Conserving indigenous crayfish: stock assessment and habitat requirements in the threatened Austropotamobius italicus

• 1. As part of the Austropotamobius pallipes species complex, the crayfish Austropotamobius italicus is a species of community interest whose preservation requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) (Annex II, EU Habitats Directive). This study aimed at (1) assessing the conservation status of this threatened indigenous species by stock assessment in central Italy and (2) identifying some aspects of its elective habitat.
• 2. Surveys were conducted in nine streams harbouring A. italicus (streams WI) and in 10 streams where crayfish populations became extinct at least 5 years before the study (streams WO).
• 3. The results confirmed that A. italicus is a K‐selected species, with a relatively slow growth rate (males: 0.34; females: 0.37) and a long life expectancy (males: 8.2 years; females: 7.8 years). The extant populations are healthy, showing balanced sex‐ratios and well structured age‐class compositions. Mortality is mainly due to fishing, which is illegal in Tuscany.
• 4. Principal Components Analyses showed that the streams WI and WO differ in the abundance of allochthonous plant detritus but not in the taxonomic composition of their macroinvertebrate communities. Age classes were found to be spatially segregated, juveniles mainly using cobbles as substrates and adults seemingly avoiding them.
• 5. The loss of the pristine riverine landscape seems to have been responsible, together with illegal fishing, for the local extinction of the species. As a consequence, retaining, enhancing, and restoring the habitat and its complexity are required for the preservation of A. italicus.
• 6. The designation of SACs might help in this endeavour if accompanied by programmes aimed at publicizing the need for conservation of this species. Unfortunately, crayfish‐focused projects supported by LIFE in Italy since 1992 (4%) and the SACs involved (1.4%) have been relatively few, despite the poor conservation status of this species and its well recognized ecological role.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Blood and haemoglobin meal as protein sources in diets for gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata): effects on growth, nutritive efficiency and fillet sensory differences

Two parallel experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of partial substitution of fish meal by two different animal protein sources, blood meal (B) and haemoglobin meal (H) at 0, 50 and 100 g kg⁻¹ of level inclusion in diets for gilthead sea bream, considering a long feeding period for juveniles (Trial 1) and a short feeding period (Trial 2) for on-growing fish. In Trial 1, 33 g juveniles were fed for 242 days and the fish fed with 5% and 10% of haemoglobin dietary inclusion obtained less growth, although feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio and muscle composition were similar in all diets. In Trial 2, 179 g initial weight fish were fed for 164 days and growth of fish fed H10 showed the lowest growth, although nutrient efficiency and muscle composition were not affected significantly. The results of these experiments demonstrated that blood meal can substitute fish meal (up to 10%) with no effect on performance, but may lead to sensory differences compared with fish fed diet 0, while the inclusion of 5% blood meal had no effect on growth or sensory characteristics. Fish fed 10% haemoglobin inclusion had the poorest growth values.     

Supercritical CO2 extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum: chemical characterization and antityrosinase activity

The volatile oil of the bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum was extracted by means of supercritical CO2 fluid extraction in different conditions of pressure and temperature. Its chemical composition was characterized by GC-MS analysis. Nineteen compounds, which in the supercritical extract represented >95% of the oil, were identified. (E)-Cinnamaldehyde (77.1%), (E)-beta-caryophyllene (6.0%), alpha-terpineol (4.4%), and eugenol (3.0%) were found to be the major constituents. The SFE oil of cinnamon was screened for its biological activity about the formation of melanin in vitro. The extract showed antityrosinase activity and was able to reduce the formation of insoluble flakes of melanin from tyrosine. The oil also delayed the browning effect in apple homogenate. (E)-Cinnamaldehyde and eugenol were found to be mainly responsible of this inhibition effect.     

Antioxidants,free radicals,storage proteins,and proteolytic activities in wheat (Triticum durum) seeds during accelerated aging

Accelerated aging was performed by incubation of wheat seeds at 40 degrees C and 100% relative humidity for 3, 4, 6, 10, and 14 days. The effects of the treatment on seed germinability and on several biochemical characteristics of flour (carotenoids, free radical and protein contents, and proteolytic activity) and gluten (free radical content and flexibility) were evaluated. A decrease of germinability was found during aging, the germination being completely inhibited after 14 days. The lutein content decreased gradually, without going to zero, while that of free radicals increased. A reduction of soluble proteins and a degradation of glutenins and gliadins were observed, associated with a substantial increase of protease activity and a decrease in gluten flexibility. The results were discussed in reference to those previously obtained by natural aging of wheat seeds of the same species and cultivar.     

A high-resolution radiation hybrid map of the human genome draft sequence

We have constructed a physical map of the human genome by using a panel of 90 whole-genome radiation hybrids (the TNG panel) in conjunction with 40,322 sequence-tagged sites (STSs) derived from random genomic sequences as well as expressed sequences. Of 36,678 STSs on the TNG radiation hybrid map, only 3604 (9.8%) were absent from the unassembled draft sequence of the human genome. Of 20,030 STSs ordered on the TNG map as well as the assembled human genome draft sequence and the Celera assembled human genome sequence, 36% of the STSs had a discrepant order between the working draft sequence and the Celera sequence. The TNG map order was identical to one of the two sequence orders in 60% of these discrepant cases.     

