First record of autochthonous canine ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia canis in Romania

This case study describes the first genetically confirmed and clinically manifested autochthonous Ehrlichia canis infection in a 9‐year‐old female mixed‐breed dog from Romania. Health screening of the dog included clinical examination, evaluation of stained peripheral blood smear and hematologic variables, as well as serologic testing and molecular analysis. Clinical signs included fever, apathy, dehydration, pale mucous membranes, and weakness. The microscopic examination of the blood smear and immunologic assays for Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and E canis antibodies, and for Dirofilaria immitis antigen yielded negative results. Hematologic abnormalities included moderate nonregenerative anemia, leucopenia with neutropenia, and moderate thrombocytopenia. The biochemical abnormalities identified were hypoalbuminemia, and mildly increased serum enzyme activities of AST and ALT. In addition, increased urea and creatinine levels associated with low urine specific gravity and proteinuria were also present. Nested PCR amplification of the partial E canis 16S rRNA gene demonstrated the presence of this rickettsial pathogen in the dog's blood, which subsequently was confirmed through sequencing based on the 100% homology with GenBank deposited E canis isolates. After specific treatment with doxycycline (10 mg/kg, orally, SID) for one month, the proteinuria, and hematologic and serum biochemical abnormalities with the exception of mild azotemia resolved. This report supports the geographical expansion of canine ehrlichiosis caused by E canis in nonendemic regions of Europe.     

Experimental acute canine monocytic ehrlichiosis: clinicopathological and immunopathological findings

Clinical signs, humoral and cellular immune responses, and microscopic and gross tissue alterations resulting from acute experimental Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs were studied. Four dogs were inoculated with E. canis and four were used as uninfected controls. After a 10-14-day incubation period, infected dogs developed pyrexia up to 41 degrees C for 6-8 days. Antibody titers to E. canis antigen were demonstrable in all inoculated dogs at 30 days post-infection. Necropsy of infected animals revealed pale mucous membranes, generalized lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, edema and ascites. Microcopically, the main lesions were: lymphoreticular hyperplasia in cortical areas of lymph nodes and spleenic white pulp, periportal accumulation of mononuclear cells and centrolobular fatty degeneration of the liver. Kidneys presented with glomerulonephritis characterized by interstitial mononuclear infiltration. Immunophenotyping of lymphocytes from lymph nodes and spleen sections displayed alterations in IgG, IgM, CD3+ and CD8+ cells population in infected dogs.     

Report of a serological study of Coxiella burnetii in domestic animals in Albania

The prevalence of Coxiella burnetii antibodies in domestic ruminants in Albania has been investigated. A total of 1656 serum samples taken from sheep, goats, and cattle housed on farms located in 20 different districts were tested by ELISA for the presence of specific antibodies to C. burnetii phase I and II antigens. Specific IgG antibodies were detected in 9.1% of the animals from both lowland and mountainous areas. In total, a slightly higher percentage of antibodies was detected in sheep and goats (9.8%) than in cattle (7.9%).     

Evaluating static and dynamic landscape connectivity modelling using a 25-year remote sensing time series

Context

Despite calls for landscape connectivity research to account for spatiotemporal dynamics, studies have overwhelmingly evaluated the importance of habitats for connectivity at single or limited moments in time. Remote sensing time series represent a promising resource for studying connectivity within dynamic ecosystems. However, there is a critical need to assess how static and dynamic landscape connectivity modelling approaches compare for prioritising habitats for conservation within dynamic environments.

Objectives

To assess whether static landscape connectivity analyses can identify similar important areas for connectivity as analyses based on dynamic remotely sensed time series data.

Methods

We compared degree and betweenness centrality graph theory metric distributions from four static scenarios against equivalent results from a dynamic 25-year remotely sensed surface-water time series. Metrics were compared at multiple spatial aggregation scales across south-eastern Australia’s 1 million km² semi-arid Murray–Darling Basin and three sub-regions with varying levels of hydroclimatic variability and development.

