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Selected AbstractsDiseases associated with pronounced eosinophilia: a study of 105 dogs in SwedenJOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 6 2000I. Lilliehöök Records of 105 dogs with pronounced eosinophilia (>2.2 X l09 eosinophils/litre) were evaluated in a retrospective study to determine diseases associated with the abnormality in dogs in Sweden. Inflammatory disease in organs with large epithelial surfaces, such as the gut, lungs or skin, was found in 36 per cent of the dogs. A further one-quarter of the 105 cases were placed in the ,miscellaneous' category, which comprised various diseases found at low frequency. The most well defined diagnosis was pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophils in 12 per cent of the dogs. A further 11 per cent had parasitic disease caused by either sarcoptic mange or nasal mite. No atopic dog was found and rottweilers were over-represented in most disease groups. Pronounced eosinophilia, in many cases transient, seems to be associated with a variety of disorders in dogs. In the present study, rottweilers appeared to be more prone to a high eosinophil response than other breeds. [source] In vitro and in vivo identification of ,pseudocatalase' activity in Dead Sea water using Fourier transform Raman spectroscopyJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 7 2002Karin U. Schallreuter Balneotherapy with Dead Sea water has been reported as a successful treatment modality for psoriasis, atopic eczema and vitiligo, but the precise mode of action has escaped definition so far. The saturating salt concentration (346 g/litre) together with the unique UV spectrum have been suggested to trigger the release of pro-inflammatory and chemotactic mediators. The results of our study show for the first time a high content of transition metal ions (manganese, iron and copper) in Dead Sea water. Using in vitro Fourier transform (FT) Raman spectroscopy, we were able to identify ,pseudocatalase' activity by observing the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) over time by Dead Sea water. Since patients with vitiligo accumulate millimolar levels of H2O2 in their skin, we followed the degradation of H2O2in vivo again utilizing the same technique. The results of this in vitro and in vivo study show for the first time a ,pseudocatalase' activity of Dead Sea water and provide evidence that the antioxidant properties of Dead Sea water bathing could play an important role in this unique treatment modality. Furthermore, the use of non-invasive in vivo FT-Raman spectroscopy introduces an excellent biomedical application in investigative dermatology. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Assessment of a pyrogallol red technique for total protein measurement in the cerebrospinal fluid of dogsJOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 12 2003S. Behr The measurement of protein concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid is a basic analytical method in neurology. In this study, a pyrogallol red technique using a human albumin calibrator previously validated in human medicine was tested for canine samples, and the results were compared with those obtained using urine test strips. Pyrogallol red significantly (P<0·05) but moderately underestimated purified dog albumin and globulins. The imprecision of the technique was low: intra- and between-series coefficients of variation were 1·6 and 4·3 per cent at protein concentrations of about 0·3 g/litre. Over 49 samples, there was good agreement between the pyrogallol red and test strip results (r=0·63), especially for low and high protein concentrations, but misclassifications were observed with,+'test strip readings. [source] Ultrasonographic examination of the adrenal gland and evaluation of the hypophyseal-adrenal axis in 20 catsJOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 4 2000C. Zimmer The adrenal glands of 20 healthy, non-sedated cats were examined ultrasonographically; visualisation and assessment was possible in all cases. In comparison with the surrounding tissue, the adrenal glands were hypoecholc and two distinct zones could be differentiated In six of the cats. The length and width of the adrenal glands varied from 0.45 to 1.37 cm and 0.29 to 0.53 cm, respectively, and both dimensions could be reliably reproduced. The adrenal glands did not differ between male and female cats, and, in comparison to dogs, those of cats are more easily vlsualised ultrasonographically. The basal cortisol value ranged from 2.0 to 79 ,g/litre. Values 30 and 60 minutes after administration of ACTH (0.125 mg/cat intramuscularly) varied from 36 to 126 ,g/litre. The basal value of aldosterone ranged from 4 to 618 pg/ml. Values 30 and 60 minutes after administration of ACTH varied from 100 to 832 pg/ml. In all cats, suppression of the cortisol value below the level of detection (<2.0 pg/litre) occurred four and eight hours after the administration of dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg intravenously). [source] Consequences of hyperconcentrated flow for process-based soil erosion modelling on the Chinese Loess PlateauEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 9 2006Rudi Hessel Abstract High sediment concentrations in runoff are a characteristic feature of the Chinese Loess Plateau, and are probably caused by factors such as the occurrence of erodible materials on steep slopes, the characteristics of the loess and the harsh climate that results in low plant cover. When sediment concentration increases, fluid density increases, viscosity increases and settling velocity