Adsorptive Removal of Pentachlorophenol by Anthracophyllum discolor in a Fixed-Bed Column Reactor

This study investigates pentachlorophenol (PCP) adsorption by the white-rot fungus Anthracophyllum discolor in a fixed-bed column reactor. PCP adsorption at different concentrations (20, 30, and 50?mg?L^?1) and pH values (5.0, 5.5, and 6.0) was determined and modeled using the Thomas model. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to identify functional groups of biomass that may participate in the interaction of PCP. The biosorption capacity of A. discolor was pH-dependent, and the PCP adsorbed increased with the decrease in the pH solution. Acid pH values of the influent gave an increase in saturation time in all PCP concentrations. By contrast, the increase in PCP concentration caused that the binding sites were filled quickly, resulting in a decrease in saturation time. The Thomas model was found suitable for describing the entire dynamic of the column with respect to the PCP concentration and pH of the solution. FTIR results showed that amines, carboxylates, alkanes, and C?CO groups might participate in the PCP adsorption on the biomass surface. It was concluded that A. discolor biomass was a good adsorbent for PCP removal from influent with mainly acidic pH.     

Experimental infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 in black-headed gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

Historically, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) rarely resulted in infection or clinical disease in wild birds. However, since 2002, disease and mortality from natural HPAIV H5N1 infection have been observed in wild birds including gulls. We performed an experimental HPAIV H5N1 infection of black-headed gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) to determine their susceptibility to infection and disease from this virus, pattern of viral shedding, clinical signs, pathological changes and viral tissue distribution. We inoculated sixteen black-headed gulls with 1 × 10⁴ median tissue culture infectious dose HPAIV H5N1 (A/turkey/Turkey/1/2005) intratracheally and intraesophageally. Birds were monitored daily until 12 days post inoculation (dpi). Oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs were collected daily to detect viral shedding. Necropsies from birds were performed at 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 12 dpi. Sampling from selected tissues was done for histopathology, immunohistochemical detection of viral antigen, PCR, and viral isolation. Our study shows that all inoculated birds were productively infected, developed systemic disease, and had a high morbidity and mortality rate. Virus was detected mainly in the respiratory tract on the first days after inoculation, and then concentrated more in pancreas and central nervous system from 4 dpi onwards. Birds shed infectious virus until 7 dpi from the pharynx and 6 dpi from the cloaca. We conclude that black-headed gulls are highly susceptible to disease with a high mortality rate and are thus more likely to act as sentinel species for the presence of the virus than as long-distance carriers of the virus to new geographical areas.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13567-014-0084-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Use of a serum-free medium to produce in vitro Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites on Vero cells

Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii are cyst-forming coccidian parasites of human and veterinary clinical relevance. In vitro cultivation of the protozoans using Vero cells is usually performed in order to produce antigenic materials. Quantitative and qualitative comparisons of Vero cells grown in RPMI medium supplemented either with foetal calf serum (FCS), horse serum (HS) or a specific serum-free additive (DefCell) were performed. A serum-free cell culture system used to propagate N. caninum (NC-1 isolate) and T. gondii tachyzoites (Rh stain) were compared with the other two cell culture systems. FCS supplemented media was found to be more effective than the others in promoting Vero cells and N. caninum tachyzoites. However, it was found unable to support adequate T. gondii tachyzoite proliferation. Vero cells, T. gondii and N. caninum tachyzoite production gave similar growth patterns with either HS or DefCell supplemented media. Defcell was considered as a good alternative to supplement culture medium.     

Lactation performance of the White Fulani cattle in Southern Nigeria

Summary Data on the lactation performance of the White Fulani cattle in Southern Nigeria were analysed. The first lactation yield over a mean lactation period of 230.68 ± 2.25 days averaged 810.89 ± 32.11 kg, while overall lactation yields averaged 1018.28 ± 18.10 kg over a mean lactation period of 249.67 ± 3.28 days. The year of calving was a significant source of variation in both first and overall lactation yields but season of calving had no significant effect on lactation yield. Lactation yield and length were positively correlated. Heritabilities of 0.26 ± 0.06 and 0.51 ± 0.05 were obtained for lactation yield and length respectively from half-sib analysis while the repeatability estimates were 0.32 ± 0.04 and 0.21 ± 0.04 respectively. There was little difference in performance of the White Fulani cattle under the humid conditions of Southern Nigeria compared to the semi-arid conditions of the north.

