Aerobic stability of sugar-cane silage inoculated with tropical strains of lactic acid bacteria

Aerobic stability is an important feature in the evaluation of silages. The aims were to investigate the chemical and microbiological changes that occur in sugar-cane (Saccharum spp.) silage after aerobic exposure, to identify the major species of yeasts associated with the aerobic deterioration process and to select lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains that can improve the aerobic stability of this silage. Fourteen wild LAB strains belonging to Lactobacillus plantarum, L. brevis and L. hilgardii were evaluated using experimental silos. Silage samples were collected at 0, 96 and 216 h after aerobic exposure to determinate the DM, WSC, pH, products of fermentation, to evaluate the silage temperatures and to identify yeast species associated with the aerobic deterioration of silage. The strains tested were able to modify the fermentative and chemical parameters and the diversity of yeasts species of silage after aerobic exposure. There was no association between the facultative or obligatory heterofermentative fermentation patterns and the increased aerobic stability of silage. Aerobic stability of sugar-cane silages was associated with high acetic acid and 1,2-propanediol concentrations. L. hilgardii UFLA SIL51 and UFLA SIL52 strains promoted an increase in aerobic stability of silage.     

雷竹引种栽培试验研究

雷竹引种栽培时,移栽母竹应用3种方法进行处理.其一用黄泥浆溶液进行处理,二是吲哚丁酸溶液处理,三是ABT 3号生根粉溶液处理.栽培后,对母竹3种处理的试验,苗木生根长鞭、成活率、出笋率、生长量进行观察分析.结果表明,用ABT 3号生根粉溶液浸泡的母竹栽培,比吲哚丁酸和黄泥浆溶液处理的生根长鞭分别提高29%、45%,成活率分别提高4%和7%,出笋率分别提高52%、64%.     

Selective sparing of a class of striatal neurons in Huntington's disease

A distinct subpopulation of striatal aspiny neurons, containing the enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase, is preserved in the caudate nucleus in Huntington's disease. Biochemical assays confirmed a significant increase in the activity of this enzyme in both the caudate nucleus and putamen in postmortem brain tissue from patients with this disease. The resistance of these neurons suggests that the gene defect in Huntington's disease may be modifiable by the local biochemical environment. This finding may provide insight into the nature of the genetically programmed cell death that is a characteristic of the disease.     

A highly sensitive,non‐invasive qPCR‐based strategy for direct quantification of Yersinia ruckeri in fish faeces

Finfish with asymptomatic Yersinia ruckeri infections pose a major risk as they can transmit the pathogen and cause clinical outbreaks in stock populations. Current tools have insufficient quantitative ability for accurately detecting the trace levels of Y. ruckeri typically associated with asymptomatic infection, necessitate invasive or lethal sampling, or require long processing times. This study presents a highly sensitive qPCR‐based method, targeting part of the Y. ruckeri 16S rRNA sequence, that is capable of detecting extremely low levels of Y. ruckeri in noninvasively collected faecal samples. Quantitative precision and accuracy of faecal sample analysis was consistent, despite the complexity of the faecal matrix. The assay demonstrated linearity over a six log‐wide dynamic range. Its limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 4 and 10 copies of the target sequence, respectively. Sensitivity of the assay was comparable to other qPCR‐based methods without requiring invasive or lethal sampling. Applicability as a screening strategy was tested using passively collected faecal samples. Asymptomatic Y. ruckeri infection was detected in all samples, although none of the fish exhibited overt infection. This method will be beneficial for finfish disease management if developed further as a noninvasive, screening tool against asymptomatic Y. ruckeri infection.     

Treatment with rhBMP-2 of extreme radial bone atrophy secondary to fracture management in an Italian Greyhound

rhBMP-2 solution on a collagen sponge was placed along the diaphysis of an atrophicradius, which had a history of recurring fractures. Two months after rhBMP-2 treatment, new mineralized bone was present, which significantly increased the diameter of the radius and allowed the removal of the external skeletal fixator (ESF). Due to carpo-metacarpal joint compromise, a pancarpal arthrodesis was performed seven months later. At follow-up evaluation two years later the dog was only very mildly lame.     

Diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis: biotechnological advances

Human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) is endemic in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean, Southern Europe and South and Central America, with approximately 500,000 new cases reported annually. As dogs are considered to be the major reservoirs for HVL, the accurate diagnosis of disease in these animals is important. Diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is performed mainly by direct parasitological methods that can yield false-negative results, either because of the very low number of Leishmania spp. organisms in clinical samples (bone marrow and lymph nodes) or because morphological identification is difficult. In addition, these methods are invasive. Conventional serological techniques are limited by cross-reactivity with other parasitic diseases and because several technical procedures have not been standardised. The development of polymerase chain reaction based approaches and immunoassays based on the use of recombinant antigens aimed at improving the sensitivity and specificity of CVL diagnosis is discussed.