Comparison of restriction pattern polymorphism of Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma bovis by pulsed field gel electrophoresis.

Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma bovis are closely related species in phylogenetic terms. Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) of SmaI, EclXI, Bsi WI, MluI, BssHII, SalI, XhoI, NruI and ApaI digested DNAs were used to analyse and to compare restriction fragment length polymorphism between M. agalactiae and M. bovis and to estimate their genome sizes. SmaI, EclXI and Bsi WI enzymes cleaved DNAs of both microrganisms. MluI, BssHII, SalI, XhoI and NruI digested only M. agalactiae DNA whereas ApaI cut only M. bovis DNA. The total DNA length was established to be 945 +/- 8.4 Kb for M. agalactiae and 961 +/- 18.9 Kb for M. bovis.     

How to enhance crop production and nitrogen fluxes? A result-oriented scheme to evaluate best agri-environmental measures in Veneto Region,Italy

The cost-effectiveness of adopting agri-environmental measures (AEMs) in Europe, which combine agricultural productions with reduced N losses, is debated due to poorly targeted site-specific funding that is allocated regardless of local variability. An integrated DAYCENT model-GIS platform was developed combining pedo-climatic and agricultural systems information. The aim was to evaluate best strategies to improve N fluxes of agro-ecosystems within a perspective of sustainable intensification. Indicators of agronomic efficiency and environmental quality were considered. The results showed that agronomic benefits were observed with a continuous soil cover (conservation agriculture and cover crops), which enhanced nitrogen use efficiency (+17%) and crop yields (+34%), although in some cases these might be overestimated due to modelling limitations. An overall environmental improvement was found with continuous soil cover and long-term change from mineral to organic inputs (N_Leach < 10 kg ha^?1 a^?1, N-N₂O emissions < 1 kg ha^?1 a^?1, soil C stock > 45 Mg ha^?1), which were effective in the sandy soils of western and eastern Veneto with low SOM, improving the soil-water balance and nutrients availability over time. Results suggest that AEM subsidies should be allocated at a site-specific level that includes pedo-climatic variability, following a result-oriented approach.     

Clinical and Laboratory Findings in Equine Piroplasmosis

The objective of this study was to evaluate equine piroplasmosis (EP) as a cause of morbidity in horses in Sardinia (Italy), describe the clinical signs and altered hematologic and biochemical parameters, and illustrate response to different treatments. Among 44 horses suspected of tick-borne disease, 38 were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive for Theileria equi (n = 27) or Babesia caballi (n = 6), whereas five were positive for both protozoans. Typical clinical features of piroplasmosis were seen in some of the horses, whereas others had nonspecific mild symptoms. Hematologic findings revealed involvement of the three blood cell lineages (anemia, leukopenia or leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia), and biochemical variations were related to increased bilirubin, alteration of serum phosphorus, and hypoalbuminemia. We suggest that the two protozoans are the most important causative agents of equine tick-borne disease in this geographic area, and we observe that different clinical features are associated with the disease; in addition to the typical aspects of piroplasmosis, characterized by fever, pale mucous membranes, and icterus, we can signal other nonspecific mild signs such as weight loss, weight loss associated with an insignificant leukopenia, or weight loss associated with depression, anorexia, and mild hyperbilirubin. The study is intended as a practical contribution for veterinary practitioners because it describes different clinical presentations and laboratory findings of EP, suggests diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to the disease, and shows diffusion of the disease in a Mediterranean region.     

Comparison of Restriction Pattern Polymorphism of Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma bovis by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis

Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma bovis are closely related species in phylogenetic terms. Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) of SmaI, EclXI, Bsi WI, MluI, BssHII, SalI, XhoI, NruI and ApaI digested DNAs were used to analyse and to compare restriction fragment length polymorphism between M. agalactiae and M. bovis and to estimate their genome sizes. SmaI, EclXI and Bsi WI enzymes cleaved DNAs of both microrganisms. MluI, BssHII, SalI, XhoI and NruI digested only M. agalactiae DNA whereas ApaI cut only M. bovis DNA. The total DNA length was established to be 945 ± 8.4 Kb for M. agalactiae and 961 ± 18.9 Kb for M. bovis.     

