Tendonitis of branches of the superficial digital flexor tendon in Standardbred racehorses: 15 cases

This case report describes the clinical and ultrasonographic findings and performance outcome of distal tendonitis of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in Standardbred racehorses. Cases with distal tendonitis of the SDFT in isolation (not associated with a metacarpal lesion) were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical and ultrasonographic findings and performance outcome were reviewed. The injury was located on the left forelimb in 67% (10/15) of horses and on the right forelimb in 33% (5/15). None of the horses were affected bilaterally. The lateral branch was involved in 80% of the cases (12/15) and medial branch in 20% (3/15). None of the horses were affected biaxially. Mean time between injury and first start ± s.d. was 302 ± 142 days. Returning to racing was observed in 93% of the horses (14/15), with a reinjury rate of 22% (2/9). For horses which raced after the injury, the number of starts, shows and wins was not significantly different before and after injury, regardless of the location of the lesion. Tendonitis of branches of the SDFT in isolation carries a good prognosis in Standardbred racehorses. A higher return to racing and a lower reinjury rate may be expected compared to lesions in the metacarpal region.     

Nitrate Reductase,Micronutrients and Upland Rice Development as Influenced by Soil pH and Nitrogen Sources

The average yield of upland rice under no-tillage system (NTS), a sustainable soil management, is lower than in conventional tillage (one plowing and two disking). One of the reasons given for this drop in crop grain yield would be the low-nitrate assimilation capacity of rice seedlings, due to the low activity of the nitrate reductase (NR) enzyme in the early development phase. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of the soil acidic and nitrogen source in the micronutrient concentrations, NR activity and grain yield of upland rice growing under NTS. The soil used in the experiment was an Oxisol. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial 3 × 4. Treatments consisted of three levels of soil acidity (high, medium, and low) combined with four nitrogen sources (nitrate, ammonium, ammonium + nitrification inhibitor, and control – without N fertilization). The reduction of soil acidity reduced the concentration of zinc and manganese in rice plants. Generally, the activity of the NR enzyme was higher in plants grown in soils with low acidity and fertilized with calcium nitrate. There was a greater response in growth and yield in rice plants grown in soils with high acidity. Under medium acidity, rice plants grown with ammonium sulfate were more productive (no differences were detected with the addition of the nitrification inhibitor).     

Toxic effects of domoic acid in the seabream Sparus aurata

Neurotoxicity induced in fish by domoic acid (DA) was assessed with respect to occurrence of neurotoxic signs, lethality, and histopathology by light microscopy. Sparus aurata were exposed to a single dose of DA by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 0, 0.45, 0.9, and 9.0 mg DA kg(-1) bw. Mortality (66.67 ± 16.67%) was only observed in dose of 9.0 mg kg(-1) bw. Signs of neurological toxicity were detected for the doses of 0.9 and 9.0 mg DA kg(-1) bw. Furthermore, the mean concentrations (±SD) of DA detected by HPLC-UV in extracts of brain after exposure to 9.0 mg DA kg(-1) bw were 0.61 ± 0.01, 0.96 ± 0.00, and 0.36 ± 0.01 mg DA kg(-1) tissue at 1, 2, and 4 hours. The lack of major permanent brain damage in S. aurata, and reversibility of neurotoxic signs, suggest that lower susceptibility to DA or neuronal recovery occurs in affected individuals.     

RESEARCH PAPER: Segmental dorsolumbar epidural analgesia via the caudal approach using multiple port catheters with ketamine or lidocaine or in combination in cattle

