A new species of Neoascarophis (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) parasitic in Mullus argentinae (Perciformes: Mullidae) from the Atlantic coast of South America

A new nematode species (Neoascarophis mariae n. sp.) is described based on specimens collected from the Argentine goatfish Mullus argentinae (Hubbs et Marini) from coastal waters off the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the genus, the new species belongs to the group of species with females that have the vulva near the posterior end of the body. Only males of Neoascarophis longispicula Moravec et Klimpel, 2009 are known and can be distinguished from those of the new species by their larger body, developed and somewhat dorsoventrally expanded flat inner part of the pseudolabia, bifurcate deirids and larger spicules (the left one with a rounded tip) with a different length ratio. Other species with females that have the vulva near the equatorial region are N. yarihige Machida, 1976 and N. bathygadi Machida, 1976. Both males and females of N. yarihige are longer than those of the new species and have a shorter vestibule; males have shorter spicules with a different length ratio. Neoascarophis bathygadi is the only member of the genus that shares the presence of a cephalic vesicle with the new species, which, however, is shorter and arises at 40 microm from the anterior end instead from the deirids, as in the new species. Both males and females of N. bathygadi are also longer than those of the new species and have a shorter vestibule; males have a larger left spicule, but shorter right spicule and a different length ratio. Ascarophis upeneichthys Johnston et Mawson, 1945, a parasite ofa mullid host, is transferred to Neoascarophis Machida, 1976 and is distinguished from the new species by having a shorter vestibule in females and shorter spicules (left spicule with a pointed tip) with a different length ratio in males.     

Oxygen supply for biostimulation of enzymatic activity in organic-rich marine ecosystems

The depletion of oxygen and the use of high energy cost electron acceptors for mineralisation processes are considered as one of the main reasons limiting degradation rates in aquatic organic-rich ecosystems. In this research the effect of two different biostimulation oxygen-releasing protocols were investigated using extracellular β-glucosidase activity rates. Organic-rich sediment and water was collected from the harbour of Genoa (Italy, North-Western Mediterranean) and oxygenation was generated either by positioning air tubes into the overlying water, or by placing oxygen release compounds (ORC) directly into the sediment, in laboratory microcosms. The increase in enzymatic activity was significant in the water compartment of the oxygenated microcosms (ANOVA, p<0.05) and greater for the ORC treatment. In particular, in the water, air tubes caused an increase in the β-glucosidase activity during the first 24 h (from 18.1 nmol l⁻¹ h⁻¹ (T=0, before the treatment) to 50.9 nmol l⁻¹ h⁻¹ (T=24 h)), while ORC induced a β-glucosidase activity increase over the whole period (from 12.4 nmol l⁻¹ h⁻¹ (T=0) to 63.7 nmol l⁻¹ h⁻¹ (T=60 d)) together with a reduction in carbohydrate (from 1.91 mg l⁻¹ (T=0) to 0.76 mg l⁻¹ (T=60 d)) and a sedimentary pH increase (from 8.04 (T=0) to 8.22 (T=60 d)). The response to ORC treatment in the overlying water was also evident in the potential carbohydrate turnover rate, decreasing from 0.86 h (T=0) to 0.06 h (T=60 d) and cell specific enzymatic activity, increasing from 3.8 (T=0) to 22.8 nmol l⁻¹ h⁻¹ cell⁻¹ (T=60 d). A less marked change was observed in the sediment.This research shows that the supply of oxygen directly into the sediment rather than water aeration is a better way of naturally enhancing enzymatic degradation rates in organic-rich marine ecosystems. The marked effect observed in the water following the sediment treatment suggests the occurring of a close association of decomposition processes within water and sediment compartments.     

Histometric parameters of the large intestine of hybrid marmosets Callithrix sp. under the influence of seasonality

Morphofunctional characteristics of the large intestine are rarely explored to understand the physiology, behavior and ecology of neotropical primates. In this study, we analyzed the histometric parameters of the large intestine of hybrid marmosets (Callithrix sp.) captured in forest fragments of Viçosa-Brazil, under seasonal interference. These animals were predominantly insectivorous in the rainy season and gummivores in the dry season. Large intestine fragments were collected and processed according to histological methods and stained with toluidine blue for general analysis, periodic acid of Schiff (PAS) and Alcian blue (AB) for goblet cells, Grimelius and Masson Fontana for argyrophil and argentaffin endocrine cells. Several histometric parameters were more expressive in the large intestine of the rainy season marmosets: greater thickness of the parietal layers, greater number of argyrophil and argentaffin endocrine cells, and AB-positive goblet cells, characteristics favor secretomotor functions and reduce the passage time of the fecal bolus, which is consistent with an insectivorous diet. In contrast, parameters such as crypt width, height of the absorptive cells and striated border, and the number of PAS-positive cells were more expressive in the dry season marmosets, reflecting the need for longer passage time for digestion and absorption of food items from tree gum, which are more complex and demand the action of microorganisms present in the large intestine, as well as greater protection against the abrasive action of dietary fibers and against microorganisms. Thus, it can be said that the marmoset's large intestine has morphological adaptations to maximize energy intake from the diet, which alternates under the influence of seasonality.     

