Eradication of feline dermatophytosis in a shelter: a field study

Enzootic dermatophytosis in a shelter with approximately 140 cats was treated according to a protocol combining identification, isolation and treatment of subclinical carrier and affected animals in accordance with a three‐area system: healthy animals (no lesions and negative cultures), subclinical carrier animals (no lesions but with positive cultures) and clinically affected animals (lesions and positive cultures). The cats were examined and inspected under a Wood’s lamp and had samples taken for fungal culture every 2 weeks. Thirty‐three per cent of the cats had a positive fungal culture at the start of the study. Clinically affected animals and carriers were treated with a 0.2% enilconazole lotion (Imaverol^®) twice a week and given itraconazole (Itrafungol^®) 5 mg/kg SID orally every other week. The environment was treated once a day with a 1% bleach solution and once a week with a 0.6% enilconazole (Clinafarm^®) solution. Treated animals were considered cured after two consecutive negative fungal cultures. All cats were cured within 56 days. Prophylactic measures against dermatophytosis were implemented for new arrivals consisting of individual quarantine and the systematic taking of fungal cultures. No relapses were observed based on the fungal cultures taken from the animals and the environment over the first 10 months.     

The major genetic determinants of HIV-1 control affect HLA class I peptide presentation

Infectious and inflammatory diseases have repeatedly shown strong genetic associations within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC); however, the basis for these associations remains elusive. To define host genetic effects on the outcome of a chronic viral infection, we performed genome-wide association analysis in a multiethnic cohort of HIV-1 controllers and progressors, and we analyzed the effects of individual amino acids within the classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) proteins. We identified >300 genome-wide significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the MHC and none elsewhere. Specific amino acids in the HLA-B peptide binding groove, as well as an independent HLA-C effect, explain the SNP associations and reconcile both protective and risk HLA alleles. These results implicate the nature of the HLA-viral peptide interaction as the major factor modulating durable control of HIV infection.     

生态立区 产业发展 努力实现林业“双增”目标——关于广西林业发展情况的调研报告

近10年来,特别是＂十一五＂时期是广西林业发展又好又快的时期,森林资源和林地等实现稳步增长。广西林业的发展之路,为全国实现胡锦涛总书记提出的林业发展＂双增＂目标积累了许多成功的经验。当然,实现＂双增＂目标还面临一些实际困难。因此,建议采取分解任务,将林业发展＂双增＂目标落实到地方政府;坚持营造林基础地位不动摇;开展分类经营试点示范等对策。     

Hatching time effect on the intra‐spawning larval morphology and growth in Northern pike (Esox luciusL.)

Based on the analysis of 11 morphometric variables of body (total length, body area and perimeter, myotome height and eye diameter) and yolk sac (length, height, area, perimeter and volume) of pike larvae, the aim of this study was to evaluate how larval size at hatching and growth of larvae hatched from single egg batches vary according to three hatching times: early, mid and late. Hatching time structures strongly pike larval morphometrics. Early hatched larvae have smaller body sizes at hatch, faster growth and higher yolk use efficiency than late hatched ones. Early hatched larvae seem to be premature and hatch at precocious developmental stage whereas late hatched individuals continue their growth within the egg shell and hatch at larger size but with lower reserves (yolk). A compensatory growth phase was observed for the early hatching pike larvae particularly during the first 5 days post hatch. Consequently, no significant difference in body parameters was recorded from day 10 post hatching whatever the hatching time. The higher growth accomplished by early hatched larvae may be related to a particular metabolic activity that converts more efficiently yolk into body tissues.     

Molecular bacterial characterization and free amino acids composition in Ivorian traditional fermented fish produced by two methods

