Time for sex: nycthemeral distribution of human sexual behavior

Background  

Nycthemeral (daily) oscillation has been documented in a variety of physiological and behavioral processes. The present study was carried out to evaluate the existence of a nycthemeral rhythm of human sexual behavior and to identify environmental factors responsible for the rhythmic pattern.     

Importance of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the dynamics of transmission of canine visceral leishmaniasis in the endemic area of Porteirinha Municipality, Minas Gerais, Brazil

A study of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz and Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae), the primary vector of American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL), and the canine form of the disease, was carried out in Porteirinha. The city is situated in the northern part of the Brazilian State of Minas Gerais and is an endemic area of AVL. Systematic phlebotomine captures were performed in seven districts with previously reported cases of canine visceral leishmaniasis, during 2 years (January 2000--December 2001). A total of 2328 specimens of L. longipalpis were captured. The association between the local climate variables and the population density of L. longipalpis was evaluated and rainfall was determined to be a major factor, with increased populations during the rainy season (October--March). At the same time period, blood samples from every dog domiciled in the same seven districts, in total 14,077 animals, were analyzed for infection by viscerotropic Leishmania using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Accumulated incidence rates of canine VL per district varied from 3.40 to 14.34 for the 2-year period. A positive correlation between the population density of L. longipalpis and the canine cases of visceral leishmaniasis in Porteirinha was observed.     

1H NMR studies on Italian balsamic and traditional balsamic vinegars

In the present work Principal Component Analysis applied to (1)H NMR spectra of balsamic and traditional balsamic vinegars is used to establish a simple and rapid aging determination protocol. Chemical composition of vinegar is dominated by carbohydrates even though several small components can be clearly observed in the proton NMR spectrum. Quantitative determination of some selected metabolites such as ethanol, acetic acid, malic acid, glucose, and HMF, considered as potential aging indicators, has been performed. (1)H NMR spectroscopy provides noninvasive characterization of such compounds, and our data demonstrate the validity of this approach, giving very promising results for assessing the quality of the final product.     

Diagnostic imaging of congenital porto-systemic shunts in dogs and cats: a review

An overview of clinical, laboratory, and diagnostic imaging features of congenital porto-systemic shunt (PSS) in dogs and cats is presented through the analysis of recent literature, and personal case log. Particular emphasis is given to diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonographic examination of PSS in the evaluation of shunt vessel anatomy, and of ancillary findings such as abnormalities of portal vein flow, portal branches, and liver size. Operative mesenteric portography to obtain information on PSS morphology and position, and quantitative hepatic scintigraphy, which allows the calculation of shunt fractions, are also described. Limitations for each diagnostic imaging technique are given.     

Echo-assisted percutaneous renal biopsy in dogs. A retrospective study of 229 cases

Renal biopsies were carried out on 229 dogs using an echo-assisted, semi-automatic method. Complications arising after the biopsy were also evaluated. The biopsies were examined for the accuracy of diagnosis and the presence of histologically demonstrable primary renal pathologies. A retrospective study of the observed lesions and parenchymal echogenicity showed a correlation between these factors involving the tubulo-interstitial compartment. Histopathological renal lesions and their correlation with laboratory methods are the only parameters that allow a correct diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic work-up in cases of clinical kidney disease in canines.     

Epidemiology of canine visceral leishmaniosis in the endemic area of Montes Claros Municipality,Minas Gerais State,Brazil

The Montes Claros City is located in an endemic area for visceral leishmaniosis in the Minas Gerais State, Brazil. With the implementation of a program for the control of visceral leishmaniosis in 1994, a sectional study was carried out to evaluate the infection by viscerotropic Leishmania in the population of dogs from Montes Claros, basically using indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Blood samples were collected on filter paper from 33,937 dogs, representing 96.1% of the canine local population. The prevalence for visceral leishmaniosis was found to be 9.7% in the municipality, being 9.9% in the urban area and 8.8% in the rural area. The annual incidence showed to be 64.3/1000 dogs. Prevalence of infection was not correlated with dogs age. The most affected breeds were: Boxer (24.6%) and Cocker (26.9%); Mongrel dogs had a prevalence of 7.8%. Short-hair animals had a prevalence of 11.9%, while long-furred animals had a prevalence of 8.9%. The isoenzymatic profile indicated that Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi was the visceral leishmaniosis etiological agent in Montes Claros City, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The main geographical areas for the parasite transmission were identified, and control measures were immediately started. The role of the dog as a reservoir for L. chagasi was confirmed. It was demonstrated that short-furred animals are at a higher risk of acquiring visceral leishmaniosis than the long-furred dogs.     

