Detection of paramyxoviruses in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) on the Brazilian tropical coast

Aquatic migratory birds are a major vectors by which influenza viruses and paramyxoviruses are spread in nature. Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) are usually present on the southern shores of South America and can swim as far as the southern coast of Brazil in winter. In 2008, however, several Magellanic penguins were observed on the northeastern coast of Brazil. Paramyxoviruses were isolated from Magellanic penguins on the Espírito Santo state coast, approximately 4000 km from their breeding colonies, although influenza viruses were not detected. Among the paramyxoviruses, five Avulavirus isolates belonging to serotype APMV-2 and the serotype APMV-10, which was proposed by Miller et al. (2010), were identified. These results highlight the risks associated with the spread of paramyxoviruses between natural to non-natural habitats by birds exhibiting unusual migration patterns, and they document for the first time the presence of the APMV-2 and APMV-10 serotypes on penguins in Brazil. The local avifauna may become infected with these viruses through close contact between migratory and resident birds. Continued surveillance of virus incidence in these migratory populations of penguins is necessary to detect and prevent the potential risks associated with these unusual migration patterns.     

Different expression of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) haemocytes to Vibrio and abiotic particle inoculation

Penaeid shrimps are among the most studied crustaceans, mainly regarding their immune system, and several proteins involved in the defense against pathogens have been described. Haemocytes are very dynamic cells responsible of recognition, phagocytosis, degranulation and nodule formation, but still little is known about their gene expression. Using differential display, we found modification in haemocyte gene expression after inoculation with an abiotic particle (DEAE‐Sephadex) or potential pathogenic bacteria (Vibrio alginolyticus). We also noticed that some of the newly expressed genes are exclusive from a specific treatment. Here we report that haemocytes from Litopenaeus vannamei are capable of recognizing and distinguishing different foreign materials, and respond specifically to each treatment, indicating some specificity in shrimp immune response.     

Knowledge gaps and challenges for conservation of Mediterranean wetlands: Evidence from a comprehensive inventory and literature analysis for Sardinia

1. Wetlands are some of the most important ecosystems on Earth. They play a key role in mitigating climate change-related events and filtering polluted water, and provide habitats for a wide range of species. Despite their importance, and numerous regulations that support their conservation, wetlands continue to be destroyed. Recent reports have indicated a progressive decline in ecological character of remaining wetlands.
2. This research reviews and extends the present status of wetland knowledge in Sardinia, the second largest Mediterranean island. For the first time, Sardinian wetlands were comprehensively mapped using satellite images and field validation. Impacts were also assessed. Trends in literature published about Sardinian wetlands since 1900 were then analysed, mainly according to the location(s) and topic(s) studied.
3. In total, 2,501 Sardinian wetland sites were identified. The most common impacts observed in the field were vegetative degradation and water pollution. Of these wetlands, 2,274 have never been the subject of a research paper. Despite recent increases in publication rates, there was a lack of even basic knowledge about many wetlands, especially smaller ones. Larger wetlands have been studied from a range of viewpoints.
4. In the light of these results, suggestions for improved awareness, effective management and conservation of Mediterranean wetlands were established. Future work should be directed to filling gaps in basic information, and to improvements in research and conservation, which might include multidisciplinary approaches in support of more comprehensive conservation management plans.

     

Interaction between fenhexamid and yeasts during the alcoholic fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The behavior of the fungicide fenhexamid, N-(2,3-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl-cyclohexanecarboxamide, has been studied at concentrations corresponding to the limits fixed for grapes (3 mg kg(-1)), or higher, during the alcoholic fermentation. The presence of the fungicide did not affect the amount of alcohol produced. The amount of fenhexamid in the liquid phase decreased by ca. 15%, but the missing fenhexamid was recovered unchanged from yeasts. This suggests that the fungicide is not degraded during the fermentation process, but adsorbed by yeasts. Two constituents of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall, chitin and glucan, tested as potential adsorbents, exhibited affinity for fenhexamid.     

Herbicide and insecticide loadings from the Susquehanna River to the northern Chesapeake Bay

The Susquehanna River watershed has a large drainage area (71200 km(2)) containing heavy agricultural land usage. The river provides approximately half the total freshwater input to the Chesapeake Bay. Water samples were collected at Conowingo Dam near the mouth of the river every 9 days from February 1997 through March 1998. Atrazine, its transformation product 6-amino-2-chloro-4-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine (CIAT), and metolachlor were found in the highest concentrations with maximums of 500, 150, and 330 ng/L, respectively. The annual mass loads for atrazine, CIAT, metolachlor, simazine, and 6-amino-2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-s-triazine (CEAT) from the Susquehanna River to the Chesapeake Bay were 1600, 1600, 1100, 820, and 720 kg/year, respectively. Annual loadings of insecticides and organochlorine compounds ranged from 2.8 kg/year for alpha-HCH to 34 kg/year for diazinon. Strong correlations between loading data from this and previous studies and total annual water discharge through the dam were used to estimate total metolachlor and atrazine loads (12400 and 9950 kg, respectively) to the northern Chesapeake Bay from 1992 to 1997.     

Development of a phenol-enriched olive oil with both its own phenolic compounds and complementary phenols from thyme

Besides affecting the oil's sensorial characteristics, the presence of herbs and spices has an impact on the nutritional value of the flavored oils. The aim of the study was to develop a new product based on the phenol-enrichment of a virgin olive oil with both its own phenolic compounds (secoiridoid derivatives) plus additional complementary phenols from thyme (flavonoids). We studied the effect of the addition of phenolic extracts (olive cake and thyme) on phenolic composition, oxidative stability, antioxidant activity, and bitter sensory attribute of olive oils. Results showed that flavonoids from thyme appeared to have higher transference ratios (average 89.7%) from the phenolic extract to oil, whereas secoiridoids from olive presented lower transference ratios (average 35.3%). The bitter sensory attribute of the phenol-enriched oils diminished with an increase of the concentration of phenols from thyme, which might denote an improvement in the consumer acceptance.     

Novel tools for early detection of a global aquatic invasive,the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha

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