Oxygen reserve index as a noninvasive indicator of arterial partial pressure of oxygen in anaesthetized donkeys: a preliminary study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the oxygen reserve index (ORI) as a noninvasive estimate of the PaO₂ during moderate hyperoxaemia [100–200 mmHg (13.3–26.6 kPa)], and to determine ORI values identifying PaO₂ > 100, > 150 (20.0 kPa) and > 200 mmHg in anaesthetized donkeys with an inspired fraction of oxygen (FiO₂) > 0.95.Study designProspective observational study.AnimalsA group of 28 adult standard donkeys aged (mean ± standard deviation) 4 ± 2 years and weighing 135 ± 15 kg.MethodsDonkeys were sedated intramuscularly with xylazine and butorphanol; anaesthesia was induced with ketamine and diazepam and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. An adhesive sensor probe was applied to the donkey’s tongue and connected to a Masimo pulse co-oximeter to determine ORI values. An arterial catheter was inserted into an auricular artery. After ORI signal stabilization, the value was noted and PaO₂ determined by blood gas analysis. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between ORI and PaO₂ for oxygen tension < 200 mmHg (< 26.6 kPa). The Youden index was used to identify the value of ORI that detected PaO₂ > 150 and 200 mmHg (20.0 and 26.6 kPa) with the highest sensitivity and specificity.ResultsA total of 106 paired measurements were collected. A mild positive correlation was observed between ORI and PaO₂ for values < 200 mmHg (26.6 kPa; r = 0.52). An ORI > 0.0, > 0.1 and > 0.3 indicated a PaO₂ > 100, > 150 and > 200 mmHg (13.3, 20.0 and 26.6 kPa) with negative predictive values > 94%.Conclusions and clinical relevanceORI may provide a noninvasive indication of PaO₂ > 100, > 150 and > 200 mmHg (13.3, 20.0 and 26.6 kPa) in anaesthetized donkeys with an FiO₂ > 0.95, although it does not replace blood gas analysis for assessment of oxygenation.     

Leishmania RNA virus controls the severity of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis

Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis is caused by infections with intracellular parasites of the Leishmania Viannia subgenus, including Leishmania guyanensis. The pathology develops after parasite dissemination to nasopharyngeal tissues, where destructive metastatic lesions form with chronic inflammation. Currently, the mechanisms involved in lesion development are poorly understood. Here we show that metastasizing parasites have a high Leishmania RNA virus-1 (LRV1) burden that is recognized by the host Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) to induce proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Paradoxically, these TLR3-mediated immune responses rendered mice more susceptible to infection, and the animals developed an increased footpad swelling and parasitemia. Thus, LRV1 in the metastasizing parasites subverted the host immune response to Leishmania and promoted parasite persistence.     

Sensitivity to strobilurin fungicides of Italian Venturia inaequalis populations with different origin and scab control

BACKGROUND: Venturia inaequalis (Cooke) Winter with reduced sensitivity to strobilurins has been reported in several countries, including Italy. This study aimed to characterise the sensitivity to strobilurins of three different types of V. inaequalis population: (a) wild types; (b) from commercial orchards satisfactorily managed with strobilurins; (c) from an experimental orchard with control failures by trifloxystrobin and kresoxim‐methyl. In vitro sensitivity tests included antigerminative activity on population conidia and mycelial growth inhibition on monoconidial isolates. Cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) analysis was used for the detection of G143A substitution. RESULTS: Wild‐type populations showed EC₅₀ values lower than 0.031 mg L^?1, while those of orchards with good performance by strobilurins presented EC₅₀ values never higher than 0.063 mg L^?1. Samples with scab control failures showed a strongly reduced population sensitivity. Similar differences were confirmed in monoconidial isolates. The G143A substitution was always detected in low‐sensitivity populations, only sometimes in well‐controlled populations and generally not in wild types. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro sensitivity assays were able to discriminate the three population types with different scab management, while the qualitative PCR analysis (CAPS) was only partially reliable. High sensitivity differences among V. inaequalis populations with good and poor field control by strobilurins were observed. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synaptic pruning by microglia is necessary for normal brain development

Microglia are highly motile phagocytic cells that infiltrate and take up residence in the developing brain, where they are thought to provide a surveillance and scavenging function. However, although microglia have been shown to engulf and clear damaged cellular debris after brain insult, it remains less clear what role microglia play in the uninjured brain. Here, we show that microglia actively engulf synaptic material and play a major role in synaptic pruning during postnatal development in mice. These findings link microglia surveillance to synaptic maturation and suggest that deficits in microglia function may contribute to synaptic abnormalities seen in some neurodevelopmental disorders.     

Marine Anthraquinones: Pharmacological and Toxicological Issues

The marine ecosystem, populated by a myriad of animals, plants, and microorganisms, is an inexhaustible reservoir of pharmacologically active molecules. Among the multiple secondary metabolites produced by marine sources, there are anthraquinones and their derivatives. Besides being mainly known to be produced by terrestrial species, even marine organisms and the uncountable kingdom of marine microorganisms biosynthesize anthraquinones. Anthraquinones possess many different biological activities, including a remarkable antitumor activity. However, due to their peculiar chemical structures, anthraquinones are often associated with toxicological issues, even relevant, such as genotoxicity and mutagenicity. The aim of this review is to critically describe the anticancer potential of anthraquinones derived from marine sources and their genotoxic and mutagenic potential. Marine-derived anthraquinones show a promising anticancer potential, although clinical studies are missing. Additionally, an in-depth investigation of their toxicological profile is needed before advocating anthraquinones as a therapeutic armamentarium in the oncological area.     

