Effect of emerged shipment on the physiological condition of the adductor muscle in adult giant lion's paw scallop Nodipecten subnodosus (Sowerby 1835)

Currently, there is an increasing interest in shipping live adult scallops to markets and broodstock to hatcheries; nevertheless, information about the shipping effect on live scallops physiology is very scarce. In a previous study, a method in emersion was developed to ship scallop seed out of water, but it was not known whether this method is useful to transport adult organisms. As a consequence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of transportation by the emersion method on the physiological status of the adductor muscle of adult giant lion's paw scallop. Live specimens were packaged in a container and transported in emersion for 11 h. Six scallops were frozen in a farm and a similar number were frozen as soon as they arrived to the laboratory. Physiological indices were determined in each lot and the survival was estimated 24 h after re‐immersion. As a result of the transportation, a significant loss (P<0.05) of total carbohydrates, glycogen, adenosine 5′‐triphosphate and adenilated energetic charge, and a significant increase (P<0.05) in the free amino acids concentration were observed. Eighty‐eight per cent survival was achieved; therefore, we conclude that this method is appropriate for shipping live adult scallops of Nodipecten subnodosus.     

Efficiency of inorganic fungicides against the formation of Erysiphe necator chasmothecia in vineyards

BACKGROUND

A reduction in chasmothecia, an important inoculum of grape powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator Schwein.), is essential for disease control in vineyards; the use of fungicides during the formation of chasmothecia on vine leaves, late in the growing season, may accomplish this. Inorganic fungicides, such as sulphur, copper, and potassium bicarbonate, are very useful for this purpose because of their multisite mode of action. The aim of this study was to evaluate chasmothecia reduction using different fungicide applications late in the growing season in commercially managed vineyards and in an exact application trial.

RESULTS

Chasmothecia on vine leaves were reduced in commercial vineyards by four copper (P = 0.01) and five potassium bicarbonate (P = 0.026) applications. The positive effect of potassium bicarbonate was also confirmed in the application trial, where two applications showed lower chasmothecia numbers than the control (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

The application of inorganic fungicides reduced the amount of chasmothecia as the primary inoculum source. Potassium bicarbonate and copper are of further interest for disease control as these fungicides can be used by organic and conventional wine growers. The application of these fungicides should be carried out as late as possible before harvest to reduce chasmothecia formation and, consequently, the potential for powdery mildew infestation in the subsequent season. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Increased Inflammatory Mediators in Horses Naturally Infected with Trypanosoma vivax. A Preliminary Study

The aim of this study was to measure the levels of inflammatory mediators in serum from horses naturally infected with Trypanosoma vivax. Banked serum samples collected during a previously reported T. vivax natural infection were used to analyze proinflammatory cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and nitrite/nitrate (NO_x) levels. We evaluated 12 serum samples from horses from a farm in southern Brazil, four of which had parasitological and molecular diagnoses for T. vivax and presented with clinical signs of disease. Cytokines were assessed by quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and NO_x was measured using the modified Griess method. Levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and NO_x were increased in serum of infected animals compared to that in noninfected animals. Therefore, infection with T. vivax caused an increase in proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide content.     

Oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of canine zinc‐responsive dermatosis

Zinc deficiency causes skin diseases both in humans and in animals. The underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear, but a growing body of evidence indicates a role for zinc in skin protection against free radical‐induced oxidative damage. The immunohistochemical expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs; Hsp27, Hsp72, Hsp73 and Hsp90), Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD), metallothionein (MT), Ki‐67 antigen and active caspase‐3 were evaluated in normal canine skin and in samples from eight dogs with zinc‐responsive dermatosis. All investigated HSPs showed intense cytoplasmic immunostaining in the affected epidermis. Focal nuclear positivity of Hsp72 was also detected in keratinocytes. Although Cu/Zn SOD expression was similar to that observed in normal skin, MT immunoreactivity occurred in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of basal cells in normal skin but was absent from the affected epidermis. Caspase‐3 activation was also absent in the involved epidermis, which revealed a high Ki‐67 index (a 3.5‐ to 9‐fold increase compared with normal skin). These results support the hypothesis that cellular response to stress, particularly oxidative stress, is involved in the pathogenesis of skin lesions in canine zinc‐responsive dermatosis. The lack of MT immunoreactivity in the affected epidermis may be indicative of low zinc levels, thus resulting in vulnerability to oxidative damage. In contrast, high expression levels of HSPs in skin during zinc deficiency may confer protection against a variety of dangerous stimuli, contributing to inhibition of apoptosis and to cell cycle regulation of proliferating keratinocytes.     

