Occurrence of antibodies against Neospora caninum in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) on four ranches in Corrientes province, Argentina

The aim of the present work was to describe the occurrence of antibodies to Neospora caninum in water buffaloes on four ranches located in Corrientes province in the northeast of Argentina. Antibodies against N. caninum were determined in sera of 449 water buffaloes by using an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). A Bayesian logistic regression mixed model was used to quantify the strength of association between positive serological results to N. caninum and gender, age and category (calf, steer, heifer, cow) as risk factors. Antibody titers were found in 287 (64%) buffaloes. All ranches had seropositive animals. Age was more strongly associated with positive results to N. caninum (OR: 1.4; CI 95%: 0.86-2.22) than gender (OR: 1.02, CI 95%: 0.40-2.59) and category (OR: 0.88, CI 95%: 0.57-0.88). Results suggest a high exposure of water buffaloes to N. caninum by postnatal transmission in these four ranches located in Corrientes province, Argentina. Further studies are needed to quantify the consequences of Neospora-infections in the water buffalo industry.     

Germination and Malting Properties of Mutants Derived from Malting Barley cv. Triumph

Four mutants, demonstrating a range of dormancy, were derived from the malting barley cv. Triumph. Although there were environmental effects on the rate of recovery from dormancy, relative performance of the genotypes was consistent. Recovery from water sensitivity was slower than recovery from dormancy for all genotypes, but a similar ranking of genotypes was observed with two mutants germinating more readily than the parental genotype. Exposure of the grain to the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) at the end of each wet phase during steeping had a highly significant effect on the malting performance of all samples. However, reduction in extract levels was significantly less in the two mutants that demonstrated more rapid recovery from dormancy. None of the mutants exceeded Triumph for hot water extract level after malting in two seasons at sites in Dundee (eastern Scotland) and Lleida (northeastern Spain). However, one mutant combined rapid recovery from dormancy with high extract levels when grown and malted under Scottish conditions and subjected to unithermal hot water extraction.     

Growth and mortality of the king scallop grown in suspended culture in Malaga, Southern Spain

Growth and mortality of the king scallop, Pecten maximus, werecompared when grown in cages and by ear hanging in suspended culturein Fuengirola, Malaga, in southern Spain. Seed (juveniles) used in theexperiment was collected in September 1997 that had settled on collectorsin April-June, of that year. Culture in suspended cages began in January1998 when the seed measured 42.7 (3.3) mm shell height and ended inFebruary 1999. Significantly faster growth was found at a minimum culturedensity (16 scallops/cage) than at two other densities (24 and 36scallops/cage). Depth (1, 5 and 10 m from the bottom) influenced growth,poorest growth occurred closest to the bottom. Under optimum growingconditions, 16 scallops/cage suspended 10 m from the bottom, scallops grewto 10 cm shell length (legal size) by February 1999.In ear hanging culture, ropes were moored in April (51.3 (4.5) mm),June (58.2 (4.5) mm) and November 1998 (64.3 (4.9) mm).Initially, rapid shell growth was observed in all three cultures.Subsequently, the shells became covered with barnacles, Balanus sp.,that possibly caused total mortality of the April culture and led to highmortalities in the two other cultures.     

Evaluation of the isoflurane‐sparing effects of fentanyl,lidocaine, ketamine,dexmedetomidine, or the combination lidocaine‐ketamine‐dexmedetomidine during ovariohysterectomy in dogs

