Distribution of ASFV antigens in pig tissues experimentally infected with two different Spanish virus isolates.

Lymph nodes, spleen, liver, lung and kidney obtained from pigs experimentally infected with two African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) isolates of differing virulence were fixed by perfusion with glutaraldehyde and embedded in paraffin. An immunoperoxidase technique using a polyclonal anti-ASFV serum was performed on tissue sections in order to detect ASFV antigen. The distribution of ASFV antigen in such infected organs is shown and the differences between both infections compared and discussed. Monocytes, macrophages, hepatocytes, endothelial cells, neutrophils and epithelial cells were found to contain ASFV antigens.     

Genetic and morphological characterization of the endangered Austral papaya Vasconcellea chilensis (Planch. ex A. DC.) Solms

The Austral papaya (Vasconcellea chilensis) is an endangered species that has valuable characteristics for introgression into other papaya species. These characteristics include disease resistance, cold tolerance and latex with low proteolytic activity. It is a species that grows under extreme environmental conditions of drought, salinity and temperature; it is found growing naturally in Chile but today only as three remnant populations. The results presented here, using inter simple sequence repeat molecular markers, along with morphological trait analyses, suggest that these relict populations are the result of a relatively recent fragmentation. This implies that the fragmentation has not yet had its full effect on the genetic variation and so emphasises the need for clear and urgent conservation measures to preserve the remaining genetic variation, particularly for the most northern of the three populations which is presently unprotected.     

Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma with visceral metastases in a White Carneau pigeon and literature review

Cutaneous leiomyosarcomas are malignant mesenchymal tumors of smooth muscle origin and are reported occasionally in avian species. A 14-y-old male laboratory White Carneau pigeon (Columba livia) was presented for surgical excision of a cervical soft tissue mass. Ultrasonography with color flow Doppler imaging revealed multiple cavitations of mixed echogenicity within the mass and vascularization. Histologically, the dermis and subcutis were expanded by a densely cellular multinodular mass comprised of fusiform cells forming haphazardly arranged broad streams and short interwoven bundles, often surrounding blood vessels and variably sized cavitations. Neoplastic cells were strongly immunopositive for desmin and α–smooth muscle actin, and negative for pancytokeratin, S100, and von Willebrand factor. Based on histopathology and IHC findings, the cutaneous mass was diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma (LMS). The pigeon died 312 d post-operatively. Postmortem examination revealed masses infiltrating the left and right pulmonary airways and one hepatic nodule, but no regrowth at the surgical site. Histologic and IHC evaluation of the pulmonary and hepatic masses were consistent with LMS, representing metastatic foci from the primary cutaneous LMS. Our case highlights the malignant behavior and histomorphologic features of cutaneous LMS in an avian species.     

Coinfection by Cryptosporidium parvum and porcine circovirus type 2 in weaned pigs

Routine histopathological diagnosis of one representative 3-month-old pig from a group suffering from diarrhoea revealed a massive degree of parasitation by Cryptosporidium parvum, with a concomitant infection by porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), that was confirmed by immunohistochemical procedures. The areas of intestine where parasites were more numerous presented abundant PCV2 infected cells in mucosa and submucosa. The concurrence of C. parvum, a rare primary intestinal pathogen in post-weaning and growing pigs, and PCV2 infections suggest an increased susceptibility as a result of an immunosuppression state.     

Growth marks observation: preferential techniques and teeth for ageing of Spanish red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)

A total of 207 teeth belonging to 53 deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) from Sierra Morena (South of Spain) were analysed using histological thin sections and/or polished thick sections. Growth marks were observed in dentine and cementum of incisors, molars and canines. Tooth, region of the tooth, and type of preparation giving the best performance in terms of sharpness and interpretation ease of the growth marks, when used for Spanish deer ageing, were identified. The tissue chosen for the study was the cellular cementum of the inter-radicular pad from molars and the acellular cementum of the root from incisors, both observed through longitudinal cuts. Histological sections obtained with a conventional microtome were optimal for a reliable identification of the first growth marks. In sections thicker than 15 microm the first rest line, when observed in cementum can be confused with the cementum-dentine junction; whereas in the polished sections from molars it will not appear at all. Dentine interpretation was more difficult. Its observation should only be accomplished using cross-sections of the molar root. Secondary or accessory marks were visible in every tooth, being those from the molar pad the easiest to distinguish. Canines were the less suitable teeth for this study.     

