Urbanisation affects the diet and feeding selectivity of the invasive guppy Poecilia reticulata

The process of urbanisation is increasing the frequency and magnitude of fluctuations in the availability of food resources for fish. In this study, we investigated whether the diet and prey selected by the guppy Poecilia reticulata reflect the different levels of urbanisation using the total area of impervious surface soil as the metric. Rural streams (low percentage of urbanisation—LPU) and urban streams (high percentage of urbanisation—HPU) were sampled during both the rainy and dry seasons. The hypothesis tested was that the diet and selective behaviour differ spatially and seasonally between LPU and HPU streams. Among the analysed items, seasonal significant differences were only observed in HPU streams. In LPU streams, the trophic spectrum was wider, and a higher diversity of prey was selected. In HPU streams, the diet richness was lower with a dominance of Chironomidae, and there was also less variability in selected prey. Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera were always avoided, but Coleoptera were avoided only in LPU, while Oligochaeta were avoided in HPU streams. Thus, the diet and prey selected by P. reticulata were different between LPU and HPU streams, and this species has potential to compete for food with the native fauna in a wide variety of environmental conditions and available resources. Therefore, this dietary flexibility probably offers competitive advantages when colonising and establishing in a new habitat.     

Suspected natural lysosomal storage disease from ingestion of pink morning glory (Ipomoea carnea) in goats in northern Argentina

This study describes an occurrence of pink morning glory (Ipomoea carnea) intoxication in goats in northern Argentina. The clinical signs displayed by the affected animals were ataxia, lethargy, emaciation, hypertonia of the neck muscles, spastic paresis in the hind legs, abnormal postural reactions and death. The clinico-pathologic examination revealed that the affected animals were anemic and their serum level of aspartate aminotransferase was significantly increased. Cytoplasmic vacuolation in the Purkinje cells and pancreatic acinar cells was observed by histological examination. The neuronal lectin binding pattern showed a strong positive reaction to WGA (Triticum vulgaris), sWGA (succinylated T. vulgaris) and LCA (Lens culinaris). Although I. carnea is common in tropical regions, this is the first report of spontaneous poisoning in goats in Argentina.     

A non‐invasive method for semen collection and evaluation in small and median size lizards

The aim of this study was to develop a non‐invasive procedure to stimulate ejaculation in median and small lizards for semen collection. After semen collection, we applied a battery of tests to assess the motility (wave and progressive), viability (eosin–nigrosin stain), morphology (normal/abnormal), sperm concentration and ejaculate number, seminal volume and colour. We obtained this fluid from all males of the four species of sceloporine lizards (n = 30) and one species of Mexican horned lizards (n = 7). We found that semen from all males had a liquid‐like consistency and a milky‐white appearance. Ejaculate volume and sperm concentration varied among the males and the species studied. We also observed that although the mobility, viability and normal sperm morphology showed a wide variability, their average value in each species was high. We conclude that “genital papilla pressure” was an efficient and non‐invasive semen obtaining method for small‐ and medium‐sized lizards that does not imply damage to donors and could be used in other lizard species.     

Prevalence of Campylobacter spp isolated from grower-finisher pigs in Ontario

This study aimed to establish the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in 80 Ontario grower-finisher pig herds. Ninety-nine percent of the isolates yielded Campylobacter, C coli being the most common species detected. Control of this microorganism must rely on careful food processing and storage of pork, rather than on an on-farm approach.     

Echinacea species and alkamides inhibit prostaglandin E(2) production in RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells

Inhibition of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells was assessed with an enzyme immunoassay following treatments with Echinacea extracts or synthesized alkamides. Results indicated that ethanol extracts diluted in media to a concentration of 15 microg/mL from E. angustifolia, E. pallida, E. simulata, and E. sanguinea significantly inhibited PGE2 production. In further studies, PGE2 production was significantly reduced by all synthesized alkamides assayed at 50 microM, by Bauer alkamides 8, 12A analogue, and 14, Chen alkamide 2, and Chen alkamide 2 analogue at 25 microM and by Bauer alkamide 14 at 10 microM. Cytotoxicity did not play a role in the noted reduction of PGE2 production in either the Echinacea extracts or synthesized alkamides. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis identified individual alkamides present at concentrations below 2.8 microM in the extracts from the six Echinacea species (15 microg/mL crude extract). Because active extracts contained <2.8 microM of specific alkamide and the results showed that synthetic alkamides must have a minimum concentration of 10 microM to inhibit PGE2, it is likely that alkamides may contribute toward the anti-inflammatory activity of Echinacea in a synergistic or additive manner.     

