Factors associated with seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dairy cattle in southeastern Brazil

Neosporosis is an infectious disease caused by Neospora caninum, an obligate intracellular cyst-forming protozoan considered a major cause of miscarriage in dairy cattle in many parts of the world. This cross-sectional study evaluated the relationship between reproductive abnormalities and seropositivity to N. caninum in 1,204 dairy cows from 40 farms located in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Producers were interviewed, and blood samples were collected to perform indirect immunofluorescence tests (IFAT 1:200). Association between reproductive abnormalities and seropositivity in cattle was evaluated with generalized estimating equations. The true herd-level seroprevalence of N. caninum was 95 % (83.3–99.1), while the individual-level true seroprevalence was 21.6 % (19.2–24.2). Several reproductive abnormalities were significantly associated with seropositivity to N. caninum: occurrence of repeated estrus (p?=?0.02; OR?=?3.84; 95 % CI?=?1.239–11.893), repeated miscarriages (p?=?0.001; OR?=?2.54; 95 % CI?=?1.423–5.402), and temporary anestrus (p?=?0.001; OR?=?3.44; 95 % CI?=?1.976–5.994). Furthermore, loose dogs (p?=?0.041; OR?=?2.20; 95 % CI?=?1.033–4.672) when fed raw meat (p?=?0.001; OR?=?1.91; 95 % CI?=?1.443–2.519) are risk factors for N. caninum infection. We observed that seropositivity to N. caninum in cattle increases risk of miscarriage by almost twice throughout the reproductive life of cows (p?=?0.004; OR?=?1.978; 95 % CI?=?1.249–3.131). Serologic evidence in this study indicates that N. caninum infection is widely distributed among dairy herds and significantly associated with reproductive disorders, especially miscarriage, repeated estrus, and temporary anestrus.     

Soil attributes and leaf nitrogen estimating sugar cane quality parameters: Brix, pol and fibre

The area of sugar cane production in Brazil has substantially increased in the last few years due to the high demand for ethanol. It is estimated that the actual area, which is approximately 8 Mha, will increase to as much as 15 Mha in the next 10 years. In addition to enlarging the boundaries and installing new industrial units, sugar cane expansion demands better use of production areas and improvement of both yield and quality, combined with a reduction of production costs. Thus, models that can describe the behaviour of sugar cane quality parameters could be important in understanding the effects of soil and plant attributes on these parameters. The objective of this work was to fit mathematical models to the sugar cane Brix, pol and fibre parameters using physical soil attributes, chemical soil attributes and leaf nitrogen as predictors from the previous year. This work was carried out in an area of 10 ha located in Araras, SP, Brazil, from November 2008 until July 2011 in the first (plant cane), second (first ratoon) and third (second ratoon) cycles of the crop. The chemical soil attributes analysed were the macronutrients and micronutrients, and the soil physical attribute analysed was the soil texture. The variables used in the models were chosen using principal component analysis (PCA), and the fit of the models was made as the mean of multiple regressions. The results were compared using kriging to map the Brix, pol and fibre with the true and estimated values. The Brix, pol and fibre models presented R ² values of 0.17, 0.06 and 0.18, respectively, for the first ratoon of the crop and 0.23, 0.19 and 0.52, respectively, for the second ratoon. These results allowed the estimation of Brix, pol and fibre with estimation errors less than 1 % for the first and second ratoons. The PCA approach identified soil organic matter, phosphorus and potassium as the soil attributes that had the higher variance of the dataset during the years studied.     

Impact evaluation of spear fishing on fish communities in an urban area of São Miguel Island (Azores Archipelago)

This study was conducted in São Miguel Island (Azores archipelago) providing the first evidence from Macaronesia of spear fishing impacts on fish communities. The shoreline was monitored during 10 months by access point surveys where 220 fishers were interviewed and 27 target fish species were identified. Mean sizes of top predators and highly vulnerable species were generally less than the respective minimum first maturation length. Species intrinsic vulnerability was moderate with an average of 46.7 (max. 100). There are indications that spear fishers, in the absence of high trophic level and larger species, target smaller and lower trophic level fish, atypical of a highly selective fishery. Daily bag limits were not respected in 36.9% of spear fishing operations and 59% of the catch from the area was illegally sold, a practice likely to have negative consequences for the commercial sector.     

