Impact and effects of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins derived from harmful algal blooms to marine fish

Fish are frequently exposed to paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) derived from harmful algal blooms (HAB). PSTs are potent neurotoxins with strong effects on fish at multiple trophic levels. Here, we examine the historical and contemporary mass mortality events combining with the available data on response of fish to PSTs' exposure. The data show that fish are negatively affected by these natural toxins on a recurring basis. Transient effects of PSTs have also been observed in fish and although difficult to quantify, these sublethal effects can affect foraging and predation avoidance. Additionally, the spatiotemporal overlapping of fish spawning and HAB can also be critical for fish survival and fisheries recruitment. Exposure of fish in their early life stages to dissolved toxins in the water column has also been identified as a risk factor for fish survival. In the context of global climate change, where PSTs are likely to become increasingly important, new insights and a synthesis of up‐to‐date information on fish response to PSTs and the risk associated with toxic dinoflagellate blooms are presented.     

Characterization of Phytophthora infestans populations of southern Brazil in 2004 and 2005

The populations of Phytophthora infestans (Pi) in southern Brazil in 2004 and 2005 are characterized herein. The isolates were collected from potato and tomato plants in the states of Paraná (PR), Santa Catarina (SC), and Rio Grande do Sul (RS). The mating type of 131 potato and 32 tomato isolates was determined. Forty-nine isolates from potatoes and 11 from tomatoes were analyzed for their Gpi phenotype. A subset of 35 isolates was evaluated for mitochondrial (mtDNA) polymorphisms. A sample of 146 isolates was tested for sensitivity to the fungicide metalaxyl, and most isolates (64%) were moderately sensitive. Fifty-nine isolates were classified as A1 mating type and 103 as A2. One isolate behaved as both A1 and A2 mating type. All tomato isolates were A1 mating type and presented the 86/100 pattern for the enzyme GPI and mtDNA Ib, indicating that these isolates belong to the US-1 clonal lineage. Of the 131 potato isolates, 103 were A2, 27 were A1 and one was A1/A2 mating type. Among the potato isolates 27 exhibited the Gpi phenotype 100/100, the same as BR-1, and 20 were 86/100, the same as US-1. Potato isolates presented the mitochondrial haplotypes Ia (74%) and IIa (26%). The data suggest the presence of only the BR-1 clonal lineage on potatoes in the states of PR and SC. However, in the state of RS, more than one clonal lineage was observed infecting potatoes, and there may be sexual reproduction between the lineages.     

Antixenosis resistance to leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella in Coffea species

The coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella, is the most important pest of Coffea arabica plantations in Brazil, and all cultivars are susceptible to the insect. However, distinct reactions have been observed in other species, such as C. congensis and C. canephora. In this work, the occurrence of antixenotic response was surveyed in individuals of Coffea species, selected for resistance to the leaf miner at both field and laboratory conditions. Tests performed on young plants from C. arabica cultivars Icatu Precoce IAC 3282, Mundo Novo IAC 515-20, Tupi IAC 1669-33 and Catuaí Amarelo IAC 62 demonstrated that these were preferred for oviposition when pooled with seedlings from C. canephora cv. Apoat? IAC 2258. Apoat? was also preferred over C. racemosa for oviposition. Similar results were observed in tests using detached leaves, and higher amount of eggs was counted in the cv Obat? IAC 1669-20 and Catuaí Vermelho IAC 81, and lower oviposition frequency was observed in C. canephora cv. Guarini IAC 1598. C. congensis showed an oviposition frequency between C. arabica and C. canephora. Also, the results suggest that the frequency of oviposition is co-related with the plant resistance level, during larvae infection.     

Protein Composition of Seminal Plasma in Fractionated Stallion Ejaculates

Seminal plasma (SP) contains several types of compounds derived from the epididymides and accessory glands. The aim of this study was to examine the protein composition of different ejaculate fractions. Trial I: fractionated ejaculates were collected from two normal and two subfertile stallions. Samples containing pre‐sperm fluid and the first sperm‐rich jets (HIGH‐1), the main sperm‐rich portion (HIGH‐2), the jets with low sperm concentrations (LOW), and a combined whole‐ejaculate (WE) sample was centrifuged, and the SP was filtered and frozen. A part of each SP sample was stored (5°C, 24 h) with spermatozoa from HIGH‐2 and skim milk extender. Sperm motility was evaluated after storage in extender mixed with the stallion’s own SP or SP from one of the other stallions (sperm from a normal stallion stored in SP from a subfertile stallion and vice versa). Protein composition was analysed using reverse‐phase liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC), N‐terminal sequencing and mass spectrometry. The area‐under‐the‐curve (AUC) was used for quantitative comparison of proteins within fractions. Trial II: semen samples were collected from seven stallions. Fractions with the highest (HIGH) and lowest (LOW) sperm concentrations and WE samples were examined using SDS‐PAGE and densitometry. No significant differences emerged between fractions in the AUC‐values of the Horse Seminal Protein‐1 (HSP‐1) and HSP‐2 peaks, or the peak containing HSP‐3 and HSP‐4 (HSP‐3/4). Levels of HSP‐1, HSP‐2 and HSP‐3/4 were not significantly correlated with total sperm motility, progressive sperm motility or average path velocity after storage. Significant differences between ejaculate fractions in the amount of different protein groups present in SP were not found in Trial I; but in Trial II, the proteins in the 60–70 kDa range were more abundant in LOW than in HIGH and WE, indicating that this band contained proteins derived mainly from the seminal vesicles, which produce most of the SP in LOW.     

