Nutritional requirements for larval development of the dry wood borer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoferus holosericeus</Emphasis> (Rossi) in laboratory cultures

Despite the dangerousness of the dry wood-boring beetle Trichoferus holosericeus (Rossi) (=Hesperophanes cinereus (Villiers)) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), little is known about its biological and nutritional requirements. The aim of this research was therefore to investigate into the dietary preferences of this insect, in order to determine if carbohydrates can be considered as its main nutritional source, to clarify whether this cerambycid is specialised on hardwoods and finally to select a suitable diet for laboratory cultures. Different substrates were tested and the decay grade, as well as the survival of larvae, was recorded after 3 and 6 months. Chemical analyses were also carried out on excrements, residues of wood after larvae excavation and sound wood. Results indicated that T. holosericeus fed mainly on glucose and peptone added to an artificial diet, while on natural wood it preferred structural carbohydrates constituting the hemicelluloses and the non-crystalline cellulose. Furthermore, Scots pine sapwood had no toxic effect to the beetle. In terms of number and dimensions of emerged larvae, the artificial diet resulted to be the most suitable substrate for laboratory cultures of T. holosericeus among those tested.     

Sequential solidification/stabilization and thermal process under vacuum for the treatment of mercury in sediments

Purpose  

Millions of cubic meters of sediments are dredged every year in the world. About 10–20% on weight basis of this material is contaminated by organic and/or inorganic pollutants. This work presents the laboratory tests performed to study a system for the remediation and reuse of mercury-contaminated sediments. The treatment is based on a cement-based granulation step (solidification/stabilization (S/S)), followed by a thermal process under vacuum during which volatile and semi-volatile compounds are removed. The experiments focused on: (1) cement hydration reactions; (2) pollutant removal efficiencies; and (3) leaching behavior, in relation to temperature and duration of the thermal process. Mercury speciation was also investigated.     

Radiological investigation of an over 2000-year-old Egyptian mummy of a cat

A radiographical study of a cat mummy from the Egyptian collection of the National Archeological Museum in Parma, Italy was carried out in order to evaluate the content and to describe how cats were wrapped and mummified. The mummy contained the complete skeleton of a 4-5-month-old cat. Radiology revealed the position of the cat's body; it was wrapped to occupy the smallest space possible. In order to better position the cat, the ribs of the thorax were compressed cranio-caudally and the fore limbs were then positioned very close to the thorax. The hind limbs were flexed close to the lumbar spine and the tibio-tarsal joints were subluxated to allow the repositioning of the tarsal, metatarsal and phalanx bones cranio-caudally near the tibiae. A coccygeal vertebra was fractured in order to reposition the tail as close as possible to the body. Atlanto-occipital subluxation and a fracture/hole was present in the occipital region of the skull: whether this was made for draining skull contents as a mummification process and/or to euthanase the cat remains open for discussion.     

Endoscopic transcervical intrauterine artificial insemination in Labrador Retriever bitches

Besides post-thawing reduced semen quality, there are some difficulties in the execution of the endoscopic transcervical intrauterine artificial insemination (AI) with frozen-thawed semen in bitches. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to evaluate behavioral and reproductive parameters (i.e., vaginal cytology and serum progesterone level) to determine time of insemination and to investigate the particularities and difficulties of this technique in bitches using fresh semen. Ten Labrador Retriever bitches were submitted to three endoscopic transcervical intrauterine AIs (with 48 h intervals). Oestrus and ovulation period were established by behaviour evaluation, progesterone assays and vaginal cytology, enabling optimal timing for AI during oestrus. During AI, the following aspects were evaluated: cervical os catheterization difficulty, semen deposition resistance, occurrence of semen backflow, and time required to perform the AI. In this study, it was possible to catheterize the cervical os in all bitches, with different degrees of difficulty, by manipulating the equipment to allow cervical visualization and catheter introduction in the cervical canal. Serial serum progesterone assays enabled estimation of LH surge day, and thus of ovulation. The pregnancy rate was 90%, with a litter size of 5.0 ± 2.6 puppies per bitch. It was concluded that the difficulties in the execution of the endoscopic transcervical intrauterine AI technique in Labrador Retriever bitches were minimized by the equipment manipulation and practical experience.     

