Identification ofTomato Mottle Taino Begomovirus strains in Cuban potato fields

The presence of a begomovirus in potato plants with yellow mottle symptoms was determined for the first time in Cuba. The incidence of typical begomovirus-like symptoms in potato plants in some regions of Havana province (Güira de Melena, San José de las Lajas, Güines and Boyeros) during the growing seasons from 1992 to 1998 was in general low. However, in some cultivars belonging to the National Program for Potato Genetic Improvement, the incidence reached 100%. Yield losses, determined in 1992 and 1994, ranged as high as 19% to 56.33% depending on the cultivar. Characterization of the causal agent was done by light microscopy, host range (graft and mechanical transmission), DNA hybridizations, polymerase chain reaction, and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Nucleotide sequence of the amplified fragments revealed the presence ofTomato mottle Taino virus. The virus was transmittedvia tubers and has been detected in mixed infections withPotato virus X and withPotato leaf roll virus. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Oct. 20, 2003. The first two authors contributed equally to this work.     

The effect of erector spinae plane block on perioperative analgesic consumption and complications in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy surgery: a retrospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo compare the perioperative use of analgesics and complication rates in dogs administered an erector spinae plane (ESP) block or a traditional opioid-based (OP) treatment as part of analgesic management during hemilaminectomy.Study designRetrospective cohort study.AnimalsMedical records of 114 client-owned dogs.MethodsGeneral data included demographics, duration of procedure, number of laminae fenestrated, perioperative use of steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Intra- and postoperative analgesics used in 48 hours and complications rates were compared between groups. Opioid use was expressed in morphine equivalents [ME (mg kg^?1)]. Continuous data were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test and incidence of events with a Fisher's exact tests. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate association between perioperative ME consumption (dependent variable) with other independent variables. Data are presented as median (range). Differences were considered significant when p < 0.05.ResultsGroup ESP comprised 42 dogs and group OP 72 dogs. No differences were observed in the general data. Intraoperative ME was 0.65 (0.20–3.74) and 0.79 (0.19–5.60) mg kg^?1 in groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.03). Intraoperative infusion of lidocaine was administered intravenously (IV) to 23.8% and 68% of groups ESP and OP, respectively (p < 0.0001). Intraoperative infusion of ketamine was administered IV to 21% and 40% of groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.04). Regression analysis revealed the ESP block as the only independent variable affecting the perioperative ME consumption. Pharmacological intervention to treat cardiovascular complications was administered to 21.4% and 47.2% of dogs in groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.008). There were no differences in postoperative complication rates.Conclusions and clinical relevanceESP block was associated with reduced perioperative opioid consumption, intraoperative adjuvant analgesic use and incidence of pharmacological interventions to treat cardiovascular complications in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy.     

Emerging Marine Biotoxins in European Waters: Potential Risks and Analytical Challenges

Harmful algal blooms pose a challenge regarding food safety due to their erratic nature and forming circumstances which are yet to be disclosed. The best strategy to protect human consumers is through legislation and monitoring strategies. Global warming and anthropological intervention aided the migration and establishment of emerging toxin producers into Europe’s temperate waters, creating a new threat to human public health. The lack of information, standards, and reference materials delay effective solutions, being a matter of urgent resolution. In this work, the recent findings of the presence of emerging azaspiracids, spirolildes, pinnatoxins, gymnodimines, palitoxins, ciguatoxins, brevetoxins, and tetrodotoxins on European Coasts are addressed. The information concerning emerging toxins such as new matrices, locations, and toxicity assays is paramount to set the risk assessment guidelines, regulatory levels, and analytical methodology that would protect the consumers.     

Enriching rotifers with “premium” microalgae. Isochrysis aff. galbana clone T-ISO

The effect of semi-continuous culture on the nutritional value of microalgae was tested in the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis in short-term enrichment experiments. Isochrysis aff. galbana clone T-ISO was cultured semi-continuously with renewal rates from 10 to 50% of the volume of the culture per day and used to feed the rotifers. After 24 h, dramatic differences in dry weight and protein, lipid and carbohydrate contents were observed in the rotifers depending on the renewal rate applied to the microalgal culture. Rotifers fed T-ISO cultured with low renewal rates showed low dry weight and organic content, whereas rotifers fed microalgae from nutrient-sufficient, high renewal rate cultures showed higher dry weight and increases up to 60% in protein, 35% in lipid and 100% in carbohydrate contents. Feed conversion rate (FCR) and organic FCR decreased with increasing renewal rates, indicating a more efficient assimilation of the microalgal biomass obtained at high growth rates. The fatty acid profile of rotifers reflected that of T-ISO, with maximum content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), n-3 fatty acids and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) being found in the rotifers fed microalgae from the renewal rate of 40%. Results demonstrate that the biochemical composition of B. plicatilis is strongly modified through the use of semi-continuous cultures of microalgae in short-term enrichment processes. This technique provides an excellent tool to improve the nutritional value of the live feed used in fish larvae cultures.     

