Herpetiform genital lesions in a heifer with mucosal disease

A 14-month-old heifer with a 17-day history of unresponsive bloody diarrhea was necropsied. There were focal, pink-red erosions of the nares and hard palate; ulcers and fissures of the tongue; and multiple ulcerative lesions of the alimentary canal. Interdigital skin of both rear limbs was ulcerated and bleeding; and the margins of the vulva contained punctiform red ulcers. The gross lesions were consistent with mucosal disease. Histopathology and laboratory testing ruled out rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, and vesicular stomatitis, and identified bovine virus diarrhea virus to be the cause of this disease. Lesions of the vulva similar to those seen in some stages of infectious pustular vulvovaginitis were negative for bovine herpesvirus-1 and tested positive for bovine viral diarrhea virus antigen by immunohistochemistry.     

Differences in metabolomic profiles of the naturally contaminated grain of barley,oats and rye

Studies of a spectrum of metabolites found in cereals are becoming one of the primary tools for evaluating their susceptibility to the effects of various environmental agents, such as: pathogens, temperature and precipitation. In order to reduce the effect of the environmental conditions, cultivars were grown under identical cultivation conditions.     

Tagging juvenile European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus (L.)) with passive integrated transponders—Impact of fish size on growth performance and tag retention

The study examined the effect of PIT tagging and size on the growth, survival, food conversion, tag retention and wound healing in juvenile European whitefish. Three size classes of juvenile whitefish (class S—body weight (b.w.) approx. 4.0 g; class M—b.w. approx. 8.0 g; class L—b.w. approx. 13.6 g) were tagged with PIT implanted intraperitoneally (TROVAN^®, United Kingdom). These groups formed S‐P, M‐P and L‐P respectively. Fish from the control groups (groups S‐C, M‐C and L‐C) were not tagged. Whitefish from the tagged and control groups were reared for 28 days in recirculating aquaculture systems. Only in the fish from the smallest group (group S‐P) was tagging confirmed to have a negative impact on growth rate and survival, which, after 28 days, was 70% in comparison with 94.4% in group S‐C. The rate of wound healing in all whitefish groups was similar. After 28 days following PIT implantation, all wounds were healed. Short‐term PIT retention (28 days) for all the groups was > 90%, and no differences were noted among groups. In summary, it is recommended that whitefish be PIT‐tagged using the intraperitoneal method after they have attained a body weight > 8 g. Tagging smaller specimens of this species leads to higher mortality.     

Impact of inducing general anaesthesia with MS‐222 on haematological and biochemical parameters of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca)

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of MS‐222 on the haematological and biochemical parameters of juvenile pikeperch. The experiment was conducted on fish with body weight of 112.50 ± 13.01 g and body length of 22.5 ± 1.8 cm. The fish were exposed to MS‐222 via immersion at two concentrations (100, 150 mg/L) and for two exposure periods (3, 10 min). Significantly higher values of white blood cells, red blood cells, haemoglobin and haematocrit were noted in all groups of fish from which blood samples were drawn immediately after exposure. After 24 hr, only in group V (100/3/24) did the values of these parameters return to initial values. The analysis of biochemical parameters signalled significant differences in three parameters: glucose, total protein and lactates. Twenty‐four hours after exposure, the values of these three parameters returned to initial levels. Significant differences were also noted in four ion concentrations: potassium, phosphorus, sodium and iron. Twenty‐four hours later, potassium and phosphorus concentrations had returned to initial values, while that of sodium still exhibited significant differences. Twenty‐four hours later, differences were also noted in iron ion concentrations in the groups subjected to the longest exposure or the highest concentration. All of the MS‐222 immersion parameters were effective. However, the smallest changes in the analysed parameters of pikeperch blood were noted in individuals from group I (100/3/0). The current study indicated, however, that longer pikeperch immersion in the anaesthetic solution (>3 min) or applying concentrations exceeding 100 mg/L are not recommended.     

Effects of various diet formulations (experimental and commercial) on the morphology of the liver and intestine of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of three formulated diets: wheat gluten protein‐based diets supplemented with Lys–Gly dipeptide (PP) or free lisine and glycine (AA), and a control diet without lysine supplementation (CON), two commercial starters: Aller Futura (AF), Aglo Norse (AN) and frozen Chironomidae larvae (CH) for on the growth and digestive system development of rainbow trout. The experiment lasted 28 days and survival at the end of the experiment was the highest in the group fed AF (87.9±4.2%) and the lowest in the group fed the CON diet (74.0±4.3%). Fish fed the CON diet showed a significantly lower crude protein content, and the AA group had a significantly higher lipid level (P≤0.05) in body carcass compared with the other groups. The highest density of intestinal goblet cells (P≤0.05) was observed in fish fed the CON diet, while the lowest density was seen in the distal intestine in the AF group. The hepatocyte cytoplasm of all fish stored more glycogen than lipids. These results indicate that wheat gluten protein‐based diets supplemented with dipeptide Lys–Gly (PP) or free lysine and glycine (AA) supported growth, protein efficiency rate and intestine epithelium homeostasis. On the other hand, fish fed CON (lysine‐deficient diet) showed lower survival and growth rate, and disturbances of intestine epithelium homeostasis, probably as a result of lysine deficiency.     

