Western European epidemiological survey for parvovirus and coronavirus infections in dogs

An epidemiological survey for canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine coronavirus (CCoV) infections was conducted in Western Europe. A total of 156 faecal samples were collected from dogs with diarrhoea in Spain (n = 47), Italy (n = 39), France (n = 26), Germany (n = 21), the United Kingdom (n = 8), Belgium (n = 10), and the Netherlands (n = 5). Using molecular assays for virus detection and characterisation, CPV and CCoV were found to be widespread in European dog populations, either alone or in mixed infections. In agreement with previous reports, the original type CPV-2 was shown not to circulate in European dogs. The recently identified virus variant CPV-2c was predominant in Italy and Germany and present at high rates in Spain and France but was not detected in the UK or Belgium. Except for the UK, CCoV genotype I was identified in all European countries involved in the survey, albeit at a lower prevalence rates than CCoV genotype II.     

Detection of thermotolerant Campylobacter in ostriches (Struthio camelus) in Italy

During the period January 2004 to December 2005 four different ostrich farms were investigated to evaluate the presence of thermotolerant Campylobacter. A total of 150 ostriches were examined and all were found to be clinically healthy. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 60/150 cloacal swabs. Among the isolates, 48 were identified as Campylobacter jejuni whereas the remainder were identified as Campylobacter coli. Campylobacter lari was not isolated. The ostriches, although apparently in a healthy body condition, can be considered, theoretically, as potential Campylobacter carriers.     

Noninvasive assessment of the facilitation of the nociceptive withdrawal reflex by repeated electrical stimulations in conscious dogs

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the facilitation of the nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR) by repeated electrical stimuli and the associated behavioral response scores in conscious, nonmedicated dogs as a measure of temporal summation and analyze the influence of stimulus intensity and frequency on temporal summation responses. ANIMALS: 8 adult Beagles. PROCEDURES: Surface electromyographic responses evoked by transcutaneous constant-current electrical stimulation of ulnaris and digital plantar nerves were recorded from the deltoideus, cleidobrachialis, biceps femoris, and cranial tibial muscles. A repeated stimulus was given at 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, and 1.1 x I(t) (the individual NWR threshold intensity) at 2, 5, and 20 Hz. Threshold intensity and relative amplitude and latency of the reflex were analyzed for each stimulus configuration. Behavioral reactions were subjectively scored. RESULTS: Repeated sub-I(t) stimuli summated and facilitated the NWR. To elicit temporal summation, significantly lower intensities were needed for the hind limb, compared with the forelimb. Stimulus frequency did not influence temporal summation, whereas increasing intensity resulted in significantly stronger electromyographic responses and nociception (determined via behavioral response scoring) among the dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In dogs, it is possible to elicit nociceptive temporal summation that correlates with behavioral reactions. These data suggest that this experimental technique can be used to evaluate nociceptive system excitability and efficacy of analgesics in canids.     

Pseudopestalotiopsis elaeidis associated with leaf spots on Cycas revoluta in Brazil

Cycas revoluta (Cycadaceae) is commonly cultivated as an ornamental tree in several countries. In April 2015, C. revoluta leaves showing brownish spots with a yellow halo that progressed to leaflet necrosis were observed in Belém, Pará state, Brazil. This study aimed to determine the aetiology of this disease on sago palm in Brazil. Based on DNA sequence-based phylogeny, morphology, and colony characterization, the fungus was identified as Pseudopestalotiopsis elaeidis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of P. elaeidis associated with leaf spots on C. revoluta worldwide.     

The Lipopolysaccharide Export Pathway in Escherichia coli: Structure,Organization and Regulated Assembly of the Lpt Machinery

The bacterial outer membrane (OM) is a peculiar biological structure with a unique composition that contributes significantly to the fitness of Gram-negative bacteria in hostile environments. OM components are all synthesized in the cytosol and must, then, be transported efficiently across three compartments to the cell surface. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a unique glycolipid that paves the outer leaflet of the OM. Transport of this complex molecule poses several problems to the cells due to its amphipatic nature. In this review, the multiprotein machinery devoted to LPS transport to the OM is discussed together with the challenges associated with this process and the solutions that cells have evolved to address the problem of LPS biogenesis.     

Marine Bioactives and Potential Application in Sports

An enriched diet with antioxidants, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, β-carotene and phenolic compounds, has always been suggested to improve oxidative stress, preventing related diseases. In this respect, marine natural product (MNP), such as COX inhibitors, marine steroids, molecules interfering with factors involved in the modulation of gene expression (such as NF-κB), macrolides, many antioxidant agents, thermogenic substances and even substances that could help the immune system and that result in the protection of cartilage, have been recently gaining attention. The marine world represents a reserve of bioactive ingredients, with considerable potential as functional food. Substances, such as chitin, chitosan, n-3 oils, carotenoids, vitamins, minerals and bioactive peptides, can provide several health benefits, such as the reduction of cardiovascular diseases, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic activities. In addition, new marine bioactive substances with potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and thermogenic capacity may provide health benefits and performance improvement, especially in those who practice physical activity, because of their increased free radical and Reacting Oxygen Species (ROS) production during exercise, and, particularly, in athletes. The aim of this review is to examine the potential pharmacological properties and application of many marine bioactive substances in sports.     