Incorporating information on bottlenose dolphin distribution into marine protected area design

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Diversity and potential impact of Botryosphaeriaceae species associated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus globulus</Emphasis> plantations in Portugal

Eucalyptus globulus, a non-native species, is currently the most abundant forest species in Portugal. This economically important forest tree is exploited mainly for the production of pulp for the paper industry. The community of Botryosphaeriaceae species occurring on diseased and healthy E. globulus trees was studied on plantations throughout the country. Nine species from three different genera were identified, namely Botryosphaeria (B. dothidea), Diplodia (D. corticola and D. seriata) and Neofusicoccum (N. australe, N. algeriense, N. eucalyptorum, N. kwambonambiense, N. parvum and Neofusicoccum sp.). Of these, N. algeriense, D. corticola and D. seriata are reported for the first time on E. globulus, while N. algeriense, N. eucalyptorum and N. kwambonambiense correspond to first reports in Portugal. The genus Neofusicoccum was clearly dominant with N. australe and N. eucalyptorum being the most abundant species on both diseased and healthy trees. In artificial inoculation trials representative isolates from all nine species were shown to be pathogenic to E. globulus but there were marked differences in aggressiveness between them. Thus, D. corticola and N. kwambonambiense were the most aggressive while B. dothidea and D. seriata were the least aggressive of the species studied.     

Genetic parameter estimates for prenatal and postnatal mortality in Nellore cattle

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for prenatal (PRE) and postnatal (POS) mortality in Nellore cattle. A total of 13 141 (PRE) and 17 818 (POS) records from Nellore females were used. PRE and POS were recorded using binary scale scores: a score of ‘1’ was given to calves that were born alive (PRE) and those that were alive at weaning (POS), and a score of ‘0’ was given to calves that were not alive at or around birth (PRE), as well as to those weighed at birth but not at weaning (POS). The relationship matrix included 698 sires, 107 paternal grandsires and 69 maternal grandsires. Data were analysed using Bayesian inference and a sire–maternal grandsire threshold model, including contemporary groups as random effects, and the classes of dam age at the beginning of mating season (for PRE), and dam age at calving and birthweight (linear covariable) (for POS), as fixed effects. For both traits, the covariance between direct and maternal effects (r_D,M) was estimated (r_D,M≠ 0) or fixed at zero (r_D,M = 0). PRE and POS rates were 3.00 and 4.04%, respectively. Estimates of direct and maternal heritability were 0.07 and 0.17, respectively, for PRE, and 0.02 and 0.07, respectively, for POS, assuming r_D,M = 0. For r_D,M ≠ 0, these estimates were 0.07 and 0.12, respectively, for PRE, and 0.03 and 0.07, respectively, for POS. The correlation estimates between direct and maternal effects were ?0.71 (PRE) and ?0.33 (POS). PRE and POS show low genetic variability, indicating that these traits probably suffer major environmental influences. Additionally, our study shows that the maternal genetic component affects preweaning calf mortality twice as much (or more) as the direct genetic component. A large number of offspring per sire is necessary in progeny tests to genetically decrease calf mortality.     

Electric ultrafreezer (− 150 °C) as an alternative for zebrafish sperm cryopreservation and storage

Zebrafish sperm cryopreservation is a fundamental methodology to manage and back-up valuable genetic resources like transgenic and mutant strains. Cryopreservation usually requires liquid nitrogen for storage, which is expensive and hazardous. Our objective was to evaluate if electric ultrafreezers (??150 °C) are a viable alternative for zebrafish sperm storage. Zebrafish sperm was cryopreserved in the same conditions (??20 °C/min), stored either in liquid nitrogen or in an ultrafreezer, and thawed after 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Sperm motility, membrane integrity, and fertilization ability were assessed. There were no significant differences in motility and hatching rate throughout storage time. Additionally, we aimed at understanding if cryopreservation directly in an ultrafreezer (??66 °C/min) could improve post-thaw sperm quality. Freezing at ??20 °C/min was performed as before, and compared to samples cryopreserved with a fast cooling rate by placing directly in an ultrafreezer (??66 °C/min). Sperm quality was assessed according to motility, viability, DNA fragmentation, and apoptosis (annexin V). The ??66 °C/min cooling rate showed significantly higher membrane and DNA integrity, and lower number of cells in late apoptosis in comparison to the other treatments. This study showed that zebrafish sperm cryopreservation and storage in an ultrafreezer system is possible and a fast cooling rate directly in ultrafreezer improves post-thaw sperm quality.     

