The effect of a natural feed additive (Macleaya cordata), containing sanguinarine,on the performance and health status of weaning pigs

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Sangrovit^®, a plant‐derived feed additive, given throughout the nursery stage via feed at 15 ppm and 50 ppm, on the health status and performance of weaners against negative controls. In a 900‐sow farrow‐to‐finish farm, a total of 864 piglets were divided into three groups: (i) negative controls (NC); (ii) Sang 15: same feed as NCs, plus 15 g Sangrovit^® /t of feed; (iii) Sang 50: same feed as NCs plus 50 g Sangrovit^® /t of feed. The results indicated that administration of 50 ppm^‐Sangrovit^® had the most beneficial effects on growth performance in weaning pigs. Specifically there was increase of body weight and average daily gain, as well as reduction of feed conversion ratio. Blood analysis from the Sang groups and especially the Sang 50 group revealed low values of haptoglobin and serum amyloid A.     

Response of ungrafted rootstocks and rootstocks grafted with wine grape varieties (Vitis sp.) to ‘lime-induced chlorosis’

The ungrafted rootstocks 41B, 1103P, 110R and 140Ru, the grafted combinations of 41B, 1103P and 110R with Xinomavro (one of the most important red wine grape varieties in Greece), as well as those of 1103P, 110R and 140Ru with Chardonnay, were evaluated for 'lime-induced chlorosis' tolerance by growing them with a) basic nutrient solution (BNS), b) BNS + 10 mM bicarbonate, c) BNS without iron (Fe) and d) BNS without zinc (Zn), in hydroponics. The ungrafted 140Ru followed by 41B under high bicarbonate presented the lowest degree of chlorosis; however only 41B presented non-differentiated biomass production and root/shoot ratio. Chlorotic symptoms in combination with plant growth parameters should be used as a tool for grapevine rootstock lime-tolerance screening whereas leaf Fe concentration and root ferric chelate reductase (FCR) activity should not. Lime-stress conditions affected plant mineral nutrition by depressing leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and increasing potassium (K), and zinc (Zn).     

MOST DOGS WITH MEDULLARY RIM SIGN ON ULTRASONOGRAPHY HAVE NO DEMONSTRABLE RENAL DYSFUNCTION

The medullary rim sign is a distinct hyperechoic line in the renal medulla parallel to the corticomedullary junction that has been reported in dogs with a variety of renal diseases. To examine the association between medullary rim sign and renal disease, the medical records of thirty-two dogs that had medullary rim sign were reviewed retrospectively. Eighteen dogs (56%) had no evidence of renal dysfunction; 14 (44%) had clinicopathological evidence of renal disease, including 6 (19%) that had hypercalcemic nephropathy. Most dogs (72%) in which medullary rim sign was the only ultrasonographic finding affecting the kidneys had no evidence of renal dysfunction. In contrast, 78% dogs that had medullary rim sign and other renal signs (reduced size, increased medullary echogenicity, and pyelectasia) had renal disease. On the basis of this study, the medullary rim sign appears to be a non-specific ultrasonographic sign; however, the possibility cannot be excluded that is a sentinel sign of subclinical renal disease.     

Effect of storage time on the urine protein: creatinine ratio in alkaline ovine urine

The urine protein:creatinine (UPC) ratio is considered the reference method to assess proteinuria. Its diagnostic value in ovine medicine needs further elucidation. In population monitoring and/or for research purposes, it is convenient to collect many samples simultaneously and store them for later analysis. However, analyte stability data are required to ensure reliable results. We used 15 of 90 urine samples collected from sheep to assess the effect of storage time on the UPC ratio. After centrifugation, the supernatant of each sample was divided into 6 aliquots. Urine protein and creatinine concentrations were determined immediately in one aliquot using the pyrogallol red and a modified Jaffè method, respectively. The other aliquots were stored at −18°C. Based on the absence of active sediment, alkaline urine pH, and UPC ratio ≥0.2, we included 15 samples in our study. The UPC ratio was determined in the stored aliquots 2, 7, 14, 21, and 60 d after collection. The data were analyzed with univariate ANOVA. No significant difference was observed in the urinary concentrations of protein, creatinine, and the UPC ratio (0.8 ± 0.84 in conventional units and 0.09 ± 0.095 in SI units) among different times (p > 0.05). The UPC ratio remained stable for 2 mo in ovine urine samples stored at −18°C.     

