Modeling the Requirements of Agricultural Limestone in Acid Sulfate Soils of Brazil and Colombia

The aim of this study was to model the determination of the amount of agricultural limestone necessary to correct acidification in acid sulfate soils (ASS). This study used 14 equations and the chemical variables of the soils including pH, soil organic matter (SOM), potential acidity (H+ Al), sum of bases (BS), potential acidity (T), base saturation (V) and exchangeable Al with KCl. The results indicated that in the studied, the lowest requirements for doses of limestone (DL) were described by the equations DL = 2.906((H+ Al) (45-V)/100)°⁸⁰, DL = 0.08 + 1.22Al_KCl, DL = 0.6T – BS, and DL = 1.5Al_KCl, with mean values of 29.5, 30.5, 31.5 and 37.4 t ha^?1. In addition, the models with the best correlation for determining the limestone requirements to obtain 80% of the maximum production of sorghum (dry matter) were DL = ?1.43 + 0.9237 (SOM (6-pH)) and DL = ?0.022 + 2.7425 ((H+ Al) (45-V)/100).     

Effect of dietary protein‐to‐energy ratio on reproduction in female redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus

The effect of eight diets with different protein‐to‐energy ratios (P–E ratio=10, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 mg kJ^?1) on reproduction of female redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus was tested under laboratory conditions. After 75 days, there was a significant effect of the P–E ratio on final weight, spawning females and the number of juveniles per female. Using the broken‐line and quadratic equations, optimal values for the P–E ratio were: 16.0, 17.1 and 16.0 mg kJ^?1. The P–E ratio significantly affected protein and carbohydrate content and energy in the hepatopancreas. The broken‐line model indicated that the respective recommended values of the P–E ratio for these parameters were: 21.8, 16.7 and 18.6 mg kJ^?1. The concentration of carbohydrates and energy in muscle tended to significantly diminish as the P–E ratio increased. From broken‐line regression analysis, the recommended P–E ratio was 16.6 and 20.2 mg kJ^?1 respectively. No significant differences were found in survival, fecundity, vitellin content in eggs, protein and lipid content in muscle and lipids in the hepatopancreas. We concluded that, overall, a P–E ratio of 18±2 mg kJ^?1 is optimal for reproductive activity of female redclaw crayfish.     

Fatty acid profile of table olives and its multivariate characterization using unsupervised (PCA) and supervised (DA) chemometrics

The fatty acid composition of 67 commercial presentations of table olives was determined. The most abundant fatty acids, in decreasing order of presence, were C18:1, C16:0, C18:2 n-6, and C18:0. The ranges, expressed as grams of fatty acids per 100 g of edible portion, for the different nutritional fractions were as follows: saturated fatty acids, 2.07-5.99; monounsaturated fatty acids, 5.67-19.42; polyunsaturated fatty acids, 0.52-3.87; and trans-fatty acids, 0.08-0.44. Principal component analysis of the matrix of the fatty acid composition led to the deduction of new factors. The first accounted for 55.10% of the total variance and was mainly related to C16:10, C18:0, C20:0, C22:0, C24:0, C18:1, C18:1t, and C20:1. The second factor accounted for 10.33% of variance and was related to C16:1 and C18:2 n-6. They did not permit differentiation among elaboration types or cultivars. However, discriminant analysis was successfully applied for this objective. The fatty acids that most contributed to discriminate among elaboration styles were C17:1, C18:1, C16:0, C17:0, and C18:0 (function 1) and C17:0, C17:1, C20:0, C16:0, C18:1, and C24:0 (function 2). In the case of cultivars, they were C20:0, C18:1, C17:1, C18:2 n-6, C18:1t, and C18:2t (function 1); C18:2 n-6, C18:1, C16:0, C20:0, C18:0, and C18:2t (function 2); and C17:0, C18:3 n-3, and C17:1 (function 3). Results from this study have shown differences among the fatty acid composition and fat content of the diverse commercial presentations of table olives, which can be applied in predictive and classification discriminant analysis.     

Toxocara canis infection induces antigen-specific IL-10 and IFNgamma production in pregnant dogs and their puppies

Toxocara canis (T. canis) is originally a parasite of canine bitches and their pups. The pathogenicity of T. canis infection is enhanced during pregnancy and puppyhood. The aim of this study was to investigate if modification of IFNgamma and IL-10 secretion occurs during infection in pregnant dogs and puppies. Analysis of cytokines secreted could let us hypothesize a role for IL-10 and/or IFNgamma in T. canis infection. We tested T. canis-specific production of IFNgamma and IL-10 by lymphocytes of pregnant dogs and their puppies after in vitro re-exposure to purified excretory/secretory antigen (ESAg) from T. canis. Blood mononuclear cells (BMC) isolated from pregnant dogs and their puppies were cultured in the presence of ESAg. Cultures' supernatants were tested for cytokine levels by ELISA. Results obtained showed that IL-10 concentrations increased during pregnancy in infected animals and in the meantime IFNgamma production decreased. In puppyhood, we observed that, IL-10 concentration decreased with the age of puppies mainly in infected animals while IFNgamma increased. In conclusion, our data suggests that BMC of infected dogs have a particular modification of IL-10 and IFNgamma synthesis. These data could be the basis to design immunotherapeutic approaches.     

