Application of Fuzzy Logic to Qualify the Environmental Impact in Abandoned Mining Sites

This work deals with the topic of qualification and prioritization of environmental impact in abandoned mining sites using fuzzy logic. It aims to classify old mining sites and describe their environmental impact through a numeric index. This is variable in the interval [0,1], and was named as index of environmental impact (I _EI). Its determination was made through a fuzzy inference system that allows the integration of several characterization components. The system was supported by data obtained in five sites in NW Portugal, which is a paradigmatic region regarding the variety of typical environmental problems provoked by old metallic mines. These sites may be considered environmental patterns as they represent such regional diversity. In a general way, the I _EI can be applied to other sites where the existence of abandoned mining structures generates environmental impact.     

The minor role of pigs in outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease of northern Thailand

SUMMARY: A study was undertaken in northern Thailand to examine the involvement of pigs in outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Data were collected by surveying selected villages, by serological monitoring of pigs and by investigating outbreaks. Fifty-three of 58 villages (91%) surveyed reported that pigs did not develop FMD during the most recent outbreak. The source of 49/60 (82%) outbreaks was attributed to either recent purchases of infected cattle and buffalo or commingling of cattle and buffalo with stock from an infected neighbouring village. One of 60 villages (1.7%) reported that the source was introduced infected pigs. There was no association between the various hypothesised risk factors relating to the management of pigs and the frequency of FMD outbreaks in the survey. The percentage of seropositive pigs during 3 rounds of serological monitoring conducted at 6-monthly intervals in selected villages was 3.5%, 2.6% and 0%, respectively. No clinically affected pigs were observed in 11 outbreak investigations. It was concluded that pigs did not commonly become infected when there were outbreaks of FMD in village cattle and buffalo in northern Thailand. This was probably due to the pig feeding and housing practices employed by villagers that protected pigs from exposure to virus from infected cattle or buffalo, or their products.     

Evidence that the v-sis gene product transforms by interaction with the receptor for platelet-derived growth factor

A scheme for partial purification of biologically active v-sis-coded protein from cells transformed with simian sarcoma virus (SSV) has made possible a functional comparison of the transforming protein with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). The SSV-transforming gene product is capable of specifically binding PDGF receptors, stimulating tyrosine phosphorylation of PDGF receptors, and inducing DNA synthesis in quiescent fibroblasts. Each of these activities was specifically inhibited by antibodies to different regions of the v-sis gene product. Moreover, viral infection of a variety of cell types revealed a strict correlation between those cells possessing PDGF receptors and those susceptible to transformation by SSV. These findings provide evidence that SSV-transforming activity is mediated by the interaction of a virus-coded mitogen with PDGF receptors.     

Seeds Collected from Different Ziziphus joazeiro Plants Are Differently Affected by Gibberellic Acid

Ziziphus joazeiro is a tree endemic to Caatinga, Northeastern Brazil, with great economic potential. However, its commercial production is still limited due to low and non-uniform germination of seeds. Recently we demonstrated that gibberellic acid (GA₃) stimulates the emergence and uniformity of seedlings in this species. In its natural habitat, however, great morphological diversity between Z. joazeiro trees is found, suggesting great genetic variability. Therefore, it was necessary to test if the GA₃ effect is a general response. We collected seeds from four plants maintained in a collection. The plants were selected according to contrasting morphological characteristics. After breaking impermeability with 98% sulfuric acid, the seeds were treated with 2 mmol L^?1 GA₃ or a control with distillated water for 24 h. Effects ranged from great, low, and no effect of GA₃ stimulating the percentage and rapidity of emergence between genotypes tested. For reforestation, thus, the GA₃ treatment of Z. joazeiro seeds might reduce its genetic variability; but for economic production, it will be an adequate and simple treatment to increase the quantity and uniformity of seedlings.     

Surface-active phospholipid (surfactant) in equine tendon and tendon sheath fluid

AIM: To investigate the presence of surface-active phospholipid (SAPL, or surfactant) in equine tendon and tendon sheath fluid.

METHODS: The left front flexor tendon and sheath were removed from five Thoroughbred horses. Phospholipid was extracted from tendon sheath fluid using Folch reagent and quantifi ed using spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the tendon surfaces.

RESULTS: The presence of phospholipid (90.6 (SD 4.3) μg/ml) in tendon sheath fluid, plus the appearance of oligolamellar layers and lamellar bodies on the tendon surface were indicative of SAPL.

CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of SAPL was found in equine tendon, and may have a similar lubricating function as reported for synovial joints.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings may have important implications for normal tendon function and possible therapeutic adjuncts for tendon and tendon sheath injuries.     

