Molecular characterization of avipoxviruses circulating in Windhoek district,Namibia 2021

Samples from eleven birds (chicken, dove and peacock) with symptoms of fowlpox, caused by the avipoxvirus (APV), were collected in seven different areas of the Windhoek district, Namibia between April and October 2021. A fragment of the 4b core protein and the DNA polymerase gene of APV were amplified by PCR from the DNA of the samples and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the viruses present in the chickens all belonged to clade A1 while the viruses in the doves and peacock were from subclade A3.1. This is the first report of subclade A3.1 avipoxvirus in peacock. In addition, all of the samples obtained from chickens were shown by PCR to be positive for the integration of reticuloendotheliosis virus while those from the doves and peacocks were negative. This study is the first characterization of avipoxvirus in Namibia and provides additional information on the presence of avipoxvirus in southern Africa.     

Sporadic endemicity of zoonotic Paragonimus in raccoon dogs and Japanese badgers from Miyazaki Prefecture,Japan

Paragonimiasis is a zoonotic trematode infection caused by Paragonimus spp. To determine the recent status of Paragonimus infections in wild animals, this study investigated Paragonimus spp. in 39 raccoon dogs and 54 Japanese badgers from March 2019 to January 2021 in Miyazaki Prefecture, and examined metacercariae in freshwater crabs. Triploid P. westermani was found in one raccoon dog (2.6%), and metacercariae were recovered from Eriocheir japonica captured near the infected animal collected. One Japanese badger (1.9%) harbored P. skrjabini miyazakii; this prevalence was lower than the approximately 30% that was reported in the 1970s. Results indicated that zoonotic Paragonimus was sporadically prevalent in wild animals. Further investigation in various animals is awaited to elucidate current wildlife reservoirs for those Paragonimus.     

Oral ketoprofen is effective in the treatment of non-infectious lameness in sows

The efficacy of ketoprofen in the treatment of non-infectious lameness in sows was examined in a double-blinded study. Two dose rates of oral ketoprofen were compared to placebo treatment over five consecutive days. Lameness was assessed with a five-grade scoring system prior to and on the last day of the treatment. The rate of treatment success was 54.3% for the ketoprofen 4mg/kg group (n=46), 53.2% for the ketoprofen 2mg/kg group (n=47) and 20.8% for the pigs in the placebo group (n=48). The difference between both ketoprofen groups and the placebo group was significant (P=0.001), but there was no difference between the two ketoprofen groups (P=0.78). Oral ketoprofen was well tolerated and no adverse events were observed. As lameness is a very common problem in sows, oral ketoprofen appeared to be a practical way to alleviate pain and improve the welfare of sows.     

Pigmented Plaques Associated with Papillomavirus Infection in Dogs: Is this Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis?

