Perkinsus sp. infestation in carpet-shell clams, Ruditapes decussatus (L), along the Portuguese coast. Results from a 2-year survey

This study characterises Perkinsus atlanticus disease prevalence and intensity within the economically important beds of the clam Ruditapes decussatus along the Iberian Atlantic coast. Samples were collected from five different sites along the Portuguese coast (Ria Formosa, Ria do Alvor, V.N. Milfontes, Aveiro, Lagoa de Obidos) and in Galicia (Ria de Arosa) between winter 2000/2001 and 2002/2003. The infection level was evaluated by the Ray Fluid Thioglycollate medium (RFTM) method using the body burden assay. In addition, the measure of the condition index (CI) (percentage between the edible part and the total weight of the clams) was conducted to investigate a possible correlation between this parameter and the intensity of the infection. However, no clear relationship between infection intensity and condition index (CI) could be determined although a significant decline in CI was found for heavily infected clams. Results of a 2-year survey demonstrate the presence of Perkinsus sp. in all sampling sites albeit with different intensities. Sites where human interference was minimal showed the lowest levels of infection. There were no significant differences in Perkinsus sp. infection intensity between samples collected in winter and summer, in contrast with several studies describing higher intensities at the end of the summer. Nevertheless, major differences were observed from year to year and site to site, indicating that factors other than those responsible for seasonal climatic variations might affect the prevalence and the intensity of Perkinsus sp. infection.     

Accuracy of serum beta-hydroxybutyrate measurements for the diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis in 116 dogs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of serum beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-OHB) measurements for the diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in dogs. One hundred sixteen diabetic dogs were prospectively enrolled in the study: 18 insulin-treated (IT) diabetic dogs that had a positive urine ketone test and 88 untreated, newly diagnosed diabetic dogs. Venous blood gas tensions and pH, serum glucose and urea nitrogen (SUN), and electrolyte (Na+, Cl-, and K+) and urine acetoacetate (AA) concentrations were measured concurrently with serum beta-OHB concentrations. On the basis of laboratory findings, the patients were assigned to I of 3 groups: diabetic ketoacidosis (n = 43); diabetic ketosis (DK, n = 41); and nonketotic diabetes (NDK, n = 31). Serum beta-OHB concentrations differed significantly (P < .001) among the study groups. Although marked differences in beta-OHB concentrations were found, a considerable overlap exists between the distributions of dogs with DK and those with DKA. The overall accuracy of beta-OHB determination as a diagnostic test for DKA, determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, was 0.92. In the 1.9- to 4.8-mmol/L range, serum beta-OHB determination sensitivity varied from 100 to 35.7%, whereas specificity varied from 39 to 100%. The cutoff value of 3.8 mmol/L showed the best equilibrium between specificity (95%), sensitivity (72%), and likelihood ratio (14.8). We concluded that the quantitative measurement of serum beta-OHB may be a potential tool for diagnosing and monitoring ketosis and ketoacidosis in diabetic dogs.     

Guava decline: effect of root exudates from Meloidogyne enterolobii-parasitized plants on Fusarium solani in vitro and on growth and development of guava seedlings under controlled conditions

In guava decline, Fusarium solani-immune guava trees become susceptible to extensive root rot caused by this fungus after parasitism by Meloidogyne enterolobii. To understand the mechanisms involved in this disease, root exudates were collected from nematode-inoculated (NI) or uninoculated (UN) guava plants cultivated in sand. After filtration through a Millipore® membrane, NI and UN exudates were used: i) to prepare media to assess their effect on mycelial growth and production of propagules of F. solani isolate UENF/CF 163, and ii) to incubate macro- and microconidia to assess their effect on germination. NI exudates promoted (P?<?0.05) more mycelial growth and production of propagules than UN exudates or water. NI and UN exudates were used to water guava seedlings laid over seed germination paper inside plastic boxes. Half of the seedlings had an agar plug colonized by the fungus positioned in the collar region. Upon watering with NI exudates the fungus caused (P?<?0.05) extensive rotting of the seedlings’ rootlets. NI and UN exudates, either unlyophilized or lyophilized and re-suspended to the original concentration, were used to water guava seedlings grown in sterile sand before being inoculated (or left uninoculated) as described before. Solely upon watering with NI exudates, in its unlyophilized form or after lyophilization, the fungus caused a reduction (P?<?0.05) of shoot and root biomass associated with rotting of roots. These results suggest that M. enterolobii induces chemical changes in the root exudates of guava trees, which are necessary for root invasion causing root rotting by F. solani.     

Characterization of Collagen from Different Discarded Fish Species of the West Coast of the Iberian Peninsula

ABSTRACT

Skin collagen of six discarded fish species was analyzed and compared. Acid soluble collagen (ASC) was extracted; a characteristic sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) profile for type I collagen was obtained, except for Chimaera mostrosa. Contents of collagen calculated from HPro (31.85% average) were higher than those determined from ASC extracts (17.75% average), with Galeus spp. being the species with the higher percentage. Amino acid analysis revealed the typical composition of collagen, with very few differences among species. Specific profiles were obtained after protease digestion. Denaturation temperature of ASC correlated well with imino and hydroxyproline contents.

