Effect of increasing climatic water deficit on some leaf and stomatal parameters of wild and cultivated almonds under Mediterranean conditions

The prevailing environmental conditions, temperature in particular, drive seasonal changes both in leaf development and stomatal characteristics. In order to ascertain the effect of increases in climatic water deficit on some leaf and stomatal parameters under field conditions, a study was carried out on two sets of leaves (spring and summer) on a large sample of Amygdalus communis L. cultivars in comparison with several Amygdalus webbii Spach seedlings, a species more adapted to arid environments and probable ancestor of cultivated almonds. Observations were performed between spring and summer of a particularly hot season. The results showed a significant and general reduction of both leaf area and stomatal frequency and an increase in stomatal size. Nevertheless, there were evident differences between cultivated and wild almonds. A stronger reduction of leaf area was observed in A. webbii (−31%) with respect to A. communis (−14%); on the contrary, the latter reduced stomatal frequency more than the former (−25% and −19%, respectively). The examined cultivated almonds, in response to the increase in climatic water deficit, tended to arrange their stomatal structures like those of wild almonds. Finally, increasing the climatic water deficit, the slope of the linear regressions between stomatal frequency and size did not change in either species, leading to a better understanding of the mechanisms of almond acclimation to environmental stresses.     

Dynamics of public attitudes toward bears and the role of bear hunting in Croatia

Successful carnivore conservation depends on public attitudes and acceptance levels of carnivores, and these are likely to change as circumstances change. Attitude studies repeated in time that can demonstrate such change are rare. Our study surveyed Croatian rural inhabitants in 2002 and in 2008 and analyzed their responses to detect a change in attitudes toward brown bears (Ursus arctos) over time. Important developments occurring in Croatia at the time of our research included a more centralized and more clearly defined bear management strategy, and an increase in the bear population. We constructed models to explain respondent’s value orientations, their level of perceived threat and their acceptance capacity for bears. Findings show that while value orientations and the overall level of perceived threat did not change over time, bear acceptance capacity was reduced. This suggests that the increase in the bear population and perhaps the more centralized bear management reduced respondents’ willingness to accept a larger bear population. We conclude that continuous public involvement in bear management is essential in order to maintain a feeling of control over the bear among the local population. Furthermore we argue that hunting is an important form of public involvement in the region, serving to reinforce existence and bequest values of the bear and increase its public acceptance.     

Penicilliosis in an African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus)

Penicillium mycosis, or penicilliosis, is rare in animals. This report describes the clinical signs and pathological, immunohistochemical, and biomolecular findings in a case of avian penicilliosis in a Congo African grey parrot. On gross necropsy, pyogranulomatous changes were identified in the lung, liver, and kidney. Histopathology demonstrated periodic acid Schiff-(PAS) and Grocott-positive hyphae in these tissues. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the genus of the fungus and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed a high homology with Penicillium chrysogenum.     

New glycosides from Capsicum annuum L. var. acuminatum. Isolation, structure determination, and biological activity

Investigation of polar extracts from ripe fruits of Capsicum annuum L. var. acuminatum yielded three new glycosides, capsosides A (1) and B (2) and capsianoside VII (3), along with seven known compounds (4-10). The chemical structures were elucidated mainly by extensive nuclear magnetic resonance methods and mass spectrometry, and the biological activities of icariside E(5) (4) were tested by different assays. Icariside E(5), in contrast to capsaicin, neither induces an increase in the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species nor affects the mitochondria permeability transition, and it does not signal through the vanilloid receptor type 1. Interestingly, this compound protects Jurkat cells from apoptosis induced by the oxidative stress mediated by serum withdrawal. These results suggest that icariside E(5) may have antioxidant properties that strengthen the importance of peppers in the Mediterranean diet.     

