Comment on "Productivity is a poor predictor of plant species richness"

Adler et al. (Reports, 23 September 2011, p. 1750) analyzed the standardized sampling data from 48 herbaceous-dominated plant communities and concluded that "Productivity is a poor predictor of plant species richness" at fine-scale. However, their method was biased toward site-number-dominated plant communities. They also failed to provide enough data for regional analysis and detailed information for within-site analysis.     

Mustelidae are natural hosts of Staphylococcus delphini group A

According to the current taxonomy, the Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) comprises of at least three distinct species. While S. intermedius and S. pseudintermedius are associated with specific hosts (pigeons and dogs, respectively), the natural host of S. delphini remains unclear. We analysed 158 SIG isolates from less studied animal species belonging to the order Carnivora, including mink (n=118), fox (n=33), badger (n=6) and ferret (n=1). Species identification was performed by nuc PCR in combination with sodA sequence analysis and pta PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The results showed a consistent association between host and bacterial species. All isolates from minks, ferret and badgers belonged to S. delphini group A, whereas all fox isolates except one were identified as S. pseudintermedius. The remaining fox isolate belonged to S. delphini group A. The results indicate that Mustelidae such as minks, ferrets and badgers are natural hosts of S. delphini group A. This is in contrast with Canidae, which are primarily colonized and infected with S. pseudintermedius. These findings suggest that coagulase-positive staphylococcal species may have evolved and diverged through host adaptation.     

Risk factors for highly pathogenic H7N1 avian influenza virus infection in poultry during the 1999-2000 epidemic in Italy

In 1999-2000, Italian poultry production was disrupted by an H7N1 virus subtype epidemic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The objectives of the present study were to identify risk factors for infection on poultry farms located in regions that had the highest number of outbreaks (Veneto and Lombardia) and the impact of pre-emptive culling as a complementary measure for eradicating infection. A Cox regression model that included spatial factors, such as the G index, was used. The results confirmed the relationship between risk of infection and poultry species, production type and size of farms. The effectiveness of pre-emptive culling was confirmed. An increased risk of infection was observed for poultry farms located near an infected farm and those at altitudes less than 150m above sea level. The measures for the control and eradication of AI virus infection need to consider species differences in susceptibility, the types of production and the density of poultry farms in the affected areas.     

Adenocarcinoma of the disseminated prostate in a cat

An adenocarcinoma of the disseminated prostate gland with pulmonary, myocardial and renal metastases is described in a 12-year-old, neutered male European cat. Histologically, the tumour was localised in the spongy layer of the prostatic urethra and showed an epithelial alveolar pattern. Considering the anatomic, microscopic and immunohistochemical findings, the tumour was diagnosed as an adenocarcinoma of the disseminated prostate gland. To our knowledge this is the first report of adenocarcinoma of the disseminated prostate gland in a cat.     

The contribution of stem cells to epidermal and hair follicle tumours in the dog

Background –  Although cutaneous stem cells have been implicated in skin tumourigenesis in humans, no studies have been conducted to elucidate the presence and the possible role of stem cells in hair follicle tumours in the dog. Hypothesis –  Stem cell markers are expressed in canine epidermal and follicular tumours and can be used to better understand the biology and origin of these tumours. Animals and Methods –  In the present study, normal skin sections and 44 follicular tumours were retrospectively investigated for the immunohistochemical expression of keratin 15 (K15) and nestin. In addition, 30 squamous cell carcinomas were evaluated for K15 expression. Results –  In normal skin, K15 and nestin were expressed in the outer root sheath cells of the isthmic portion of the hair follicle (bulge region), and K15 expression was also scattered in the basal cell layer of the epidermis. Infundibular keratinizing acanthomas, pilomatricomas and squamous cell carcinomas were mostly negative for K15, trichoblastomas were moderately to strongly positive, tricholemmomas were either negative or strongly positive, and trichoepitheliomas had heterogeneous staining. Nestin expression was generally faint in all follicular tumours. Conclusions and clinical importance –  Our results show that K15 can be a reliable marker for investigating the role of stem cells in hair follicle tumours of the dog, while nestin was judged to be a nonoptimal marker. Furthermore, our study suggests that hair follicle stem cells are present in the bulge region of hair follicles and could possibly play a role in tumourigenesis of canine tumours originating from this portion of the follicle, namely trichoblastomas, tricholemmomas and trichoepitheliomas. The loss of K15 expression in squamous cell carcinomas compared with normal skin suggests that this event could be important in the malignant transformation.     