Stability of desiccated rhizosphere soil aggregates of mycorrhizal Juniperus oxycedrus grown in a desertified soil amended with a composted organic residue

Adequate soil structural stability favours the establishment and viability of a stable plant cover, protecting the soil against water erosion in desertified Mediterranean environments. We studied the effect of soil drying-rewetting, inoculation with a mixture of three exotic arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith, Glomus deserticola (Trappe, Bloss. & Menge) and Glomus mosseae (Nicol & Gerd.) Gerd. & Trappe) and addition of a composted organic residue on aggregate stabilisation of the rhizosphere soil of Juniperus oxycedrus. The AM fungi and composted residue produced similar increases in plant growth, independently of the water conditions. Under well-watered conditions, the highest percentages of stable aggregates were recorded in the amended soil, followed by the soil inoculated with AM fungi. Excepting microbial biomass C, the soil drying increased labile C fractions (water soluble C, water soluble and total carbohydrates), whereas the rewetting decreased significantly such C fractions. Desiccation caused a significant increase in aggregate stability of the rhizosphere soil of all plants, particularly in the amended and inoculated plants. In all treatments, the aggregates formed after soil drying were unstable, since, in the rewetting, they disappear, reaching the initial levels before soil drying. Our results suggest that the aggregation mechanisms developed by rhizosphere microbial community of the amended and inoculated plants under water stress can be particularly relevant in desertified soils exposed to long desiccation periods.     

Soils of a dune coastal salt marsh system in relation to groundwater level,micro-topography and vegetation under a semiarid Mediterranean climate in SE Spain

Twenty-one soil profiles were described, analysed and classified in a salt marsh dune system in SE Spain. Sites for sampling were selected according to micro-topographical positions and vegetation types. The pedons showed an A–C type profile. Most of the profiles at summit positions had a microbiotical crust in the upper centimetres, formed by fungal mycelia that contribute to agglutination of sand particles. In two soils, a buried Ab horizon could be identified. Soils at inter-dune depressions showed redoximorphic features with diffuse boundaries, therefore indicating the actual activity of the oxidation–reduction processes. The presence of remains of Posidonia oceanica buried in many of the profiles indicates both a progressive regression of the shoreline and the accretion of the dune system. Sand grains were the most abundant size fraction (generally higher than 65%). Salinity strongly increased at the depressions, with Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, Na⁺ and Mg²⁺ being the most abundant ions. The microtopographical position at the dune had more influence on the vegetation cover and the soil type than did the distance to the shoreline. Most of the profiles at summit sites were colonised by trees (Pinus halepensis and Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata), shrubs (Pistacea lentiscus, Rhamnus lycioides), thyme-brushwoods (Crucianella maritima, Teucrium dunense) or grasses (Ammophila arenaria), and they were classified as Arenosols or Torripsammens. The slopes of the depressions were dominated by Schoenus nigricans, living on Gleysols or Halaquepts and Aquisalids, or Limonium cossonianum, living on Solonchaks or Aquisalids. Juncus maritimus occupied footslope or bottom positions of the depressions, growing on Solonchaks or Aquisalids and Gleysols or Halaquepts. The succulent halophytes Arthrocnemum macrostachyum and Sarcocornia fruticosa were typical species at bottom positions, living on Solonchaks and Fluvisols or Aquisalids. In two of the profiles at interdune depressions a petrocalcic horizon appeared.     

Element distribution of some soils of continental Chile and the Antarctic peninsula. Projection to atmospheric pollution

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - The elemental content of some soils of continental Chile and the Antarctic Peninsula are reported. The elements: Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were...