Use of cecal microflora cultured under aerobic or anaerobic conditions in the control of experimental infection of chicks with Salmonella Enteritidis

One-day-old broiler chicks received cecal microflora (CM) cultured under aerobic, anaerobic conditions, or both (mixed) and were then infected with Salmonella Enteritidis, in order to compare the efficacy of these different types of culture in terms of the number of chicks infected, cecal colonization and faecal excretion of the challenging bacteria. Regardless of culture type, CM always led to a smaller number of S. Enteritidis for any of the parameters studied compared to untreated chicks. Aerobic CM demonstrated better efficacy in reducing the number of infected chicks and cecal colonization by S. Enteritidis, followed by mixed CM. No difference was observed in faecal excretion of S. Enteritidis between the chicks that received different types of CM culture.     

Leonotis nepetaefolia: An important plant virus reservoir in central Mexico

The presence of viruses in the weedLeonotis nepetaefolia in central México is reported from two field surveys.L. nepetaefolia, with viral-like symptoms such as mosaic, leaf deformation and calico, was observed growing next to cultivated fields in the Valley of Atlixco, Puebla, an important agricultural region in Mexico. The viruses harbored by this plant were characterized biologically, serologically and by molecular methods. The viruses detected wereAlfalfa mosaic virus (AMV),Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), a satellite RNA of CMV (CMV satRNA) andTobacco mosaic virus (TMV). This last one was detected only during the first survey. CMV was the predominant virus found in both surveys, and was associated mostly to mosaic symptom. Phylogenetic analysis based on the coat protein gene sequence of CMV indicated that this isolate belongs to subgroup IA and confirmed that it is a mosaic-inducing isolate, whereas AMV belongs to subgroup II. Finally, CMV satRNA was found to be a non-necrogenic ameliorative variant, both by symptomatology and by phylogenetic analysis. Our results suggest thatL. nepetaefolia is a reservoir for several viruses in central Mexico, and given its wide distribution in several parts of the world, its role as a virus reservoir could be more general. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Aug. 31, 2005.     

Embryo germination and proliferation in vitro of Juglans regia L.

This paper presents the optimal culture conditions for the in vitro embryo germination and proliferation of Juglans regia L. rootstock cv. Peralta, selected by the IMIDA fruticulture team. J. regia L. rootstock cv. Peralta is characterised by its resistance to salinity, lime and by its vigour. The first experiment determined the best culture medium for in vitro embryo germination. The Murashige and Skoog medium (MS; Murashige, T., Skoog, F., 1962. A revised medium for rapid growth and bioassays with tobacco tissues cultures. Physiol. Plant. 15, 473–497), the medium developed by our team for walnut (NGE), the Lloyd and McCown medium (WPM; Lloyd, G., McCown, B., 1981. Commercially feasible micropropagation of mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia, by the use of shoot tip culture. Proc. Plant Prop. Soc. 30, 421–427) and that of Driver and Kuniyuki (DKW; Driver, J.A., Kuniyuki, A.M., 1984. In vitro propagation of Paradox walnut rootstock. HortScience 19 (4), 507–509), were compared, all without growth regulators. The best germination percentage was obtained in WPM (81%) with significant differences between the different media. In the second experiment, the optimal benzylaminopurine and indole butyric acid concentrations were determined for the proliferation stage of the explants obtained in the first experiment. The proliferation rates obtained varied from 0 in the medium without cytokinins to 6 in the medium with 0.5 mg l⁻¹ BAP. The cluster proliferation quality and other parameters studied indicate that the optimal treatment was 0.5 mg l⁻¹ BAP.     

Effects of feeding level on efficiency of high- and low-residual feed intake beef steers

Comparing heat production after ad libitum (ADLIB) and restricted (RESTRICT) feeding periods may offer insight into how residual feed intake (RFI) groups change their energy requirements based on previous feeding levels. In this study, the authors sought to explain the efficiency changes of high- and low-RFI steers after feed restriction. To determine RFI classification, 56 Angus-cross steers with initial body weight (BW) of 350 ± 28.7 kg were individually housed, offered ad libitum access to a total mixed ration, and daily intakes were recorded for 56 d. RFI was defined as the residual of the regression of dry matter intake on mid-test BW^0.75 and average daily gain. High- and low-RFI groups were defined as >0.5 SD above or below the mean of zero, respectively. Fourteen steers from each high and low groups (n = 28) were selected for the subsequent 56-d RESTRICT period. During the RESTRICT period, intake was restricted to 75% of previous ad libitum intake on a BW^0.75 basis, and all other conditions remained constant. After the RESTRICT period, both RFI groups had decreased maintenance energy requirements. However, the low-RFI group decreased maintenance energy requirements by 32% on a BW^0.75 basis, more (P < 0.05) than the high-RFI group decreased maintenance requirements (18%). Thus, the low-RFI steers remained more efficient after a period of feed restriction. We conclude that feed restriction decreases maintenance energy requirement in both high- and low-RFI groups that are restricted to the same degree.