decreases. These effects become increasingly important with increasing concentration and can result in flow behaviour that is quite different from that of clear water flow. Although the net effect of these changes on the flow is not always apparent, erosion models that deal with high sediment concentrations should consider such effects and could include corrections for some of these effects. A case study in a small catchment on the Loess Plateau indicated that sediment concentrations were considerable, and literature data suggested that for such sediment concentrations, corrections for settling velocity, fluid density and viscosity are needed. Furthermore, a number of corrections are necessary to be able to compare field measurements with results of soil erosion models: sediment volume should be subtracted from runoff volume and a density correction is needed to use data from a pressure transducer. For flumes that were used to measure discharge from smaller areas inside the catchment, the measured water level should be corrected by subtracting the sediment level in the flume from the water level, while the sediment volume should also be subtracted from the discharge. Finally, measured concentration should be corrected to give concentration expressed as grams per litre of clear water, since soil erosion models express sediment concentration in this way. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Bioreductive deposition of palladium (0) nanoparticles on Shewanella oneidensis with catalytic activity towards reductive dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenylsENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005Wim De Windt Summary Microbial reduction of soluble Pd(II) by cells of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 and of an autoaggregating mutant (COAG) resulted in precipitation of palladium Pd(0) nanoparticles on the cell wall and inside the periplasmic space (bioPd). As a result of biosorption and subsequent bioreduction of Pd(II) with H2, formate, lactate, pyruvate or ethanol as electron donors, recoveries higher than 90% of Pd associated with biomass could be obtained. The bioPd(0) nanoparticles thus obtained had the ability to reductively dehalogenate polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in aqueous and sediment matrices. Bioreduction was observed in assays with concentrations up to 1000 mg Pd(II) l,1 with depletion of soluble Pd(II) of 77.4% and higher. More than 90% decrease of PCB 21 (2,3,4-chloro biphenyl) coupled to formation of its dechlorination products PCB 5 (2,3-chloro biphenyl) and PCB 1 (2-chloro biphenyl) was obtained at a concentration of 1 mg l,1 within 5 h at 28°C. Bioreductive precipitation of bioPd by S. oneidensis cells mixed with sediment samples contaminated with a mixture of PCB congeners, resulted in dechlorination of both highly and lightly chlorinated PCB congeners adsorbed to the contaminated sediment matrix within 48 h at 28°C. Fifty milligrams per litre of bioPd resulted in a catalytic activity that was comparable to 500 mg l,1 commercial Pd(0) powder. The high reactivity of 50 mg l,1 bioPd in the soil suspension was reflected in the reduction of the sum of seven most toxic PCBs to 27% of their initial concentration. [source] Enhancing the P trapping of pasture filter strips: successes and pitfalls in the use of water supply residue and polyacrylamideEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2008M. R. Redding Summary In intensive pastoral systems the landscape at ground level is clad in dense, filtering vegetation , yet phosphorus losses in overland flow do occur, and pollution of surface waters is a serious consequence. The use of pre-applied polyacrylamide (PAM) or chitosan to trap particulate phosphorus (PP) and P-sorbing potable water treatment alum residue (PWTR) to enhance vegetative filtering effects is examined here using field and laboratory overland flow simulation (flows from 0.43 to 0.34 litres s,1 (m width),1) and analysis. Fitted equations suggest that up to 40% of dissolved reactive P applied (0.75 mg P litre,1) in overland flow could be captured in a flow length of 2.1 m (1 kg PWTR m,2). Unfortunately, drying decreased PWTR effectiveness, though little of the P captured was readily desorbed. This effect did not appear to be the result of gibbsite formation. Compared with the other treatments, there was a strong treatment effect of pre-applied PAM on the change in PP losses (P < 0.001) over time, though evidence suggests the PAM effect declined during a 44 minute flow period. We showed that the investigated two-pronged approach to the enhancement of the effectiveness of P trapping by pasture had limitations. Laboratory sheet-flow simulations suggest that a field-stable P sorber with sorption characteristics similar to those of the un-dried PWTR could be an effective retention enhancer for dissolved P. Pre-applied PAM can have an effect on particulate-P trapping but was rapidly dissolved and removed by flow. [source] Sorption of phosphorus in field-moist and air-dried samples from four weakly developed cultivated soil profilesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 1 2007T. PeltovuoriArticle first published online: 9 FEB 200 Summary Sorption of phosphorus (P) in complete soil profiles in northern Europe is not adequately documented. I measured the sorption in genetic horizons of four cultivated soils (Inceptisols, Spodosol) in Finland using both field-moist and air-dried soil samples, fitted modified Freundlich equations (Q = a × Ib , q) to the data, and presented the results in quantity/intensity (Q/I) graphs. Least-squares-estimates for the parameters