Effects of natural pyrethrum and synthetic pyrethroids on the tiger mosquito,Aedes albopictus (skuse) and non-target flower-visiting insects in urban green areas of Padua,Italy

Abstract

The tiger mosquito is a key vector of several human diseases and is considered a public health concern worldwide. The implementation of strategies aimed at maximizing mosquito control without affecting non-target insect groups is of major importance. In a field trial, we tested the efficiency of a natural pyrethrum-based vs. a synthetic pyrethroid-based insecticide in reducing tiger mosquito population and how they affect the diversity of non-target flower-visiting insects in green urban areas. Only the pyrethroid insecticide was effective in reducing mosquito abundance, although its effects disappeared nine days after application. The two adulticides did not significantly affect the diversity of flower-visiting insects, probably because of their large body size and the difference in flying and foraging activity. To effectively control mosquito populations while preventing intoxication of non-target flower-visiting insects, adulticide applications should be applied early in the morning and only on bushes and trees. Results from our small-scale applications cannot be extrapolate when larger areas are treated.     

The potential use of plasma glutamate dehydrogenase activity for the evaluation of hepatic disease in the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)

A reference interval for plasma glutamate dehydrogenase (GD) (E.C. 1.4.1.3) activity, of 0-8 IU/L, was established for the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus). An automated modification of a commercial manual assay was used. This enzyme is considered liver specific in humans and numerous domestic animals, due to its organ distribution. A similar distribution was found in cockatiels in this study. Maximal enzyme activity was recovered from liver and kidney homogenate supernatants. Minimal activity was detected in skeletal muscle preparations. These results suggest a potential use for plasma GD activity in the evaluation of hepatocelluar injury/necrosis in cockatiels.     

A new pattern of morphofunctional relationship among cranial nerves: Evidence of anatomical and physiological connection between trigeminus and oculomotor nerves

It is shown that the cell bodies of the afferent fibres supplying the proprioceptivity to the extrinsic eye muscles are located within the semilunar ganglion. Furthermore, some Gasserian cells have central processes which enter the midbrain through the oculomotor nerve. Sensory ganglion cells, derived from the same strand of placodal cells forming the ophthalmic lobe, can be constantly detected within the oculomotor nerve of ox, monkey and man.

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Kurzfassung Unsere Forschungen haben ergeben, dass sich die Zellkörper der fibrae afferentes, die dem äusserlichen Augenmuskeln die propriozeptive Sensibilität geben, im Ganglion des Gasser befinden. Ausserdem haben einige Zellen des Gasserschenganglion zentrale Verzweigungen die durch den Nervus oculomotorius in den Hirnstamm führen. Sensitive Ganglionzellen, die von der gleichen Reihe plakodischer Zellen stammen, und den lobus oftalmicus Gasseri formen, sind regelmassig im nervus oculomotorius des Rindes, des Affen und des Menschen zu finden.

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Resume Nos recherches ont démontré que, chez le Mouton et le Porc, le ganglion de Gasser contient les corps cellulaires des fibres nerveuses desservant les fuseaux neuromusculaires des muscles extrinsèques de l'oeil. En outre, quelques cellules du ganglion de Gasser ont leurs prolongements centraux qui se portent au tronc cérébral en suivant à rebours les radicules du nerf oculomoteur. En fin, on a trouvé constamment des cellules ganglionnaires sensitives dans l'oculomoteur du Boeuf, du Singe et de l'Homme; ces cellules proviennent du même cordon de cellules placodiales qui forme le lobe ophthalmique du ganglion semilunaire.

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Riassunto Le nostre ricerche hanno dimostrato che i corpi cellulari delle fibre nervose afferenti, che danno la sensibilità propriocettica al muscolo oculare estrinseco, si trovano nel ganglione di Gasser. Inoltre, alcune cellule del ganglione di Gasser hanno diramazioni centrali che portano al tronco cerebrale attraverso il nervo oculomotore. Infine, si sono costantemente incontrati nel nervo oculomotore del bovino, della scimmia e dell'uomo, cellule sensitive che provengono dallo stessotronco di cellule placodali che formano il lobo oftalmico.

     

Detection of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in a colony of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) using serology and ultrasonography.

Five animals in a colony of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) died or were euthanatized because of alveolar echinococcosis, during a period of 5 years. The remainder of the colony was screened for possible infection with Echinococcus multilocularis, using serology and ultrasonography. A total of 46 animals out of a group of 55 were examined. The presence of anti-Em2 antibodies analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was demonstrated in 3 monkeys. In 2 of these 3 monkeys, multilocular structures compatible with metacestodal cysts in the liver were identified, using ultrasonography. The presence of alveolar echinococcosis was subsequently confirmed at postmortem examination in 1 animal. The other animals are still alive. Two other monkeys were negative in the serological examination but had cystic structures in the liver, which were identified as bile duct cysts at postmortem examination in 1 animal. The other monkey is still alive. These findings suggest that serology for antibodies against the Em2 antigen may represent a useful method in identifying animals that might be infected with E. multilocularis and are therefore at risk of developing fatal alveolar echinococcosis.     

Histopathological findings in farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) naturally infected with 3 different Aeromonas species

This study describes the macroscopic and microscopic lesions in farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) naturally infected with genetically identified Aeromonas salmonicida, A. hydrophila, and A. veronii species. The genus Aeromonas includes bacteria that naturally inhabit both waterways and organisms. At least 27 Aeromonas species have been identified to date, some of which can cause significant economic losses in aquaculture. As up to 68.8% of Aeromonas isolates may be misidentified in routine biochemical and phenotypic tests, however, reported cases of Aeromonas infection in fish may be wrongly identified. Our findings confirmed that the 3 Aeromonas species studied are associated with septicemia and dermal lesions in rainbow trout.