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli: emerging issues on virulence and modes of transmission

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) constitute a subset of serotypes (E. coli O157 and some other serogroups) of Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing E. coli (STEC) firmly associated with severe human illnesses like bloody diarrhoea and haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Stx production is essential but not sufficient for EHEC virulence. Most strains are capable of colonising the intestinal mucosa of the host with the "attaching and effacing" mechanism, genetically governed by a large pathogenicity island (PAI) defined as the Locus of Enterocyte Effacement. Other virulence factors carried by mobile genetic elements like PAI and plasmids have been recently described, and their role in the pathogenic process has not been fully elucidated. EHEC are zoonotic pathogens. They rarely cause disease in animals, and ruminants are recognised as their main natural reservoir. Cattle are considered to be the most important source of human infections with EHEC O157, and the ecology of the organism in cattle farming has been extensively studied. The organism has also been reported in sheep, goats, water buffalos, and deer. Pigs and poultry are not considered to be a source of EHEC and the sporadic reports may derive from accidental exposure to ruminant dejections. The epidemiology of EHEC infections has remarkably changed during the past ten years and an increasing number of unusual food vehicles have been associated with human infections. New routes of transmission have emerged, like contact with animals during farm visits and a wide variety of environment-related exposures. As for other zoonotic agents, having animals and raw products that are free from EHEC is not possible in practice. However, their occurrence can be minimised by applying high standards of hygiene in all the steps of the food production chain.     

Colostrum and milk can transmit jaagsiekte retrovirus to lambs

Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) is a contagious disease caused by jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV). In the three studies performed, we have obtained data of the importance of colostrum/milk (C/M) in the transmission of JSRV. In the first study, a group of sheep from a flock with a long history of OPA, samples from colostrum and peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs) were collected. Two specific PCRs (U3-LTR and env of the JSRV) were carried out. Using U3PCR 8/34 sheep were positive in colostrum whereas with envPCR 7/34 were positive. From these animals only one was positive with U3PCR in the PBLs. Evidence of the transmission of JSRV infection by C/M was obtained in two more separate studies. In the second study, PBLs from five lambs from JSRV+ ewes and two from JSRV-ewes were tested by the U3PCR. They were fed C/M by their mothers during 3 months and slaughtered 7 months after birth. Three out of five lambs from the JSRV+ sheep become PBL positive at 3-4 months old and the other two were also positive at 4-6 months of age. One lamb of the JSRV-sheep became also PBL positive at an age of 3 months. In the third study, a group of lambs from JSRV negative mothers were fed with C/M from JSRV+ sheep and housed in separate unit. For comparison, another group of the same origin and maintained in another different unit, were fed with C/M containing a JSRV virus preparation. All lambs were blood sampled monthly and JSRV infection was detected as early as 15 days and several times onwards in both groups. Control groups fed with C/M from JSRV free flock and JSRV blood test negative sheep were always negative. Together these results indicate that suckling is an important natural transmission route for JSRV.     

Assessing the efficacy of Duddingtonia flagrans chlamydospores per gram of faeces to control Haemonchus contortus larvae

The aims were (a) to quantify the number of Duddingtonia flagrans chlamydospores per gram of faeces (CPG) recovered from sheep administered with different oral doses and, (b) to describe the relationship between CPG and eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) on the efficacy to reduce Haemonchus contortus infective larvae. Three doses of chlamydospores per kg BW were orally administered during seven days: (T1) non treated control group, (T2) 1 × 10⁶, (T3) 2.5 × 10⁶ and (T4) 5 × 10⁶. Three lambs, infected with H. contortus, were used per group. Faeces were obtained from the rectum of each lamb during the fungal administration period (days 0–6) and for six days after that period. Four coproculture replicates were made from each animal in days 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. A higher chlamydospore dose produced higher CPG in faeces (p < 0.05), but a clear dose dependent effect was not found either in the larvae reduction or in the CPG:EPG ratio. When ratios were re-analyzed, independently of the treatment groups of origin, a better efficacy was obtained with a ratio from 5 to 10 CPG:EPG and a higher ratio (>10 per egg) showed a lower reduction efficacy (p < 0.05). The binomial analysis showed that for each unit of increment in CPG:EPG ratio there was a reduction of larvae number until a point (between 5 and 10 CPG:EPG) where no further reduction was detected. The surface response test indicated that the number of larvae was reduced by CPG until possible saturation. The highest CPG:EPG ratios did not necessarily improve efficacy of D. flagrans.     