The use of oral recombinant feline interferon omega in two cats with type II diabetes mellitus and concurrent feline chronic gingivostomatitis syndrome

Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis Syndrome (FCGS) is a common disease in clinical practice. Among the therapeutic options available, long-acting corticosteroids are frequently used due to their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. Although they may improve the clinical symptoms, they can lead to a progressive form of the disease that becomes refractory to treatment. Furthermore, their direct relationship with type II diabetes mellitus (DM) is well known. Consequently, these drugs are controversial and not recommended for routine management of FCGS. Recombinant feline interferon-omega (rFeIFN-ω) is an immunomodulatory compound. Recently, its daily oral administration has been shown to be successful in treating refractory cases of FCGS. This case study describes two clinical cases of type II DM complicated by FCGS. Both animals were calicivirus positive and they had been previously treated with long-acting corticosteroids, which may have been the major cause of DM. The two cats were treated with glargine insulin (Lantus, starting dose 1 IU/cat twice daily (BID)), achieving remission 10 and 18 weeks later respectively. Considering the difficulty with control of FCGS in these animals, an oral daily dose of rFeIFN-ω was started as an alternative to long-acting corticosteroids. In both cats oral clinical signs gradually improved and 60 days after the start of therapy the owners reported a significant relief of pain during mastication. According to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report that describes the successful use of rFeIFN-ω in the management of FCGS in type II diabetic cats, in which long-acting corticosteroids are contraindicated.     

Biomass Industrial Effluent Effect on Carbohydrates, Aminoacids, Nitrite and Nitrite Enzyme Activities of Arachis hypogaea L.

The objectives of the present investigations are to see the effects of biomass power plant effluent on the carbohydrates, aminoacids, nitrite and nitrite enzyme activitiesand proline of Arachis hypogaea L. var TCGS 320 under controlled pot culture methods. Plants were cultivated with 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the effluent and a control without the effluent. The treatment of the crop with 25% of the effluent has shown stimulatory effect on all the biochemical parameters studied. Carbohydrates, starch, aminoacids, protein, nitrate and nitrite reductase enzymatic activities have increased in 10, 15, 20 DAS （days after sowing）. In 25 and 30 DAS all biochemical parameters have decreased, due to environmental factors （rainfall, temperature, humidity, etc.）. The present investigation clearly indicated that the biomass power plant effluent has stimulatory effect on all the biochemical contents at lower concentration, and at higher concentration they have deleterious effects.     

Oviposition preference assessment of Diabrotica speciosa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) for different soybean genotypes

This study assessed current research methods and applied them to tests of oviposition preference by Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) for different soybean genotypes; the correlation between the number of eggs per plant and leaf intake was evaluated. The experiments were divided into four parts: (i) assessing the preferred oviposition substrate; (ii) standardizing the number of D. speciosa pairs, (iii) evaluating the preferred soybean plant age, and (iv) testing the preference for oviposition on different soybean genotypes, and evaluating its correlation with leaf intake under laboratory conditions. Females of D. speciosa preferred to lay eggs in the soil, with the highest number of eggs laid in the presence of a growing soybean plant. The genotypes PI 227687, DM 339, and PI 274454 were the least preferred varieties for oviposition, while BRSGO 8360 was the most preferred genotype. Egg counts were not correlated with leaf intake, except for the variety IGRA RA 626 RR, which showed positive correlation. Our discoveries may be helpful for second-crop use of resistant genotypes in areas where different crops are cultivated, by reducing the pest density off-season.     

Effects of supplementation of medium with different antioxidants during in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes on subsequent embryo production

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of different antioxidants on the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) in oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM), as well as on the production of embryos. Oocyte of slaughterhouse‐derived cattle ovaries were placed in IVM with different antioxidants: quercetin (2 μM), cysteamine (100 μM), carnitine (0.5 mg/ml), vitamin C (50 μg/ml) or resveratrol (2 μM). Oocytes matured without any antioxidant supplementation were used as control. The oocytes were assessed for maturation rates and for ROS and GSH levels by fluorescence staining in 2′,7′‐dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate and Cell Tracker Blue, respectively. Embryo production was assessed in terms of cleavage, blastocysts and hatching rates and embryo cell numbers. The results expressed in arbitrary fluorescence units showed ROS reduction (p < .05) in the groups with quercetin (27.5 ± 3.4), vitamin C (27.1 ± 3.0) or resveratrol (28.1 ± 4.7), in comparison with those with cysteamine (34.9 ± 4.5), carnitine (34.6 ± 3.8) or to the control group (36.5 ± 5.2). GSH levels increased (p < .05) in cysteamine (63.5 ± 5.5) or carnitine (60.8 ± 4.4) groups in comparison with quercetin (52.7 ± 5.1), vitamin C (53.0 ± 3.8), resveratrol (53.1 ± 4.4) or to the control (49.6 ± 4.5). Nuclear maturation cleavage and hatched blastocysts rates did not differ (p > .05) between groups. However, blastocyst rates after in vitro fertilization in quercetin (53.5 ± 3.9%), vitamin C (52.1 ± 3.1%) resveratrol (54.2 ± 4.0%), cysteamine (52.4 ± 2.7%) or carnitine (54.2 ± 3.1%) groups were higher (p < .05) than in the control (47.2 ± 2.7%). Total cell numbers in embryos from the vitamin C, resveratrol, cysteamine or carnitine groups were higher than in quercetin and control groups, which were similar to each other. The results suggest that using antioxidants during IVM may reduce oxidative stress either by decreasing ROS levels directly or by increasing GSH levels in oocytes, depending on the type of antioxidant used. Overall, oxidative stress control during IVM with the antioxidants examined here improved blastocyst development with similar efficacy.