Hydrosedimentology of nested subtropical watersheds with native and eucalyptus forests

Purpose

Information on the effects of eucalyptus forests on hydrosedimentological processes is scarce, particularly at the catchment scale. Monitoring and mathematical modeling are efficient scientific tools used to address the lack of information for natural resource management and the representation and prediction of those processes. This study evaluates the effects of eucalyptus cultivation on hydrosedimentological processes in watersheds and to use the Limburg soil erosion model (LISEM) to represent and predict hydrological processes.

Material and methods

The study was conducted in two forested watersheds: the main watershed (94.46 ha) and a nested sub-watershed (38.86 ha), both cultivated with eucalyptus and residual riparian native forest, located in southern Brazil. Hydrosedimentalogical monitoring was conducted from 16th February 2011 to 31st December 2012, and LISEM model calibrations were performed on the bases of six storms events.

Results and discussion

The sediment yield for 2011 was 41.6 Mg km^?2 and 38.5 Mg km^?2 for the watershed and sub-watershed, respectively. An extreme event in 2012 provided greater sediment yield for the sub-watershed (99.8 Mg km^?2) than that for the watershed (51.7 Mg km^?2). Rainfall events with a greater maximum intensity generated rapid discharge and suspended sediment concentration responses in the sub-watershed due to the smaller drainage area and steeper landscape. In the main watershed, the accumulation of flood waves occurred for most events, with less steep hydrographs, and a later occurrence of the discharge peak after that of the sub-watershed. The LISEM adequately reproduced the peak discharge and runoff for the calibrated events; however, the peak time and the shape of the hydrograph were not adequately represented.

Conclusions

The hydrosedimentological patterns of the watershed and sub-watershed, both cultivated with eucalyptus, was characterized by sedimentographs preceding hydrographs during rainfall–runoff events where scale effects occur, with maximum discharge and specific sediment yield greater in the watershed than that in the sub-watershed. Empirical models based on hydrologic variables may be used for estimating the suspended sediment concentration and sediment yield. Therefore, LISEM may be used for the prediction of hydrological variables in these forested watersheds.     

Description of hydrological and erosion processes determined by applying the LISEM model in a rural catchment in southern Brazil

Purpose

Hydrosedimentological modeling is a tool that can be used to understand better important processes occurring at the catchment scale, such as runoff and sediment yield. The aim of this study was to use the Limburg Soil Erosion Model (LISEM) to describe the runoff and sediment yield during rainfall–runoff events in a small rural catchment in southern Brazil.

Materials and methods

The study was conducted in the Lajeado Ferreira Creek catchment (drainage area of 1.19 km²) where intense land use has caused a negative impact on water resources. Thirteen rainfall–runoff events that occurred in 2010 and 2011, including high-magnitude events, were used to model hydrosedimentological processes.

Results and discussion

Results

from the calibration and validation stages indicate that the model had a good performance when representing the hydrograph, including events with greater complexity. The use of a second soil layer in the model increased its efficiency, which is in accordance with the importance of subsurface flow in this catchment and its sensitivity to the physical properties of the soil, which are essential for controlling hydrosedimentological processes at the catchment scale. The simulation of sediment yield was overestimated by the model, constrained by the lack of sensitivity of the model to soil cohesion and the stability of soil aggregates. During the model calibration stage, these parameters had values different from those measured in the field.

Conclusions

The LISEM model performed well in representing runoff for events of different magnitudes. The discretization of the physical–hydrologic properties in the soil profile enabled the evaluation of the effect of subsurface impediment layers on water infiltration and runoff. The simulation was less accurate for suspended sediment concentration than for runoff. This indicates the need for further studies to either identify other factors controlling erosion and sediment yield that have not been identified by the model, or identify if the representation of the physical parameters is inadequate, especially the values of soil cohesion and aggregate stability.     

Rheological properties and sugar composition of locust bean gum from different carob varieties (Ceratonia siliqua L.)

The seeds of the main Italian carob varieties, Latinissima and Tantillo, and those of two selected accessions of Latinissima were evaluated in terms of yield, rheological properties, and sugar composition of the endosperm (LBG). The separation of the seed components in Latinissima and its seedlings yielded meanly 52.2% gum, 17.4% germ, and 30.5% tegument, whereas Tantillo furnished a lower gum yield (38.5%) and a higher yield of tegument (45.8%). The viscosity of 1% LBG aqueous solutions was measured at different shear rates (3-60 rpm), pH values (3.0-6.0), and temperatures (10-60 degrees C). The best results were shown by Latinissima, whereas Tantillo provided always the poorest thickening capacity. The content of free simple sugars and sucrose in the raw flours, the total monosaccharide residues after acidic hydrolysis, the mannose/galactose ratio, and the distribution of polysaccharides by size exclusion chromatography accounted for the observed viscosities. The seeds of Latinissima showed the highest technological potential.