The effect of mycorrhizal inoculation and phosphorus application on the growth and mineral nutrient status of apple seedlings

Apple seedlings cv. Antonovka were grown in soil taken from an orchard with a distinctive specific apple replant disease. The influence of the different available soil phosphorus (P) level (0, 20, 40 and 80 mg P dm^?3 of soil) and arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) inoculation on the vegetative growth, chlorophyll fluorescence, and the frequency of mycorrhizae were assessed. Moreover, leaf and root mineral composition was ascertained by means of the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method. The inoculation with AMF influenced seedlings growth as well as the biomass production and partitioning. The method of inoculation (granular, quick root dip or irrigation) had a great impact on the frequency of mycorrhizae (83.3, 98.8 and 100%, respectively) as well as on the abundance of arbuscules (36.4, 62.9 and 67.3%) as compared to the control (11.7%). The beneficial effect of AMF on leaf PSII efficiency was established. AMF inoculated plants had a significantly higher content of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and boron (N, K, P and B) in the shoots and a higher content of nitrogen, sulfur, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and titanium (N, S, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo and Ti) in the roots. Although roots showed a higher concentration of aluminium, barium, lithium, cadmium, lead and vanadium (Al, Ba, Li, Cd, Pb, and V) but upon AMF inoculation, the concentration of these cations was much lower.     

Effects of Ginkgo biloba constituents on fruit-infesting behavior of codling moth (Cydia pomonella) in apples

Codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), is a cosmopolitan pest of apple, potentially causing severe damage to the fruit. Currently used methods of combating this insect do not warrant full success or are harmful to the environment. The use of plant-derived semiochemicals for manipulation with fruit-infesting behavior is one of the new avenues for controlling this pest. Here, we explore the potential of Ginkgo biloba and its synthetic metabolites for preventing apple feeding and infestation by neonate larvae of C. pomonella. Experiments with crude extracts indicated that deterrent constituents of ginkgo are present among alkylphenols, terpene trilactones, and flavonol glycosides. Further experiments with ginkgo synthetic metabolites of medical importance, ginkgolic acids, kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, ginkgolides, and bilobalide, indicated that three out of these chemicals have feeding deterrent properties. Ginkgolic acid 15:0 prevented fruit infestation at concentrations as low as 1 mg/mL, bilobalide had deterrent effects at 0.1 mg/mL and higher concentrations, and ginkgolide B at 10 mg/mL. On the other hand, kaempferol and quercetin promoted fruit infestation by codling moth neonates. Ginkgolic acids 13:0, 15:1, and 17:1, isorhamnetin, and ginkgolides A and C had no effects on fruit infestation-related behavior. Our research is the first report showing that ginkgo constituents influence fruit infestation behavior and have potential applications in fruit protection.     

Anatomy and histology of the rabbit common calcanean tendon

Despite the great progress in the field of tendon injuries and chronic tendinopathies in recent years, treatment of these conditions is still challenging. Research utilising animal models is crucial for further advancement in tendon research, with the rabbit being a commonly used species in this field. The objective of the present study was to comprehensively describe the macro‐ and microanatomy of the common calcanean tendon (tendo Achillei), together with associated structures. Eight female New Zealand rabbits were subjected to anatomical dissection and histologic analysis, revealing significant species‐specific features. The soleus muscle presented a thin, spindle shape with no tendon of insertion and attached directly to the lateral gastrocnemius muscle. Therefore, it does not contribute to the formation of the common calcanean tendon. The calcaneal tendon of the semitendinosus muscle was identified as a strong tendinous band at the medial side of the medial gastrocnemius muscle and the superficial digital flexor muscle and tendon distally. The saphenous artery was accompanied by the medial saphenous vein and characteristic accessory medial saphenous vein. The complex structure of the paratendinous connective tissue is described, with the paratenon being contiguous with the epitenon of the individual tendons and epimysium of associated muscles. At the level of the calcaneal tuber, the retromalleolar fat pad was identified, adhering to the cranial surface of the conjoint gastrocnemius tendon. Histologic studies confirmed the presence of the subtendinous calcaneal bursa of superficial digital flexor tendon and the bursa of calcaneal tendon.     

Complete genome sequence and phylogenomic analysis of the first N4-like lytic bacteriophage vB_Ppp_A38 (ϕA38) infecting Pectobacterium parmentieri

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Pectobacterium parmentieri (former Pectobacterium wasabiae) is an emerging pectinolytic bacterial pathogen causing losses in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)...