Milk composition,fatty acids profile and fat globule size of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus,Montagu 1821) milk at early lactation

Veterinary Research Communications - Research data on milk composition in cetaceans are scattered and fragmentary. This paper analyses the gross and mineral composition, the fatty acids profile and...     

A comparative epidemiological study of hantavirus infection in Japan and Far East Russia

Hantaviruses are causative agents of some severe human illnesses, including hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). The viruses are maintained by rodent hosts, and humans acquire infection by inhaling virus-contaminated excreta from infected animals. To examine the epidemiology of hantavirus infections in Japan and Far East Russia, we conducted epidemiological surveys in these regions. In Japan, anti-hantavirus antibodies were found in four rodent species, Clethrionomys rufocanus, Rattus norvegicus, R. rattus, and Apodemus speciosus. Although no new HFRS cases have been officially reported over the past 20 years in Japan, one member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force did test positive for hantavirus antibody. Repeated surveys in Far East Russia have revealed that two distinct hantavirus types cause severe HFRS in this region. Hantavirus sequences identified from A. peninsulae, fetal HFRS cases in Vladivostok, and Amur virus are highly similar to each other (> 92% identity), but they are less similar (approximately 84% identity) to the prototypical Hantaan virus, which is carried by A. agrarius. Phylogenetic analysis also indicates that Amur and A. peninsulae-associated viruses are distinct from Hantaan virus, suggesting that A. peninsulae is the reservoir animal for Amur virus, which causes severe HFRS. From HFRS patients in the Khabarovsk region, we identified viruses with nucleotide sequences that are more similar to Far East virus (> 96%identity) than to the Hantaan (88-89% identity) or Amur (81-83% identity) viruses. Phylogenetic analysis also indicates that the viruses from Khabarovsk HFRS patients are closely related to the Far East virus, and distinct from Amur virus.     

Group G type X: A new antigenic combination in streptococci isolated from cases of bovine mastitis in Israel

The presence of type X protein antigen was discovered in group G streptococci. This antigen appears to be related to infection in the bovine udder. In contrast to group B type specific polysaccharide antigens, the type X protein antigen seems to be unrelated to human infection. The importance of this phenomenon in epidemiology is suggested.     

An estuarine neritid gastropod, Clithon corona, a potential reservoir of thermostable direct hemolysin-producing Vibrio parahaemolyticus

An estuarine neritid gastropod, Clithon corona, maintained in UV-irradiated recirculating artificial seawater with a salinity of 15 per mil (%o) was found to retain thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH)-producing Vibrio parahaemolyticus in the gut at significantly higher levels than TDH-non-producing one for at least 14 days. Another estuarine neritid gastropod, C. sowerbianus, was not able to support the preferential survival of TDH-producing organisms. This evidence suggests that, if TDH-producing vibrios are brought to estuaries inhabited by C. corona, repeated ingestion of V. parahaemolyticus by this gastropod could lead to accumulation of TDH-producing vibrios in the estuaries.     

Spontaneous neoplasia in four captive greater hedgehog tenrecs (Setifer setosus)

Little information is available about diseases and pathology of species within the family Tenrecidae, including the greater hedgehog tenrec (Setifer setosus), a Madagascan insectivore. This report summarizes necropsy and histopathologic findings of neoplasia in four captive greater hedgehog tenrecs. Although only four animals are included in this report, neoplasia seems to be a common and significant source of morbidity and mortality in greater hedgehog tenrecs. Types of neoplasia identified include a thyroid follicular-solid carcinoma, two urinary bladder transitional cell carcinomas, uterine endometrial polyps, and multicentric B-cell lymphoma. Due to small sample size, no etiology could be determined, but genetics, viral infection, pesticide treatment, nutrition, or other environmental factors might contribute to the development of neoplasia in this species. This is the first report of neoplasia in greater hedgehog tenrecs.     