Results

We revealed large differences between static and dynamic connectivity metric distributions that varied by static scenario, region, spatial scale and hydroclimatic conditions. Static and dynamic metrics showed particularly low overlap within unregulated and spatiotemporally variable regions, although similarities increased at coarse aggregation scales.

Conclusions

In regions that exhibit high spatiotemporal variability, static connectivity modelling approaches are unlikely to serve as effective surrogates for more data intensive approaches based on dynamic, remotely sensed data. Although this limitation may be moderated by spatially aggregating static connectivity outputs, our results highlight the value of remotely sensed time series for assessing connectivity in dynamic landscapes.

     

Intranasal Osteosarcoma in a Dog—A Case Report

Osteosarcoma is the most commonly reported bone tumor in dogs, typically affecting the axial and appendicular skeleton. Involvement of the paranasal sinuses and the nasal cavity is extremely rare. This report describes a 6-year-old, female, cross-breed dog presented with signs of 90 days duration and diagnosed with a mass located in the right nasal cavity. Radiography, rhinoscopy, and computed tomography findings suggested the presence of an intranasal tumor. Osteosarcoma in the nasal cavity was diagnosed based on histopathological examination and clinical and imaging findings. Survival time was 12 months from diagnosis.     

Prediction of β‐Glucan Concentration Based on Viscosity Evaluations of Raw Oat Flours from High β‐Glucan and Traditional Oat Lines

Rheological properties of raw oat flour slurries were determined in experimental high β‐glucan (≤7.8%) and traditional oat lines (4–5% β‐glucan) grown in two consecutive years. Three different media were used to disperse oat flours: deionized water, silver nitrate solution (to inactivate endogenous enzymes), and alkali solution (to solubilize both water‐soluble and water‐insoluble β‐glucans). Significant correlations (P < 0.05) between viscosity of slurries and β‐glucan concentration obtained in either deionized water (r = 0.833), silver nitrate (r = 0.940), or alkali (r = 0.896) solutions showed that β‐glucans were the main contributor to oat extract viscosity. The highest correlation was obtained in silver nitrate solution, suggesting that inactivating endogenous enzymes is important to obtain high correlations. Predictive models of oat β‐glucan concentration based on the viscosity profile were developed using partial least squares (PLS) regression. Prediction of β‐glucan concentration based on viscosity was most effective in the silver nitrate solution (r = 0.949, correlation coefficient of predicted vs. analyzed β‐glucans) and least effective in the alkali solution (r = 0.870). These findings demonstrate that the β‐glucan in oat could be predicted by measuring the viscosity of raw flours in silver nitrate solution, and this method could be used as a screening tool for selective breeding.     

Pasting and Thermal Properties of Flours from Oat Lines with High and Typical Amounts of β‐Glucan

Experimental oat lines high in β‐glucan (6–7.8%) and traditional lines (3.9–5.7% β‐glucan) were used to evaluate the effect of β‐glucan on pasting (by rapid viscoanalysis) and thermal properties (by differential scanning calorimetry) of oat flours. Significant correlations established between β‐glucan concentration and the pasting parameters after amylolysis demonstrated the role of β‐glucans in oat pasting. The relative decrease of peak viscosity (PV) observed after enzymatic removal of β‐glucans was correlated with β‐glucan concentration (r = 0.880, P < 0.010) and reconfirmed their contribution to pasting. A significant increase of PV with β‐glucan concentration obtained under conditions of either autolysis (deionized water used for dispersion) (r = 0.89, P < 0.010) or inhibition (silver nitrate solution used for dispersion) (r = 0.91, P < 0.001) might be explained by an increase in water retention capacity caused by the β‐glucans. Predictive models of β‐glucan concentration based on the whole pasting profile or selected profile regions were developed using partial least squares (PLS) regression.Prediction of β‐glucan based on the whole profile obtained in the silver nitrate solution was the most effective (r = 0.93, correlation coefficient of predicted vs. analyzed β‐glucans, P < 0.050). No correlations were observed between the thermal properties of oat flours and the β‐glucan concentration.     

