Fruit Quality and Nitrogen,Potassium, and Calcium Content of Apple as Influenced by Nitrate: Ammonium Ratios in Tree Nutrition

Evaluations of fruit quality and nitrogen, potassium, and calcium concentration of apple (Malus domestica Borkh. cvs. Gala and Golab) grown with five treatments of NO₃^?:NH₄⁺ ratios were made in pot culture. The concentrations of NO₃^?:NH₄⁺ ratios were 2.5:0.1, 6:1, 6:0.7, 6:0.5, 6:0.3 meq L^?1. Fruit size, percent dry matter, total dissolved solids, total acidity, or juice pH was not affected by increased ammonium in the ratio. Firmness decreased as the proportion of NH₄⁺ increased. Gala and Golab differed in some of these parameters. Concentrations of N and K increased as NH₄⁺ increased, whereas Ca had no trend or decreased. Generally, the treatment of 2.5:0.1 produced fruits with lower N but higher K and Ca concentrations than the other treatments. This research showed that some parameters such as fruit weight, length, and diameter, juice pH, and dry matter were not affected significantly by NH₄⁺ concentration whereas composition was affected.     

Reproductive and developmental toxicity evaluation of a purified Arabinogalactan-Protein (AGP) composition in Wistar rats

A purified Arabinogalactan-Protein composition (LL-4218) was prepared from the leaves of Argemone mexicana to treat psoriasis. The effect of (LL-4218) was evaluated on reproductive (male and female fertility) and developmental toxicity in rats. LL-4218 was administered orally at the doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg kg^− 1. The results showed that LL-4218 did not produce any significant dose related changes in reproductive and developmental toxicity studies. Therefore, it is concluded that LL-4218 did not produce any significant toxic effect on reproduction and developmental parameters of rats and NOAEL for reproductive and developmental toxicity studies in rats was 1000 mg kg^− 1.     

A toxicity bioassay study concerning the effect of un-ionized ammonia on the mucus cells response originating from the gills of zebrafish Danio rerio

Ammonia is one of the most common and pervasive pollutants in the aquatic habitat affecting the health of aquatic animals. It affects the number and morphology of mucus producing cells, resulting in excessive and irregular secretion and alterations in quantity of mucus, which can lead to complications in fish health. A toxicity test on the mucus cells localized on the gills (primary lamellae) and inner operculum epithelial lining of zebrafish Danio rerio at different periods of exposure (24, 48 and 72 h) followed by recovery periods was studied using histopathology, scanning electron microscopy and anterior gradient 2 homologue (agr2) gene expression techniques. Fish samples subjected to low, medium and high external toxic ammonia concentrations (L: 17.21 mg/l, M: 25.81 mg/l and H: 38.91 mg/l NH₃-N) were observed to display a higher mucus layer production and active secretion compared with the control. Gill cellular alterations were more severe at 48 and 72 h. A high expression of agr2 was detected at 48 h (L and M) recovery periods and a (H) exposure and recovery period indicating an increase in quantity in newly proliferated alcian blue stained mucus cells and excessive secretion observed by histopathology. Such expression decreased at 72 h resulting in a decrease in mucus cell density and secretion.     

Factors associated with infection by Neospora caninum in dogs in Brazil

From August 2006 to 2008, 411 dogs in northeastern Brazil were evaluated for seropositivity to Neospora caninum. The dogs were clinically examined, and their owners were interviewed about the conditions in which the animals were maintained in order to assess the factors associated with infection by this parasite. A serum sample was taken from each dog for serological examination in an indirect fluorescent antibody test for N. caninum. The Yates' Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used to select the variables for the multivariate logistic regression model. Seropositivity was detected in 9.26% of dogs. The seropositivity rates of dogs from different environments were 2.6% (4/156) in urban areas, 13.1% (28/214) in peri-urban areas, and 14.6% (6/41) in rural areas. Factors associated with seropositivity for N. caninum were the following: contact with other dogs, access to food outside the home and residing in the peri-urban or rural environments (p<0.05). Results of this study confirm that dogs in urban, rural and peri-urban areas of northeastern Brazil are exposed to N. caninum. Control measures to prevent infection of dogs in the studied region should be focused primarily on preventing access to potential sources of infection, which include environments with other dogs, bovines, and other small intermediate hosts, such as birds and rodents.     

