Cultivation affected the level of inorganic phosphorus more than the organic pool of the Pampas soils in Argentina

The effects of land use on soil organic and inorganic phosphorus (P) stocks were assessed in the Pampas, Argentina. Three hundred and eighty-six paired sites widely distributed over an area of ca. 50 Mha were sampled. Land use types included soils under trees, uncropped soils, cropped soils at the pasture phase of a mixed rotation, cropped soils at the crop phase of a mixed rotation, and flooded soils. Slight differences in organic P stocks were found among land uses. Organic P was 21–35% lower in flooded soil than in the other treatments in the 0–100 cm depth. Inorganic P was significantly lower (ca. 27%) in pasture and cropped soils than in the uncropped controls at 0–25 cm depth. The ratios of organic P/inorganic P and organic C/organic P decreased with depth and did not significantly differ among the sites. The influence of cultivation on inorganic P to a depth of 100 cm depended on the initial phosphorus content of the soil. Soils rich in phosphorus lost substantial amounts of their phosphorus stocks, in some cases losses were as high as 70%, whereas phosphorus-poor soils presented only small changes in their inorganic P levels.     

Effect of Transglutaminase on Properties of Glutenin Macropolymer and Dough Rheology

The effect of transglutaminase (TG) on glutenin macropolymer (GMP) properties could help to understand changes in bread quality. The aim of the present study was to analyze modifications in GMP and dough properties caused by TG addition. Transglutaminase introduced cross‐links to gluten proteins, mainly high molecular weight glutenins. This effect modified the protein structure and markedly increased dough strength. These changes in the structure of glutenins increased SDS solubility and decreased GMP content and GMP storage modulus. However, TG increased GMP particle size, notably at higher doses. TG affected rheological characteristics of dough in that increasing TG doses decreased tan δ, and increased G'. In all the studies conducted, the TG increased GMP polymer size, but contrary to what was expected, this increase did not involve an increase in GMP content. These results confirmed the effect of TG on dough quality and the great differences found with different TG doses.     

New phenolic esters from the resinous exudate of Haplopappus taeda

Two new phenolic esters 9-trans-p-coumaroyloxy-alpha-terpineol (1) and 7-trans-p-coumaroyloxy-taedol (2), both endowed with free radical scavenger activity and cleroda-3,13 (E)-dien-15,18-diol (3) for which a cis stereochemistry at the decalin junction was found, were isolated from the resinous exudate from Haplopappus taeda upper parts.     

Identification and localization of food-source microbial nucleic acids inside soil nematodes

Microorganisms (e.g., prokaryotes, fungi) are food sources for soil nematodes, but they can also be potential mutualists or pathogens. Understanding the linkages between microorganism and invertebrate diversity in soils requires the ability to distinguish between these microbial roles. We tested the potential of a taxon-specific fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) procedure for identifying and localizing microbial rRNA within the bodies of soil nematodes. Our objective was to determine whether the rate of digestion permitted detection and identification of food-source nucleic acids within the nematode digestive system (i.e., pharynges, intestines) before their breakdown. First, using laboratory cultures of Caenorhabditis elegans maintained on Escherichia coli, we were able to localize bacterial rRNA throughout the nematode pharynx with the universal bacterial-probe EUB338, although never in the intestines. Second, we applied the fungal rRNA probe FR1 to Aphelenchus avenae cultured on the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. We were unable to detect fungal rRNA within these nematodes, and it appears that this material may be digested rapidly. Next, we applied our technique to nematodes extracted directly from soils. We were able to localize bacterial rRNA within the pharynges of bacterial-feeding species of nematodes from desert soils. We also localized archaeal rRNA using the probe ARC344. Finally, application of EUB338 to desert soil nematodes revealed the presence of bacteria in the intestines of some nematodes and within the ovary of a single nematode. This technique has great potential for use in understanding the feeding behavior of bacterial-feeding soil nematodes and in studies of nematode:bacterial relationships.     

