Effects of vaccination against brucellosis and clostridia on the intake,performance, feeding behavior,blood parameters,and immune responses of dairy heifers calves

The aim of this study was to identify possible effects of different vaccination strategies (concomitantly or not) against brucellosis and clostridia on intake, performance, feeding behavior, blood parameters, and immune responses of dairy heifers calves. Fifty heifers calves were enrolled [38 Gyr (Zebu, Bos taurus indicus) and 12 5/8 Holstein Gyr]. At 120 d of age, animals were randomly distributed among 3 groups: B (n = 18), vaccinated against brucellosis; C (n = 14), vaccinated against clostridia and CB (n = 18), vaccinated concomitantly for both. Rectal and thermographic temperatures were evaluated on days 1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7,10, 14, and 28 relatives to the vaccination day. Feed and water intake, body weight (BW), and feeding behavior were monitored daily by an electronic feeding system. Blood was sampled on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28, relative to the vaccination day for determination of glucose and -hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations. Blood sampled on day 0 (prevaccination) and on days 28 and 42 were used to evaluate the immune response against Brucella abortus and clostridia. There was an increase in rectal temperature between the first and the third day postvaccination in the 3 groups. The thermography revealed an increase of local temperature for 7 d on groups B and CB. Group C had increased local temperature for a longer period, lasting for up to 14 d. Dry mater intake was reduced for groups B and CB, but no alteration was observed for group C. No alterations regarding initial BW, final BW, average daily weight gain, and feed efficiency were observed. No differences were observed for the 3 vaccination groups for blood parameters throughout the evaluation period. The concomitant vaccination against brucellosis and clostridia led to lower neutralizing antibody titers against epsilon toxin of Clostridium perfringens and botulinum toxin type C of C. botulinum (C > CB > B). When cellular proliferation assay and serological tests to B. abortus were evaluated, no differences were observed between groups B and CB. The present results indicate that the concomitant vaccination against brucellosis and clostridia has no relevant impact on the intake, performance, and feeding behavior of dairy calves. However, the concomitant vaccination of vaccines against these 2 pathogens impacts animal immunity against clostridial infections.     

Diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis infection in calves sensitized by mycobacteria of the avium/intracellulare group

Because of the frequent exposure of cattle to mycobacteria of the avium/intracellulare group, an investigation was carried out into the possible repercussions thereof on the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis. Three calves from a bovine tuberculosis-free herd, scored avian reactors in the gamma-interferon assay for bovine tuberculosis, were sedated and inoculated endotracheally with a virulent Mycobacterium bovis strain. Then, three other avian reactors were housed with the above donor calves. Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from the nasal swabs of the three endotracheally infected, donor calves. On these samples, TB complex-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for IS6110 were also positive, albeit with a different time kinetics. The three contact-infected calves showed clear immunological signs of infection; however, their nasal swabs were always PCR-negative and only Mycobacterium avium was isolated. In the endotracheally infected donor calves there was a rise of the gamma-interferon responses to avian and bovine purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculins, which reached the same stable plateau levels over the whole experiment. The above effect was also observed in the contact-infected calves, even though the response to avian PPD tuberculin always remained at a higher level. By using conventional bovine and avian PPD tuberculins, the comparative intradermal test was generally positive in endotracheally infected, as opposed to contact-infected calves; a positive intradermal test for M. bovis was obtained in two contact-infected calves by different bovine PPD tuberculins based on M. bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) secreted or somatic antigens. It was concluded that M. bovis infection may be concealed for some time in cattle sensitized by mycobacteria of the avium/intracellulare group and that different diagnostic procedures should be adopted for such animals.     

Effect of 1-MCP treatment and N2O MAP on physiological and quality changes of fresh-cut pineapple

The effects of both 1-MCP treatment of pineapples and packaging of their fresh-cut products with an alternative modified atmosphere (MA: 86.13 kPa N₂O, 10.13 kPa O₂ and 5.07 kPa CO₂) on physiological and quality changes of these minimally processed products were investigated. Fresh-cut fruit treated or not with 1-MCP were packed in Air or in MA and were stored at 4 °C for 10 d. The following parameters were monitored during storage: ripening index; O₂, CO₂ and C₂H₄ in the package headspace; firmness and colour. Microbial spoilage of MP pineapple samples was also investigated and a mathematical model based on the Zwietering modified Gompertz equation was used to obtain growth parameters of mesophilic bacteria, yeasts and moulds.The results showed that 1-MCP treatment and MAP in a N₂O enriched atmosphere had a positive combined effect on the inhibition of respiration and ethylene production of fresh-cut pineapple and on its softening delay, confirming previous findings about 1-MCP and N₂O preservative effects on fresh-cut fruit quality. This combined effect was not extended to the ripening index and colour maintenance, as MAP at 86.13 kPa of N₂O did not add any benefit to that of the 1-MCP treatment. From a microbiological point of view, N₂O MAP extended the shelf-life of the products of 3–4 d by increasing the lag phase of microbial growth.     

