Interaction between melatonin and follicle-stimulating hormone promotes in vitro development of caprine preantral follicles

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on the in vitro culture of goat preantral follicles. Ovarian fragments were cultured for 7 d in α-minimum essential medium (α-MEM⁺) containing melatonin (100, 250, 500, or 1,000 pM), FSH (50 ng/mL), or a combination of the 2 hormones and further analyzed by histology and transmission electron and fluorescent microscopy. The results showed that after 7 d of culture, tissues cultured in α-MEM⁺ alone or supplemented with FSH alone, melatonin (500 and 1,000 pM), or the combination of FSH and melatonin (1,000 pM) maintained percentages of normal preantral follicles similar to the fresh control. In contrast to the noncultured tissues, the percentage of developing follicles was increased under all culture conditions after 7 d (P < 0.05). The addition of 1,000 pM melatonin associated with FSH to the culture medium increased follicular and oocyte diameters compared with α-MEM⁺ alone after 7 d of culture (P < 0.05). Ultrastructural and fluorescent analyses confirmed the integrity of follicles cultured with 1,000 pM of melatonin plus FSH for 7 d. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the interaction between melatonin and FSH maintains ultrastructural integrity and stimulates further growth of cultured caprine preantral follicles.     

Nasal infection with Scedosporium apiospermum in a dog

CASE HISTORY: A 2-year-old female Siberian Husky was presented with a 6-month history of sneezing and mucous discharge from the right nostril.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: Reduced airflow through the right nostril was evident. Radiographs showed subtle loss of detail of turbinates within the right nasal chamber. Rhinoscopy revealed swollen and erythematous turbinates and a white mass within the caudal aspect of the right nasal cavity. Histopathologically, there was a heavy mixed inflammatory infiltrate in the submus- cosa of the right turbinate, and the presence of fungal hyphae and spores in the white mass. A heavy growth of Scedosporium apiospermum was cultured from the mass.

DIAGNOSIS: Chronic rhinitis of the right nasal cavity and infection with S. apiospermum.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first reported case of S. apiospermum isolated from the nasal cavity of a dog in New Zealand. Fungal culture is necessary to differentiate this fungus from Aspergillus spp.     

Successful treatment of a pancreatic pseudocyst by omentalisation in a dog

CASE HISTORY A 3-year-old male Labrador retriever was presented with a history of dietary indiscretion followed by vomiting and abdominal pain.

CLINICAL FINDINGS AND TREATMENT: Abdominal ultrasonography revealed the presence of a fluid-filled cystic structure in the region of the pancreas. Flocculent, dark fluid was drained from the cystic structure during exploratory celiotomy prior to resection of the lateral cystic wall. Omentum was sutured into the cystic cavity to provide drainage and enhance immune response. A jejunostomy feeding tube was placed. Post-surgical care consisted of antibiotic therapy. The dog was clinically normal at 1 and 7 months post-operatively and the pancreas appeared normal on final ultrasonographic examination.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This case describes the use of omentum to provide physiological drainage of a pancreatic pseudocyst. This surgical technique may help clinicians manage patients with this condition in the future.     

Pancreatic cyst in a cat

CASE HISTORY: A 5-year-old neutered male Cornish Rex cat was presented for evaluation with a history of vomiting over the previous 5 days.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: An abdominal mass was palpated, which was shown to be cystic by ultrasound examination. Exploratory surgery revealed this to be associated with the pancreas and it was duly resected. Histopathology was performed on the cystic mass.

DIAGNOSIS: Pancreatic cyst with associated chronic active infl ammation.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first report of a true pancreatic cyst in a cat.     

Effect of increasing densities of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu on Eucalyptus urograndis initial development in silvopastoral system

In silvopasture system, the coexistence of eucalyptus seedlings with other species may result in growth reduction, especially during eucalyptus early development.Therefore, studies elucidating how forage species affect the eucalyptus growth can provide important information for their rational management aiming to obtain the maximum gain of the system. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of increasing densities of Urochloa brizantha cv.Marandu in the early development of Eucalyptus urograndis. An experiment was conducted in 20 L pots, in an open and semi-controlled area, during 90 days after planting of eucalyptus. A completely randomized design with four replications was used, in a 6 9 7 factorial system, meaning six evaluation periods and seven densities of U. brizantha: 0(control), 22, 33, 44, 67, 89 and111 plants m^-2. Fortnightly, eucalyptus height, stem diameter and chlorophyll fluorescence(Fv/Fm) were evaluated. At the end of experimental period, the net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate of eucalyptus plants were determined, in addition to the dry matter of eucalyptus(leaves and stem) and U. brizantha (leaves). In coexistence with 111 plants m^-2, eucalyptus had reduction of 63.9% on total dry matter and 72.7% on leaf area, compared to the control. From the density of22 plants m^-2, U. brizantha negatively interfere significantly the growth of E. urograndis. Up to 8 plants m^-2 there are no reductions greater than 5% in eucalyptus height and stem diameter.     