ObjectiveTo determine the analgesic and systemic effects of epidural administration of ketamine, lidocaine or a combination of ketamine/lidocaine in standing cattle.Study designProspective, randomized, experimental trial.AnimalsSix healthy male cattle weighing between 335 and 373 kg.MethodsThe animals received 0.5 mg kg^?1 of ketamine (K), 0.2 mg kg^?1 of 2% lidocaine (L) or 0.25 mg kg^?1 ketamine plus 0.1 mg kg^?1 lidocaine (KL). All the drugs were injected into the dorsolumbar epidural space via a caudal approach through a non‐styletted multiple‐port catheter. Each animal received each treatment at random. Evaluations of analgesia, sedation, ataxia, heart rate, arterial pressure, respiratory rate, skin temperature and rectal temperature were obtained at 0 (basal), 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 minutes after epidural injection, and then at 30‐minute intervals until loss of analgesia occurred. Skin temperature was taken at these intervals up to 60 minutes. All the animals received a standard noxious stimulus; a 4‐point scale was used to score the response. A second scale was used to score ataxia and a third for sedation.ResultsThe duration of analgesia in the upper and lower flanks in cattle was 140 ± 15, 50 ± 14 and 80 ± 22 minutes (mean ± SD) after dorsolumbar epidural KL, K or L, respectively. The cardiovascular changes were within acceptable limits in these clinically healthy cattle.ConclusionsDorsolumbar epidural administration of KL to cattle resulted in longer duration of analgesia of the upper and lower flanks in standing conscious cattle, than the administration of K or L alone.Clinical relevanceFurther research is necessary to determine whether this combination using this technique provides sufficient analgesia for flank surgery in standing cattle.     

Guava decline: effect of root exudates from Meloidogyne enterolobii-parasitized plants on Fusarium solani in vitro and on growth and development of guava seedlings under controlled conditions

In guava decline, Fusarium solani-immune guava trees become susceptible to extensive root rot caused by this fungus after parasitism by Meloidogyne enterolobii. To understand the mechanisms involved in this disease, root exudates were collected from nematode-inoculated (NI) or uninoculated (UN) guava plants cultivated in sand. After filtration through a Millipore® membrane, NI and UN exudates were used: i) to prepare media to assess their effect on mycelial growth and production of propagules of F. solani isolate UENF/CF 163, and ii) to incubate macro- and microconidia to assess their effect on germination. NI exudates promoted (P?<?0.05) more mycelial growth and production of propagules than UN exudates or water. NI and UN exudates were used to water guava seedlings laid over seed germination paper inside plastic boxes. Half of the seedlings had an agar plug colonized by the fungus positioned in the collar region. Upon watering with NI exudates the fungus caused (P?<?0.05) extensive rotting of the seedlings’ rootlets. NI and UN exudates, either unlyophilized or lyophilized and re-suspended to the original concentration, were used to water guava seedlings grown in sterile sand before being inoculated (or left uninoculated) as described before. Solely upon watering with NI exudates, in its unlyophilized form or after lyophilization, the fungus caused a reduction (P?<?0.05) of shoot and root biomass associated with rotting of roots. These results suggest that M. enterolobii induces chemical changes in the root exudates of guava trees, which are necessary for root invasion causing root rotting by F. solani.     

Salix rubens and Salix triandra Species as Phytoremediators of Soil Contaminated with Petroleum-Derived Hydrocarbons

The petroleum industry activities provide potential risks to the environment because they can contaminate ecosystems with different organic compounds in the production chain. Several accidents with transport and handling of petroleum and related products occurred in urban areas with harmful effects to the quality of life and economy. In the 1990s, bioremediation and phytoremediation technologies as economically feasible alternatives to repair the environmental damage were developed. In this study, the potential of the willows Salix rubens and Salix triandra were evaluated with regard to the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with petroleum-derived hydrocarbons (total hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)). The PAHs were quantified by extraction from soils and plants using dichloromethane under ultrasonication. The HPLC analysis was performed with GC/MSD equipment. The total hydrocarbons present in uncontaminated soil were quantified by the sum of animal/vegetable oils and greases and mineral oils and greases according to Standard Methods 5520 (1997). The two willows species S. rubens and S. triandra were resistant during the project development. In the contaminated soil, in which both species were planted, the total hydrocarbons concentration was reduced near 98?%. The PAHs content was remarkably reduced as well. Pyrene showed an initial concentration of 23.06???g?kg^?1, decreasing in most cases to 0.1???g?kg^?1 or to undetectable levels. Chrysene decreased from 126.27???g?kg^?1 to undetectable levels. Benzo[k]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene concentrations had also showed a decrease from 28.44 and 3.82???g?kg^?1, respectively, to undetectable levels.     

