Glomangioma in the Prepuce of a Dog

A case of preputial glomangioma in an 8-year-old Springer Spaniel dog is reported. The dog presented a solitary nodular mass, approximately 3.5 x 5.2 cm in diameter, located on the lateral wall of the prepuce at the base of the penis. Histologically, the excised tumour mass consisted of proliferating round epithelioid cells arranged in a cordon-like structure around small blood vessels. The neoplastic cells were positive for alpha smooth muscle actin and negative for cytokeratin, desmin, S-100 protein and neurone-specific enolase. Based on these pathologic features, the tumour was diagnosed as glomangioma, a neoplasm extremely rare in dogs. To our knowledge, this is the first report of preputial glomangioma in the dog.     

Antibacterial and allelopathic activity of extract from Castanea sativa leaves

Following the extraction of Castanea sativa with an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid (pH 3.0), the ethyl acetate soluble fraction was tested for its antibacterial and allelopathic activity. The extract was shown to have pronounced antibacterial effects against seven of the eight strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria used (MIC in the range of 64-256 microg/ml and MBC in the range of 256-512 microg/ml). The active fraction was analyzed by TLC and HPLC showing the presence of rutin, hesperidin, quercetin, apigenin, morin, naringin, galangin and kaempferol. Standards of the identified flavonoids were tested against the same bacterial strains. The highest activity was shown by quercetin, rutin and apigenin. The allelopathic effect was tested against Raphanus sativus seed germination. The extract, quercetin, rutin and apigenin caused a decrease in the percentage of seed germination and root and epicotyl growth.     

Morpho-pomological and chemical characterization of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) genotypes in Apulia region,Southeastern Italy

A recent increasing demand in Western countries for pomegranate products by consumers is especially supported for the nutritional and medicinal characteristics, due to the antioxidant properties of this fruit. Some studies have been published on the morphological and biochemical characteristics of pomegranate fruits in some Mediterranean countries, but little information is available about the genotypes present in Italy and in particular in Apulia (Southeastern region of Italy). This study (2008–2009) evaluated morpho-pomological and chemical parameters of eight pomegranate genotypes localized in private small orchards. Significant differences were observed among the pomegranate genotypes for many of the parameters investigated. In particular, fruit weight ranged from 168.9 g (SouMol) to 574.9 g (SouOst), °Brix from 14.7 (ComTri) to 18.0 (SouMol), titratable acidity from 5.4 (ComMol) to 25.0 (SouTri) g/L. SouMol showed the highest polyphenols (97.1 mg/L) and vitamin C (236.3 mg/L) contents. Oil content of the seeds was between 5.90% and 10.30%, no differences have been observed for the fatty acid composition with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers as the most abundant fraction (81.23%). Considering all the evaluated parameters, and especially those referring to the organoleptic characteristics and antioxidants content, it must be stated that the best genotypes worthy to be considered from agricultural and industrial points of view were AdeSgi for fresh market and SouOst for the juice industry.     

Mercury in abiotic and biotic compartments of an area affected by a geochemical anomaly (Mt. Amiata,Italy)

Data both from the literature and from our own research are reported on the Hg levels in the soil, waters, sediment , atmosphere and some plants of the mineralized Monte Amiata region (Italy) with the aim of evidencing the interactions between the different environmental compartments. The presence of cinnabar in the soil affects the whole area, particularly near the mines, roasted cinnabar deposits and at the steam jets used for the geothermal power plants. Soil degassing represents the main source of atmospheric Hg which shows a concentration range of 5 to 200 ng m^?3. Vegetables display high Hg levels (0.06 to 9.80 µg g^?1) especially in the leaves. The aqueous transport of dissolved mercury is of no importance; suspended particulate matter, however, is able to carry a significant load of Hg.     

欧盟关于农场动物福利的法规

1、一欧盟在动物福利方面的立法 如今,在欧洲消费者看来,动物的饲养已经不仅仅是主要的食物生产方式,而是被看作他主要社会目标的基础,例如食物的安全及质量,环境保护的保证,可持续性,提高农村生活质量,同时保证动物得到适当的对待。     

Motivations and support for regulations: a typology of eastern wild turkey hunters

To determine the diverse motivations of eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hunters, a self-administered questionnaire was developed and mailed to a sample of 5,000 licensed turkey hunters in Tennessee (response rate = 36%). A cluster analysis yielded three types of respondents in terms of their hunting motivations: social harvesters (44%), experiential harvesters (22%), and social outdoor enthusiasts (34%). Hunters in these segments were then analyzed to compare their support for various hunting regulations. While 61% of Tennessee eastern wild turkey hunters reported to be satisfied with current regulations, harvest-motivated hunters were less receptive to regulations that would limit season lengths or bag limits while socially motivated hunters were more accepting. The hunter groups did not differ in their preference for decentralizing regulations by management zones. Findings from this article may guide wildlife managers in designing socially acceptable regulations.     

Toward forest ‘‘sprawl':monitoring and planning a changing landscape for urban sustainability

The present study analyzes the structure and dynamics of the forest landscape in a peri-urban area(Rome, Italy) during the city's expansion from 1949 to2008 using landscape metrics and change detection analysis of digital maps of the area(1500 km2). While urban settlements increased continuously from 6.5 to 27.5 % of the study area, woodlands changed less clearly, with a moderate increase(from 11.2 to 11.9 % of the total area)and a higher fragmentation as a consequence of Rome's expansion. The structure of forest landscape changed along the urban-to-rural gradient with patch size increasing with the distance to the inner city in 1949 and substantial landscape homogeneity in 2008. The indicators proposed in this study inform dedicated measures for conserving forest and maintaining landscape diversity. Measures adopted in Rome's forestation plan to counteract woodlandffragmentation were analyzed and discussed. Based on the complex landscape dynamics found for Rome, an integrated multiscale planning approach targeting forest conservation is considered a key contribution to urban sustainability.     

Characterizing the Economic Value and Impacts of Wild Pig Damage on a Rural Economy

Wild pigs are a free-ranging invasive species capable of inflicting significant damage on rural property. Wildlife management personnel may benefit from understanding the negative societal impact of wild pigs. A statewide mail survey of randomly selected landowners was conducted in rural Tennessee counties known to have wild pigs. The economic value of damage caused by wild pigs in 2015 in these counties was estimated at $26.22 million, whereas the cost incurred in control and eradication was $2.09 million. Input-output modeling of damage in these counties on the state’s economy showed $32.8 million in lost industrial output, $4.6 million in lost labor income, and 332 jobs or job equivalents affected. Findings are useful in understanding the types of damage, and the extent of these impacts on the rural economy. They could also facilitate comparing the expected benefit with the cost of control programs in Tennessee and comparable areas facing similar invasions from wild pigs.