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Potencialidad Para La Produccion De Leche Del Ganado White Fulani En El Sur De Nigeria

Resumen Se analizaron datos de lactación del ganado White Fulani en el Sur de Nigeria. La primera lactación sobre un período medio de 230·68 ± 2·25 días promedió 810·89 ± 32·11 kg, mientras que el producto total de la lactación general promedió 1018·28 ± 18·10 kg sobre un período medio de 249·67 ± 3·28 días. El año de parición se constituyó en una feuente significativa de variación sobre la producción de la primera lactación y de la producción general, pero la estación de parición no tuvo un efecto significativo sobre el producto lácteo. La producción láctea y la duración de la misma se correlacionaron positivamente. Se obtuvieron heredabilidades de 0·26 ± 0·06 y 0·51 ± 0·05 en cuanto a la producción láctea y duración de la misma respectivamente mediante análisis medio hermana, mientras que los estimativos de repetibilidad furon 0·32 ± 0·04 y 0·21 ± 0·04 respectivamente. Hubo pequeñas diferencias en el comportamiento productivo del ganado White Fulani bajo condiciones húmedas en el Sur de Nigeria comparado al rendimiento obtenido en condiciones semiáridas del Norte.

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Performances Laitieres Du Betail White Fulani Dans Le Sud Nigeria

Résumé On a analysé les données du rendement laitier du bétail White Fulani dans le sud Nigéria. Le rendement de la première lactation sur une période de lactation de 230,68±2,25 jours est en moyenne de 810,89 ± 32,11 kg, tandis que la lactation totale produit en moyenne 1018,28 ± 18,10 kg sur une péroide moyenne de lactation de 249,67 ± 3,28 jours. L'année de vêlage est une source importante de variation pour les rendements de la première et de la lactation globale, mais la saison du velage n'a qu'un effet insignifiant sur le rendement. La durée et le rendement de la lactation sont corrélés positivement. Des kératabilités de 0,26 ± 0,06 et 0,51 ± 0,05 ont été respectivement obtenues pour le rendement et la durée de la lactation à partir des analyses half-sib (demi soeur), tandis que les estimations de répétition sont de 0,32 ± 0,04 et 0,21 ± 0,04 respectivement. Il n'y a que peu de différence des performances du bétail White Fulani dan l'environnement humide du Sud-Nigéria par rapport aux conditions semi-arides du Nord.

     

Effects of feed supplementation on growth,blood parameters and reproductive performance in Sanga and Friesian-Sanga cows grazing natural pasture

This study determined the effects of feed supplementation during the postpartum period on the weight gain, milk yield, blood profiles and reproductive performance of Sanga and Friesian-Sanga cows grazing on natural pasture. 20 Sanga and 20 Friesian-Sanga cows were randomly allocated either to serve as a control on grazing only or to be supplemented with 2.5 kg of concentrate a day for 10 weeks during the dry season. Each week, all cows were weighed and scored for body condition. Partial milk yield of cows was determined daily. Plasma concentrations of blood metabolites were assessed fortnightly from weeks 1 to 10 postpartum. Resumption of postpartum ovarian activity was determined by measuring progesterone concentration in the plasma from weeks 1 to 10. Supplemented cows had a better body condition score (6.2 versus 5.8; P?<?0.05) and higher partial milk yield (1.94 versus 1.55 L/day; P?<?0.01) than non-supplemented cows. Sanga cows had a better body condition score (6.2 versus 5.8; P?<?0.05) but lower milk yield (1.58 versus 1.92 L/day; P?<?0.01) than the Friesian-Sanga crossbreds. Total protein (P?<?0.05) and albumin (P?<?0.01) concentrations were higher in the supplemented than in the non-supplemented cows. Sanga cows recorded higher globulin (P?<?0.05) and total cholesterol (P?<?0.01) but lower albumin (P?<?0.01) concentrations than Friesian-Sanga crossbred cows. Feed supplementation did not affect (P?<?0.05) the interval from calving to resumption of ovarian activity, and the days to resumption of ovarian activity in the Sanga and Friesian-Sanga cows were also similar (P?>?0.05). The results demonstrate the beneficial effects of feed supplementation in terms of improved body condition and metabolic status and increased milk yield.     

