Susceptibility of eucalypt taxa to a natural infestation by Leptocybe invasa

New Forests - Recently, pest occurrence in forest plantations has been increasing influenced by genotypes and environmental conditions such as climate change, thus impacting production negatively....     

Reproductive cycle of the Amazonian planktivorous catfish Hypophthalmus marginatus (Siluriformes,Pimelodidae)

We evaluated the annual process of oocyte and ovarian development of the planktivorous Amazonian catfish, the mapará (Hypophthalmus marginatus), aiming to support captive reproduction for domestication. A total of 149 females were captured from the Tocantins River at the Tucuruí Dam (3°49'55"S, 49°39'9"W) in 13 sampling events. For each individual, we evaluated ovary histology and plasma steroid concentrations. Two annual reproductive cycles, with similar characteristics, including a long period of rest, a short vitellogenic stage and a well‐defined spawning season from November to March, were described. A 17β‐estradiol (E₂) rise and a 17α,20β‐dihydroxy‐4‐pregnen‐3‐one (DHP) peak were associated with vitellogenesis and spawning season, respectively, in the first cycle but not in the second reproductive cycle. In conclusion, the studied species presents a reproductive cycle similar to that of other migratory total spawners; however, unusually for this group of fish, there were three (but not two) batches of vitellogenic oocytes in “in maturation” and “mature” stage ovaries, pointing to the possibility of more than one spawn during the spawning season.     

Elemental characterization of commercial mate tea leaves (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.) before and after hot water infusion using ion beam techniques

Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil. is used to prepare a traditional tealike beverage widely appreciated in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and southern Brazil. In these countries, the tea is popularly known as mate or chimarr?o. The aim of this work is to characterize the elemental composition of commercial Ilex paraguariensis and determine the portion of each element present in the leaves that is eluted in the water during the infusion process and consequently ingested by the drinker. Using the particle-induced X-ray emission technique, we verified the presence of Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Rb at different concentrations, which accounts for about 3.4% of the total mass. The results show a loss of about 90% of K and Cl, 50% of Mg and P, and 20% of Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Rb by the leaves after the infusion. The volume of water used in the infusion affects only the concentration of elements such as Cl, P, K, and Mg until the first 600 mL of water, where a steep decrease in the concentration of these elements was observed in brewed leaves. Furthermore, higher water temperatures (typical temperatures used in infusions, between 80 and 100 degrees C) favor the extraction of K and Cl into the infusion, while the concentration of other elements remains practically constant as a function of temperature.     

Effects of clinical mastitis and puerperal diseases on reproductive efficiency of dairy cows

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of clinical mastitis (CM) occurring before or after the first AI postpartum, and puerperal diseases...     

Short- and long-term effects of platelet-rich plasma upon healthy equine joints: Clinical and laboratory aspects

This study aimed to verify whether transient inflammatory reactions incited by the administration of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) affected joint components through short- and long-term in vivo evaluation of inflammatory biomarkers and extracellular matrix degradation products in synovial fluid. The effects of PRP were analyzed in a short phase protocol (SPP) and in a prolonged phase protocol (PPP), using saline-injected joints as controls. In the SPP, higher white blood cell counts and prostaglandin E₂ and total protein concentrations were observed in the synovial fluid of PRP-treated joints (P < 0.05). There were no differences between the interleukin-1β, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, chondroitin sulfate, or hyaluronic acid concentrations between PRP and saline injected joints. In the PPP, there were no differences in evaluated parameters between groups. PRP injection elicits a mild and self-limiting inflammatory response shortly after administration, without long-term deleterious effects on joint homeostasis.     

