Nodular granulomatous glossitis as the sole clinical sign in canine leishmaniosis

A 5.5‐year‐old, intact male Rottweiler dog was admitted with a history of multifocal nodular tongue lesions which progressively deteriorated during the previous year. Physical examination revealed several reddish nodules with central depression on the surface of the tongue in an otherwise healthy dog. Clinicopathologic abnormalities included eosinophilia and hyperproteinemia. Lingual nodule cytopathology, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry revealed Leishmania spp. amastigotes and a severe granulomatous glossitis. The dog was also seroreactive to L infantum antigens by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Clinical reevaluation 3 months after the institution of treatment with allopurinol and miltefosine indicated that the nodular lesions had completely regressed. In endemic areas, lingual nodular lesions may rarely be the sole clinical sign of canine leishmaniosis. Standard medical treatment may provide an excellent prognosis.     

Marine spatial plans focusing on biodiversity conservation: The case of the Aegean Sea

1. The expansion and intensification of marine uses have severe cumulative impacts on marine ecosystems and human well-being, unless they are properly managed with an ecosystem-based management approach.
2. A systematic conservation planning approach, using marxan with zones , was applied to generate alternative marine spatial plans for the Aegean Sea. Relevant human uses were included and their cumulative impact on a wide set of key biodiversity features was considered in the analysis. Different cost scenarios were developed to gain insight on the effects of the approaches used to assess socio-economic factors, and their potential impact on spatial plans.
3. The spatial plans generated differed greatly depending on the method used to estimate opportunity costs and evaluate human activities in monetary terms.
4. The vulnerability weights (the relative vulnerability of ecological features to specific human activities and their impacts) that were estimated based on a cumulative impact assessment, allowed the assessment of each zone in contributing to the achievement of conservation targets, through a transparent planning approach.
5. Results indicate that special care should be given to how socio-economic activities, their impact on the ecosystems, and related costs are incorporated into planning.
6. The proposed approach demonstrates how EU member states may effectively comply with the new Biodiversity Strategy 2030 targets, while planning for the sustainable use of their marine resources.

     

Headspace solid phase microextraction applied to the analysis of organophosphorus insecticides in strawberry and cherry juices

A method based on a headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) technique followed by gas chromatography with flame thermionic and mass spectrometric detection was developed for the determination of seven organophosphorus (OPs) insecticide residues in strawberry and cherry juice samples. The extraction capacities of four fiber coatings, polyacrylate (PA 85 microm), poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS 100 microm), carbowax-divinylbenzene (CW-DVB 65 microm), and poly(dimethylsiloxane)-divinylbenzene (PDMS-DVB 65 microm), have been studied and compared. The method was developed using spiked strawberry and cherry juices in a concentration range of 0.5-50 microg/L. The PDMS 100 microm fiber showed good extraction efficiency for the target compounds. An increase in the extraction efficiency of OP insecticides was observed when the parameters affecting the HS-SPME process such as temperature, extraction time, salt additives, stirring rate, pH, and effect of dilution were optimized. Good linearity of compounds was observed in the tested concentration range. The relative standard deviations were found to be <20%. The limits of detection were between 0.025 and 0.050 microg/L. The mean relative recoveries ranged from 82 to 102%.     

Precursors to damascenone: synthesis and hydrolysis of isomeric 3,9-dihydroxymegastigma-4,6,7-trienes

A series of four isomeric 3,9-dihydroxymegastigma-4,6,7-trienes, 8, has been prepared. The (3S,6R,9S) isomer of 8 proved to be identical to an isomer of this compound tentatively identified as an intermediate in the formation of damascenone from an allene triol. Each of the four isomers, when hydrolyzed independently of each other at pH 3.0 and 25 degrees C, produced product mixtures in which the major product was damascenone (1). Contrary to expectation, 3-hydroxydamascone (5) was not observed in any of the hydrolyses. Consequently, the mechanism of formation of damascenone proposed earlier requires modification. In each hydrolysis, the product mixtures showed the presence of a second isomer of 8, produced by epimerization during hydrolysis. Chiral analysis on a Cyclosil B column revealed that this epimerization was occurring at C(3) in each of the hydrolyses.     

Canine bronchomalacia: a clinicopathological study of 18 cases diagnosed by endoscopy

Canine bronchomalacia (BM) is characterized by weakness leading to collapse of the bronchial wall. A prospective study of 18 affected dogs (age range: 1-15 years) was undertaken to characterize the clinicopathological and histological features of BM. Poodles and Yorkshire terriers were commonly affected. Half of the dogs were overweight or obese. The clinical presentation was a mild, wheezing, chronic cough and pulmonary crackles were heard in 28% of the dogs. Compatible radiographic changes were present in 61% of the dogs. Using bronchoscopy, both lungs were affected in half of the animals, whereas in the others the disease appeared to affect predominantly the left lung. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and biopsies of bronchial mucosa revealed pure or mixed neutrophilic inflammation. Underlying infectious bronchitis was considered possible in 56% of the dogs. It was concluded that canine BM may present as an isolated clinical entity associated with infection and/or inflammation.     

