Clinical,histological and immunophenotypic findings in a mare with a mammary lymphoma associated with anaemia and pruritus

An 18‐year‐old Quarter Horse mare presented with an 18 week history of dermatological lesions characterised by recurrent urticaria and recent signs of enlarged mammary glands, pyrexia, alopecia and intense pruritus. Haematological and serum biochemical analyses revealed anaemia, leucocytosis, thrombocytopenia and hyperfibrinogenaemia. Mammary discharge was evaluated and revealed neutrophilia. Cytological examinations of fine needle aspirates from the parotid lymph nodes were normal. Common causes of anaemia were ruled out by specific tests. The initial diagnosis was mastitis and 2 weeks later the animal returned to the hospital with worsening of clinical signs, intermittent fever, intense pruritus and generalised alopecia. Blood samples were collected for haematological and serum biochemical analyses, and the mammary gland and parotid lymph nodes were biopsied. Rectal palpation revealed a large irregular mass near the left kidney with adhesions of surrounding structures. The animal died before the laboratory results were ready. This report details the clinical, histological and immunophenotypic findings of a case of large lymphoma in a mare.     

Use of crude, FML and rK39 antigens in ELISA to detect anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies in Felis catus

Visceral leishmaniasis is a disease caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi and represents a serious public health problem. The dog is the main urban reservoir of the disease; however, investigations regarding the occurrence and epidemiological importance of leishmaniasis in cats have recently been initiated. This study aimed to detect cats seropositive for Leishmania spp. using different antigens. Additional studies were performed using sera from cats with Toxoplasma gondii (n=15) to evaluate cross-reactivity. Serum samples (n=113) from cats living in the town of Ara?atuba, State of S?o Paulo, Brazil, an endemic area for human and canine visceral leishmaniasis, were tested by indirect ELISA using different antigens: crude (CAG-ELISA), fucose-mannose ligand (FML-ELISA) and K39 (rK39-ELISA). Anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies were detected in 23.0% of samples evaluated by CAG-ELISA, 13.3% by FML-ELISA and 15.9% by RK39-ELISA. Only reactive sera in all three tests were considered truly positive. No disagreement occurred among the tests (p<0.05). Serum samples seropositive for toxoplasmosis tested by CAG-ELISA were negative, but one sample (6.7%) was positive for FML-ELISA and rK39-ELISA suggesting a cross-reaction between these antigens and anti-T. gondii antibodies. These findings indicate the occurrence of feline leishmaniasis in Ara?atuba. Further studies are required to clarify the role of cats in the epidemiological cycle of leishmaniasis.     

Effects of exogenous amylase on the in vitro digestion kinetics of whole-crop maize silages made from flint or dent grain type at different phenological stages grown in tropical condition

The effect of exogenous amylase on the in vitro rumen digestion kinetics of whole-crop maize silage made from dent (RB9004) or flint grain type (RB9308) was evaluated at different phenological stages: soft dough (SOD), early dent (EAD), ½ milkline (½M) and ¾ milkline (¾M). Forage was harvested from 70 to 110 days after sowing. Two rumen-cannulated cows receiving or not exogenous amylase (0.7 g/kg dry matter—DM, provided to achieve 396 kilo Novo units of amylase activity/kg of TMR DM) were used as donor of ruminal fluid. The in vitro gas production kinetics was evaluated according to a dual-pool logistic model. The chemical composition and gas production kinetics were affected by the hybrid and phenological stages. The flint hybrid had lower range for chemical analysis among physiological stages. Harvesting at ½M and ¾M improved DM content, bromatological composition and silage quality parameters compared to dent or flint types. Amylase (i) increased methane (CH₄) production and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) in ½M stage, (ii) improved digestion kinetics by reducing lag time and increasing total gas production and fermentation rates of non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) and fibrous carbohydrates (FC), and (iii) increased extent and fermentation rate of NFC and increased fermentation rate of FC fraction in whole-crop maize silages produced from dent or flint types in all phenological stages. Harvesting between ½M and ¾M is the best phenological stage to improve chemical composition and silage quality parameters. Exogenous amylase showed improvements on fibre digestion of silages at ½M and ¾M phenological stages in both grain types of corn.     

