The influence of sex on biochemical markers of bone turnover in dogs

Biochemical markers of bone turnover have been shown to be useful as inexpensive and noninvasive tools for monitoring skeletal health. The reference range for bone markers in dogs has been set by different age groups. However, other sources of biological variations were not fully investigated in dogs. To explore whether sex influences the interpretation of bone marker data we examined serum bone markers in 33 male and 25 female dogs. The bone markers selected for this study were: bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and osteocalcin (OC) as indicators of bone formation, and C-terminal telopeptide (CTx) of type I collagen as marker of bone resorption. All concentrations of bone markers were lower, but still within the reference range reported for dogs. We found statistically significant differences of the median OC and CTx serum concentrations between males and females. The results of this study suggest that there are sex differences in biochemical markers of bone turnover in dogs which should be considered in interpretation of bone marker data.     

Rectal duplication cyst in a cat

Enteric duplication is a rare developmental malformation in people, dogs and cats. The purpose of the present report is to describe the first case of a rectal duplication cyst in a 7-year-old domestic shorthair cat presenting for acute constipation and tenesmus. On rectal palpation a spherical mass compressing the lumen of the rectum could be felt in the dorsal wall of the rectum. A computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed the presence of a well demarcated cystic lesion in the pelvic canal, dorsal to the rectum. The cyst was surgically removed via a perineal approach. No communication with the rectal lumen could be demonstrated. Histopathological examination was consistent with a rectal duplication cyst. Clinical signs resolved completely after excision of this conjoined non-communicating cystic rectal duplicate.     

The dynamics of introduction of alien scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) into Croatia

In recent years, several species of alien scale insects have arrived and spread rapidly through European and Mediterranean countries. One hundred and twenty‐nine species of alien scale insects have so far been recorded in Europe. This paper presents a list of alien scale insect species for Croatia, comprising 56 species from 8 different families. Four of them are new records for Croatia: Aonidiella taxus Leonardi, 1906, Ichnaspis longirostris (Signoret, 1882), Phoenicococcus marlatii (Cockerell, 1899) and Spilococcus mammillariae (Bouche, 1844). The majority of species recorded belong to the following families: Diaspididae (28 species), Coccidae (12 species), Pseudococcidae (10 species), Eriococcidae (two species). The scale insect families Dactylopidae, Margarodidae, Ortheziidae and Pheniococcidae comprised only one recorded alien species each. During the time frame covered in the review (from the beginning of the 20th century until 2015), the majority of alien scale insect species (23) were registered in the period from 2000 to 2015. Data on the origin of introduced alien scale insects shows that the majority of the species originate from Asia (22 species), followed by North America (6 species), Africa, Australia and Central America (5 species each) and South America (4 species), with 9 species being of unknown origin.     

Fatal epizootic equine herpesvirus 1 infections in new and unnatural hosts

In a zoological collection, four black bears (Ursus americanus) died from neurological disease within six months. Independently in a geographically different zoo, two Thomson's gazelles (Eudorcas thomsoni) and 18 guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus f. dom.) suffered from neurological disorders. In addition, guinea pigs showed abortions and stillbirths. All affected animals displayed a non suppurative meningoencephalitis with intranuclear inclusion bodies. Immunohistology demonstrated equine herpes virus antigen and ultrastructurally herpes viral particles were detected. Virus isolation and molecular analysis identified neurotropic equine herpesvirus (EHV) 1 strains in both epizootics. There is serological evidence of a possible virus transmission from other equids to the affected animals. Cross-species transmission of EHV-1 should be considered in the management of captive wild equids and ungulates, particularly with respect to fatal disease in irreplaceable species.     

Trace elements in soils and food chains of the Balkan region

Abstract

The present review summarizes the available data on the concentration of trace elements (TEs) in soils and their availability to plants with a view to reflect the quality and safety of food and fodder crops. Most soils in western Balkan countries are not contaminated. However, soils around industrial centers and historical mining sites do create concern for food and feed safety. Also high concentrations of TEs are related to their geochemical original. For example, ultrabasic rocks and serpentinites in western Serbia and western Bosnia are very rich in chromium, nickel, magnesium, iron (Fe), and cobalt, and cover an area of 5200 km². High TE concentrations caused by anthropogenic activities are also reported. In vineyard soils in Croatia, concentrations of cadmium, copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) were much higher than their background concentrations. On the other hand, TE deficiency in plants is also prevalent in the regions. For example, Zn and Fe deficiencies in eastern parts of Croatia and northern parts of Serbia, Cu deficiency in pasture and sheep's blood at Nisici Plateau of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and selenium (Se) deficiency almost in the whole region have been observed. Therefore, information on TEs' behavior and soil factors affecting their mobility and availability is highly needed in order to separate the areas of contamination and then propose agrotechnical measures to protect the entry of TEs into the food chain. Research is also required to assess the influence of agronomic management on TE supply to plants and for achieving a better utilization of essential TEs. Concentrations of Se in wheat in Serbia are so low that if people were fed exclusively with wheat, their daily requirements for Se would not be met. There is also a need for full implementation of new food safety regulations in the Balkan countries in accordance with the legislations of the European Union.     

Genetic diversity of the pine pathogen Lecanosticta acicola in Slovenia and Croatia

Brown spot needle blight (BSNB), a disease of pine trees caused by the fungus Lecanosticta acicola, has been known in Slovenia since 2008 and in Croatia since 1975. Recent outbreaks in Slovenia prompted this study to compare L. acicola populations in these two neighbouring European countries. Sixty-nine isolates collected from three pine species (Pinus mugo, P. halepensis and P. nigra) were used to determine the phylogenetic relationships, genetic structure, and reproductive strategy of the pathogen. EF1-α sequences showed that Slovenian and Croatian isolates share a common ancestry with individuals from central and northern Europe. Population structure analysis revealed four distinct population clusters of L. acicola in these two countries, generally corresponding to their respective geographic location and host. An unequal ratio of mating types and a low overall genetic diversity in the population indicated a strong influence of asexual reproduction. Although some of the oldest recorded European occurrences of BSNB are from Croatia, this study provided no evidence that the population studied in Croatia was the source of the sampled outbreaks in Slovenia. Recent outbreaks of L. acicola in Slovenia are most likely due to introductions from other, yet to be identified, sources.     

Spread of potato virus Y in potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L.) with different levels of sensitivity

The aim of this work was to correlate the appearance of the symptoms, multiplication and spread of virus after mechanical inoculation of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars showing different levels of susceptibility and sensitivity to Potato virus Y^NTN (PVY^NTN). The potato cultivars used were the resistant cultivar Sante and susceptible cultivars Igor, Pentland squire and Désirée. The spread of the virus PVY^NTN in infected plants was monitored using different methods: DAS-ELISA, tissue printing, immuno-serological electron microscopy and real-time PCR. In all three susceptible cultivars, the virus was detected in the inoculated leaves 4–5 days after inoculation. From there virus spread rapidly, first into the stem, then more or less simultaneously to the upper leaves and roots. Real-time PCR was shown to be very sensitive and enabled viral RNA to be detected in non-inoculated leaves of susceptible cultivar Igor earlier than other methods. Therefore, for exact studies of plant–virus interaction, a combination of methods which detect viruses on the basis of their different properties (coat protein, morphology or RNA) should be used to monitor the spread of viruses.     

St. John’s Wort Herbal Teas – Biological Potential and Chemometric Approach to Quality Control

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - St. John’s wort has been used for centuries in traditional medicine of many cultures, and nowadays it is well-known as a clinically important antidepressant...