Growth performance,immune response and disease resistance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed Thymus vulgaris essential oils

Efficacy of Thymus vulgaris essential oils was assessed on growth, immune response and disease resistance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish weighing 10 g were fed with dietary supplemented of the oils at 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 ml/kg feed for 2 months. Fish fed with the oils at 0.5 ml/kg feed demonstrated a better weight gain and specific growth rate, compared to other treatments (p < .05). Fish fed with 1.0 ml the oils showed the highest up‐regulation of complement component 3 (C3) and (cluster of differentiation 4) (CD4) genes expression (p < .05), while lysozyme gene expression level significantly increased in fish fed with 2.0 ml of the oils. In addition, at the end of the experiment, the expression of C3 and CD4 genes were significantly up‐regulated in fish fed with 1.0 and 2.0 ml of the oils, while IL‐1ß and lysozyme genes expression levels were significantly decreased in fish fed 2.0 ml oils, towards the end of the trial (p < .05). There was a fluctuation in the levels of Alanine aminotransferase, Aspartate aminotransferase and Alkaline phosphatase in all treatments during the experiment. When treated fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila, the highest survival rate was observed in 0.5 ml/kg treatment, followed by 2 and 1 mg/kg treatments. Overall, these findings demonstrated that dietary administration of T. vulgaris oils especially at 0.5 mg/kg feed can be considered as a potential component for enhancing of the growth, immune responses and disease resistance of trout against motile Aeromonas septicemia caused by A. hydrophila.     

Hemolysis interference in measuring fish plasma biochemical indicators

The present study aimed to determine hemolysis interference in measurement of plasma biochemical parameters in fish specimens. For this purpose, blood samples were harvested from 24 Huso huso juveniles. After centrifugation, each plasma sample was divided into seven portions to make seven levels of hemolysis. Hemolysis was induced by addition of different percentages of the corresponding whole blood [0 (non-hemolyzed control group), 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20% of whole blood]. Albumin, total protein, calcium, phosphorus, glucose, sodium, potassium, chloride, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) were measured in different samples. Results showed that plasma albumin, ALP, potassium, and AST significantly increased (more than 200% at the highest hemolysis level) in the hemolyzed samples. Also, plasma total protein and phosphorus showed significant elevation in the hemolyzed samples (more than 70% at the highest hemolysis level). Plasma glucose, calcium, chloride, and ALT showed narrow but significant increase in hemolyzed samples (11.8–35.2% at the highest hemolysis level). Plasma sodium showed no significant changes in the hemolyzed samples. In conclusion, the present results show that hemolysis markedly affects plasma parameters levels, which interferes with plasma results interpretation. Therefore, analysis of hemolyzed samples should be avoided or the results should be interpreted with caution. This study encourages further investigations to develop methods for omitting the effects of hemolysis by sample blanking and/or presenting correction coefficients for measurement of plasma parameters in samples with different levels of hemolysis.     

Viral disease of tomato crops (Solanum lycopesicum L.): an overview

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Global production of tomato has been hampered by the increased incidences of tomato viral disease. The high genetic heterogeneity of tomato plant viruses,...     

Feline paraneoplastic syndrome associated with thymoma

CASE HISTORY: A 6-year-old, spayed, female, domestic short-haired cat presented with severe erythroderma and scaling skin. She showed disturbed gait and mild behavioural changes.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: The cat had a generalised, erythematous, scurfy dermatitis with marked, multifocal crusting and skin thickening. The skin was painful and contracted, which appeared to prevent normal freedom of movement.

DIAGNOSIS: The cat was suspected to have a paraneoplastic syndrome. A mediastinal mass was located and histologically confirmed as thymoma. The cat was diagnosed with a thymoma-associated cutaneous paraneoplastic syndrome.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is a rare condition with few reports in the literature. The skin changes, both grossly and histologically, were considered to be different from those described in cases of paraneoplastic dermatosis associated with pancreatic neoplasia. The clinical presentation was characteristic and more cases may occur in practice than are recognised. In this case, as in previous reports, the tumour was grossly resectable, which could lead to cure of the clinical condition.     

