Spatial Variability of Soil Organic C,Inorganic N and Extractable P in a Mediterranean Grazed Area

In this paper, we studied the spatial variability of soil organic C (SOC), inorganic N (SIN) and extractable P (P_extr) in a grazed Mediterranean‐type vegetation formation. Sampling was conducted from a gently sloping area in northern Greece.. The grazing pressure was evenly distributed over the experimental area with the exception of an overgrazed passage zone 200–300 m from steeper foothills. Soil samples, from the upper 10 cm, were collected every 10 m along four replicate lines (400 m length with a distance of 10 m between lines). Sampling took place twice (October and February). Data were analysed by geostatistical tools, and spherical models were significantly fitted to the semivariograms. SOC in both samplings and SIN in the first one displayed moderate spatial dependence which indicates the non‐random distribution of their concentration. On the contrary, P_extr and SIN in winter exhibited weak spatial dependence, whereas P_extr in autumn showed spatial independence. For the parameters exhibiting spatial pattern, two scales of dependence were revealed: a fine scale within distances shorter than 10 m and a coarse scale varying between 80 and 130 m. The coarse distribution of SOC, SIN and P_extr invoked interplay among more predictable (composition of vegetation) and unpredictable (leaching, runoff) extrinsic factors, occurring at the landscape level. Specifically, SOC as a storage agent exhibited uniform spatial pattern in both samplings. By contrast, SIN by being susceptible to leaching exhibited time‐specific dependence, whereas P_extr which was affected by surface runoff displayed limited or even spatial independence. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Morphometry of the heart of greater rhea (Rhea americana americana,Linnaeus, 1758)

Heart diseases in birds are frequent and generate significant production disorders. Morphometry is a valuable tool to provide fundamental information about heart conditions. Few studies have addressed morphological aspects of the heart of ratite birds, such as the Greater rhea. The present study aimed to analyse rhea heart morphometry, comparing young and adult subjects, in order to provide relevant information for the diagnosis of heart disease in this species. Hearts of young (n = 10) and adult (n = 10) female rheas were used in this research. Heart length and width and sternum length were measured using a caliper. Heart length and width and sternum length in adults were approximately three times greater than in young individuals. The left ventricular wall (LVW) was thicker than the right ventricular wall (RVW) at all ages, and the RVW was thicker in adults when compared to young subjects. The basal and middle RVW regions thicken with advancing age, and the thickness of the interventricular septum (ISW) occupies an intermediate position between the LVW and RVW. In general, an increase in rhea heart thickness and size relative to age is observed. The morphometric variations between young and adult rhea hearts observed in the present study may serve as a comparative subsidy for the diagnosis of cardiac abnormalities observed in this species.     

Investigation of different apple cultivars by high resolution magic angle spinning NMR. A feasibility study

(1)H HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy was applied to apple tissue samples deriving from 3 different cultivars. The NMR data were statistically evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component analysis (PCA), and partial least-squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The intra-apple variability of the compounds was found to be significantly lower than the inter-apple variability within one cultivar. A clear separation of the three different apple cultivars could be obtained by multivariate analysis. Direct comparison of the NMR spectra obtained from apple tissue (with HR-MAS) and juice (with liquid-state HR NMR) showed distinct differences in some metabolites, which are probably due to changes induced by juice preparation. This preliminary study demonstrates the feasibility of (1)H HR-MAS NMR in combination with multivariate analysis as a tool for future chemometric studies applied to intact fruit tissues, e.g. for investigating compositional changes due to physiological disorders, specific growth or storage conditions.     

A rapid sample screening method for authenticity control of whiskey using capillary electrophoresis with online preconcentration

The present study aimed to develop a methodology using capillary electrophoresis for the determination of sinapaldehyde, syringaldehyde, coniferaldehyde, and vanillin in whiskey samples. The main objective was to obtain a screening method to differentiate authentic samples from seized samples suspected of being false using the phenolic aldehydes as chemical markers. The optimized background electrolyte was composed of 20 mmol L(-1) sodium tetraborate with 10% MeOH at pH 9.3. The study examined two kinds of sample stacking, using a long-end injection mode: normal sample stacking (NSM) and sample stacking with matrix removal (SWMR). In SWMR, the optimized injection time of the samples was 42 s (SWMR42); at this time, no matrix effects were observed. Values of r were >0.99 for the both methods. The LOD and LOQ were better than 100 and 330 mg mL(-1) for NSM and better than 22 and 73 mg L(-1) for SWMR. The CE-UV reliability in the aldehyde analysis in the real sample was compared statistically with LC-MS/MS methodology, and no significant differences were found, with a 95% confidence interval between the methodologies.     

