Spreading of West Nile virus infection in Croatia

West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen with rapid global expansion. The virus circulation is confirmed in many countries of Mediterranean Basin and Southern and Central Europe. In our study detection of specific WNV antibodies was performed in horses and cattle sera samples collected from October 2010 to April 2011. Serum samples were randomly taken from different parts of Croatia and tested by IgG and IgM ELISA. Positive serological results were confirmed by virus neutralization assay (VN-assay) and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). Results showed that WNV antibodies were present in 72 out of 2098 horse sera (3.43%) and 3 of 2695 cattle sera (0.11%). The highest seroprevalence was found in Eastern Croatia in counties next to Hungarian, Serbian and Bosnia and Herzegovinian state borders. In Adriatic part of Croatia positive animals were found only in the westernmost county, near Slovenian and Italian borders. Geographic distribution and number of positive horses indicated that WNV is highly present in Croatia and spreading from East to West. However, positive horses in westernmost part of country indicate possible second origin of spreading. Location of serological positive cattle supports the hypothesis that seropositive cattle could be indicators of high WNV activity in the respective geographic regions.     

Effect of Baking Method and Fermentation on Folate Content of Rye and Wheat Breads

The effect of baking method on folates of rye and wheat breads, as well as the effect of sourdough fermentation of rye, were examined. Sourdough fermentations were performed both with and without added yeast, and samples were taken throughout the baking process. Samples were analyzed microbiologically for their total folate content after trienzyme extraction. Individual folate vitamers were determined by HPLC after affinity chromatographic purification. The lowest folate contents for both rye and wheat breads were found from breads baked without added yeast. Total folate content increased considerably during sourdough fermentation due to increased amounts of 10‐HCO‐H₂folate, 5‐CH₃‐H₄folate, and 5‐HCO‐H₄folate. Baker's yeast contributed markedly to the final folate content of bread by synthesizing folates during fermentation. Proofing did not influence total folate content but changes in vitamer distribution were observed. Folate losses in baking were ≈25%. The variety of sourdoughs and baking processes obviously lead to great variation in folate content of rye breads. The possibilities to enhance natural folate content of rye bread by improving folate retention in technological processes and by screening and combining suitable yeasts and lactic acid bacteria should be further investigated.     

Characterisation and toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis strains from hazelnut pests and fields

BACKGROUND: In order to find and identify more toxic insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) strains, a survey was carried out of B. thuringiensis isolate pests belonging to Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera and from soils in hazelnut fields. Of 16 isolates having Bacillus cereus‐B. thuringiensis morphology, eight were classified as B. thuringiensis because of the production of parasporal δ‐endotoxin crystals. RESULTS: In this study, eight isolates of B. thuringiensis from hazelnut pests (isolates Bn1, Mm2, Mnd and Xd3) and from hazelnut soils (isolates 6, 27, 40 and 46) have been characterised in detail. These isolates were compared with reference strains by electron microscopy, SDS‐PAGE analysis, cry gene content, serological test and insecticidal activity. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that Bn1 and MnD are B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, and Mm2 and Xd3 are B. thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis. In addition, isolate 6 is B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis, isolates 27 and 46 are B. thuringiensis subsp. kumamotoensis and isolate 40 is B. thuringiensis subsp. indiana. The four B. thuringiensis isolates from hazelnut pests may be valuable as biological control agents against coleopteran and lepidopteran insects. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Competitive interactions for food resources between the invasive Amur sleeper (Perccottus glenii) and threatened European mudminnow (Umbra krameri)

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Influence of thaxtomins in different combinations and concentrations on growth of micropropagated potato shoot cultures

Plant-pathogenic Streptomyces species produce a variety of different phytotoxic 4-nitroindol-3-yl-containing 2,5-dioxopiperazines (thaxtomins) that induce scab symptoms on potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum). The possible mutual synergistic or antagonistic effects of thaxtomins are unknown. Modified methodology using column chromatography allowed the purification of thaxtomin A in large quantities (27 mg, HPLC purity of 97%). Thaxtomin A ortho isomer, thaxtomin B, and C-14 deoxythaxtomin B (thaxtomin D) were also purified. All four compounds induced similar symptoms of reduced root and shoot growth, root swelling (10-200 ppb), or necrosis (200-1000 ppb) on micropropagated in vitro cultures of potato. The scab-resistant potato cvs. Sabina and Nicola were more tolerant to thaxtomins than was the scab-susceptible cv. Matilda. Thaxtomins applied in combinations showed additive effects but no synergism, whereas thaxtomins A and B displayed antagonism with thaxtomin A ortho isomer.     

Evaluating irrigation applied and nitrogen leached using different smart irrigation technologies on bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum)

Irrigation technologies [i.e., automatic timer, automatic timer with rain sensor, automatic timer with soil water sensor (SWS), and evapotranspiration (ET) controller] were compared in a bahiagrass plot study by measuring irrigation applied, water volumes drained, and NO₃–N and NH₄–N leached. All irrigation technologies were scheduled to irrigate on Sunday and Thursday. Three different irrigation depths were evaluated with the automatic timer: 15, 19, and 32 mm. SWS treatment allowed scheduled irrigation if soil water content was estimated to be below 70 % of water holding capacity, while the ET treatment allowed scheduled irrigation if soil water content was estimated to be below 50 % of plant available water. The rain sensor, SWS, and ET controller treatments applied significantly less water (p < 0.05) than the automatic timer treatment (which irrigates on specific days and times without regard to system conditions), reducing water by 17–49, 64–75, and 66–70 %, respectively. NO₃–N and NH₄–N were only significantly different after the second fertilizer application, which coincided with the 32 mm per event irrigation rate for the automatic timer treatment. Under these conditions, the automatic timer treatment had significantly greater NO₃–N and NH₄–N leachate than other treatments due to greater occurrence of soil water content exceeding water holding capacity, which resulted in drainage. Findings suggest that water can be saved using rain sensors, SWSs, or ET controllers and that leachate NO₃–N and NH₄–N can be reduced using rain sensors, SWSs, or ET controllers.     

