Identification and pathogenicity of Fusarium species associated with pokkah boeng of sugarcane in Brazil

Brazil is the world’s biggest producer of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids). Pokkah boeng is an important fungal disease in this crop caused by members of the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC) and characterized by deformation of the aerial part of the plant and stem rot. While the occurrence of symptoms has been reported in plantations in Brazil, no official reports of the disease exist. In this study, species of the FFSC were identified that are associated with sugarcane plants with symptoms of pokkah boeng in Brazil. This was achieved using two-loci molecular phylogeny, sexual compatibility and analysis of morphological markers. The ability of strains to cause disease in plants of sugarcane, maize, sorghum and millet was also evaluated. The 39 isolates studied were identified as F. sacchari, F. proliferatum and another, still unknown, phylogenetic lineage that is sister to F. andiyazi. Crossing field isolates of F. sacchari and F. proliferatum with their respective tester strains produced fertile perithecia and viable ascospores. All three species induced symptoms of pokkah boeng on inoculated sugarcane plants and caused stem rot in maize, sorghum and millet. Symptoms on sugarcane are chlorosis and necrosis of leaves, punctured lesions, twisted leaves, reduction of the total leaf area, death of the top of the plant and stalk rot. The findings confirmed the aetiology of the disease in Brazil, generated basic knowledge for the development of strategies for diagnosis and monitoring of the disease and support breeding programmes for selecting resistant germplasm.     

Applications of Chitosan in Surgical and Post-Surgical Materials

The continuous advances in surgical procedures require continuous research regarding materials with surgical applications. Biopolymers are widely studied since they usually provide a biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic material. Among them, chitosan is a promising material for the development of formulations and devices with surgical applications due to its intrinsic bacteriostatic, fungistatic, hemostatic, and analgesic properties. A wide range of products has been manufactured with this polymer, including scaffolds, sponges, hydrogels, meshes, membranes, sutures, fibers, and nanoparticles. The growing interest of researchers in the use of chitosan-based materials for tissue regeneration is obvious due to extensive research in the application of chitosan for the regeneration of bone, nervous tissue, cartilage, and soft tissues. Chitosan can serve as a substance for the administration of cell-growth promoters, as well as a support for cellular growth. Another interesting application of chitosan is hemostasis control, with remarkable results in studies comparing the use of chitosan-based dressings with traditional cotton gauzes. In addition, chitosan-based or chitosan-coated surgical materials provide the formulation with antimicrobial activity that has been highly appreciated not only in dressings but also for surgical sutures or meshes.     

Ecosystem services of regulation and support in Amazonian pioneer fronts: searching for landscape drivers

Landscape dynamics result from forestry and farming practices, both of which are expected to have diverse impacts on ecosystem services (ES). In this study, we investigated this general statement for regulating and supporting services via an assessment of ecosystem functions: climate regulation via carbon sequestration in soil and plant biomass, water cycle and soil erosion regulation via water infiltration in soil, and support for primary production via soil chemical quality and water storage. We tested the hypothesis that patterns of land-cover composition and structure significantly alter ES metrics at two different scales. We surveyed 54 farms in two Amazonian regions of Brazil and Colombia and assessed land-cover composition and structure from remote sensing data (farm scale) from 1990 to 2007. Simple and well-established methods were used to characterize soil and vegetation from five points in each farm (plot scale). Most ES metrics were significantly correlated with land-use (plot scale) and land-cover (farm scale) classifications; however, spatial variability in inherent soil properties, alone or in interaction with land-use or land-cover changes, contributed greatly to variability in ES metrics. Carbon stock in above-ground plant biomass and water infiltration rate decreased from forest to pasture land covers, whereas soil chemical quality and plant-available water storage capacity increased. Land-cover classifications based on structure metrics explained significantly less ES metric variation than those based on composition metrics. Land-cover composition dynamics explained 45 % (P < 0.001) of ES metric variance, 15 % by itself and 30 % in interaction with inherent soil properties. This study describes how ES evolve with landscape changes, specifying the contribution of spatial variability in the physical environment and highlighting trade-offs and synergies among ES.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arcobacter</Emphasis> spp. in fecal samples from Brazilian farmed caimans (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Caiman yacare</Emphasis>, Daudin 1802)

The aim of this study was to perform the identification and molecular characterization of Arcobacter cryaerophilus and Arcobacter butzleri isolated from caiman (Caiman yacare), kept at a production farm, in Brazil. Forty fecal samples were analyzed. After isolation and identification, 21/40 strains of A. butzleri and 19/40 strains of A. cryaerophilus were subjected to PCR for potential virulence gene detection. The results of the PCR showed 38/40 strains positive for the cadF, cj1349, ciaB, and tlyA genes, 39/40 strains positive for the pldA gene, and 40/40 strains positive for the mviN gene. None of the strains presented the irgA gene. Hemagglutinin (hecA gene) and hemolysin (hecB) genes were detected in 21/40 and 16/40 strains, respectively. The SE-AFLP showed a great genetic diversity, but some clonally groups were disseminated in various tanks. These data reveal that the strains presented the same virulence traits described from Arcobacter isolated from food-borne disease in humans.     