A newly developed droplet digital PCR for Ehrlichia canis detection: comparisons to conventional PCR and blood smear techniques

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia canis infection is a life-threatening vector-borne disease in dogs worldwide. Routine blood smear has very low sensitivity and cannot accurately provide a quantitative result. Conventional PCR (cPCR) and real-time PCR (qPCR) are widely used as molecular methods for E. canis detection. qPCR is quantitative but relies on standard curves of known samples. To overcome this difficulty, this study developed a new E. canis quantitative detection method, using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). ddPCR was evaluated against cPCR and blood smears. PCR amplicons and genomic DNA (gDNA) from 12 microscopic positive samples were used to identify the limits of detection (LODs) in ddPCR and cPCR. Our ddPCR was assessed in 92 field samples, it was compared with cPCR and blood smears. ddPCR showed LOD=1.6 copies/reaction, or 78 times more sensitive than cPCR (LOD=126 copies/reaction), using PCR amplicons as a template, whereas both ddPCR and cPCR had equal LODs at 0.02 ng gDNA/reaction. In addition, ddPCR had 100% sensitivity and 75% specificity for E. canis detection compared to cPCR and no cross-reaction with other blood pathogens was observed. ddPCR identified more positive samples than cPCR and blood smear. ddPCR improved the overall performance of E. canis detection, with a better LOD and comparable sensitivity and specificity to cPCR. The technique might be helpful for diagnosis of E. canis in light infection, evaluating the number of E. canis and follow-up after treatment.     

An interview‐based approach assessing interactions between seals and small‐scale fisheries informs the conservation strategy of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal

1. Small‐scale fisheries may pose a serious threat to the conservation of marine mammals. At the same time various factors have led to the decline of small‐scale fisheries, often making them unsustainable. Current rates of biodiversity loss and the reduction of fish stocks and fisheries dictate a thorough understanding of fisheries‐related issues and the implementation of effective management actions.
2. The Mediterranean monk seal is one of the most endangered marine mammals on Earth; its survival in the eastern Mediterranean Sea is threatened by negative interactions with fisheries. A nationwide questionnaire survey among fishers and port police authorities was carried out in Greece to describe the main characteristics of small‐scale fisheries, and to understand the nature and assess the magnitude of negative interactions between the monk seal and these fisheries. Questionnaire information was verified by a second round of interviews during landings.
3. The main attributes of the fishers, their fishing boats, and their practices were characteristic of the small‐scale fisheries sector. Overfishing was considered the main reason for fish‐stock reduction, and negative interactions with marine mammals was considered the main issue for the fishing sector.
4. Monk seals were present, caused damage, and got accidentally entangled in fishing gear throughout Greece. Damage to fishing gear was recorded mainly during spring and summer, and on average affected 21% of all fishing trips and 1% of nets deployed during a fishing trip.
5. Based on these results, the implementation of general and specific nationwide fishery management and conservation actions are proposed. These actions are mainly aimed at improving fish stock status, changing the behaviour of the fishers, and mitigating seal–fishery interactions in Greece, while promoting the recovery of the Mediterranean monk seal in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

     

Ontogeny of the shi drum Umbrina cirrosa (Linnaeus 1758), a candidate new species for aquaculture

The ontogeny of shi drum Umbrina cirrosa (Linnaeus 1758), a candidate new species for aquaculture, was studied throughout the entire larval phase. Geometric morphometric analysis revealed two clear inflection points (7.0 and 12.7 mm total length, TL) in the shape ontogeny of this species, separating the studied period into three phases of different allometric priorities. Spline graphs demonstrated that the major non‐uniform shape ontogeny correlated with the development of the fins, the anterior dorsal area of the body, the caudal peduncle, the eye and the mouth. Concerning the morphological features, shi drum larvae are characterized by an upward anterior bending of the notochord. The ontogeny of the fins began with the formation of the pectoral buds (2.9 mm TL), continued with the notochord flexion (4.3 mm TL, associated with the caudal fin development), the appearance of the pelvic buds, the first anal rays (4.5 mm TL) and the first dorsal rays (4.8 mm TL). Shi drum juveniles presented 25 vertebrae and the following dominant fin types: D XI,23, AII,6, VI,5, P17 and C17.     

