Recurrent equine capillary haemangioma treated with adjunctive laser photocoagulation therapy: a case report

The aim of the present work was to describe a case of recurrent capillary haemangioma at the coronary border of the left front limb in a 6-month-old thoroughbred filly successfully treated with diode laser ablation and adjunctive laser photocoagulation therapy.     

An ultrasound-guided subparaneural approach to the sciatic nerve in the dog: a cadaver study

ObjectiveTo describe the gross and microscopic anatomy of the sciatic nerve paraneural sheath and to report an ultrasound (US)-guided subparaneural approach to the sciatic nerve in dogs, comparing two different volumes of injectate.Study designProspective, randomized, anatomical study.AnimalsA group of nine middle-sized adult Mongrel canine cadavers (18 limbs).MethodsThe sciatic nerves of three pelvic limbs of two canine cadavers were identified, exposed and isolated between the greater trochanter and the popliteal fossa for gross anatomical and microscopic examination. An additional three pelvic limbs were surgically dissected on the lateral surface of the limb; the sciatic nerves were isolated, and a 26 gauge over-the-needle catheter was inserted through the paraneural sheath under direct visualization. A methylene blue solution was then slowly injected into the subparaneural compartment through the catheter under US visualization using an 8–13 MHz linear-array transducer. Subsequently, 12 pelvic limbs (six cadavers) were randomly allocated to one of two groups; using US-guided percutaneous subparaneural approach, either 0.1 or 0.05 mL kg^–1of a 1:1 solution of methylene blue and 0.5% bupivacaine was injected. The spread of the dye solution and the amount of nerve staining were macroscopically scored. The stained sciatic nerves with their sheaths were then harvested for microscopic examination.ResultsThe paraneural sciatic nerve sheath was easily identified distinct from the nerve trunk both macroscopically and with US visualization, and microscopically. Complete staining was achieved in five of six (83.3%) sciatic nerves in each group; no difference was found in the amount of staining between the two groups. Microscopically, no signs of sciatic nerve intraneural injection were observed.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe US-guided subparaneural injection of 0.05 mL kg^–1 of a dye injectate resulted in satisfactory nerve staining without evidence of sciatic nerve intraneural injection.     

Competitor densities,habitat, and weather: effects on interspecific interactions between wild deer species

There is a growing interest on the potential interplay between weather, habitat, and interspecific competition on population dynamics of wild herbivores. Favorable environmental conditions may buffer the negative effects of competition; conversely, competition may be expected to be stronger under harsh environmental conditions. We investigated relationships between competitor abundance, weather, and habitat cover on density and local distribution of a medium-sized herbivore, the roe deer Capreolus capreolus, as well as its spatial overlap with fallow deer Dama dama in a Mediterranean protected area. Over 11 years (2007–2017), roe deer density was not affected by spring–summer rainfall in the previous year and decreased with increasing density of fallow deer in the previous year. Hence, over the considered temporal scale, results supported a major role of competition over weather in influencing population trends of roe deer. At a finer spatial scale, roe deer occupancy was negatively affected by local abundance of fallow deer, especially in “poorer” habitats. We found a slight support for a positive effect of fallow deer density on interspecific spatial overlap. Moreover, fine-scale spatial overlap between deer species increased with decreasing rainfall in spring–summer. Fallow deer were introduced to our study area in historical times and their role as superior competitors over roe deer has been found also in other study areas. We suggest a potential role of harsh weather conditions during the growing season of vegetation (i.e. scarce rainfall) in triggering the potential for ecological overlap, emphasizing the negative effects of interspecific competition.     

Effect of High‐Pressure Processing on the Features of Wheat Milling By‐products

The ability of high hydrostatic pressure processing to promote changes in both the structural properties of fiber and the interaction of fiber with water were addressed. Both coarse and fine bran from milling of common wheat were considered. Treatment‐induced morphological changes were most pronounced in fine bran, whereas treatment of coarse bran resulted in the largest change in water‐holding capacity. The significance of the process‐induced changes is discussed in terms of their practical relevance in the production of fiber‐enriched foods.     

Use of aglepristone for the treatment of P4 induced insulin resistance in dogs

Insulin resistance (IR) in dogs is suspected when hyperglycemia is present despite administration of insulin doses greater than 1.0 to 1.5 UI/kg. IR is caused by increases in counter regulatory hormones concentrations (glucagon, glucocorticoids, catecholamines and growth hormone). This study was conducted to investigate the use of aglepristone (RU 46534), a P₄ receptor antagonist, for the treatment of IR diabetes mellitus in bitches during the luteal phase. All animals were treated with porcine insulin zinc suspension (Caninsulin) and aglepristone (Alizin) 10 mg/kg subcutaneously at day 1, 2, 9 and 17 from diagnosis. At day 5, no significant variation in glycemia was shown. At day 12 and 20, serum glucose concentrations were significant lower (p < 0.05). From day 12 the insulin dose was reduced to 0.8 IU BID. Insulin was reduced in the following weeks and glycemia was controlled.     