Spatiotemporal dynamics of bacterial wilt in Eucalyptus

Bacterial wilt (caused by Ralstonia spp.) is one of the most damaging diseases of Eucalyptus species, and is responsible for substantial losses to producers. For efficient, scientifically-based management of this disease, it is necessary to understand the various factors involved in its development, including greater knowledge of the epidemiology of the pathogen on Eucalyptus spp. This study aimed to determine the spatialtemporal dynamics of bacterial wilt in Eucalyptus under natural infection conditions. An experiment was conducted in a commercial plantation in the municipality of Itinga, state of Maranhão, Brazil, using the clone FGCA0385 (Eucalyptus urophylla var. platyphylla). The study comprised of four plots composed of 450 plants each, subdivided into nine rows with 50 plants per row with a spacing of 3 × 3 m. Disease incidence was quantified over 1 year. The spatial dynamics of the disease was determined using the dispersion index, a modified Taylor law, and the analysis of the dynamics and structure of foci. For temporal dynamics, the curve of the disease incidence progress was plotted, and the data were analysed by simple linear regression analysis fitted to three empirical models: logistic, monomolecular, and Gompertz. The distribution pattern of Eucalyptus bacterial wilt was random, as confirmed by the Index of dispersion. Analysis of the dynamics and structure of the foci, showed that 69 disease foci occurred, 44 of which were unitary, with an average number of plants per focus of 1.63. Foci had greater length in the direction of the planting line. The epidemics were best described by the monomolecular model, with an estimated incidence of Eucalyptus bacterial wilt of 27.77% in the fourth year of the study. According to the spatiotemporal dynamics of this work, management strategies such as eliminating symptomatic plants and crop renovation can be used based on economic viability.     

Mineral composition and microstructure of the abaxial hoof wall in dairy heifers after biotin supplementation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of daily biotin supplementation on the mineral composition and microstructure of the abaxial hoof wall in dairy heifers. The heifers were housed on a concrete floor and fed for weight gain more than 800 g per day, which is a challenging environment for the hoof. Twelve crossbred dairy heifers (Jersey × Holstein) were divided into two treatment groups. Animals in the control group (n = 6) received a diet without supplemental biotin, while the heifers in the biotin-supplemented feed group (n = 6) each received 20 mg of biotin daily for 120 days. Samples of the abaxial hoof wall were collected from the outer claw of the fore and hind limb, before and after supplementation. The samples were evaluated by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, computed microtomography, atomic force microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Biotin supplementation increased the sulphur content and decreased the calcium and potassium content in the abaxial hoof wall. Biotin treatment also increased the percentage of horn tubules with smaller diameter marrow (17–51 µm). However, biotin did not influence the surface relief of the hoof wall, suggesting that its action is limited to the inner layers of the stratum corneum. Daily supplementation with 20 mg of biotin promoted changes in the mineral composition and microstructure of abaxial hoof wall of crossbred dairy heifers. These findings suggest biotin supplementation improves hoof quality and may help to understand the function of biotin in the stratum corneum.     

Ruminal degradation kinetics of diets with different lipid sources and its influence on intake and milk yield of early lactation crossbred Holstein × Gir cows

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The emergence of tick-borne diseases has been reported as a serious problem in public health worldwide and many aspects of its epidemiology and effects on...     

Seed germination and triterpenoid content of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anemopaegma arvense</Emphasis> (Vell.) Stellfeld varieties

Anemopaegma arvense (Vell.) Stellfeld, Bignoniaceae, is a native species of the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) and is commonly known as catuaba among the local farmers. Seeds of three varieties were collected in different localities and submitted to germination and storage studies in attempting to domesticate this species as a medicinal crop for small farmers located in Brazilian Cerrado. Germination tests revealed that catuaba seeds presented a dormancy period of 6 weeks, and 63% of the seedlings have emerged after 12 weeks of the planting time. Storing catuaba seeds at low temperatures (−20 and −196°C) has not affected emergence and survival. These findings suggested that A. arvense seeds have an orthodox behavior resisting well to dehydration and low temperature storage. Three catuaba varieties were characterized morphologically and chemically. The presence of triterpenes such as oleanolic acid and betulinic acid were identified and quantified in these varieties. Previous report has shown that these compounds have promising anticancer activities and herein the results point that the aerial parts yielded more triterpenes than the roots. The combination of higher capacity and preferential accumulation of triterpenes in the aerial parts of catuaba makes this plant a potential candidate for agricultural production or in situ sustainable harvests as a promising alternative to the destructive collection of the natural population.     

Biodiversity hotspots for conservation of Hancornia speciosa Gomes

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Hancornia speciosa&nbsp;is one target species for genetic diversity ethnobotanical and medicinal applications within the Brazilian Northeast Atlantic...