First outbreak of Trypanosoma evansi in camels in metropolitan France

The first outbreak of trypanosomosis caused by Trypanosoma evansi in camels in France was reported on a farm in the Aveyron Department. Five camels were imported from the Canary Islands to the farm in early July 2006, and trypanosomes were observed on a stained blood smear from one of them, which died in October. On further investigations, trypanosomes were observed in the blood of five camels, three of them indigenous to the farm and two that had been imported. On the basis of microscopical examination (morphological criteria and measurements) and serological results based on the card agglutination T evansi test and PCR typing, the parasites were identified as T evansi. After treatment with melarsomine, the infected camels rapidly became negative by parasitological tests and were negative two to four months later by serological tests. The parasite was probably transmitted by tabanids and Stomoxys calcitrans, which were abundant in July to September 2006. No parasites were observed in other animals on the farm or on neighbouring farms, but some of the sheep on these farms were positive by PCR or serology.     

Development of DEX-HOP multi-attribute decision model for preliminary hop hybrids assessment

Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) essentially contribute to the quality of the taste of beer and its flavor. Experimental hop breeding data from the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing were used to create a model of an expert system based on the multi-attribute decision modeling methodology DEX. The DEX-HOP 1.0 model assessed and ranked individual hop hybrids’ and hop varieties’ breeding potential to be assessed and ranked. The model has 18 attributes, hierarchically grouped within four main attributes: Biology, Chemistry, Morphology and Brewing value. Furthermore, utility functions in the model were defined by sets of elementary decision rules throughout the entire hierarchy for all aggregated attributes. The central part of the model contains 144 decision rules, which were specified according to the model users’ previous breeding experiences. Four Slovenian hop hybrids, A1/54, A2/104, A3/112 and A4/122, and a reference hop variety Hallertauer Magnum with the target characteristics of plant resistance and brewing value were used for the model assessment. Based on the breeding experiences and model results, overall and individual attributes’ assessments were carried out. A3/112 and A4/122 reached the overall level of the reference variety and were thus assessed as appropriate for further breeding. In contrast, the attributes of A1/54 and A2/104 did not meet expectations in relation to the reference variety. Decisions based on the DEX-HOP 1.0 model assessment offered an additional tool for experts’ final decisions in selecting appropriate materials for further breeding or the commercial use of hop plants. Test results validate the application of the model for further research.     

Study on cortisol,cortisone and prednisolone presence in urine of Chianina cattle breed

The Chianina, one of the oldest and most important cattle breeds of Italy, is now reared all over the world. The Chianina has been known and appreciated since ancient times because, from a nutritional point of view, its meat has no proper rivals. To date, studies have been performed to evaluate the genetic profile of the breed, but knowledge about the chemical profile is generally lacking. Due to the increased interest from farmers regarding breeding of the Chianina, this study proposes a preliminary evaluation of main endogenous urinary corticosteroids (cortisol and cortisone) and most commonly used synthetic one (dexamethasone). Moreover, after recent findings regarding the presence of endogenous prednisolone in the urine of more popular breeds, particular attention was given to analysis of the presence of prednisolone and prednisone, as well. For this aim, the urine samples of 12 young cows and 30 young bulls was collected at the farms and analysed using a fit‐for‐purpose LC‐MS/MS method. The preliminary results of this study show that prednisolone was found only in Chianina females (3 out of 12). Cortisol and cortisone were found at concentrations that showed a high inter‐individual variability, and that were higher in female urine compared to that of males.     

Agmatine protection against chlorpromazine-induced forebrain cortex injury in rats

This study was conducted to investigate whether agmatine (AGM) provides protection against oxidative stress induced by treatment with chlorpromazine (CPZ) in Wistar rats. In addition, the role of reactive oxygen species and efficiency of antioxidant protection in the brain homogenates of forebrain cortexes prepared 48 h after treatment were investigated. Chlorpromazine was applied intraperitoneally (i.p.) in single dose of 38.7 mg/kg body weight (BW) The second group was treated with both CPZ and AGM (75 mg/kg BW). The control group was treated with 0.9% saline solution in the same manner. All tested compounds were administered i.p. in a single dose. Rats were sacrificed by decapitation 48 h after treatment Treatment with AGM significantly attenuated the oxidative stress parameters and restored antioxidant capacity in the forebrain cortex. The data indicated that i.p. administered AGM exerted antioxidant action in CPZ-treated animals. Moreover, reactive astrocytes and microglia may contribute to secondary nerve-cell damage and participate in the balance of destructive vs. protective actions involved in the pathogenesis after poisoning.     