Streptococcus suis serotype 9 bacterin immunogenicity and protective efficacy

Streptococcus suis diseases in pigs, most importantly meningitis, are worldwide responsible for major economic losses in the pig industry. About one fourth of invasive S. suis diseases are caused by S. suis serotype 9 strains in Europe. However, little is known about serotype 9 since most studies were performed with serotype 2. The objective of this study was to determine the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a serotype 9 bacterin in piglets. Challenge was conducted with a reference serotype 9 strain, belonging to the same clonal complex but to a different sequence type as the bacterin strain. The bacterin induced protection against mortality but not morbidity. Eleven days post infection, 3 of 7 vaccinated survivors were not fully convalescent and had not eliminated the challenge strain from inner organs completely. In accordance with the clinical findings, the majority of piglets showed fibrinous-suppurative lesions in at least one inner organ or tissue. In contrast to the placebo group such lesions were not detected in one third of bacterin-vaccinated piglets. Determination of specific serum IgG titers revealed that the bacterin elicited seroconversion against muramidase-released protein and basic membrane lipoprotein. Furthermore, vaccination was associated with induction of opsonizing antibodies against the serotype 9 challenge strain. However, titers of opsonizing antibodies were rather low in comparison to those found in our previous serotype 2 vaccination trial. Piglets developed substantially higher titers of opsonizing antibodies after challenge. Opsonizing antibodies were absorbable with the serotype 9 challenge strain but not with an unencapsulated isogenic mutant of a serotype 2 strain indicating their specificity. The results indicate that a serotype 9 bacterin is less protective than a serotype 2 bacterin, most likely due to inducing only low titers of opsonizing antibodies. This might contribute to emergence of serotype 9 strains, in particular strains of this clonal complex, in Europe.     

Prevalence and risk factors of astrovirus infection in puppies from French breeding kennels

Aiming at determining the prevalence and the risk factors associated to astrovirus infection in puppy, fecal samples were collected in 316 puppies (age from 5 to 14 weeks of age) from 33 French breeding kennels. Data were registered for each puppy, including age, breed, gender, origin of the dog, and feces quality. The samples were tested by specific RT-PCR for the presence of canine astrovirus. Astroviruses were identified in 20.9% (66/316) of the puppies and in 42% (14/33) of the breeding kennels. Young puppies (i.e. <7 weeks of age) and puppies from large breeding kennels were more likely to be infected by the astrovirus. No association between the quality of feces and astrovirus infection could be determined in this survey.     

The importance of demographic niches to tree diversity

Most ecological hypotheses about species coexistence hinge on species differences, but quantifying trait differences across species in diverse communities is often unfeasible. We examined the variation of demographic traits using a global tropical forest data set covering 4500 species in 10 large-scale tree inventories. With a hierarchical Bayesian approach, we quantified the distribution of mortality and growth rates of all tree species at each site. This allowed us to test the prediction that demographic differences facilitate species richness, as suggested by the theory that a tradeoff between high growth and high survival allows species to coexist. Contrary to the prediction, the most diverse forests had the least demographic variation. Although demographic differences may foster coexistence, they do not explain any of the 16-fold variation in tree species richness observed across the tropics.     

Clinical efficacy and safety of transdermal methimazole in the treatment of feline hyperthyroidism

Thirteen cats, newly diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, were treated with a transdermal formulation of methimazole at a dose of 5 mg (0.1 mL) (concentration of 50 mg/mL) applied to the internal ear pinna every 12 h for 28 d. Baseline hematologic and biochemical values, along with serum thyroxine (T4) levels, were obtained on presentation (day 0). Cats were evaluated at 14 d (D14) and 28 d (D28) following transdermal therapy. At each visit, a physical examination, a complete blood cell count, a serum biochemical analysis, and a serum T4 evaluation were performed. Ten cats completed the study. Clinical improvement, as well as a significant decrease in T4, was noted in all cats. Serum T4 measured at D14 and D28 were significantly lower at 27.44 nmol/L, s = 37.51 and 14.63 nmol/L, s = 10.65, respectively (P < 0.0001), as compared with values at D0 (97.31 nmol/L, s = 37.55). Only 1 cat showed a cutaneous adverse reaction along with a marked thrombocytopenia. The results of this prospective clinical study suggest that transdermal methimazole is an effective and safe alternative to conventional oral formulations.     

Knowledge of dietary and behaviour-related determinants of non-communicable disease in urban Senegalese women

OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge of dietary and behaviour-related determinants of non-communicable disease (NCD) of urban Senegalese women. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, population study using an interviewer-administered knowledge questionnaire, developed and validated for this study. The questionnaire consisted of 24 items with six scores measuring knowledge of: (1) diet- and behaviour-related causes of NCD; (2) diet quality-NCD relationship; (3) fruit and vegetable link with NCD; (4) health consequences of obesity; (5) causes of cardiovascular disease (CVD); and (6) causes of certain cancers. SUBJECTS: A random sample of 301 women aged 20-50 years. RESULTS: The knowledge scores developed suggest that the health consequences of obesity (mean score of 65.4%) were best understood followed by causes of CVD (mean score of 60.6%), because obesity, smoking, high blood cholesterol and dietary fat were well recognised as risk factors for CVD. Subjects scored least for their knowledge of the protective effect of fruit and vegetables (mean score of 19.9%). Knowledge of causes of certain cancers (mean score of 36.1%) was also low. Women who worked outside the home had better knowledge for two scores but otherwise no relationship was found between knowledge and literacy, formal education or body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest reasonable overall knowledge concerning diet and behaviour with NCD, especially given the relatively new context of the obesity epidemic in Senegal. However, there was poor knowledge of the benefit of eating fruit and vegetables and other preventable causes of certain cancers. Education targeting the benefits of vegetables and fruit may have the greatest impact on NCD prevention.