Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Chlamydophila spp. infection in ewes in the northeast of Algeria

A cross-sectional study was carried out to estimate prevalence of Chlamydophila spp. antibodies and to investigate risk factors associated with chlamydial infection in 552 ewes between March 2011 and January 2012 in the province of Constantine. Anti-Chlamydophila antibodies were detected using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit in 24.5 % of examined sera. Of the herds, 70.4 % had at least one seropositive animal. A pretested structured questionnaire was administered in order to collect information on individual animal health and herd management practices. Chi-square analysis and multivariable logistic regression model were used to identify risk factors related to Chlamydophila seropositivity. Univariable analysis revealed 17 variables with p?<?0.25 that were offered to the multivariable logistic regression model which in turn identified 12–23 months age group (OR?=?5.903, 95 % CI (OR)?=?1.690; 20.618) and not using disinfectants (OR?=?2.099, 95 % CI (OR)?=?1.314; 8.065) as risk factors for Chlamydophila spp. seropositivity. Moreover, occurrence of stillbirth problem (OR?=?3.682, 95 % CI (OR)?=?1.825; 7.430) and 5–10 % mortality rate in young lambs (OR?=?2.584, 95 % CI (OR)?=?1.058; 6.310) were significantly associated with seropositivity to Chlamydophila spp. On the other hand, availability of veterinary service was identified as a protective factor (OR?=?0.161, 95 % CI (OR)?=?0.051; 0.511).     

Note: A comparison of molecular diagnostic procedures for the detection of aster yellows phytoplasmas (16Sr-I) in leafhopper vectors

Different molecular procedures were compared for the detection of aster yellows phytoplasmas (AYP) in the leafhopper vectorsMacrosteles quadripunctulatus (Kirschbaum),Euscelidius variegatus (Kirschbaum) andEuscelis incisus (Kirschbaum). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with universal and group-specific primers designed on the 16S-rDNA sequence was most sensitive in nested assays. A dot-blot procedure with an oligoprobe designed on the 16S-rDNA was less sensitive and consistent to detect phytoplasmas in total insect DNA, but consistently detected amplicons from direct PCR. The dot-blot assay with a probe based on a phytoplasma plasmid sequence detected AYP in most vector specimens and did not react with DNAs from leafhoppers infected by flavescence dorée and psyllids infected by apple proliferation phytoplasmas. This last assay is almost devoid of contamination risks, faster and cheaper compared to PCR, therefore it has to be preferred for field-scale analysis of leafhopper populations. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Feb. 24, 2004.     

Completeness of the dog registry and estimation of the dog population size in a densely populated area of Rome

In most European countries, registration and identification of dogs is compulsory. In Italy, the national dog registry is composed of regional dog registries. Although dog registries have been established for many years, the issue related to completeness of data has not been addressed so far. The objective of this study was twofold: first to assess the completeness of data of the dog registry through telephone interview of a sample of dog owners drawn from the dog registry, then to estimate the total owned dog population in 4 boroughs of Rome. For the second objective, a capture–recapture method was applied using data from the dog registry and data from a face-to-face questionnaire submitted to people waiting in the sitting room of 5 points of access for booking and payment of primary and specialist care. Different scenarios are proposed to verify the assumptions of the estimation procedure and potential biases are discussed. The completeness of data of the dog registry was 88.9% (95% CI: 85.8–91.9%) and the owned-dog population was estimated at 26,244 dogs (95% CI: 24,110–28,383). The dog registry is an important source of information especially when it is properly updated and completeness of data is known.     

Topical vapocoolant spray reduces nociceptive response to ear notching in neonatal piglets

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of a vapocoolant spray (VS) to provide local anaesthesia for piglets during ear notching.

