Clinical value of anti-Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi IgG titers detected by flow cytometry to distinguish infected from vaccinated dogs

Leishmune vaccination covers a broader number of endemic areas of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) and therefore the development of new serological devices able to discriminate CVL from Leishmune vaccinees becomes an urgent need considering the post-vaccine seroconversion detected throughout conventional methodologies. Herein, we have described the establishment of a flow cytometry based methodology to detect anti-fixed L. (L.) chagasi promastigotes antibodies (FC-AFPA-IgG, FC-AFPA-IgG1 and FC-AFPA-IgG2) in sera samples from Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi infected dogs and Leishmune vaccinees. The results of FC-AFPA were reported along the sera titration curve (1:128-1:524,288), as percentage-of-positive-fluorescent-parasite (PPFP). The use of PPFP=20% as a cut-off edge to segregate negative and positive results at sera dilution 1:2048 revealed outstanding performance indexes that elect FC-AFPA-IgG and IgG2 (both detected by polyclonal FITC-labeled second step reagent) applicable to the serological diagnosis of CVL, with 100% of specificity for both IgG and IgG2 and 97 and 93% of sensitivity, respectively. Moreover, FC-AFPA-IgG, applied at sera dilution 1:2048, also appeared as a useful tool to discriminate L. chagasi infected dogs from Leishmune vaccinees, with 76% of specificity. Outstanding likelihood indexes further support the performance of FC-AFPA-IgG for exclusion diagnosis of CVL in Leishmune vaccinees. Analysis of FC-AFPA-IgG at sera dilution 1:8192 revealed the most outstanding indexes, demonstrating that besides the ability of PPFP 相似文献   

Dacryocystography in a cat with orbital pneumatosis

A 2‐year‐old neutered male European short‐haired cat was presented for a persistent discharge from the scar of previous left eye enucleation, performed 6 months prior by the referring veterinarian. A surgical exploration of the orbit was performed and retained nictitating membrane glandular and conjunctival tissues were removed. Eleven days later, the cat developed an orbital pneumatosis caused by retrograde movement of air through a patent nasolacrimal system and diagnosed by survey radiographic examination of the skull. Nasolacrimal system patency was assessed by dacryocystography performed by injection of iodinated contrast medium under pressure into the orbital cavity. Computed tomography dacryocystography confirmed the radiographic findings. The condition resolved following dacryocystography, possibly as an inflammatory response to the contrast medium. To our knowledge, this is the first case of orbital pneumatosis reported in a cat.     

Genetic control of the tree-ring response of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) to the 2003 drought and heat-wave in France

The genetic control of tree ring growth in Douglas-fir in response to the drought and heat-wave that occurred in 2003 in Europe was studied with microdensity profiles in three clonal experiments located in three different French regions. The drought and heat-wave significantly affected Douglas-fir wood formation. The Chassenoix site (Northeast of Massif-Central) was more severely affected that the other two: the 2003 year-ring was narrower and less dense than in the other sites and than the previous (2002) and following (2004) year-rings in the same site: ring growth stopped earlier and latewood did not develop completely. The year-rings 2004 and 2002 were very similar in this site. There was a significant genetic control for all ring parameters in the three sites and during the three years. The heritability was highly variable between years and among sites, without any clear pattern in this variability, except in Chassenoix where it was slightly lower in the 2003 year-ring. Variables measuring the response of trees to the 2003 event, i.e., the difference in ring width between 2002 and 2003, or between 2003 and 2004, showed a very variable degree of genetic control, from very low to relatively high. Douglas-fir seemed plastic enough to acclimate to the drought and heat-wave and then to recover during 2004. Furthermore the level of heritability estimated demonstrates that Douglas-fir has an adaptive potential that could be useful for multi-generation long-term response.     

The economic viability for the production of live baits of White Shrimp (Litopenaeus schmitti) in recirculation culture system

Sportfishing is a growing segment in the fishing sector, which requires the supply of marine shrimps to meet the demand for live baits; however, the extraction of white shrimp from their natural habitat results in overfishing depleting natural stocks. Intensive cultivation in water recirculation system is a worldwide trend for shrimp farming, which, in addition to increasing productivity, minimizes the impact of effluent emission on the environment, reinforcing sustainability. This study analyzed the economic viability of establishing farms for the cultivation of white shrimp (Litopenaeus schmitti) in water recirculation system to meet the market demand of sportfishing for live baits. The indicators were used: internal rate of return (IRR), net present value (NPV) and payback period (PP). The best scenario, with 90 % survival rate and unitary selling prices of US$ 0.50, showed IRR 11.74 %, NPV (10 %) US$ 1,241.88 and PP 5.71 years, demonstrating financial risk for the production of live baits in the conditions proposed in this study.     

An analysis of threats to endangered animal taxa in California's freshwater systems

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Evaluation of two probiotics used during farm production of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Crustacea: Decapoda)

This study examined the effects of Bacillus licheniformis strain CIGBC‐232, isolated from the gut of shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and having antagonistic activity against Vibrio harveyi, on the immunity and larval quality of L. vannamei at various ontogenetic stages, in two separate experiments: (1) PL2 to PL17 exposed to the strain CIGBC‐232 under laboratory conditions (2) zoea I to PL8 exposed to the strain CIGBC‐232 and EPICIN 3W probiotics under farming conditions. The first experiment showed that phenoloxidase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were improved in animals grown with CIGBC‐232 compared to the untreated control. In tests, the resistance to osmotic stress was also enhanced. During the second experiment, animals treated with CIGBC‐232 exhibited significant (P < 0.05) increases in phenoloxidase activity (30–40% higher in zoea I–II, mysis II–III and PL 2–7) and in the respiratory burst (30% higher from PL 2 to 7) as compared to those animals that received EPICIN 3W. There was no significant difference in the lectins and agglutinins (except in PL1, 6 and 7), in peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, in the resistance to osmotic stress, nor in the survival rate among treatments. CIGBC‐232 treatment was able to reduce, the level of presumptive Vibrio spp. with respect to EPICIN 3W treatment in the tank water as well as in animals. At the end of both experiments, the growth of shrimp, i.e. weight and length was increased by CIGBC‐232 treatment. This study showed the probiotic effect of CIGBC‐232, which appeared to have a better probiotic performance than EPICIN 3W treatment.     

Can a cow save a newt? The role of cattle drinking troughs in amphibian conservation

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Marine and coastal protected and conserved areas strategy in Brazil: Context,lessons, challenges,finance, participation,new management models,and first results

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