Reproduction potential of Nigerian Meloidogyne spp. and the response of six commercial watermelon cultivars to predominant species

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The reproduction potential of nine single-species Meloidogyne populations and 16 mixed-species communities, recovered from watermelon rhizospheres in...     

Extraction of lipids from flax processing waste using hot ethanol

The cuticle of flax stems contains lipids that provide a protective barrier to pathogens and control moisture loss. These lipids include wax esters and long chain fatty alcohols or policosanols. Cuticle fragments generated during several different fiber processing operations retain these lipid compounds that represent a potential co-product. Samples of flax shives (i.e., lignified core tissues), processing dust, and cuticular fractions recovered from enzyme retting waste water were extracted on a laboratory scale with hot ethanol to remove the lipid compounds. Ethanol extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography to determine the amount and type of lipids recovered. The results demonstrated that hot ethanol effectively extracted the lipid compounds from cuticle fragments in all these samples. When the extract was cooled, the longer chain wax esters (i.e., chain length of 44 carbon atoms or larger) precipitated and could be separated from the shorter chain lipid components (i.e., fatty alcohols and aldehydes less than 44 carbons). Similar results were obtained using absolute ethanol or 95% ethanol (aqueous). This technique provides a very economical method to recover lipid fractions as potential value-added co-product from flax processing waste.     

Subepidermal linear alignment of mast cells in inflammatory dermatoses of the dog

A recent study demonstrated that 47.7% of dogs with Malassezia dermatitis had a subepidermal linear alignment of mast cells (SLAM). A retrospective histopathological study was conducted on 419 canine skin biopsies to determine if a SLAM was present in other inflammatory diseases. Cases examined included dogs with demodicosis, sarcoptic mange, dermatophytosis, pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus erythematosus, discoid lupus erythematosus, systemic lupus erythematosus, erythema multiforme, dermatomyositis, staphylococcal pyoderma, primary seborrhea, arthropod bites, contact hypersensitivity, flea bite hypersensitivity, atopy, and food hypersensitivity. Three cases (3/419, 0.7%) were identified with SLAM. The diagnoses for these cases were atopy (1/23, 4%) with a secondary bacterial folliculitis (1/136, 0.7%), pemphigus erythematosus (1/18, 6%), and discoid lupus erythematosus (1/16, 6%). Based on this study, SLAM is significantly more common in Malassezia dermatitis than in other inflammatory diseases.     

Screening for Differential Gene Expression in Atropa belladonna Leafy Gall Induced Following Rhodococcus fascians Infection

To better characterise at the molecular level the nature of plant responses to infection by Rhodococcus fascians PCR-based differential display patterns of Atropa belladonna leafy gall (LG) and non-infected plant tissues were compared. Six differentially expressed genes were identified and their altered expression was confirmed by RT-PCR. Three of them corresponded to up-regulated genes which encode proteins involved in plant defence. The three remaining cDNA fragments which correspond to down-regulated genes in LG, encoded proteins with similarity to a multicystatin, a miraculin and a methallothionein-like protein, respectively. Upon elimination of the bacteria from infected plant tissue, the expression of up-regulated genes was maintained, whereas expression of down-regulated genes resumed suggesting a potential role of these up-regulated genes in plant growth and development.     

Clinical evaluation of a cryptococcal antigen latex agglutination test for diagnosis of cryptococcosis in cats

A commercial cryptococcal antigen latex agglutination test was used to evaluate sera from 20 cats with cryptococcosis and 184 cats without cryptococcosis. Cryptococcal antigen was detected in the sera from 19 of 20 cats with cryptococcosis. Antigen was not detected in sera from any of the cats without cryptococcosis. The test had sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 100%.     

Congenital hypotrichosis in a French bulldog

The occurrence of congenital alopecia in one of a litter of four female French bulldogs is described. With the exception of the hair coat the affected bitch was clinically normal. The distribution of the sparse hair (head, tip of the tail and paws) mimicked that seen in the Chinese crested dog. Histopathological examination of skin biopsies revealed features frequently observed in congenital alopecia - a reduction in number of hair follicles, hypoplasia or absence of epidermal appendages and pronounced follicular hyperkeratosis, abnormalities of collagen and elastic fibres were not detected.     

EFFECT OF BOLUS SIZE ON DEGLUTITION AND ESOPHAGEAL TRANSIT IN HEALTHY DOGS

Contrast videofluoroscopy is the gold standard procedure for evaluating dysphagia in humans, but quantitative measures vary depending on bolus size and consistency. We hypothesized that quantitative measures made during videofluoroscopy of swallowing in dogs would differ between bolus sizes and consistencies. Ten healthy adult dogs were enrolled a prospective, crossover experimental study and underwent contrast videofluoroscopy while swallowing liquid (5, 10, and 15 ml) and canned food (3, 8, and 12 g) boluses. Maximum pharyngeal contraction occurred significantly later with medium solid boluses than with medium liquid boluses, with a mean difference of 0.021 s (adjusted P = 0.042). Upper esophageal sphincter opening occurred significantly earlier with large solid boluses than with medium solid boluses, with a mean difference of 0.018 s (adjusted P = 0.025). Thoracic esophageal transit time was significantly longer with small solid boluses than with small liquid boluses, with a mean difference of 0.68 s (adjusted P = 0.004). Odds of primary esophageal peristalsis occurring were significantly (18.5 times) higher with large solid vs. large liquid boluses (adjusted P = 0.031). No other statistical comparisons reached significance. Based on these results, we recommend a standardized approach to videofluoscopy in dogs with determination of quantitative measures using medium liquid and soft food boluses to minimize effects of size. Furthermore, we conclude that measurements made on liquid swallows should not be directly compared to measurements made on soft food boluses.     

The prevalence of dynamic pharyngeal collapse is high in brachycephalic dogs undergoing videofluoroscopy

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the frequency of pharyngeal collapse in a large group of brachycephalic dogs undergoing videofluoroscopic assessment of swallowing or airway diameter. We hypothesized that brachycephalic dogs would have pharyngeal collapse more frequently than dolichocephalic or mesocephalic dogs with or without airway collapse. The medical records database was searched for brachycephalic dogs undergoing videofluoroscopy of swallowing or airway diameter between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2015. A cohort of dolichocephalic/mesocephalic dogs with videofluoroscopically confirmed airway collapse was age and time matched for comparison. A control group of dolichocephalic/mesocephalic dogs that did not have documented airway collapse was also evaluated. All fluoroscopic studies were assessed by a board certified veterinary radiologist for the presence and degree of pharyngeal collapse. Results demonstrate that pharyngeal collapse was significantly more common in brachycephalic dogs (58/82; 72%) than in nonbrachycephalic dogs with (7/25; 28%) and without (2/30; 7%) airway collapse. Pharyngeal collapse is more prevalent in brachycephalic dogs undergoing videofluoroscopy than in dolichocephalic/mesocephalic dogs with or without airway collapse.     

The last deglaciation of the southeastern sector of the Scandinavian ice sheet

The Scandinavian Ice Sheet (SIS) was an important component of the global ice sheet system during the last glaciation, but the timing of its growth to or retreat from its maximum extent remains poorly known. We used 115 cosmogenic beryllium-10 ages and 70 radiocarbon ages to constrain the timing of three substantial ice-margin fluctuations of the SIS between 25,000 and 12,000 years before the present. The age of initial deglaciation indicates that the SIS may have contributed to an abrupt rise in global sea level. Subsequent ice-margin fluctuations identify opposite mass-balance responses to North Atlantic climate change, indicating differing ice-sheet sensitivities to mean climate state.