The aim of this study was to show and compare the as yet unknown microbiological and biochemical composition of ??adjuevan??, an Ivorian traditional salted fermented fish that is produced by two main processing methods and consumed for its flavor. Method 1 uses the full fish and method 2 uses fish fillets. The pH was around 6 and the major organic acids were acetic and butyric acids in all adjuevan samples. The free amino acid profile varied according to the fermentation method, although the major free amino acids were valine, leucine, alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid, ranging in concentration from 101.7 to 745.4?mg/100?g, for both methods. Adjuevan produced using method 1 had the best composition of free amino acids. Lactic acid bacteria counts were between 6.0?×?10⁴ and 2.6?×?10⁵?cfu/g for method 1 and 5.9?×?10³ and 2.1?×?10⁴?cfu/g for method 2. Yeasts were detected in all samples. Microbial ecology analysis using PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) revealed the presence of more bacterial species than previously reported in fermented fish. Bacterial species varied according to fermentation method. Species such as Staphylococcus xylosus, S. lentus, S. saprophyticus, and Bacillus megaterium were found only in samples produced by method 1, while those of Staphylococcus piscifermentans, Bacillus mycoides, and Corynebacterium xerosis were found only in samples produced by method 2. Using specific primers, we detected several lactic acid bacteria (LAB), such as Lactobacillus, Pedicoccus, Lactcoccus, Streptococcus, and Leuconostoc species; the composition these bacteria in adjuevan samples varied according to the preparation method, but were not found to be dominant. We conclude that the molecular PCR-DGGE method can be used to differentiate fermentation methods by LAB profile analysis. A mixture of strains of S. xylosus, S. saprophyticus, S. cohnii, and S. piscifermentans were predominant, and LAB such as L. fermentum, L. lactis, L. pseudomesenteroides, L. raffinolactis, L. lactis subsp cremoris could be potentially beneficial for the specific flavor of each type of adjuevan to be selected as possible starter cultures for the development of a starter culture to improve adjuevan nutritional quality.     

Transmission of the Pepino mosaic virus by whitefly

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the transmission of the Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) by the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) from tomato to tomato. In the 1:1 system (in which a single virus-contaminated plant was placed next to a healthy plant in a cage containing 469 whiteflies on average) the virus was transmitted to three out of 10 plants. In the 1:4 system (in which a virus-contaminated plant was surrounded by four healthy plants in a cage with 601 whiteflies on average) the virus was transmitted to five out of 32 plants. In order to investigate the mechanism involved in the transmission, the insect bodies were washed to determine the external presence of viral particles. The results showed that the number of PepMV particles carried on whitefly bodies was low, with an average occurrence of 1.33 on the 55 whiteflies tested after the insects were in contact with infected plants for 5 days. This low occurrence was confirmed by observation under microscope, which showed an absence of PepMV-contaminated tomato sap on the insect bodies, suggesting that PepMV transmission by whiteflies could occur when they feed on the plant.     

Urodynamic and haemodynamic effects of a single oral administration of ephedrine or phenylpropanolamine in continent female dogs

This study investigated the effects of a single oral administration of ephedrine (2 mg/kg) or phenylpropanolamine (PPA) (1.5 mg/kg) on the vesico-urethral and cardiovascular functions in continent female dogs. Urethral pressure profilometry (UPP), arterial blood pressures and heart rate were measured in five control dogs and after single-dose treatment with ephedrine or PPA at T(0), T(2h), T(4h), T(6h), T(12h), T(18h) and T(24h). UPPs were performed under propofol anaesthesia and other measurements were performed on awake dogs. A telemetric urodynamic investigation was performed on three additional dogs for 24 h after the administration of each drug. Urethral pressures increased over 4-6 h and urethral functional lengths increased 2-6h after administration of both drugs. During micturition, a decrease in detrusor pressure coupled with an increase in bladder volume was observed after ephedrine administration and there was also an increase in bladder volume after PPA had been given. With both drugs increased arterial blood pressures at 4-6 h were compensated by a decreased heart rate over 12 h. Urethral function was improved after both ephedrine and PPA, and bladder function also improved during micturition following ephedrine.     

Consideration of soil in urban planning documents—a French case study

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Given their increasing importance, soils should be considered as valuable resources by those involved in urban planning. Indeed, soils are expected to be...     

In vitro development of canine somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos in different culture media

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of three different culture media on the development of canine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. Canine cloned embryos were cultured in modified synthetic oviductal fluid (mSOF), porcine zygote medium-3 (PZM-3), or G1/G2 sequential media. Our results showed that the G1/G2 media yielded significantly higher morula and blastocyst development in canine SCNT embryos (26.1% and 7.8%, respectively) compared to PZM-3 (8.5% and 0%) or mSOF (2.3% and 0%) media. In conclusion, this study suggests that blastocysts can be produced more efficiently using G1/G2 media to culture canine SCNT embryos.