The Sustainability of Quinoa Production in Southern Bolivia: from Misrepresentations to Questionable Solutions. Comments on Jacobsen (2011, J. Agron. Crop Sci. 197: 390–399)

Reviewing the situation of quinoa production in southern Bolivia, Jacobsen (2011, J. Agron. Crop Sci. 197: 390) argues that the booming export market has a negative effect on the environment and on the home consumption of quinoa, thereby leading to an environmental disaster in the region. In view of the scarcity of scientific knowledge on the rapid social and environmental dynamics in the region, we consider that Jacobsen’s review misrepresents the situation of quinoa production in southern Bolivia. Specifically, we argue that (i) the data presented by Jacobsen (2011, J. Agron. Crop Sci. 197: 390) do not support any drop in quinoa crop yield supposed to reflect soil degradation and (ii) his demonstration regarding home consumption of quinoa is ill‐founded from both a nutritional and a cultural point of view. We suggest that the diffusion of the arguments exposed by Jacobsen (2011, J. Agron. Crop Sci. 197: 390), because of their flaws, might have strong negative impacts on those concerned with sustainable food production and fair‐trade with developing countries. We conclude that, rather than reinforced agro‐technical controls on local farmers, the rising competition in the international quinoa market requires a shift towards an ethical economy and ethical research cooperation with quinoa producers.     

Spontaneous complex pheochromocytoma in a Fischer 344 rat

A spontaneous complex pheochromocytoma was diagnosed in the adrenal gland of an aged female Fischer 344 rat. This expansile neoplasm consisted of pheochromocytoma and areas of ganglioneuroma. The supporting stroma of both neoplastic components contained spindle-shaped cells, which also formed large fascicles. Immunohistochemically, pheochromocytoma cells stained for synaptophysin and chromogranin, scattered ganglioneuroma cells stained for neurofilament protein, and the spindle-shaped stromal cells were positive for S-100 protein. Special stains demonstrated Nissl substance in the ganglioneuroma cells and nerve fibers in the fascicles.     

A multisite case report on the clinical use of sevoflurane in dogs

The purpose of this report was to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of sevoflurane as an inhalant anesthetic in dogs. Subjective and objective data from 196 clinical cases utilizing sevoflurane as the maintenance anesthetic was collected at three sites. After preanesthetic evaluation, the attending anesthesiologist assigned the dogs to one of the following six anesthetic protocols: protocol 1, oxymorphone premedication and thiopental induction; protocol 2, oxymorphone/acetylpromazine premedication and thiopental induction; protocol 3, xylazine/butorphanol premedication and thiopental induction; protocol 4, opioid premedication and propofol induction; protocol 5, optional premedication and mask induction with sevoflurane in oxygen; and protocol 6, optional premedication and optional induction. The average quality of induction, maintenance, and recovery was good to excellent in all protocols. The three most common side effects during maintenance and recovery were hypotension, tachypnea, and apnea. Sevoflurane produces anesthesia in dogs comparable to the other inhalation anesthetics currently used (i.e., halothane and isoflurane) for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.     

UTILITY OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FOR DISTINGUISHING NEOPLASTIC FROM NON-NEOPLASTIC BRAIN LESIONS IN DOGS AND CATS

The aim of this study was to identify magnetic resonance (MR) signs that aid differentiation of neoplastic vs. non-neoplastic brain diseases in dogs and cats. MR images of 36 dogs and 13 cats with histologic diagnosis of intracranial disease were reviewed retrospectively. Diagnoses included 30 primary and three metastatic brain tumors, 11 infectious/inflammatory lesions, three vascular, one degenerative disease, and one developmental malformation. Upon univariate analysis of 21 MR signs, there were seven that had a significant association with neoplasia: single lesion (P = 0.004), shape (P = 0.015), mass effect (P = 0.002), dural contact (P = 0.04), dural tail (P = 0.005), lesions affecting adjacent bone (P = 0.008), and contrast enhancement (P = 0.025). Increasing age was also found to be associated with neoplasia (P = 0.0001). MR signs of non-neoplastic brain diseases in dogs and cats were more variable than those of brain neoplasia.     

Isolation of equine herpesvirus-2 from the lung of an aborted fetus.

This study describes the isolation of equine herpesvirus-2 (EHV-2) from the lung of an aborted equine fetus in Argentina. The isolated virus was confirmed as EHV-2 by indirect immunofluorescence using a rabbit anti-EHV-2 polyclonal antiserum and by virus-neutralization test using an equine polyclonal antibody against EHV-2. Restriction endonuclease DNA fingerprinting with BamHI also confirmed the identity of the virus as EHV-2. Furthermore, viral nucleic acid was detected by polymerase chain reaction from the original lung sample and from the DNA obtained from cells infected with the virus isolate. This work constitutes the first reported isolation of EHV-2 from an aborted equine fetus. The presence of EHV-2 in the lung of the aborted fetus would indicate that this virus is capable of crossing the placental barrier. However, no cause-effect relationship was established between the EHV-2 isolate and the abortion.