Characterization, Genetic Structure, and Pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia spp. Associated with Rice Sheath Diseases in India

ABSTRACT Isolates of Rhizoctonia spp. were obtained from rice in India during 2000-2003. Characterization by conventional techniques and polymerase chain reaction showed that from 110 isolates, 99 were R. solani and 11 were R. oryzae-sativae. Of 99 isolates identified as R. solani, 96 were AG1-IA, 1 was AG1-IB, and 2 were AG1-IC. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analyzes were used to determine genetic relationships in Rhizoctonia pathogen populations collected from different geographic regions. Cluster analysis based on the AFLP data separated isolates belonging to the three different intraspecific groups of R. solani AG1 and differentiated R. solani from R. oryzae-sativae. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that geographic region was the dominant factor determining population structure of R. solani AG1-1A; host cultivar had no significant effect. Pathogenicity tests on Oryza sativa cv. Zenith revealed that isolates of R. solani AG1-1A and AG1-1B were more virulent than R. solani AG1-IC and R. oryzae-sativae isolates.     

Effects of crocin on frozen-thawed sperm apoptosis,protamine expression and membrane lipid oxidation in Yanbian yellow cattle

Glycerol is used as a bovine semen osmotic cryoprotectant that greatly improves the quality of frozen and thawed bovine sperm. However, high glycerol concentrations can have a toxic effect on frozen and thawed bovine sperm. Therefore, this experiment investigated the effect of replacing a portion of the glycerol in a cryoprotectant solution with crocin on the sperm apoptosis, protamine deficiency and membrane lipid oxidation of frozen and thawed Yanbian yellow cattle sperm. The experiment included a control group (6% glycerol) and four treatment groups: I (3% glycerol), II (3% glycerol +0.5 mM crocin), III (3% glycerol + 1 mM crocin) and IV (3% glycerol + 2 mM crocin). Computer assisted semen analysis was used to detect sperm motility, Hoechst 33,342, propidium iodide, and JC-1 staining were used to analyse sperm viability and mitochondrial membrane potential, chromomycin A3 staining was used to detect protamine deficiency and DNA damage, flow cytometry was used for sperm membrane lipid disorder detection and analysis, and real-time quantitative RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of protamine-related genes (PRM2, PRM3), sperm acrosome-associated genes (SPACA3), oxidative stress-related genes (ROMO1) and apoptosis-related genes (BCL2, BAX). Compared to the control group, replacing a portion of glycerol with 1 mM crocin significantly improved sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, membrane lipid disorders (p < .05) and viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, protamine deficiency (p < .01). The expression level of PRM2, PRM3, SPACA3 and BCL2 significantly increased (p < .05), while the expression levels of ROMO1 and BAX significantly decreased (p < .05). Accordingly, the BCL2/BAX ratio significantly increased (p < .05). In summary, the substitution of a portion of glycerol with crocin in cryoprotective solution improved the quality of Yanbian yellow cattle sperm after freezing and thawing.     

Promotion of the cycling of diet-enhancing nutrients by african grazers

Experiments in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, provide direct evidence that large, free-ranging mammalian grazers accelerate nutrient cycling in a natural ecosystem in a way that enhances their own carrying capacity. Both nitrogen and sodium were at considerably higher plant-available levels in soils of highly grazed sites than in soils of nearby areas where animal density is sparse. Fencing that uncoupled grazers and soils indicated that the animals promote nitrogen availability on soils of inherently similar fertility and select sites of higher sodium availability as well as enhancing that availability.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DYSPLASIA IN A BASSET HOUND

A 5‐month‐old intact male Basset Hound presented for evaluation of pain and crepitation during manipulation of the temporomandibular joint, worse on the right side. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the head was performed. The CT images demonstrated the osseous features of temporomandibular joint dysplasia and facilitated a 3D reconstruction, which allowed better visualization of the dysplastic features. The patient responded to conservative management with a tape muzzle with no recurrence reported by the owner 6 months after presentation.