Lipid droplets in clusters negatively affect Bos indicus embryos during cryopreservation

Embryo transfer using cryopreserved B. indicus embryos results in low pregnancy rates. The low viability of B. indicus embryos is likely a result of their low freezability relative to embryos from other species, notably B. taurus. Freezability is probably related to the quantity of lipid droplets in the embryonic cells. However, the mechanism underlying this association is unknown. Using multiphoton and transmission electron microscopy, the proportion, volume, morphology and composition of lipid droplets in fresh and cryopreserved B. indicus and B. taurus embryos were studied. B. indicus embryos have more droplets than B. taurus and a greater percentage of lipid droplets in clusters (34% vs. 24%; p < 0.05). Also, B. indicus individual droplets are of greater volume than those of B. taurus (47 μm³ vs. 34 μm³; p < 0.05). After freezing, the percentage of clusters decreased in B. indicus (11% vs. 5%; p < 0.05), while in B. taurus they increased (2% vs. 7%; p < 0.05). Freezing influenced the lipid droplet morphology, increasing the number of cracked droplets in B. indicus embryos (33% fresh vs. 62% frozen; p < 0.05), but not in B. taurus embryos (35% fresh vs. 34% frozen; ns). Regarding composition, saturated lipid droplets prevail in B. indicus embryos, contrary to B. taurus embryos. We observed differences in lipid droplet organization, proportion, volume, morphology and composition between B. indicus and B. taurus embryos which are altered in opposite directions following freezing.     

Diet,dietary selectivity and density of South American grey fox,Lycalopex griseus,in Central Chile

The South American grey fox Lycalopex griseus is a canid widely distributed in southern South America; however, some aspects of its biology are still poorly known. We studied the diet and density of L. griseus in the Lago Peñuelas Biosphere Reserve, in Central Chile. The trophic niche breadth was B = 6.16 (B_sta = 0.47) and prey diversity was H′ = 2.46 (H_max′ = 3.17, J′ = 0.78). The highest proportions of prey consumed in the diet were Oryctolagus cuniculus (52.21%) and other mammals (32.78%). We compared these results with a latitudinal gradient of diet results for this species in Chile. L. griseus eats mostly mammals (>90% of total prey), consuming the rodent Phyllotis darwini and reptiles in the northern zone; Oryctolagus cuniculus, Octodon degus and Abrocoma bennetti in the central zone; Abrothrix spp. and lagomorphs in the southern zone; and Lepus capensis and Ovis aries in the austral zone. The estimated density of L. griseus in Lago Peñuelas NR was 1.3 foxes/km².     

Seasonal Divergence of Landscape Use by Heritage and Conventional Cattle on Desert Rangeland

Adopting livestock with heritage genetics may help to improve the sustainability of agriculture on rangelands with harsh, challenging conditions. In the Chihuahuan Desert, preliminary evidence suggests that heritage Raramuri Criollo exploit a greater variety of range resources than do conventional cattle. Accordingly, the use of Raramuri Criollo may help sustain vegetation and soils, as well as agricultural production. To explore these possibilities, we used Global Positioning System collars to track Angus × Hereford and Raramuri Criollo cows in a 1 535-ha pasture in southern New Mexico in June–December 2008. As predicted on the basis of past research, home range sizes of Raramuri Criollo exceeded those of Angus × Hereford during seasons with low forage availability—by 31.4 ± 6.5 ha during Pregreenup and 17.2 ± 6.5 ha during Drydown—but sizes converged during more productive seasons (Greenup 1, Greenup 2). Angus × Hereford allotted more daily time to resting, with the difference most pronounced during Drydown (71.1 ± 21.1 min day^{? 1}). Angus × Hereford had twice as many hotspots of use (locations with multiple visits of long duration), with seasonal timing and location corresponding with distribution patterns known to impact desirable natural resources. Raramuri Criollo more strongly preferred the Bare/Forbs ecological state with seasonal timing that possibly signals an ability to use nutritious forbs on open ground despite summer heat. Results are consistent with conjectures that compared with conventional cattle, Raramuri Criollo have greater daily mobility and wider spatial distribution during dry seasons. Although not directly measured, results also suggest that the heritage breed has superior heat tolerance and lower impact on desirable natural resources. These findings provide evidence that Raramuri Criollo can support sustainable livestock production in the Chihuahuan Desert, but direct measurements of profitability and environmental effects are needed before adoption can be recommended widely.