Preconcentration/Cleanup Studies of Tin from Environmental Water Samples by Oxidized Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes Packed Column and its Determination by ETAAS

The use of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as an efficient solid extractor in preconcentration/cleanup studies for tin determination in water samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) is proposed. In the proposed method, tin adsorption onto MWCNT was carried out by percolating the solution previously buffered (pH 4.79 with 0.24 mol?L^?1 acetic acid/acetate buffer) at 4.0-mL?min^?1 flow rate, followed by elution with 1.0 mL of 2.7 mol?L^?1 HNO₃. Factors such as sample pH, preconcentration/cleanup flow rate, type and concentration of eluent, and buffer concentration were appraised and optimized from chemometric tools based on fractional factorial design and Doehlert design. A limit of detection of 0.73 ??g?L^?1 and precision (n?=?8) assessed as relative standard deviation of 8.6% and 7.0% for tin concentration of 8.0 and 43.0 ??g?L^?1, respectively, were achieved. Foreign metallic ions (Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Fe³⁺) were checked as potential interferents, and no interference was observed up to an analyte/interference ratio of 1:10 (m/v). Direct tin determination by ETAAS in water samples containing high salt amount is drastically affected by background signal. However, previous cleanup of sample by MWCNT has promoted a significant improvement and makes the method useful for tin monitoring in water samples (mineral, lake, mine, and natural waters) by ETAAS. Quantitative recovery values ranging from 91.5% to 103.0% attested the applicability of the proposed preconcentration/cleanup for tin determination in water samples.     

Preferential infection sites of Cysticercus bovis in cattle experimentally infected with Taenia saginata eggs

The preferential sites of infection of Cysticercus bovis were evaluated in the skeletal muscle and entrails of 25 cattle that were experimentally infected with Taenia saginata (2 × 10⁴ eggs). Two other animals were not inoculated (control). Ninety days after inoculation, all the cattle were euthanized. The carcasses were deboned and dissected into 26 anatomical sections (masseter muscles, brain, tongue, esophagus, heart, diaphragm, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, top sirloin butt, bottom sirloin butt, outside round, top (inside) round, transversus abdominus, top sirloin cap, strip loin, full tenderloin, eye of round, knuckle, shoulder clod, foreshank, shank, chuck, back ribs, and tail muscles). The dissected tissues were sliced into 5 mm sections. From the 25 cattle, 9258 C. bovis (cysticerci) were recovered; 75.02% (6946) of these were recovered from skeletal muscles and 24.98% (2312) from the entrails. A high parasitism level was found in the shoulder clod (12.55%), heart (11.02%), liver (9.48%), masseter muscles (8.51%), chuck (8.25%), strip loin and full tenderloin (7.26%), knuckle (6.63%), and back ribs (5.53%), totaling 69.23% (5738) of all of the detected cysticerci. On the other hand, there was a low C. bovis parasitism level in the brain, spleen, tail muscles, kidneys, esophagus, and diaphragm, representing just 3.9% of the total number of cysticerci. Given these results, we conclude that specific skeletal musculature regions, such as the shoulder blade, chuck, strip loin and full tenderloin, knuckle, back ribs and top round, which are not officially examined in many countries, are effective sites to efficiently screen C. bovis infection. To date, these regions have not been considered as preferential sites of C. bovis infection. Based on our work, however, these regions deserve greater attention from health inspectors because they contained a greater number of Cysticercus than the other regions of carcasses that are parasitized by T. saginata larvae.     

