Effects of recombinant canine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on white blood cell production in clinically normal and neutropenic dogs.

Recombinant canine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rcG-CSF) was administered to clinically normal dogs, cyclic-hematopoietic dogs, and dogs undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation, to determine whether rcG-CSF could be used to stimulate WBC production and function in normal and neutropenic dogs. To the normal dogs, rcG-CSF was administered by SC injection at rates of 1 microgram/kg of body weight, q 12 h; 2 micrograms/kg, q 12 h; or 5 micrograms/kg, q 12 h. A significant dose-dependent increase in the WBC count resulted from the stimulation of bone marrow progenitor cells. The increased WBC count was characterized by mature neutrophilia and monocytosis. Neutrophil myeloperoxidase and phagocytic activity were normal in rcG-CSF-treated normal dogs, demonstrating the production of normal functional neutrophils in response to rcG-CSF treatment. Recombinant canine G-CSF prevented neutropenia and associated clinical signs but did not completely eliminate the cycling of neutrophils in cyclic-hematopoietic dogs when it was administered at rates of 1 microgram/kg, q 12 h, and 2.5 micrograms/kg, q 12 h. The time to bone marrow reconstitution was not decreased in dogs treated with rcG-CSF at a rate of 2.5 micrograms/kg, q 12 h, for 13 days following autologous bone marrow transplantation. On the basis of our findings, we suggest that treatment with rcG-CSF is an effective way to stimulate myelopoiesis in dogs, but that the dose of rcG-CSF required to stimulate WBC production will vary depending on the cause of neutropenia. Recombinant canine G-CSF should be useful in stimulating production and maintaining function of WBC for treatment of clinical diseases seen commonly in veterinary practice.     

Resistance to Leveillula taurica in the genus Capsicum

One hundred and sixty-two Capsicum genotypes were evaluated for powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica) resistance, following inoculations with a suspension of 5 × 10⁴ conidia mL⁻¹ on 10-leaved to 12-leaved plants. Genotypes were graded into five resistance classes, based on the areas under the disease progress curves calculated from disease incidence (percentage infected leaves per plant) and severity (total number of colonies per plant). Results revealed a continuum from resistance to susceptibility, with the majority (70%) of C. annuum materials being classified as moderately to highly susceptible to L. taurica. Conversely, C. baccatum, C. chinense and C. frutescens were most often resistant, indicating that resistance to L. taurica among Capsicum species is found mainly outside the C. annuum taxon. Nevertheless, some resistant C. annuum material was identified that may be useful for resistance breeding. Eight genotypes were identified as immune to the pathogen: H-V-12 and 4638 (previously reported), and CNPH 36, 38, 50, 52, 279 and 288. Only H-V-12 and 4638 are C. annuum, while all others belong to the C. baccatum taxon. Latent period of disease on a set of commercial sweet pepper genotypes varied, indicating diverse levels of polygenic resistance. The latent period progressively reduced with plant maturity, from 14·3 days in plants at the mid-vegetative stage to 8·6 days in plants at the fruiting stage. Young plants of all commercial genotypes tested at the early vegetative stage were immune, irrespective of the reaction of the genotype at later stages, demonstrating widespread juvenile resistance to L. taurica in the Capsicum germplasm. Inoculation of plants of different botanical taxa with a local isolate indicated a wide host range. Some hosts, including tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), artichoke (Cynara scolymus) and poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), produced large amounts of secondary inoculum. Other hosts included okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), eggplant (Solanum melongena), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), Solanum gilo, Chenopodium ambrosioides and Nicandra physaloides.     

Monitoring response to aminobisphosphonate therapy in canine osteosarcoma using dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry (dexa)

Introduction: Palliative therapy is essential to improve the quality of life of dogs with osteosarcoma (OSA), when definitive therapy is not considered a valid option. Bisphosphonates, a novel class of antiosteoclastic drugs, are widely used in humans for several painful osteolytic conditions. Dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is recognized as a reliable tool to measure bone mineral density (BMD), and to monitor treatment response to bisphosphonates in humans. A prospective evaluation of pamidronate, an injectable aminobisphosphonate, is ongoing in dogs with appendicular OSA. The potential value of DEXA for objective evaluation of BMD variations with palliative therapies is concurrently being assessed. Materials and Methods: Dogs with naturally occurring appendicular OSA treated with pamidronate constitute the patient population. A DEXA scan (QDR‐4500 W, Hologic, Bedford, MA) is performed on day 0 (baseline) and on every treatment day with pamidronate thereafter (every 28 days). For each dog, a whole body scan is performed, followed by a scan of the tumor, and contralateral normal bone. Three regions of interest are subsequently analyzed for BMD changes in tumor and normal bone. Statistical analysis was performed using Student t‐test and paired t‐tests, with significance being set at p < 0.05. Results: Nineteen dogs have been enrolled to date. Seven responders and 6 non‐responders have suitable data for analysis. A significant difference is observed (p = 0.04) between tumor BMD variations of responders and non‐responders at day 28 (mean variations +18.0% and ?4.6% respectively). The changes at day 28 are significant only in the responders (p = 0.038 vs p = 0.05 in non‐responders). When BMD of tumor and normal bone at day 84 is compared to day 0 in six responders, only tumor had a significant increase (p = 0.017 vs p = 0.279, respectively). Conclusions: Objective measurements of response to therapy are essential in pain palliation studies. Increased tumor bone BMD, as obtained by DEXA analysis, may correlate with subjective clinical improvement in pamidronate‐treated dogs with appendicular OSA.     