of the modified Freundlich equation (a, b, q) were found to be imprecise measures of sorption. Values derived from the fitted equations (the amount of P sorbed at the P concentration of 2 mg litre,1 and P buffering capacity at the same concentration) were more precise. Both were correlated with concentrations of oxalate-extractable iron and aluminium. In all soils, there was a distinct difference in sorption between the fertilized Ap horizons and the subsurface horizons, which retained P strongly. Most of the sorption capacity was located in the B horizons at depths between 0.3 and 0.7 m. The results demonstrate the effects of soil-forming processes and human impact on the sorption of P in the soils. Drying the samples prior to the sorption experiments altered the shape of the Q/I graphs. It increased dissolution of P at small P concentrations, sorption at large P concentrations, and the estimates for P buffering capacity. The effects of drying soil samples on the results and the imprecision of the parameters estimated with the modified Freundlich equation should be taken into account when interpreting results of Q/I experiments. [source] Effect of earthworm activity (Aporrectodea giardi) on atrazine adsorption and biodegradationEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 3 2006T. Alekseeva Summary We investigated the influence of earthworm (Aporrectodea giardi) activity on soil properties and on atrazine (AT) adsorption and biodegradation by comparing a coarse-textured smectite-free wetland soil (Brittany, France) with the earthworm casts derived from the top horizon of this soil. Casts are characterized by lower pH, are enriched in organic carbon (OC) and clay content, have a larger cation exchange capacity, and a greater exchangeable Ca content. The clay mineralogy of the soil studied and casts is characterized by a muscovite,kaolinite,chlorite association. In addition, the clay fraction of the soil contains lepidocrocite (,-FeOOH), which was not found in the casts. Atrazine adsorption isotherms were reasonably well described by the Freundlich equation and were all non-linear. The mean amounts of adsorbed AT for starting concentrations of 3,30 mg litre,1 ranged from 8 to 34%, being largest in earthworm casts. Soil AT adsorption capacity was well correlated with OC content. Non-decomposed organic matter present in the coarse size fractions and specific compounds present in earthworm casts (proteins, mono- and polysaccharides, polyphenols, sugars, lignin) and microbial and fungal biomass contribute to AT adsorption. Weak electrostatic (physical) sorption of AT on organic compounds and on mineral surfaces prevails. For casts, the formation of additional hydrophobic interactions between AT and SOM is proposed. We also studied AT biodegradation by the model bacterium Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP in the presence of soils or earthworm casts. An enhancement of the AT disappearance rate was observed in the presence of all the solid matrices tested compared with that obtained in an aqueous medium. The biodegradation rate was shown to be dependent not only on the OC content of the solid matrix, but mainly on its composition and structure. [source] Hev b 9, an enolase and a new cross-reactive allergen from Hevea latex and moldsFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 24 2000Purification, characterization, cloning, expression Natural rubber latex allergy is an IgE-mediated disease that is caused by proteins that elute from commercial latex products. A complementary DNA (cDNA) coding for Hev b 9, an enolase (2-phospho- d -glycerate hydrolyase) and allergen from latex of the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis, was amplified by PCR. The PCR primers were designed according to conserved regions of enolases from plants. The obtained cDNA amplification product consisted of 1651 bp and encoded a protein of 445 amino-acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 47.6 kDa. Sequence comparisons revealed high similarities of the Hevea latex enolase to mold enolases that have been identified as important allergens. In addition, the crucial amino-acid residues that participate in the formation of the catalytic site and the Mg2+ binding site of enolases were also conserved. Hevea latex enolase was produced as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli with an N-terminal hexahistidyl tag, and purified by affinity chromatography. The yield amounted to 110 mg of purified Hev b 9 per litre of bacterial culture. The recombinant allergen bound IgE from latex, as well as mold-allergic patients, in immunoblot and ELISA experiments. The natural enolase was isolated from Hevea latex by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation and ion exchange chromatography. The natural and the recombinant (r)Hev b 9 showed equivalent enzymatic activity. Patients' IgE-antibodies preincubated with rHev b 9 lost their ability to bind to natural (n) Hev b 9, indicating the identity of the B-cell epitopes on both molecules. Cross-reactivity with two enolases from Cladosporium herbarum and Alternaria alternata was determined by inhibition of IgE-binding to these enolases by rHev b 9. Therefore, enolases may represent another class of highly conserved enzymes with allergenic potentials. [source] A medium to enhance identification of Septoria musiva from poplar cankersFOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2002J. C. STANOSZ A series of experiments was conducted to determine the relative tolerance in vitro of an isolate of Septoria musiva (a fungus that causes a severely damaging stem canker disease of poplars) for