Forest structure and carbon dynamics of an intact lowland mixed dipterocarp forest in Brunei Darussalam

Tropical forests play a critical role in mitigating climate change because they account for large amount o terrestrial carbon storage and productivity.However,there are many uncertainties associated with the estimation o carbon dynamics.We estimated forest structure and carbon dynamics along a slope(17.3°–42.8°)and to assess the relations between forest structures,carbon dynamics,and slopes in an intact lowland mixed dipterocarp forest,in Kuala Belalong,Brunei Darussalam.Living biomass,basa area,stand density,crown properties,and tree family composition were measured for forest structure.Growth rate,litter production,and litter decomposition rates were also measured for carbon dynamics.The crown form index and the crown position index were used to assess crown properties,which we categorized into five stages,from very poor to perfect.The living biomass,basal area and stand density were 261.5–940.7 Mg ha~(-1),43.6–63.6 m~2ha~(-1)and 6,675–8400 tree ha~(-1),respectively.The average crown form and position index were 4,which means that the crown are mostly symmetrical and sufficiently exposed for photosynthesis.The mean biomass growth rate,litter production,litter decomposition rate were estimated as11.9,11.6 Mg ha~(-1)a~(-1),and 7.2 g a~(-1),respectively.Biomass growth rate was significantly correlated with living biomass,basal area,and crown form.Crown form appeared to strongly influence living biomass,basal area and biomass growth rate in terms of light acquisition.However,basal area,stand density,crown properties,and biomass growth rate did not vary by slope or tree family composition.The results indicate that carbon accumulation by tree growth in an intact lowland mixed dipterocarp forest depends on crown properties.Absence of any effect of tree family composition on carbon accumulation suggests that the main driver of biomass accumulation in old-growth forests of Borneo is not species-specific characteristics of tree species.     

Structure and regeneration status of mangrove patches along the estuarine and coastal stretches of Kerala,India

This study presents the structural characteristics and regeneration potential of mangrove patches in the estuarine and coastal areas of Kerala, a tropical maritime state in India. Field surveys were carried out at 46 selected sites during August 2015 to May 2016. In each site, the vegetative structure and regeneration status were assessed using the quadrat method. Altogether 219 quadrates were laid out and a total of 13 true mangrove species, belonging to 5 families and 8 genera, were recorded. The total tree density and stand basal area of the study region was1678.08/ha and 20.33 m^2/ha respectively. The low basal areas indicate the reduced structural development in mangroves. Of the 13 tree species, Avicennia constitutes 56%of the total Important Value Index(IVI) and Avicennia officinalis represents 41% of the IVI in Kerala, followed by Avicennia marina(15%), Rhizophora mucronata(15%),Sonneratia alba(8%) Rhizophora apiculata(7%) and Excoecaria agallocha(7%). The diameter at breast height(DBH) in the study area revealed that 47% of the tree species came under the 1–10 cm DBH class. Total sapling and seedling density in Kerala was 2238.35 and 3232.42 individuals/ha respectively. Density of young plants(seedlings ? saplings) was only 31% greater of tree density and varied from 3–63%, which indicates poor regeneration potential. The Maturity index value(MIV) and complexity index(Ic) value of mangroves were 18.30 and 109.81 respectively. However, the low Ic value(\ 10) observed in seven out of ten coastal districts indicated poor structural development of mangroves in Kerala. Therefore, locationspecific conservation and management measures, guided by the knowledge on spatial distribution and habitat requirements of mangrove varieties should be taken to preserve the mangrove diversity of Kerala.     

Dermatitis in a dog associated with an unidentified Toxoplasma gondii-like parasite

Protozoal dermatitis was diagnosed in a 6-year-old female Great Dane dog from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The dog died because of a chronic illness with an Ehrlichia-like organism. Numerous apicomplexan parasites were identified histologically in the section of dermal lesions. The protozoan reacted with Toxoplasma gondii polyclonal rabbit serum but not with Neospora caninum or Sarcocystis neurona antibodies. Ultrastructurally, the protozoa was not T. gondii because it had schizont-like structures with merozoites arranged around a prominent residual body, and the merozoites had several rhoptries with electron-dense contents; rhoptries in T. gondii tachyzoites are electron-lucent and a residual body is not found in groups of tachyzoites. This is the first report of unidentified T. gondii-like protozoa in the skin of a dog.     

