Molecular identification of 16SrII-D subgroup phytoplasmas associated with chickpea and faba bean in Sudan

In January 2011, symptomatic chickpea and faba bean plants were observed in fields located in the Gezira state (Sudan). Faba bean plants showed yellowing and stunting, whereas chickpea plants presented yellowing, reddening and little leaves. The disease etiology was investigated using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with phytoplasma-specific primers which amplify a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene. Sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses revealed that the tested phytoplasmas belonged to the group 16SrII. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene of the obtained sequences indicated that the chickpea and faba bean phytoplasmas from Sudan were more closely related to the phytoplasmas subgroup 16SrII-D. To our knowledge, this is the first report of phytoplasmas from the group 16SrII-D infecting chickpea in Sudan, and faba bean worldwide.     

Correction to: Search for reservoirs of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ and mollicutes in weeds associated with carrot and celery crops

European Journal of Plant Pathology -     

Use of near-infrared spectroscopy for screening the individual and total glucosinolate contents in Indian mustard seed (Brassica juncea L. Czern. & Coss.)

The potential of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for screening the sinigrin, gluconapin, 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin, and total glucosinolate contents of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern. & Coss.) seed was assessed. Intact seed samples of this species were analyzed by NIRS and their reference values regressed against different spectral transformations by modified partial least-squares (MPLS) regression. The coefficients of determination (r (2)) for sinigrin, gluconapin, 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin, and total glucosinolate contents were, respectively, 0.86, 0.95, 0.33, and 0.82. The standard deviation to standard error of prediction (SEP) ratio, and SEP to standard error of laboratory ratio were for these constituents as follows: sinigrin, 2.59 and 2.70; gluconapin, 4.16 and 2.08; 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin, 1.18 and 1.40; and total glucosinolates, 2.18 and 1.60. By comparison of commercial sinigrin spectrum with the first MPLS loadings of the sinigrin equation, it can be concluded that the molecule of sinigrin has a specific signal in the seed spectrum of Brassica.     

Thrombocytopathia and Light-Chain Proteinuria in a Dog Naturally Infected With Ehrlichia canis

A 6–year-old dog was presented for evaluation of recurrent epistaxis. Platelet counts, biochemical tests, and coagulation tests were within the normal range, but a mucosal bleeding time was prolonged; there was hyperproteinemia and a monoclonal gammopathy. Heterogeneity of light chains appeared in urine, however, thus suggesting that the gammopathy was polyclonal. Platelet aggregation tests showed decreased responsiveness to collagen. An Ehrlichia canis indirect fluorescent-antibody titer was positive (1:40). Treatment with tetracycline, melphalan, and prednisone resulted in a rapid clinical improvement that persisted for at least 3 years.     

Pharmacokinetics of azithromycin after intravenous and intramuscular administration to goats

Azithromycin is the first of a class of antimicrobial agents designated azalides. The aim of the present study was to investigate the disposition pharmacokinetics of azithromycin in goats and determine its bioavailability. A cross-over study was carried out in two phases separated by 30 days. Azithromycin was administered at a single dose of 20 mg/kg body weight by i.v. and i.m. routes. Plasma concentrations of azithromycin were determined by a modified agar diffusion bioassay. After a single i.v. dose plasma concentrations were best fitted to a three-compartment open model. A two-compartment open model with first-order absorption fitted best after i.m. administration. The values of the pharmacokinetic parameters after i.v. administration were: half-life 32.5 h, apparent volume of distribution at the steady-state 34.5 L/kg, clearance 0.85 L/kg. and mean residence time (MRT) 40.1 h. After i.m. administration half-life of 45.2 h, a MRT of 60.3 h, maximum plasma concentration 0.64 mg/L and a bioavalability 92.2% were obtained. The pharmacokinetic parameters of azithromycin after i.m. administration, principally its long half-life and high bioavailability, could provide an alternative to the oral route of administration in goats, although more studies are needed to establish a suitable pharmaceutical formulation, propose optimun dosage regimens, investigate clinical efficacy and study the tolerability of repeated doses.     

Clinical use of blood products in cats: a retrospective study (1997--2000)

The records of the Transfusion Medicine Service of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at The Ohio State University were searched for client-owned cats that received whole blood (WB), packed red blood cells (PRBCs), or fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusions between December 1, 1997, and April 1, 2000. Eighty-one cats received 112 units of blood products, consisting of 49 units of WB (administered to 35 cats), 44 units of PRBCs (administered to 34 cats), and 19 units of FFP (administered to 13 cats); 10 cats received more than 1 product each. Anemia was the most common reason for transfusing RBC-containing blood products, requiring 33 units of WB (75%) and 39 units of PRBCs (80%). The 2 most common causes of anemia were blood loss (27%) and renal disease (20%). Hypoalbuminemia (n = 9) and coagulopathies (n = 6), primarily due to liver disease (n = 7), were the 2 most common reasons for cats to receive transfusions of FFP. There were no differences in increase in PCV after administration of either 1 unit of WB or 1 unit of PRBCs (P = .22). Transfusion reactions occurred in 3 cats; 2 reactions were mild febrile events, but a fatal reaction occurred when a type B cat inadvertently received type A blood.     

Phenotypic diversity among local Spanish and foreign peach and nectarine [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] accessions

Phenotypic data for tree and fruit characteristics was collected over three consecutive years from a germplasm collection of 94 peach and nectarine accessions representing both traditional Spanish as well as foreign cultivars with widespread global plantings. All accessions were grown at the Experimental Station of Aula Dei located in the Ebro Valley (Northern Spain, Zaragoza) under a Mediterranean climate. Tree traits evaluated included bloom and harvest date, vigor, yield, yield efficiency and flower and leaf characteristics. Fruit traits included fresh weight, firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, levels of individual soluble sugars (sucrose, glucose, fructose and sorbitol), vitamin C, total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, relative antioxidant capacity and ripening index. Extensive variability was observed for most qualitative and quantitative traits with significant correlations identified between many traits. While the traditional Spanish accessions demonstrated good adaptability to the northern Spain evaluation site, opportunities for continued improvement in tree and fruit quality traits were demonstrated by an extensive phenotypic variability within the germplasm collection.