Actual status of the sea urchin Diadema aff. antillarum populations and macroalgal cover in marine protected areas compared to a highly fished area (Canary Islands—eastern Atlantic Ocean)

• 1. The aim was to determine the status of subtidal rocky benthic assemblages in three marine protected areas (MPAs) of the Canary Islands: (1) La Graciosa; (2) Mar de Las Calmas; (3) La Palma. Sea urchin (Diadema aff. antillarum) populations and non‐crustose macroalgal cover were surveyed, and used as an indicator of conservation status in the three MPAs as well as in a highly fished area (HFA‐Tenerife Island).
• 2. Comparing characteristics between each MPA and the HFA, and considering issues of management and design, it was concluded that the three MPAs each have a different conservation status. ‘Mar de Las Calmas’ marine reserve was found to have the most desirable conservation status, followed by ‘La Palma’ marine reserve based on sea urchin populations and non‐crustose macroalgae assemblages.
• 3. Conversely, ‘La Graciosa’ had the highest density of D. aff. antillarum and the lowest cover of non‐crustose macroalgae out of the three MPAs. Values were comparable to those at the HFA, which shows ‘La Graciosa’ to have the undesired conservation status.
• 4. Different spatial distribution patterns of non‐crustose macroalgal as well as different algal composition cover were observed between the three MPAs and the HFA. These differences were principally attributed to the intensity of grazing activity of the key herbivore D. aff. antillarum. It is suggested that the different study areas correspond to different phase shifts that imply differing resilience of systems that should be taken into a count in future conservation strategies.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dung‐inhabiting fungi: a potential reservoir of novel secondary metabolites for the control of plant pathogens

Coprophilous fungi are a large group of saprotrophic fungi mostly found in herbivore dung. The number of these fungi undergoing investigation is continually increasing, and new species and genera continue to be described. Dung‐inhabiting fungi play an important ecological role in decomposing and recycling nutrients from animal dung. They produce a large array of bioactive secondary metabolites and have a potent enzymatic arsenal able to utilise even complex molecules. Bioactive secondary metabolites are actively involved in interaction with and defence against other organisms whose growth can be inhibited, resulting in an enhanced ecological fitness of producer strains. Currently, these antibiotics and bioactive secondary metabolites are of interest in medicine in particular, while very little information is available concerning their potential use in agriculture. This review introduces the ecology of dung‐inhabiting fungi, with particular emphasis on the production of antibiotic compounds as a means to compete with other microorganisms. Owing to the fast pace of technological progress, new approaches to predicting the biosynthesis of bioactive metabolites are proposed. Coprophilous fungi should be considered as elite candidate organisms for the discovery of novel antifungal compounds, above all in view of their exploitation for crop protection. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

Copper complexes grafted to functionalized silica gel as wood preservatives against the brown rot fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coniophora puteana</Emphasis>

Wood modification with siloxanes bearing amino groups with copper-linking function was carried out by a sol–gel process. Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) were the main components. Two different procedures were followed: a two-step process (impregnation with the TEOS/APTES mixture followed by dipping into a copper sulphate solution) and a one-step process (impregnation with a homogeneous sol mixture of TEOS, APTES and copper (II) chloride). The obtained materials were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis. The determination of copper content before and after leaching was performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The efficacy against the brown rot fungus Coniophora puteana was tested by an accelerated procedure. SEM analyses showed that silicon penetrated into wood, while copper is effectively drawn into wood only in the one-step treatment. Copper fixation to the silica gel proved to be adequately strong. Both sol–gel treatments gave good protection against Coniophora puteana.     

Molecular and physiological characterisation of psychrotrophic hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria isolated from Terra Nova Bay (Antarctica)

A set of 21 Antarctic marine bacteria isolated from the Ross Sea and able to utilise diesel fuel as the sole carbon and energy source was characterised. Isolates were analysed by amplified 16S rDNA restriction analysis using the enzyme AluI, resulting in two different groups corresponding to different bacterial species. These species were assigned to the genera Rhodococcus and Alcaligenes, on the basis of 16S rDNA sequencing. This low degree of inter-specific biodiversity was parallel to a low intra-specific biodiversity, as shown by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA analysis. Then, a 550-bp DNA fragment coding for the inner region of alkane mono-oxygenase was PCR-amplified from the genome of each strain. The phylogenetic analysis of the sequence of the putative AlkB protein coded for by the amplified DNA fragment revealed that these alkB genes were very likely inherited by horizontal gene transfer. Lastly, the analysis of the biodegradation ability of four strains revealed two different strategies of hydrocarbon uptake, mediated either by bio-surfactants and peculiar of Rhodococcus isolates, or by membrane modifications and shown by Alcaligenes isolates. In order to understand the interrelationships between hydrocarbon-degrading isolates, the dynamics of two strains, belonging to Rhodococcus and Alcaligenes, grown together in a co-culture was also followed over a seventeen days period.