Transcatheter glue arterial embolization of a mass in the hind limb of a dog

This article reports the use of transarterial glue embolization in the treatment of a soft-tissue mass in the hind limb of a dog that was referred for a > 15-cm diameter soft tissue mass in the caudal thigh. Clinical improvement showed that the percutaneous therapeutic cyanoacrylate glue embolization procedure was technically feasible and useful.     

Malaria in an eastern screech owl (Otus asio)

Owls are frequent carriers of blood parasites but clinical malaria infections are rare. Various stages of Plasmodium subpraecox were seen in 90% of the erythrocytes of an Eastern screech owl (Otus asio) showing symptoms consistent with malaria 1 wk after admission for traumatic injuries. An additional unidentified blood parasite, either a Plasmodium or a Haemoproteus spp. was found in small numbers of red blood cells on blood films examined at admission and at day 7 postadmission. Combined infestation, trauma-induced stress, and iatrogenic corticosteroid administration are possible factors that could have induced disease. Oral treatment with mefloquine at 30 mg/kg, repeated after 12, 24, and 48 hr, proved successful in eliminating both organisms and signs of clinical disease.     

Evaluation of methanotroph (Methylococcus capsulatus,Bath) bacteria meal as an alternative protein source for growth performance,digestive enzymes,and health status of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Aquaculture International - The increasing cost of fishmeal (FM) with limited supply and the continuous development of aquaculture necessitate more economical FM substitutes. This study aimed to...     

Acoustic telemetry versus monitored longline fishing for studying the vertical distribution of pelagic fish: bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in French Polynesia

This study compares detailed, nearly continuous, observations on bigeye tuna, Thunnus obesus equipped with electronic tags, with discrete observations on a larger number of individuals from fishing experiments in order to validate the use of instrumented longlines to study the vertical distribution of fish. We show that the depth distributions obtained from the two different observation techniques regarding different environmental variables (temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), prey distribution) are similar. Bigeye tuna do not seem to be attracted by baits in the vertical dimension (no modification of their vertical distribution by the fishing gear), which allows the use of instrumented longlines to study the vertical behaviour of pelagic species. This technique, when used with appropriate deployment strategy, could therefore represent an alternative to electronic tags (acoustic or archival tags) when there is a need to determine the vertical distribution of fish species by size or sex, in different environments for the study of fishery interactions.     

Sequence analysis of 43-year old samples of Plantago lanceolata show that Plantain virus X is synonymous with Actinidia virus X and is widely distributed

Plantain virus X was first recognized by the ICTV as a species in the genus Potexvirus in 1982. However, because no sequence was available for plantain virus X (PlVX), abolishing the species was proposed to the Flexiviridae working group of the ICTV in 2015. This initiated efforts to sequence the original isolates from Plantago lanceolata samples. Here we report the full-genome sequencing of two original isolates of PlVX, which demonstrate that the virus is synonymous to Actinidia virus X, a species previously reported from kiwifruit (Actinidia sp.) and blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum). PlVX was previously noted to be widespread in the UK in P. lanceolata. This report additionally presents novel data on the distribution and diversity of PlVX, collected at the same site as the original UK isolates, and from three independent surveys, two in the Netherlands and one in Belgium. This study also includes two new host records for PlVX, Browallia americana and Capsicum annuum (sweet pepper), indicating the virus is more widespread and infects a broader range of hosts than previously reported. This stresses the importance of surveys of noncultivated species to gain insight into viral distribution and host range. This study also demonstrates the value of generating sequence data for isolates retained in virus collections. Additionally, it demonstrates the potential value in prepublication data sharing for giving context to virus detections such as the four independent studies here which, when combined, give greater clarity to the identity, diversity, distribution, and host range of plantain virus X.     

Monitoring the fate of a 30-year-old truffle orchard in Burgundy: from Tuber melanosporum to Tuber aestivum

Truffles, i.e. tree root-associated fungal fruiting bodies, clearly range among the world’s most exclusive delicacies. Despite the quite restricted natural geographic occurrence of one of the most renowned fungal species, namely Tuber melanosporum, the development of inoculation procedures in the late 1960s made it possible to enlarge its production area in different countries. This was achieved by planting orchards with host tree seedlings colonized by the fungus. In the present work, we investigate the behavior of one of the earliest T. melanosporum orchards planted in Burgundy (France) over a long-term scale (more than 30 years). A picture of the orchard evolution was obtained by recording truffle yields and fungal morphotypes over the seasons and relating them to host-tree development and climate data. The most relevant results include the time-delayed, but rather fast replacement of inoculated T. melanosporum by naturally occurring T. aestivum and the key role of climate in the inter-annual variability of truffle production.     

