Methods of assessing the incidence of Armillaria root rot across viticultural areas and the pathogen's genetic diversity and spatial–temporal pattern in northern Italy

Armillaria mellea (Vahl:Fr.) P. Kumm. is the causal agent of root rots of numerous perennial woody plants, including grapevine. In grapevine, A. mellea infections cause reduced plant vigour, poor grape quality and, in the last stage of the disease, plant death. No post-infection control agents are available for use against this disease. Disease management programmes rely solely on prophylactic measures. Therefore, knowledge of the distribution pattern of the disease over time, disease incidence and actual losses due to the disease across geographical areas is crucial. We evaluated the use of aerial photographs, surveys of growers’ experiences and field assessments to estimate the incidence of Armillaria root rot in a viticultural area (140 ha) situated in the Piana Rotaliana region (Italy). Results of the 4-year assessment were that 25% of the vineyards (36 ha) were infected by Armillaria, 2% of the cultivated vines exhibited disease symptoms and 0.25% of the vines died each autumn. The causal agent was almost exclusively A. mellea but, in two cases, Armillaria gallica was also isolated. The genetic diversity of the Italian population, according to IGS sequencing and somatic incompatibility testing, was very high, suggesting multiple pathogen introduction sites and the slow, vegetative underground spread of the fungus. Fungal clones were found within individual vineyards. Even if, within a particular area, the disease is spreading very slowly and crop losses are limited (one vine out of 400 dies each year), an effective agronomic plan for the prevention of infections should be implemented.     

Influence of agronomic factors on yield and quality of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) fibre and implication for an innovative production system

Research and development of an innovative production system for hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) fibre for textile use requires the integration of multidisciplinary knowledge from cultivation technique to realization of end products. Research was carried out to study the effect of the agronomic factors cultivation year (2003–2004), genotype (Futura 75 and Tiborszallasi), plant population (120, 240 and 360 plants m⁻²) and harvesting time (beginning and full flowering) on fibre yield and quality in the whole hemp stem, and in the basal and apical stem portions separately. The study of separate stem portions was done to determine the effect on fibre quality of an innovative harvesting and processing system in which hemp stems are cut in two portions of approximately 1 m at harvest to enable processing on modern flax scutching lines.     

Transanal pull-through rectal amputation for treatment of colorectal carcinoma in 11 dogs

Objective— To evaluate outcome after transanal rectal pull-through amputation of single colorectal adenocarcinoma and in situ carcinoma (T is ) in dogs.
Study Design— Retrospective case series.
Animals— Dogs (n=11) with colorectal cancer.
Methods— Full-thickness colorectal amputation by either simple transanal (7 dogs) or combined abdominal–transanal (4) pull-through technique.
Results— Adenocarcinoma (8) and T is (2) were removed with 3–6 cm of grossly normal tissue, cranial and caudal to the tumor, or in 1 T is with 2 cm grossly normal tissue, cranial and caudal. Two dogs that had a combined abdominal–transanal approach died within 4 days. In the other dogs, postoperative complications included short-term tenesmus (6 dogs), rectal bleeding (11), rectal stricture (3), and long-term fecal incontinence (1). Postoperative recurrence and metastatic rates for adenocarcinoma were 18.2% and 0%, respectively. Median disease-free interval and survival time were not reached. Mean disease-free and overall survival times were 44.3 and 44.6 months (range, 0–75 months), respectively.
Conclusion— En bloc excision of colorectal T is and adenocarcinoma may be followed by a long survival. Complications of the transanal approach are usually moderate and self-limiting, but complications are more common and severe when more extensive resections are performed through a combined abdominal–transanal approach.
Clinical Relevance— Transanal rectal pull-through amputation is suitable for en bloc resection of colorectal neoplasia. A combined abdominal–transanal approach should be reserved for tumors extending from the mid-cranial region of the rectum to the descending colon.     

Alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein is contained in bovine neutrophil granules and released after activation

The present study was designed to investigate the capability of bovine neutrophil granulocytes to produce the minor acute phase protein alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP, Orososmucoid). Bovine neutrophils contain a high MW (50-60kDa) AGP isoform (PMN-AGP), as determined by Western blotting and confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. The presence of AGP in bovine neutrophils has been confirmed by fluorescence immunocytometry. In addition, bovine neutrophils contain also a 42-45kDa isoform, which has the same MW as plasma-, liver-delivered, AGP. cDNA sequence of plasma- and PMN-AGP revealed that (i) the two proteins are products of the same gene; (ii) the differences in molecular weight are due do different post-translational modifications. This result was confirmed by deglycosylation of the two glycoforms. Exocytosis studies showed that isolated neutrophils exposed to several challengers, including Zymosan activated serum (ZAS) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which mimic the inflammatory activation, released PMN-AGP as early as 15min. AGP's mRNA is physiologically expressed by mature resting neutrophils. Real-time PCR on LPS, ZAS and PMA challenged cells revealed that the level of expression apparently does not increase after inflammatory activation. Collectively, the findings reported in this paper proved that PMN-AGP: (i) is a hyperglycosylated glycoform of plasma AGP, (ii) is stored in granules, and (iii) is released by neutrophils in response to activation. Due to its anti-inflammatory activity, PMN-AGP may work as a fine tuning of the neutrophils functions in the inflammatory focus, i.e. it can reduce the damages caused by an excess of inflammatory response.     

