Diverse phytoplasmas associated with maize bushy stunt disease in Peru

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Corn plants showing symptoms of midribs chlorosis, and leaf reddening, short internodes, ear proliferation, and plant growth reduction were collected in Peru...     

Thermal comfort indices assessed in integrated production systems in the Brazilian savannah

The objective was to evaluate the animal thermal comfort indices from two integrated crop-livestock-forestry (ICLF) systems. For this, temperature–humidity index (THI), black globe temperature and humidity index (BGHI), and the radiant thermal load (RTL) were assessed. Two ICLF (ICLF-1 and ICLF-2) systems and one control system were established. On the ICLF systems, the arboreal component was the eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla; H13 clone), planted in simple wide-spaced rows. The ICLF-1 system had a tree spacing of 14 × 2 m with 357 trees per hectare, and the ICLF-2 had a tree spacing of 22 × 2 m with 227 trees per hectare. The control system had five scattered native trees per hectare, pertaining to Gochnatia and Dipteryx species. The forage component in all three systems was piatã-grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã). The experimental design was a randomized block in a sub-subplot design scheme with four replications. The presence of shade provided by the trees offered better conditions of animal comfort when compared with the condition of full sun. The ICLF-1 system, with higher tree density, provided better indicators for thermal comfort, THI, BGHI, and RTL when compared with the condition of full sun, while ICLF-2 was no different than ICLF-1 for BGHI.     

Method for estimation of stem carbon fixation of Japanese black pine by combining stem analysis and soft X-ray densitometry

We derived a formula for estimating the relationship between stem carbon weight and stem volume, which was calculated from DBH and tree height using a combination of stem analysis and soft X-ray densitometry. The results indicate carbon weight in a 33-year-old coastal Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) forest is approximately 68,186 kg ha^?1 in Yamagata Prefecture and 38,253 kg ha^?1in a 42-year-old black pine forest in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. Also, age-related changes in the stem density following oven-drying of samples of black pine trees are small: the oven-dried density (hereafter “density”) of black pine trees in the two locations mentioned above were 425.6 (kg m^?3) and 523.2 (kg m^?3) respectively, which is comparable to the density (converted from basic density) of black pine of Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) (533 kg m^?3). When compared with the carbon weight by the oven-dried density of LULUCF, the carbon weights calculated from each density were 27 % lower in Yamagata and 6 % lower in Hokkaido. This difference directly affects carbon weight for large-scale estimation and thus can create an error at a regional scale. This methodology can contribute to the management of forests acting as carbon sinks.     

Effect of a genetic polymorphism in SREBP1 on fatty acid composition and related gene expression in subcutaneous fat tissue of beef cattle breeds

Sterol regulatory element-binding factor 1 (SREBP1) plays an important role in the lipogenesis which affects fatty acid (FA) composition in backfat and consequently influences beef nutritional quality. This study analyzed the association of 84 bp-indel, both short (S) and long (L) alleles in intron 5 of SREBP1, with FA composition and gene expression of SREBP1 in backfat of northern Spanish beef breeds (Pirenaica, Salers and Holstein-Friesian). Phylogenetic analysis suggests that 84 bp-indel of ruminants is a highly conserved region compared with those in the full-length sequence of intron 5 or mRNA of SREBP1 among species. Overall, higher content of polyunsaturated FAs was observed in SL genotype compared to LL genotype of 84 bp-Indel (p < .05). In particular, in Pirenaica, SL genotype was associated with a higher content of stearic (18:0), α-linolenic (18:3n-3) acid, and total n-3 content (p < .05). However, the gene expression of SREBP1 did not differ among genotypes of 84 bp-Indel (p > .05).     

Comparison of Diclofenac Diethylamine Permeation Across Horse Skin from Five Commercial Medical Human Formulations

The aim of this study was to compare the penetration of diclofenac through horse skin in vitro and its efficacy in vivo when applied from five, commercially available, human medical formulations containing 1.16% diclofenac diethylamine. The rate of transdermal penetration of diclofenac varied between formulations. Also, estimated steady-state flux (Jss) was significantly different from that reported for human and rat skin. All the tested formulations produced a very weak and short-lasting antiedematous effect.     

Perinatal lamb mortality in the central sierra of Peru

Perinatal lamb mortality is one of the major factors in impairment of productivity on sheep raising enterprises around the world. In this study, perinatal mortality on one of the largest sheep raising enterprises in Peru was measured over a 10-year period. Between 1971 and 1980, a total of 603 694 lamb births was recorded. Mortality during the first 3 days of life was 36.94/1000 births and for the period from 4 to 30 days mortality was 5.87/1000.

Non-infectious conditions predominated as causes of mortality. The weak lamb syndrome, accidents, injuries and starvation were the leading causes of mortality. Diseases of infectious etiology were second in importance, but may have been under-reported. Variation in mortality between years, did not appear to affect the patterns of mortality by cause.

Approximately 86% of mortality occurred in the first 3 days of life. During this period, nutritional, environmental and management factors resulting in weak lambs and starvation accounted for approximately a third of total mortality. Infections (22%), accidents (22%), and stillbirths (16%) followed in order of importance. During the remainder of the first month of life, deaths from infections predominated, accounting for 60% of mortality from 4 to 30 days.     

Evaluation of baits for oral vaccination of European wild boar piglets

The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate new baits for the oral delivery of vaccine preparations to 2–4 month-old wild boar piglets. Baits were prepared using a matrix composed of wild boar feed, wheat flour, paraffin, sacarose and cinnamon-truffle powder attractant with polyethylene capsules dipped into the matrix to introduce vaccine formulation. Physical stability studies demonstrated that baits were stable for at least three days at temperatures as high as 42 °C. Recombinant Escherichia coli expressing the membrane-displayed BM95-MSP1a fusion protein were used to test bacterial viability in the baits and the antibody response in orally immunized wild boar. The E. coli viability was not significantly affected after bait incubation at 25 and 37 °C for 96 h. Bait acceptance studies using artificial feeders in the field showed that baits were accepted by 2–3 month-old animals, the preferred age for vaccination. Orally immunized wild boar piglets excreted recombinant E. coli in the feces and developed antibody titers to recombinant BM95-MSP1a protein, thus confirming that vaccine composition was released and reached the wild boar gastrointestinal track. The results of these experiments support the use of these baits for oral delivery of vaccine formulations to 2–4 month-old wild boar piglets.     

Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in roe deer from Spain

Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is an important game animal in Spain. Sera from 278 roe deer from eight areas in mainland Spain were assayed for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by modified agglutination test (MAT). Titers of 1:25 or higher were found in 109 (39.2%) of 278 deer. No significant differences in antibody prevalence were found between sex or age categories. In contrast, significant differences in seroprevalence between locations were evident. Roe deer from the Northern coastal habitats (high humidity and roe deer density) had the highest prevalence, compared with low prevalence in Central Spain (arid areas and low roe deer density). There was a positive correlation between antibody prevalence and mean annual rainfall (r(s)=0.85, n=8, P<0.01). These findings have environmental and/or public health implications because venison can be an important meat source of T. gondii infections for humans and feral cats.