Molecular detection of equine infectious anemia virus in clinically normal, seronegative horses in an endemic area of Mexico

Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is a highly infectious disease in members of the Equidae family, caused by equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV). The disease severity ranges from subclinical to acute or chronic, and causes significant economic losses in the equine industry worldwide. Serologic tests for detection of EIAV infection have some concerns given the prolonged seroconversion time. Therefore, molecular methods are needed to improve surveillance programs for this disease. We attempted detection of EIAV in 6 clinical and 42 non-clinical horses in Nuevo Leon State, Mexico, using the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test for antibody detection, and nested and hemi-nested PCR for detection of proviral DNA. We found that 6 of 6, 5 of 6, and 6 of 6 clinical horses were positive by AGID, nested PCR, and hemi-nested PCR, respectively, whereas 0 of 42, 1 of 42, and 9 of 42 non-clinical horses were positive by these tests, respectively. BLAST analysis of the 203-bp 5′-LTR/tat segment of PCR product revealed 83–93% identity with EIAV isolates in GenBank and reference strains from other countries. By phylogenetic analysis, our Mexican samples were grouped in a different clade than other sequences reported worldwide, indicating that the LRT/tat region represents an important target for the detection of non-clinical horses.     

Marine mammal stranding response in Mexico: Lessons learned

1. Marine mammals are indicators of ecosystem health, and thus stranding records are an invaluable information source. The response to marine mammal stranding (RMMS) must be comprehensive, taking into account three components: (i) operations, (ii) research, and (iii) information dissemination. Although RMMS had previously been practised in several coastal locations in Mexico, the recent enforcement of a new regulation for RMMS has posed a challenge to actors as they adapt to it.
2. To understand the functioning of RMMS in Mexico, Bahía Todos Santos and Bahía de La Paz, two localities with over 20 years of experience in RMMS, were selected. To achieve this goal, a document review to identify the actors involved and their functions was undertaken together with a social network analysis to identify relevant actors in each locality and semi-structured interviews to identify key topics for RMMS.
3. The composition of the involved actors was similar at both locations. Some actors were found to have mandatory functions (i.e. governmental actors), while others (i.e. civil society organizations) performed functions beyond those established in official documents. Governmental agencies, the academic sector, and civil society organizations were the most connected actors and could help disseminate information, facilitate communication within the network, and influence decision-making.
4. The main topics identified were, in order of relevance: (i) economic constraints; (ii) actors' involvement; (iii) stranding response logistics; and (iv) recognition among actors.
5. In conclusion, several limitations to the RMMS exist at both localities, mainly related to the lack of economic resources, but actors involved in RMMS actions are motivated by their own interests. This study proposes the integration of actors into local networks that take into consideration the biological, physical, and social characteristics of each place.

     

Tannins,Trypsin Inhibitors and Lectin Cytotoxicity in Tepary (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus acutifolius</Emphasis>) and Common (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis>) Beans

This study compared the levels of antinutritional components and cytotoxic effect of extracts, from tepary (Phaseolus acutifolius) and common (Phaseolus vulgaris) beans. Antinutritional factors were evaluated by determining their effect on the viability of epithelial cells isolated from rat small intestine. The protein and carbohydrates content were similar in all the genotypes studied (20 and 60%, respectively). Common beans presented higher content of trypsin inhibitors, tannins and lectins than tepary beans. There was not a significant correlation between tannins and cooking time. However, water absorption and cooking time correlated significantly (p < 0.05). Considerable variation was observed in lectin activity (1302–18161 Ul/mg) of extracts from different beans. Tannins, lectins, trypsin inhibitors and fat content differed between bean varieties whereas protein content was similar. The percent cellularity on rat epithelial cells was significantly different among protein extracts from different bean cultivars and ranged between 53.5% and 87.4% (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the incorporation of tepary beans in the diet would not alter the current nutritional contribution of common beans or introduce adverse toxic effects. The agronomic characteristics of tepary beans make them attractive for cultivation. However, the harder to cook phenomenon may be a limiting factor that needs further consideration.     