Canine nodular dermatophytosis (kerion): 23 cases

Dermatophytosis is a common zoonotic disease, and one of its clinical presentations in the dog is nodular dermatophytosis (kerion). Because the infection is located within the dermis, routine diagnostic tests such as a Wood's lamp examination, microscopic examination of hair shafts for fungal elements and fungal culture can yield negative results. In such cases, histopathological examination with routine and special stains (periodic acid-Schiff, Gomori methenamine silver) is required to confirm the diagnosis. Nodular dermatophytosis in 23 dogs of different breed, age and sex with single or multiple nodules is described. Twelve dogs had a single nodule, and 11 dogs showed multiple lesions. Wood's lamp examination was negative in all cases. Microscopic examination of plucked hairs showed arthrospores in 8 of 23 cases. Skin scrapings in mineral oil looking for arthrospores and/or hyphae were positive in 12 cases. Impression smears of exudates were diagnostic in 21 of 23 cases (91%), showing arthrospores within fragments of hair shafts or free among neutrophils and macrophages (pyogranulomatous inflammation). Histopathology was performed in two cases. Fungal culture was positive for Microsporum canis in 16 dogs and for Microsporum gypseum in one dog. In six cases, the causative agent was not identified by fungal culture. All dogs were treated with systemic antifungal therapy and in eight cases with concurrent antibiotic therapy. Nodular dermatophytosis resolved in all dogs with the prescribed treatments within 4 to 8 weeks. Transmission to people or other pets in the home was not found.     

Development of an in vitro model to assess protein bioavailability in diets for common octopus (Octopus vulgaris)

An in vitro model designed to assess protein bioavailability in diets for growing Octopus was developed. The model required a previous assessment of some functional features of protein digestion in this species like the main producing organs, optimum pH for activity and total production per g tissue. The main producing organs identified were the salivary glands and the hepatopancreas (HP), being optimum pH for protease activity quite different in both organs (mostly alkaline in the posterior salivary glands and acid in the HP). In spite of the high‐specific protease activity measured in the salivary glands, a major role of the HP in protein hydrolysis is suggested due to the much bigger size of this viscera. All this information was used as a basis to develop an in vitro two‐step hydrolysis process, which simulated protein hydrolysis performed by these two organs using the Octopus enzymes. The assay was used to evaluate differences in amino acid bioavailability from several protein sources (casein, gelatin, fish meal, squid meal and krill meal) that could be used as feed ingredients for this species. As significant differences were detected both in total amount and in rate of release of the amino acids from such proteins, the model is proposed as a complementary tool in the selection and nutritional evaluation of protein ingredients to be used in diets for Octopus.     

Downy mildew resistance evaluation in 28 grapevine hybrids promising for breeding programs in Trentino region (Italy)

Downy mildew is a major grapevine disease caused by the biotrophic oomycete, Plasmopara viticola. Numerous disease resistance studies of diverse Vitis germplasm have been previously carried out to identify downy mildew resistance sources; however, ratings were mainly reported using leaf disc in vitro testing and foliage field assessment, or upon leaf and cluster field evaluations. In the current study, 28 grapevine hybrid cultivars were screened using leaf disc bioassay, for disease resistance characterization of both existing and wild-collected materials. 16 hybrids were identified as highly resistant or resistant, and will serve as relevant resistance donors in future pre-breeding and breeding programs. All grapevine hybrids were evaluated for foliar and cluster downy mildew resistance in an untreated field trial over three successive years. This study showed that the leaf disc bioassay provided some information on the resistance level of the genotypes under scrutiny, but it was a weak predictor of their resistance level under field conditions on leaves and even more on bunches. These findings are relevant to future applications in both traditional and marker-assisted breeding programs which promote sustainable viticulture.     

Canine circovirus and Canine adenovirus type 1 and 2 in dogs with parvoviral enteritis

Veterinary Research Communications - Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is one of the most relevant pathogens associated with enteritis in dogs and is frequently reported in association with the...