Environmental Impact of using actinium (228Ac)-contaminated sludge as soil conditioner and sand substitute

Low-level actinium contamination (²²⁸Ac) of petroleum sludge is reported. The sludge is earmarked for road-building and soil enrichment, hence long-term radiation in low doses is not desirable. We subsequently investigated the distribution of this radioactivity over a one-year period. Collection was conducted at different sites, and the sludge was subjected to high-resolution gamma-ray measurement with a Geenlarge this page detector. Samples of 1 kg dry weight were prepared in suitable Marinelli beakers and counted for 12 h. The approximate literature guideline for this radioistope in soil and regular sludge is about 60 Bq/kg. The levels in many of our samples were several times higher, and activities up to 600 Bq/kg were observed. The general distribution was studied; and suggestions for possible preventative remediation to deplete the activity levels in the sludge prior to its use as a building material and on sludge-farms are outlined. The study, therefore, formed an interesting contribution to research associated with radioactivity in the environment.     

Clonal propagation of mastic tree (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pistacia lentiscus</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">chia</Emphasis> Duham.) in outdoor beds using different rootstock and grafting techniques

We assessed different rootstocks and grafting techniques to clonally propagate mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus var. chia). Mastic tree is a dioecious tree but the quantity and quality of the resin secreted by female trees are very low; therefore, male trees that are clonally propagated are used to establish commercial plantations for mastic production. Conventional long branch cuttings for clonal production requires too much materials and has a very low rooting rate. Rooting with tissue culture and green cuttings has also failed outdoors. Grafting of mastic on other Pistacia species has not been tried so far; therefore, this study was aimed at developing grafting methods for the clonal propagation of mastic. P. atlantica and P. lentiscus rootstocks were grafted from 15 February to 15 October every 15 days using three grafting methods and a two-factor randomized block trial design. Early spring (15 February–15 March) proved to be the best time for grafting using either of the rootstocks. The highest grafting success was attained using the scions grafted on P. atlantica from 15 February to 15 March. The best bud-burst percentage was obtained using P. atlantica and P. lentiscus rootstocks.     

Antibody response in calves experimentally or naturally exposed to Mycoplasma bovoculi

An antiglobulin-ELISA has been developed to detect antibody activity to Mycoplasma bovoculi in sera, nasal fluids and lacrimal fluids of field and experimentally exposed calves. Low IgG activity with no IgM or IgA was detected in sera of experimental calves. In nasal and lacrimal fluids, IgA appeared as early as the first week following exposure to M. bovoculi and predominated in both of these fluids throughout the 9 wk observation period. Sera from field-exposed animals showed high IgG and IgM activities. The metabolic-inhibition (MI) test was applied to detect growth inhibition of M. bovoculi in those fluids. This property was found only in sera of exposed animals and thus could be used to test for M. bovoculi infection. The ELISA test and the MI test were considered reliable tests for the detection of antibodies to M. bovoculi infection. The implications of finding no growth-inhibiting activity in nasal and lacrimal fluids concurrent with a high IgA activity are discussed.     

Attachment of Mycoplasma bovoculi to bovine conjunctival epithelium and lung fibroblasts

A specialized tip structure in some mycoplasmas facilitates their attachment to host cells. Mycoplasma bovoculi strains FS8-7 and M165/69 did not have specialized membrane structure and did not exhibit capsule when stained with ruthenium red and examined by use of transmission electron microscopy. The organisms attached in vitro to bovine lung fibroblasts, with no apparent specialized structure. Attachment to conjunctival epithelium in vivo was observed (after death) in a calf infected with M bovoculi. Close association between M bovoculi and the host cells was noticed. Mycoplasmal cells pretreated with hyperimmune rabbit serum and labeled with protein A-gold complex had gold particles randomly distributed around the membrane. Gold-labeled monoclonal antibodies, M25.5 and M7.3, which were directed against 2 surface antigens of M bovoculi, also were distributed randomly on the mycoplasmal surface as seen in results of double-labeling experiments.     