Computed tomographic and radiographic morphometric study of cardiac and coelomic dimensions in captive blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva,Linnaeus, 1758) with varying body condition scores

This study aimed to assess radiographic and tomographic cardiac parameters, including width and length of the heart, and the ratio of heart width to coelom width of blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) with varying body condition scores. Thirty-five captive birds were included in the study and were allocated into one of three groups according to their respective body condition score: lean, ideal and obese. No differences were observed among the groups with regard to radiographic and tomographic measurements. Computed tomography enabled better identification of the structures of the cardiovascular system without interference from the overlying structures of the celomatic cavity observed in radiographic images. However, radiographic examinations should still be considered the standard screening method to identify cardiac alterations, such as increased or reduced organ dimensions. Standardizing the techniques and measurements performed in this study may serve as a basis for further research in the field.     

Nutritional standards and nutritional diagnosis of the Conilon coffee plants in phenological growth stages

The objective of this study was to establish a nutrient sufficiency range and DRIS standards of Conilon coffee grown in southern Bahia, Brazil for the pre-flowering and grain-filling stages and to perform a nutritional diagnosis of these plants using different methods. The collections were performed in 24 Conilon coffee farm fields to establish the leaf nutritional standards, and 278 samples were collected to the nutritional diagnosis. The nutritional diagnosis was performed by using the sufficiency range criterion and the DRIS method. The nutrient sufficiency range and the DRIS standards must be specific to each phenological stage of the Conilon coffee plants. The leaf concentrations of calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), and boron (B) were higher in the pre-flowering stage; and the leaf concentrations of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) were higher in the grain-filling stage.     

Greenhouse production of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Désirée) seed tubers using in vitro plantlets and rooted cuttings in large propagation beds

Summary Seed tuber production fromin vitro potato plantlets and cuttings was conducted in large propagation beds in a greenhouse. Propagules of wholein vitro plantlets (WIP), plantlets with apical (ACR) and lateral (LCR) cuttings removed, the rooted apical cuttings (RAC) and rooted lateral cuttings (RLC) were planted at three densities of 25, 49 and 100 plants per m². The plantlets from which cuttings were removed (ACR and LCR) produced more tubers than the rooted cuttings (RAC and RLC); however, the most tubers were produced by WIP. RAC produced highest tuber yields followed by WIP and RLC. Intact WIP and plantlets with cuttings removed (ACR and LCR) produced twice as many tubers <40 g as those from rooted cuttings (RAC and RLC). The yield (kg/m²) as well as the number of tubers per m² increased with the increasing planting density within the densities tested.     

Diurnal and seasonal patterns of leaf gas exchange in bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) growing in a subtropical climate

The objective of this study was to evaluate the seasonal and diurnal changes in leaf gas exchange in bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) plants grown in an irrigated lawn. Carbon dioxide assimilation, transpiration, stomatal conductance, leaf temperature and leaf‐to‐air vapour pressure difference were measured during the daylight period from April 2003 to March 2004. The monitored environmental variables were photosynthetic photon flux density, air temperature, air relative humidity, photoperiod and sunshine rate. Factor and cluster analyses were used to select variables and to group months with similar physiological and meteorological characteristics, and three distinct periods were identified: (i) May to July: with low energetic availability, low leaf temperatures and low photosynthetic activity; (ii) September to January: with high energetic availability, high leaf temperatures and high photosynthetic activity; and (iii) April–March–August: a transient period with environmental and physiological characteristics showing intermediate values. The reduced plant development and growth during the winter season was in accordance to the lower photosynthetic activity recorded from June to August, this variable being a potential indicator of reduced phytomass production. The relationships between leaf gas exchange and seasonal growth are discussed.     

Trichoderma as a biological agent of Fusarium oxysporum species complex and Vigna unguiculata growth promoter

European Journal of Plant Pathology - This study aimed to evaluate the potential antagonistic role of Trichoderma in the control of Fusarium isolates belonging to the Fusarium oxysporum species...