Data mining and stock assessment of fisheries resources in Tonle Sap Lake,Cambodia

The potential of catch per unit effort (CPUE) analysis based on statistics of local fisheries in Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia was evaluated. The fishery statistics system was improved through a cooperative project conducted by the Department of Fisheries and the Mekong River Commission between 1994 and 2000, especially in the seven provinces adjacent to Tonle Sap Lake. However, the fisheries statistics were not effectively utilized for sustainable stock management. After the cooperative project, fish catch data sorted by species or species group were collected at the province level in the seven provinces. Another recent project also revealed the numbers of fishing gears that operated in the seven provinces. The CPUEs of ten species in Kampong Thom Province—including Channa micropeltes and Cirrhinus spp.—could be calculated from 1994 to 2007, because these are caught solely using bamboo fence systems or barrages. CPUE analysis clarified that stocks of high-price fishes such as Ch. micropeltes, Hampala spp., and Pangasius spp. have deteriorated while those of relatively low-price fishes such as Cirrhinus spp., Cirrhinus microlepis, Cyclocheilichthys enoplos, and Channa striata have increased in recent decades.     

Effects of panicle development stage and temperature on rice panicle blast infection by Magnaporthe oryzae and visualization of its infection process

Panicle blast, caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae (syn. Pyricularia oryzae), directly contributes to yield loss in the field. The effects of panicle development stage and temperature on panicle blast were studied and the infection process of M. oryzae in panicles was visualized. Rice panicles at different development stages from three rice cultivars were inoculated with a conidial suspension in vitro. The rice cultivar Lijiangxintuanheigu was highly susceptible to panicle blast at 5 days postinoculation (dpi) when the pulvinus distance was 15–20 cm. Nanjing 9108 was moderately susceptible to panicle blast when the pulvinus distance was 8–10 cm, but Yliangyou 800 was resistant. The effect of temperature on panicle blast was determined under 22–35 °C temperature treatments. Inoculated panicles placed at temperatures of 28 and 30 °C showed the highest lesion grade based on lesion length at 5 dpi. The infection process of M. oryzae in rice panicles was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). M. oryzae initially formed the appressorium to invade through the epidermis of rice panicles at 24 hours postinoculation (hpi). As the disease progressed, the invasive hyphae formed dense mycelial networks in the inner parenchyma cells at 60 hpi. Our results will contribute to the understanding of panicle development stage and temperature effects on panicle blast and improve resistance evaluation methods. Additionally, visualization of the infection process by CLSM and TEM are valuable methods to observe M. oryzae invasive hyphae inside rice panicle cells.     

Evolutionary Economic Geography for OFCs: Do Political Ties to the Onshore Reduce Capital Inflow Volatility?

This paper analyses the structural change in small‐island economies—sometimes labeled offshore financial centers (OFCs)—that have seen wealth‐generating activities through offshore financial services decrease in value since 2008. At the same time, OFCs have come under increasing scrutiny from supranational organizations such Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development and European Union for perceived unfair tax practices and money laundering activities. Some OFCs have proactively adjusted to this sea change by broadening the economic base through development of new offshore business activities such as e‐gaming, film industry, and niche manufacturing. Most have increased co‐operation with onshore regulatory bodies to promote service and product legitimacy. Econometric analysis explores the assertion that OFCs that do not have a political link to the onshore may be exposed to greater capital inflows volatility than OFCs that have such a link. Case study analysis using the theoretical lens of evolutionary economic geography illustrates that a small OFC is creating spatialities of economic novelty by adapting economic development strategies deployed during the successful development of the center prior to the recent recession. Our findings reveal the importance of political links to the onshore to reduce capital inflow volatility and the importance of local public–private interaction to legitimize post‐recession development.     

Factors affecting the content of heavy metals in bulk atmospheric precipitation,throughfall and stemflow in central Bohemia,Czech Republic

Content of copper, manganese, lead, and zinc in samples of bulk precipitation, throughfall and stemflow has been studied in a forest area in central Bohemia. The sampling localities are situated on two types of bedrock, granite and cenomaniau sandstones. The content in bulk precipitation reflects the impact of fossil fuel emission sources and the vehicular sources of lead. The deposition rate of elements in throughfall, in comparison with that of the deposition on an open land, exhibits increased values in essential microelements (in Mn approx. 45 times, Zh-5 times, Cu and Cd-2 times), with significant seasonal fluctuations. The value of the same ratio for ecotoxic lead is 0.23. The enhanced flux of elements in throughfall is ascribed mainly to the metabolic processes of the trees. Differences in the chemical composition of throughfall and stemflow collected on stands with different kind of bedrock are ascribed to various degree of accessibility of the micronutrients and various intensity of their vegetation uptake.