Investigation of bovine brucellosis in the Northeastern Turkey

Bovine brucellosis, caused by Brucella abortus, is a significant problem for both public and animal health in Turkey. This study was conducted on the calving seasons between 2001 and 2006. A total of 626 serum samples of cattle obtained from 27 herds with a history of abortions was examined for Brucella antibodies by RBPT, SAT and ELISA. Of the cattle sera analysed, 221 (35,30%) and 206 (32, 92%) and 247 (39,45%) were found to be positive by RBPT , SAT and ELISA, respectively. B. abortus was isolated from 48 (32,21%) of 149 lung samples and stomach contents of the aborted fetuses. Based on the biochemical tests and the agglutination tests with monospecific A and M antisera, only 3 of the isolates were found to be B. abortus biotype 1 and the remaining 45 were biotype 3. This study also revealed that the dominant biotype of B. abortus was biotype 3 in this region. The determination of the agents responsible for bovine brucellosis and serosurvey of this disease are expected to help better understanding of this zoonotic infection in this region and neighbouring countries.     

Isolation of various Arcobacter species from domestic geese (Anser anser)

In this study, the prevalence and distribution of various Arcobacter spp. were investigated in samples taken from the cloacae of healthy domestic geese raised in Turkey. A membrane filtration technique with a non-selective blood agar was employed after enrichment in Arcobacter enrichment broth (AEB) to isolate a wide range of Arcobacter spp. In addition, the isolates were characterized phenotypically and identified at species level using a multiplex-PCR assay. A total of 90 cloacal swab samples taken from geese, collected on three farms (18, 25, 47 samples, respectively), were examined. Of the samples examined, 16 (18%) were found positive for Arcobacter. One Arcobacter species was isolated from each bird. Of the 16 Arcobacter isolates, 7 (44%), 7 (44%) and 2 (12.5%) were identified by m-PCR as A. cryaerophilus, A. skirrowii and A. butzleri, respectively. The present study indicates that domestic geese can harbour a variety of Arcobacter spp. in their cloacae. The presence of Arcobacter in geese may be of significance as reservoirs in their dissemination. Detailed research is needed for better understanding of the epidemiology and zoonotic potential of this emerging pathogen.     

Electrophoretic analysis of isoenzymes of mycoplasma species

The purpose of this paper is to further characterize and determine relatedness among some Mycoplasma species or serogroups of significant practical veterinary interest. Twenty-four strains were examined for the presence of 35 enzymes by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis, revealing a total of 127 different electromorphs of 30 enzymes. Inter- as well as intraspecific differences were found demonstrating the application of isoenzyme studies in classification as well as epidemiology. It is concluded that the F38 group of MacOwan and group 7 of Leach constitute 2 new species, The elevation of the 2 subspecies of M. mycoides (mycoides and capri) to species level is favoured, but it is suggested that a decision be taken internationally, considering the practical consequences of a given nomenclature. Three alternative possibilities for classification are presented.Regarding identification the results suggest that the presence or absence of maltase and ornithine transcarbamylase indicate whether an isolate is related to the agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia or merely a representative of either the caprine LG type of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides or the classical caprine subspecies, M. mycoides subsp. capri.Key words: mycoplasmas, classification, isoenzymes, M. mycoide s-r elated groups     

Comparisons among two serological tests and microscopic examination for the detection of Theileria annulata in cattle in northern Sudan

We tested the agreement between microscopic examination (ME), a surface protein-detecting enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TaSP ELISA) and an indirect fluorescent assay (IFA) for detection of Theileria annulata in 2661 naturally infected cattle from northern Sudan (samples collected between June 2001 and July 2002). In the ME, we detected piroplasms in 364/2661 cattle (14%), and the kappas between the ME and the serological tests were poor (TaSP ELISA 10%; IFA 8%). The TaSP ELISA detected 885/2661 cattle as positive, and the Rogan-and-Gladen corrected true prevalence of this sample was estimated to be 30%. The relative sensitivity and specificity of the IFA (compared to the previously validated TaSP ELISA) were 70.7% and 81.8%, respectively.