selected chemicals. Inhibition of diameter growth of this fungus on a V-8 vegetable juice-based medium with captan, chlorothalonil, iprodione, mancozeb and streptomycin sulphate at concentrations, respectively, of 50, 1, 10, 10, and 100 mg l,1 was relatively low compared to inhibition of eight other fungi cultured from cankers on poplars. In addition, the presence of captan stimulated profuse sporulation of the fungus. These properties assisted in the identification of S. musiva from cankers resulting from artificial inoculation of poplar branches in the field. Un milieu de culture pour aider à l'identification de Septoria musiva isolé de chancres sur peuplier Un isolat de Septoria musiva, champignon responsable de chancres de tronc sur peupliers, àété testéin vitro pour sa tolérance à un certain nombre de substances. L'inhibition de la croissance en diamètre a été déterminée sur milieu V8 additionné de captan, chlorothalonil, iprodione, mancozèbe et sulfate de streptomycine aux concentrations respectives de 50, 1, 10, 10, et 100 mg par litre; l'inhibition était relativement faible comparée à celle de huit autres champignons isolés de chancres de peuplier. La présence de captan stimulait la sporulation du champignon. Ces propriétés ont aidéà l'identification du S. musiva réisoléà partir de chancres obtenus au champ par inoculation artificielle de branches de peuplier. Ein Medium zur Verbesserung der Identifikation von Septoria musiva aus Pappelkrebsen Es wurde eine Serie von Experimenten zur Bestimmung der relativen Toleranz eines Septoria musiva Isolats (ein Erreger ausserordentlich schädlicher Stammkrebse an Pappeln) gegenüber ausgewählten Chemikalien durchgeführt. Das Wachstums des Pilzes auf einem auf V-8 Gemüsesaft basierenden Medium mit 50 mg l,1 Captan, 1 mg l,1 Chlorothalonil, 10 mg l,1 Iprodion, 10 mg l,1 Mancozeb und 100 mg l,1 Streptomycinsulfat wurde im Vergleich zum Wachstum von acht anderen Pilzarten, die ebenfalls aus Pappelkrebsen isoliert wurden, nur schwach gehemmt. Zudem regte Captan den Pilz zu intensiver Sporulation an. Als hilfreich erwiesen sich diese Eigenschaften in Feldversuchen bei der Identifikation von S. musiva aus Krebsen, die sich nach künstlicher Inokulation von Pappelzweigen entwickelten. [source] Utilization of semi-natural grassland through integrated generation of solid fuel and biogas from biomass.GRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 4 2009Abstract A procedure (Integrated Generation of Solid Fuel and Biogas from Biomass, IFBB) was developed which uses a screw press to separate the readily digestible constituents of mature grassland biomass into a press fluid for conversion into biogas and a fibrous press cake for processing into a solid fuel. Effects of mechanical dehydration and prior hydrothermal conditioning at different temperatures (5, 60 and 80°C) on concentrations of organic compounds in the press fluid and on methane production in batch experiments were evaluated for five semi-natural grasslands typical of mountain areas of Germany. Results show that the crude protein concentration of the press fluids was higher and crude fibre concentration was lower than that of the parent material (herbage conserved as silage). Digestion tests in batch fermenters showed that the methane yield of the press fluids was double [397,426 normal litre (NL) kg,1 volatile solids (VS) after 13 d] that of the whole-crop grassland silage (218 NL kg,1 VS after 27 d) but no consistent effect of higher temperature during conditioning was observed. Within 13 d of fermentation the decomposition of the organic matter (OM) that occurred in the press fluids was 0·90, whereas after 27 d of fermentation more than 0·40 of the OM remained undigested in the whole-crop silage, pointing at a marked reduction in retention time for anaerobic digestion of press fluids in continuous systems. Press fluids produced 0·90 of the maximum methane yield after 4 to 7 d compared with 19 days for the whole-crop silage. [source] Peroxidase activity, chlorophylls and antioxidant profile of two leaf vegetables (Solanum nigrum L. and Amaranthus cruentus L.) under six pretreatment methods before cookingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2008Odunayo Clement Adebooye Summary The study evaluated the effects of six pretreatment methods before cooking on the peroxidase activity, chlorophyll and antioxidant profile of Amaranthus cruentus L. and Solanum nigrum L. The six pretreatments methods used were chopped only (raw sample) (coded M1); chopped and dried at 50 °C for 5 h (coded M2); chopped and squeezed in water (at room temperature) (coded M3); chopped and soaked in warm water (approximately 60 °C), then cooled and squeezed (coded M4); chopped and soaked in salt-treated water (approximately 20 g NaCl per litre of water) for 15 min, then squeezed (coded M5) and chopped and soaked in boiling water (100 °C), then cooled and squeezed (coded M6). The main effect of vegetable type and the main effect of pretreatment methods have significant effects (P 0.05) on the parameters measured, while the interaction of vegetable type and pretreatment methods have no significant effect on the parameters measured. Statistical analyses (P 0.05) showed that chlorophyll a and b occur in ratio 3:1 in the two vegetables, irrespective of the pretreatment imposed. Peroxidase activity test showed that A. cruentus, irrespective of the pretreatment imposed showed, no peroxidase activity, while S. nigrum showed high peroxidase activity for all the pretreatments except for M6. Results showed that there was a significantly (P 0.05) higher content of carotenoids in A. cruentus when compared with