Effect of Long‐term Oral Administration of an Immunostimulant Diet on Innate Immunity in Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Immunostimulants represent a modern and promising tool in aquaculture, enhancing the resistance of cultured fish to disease and stress. This study investigated the effect of a combination of dietary glucans, α‐tocopherol and ascorbic acid on the innate immune response of cultured sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). After 5 weeks of adaptation on a commercial diet containing 100 p.p.m. ascorbic acid and 200 p.p.m. α‐tocopherol, sea bass were switched to a diet supplemented with 2% β?1.3/β?1.6 glucans and ascorbic acid and α‐tocopherol at 500 p.p.m. The supplemented diet was given at 2% of body weight per day over a 2‐week period, every 3 months. Plasma lysozyme concentration, content and distribution of major plasma proteins and complement activity were measured prior to feeding the supplemented diet and after 40 weeks. Alternative pathways of complement activation and lysozyme activity were both significantly enhanced in fish fed on glucans and elevated doses of vitamins. No significant differences were observed in protein content or in albumin/globulin ratio. Compared to lysozyme activity, which showed marked individual variation, complement‐mediated haemolytic activity has been shown to be a more reliable indicator of sea bass immunocompetence. Further studies are in progress to clarify the effect of each dietary component on the innate immune response and disease resistance.     

Impact of alfalfa mosaic virus subgroup I and II isolates on terpene secondary metabolism of Lavandula vera D.C., Lavandula×alardii and eight cultivars of L. hybrida Rev.

Lavandula vera D.C., Lavandula×alardii and eight different L. hybrida Rev. cultivars cultivated at the Herb Garden of Casola Valsenio (Italy), found naturally infected by Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), have been evaluated for the influence of their pathologic status on essential oil biosynthesis and quality. The viral disease, consisting of a “yellow mosaic” on leaves and stems, was identified by means of electron microscopy, RT-PCR-RFLP and PAS-ELISA assays. Molecular characterization of the coat protein gene of four AMV isolates suggested that three of them belonged to subgroup I (from cvs. Ordinario and Grosso, Lavandula×alardii), while the isolate from cv. Sumiens showed molecular features of subgroup II. The infection of Lavandula plants by AMV (of the two subgroups) was found to decrease essential oil secretion. Changes in the relative composition regarded the linalool-linalyl acetate ratio; the overall increase in terpenic esters and in some cases increased sesquiterpenic abundance. Infection caused by AMV subgroup II isolate influenced negatively the quality of the essential oil much more than AMV isolates belonging to subgroup I. The importance of the phytopathological status of essential oil bearing crops is outlined.     

Benign Fibrous Histiocytoma of Prepuce in the Mule

Here we present a case of preputial benign fibrous histiocytoma in a 7‐year‐old mule. This case was treated surgically. Pathologic analysis and diagnosis of these lesions were based on a combination of light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Histologically, the tumour was composed primarily of a storiform pattern of fibroblastic and poligonal cells. In immunohistochemistry, except for consistent immunoreactivity for vimentin, nearly all tumour cells were positive for CD68, S‐100 protein, pan‐cytokeratin, alpha‐smooth muscle actin, and desmin. Benign fibrous histiocytoma of the prepuce in mule is rarely reported in veterinary literature.     

Clinicopathological Features of an Equine Ovarian Teratoma

The present study describes the clinicopathological features of a mature cystic ovarian teratoma occurred in a 4 year old, cyclic, nulliparous Andalusian mare. The mass was discovered in the left ovary during a breeding soundness examination, and was hard in consistency and variously echogenic. Laparoscopy was performed to confirm the neoplastic change, followed by a unilateral laparotomic ovariectomy in the standing animal. On the cut surface the teratomatous ovary showed a large cyst filled with hair and sebaceous material and three small cysts containing mucous fluid, surrounded by solid areas where bone and cartilage could be recognized. Exceptionally, functional remnants of the ovary, including small follicles and a diestral corpus luteum were found near the tubal extremity. Histology revealed mature tissues foreign to the ovary including stratified squamous and respiratory epithelia, mucous, sebaceous and sweat glands, muscle fibres, fat and nervous tissue. The appearance of tracheal and lung architecture was occasionally observed.     

Long-term evaluation of canine perianal fistula disease treated with exclusive fish and potato diet and surgical excision

The records of 33 dogs that had perianal fistula disease treated with en bloc surgical excision and bilateral anal saculectomy, and that were perioperatively administered an exclusive white fish and potato diet, were reviewed to determine outcome. By 1 year after surgery, 87.9% of the dogs had complete or near-complete resolution of visible fistula disease, while only 20.7% continued to have mild intermittent clinical signs. Fecal incontinence was not reported in any dog. Overall, complications were considerably less in both severity and frequency when compared with previous reports.     

