CHLAMYDIA AVIUM DETECTION FROM A RING-NECKED PARAKEET (PSITTACULA KRAMERI) IN FRANCE

The crossing of host species barriers, through the spreading populations of introduced pet animals that become established in the wild, sets the stage for zoonotic pathogen (re)emergence. A literature review on pathogens that are hosted by the ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri), a worldwide introduced pet, highlighted local infections of captive birds by chlamydial agents with high sanitary risk for human health in its introduced range. We searched for these pathogens through cloacal swabs collected from 85 individuals in an invasive population established in the suburban areas of Paris (Ile-de-France) from 5 localities during the winter seasons between 2011 and 2014. Based on quantitative PCR analysis, Chlamydiaceae shedding was detected at too low levels for species identification in 5 birds, but 1 parakeet (found dead) was positive for Chlamydiaceae typed as Chlamydia avium. The only known hosts recorded for C. avium in Europe are feral pigeons (Columba livia) and captive psittacines. This result raises the question of the sanitary risks associated with new pathogen transmission from exotic pets released in the wild, which could locally affect birds and potentially people who feed birds.     

Development of an oat-based biorefinery for the production of L(+)-lactic acid by Rhizopus oryzae and various value-added coproducts

A novel oat-based biorefinery producing L(+)-lactic acid and various value-added coproducts (e.g., beta-glucan, anti-irritant solution) is proposed. Pearling is employed for sequential separation of bran-rich fractions for the extraction of value-added coproducts. Lactic acid production is achieved via fungal fermentation of Rhizopus oryzae on pearled oat flour. Maximum lactic acid concentration (51.7 g/L) and starch conversion yield (0.68 g/g) were achieved when an oat flour concentration of 116.5 g/L was used. Oxygen transfer played a significant role with respect to lactic acid production and starch conversion yield. Rhizopus oryzae produced a range of enzymes (glucoamylase, protease, phosphatase) for the hydrolysis of cereal flour macromolecules. Enzyme production during fungal fermentation has been reported. The proposed biorefining strategy could lead to significant operating cost reduction as compared to current industrial practices for lactic acid production from pure glucose achieved by bacterial fermentations.     

Sugar fragmentation in the maillard reaction cascade: formation of short-chain carboxylic acids by a new oxidative alpha-dicarbonyl cleavage pathway

The formation of short-chain carboxylic acids was studied in Maillard model systems (90 degrees C, pH 6-10) with emphasis on the role of oxygen and water. The total amount of acetic acid formed did not depend on the reaction atmosphere. In the presence of labeled dioxygen or water (18O2, H2 17O), labeled oxygen was partially incorporated into acetic acid. Thermal treatment of 1-deoxy-d-erythro-2,3-hexodiulose (1) and 3-deoxy-d-erythro-hexos-2-ulose in the presence of 17O-enriched water under alkaline conditions led to acetic and formic acid, respectively, as indicated by 17O NMR spectroscopy. The suggested mechanism involves an oxidative alpha-dicarbonyl cleavage leading to an intermediary mixed acid anhydride that releases the acids, e.g., acetic and erythronic acid, from 1. Similarly, glyceric and lactic acids were formed from 1-deoxy-3,4-hexodiuloses, corroborated by complementary analytical techniques. This paper provides for the first time evidence for the direct formation of acids from C6-alpha-dicarbonyls by an oxidative mechanism and incorporation of a 17OH group into the carboxylic moiety. The experimental data obtained support the coexistence of at least two newly described reaction mechanisms leading to carboxylic acids, i.e., (i) a hydrolytic beta-dicarbonyl cleavage as a major pathway and (ii) an alternative minor pathway via oxidative alpha-dicarbonyl cleavage induced by oxidizing species.     

Short‐time clay‐mineral evolution in a soil chronosequence in Oléron Island (France)