Results demonstrate the feasibility of using the obtained collagens in different industrial applications.     

Factors affecting width of the canine femorotibial joint space in nonweight-bearing radiographs.

Caudocranial stifle radiographs with variations in positioning were made in two greyhound cadavers. Radiographs were repeated after each of three interventions: cranial cruciate desmotomy; release of the caudal horn of the medial meniscus; complete medial meniscectomy. The joint space on medial and lateral aspects of the joint was measured by a observer who was unaware of positioning or intervention. One dog had significantly wider joint space than the other (1.0 vs. 1.5mm). The lateral aspect of the joint space was wider than the medial aspect (1.7 vs. 0.7 mm). Medial rotation of the stifle resulted in an increase of 0.4 mm in width of the lateral joint space, whereas lateral rotation of the stifle reduced the lateral joint space by an average of 0.4 mm. Decentering the X-ray beam had no significant effect on joint space width. Tension increased the width of the medial joint space by an average of 1.2 mm and the lateral aspect by an average of 1.3 mm. Cranial cruciate desmotomy resulted in an average 0.3 mm increase in width of the joint space, and medial meniscectomy with an average 0.2 mm reduction of the joint space. Although the femorotibial joint space was affected by iatrogenic stifle injuries and by medial or lateral rotation, these changes were less than the differences between the two dogs. Hence it seems unlikely that the small changes in joint space width associated with cruciate ligament desmotomy and medial meniscectomy will be detectable in clinical practice.     

Acute tolerance and histopathological effects of ammonia on juvenile maroon clownfish Premnas biaculeatus (Block 1790)

This study evaluated the median lethal concentration values (LC₅₀) and the histopathological effects of un‐ionized ammonia (NH₃^‐‐N) on juvenile maroon clownfish Premnas biaculeatus. After 96 h of exposure to different concentrations of ammonia, juveniles were sampled for histopathological evaluation. The 24 and 96 h LC50 values of NH₃^?‐N determined were 1.68 and 0.89 mg L^?1 respectively. Maroon clownfish exposed to different ammonia concentrations displayed histopathological alterations in the gills, kidney, liver and brain. Gill tissue damage included lamellar hyperplasia, lamellar shorting and hyperplasia and hypertrophy of mucous cells. The kidney showed hyperanaemia, enlarged sinusoids within an apparently decreased amount of haematopoietic tissue, oedema on tubular cells and tubular necrosis, and an enlarged Bowman's capsule. The liver presented dilatation of hepatic sinusoids, fatty deposition in hepatocytes and Mallory bodies. Examination of the brain revealed a proliferation of glial cells, and the Virchow‐Robin space indicated a severe perivascular oedema and signs of neuronal suffering with satellitosis. The results of this study indicate that juvenile maroon clownfish are relatively sensitive to ammonia and particular attention must be given to this toxic compound in culture systems.     

Geographical origin and drying methodology may affect the essential oil of Lippia alba (Mill) N.E. Brown

Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown, the ginger grass, is a medicinal and aromatic plant widely used in Latin America. In this work the effect of the geographical origin and different drying methodologies on L. alba leaves production, essential oil content and composition were evaluated. Field experiments were conducted in three different municipalities (Amargosa, Cruz das Almas and Santo Antônio de Jesus) from Bahia region (Brazil) and two drying methodologies (traditional and artificial with controlled conditions) were assessed. Fresh and dried leaves essential oils were extracted by hydro-distillation and their volatiles were determined by gas chromatography.The geographical origin affected the mass production, essential oil content and both qualitative and quantitative fractions of their composition. Leaves from Cruz das Almas had higher yield in essential oil content. Overall, 26 oil constituents were identified. Carvone, germacrene D and limonene were the main oil constituents. The drying methodologies combined with the geographic origin influenced essential oil composition showing that L. alba constituents were influenced by post-harvest treatments. Some constituents were sensitive to both methods applied, while some enhanced their content like germacrene D.     

The Immune System of Marine Organisms as Source for Drugs against Infectious Diseases

The high proliferation of microorganisms in aquatic environments has allowed their coevolution for billions of years with other living beings that also inhabit these niches. Among the different existing types of interaction, the eternal competition for supremacy between the susceptible species and their pathogens has selected, as part of the effector division of the immune system of the former ones, a vast and varied arsenal of efficient antimicrobial molecules, which is highly amplified by the broad biodiversity radiated, above any others, at the marine habitats. At present, the great recent scientific and technological advances already allow the massive discovery and exploitation of these defense compounds for therapeutic purposes against infectious diseases of our interest. Among them, antimicrobial peptides and antimicrobial metabolites stand out because of the wide dimensions of their structural diversities, mechanisms of action, and target pathogen ranges. This revision work contextualizes the research in this field and serves as a presentation and scope identification of the Special Issue from Marine Drugs journal “The Immune System of Marine Organisms as Source for Drugs against Infectious Diseases”.