Oxidative and biochemical responses in Brycon amazonicus anesthetized and sedated with Myrcia sylvatica (G. Mey.) DC. and Curcuma longa L. essential oils

Objective

To investigate the effects of rapid anesthesia and long-term sedation with the essential oils (EOs) of Myrcia sylvatica (EOMS) and Curcuma longa (EOCL) on biochemical and oxidative parameters in matrinxã.

Evaluation of the Ecotoxicological Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microcystis aeruginosa</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii</Emphasis> on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceriodaphnia dubia</Emphasis> Before and After Treatment with Ultrasound

Bodies of water contaminated by cyanobacteria and their neuro- and hepatotoxins have caused environmental and public health issues all over the world. Therefore, determining safe concentrations in water for multiple uses to protect aquatic biota and identify forms of remediation are of broad interest. In this study, we isolated strains of the cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, which produce microcystin (MC) and saxitoxin (STX), respectively. Ecotoxicological tests using suspensions of lysed lyophilizated cells with concentrations of toxins equivalent to those permitted by legislation for potability (1 μg L^?1 for MC and 3 μg L^?1 for STX) did not result in significant mortality of the model organism, Ceriodaphnia dubia, where as concentrations five times greater resulted in decreased survival for both toxins. However, reproduction was significantly reduced even in the lower concentrations, indicating that the currently permitted standards are not safe for environmental protection. When cyanotoxins were treated with ultrasound, mortalities were no longer significant, independent of concentrations. Although reproduction was still lower in relation to the control, it was significantly higher when compared to the results obtained before ultrasound. Ultrasound has been previously applied to cyanobacteria cell lysis, but this is the first study to investigate the ecotoxicological effects of ultrasound on cyanotoxins. Using new test organisms and different times and potency of sonication will permit the development of more efficient techniques for the remediation of these toxins and the development of more adequate parameters for the protection of aquatic life.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arcobacter</Emphasis> spp. in fecal samples from Brazilian farmed caimans (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Caiman yacare</Emphasis>, Daudin 1802)

The aim of this study was to perform the identification and molecular characterization of Arcobacter cryaerophilus and Arcobacter butzleri isolated from caiman (Caiman yacare), kept at a production farm, in Brazil. Forty fecal samples were analyzed. After isolation and identification, 21/40 strains of A. butzleri and 19/40 strains of A. cryaerophilus were subjected to PCR for potential virulence gene detection. The results of the PCR showed 38/40 strains positive for the cadF, cj1349, ciaB, and tlyA genes, 39/40 strains positive for the pldA gene, and 40/40 strains positive for the mviN gene. None of the strains presented the irgA gene. Hemagglutinin (hecA gene) and hemolysin (hecB) genes were detected in 21/40 and 16/40 strains, respectively. The SE-AFLP showed a great genetic diversity, but some clonally groups were disseminated in various tanks. These data reveal that the strains presented the same virulence traits described from Arcobacter isolated from food-borne disease in humans.     

Spineless cactus as a replacement for sugarcane in the diets of finishing lambs

The effects of replacement of sugarcane by spineless cactus (0, 33, 66, and 100 % on dry matter (DM) basis) were evaluated on intake, digestibility of nutrients, ingestive behavior, and performance of finishing lambs. Thirty-six non-castrated Santa Ines lambs at 4 months of age and an initial body weight of 22?±?2.3 kg were assigned in a randomized block design. A quadratic effect was found for intake of DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and digestible organic matter (DOM), with maximum values of 1.31, 1.19, 0.219, 0.358, and 0.845 g/day estimated with 42.5, 38.5, 38.8, 21.3, and 44.9 % replacement level, respectively. The digestibility of DM, OM, CP, and EE increased linearly; however, there was a quadratic effect on NDF digestibility with maximum value estimated of 500 g/kg with 64.2 % replacement level. Rumination time, total chewing, and rumination efficiency decreased linearly with the replacement levels; however, idle time increased linearly. A quadratic effect was found for final weight, body weight gain, and total weight gain with maximum values estimated of 38.6 kg, 0.232 kg/day, and 16.2 kg with 39.1, 38.2, and 40.4 % replacing levels. The replacement of 49.5 % sugarcane by spineless cactus can be recommended as optimal level, and problems related to intake, digestibility, and performance are concentrated outside that level.     

