Pigmentation of gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata (L. 1875), using Chlorella vulgaris (Chlorophyta, Volvocales) microalga

A feeding experiment was conducted over 9 weeks with seven groups of 30 (fish per group) unpigmented gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata (L. 1875) (initial mean weight = 145.2 ± 12.3 g). Three experimental diets were prepared by adding to a basal diet free of carotenoid (final pigment content of around 40 mg per kg feed): (i) a biomass of the carotenogenic Chlorella vulgaris (Chlorophyta, Volvocales); (ii) a synthetic astaxanthin; and (iii) a mixture (1:1) of microalgal biomass and synthetic astaxanthin. At 3‐week intervals, five fish were sampled from each tank for total carotenoids analysis in skin and muscle. The carotenoid pigments (total amount = 0.4%) identified in the carotenogenic alga were lutein (0.3%), β‐carotene (1.2%), canthaxanthin (36.2%), astaxanthin, free and esterified forms (55.0%), and other pigments (7.3%). Carotenoid pigments were significantly deposited in the four skin zones studied during the feeding trial: the forefront between the eyes, the opercule, along the dorsal fin and in the abdominal area. In the muscle, regardless of the astaxanthin source, the amount of carotenoids measured was very low (less than 1 mg kg^?1) and differences not significant. Moreover, no muscle pigmentation was evident, and there was no variation in the amount of carotenoid analysed in skin tissue, through the trial, for each treatment. It was concluded that supplementing the feed with C. vulgaris would be an acceptable practice in aquaculture to improve the market appeal of the gilthead seabream.     

Efficacy of furunculosis vaccines in turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.): evaluation of immersion, oral and injection delivery

The commercial furunculosis vaccine Aquavac Furovac 5 and an autogenous vaccine, based on the challenge strain, induced immune protection in turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.), as shown in challenge tests 120 days post-immunization by injection (relative percentage of survival, RPS = 72-99%). This protective effect lasted for at least 6 months post-immunization at appreciable levels (RPS = 50-52%). Neither the autogenous vaccine nor the commercial vaccine was able to induce significant levels of protection against Aeromonas salmonicida in turbot when administered by immersion. Antibody levels were high or moderate in fish vaccinated by injection with the different vaccines and very low in fish vaccinated by immersion. The field results show that delivering an oral boost after the primary vaccination by injection did not enhance protection of turbot against furunculosis and that water-based (autogenous vaccine) and oil adjuvanted (Alpha Ject 1200) vaccines administered by injection conferred similar levels of protection (RPS > 80%) in turbot.     

Harnessing the potential for otolith microchemistry to foster the conservation of Amazonian fishes

1. Freshwater environments host roughly half of the world’s fish diversity, much of which is concentrated in large, tropical river systems such as the Amazon. Fishes are critical to ecosystem functioning in the Amazon River basin but face increasing human threats. The basic biology of these species, and particularly migratory behaviour, remains poorly studied, in part owing to the difficulty associated with conducting tagging studies in remote tropical regions.
2. Otolith microchemistry can circumvent logistical issues and is an increasingly important tool for studying fish life histories. However, this approach is still new in the Amazon, and its potential and limitations to inform fish conservation strategies remain unclear.
3. Here, otolith microchemistry studies in the Amazon are reviewed, highlighting current possibilities, and several key factors that limit its use as a conservation tool in the Amazon are discussed. These include the dearth of spatiotemporal elemental data, poor understanding of environment–fish–otolith pathways, and insufficient funding, facilities, and equipment.
4. A research initiative is proposed to harness the potential of this technique to support conservation in the Amazon. Key aspects of the proposal include recommendations for internal and external funding, which are critical to acquiring and maintaining technical staff, cutting-edge equipment, and facilities, as well as fostering regular scientific meetings and working groups. Meetings can facilitate a systematic approach to investigating environment–otolith pathways, broadening the chemical baseline for most Amazonian tributaries, and exploring potential valuable elements.
5. These outcomes are urgently needed to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in the Amazon, especially given threats such as widespread hydroelectric damming. The initiative proposed here could make otolith microchemistry an important, cost-effective tool to inform and foster conservation in the Amazon, and act as a template for other imperilled tropical river basins, such as the Mekong and the Congo.

     

Occurrence of Pesticides in Water, Sediments, and Fish Tissues in a Lake Surrounded by Agricultural Lands: Concerning Risks to Humans and Ecological Receptors

