Systemic spread of Plum pox virus (PPV) in Mariana plum GF 8-1 in relation to shoot growth

Infection of Prunus spp. by Plum pox virus (PPV) is characterized by an uneven distribution of the virus within the tree and branches. In order to gain a better understanding of this distribution, a method for modelling tree growth was used. PPV spread was followed within susceptible Mariana plum clone GF 8-1 shoots for 4 months after inoculation. Shoot growth was unaffected by the presence of the virus. Symptoms appeared on leaves produced in the most actively growing parts of the shoots, i.e. at the beginning of the season. PPV was detected in leaves other than those showing symptoms. The proportion of leaves with detectable virus decreased from the zone showing symptoms, with 100% ELISA-positive responses, to the shoot tip with no detectable virus in leaves produced between 111 and 127 days after inoculation. Furthermore, a higher proportion of positive ELISA results was obtained below the zone showing symptoms (77%) compared with 50% above. PPV was detected in 95% of the most vigorous shoots 71 days after inoculation compared with 37% of slower-growing, later-produced shoots.     

Cancer antigen 15/3: possible diagnostic use in veterinary clinical oncology. Preliminary study

The cancer antigen 15/3 is a mucin that is associated with the cell membrane, encoded by the MUC1 gene, and recognized by the monoclonal-clone DF3 antibody. The latter antigen was discovered to be specific for both the identification of human mammary neoplasia and during patient follow-up evaluations. The aim of this study is to report and compare the results of the application of direct chemiluminescence in canine blood sera and the kit utilized in human medicine for the determination of Ca 15/3 to verify the diagnostic efficiency of the kit in cases presenting mammary tumors. Specifically, CA 15/3 has proven to be measurable in all samples assayed to distinguish clinically healthy subjects from those with mammary neoplasia.

     

Field evaluation of the single intradermal cervical tuberculin test and the interferon-gamma assay for detection and eradication of bovine tuberculosis in Spain

A field comparison of the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) assay and the single intradermal cervical tuberculin (SICT) test for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis was conducted. A total of 1136 cattle belonging to 85 herds placed in 'Castilla y León' (northwestern Spain) were chosen, and 21 of these herds were subjected to the diagnostic assays two or three times at intervals of at least 4 months. All the animals positive to any of the tests were slaughtered and tuberculosis was confirmed by culture isolation method (CIM) and further identification by means of PCR. Only 10.6% of cattle reacted with the bovine PPD in the SICT test, a percentage that increased to 12.8% in the IFN-gamma assay. The sensitivity of the IFN-gamma assay compared to CIM was shown to be higher (84.9%) than that of the SICT test (80.2%), but the combination of both tests offered the highest sensitivity (92.9%). The number of false positive reactors (those animals in which CIM was negative) was considerably higher for the IFN-gamma assay than for the SICT test and, conversely, the number of false negative animals (M. bovis isolation but negative immunological result) was higher for the skin test than for the interferon assay. In the herds tested twice, tuberculosis was eradicated after the second cycle of testing in 50%, and in 75% after the third cycle in herds tested three times. The combination of these two techniques instead of separately seems, therefore, to be useful in eradication programmes against bovine tuberculosis.     

Evaluation of survival of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and Haemophilus parasuis in four liquid media and two swab specimen transport systems

OBJECTIVE: To determine duration and rates of recovery of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and Haemophilus parasuis from 4 liquid media and 2 swab specimen transport systems and compare findings with those of Escherichia coli. SAMPLE POPULATION: One strain each of A pleuropneumoniae (biovar 1, serotype 1), H parasuis (serovar 5), and E coli (serotype O149:K91:H19). PROCEDURE: Strains were incubated in brain heart infusion broth supplemented with horse serum and other nutrients or in horse serum alone, with and without nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide in both instances, for 150 days at 4 degrees C or room temperature (21 degrees C). Similarly, strains were tested in Stuart and Amies transport systems after storage at room temperature for 8 days. RESULTS: Colony counts greater than those of the initial inoculum were observed after incubation in horse serum for A pleuropneumoniae but not for H parasuis. Overall, incubation at 4 degrees C in the 4 liquid media resulted in longer recovery duration and higher rates than at room temperature. Culture of H parasuis resulted in lower recovery rates and shorter durations of recovery than culture of A pleuropneumoniae, except for culture in horse serum. Haemophilus parasuis survived longer than A pleuropneumoniae in the transport systems, and all organisms survived longer in the Amies system. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Survival of A pleuropneumoniae and H parasuis indicated that horse serum prolongs survivability, which may result in exposure of more animals during a prolonged period. The Amies system might be a good choice for collection of clinical samples from animals, especially for recovery of H parasuis.     

Molecular differentiation of Hypoderma bovis and Hypoderma lineatum (Diptera,Oestridae) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)

The most variable region of the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene of Hypoderma bovis(1) and Hypoderma lineatum(2) (Diptera, Oestridae) was amplified by PCR and the amplicons were sequenced and analysed. PCR products were digested with three restriction enzymes, namely BfaI, HinfI and TaqI, providing informative profiles. H. bovis and H. lineatum sequences revealed an inter-specific variation rate of 8.5%, and an intra-specific variation rate of 0.87 and 0.29%, respectively. The results showed that the COI gene region examined was useful for the differentiation of H. bovis and H. lineatum and that a PCR-RFLP assay is a practical tool for their identification, offering additional diagnostic and epidemiological instruments for the study of cattle grub infestation.     

