Prevalence of Haemophilus parasuis serotypes in large outdoor and indoor pig units in Hungary/Romania/Serbia

Gross postmortem pathologic-anatomical and bacteriological examination, and serotyping for Haemophilus parasuis were performed in 401 weaned pigs with the clinical symptoms of Gl?sser's disease, originating from indoor (204 piglets out of 12 units) and outdoor (197 piglets out of 9 units) units in the country triangle Hungary/Romania/Serbia. The majority of the isolates in indoor units included Haemophilus parasuis serotypes 2, 5 and non typable, while in outdoor units, a high diversity (serotypes 1, 2, 4, 5, 11, 12, 14, 15, and non typable) of Haemophilus parasuis serotypes was found.     

Comparative genomics of the eukaryotes

A comparative analysis of the genomes of Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae-and the proteins they are predicted to encode-was undertaken in the context of cellular, developmental, and evolutionary processes. The nonredundant protein sets of flies and worms are similar in size and are only twice that of yeast, but different gene families are expanded in each genome, and the multidomain proteins and signaling pathways of the fly and worm are far more complex than those of yeast. The fly has orthologs to 177 of the 289 human disease genes examined and provides the foundation for rapid analysis of some of the basic processes involved in human disease.     

Density and Seasonal Dynamics of Bemisia tabaci （Gennadius） Mediterranean on Common Crops and Weeds Around Cotton Fields in Northern China

The density seasonal dynamics of Bemisia tabaci MED were evaluated over two years in a cotton-growing area in Langfang, Hebei Province, northern China on cotton （Gossypium hirsutum L.） and six other co-occurring common plants, common ragweed （Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.）, piemarker （Abutilon theophrasti Medicus）, sunflower （Helianthus annuus L.）, sweet potato （Ipomoea batatas L.）, soybean （Glycine max L.）, and maize （Zea mays L.）. The whitefly species identity was repeatedly tested and confirmed; seasonal dynamics on the various host plants were standardized by the quartile method. B. tabaci MED appeared on weeds （the common ragweed and piemarker） about 10 days earlier than on cotton, or the other cultivated plants. The peak population densities were observed over a span of 2 to 3 weeks on cotton, starting in early （2010） or mid-August （2011）. The common ragweed growing adjacent to cotton supported the highest B. tabaci densities （no. on 100 cm2 leaf surface）, 12-22 fold higher than on cotton itself. Sunflower supported more B. tabaci than the other plants, and about 1.5-2 fold higher than cotton did, Our results indicate that weeds （esp. the common ragweed） around cotton fields could increase the population density of B. tabaci MED on cotton, while sunflower could act as a trap crop for decreasing pest pressure on cotton.     

Impacts of historical land use changes on erosion and agricultural soil properties in the Kali Basin at Lake Balaton, Hungary

Historical land use changes may have significant impact on erosion and agricultural soil properties, including soil degradation by acidification, nutrient leaching and organic matter depletion. The Kali Basin study area, a small catchment of high landscape value located in a national park at Lake Balaton, Hungary, with its historical agricultural records, together with the available unique historical land use data for the last 200 years, provides an opportunity to study and model impacts of historical land use changes on erosion and agricultural soil properties. Comparison of long-term land uses with present soil degradation indicator parameters showed that permanent arable land use has led to degradation of both the physical and chemical properties of soils in the Kali Basin. Application of the SEDEM/WATEM distributed erosion and sediment transport model showed that, despite the low overall sediment export from the catchment, land use changes introduced by property ownership and agricultural changes have decreased average soil erosion in the catchment but increased relative sediment export to Lake Balaton. This is due to changes in the land cover pattern that allow more sediment transported to the river system. The overall conclusion of this study is that besides the size and area proportion of land use types, land use pattern seems to be equally important in soil erosion and degradation processes, thus land use pattern is a key factor for landscape planning and development in the Kali Basin. A relationship between the sociological and agro-ecological reasons for the recorded land use changes is also shown in this study.     

New monascus metabolite isolated from red yeast rice (angkak,red koji)

Red yeast rice (angkak, red koji) obtained as cultures of Monascus purpureus on rice was extracted and analyzed by HPLC. In addition to the known red, orange, and yellow pigments and the mycotoxin citrinin, a new Monascus metabolite was detected. It is present in the original red yeast rice and formed in higher amounts when red yeast rice is heated. High-resolution mass spectrometry indicated the molecular formula C(15)H(12)O(4). The chemical structure was elucidated by analysis of NMR data. The new compound, named monascodilone, is characterized by a propenyl group on a pyrone ring, an aromatic ring, and a gamma-lactone group.     

Complex partial cluster seizures in cats with orofacial involvement

Seventeen cats were presented with acute onset of complex partial seizures with orofacial involvement (salivation, facial twitching, lip smacking, chewing, licking or swallowing), motor arrest (motionless starring) and behavioural changes. In 11 cats hippocampal necrosis (HN) was confirmed by histopathology. In a further six cats hippocampal changes were suggested by magnetic resonance imaging. The mean monitoring time of eight cats which were not euthanased in the acute phase of the disease, was 408?days (60-908): four cats are still alive. In all surviving cases, the owners reported a good quality of life. We conclude that an acute cluster of complex partial seizures with orofacial involvement are often associated with HN and that HN is not necessarily a fatal condition. Supportive and antiepileptic therapy can result in remission. The long-term outcome can be good to excellent; therefore, euthanasia should be avoided in the acute phase of the signs.     

Mycorrhizal fungi effects on nutrient composition and yield of soybean seeds

Nutrient composition and yield of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] seeds are heritable traits affected by environmental factors. This study determined the effects of arbuscular‐mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on seed protein, lipid, and phosphorus (P) composition and yield in soybean grown under a high nitrogen (N) regime. Plants were grown in pot cultures without AM fungi in P‐fertilized (+P) or unfertilized (‐P) soil, or in ‐P soil inoculated with one of the AM fungi Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerd, and Trappe (Gm), Glomus etunicatum Becker and Gerd.(Ge), or Gigaspora rosea Nicol. and Schenck (Gr). Seed yields of+AM plants, as a group, were halfway between those of the +P and ‐P plants. Seed size was highest in Gm plants. Differences in protein concentrations between Ge and Gr and the other treatments were highly significant. Seed P and protein concentrations were not significantly correlated (p=0.162), but a highly significant (r =‐0.949) negative correlation between seed P and lipid concentrations was observed. Phosphorus concentration was highest and that of lipids lowest in +AM plants. Seed yield and nutrient composition were independent of the intensity of root colonization. The seed protein/lipid ratio was highly correlated with seed P concentration and was significantly higher for +AM plants, as a group, than for both +P and ‐P ‐AM plants. Differences in seed dry weight, size, seed/ stem ratio, P content, and protein concentration among +AM plants showed mycorrhiza‐specific host responses. These responses suggest that AM fungi can modify soybean seed development and chemical composition.     

Prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci in canine pyoderma cases in primary care veterinary practices in Canada: A preliminary study

Pyoderma in dogs is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus spp., and significant emergence of methicillin resistance in staphylococcal pyoderma has been reported. This preliminary study of the prevalence of methicillin resistance in canine pyoderma cases in Canadian primary care veterinary practices revealed that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. were present in 12.1% of 149 staphylococcal positive skin culture cases.