Landscape drivers of connectivity for a forest rodent in a coffee agroecosystem

Landscape Ecology - The majority of remaining tropical forests exist as fragments embedded in a matrix of agricultural production. Understanding the effects of these agricultural landscapes on...     

The effects of using crab zoeae (Maja brachydactyla) on growth and biochemical composition of Octopus vulgaris (Cuvier 1797) paralarvae

Octopus vulgaris farming at large scale can only be attained using live prey during the paralarvae stage. Presently, only Artemia complies with this requirement. Nevertheless, its sole use delivers poor paralarvae growth and survival. Some species of marine zooplankton are better prey for marine fish larvae compared to Artemia, since its composition is richer in several important nutritional components. Among these are phospholipids and specific fatty acids, namely docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and arachidonic acid. During the present experiment, octopus paralarvae were fed a co-feeding scheme of spider crab (Maja brachydactyla) zoeae and Artemia (1:2, Artemia/Crab zoeae). The use of spider crab zoeae was justified by their availability in commercial facilities, where adult spider crabs are maintained to be sold to the public. There, fecund and spawning females are present in large numbers, and zoeae availability is often high and implies no production or zoeae collection costs. O. vulgaris paralarvae fed on Artemia and crab zoeae grew larger (3.00 ± 0.56 mg dw^?1) after 30 days, compared to previous published papers. Also, the paralarvae lipid content was substantially enhanced in highly unsaturated fatty acids and phospholipids. However, survival after 30 days was still very low (1.75 % after 30 days) and needs to be greatly improved.     

Pronuclear Embryo Yield in Canindé and Saanen Goats for DNA Microinjection

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of donor breed on pronuclear‐stage embryo yield to be used for DNA microinjection in a transgenesis goat program. Twelve Canindé and twelve Saanen goats were heat synchronized using a progestagen‐cloprostenol treatment. Forty‐eight hours before the sponge removal, superovulation was induced with a total administration of 4.4 mg/kg bodyweight NIH‐FSH‐P1, given twice daily in decreasing doses over 3 days. In addition, goats received 100 μg of GnRH and they were hand‐mated at 36 and 48 h after progestagen removal. Embryo recovery was performed by oviduct flushing at 72 h after sponge removal. Embryos were microinjected with a DNA construct and noticeable swelling of the nuclei was the criterion for successful microinjection. The total diameter, cytoplasm diameter, zona pellucida thickness and pronuclei diameter were measured for each microinjected embryo. A higher (p < 0.05) percentage of fertilized ova was observed in Canindé (89.9%) than Saanen (36.2%) goats. In addition, Canindé donors produced a higher percentage of pronuclear embryos when compared with Saanen: 72.5% vs 20.6% (p < 0.05), respectively. Successful microinjection was verified in 96.7% and 73.3% of times in Canindé and Saanen embryos, respectively (p < 0.05). Significant differences were observed for all morphometric parameters except for cytoplasm diameter. In conclusion, under our study experimental conditions, Canindé were more efficient than Saanen goats concerning the pronuclear embryo yield and manipulation. The use of Canindé goats in transgenesis programs could be increase the interest in their breeding and could be contribute to saving them from extinction.     

Effect of Density at Harvest on the Growth Performance and Profitability of Hatchery‐reared Spotted Rose Snapper,Lutjanus guttatus,Cultured in Floating Net Cages

This study evaluated the effect of the density at harvest on the performance and profitability of hatchery‐reared spotted rose snapper cultured in cages. The fish were stocked at harvest densities of 15, 20, and 22 kg/m³ in cages of 222 and 286 m³. More than 39,000 snapper fingerlings with an initial weight of 14 g were stocked. The fish were fed an extruded diet and cultured over a 360 d period. The thermal growth coefficient ranged from 0.04 to 0.05 and survival was 95% for all treatments, with the highest final weight (436.8 g) observed for fish reared at a density of 20 kg/m³. The allometric value b indicated that hatchery‐raised, cage‐cultured snapper were heavier than their wild counterparts. The major costs were feed (ranging from 44.7–45.9%), labor (22.4–32.6%), and seed costs (20.2–26.1%). The total production cost ranged from US$ 6.5 to US$ 7.5/kg. The baseline scenario was not economically feasible. However, a 10% increase in the sales price resulted in increases in the internal rate of return (183%) and net present value (US$ 97,628.9). These results suggest that L. guttatus has the potential for commercial production in cages.