Genetic parameters for body weight, reproduction, and parasite resistance traits in the Creole goat

We estimated the genetic parameters for BW, reproduction, and parasite resistance traits to implement a breeding program for the Creole goat. The traits were preweaning BW at 70 d of age (BW70d), BW at 11 mo of age (BW11), fecal egg count at 11 mo of age (FEC11) for all animals, packed cell volumes of lactating does (PCV), and their fertility (FER) and litter size (LS). We analyzed about 30 yr of data, which included 18,450 records on 11,970 animals from the INRA experimental flock in Guadeloupe (French West Indies). Heritability estimates were low for reproduction traits (0.11 ± 0.02 for LS and FER) to moderate for production traits (0.32 ± 0.03 for BW11; 0.20 ± 0.03 and 0.08 ± 0.02 for the direct and maternal heritability estimates of BW70d, respectively). Heritability estimates for gastrointestinal nematode resistance traits were situated in an intermediate range (0.13 ± 0.05 for PCV and 0.18 ± 0.04 for FEC11). Genetic correlations between FER, PCV, BW11, and the maternal effect of BW70d were altogether positive, whereas LS and FEC11 were almost uncorrelated phenotypically and genetically. These correlations are very favorable for setting up a breeding program, making it possible to improve BW, reproduction, and parasite resistance traits simultaneously.     

A modified agglutination test for the diagnosis of Besnoitia besnoiti infection

Bovine besnoitiosis is caused by Besnoitia besnoiti, an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite. Affected animals present cutaneous and systemic manifestations and the disease may lead to considerable economic losses. Although generally associated to tropical and subtropical areas, bovine besnoitiosis is now considered an emergent disease in Europe, due to the increasing number of new cases and apparent geographical expansion. In this study we evaluated the performance of a modified agglutination test (B-MAT) in the serodiagnosis of bovine besnoitiosis in comparison to the indirect immunofluorescent-antibody test (IFAT). To establish optimal protocol conditions we used bovine sera with a known infection status for B. besnoiti infection. Positive animals (n=36) presented B. besnoiti dermal cysts and anti-B. besnoiti specific antibodies, as determined by the indirect immunofluorescence test (IFAT). Negative animals (n=103) were from non-endemic areas in Portugal and negative by the IFAT. From here, we evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the B-MAT relative to the IFAT with a panel of sera from herds with history of bovine besnoitiosis in Portugal, Spain and France (n=402), using three serum dilutions (1:80, 1:160, 1:320). Considering the positive cut-off at 1:160 serum dilution, the B-MAT showed an almost perfect test agreement with the IFAT; (κ=0.968; 95% CI: 0.941-0.996) with a relative sensitivity of 97.2% (95% CI: 94.1-100%) and a relative specificity of 99.3% (95% CI: 98.4-100%). As a simple and inexpensive technique the B-MAT represents a valuable tool for the diagnosis and study of the epidemiology of bovine besnoitiosis.     

Bioremediation of Mangroves Impacted by Petroleum

The majority of oil from oceanic oil spills (e.g. the recent accident in the Gulf of Mexico) converges on coastal ecosystems such as mangroves. Microorganisms are directly involved in biogeochemical cycles as key drivers of the degradation of many carbon sources, including petroleum hydrocarbons. When properly understood and managed, microorganisms provide a wide range of ecosystem services, such as bioremediation, and are a promising alternative for the recovery of impacted environments. Previous studies have been conducted with emphasis on developing and selecting strategies for bioremediation of mangroves, mostly in vitro, with few field applications described in the literature. Many factors can affect the success of bioremediation of oil in mangroves, including the presence and activity of the oil-degrading microorganisms in the sediment, availability and concentration of oil and nutrients, salinity, temperature and oil toxicity. More studies are needed to provide efficient bioremediation strategies to be applicable in large areas of mangroves impacted with oil. A major challenge to mangrove bioremediation is defining pollution levels and measuring recuperation of a mangrove. Typically, chemical parameters of pollution levels, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are used but are extremely variable in field measurements. Therefore, meaningful mangrove monitoring strategies must be developed. This review will present the state of the art of bioremediation in oil-contaminated mangroves, new data about the use of different mangrove microcosms with and without tide simulation, the main factors that influence the success of bioremediation in mangroves and new prospects for the use of molecular tools to monitor the bioremediation process. We believe that in some environments, such as mangroves, bioremediation may be the most appropriate approach for cleanup. Because of the peculiarities and heterogeneity of these environments, which hinder the use of other physical and chemical analyses, we suggest that measuring plant recuperation should be considered with reduction in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This is a crucial discussion because these key marine environments are threatened with worldwide disappearance. We highlight the need for and suggest new ways to conserve, protect and restore these environments.