Movement of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians in the stems of lettuce and seed contamination

Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians , the causal agent of bacterial leaf spot of lettuce (BLS), can be seedborne, but the mechanism by which the bacteria contaminates and/or infects lettuce seed is not known. In this study, the capacity of X. campestris pv. vitians to enter and translocate within the vascular system of lettuce plants was examined. The stems of 8- to 11-week-old lettuce plants were stab-inoculated, and movement of X. campestris pv. vitians was monitored at various intervals. At 4, 8, 12 and 16 h post-inoculation (hpi), X. campestris pv. vitians was recovered from 2 to 10 cm above (depending on stem length) and 2 cm below the inoculation site. Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians was also recovered from surface-disinfested stem sections of spray-inoculated plants. Together, these results are consistent with X. campestris pv. vitians invading and moving systemically within the vascular system of lettuce plants. To investigate the mechanism of seed contamination, lettuce plants at the vegetative stage of growth were spray-inoculated with X. campestris pv. vitians and allowed to develop BLS. Seed collected from these plants had a 2% incidence of X. campestris pv. vitians external colonization, but no bacteria were recovered from within the seed.     

Cardiac troponins in canine babesiosis

This study compared the sensitivity of ECG and cardiac troponins to predict cardiac histopathological changes, clinical severity, and survival in canine babesiosis. One control group (n = 9) and 4 groups of dogs with mild uncomplicated babesiosis (n = 8), severe uncomplicated babesiosis (n = 9), complicated babesiosis (n = 8), and babesiosis and concurrent immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) (n = 9) were studied. A 1-minute lead II ECG was recorded, and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and T (cTnT) concentrations in plasma were measured. cTnI concentrations were significantly higher in the complicated (mean, 9.9; SE, +/-5.76) and concurrent IMHA (mean, 6.53; SE, +/-4.32) groups and in the 3 dogs that died of the disease (mean, 22.17; SE, +/-12.85) than in the control dogs (concentration below detection limit of test, -0.3 ng/mL). The 3 nonsurvivors had the most severe cardiac histopathological changes, but no arrhythmia and minimal other ECG changes. Dogs with babesiosis developed a variety of ECG abnormalities, but the abnormalities were not associated with disease severity, outcome, or plasma cardiac troponin concentrations. The exception was the presence of ventricular premature complexes (VPCs), which were associated with high cardiac troponin concentrations. This study showed an association between cTnI concentration and histological changes, clinical severity, and survival and no correlation between ECG abnormalities and histological changes or biochemical evidence of myocardial damage as reflected by cTnI concentrations. From this study, it was concluded that the analysis of plasma cTnI is a feasible and sensitive test and is superior to cTnT in diagnosing cardiac involvement in dogs with babesiosis.     

Phosphorus removal in a marine prototype, recirculating aquaculture system

Phosphorus dynamics were examined in a prototype, zero-discharge, marine-recirculating system. Operation of the system without discharge of water and sludge was enabled by recirculation of effluent water through two separate treatment loops. Surface water from the fish basin was pumped over a trickling filter in one loop, while bottom-water was recirculated through a sedimentation basin followed by a fluidized bed reactor in the other treatment loop. Ammonia oxidation to nitrate in the trickling filter and organic matter digestion together with nitrate reduction in the sedimentation basin and fluidized bed reactor were the main biological features of this treatment system. Orthophosphate concentrations did not exceed 15 mg PO₄–P/l in the culture water during more than 1 year of system operation. Much of the phosphorus was retained within the sedimentation basin and fluidized bed reactor. In these treatment stages, the phosphorus content of organic matter was as high as 17.5% and 19%, respectively. High concentrations of total phosphorus and low concentrations of soluble orthophosphate were measured in the initial stages of sedimentation under oxic and anoxic conditions, suggesting that most of the phosphorus was associated with organic matter. Depletion of oxygen and nitrate in the sludge layers of the sedimentation basin coincided with sulfate reduction to sulfide and a release of soluble orthophosphate. The observed phosphorus dynamics in this marine system supported findings from previous studies in which it was demonstrated that denitrifiers underlie phosphorus immobilization under these conditions.     

A molecular basis for natural selection at the timeless locus in Drosophila melanogaster

Diapause is a protective response to unfavorable environments that results in a suspension of insect development and is most often associated with the onset of winter. The ls-tim mutation in the Drosophila melanogaster clock gene timeless has spread in Europe over the past 10,000 years, possibly because it enhances diapause. We show that the mutant allele attenuates the photosensitivity of the circadian clock and causes decreased dimerization of the mutant TIMELESS protein isoform to CRYPTOCHROME, the circadian photoreceptor. This interaction results in a more stable TIMELESS product. These findings reveal a molecular link between diapause and circadian photoreception.     