Trend Analysis of Nutrient Concentrations and Loads in Selected Canals of the Southern Indian River Lagoon, Florida

Long-term nutrient concentration trends and load variations at six monitoring stations on four canals in the Southern Indian River Lagoon (Florida, USA) were evaluated using the Estimate Trend (Estrend) and Load Estimator (Loadest) programs. The results of trend analysis on nutrient concentrations suggested that the nutrient trend patterns were spatially variable. Increasing trends were most often observed in orthophosphate and/or total phosphorus at five stations. Significantly increased annual loads were observed for orthophosphate at four stations from 1979 through 2004. The median concentrations of ammonia (0.05 to 0.10 mg l^?1) were greater than the State of Florida surface water quality criteria of class III freshwater body for ammonia. The median concentrations of total phosphorus (138 to 376 μg l^?1) were greater than the USEPA ambient water quality criteria recommendation for the study area (Nutrient Ecoregion XIII). Nutrient (phosphorus and nitrogen) loads observed in this study are likely to impair the water quality in the Southern Indian River Lagoon.     

The first report of autochthonous non-vector-borne transmission of canine leishmaniosis in the Nordic countries

Background

Leishmania spp. are zoonotic protozoans that infect humans and other mammals such as dogs. The most significant causative species in dogs is L. infantum. In dogs, leishmaniosis is a potentially progressive, chronic disease with varying clinical outcomes. Autochthonous cases of canine leishmaniosis have not previously been reported in the Nordic countries.

Results

In this report we describe the first diagnosed autochthonous cases of canine leishmaniosis in Finland, in which transmission via a suitable arthropod vector was absent. Two Finnish boxers that had never been in endemic areas of Leishmania spp., had never received blood transfusions, nor were infested by ectoparasites were diagnosed with leishmaniosis. Another dog was found with elevated Leishmania antibodies. A fourth boxer dog that had been in Spain was considered to be the source of these infections. Transmission occurred through biting wounds and semen, however, transplacental infection in one of the dogs could not be ruled out.Two of the infected dogs developed a serious disease and were euthanized and sent for necropsy. The first one suffered from membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and the second one had a chronic systemic disease. Leishmania sp. was detected from tissues by PCR and/or IHC in both dogs. The third infected dog was serologically positive for Leishmania sp. but remained free of clinical signs.

Conclusions

This case report shows that imported Leishmania-infected dogs may pose a risk for domestic dogs, even without suitable local arthropod vectors.     

Influence of Bioprocessed Wheat Bran on the Physical and Chemical Properties of Dough and on Wheat Bread Texture

The aim of this work was to assess the influence of wheat bran addition on the rheological properties of dough and on subsequent wheat bread volume and texture. Two types of bioprocessed bran (fermentation with yeast or with yeast plus enzymes) were studied in breadmaking at a substitution level of 20% (sufficient to deliver 6 g of dietary fiber per 100 g of product, the minimum for the European Food Safety Authority high‐fiber nutrition claim). Fermentation activated endogenous enzymes of bran, which together with exogenous enzymes modified the state of fiber in bran, resulting in solubilization of arabinoxylans and slight degradation of the insoluble fiber. Fermentation and enzyme treatment of bran compensated for the increased hardness (+100%) and the volume‐decreasing (–21%) effect observed with untreated bran. Analysis with partial least squares regression suggested the efficacy of bioprocessing to be based on solubilization of arabinoxylans, smaller particle size of bran, lower pasting viscosity of starch, improved resistance to extension, and accelerated CO₂ production.     

Qualitative characterization of benzoxazinoid derivatives in whole grain rye and wheat by LC-MS metabolite profiling

Benzoxazinoids are metabolites occurring in a restricted group of plant species including crops such as rye, wheat, and maize. Focus on the analysis of benzoxazinoid metabolites has typically been due to their importance to plant biochemistry and physiology as highly bioactive molecules that plants use as alleochemicals to defend themselves against predators and infections. However, the potential dietary contribution of these compounds has not been addressed. This study conducted a detailed qualitative characterization of benzoxazinoid metabolites present in the whole grain rye and processed fractions of rye bran, and their presence was also detected in whole grain wheat samples. Several novel benzoxazinoid metabolites of the hydroxamic acids (2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one, DIBOA; 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one, DIMBOA), lactams (2-hydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one, HBOA), and benzoxazolinones (1,3-benzoxazol-2-one, BOA) were identified, including double-hexose derivatives of DIBOA, DIMBOA, and HBOA. This paper presents an important addition to the information on the phytochemical composition of rye and wheat grains, which deserves attention in the discussion of the potential health-promoting effects of these grains.