Peripartum Haemodynamic Status of Bitches with Normal Birth or Dystocia

There has been limited investigation of parturition in the bitch and there is little information published on clinical and obstetrical examination other than opinion and anecdote. While there are substantial data on haemodynamic and vascular changes during normal parturition in humans, little is known about the physiological events in the dog. This study was aimed at maternal haemodynamic changes occurring during normal parturition and to investigate how these were modified in bitches with dystocia (DYST) treated either medically or via assisted delivery and caesarean operation. Three groups of 10 bitches were investigated; those with normal parturition, those with DYST corrected by manipulative assistance or caesarean operation and those with uterine inertia treated by oxytocin administration. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, electrocardiogram and blood glucose concentration were measured pre-partum, intra-partum, immediately after parturition and 1 h later. Heart rate was high at all times throughout the study and the majority of bitches had normal sinus rhythm. Blood pressure was generally within the normal range, and although systolic and diastolic blood pressure was highest during the intra-partum period and sometimes during the immediate post-partum period, there were no significant differences between groups. All bitches had blood glucose concentrations within the normal range throughout the study although pre-partum concentrations were statistically lower than many of the other time periods. The study provides useful physiological data that will facilitate monitoring and clinical management of bitches throughout normal parturition and DYST.     

Dicephalic Parapagus Conjoined Twins in a Large Fruit‐eating Bat,Genus Artibeus (Chiroptera,Phyllostomidae)

Conjoined twinning is an embryological anomaly rarely reported in wild mammals and with only two previous records in Chiroptera. Here, we report a case of dicephalic parapagus conjoined twins in the Neotropical phyllostomid genus Artibeus. These twins are males and present separated heads and necks, but a conjoined trunk with an expanded upper thoracic region. They developed two complete forelimbs and two complete hindlimbs, all laterally to the trunk. There is a volume in the upper midback and between the heads that resembles a third rudimentary medial forelimb, but X‐ray images only suggest the presence of medial skeletal elements of the pectoral girdle (clavicle and scapulae) in this region. The X‐ray images also show that vertebral columns run separated from head until the base of lumbar region, where they form a single structure. Using ultrasound images, we detected the presence of two similarly sized and apparently separated hearts. The accumulation of study cases like this will help in the understanding of patterns and process behind this phenomena, and collection material plays a key role in this context.     

Aeromonas caviae inhibits hepatic enzymes of the phosphotransfer network in experimentally infected silver catfish: Impairment on bioenergetics

Several studies have been demonstrated that phosphotransfer network, through the adenylate kinase (AK) and pyruvate kinase (PK) activities, allows for new perspectives leading to understanding of disease conditions associated with disturbances in energy metabolism, metabolic monitoring and signalling. In this sense, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether experimental infection by Aeromonas caviae alters hepatic AK and PK activities of silver catfish Rhamdia quelen. Hepatic AK and PK activities decreased in infected animals compared to uninfected animals, as well as the hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels. Also, a severe hepatic damage was observed in the infected animals due to the presence of dilation and congestion of vessels, degeneration of hepatocytes and loss of liver parenchyma architecture and sinusoidal structure. Therefore, we have demonstrated, for the first time, that experimental infection by A. caviae inhibits key enzymes linked to the communication between sites of ATP generation and ATP utilization. Moreover, the absence of a reciprocal compensatory mechanism between these enzymes contributes directly to hepatic damage and for a severe energetic imbalance, which may contribute to disease pathophysiology.     

Validation of the 9-11th rib cut to estimate the chemical composition of the dressed carcass and of the whole empty body of Zebu cattle

This study was conducted to validate the 9-11th rib cut to estimate the chemical composition of the carcass and of the empty body weight (EBW) of Zebu cattle. Nineteen Zebu steers with initial body weight of 266.5±32.2 kg were used. Four steers were slaughtered at the beginning to compose the reference group; three were fed at maintenance level, and the remaining were allotted to different planes of nutrition (5.0%, 35.0% and 65.0% concentrate levels in the diets, DM basis). The 9-11th rib cuts and half of the carcasses were dissected and the weights of fat, muscle and bone tissue were recorded. The components fat, muscle and bone tissue from the 9-11th rib cut and from the half carcass were sampled and chemical analysis of fat, protein, water, ash and minerals determined. The 9-11th rib cut satisfactorily estimated the physical composition of the carcass, but not the chemical composition. The 9-11th rib cut appropriately estimated the chemical composition of the carcass in terms of protein, water, ash and macro mineral content. For the percentage of fat and Ca, an over- and underestimation of 7.84% and 13.34%, respectively, were detected. Regression equations were fitted to estimate the percentage of fat and Ca in the carcass, and that of protein, water and ash in the whole empty body.     

Transrectal ultrasound evaluation in tropical dairy goats: an indispensable tool for the diagnosis of reproductive disorders

In Brazil, great milk productivity was achieved after the implementation of a genetic improvement program. However, reproductive efficiency is still far from optimal, possibly due to the high number of undiagnosed disorders that may affect fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate occurrences of the main reproductive disorders in dairy goats in southeastern Brazil. Data were collected between January 2015 and May 2017 from 23 commercial herds of different breeds, with goats ranging from 8 months to 12 years of age. Transrectal ultrasound exams were performed in 2680 goats. A total of 14.8% of the does showed a disorder in the reproductive tract: hydrometra (10.0%), ovarian follicular cysts (2.3%), gestational loss (1.5%), and hydrosalpinx (1.1%). This was the first study evaluating reproductive disorders in live animals that used a high number of Brazilian dairy goats. Considering that all these diseases affect fertility to different degrees, the performance of transrectal ultrasonography exams twice a year is strongly suggested, in order to guide precocious treatment or discard the animal as soon as possible, thus reducing economic losses in dairy goat farming.