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Marine-Derived Alkaloids via Enzymatic Reactions

Alkaloids are a large and structurally diverse group of marine-derived natural products. Most marine-derived alkaloids are biologically active and show promising applications in modern (agro)chemical, pharmaceutical, and fine chemical industries. Different approaches have been established to access these marine-derived alkaloids. Among these employed methods, biotechnological approaches, namely, (chemo)enzymatic synthesis, have significant potential for playing a central role in alkaloid production on an industrial scale. In this review, we discuss research progress on marine-derived alkaloid synthesis via enzymatic reactions and note the advantages and disadvantages of their applications for industrial production, as well as green chemistry for marine natural product research.     

Hypertrophic osteopathy associated with hepatocellular carcinoma in a dog

A 9-year-old spayed female dog diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma and hypertrophic osteopathy was negative for additional lesions on computed tomography of the thorax and abdomen. Resection of the affected liver lobe resulted in resolution of clinical signs. This is the first case of hypertrophic osteopathy secondary to hepatocellular carcinoma.     

In vitro antioxidant, lipoxygenase and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities of fractions from Cienfuegosia digitata Cav., Sida alba L. and Sida acuta Burn f. (Malvaceae)

In this study polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, lipoxygenase (LOX) and Xanthine Oxidase (XO) inhibitory effects of n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of aqueous acetone extracts from S. alba L., S. acuta Burn f and Cienfuegosia digitata Cav. were investigated. The total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols and total tannins were determined by spectrophotometric methods using Folin-ciocalteu, AlCl3 reagents and tannic acid, respectively. The antioxidant potential was evaluated using three methods: inhibition of free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydramzyl (DPPH), ABTS radical cation decolorization assay and Iron (III) to iron (II) reduction activity (FRAP). For enzymatic activity, lipoxygenase and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities were used. This study shows a relationship between polyphenol contents, antioxidant and enzymatic activities. Present results showed that ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions elicit the highest polyphenol content, antioxidant and enzymatic activities.     

Lithothamnion muelleri Controls Inflammatory Responses,Target Organ Injury and Lethality Associated with Graft-versus-Host Disease in Mice

Lithothamnion muelleri (Hapalidiaceae) is a marine red alga, which is a member of a group of algae with anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and immunomodulatory properties. The present study evaluated the effects of treatment with Lithothamnion muelleri extract (LM) in a model of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), using a model of adoptive splenocyte transfer from C57BL/6 donors into B6D2F1 recipient mice. Mice treated with LM showed reduced clinical signs of disease and mortality when compared with untreated mice. LM-treated mice had reduced tissue injury, less bacterial translocation, and decreased levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines (interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 3 (CCL3) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5)). The polysaccharide-rich fraction derived from LM could inhibit leukocyte rolling and adhesion in intestinal venules, as assessed by intravital microscopy. LM treatment did not impair the beneficial effects of graft-versus-leukaemia (GVL). Altogether, our studies suggest that treatment with Lithothamnion muelleri has a potential therapeutic application in GVHD treatment.     

Use of molasses as a carbon source during the nursery rearing of Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis (Latreille, 1817) in a Biofloc technology system

The present work evaluated the use of molasses as a carbon source during the nursery rearing of Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis in a Biofloc technology system. During a 30 days trial, three replicate tanks were randomly assigned to the following treatments: 1.) molasses (with molasses addition) and 2.) control (without molasses addition). Bacteriological analysis was used to quantify the abundance of presumptive Vibrio spp. between control and molasses treatment. The concentration of this microorganism was lower in molasses compared with control. For the immunological analysis, shrimp haemolymph was collected to determine the total haemocyte count and the total protein concentration. The immunological results were not different between treatments. The performance results of shrimp reared with molasses addition showed that the survival rate (88.87 ± 6.36), the mean final weight (1.22 ± 0.38) and the specific growth rate (0.0309 ± 1.06) were significantly higher compared with control (80.5 ± 2.42; 1.03 ± 0.13; 0.0256 ± 0.97 respectively). Moreover, the addition of molasses contributed to the maintenance of water quality and lower concentration of presumptive Vibrio spp. The control presented an unstable variation of Vibrio spp. reaching values of 80 × 10² CFU/ml, while the highest result of molasses was 20 × 10² CFU/ml, confirming the beneficial effects of molasses addition.     

Learning by doing: a participatory methodology for systematization of experiments with agroforestry systems, with an example of its application

Participatory research methods have helped scientists to understand how farmers experiment and to seek partnerships with farmers in developing technologies with enhanced relevance and adoption. This paper reports on the development of a participatory methodology to systematize long-term experimentation with agroforestry systems carried out in a hotspot of biodiversity by non-governmental organizations and local farmers. A methodological guide for systematization and techniques used for Participatory Rural Appraisal formed the basis of our work. We propose an analytical framework that recognizes systems of reflexive and learning interactions, in order to make the learned lessons explicit. At the process level, the main lessons and recommendations are as follows. It is important to establish partnerships to conduct innovative and complex experimentation with agroforest. Participatory systematization allows us to improve the methodological aspects of design, implementation and management of on-farm participatory experimentation. It also serves to synthesize the main findings and to extract lessons from agroforestry systems experiments. It fosters the technical improvement of agroforestry systems. It creates possibilities for reflection on agroforestry systems by farmers, extensionists and researchers, as well as their learning with respect to management of such systems. The findings are placed in the context of current theory on participatory experimentation in agriculture. Extractive and interactive approaches help to produce rich insights of mutual interest through collaboration by identifying local, regional and global convergences, complementarities, and conflicts of interest; which affect the advance of new eco-friendly technologies, to both improve the livelihoods and to reverse biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.