Effect of oral administration of high vitamin C and E dosages on the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) innate immune system

The effect of the oral administration of high dosages of vitamins C and E on the innate immune system of the seabream was investigated. Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) were fed four different diets for 45 days: a commercial diet as control, a 3g/kg vitamin C-supplemented diet, a 1.2g/kg vitamin E-supplemented diet or a diet containing both vitamin supplements. After 15, 30 and 45 days, serum ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol levels, growth, complement titers and head-kidney leucocyte phagocytic and respiratory burst activities were evaluated. The results showed that serum vitamin levels reflected dietary input. Fish fed the vitamin C-supplemented diet showed an enhanced respiratory burst activity, while fish fed the vitamin E-supplemented diet exhibited increased complement and phagocytic activities. All of these positive effects were found in fish fed the joint diet, as well as a synergistically enhanced respiratory burst activity at day 30. The results demonstrate that in vivo vitamins C and E exert a synergistic effect enhancing the respiratory burst activity of seabream phagocytes.     

Supplementation strategies for Nellore female calves in creep feeding to improve the performance: nutritional and metabolic responses

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation strategy on performance, nutritional and metabolic characteristics of Nellore suckling female calves, on grazing Urochloa decumbens during the rainy-dry transition period. Forty-four Nellore female calves, averaging 147.6?±?1.34 kg (4 months), were used. A single supplement 20% of crude protein of dry matter was provided, consisting of daily supplement at 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6% of body weight. A positive linear effect (P?<?0.05) on final body weight and average weight gain of female calves was observed with increased supplementation. Supplementation increased consumption, in kilograms per day, of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), digested dry matter, and total digestible nutrients (TDN), all calculated as % of dry matter. There was no effect of supplementation on the consumption in kilograms per day of neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (apNDF) (P?>?0.05). Supplementation increased, in a quadratic way, the total apparent digestibility coefficient of DM, OM, CP, apNDF, and TDN (P?<?0.05). There was no effect of supplementation (P?>?0.05) on non-esterified fatty acid concentrations. There was a positive linear effect (P?<?0.05) of supplementation on insulin concentrations. In this study, it is concluded that linearly increasing the feeding level of a supplement with 20% crude protein (% of DM) in the range of 0.2–0.6% of body weight improves the performance, nutritional and metabolic characteristics of the animals, considering these pasture characteristics.     

Paraparesis as initial manifestation of a Prototheca zopfii infection in a dog

A case of protothecosis causing non‐ambulatory paraparesis in a dog without clinical evidence of disseminated infection is described. A five‐year‐old female Labrador retriever was referred with a 10‐day history of progressive non‐ambulatory paraparesis and lumbar pain as the only physical and neurological abnormalities. Lumbar myelography revealed severe extradural spinal cord compression extending from L4 to L7 vertebrae, and a right hemilaminectomy was performed. Surgical findings included an adherent whitish hard ill‐defined mass. Cytology and biopsy results disclosed the presence of algae enclosed in a matrix of chronic inflammatory infiltrate. Culture confirmed the presence of Prototheca species. Neurological improvement occurred within a month, and the dog received antifungal treatment without evidence of clinical disseminated disease for 6 months, but died after a generalised tonic–clonic seizure. Post‐mortem examination revealed multiple foci of inflammatory granulomatous infiltrate and algae‐like structures in the brain, lumbar intumescence and cauda equina. Prototheca zopfii was identified using molecular biology methods.     

Soil restoration in semiarid Patagonia: Chemical and biological response to different compost quality

Restoration of soils burned by a wildfire using composted amendments of different origin (biosolids and municipal organic wastes) and final particle size (screened and unscreened) was studied after 6 and 12 months of application in a field trial in semiarid NW Patagonia. Composts were applied at 40 Mg ha⁻¹. A fertilized treatment with soluble N (100 kg ha⁻¹) and P (35 kg ha⁻¹), and a non-treated control were also included. As indicators of soil response, chemical (electrical conductivity, pH, organic C, total N, extractable P), biological (potential microbial respiration, potential net N mineralization, N retained in microbial biomass) and physical (temperature and soil moisture) properties were evaluated. Plant soil cover was also estimated. Soil chemical and biological properties showed a high response to organic amendment addition, more evident after the wet season (12 months of application). Soil organic C, total N and extractable P increased significantly with biosolids composts (BC), and soil pH with municipal composts (MC). Potential microbial C respiration and net N mineralization were similar for both MC and BC, and significantly higher than in the control and the inorganic fertilized treatment; when calculated on C or N basis the highest values corresponded to MC. Results imply that in terms of organic C accretion, BC were more effective than MC due to higher amounts of total and recalcitrant C. Screened and unscreened composts did not differ significantly in their effects on soil properties. The increase of organic C with BC did not contribute to increase soil moisture, which was even higher in control plots after the wet season; higher plant cover and water consumption in amended plots could also explain this pattern. Inorganic fertilization enhanced higher plant cover than organic amendments, but did not contribute to soil restoration.     