S. nigrum, while the total phenolics, total flavonoids and total tannins contents were higher in S. nigrum when compared with A. cruentus, irrespective of the pretreatment method used. For the two vegetables, the percentage losses in total carotenoids, phenolics, flavonoids and total tannins at M6 when compared with M1 were 53.3,60.5%, 55.6,57.1%, 62.4,63.6% and 66.1,73.5%, respectively. There was a sharp drop in the carotenoids, phenolics, flavonoids and tannins contents of the two vegetables at M4 and M6, with both treatments having closely similar values for each parameter. [source] Household-level Impacts of Dairy Cow Ownership in Coastal KenyaJOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 2 2004Charles F. Nicholson This study uses heteroskedastic Tobit and Censored Least Absolute Deviations models to examine the impacts of dairy cow ownership on selected outcomes for a sample of 184 households in coastal Kenya. The outcomes examined include gross household cash income, gross non-agricultural income, consumption of dairy products, time allocated to cattle-related tasks, number of labourers hired and total wage payments to hired labourers. The number of dairy cows owned has a large and statistically significant impact on household cash income; each cow owned increased income by at least 53% of the mean total income of households without dairy cows. Dairy cow ownership also increases consumption of dairy products by 1.0 litre per week, even though most of the increase in milk production is sold. The number of dairy cows has no significant effect on total labour for cattle-related tasks. However, in contrast to previous studies, labour allocation to cattle by household members decreases and labour requirements for dairy cows are met primarily by an increase in hired labour. Dairy cow ownership results in relatively modest increases in payments to hired labourers and the number of hired labourers employed. The large positive impacts on income and the substitution of hired for household labour in cattle care suggest that intensification of smallholder dairying can be beneficial as a development strategy in the region if disease and feed constraints are addressed. [source] Effect of addition of soybean trypsin inhibitor to colostrum on immunological status in goat kidsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 1 2010J. J. Ramos Summary The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of soybean trypsin inhibitor (TI) on immunoglobulin G (IgG) serum levels and growth in neonatal goat kids. Twenty-four newborn kids were fed with natural colostrum (group A), and 24 kids received the same colostrum with 1 g of TI per litre (group B). Blood samples were obtained at birth and on days 1, 2 and 4 of life to analyze serum proteins, IgG and haematological parameters. There were no clinical signs of disease and no significant differences in body weight between the groups. Haematological parameters were not affected by treatment. The peak of serum IgG was reached at 24 h of life, but no effects of soybean TI was observed on serum IgG levels. The apparent efficiency of absorption of IgG was similar in both groups (group A 24.5% vs. group B 25.2%, p > 0.05). The addition of TI to colostrum did not change the concentration of serum proteins and their fractions in goat kids. The correlation between serum IgG and ,-globulin was positive and significant (p < 0.01, r = 0.64) in group A, but not in group B (p > 0.05, r = 0.08), suggesting a negative influence of soybean TI on ,-globulin absorption. These results show that addition of soybean TI to colostrum did not improve the performance or immunological status in goat kids. [source] Effect of triflumuron on brood development and colony survival of free-flying honeybee, Apis mellifera L.JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2004O. G. Amir Abstract:, The effect of the insect growth regulator (IGR) triflumuron (Alsystin® 25 WP) on honeybee, Apis mellifera L. (Hym., Apidae), was studied in a semi-field test. Free-living colonies were fed one litre per hive of sucrose syrup containing 0, 0.025, 0.25 or 2.5 g of triflumuron. A significant reduction in flight activity was noted 6,10 weeks post-treatment at the two higher doses. These colonies reared less brood than before treatment. While the comb area occupied by uncapped brood was as high as [0.025 and 0.25 g active ingredient (a.i.)] or higher (2.5 g a.i.) than before treatment, there was a significant decline in capped brood at the two higher doses, indicating enhanced larval mortality. No capped brood was reared in the hive treated at the highest dose from 3,9 weeks post-treatment. Yet there was a significant accumulation of pollen and honey in the brood compartment at all doses. All colonies except the one treated at the highest dose survived the following winter. However, at 43 weeks post-treatment, hives treated at intermediate and low doses showed a significant increase in uncapped brood and a significant decrease in capped brood. This study revealed a strong residual toxicity of triflumuron to brood and substantiated its classification as hazardous to honeybee. [source] Identification of a Brevibacterium marker gene specific to poultry litter and development of a quantitative PCR assayJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2010J.L. Weidhaas Abstract Aim:, To identify a DNA sequence specific to a bacterium found in poultry litter that was indicative of faecal contamination by poultry sources. Methods and Results:, Faecally contaminated poultry litter and soils were used as source material for the development of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method