Sustainable sediment management in coastal infrastructures through an innovative technology: preliminary results of the MARINAPLAN PLUS LIFE project

Journal of Soils and Sediments - The paper aims to show the preliminary monitoring and field test results of the innovative technology tested in the framework of the MARINAPLAN PLUS LIFE project...     

Differential alterations in the ability of bovine neutrophils to generate extracellular and intracellular reactive oxygen species during the periparturient period

The periparturient period of a dairy cow is associated with increased incidence and/or severity of certain infectious diseases, including mastitis. It is believed that the heightened physiological demands of calving and initiation of milk production contribute to a state of immunosuppression during this period. Previous studies have indicated that neutrophil production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is a critical element of the host innate immune response to bacterial infection, is impaired in the 1-2week period following calving. However, whether there is comprehensive inhibition of ROS production or selective inhibition of particular ROS remains unknown. The present study provides evidence that neutrophils isolated from cows (n=20) after calving have an increased capacity to generate intracellular ROS and an impaired ability to release extracellular superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide.     

Medetomidine–ketamine–sevoflurane anaesthesia in juvenile Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) undergoing experimental surgery

Objective

To describe the anaesthetic, physiological and side effects of intramuscular (IM) medetomidine and ketamine, followed by inhalational anaesthesia with sevoflurane, in Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus).

Residues of the algicide endothal in water,soil and rice,after paddy field applications

In order to obtain residue data from the application of the algicide endothal in Italian rice paddy fields, two experiments were carried out using a 50 g kg^?1 granular formulation in a small pond and the same granular and two liquid formulations in actual paddy fields of the Italian rice growing area. Endothal decay in the pond water was very rapid, reaching residue levels of 0·01-1·02 mg litre^?1 in two days and 0·004-0·01 mg litre^?1 at the third day. The muddy soil of the pond was free from measurable endothal residues( <0·02 mg kg^?1). In the paddy-field waters, the endothal decay was slower, with an average half-life time of 3·3 days, independently of the type of formulation. The actual residues in water after 6 days ranged from 0·3 to 1·3 mg litre^?1 according to the initial amount of product applied, and, consequently, to the initial concentration in water. Rice samples collected at the normal harvest time from the two paddy fields, treated with three different formulations, showed no endothal residue at the minimum detectable level of 0·01 mg kg^?1.     

Fungitoxicity of 6H-pyrazolo[3,4-c][l,2,5]thiadiazine-2,2-dioxides

A base-promoted cyclisation of 4-nitroso-5-benzylsulphonamidopyrazoles (VII) afforded 6 H -pyrazolo[3,4-c][1,2,5]thiadiazine-2,2-dioxides (VIII). They were tested in vitro for antifungal activity against a series of phytopathogenic fungi of different taxonomic classes. Five of the compounds had noteworthy activity; in particular 6H-3-phenyl-5-methyl-7–(3,4-dichlorophenyl) pyrazolo[3,4-c][1,2,5]thiadiazine-2,2-dioxide (VIIIc) at the concentration of 200 mg litre^?1 completely inhibited the growth of Pythium ultimum, Corticium solani and Sclerotinia minor.     

Effect of Mucine 4 and Fucosyltransferase 1 genetic variants on gut homoeostasis of growing healthy pigs

Putative genetic markers have been associated with ETEC F4 (Mucine 4 [MUC4]; MUC4^GG;CG as susceptible; MUC4^CC as resistant) and F18 (Fucosyltransferase 1 [FUT1]; FUT1^GG;AG as susceptible; FUT1^AA as resistant) resistances respectively. In this study, 71 post‐weaning pigs were followed from d0 (35 days old) to d42 (77 days of age) to investigate the effect of MUC4 or FUT1 genotypes on the mid‐jejunal microbiota composition, pigs expression of genes related to inflammation (IL8, GPX2, REG3G, TFF3, CCL20 and LBPI) and glycomic binding pattern profile (Ulex europaeus agglutinin I [UEA] fucose‐binding lectin and peanut agglutinin [PNA] galactose‐specific), and on blood plasma targeted metabolomics profile, faecal score and performance parameters of growing healthy pigs. The MUC4 and FUT1 resistant genotypes improved the pigs’ growth performance and had firmed faecal score susceptible genotypes in d0–d21 period. Pigs with MUC4^GG genotype had a higher jejunal expression of genes relate to immune function (CCL20 and REG3G) than MUC4^CG and MUC4^CC pigs (p < 0.05). MUC4^CG pigs had higher expression of TFF3 (implicated in mucosal integrity) than MUC4^GG and MUC4^CC (p < 0.05). FUT1 influenced the alpha‐ and beta‐jejunal microbial indices. The FUT1^AA group had a higher number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belonging to Lactobacillus genus, while FUT1^GG group had a higher number of OTUs belonging to Veillonella genus. MUC4^CC pigs had lower scores for UEA on brush borders and goblet cells in villi than MUC4^GG (p < 0.05). FUT1^AA pigs had lower UEA positivity and higher PNA positivity on brush borders and goblet cells than FUT1^AG and FUT1^GG (p < 0.05). Both FUT1 and MUC4 influenced the metabolic profile of healthy pigs. Results highlight the role of MUC4 and FUT1 on pig intestinal homoeostasis and improved the knowledge regarding the potential interaction between host genetics, gut microbiota composition and host metabolism in a healthy status.     

Environmental factors related to damage by Heterobasidion abietinum in Abies alba forests in Southern Italy

A study was carried out in southern Italy to determine the role of some factors in favouring Heterobasidion annosum s. l. spread and damage in eight Silver-fir (Abies alba Mill.) forests. All the studied stands were colonised by H. abietinum. The presence of the fungus (as carpophores on colonised wood) was detected by means of transects and varied from 7.0 to 56.0% of trees. Stand history, precipitation and forest origin, analysed by the χ²-test, had a significant effect on rot severity. Damage was more severe in stands more xerophytic where the woods were planted on pasturelands.