Lake Vela (Littoral Centre of Portugal) is considered a natural habitat with community interest and consequently was included in the Natura 2000 Network. However, this freshwater ecosystem has been potentially exposed to diffuse pollution generated by agricultural and livestock activities, which seriously compromise its ecological balance. As part of the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) proposed for Lake Vela, this study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of pesticides in different compartments: surface water, groundwater, sediments, and fish tissues. Moreover, to assess potential concerning effects on ecosystem and human health, the measured concentrations of pesticides were compared with regulatory and toxicological benchmarks. The results confirmed the presence of high concentrations of pesticides, including organochloride pesticides banned decades ago, in surface water, groundwater, and sediment. The measured concentrations of pesticides, compared with toxicological benchmarks, indicated that harmful effects are likely for aquatic species due to the presence of alachlor, aldrin, and dieldrin. Additionally, the concentrations of pesticides detected in groundwater were also above the recommended safety levels for drinking water, which constitutes a concern for the local population’s health. Results also showed an accumulation of alachlor in predator and benthic fish species which could represent a risk to human consumers and particularly to the regular fish predators (e.g., otters and birds). This study, as the first exposure characterization performed on the Lake Vela system, constitutes valuable and useful information for the ERA process. Although this preliminary assessment of risks should be continued and confirmed through a weight-of-evidence approach, it had already unraveled how concerning are the problems in this ecosystem and the urgency of implementing restoration measures to guaranty its sustainability. Furthermore, this study reinforces the importance of evaluating similar freshwater ecosystems that are also highly threatened by diffuse pollution.     

Hepatic myelolipoma incarcerated in a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia in a cat

Hepatic myelolipoma incarcerated in a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia was diagnosed in an 11-year-old, desexed female Persian cat. The cat was initially referred for investigation of tachypnoea and dyspnoea. Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia is a common incidental finding in cats and is usually asymptomatic. Myelolipoma is an extremely rare benign tumour, composed of extramedullary haematopoietic cells and adipose tissue. Myelolipomas are hypothesised to result from metaplastic alteration, rather than a neoplastic process, although this theory cannot be substantiated. The present case is only the fourth report of such an unusual occurrence in cats and displays significant differences to previous reports. Hepatic entrapment and burgeoning of the mass within the pericardial sac resulted in cardiac tamponade and overt signs of right-sided cardiac failure. Surgical intervention was successful and despite concerns regarding the cat's clinical presentation and the gross appearance of the lesion(s), a good long-term outcome is anticipated.     

A field evaluation of anthelmintics for control of cyathostomes of horses in Brazil

The anthelmintic efficacy of ivermectin (IVM), piperazine citrate (PPZ) and fenbendazole (FBZ) alone, and combinations of FBZ with varying dosages of PPZ, was evaluated for the control of strongyles of Mangalarga equids. In all cases of positive strongly egg counts per gram of faeces (EPG) before and after treatment, pure populations of cyathostome larvae with eight gut cells were consistently observed in faecal cultures. The faecal egg count reductions (FECR) were evaluated between Day 7 and Day 56 post-treatment. Significant differences (P less than or equal to 0.05) were found between Day 7 and Day 49 when comparing the mean EPG values of IVM with those of the other anthelmintics. PPZ alone and the combination of FBZ (7.5 mg kg-1) and PPZ (55 mg base kg-1) did not show significant differences during the trial; both groups exhibiting an FECR of greater than 90% between Day 7 and Day 30. Horses treated with the combinations of FBZ (7.5 mg kg-1) and PPZ at either 40 or 25 mg base kg-1, and with FBZ alone at either 7.5 or 15 mg kg-1, showed an FECR of less than 90% 2 weeks after treatment. The emergence of a degree of resistance of strongyles to FBZ and PPZ in a segment of the cyathostomes in this population is suggested.     

Protection conferred by vaccination with Blacksburg and Komarov strains of Newcastle disease virus against Newcastle disease in Bangladesh

Summary An evaluation was undertaken of the efficacy of vaccination of day-old chicks with the Blacksburg (B1) strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) followed at various times by vaccination with the Komarov (K) strain. Antibody was detected by the haemagglutination inhibition (HAI) test one week after vaccination with B1 and titres peaked at three weeks and had declined to undetectable levels by nine weeks.After subsequent vaccination with K strain at five, seven or eight weeks of age levels of HAI antibody (titre 80 to 640) were detected after three weeks. Birds vaccinated at seven weeks were tested for antibody and resistance to challenge beyond 19 weeks of age. In this group the HAI titres remained constant (80 to 640) up to 32 weeks of age and then steadily declined to 10 to 20 at 44 weeks of age.A linear relationship between HAI titre and virus neutralising index (VNI) was demonstrated with a range of selected sera. Only birds with an HAI titre of 80 or greater resisted artificial challenge. It is recommended that, following B1 vaccincation at day-old and K vaccination at seven weeks old, revaccination with K strain should be performed at intervals of not more than seven months.