Suppressive activity of some glucosinolate enzyme degradation products on Pythium irregulare and Rhizoctonia solani in sterile soil

Glucosinolate degradation products (GLDPs), mainly isothiocyanates, obtained by myrosinase‐catalysed hydrolysis of glucosinolates (GLs), are an important group of natural bioactive substances. The fungitoxic activity of four GLDPs, chosen on the basis of their side‐chain structures, was assayed against Pythium irregulare and Rhizoctonia solani. The effectiveness of the degradation products (DPs) of sinigrin (alkenyl GL), epi‐progoitrin (hydroxy‐alkenyl GL), glucoiberin and glucoerucin (thiofunctionalised GLs) in inhibiting P irregulare oospore germination and R solani soil colonisation were tested in a closed system, using an artificially infected soil. The fungitoxic activity of these GLDPs varied according to their side‐chain structure. As in previous in vitro studies, the thiofunctionalised GLDPs were found the most effective, producing complete inhibition of P irregulare oospore germination (0.01 µmole g⁻¹ soil) and R solani soil colonisation (0.5 µmole g⁻¹ soil), but even sinigrin DP showed a fungitoxic activity higher than that of epi‐progoitrin DP. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of dietary arginine to lysine ratios on productive performance,meat quality,plasma and muscle metabolomics profile in fast-growing broiler chickens

Background: Due to the important functions of arginine in poultry,it should be questioned whether the currently adopted dietary Arg:Lys ratios are sufficient to meet the modern broiler requirement in arginine.The present study aimed,therefore,to evaluate the effects of the dietary supplementation of L-arginine in a commercial broiler diet on productive performance,breast meat quality attributes,incidence and severity of breast muscle myopathies and foot pad dermatitis(FPD),and plasma and muscle metabolomics profile in fast-growing broilers.Results: A total of 1,170 1-day-old Ross 308 male chicks was divided into two experimental groups of 9 replicates each fed either a commercial basal diet(CON,digestible Arg:Lys ratio of 1.05,1.05,1.06 and 1.07 in each feeding phase,respectively) or the same basal diet supplemented on-top with crystalline L-arginine(ARG,digestible Arg:Lys ratio of 1.15,1.15,1.16 and 1.17,respectively).Productive parameters were determined at the end of each feeding phase(12,22,33,43 d).At slaughter(43 d),incidence and severity of FPD and breast myopathies were assessed,while plasma and breast muscle samples were collected and analyzed by proton nuclear magnetic resonancespectroscopy.The dietary supplementation of arginine significantly reduced cumulative feed conversion ratio compared to the control diet at 12 d(1.352 vs.1.401,P 0.05),22 d(1.398 vs.1.420; P 0.01) and 33 d(1.494 vs.1.524; P 0.05),and also tended to improve it in the overall period of trial(1.646 vs.1.675; P = 0.09).Body weight was significantly increased in ARG compared to CON group at 33 d(1,884 vs.1,829 g; P 0.05).No significant effect was observed on meat quality attributes,breast myopathies and FPD occurrence.ARG birds showed significantly higher plasma concentration of arginine and leucine,and lower of acetoacetate,glutamate,adenosine and proline.Arginine and acetate concentrations were higher,whereas acetone and inosine levels were lower in the breast of ARG birds(P 0.05).Conclusions: Taken together,these data showed that increased digestible Arg:Lys ratio had positive effects on feed efficiency in broiler chickens probably via modulation of metabolites that play key roles in energy and protein metabolism.     

Monitoring managed forest structure at the compartment-level under different silvicultural heritages: An exploratory data analysis in Italy

ABSTRACT

The more and more diffused multifunctional role addressed nowadays to public forests, calls for targeted analysis aimed at highlighting the overall outcome of different practices implemented on the same forest compartment, according to the locally prevailing function. This study was carried out in four Italian beech forests across a latitudinal gradient representative of multiple management history, stand structure, and dominant stand age. We analyze forest structure at the compartment scale before and after silvicultural practices. We aim to explore relationships and similarities between 10 stand attributes (mensurational and structural variables) to identify relevant indicators for the monitoring and management of forest ecosystems. Results indicate changing patterns of correlation and similarity among mensurational variables following practice implementation. A sensitivity gradient to silvicultural practice was finally identified within the four sites investigated as a result of the diverging stand structure. Our approach suggests a way and provides an insight for the design of adaptive forestry management practices required to meet environmental targets, in addition to the already acknowledged supply of primary goods and services.