Rheological and thermal properties of masa as related to changes in corn protein during nixtamalization

Traditional nixtamalization process produces a masa (dough) with appropriate cohesiveness and adhesiveness. Masa is considered as a network of solubilized starch polymers with dispersed, uncooked and swollen starch granules, cell fragments, proteins and lipids. In this work, the influence of proteins on the masa viscoelastic behavior was studied in corn kernels under different nixtamalization conditions. Scanning electron microscopy, SDS-PAGE, differential scanning calorimetry and rheological analysis were used to characterize the corn samples. The micrographs showed that the nixtamalization modified the shape of the starch granules and protein bodies, but no changes in appearance were observed when protein was removed. SDS-PAGE showed that corn proteins polymerized during cooking. Lime promoted both calcium–protein and protein–calcium–protein interactions mainly by calcium bridges, which were difficult to disrupt and increased the protein thermo-resistance. In the absence of lime, corn proteins polymerized mainly by disulfide bond cross-linking. Thermal analysis (DSC) indicated that the gelatinization temperature increased in lime-treated samples compared to control samples. Rheological studies showed that the corn protein exhibited greater influence on gel strength by enhancing the elastic character of the samples (G′). These results suggested that polymerized corn proteins stabilized the gel structure, which in consequence influenced the viscoelastic behavior of masa.     

Effects of passages through a suitable host of the fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae,on the virulence of acaricide- susceptible and resistant strains of the tick,Rhipicephalus microplus

The aim of this work was to assess the virulence of strain M379 of the fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) after different passages through a suitable host and at different concentrations for the control of both acaricide-susceptible and resistant strains of the tick, Rhipicephalus (formerly Boophilus) microplus Canestrini (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in vitro. The highest value of LC₅₀ for the susceptible strain corresponded to zero passage with 7.68 × 10⁷ conidia/ml followed by the fourth passage with 2.68 × 10⁷, which reduced 2.87-fold the lethal concentration. When comparing LC50 values of the fourth vs. the seventh passage (2.59 × 10⁵ conidia/ml), the lethal concentration was reduced 103.47-fold by the seventh passage. In addition, in the resistant strain the LC₅₀ highest value corresponded to zero passage with 4.95 × 10⁷ conidia/ml followed by the fourth passage with 7.86 × 10⁶, which reduced 6.30-fold the lethal concentration. When comparing LC₅₀ values of the fourth vs. the seventh passage (1.04 × 10⁵ conidia/ml) in the resistant strain, the lethal concentration was reduced 75.58-fold by the seventh passage. These results suggest that the number of passages on M. anisopliae through a suitable host increased its virulence on both R microplus strains. When comparing LC₅₀ of the zero passage through a suitable host of both acaricide-susceptible and resistant strains, the highest LC₅₀ values corresponded to the susceptible strain with 7.68 × 10⁷ conidia/ml followed by the resistant one with 4.95 × 10⁷, showing that on the resistant strain the lethal concentration is reduced by 1.55-fold. When comparing the fourth passage, the highest values of LC₅₀ corresponded to the susceptible strain with 2.68 × 10⁷ conidia/ml followed by the resistant one with 7.86 × 10⁶ conidia/ml, showing for the resistant strain a 3.41-fold reduced lethal concentration. Moreover, when comparing the seventh passages, the highest values of LC₅₀ corresponded to the susceptible strain with 2.59 × 10⁵ followed by the resistant with 1.04 × 10⁵ conidia/ml, revealing for the resistant strain a 2.49-fold reduced lethal concentration. These results suggest that the resistant strain needs a lower concentration of conidia than the susceptible strain. In this case, the acaricide-resistant strain is more susceptible to M. anisopliae of zero- and seven-passage strains.     

Antioxidant Capacity and Antimutagenic Activity of Anthocyanin and Carotenoid Extracts from Nixtamalized Pigmented Creole Maize Races (Zea mays L.)