Meloidogyne ethiopica parasitizing melon fields in Rio Grande do Sul State,Brazil

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Samples of melon plants with aerial symptoms that represented yellowing of leaves and stunting, and below-ground galls on the roots from two growing areas...     

Discovery of powerful gamma-ray flares from the Crab Nebula

The well-known Crab Nebula is at the center of the SN1054 supernova remnant. It consists of a rotationally powered pulsar interacting with a surrounding nebula through a relativistic particle wind. The emissions originating from the pulsar and nebula have been considered to be essentially stable. Here, we report the detection of strong gamma-ray (100 mega-electron volts to 10 giga-electron volts) flares observed by the AGILE satellite in September 2010 and October 2007. In both cases, the total gamma-ray flux increased by a factor of three compared with the non-flaring flux. The flare luminosity and short time scale favor an origin near the pulsar, and we discuss Chandra Observatory x-ray and Hubble Space Telescope optical follow-up observations of the nebula. Our observations challenge standard models of nebular emission and require power-law acceleration by shock-driven plasma wave turbulence within an approximately 1-day time scale.     

Proteomic, metabalomic, and biochemical analysis of heat treated Valencia oranges during storage

Heat treatment induces defense mechanisms and triggers physiological responses that allow citrus fruit to withstand stressful conditions during storage. The aim of this paper was to identify changes in the proteome and the biochemistry of Valencia oranges (Citrus sinensis cv Valencia late) subjected to heat treatment before 0, 30 and 60 d of storage at 5 °C. Heat treatment for 48 h at 37 °C and 90% relative humidity was followed by 24 h at 20 °C. Differentially expressed proteins were detected by two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization MS. Twenty eight different proteins in 40 spots among the 61 analyzed were identified. Functional classification showed that the main affected categories were “Cell rescue, defense, and virulence” and “Metabolism”; while 20% were found to be storage proteins with the rest related to minor categories. Activity of antioxidant enzymes was also evaluated. The most conspicuous change was an increase in superoxide dismutase in both the flavedo and juice sacs. Peroxidases increased in flavedo but decreased in sacs while alcohol dehydrogenase increased in treated flavedo, but not in sacs. Other fermentative enzymes were not affected. Metabolite content showed a higher concentration of sugars in heat treated fruit, while the main acids were slightly or not affected. These results are consistent with the development of a lower degree of fruit susceptibility to fungal pathogens, thus explaining the maintenance of postharvest quality.     

Seroprevalence of Bartonella henselae in Dogs and Cats in Sassari

Veterinary Research Communications - Pinna Parpaglia, M.L., Masu, G., Masala, G., Porcu, R., Zobba, R., Pintori, G. and Cocco, R., 2007. Veterinary Research Communications, 31(Suppl. 1), 317–320     

Can increasing infestations by Rhynchophorus ferrugineus threaten endemic Chamaerops humilis in Sardinia (Italy)?

The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, is the most devastating pest of the Canary palm, Phoenix canariensis, in the Mediterranean Basin. Sporadic infestations have also been observed in other cultivated palm species and, above all, in the endemic European fan palm, Chamaerops humilis. Considering the high ecological importance of C. humilis in coastal ecosystems, the present paper gives an update on the status of R. ferrugineus infestations on the European fan palm in Sardinia (Italy). Since the introduction of R. ferrugineus into Sardinia, attacks of this pest on C. humilis have been limited but have increased in the last 2 years, including infestations on eight naturally growing palms in a Natura 2000 site. Male and female red palm weevils that emerged from C. humilis were similar in size to those of P. canariensis, indicating that the quality of these two feeding substrates is similar. The limited number of infested European fan palms observed so far suggests caution when predicting a rapid spread of this pest in cultivated and non‐cultivated C. humilis palms. Nonetheless, natural populations of C. humilis along western Mediterranean shores should be monitored in order to highlight the potential establishment of R. ferrugineus in these habitats.