Traditional uses of wild food and medicinal plants among Brigasc, Kyé, and Provençal communities on the Western Italian Alps

An ethnobotanical field study on the traditional uses of wild medicinal and food plants was conducted in three linguistically distinct mountainous communities located at the East End of the Occitan macro-area, in the Western Italian Alps. Interviews with a total of 81 mid-aged and elderly informants were undertaken using standard ethnobotanical methods. The uses of 92 vascular plants belonging to 40 different plant families were recorded. Comparison of the collected data with the ethnobotanical findings of previously conducted studies in other Occitan/Provençal valleys (specifically the Stura and Varaita valleys) has shown that nearly the half of the uses recorded in this study were not reported in other valleys, strongly suggesting a heterogeneous character to Occitan ethnobotany. The specific uses of certain wild plants as famine foods and medicines in this region are highlighted.     

EFFECTS OF CALCIUM AND SALINITY STRESS ON QUALITY OF LETTUCE IN SOILLESS CULTURE

Abstract

Fine fescues (Festuca spp.) are generally considered acid tolerant compared to other cool‐season turfgrasses. However, there is little information on aluminum (Al) tolerance of fine fescues at both the species and cultivar levels. The objectives of this study were to identy cultivars of fine fescues with superior ability to tolerate Al, and compare the Al tolerance of endophyte infected and endophyte‐free cultivars in Al tolerance. A total of 58 cultrvars of fine fescues belonging to five species or subspecies [14 hard fescue (F. longifolia Thuill), 25 Chewings fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaud), 15 strong creeping red fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. rubra), two slender creeping red fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. trichophylla), and two sheep fescue (F. ovina L.)] were selected from the 1993 National Fineleaf Fescue Test and screened under greenhouse conditions using solution culture, sand culture, and acid Tatum soil (Clayey, mixed, thermic, typic, Hapludult). The acid Tatum soil had 69% exchangeable Al and a pH of 4.4. An Al concentration of 640 μM and a pH of 4.0 were used in solution culture and sand culture screening. The grasses were seeded and grown for three weeks before harvesting. Aluminum tolerance was assessed by measuring relative root length, shoot length, root weight, shoot weight, and total dry matter. Differences in Al tolerance were identified at both the species and cultivar level based on relative growth were as follows: i) hard fescue and Chewings fescue were more Al tolerant than strong creeping red fescue; ii) within species or subspecies, significant differences were found among cultvars of Chewings fescue, strong creeping red fescue, slender creeping red fescue, and sheep fescue; whereas no difference was observed among the hard fescue cultivars; and iii) the cultivars containing endophyte exhibited greater Al tolerance compared the eudophyte‐free cultivars. The results indicate that fine fescues vary in Al tolerance and there is potential to improve Al tolerance with breeding and to refine their management recommendations regarding soil pH.     

Heavy metal accumulation in leaves affects physiological performance and litter quality of Quercus ilex L.

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between leaf functional modifications and heavy metal concentrations of Quercus ilex L., a good bioindicator of air quality. In addition, as metal concentration in litter plays an important role in decomposition and, in turn, in biogeochemical cycles, samples of undecomposed and whole‐leaf litter were analyzed for heavy metals. Leaves and leaf litter of Q. ilex were collected at six sites (roadsides, motorway sites, and urban parks) in Naples (Southern Italy) and characterized for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb concentrations. The investigated functional leaf traits were: leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry‐matter content (LDMC), water content (WC), leaf relative water content (RWC), maximal PSII photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m, variable fluorescence / maximal fluorescence), and total chlorophyll concentration. The motorways were the most contaminated sites, and Pb was the main responsible source of contamination. The metal contamination caused slight variation of F_v/F_m, suggesting that metals did not significantly alter functionality of the photosynthetic apparatus. On the other hand, it can be supposed that higher leaf deposit can cause an increase of pigment biosynthesis in response to the shading increase caused by dust deposition.     

A comparative analysis of habitat quality between artificial and natural creeks in the Mediterranean killifish Aphanius fasciatus: Implications for conservation

1. In transitional water ecosystems, habitat loss is one of the major threats to fish biodiversity. This is particularly true in the case of temperate salt marshes. Good quality artificial novel habitats may compensate for the loss of natural habitats, acting as a refuge for fish populations.
2. The aim of this study was to use coloured ornamental traits exhibited by the males of a small lagoon-resident fish, the Mediterranean killifish Aphanius fasciatus (Valenciennes, 1821), to assess habitat quality in both the natural and artificial creeks of the Venice lagoon.
3. The conspicuousness of two secondary sexual traits, the yellow/orange caudal fin pigmentation and the contrast between white and dark vertical bars on body sides, proved to be greater in artificial habitats compared to natural salt marshes, highlighting the refuge function of artificial creeks.
4. The use of secondary sexual traits could be extended to other fish species and to other aquatic habitats as a non-invasive approach. This would allow the identification of good quality habitats in the context of fish population management and conservation.

     

Encapsulation of Carlina acaulis essential oil and carlina oxide to develop long-lasting mosquito larvicides: microemulsions versus nanoemulsions

Journal of Pest Science - Carlina acaulis root essential oil (EO) is one of the most potent mosquito larvicides (LC50?&lt;?2&nbsp;ppm). This EO is mainly composed of carlina...