Clinical value of carcinoembryonic antigen in mammary neoplasms of bitches

This study aimed at evaluating the behaviour and understanding the diagnostic value of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in bitches with mammary carcinoma as a tool for monitoring and prognosis of canine cancer patients. Serum samples from 77 bitches were divided into four groups, G1 (n = 21), control group (healthy/neoplasia free bitches); G2 (n = 31), bitches with non‐metastatic mammary carcinoma less than 3 cm; G3 (n = 12), bitches with non‐metastatic mammary carcinoma greater than 3 cm; and, G4 (n = 13) bitches with mammary carcinoma and lymph node metastasis. The marker was dosed once in G1, whereas in G2, G3 and G4, CEA levels were determined before (M0) and 15 days after (M1) mastectomy, using the ELISA kit for humans while reading used ELISYS ONE human. A group of 11 bitches was followed up 45 days after mastectomy (M2). The results for the concentration of markers in blood serum samples at the evaluated times and their relationship with neoplasia biological behaviour and observed clinicopathological changes were evaluated by the Tukey test at 5% significance. The ROC curve was established to find the cut‐off value and calculate the test sensitivity and specificity, the multivariate matching analysis was performed to confirm the association between CEA values and clinicopathological variables. CEA values increased significantly in bitches with mammary carcinoma, metastatic tumours with a diameter larger than 3.0 cm and high grade, compared with healthy ones. In addition, mastectomy reduced the CEA concentration in the blood (P < .05) whereas high CEA levels were associated with unfavourable prognostic factors (P < .05). The biomarker presented good diagnostic value, especially for more aggressive tumours. In conclusion, CEA serum concentrations allowed to follow efficiently the evolution of mammary tumours in bitches, since CEA values increased in bitches with mammary gland tumour and decreased after mastectomy while correlating with prognostic factors such as tumour size, nodal metastasis and histological grade. Further studies are still needed to confirm its diagnostic value for follow‐up of relapse and early metastasis.     

Diminished vessel diameter as a possible factor in the decline of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.)

? The aim of this work was to examine the anatomy and functioning of secondary xylem in stems in relation to the decline of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.).

? We tested the hypothesis that declining trees show changes in the structure of wood, which result in impaired water transport.

? Anatomical analyses were carried out on wood samples (comprising all annual rings formed during the 30 years life of the analysed trees) collected at breast height from the main stem of healthy, weakened and dead ash trees. The width of annual wood increments, the diameter and density of earlywood vessels were measured and the theoretical hydraulic conductivity index through the secondary xylem calculated by application of Hagen-Poisseuille’s formula.

? Anatomical characteristics changed both with the age of trees and in response to unfavorable factors. The largest vessels were observed in healthy trees, which implied that they had the highest hydraulic conductivity index, whereas trees considered to be in decline produce smaller vessels and hence had reduced conductivity.

     

Evaluation of Turmeric Extract as an Antioxidant for Frozen Streaked Prochilod (Prochilodus lineatus) Fillets

This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) extract, applied as a marinade or glaze, as an antioxidant for frozen streaked prochilod (Prochilodus lineatus) fillets. The turmeric extract contained 5.5 ± 0.1 mg curcumin/mL, and the experiment was performed using a diluted extract with 100 µg curcumin/mL. Analysis of the antioxidant activity with 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals confirmed the high antioxidant activity of curcumin. However, under the experimental conditions, curcumin extract presented no effectiveness for inhibiting lipid oxidation in frozen streaked prochilod fillets, as the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances did not differ (p > 0.05) between treated and control fillets. Sensory evaluation of the fillet appearance indicated that the change toward a more yellow color in treated fillets negatively affected its acceptance. However, the acceptability of the odor of raw and cooked fillets was similar for treated and control samples. These results may be explained by the fact that good in vitro performance of antioxidants is not always replicated in foodstuffs owing to the complexity of food matrices. Additionally, the low lipid content of the fish and the low amount of curcumin applied to the fillets may have contributed to the inefficiency of turmeric extract.