Enzymatic profiles of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and Erysipelothrix tonsillae

The enzymatic activities of 39 strains of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and 34 of E tonsillae were determined with the API ZYM system. The profiles of these two species were very similar, differing solely in N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activity. Whereas 90 per cent of strains of E rhusiopathiae exhibited strong activity with N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, positive reactions were observed for this enzyme in only 24 per cent of strains of E tonsillae. These results support previous DNA-DNA hybridisation studies and suggest that E tonsillae is a new species of the genus Erysipelothrix.     

Historical processes and landscape context influence genetic structure in peripheral populations of the collared lizard (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crotaphytus collaris</Emphasis>)

Populations at the periphery of a species’ range often show reduced genetic variability within populations and increased genetic divergence among populations compared to those at the core, but the mechanisms that give rise to this core-periphery pattern in genetic structure can be multifaceted. Peripheral population characteristics may be a product of historical processes, such as founder effects or population expansion, or due to the contemporary influence of landscape context on gene flow. We sampled collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) at four locations within the northern Flint Hills of Kansas, which is at the northern periphery of their range, to determine the genetic variability and extent of genetic divergence among populations for ten microsatellite loci (n = 229). We found low genetic variability (average allelic richness = 3.37 ± 0.23 SE; average heterozygosity = 0.54 ± 0.05 SE) and moderate population divergence (average F_ST = 0.08 ± 0.01 SE) among our sample sites relative to estimates reported in the literature at the core of the species’ range in Texas. We also identified differences in dispersal rates among sampling locations. Gene flow within the Flint Hills was thus greater than for other peripheral populations of collared lizards, such as the Missouri glade system where most of the mesic grasslands have been converted to forest since the last glacial retreat, which appears to have greatly impeded gene flow among populations. Our findings signify the importance of considering landscape context when evaluating core-peripheral trends in genetic diversity and population structure.     

Ovicidal activity of seven <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pochonia chlamydosporia</Emphasis> fungal isolates on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ascaris suum</Emphasis> eggs

The ovicidal effect of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia on eggs of Ascaris suum was tested under laboratory conditions. A. suum eggs were plated on 2% water–agar with seven fungal isolates (Isol. 5, Isol. 31, Isol. 1, VC1, Isol. 12, Isol. 22 and VC4) and control without fungus. After 5, 7, 10, 14, 15 and 21 days of incubation, approximately 100 eggs were removed from the plates and classified according to the following parameters: type 1, biochemical and physiological effect without morphological damage to the eggshell, type 2, lytic effect with morphological alteration of the eggshell and embryo and type 3, lytic effect with morphological alteration of eggshell and embryo showing hyphal penetration and internal egg colonization. The isolates effectively destroyed A. suum eggs and all types of effects were observed during the experiment. There was no variation in ovicidal capacity (type 3 effect) among the isolates (p > 0.05) throughout the experiment. After 21 days, isolate 5 showed the highest percentages of type 3 effect (58.33%). The results indicated that P. chlamydosporia (Isol. 5, Isol. 31, Isol. 1, VC1, Isol. 12, Isol. 22 and VC4) can destroy A. suum eggs and is, therefore, a potential biological control agent of nematodes.     

Sparing effect of tramadol,lidocaine, dexmedetomidine and their combination on the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane in dogs

BackgroundProblems associated with using inhalational anaesthesia are numerous in veterinary anaesthesia practice. Decreasing the amount of used inhalational anaesthetic agents and minimising of cardiorespiratory disorders are the standard goals of anaesthetists.ObjectiveThis experimental study was carried out to investigate the sparing effect of intravenous tramadol, lidocaine, dexmedetomidine and their combinations on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane in healthy Beagle dogs.MethodsThis study was conducted on six beagle dogs. Sevoflurane MAC was determined by the tail clamp method on five separate occasions. The dogs received no treatment (control; CONT), tramadol (TRM: 1.5 mg kg^-1 intravenously followed by 1.3 mg kg^-1 h^-1), lidocaine (LID: 2 mg kg^-1 intravenously followed by 3 mg kg^-1 h^-1), dexmedetomidine (DEX: 2 μg kg^-1 intravenously followed by 2 μg kg^-1 h^-1), and their combination (COMB), respectively. Cardiorespiratory variables were recorded every five minutes and immediately before the application of a noxious stimulus.ResultsThe COMB treatment had the greatest sevoflurane MAC-sparing effect (67.4 ± 13.9%) compared with the other treatments (5.1 ± 25.3, 12.7 ± 14.3, and 40.3 ± 15.1% for TRM, LID, and DEX treatment, respectively). The cardiopulmonary variables remained within the clinically acceptable range following COMB treatment, although the mean arterial pressure was higher and accompanied by bradycardia.ConclusionsTramadol-lidocaine-dexmedetomidine co-infusion produced a remarkable sevoflurane MAC-sparing effect in clinically healthy beagle dogs and could result in the alleviation of cardiorespiratory depression caused by sevoflurane. Cardiorespiratory variables should be monitored carefully to avoid undesirable side effects induced by dexmedetomidine.     