Effects of atrazine on the viability and the formation of byssus of the mussel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus galloprovincialis</Emphasis>

Shellfish farming often takes place in areas subjected to various recurring pollutions. The intensive use of herbicides in agriculture leads to the presence of residues in the aquatic ecosystems. In the present study, the effects of atrazine on the viability of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and the formation of their byssus were studied. A total of 720 mussels (mean length 24 mm ± 2.1 SD) were divided into six groups. The mussels from the first five groups were exposed to five concentrations of atrazine, 10, 8, 5, 2 and 1 ppm, while one group was used as control. The LC₅₀ was calculated after 48 h, while the long-term effect of atrazine on the viability and byssus formation of the mussels were studied for 21 days. The LC₅₀ was found to be 6.33 ppm. From all the concentrations of atrazine to which the mussels were exposed, only in two of them (2 and 1 ppm) some mussels survived up to the last day of the experiment. The survival rate in the control group was significantly higher than those of mussels that were exposed to atrazine. Regarding the byssus formation, the number of byssal threads was significant lower in the mussels that were exposed to 2 and 1 ppm atrazine compared to the control group, while no byssal threads were formed by the mussels exposed to 10, 8 and 5 ppm. All the mussels that survived on day 21 were then exposed to air. The LT₅₀ for the control group and the mussels which had been exposed to 1 and 2 ppm atrazine were 5.14, 2.77 and 1.98 days, respectively. The results of the present study indicate that atrazine has a significant effect on the viability of mussels both in the water and in air and on their ability to form byssus.     

Grazing effects on the sustainability of an oak coppice forest

In Greece, deciduous oak forests usually provide both, wood production and grazing of understory vegetation. Grazing as a management tool was assayed in a deciduous oak coppice forest of 2000 ha under conversion during the management period of 1991–2005 in Central Macedonia, Greece. In this forest, 1340 cows and 3880 goats were grazing from May to October along the years. The impact of grazing pressure on forest growth was related to the difference of the overall wood stock in two sampling times conducted during the management period of 1991 and 2005. Three grazing pressures were distinguished in the forest: heavy, moderate and light. The moderate grazing improved tree growth and provided significant wood production during the management period. It has also resulted in a sustainable production of herbage and browse in the understory, supporting the maintenance of the livestock. It seems that the conversion of a deciduous oak coppice forest to a high forest along with livestock grazing in the understory is a very efficient management scheme for sustainable production in such a forest.     

Partial characterization of cobalamin deficiency in Chinese Shar Peis

A total of 22,462 serum sample results from dogs being evaluated for gastrointestinal disease at the Gastrointestinal Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University were evaluated retrospectively. The proportion of dogs with serum cobalamin concentrations below the reference interval and median serum concentrations were compared between Shar Peis and other dog breeds. Serum samples were also obtained prospectively from 22 healthy and 32 Shar Peis with chronic gastrointestinal disease and 59 healthy dogs of other breeds, and serum concentrations of cobalamin, folate, and methylmalonic acid were determined and compared. Overall, 64.0% (89/139) of serum samples from Shar Peis showed serum cobalamin concentrations below the limit of the reference interval and 38.1% (53/139) of these were below the detectable limit for the assay. The median serum cobalamin concentration in Shar Peis was significantly lower than in other breeds. Shar Peis with gastrointestinal disease had significantly lower serum cobalamin and higher serum methylmalonic acid concentrations compared to healthy Shar Peis. Healthy Shar Peis had significantly increased serum methylmalonic acid concentrations compared to healthy dogs of other breeds. There were no meaningful differences in folate concentrations between groups. In conclusion, Shar Peis have a high prevalence of cobalamin deficiency compared to other breeds and healthy Shar Peis may have subclinical cobalamin deficiency.