A GIS-based comparative study of frequency ratio, analytical hierarchy process, bivariate statistics and logistics regression methods for landslide susceptibility mapping in Trabzon, NE Turkey

Over the last few decades, many researchers have produced landslide susceptibility maps using different techniques including the probability method (frequency ratio), the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), bivariate, multivariate, logistics regression, fuzzy logic and artificial neural network In addition, a number of parameters such as lithology, slope, aspect, land cover, elevation, distance to stream, drainage density, distance to lineament, seismicity, and distance to road are recommended to analyze the mechanism of landslides. The data quality is a very important issue in landslide studies, and more accurate results will be achieved if the data is adequate, appropriate and drawn from a wide range of parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of the occurrence of landslides in Trabzon province, situated in north east Turkey. This was achieved using the following five methods the frequency ratio model, AHP, the statistical index (Wi), weighting factor (Wf) methods, and the logistics regression model, incorporating a Geographical Information System (GIS) and remote sensing techniques. In Trabzon province there has been an increasing occurrence of landslides triggered by rainfall. These landslides have resulted in death, significant injury, damage to property and local infrastructure and threat of further landslides continues. In order to reduce the effects of this phenomenon, it is necessary to scientifically assess the area susceptible to landslide. To achieve this, landslide susceptible areas were mapped the landslide occurrence parameters were analyzed using five different methods. The results of the five analyses were confirmed using the landslide activity map containing 50 active landslide zones. Then the methods giving more accurate results were determined. The validation process showed that the Wf method is better in prediction than the frequency ratio model, AHP, the statistical index (Wi), and logistics regression model.     

Microtomographic characterization of calcifications in canine mammary tumours

The present work describes the microtomographic characterization of macro‐ and microcalcifications present in excised canine mammary glands. In human breast cancer, microcalcifications are highly relevant for diagnosis and prognosis, often being the sole element determining biopsy. Canine mammary tumours are considered a model for human breast cancer, but the morphological features of calcifications had still to be studied in this species. The objective of this research is to contribute to the characterization of the mineralization features of the canine mammary gland. In the present study, the excised mammary glands of 33 bitches underwent fluoroscopic examination. In 30 of the samples, the presence of calcification was suspected, and multiple biopsies were taken of these areas. Biopsy fragments underwent microtomographic scanning. Microcalcifications were found in non‐neoplastic glandular tissue, benign and malign lesions, as it is known to happen in humans. Qualitative evaluation regarding morphology of the imaged calcifications showed similarities to breast cancer findings, based on the BI‐RADS 2013 classification, such as pleomorphism and shape. No differences in the quantitative morphological parameters of volume, surface, surface/volume, SMI and structure thickness were found when macrocalcifications were considered. However, although significant differences existed in these parameters between microcalcifications from malignant canine mammary tumours and the two other groups, none were found between non‐neoplastic and benign tumours. Findings further support the use of this spontaneous animal model for the study of human breast cancer, considering how clinically relevant microcalcifications are in humans.     

Tick paralysis in dogs and cats in Australia: treatment and prevention deliverables from 100 years of research

This review of tick paralysis caused by Ixodes holocyclus in Australia addresses the question: What are the key discoveries that have enabled effective treatment and prevention of tick paralysis in dogs and cats? Critical examination of 100 years of literature reveals that arguably only three achievements have advanced treatment and prevention of tick paralysis in animals. First, the most significant treatment advance was the commercial availability of tick antiserum in the 1930s. Hyperimmune serum currently remains the only specific anti-paralysis tick therapy available to veterinarians in Australia. Second, advances in veterinary critical care have increased survival rates of the most severely affected dogs and cats. Critical care advancements have been enabled through specialised veterinary hospitals that can provide appropriate care 24 h a day, and advanced training of veterinarians, veterinary nurses and technicians. Third, perhaps that biggest advance of all in the last 100 years of research has been the commercial availability of the isooxazoline class of acaricidal preventatives in Australia specifically for I. holocyclus. This highly effective class of preventatives offers long duration of action, low cost, spot-on or oral formulations and a low rate of adverse reactions. Animal owners and veterinarians now have the most useful tool of all – a reliable preventative. This review reveals the key events in research over the last 100 years and the tortuous pathway to delivering better treatment and preventative options for this enigmatic Australian parasite.     

SnakeMap: four years of experience with a national small animal snake envenomation registry

SnakeMap is a national cloud-based, veterinary snakebite registry. It was designed to prospectively collect data of the clinical circumstances and temporospatial information on cases of snake envenomation in dogs and cats. We herein introduce the project and summarise the data from the first 4 years of SnakeMap. The registry is a veterinary community-based online database allowing case entry from veterinary hospitals across Australia. Registry data comprise hospital characteristics, patient characteristics, envenoming snake type, treatment and outcome variables, including time and geolocation of the snake bite. We present summative information on select key variables from the SnakeMap registry (1 July 2015 to 30 June 2019). Twenty-eight hospitals from 6 states/territories entered 624 cases into the registry, including 419 dogs (67%) and 205 cats (33%). Bite time was available in 216 animals of which 90 (42%) were reported to be bitten in the 3 hours between 03:00 pm and 05:59 pm; median bite to presentation interval was 60 (interquartile range [IQR] 30, 211) minutes in dogs and 95 (IQR 41, 238) minutes in cats. Bites occurred in the owner's yard in 356 dogs (85%) and 53 cats (26%). A snake venom detection kit was used in 172 cases (28%) and antivenom was administered in 523 cases (85%). Most animals (n = 534, 88%) survived to discharge (median hospitalisation of 25 [IQR 16, 62] hours). SnakeMap effectively collects relevant clinical data from dogs and cats with presumed snake bite and provides locally specific information on the epidemiology of snake envenomation in small animals.