Antioxidant Defences in Planktonic Crustaceans Exposed to Different Underwater Light Irradiances in Andean Lakes

In freshwater environments direct biological effect of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) result from absorption of specific wavelengths by macromolecules and alteration of biochemical processes. Indirect effects are related to UVR interaction with water and dissolved organic carbon to form chemically reactive species (ROS: reactive oxygen species). Zooplankton photoprotection includes mycosporine-like amino acids, pigments, production of quenching agents and antioxidant enzymes. The relative importance of each mechanism would depend on the organisms. In this study, we determined the antioxidant enzyme activities Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in the copepod Boeckella gracilipes and the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia in three Andean lakes of the North-Patagonia region. There were differences in antioxidant enzymes expression between copepods and cladocerans. CAT was significantly higher in C. dubia than in B. gracilipes whereas GST was similar in both species. The comparison of B. gracilipes enzyme activity in the three lakes showed also differences in GST but not in CAT. DOC decreases the exposure by absorption of UVR but simultaneously acts as photosensitizer producing ROS and their successive toxic products in the surface waters. We discuss that comparisons among lakes of different DOC should be considered carefully because lake physico-chemicals parameters, as well as food web structure, will difficult any predictions on the net effect of DOC.     

Conservation strategies and management guidelines for wild Prunus genetic resources in Andalusia, Spain

Six species of the genus Prunus occur inAndalusia. Matters regarding their ecology, ethnobotanical aspectsand conservation are discussed, as well as knowledge about thegermplasm of those species with greater economic importance and theirdegree of conservation, namely: P.avium, P.mahaleb and P.insititia. Various conservation measures areproposed for wild germplasm and for the germplasm of local varieties:a) conservation efforts should target the best populations,except in the case of P.avium and P.insititia, where every individual should beaddressed, including both wild and local cultivars; b) theDehesa del Camarate (Sierra Nevada) is proposed as an areafor in situ germplasm conservation; c) theawareness of the importance of Prunus germplasmshould be increased among forest workers, environmental managers andthe public; d) some silvicultural techniques are proposed, suchas mixed Prunus patches, hedge treatment,Z-tree selection at the early stages and the protection ofroot suckers; e) improved, selected P.avium and P.mahaleb germplasm should be used at highlyproductive sites since these two species can be cultivated as highvalue timber trees; f) some Prunus speciescan also provide profitable NTFPs in the region. Details regardingdifferent collection areas are covered. Finally, some topics arerecommended for scientific research. Three tables and a distributionmap of Prunus species in Andalusia areincluded.     

Mercury accumulation and resistance to mercury stress in Rumex induratus and Marrubium vulgare grown in perlite

Plants of Rumex induratus and Marrubium vulgare, collected in the mining area of Almadén, were transferred to pots and grown for 2 months using perlite as substrate and treated with soluble mercury (Hg) in the applied nutrient solution. Mercury resistance, Hg bioaccumulation, and some stress biomarkers were investigated in both plant species. Mercury concentration increased in both plant species in response to Hg supply, but R. induratus was more effective in Hg accumulation. Rumex induratus and M. vulgare showed higher [Hg]_shoot‐to‐[Hg]_root ratios than other plant species. Mercury in the growth medium perlite was also investigated, distinguishing soluble, available, and total amounts of Hg in the medium. At the lower doses, one half of the applied Hg was retained by perlite. Rumex induratus decreased the available Hg fraction in perlite more than M. vulgare. The bioaccumulation factor ([Hg]_plant/[Hg]_available) was similar in both species and similar as found in previous field studies. Plant growth, water content, and chlorophyll concentration, and nutrient translocation were reduced in both plant species by the Hg. Rumex induratus showed higher resistance and Hg‐accumulation capacity than M. vulgare, due to the accumulation of thiols in roots and the absence of a lipid oxidative response.