Degradation studies on benzoxazinoids. Soil degradation dynamics of (2R)-2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-4-hydroxy-(2H)- 1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (DIBOA-Glc) and its degradation products, phytotoxic allelochemicals from Gramineae

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has been found to possess allelopathic potential and studies have been conduced to apply wheat allelopathy for biological weed control. 2,4-Dihydroxy-(2H)-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (DIBOA) is a common product found in wheat, corn, and rye exudates and it can be released to the environment by that way. In this report, the stability of DIBOA is studied in two soils from crop lands of wheat cv. Astron and cv. Ritmo. These varieties were selected by their concentrations of DIBOA and 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-(2H)-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (DIMBOA) from aerial parts and by the bioactivities of their aqueous extracts in the growth of wheat coleoptile sections. The degradation rate of DIBOA in these soils was measured in laboratory tests during 90 h by high-pressure liquid chromatography methods. These analyses demonstrate that DIBOA was transformed primarily into 2-benzoxazolinone (BOA). This transformation was similar in both soil types with an average half-life of 43 h. The degradation studies for BOA show its biotransformation to 2-aminophenoxazin-3-one (APO) with a half-life of 2.5 days. Therefore, BOA is an intermediate product in the biotransformation from DIBOA to APO in these wheat crop soils and is consistent with previous findings. APO was not degraded after three months in soil, suggesting that its degradation rate in soil is very slow.     

Application of Hansch's model to guaianolide ester derivatives: a quantitative structure-activity relationship study

A quantitative structure-activity study to evaluate the effect of lipophilia/aqueous solubility on etiolated wheat coleoptiles elongation has been carried out with 34 guaianolides having different numbers of hydroxyl groups and ester side chains of variable length and structure: linear, branched, aromatic, and unsaturated. Compounds have been tested in a range of concentrations between 10 and 1000 microM. Data show a strong influence of lipophilia, expressed as logP values. Specially, data from alkylic side chain ester derivatives adjust to the mathematical model based on Hansch's transport theory; hence, a quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) correlation with a high degree of reliance is provided. Moreover, all active compounds fit the Lipinski's rule of five. Also, the presence of additional hydroxyl groups and their derivatives in the basic skeleton does not affect the mode of action but greatly influences the activity, as they modify the transport through membranes and aqueous phases. Finally, a second hydroxyl group enhances differences of activity between alkylic side chain derivatives by increasing differences in van der Waals interactions.     

Presumptive herpesvirus-associated erythema multiforme in a cat

Erythema multiforme (EM), an uncommon immune-mediated skin disorder of cats, conceivably could be triggered by feline herpesvirus type-1 (FHV-1) infection, in a manner analogous to human herpesvirus-associated EM (HAEM). This report describes a 10-year-old Persian-mixed cat with a presumptive diagnosis of HAEM.     

Welfare assessment in intensive and semi-intensive dairy cattle management system in Sicily

The present study aimed to compare the welfare of dairy cows kept in two traditional husbandry systems (semi-intensive and intensive farming) in south-eastern Sicily. A total of 18 dairy farms (nine semi-intensive and nine intensive) were evaluated with a multicriteria system adapted for Sicilian conditions and obtained simplifying the model of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Values of welfare measures, collected by inspections of the farms (general well-being indicators, ventilation system, resting areas [cubicles or bedding], flooring, milking parlours and waiting area, manger and watering equipment), and those of health categories (cases of abortions, hypocalcemia, displacement of abomasum, acidosis/ketosis, enteritis, hoof problems, and mastitis) obtained through the farm records, were compared using Mann–Whitney and Chi-squared tests, respectively. Data showed significant differences (p ≤ .05) about the variables related to welfare categories such as housing ventilation system, resting area, manger, and water equipment that were better in the semi-intensive system than the intensive system. No significant differences were observed about the variables related to health indicators. The results demonstrated that in Sicily the semi-intensive farm is better than the intensive to satisfy the conditions of animal welfare.     

