Untersuchungen zum Einfluß des Matrixpotentials im Boden auf Stammdickenänderungen von Fichten (Picea abies (L.) Karst.)

Effects of soil water potential on stem radius changes of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) The stem radius of 2 mature Norway spruce trees and the soil water potential were continuously measured in situ with dendrometers and tensiometers, respectively. In a period without growth and frost events the stem radius and the soil water potentials correlated closely. A young spruce tree grown under controlled conditions changed its radius in response to the soil water supply likewise. The shrinkage of the stem was reversible, even if the soil was very dry (soil water potential ± ? 1000 hPa). An estimate of the soil water potential seems to be possible even beyond ? 1000 hPa by measurements of stem radius changes.     

Salmonella serotypes in wild boars (Sus scrofa) hunted in northern Italy

Background

Salmonella species (spp.) are zoonotic enteric bacteria able to infect humans, livestock and wildlife.However, little is known about the prevalence and the presence of the different serovars in wildlife. Considering the wide distribution of wild boars and the feeding behaviour (omnivorous scavengers), wild boars may be a good indicator for environmental presence of Salmonella spp. The aims of this study were to determine the presence of Salmonella spp. in hunted wild boars and to determine the serotype the isolated strains.

Findings

Over three hunting seasons, the intestinal contents of 1,313 boars hunted in northern Italy were sampled and cultured. Salmonella spp. were isolated from 326 boars (24.82%). Thirty different serovars belonging to three different S. enterica spp. were found. Twenty-one serovars of S. enterica subsp. Enterica were found including the human pathogens S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis. In addition, nine serovars belonging to S.enterica subsp. diarizonae and S. enterica subsp. houtenae were detected.

Conclusions

Considering the widespread occurrence of wild boars in Europe, the epidemiological role of this species in relation to salmonellosis might be relevant and should be further investigated. Wild boars may act as healthy carriers of a wide range of Salmonella serotypes.     

Dynamics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae</Emphasis> seroconversion and infection in pigs in the three main production systems

In this study, we investigated the dynamics of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infections in 66 pig farms, with different production systems (one-, two-, and three-site systems), and considered different risk factors. Serological assay was used to detect serum antibodies against M. hyopneumoniae and real time polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) was performed to detect M. hyopneumoniae DNA in tracheobronchial swabs. Results demonstrated that M. hyopneumoniae infection status was predominantly influenced by the age of the animals and the type of production system. Infection rates were higher in older animals and the prevalence was higher in the one- and two-site systems than in the three-site systems. Dynamics of infection by RT-PCR showed that earlier M. hyopneumoniae infection on one-site farms occurs earlier, while on two- and three-site farms occurs later but spreads faster, suggesting that contact between animals of different age favors the transmission.     

Clinical evaluation and microbiota analysis in 9 dogs with antibiotic‐responsive enteropathy: A prospective comparison study

BackgroundAntibiotic‐responsive enteropathy (ARE) is diagnosed by excluding other causes of diarrhea and when there is a short‐term response to administration of antibiotics.ObjectivesTo characterize the gut microbiota and clinical trend of dogs with suspected ARE and to evaluate the variation in microbiota before (T0), after 30 days (T30) of tylosin treatment, and 30 days after discontinuation of treatment (T60). A further objective was to evaluate whether changes in gut microbiota are related to relapses of diarrhea when the therapy is tapered.AnimalsStudy sample (group A) was composed of 15 dogs with chronic diarrhea, group B was composed of 15 healthy dogs. Group A was given tylosin for 30 days.MethodsA multicentric prospective study. Clinical Indexes, fecal score, and samples for microbiota analysis were collected at T0, T30, and T60 in group A and T0 and T30 in group B. The gut microbiota was analyzed via 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Qiime2 version 2020.2 was used to perform bioinformatic analyses, and Alpha‐ and Beta‐diversity were computed.ResultsDiarrhea recurred after T30 in 9 of 14 dogs, which were classified as affected by ARE. At T0, a difference was noted in the beta‐diversity between groups (Bray Curtis metric P = .006). A T0‐T30 difference in alpha‐diversity was noted in group A (Shannon index P = .001, Faith PD P = .007).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceAlthough tylosin influences the microbiota of dogs with ARE, we failed to find any specific characteristic in the microbiota of dogs with ARE.     

Isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. from red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and badgers (Meles meles) in northern Italy

Background

Salmonella spp. have been isolated from a wide range of wild animals. Opportunistic wild carnivores such as red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and badgers (Meles meles) may act as environmental indicators or as potential sources of salmonellosis in humans. The present study characterizes Salmonella spp. isolated from the intestinal contents of hunted or dead red foxes (n = 509) and badgers (n = 17) in northern Italy.

Findings

Thirty-one strains of Salmonella belonging to 3 Salmonella enterica subspecies were isolated. Fourteen different serovars of S. enterica subsp. enterica were identified, among which were serovars often associated with human illness.

Conclusions

Wild opportunistic predators can influence the probability of infection of both domestic animals and humans through active shedding of the pathogen to the environment. The epidemiological role of wild carnivores in the spread of salmonellosis needs to be further studied.     

Human lineage-specific amplification, selection, and neuronal expression of DUF1220 domains

Extreme gene duplication is a major source of evolutionary novelty. A genome-wide survey of gene copy number variation among human and great ape lineages revealed that the most striking human lineage-specific amplification was due to an unknown gene, MGC8902, which is predicted to encode multiple copies of a protein domain of unknown function (DUF1220). Sequences encoding these domains are virtually all primate-specific, show signs of positive selection, and are increasingly amplified generally as a function of a species' evolutionary proximity to humans, where the greatest number of copies (212) is found. DUF1220 domains are highly expressed in brain regions associated with higher cognitive function, and in brain show neuron-specific expression preferentially in cell bodies and dendrites.     

INFOCARB: A regional scale forest carbon inventory (Provincia Autonoma di Trento,Southern Italian Alps)

The aim of this inventory (acronym: INFOCARB) was to measure the organic carbon stored in the forest ecosystems of the Trento region (Provincia Autonoma di Trento, Northern Italy) in both above- and belowground pools, according to the Kyoto protocol and IPCC requirements. A total of 150 forest sampling points were selected on the entire regional area (6206 km²) with a statistical sampling approach, based on the timber volume as a proxy variable for a stratified sampling. Each sampling point was located with a GPS receiver and a 600 m² circular plot was delimited around each point. Inside the plots, the biomass of trees, shrubs and herbaceous vegetation was measured, while litter was collected in systematically placed subplots. Topsoil (down to 30 cm depth) was sampled with the excavation method on three systematically located pits, to determine the organic carbon content, the bulk density and the volume occupied by stones and roots.     

The synergistic effect of organic acids,phytochemicals and a permeabilizing complex reduces <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella</Emphasis> Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i-shedding in pigs

Salmonella Typhimurium (including S.Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i-) and other enteric pathogens cause acute infection in pigs during the weaning stage, often evolving into chronic infections responsible for the introduction of zoonotic bacteria into the slaughterhouse and thus determining carcass contamination. In addition to being zoonotic hazards, these pathogens are responsible for economic losses in affected farms. Traditionally, antibiotic treatments have been largely administered in order to reduce the infection burden but it favored, as a direct consequence, an increase in the number of multi-drug resistance strains. In order to overcome antibiotic-resistance concerns, new alternative control strategies should be developed. In this context, a blend of organic acids, phytochemicals and a permeabilizing complex, administered in feed (Group A - 459 piglets) or water (Group B – 458 piglets), was tested in field conditions for its capability of reducing Salmonella-infection in weaned piglets of an endemic farm. Data recorded were compared to results of a control group (Group C - 456 piglets). Zootechnical parameters were recorded in all animals, while microbiological, serological and PCR analyses were conducted in 15 piglets for each group. Results demonstrated that additive administered in feed improved animal weight gain (better average daily gain [A.D.G.] and increment), and rapidly reduced Salmonella-shedding in feces. Administration of additive in feed gave better results than in water.