Adsorption of systemic fungicides and a herbicide by some components of plant tissues,in relation to some physicochemical properties of the pesticides

Lignin, an important component of plant tissues, adsorbed five systemic fungicides and one herbicide (carbendazim, triadimefon, nuarimol, triarimol, fenarimol and fluometuron) more strongly than bovine serum albumin, cellulose, ethylcellulose or sodium polygalacturonate. Significant correlations were found between the extent of the adsorption of the pesticides on the lignins extracted from three different plant species, and the log Poet (Poet is the octan-1-ol/water partition coefficient) of the compounds. The more lipophilic fungicides triarimol and fenarimol (log Poet about 2.6) were adsorbed to the greatest extent. Fluometuron, triadimefon and nuarimol (log Poet about 2.0) were moderately adsorbed, whereas carbendazim with the lowest log Poet (1.34 at pH 5.0), was adsorbed more than expected from its Poet value. The anomaly of carbendazim is discussed; it is ascribed to it's partial protonation at pH 5.0, whereas the other pesticides were non-ionised.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC AND RADIOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF AORTIC LESIONS IN 42 DOGS WITH SPIROCERCOSIS

Spirocerca lupi is a common cause of vomiting, regurgitation, and sudden death in dogs that live in tropical or subtropical regions. Sudden death due to aortic rupture may occur with no preceding clinical signs. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) characteristics of aortic lesions in a cohort of 42 dogs with endoscopically confirmed spirocercosis. Dorsoventral and right lateral recumbent thoracic radiographic findings were compared with pre‐ and postcontrast thoracic CT findings. Aortic mineralization was detected using CT in 18/42 dogs (43%). Three dogs had faint diffuse aortic wall mineralization. Using CT as the reference standard, radiographs had a sensitivity and specificity of 6% and 96%, respectively, for detecting aortic mineralization. A total of 20 aortic aneurysms were detected using CT in 15/42 dogs (36%). Using CT as the reference standard, radiographs had a sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 56%, respectively, for detecting aortic aneurysms. Respiratory motion, aortic displacement by esophageal masses and Spirocerca nodules adjacent to the aorta mimicked aneurysm formation on radiographs. Aortic thrombi were seen in two dogs in postcontrast CT images. Findings from this study indicated that aortic mineralization and aneurysm formation are common in dogs with spirocercosis. Findings also supported the use of pre‐ and postcontrast CT as effective methods for detecting and characterizing these lesions.     

Clinical differentiation between dogs with benign and malignant spirocercosis

Spirocerca lupi is a nematode infesting the canine oesophagus, where it induces the formation of a nodule that may transform into a malignant sarcoma. The current, retrospective study compared the clinical presentation, haematology, serum albumin and globulin and radiology of benign cases (n=31) and malignant cases (n=31) of spirocercosis. Dogs with spirocercosis-induced sarcoma were significantly older (6.4+/-1.91 years) than benign cases (4.93+/-2.87). In the malignant cases there were significantly (p=0.03) more sterilized females (10/31) and fewer intact males (4/31) compared to 2/31 and 13/31, respectively, in the benign cases. Hypertrophic osteopathy was observed in 38.7% of malignant cases and in none of the benign cases (p=0.0002). Common clinical signs included weight loss, regurgitation, anorexia, pyrexia (T>or=39.5 degrees ), respiratory complications and salivation but did not differ in prevalence between groups. On haematology, the malignant group had significantly (p<0.05) lower haematocrit (0.34+/-0.08 vs. 0.41+/-0.07) and higher white cell count (31.6+/-27.83 vs. 17.71+/-13.18 x 10(3)microl(-1)), mature neutrophil count (26.06+/-26.08 vs. 12.23+/-9.96 x 10(3)microl(-1)) and thrombocyte count (493.15+/-151.61 vs. 313.27+/-128.54 x 10(9)microl(-1)). There were no differences in the mean corpuscular volume and immature neutrophil count. On radiology, the mass length was not significantly different, but the height and the width of the malignant masses were significantly larger (62.59+/-15.15 mm and 73.93+/-20.94 mm) compared to the benign group (46.43+/-23.62 and 49.29+/-25.56, respectively). Spondylitis was more prevalent in the malignant group (67.86% vs. 38.46%, p=0.03). Examining secondary pulmonary changes revealed significantly higher prevalence of bronchial displacement in the malignant group (52% vs. 17%, p=0.008). Hypertrophic osteopathy appeared to be a very specific but relatively rare (poor sensitivity) marker of malignancy. Female gender, anaemia, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, spondylitis and bronchial displacement are significantly more common in malignant cases, but appear in benign cases as well. However, if found together in a specific case, they should increase the index of suspicion for malignancy in a diagnosed spirocercosis case.     

Use of a sustained release preparation of clotrimazole to treat dermatophytosis in a siamang (Hylobates syndactylus).

In November 2004, an adult male siamang (Hylobates syndactylus) from The Tisch Family Zoological Gardens-Jerusalem Biblical Zoo (Israel) presented with skin lesions on various body parts. Lesions consisted of alopecia and dry, crusty areas of hyperkeratosis. A diagnosis of dermatophytosis due to Microsporum canis was determined by fungal culture of skin scraping taken from the edge of several lesions. Treatment with various oral and topical antifungal agents such as griseofluvin, itraconozole, and lufenuron resulted in the resolution of most lesions and a decrease in size of the single remaining lesion, which continued to be culture positive for M. canis. The animal was anesthetized and an experimental sustained-release clotrimazole varnish was painted directly on the lesion. Initially there was no change in the lesion, and 2 months later a slightly altered formula was applied under anesthesia. One month later, the lesion began to reduce in size; 3 months after the start of treatment, although 2 years after the onset of clinical signs, the lesion resolved. Minimizing the number of treatments is always an advantage when dealing with exotic animals or zoological collections.