First report of Leveillula clavata causing powdery mildew on Euphorbia leucocephala from India

In December 2020, Euphorbia leucocephala plants exhibiting symptoms of powdery mildew were observed in the Botanical Garden of Tuljaram Chaturchand College, Baramati, Maharashtra, India. Based on morphological identification, DNA sequence analysis, and pathogenicity, the fungal pathogen of the disease was identified as Leveillula clavata. This is the first report of L. clavata on Euphorbia leucocephala from India and in general.     

Evaluation of vinification lees as a general medium for lactobacillus strains

Lactobacillus species present high nutritional requirements, so it is necessary to find new low-cost nutrient components for fermentation media. This work compares the utilization of vinification lees (an important residue of wineries) from red and white winemaking technology, distilled or not. An amount of 20 g of lees/L was used as the unique nutrient to obtain lactic acid from glucose using Lactobacillus strains with different properties: L. plantarum CECT-221, L. pentosus CECT-4023, L. casei CECT-5275, and L. coryniformis subsp. torquens CECT-25600. Only L. casei using distilled lees showed values (Pmax = 92.1 g/L and Y(P/S) = 1.05 g/g) similar to those obtained with the MRS broth. The UV spectra of white and red lees, distilled or not, allowed an interpretation of the different phenolic compounds present and their influence on the fermentation. Their detoxification by extraction with organic compounds and fermentation with L. pentosus was also considered. Time courses of glucose and lactic acid were modeled according to reported models to obtain more information about the process.     

Equine Cyathostomin Resistance to Fenbendazole in Texas Horse Facilities

Cyathostome resistance to the benzimidazole fenbendazole (FBZ) and other anthelmintic medication has been documented worldwide. Parasite resistance to anthelmintic medication is of great concern to the anthelmintic industry and to horse owners. The present study examines the efficacy of FBZ anthelmintic treatments in horse herds from ranches in four different geographical locations within Texas. In addition, the load reduction method was compared with the traditional fecal egg count reduction test to determine the incidence of parasite resistance to FBZ. Four ranches in different areas of Texas were surveyed to determine cyathostome resistance to FBZ. Two of the four ranches had young (aged ≤2 years) and older animals (aged >2 years). The number of animals with parasites varied widely between the study's locations. Differences were observed in both the fecal egg count reduction test and load reduction method across the four study sites (P < .001). Cyathostome resistance to FBZ seemed to be prevalent in three of the four ranches, whereas FBZ was highly efficacious against cyathostomes on one ranche. There was a trend toward increased parasite resistance in the younger animals (P = .081). These results show the importance of testing anthelmintic medication effectiveness.     

Effects of body condition and supplementation on ovarian function,growth factors and response to estrus synchronization in postpartum beef cows in Tamaulipas,Mexico

ABSTRACT

Eighteen beef cows with their calves were assigned to 3 groups considering body conditions scores at calving (BCSC): T1 (high BCSC, maintained throughout the study); T2 (low BCSC, increased during the study); and T3 (low BCSC, maintained throughout). An estrus synchronization protocol was implemented, with fixed time artificial insemination on day 70. Follicular or luteal growth, and pregnancy rate were similar between groups. Of all cows, five showed multiple ovulations (2–6); increasing number of ovulations reduced preovulatory follicle diameter and individual luteal volume (P?<?0.05), but total luteal volume was greater in cows with 2 or 3 ovulations on day 14 after insemination (P?<?0.05). Estradiol and progesterone levels were associated to follicular and luteal growth, respectively. No difference was found in IGF1 or GDF9 levels between groups or associated to fertility. No association was found between BCS, IGF1 or GDF9 levels and the reproductive process.     

Local knowledge helps select species for forest restoration in a tropical dry forest of central Veracruz, Mexico

Species for restoration forestry on degraded lands in the tropics are often restricted to a few well-known exotic timber species. This selection frequently leads to failed projects, as local people expect trees to cover a number of uses, not only timber. We studied local knowledge of the usefulness, scarcity and importance for wildlife of native tree species in central Veracruz, Mexico, a region with mainly secondary vegetation and remnants of tropical dry forest. Data were obtained from several workshops, in depth interviews of 40 key informants, field walks with informants, and botanical collections. Analysis included indices for cultural importance, scarcity and wildlife relevance. We documented 76 species in one or more of the categories, from primary, secondary, agroforestry and riparian habitats. Fabaceae was the most important family. All of the species were useful for humans, mainly for rural construction, food, fence posts and fuel. Two-thirds of the species were considered scarce though they were not necessarily rare??some were highly useful, overexploited species with populations insufficient for demand; this category included five of the ten most important species culturally. Also, two-thirds of the tree taxa were considered important for wildlife, especially species of Moraceae. The study shows that the local population is highly aware of the varying functions of trees in the landscape. However, few of the important species are available from regional nurseries. We propose a number of species for restoration forestry, agroforestry systems and enrichment plantings that would be valued by landowners.     