Major weathering sequences in soils are well established; however, knowledge on rates of mineral transformations remains unknown, because it is often difficult to date precisely soil processes. This work was carried out on soils developed on recent (< 188 y) sand dunes on the W coast of Oléron Island (France). The coast has been protected against marine and wind erosion by constructing five consecutives barriers close to the coastline since 1820 (1820, 1864, 1876, 1889, 1948) defining the maximum age of the soil parent material, as before the areas between the barriers were under water. Soils on the older dunes have low clay content (> 94% of sand) and exhibit a bleached E horizon that overlies a yellowish brown B horizon. The process responsible for their formation is podzolization promoted by the high permeability of the material and complexing organic matter produced by coniferous vegetation. Initial mineralogy of C horizons is homogenous and constituted of chlorite, illite, illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals, and kaolinite, quartz, calcite (≈ 8% related to shell fragments), and feldspars. The initial clay‐mineral assemblage of the E horizons is dominated by illite (well‐crystallized WCI and poorly crystallized PCI) and chlorite. With progressive podzolization, poorly crystallized illite is first transformed to illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals and in a further step into smectite. In addition, transformation of well‐crystallized illite leads to formation of ordered illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals in the E horizons, which is not commonly described in soils. In the B horizons, illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals are present with traces of smectite, as well as Al and Fe oxi‐hydroxides as revealed by DCB and oxalate chemical extractions. This chronosequence illustrates that over short distances and short time (< 188 y) intense mineral weathering and soil development occur. Major clay‐mineral changes occur between 132 and 188 y in agreement with development of the pine forest producing acidic litter.     

Interactions between Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium graminearum in maize ears and consequences for fungal development and mycotoxin accumulation

Fungal interactions of Fusarium verticillioides and F. graminearum in maize ears and the impact on fungal development and toxin accumulation were investigated in a 2‐year field study at two locations in France. Maize ears were inoculated either with a spore mixture of F. graminearum and F. verticillioides or using a sequential inoculation procedure consisting of a first inoculation with F. graminearum followed by a second with F. verticillioides 1 week later. Toxin and fungal biomass were assessed on mature kernels, using HPLC and quantitative PCR. Correlation between the levels of DNA and toxin was high concerning F. graminearum DNA and deoxynivalenol (R² = 0·73) and moderate for F. verticillioides DNA and fumonisin (R² = 0·44). Fusarium graminearum DNA either decreased in mixed inoculations or was not influenced by subsequent inoculations with F. verticillioides, compared to single inoculations. In contrast, F. verticillioides DNA either significantly increased or was not affected in mixed and sequential inoculations. In two of the replicates, it can be assumed that natural contamination by F. verticillioides was favoured by previous contamination with F. graminearum. Overall, the results suggest that F. verticillioides has competitive advantages over the F. graminearum strains. Additionally, the data provide, for the first time, key evidence that previous contamination by F. graminearum in maize ears can facilitate subsequent infections by F. verticillioides.     

Sexual dimorphism in limb long bones of the German Shepherd Dog

The study of sexual dimorphism in dog anatomy, especially with regard to skeletal elements, has received little attention. The present work focuses on elements of the canine stylo- and zeugopodium, less documented than the skull or pelvis in the literature. In order to identify only sex-dependent effects, we analysed a single breed: the German Shepherd Dog. Data come from 25 dogs, with a balanced sex ratio (12 males and 13 females). Four skeletal elements of the forelimb and hindlimb (humerus, radius, femur, tibia) were each measured using seven linear morphometric variables. Univariate and multivariate analyses were then performed on these 28 variables. For all measurements, males are on average larger than females, with a mean sexual dimorphism ratio of 1.07. Sexual dimorphism is significant for 92.8% of the variables. Except of femoral measurements, diaphyseal values show the highest grade of sexual dimorphism. The mean level of disparity is higher in the forelimb (1.08) than in the hindlimb (1.05). A significant dimorphism is shown for the first component of principal component analyses conducted on each skeletal element, and for the second component with humerus measurements. Discriminant functions for sex identification give success rates included between 82% for the radius and 93% for the femur, the latter providing the highest reported score for sex identification in dogs from any skeletal element. These complementary statistic methods highlight a more dimorphic forelimb in size and a more dimorphic hindlimb in shape.     

Nightglow in the upper atmosphere of Mars and implications for atmospheric transport

We detected light emissions in the nightside martian atmosphere with the SPICAM (spectroscopy for the investigation of the characteristics of the atmosphere of Mars) ultraviolet (UV) spectrometer on board the Mars Express. The UV spectrum of this nightglow is composed of hydrogen Lyman alpha emission (121.6 nanometers) and the gamma and delta bands of nitric oxide (NO) (190 to 270 nanometers) produced when N and O atoms combine to produce the NO molecule. N and O atoms are produced by extreme UV photodissociation of O2, CO2, and N2 in the dayside upper atmosphere and transported to the night side. The NO emission is brightest in the winter south polar night because of continuous downward transport of air in this region at night during winter and because of freezing at ground level.