A cross-sectional study of Tritrichomonas foetus infection in feral and shelter cats in Prince Edward Island,Canada

A cross-sectional study examined the occurrence of Tritrichomonas foetus, and other intestinal parasites, in feral and shelter cats in Prince Edward Island (PEI). Fecal samples were collected from 100 feral cats, 100 cats from the PEI Humane Society, and 5 cats from a private residence. The occurrence of T. foetus, based on fecal culture, was 0% in feral and shelter cats. A single positive sample was obtained from an owned Abyssinian cat that was imported to PEI. Intestinal parasites were identified via fecal flotation in 76% of feral cats and 39% of cats from the humane society. Feral cats had a higher incidence of Toxocara cati than cats from the humane society (P < 0.001), conversely, shelter cats had a higher incidence of Cystoisospora spp. (P < 0.001). These results suggest that while T. foetus is not of importance in feral and shelter cats in PEI, imported cats could serve as reservoirs.     

Preliminary evaluation of blood lipid profiles in captive western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).

Published serum cholesterol values in captive western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are much higher than human ranges, with a national mean of 7.36 mmol/L (284 mg/dl, n = 863). Complete blood lipid profiles were examined in 15 captive gorillas. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) was found to decrease more rapidly with age than total cholesterol, resulting in an increasing ratio of cholesterol HDL with age. The ratio of apolipoprotein B to apolipoprotein Al also increased with age. Establishment of a database of blood lipid values for captive gorillas with correlative analysis of animals with known atherosclerosis status may help to identify sensitive predictors of coronary heart disease risk.     

Retrospective study of the effect of intra-articular treatment of osteoarthritis of the distal tarsal joints in 51 horses

Osteoarthritis of the distal tarsal joints, affecting the centrodistal and tarsometatarsal joints, is a common cause of hindlimb lameness in horses. This paper describes the outcome of the intra-articular treatment of 51 horses with the condition with either methylprednisolone acetate (mpa) or triamcinolone acetonide (tr), either with or without hyaluronic acid (ha). The outcome was assessed in terms of the changes in the horses' grade of lameness. Follow-up information was obtained from the owners by means of a telephone questionnaire. Horses treated once with mpa or tr, either with or without ha, improved after a median of 56 days (P<0.0001), and there was no significant difference between mpa and tr. There was no significant further improvement in the horses treated twice. In the horses in which there was a diffuse increase in the uptake of a radiopharmaceutical by the distal tarsal joints, identified by scintigraphy, the lameness tended to improve (P=0.032), whereas in the horses in which the uptake was focal, it did not. At telephone follow-up 13 of 34 horses were reported to have had a positive outcome, but the outcome in the other 21 was reported to have been negative.     

Temporal patterns in the post-larval supply of two crustacean taxa in Rangiroa Atoll,French Polynesia

The post-larval supply of two crustacean taxa (Brachyura and Stomatopoda) was monitored using one crest net over three lunar months at Rangiroa Atoll, French Polynesia. We captured a total of 37,068 brachyuran and 12,697 stomatopod post-larvae during the study. Post-larval supply was higher during the warm season (February–April) than during the cold season (June–July) for both Brachyura (warm season: 85% of total post-larval supply) and Stomatopoda (warm season: 92%). Moreover, the pulse of the brachyuran post-larval supply occurred predominantly around the last quarter, while the pulse of stomatopods occurred predominantly around the new moon. However, for both taxa, the post-larval supply was lowest around the full moon and the first quarter. Overall, our monitoring highlighted that the post-larval supply of Brachyura and Stomatopoda was modulated by seasons and lunar phases at Rangiroa.