Effects of a protected area on land-use dynamics and socioeconomic development of local populations

Specific land uses, many of them considered as traditional practices, have contributed to nature conservation in that they have given rise to a valued landscape and a high degree of biological and cultural diversity. The result is the rural cultural landscape, also characterised by its multi-functionality, stability and adaptation to local conditions. Nonetheless, the abandonment of rural cultural landscapes constitutes the current trend in many regions.Although one way to preserve rural cultural landscapes involves establishing protected areas, management often forgets, or even restricts, the traditional rural activities that had contributed to the high conservation values recognised in these areas.In the present paper we applied a quantitative model to examine changes in rural cultural landscapes and in the socioeconomy of local populations following the establishment of a protected area. We formalised the relationship of dependence between landscape change and socioeconomy by means of multivariate ordination analysis and multiple regression calculation. The simple equation obtained shows the socioeconomic parameters that best account for change in the landscape and indicate their sign and importance. The results show that providing Regional Park protection status has not prevented the decline of traditional farming activities and, in turn, ecological succession has led to an intense shrub encroachment process. Such a change could be considered to be the result of a nature protection policy inspired by ideas of naturalness and wilderness. Our model also helps us to establish and formalise the dependence of the cultural landscape upon a socio-cultural system, which is currently undergoing rapid change, and brings us to consider the parameters of this change as indicators for management.     

First report of anthracnose on Spigelia anthelmia caused by Colletotrichum karstii and Colletotrichum siamense in Brazil

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - In Brazil, Spigelia anthelmia is an herbaceous weedy plant normally used for the treatment of helminths in humans and animals. Leaves and stems of S....     

Idiopathic hypertrophic osteopathy in a cat

This report describes the first case of idiopathic hypertrophic osteopathy (HO) in a cat. No causes for the bone pathology were found following evaluation of the physical and laboratory examinations (complete blood count, albumin, creatinine, urea, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase and urinalysis), and after histopathological evaluation of organs at necropsy. Based on the radiographic, clinical and anatomopathological findings, idiopathic HO was diagnosed.     

Cryptogein and capsicein promote defence responses in Quercus suber against Phytophthora cinnamomi infection

The decline of cork oak (Quercus suber) stands in Iberian Peninsula is associated with infection by Phytophthora cinnamomi. Most Phytophthora species secrete elicitins, which can enhance defence reactions against some pathogens. Here cytological and physiological effects of the elicitins cryptogein and capsicein on cork oak root infection by P. cinnamomi were evaluated. The progression of the pathogen in root tissue and its effects on total fatty acid (TFA) composition of roots and leaves were analysed in seedlings. Net photosynthesis (P _n ), stomatal conductance (g _s ), chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements (quantum yield of linear electron transport ? _e , photochemical quenching q _P, non-photochemical quenching NPQ) and carotenoid determinations were carried out in well established (4?months) plants. In elicitin-treated roots, 2?days after inoculation, the pathogen which presented loss of viability and membrane degradation was mainly restricted to the intercellular spaces of the cortical parenchyma, and did not reach the vascular cylinder. Electron dense materials accumulated in the intercellular spaces of the cortex next to disorganized hyphae, suggested to be related with defence reactions. Cryptogein (or its interaction with P. cinnamomi) induced enhanced lipid synthesis in leaves, which may contribute to preserve membrane stability. P. cinnamomi decreased P _n , g _s , ? _e , and q _P, whereas elicitin-treated plants displayed values similar to controls. Overall, the results indicated a resistance response of cork oak against this oomycete, induced by the elicitins.     