Nixtamalization process is the first step to obtain maize based products, like tortillas; however, in both the traditional and commercial processes, white grain is generally preferred. Creole maize races, mainly pigmented varieties, have increasingly attention since these are rich in anthocyanins and carotenoids. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the antioxidant and antimutagenic activity of rich anthocyanins and carotenoids extracts from creole maize races before (grain) and after (masa and tortilla) the nixtamalization process. Most anthocyanins and carotenoids were lost during nixtamalization. Before nixtamalization, blue and red genotypes contained either higher antioxidant capacity and anthocyanin contents (963?±?10.0 and 212.36?±?0.36 mg of cyanidin-3-glucoside eq/100 g, respectively) than the white and yellow genotypes. However, the highest carotenoid levels were displayed by red grains (1.01?±?0.07 to 1.14?±?0.08 μg of β-carotene eq/g extract). Anthocyanins losses were observed when the blue grains were processed into masa (83 %) and tortillas (64 %). Anthocyanins content correlated with antiradical activity (r?=?0.57) and with 2-aminoanthracene -induced mutagenicity inhibition on TA98 and TA100 (r?=??0.62 and r?=??0.44, respectively). For white grains, nixtamalization also reduced carotenoids (53 to 56 %), but not antioxidant activity and 2-Aa-induced mutagenicity. Throughout the nixtamalization process steps, all the extracts showed antimutagenic activity against 2-aminoanthracene—induced mutagenicity (23 to 90 %), displaying higher potential to inhibit base changes mutations than frameshift mutations in the genome of the tasted microorganism (TA100 and TA98, respectively). The results suggest that even though there were pigment losses, creole maize pigments show antioxidant and antimutagenic activities after nixtamalization process.     

Effects of biological soil crusts and drought on emergence and survival of a Patagonian perennial grass in the Monte of Argentina

Biological soil crusts are widely distributed in arid and semiarid regions. They have an important eco- logical role, especially by modifying physical and chemical properties of soils. Biological crusts may also modify seed germination and seedling establishment. The effects vary widely according to the type of crust and the vas- cular plant species. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of moss-dominated biological soil crusts on the emergence, biomass and survival of Poa ligularis Nees ex Steud. under different irrigation regimes. We col- lected seeds of P. ligularis and biological soil crusts composed of two species of mosses： Syntrichia princeps （De Not.） Mitt and Ceratodon purpureus （Hedw.） Brid. from an area in the Monte of Argentina. The result showed that seedling emergence of P. ligularis was higher in treatments with bare soil than in soil covered by crusts, and also in those with watering to field capacity. Mean emergence time was higher in treatments with bare soil and watering to field capacity. Seedling biomass also showed significant differences between treatments. These results suggest that biological soil crusts dominated by mosses do not promote P. ligularis emergence, although they would not affect its survival.     

Bioremediation and reuse of shrimp aquaculture effluents to farm whiteleg shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei : a first approach

Shrimp aquaculture effluents were bioremediated in a two‐phase system (System A) using the black clam Chione fluctifraga and the benthic microalgae Navicula sp., and then reused to farm whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. In the experimental design, Systems B and C had an identical structure as System A, but no clams or microalgae were added. System B received the same shrimp effluents while System C received only estuarine water. Shrimp raw effluents had a poor water quality. System A improved the water quality by decreasing the concentrations of total nitrogen, total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), nitrites, nitrates, phosphates, total suspended solids (TSS) and organic suspended solids (OSS). System B also decreased the concentration of TAN, TSS and OSS via sedimentation, but the effect was less pronounced than that observed in System A. Shrimp reared in the bioremediated effluents (System A) had better production (3166 kg ha^?1) and higher survival (89.2%) than those reared in effluents from Systems B (2610 kg ha^?1, 75.1%) and C (2874 kg ha^?1, 82.1%). It is concluded that the bioremediation system was moderately efficient and the bioremediated effluents were suitable to farm L. vannamei.