Impact of Botryosphaeria,Diplodia and Neofusicoccum species on two Eucalyptus species and a hybrid: From pathogenicity to physiological performance

Species of Botryosphaeriaceae are associated with canker and dieback of Eucalyptus spp. worldwide, but little is known about their effect on the host physiology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of Botryosphaeriaceae isolates from nine species in three genera (Botryosphaeria, Diplodia and Neofusicoccum), previously isolated from eucalypts, on three different Eucalyptus hosts (seedlings of E. nitens, cuttings of E. globulusand of E. globulus× E. cypellocarpa). An approach combining standard pathogenicity trials with evaluation of plant morpho‐physiological parameters was used. The size of the lesions produced revealed differences in fungal aggressiveness and host susceptibility. Isolates of Neofusicoccum kwambonambienseand Diplodia corticolawere the most aggressive, while Botryosphaeria dothidea and Diplodia seriataisolates were the least aggressive. In general, hybrid E. globulus× E. cypellocarpa plants developed smaller lesions, followed by E. nitens and E. globulus. Eucalyptus nitensplants showed minimal modifications on the morpho‐physiological profile when infected, although more severe symptoms and mortality were observed. This is probably due to a more variable genetic background of the plants. However, in general, no direct association between putative fungal aggressiveness and plant physiological disorders could be found. Results suggested that under optimal growth conditions plants manage to cope with pathogen attack and maintain their physiological performance.     

Pseudomonas associated with Bursaphelenchus xylophilus,its insect vector and the host tree: A role in pine wilt disease?

In this study, we characterized the diversity of Pseudomonas associated with Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, its insect vector (Monochamus galloprovincialis) and its host (Pinus pinaster), by a culture‐independent approach using rpoD clone libraries. Clone libraries of Pseudomonas rpoD were obtained from B. xylophilus, M. galloprovincialis and infected P. pinaster. Most M. galloprovincialis and B. xylophilus sequences grouped together in the P. fluorescens group. Genes related to xenobiotics degradation and phenylacetate synthesis were present in the genomes of the type strains closely related to sequences retrieved from the nematode libraries. Results demonstrated that the nematode, during its life stages inside the tree, maintains a diverse Pseudomonas community that is closely related to the one associated with the insect vector. These bacteria might contribute to degradation of xenobiotics and tree weakening during the nematode tree infection.     

Structural Analysis of Tillandsia usneoides L. Exposed to Air Pollutants in São Paulo City–Brazil

Bioindicators plants are important for the evaluation of air quality and Tillandsia usneoides L., an atmospheric epiphyte bromeliad, has been used for this purpose. The present study aims at evaluate the structural pattern of the leaf of this species when exposed to urban air pollutants, and determining whether the leaves present structural parameters that could be used as indicators of such pollutants. Samples of T. usneoides were exposed in São Paulo, the biggest city of Brazil, for 8, 16 and 24 weeks, and compared with others kept in a rural area. The urban pollution of São Paulo affected the structure of the leaves of T. usneoides causing alterations, especially in the scales, density of stomata and epidermis thickness. Qualitative alterations in the mesophyll were not observed in plants exposed at the polluted sites. These structural characteristics of T. usneoides seem to account for its high tolerance to heavy metal accumulation. The percentage of anomalous scales may potentially be used as an alternative bioindicator parameter.     

Irrigation of paddy soil with industrial landfill leachate: impacts in rice productivity,plant nutrition,and chemical characteristics of soil

Treated industrial effluents have high levels of nutrients and dissolved organic matter. The irrigation of rice by flooding can increase nutrient uptake and grain yield. Therefore, this study evaluated the nutrient contents in the shoots and grain of the rice crop and also the chemical of the soil after irrigation of the crop with leachate of the treated industrial effluent. A greenhouse experiment was conducted using pots filled with 20 kg of soil in a randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of control (irrigation with distilled water) and four concentrations of the leachate (25, 50, 75, and 100 %) for irrigation. At the end of the experiment, the nutrient contents in tissues of rice plants, sterility of spikelets, and grain mass were evaluated. Results showed that irrigation with the leachate at 25 % content increased the macro- and micronutrients’ concentrations in the shoot biomass and grain, except for potassium and iron. Irrigation with the industrial leachate decreased tillering and grain yield; however, it increased chlorophyll content, sterility of spikelets, and sodium intake at this leachate concentration. The potassium and sodium levels and the electrical conductivity values of soils irrigated with treated industrial leachate were increased. The use of the treated leachate from industrial effluents is an alternative that reuses the nutritional load, but the volume of leachate should be limited and monitored to prevent the sodicity in the soil and problemsdue to eutrophication.