Acclimation to partial shading or full sunlight determines the performance of container-grown Fraxinus ornus to subsequent drought stress

Cultivation techniques in the nursery aimed to improve tolerance to abiotic stresses after planting in the landscape may have great ecological value. Here we tested the hypothesis that the irradiance at which plants grow in the nursery may impact on their responses to a subsequent drought stress. Measurements of relevant morpho-anatomical, physiological and biochemical traits were conducted in Fraxinus ornus, a member of the Oleaceae family of increasing interest as an urban tree. Leaves developed under moderate shade displayed a lower ability to preserve water balance, thus suffering from a greater decline in net CO₂ assimilation than leaves acclimated to full sunlight, when subsequently exposed to drought stress. Shaded leaves also displayed an inherently lower capacity to dissipate excess radiant energy through nonphotochemical quenching, thus suffering from greater oxidative damage than sun leaves under drought. These results indicate that sunlight irradiance at which container-grown ash trees grow in the nursery may tightly affect the tolerance to subsequent drought stress. This may have great value for enhancing the establishment of container-grown plants in the landscape, as fully leaved plants may suffer from severe drought stress during early stages of acclimation in the landscape.     

Environmental influences on the recruitment dynamics of juvenile European eels,Anguilla anguilla,in a small estuary of the Tyrrhenian Sea,Sardinia, Italy

1. The European eel, Anguilla anguilla, is a catadromous and migratory species of commercial importance. Its complex life cycle results in its exposure to many risk factors, which have resulted in stock declines across all life stages since the 1970s.
2. The temporal recruitment dynamics of juvenile eels (glass eels and elvers) were investigated in a small Mediterranean estuary (Sardinia, Italy). The composition of the population and the monthly and seasonal variations in the abundances of juvenile eels was assessed over 78 sampling events (from February 2017 to February 2018). Furthermore, the effects of abiotic variables on the abundances of glass eels and elvers were investigated using generalized additive models (GAMs).
3. Glass eels had the greatest abundance during the winter months, whereas elvers had the greatest abundance during spring. Modelling revealed that the abundance of glass eels was mostly explained by the combined effects of water temperature (12.3–14.5 °C), tidal coefficient (40–110 cm), moon phase, season, and river mouth condition, whereas the abundance of elvers was associated with water temperature (14–21 °C), dissolved oxygen content (>7 mg/L), and season. These results suggest that the annual recruitment of juvenile eels occurs throughout the year, with clear seasonal migration dynamics.
4. The use of multiple statistical approaches allowed us to identify the importance of several environmental variables in regulating the recruitment dynamics, providing useful information for conserving eel stocks through the restoration of the natural flow regime and the connectivity between freshwater habitats and the sea.

     

Analysis of S‐allele genetic diversity in Sicilian almond germplasm comparing different molecular methods

Italian almond germplasm is characterized by a wide diversity in several growing areas among which Sicily is one of the most important. Analysis with consensus and specific primers and DNA sequencing was performed to investigate S‐RNase genetic diversity and to elucidate the homology rate within a genetic pool of 27 Italian accessions. Interestingly, some of the self‐compatible cultivars did not show the presence of S_f allele. Amplicons from consensus and allele‐specific PCR primers revealed a high level of variability. Sequencing of all the S‐RNase amplicons derived from consensus primers allowed the identification of two new S‐RNase alleles (S₅₁ and S₅₂). Surprisingly, despite the AA replacement mutation, S₅₁ did not exhibit any change of its S‐RNase function. Additionally, several mutations, with no effect on amino acid composition, were detected in the intron and/or in the ORF of four known alleles (S_g, S₁₀, S₃₁ and S₃₅). Genetic variation, regarding point mutations and only detected by sequencing, was revealed among 11 of 27 tested cultivars. The new sources of variability might have an interest for product traceability.     

Factors affecting the genotype × environment interaction in spring triticale grown in a Mediterranean environment

The identification of the genotypic and environmental factors responsible for the genotype by environment interaction is essential in any breeding program. A Multi Environmental Trial (MET) including 3 years, 3 locations and 14 lines of spring triticale (× TriticosecaleWittmack) was carried out in a Mediterranean environment (Sardinia, Italy). Water available to the crops was calculated through a model run with the environmental variables and the phenological data recorded in each environment. Yield, yield components and heading date were used to perform an Additive Main effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) analysis. Interaction for yield was relevant only in 2 environments out of 8, one characterised by a late sowing, the other by the warmest pre-anthesis period. Correlations between Interaction Principal Component Axis (IPCA) scores and environmental and genotypic variables showed that genotype by environment interaction for yield and kernels per m² is related to interaction for phenology but not to the yield level. Yield level was significantly correlated with the water availability. Genotype by environment interaction for yield is mainly determined by thermal conditions in the pre-anthesis period, genotypic photoperiodic sensitivity and sowing time. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.