officinalis L., being able to determine high quality plants, together with an implemented plant nutrient efficiency.     

Heavy metal accumulation in leaves affects physiological performance and litter quality of Quercus ilex L.

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between leaf functional modifications and heavy metal concentrations of Quercus ilex L., a good bioindicator of air quality. In addition, as metal concentration in litter plays an important role in decomposition and, in turn, in biogeochemical cycles, samples of undecomposed and whole‐leaf litter were analyzed for heavy metals. Leaves and leaf litter of Q. ilex were collected at six sites (roadsides, motorway sites, and urban parks) in Naples (Southern Italy) and characterized for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb concentrations. The investigated functional leaf traits were: leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry‐matter content (LDMC), water content (WC), leaf relative water content (RWC), maximal PSII photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m, variable fluorescence / maximal fluorescence), and total chlorophyll concentration. The motorways were the most contaminated sites, and Pb was the main responsible source of contamination. The metal contamination caused slight variation of F_v/F_m, suggesting that metals did not significantly alter functionality of the photosynthetic apparatus. On the other hand, it can be supposed that higher leaf deposit can cause an increase of pigment biosynthesis in response to the shading increase caused by dust deposition.     

Image changes in chlorophyll fluorescence of cucumber leaves in response to iron deficiency and resupply

Iron (Fe) is an essential element for plants and its deficiency causes decrease not only in the photosynthetic rate but also in the actual photosystem II efficiency at steady‐state photosynthesis. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of Fe deficiency in plants of Cucumis sativus (L.) in two different experimental conditions. In the first experiment, plants were grown with or without Fe for 7 d. After 7 d, Fe‐deficient plants were resupplied with Fe and sampled after 12 h and 48 h. In the second experiment, plants were grown with Fe in the nutrient solution for 3 d and after this period, Fe was withdrawn and plants sampled after 3 and 6 d. Iron and chlorophyll (Chl) concentration and Chl‐fluorescence imaging were measured. In cucumber leaves subjected to Fe deficiency, fluorescence imaging of Chl a evidenced spatial changes on leaf lamina. Following Fe deficiency both after 7 d (Exp. 1) or 6 d (Exp. 2) leaves showed a slight, nonsignificant decrease in F_v/F_m ratio. However Chl‐fluorescence parameters determined in light conditions showed significant changes which indicate an alteration in the photosynthetic process. Surprisingly, the effect of Fe deficiency was more pronounced in leaves of plant of Exp. 2 as compared to those that had grown in complete absence of Fe (Exp. 1). In the latter case down‐regulated mechanisms preserved leaves from irreversible photoinhibition leading to complete recovery when plants were resupplied with the microelement.