Laboratory studies with antifeedants against larvae of Boarmia (Ascotis) selenaria on alfalfa

The antifeedant effect of five organotin compounds (fentin acetate, fentin hydroxide, fentin chloride, cyhexatin and fenbutatin oxide) and of three other compounds known to possess antifeeding activity (guazatine triacetate, 4′-chloroacetophenone isobutyrylhydrazone and thiram) was investigated by feeding treated alfalfa to larvae of Boarmia selenaria. The three fentins and cyhexatin were highly active at 0.1 g litre^?1, the order of activity at this concentration being fentin chloride > fentin hydroxide > fentin acetate ? cyhexatin, whereas the other compounds were practically inactive at either this or a somewhat higher concentration (0.5 g litre^?1). Guazatine triacetate had a concentration-independent antifeedant effect at much higher concentrations (5–20 g litre^?1).     

Cholecystocutaneous fistula containing multiple gallstones in a dog

A 7-year-old dog was presented with a history of an open lesion on the right thoracic wall, discharging honey-like fluid and small stones. Ultrasonography and computed tomographic fistulography identified a cholecystocutaneous fistula; cholecystectomy was curative. Veterinarians should consider this disease in patients with long-term discharging lesions on the right thoracic or abdominal wall.     

Application of hexanal,E-2-hexenal,and hexyl acetate to improve the safety of fresh-sliced apples

The aims of this work were to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, hexyl acetate, and their mixtures on the fate of pathogenic species such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, and Listeria monocytogenes inoculated in model systems as well as the antimicrobial activity against the target species of the chosen molecules when added to the packaging atmosphere of inoculated fresh-sliced apples. The result obtained in this work pointed out the potential use of compounds such as hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, and hexyl acetate for both the extension of shelf life and an improvement of hygienic safety of "minimally processed foods". In fact, hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, and hexyl acetate had a significant inhibitory effect against pathogen microorganisms frequently isolated from raw materials (E. coli, S. enteritidis, and L. monocytogenes) when inoculated in both model and real systems. In this last condition, these compounds, at the levels used (150, 150, and 20 ppm for hexanal, hexyl acetate, and (E)-2-hexenal, respectively), displayed a bactericide effect on L. monocytogenes and they exhibited significant extensions of lag phase of E. coli and S. enteritidis inoculated at levels of 10(4)-10(5) CFU/g.     

Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of citrus essences on Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The aim of this research was to assess the antimicrobial activity of nine different industrial essences used in a soft drink factory in relation to their composition, as well as to verify the role of vapor pressure on their bioactivity. The essences were tested against a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain isolated from spoiled soft drinks. The tests were carried out by adding the essences directly to a liquid medium or into the headspace of closed systems inoculated with the yeast. The headspace composition was evaluated through a solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography technique. The use of a mass spectrometer allowed the identification of the peaks detected. The microbial growth was indirectly monitored by measuring the metabolic CO2 released by the yeast. The results obtained indicated that the most effective essences were characterized by the highest concentration of some terpenes, such as citral, beta-pinene, and p-cymene. Moreover, all of the essences were more bioactive when added directly to the liquid medium.     

Ozone fumigation of Quercus ilex L. slows down leaf litter decomposition with no detectable change in leaf composition

Context

The evaluation of changes in litter decomposition rate due to increasing trend in tropospheric ozone is an emerging field of investigation, providing relevant information on long-term forest ecosystem sustainability.

Aims

This research aims to clarify the effects of ozone exposure on Quercus ilex leaf chemical composition and decomposition slow down.

Methods

Young plants were fumigated in growth chambers at a cumulative dose of 17.15 ppm h. To assess the fumigation effectiveness, stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis were monitored. Leaves were analysed for C, N, S, Ca, Mg, K, Fe, Zn, Mn, total soluble sugars, starch, acid-detergent fibre (ADF), lignin and cellulose prior to the incubation in litter bags in mesocosms, and during decomposition along 395 days.

Results

Ozone-exposed leaves showed a significant reduction in net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance but did not differ from control leaves in all the chemical parameters analysed. Nevertheless, leaf decomposition rate was lower in treated leaves. The main differences between the models describing the mass loss in exposed and control leaves were played by ADF for exposed leaves and by lignin for control leaves, as well as by N, that showed a greater contribution in the model for the exposed leaves.