Gut microbiota and gut morphology of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) juveniles are not affected by chromic oxide as digestibility marker

The present work aimed to evaluate whether the use of chromic oxide (Cr₂O₃) as dietary inert marker in fish digestibility studies interferes with gut microbial community modulation and gut morphology. To assess the effects of Cr₂O₃ under potential diverse microbiota populations, dietary Cr₂O₃ was tested using challenging plant feedstuffs (PF)‐based diets supplemented or not with prebiotics, as prebiotics are expected to modify gut microbiota populations. For that purpose, three diets were formulated to include circa 20:80 fish meal and PF as protein sources, without (CTR) or with prebiotic supplementation (10 g/kg XOS or GOS). These diets did not include Cr₂O₃ (?Cr₂O₃ diets). Three similar additional diets were formulated to include 5 g/kg Cr₂O₃ (+Cr₂O₃ diets). Cr₂O₃ effects on gut microbiota were assessed for the first time in the allochthonous (digesta) and autochthonous (mucosa) community by a culture‐independent molecular approach, using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). No differences in gut bacterial profiles (number of operational taxonomic units, microbiota richness, diversity and similarity indices) were observed between dietary treatments. No significant alterations in submucosa layer structure, enterocytes and eosinophilic granular cells structure, goblet cells and leucocytes quantity were detected in the distal intestine among diets. In conclusion, data indicate that dietary inclusion of 5 g/kg Cr₂O₃ does not interfere with gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) gut microbiota and gut morphology, suggesting that a dietary incorporation level of 5 g/kg Cr₂O₃ can safely be used as inert marker in digestibility studies.     

Ingestive behavior of supplemented Nellore heifers grazing palisadegrass pastures managed with different sward heights

Three sward heights (15, 25 and 35 cm) and three supplement types (energy, energy‐protein, and a mineral mix supplement) were evaluated in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement distributed in a completely randomized design to study changes in forage search patterns in Nellore heifers in a continuous grazing system. Pasture data were collected using two replicates (paddocks) per treatment over four periods during the rainy season. The behavior assessments were made in the first and fourth grazing seasons. It was hypothesized that supplements and pasture management would modify ingestive behavior, considering that animals would require less time grazing if they had energy requirements met through higher digestibility of better managed paddocks, or use of supplements high in energy. Total and green forage masses along with green : dead material ratio were greater in treatments managed with higher sward heights. Sward managed with 35 cm height resulted in lower leaf : stem ratio compared with 15 cm sward height treatments. The animals on the 15 cm pastures spent more time grazing overall and during each meal, but there were no differences observed in meal numbers in comparison to 35 cm treatments. Heifers fed protein and/or energy supplements spent less time grazing in the early afternoon, but overall grazing time was the same for all animals.     

Risk factors for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in dogs and cats: a case-control study

Risk factors for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in dogs and cats were investigated in an unmatched case-control study. A total of 197 animals from 150 veterinary practices across the United Kingdom was enrolled, including 105 MRSA cases and 92 controls with methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) infection. The association of owners and veterinarian staff with the human healthcare sector (HCS) and animal-related characteristics such as signalment, antimicrobial and immunosuppressive therapy, and surgery were evaluated as putative risk factors using logistic regression. We found that significant risk factors for MRSA infection were the number of antimicrobial courses (p = 0.005), number of days admitted to veterinary clinics (p = 0.003) and having received surgical implants (p = 0.001). In addition, the odds of contact with humans which had been ill and admitted to hospital (p = 0.062) were higher in MRSA infected pets than in MSSA controls. The risk factors identified in this study highlight the need to increase vigilance towards identification of companion animal groups at risk and to advocate responsible and judicious use of antimicrobials in small animal practice.