Copromicroscopic and molecular assays for the detection of cancer-causing parasitic nematode Spirocerca lupi

Spirocerca lupi (Nematoda, Spirurida) is a life-threatening parasitic nematode of dogs that is presently emerging in several countries. Nonetheless, canine spirocercosis is neglected and underestimated, mainly due to diagnostic limitations inherent to clinico-pathologic, diagnostic imaging and laboratory methodologies. Given the significant benefit of improved diagnosis, the present work evaluated the reliability of a recently described copromicroscopic approach, the FLOTAC technique, as well as a PCR-based assay with that of traditional coproscopic techniques to diagnose S. lupi infection. Ninety-four faecal field samples were collected from two endemic areas (i.e. 29 and 65 from Kenya and Israel, respectively) and processed using different coproscopic examination techniques. In particular, set I (Kenyan samples) comprised the modified flotation with Sheather's sugar solution and merthiolate-iodine-formalin technique, while set II (Israeli samples) comprised a flotation technique with zinc sulphate solution, a modified sugar flotation procedure and the FLOTAC method. All samples were also subjected to a semi-nested PCR protocol specific for a region internal to the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene of S. lupi. The coproscopic examinations showed low sensitivity and high variability, demonstrating the unreliability of the conventional methods for detecting S. lupi eggs. Nonetheless, the FLOTAC technique scored the highest number of positives and significantly higher number of S. lupi eggs per microscopic field compared to the other coproscopic methods. Additionally, of the coproscopically negative samples, 9 (45%) Kenyan and 21 (38.2%) Israeli samples scored molecularly positive using the PCR-based approach. The potential implications and perspectives for canine spirocercosis of these coproscopic and molecular diagnostic methodologies evaluated herein are discussed.     

SPINAL SUBARACHNOID CYST IN A CAT

A 7-year-old neutered female domestic short hair cat was presented with hind limb ataxia. A subarachnoid cyst in the T10-T11 spinal cord region was identified by myelography as a collection of contrast medium in the subarachnoid space.     

A Maltose Biosensor for Determining Gelatinized Starch in Processed Cereal Foods

A reliable method for the quantitative determination of gelatinized starch in processed cereal foods was developed. It consists of an electrochemical biosensor based on amyloglucosidase and glucose oxidase enzymes co‐immobilized on a Pt electrode surface, and a third enzyme, α‐amylase, added in solution. Analytical parameters such as time, temperature, and enzyme units were optimized. The degree of starch gelatinization was determined in different processed cereal foods using the biosensor method and the results were commensurate to those obtained with the reference method. The biosensor methods showed good accuracy (r² = 0.9629; relative error <12%) and comparable precision (RSD <5%). This electrochemical system is rapid, reliable, inexpensive, user‐friendly for unskilled operators, and can be a valid alternative to the methods traditionally used for gelatinized starch analysis.     

The Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative: Promoting scientific support for global ocean governance

相似文献   

Influence of natural diet on growth and biochemical composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Octopus vulgaris</Emphasis> Cuvier, 1797

The influence of diet on growth and biochemical composition of cultured Octopus vulgaris was investigated. Octopuses were reared in a open recirculation seawater system and during the experiment were kept apart in cages. Experiment lasted 30 days. Three experimental dietary groups were established: group I (mixed diet: Carcinus mediterraneus, Boops boops and Mytilus galloprovincialis), group II (monodiet on B. boops) and group III (monodiet on M. galloprovincialis). The best results were obtained with the monodiet based on bogue that gave a weight gain of 390.65 ± 37.54, an absolute growth rate of 13.02 g day⁻¹ and feed efficiency of 44.79 ± 0.96%. Regarding to biochemical composition, the mussel-fed and bogue-fed groups showed the highest protein content. Animals fed on bogue also showed the highest carbohydrate content, while the lowest value was observed in the mussels-fed group. The lipid content was found to be very low in all dietary groups. Saturated fatty acids were the most abundant fatty acid class, ranging from 58.22% in wild octopuses to 46.83% in bogues-fed octopuses. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were the second most abundant fatty acids class in all dietary treatments (25.65–37.00% as a per cent of total FAs) except in octopuses fed with mussels. MUFAs ranged from 11.44 to 26.93% of total FAs. Although it is empirically known that a varied diet better covers the nutritional requirements than a monodiet, the results of this study reveal that a monodiet of B. boops may be used.     

几种菊科植物杀菌活性的初步研究

以小麦赤霉病菌 (Gibberella zeae (schw.) Petch)、番茄灰霉病菌 (Botrytis cirerea Pers et Tris)、辣椒疫霉病菌 (Phytophthora capsici L eon)、苹果炭疽病菌 (Glomerella cingulata )、玉米大斑病菌 (Exserohilum turci-cum L eonard) 5种病原真菌为供试菌种 ,对菊科 15属 2 5种植物的丙酮提取液进行抑菌活性筛选。结果表明 ,除蒙山莴苣和千里光 2种植物外 ,其他 2 3种植物的提取液对至少 1种供试菌种有 6 0 %以上的抑制作用。臭蒿、大花金挖耳、猪毛蒿 3种植物提取液对 5种供试菌种的菌丝生长抑制率大于 70 %;大花金挖耳、猪毛蒿、天明精、苍耳、蓼子朴等 5种植物样品对 5种供试菌种的孢子萌发抑制率大于 93%;尤其是大花金挖耳、猪毛蒿 2种植物样品的提取液对 5种供试菌种的菌丝生长和孢子萌发的抑制率均大于 70 %,值得进一步研究开发。     

Good new(t)s: Rapid recolonization of a restored fish-invaded habitat by two newt species in southern Italy

相似文献