Environmental correlates of body size distribution in Cyprinidae (Actinopterygians) depend on phylogenetic scale

The pattern of increasing species body size with increasing latitude has been noticed in different groups of animals. Here, we used seven key environmental factors and independent contrasts to assess body size latitudinal clines in Cyprinidae at two phylogenetic levels (inter‐ and intragenera), which were defined using a genus‐level supertree. Model selection procedures revealed that environmental factors shaping body size variation in Cyprinidae differed according to the phylogenetic scale considered. At the higher phylogenetic level, we found that both temperature (negative effect) and habitat availability (positive effect of drainage basin surface area) constituted mechanistic explanations of large‐scale body size distribution. No temperature‐related body size cline was observed at the intragenus level. Instead, competitive interaction (negative effect of species richness), habitat availability (positive effect of drainage basin surface area), migration ability and available energy (positive effects of glacial coverage and actual evapotranspiration) constitute alternative explanations at this lower phylogenetic scale. We conclude that (i) at the intergenus level, cyprinids do show a tendency to be smaller at high temperatures and larger at low temperatures, (ii) this tendency no longer exists at the intragenus level, (iii) latitude per se is a weak predictor of body size clines whatever the taxonomic level analysed, (iv) generalising geographical body size patterns may be rendered difficult by the superimposition of a series of mechanisms across different taxonomic scales, and (v) habitat size, here acting positively at both taxonomic scales, may play a major role in shaping riverine species body size clines.     

Uptake and utilisation of phosphonate ions by Phytophthora citrophthora and Nectria haematococca in relation to their selective toxicity

Phosphonate ions, which are degradation products of aluminium tris-O-ethyl phosphonate (fosetyl-aluminium) in plant tissues, had more effect in vitro against Phytophthora citrophthora than against Nectria haematococca. Both fungi were able to take up phosphonate ions. This uptake was realised against a concentration gradient and was affected by metabolic inhibitors. When examined over a 0.5 to 6.0 mm concentration range, phosphonate was carried by a single transport process obeying Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with a low affinity (high K′_m). Further analysis by means of Hofstee plots indicated a somewhat faster phosphonate uptake by N. haematococca than by P. citrophthora, so it appears clearly that uptake was not involved in the selective toxicity of this compound. The continuous uptake of phosphonate by N. haematococca is correlated with an important utilisation of this ion by the fungal cells. This fact could be explained by a detoxification process corresponding to the oxidation of phosphonate to phosphate which could account for the low sensitivity of this fungus. Phosphonate uptake by P. citrophthora reached a maximum level after 20 min and then decreased to a constant level over the following period. During the incubation period phosphonate was incorporated directly without oxidation into phosphate. This incorporation could lead to a disturbance of the cell metabolism.     

Medical management of biological warfare and bioterrorism: place of the immunoprevention and the immunotherapy

Biological weapons are considered as mass destruction and terror weapons. Terrorism including bioterrorism is the major threat in the future conflicts for our nations. The aim of bioterrorism is more related to the potential disorganisation of the society than to the lethal effects of the agents used. The dramatic consequences cannot be discarded, especially if contagious agents such viral are used. The preparation of specific defence measures is a major challenge for our countries.

The knowledge acquired from the struggle against natural infectious diseases and recent events are essential to improve behaviours to face the biological weapon threats. The defence attitude is based on the anticipation of the threat, the management of the victims, and the restoration of the operational capabilities. This global defence attitude implies six important functions: (i) alert, (ii) detection and diagnosis, (iii) availability of pharmaceutical countermeasures such as vaccine, sera and anti-infectious medicine and products, (iv) medical management of victims, (v) training and information, (vi) research and development.

Passive and active immunoprevention and immuntherapy belong to the approaches discussed in the context of bioterrorism countermeasures. Further researches might be focused on these topics.     