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Proteccion Conferida Mediante Vacunacion Con Las Cepas Blacksburg Komarov Del Virus De Newcastle En Bangladesh

Resumen Se llevó a cabo una evaluación de la eficacia de la vacunación de pollitos de un día, con la cepa Blacksburg (B1) del virus de la enfermedad de Newcastle, seguida de varias aplicaciones vacunales periódicas con la cepa Komarov (K). Se detectaron anticuerpos mediante la prueba de inhibición de la hemaglutinación, una semana después de la vacunación con B1, los títulos alcanzando el pico a las tres semanas y declinaron a niveles no detectables a las nueve semanas.Después de aplicaciones vacunales periódicas con la cepa K, a las cinco, siete u ocho semanas de edad, se detectaron anticuerpos mediante la prueba de inhibición de la hemaglutinación (títulos 80 a 640), después de tres semanas. Las aves vacunadas a las siete semanas, recibieron una descarga y se les hizo prueba de anticuerpos, después de las 19 semanas de edad. En este grupo los títulos de anticuerpos permanecieron constantes (80 to 640) hasta las 32 semanas de edad y después declinaron lentamente a 10 ó 20 a las 44 semanas de edad.Se demostró una relación lineal entre los títulos hallados y el índice viral neutralizante, en un rango de sueros seleccionados. Solamente las aves con títulos de 80 o más altos resistieron la descarga artificial. Se recomienda que, seguidamente a la vacunación con B1 a un día de edad y con K a las siete semanas, las revacunaciones con la cepa K debería hacerse con intervalos de no más de siete meses.

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Protection Conferee Contre La Maladie De Newcastle Au Bangladesh Par La Vaccination A L'Aide Des Souches Blacksburg Et Komarov De Virus De La Maladie De Newcastle

Résumé Une evaluation de l'efficacité de la vaccination de poussins d'un jour à l'aide des souches Blackburg (B1) du virus de la maladie de Newcastle, suivie à différents moments par la vaccination à l'aide de la souche Komarov (K), a été entreprise. Les anticorps furent détéctés par inhibition de l'hemagglutination (HAI), une semaine après la vaccination avec la souche B1 et le titre atteignit un pic à 3 semaines pour décliner jusqu'à des niveaux indétectables à neuf semaines. A la suite de vaccinations consécutives avec la souche K à cinq, sept ou huit semaines, les niveaux d'anticorps HAI furent détectés après trois semaines. Les oiseaux vaccinés à sept semaines furent examinés pour les anticorps et la résistance à une épreuve au delà de 19 semaines d'âge. Dans ce groupe les titres HAI sont restés constants (80 à 640) jusqu'à l'àge 32 semaines, puis ont diminué régulièrement jusqu'à 10 à 20 à l'âge de 44 semaines.Une relation linéaire entre le titre HAI et l'index de neutralisation du virus (VNI) a été démontrée sur une gamme de sérums choisis. Seuls les oiseaux ayant un titre HAI de 80 ou plus ont résisté à l'épreuve artificielle. On recommande que, après une vaccination B1 à un jour, et une vaccination K à l'âge de sept semaines, une revaccination K soit réalisée à des intervalles n'excédant pas sept mois.

     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF CANINE DEGENERATIVE LUMBAR SPINE DISEASES

Degenerative lumbar spine diseases, i.e., sacrolumbar stenosis, intervertebral disk degeneration and protrusion and spondylosis deformans of the canine lumbar spine were studied in eleven canine patients and three healthy controls using radiography and 0.02 T and 0.04 T low field magnetic resonance imaging. The T1 and T2 weighted images were obtained in sagittal and transverse planes. The loss of hydration of nucleus pulposus, taken as a sign of degeneration in the intervertebral disks, could be evaluated in both T1 and T2 weighted images. As a noninvasive method magnetic resonance imaging gave more exact information about the condition of intervertebral disks than did radiography. Sacrolumbar stenosis and compression of the spinal cord or cauda equina and surrounding tissue could be evaluated without contrast medium.     

Repair and Function of Synovium After Arthroscopic Synovectomy of the Dorsal Compartment of the Equine Antebrachiocarpal Joint

The reparative ability of equine synovium was determined by gross, histological, and ultrastructural examination. The functional potential of the synovium was estimated by examination of synovial cell organelles with transmission electron microscopy. Results from rested and exercised horses were compared to determine the effect of exercise on synovial healing. The response of the synovectomized joint to exercise was evaluated with a standardized lameness examination and by gross, histological, and histochemical observations of the articular cartilage. A 7-mm diameter motorized synovial resector was used to perform a subtotal synovectomy in 1 antebrachiocarpal joint of each of 8 horses; the contralateral joint served as a control. After 2 months rest, four randomly selected horses were rigorously exercised for the remainder of the study; the other four horses continued paddock rest. Lameness examinations and synovial fluid analyses were conducted at 0, 2, 30, 60, and 120 days. Synovium and articular cartilage from all horses were examined at necropsy at 120 days. None of the horses were lame during the study, and a transient synovitis occurred in the synovectomized joints. The hyaluronan concentration of treated joints decreased at 2 days but returned to normal by 60 days. Synovial fluid composition, including hyaluronan concentration, was unchanged by exercise. Significant cartilage damage was not observed in any of the joints. At 120 days, the healing synovium was devoid of villi and its subintima was fibrotic, however transmission electron microscopy confirmed that an intimal layer was present within the repair tissue. The cells within the repair tissue appeared actively engaged in both synthesis and phagocytosis. Exercise did not modify any of these findings. The results of this study suggest that 120 days after subtotal synovectomy, the joint environment was maintained and the resected synovium had evidence of restoration and increased metabolic potential. Synovectomized joints withstood exercise but synovial repair was not accelerated by exercise.