Follow-up of the health conditions of an urban colony of free-roaming cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Similar to other urban areas where food and shelter are abundant, the zoological garden of Rio de Janeiro has dealt for years with a colony of feral or semi-feral domestic cats. A survey was conducted during 2002-2004 as a follow-up to a previous study in 2001 of the cat colony to identify pathogens circulating among the population and to annually follow the status of the cats to analyze morbidity coefficients and associations among infections and infestations identified in the colony. During the 3 years of the present study, 75 cats were sampled at least once, including 44 that were caught and examined only once, 14 that were examined twice, and 17 that were examined three times. For each cat that was caught, records were kept regarding sex, age, general health, and the presence of ectoparasites. Each year, a blood sample was taken for hematologic testing, platelet count, hemoparasite detection, antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, and retrovirus detection. Blood counts were within normal range for the majority of cats tested. Feline immunodeficiency virus, fleas, and lice were detected in all years; however, incidence rates for each of these varied significantly throughout the years. Prevalence of Cytauxzoon spp., Mycoplasma spp., T. gondii infections were variable among the 3 years, although differences were not significant. Prevalence of feline leukemia virus increased significantly over the 3 years. Mycoplasma spp. and flea infestations were significantly associated, but no other associations among the pathogens were detected. Over the 3 years, the rate of new cat introductions decreased, and the pathogens showed a tendency to disseminate throughout the colony; however, there was virtually no evidence of clinically detectable disease. Therefore, it seems that stabilizing the population by a judicious control program facilitated the distribution of the pathogens throughout the colony, while the general well-being of the cats was not seriously affected.     

Validation of processed animal proteins (mono‐PAPS) in experimental diets for juvenile gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) as primary fish meal replacers within a European perspective

Experimental diets were formulated to evaluate a “pure” poultry meat meal (PMM) source in diets formulated for juvenile gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.). The digestible protein contribution of fish meal in a control diet was substituted by 25%, 50% and 75% of a processed poultry meat meal (PMM) on a digestible crude protein (DCP) basis and by 5% and 10% for an enzyme‐treated feather meal (EFM) and also a spray‐dried haemaglobin meal (SDHM), respectively. In a consecutive trial, diets were designed to assess the value of a “pure” (defatted) poultry protein substituting the fish meal (FM) protein content. Experimental diets included: a control diet, two test diets where 75% of FM was replaced by a full‐fat PMM (PMM75) or a defatted grade of PMM (dPMM75) and two test diets where 50% of FM was substituted for defatted PMM (dPMM50) or a 50:50 blend of soya bean meal and defatted PMM (SBM/dPMM) to produce a composite product. This soya bean/dPMM blend was tested to enhance the nutritional value of this key plant ingredient commonly employed in sea bream diets that can be deficient in specific amino acids and minerals. In the first trial, gilthead sea bream grew effectively on diets containing up to the 75% replacement of FM attaining a mean weight of 63.6 g compared to 67.8 g for the FM control fed group. For the consecutive trial, the fishmeal‐based control diet yielded the highest SGR followed by dPMM50 and SBM/dPMM blend inclusion but was not significant. Carcass FA profiles of gilthead sea bream conformed to the expected changes in relation to the dietary FA patterns, with the 18:1n‐9 representative of the poultry lipid signature becoming more apparent with PMM inclusion. The ratio of n‐3/n‐6 fatty acids was greatly affected in sea bream fed the full‐fat PMM at 75% inclusion due to fish oil exclusion. Defatted dPMM, however, allowed more of the fish oil to be used in the diet and reducing this latter effect in sea bream carcass, hence restoring the higher total omega‐3 HUFA fatty acids namely EPA and DHA and n‐3/n‐6 ratio. It is concluded that poultry meat meal can be modestly incorporated into formulated diets for sea bream and can be used in conjunction with soya bean meal without any fundamental changes in performance and feed efficiency.