Apparent prevalence of antibodies to Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) in bulk tank milk from dairy herds in southern Belgium

In 2006, a cross-sectional survey was carried out in 206 herds in southern Belgium to estimate the proportion of herds with Q fever-seropositive bulk tank milk (BTM), i.e. herds with an intra-herd seroprevalence >10%. Of the tested herds, 119 (57.8%; 95% CI: 51.1-64.4%) were seropositive. Most had a low antibody titre. Of these herds, 50 were randomly subjected to a real time Coxiella burnetii PCR analysis. The proportion of herds excreting Coxiella in BTM was 30.0% with only 2.0% of herds having a high level of shedding. An additional questionnaire and logistical regression identified some factors which increased the risk of BTM seroconversion (in heifers, drinking water from watercourse or well water) and some which decreased it (in heifers, tie- and free-stalling, and animals of all age in the same shed; in heifers and cows, shed disinfection).     

Adiponectin enhances in vitro development of swine embryos

Recent studies have shown that factors from adipose tissue influence and regulate the reproductive system. Hormones such as leptin and resistin are now known to regulate several reproductive processes. Adiponectin is the most abundant protein secreted by adipose tissue, and its circulating concentration is inversely related to adiposity and body mass index. Little is known about the involvement of adiponectin in reproduction. In the present study, the effect of recombinant adiponectin on the meiotic maturation and early embryo development in vitro was investigated, using porcine oocytes. Adiponectin receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, were found to be expressed in porcine oocytes and cumulus cells of both small and large follicles. Both AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 were immunolocalized to cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), oocytes, and early developing embryos. When included in oocyte maturation medium for 46 h, adiponectin significantly decreased the frequency of meiotic immature oocytes derived from large follicles (3-6 mm) but not from small follicles (<3mm). From studies of oocytes matured in the presence of adiponectin and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway inhibitors MEK1 (PD98059), MEK1/2 (U0126), and p38MAPK (SB203580) it was concluded that adiponectin enhances oocyte maturation thought the p38MAPK pathway. Finally, a superior rate of embryo development to the blastocyst stage was achieved by embryos cultured in the presence of adiponectin. These results indicate that adiponectin has a positive effect on the meiotic maturation and in vitro embryo development of porcine oocytes and suggests a physiological role for this adipokine in early development in mammals.     

Assessing the potential of an algorithm based on mean climatic data to predict wheat yield

The real-time non-invasive determination of crop biomass and yield prediction is one of the major challenges in agriculture. An interesting approach lies in using process-based crop yield models in combination with real-time monitoring of the input climatic data of these models, but unknown future weather remains the main obstacle to reliable yield prediction. Since accurate weather forecasts can be made only a short time in advance, much information can be derived from analyzing past weather data. This paper presents a methodology that addresses the problem of unknown future weather by using a daily mean climatic database, based exclusively on available past measurements. It involves building climate matrix ensembles, combining different time ranges of projected mean climate data and real measured weather data originating from the historical database or from real-time measurements performed in the field. Used as an input for the STICS crop model, the datasets thus computed were used to perform statistical within-season biomass and yield prediction. This work demonstrated that a reliable predictive delay of 3–4 weeks could be obtained. In combination with a local micrometeorological station that monitors climate data in real-time, the approach also enabled us to (i) predict potential yield at the local level, (ii) detect stress occurrence and (iii) quantify yield loss (or gain) drawing on real monitored climatic conditions of the previous few days.     

Management effects on composition and dynamics of cutin and suberin in topsoil under agricultural use

We identified and quantified specific biomarkers of shoots and roots (cutin and suberin‐derived compounds, respectively) of three grassland species (Dactylis glomerata L., Festuca arundinacea Schreb. and Lolium perenne L.) in soil under different land use (grass, crop and bare soil) of the SOERE‐ACBB experimental site in Lusignan (France). We also investigated the fate of these markers in soil after conversion from grassland (C₃ plants) to Zea mays L. (maize) (C₄ plant) with natural ¹³C isotope abundances. Our results indicated that 9‐hydroxy hexadecanedioic acid and 8(9)(10),16‐dihydroxy hexadecanoic acid may be used as biomarkers for above‐ground biomass, whereas 1,22‐docosandioic acid, 22‐hydroxy docosanoic acid and 24‐hydroxy tetracosanoic acid might be the best below‐ground biomarkers for the plants investigated under the experimental conditions studied. The presence, concentration and shoot–root allocation pattern of these markers were different from those described for other species, which demonstrates the importance of verifying biomarker specificity for each species. Concentrations of cutin and suberin were largest in soil under maize and smallest under bare soil; this corresponded to the biomass added to the two soils. Suberin decreased by 40–64% and cutin by 24–40% during a 6‐year bare fallow, which indicates that root markers were more sensitive than shoot markers to degradation. Changes in ¹³C isotopic signatures of specific biomarkers after 6 years of maize showed a faster turnover of root than shoot biomarkers, in spite of the much smaller root inputs from maize than from grasses. The sequestration of suberin in soil was more rapid but less durable than that of cutin.     

Technosol genesis: identification of organo-mineral associations in a young Technosol derived from coking plant waste materials

Background, aim and scope  

Technosols form a new soil group in the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) (FAO, World Soil Resour Rep 132:145, 2006) mainly characterised by anthropogenic parent material of organic and mineral nature and which origin can be either natural or technogenic. The increasing number of sites affected by technogenic materials and their impact on the environment as growing media for plants or as source of pollutants requires an understanding of their functioning and evolution. Among the parameters describing soil functions, the structure is a key property, encompassing physical, chemical and biological soil processes, which is not yet usually studied in Technosols. The presence of high levels of complex technogenic materials and pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs] and trace elements) is likely to determine aggregation and induce a specific soil structure. This work was undertaken to test this hypothesis and assess whether technogenic material would contribute to the formation of water-stable aggregates in Technosols.     

Classification of worldwide bovine tuberculosis risk factors in cattle: a stratified approach

The worldwide status of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) as a zoonosis remains of great concern. This article reviews the main risk factors for bTB in cattle based on a three-level classification: animal, herd and region/country level. A distinction is also made, whenever possible, between situations in developed and developing countries as the difference of context might have consequences in terms of risk of bTB. Recommendations are suggested to animal health professionals and scientists directly involved in the control and prevention of bTB in cattle. The determination of Millenium Development Goals for bTB is proposed to improve the control/eradication of the disease worldwide.     

A survey of the transmission of infectious diseases/infections between wild and domestic ungulates in Europe

ABSTRACT: The domestic animals/wildlife interface is becoming a global issue of growing interest. However, despite studies on wildlife diseases being in expansion, the epidemiological role of wild animals in the transmission of infectious diseases remains unclear most of the time. Multiple diseases affecting livestock have already been identified in wildlife, especially in wild ungulates. The first objective of this paper was to establish a list of infections already reported in European wild ungulates. For each disease/infection, three additional materials develop examples already published, specifying the epidemiological role of the species as assigned by the authors. Furthermore, risk factors associated with interactions between wild and domestic animals and regarding emerging infectious diseases are summarized. Finally, the wildlife surveillance measures implemented in different European countries are presented. New research areas are proposed in order to provide efficient tools to prevent the transmission of diseases between wild ungulates and livestock.