targeting the 16S rRNA gene of a Brevibacterium sp. The identified sequence had 98% nucleotide identity to the 16S rRNA gene of Brevibacterium avium. The qPCR method was tested on 17 soiled litter samples; 40 chicken faecal samples; and 116 nontarget faecal samples from cattle, swine, ducks, geese, and human sewage collected across the United States. The 571-bp product was detected in 76% of poultry-associated samples, but not in 93% of faecal samples from other sources. Marker concentrations were 107,109 gene copies per gram in soiled litter, up to 105 gene copies per gram in spread-site soils, and 107 gene copies per litre in field run-off water. Results were corroborated by a blinded study conducted by a second laboratory. Conclusion:, The poultry-specific PCR product is a useful marker gene for assessing the impact of faecal contamination as a result of land-applied poultry litter. Significance and Impact of the Study:, This study describes the first quantitative, sensitive and specific microbial source tracking method for the detection of poultry litter contamination. [source] Utilization of oligo- and polysaccharides at microgram-per-litre levels in freshwater by Flavobacterium johnsoniaeJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2010E.L.W. Sack Abstract Aims:, To obtain a bacterial strain that can be used to quantify biodegradable polysaccharides at concentrations of a few micrograms per litre in freshwater. Methods and Results:,Flavobacterium johnsoniae strain A3 was isolated from tap water supplemented with laminarin, pectin or amylopectin at 100 ,g C l,1 and river Rhine water. The organism utilized 14 of 23 oligo- and polysaccharides, and 1 of 9 monosaccharides, but none of the sugar acids, sugar alcohols, carboxylic acids or aromatic acids tested at 10 ,g C l,1. Amino acids promoted growth of strain A3, but not in coculture with assimilable organic carbon (AOC) test strain Pseudomonas fluorescens P17, which utilized these compounds more rapidly than strain A3. Compounds released by strain P17 and AOC test strain Spirillum sp. NOX grown on acetate promoted the growth of strain A3 at Nmax values of , 2 × 105 CFU ml,1 of strain P17 and , 5 × 105 CFU ml,1 of strain NOX. Significant growth of strain A3 was observed in surface water and in tap water in the presence of strain P17 (Nmax P17 < 2 × 105 CFU ml,1). Conclusions:, Strain A3 utilizes oligo- and polysaccharides at microgram-per-litre levels. In surface water and in tap water, the organism was able to utilize compounds that were not utilized by strain P17. These compounds may include oligo- and/or polysaccharides. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Phytoplanktonic and bacterial polysaccharides can constitute an important biodegradable fraction of natural organic matter in water and may promote growth of heterotrophic bacteria during water treatment and drinking water distribution. Strain A3 can be used to quantify a group of compounds that includes oligo- and polysaccharides at microgram-per-litre levels in freshwater. [source] Occurrence and distribution of culturable enteroviruses in wastewater and surface waters of north-eastern SpainJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2008A. Costán-Longares Abstract Aims:, Update information regarding occurrence and levels of culturable enteroviruses in several types of surface polluted waters in north-eastern Spain and determine the proportion of the different species and serotypes. Methods and Results:, The best procedures on hand in our laboratory for concentrating and quantifying culturable enteroviruses from different water sample types were used. Sequencing was used for typing the virus isolates. Geometric means of enteroviruses densities expressed in plaque forming units per litre were 968 in raw sewage, 12·51 in secondary effluents, 0·017 in tertiary effluents, 0·4 in river water and 0·36 in seawater. Enterovirus densities in wastewater revealed certain seasonality with a maximum at the end of spring , beginning of the summer. Coxsackievirus B, and amid them serotype CB4, were the most abundant species and serotypes detected. Conclusions:, Densities of enteroviruses in different north-eastern Spain surface waters are similar to those present in industrialized countries with temperate climate. No wild polioviruses were detected. Distribution of species showed a clear prevalence of coxsackieviruses. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Information regarding enteroviruses in this geographical area provides valuable information to estimate the risk of enteroviruses transmission through water and for complementing clinical epidemiological data. [source] Effects of porcine bile on survival of Bacillus cereus vegetative cells and Haemolysin BL enterotoxin production in reconstituted human small intestine mediaJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2007T. Clavel Abstract Aims: To determine the effects of porcine bile (PB) on Bacillus cereus vegetative cells and Haemolysin BL (HBL) enterotoxin production in reconstituted small intestine media (IM). Methods and Results: The effects of PB on the growth of B. cereus vegetative cells in reconstituted IM at PB concentrations ranging between 0 and 3·0 g l,1 were examined. Four gastric media (GM) named GM-J broth (JB), GM-chicken, GM-milk and GM-pea were prepared by mixing equal volumes of a gastric electrolyte solution containing pepsin with JB, chicken, semi-skimmed milk and pea soup, respectively. Bacillus cereus was inoculated at approx. 