Eco-epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis in the urban area of Paracatu, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

The present study was developed in the urban area of Paracatu, an endemic city for the American visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. A six-month canine survey was performed with 6295 domiciled dogs in 28 districts in that area and showed that 4.2% of those (267 dogs) were positive for VL by ELISA and IFAT serum assays. Prevalence ratios for canine VL varied between 1.2% and 16.1%, depending on the district under investigation. Fifteen dogs - 80% of which were clinically asymptomatic for VL - were submitted to a more detailed study that comprised direct parasitological examination and Leishmania kDNA amplification of tissue samples as well as two PCR-RFLP methods using myelocultures. Leishmania amastigotes or Leishmania DNA were detected in all dogs but one. The infecting species of Leishmania was identified in about 50% (7/15) of the sample dogs: Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi in two of them and, unexpectedly, Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis in the remaining five. Three months after the end of confiscation and elimination of the VL-seropositive dogs in the 28 districts of Paracatu, a systematic entomological survey was performed in five of them. Six hundred and sixty five (665) phlebotomine sand flies were captured in total, from which 89.5% were identified as Lutzomyia longipalpis. The population density of that species increased during the rainy season. Other thirteen (13) species of phlebotomine sand flies were captured at varying percentages from 0.2 to 5.0%. It is worth noting that L. longipalpis females were predominantely intradomicile when compared to males, suggesting that the VL transmission cycle in Paracatu may be occurring inside home.     

Epidemiology of Clostridium difficile on a veal farm: prevalence, molecular characterization and tetracycline resistance

Concern has been raised about the potential for Clostridium difficile to be a bovine and foodborne pathogen, yet limited study has been performed in cattle, and none in veal calves. This study evaluated the epidemiology and microbiology of C. difficile on one veal farm. Rectal swabs were obtained from calves within 48 h of arrival and at one, 17 and 21 weeks later. Selective culture for C. difficile was performed. Isolates were characterized by PCR ribotyping and PCR for tcdA, tcdB and cdtA. Tetracycline resistance and resistance genes were investigated. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to determine the relationship between shedding of the bacterium and specific ribotypes and the independent variables: time of sampling and area of housing. Calves were twice more likely to test positive 1 week after arrival (51%) when compared to initial results (32%). Shedding at 17 and 21 weeks was significantly lower (2% at both samplings). Ribotype 078 was the most common. Twelve different ribotypes were present initially with only three ribotypes found subsequently. Seventy-six percent (40/53) of isolates initially recovered were tetracycline resistant compared to 93% (81/87) from 2nd sampling. Tetracycline resistance genes were detected in 24% (13/53) of isolates during 1st and in 55% (50/91) during 2nd sampling. The high prevalence of pathogenic C. difficile in veal calves could be of zoonotic concern. The low prevalence before slaughter may be of importance for the evaluation of foodborne risks. Oxytetracycline administration to calves may have an impact on prevalence of C. difficile colonization.     

Use of Acupuncture to Induce Cyclicity in Anestrous Mares

Acupuncture is part of an Eastern system of medicine used for diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease. It has been used for the treatment of reproductive disorders in both human beings and domestic species. We hypothesized that acupuncture could be used to induce cyclicity in anestrous mares. In experiment 1, six anestrous mares were treated with acupuncture at Bai Hui, governing vessel (GV)-2, bladder (BL)-22, BL-23, BL-31, and BL-33 twice a week for 3 weeks, then once a week for an additional 8 weeks, whereas six anestrous mares served as controls. In experiment 2, six anestrous mares received acupuncture stimulation at Bai Hui, GV-1, BL-22, BL-23, and BL-28, with electroacupuncture (10 minutes at 50 Hz) at BL-22 and BL-28 bilaterally. In addition, vitamin B12 (3 mL, 1,000 mcg/mL) was injected in the vaginal fornix at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions around the cervix. Six anestrous mares served as controls. Examinations and treatments were carried out twice a week until ovulation. In both experiments, ovarian activity was examined in all mares by transrectal ultrasonography and blood sample was obtained twice a week to determine progesterone concentrations. The time to first ovulation for experiment 1 was 14.0 ± 0.7 and 13.5 ± 1.0 weeks (mean ± SD) for the control and acupuncture groups, respectively (P = .60). In experiment 2, the time to ovulation was 9.0 ± 0.6 and 10 ± 0.3 weeks (mean ± SD) for the control and acupuncture groups, respectively (P = .19). No significant difference was found between the treated and control mares in either study.