Bovine alpha-1 acid glycoprotein can reduce the chemotaxis of bovine monocytes and modulate CD18 expression

The acute phase protein alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP--Orosomucoid) is a lipocalin with immunomodulatory functions. The present study provides evidence that the plasma glycoforms of AGP inhibit the migration of bovine monocytes in response to classical chemoattractants. The inhibition is specific, since neutrophils are apparently not affected. To investigate the molecular basis of this finding, the expression of the molecules mostly involved in chemotaxis, including CD18, CD11b and CD47 was studied. It was found that the incubation of activated monocytes with acute phase concentration of AGP (0.9 mg/mL) induces a down-regulation of CD18, and has no apparent influence on CD11b and CD47. RT-PCR expression studies on CD18, CD11b and CD47 mRNA revealed that AGP treatment does not modify the expression rate of these genes. Since AGP treatment is related to a down-regulation of CD18 on the surface of the monocytes, the authors suggest that one of its possible functions consists in specifically reducing the firm adhesion phase of bovine monocytes to the endothelium.     

Copper sulphate forms in piglet diets: Microbiota,intestinal morphology and enteric nervous system glial cells

The objective of this study was to evaluate dietary supplementation with different copper sulphate (CuSO₄) forms on small intestine microanatomy and large intestine microbiota. Ninety weaned piglets were divided into three experimental groups: control diet (CTR), with no added CuSO₄ and diets supplemented with 150 ppm of CuSO₄ in protected (150P) and unprotected form (150UP). After 18 days of dietary treatment, six piglets per treatment were randomly selected and sacrificed. Duodenum villi length and crypt depths were higher (P < 0.001) in the animals fed 150UP than other groups. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker for enteric glial cells, was unaffected by dietary treatments. The total bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae bacteria counts were lower (P < 0.05) in cecum of animals fed 150P in comparison with the other two groups. In the colon the Streptococci spp were lower (P < 0.001) in both CuSO₄ supplemented groups than controls. The obtained results revealed a modulation of intestinal structure and microbiota exerted by the studied CuSO₄ dietary supplementation. The present data show that dietary supplementation with 150UP in the first period post‐weaning may assist in restoring the gut morphology, improving duodenal structure.     

Effect of metoclopramide on nausea and emesis in dogs premedicated with morphine and dexmedetomidine

Objective

To evaluate whether subcutaneous (SC) metoclopramide (0.2 mg kg^?1) administered 30 minutes prior to (T30) or simultaneously with (T0) intramuscular (IM) morphine (0.2 mg kg^?1) and dexmedetomidine (0.003 mg kg^?1) reduces the incidence of nausea and emesis in healthy dogs.

Exploring Current and Future Situation of Mediterranean Silvopastoral Systems: Case Study in Southern Spain

Extensive range-based livestock production has suffered a sharp decrease in Mediterranean Spain in recent decades due to two opposing trends in land use: progressive abandonment of practices in marginal rural areas and land use intensification in more productive areas. In this study, we explored the visions of key stakeholders on the current and future situation of silvopastoral systems in the Sierra Morena mountain range of southern Spain, where extensive livestock grazing is declining because of competition with other more profitable activities, such as intensive olive groves and game hunting. We performed a discourse analysis using Q methodology and evaluated the existing relationships of information exchange and conflict among local institutions such as farmer’s associations, the provincial council, and conservation organizations using social network analysis. Semistructured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders representing local formal and nonformal institutions involved in extensive livestock production. Results showed three distinct discourses among stakeholders related to profitability, conservation, and modernization. There was a strong consensus on the management strategies that should be promoted to support extensive livestock production and preserve the associated silvopastoral systems. Social networks revealed high cohesion and communication exchange and a low level of conflict among stakeholders, with few exceptions. The low influence of livestock producers on policy decision making largely hinders the development of participatory management schemes. Nevertheless, similarities among the visions and opinions of different institutions suggest that new possibilities might emerge for silvopastoral systems through the collaboration among the different socioeconomic sectors present in the area.