2 × 104 CFU ml,1 into each GM at pH 5·0 for 30 min at 37°C, then mixed to the same volume of double-strength JB (IM) and PB to give concentrations of between 0 and 3·0 g of PB per litre at pH 6·5 and incubated at 37°C. The diarrhoeal B. cereus strain F4430/73 grew in IM-JB, IM-chicken and IM-milk at PB concentrations of up to 0·6, 1·5 and 1·2 g l,1, respectively. Growth was observed in IM-pea at all concentrations tested. The highest PB concentrations allowing a 3 log B. cereus increase in IM-JB, IM-chicken, IM-milk and IM-pea after a 7,10 h incubation period were 0·3, 0·9, 0·9 and 3·0 g l,1, respectively. The effect of PB on B. cereus cells was strongest in IM-JB, followed by IM-chicken, IM-milk and IM-pea. Haemolysin BL enterotoxin was detectable in IM-chicken, IM-whole milk, IM-semi-skimmed milk and IM-pea up to PB concentrations of only 0·6, 0·6, 0·3 and 0·9 g l,1, respectively. The diarrhoeal B. cereus strain F4433/73 behaved similarly to B. cereus strain F4430/73, whereas the food strain TZ415 was markedly more susceptible to bile. Conclusions: The tolerance of B. cereus cells to PB strongly depends on the type of food contained in the IM. Bile tolerance is also subject to strain variation. Significance and Impact of the Study: The probability that B. cereus cells will grow in the small intestine, produce toxins and cause diarrhoea is likely to depend on the food they are ingested with, on the bile tolerance of the B. cereus strain, and on bile concentration. [source] Prevalence, quantification and typing of adenoviruses detected in river and treated drinking water in South AfricaJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2005J. van Heerden Abstract Aims:, Human adenoviruses (HAds), of which there are 51 serotypes, are associated with gastrointestinal, respiratory, urinary tract and eye infections. The importance of water in the transmission of HAds and the potential health risks constituted by HAds in these environments are widely recognized. Adenoviruses have not previously been quantified in river and treated drinking water samples. In this study, HAds in river water and treated drinking water sources in South Africa were detected, quantified and typed. Methods and Results:, Adenoviruses were recovered from the water samples using a glass wool adsorption-elution method followed by polyethylene glycol/NaCl precipitation for secondary concentration. The sensitivity and specificity of two nested PCR methods were compared for detection of HAds in the water samples. Over a 1-year period (June 2002 to July 2003), HAds were detected in 5·32% (10/188) of the treated drinking water and 22·22% (10/45) of river water samples using the conventional nested PCR method. The HAds detected in the water samples were quantified using a real-time PCR method. The original treated drinking water and river water samples had an estimate of less than one copy per litre of HAd DNA present. The hexon-PCR products used for typing HAds were directly sequenced or cloned into plasmids before sequencing. In treated drinking water samples, species D HAds predominated. In addition, adenovirus serotypes 2, 40 and 41 were each detected in three different treated drinking water samples. Most (70%) of the HAds detected in river water samples analysed were enteric HAds (serotypes 40 and 41). One HAd serotype 2 and two species D HAds were detected in the river water. Conclusions:, Adenoviruses detected in river and treated drinking water samples were successfully quantified and typed. The detection of HAds in drinking water supplies treated and disinfected by internationally recommended methods, and which conform to quality limits for indicator bacteria, warrants an investigation of the risk of infection constituted by these viruses. The risk of infection may have implications for the management of drinking water quality. Significance and Impact of the Study:, This study is unique as it is the first report on the quantification and typing of HAds in treated drinking water and river water. This baseline data is necessary for the meaningful assessment of the potential risk of infection constituted by these viruses. [source] The effects of irrigation, nitrogen fertilizer and grain size on Hagberg falling number, specific weight and blackpoint of winter wheatJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 3 2004Matthew P Clarke Abstract The effects of irrigation and nitrogen (N) fertilizer on Hagberg falling number (HFN), specific weight (SW) and blackpoint (BP) of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L) were investigated. Mains water (+50 and +100 mm month,1, containing 44 mg NO3, litre,1 and 28 mg SO42, litre,1) was applied with trickle irrigation during winter (17 January,17 March), spring (21 March,20 May) or summer (24 May,23 July). In 1999/2000 these treatments were factorially combined with three N levels (0, 200, 400 kg N ha,1), applied to cv Hereward. In 2000/01 the 400 kg N ha,1 treatment was replaced with cv Malacca given 200 kg N ha,1. Irrigation increased grain yield, mostly by increasing grain numbers when applied in winter and spring, and by increasing mean grain weight when applied in summer. Nitrogen increased grain numbers and SW, and reduced BP in both years. Nitrogen increased HFN in 1999/2000 and reduced HFN in 2000/01. Effects of irrigation on HFN, SW and BP were smaller and inconsistent over year and nitrogen level. Irrigation interacted with N on mean grain weight: negatively for winter and spring irrigation, and positively for summer irrigation. Ten variables derived from digital image analysis of harvested grain were included with mean grain weight in a principal components analysis. The first principal component (,size') was negatively related to HFN (in two years) and BP (one year), and positively related to SW (two years). Treatment effects on dimensions of harvested grain could not explain all of the effects on HFN, BP and SW but the results were consistent with the hypothesis that water and nutrient availability, even when they were affected early in the season, could influence final grain quality if they influenced grain numbers and size. