New approaches for education and training in veterinary public health: the SAPUVET projects

Continued contact between humans and animals, in combination with the ever-increasing movement of human and animal populations that is one effect of globalization, contributes to the spread of diseases, often with detrimental effects on public health. This has led professionals involved in both animal health and public health to recognize veterinary public health (VPH) as a key area for their activities to address the human-animal interface. Veterinarians, a profession with major involvement in this field, are in need of specific knowledge and skills to prevent and control public-health problems. As a result, VPH must be directly integrated into veterinary educational programs. At present, only few veterinary schools have specific VPH programs; in most institutions, VPH does not feature as a specific subject in either undergraduate or post-graduate curricula. SAPUVET and SAPUVETNET II are network projects supported by the ALFA program of the European Union (EU). Their main objectives are to reach a common understanding between European and Latin American universities in the definition of the areas in which VPH is important in their respective countries, and to design a harmonized training program for veterinarians in VPH, by making use of new technological applications and innovative teaching methodologies. The elaboration of educational material in combination with case studies presenting real-life problems provides a basis to apply the knowledge acquired on VPH. It is envisaged that the material and modules developed during the two projects will be integrated into the veterinary curricula of the participating universities, as well as in other partner organizations.     

Bioremediation and reuse of shrimp aquaculture effluents to farm whiteleg shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei : a first approach

Shrimp aquaculture effluents were bioremediated in a two‐phase system (System A) using the black clam Chione fluctifraga and the benthic microalgae Navicula sp., and then reused to farm whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. In the experimental design, Systems B and C had an identical structure as System A, but no clams or microalgae were added. System B received the same shrimp effluents while System C received only estuarine water. Shrimp raw effluents had a poor water quality. System A improved the water quality by decreasing the concentrations of total nitrogen, total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), nitrites, nitrates, phosphates, total suspended solids (TSS) and organic suspended solids (OSS). System B also decreased the concentration of TAN, TSS and OSS via sedimentation, but the effect was less pronounced than that observed in System A. Shrimp reared in the bioremediated effluents (System A) had better production (3166 kg ha^?1) and higher survival (89.2%) than those reared in effluents from Systems B (2610 kg ha^?1, 75.1%) and C (2874 kg ha^?1, 82.1%). It is concluded that the bioremediation system was moderately efficient and the bioremediated effluents were suitable to farm L. vannamei.     

Local knowledge helps select species for forest restoration in a tropical dry forest of central Veracruz, Mexico

Species for restoration forestry on degraded lands in the tropics are often restricted to a few well-known exotic timber species. This selection frequently leads to failed projects, as local people expect trees to cover a number of uses, not only timber. We studied local knowledge of the usefulness, scarcity and importance for wildlife of native tree species in central Veracruz, Mexico, a region with mainly secondary vegetation and remnants of tropical dry forest. Data were obtained from several workshops, in depth interviews of 40 key informants, field walks with informants, and botanical collections. Analysis included indices for cultural importance, scarcity and wildlife relevance. We documented 76 species in one or more of the categories, from primary, secondary, agroforestry and riparian habitats. Fabaceae was the most important family. All of the species were useful for humans, mainly for rural construction, food, fence posts and fuel. Two-thirds of the species were considered scarce though they were not necessarily rare??some were highly useful, overexploited species with populations insufficient for demand; this category included five of the ten most important species culturally. Also, two-thirds of the tree taxa were considered important for wildlife, especially species of Moraceae. The study shows that the local population is highly aware of the varying functions of trees in the landscape. However, few of the important species are available from regional nurseries. We propose a number of species for restoration forestry, agroforestry systems and enrichment plantings that would be valued by landowners.     

First report of Leveillula clavata causing powdery mildew on Euphorbia leucocephala from India

In December 2020, Euphorbia leucocephala plants exhibiting symptoms of powdery mildew were observed in the Botanical Garden of Tuljaram Chaturchand College, Baramati, Maharashtra, India. Based on morphological identification, DNA sequence analysis, and pathogenicity, the fungal pathogen of the disease was identified as Leveillula clavata. This is the first report of L. clavata on Euphorbia leucocephala from India and in general.     

Evaluation of vinification lees as a general medium for lactobacillus strains

Lactobacillus species present high nutritional requirements, so it is necessary to find new low-cost nutrient components for fermentation media. This work compares the utilization of vinification lees (an important residue of wineries) from red and white winemaking technology, distilled or not. An amount of 20 g of lees/L was used as the unique nutrient to obtain lactic acid from glucose using Lactobacillus strains with different properties: L. plantarum CECT-221, L. pentosus CECT-4023, L. casei CECT-5275, and L. coryniformis subsp. torquens CECT-25600. Only L. casei using distilled lees showed values (Pmax = 92.1 g/L and Y(P/S) = 1.05 g/g) similar to those obtained with the MRS broth. The UV spectra of white and red lees, distilled or not, allowed an interpretation of the different phenolic compounds present and their influence on the fermentation. Their detoxification by extraction with organic compounds and fermentation with L. pentosus was also considered. Time courses of glucose and lactic acid were modeled according to reported models to obtain more information about the process.     

Effectiveness of antagonistic bacteria,commercial fungicides,and fourth generation quaternary ammonium salts,against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race “1 or 2”

European Journal of Plant Pathology - There are three races of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) that significantly affect commercial banana plantations. Most banana cultivars are very...     

Plant sterols and antioxidant parameters in enriched beverages: storage stability

Plant sterols (PS) stability, antioxidant parameters, and color were studied during 6 months of storage at 4, 24, and 37 °C in three PS-enriched functional beverages. Beverages were skimmed milk with fruit juice and PS (MFJPS), fruit juice and PS (FJPS), and skimmed milk with PS (MPS). No loss in total PS content occurred during storage observing the same values at any given storage time point. Total carotenoids decreased 36% with storage at two months and then remained stable. Total polyphenols showed fluctuations throughout the storage, remaining stable at 6 months and reaching initial values. The antioxidant capacity (TEAC method) increased 18% at 6 months, and there was an increase in color over time and temperature, probably due to Maillard reaction compound formation. The increase in total antioxidant capacity might have helped PS maintenance throughout storage, these beverages being a good PS source even after 6 months of storage.     

Evaluation of Bacillus spp. isolates as potential biocontrol agents against charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina on common bean

The fungus Macrophomina phaseolina, the causal agent of charcoal rot of common beans, damages the roots, stems, and leaves of seedlings and plants and forms resistant structures, so that chemicals are not sufficient for disease control. Integrated management systems associated with the use of biological control techniques are a sustainable alternative. Here we collected 37 native bacterial isolates from the common bean rhizosphere and screened them for antagonistic activity against M. phaseolina. Four isolates (BA97, BN17, BN20, and BR20) identified as Bacillus spp. showed antagonism in vitro against M. phaseolina, inhibiting its growth by 62.5–85%. In an in planta antagonistic assay, isolate BN20 reduced disease severity the most. Isolates BA97, BN17, BN20, and BR20 produced volatile compounds as a mechanism of antagonism. They also produced indole acetic acid in vitro (1.98–3.87 μg/ml). These results suggest that seed bacterization with the rhizobacterial isolates for field planting may be an effective means to reduce crop damage by M. phaseolina.