From wine to pepper: rotundone, an obscure sesquiterpene, is a potent spicy aroma compound

An obscure sesquiterpene, rotundone, has been identified as a hitherto unrecognized important aroma impact compound with a strong spicy, peppercorn aroma. Excellent correlations were observed between the concentration of rotundone and the mean 'black pepper' aroma intensity rated by sensory panels for both grape and wine samples, indicating that rotundone is a major contributor to peppery characters in Shiraz grapes and wine (and to a lesser extent in wine of other varieties). Approximately 80% of a sensory panel were very sensitive to the aroma of rotundone (aroma detection threshold levels of 16 ng/L in red wine and 8 ng/L in water). Above these concentrations, these panelists described the spiked samples as more 'peppery' and 'spicy'. However, approximately 20% of panelists could not detect this compound at the highest concentration tested (4000 ng/L), even in water. Thus, the sensory experiences of two consumers enjoying the same glass of Shiraz wine might be very different. Rotundone was found in much higher amounts in other common herbs and spices, especially black and white peppercorns, where it was present at approximately 10000 times the level found in very 'peppery' wine. Rotundone is the first compound found in black or white peppercorns that has a distinctive peppery aroma. Rotundone has an odor activity value in pepper on the order of 50000-250000 and is, on this criterion, by far the most powerful aroma compound yet found in that most important spice.     

Synthesis of the individual diastereomers of the cysteine conjugate of 3-mercaptohexanol (3-MH)

The individual diastereoisomers of the cysteine conjugate of 3-mercaptohexanol (4) were synthesized with high isomeric purity (>98%). On treatment with Apotryptophanase enzyme, the 3R diastereoisomer of 4 gave an 82% yield of the R enantiomer of 1, with no trace of the 3S enantiomer present. Conversely, the 3S diastereoisomer of 4 gave the 3S enantiomer of 1 (43%) accompanied by a trace of the 3R form (S/R = 98.5:1.5), reflecting the diastereomeric purity of the cysteine conjugate. The same stereochemical outcome was observed when the individual diastereoisomers of 4 were added to fermentations with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae AWRI 1655 yeast strain, which gave 1 in 1% yield. A d(10)-analogue of 1 was synthesized and used as an internal standard to determine, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the amounts of 1 formed in these transformations.     

Volatile and color composition of young and model-aged Shiraz wines as affected by diammonium phosphate supplementation before alcoholic fermentation

A Shiraz must with low yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) was supplemented with two concentrations of diammonium phosphate (DAP) and then fermented with maceration on grape skins. The nonvolatile, volatile, and color composition of the final wines were investigated. Ethanol and residual sugars were not affected by DAP supplementation, while glycerol, SO 2, and residual YAN increased and acetic acid decreased. DAP-supplemented treatments gave rise to higher concentrations of acetates, fatty acids, and fatty acid ethyl esters but lower concentrations of branched-chain fatty acids and their ethyl esters. No major difference between treatments was observed for higher alcohols, monoterpenes, norisoprenoids, and low-molecular-weight sulfur compounds. DAP-supplemented fermentations resulted in wines with higher concentrations of malvidin-3-glucoside, higher color intensity, and altered color tonality. Model aging studies indicated that higher concentrations of esters are still present in wines from the DAP-treated fermentations after aging. DAP supplementation also resulted in increased concentrations of dimethyl sulfide after model aging. It can be concluded that DAP treatment of a low YAN must fermented by maceration on skins can significantly affect wine color, aroma, and flavor.     

Successful surgical management of eosinophilic granuloma on the urethral process of a gelding associated with Habronema spp. infection

Habronemiasis, otherwise known as summer sores, is a parasitic disease of horses, donkeys and other equids, commonly encountered in subtropical and tropical regions. It occurs as a result of nematode infestation of the skin and typically manifests as ulcerative granulating lesions or masses. Habronema muscae, Habronema microstoma and Draschia megastoma are the usual invaders, usually transmitted by house flies, face flies and stable flies. In this case report, an eosinophilic granuloma on the urethral process of a 15-year-old gelding is presented, followed by successful surgical excision without further medical treatment. To the authors’ knowledge, equine eosinophilic granuloma on the urethral process associated with habronemiasis has not previously been documented in southern Europe and should be considered as a potential differential diagnosis for penile masses.     

Efficacy of the pyrethroid alpha-cypermethrin against Bactrocera oleae populations from Greece, and improved diagnostic for an iAChE mutation

BACKGROUND: The most important pest of olive orchards worldwide is the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin). Its control in Greece has been based on organophosphates (OPs), but their intense use has led to the development of resistance. A test previously developed to monitor the trait may not be as robust as originally thought. The pyrethroid alpha-cypermethrin has recently been registered for bait sprays, as an alternative to OPs. RESULTS: The susceptibility of 20 B. oleae populations to alpha-cypermethrin was examined. Variation was observed in their response, with LD(50) ranging from 0.14 to 3.28 ng insect(-1) and resistance factors from 2.3 to 54.7. Resistance mechanisms were investigated. Cytochrome P450 monoxygenase activities showed an association with resistance. Sequences in the domain IIS4-IIS6 of the B. oleae para-type sodium channel were also analysed, but no resistance-associated mutations were identified. Finally, a novel diagnostic assay able to reliably monitor the frequency of the iAChE G488S resistance mutation was developed. CONCLUSION: This is the first attempt to evaluate the efficacy of alpha-cypermethrin against B. oleae from Greece. Data showed that it can be used effectively, but also highlighted the importance of continuous monitoring. The IIS4-IIS6 sodium channel region is the default area in which to look for resistance mutations if target-site resistance to pyrethroids arises. The application of the novel iAChE molecular diagnostic may facilitate the introduction of pyrethroids alongside OPs currently in use.