Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) type IV ice‐structuring protein LS‐12 in the acute‐phase response to Flavobacterium psychrophilum infection

A previous proteomic study examining the plasma acute‐phase response of rainbow trout to sterile inflammation highlighted an unidentified 9.5‐kDa spot using 2D‐PAGE, which was dramatically increased. The 15 amino acid sequence obtained from this protein spot allowed rapid amplification of cDNA ends PCR to generate a 443‐bp nucleotide sequence that was 98.6% similar to type‐4 ice‐structuring protein LS‐12 from Atlantic salmon Salmo salar Linnaeus. Quantitative reverse translation PCR and an ELISA were used to measure gene expression and plasma concentrations of LS‐12 following experimental intraperitoneal injection of rainbow trout with either 10⁶ or 10⁸ colony‐forming units (CFU) of Flavobacterium psychrophilum. There was no significant change in the plasma concentration of LS‐12 up to 15 days post‐infection in any group. Hepatic LS‐12 gene expression was significantly reduced at 3 and 6 days (p < 0.001) post‐infection in fish injected with 10⁸ CFU of F. psychrophilum relative to control fish, while branchial or head kidney expression was unchanged. Infected fish had significantly increased hepatic gene expression of serum amyloid A, confirming an acute‐phase response. Under the conditions used, LS‐12 is not a positive acute‐phase protein in rainbow trout.     

Anti-cariogenic effects of polyphenols from plant stimulant beverages (cocoa,coffee, tea)

Polyphenols occurring in cocoa, coffee and tea can have a role in the prevention of cariogenic processes, due to their antibacterial action. Cocoa polyphenol pentamers significantly reduce biofilm formation and acid production by Streptococcus mutans and S. sanguinis. In the same way, trigonelline, caffeine and chlorogenic acid occurring in green and roasted coffee interfere with S. mutans adsorption to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite beads. Studies carried out on green, oolong and black tea indicate that tea polyphenols exert an anti-caries effect via an anti-microbial mode-of-action, and galloyl esters of (−)-epicatechin, (−)-epigallocatechin and (−)-gallocatechin show increasing antibacterial activities. The anti-cariogenic effects against α-haemolytic streptococci showed by polyphenols from cocoa, coffee, and tea suggest further studies to a possible application of these beverages in the prevention of pathogenesis of dental caries.     

First report of parasitic esophagitis by Streptocara incognita in Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata domesticus) in Italy

This work describes the first outbreak of streptocariasis by Streptocara incognita reported from Italy. The disease was observed in a backyard flock of 62 ducks (Cairina moschata domesticus) located in Treviso, northeastern Italy. Fifteen birds died in a period of 2 wk, showing debilitation and emaciation. Two ducks were submitted for postmortem examination and an esophagitis associated with nematodes was observed. The nematodes were identified as Streptocara incognita.     

Nitrogen nutrition of guava trees in response to byproduct of fruit processing

Studies of the effect of organic fertilization of perennial crops are scarce due to the time necessary for the plants to present the first results. The objective of this study was to assess the leaf nitrogen (N) content, the direct and indirect measures of chlorophyll content, fruit yield and their correlations in an orchard of adult guava trees of the Paluma cultivar, through five consecutive harvests, in function of application of a byproduct of guava processing. The following doses of the byproduct were applied: 0, 9, 18, 27 and 36 t ha^?1. The material was applied on the surface, without incorporation, once a year between 2006 and 2010. The byproduct doses influenced the nitrogen concentrations, SPAD index, chlorophyll b level and fruit production.     

The electric potential midway between overlapping clay flat double layers: A compilation of theoretical treatments

A compilation of some useful approaches used for the obtention of the minimum potential between interacting flat clay double layers is given. Values of the minimum potential obtained from published nomograms, tables and equations are compared. The effect of dissimilar double layers on the potential is also illustrated.