Equine platelet CD62P (P-selectin) expression: a phenotypic and morphologic study

Acute inflammatory diseases, such as colic, septicemia and endotoxemia are common in equines and have been shown to be correlated to vascular injury and thrombosis. In humans with similar thrombotic conditions, P-selectin and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1)-mediated platelet-leukocyte adhesion contributes to the pathogenesis of these disorders through the generation of inflammatory mediators and tissue factor. As such, we hypothesized that a P-selectin-PSGL-1 (platelet-leukocyte) interaction, similar to that in humans, may also exist in the horse. The objective of this study was to investigate phenotypic and morphological properties of equine platelet activation with a focus on CD62P (P-selectin) expression and CD62P mediated platelet-leukocyte interactions. To study high levels of platelet activation, we used 1 U/ml thrombin to induce secondary, irreversible aggregation in both human and equine platelets. Addition of glycyl-L-prolyl-L-arginyl-L-proline amide (GPRP) prior to thrombin activation blocked fibrin polymerization, allowing the use of flow cytometry to study alpha-granule expression as a measure of platelet activation. Thrombin activation resulted in high levels of activation, measured as P-selectin expression, in both humans and equines. Interestingly, our research illustrates that in healthy horses, P-selectin is also constitutively expressed on 20-25% of resting platelets. This finding is in direct contrast to humans, in which P-selectin expression is negligible (<5%) in the absence of agonist activation. The high baseline level of P-selectin expression among equine platelets may suggest that they are primed for leukocyte adhesion, possibly resulting in prothrombotic conditions. This phenomenon could be of significant clinical relevance, as it may be related to the rapid clinical decline often seen in equine patients with colic and endotoxemia, where vascular injury and thrombotic complications compromise patient survival. Based on these findings, further investigation into the mechanisms of platelet P-selectin-mediated inflammation and platelet-leukocyte mediated vascular injury in the horse appears warranted.     

Coagulation values in normal ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) using selected methods and reagents

Background: Accurate determination of commonly measured coagulation values would be useful in the diagnosis and management of coagulopathies in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). We are unaware of reports of coagulation times in this species. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine reference values for prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT), fibrinogen concentration, and antithrombin (AT) activity in ferrets using selected methods and reagents. Methods: Blood samples obtained from 18 clinically healthy ferrets were anticoagulated with 0.129 M sodium citrate in a ratio of 9 parts blood to 1 part anticoagulant. Plasma was collected and stored at -70 degrees C until analysis. PT and PTT were measured with a fibrometer and with an ACL 3000 automated system. PTT was measured with and without the addition of ellagic acid. Fibrinogen was assayed by a turbidimetric method. AT activity was determined using a chromogenic assay and pooled ferret plasma (100% activity). Differences in methods and reagents were evaluated using paired t tests. Results: PT was significantly longer using the fibrometer (12.3+/-0.3, 11.6-12.7 seconds) compared with the ACL (10.9+/-0.3, 10.6-11.6 seconds) (P<.01). PTT was not significantly different with the fibrometer (18.7+/-0.9, 17.5-21.1 seconds) vs the ACL (18.1+/-1.1, 16.5-20.5 seconds), but was significantly longer on both analyzers when ellagic acid was added (fibrometer 20.4+/-0.8, 18.9-22.3 seconds; ACL 20.0+/-1.0, 18.6-22.1 seconds) (P<.01). Fibrinogen concentration was 107.4+/-19.8 mg/dL (90.0-163.5 mg/dL), and AT activity was 96%+/-12.7% (69.3-115.3%). Conclusion: These coagulation results for healthy ferrets will be useful in the evaluation of ferrets with coagulopathies, provided similar reagents and methods are used.