Wild rabbit restocking for predator conservation in Spain

The decline of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations in Mediterranean Spain has been shown to be one of the main threats to rabbit-specialist predators such as the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardina) and the Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti), two species which are in serious danger of extinction. Consequently, corrective measures such as increasing rabbit populations by restocking have been carried out to help the recovery of predator populations. In order to determine the general applicability of rabbit restocking for predator conservation, we performed three experimental restockings and evaluated their success in relation to season, habitat quality and the number of animals introduced. Rabbits were released either in large or small numbers in all four seasons of the year, and in habitat types defined as `poor' or `rich' according to the food availability for rabbits. For each restocking we evaluated rabbit survival, degree of residency and expected population increase. As a rule, the highest restocking success occurred whenever smaller number of rabbits were released in the richest quality habitat. Restocking during the breeding season was less successful than in other seasons. Problems concerning intraspecific competition, reproductive failure and diseases are discussed.     

Determination of high molecular mass polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a typical Italian smoked cheese by HPLC-FL

High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection was used for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in "Diavoletto" smoked cheese. Such cheese is typically produced in the Sorrento peninsula, and it is smoked commonly with different materials of vegetable origin. The importance of the smoking generation material is proven by the attention that the EU is paying in indicating the list of wood that may be used to produce smoking flavor agents. The PAHs considered are classified as "probable human carcinogens" by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for sufficient data from animal bioassays. The smoked samples contained high molecular mass PAHs with different levels ranging from 0.12 to 6.21 microg/kg. The determination was carried out also on liquid smoking flavor agents, smoke-flavored cheese, and nonsmoked cheese to measure the level of contamination before the treatment.     

Investigating biochemical processes to assess deadwood decay of beech and silver fir in Mediterranean mountain forests

Context

We investigated the relationships between decay classes, morphological characteristics and chemical compounds in Abies alba Mill. and Fagus sylvatica L. stumps in two forest stands in the central Apennines (Italy). The analysis of deadwood decomposition is important in estimating carbon sequestration potential and carbon residence time in forest ecosystems. In addition, deadwood decomposition affects nutrient cycling and microhabitat distribution.

Aims

The overall aim of this study was to investigate the decomposition processes in a mountainous Mediterranean ecosystem, and specifically to assess changes in chemical variables (lignin, cellulose, carbon and nitrogen content) in deadwood during the decomposition process, in relation to decay classes and to the species.

Methods

Cross-sections were collected from stumps. Samples were assigned to visually discernible decay classes, and cellulose, lignin and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content in relation to total dry mass were analysed during the decay process.

Results

Results showed how C/N ratio decreased over decades due to an increase in nitrogen content. On the contrary, carbon concentration in stumps remained substantially stable. Lignin degraded slowly in comparison with cellulose and differences between species were observed.

Conclusion

The hypothesis that the conifer species would decompose faster than deciduous species did not prove correct. The slower decay of lignin compared to cellulose suggested that lignin could be an important long-term source of soil organic carbon, and that this process could be greatly affected by forest species mixtures. Finally, decomposition processes in the investigated montane?CMediterranean forests were definitely faster than in the colder climates of northern Europe.     

Drivers of Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. et Schult growth and impact on forage quality in lowland Switzerland meadows

Invasive grasses (especially Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. et Schult) increasingly threaten meadows and pastures as a consequence of human impact and climate change. We conducted a study in 2012 and in 2013 to better understand the growing cycle and the influence of S. pumila on forage quality of lowland meadows. We observed a rapid increase of S. pumila presence and phytomass on the southern side of the Alps across the growing season. We measured (i) above‐ground phytomass, with a modified Corral‐Fenlon method; (ii) botanical composition using the linear point quadrat method; and (iii) grassland chemical composition by NIRs (near‐infrared spectroscopy) analyses. To test the hypothesis that S. pumila summer growth is related to specific climatic conditions, meteorological data (temperature, precipitation and evapotranspiration) were collected from meteorological stations near the study sites. Total phytomass was sorted into S. pumila and other species. We used a generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) and found the abundance of S. pumila to be inversely correlated with rainfall and the presence of other species, but positively correlated with temperature increase. The increase of S. pumila above‐ground phytomass production was linked to a reduction of forage quality.     

Effects of traditional salt placement and strategically placed mineral mix supplements on cattle distribution in the Western Italian Alps

Effects of traditional salt placement (TS) and strategically placed mineral mix supplements (MMS) on cattle distribution were compared in the Italian Alps. Salt was placed within flat and herbaceous sites following the traditional method of farmers, whereas MMS blocks were placed on steep and shrub‐encroached sites within three large pastures (44 ha on average). Each TS and MMS site was paired with a control site, and eleven cows were tracked with GPS collars. Within 10 and 50 m of TS and MMS, treatment sites were used more than control sites (P < 0·05). No differences were detected (P > 0·05) in the number of visits by cows within 10 and 50 m of TS and MMS placements. No differences were detected in time spent within 10 m of TS and MMS placements, but cows spent more time (P < 0·05) within 50 m of TS. With either TS or MMS, cattle preferred areas with gentler terrain, higher forage pastoral value and closer to water (P < 0·001). When MMS was available cattle also preferred areas near MMS (P < 0·001). Shrub and herbaceous cover decreased near MMS placements (P < 0·05) from cattle grazing and trampling. Placement of MMS is a promising tool to enhance cattle distribution and potentially reduce shrub encroachment in rugged mountain pastures.