ObjectiveTo evaluate the isoflurane‐sparing effects of an intravenous (IV) constant rate infusion (CRI) of fentanyl, lidocaine, ketamine, dexmedetomidine, or lidocaine‐ketamine‐dexmedetomidine (LKD) in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.Study designRandomized, prospective, blinded, clinical study.AnimalsFifty four dogs.MethodsAnesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane with one of the following IV treatments: butorphanol/saline (butorphanol 0.4 mg kg^?1, saline 0.9% CRI, CONTROL/BUT); fentanyl (5 μg kg^?1, 10 μg kg^?1 hour^?1, FENT); ketamine (1 mg kg^?1, 40 μg kg^?1 minute^?1, KET), lidocaine (2 mg kg^?1, 100 μg kg^?1 minute^?1, LIDO); dexmedetomidine (1 μg kg^?1, 3 μg kg^?1 hour^?1, DEX); or a LKD combination. Positive pressure ventilation maintained eucapnia. An anesthetist unaware of treatment and end‐tidal isoflurane concentration (Fe′Iso) adjusted vaporizer settings to maintain surgical anesthetic depth. Cardiopulmonary variables and Fe′Iso concentrations were monitored. Data were analyzed using anova (p < 0.05).ResultsAt most time points, heart rate (HR) was lower in FENT than in other groups, except for DEX and LKD. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was lower in FENT and CONTROL/BUT than in DEX. Overall mean ± SD Fe′Iso and % reduced isoflurane requirements were 1.01 ± 0.31/41.6% (range, 0.75 ± 0.31/56.6% to 1.12 ± 0.80/35.3%, FENT), 1.37 ± 0.19/20.8% (1.23 ± 0.14/28.9% to 1.51 ± 0.22/12.7%, KET), 1.34 ± 0.19/22.5% (1.24 ± 0.19/28.3% to 1.44 ± 0.21/16.8%, LIDO), 1.30 ± 0.28/24.8% (1.16 ± 0.18/32.9% to 1.43 ± 0.32/17.3%, DEX), 0.95 ± 0.19/54.9% (0.7 ± 0.16/59.5% to 1.12 ± 0.16/35.3%, LKD) and 1.73 ± 0.18/0.0% (1.64 ± 0.21 to 1.82 ± 0.14, CONTROL/BUT) during surgery. FENT and LKD significantly reduced Fe′Iso.Conclusions and clinical relevanceAt the doses administered, FENT and LKD had greater isoflurane‐sparing effect than LIDO, KET or CONTROL/BUT, but not at all times. Low HR during FENT may limit improvement in MAP expected with reduced Fe′Iso.     

Isolation of lymphocystis disease virus from sole, Solea senegalensis Kaup, and blackspot sea bream, Pagellus bogaraveo (Brunnich)

Two viruses were isolated from cultured sole, Solea senegalensis, and wild blackspot sea bream, Pagellus bogaraveo, and preliminarily characterized as lymphocystis disease viruses (LCDVs). Viral isolates were characterized by morphological, biochemical and biophysical properties. In addition, the susceptibility of four fish cell lines was also tested. LCDV isolates developed cytopathic effects on the SAF-1 cell line at 5 and 6 days post-infection and reached titres of 10(6) TCID50 mL(-1). The antigenic and structural protein analysis of the two new LCDV isolates showed identical profiles to that obtained for LCDV strain Leetown NFH (ATCC VR-342), used as a reference viral strain, and for an LCDV isolate collected from gilt-head sea bream, Sparus aurata, cultured in southern Spain. Molecular confirmation was performed by polymerase chain reaction. Specific primers for LCDV produced a 270-bp DNA fragment, the expected size for LCDV.     

Benign cranial mediastinal lesions in three cats

Cranial mediastinal lesions were detected in three cats, associated with respiratory impairment (case one), spontaneous pneumothorax (case two) and myasthenia gravis (case three), respectively. On gross and histological examination, the first case was considered either a lymphangioma or a branchial cystic mass of the thymic region of the mediastinum; a cystic lesion was suggested by sonographic detection of multiple anechoic cavitations within a circumscribed mass, while fine needle aspiration cytology excluded lymphosarcoma. The second case was diagnosed histologically as a cystic thymoma, but the third case was not examined microscopically. The masses were amenable to surgical excision in the first two cats, while this proved unnecessary in the third case because of resolution following treatment with dexamethasone. Corticosteroid responsiveness was unhelpful in distinguishing between these benign lesions and lymphosarcoma, as in two cases there was a partial or complete response to dosing with prednisolone or dexamethasone. These cases are presented to emphasise that conditions other than lymphosarcoma can produce cranial mediastinal lesions in cats, and that the prognosis for surgical treatment of lymphangiomas, multilocular thymic cysts and cystic thymomas can be excellent.     