Fate and transport of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid in surface waters of agricultural basins

BACKGROUND: Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] is a herbicide used widely throughout the world in the production of many crops and is heavily used on soybeans, corn and cotton. Glyphosate is used in almost all agricultural areas of the United States, and the agricultural use of glyphosate has increased from less than 10 000 Mg in 1992 to more than 80 000 Mg in 2007. The greatest intensity of glyphosate use is in the midwestern United States, where applications are predominantly to genetically modified corn and soybeans. In spite of the increase in usage across the United States, the characterization of the transport of glyphosate and its degradate aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) on a watershed scale is lacking. RESULTS: Glyphosate and AMPA were frequently detected in the surface waters of four agricultural basins. The frequency and magnitude of detections varied across basins, and the load, as a percentage of use, ranged from 0.009 to 0.86% and could be related to three general characteristics: source strength, rainfall runoff and flow route. CONCLUSIONS: Glyphosate use in a watershed results in some occurrence in surface water; however, the watersheds most at risk for the offsite transport of glyphosate are those with high application rates, rainfall that results in overland runoff and a flow route that does not include transport through the soil. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Current status and predicted impact of climate change on forest production and biogeochemistry in the temperate oceanic European zone: review and prospects for Belgium as a case study

Reviews of the current statuses of forests and the impacts of climate change on forests exist at the (sub)continental scale, but rarely at country and regional levels, meaning that information on causal factors, their impacts, and specific regional properties is often inconsistent and lacking in depth. Here, we present the current status of forest production and biogeochemistry and the expected impacts of climate change on them for Belgium. This work represents a case study for the temperate oceanic zone, the most important bioclimatic zone in northwestern Europe. Results show that Belgian forests are mainly young, very productive, and have a high C-sequestration capacity. Major negative anomalies in tree vitality were observed in the 1990s and—as result of disturbances—in the last decade for sensitive species as poplars and European beech. The most severe disturbances were caused by extreme climatic events, directly (e.g. storms) or indirectly (e.g. insect outbreaks after a mild autumn with an early/severe frost). Because of atmospheric deposition and soil fertilization (due to the previous use of the land), nutrient stocks of Belgian forests are likely to sustain the future enhancement in productivity which is expected to follow the increase in atmospheric CO₂ concentration that will occur in years to come. However, in the long term, such (enhanced) forest production is likely to be limited by nutrient deficiencies at poor sites and by drought for sensitive species such as beech and (particularly) Norway spruce. Drought conditions will likely increase in the future, but adverse effects are expected on a relatively limited number of tree species. The potential impacts of windstorms, insects and fungi should be carefully investigated, whereas fires are less of a concern.     

Staphylococcus aureus proteins differentially recognized by the ovine immune response in mastitis or nasal carriage

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen in dairy ruminants where it is found in healthy carriage and can be a major cause of mastitis. A better knowledge of the host-pathogen interactions is needed to tackle this serious animal health problem. This study aimed at identifying S. aureus proteins differentially expressed by S. aureus in nasal colonization versus mastitis. Serological proteome analysis (SERPA) was used to examine protein samples prepared from culture supernatants of S. aureus strains originally isolated from gangrenous mastitis and nasal carriage (O11) or subclinical mastitis (O46) and to compare patterns of immune-reactive proteins. These staphylococcal proteins were revealed by sera obtained from ewes suffering from S. aureus mastitis and by sera obtained from healthy nulliparous ewes (i.e. no lactation and no mastitis or other symptoms) that were nasally colonized by S. aureus. Altogether 49 staphylococcal immune-reactive proteins were identified in this study. Patterns of proteins revealed by sera from infected- or healthy carrier- animals were comparable and analysis singled out one immune-reactive protein, N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanine amidase, which was recognized by each of the 6 sera from infected animals, when tested individually, and not by the sera of healthy carriers. This is the first study that compares the S. aureus seroproteome in colonization versus mastitis context in ruminants. These results open avenues for studies aiming at a better understanding of the balance between infection and commensal lifestyle in this opportunistic pathogen and at new prevention strategies.     

Columbid herpesvirus-1 mortality in great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) from Calgary, Alberta

Four cases of Columbid herpesvirus-1 infection in great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) were identified in Calgary, Alberta. Necropsy findings included severe multifocal hepatic and splenic necrosis, pharyngeal ulceration and necrosis, and gastrointestinal necrosis. Occasional eosinophilic intranuclear viral inclusion bodies were associated with the foci of necrosis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing confirmed a diagnosis of herpesvirus-induced disease. The sequence of a PCR amplicon had 99.7% homology to Columbid herpesvirus-1.