Abstract— Two Pugs and two Miniature Schnauzers with multiple pigmented epidermal nevi were investigated. The four dogs had pigmented cutaneous maculae and plaques. Histopathological evaluation showed papillated or digitated epidermal hyperplasia with hypermelanosis and giant keratohyalin granules in the stratum granulosum. Immunohistochemical staining revealed papillomavirus group-specific antigen in the skin specimens from all four dogs. Electron microscopic study of the specimens from two dogs revealed numerous round viral particles within the nuclei of the keratinocytes in the upper stratum granulosum. It was suspected that papillomavirus was the etiologic agent of the lesions, and that Pugs and Miniature Schnauzers might be predisposed to infection. These findings indicate this canine dermatosis resembles epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) of humans, a rare chronic disease caused by human papillomavirus. The potential for transformation of the lesions to squamous cell carcinoma is also suspected and discussed. Résumé— Deux Carlins et deux Schnauzers nains présentant de multiples naevi épidermiques pigmentés sont examinés. Les quatre chiens présentent des macules et des plaques pigmentées. Les lésions histopathologiques montrent une hyperplasie épidermique papillaire ou digitée avec une hypermélanose et la présence de grains de kératohyaline dans le stratum corneum. Les colorations immunohistochimiques révèlent des antigènes spécifiques du groupe des papillomas virus dans les biopsies des quatre chiens. L'étude ultrastructurale à partir des biopsies de deux chiens montrent de nombreuses particules virales rondes dans les noyaux des kératinocytes des couches supérieures du stratum granulosum. II a été suspecté que le papilloma virus était l'agent causal des lésions et que les Carlins et les Schnauzers nains pouvaient être prédisposés à cette infection. Ces éléments font que cette dermatose observée chez le chien ressemble à l'épidermodysplasie verruciforme de l'homme, une dermatose chronique rare causée par un papilloma virus humain. La potentialité de transformation des lésions en épithélioma spinocellulaire est aussi suspectée et discutée. [Nagata, M., Nanko, H., Moriyama, A., Washizu, T., Ishida, T. Pigmented plaques associated with papilloma virus infection in dogs: Is this epidermodysplasia verruciformis? (Plaques hyperpigmentées associées à une infection à papilloma virus chez le chien: est-ce épidermodysplasie verruciforme?). Resumen— Se investigó dos perros de raza Pug y dos de raza Schnauzer Miniatura con múltiples nevos epidérmicos pigmentados. Los cuatro perros presentaban máculas y placas cutáneas pigmentadas. El estudio histológico mostró hiperplasia epitelial con papilas y digitaciones, así como hipermelanosis y gránules de queratohialina gigantes en el estrato granuloso. Las tinciones immunohistoquimicas detectaron antígeno grupo-específico de papilomavirus en las muestras de los cuatro animales. Mediante estudios de microscopía electrónica en muestras de dos de los perros se observaron numerosas particulas virales redondas en el núcleo de los queratinocitos más superficiales del estrato granuloso. Se sospechó que Papilomavirus era el agente etiológico de estas lesiones y que los Pugs y los Schnauzer Miniatura podrian estar predispuestos a la infección. Estos hallazgos indican que esta dermatosis canina es parecida a la Epidermodisplasia Verruciforme (EV) de la especie humana, una enfermedad crónica rara causada por el Papilomavirus Humano. Se sospecha y discute la posible transformación de estas lesiones a carcinoma de células planas. [Nagata, M., Nanko, H., Moriyama, A., Washizu, T., Ishida, T. Pigmented plaques associated with papilloma virus infection in dogs: Is this epidermodysplasia verruciformis? (Placas pigmentadas asociadas con infección por papillomavirus en el perro: se trata de epidermodisplasia verruciforme?)     

Factors involved in Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer into Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii (Dunal) Franco

Cotyledons from dissected sterile embryos of salgareño pine (Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii (Dunal) Franco) were inoculated with different disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains harbouring the binary vector p35SGUSint. The transient expression of a β-glucuronidase gene (uidA) was studied, using a histochemical staining procedure. Nineteen days after inoculation, the activity of β-glucuronidase was detected in epidermal and subepidermal layers of cotyledonary explants. The EHA105 strain harbouring a disarmed agropine-type Ti-plasmid (pTiBO542) was the most effective for gene transfer of the uidA gene. The effects of exudates and extracts from 0-day-old embryos on induction of vir gene expression in A. tumefaciens were also examined. The results of this study showed that salgarño pine embryo exudates contain a substance(s) that induce vir gene expression, in similar way to that observed with 100 μM acetosyringone (AS).All these findings suggest that T-DNA processing and transfer might take place when Agrobacterium infects suitable tissues of salgareño pine.     

