Heat shock proteins expression in canine intracutaneous cornifying epithelioma and squamous cell carcinoma

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are strongly implicated in the control of cell growth, differentiation and biological behaviour of many human cutaneous neoplasms. To our knowledge, no data have been published in the veterinary literature concerning either normal or neoplastic skin. In this study, the immunohistochemical expression of Hsp27, Hsp72 and Hsp73 was evaluated in normal canine skin, 14 intracutaneous cornifying epitheliomas (ICE), 10 well-differentiated and 5 moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Expression was correlated with the histological degree of keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation, and investigated as to its usefulness in the differential diagnosis of these canine tumours. In normal epidermis, Hsp27 exhibited cytoplasmic labelling in the spinous and granular layers, whereas in neoplastic tissues it was detected particularly in those areas showing squamous differentiation. Hsp72 immunoreactivity was more intense in ICE and well-differentiated SCC than in normal skin; however, reduced immunolabelling was observed in moderately differentiated SCC. Unlike Hsp72, Hsp73 showed less intense labelling in ICE and well-differentiated SCC than in normal epithelium and an increased positivity in moderately differentiated SCC. These results indicate that HSP immunoreactivity differs between normal and neoplastic canine skin. Hsp27 expression seems to correlate directly with cellular differentiation; by contrast, the involvement of Hsp72/73 in proliferation and differentiation of tumour cells remains controversial. The pattern and intensity of immunolabelling of each investigated HSP did not show, however, significant differences between ICE and SCC; therefore, they do not seem to be useful in the differential diagnosis of these two canine tumours.     

Effects of three esca-associated fungi on Vitis vinifera L.: I. Characterization of secondary metabolites in culture media and host responses to the pathogens in calli

Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (Pch) and Togninia minima (Tmi) produced scytalone, isosclerone and pullulans in liquid cultures, as well as in calli. Secondary metabolites and host defense compounds were shown to occur in calli of Vitis vinifera cv. Italia and cv. Matilde infected by the esca-associated fungi Pch, Tmi and Fomitiporia mediterranea (Fme). Calli of both cvs. were grown as dual cultures with Pch, Tmi and Fme. The fungi grew well in the presence of calli of both cvs., but callus growth was reduced. Accumulation and changes of total phenolics and recurring phenolics, and of two phytotoxic pentaketides and pullulans were analyzed by HPLC. On comparing results for cv. Italia and cv. Matilde, it can be seen that concentrations of phenolics are strongly related to the cv. The paper discusses the possible relationship between melanin biosynthesis in Pch and Tmi, which utilize pentaketide metabolites as intermediates and their pathogenicity related to phytotoxity of scytalone and isosclerone.     

Full season efficacy of moxidectin microsphere sustained release formulation for the prevention of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in dogs

The authors report the efficacy of an injectable, moxidectin sustained release (SR) formulation for the prevention of canine heartworm infection in endemic areas in northern and central Italy. Three field trials were carried out on a total of 324 dogs. Two hundred forty-three dogs were treated with moxidectin SR 6 months apart and 81 dogs (positive controls) with moxidectin tablets given monthly for 5 consecutive months during the risk season each year throughout the study. Results of testing for microfilariae and circulating adult female antigens were negative for all the experimentally treated dogs at the 6, 7, 11 and 19 months after the last injection. No adverse reactions to moxidectin SR were observed but a moderate pain at palpation and swelling (5-6 cm) at the injection site after the first treatment. In the study areas, prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection calculated by testing dogs which had no preventive treatment in the previous transmission season ranged from 33 to 63%. This study confirms the efficacy and safety of injectable, moxidectin SR formulation in the prevention of heartworm infection in dogs and demonstrates that the prophylactic efficacy lasts for the full season and strongly suggests that the product gives 1-year protection.     