Efficacy of injectable and pour-on microdose ivermectin in the treatment of goat warble fly infestation by Przhevalskiana silenus (Diptera, Oestridae)

The prophylactic efficacy of microdoses of injectable and pour-on ivermectin formulations against larval stages of Przhevalskiana silenus was assessed in naturally infected goats in the region of Calabria (southern Italy).Sixty-eight goats from two goat farms were divided into five groups: one group remained untreated, while the other four groups were treated with microdoses of ivermectin (5 and 10 microg/kg injectable formulation and 10 and 20 microg/kg pour-on formulation).The microdoses of ivermectin were fully effective in the treatment of goat warble fly infestation (GWFI) as no larvae emerged from the warbles in the treated groups, while all the larvae emerged in the control groups. Irrespective of the type of formulation used, the difference between the treated groups and the control group was statistically significant (P< 0.001). By contrast, no statistical differences were found between the goats treated with the injectable formulation and those receiving the pour-on applications, and between the two doses of the injectable and pour-on formulations used. Given the plasma concentrations it attains at its lowest dose (0.052 - 0.042 ng/ml for the injectable formulation and 0.030 ng/ml for the pour-on) the injectable formulation seems to offer the most reliable route for the administration of ivermectin microdoses and it is acceptable for milk consumption. The introduction of ivermectin in the early eighties and the use of microdoses in some cases have made it possible to control cattle hypodermosis in large areas of Europe. As with cattle hypodermosis, the administration of ivermectin microdoses in goats is particularly interesting because of the low costs involved and the low levels of residues found in goat milk; it may thus constitute the basis for GWFI control campaigns in areas where the disease is prevalent.     

Characterization and degradation of lignin from steam explosion of pine and corn stalk of lignin: The role of superoxide ion and ozone

Steam explosion of corn stalk in the presence of 3% sulphuric acid at 200 °C for 5 min gave the highest recovery of lignin. Lignin has M_w = 2640 and M_z = 93,994. In the UV spectrum absorptions at λ = 231 and 280 nm were recorded. ¹H NMR spectrum of lignin showed signals attributable to cinnamaldehyde units, guaiacyl units, and syringyl units. Syringyl and guaiacyl units are in 1:1 ratio. ¹³C NMR spectrum showed signals for guaiacyl, syringyl, and p-hydroxyphenyl units. The spectrum showed a prevalence of guaiacyl units. The ¹³C NMR spectrum is in agreement with the presence of cinnamic units. The same characterization was performed on lignin from pine. The irradiation of lignin from pine from steam explosion process in the presence of oxygen, in conditions described for the formation of superoxide ion, for different irradiation time was followed isolating the lignin and determining the average molecular weight. The experiments showed that, until 8 h irradiation, M_n decreases, while M_w and M_z increases. After 8 h irradiation an inverse behaviour was observed, with an increase of M_n and a decrease of M_w and M_z. These results are in agreement with an initial polymerization process followed by a photoinduced degradation. Ozonization was carried out in acetonitrile–methanol solution. The reaction showed a zero-order kinetics. After 50 min the average molecular weight of lignin is the half. The reaction mixture was analyzed by using GC–MS. Oxalic acid was determined.     

Morpho-pomological and chemical characterization of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) genotypes in Apulia region,Southeastern Italy

A recent increasing demand in Western countries for pomegranate products by consumers is especially supported for the nutritional and medicinal characteristics, due to the antioxidant properties of this fruit. Some studies have been published on the morphological and biochemical characteristics of pomegranate fruits in some Mediterranean countries, but little information is available about the genotypes present in Italy and in particular in Apulia (Southeastern region of Italy). This study (2008–2009) evaluated morpho-pomological and chemical parameters of eight pomegranate genotypes localized in private small orchards. Significant differences were observed among the pomegranate genotypes for many of the parameters investigated. In particular, fruit weight ranged from 168.9 g (SouMol) to 574.9 g (SouOst), °Brix from 14.7 (ComTri) to 18.0 (SouMol), titratable acidity from 5.4 (ComMol) to 25.0 (SouTri) g/L. SouMol showed the highest polyphenols (97.1 mg/L) and vitamin C (236.3 mg/L) contents. Oil content of the seeds was between 5.90% and 10.30%, no differences have been observed for the fatty acid composition with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers as the most abundant fraction (81.23%). Considering all the evaluated parameters, and especially those referring to the organoleptic characteristics and antioxidants content, it must be stated that the best genotypes worthy to be considered from agricultural and industrial points of view were AdeSgi for fresh market and SouOst for the juice industry.     

Extrusion-induced changes to the chemical profile and viscosity generating properties of citrus fiber

Each of 8 variants in extrusion conditions was applied to a commercially available citrus fiber. Extrusion under conditions where the specific mechanical energy (SME) exceeded 400 kJ·kg(-1) was able to solubilize up to 30% of the fibers. Where the SME was ～200 kJ·kg(-1) the degree of fiber solubilization was between 8 and 12%. All extruded fibers showed a loss of water-retaining capacity compared to the reference fiber, and this was attributed to the disruption of the integrated cell wall structure during the extrusion process. Nevertheless, within the 8 extruded variants there was a wide range of viscosity generating capacity which depended on the level of SME to which the fibers were subjected. The SME also had a pronounced effect on the nature of the solubilized fibers in terms of both their monosaccharide composition and their molecular weight profile. Both pectic and hemicellulosic polysaccharides were solubilized. It is concluded that extrusion has promise as a physical process for manipulating both the technological functionality and the health promoting properties of dietary fibers.