Epidemiological aspects of Phyllosticta citricarpa colonization and viability in Citrus sinensis

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Citrus black spot (CBS) is a disease caused by the fungus Phyllosticta citricarpa that is associated with significant yield losses. The pathogen forms...     

Effects-based Assays in the Earthworm Aporrectodea caliginosa: Their Utilisation for Evaluation of Contaminated Sites before and after Remediation (8 pp)

Goal, Scope and Background   In a preliminary ecological risk assessment, potential adverse effects of contaminants are often evaluated by measuring chemical residues and comparing these with regulatory guidelines. However limitations with this approach with regards to establishing actual effects have resulted in the increasing usage of sublethal effects-based assays, including biomarkers, to evaluate the hazard posed by contaminants in the environment. In this study a number of effects-based endpoints in the earthworm Aporrectodea caliginosa were evaluated to determine their comparative sensitivity for assessment of adverse effects of soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. Methods   Adult and juvenile earthworms were exposed for 4 weeks to sublethal concentrations of soil collected before and after remediation of a petroleum-contaminated site. A suite of endpoints were measured in these earthworms, including mortality, fecundity, growth, and juvenile maturation, and two less traditional endpoints, the biomarker, the neutral red retention assay (NRRA) and an avoidance behaviour test. Results and Discussion   Cocoon viability in this species is not a reliable parameter to measure, due to low viability in controls and a high coefficient of variation. Growth in adult earthworms was a more sensitive parameter than cocoon production. Maturation and growth of juveniles have been proposed as more sensitive endpoints than adult cocoon production and growth respectively. This was not apparent in the growth parameters, but maturation of juveniles did appear to be more sensitive than cocoon production by adults. The NRRA was a more sensitive parameter than cocoon production, and the NRRA and growth were both affected at the lowest concentration tested. The NRRA response appeared to be more sensitive than growth, but NRRT was only evaluated in one soil only, while the other parameters were assessed in two soils. However, the NRRA has previously been found to be more sensitive than growth after exposure to a number of contaminants. The avoidance behaviour assay exhibited similar sensitivity to growth and fecundity and could therefore be useful as a simple pre-screening test. Conclusion   The chronic endpoints, growth, cocoon production, and juvenile maturation parameters, were all sensitive endpoints for detecting exposure to the petroleum-hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. The NRRA was the most sensitive of the endpoints assessed and could be used as an early-warning indicator to predict adverse impacts. Avoidance behaviour could be used as a simple pre-screening test to evaluate contaminated soils prior to more extensive and invasive testing. Recommendations and Perspective   Measuring chemical concentrations in environmental samples is not always useful, as the toxicological impacts of exposure to these concentrations are not always discernible. However, the use of effects-based endpoints, either in situ or in the laboratory using laboratory-reared earthworms, can account for the bioavailability of chemicals in the soil, and can therefore provide information on the toxicological impacts of exposure. The assays tested in this research were sensitive indicators of exposure, and therefore can be used to determine potential ecological risks at contaminated sites and to monitor the progress of remediation at these sites.     

Lithothamnion muelleri Controls Inflammatory Responses,Target Organ Injury and Lethality Associated with Graft-versus-Host Disease in Mice

Lithothamnion muelleri (Hapalidiaceae) is a marine red alga, which is a member of a group of algae with anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and immunomodulatory properties. The present study evaluated the effects of treatment with Lithothamnion muelleri extract (LM) in a model of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), using a model of adoptive splenocyte transfer from C57BL/6 donors into B6D2F1 recipient mice. Mice treated with LM showed reduced clinical signs of disease and mortality when compared with untreated mice. LM-treated mice had reduced tissue injury, less bacterial translocation, and decreased levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines (interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 3 (CCL3) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5)). The polysaccharide-rich fraction derived from LM could inhibit leukocyte rolling and adhesion in intestinal venules, as assessed by intravital microscopy. LM treatment did not impair the beneficial effects of graft-versus-leukaemia (GVL). Altogether, our studies suggest that treatment with Lithothamnion muelleri has a potential therapeutic application in GVHD treatment.     

Effect of yeast products supplementation during transition period on metabolic profile and milk production in dairy cows

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aim of the current study was to assess the effect that supplementation with yeast culture plus enzymatically hydrolyzed yeast (YC-EHY) during the...     

Rocuronium infusion: A higher rate is needed in diabetic than nondiabetic dogs

Objective

To determine the infusion rates that maintain the train-of-four (TOF) ratio within 20–70% in dogs and compare the infusion rates between diabetic and nondiabetic dogs.

Characterizing 1341 cases of veterinary toxicoses confirmed in western Canada: A 16-year retrospective study

Veterinary toxicoses are frequently observed in western Canada. This study reports the frequency and characteristics of intoxications in animals reported between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2013. Information was obtained from toxicological case records from the Prairie Diagnostic Services, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. There were 1341 animal poisonings with 19 compounds over the investigational period. Lead poisoning was the most common toxicity (43.7%). Poisoning with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and strychnine were also common events. Poisonings were most common in 2001, 2009, and 2012. Intoxications occurred most frequently during the months of May through July. Cattle were the most commonly poisoned species (n = 696), followed by dogs and eagles.     

Telemetry research on elusive wildlife: A synthesis of studies on giant pandas

Telemetry studies that track animals through space and time can lead to advances in scientific understanding that are vital in conservation efforts. For example, telemetry studies of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) have shed light on many aspects of panda biology, but small sample sizes in each separate study make it difficult to draw broad conclusions. To overcome this problem we conducted the first synthesis of all 5 panda telemetry studies conducted to date. Using these data we investigated patterns in 6 main topics: home range, space–use interactions, core areas, movement patterns, seasonal migration and natal dispersal. We found that panda home range sizes do not vary between 2 main mountain ranges (Qionglai and Qinling), as was previously believed. Our results also suggest that female pandas increase their movement in the mating season: a behavior typically attributed only to males. We found and summarized telemetry and genetic evidence for female natal dispersal in the giant panda. Our synthesis highlights the need for additional research relating panda behavior to human disturbance factors, and can aid future studies on giant pandas as well as other species.