Vaccines against bluetongue in Europe

After the incursion of bluetongue virus (BTV) into European Mediterranean countries in 1998, vaccination was used in an effort to minimize direct economic losses to animal production, reduce virus circulation and allow safe movements of animals from endemic areas. Vaccination strategies in different countries were developed according to their individual policies, the geographic distribution of the incurring serotypes of BTV and the availability of appropriate vaccines. Four monovalent modified live virus (MLV) vaccines were imported from South Africa and subsequently used extensively in both cattle and sheep. MLVs were found to be immunogenic and capable of generating strong protective immunity in vaccinated ruminants. Adverse side effects were principally evident in sheep. Specifically, some vaccinated sheep developed signs of clinical bluetongue with fever, facial oedema and lameness. Lactating sheep that developed fever also had reduced milk production. More severe clinical signs occurred in large numbers of sheep that were vaccinated with vaccine combinations containing the BTV-16 MLV, and the use of the monovalent BTV-16 MLV was discontinued as a consequence. Abortion occurred in <0.5% of vaccinated animals. The length of viraemia in sheep and cattle that received MLVs did not exceed 35 days, with the single notable exception of a cow vaccinated with a multivalent BTV-2, -4, -9 and -16 vaccine in which viraemia persisted at least 78 days. Viraemia of sufficient titre to infect Culicoides insects was observed transiently in MLV-vaccinated ruminants, and natural transmission of MLV strains has been confirmed. An inactivated vaccine was first developed against BTV-2 and used in the field. An inactivated vaccine against BTV-4 as well as a bivalent vaccine against serotypes 2 and 4 were subsequently developed and used in Corsica, Spain, Portugal and Italy. These inactivated vaccines were generally safe although on few occasions reactions occurred at the site of inoculation. Two doses of these BTV inactivated vaccines provided complete, long-lasting immunity against both clinical signs and viraemia, whereas a single immunization with the BTV-4 inactivated vaccine gave only partial reduction of viraemia in vaccinated cattle when challenged with the homologous BTV serotype. Additional BTV inactivated vaccines are currently under development, as well as new generation vaccines including recombinant vaccines.     

Can a golf course support biodiversity and ecosystem services? The landscape context matter

Landscape Ecology - In the last 30 years, the number of golf courses has increased dramatically worldwide. Since no other sport occupies and manages such large areas of green space, landscape...     

Effects of alternate phases of fish oil and vegetable oil-based diets in Murray cod

Fish oil (FO)- and canola oil (CO)-based diets were regularly alternated in a daily cycle (amCO: alternation of CO in the morning and FO in the afternoon, and pmCO: alternation of FO in the morning and CO in the afternoon) or in a series of weekly cycles (2W: alternation of 2 weeks on CO and 2 weeks on FO, 4W: alternation of 4 weeks on CO and 4 weeks on FO), over a 16-week period in juvenile Murray cod ( Maccullochella peelii peelii ). No significant differences were observed between any of the treatments in relation to the final weight. However, fish subjected to the 2W schedule were larger ( P >0.05) than all other treatments (37.2 ± 0.30 vs. 34.3 ± 0.58 in the control treatment). Fish receiving the 2W treatment had a significantly lower total net disappearance of eicosapentaenoic acid 20:5n-3 (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid 22:6n-3 (62.1% and 24.0% respectively) compared with the control treatment (fish continuously fed a blend of 50% FO and 50% CO). Likewise, Murray cod receiving the amCO daily schedule had a significantly lower total net disappearance of EPA in comparison with the CD and pmCO treatments. These data point towards the existence of cyclical mechanisms relative to fatty acid utilization/retention.     

Different efficiencies in organic P exploitation of two Italian alfalfa (Medicago sativa) landraces involving a possible adaptation pattern of the phytase encoding MsPHY1 gene

The agricultural practice of manure cropping can result in the accumulation of surplus phosphorus (P) in soils with consequent losses by leaching. Two Italian alfalfa landraces originating from intensive (“Cremonese”) versus extensive (“Senese”) cattle farming regions were studied in order to investigate their variation for (a) efficiency in exploiting different P sources–farm dairy effluents (FDE), phytic acid (Phy), and inorganic P (IP)–in a lysimeter trial, and (b) the sequence of the MsPHY1 gene, which encodes a root extracellular phytase, releasing inorganic P for plant growth. The Cremonese landrace showed higher P uptake efficiency than Senese in the FDE and Phy treatments and lower inorganic P losses in leachates, particularly in the FDE treatment. The MsPHY1 gene was highly variable and the variation was not neutral but maintained by selection. Two non-synonymous SNPs, in particular SNP970, located in a motif containing conserved metal-ligating residues, produced alternative alleles with frequency differences between landraces. A pattern of adaptive response for the ability to use organic P forms is discussed at both the physiological and genetic levels.