Conclusion

Ozone fumigation of Q. ilex results in leaf litter decomposition slowing down, mainly due to ADF joint dynamics with the other variables describing mass decay, even if no detectable changes in initial leaf composition occur.     

Growth,symbiosis, productivity,and profitability of soybean at varying planting methods and nitrogen levels

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different planting methods (Happy Seeder sowing, Straw Chopper + Zero Tillage sowing, and conventional sowing) and nitrogen (N) levels (0%, 75%, 100%, and 125% of recommended N) on the emergence, growth, symbiotic parameters, productivity, and profitability of soybean sown after wheat harvest. Growth and symbiotic parameters were significantly better under Happy Seeder sowing and Straw Chopper + Zero Tillage sowing than conventional sowing. The seed yield, nutrient uptake, and economic returns were significantly higher under Happy Seeder sowing than other methods. The growth parameters, symbiotic parameters, biological, straw, and seed yields were increased significantly up to 100% recommended N level. The nutrient uptake increased significantly up to 100% recommended N level. Therefore, sowing with Happy Seeder after combine harvested wheat along with 100% recommended N would best optimize soybean yield and profitability.     

SARS-CoV-2 natural infection in animals: a systematic review of studies and case reports and series

COVID-19 pandemic is essentially a zoonotic disease. In this context, early in 2020, transmission from humans to certain animals began reporting; the number of studies has grown since. To estimate the pooled prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 natural infection in animals and to determine differences in prevalence between countries, years, animal types and diagnostic methods (RT-PCR or serological tests). A systematic literature review with meta-analysis using eight databases. Observational studies were included but analyzed separately. We performed a random-effects model meta-analysis to calculate the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for prevalence studies and case series. After the screening, 65 reports were selected for full-text assessment and included for qualitative and quantitative analyses. A total of 24 reports assessed SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR, combining a total of 321,785 animals, yielding a pooled prevalence of 12.3% (95% CI 11.6%–13.0%). Also, a total of 17 studies additionally assessed serological response against SARS-CoV-2, including nine by ELISA, four by PRTN, one by MIA, one by immunochromatography (rest, two studies, the method was not specified), combining a total of 5319 animals, yielding a pooled prevalence of 29.4% (95% CI 22.9%–35.9%). A considerable proportion of animals resulted infected by SARS-CoV-2, ranking minks among the highest value, followed by dogs and cats. Further studies in other animals are required to define the extent and importance of natural infection due to SARS-CoV-2. These findings have multiple implications for public human and animal health. One Health approach in this context is critical for prevention and control.     

Testing the effectiveness of conservation management within biosphere reserves: the case of the Mexican deer mouse (Peromyscus mexicanus) as a bioindicator

Biosphere reserves are protected areas whose purpose is to combine conservation and sustainable development. However, their effectiveness has not been tested sufficiently, especially from an ecological and genetic approach. In this sense, the Peromyscus genus represents an excellent bioindicator to address these questions, due to its short life and high evolutionary rate and fecundity. For conservation managers, genetic structure can increase the rate of loss of genetic diversity because alleles exclusive of a subpopulation are more likely to disappear as a consequence of genetic drift in comparison with a panmictic population. Here we analyzed the abundance, movement distances, morphology/morphometry and genetic structure of 3 populations of Mexican deer mouse (Peromyscus mexicanus) located in different protected zones of La Tigra National Park (Honduras). Our results are consistent among the 3 approaches and showed the highest values of abundance, morphometry and genetic diversity in the population located at the core zone, whereas non‐statistically significant differences were found between buffer and transition zone populations, suggesting suitable effectiveness of conservation management in the core zone but a lack of ecological buffering function of the other zones. In addition, the low movement distances and high genetic structure among the studied populations provide evidence of poor conservation management in the buffer and transition zone. Thus, we discuss the utility of the novel methodology used in this work, combining morphometry, abundance and genetics, in testing the effectiveness of conservation strategies in biosphere reserves, and the value of the Peromyscus genus as a bioindicator.