Sternal recumbency or suspension by the hind legs immediately after delivery improves respiratory and metabolic adaptation to extra uterine life in newborn calves delivered by caesarean section

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of body positioning immediately after delivery on respiratory and metabolic adaptation to extra-uterine life in newborn calves. One hundred and one Belgian White and Blue calves were delivered at term by an elective caesarean section and were assigned into three categories according to the body position imposed immediately after umbilical cord rupture: 71 calves were placed in lateral recumbency; 16 calves were placed in sternal recumbency and 14 calves were suspended by the hind legs for less than 90 seconds (75 +/- 5 s). Following this initial body position, the calves were allowed to move without restraint. They were examined at birth, 5, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes, and 2, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after birth by the following measurements: physical examination, heart rate, arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function tests using the esophageal balloon catheter technique, arterial and venous blood acid-base balance analysis, rectal temperature, jugular venous blood sampling for the determination of blood glucose, plasma lactate and serum cortisol concentrations, haematologic variables and passive immune transfer variables. Body positioning immediately after delivery clearly influenced respiratory and metabolic adaptation to extra-uterine life in term calves delivered by an elective caesarean section. Systematic sternal recumbency and suspension by the hind legs for less than 90 seconds immediately after umbilical cord rupture had a positive functional impact on postnatal pulmonary mechanics and gas exchange and on postnatal correction of mixed acidosis present at birth, contributing in turn to an enhanced passive immune transfer. These two body positions should be encouraged to improve adaptation at birth in healthy term calves delivered by an elective caesarean section. Evaluation of possible side-effects is required before application in severely asphyxiated calves.     

Identification of pathogenic Leptospira strains in tissues of a premature foal by use of polymerase chain reaction analysis.

Studies were carried out to determine the cause of death in a prematurely born Thoroughbred foal that died 24 hours after birth. Necropsy revealed gross lesions suggestive of septicemia. A commercial Leptospira polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay designed to specifically amplify the hemolysis-associated protein 1 (hap1) gene present only in pathogenic Leptospira strains detected the presence of Leptospira DNA in various tissues of the foal. Histologic examination of lung, liver, kidney, and myocardium revealed numerous spirochetes in Warthin-Starry-stained tissue sections. Results of PCR analysis and histologic examination suggested a leptospiral infection in the newborn foal. At the moment of death, the infection coexisted with a streptococcal-associated aspiration bronchopneumonia and postpartum septicemia. These findings indicate that the PCR assay based on the amplification of the hap1 gene represents a useful tool for specific detection of pathogenic leptospira in field samples taken from horses.     

Baclofen intoxication in a dog successfully treated with hemodialysis and hemoperfusion coupled with intensive supportive care

Objective: To describe a case of confirmed baclofen intoxication in a dog that was successfully treated with hemodialysis and hemoperfusion (HD/HP) and to report the serum baclofen kinetics. Case summary: A 2.5‐year‐old, 23 kg, spayed female Brittany Spaniel‐mix was treated after ingesting 21‐52 mg/kg of baclofen. The dog was comatose and was receiving manual ventilation at the time of presentation. Extracorporeal HD/HP was started 10 hours after admission. Within 3 hours of starting HD/HP the dog began initiating breaths and was extubated 18 hours after admission. Serial serum samples that were obtained during the first 24 hours of hospitalization were later analyzed for baclofen concentrations. The dog had elevated creatine phosphokinase and liver enzymes that correlated with an agitated recovery period. The dog had thrombocytopenia that resolved by 10 days after presentation. New or unique information provided: HD/HP shortened the baclofen serum elimination half‐life from 5 to 1.5 hours in the initial 2 hours of treatment. The intrinsic elimination rate constant (K_intr) for this dog was 0.138/hour and the total elimination rate constant (K_tot) during the first 2 hours of HD/HP treatment was 0.458/hour. In this dog, HD/HP was an effective method for rapidly decreasing serum baclofen concentration after an acute overdose.     

Major gene resistance in Brassica napus (oilseed rape) is overcome by changes in virulence of populations of Leptosphaeria maculans in France and Australia

Resistance of Brassica napus (oilseed rape, canola) conferred by three different major resistance genes has been overcome by changes in virulence of Leptosphaeria maculans populations in France and Australia. In South Australia where B. napus cultivars with major gene resistance derived from Brassica rapa ssp. sylvestris were grown extensively, resistance was rendered ineffective within 3 years of commercial release of the cultivar. Disease severity was higher on cultivars with sylvestris-derived resistance than cultivars with polygenic resistance. This Australian situation is compared to that in France, where resistance conferred by the Rlm1 gene was overcome nation-wide in 5 years under commercial cropping practices, and also where a source of resistance introgressed into B. napus from B. juncea was rendered inefficient in 3 years in experimental field plots near Rennes.