A role for oxidative stress in the Citrus limon/Phoma tracheiphila interaction

Phoma tracheiphila , the agent of citrus 'mal secco', releases a toxic complex called malseccin into the plant. Oxidative stress was studied, both regarding the reaction of lemon ( Citrus limon ) leaves to the infiltration of fungal extracellular proteins, and the analysis of the pathogen's ability to cause symptoms in leaves of lemon cultivars with different degrees of susceptibility. Studies were perfomed in planta on three lemon cultivars: cv. Interdonato, partially tolerant to 'mal secco'; cv. Monachello, tolerant; and cv. Femminello, susceptible. When inoculated with P. tracheiphila extracellular proteins, cv. Interdonato leaves showed chlorosis and necrosis symptoms and an increase in lipoxygenase and glutathione peroxidase of up to 100 and 76·5 fold, respectively. Furthermore, extracellular proteins of P. tracheiphila infiltrated into leaves induced lipoperoxide formation 10 fold in cvs Interdonato and Femminello and 3 fold in cv. Monachello compared to the control, with Monachello reacting earlier. In vitro analyses indicate that the presence of lyophilized twigs and leaves (LTV) of cv. Monachello in the fungal growth medium, stimulated concentrations of superoxide dismutases (~20–60 fold), glutathione peroxidase (~115 fold) and catalase (~15 fold) in fungal mycelia. When LTV of cv. Femminello was added, the pathogen produced a higher quantity of hydrolytic enzymes in vitro , polygalacturonase (~40 fold) and laccase (~110 fold). The MALDI-TOF and TOF/TOF MS analyses performed on 60–70 KDa extracellular proteins of P. tracheiphila after inoculation in malseccin conducive media showed the presence of a monoamine oxidase enzyme able to release     and H₂O₂ in the cell. Overall the results suggest oxidative stress occurs in this interaction.     

The host-parasite relationship in canine heartworm infection in a hyperendemic area of italy

From November 1990 to June 1991, 2273 Dirofilaria immitis were collected from 175 stray dogs euthanized in the province of Padua. The breed, sex, age and weight of each animal were noted. The worms were counted, sexed, differentiated as adults or fifth-stage larvae and weighed, and their length was measured.The host-parasite relationship in this epidemiological situation was characterized by a high prevalence (67%) together with a low intensity (19) and abundance (13). The frequency distribution of the parasites in the population of dogs followed a negative binomial pattern (K+0.3177), showing a good, stable host-parasite relationship. The major risk of infection was in late July and August, some new infections being established in October and, maybe, in November. The majority of dogs that acquired new infections were young animals, probably because of an immune response in older dogs. However, the prevalences increased (p<0.01) in dogs from 1 to 5 years old, in shepherd and hunting dogs compared to the other breeds, and in large as opposed to small dogs.Microfilaraemia (range 1–1 883 000/ml) correlated, as a trend, with the number of adult filariae, which also correlated with the age and the weight of the dogs (p0.01). No significant correlations were found between the length or weight of the adult filariae and the data from dogs.Abbreviations EDTA ethylenediaminetetracetic acid - L3, L4, L5 third-, fourth- and fifth-stage larvae respectively     

Re‐emergence of rabies virus maintained by canid populations in Paraguay

Paraguay has registered no human cases of rabies since 2004, and the last case in dogs, reported in 2009, was due to a variant maintained in the common vampire bat “Desmodus rotundus”. In 2014, a dog was diagnosed as positive for rabies with aggression towards a boy and all required measures of control were successfully adopted. Epidemiological investigation revealed that the dog was not vaccinated and had been attacked by a crab‐eating fox, “zorro” (Cerdocyon thous). The sample was diagnosed by the Official Veterinary Service of the Country and sent to the Center on Rabies Research from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, for antigenic and genetic characterization. A second sample from a dog positive for rabies in the same region in 2015 and 11 samples from a rabies outbreak from Asuncion in 1996 were also characterized. The antigenic profile of the samples, AgV2, was compatible with one of the variants maintained by dogs in Latin America. In genetic characterization, the samples segregated in the canine (domestic and wild species)‐related group in an independent subgroup that also included samples from Argentina. These results and the epidemiology of the case indicate that even with the control of rabies in domestic animals, the virus can still circulate in wildlife and may be transmitted to domestic animals and humans, demonstrating the importance of continuous and improved surveillance and control of rabies, including in wild species, to prevent outbreaks in controlled areas.     

Sanitary Monitoring Models for Wild Ungulate Stock Farms in Tuscany

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Chemical interesterification of blends of palm stearin, coconut oil, and canola oil: physicochemical properties

trans-Free interesterified fat was produced for possible usage as a margarine. Palm stearin, coconut oil, and canola oil were used as substrates for chemical interesterification. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties of blends of palm stearin, coconut oil, and canola oil submitted to chemical interesterification using sodium methoxide as the catalyst. The original and interesterified blends were examined for fatty acid composition, softening and melting points, solid fat content, and consistency. Chemical interesterification reduced softening and melting points, consistency, and solid fat content. The interesterified fats showed desirable physicochemical properties for possible use as a margarine. Therefore, our result suggested that the interesterified fat without trans-fatty acids could be used as an alternative to partially hydrogenated fat.     

The water vapor permeability of polycrystalline fat barrier films

The water vapor permeability of fat barrier films has been associated with structural characteristics such as polymorphism, crystal size, and chemical composition, among others. However, no mechanistic models have been proposed to describe this relationship. In this study, we have determined the effects of processing conditions on the structure and physicochemical characteristics of four fats and their relationship to water vapor permeability. Results suggest that the solids' volume fraction and the domain size of the fat crystals seem to be the most important factors controlling water vapor migration. Moreover, materials with relatively large crystalline domains will yield malleable films with relatively low storage and loss moduli and strain/stress at the limit of linearity high tan delta values. The structural effects on the permeability of fat films are related to the nanoscale of the material.