Leaf necrosis and twig dieback of sweet persimmon (Dyospiros kaki L.) caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae in Italy

In spring 1996, extensive leaf necrosis and twig dieback were observed on young sweet persimmon (Dyospiros kaki L.) trees, cultivars O'Gosho, Hachija, Mercatelli and Kaki-tipo planted in the Abruzzo region (central Italy). Many trees were killed. When the dieback reached the trunk, in many cases, new vegetation was noticed above the graft point. The cultivar Jiro-C was not affected by the disease. During 1997, no symptoms were observed on any plant. The orchard was planted in a clay soil with a very low content of organic matter. Biochemical, nutritional and pathogenicity tests indicated Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae van Hall as the causal agent of the disease. This is the first report of this bacterium as a pathogen of sweet persimmon in Europe.     

The role of European starlings in the spread of coccidia within concentrated animal feeding operations

To investigate the relationship between European starlings and bovine coccidiosis we collected samples from European starlings, cattle feed bunks, cattle water troughs, and cattle feces within concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). These samples were screened for coccidia spp. to investigate (i) the prevalence of coccidia in starlings using CAFOs; (ii) if there is a relationship between bovine coccidiosis and starling numbers; (iii) if coccidia contamination of cattle feed and water is related to the number of starlings observed on CAFOs. Coccidia belonging to the genus Eimeria were detected in cattle feces and one water sample but no Eimeria spp. were detected in European starlings or cattle feed. However, many European starling samples were positive for Isospora. Starling use of CAFOs did not appear to be associated with coccidia spp. shedding by cattle and there was no correlation between starling numbers and contamination of cattle feed and water, suggesting that starling do not contribute to the amplification and spread of Eimeria in CAFOs.     

Isolation of Bartonella henselae from a serologically negative cat in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Sera collected from apparently healthy 6-12-month-old cats (n = 31) presented to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Veterinary Clinic in Bloemfontein for neutering were tested for antibodies reactive to Bartonella henselae (Houston-1 strain) by indirect fluorescent antibody testing. Whole blood collected from the cats was used in isolation experiments and subsequent identification of Bartonella species was based on comparison of the nucleotide base sequence of polymerase chain reaction-amplified citrate synthase gene fragments. While none of the cats had antibodies reactive with B. henselae at titres > or =1/64, an organism with a partial citrate synthase gene sequence identical to that of B. henselae (Houston-1) was isolated from 1 cat.     

Primary bilateral corneal nerve sheath neoplasm in a dog

A 15‐year‐old, neutered male, Shih Tzu cross developed progressive corneal stromal thickening and vascularization of the right eye, and 5 months later, of the left eye. Both eyes became blind due to extensive corneal opacification and were enucleated. Light microscopic examination revealed a diffuse corneal infiltrate of neoplastic mesenchymal cells, and immunohistochemistry revealed diffuse cytoplasmic vimentin immunoreactivity and variable cytoplasmic and nuclear immunoreactivity for S100 in the neoplastic cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed desmosomes between contiguous cells, thread‐like cytoplasmic processes coated with basement membrane, extracellular bundles of collagen, and axonal degeneration consistent with features of a nerve sheath neoplasm. This is the first report of primary, bilateral corneal nerve sheath sarcoma in a canine.     

Inhibition of shedding of pepper leaves infected with powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica) by application of auxins

In greenhouse and field experiments, shedding of pepper leaves infected withLeveillula taurica was inhibited by treatments with indole acetic acid or butyric acid. Spraying with MnSO₄ increased shedding in greenhouse trials.     

Successful rearing of whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei larvae fed a desiccation‐tolerant nematode to replace Artemia

The nematode Panagrolaimus sp. was tested as live feed to replace Artemia nauplii during first larval stages of whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. In Trial 1, shrimp larvae were fed one of four diets from Zoea 2 to Postlarva 1 (PL1): (A) Artemia nauplii, control treatment; (NC) nematodes enriched in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) provided by the dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii; (N) non‐enriched nematodes; and (Algae) a mixture of microalgae supplemented in C. cohnii cells. In Trial 2, shrimp were fed (A), (NC) and a different treatment (NS) with nematodes enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) provided by the commercial product S.presso^®, until Postlarva 6 (PL6). Mysis 1 larvae fed nematodes of the three dietary treatments were 300 μm longer (3.2 ± 0.3 mm) than control larvae. At PL1, control shrimp were 300 μm longer (4.5 ± 0.3 mm) than those fed DHA‐enriched or PUFAs‐enriched nematodes. No differences were observed in length and survival at PL6 between control larvae and those fed DHA‐enriched nematodes (5.1 ± 0.5 mm; 33.1%–44.4%). Shrimp fed microalgae showed a delay in development at PL1. This work is the first demonstration of Panagrolaimus sp. suitability as a complete substitute for Artemia in rearing shrimp from Zoea 2 to PL6.     

Molecular cloning and gene expression of the riboflavin-binding protein in the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Tilapia riboflavin-binding protein (RfBP) cDNA was isolated by library screening. Even though it shows only 31～35% similarity to the reported RfBPs, tilapia RfBP is conserved in amino acid residues that are known to be essential for its protein function. The exclusive expression of RfBP in the brain-pituitary-gonadal axis, as revealed by both RT-PCR and Northern blot, suggested a possible role for RfBP in fish reproduction.     

Perineal Nets of Proteoglycans and Glycoproteins in Albino Rat Hippocampus

Perineuronal nets (PNs) of condensed extracellular matrix (ECM) have been shown to characterize the microenvironment of individual neurons and the chemoarchitecture of some brain regions. In the present study, PNs in the hippocampus were visualized with a cationic iron colloid method for sulphated proteoglycan content and a plant lectin from Vicia villosa agglutinin (VVA) for N-acetylgalactosamine containing glycoconjugates. The ECM molecules were organized in reticular coats (PNs) around non-pyramidal cells in the Ammons horn (Corneu Ammons, CA) and subicular region, in addition to pyramidal neurons located in CA2 and CA3 regions. CA2 stratum pyramidale exhibited the most intense staining of its PNs and a diffuse intervening neutrophil labelling, while CA3 region showed a graded fashion of staining intensity. The subiculum displayed intensely stained perineuronal coats. Notably, the hippocampal perineuronal nets revealed overlapped staining characteristics with both staining methods. However, cell coats of the subicular neurons showed various degrees of labelling characteristics with both markers. It is suggested that the PNs in the hippocampus are correlated with the fast spiking inhibitory GABAergic neurons and their target pyramidal cells, and this is important to keep the excitatory elements under control and therefore control the information processes within the hippocampus.