Selective Blocking Effects of 4,9-Anhydrotetrodotoxin,Purified from a Crude Mixture of Tetrodotoxin Analogues,on NaV1.6 Channels and Its Chemical Aspects

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin found in a number of marine creatures including the pufferfish, where it is synthesized by bacteria and accumulated through the food chain. It is a potent and selective blocker of some types of voltage-gated Na⁺ channel (Na_V channel). 4,9-Anhydrotetrodotoxin (4,9-anhydroTTX) was purified from a crude mixture of TTX analogues (such as TTX, 4-epiTTX, 6-epiTTX, 11-oxoTTX and 11-deoxyTTX) by the use of liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (LC-FLD) techniques. Recently, it has been reported that 4,9-anhydroTTX selectively blocks the activity of Na_V1.6 channels with a blocking efficacy 40–160 times higher than that for other TTX-sensitive Na_V1.x channel isoforms. However, little attention has been paid to the molecular properties of the α-subunit in Na_V1.6 channels and the characteristics of binding of 4,9-anhydroTTX. From a functional point of view, it is important to determine the relative expression of Na_V1.6 channels in a wide variety of tissues. The aim of this review is to discuss briefly current knowledge about the pharmacology of 4,9-anhydroTTX, and provide an analysis of the molecular structure of native Na_V1.6 channels. In addition, chemical aspects of 4,9-anhydroTTX are briefly covered.     

Aboveground biomass,transpiration and water use efficiency in eucalypt plantation fertilized with KCl,NaCl and phonolite rock powder

Potassium has important physiological functions in eucalypt plantations, increasing their productivity when applied to soil via mineral fertilizers. There is interest in identifying alternative sources to KCl owing to its high cost and limited reserves. The aim of the study was to test the effect of replacing KCl with NaCl and phonolite rock powder. Two comparisons were made: (1) application of 283 kg ha^?1 of KCl compared with that of 2125 kg ha^?1 of phonolite rock powder (equivalent to 170 kg ha^?1 of K₂O in both treatments); (2) application of 139 kg ha^?1 of NaCl compared with that of 183 kg ha^?1 of KCl (equivalent to 2.33 kmol Na and K, respectively). Radial growth, soil water content, leaf water potential (Ψ), accumulated transpiration, stem volume and biomass increment, as well as water use efficiency (WUE) were evaluated. In the first comparison, both fertilizations presented equal values for all characteristics evaluated. In the second, the accumulated transpiration in trees fertilized with KCl was 17% higher than that in plants fertilized with NaCl. In contrast, the WUE was 20% higher in the trees fertilized with NaCl than in those fertilized with KCl, reflecting the lower water consumption for the same increment in stem volume and biomass. We conclude that phonolite rock powder and NaCl are possible substitutes for conventional K fertilization performed with KCl.

     

Estimation of the spawning grounds of chub mackerel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scomber japonicus</Emphasis> and spotted mackerel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scomber australasicus</Emphasis> in the East China Sea based on catch statistics and biometric data

The spawning grounds of the chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and spotted mackerel (Scomber australasicus) in the East China Sea were estimated based on catch statistics of the Japanese large- and medium-type purse seine fishery from 1992 to 2006. Biometric data were obtained from specimens caught by purse seiners in the East China Sea from 1998 to 2006. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) at 50% sexual maturity of chub mackerel and spotted mackerel females was 2.5 and 2.6, respectively. Using this criterion for GSI, chub mackerel larger than 275 mm and spotted mackerel larger than 310 mm in fork length were considered to be mature. Mature chub mackerel was observed in the area of 15–22°C sea surface temperature (SST), and mature spotted mackerel was observed in the area of 17–25°C SST. The spawning period of chub mackerel ranged from February to June, and that of spotted mackerel ranged from February to May in the East China Sea. The spawning grounds were estimated from the distributions of catch per unit effort (CPUE) of spawners and SST. As a result, the spawning ground of chub mackerel was estimated to be in the central and southern part of the East China Sea and the area west of Kyushu in February, March, and April, and in the central part of the East China Sea, the area west of Kyushu and Tsushima Straight in May, and in Tsushima Straight and western part of the Sea of Japan in June. The spawning ground of spotted mackerel was estimated to be in the central and southern part of the East China Sea and southern coastal area of Kyushu in February, March, and April, and the central and southern part of the East China Sea and the area west of Kyushu in May.