Cobalt reduces nitrate inhibition of nodulation in mungbean (Vigna radiata)

 A cobalt-mediated decrease in ethylene production reduced the inhibition of nodulation by nitrate in Vigna radiata (mungbean). Nitrate increased the ethylene production in 5-day-old seedlings, while it caused a reduction in the nodulation status (nodule number and nodule weight) and nodule efficiency (acetylene reduction activity) in mungbean plants. The application of cobalt chloride inhibited nitrate-affected ethylene production and also decreased the inhibitory effect of nitrate on nodulation. The effect of cobalt was most marked on nodule number. Received: 6 August 1999     

Knowledge,attitudes and practices towards <Emphasis Type="Italic">cystic echinococcosis</Emphasis> in livestock among selected pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Uganda

A cross-sectional study was done from March 2013 to May 2014 to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards cystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatidosis among selected pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Uganda. A structured questionnaire was administered to 381 respondents. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to find the relationship between knowledge about CE and factors such as age, sex, and level of education across all regions. The odds ratio and confidence interval were used to determine the difference in responses across regions. It was shown that age above 36 years was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with awareness about CE in livestock. Likewise, uneducated (p < 0.0001) and agro-pastoralists (p = 0.01) were significantly less knowledgeable than the educated and pastoralists across all regions. The overall knowledge towards CE in livestock was low 17.8% (95% CI = 14.0–21.6). Dog ownership was high and they never dewormed their freely roaming dogs. Dogs shared water with livestock. In conclusion, knowledge about CE in livestock was low across all regions. Therefore, public health education and formulation of policies towards its control by the relevant stakeholders should be done. Also, the true prevalence of CE in livestock needs to be done so that the magnitude and its public health significance are elucidated.     

Cryptic occurrence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chattonella marina</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">marina</Emphasis> in mangrove sediments in Probolinggo,East Java Province,Indonesia

Mangrove forests and adjacent creeks are known to be highly productive estuaries, which are partly supported by benthic microalgae that grow on the sediments. During surveys investigating the microalgal floras of mangrove swamps in the eastern part of Java Island, a mud sample unexpectedly included large numbers of a notorious fish killer, Chattonella-like motile cells, and its resting cysts. These motile cells were established as clonal cultures for further identification and physiological tests. The cysts were examined through palynological and molecular biological means. Identification based on light microscopy and ribosomal RNA gene sequences confirmed that these cells and cysts were Chattonella marina var. marina. While the strains were genetically identical to the temperate strains isolated from Japan and China, temperature experiments showed that the Indonesian strains possessed a high maximum quantum yield of photosystem II even after exposure to 34 °C, a temperature at which the Japanese strain could not survive. Salinity experiments showed adaptation of the strains to a salinity of 15. These findings, together with the discovery of populations of cysts in the mangrove sediment, highlight the tough and unique nature of the Indonesian strains, which are likely adapted to wide fluctuations of temperature and salinity in mangrove swamps, and pose a potential risk to fisheries in Indonesia.     

Determining the Internal Connection Ratios by MRI and Their Effects on Grafted Rooted Vine Growing Features of cvs. Merlot and Syrah

This experiment was carried out to determine the percentage of internal connection between rootstock and scion in graft union with nondestructive and noninvasive MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) method and to follow performance status according to internal connection ratios of the grafted rooted vines after planting to vineyard field. Research was established in a factorial randomized block design and carried out with cvs. Merlot and Syrah grafted onto 110?R rootstock and 4 different internal (MRI) connection levels in 3 replications. The percentages of grafted rooted vine internal determination by MRI by four sides (13.75%) in graft union were found to be very low than others at the pre-planting stage. An increase in the internal connection ratio in the majority of the grafted rooted vines was determined after the vegetative growth phase. Therefore, the internal connection ratios of the graft union of rooted vines of cvs. Merlot and Syrah varieties showed a tendency to increase during the second year of development. Again in both cultivars, loss rate of grafted rooted vines showed a decreasing tendency depending on increase of internal connection ratio of graft union. As a result, in case of decrease of MRI costs, it is thought that grafted rooted vine producers may have the opportunity to supply better quality seedlings to vine growers using MRI techniques.     

Detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brucella</Emphasis> sp. infection through serological,microbiological, and molecular methods applied to buffaloes in Maranhão State,Brazil

The aim of the current study is to diagnose Brucella spp. infection using methods such as serology, bacterial isolation, and molecular analysis in buffaloes bred in Maranhão State. In order to do so, 390 samples of buffalo serum were subjected to serological tests, to Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and to 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) combined with slow agglutination test (SAT). Vaginal swabs were collected from seropositive animals and subjected to bacterial isolation and to generic PCR. According to the serological test, 16 animals had a positive reaction to the confirmatory test (2-ME/SAT). As for bacterial isolation, three samples resulted in the isolation of Brucella spp.-characteristic colonies, which were confirmed through PCR. These results confirmed Brucella spp. infection in the buffalo herd from Maranhão State.