Effectiveness and geomorphological impacts of check dams for soil erosion control in a semiarid Mediterranean catchment: El Cárcavo (Murcia, Spain)

The construction of transverse structures (check dams) is a widely used method in Spanish Mediterranean areas to stabilise gullies and ephemeral streams, to reduce channel incision and to prevent sediment deposition downstream. The effectiveness of check dams and their effects on the morphology of ephemeral channels (ramblas) were investigated in a semiarid, highly degraded catchment. In the study area, 36 dams were surveyed, of which 29 were filled up with sediments, 2 had been destroyed and only 5 had still not completely filled with sediments. The streams above the dams held sediments, which resulted in a decrease in the longitudinal gradient. Field observations of changes in the cross-sectional shape of the stream channel, the composition of channel bed material, and bankfull stage measurements indicated that the dams cause erosion downstream. The amount of sediments stored by the dams was found to be higher than the amount of eroded material in the downstream reaches of the dam.     

Impact of high pressure and pulsed electric fields on bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of orange juice in comparison with traditional thermal processing

Bioactive compounds (vitamin C, carotenoids, and flavanones) and DPPH* radical scavenging capacity (RSC) were measured in orange juice (OJ) subjected to different technologies. High pressure (HP) (400 MPa/40 degrees C/1 min), pulsed electric fields (PEF) (35 kVcm(-1)/750 micros), low pasteurization (LPT) (70 degrees C/30 s), high pasteurization (HPT) (90 degrees C/1 min), HPT plus freezing (HPT+F) (-38 degrees C/15 min), and freezing (F) were studied. Among the treatments assayed, even though the losses in total vitamin C were < 9%, treatments with the higher temperatures tended to show the higher decrease in the content of both forms of vitamin C. HP treatment led to an increased (P < 0.05) carotenoid release (53.88%) and vitamin A value (38.74%). PEF treatment did not modify individual or total carotenoids content. Traditional thermal treatments did not exert any effect on total carotenoid content or vitamin A value. With regard to individual carotenoid extraction, HPT and HPT+F led to different releases of carotenoids. With respect to flavanones, HP treatment led to increased (P < 0.05) naringenin (20.16%) and hesperetin (39.88%) contents, whereas PEF treatment did not modify flavanone content. In general, pasteurization and freezing process led to a diminished (P < 0.05) naringenin content (16.04%), with no modification in hesperetin. HP and PEF treatments did not modify DPPH* RSC. In the case of traditional thermal technologies, HPT treatment showed a decrease (P < 0.05) in RSC (6.56%), whereas LPT, HPT+F, and F treatments did not modify RSC. Vitamin C modulated RSC, in terms of antioxidant concentration (EC50) and kinetics (AE = 1/EC50TEC50), in the treated and untreated OJ. In summary, HP and PEF technologies were more effective than HPT treatment in preserving bioactive compounds and RSC of freshly squeezed orange juice.     

Partial characterization of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities in blackberry fruits

A partial characterization of peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities in blackberry fruits is described. Two cultivars of blackberry (Wild and Thornless) were analyzed for POD and PPO activities. Stable and highly active POD and PPO extracts were obtained using insoluble poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and Triton X-100 in 0.05 M sodium phosphate, pH 7.5, buffer. Blackberry POD and PPO activities have a pH optimum of 6.5, in a reaction mixture of 0.2 M sodium phosphate. Optimal POD activity was found with 3% o-dianisidine. Maximum PPO activity was found with catechol (catecholase activity) followed by 4-methylcatechol. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of blackberry extracts under non-denaturing conditions resolved in various bands. In the POD extracts of Wild fruits, there was only one band with a mobility of 0.12. In the Thornless POD extracts there were three well-resolved bands, with R(f) values of 0.63, 0.36, and 0.09. Both the Wild and Thornless blackberry cultivars produced a single band of PPO, with R(f) values of 0.1 for Wild and 0.06 for Thornless.