Soil aggregation may be a relevant indicator of nutrient cation availability

Key message

Aggregation was studied in two acidic forest soils (NE France) to investigate the potential link between available Ca and Mg content and soil aggregate size distribution and properties. Clay content influenced the aggregation status while clay mineralogy influenced aggregate stability and dynamics. Aggregation status and reactivity of soil components contributed to the difference of exchangeable Ca and Mg content in topsoil between the two sites.

Context

Though nutrient fluxes are important to define forest soil chemical fertility, the quantification of nutrient reservoirs in the soils and their availability to tree uptake is essential. A thorough understanding of nutrient availability requires an investigation of nutrient location and distribution in the soil solid phase.

Aims

The general aim was to investigate the potential link between available Ca and Mg content and soil aggregate size distribution and their properties (chemical, physical, mineralogical).

Methods

Soil aggregates were separated according to three size classes (200–2000 μm; 50–200 μm; <?50 μm) in two forest soils of the Lorraine plateau (France), both classified as Luvisols ruptic. The physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties were measured for each aggregate class.

Results

We showed that the relative abundance of an intermediate aggregate class [200–50 μm] was relevant to explain the difference of exchangeable Ca and Mg between sites. These aggregates were the poorest in organic and reactive mineral components and were unstable, which may mitigate the retention of Ca and Mg by ion-exchange.

Conclusion

This study highlights the role of aggregation and reactivity of soil components as relevant determinants of cation availability to tree uptake in soils.

     

Long-term sustainability of forest ecosystems on sandstone in the Vosges Mountains (France) facing atmospheric deposition and silvicultural change

Since the 1980s, atmospheric deposition acidity has generally decreased in European forest ecosystems. However, at many sites, little or no sign of recovery has been observed yet. Concerns are rising about the sustainability of these ecosystems because of reduced nutrients inputs in atmospheric deposition and the increase in biomass harvesting to supply bio-energy.We used a silver fir plot of the French monitoring network (RENECOFOR, site SP57) typical of the ecosystems on sandstone in the Vosges Mountains, to investigate its functioning and its response facing past and possible future changes. We (1) calculated 12-year-mean “input-output” nutrient budgets, (2) measured the change in soil exchangeable cations and anions, (3) used monitoring data to calibrate a process oriented biogeochemical model, NuCM, that was then used to (4) simulate the consequences of two main scenarios and their combinations: constant or reduced atmospheric deposition, and traditional or whole-tree harvesting.Mean term changes in exchangeable nutrients and input-output budgets showed a loss of exchangeable sulphate and base cations, the level of which depended on the method. This combined efflux induced an acidification of soil solution and an alkalinisation of the soil. The model NuCM was successfully calibrated and scenarios were implemented. A slight recovery was simulated when deposition was maintained constant but combined acid and nutrient atmospheric deposition reduction delayed recovery. Whole-tree harvesting drastically decreased soil fertility compared to traditional silviculture. Hence, biomass harvesting in forests on poor soils may counter recovery in the future.     

Spatial distribution of Eucalyptus roots in a deep sandy soil in the Congo: relationships with the ability of the stand to take up water and nutrients

Spatial statistical analyses were performed to describe root distribution and changes in soil strength in a mature clonal plantation of Eucalyptus spp. in the Congo. The objective was to analyze spatial variability in root distribution. Relationships between root distribution, soil strength and the water and nutrient uptake by the stand were also investigated. We studied three, 2.35-m-wide, vertical soil profiles perpendicular to the planting row and at various distances from a representative tree. The soil profiles were divided into 25-cm2 grid cells and the number of roots in each of three diameter classes counted in each grid cell. Two profiles were 2-m deep and the third profile was 5-m deep. There was both vertical and horizontal anisotropy in the distribution of fine roots in the three profiles, with root density decreasing sharply with depth and increasing with distance from the stump. Roots were present in areas with high soil strength values (> 6,000 kPa). There was a close relationship between soil water content and soil strength in this sandy soil. Soil strength increased during the dry season mainly because of water uptake by fine roots. There were large areas with low root density, even in the topsoil. Below a depth of 3 m, fine roots were spatially concentrated and most of the soil volume was not explored by roots. This suggests the presence of drainage channels, resulting from the severe hydrophobicity of the upper soil.