Clinicopathological study of canine transmissible venereal tumour in leishmaniotic dogs

Introduction : Canine transmissible venereal tumour is occasionally observed in leishmaniotic dogs, and Leishmania amastigotes can be harboured in canine transmissible venereal tumour cells. Objectives : The aim of this paper was to investigate the clinicopathological significance of the association of both diseases. Methods : Nineteen dogs affected by canine transmissible venereal tumour and canine leishmaniasis were studied retrospectively. Results : In these dogs, the tumour manifested a large size and often aggressive behaviour (42%) and no predictive sign of spontaneous regression was observed. Sporadic Leishmania amastigotes were found within the canine transmissible venereal tumour in three cases, probably transported by infected macrophages often infiltrating the tumour. A high Leishmania parasitisation of canine transmissible venereal tumour was observed in two other cases and verified by immunohistochemistry. Clinical Significance : Canine transmissible venereal tumour is a tumour of the dog able to harbour a large number of Leishmania parasites. Alternatively, the systemic disease (canine leishmaniasis) may lower the immune defence against malignancy (canine transmissible venereal tumour).     

Factors affecting the infiltration capacity in bamboo groves

To determine the effects of the characteristics of litter and surface soil on the infiltration capacity in bamboo groves, infiltration rates were measured on a plot-scale using an oscillating-nozzle rainfall simulator at seven Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) sites and one Madake (P. bambusoides) site in Japan. The maximum final infiltration rate (FIR_max), which was defined in this study as the infiltration capacity, was calculated, and the correlation between FIR_max and earth surface properties was analyzed. The FIR_max ranged from 9 to 308?mm?h^?1, showing little correlation with litter as surface cover, and a weak correlation with bulk density (0.3–0.9?g?cm^?3) and organic matter content (10.4–45.9%). These results suggest that the bulk density and organic matter content of surface soil, rather than surface cover, can be the controlling factors of infiltration capacity in bamboo groves. The bulk density of surface soil correlated significantly with the soil organic matter content, represented by bamboo rhizomes, suggesting that the infiltration capacity can increase with the amount of root networks present, related to macropore formation. The stand density showed a weak positive correlation, although not significant, with the soil organic matter content and a positive correlation with FIR_max. Thus, the infiltration capacity of bamboo groves can increase as the stand density of culms and bamboo rhizomes increase.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Achromobacter insolitus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zoogloea ramigera</Emphasis> associated with wheat plants (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis>)

This study reports for the first time the presence of diazotrophic bacteria belonging to the genera Achromobacter and Zoogloea associated with wheat plants. These bacterial strains were identified by the analysis of 16S rDNA sequences. The bacterium IAC-AT-8 was identified as Azospirillum brasiliense, whereas isolates IAC-HT-11 and IAC-HT-12 were identified as Achromobacter insolitus and Zoogloea ramigera, respectively. A greenhouse experiment involving a non-sterilized soil was carried out with the aim to study the endophytic feature of these strains. After 40 days from inoculation, all the strains were in the inner of roots, but they were not detected in soil. In order to assess the location inside wheat plants, an experiment was conducted under axenic conditions. Fifteen days after inoculation, preparations of inoculated plants were observed by the scanning electron microscope, using the cryofracture technique, and by the transmission electron microscope. It was observed that all isolates were present on the external part of the roots and in the inner part at the elongation region, in cortex cells, but not in the endodermis or in the vascular bundle region. No colonizing bacterial cells were observed in wheat leaves.     

Mortality outbreak by perch rhabdovirus in European perch (Perca fluviatilis) farmed in Italy: Clinical presentation and phylogenetic analysis

This work reports a mortality outbreak, occurred in 2015 and affecting juveniles of European perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) farmed in Italy. Perch rhabdovirus (PRV) was detected by viral isolation and biomolecular investigations. Phylogenetic analysis clustered our isolate into genogroup B, which also includes PRV isolates from Perca fluviatilis identified in France (2004–2009); diagnostic investigations also revealed opportunistic bacteria (Aeromonas hydrophila) and parasites (Chilodonella piscicola). Since, occasionally, PRV has been reported in the natural environment, which is often a source of eggs and broodstock for farms, it could be possible that both similar France and Italian isolate were imported from a same place elsewhere and have a common origin. Improving biosecurity measures (batch control) and disinfection of egg strings with an iodine‐based solution helps prevent apparent vertical transmission of PRV.