Ultrasound-guided dorsal approach for the brachial plexus block in common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus): a cadaver study

ObjectiveTo develop an ultrasound-guided dorsal approach to the brachial plexus and to investigate the nerve distribution and staining of a dyed injectate in common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) cadavers.Study designProspective, cadaver study.AnimalsA group of three common kestrel cadavers (six wings).MethodsAll cadavers were fresh-frozen at –20 °C and thawed for 10 hours at room temperature before the study. The cadavers were placed in sternal recumbency and their wings were abducted. A 8–13 MHz linear-array transducer was placed over the scapulohumeral joint, at the centre of a triangle formed by the scapula and the humerus. The brachial plexus was identified between the scapulohumeralis muscle and the pectoralis major muscle, as hypoechoic structures lying just cranially to the axillary vessels. After ultrasound-guided brachial plexus identification, a 22 gauge, 50 mm insulated needle was advanced in-plane using ultrasound visualization. A volume of 0.5 mL kg^–1 of a 3:1 (2% lidocaine:methylene blue) solution was injected. Following cadaver dissection, the pattern of the spread was assessed, and the extent of nerve staining was measured with a calliper and deemed adequate if more than 0.6 cm of the nerve staining was achieved.ResultsThe brachial plexus was clearly identified in all wings with the dorsal approach. After dye injection, all the branches of the brachial plexus defined as nerves 1–5 (N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5) were completely stained in five (83%) and partially stained in one (17%) of the six wings.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe ultrasound-guided dorsal approach allows a clear visualization of the brachial plexus structure. The injection of 0.5 mL kg^–1of a lidocaine/dye solution produced complete nerve staining in most cases. Further in vivo studies are mandatory to confirm the clinical efficacy of this locoregional anaesthesia technique in common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus).     

Genetic parameters estimation in an Italian horse native breed to support the conversion from agricultural uses to riding purposes

Horses are nowadays mainly used for sport and leisure purposes, and several local breeds, traditionally used in agriculture, are exposed to the risk of extinction. The long-term survival of local horse breeds depends on strategies to both monitor their genetic diversity and to find their sustainable role in the equine market. Thus, several local horse breeds need to adapt their breeding objective to allow a modernization process. The Bardigiano is an example of such horse breeds; we, therefore, studied the existing evaluation protocol from a genetic standpoint to assess the protocol's suitability to convert the Bardigiano from an agricultural to a riding horse. To this end, we estimated genetic parameters for four conformation measurements, ten grading traits and 23 linear traits. For conformation measurements, the heritabilities ranged from 0.31 for cannon bone circumference to 0.63 for height at withers. For conformation and attitude grading traits, the highest heritability (0.34) was estimated for development and the lowest (0.09) for gaits. The heritabilities for linear traits ranged from 0.05 for the leg straightness to 0.32 for the coat colour. Genetic correlations between linear traits and corresponding grading traits varied considerably, ranging from −0.42 to 0.98. This study showed that the current evaluation protocol in the Bardigiano horse is appropriate for genetic evaluation. Genetic parameters estimation can, in turn, be used to develop novel breeding values to help this conversion. Our study paves the way to optimize the Bardigiano horse breeding programme, and it may help several other local horse breeds experiencing similar issues.     

From Sea to Skin: Is There a Future for Natural Photoprotectants?

In the last few decades, the thinning of the ozone layer due to increased atmospheric pollution has exacerbated the negative effects of excessive exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and skin cancer has become a major public health concern. In order to prevent skin damage, public health advice mainly focuses on the use of sunscreens, along with wearing protective clothing and avoiding sun exposure during peak hours. Sunscreens present on the market are topical formulations that contain a number of different synthetic, organic, and inorganic UVR filters with different absorbance profiles, which, when combined, provide broad UVR spectrum protection. However, increased evidence suggests that some of these compounds cause subtle damage to marine ecosystems. One alternative may be the use of natural products that are produced in a wide range of marine species and are mainly thought to act as a defense against UVR-mediated damage. However, their potential for human photoprotection is largely under-investigated. In this review, attention has been placed on the molecular strategies adopted by marine organisms to counteract UVR-induced negative effects and we provide a broad portrayal of the recent literature concerning marine-derived natural products having potential as natural sunscreens/photoprotectants for human skin. Their chemical structure, UVR absorption properties, and their pleiotropic role as bioactive molecules are discussed. Most studies strongly suggest that these natural products could be promising for use in biocompatible sunscreens and may represent an alternative eco-friendly approach to protect humans against UV-induced skin damage.