小麦F1F2代籽粒醇溶蛋白遗传分析

用酸性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳分离、表征４个小麦品种醇溶蛋白组成，并分析其Ｆ１，Ｆ２代２０个醇溶蛋白组分（带）的遗传模式。结果表明，醇溶蛋白呈共显性遗传，在２０个组分中，１６个组分由１个显性基因支配，２个组分则受控于２个独立基因，其余２个微小组分，由于在电泳谱上难以准确辨认，其遗传模式未能确定。有５对醇溶蛋白组分是共同遗传，表明每组组分由紧密连锁基因控制。另外，７对醇溶蛋白组分或组分群分别由等位位点的不同等位基因支配。     

Effect of nicosulfuron on plant traits of Xanthium strumarium

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Field experiments were conducted in 2008 and 2009 at the Experimental Field Institute Padinska Skela PKB Agroe-konomik, near Belgrade, to quantify effects...     

The need for implementation of International Commission on Trichinellosis recommendations, quality assurance standards, and proficiency sample programs in meat inspection for trichinellosis in Serbia

Implementation of methods to control inspection for Trichinella in meat recommended by International Commission on Trichinellosis (ICT), particularly the introduction of the quality assurance standards and proficiency panels for certified analysts is extremely important in Serbia and other countries where Trichinellosis is endemic. In spite of existing regulations, including the inspection of 0.5 g samples of diaphragm by the compression method or by artificial digestion of 1g samples, in Serbia 280 people were diagnosed with clinical trichinellosis after consumption of inspected meat during the period 2001--2002. These outbreaks, which occurred in the municipalities of Kumane, Surcin and Bogatic, were a consequence of inadequate application of inspection methods and insufficient education of some veterinary inspectors. The problem of inadequate veterinary inspection in Serbia can be overcome by strict application of the ICT recommendations for the control of Trichinella with specific emphasis on implementing the quality assurance system (QAS) and proficiency sampling (PS/--PP/panel).     

Short- and long-term dynamic accuracies determination of satellite-based positioning devices using a specially designed testing facility

Short-term dynamic accuracy is one of the most significant parameters for agricultural application of satellite-based positioning on straight segments. This is an important characteristic of guidance devices for every user. Two standards are proposed for dynamic testing of satellite-based positioning devices for utilization in agriculture. Previous approaches were typically based on the use of RTK records as a reference for error calculation. A test procedure based on a highly precise testing facility was developed, having a mechanical offset of the test cart less than 0.002 m. The new mathematical approach for straight line segment definition, based on two representative points was developed. This approach enables error-free calculation of off-track errors and determination of U-turn influence based on two additional parameters. Long-term testing was performed (24 h), using a Garmin GPS 18 device for test validation. The obtained results showed that this method can be successfully used for testing dynamic characteristics of GNSS devices. The results were as follows: mean value of the off-track errors was −0.39 m, standard deviation of all measured off-track errors was 1.51 m, being 1.3 m in 95% of the measured off-track errors. The pass-to-pass average error was 0.90 m, being under 0.662 m in 95% of the detected passes. The designed facility and developed procedure can also be successfully applied to the testing of high precision devices, e.g., RTK.     

Gene Flow from Herbicide-Resistant Sunflower Hybrids to Weedy Sunflower

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Weedy forms of cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) are invasive species widely distributed in several regions of the world and are commonly...     

The effect of depurinized milk draught diet on rat serum uric acid, lipid status and haematological parameters

Hyperuricaemia and gout are closely related, but hyperuricaemia is an independent risk factor for endothelial damage, autoinflammation and haemodynamic abnormalities. Milk, generally known as a 'purine-free diet', is an essential protein source for patients suffering from hyperuricaemia and gout. As milk still contains different purine ribonucleotides, the new product, depurinized milk, almost free of purine nucleotides and uric acid, was produced. The potential effect of depurinized milk diet on serum uric acid (SUA) level, lipid parameters and blood haematological parameters was explored in rats after 72 h and 15 days, in relation to standard laboratory chow or the untreated milk diet. The beneficial effect on SUA was achieved when depurinized milk draught was given instead of standard chow for 72 h [28.39 ± 4.76 μm; p < 0.001 vs. standard diet (STD) 47.6 ± 6.12, vs. untreated milk diet 31.55 ± 8.50; p < 0.05] or as a supplement for STD for 15 days experiment (35.38 ± 6.40 μm; p < 0.05 vs. STD only 48.05 ± 4.32; vs. untreated milk + STD 46.02 ± 9.48). Depurinized milk diet significantly decreased the low density lipoproteins/high density lipoproteins (LDL/HDL) ratio (p < 0.001), triglycerides (p < 0.05) and leucocyte count (p < 0.001), while both milk draughts enhanced haemoglobin concentration (p < 0.01). In conclusion, considering the detrimental effect of persisting hyperuricaemia, the depurinized milk draught may meet the demand of healthy dairy product for population under hyperuricaemic risk.