Canine lymphoma and vector‐borne diseases: Molecular and serological evaluation of a possible complicity

Lymphoma is the most common haematological malignancy in dogs and its aetiology is largely unknown. The presence of canine vector‐borne agents (CVBD) in lymphoma tissues has been described and its causative effects questioned. We intended to evaluate the presence and extent of Leishmania infantum, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Bartonella henselae infection in dogs with lymphoma. Sixty‐one dogs, living in the Lisbon metropolitan area, with a diagnosis of lymphoma were enrolled. Immunofluorescence assays were used to detect serum IgG's. The presence of DNA from CVBD agents in tumour tissue was assessed by PCR. All dogs tested negative for B. henselae, A. phagocytophilum and E. canis by both serology and PCR. Regarding L. infantum, 8.2% (n = 5) of the dogs had a positive serologic result. L. infantum DNA was detected in two samples of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). These results show an increased, but not significant, seropositivity (8.2% vs 7.9%) and molecular detection (3.3% vs 1.2%) for L. infantum in dogs with lymphoma, when compared to the reported canine population in the same geographical area. We could not identify an association between lymphoma and E. canis, A. phagocytophilum, B. henselae or Leishmania infantum infection in the studied population. Nevertheless, further studies, following dogs trough their CVBD disease evolution, are worthwhile and may help clarify a possible role of CVBD agents in lymphomagenesis.     

Isolation and Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells From Bovine Umbilical Cord Blood

Currently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used in veterinary clinical applications. Bone marrow and adipose tissue are the most common sources of stem cells derived from adult animals. However, cord blood which is collected non‐invasively is an alternative source of stem cells other than bone marrow and adipose tissue. Moreover, high availability and lower immunogenicity of umbilical cord blood (UCB) haematopoietic stem cells compared to other sources of stem cell therapy such as bone marrow have made them a considerable source for cell therapy, but MSCs is not highly available in cord blood and their immunogenicity is poorly understood. In this study, the cells with spindle morphology from 7 of 9 bovine UCB samples were isolated and cultured. These mesenchymal stromal cells were successfully differentiated to osteocytes, chondrocytes and adipocytes. In addition, Oct‐4 and SH3 were determined by RT‐PCR assay. It is the first report of isolation, culture, characterization and differentiation of bovine umbilical stem cells.     

Immunohistochemical evaluation of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in canine mammary tumours: a survival study

Canine mammary tumours (CMTs) are a very heterogeneous group of neoplasms with variable prognosis. Their aggressiveness is mainly due to their ability to invade locally and to metastasize. The degradation of extracellular matrix components is an important determinant of the invasive phenotype. The aims of this study were to analyse by immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence the expression of metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) in eight normal canine mammary glands and 118 CMTs (24 benign, 94 malignant) and to investigate relationships with metastatic disease and survival.MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expression was higher in malignant tumours than in normal canine mammary tissue and benign tumours. The main difference between benign and malignant CMTs was the pattern of expression of both molecules: benign tumours presented TIMP-2 and MMP-2 immunoreactivity in the myoepithelial cells lining the basement membrane of tubuloalveolar structures, while malignant tumours showed mainly diffuse expression in neoplastic cells. In malignant tumours, increased TIMP-2 expression was significantly associated with the development of distant metastases, lower overall survival and lower disease-free survival. MMP-2 expression was not significantly associated to any of these parameters. These results suggest that the immunohistochemical expression of TIMP-2 is a useful prognostic factor in CMTs.     

Biochemical modulations in açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) under vegetative stages in an agroforestry system of the Amazon

Background : The açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) is a species native to the Amazon region, where the largest stock of these palms is located in the state of Pará, Brazil. This species occurs predominantly spontaneously in the plateau and plains areas of the Amazonian estuary. Water deficit is the main limiting factor of plants, negatively regulating the growth, metabolism and productivity of crops. Aim : This study aimed to deepen the ecophysiological and biochemical responses of Euterpe oleracea Mart. to a water deficiency condition in agroforestry systems. Methods : The study was carried out in a defined period of lowest rainfall in the region, which runs from July to October, averaging 58.6 mm for those months, such as location, age, uniformity, health, development, height and diameter of the stipe, in order to determine the biochemical variables. Responses to biochemical components under water deficit such as starch, sucrose and carbohydrates increased for rachis and fruits. Results : The concentrations of ammonia and proteins increased in stems and fruits. For amino acids, the structures that accumulated these organic compounds were fruits and arrow. One of the most representative amino acids against water deficiency is proline, and its increase in plant tissues is due to osmoprotein function, especially for structures such as rachis, fruit and petioles + rachis. Conclusions : Therefore, Euterpe oleracea Mart. presents excellent physiological plasticity to deal with stressful conditions as well as adaptive behavior to overcome this deficiency.