Anatomical parameters of the body and the digestive tract of Callithrix sp. marmosets under the influence of seasonality

Due to the ecological importance and given the scarcity of studies on the digestive morphology of primates, anatomical aspects of the body and digestive tract, as well as food content were analysed for marmosets Callithrix sp. (hybrids of exotic species) captured in forest fragments in Minas Gerais - Brazil, during the dry and rainy seasons, considering that seasonal variations affect the availability of food and quality of diet. Data such as body weight and length, and thoracic and abdominal perimeters were analysed, and no significant difference was found between dry and rainy seasons. In relation to the digestive tract, length, weight and diameter of the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine were measured, in addition to the isolated caecum. There was a significant difference in the diameter of the ascending colon, which was larger in the animals in the dry season than in the rainy season. The difference found may be related to diet, and through analysis of the gastric and caecal contents, it was observed that gum was the main food item for the dry season marmosets, while in the rainy season the animals consumed mainly arthropods. Thus, the characteristic observed in the digestive tract of dry season marmosets is a reflection of an adaptive response to gum intake, since this food item is of low digestibility, necessitating that the food content be retained for a long time in this segment of the large intestine, helping the process of microbial fermentation and better energy utilization for these animals.     

Evaluation of immunohistochemistry for the diagnosis of sporotrichosis in dogs

The aim of this study was to apply immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the diagnosis of canine sporotrichosis and to compare this method with the Grocott’s silver stain (GSS) and periodic acid Schiff (PAS) techniques. Eighty-seven dogs with sporotrichosis (group 1) and 35 with American tegumentary leishmaniosis (ATL) (group 2) were studied. The fungus was detected in group 1 by GSS, PAS and IHC. IHC was also applied to group 2 to evaluate the occurrence of cross-reactions. PAS, GSS and IHC detected yeast cells in 19.5%, 43.7% and 65.5% of the group 1 cases, respectively. The detection of intracellular antigens of Sporothrix schenckii by IHC increased the sensitivity of the histological diagnosis to 80.5%. No positive reaction was observed in ATL lesions. The results suggest that IHC may be indicated for the diagnosis of sporotrichosis because of its higher diagnostic sensitivity.     

Impact of Particle Size,Thermal Processing,Fat Inclusion and Moisture Addition on Pellet Quality and Protein Solubility of Broiler Feeds

The present study evaluated the effect of feed particle size, thermal processing, several levels of fat inclusion and moisture addition on pellet quality and protein solubility in potassium hydroxide （KOH） in a corn, soybean meal and animal by products based broiler diets. The different processing factors were combined in a 2 x 4 x 4 x 2 factorial arrangement in an eight randomized block consisting of eight production series： two particle sizes （coarse： 1,041 microns and medium： 743 microns）, four fat inclusion levels at the mixer （15, 25, 35 and 45 g/kg of feed）, four moisture addition levels in the conditioner （0, 7, 14 and 21 g/kg of feed） and two thermal processing treatments （conditioner-pellet press treatment or conditioner-expander-pellet treatment） which resulted in 64 different processed feeds. For the determination of the pellet durability index （PDI）, the amount of intact pellets and protein solubility determinations, eight feed samples （replicates） were collected for each treatment. The data were transformed using a variation of Box-Cox transformation in order to fit a normal distribution （p 〉 0.05）. Adding moisture up to 21 g/kg of feed in the conditioner improved pellet quality of the diets （p 〈 0.05）. Expansion of diets before pelleting improved （P 〈 0.05） PDI and amount of intact pellets by 26% and 31%, respectively, as compared to a simple conditioning-pelleting feed processing. Expander treatment （at 110 ℃） decreased （p 〈 0.05） protein solubility in KOH from 686 g/kg to 643 g/kg total protein as compared to pelleting process （at 80-82 ℃）. The amount of intact pellets reduced from 773 g/kg to 746 g/kg of feed （/7 〈 0.05） as particle size increased from medium to coarse grinding. Pellet quality was significantly reduced with fat inclusion levels higher than 35 g/kg of diet.