Bilateral malignant seminoma with metastases in the mule: a report of two cases.

We report two cases of bilateral malignant seminoma in the bursula testium of two mules, which had been slaughtered normally. Histologically, the testicular tumours consisted predominantly of large round to polyhedral cells with frequent mitotic figures. Metastases were found in the sublumbar lymph nodes. A final histopathological diagnosis of malignant seminoma with metastasis was made. To our knowledge, this paper appears to be the first report of two cases of bilateral malignant seminoma with metastases, in the mule.     

Feeding turbot juveniles Psetta maxima L. with increasing dietary plant protein levels affects growth performance and fish welfare

A 9‐week feeding trial was performed to evaluate the effects of fishmeal (FM) replacement by a mixture of plant proteins (PP), consisted of wheat gluten, soybean meal and soy protein concentrate, on the growth performance and welfare of turbot juveniles (initial weight 9.7 ± 0.2 g). Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets contained FM at 500 g kg^?1 (FM50), 350 g kg^?1 (FM35), 200 g kg^?1 (FM20) and 50 g kg^?1 (FM5). A decreased feed intake and an increased feed conversion rate was observed in FM5 group. Specific growth rate was significantly reduced in FM20 and FM5 groups, whereas protein and lipid utilization and proximate whole body composition were significantly different in FM5 group. Serum cortisol significantly increased in FM20 and FM5 groups whereas cholesterol, triglycerides, NEFA, total protein and urea concentrations significantly decreased. Serum lysozyme and blood phagocytes increased in FM20 and FM5 groups. FM35 ensured growth close to FM50, without significant effects on health and welfare of animals. FM20 and FM5 groups displayed reduced growth, metabolic stress and an immune response with effects on health and welfare. Results highlighted the consistency between growth performance and welfare status, suggesting the usefulness of their combined assessment for evaluating the suitability of PP and to improve dietary formulation for turbot.     

Preliminary Structure-Activity Relationship on Theonellasterol, a New Chemotype of FXR Antagonist, from the Marine Sponge Theonella swinhoei

Using theonellasterol as a novel FXR antagonist hit, we prepared a series of semi-synthetic derivatives in order to gain insight into the structural requirements for exhibiting antagonistic activity. These derivatives are characterized by modification at the exocyclic carbon-carbon double bond at C-4 and at the hydroxyl group at C-3 and were prepared from theonellasterol using simple reactions. Pharmacological investigation showed that the introduction of a hydroxyl group at C-4 as well as the oxidation at C-3 with or without concomitant modification at the exomethylene functionality preserve the ability of theonellasterol to inhibit FXR transactivation caused by CDCA. Docking analysis showed that the placement of these molecules in the FXR-LBD is well stabilized when on ring A functional groups, able to form hydrogen bonds and π interactions, are present.     

Elimination of in vitro bacterial contaminants in shoot cultures of ‘MRS 2/5’ plum hybrid by the use of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melia azedarach</Emphasis> extracts

The antimicrobial activity of leaf and callus extracts of Melia azedarach was tested on in vitro shoot cultures of the peach rootstoch ‘MRS 2/5’ (Prunus cerasifera × Prunus spinosa) that were heavily contaminated with Sphingomonas paucimobilis (Sp) and Bacillus circulans (Bc). The extracts were filter-sterilised and added at 0%, 1%, 5%, 10% and 20% to a modified Murashige and Skoog proliferation medium previously autoclave-sterilised. Up to about 17% shoots died with 10–20% extract, except for Sp-contaminated shoots, whose survival was reduced to 50% after treatment with 20% extract. No shoots died with 1% to 5% supplement. The undiluted leaf extract showed bactericidal activity on plated Sp and Bc isolates. The homogenates of shoots randomly collected from treated cultures were processed for bacterial colony counting. Thus the 10% supplement was the best treatment for ridding Bc-contaminated cultures of bacteria (although 5% had a similar bactericidal effect), and allowing shoot growth and proliferation comparable to controls at the fifth subculture on a standard medium, while 20% extract was needed to eliminate Sp, and could induce higher growth and proliferation rates in surviving shoots than in untreated cultures. Callus extract was ineffective. The bactericidal activity of the leaf extract seemed attributable to a synergistic effect of azadirachtin with other unidentified compounds present in the extract.