DEVELOPMENT OF MUSKMELON WITH DIFFERENT MIXTURES OF VERMICOMPOST:SAND UNDER GREENHOUSE CONDITIONS

In order to evaluate vermicompost:sand mixtures on the development of muskmelon under greenhouse conditions, four periods of watering were applied. Four types of vermicompost (VC) mixed with sand (S): 25:75, 30:70, 35:65 and 40:60 (VC:S;%:% by volume) were used. Each mixture, due to the water-holding capacity of VC, was watered at 24, 48, 72, or 96 h respectively. The watering each 96 h and the mixture VC:S, independent of the manure type used to prepare the VC, had favorable effect on yield, fruit weight, equatorial and polar diameters, pulp thickness, placenta cavity, fruits per plant, and days to harvest (74.39 t·ha^?1, 1,334.00 g·fruit^?1, 13.27, 14.79, 3.42, and 5.11 cm, 15 fruits, 94.6 days average, respectively). Since synthetic fertilizers were not used during the crop growth and the vegetative and reproductive cycle were completed it is possible to conclude that the VC: S mixtures satisfied the muskmelon nutrimental requirements.     

Cross-reaction of tick salivary antigens in the Boophilus microplus-cattle system

Calves were immunized with Boophilus microplus saliva, filtered through Millipore membranes, in Freund's complete adjuvant. Serum samples were tested by passive hemagglutination against Babesia bigemina, Anaplasma marginale, B. microplus larvae extract, Stomoxys calcitrans extract and B. microplus saliva. After immunization, titers to saliva, larval tick-extract and to S. calcitrans were increased. The challenge with live tick larvae enhanced the formation of antibodies against larva extract, fly extract and tick saliva, which supports the idea that under natural controlled conditions this cross-reactivity could occur.     

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BNM122, a potential microbial biocontrol agent applied on soybean seeds,causes a minor impact on rhizosphere and soil microbial communities

The increase in soybean productivity has contributed to a greater use of agrochemicals, which cause major problems, such as soil and water pollution and reduction of biodiversity, and have a negative impact on non-target species. The development of microbial biocontrol agents for soybean diseases can help to reduce pesticide abuse. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BNM122 is a potential microbial biocontrol agent able to control the damping-off caused by Rhizoctonia solani when inoculated in soybean seeds, both in a plant growth chamber and in a greenhouse. In this study, we report the effect of soybean seed treatments with strain BNM122 or with two fungicides (thiram and carbendazim) on the structure and function of the bacterial community that colonizes the soybean rhizosphere. Also, soybean root nodulation by Bradyrhizobium japonicum, mycorrhization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth were evaluated. We used the r- and K-strategist concept to evaluate the ecophysiological structure of the culturable bacterial community, community-level physiological profiles (CLPP) in Biolog? EcoPlates to study bacterial functionality, and the patterns of 16S RNA genes amplified by PCR and separated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR–DGGE) to assess the genetic structure of the bacterial community. Neither the ecophysiological structure nor the physiological profiles of the soybean rhizosphere bacterial community showed important changes after seed inoculation with strain BNM122. On the contrary, seed treatment with fungicides increased the proportions of r-strategists and altered the metabolic profiles of the rhizosphere culturable bacterial community. The genetic structure of the rhizosphere bacterial community did not show perceptible changes between treated and non-treated seeds. Regarding the bacterial and fungal symbioses, seed treatments did not affect soybean nodulation, whereas soybean mycorrhization significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in plants obtained from seeds treated with strain BNM122 or with the fungicides. However, a higher negative effect was observed in plants which seeds were treated with the fungicides. Plant growth was not affected by seed treatments.It can be concluded that soybean seed treatment with B. amyloliquefaciens BNM122 had a lesser effect on soil microbial community than that with the fungicides, and that these differences may be attributed to the less environmental persistence and toxic effects of the strain, which deserve further studies in order to develop commercial formulations.     

Chemical composition and antispasmodic effect of Casimiroa pringlei essential oil on rat uterus

The Casimiroa pringlei essential oil was analyzed to determine its chemical composition. Its effect on rat uterine smooth muscle was studied and compared with verapamil. Pure commercial piperitone, eucalyptol, and alpha-terpineol, the major constituents of C. pringlei essential oil, were tested on the uterine tonic contraction induced by high-potassium depolarizing solution (KCl 60 mM).