Development and study of a maize cultivar rich in anthocyanins: coloured polenta,a new functional food

Among the phytonutrients, anthocyanins have been extensively studied because of their antioxidant power, the characteristic supposedly responsible for their capacity for chronic disease prevention. Anthocyanins can also be synthesized in maize even though in Europe the colourless varieties have always been preferred. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a new polenta variety of maize rich in anthocyanins, bred by a recurrent selection scheme, to increase the antioxidant power of this food. The recurrent selection was based on the anthocyanin content and other specific traits of the kernel. The coloured polenta obtained was analysed by TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography) analysis and DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging ability, before and after cooking. The results obtained showed that even though cooking reduced the anthocyanin content by about 22%, the remaining anthocyanins exhibited twofolds higher antioxidant capacity, expressed as ARP (antiradical power) using acetone/water extraction buffer in DPPH assay, compared to the colourless control. Furthermore, our data showed that the anthocyanin content did not alter the taste of the coloured polenta.     

Two Unusual Cases of Canine Prostatitis: Prostatitis in a Castrated Dog and Preputial Oedema in an Intact Male

In this study, two unusual presentations of canine prostatitis are described; in the first case a 10‐years‐old neutered Boxer dog was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Extremadura with a complaint of anorexia, apathy and preputial discharge. In the second case, a local veterinarian referred an 8‐years‐old male Labrador to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Extremadura. The dog had a history of pain in the caudal abdomen and preputial oedema. The final diagnosis in both cases was acute prostatitis. It is concluded that although canine prostatitis is a common disease, sometimes can have presentations that may differ from those classically described in the literature.     

Control of invasive Liriomyza leafminer species and compliance with food safety standards by small scale snow pea farmers in Kenya

The Kenyan horticultural industry faces a new challenge following invasion by the quarantine Liriomyza leafminer species Liriomyza huidobrensis, Liriomyza sativae and Liriomyza trifolii which have recently become pests of economic importance. Controlling Liriomyza leafminers poses serious difficulties due to their biology and quarantine status. This paper examines farmers’ awareness of the pests and difficulties faced in controlling them. (1) A questionnaire survey showed that snow pea farmers in Kenya rely mainly on pesticides for control of invasive Liriomyza leafminers; (2) Sixty five percent of respondents perceived pesticides to be ineffective; (3) As a result, 74% of respondents increased the frequency of pesticide applications, 61% increased dose rates and 58% used broad-spectrum insecticides to avert damage by the pests; (4) Snow pea farmers who signed contracts with exporters and whose production practices were monitored for compliance with Good Agricultural Practices (GlobalGAP) used fewer control strategies; (5) These findings imply that the pest status of Liriomyza leafminers is likely to increase and snow pea production will significantly decrease in Central areas of Kenya unless an integrated leafminer management strategy is developed and farmers educated on methods of identifying them in their early stages of attack and use appropriate chemicals and application methods.     

Uhl's anomaly in a domestic shorthair cat

A 2-year-old, neutered male, domestic shorthair cat was presented for investigation of dyspnea and episodic weakness. Clinical and ultrasonographic features were consistent with right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Pathological findings documented Uhl's anomaly. Although rare, Uhl's anomaly should be a differential diagnosis for cats with right-sided congestive heart failure. In particular, Uhl's anomaly could be misdiagnosed as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy due to the similarity of clinical and echocardiographic findings.     

Multicentric mast cell tumors in a horse

Abstract: A 6‐year‐old female Rocky Mountain horse was presented for evaluation of draining tracts and distal limb subcutaneous edema on the left front and left hind limbs that had been present for 2 weeks. Direct smears of fluid collected by fine‐needle aspiration of subcutaneous fluid from both limbs were highly cellular with a predominance of eosinophils accompanied by numerous, moderately atypical, variably granulated mast cells. The cytologic diagnosis was mast cell tumor (MCT) with prominent eosinophilic infiltration with a differential diagnosis of eosinophilic granuloma. Histologic evaluation of surgical biopsies of lesions from both limbs was performed on sections stained with H&E, toluidine blue, and Luna stains. The histologic diagnosis was MCT, and staining with toluidine blue and Luna stains confirmed the presence of mast cells and eosinophils, respectively. In addition, the mast cells strongly expressed CD117. This is the first reported case of cutaneous mast cell neoplasia in a horse in which primary presenting complaints were draining tracts and distal limb subcutaneous edema involving multiple limbs. This case illustrates the utility of staining for CD117 expression in combination with traditional stains, such as toluidine blue and Luna, in differentiating MCTs from other eosinophilic lesions in horses.