Prevalence of Type VI Secretion System in Spanish Campylobacter jejuni Isolates

Infections from Campylobacter jejuni pose a serious public health problem and are now considered the leading cause of foodborne bacterial gastroenteritis throughout the world. Sequencing of C. jejuni genomes has previously allowed a number of loci to be identified, which encode virulence factors that aid survival and pathogenicity. Recently, a Type VI secretion system (T6SS) consisting of 13 conserved genes was described in C. jejuni strains and recognised to promote pathogenicity and adaptation to the environment. In this study, we determined the presence of this T6SS in 63 Spanish C. jejuni isolates from the food chain and urban effluents using whole‐genome sequencing. Our findings demonstrated that nine (14%) strains harboured the 13 ORFs found in prototype strain C. jejuni 108. Further studies will be necessary to determine the prevalence and importance of T6SS‐positive C. jejuni strains.     

Methane emissions and δ13C composition from beef steers consuming increasing proportions of sericea lespedeza hay on bermudagrass hay diets

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different proportions of ‘Au Grazer’ sericea lespedeza [SL, Lespedeza cuneata (Dum. Cours.) G. Don], a legume rich in condensed tannins (CT), on nutrient intake and digestibility, and to estimate methane (CH₄) emissions and ¹³C isotopic composition (δ¹³C_CH4) from beef steers consuming a forage-based diet. Twenty-five Angus-crossbred steers were distributed in a randomized complete block design (344 ± 48 kg initial BW), and randomly assigned to one of five treatments: 0SL, 25SL, 50SL, 75SL, and 100SL, diets containing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of SL hay, respectively, mixed with ‘Tifton-85’ bermudagrass hay (Cynodon spp.). The study was carried out for two experimental periods of 21-d each. The statistical model included the fixed effect of treatment and random effects of block, experimental period, and their interaction. Apparent total tract digestibility of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber was linearly decreased (P < 0.001) by the inclusion of SL. No effects were observed for total CH₄ emissions per day, nor for CH₄ relative to organic matter intake or digestible organic matter with the inclusion of SL. However, emission of CH₄ in relation to intake of CT was affected by treatment (P < 0.001). A linear (P < 0.001) decrease and a quadratic effect (P < 0.001) were observed for δ¹³C of diets and gas, respectively, in which diets and enteric CH₄ with greater inclusion of SL were more depleted in ¹³C. Moreover, the difference in δ¹³C between diets and gas (Δδ¹³C) had a linear decrease (P = 0.001) with the inclusion of SL. The model developed to predict the C₃ proportions in the enteric CH₄ fitted to predicted values (P < 0.0001). Therefore, greater proportions of SL resulted in lesser CH₄ emission when CT intake was considered and the isotopic composition from enteric CH₄ was able to predict the contribution of SL in the emissions.     

HPLC separation and NMR structural elucidation of sn-1,2-, 2,3-, and 1,3-diacylglycerols from olive oil as naphthylethylurethane derivatives

In this study, sn-1,2-, sn-2,3-, and sn-1,3-diacylglycerols were isolated from olive oil, and their urethane derivatives (urethanes) were prepared. Normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (NP-HPLC) separation of the urethane isomers was performed and the separate classes were studied by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The use of 1H NMR and homo- and heteronuclear 2D techniques provided a great amount of information in a very short time, particularly when a high-field NMR instrument (700 MHz) was used. Particularly diagnostic for this kind of compound was the glyceridic moiety that presents typical chemical shifts both for carbon and hydrogen. These studies show the usefulness of NMR spectroscopy to recognize clearly the sn-1,3- and, moreover, sn-1,2- with respect to sn-2,3-diacylglycerols, although very minor differences occur between them.     

Integrated red data book of natural resources

The current status and prospects for the development of the Red Data Book of Russian Soils are discussed. It is argued that this book should become a part of a more general document encompassing not only soils but also other natural resources. The work on the Red Data Book of Natural Resources should include biological, soil, hydrological, geological, landscape, and noospheric objects, as all of them are tightly interrelated and have to be taken into account in the elaboration of the environmental conservation strategy. The noospheric direction implies the study and conservation of cultural objects in their integrity with the environment.     

Aerodynamic properties of windbreaks of various designs formed by thinning in central Ukraine

In this article, we investigate the regulation of wind regime by windbreaks of different designs formed by thinning. In particular, we look at the effects of thinning in 52–67 years old oak stands. Based on our results, different windbreaks designs of foliage and aphyllous states influence wind regime of adjacent fields. This research shows that windbreaks of sieve-looking and blown designs with an average optical porosity of 20–25% between the trunks and 5–10% in the crowns have better aerodynamic properties than windbreaks of dense design. The uniformity coefficient of reduction in the airflow ranged between 0.42 and 0.76. There is a clear tendency to decrease wind velocity at a distance of 15H in the leeward side, which has a beneficial effect on agronomic productivity of the surrounding areas. With the transition of windbreaks from full foliage to aphyllous state the optical trunk porosity of plantations increases 1.8–3.0 times, and in crowns—2.5–4.0 times. The windbreaks of blown and sieve-looking designs in the aphyllous state with an average porosity between trunks of 40–50% and in the crowns of 20–30%, regulate more effectively the wind regime in comparison with windbreaks of dense design. According to our findings, the windbreaks of blown design with porosity 40–50% between the trunks and 0–10% in crowns and sieve-looking design have the best ameliorative properties in the region.

     

Long-term field evaluation and large-scale application of a Metarhizium anisopliae strain for controlling major rice pests

Journal of Pest Science - There is increasing concern about the toxic effects of chemical pesticides on human health and the environment. Many alternatives, however, are viewed as impracticable or...     

Large-scale,multi-year,phenology modelling of forest insects in Pinus radiata plantations

Journal of Pest Science - Ecologically and economically harmful wood borers and bark beetles, which have the capacity to expand geographically through the international log trade, require...     

Enzyme treatment for elimination of egg stickiness in tench (Tinca Tinca L.), European catfish (Silurus Glanis L.) and common carp (Cyprinus Carpio L.)

Enzyme treatment to eliminate egg stickiness in tench, European catfish and common carp was compared with standard methodology in an attempt to decrease time consuming under hatchery conditions. Eggs of tench and E. catfish were exposed to an alcalase enzyme MERCK EC 3.4.21.14 (0.6 AU g^?1) solution 3 min after egg fertilization for 2 min. The best enzyme concentration in tench and E. catfish was 10 and 20 ml l^?1 of enzyme, respectively. The eggs of c. carp were successfully destickiness with ALCALASE DX (2.5 AU g^?1) using two concentration of enzyme (2 ml l^?1 and 20 ml l^?1) from 8 to 20 min after fertilization.