Desmoglein-1 is a minor autoantigen in dogs with pemphigus foliaceus

The majority of human patients with pemphigus foliaceus (PF) have circulating IgG autoantibodies that target conformational epitopes on the desmosomal cadherin desmoglein-1 (dsg1). Limited studies using immunoblot techniques suggested that the principal autoantigen in dogs with PF might also be dsg1. It was the objective of this study to test this hypothesis. A comprehensive survey of canine PF sera was conducted using a novel screening strategy that detects conformational epitopes. This method consists of the ectopic expression of canine dsg1 at the surface of human 293T epithelial kidney cells and their live screening, i.e. prior to fixation. Out of seven control human PF sera that bound to canine epidermis, three (57%) contained IgG autoantibodies that recognized ectopically expressed canine dsg1 with a membrane and punctate pattern. Out of 83 canine PF sera only five (6%) contained IgG that recognized canine dsg1. Consistent with findings for human PF sera obtained in this study, autoantibody binding was conformation- and glycosylation-dependent as demonstrated by calcium chelation with EDTA and tunicamycin or wheat germ agglutinin treatment, respectively. In conclusion, these studies establish canine dsg1 as a minor autoantigen for canine PF. Antigenic epitopes appear to be conformation- and glycosylation-dependent.     

Parasitoids of European species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Yponomeuta</Emphasis> Latreille 1796 (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae): new findings with an updated checklist

The species of the genus Yponomeuta Latreille (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) are known as ermine moths and can be found on various host plant species, sometimes appearing as pests. They are attacked by a wide range of parasitoids. We studied parasitoid complexes of several communities in Austria, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia and Sweden during 2014–2018. From four species, Yponomeuta cagnagella (Hübner), Yponomeuta evonymella (Linnaeus), Yponomeuta malinellus Zeller and Yponomeuta padella (Linnaeus), we reared 15 parasitoid species of seven hymenopteran and one dipteran family. In this study, the family Ichneumonidae is the most numerous, while Ageniaspis fuscicollis (Dalman) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was found in all four Yponomeuta species. Within reared parasitoids, A. fuscicollis is new record for Slovenia and Austria, Baryscapus evonymellae (Bouché) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Diadegma armillatum (Gravenhorst) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) are new records for Slovenia and Agrypon canaliculatum (Ratzeburg) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Dolichogenidea dilecta (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Elasmus steffani Viggiani (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), Herpestomus brunnicornis (Gravenhorst) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Trieces tricarinatus (Holmgren) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and Mesochorus nuncupator (Panzer) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) are new records for Serbia. Also, Yponomeuta cagnagella is a new host record for Pteromalus semotus (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) and Y. padella for E. steffani. Finally, we reviewed parasitoids of European Yponomeuta species and their associated host plants. In total 154 species are recorded from nine hymenopteran and one dipteran family.     

Nutrient deficiencies in olives grown on typical Mediterranean soils (Terra rossa,Rendzina, Lithosol)

An important part of agriculture in the European Mediterranean area is olive (Olea europaea L.) production. Characterising the relationships between properties of different soils where olive is grown and nutrient status in olive leaves can enhance our understanding of soil-plant interactions. Three different soils (Terra rossa, Rendzina, Lithosol) were characterized for their physical and chemical characteristics; plant-available nutrients were extracted with ammonium nitrate. Soils, soil extracts and leaf digests were analysed for nutrients and for nitrogen in soils and leaf. A redundancy analysis (RDA) was applied to elucidate relationships between soil properties and leaf nutrients. As revealed by RDA, leaf concentrations of Mg, K, Ca and micronutrients were explained by available Mg, total carbonates and soil organic carbon in topsoil. Leaf concentration of Na was associated with total Na in topsoil. Copper and Mo deficiencies were detected in plants grown in Lithosol, and Mg, P, Mn and Zn deficiencies were noted in all plants. Through appropriate agronomic techniques, Lithosols can be used for olive groves, but they have significant limitation regarding nutrient availability. Our results support the relevance of using soil nutrient variability to provide a basis for optimisation of measures for olive groves.     

The implications of sample preparation on the particle size distribution of soil

Particle size distribution (PSD) is among basic parameters in soil and sediment characterization and provides essential information in sedimentological and environmental studies. The problem with the PSD determination is that for any given sample the result depends not only on the method used but also on the sample pre‐treatment, making them seldom comparable. In this study, the PSD of seven non‐treated and pre‐treated soil samples were determined by four granulometric methods (pipette, sedigraph, particle counter and laser diffraction analysis). Samples were subjected to pre‐treatments commonly used in sample preparation for the PSD determination, i.e., addition of dispersant (sodium metaphosphate) and removal of the organic matter (with hydrogen peroxide). The total organic carbon (TOC) analysis was used to estimate the content of organic matter before and after its removal. The effect of different pre‐treatments was evaluated based on the PSD variations and the changes in the specific surface area (SSA) of the samples. The results highlighted differences in the PSD curves of samples depending on the granulometric method and pre‐treatment applied. The most pronounced difference was the higher amount of clay fraction determined by settling techniques. The role of hydrogen peroxide in disruption of aggregates was evident in the increase in the SSA as well as the share of fine fraction determined by all four techniques, while sodium metaphosphate made no modifications of the SSA but acted in favour of prolonging settling of clay particles and increasing its content obtained by settling techniques.     

Pore water geochemistry and diagenesis of estuary sediments—an example of the Zrmanja River estuary (Adriatic coast,Croatia)

Journal of Soils and Sediments - The geochemistry of pore waters from sediments deposited in the semi-enclosed bay of the Zrmanja River estuary, encompassing two small interconnected basins, the...     

Neospora caninurn Infection in English Springer Spaniel Littermates

Progressive paraparesis developed in four male English Springer Spaniel pups from a litter of five during the first 10 weeks of life. Two of the pups, which had the earliest onset of neurologic signs, were euthanatized without further workup. However, a detailed investigation was completed on the remaining two littermates at 12 weeks of age. Both pups had progressive paraparesis for 3 to 4 weeks before presentation, with one dog developing subsequent asymmetric pelvic limb extensor rigidity. Based on results from neurologic examination, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, electrophysiology, and muscle/nerve biopsy, a presumptive diagnosis of protozoal polyradiculitis and polymyositis was made. Necropsy of the most severely affected pup confirmed the clinical diagnosis of inflammatory nerve root and muscle disease but no organisms were found. To increase the potential yield of organisms, the second pup was placed on immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids and euthanatized 2 weeks later. Numerous organisms were found in lesions in muscle and the central nervous system. Organisms grew in tissue culture and were isolated from the peritoneal fluid of gerbils inoculated with infected tissue. Organisms were not isolated from inoculated mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters. No parasites were seen in feces or tissues of three cats fed infected dog tissues. Serologic testing demonstrated a strong positive titer to Neospora caninum in both pups, and electron microscopy showed the characteristic morphology of this parasite.     

Detection of apple proliferation phytoplasma by ELISA and PCR in growing and dormant apple trees

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Apple proliferation (AP), caused by a phytoplasma belonging to AP group, is an important vector-borne and graft-transmissible disease of apple trees in...