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Heterologous production of the Piromyces equi cinnamoyl esterase in Trichoderma reesei for biotechnological applicationsLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2009L. Poidevin Abstract Aims:, The objective of the study was to produce and characterize the cinnamoyl esterase EstA from the anaerobic fungus Piromyces equi for potential industrial applications. Methods and Results:, The catalytic domain EstA was produced in Trichoderma reesei. Because the two fungi displayed different genome features, including different codon usage and GC content, a synthetic gene was designed and expressed, leading to the production of the corresponding protein at around 33 mg per litre in the T. reesei culture medium. After the recombinant protein was purified, biochemical characterization showed that EstA presents peak activity at pH 6·5 and at 50,60°C. Furthermore, EstA remained stable at pH 6,8 and below 50°C. EstA was compared to cinnamoyl esterases FaeA and FaeB from Aspergillus niger in terms of ferulic acid (FA) release from wheat bran (WB), maize bran (MB) and sugar beet pulp (SBP). Conclusion:, The synthetic gene was successfully cloned and overexpressed in T. reesei. EstA from P. equi was demonstrated to efficiently release FA from various natural substrates. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Recombinant EstA produced in an industrial enzyme producer, T. reesei, was biochemically characterized, and its capacity to release an aromatic compound (FA) for biotechnological applications was demonstrated. [source] Effect of agitation intensity on the exo-biopolymer production and mycelial morphology in Cordyceps militarisLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2002J.P. Park Aims:,The influence of agitation intensity on Cordyceps militaris morphology and exo-biopolymer production was investigated in a 5 litre stirred vessel using a six-blade Rushton turbine impeller. Methods and Results:,The mycelial morphology of C. militaris was characterized by means of image analysis, which included mean diameter, circularity, roughness and compactness of the pellets. The morphological parameters of the pellets grown under different stirring conditions were significantly different, which correspondingly altered exo-biopolymer production yields. Conclusions:,The compactness of the pellets was found to be the most critical parameter affecting exo-biopolymer biosynthesis; more compact pellets were formed at 150 rev min,1 with maximum exo-biopolymer production (15 g l,1). Significance and Impact of the Study:,The results of this study suggest that morphological change of pellets is a good indicator for identifying the cell activity for exo-biopolymer production. [source] Sensitivity of Uncinula necator to quinoxyfen: evaluation of isolates selected using a discriminatory dose screenPEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 6 2006Elizabeth A Green Abstract Quinoxyfen is a protectant fungicide that provides excellent control of many powdery mildew diseases. Prior to the launch of quinoxyfen in vines in 1998, a leaf disc sporulation assay was developed to assess the sensitivity of Uncinula necator (Schw) Burr to quinoxyfen. The distribution of EC50 values from 56 monoconidial U. necator isolates collected from six countries between 1993 and 1996 was found to range from less than 0.03 to 2.6 mg litre,1. Although this range of EC50 values was quite broad, the inability to establish a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the majority of these isolates, including some of the most sensitive isolates, was unexpected and suggested that the leaf disc sporulation assay may not reflect the true activity of quinoxyfen in the field. In 2002, following the detection of isolates resistant to quinoxyfen in Blumeria graminis Speer f. sp. tritici Marchal, a discriminatory dose screen was developed to test large populations of U. necator for rare individuals with significantly decreased sensitivity to quinoxyfen. The individual isolates selected by this method were tested with the leaf disc sporulation assay. Although a significant proportion were found to have EC50 values within the original distribution, a number of isolates with apparent reduced sensitivity to quinoxyfen were also detected. However, further examination of a subset of these isolates in a more quantitative germination/germ tube elongation inhibition assay suggested that the magnitude of the reduction in sensitivity for some of these isolates was much less than predicted by the sporulation assay. Thus, for an exclusively protectant fungicide such as quinoxyfen, a leaf disc sporulation assay may overestimate the frequency of isolates with significantly reduced sensitivity and the threat of decreased performance due to resistance. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Investigating the in situ degradation of atrazine in groundwater,PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 4 2006Robert Pearson Abstract This study focused on whether or not atrazine could be degraded by indigenous groundwater bacteria as part of an in situ remediation approach. Groundwater was taken from an unconfined middle upper chalk site where concentrations of atrazine and nitrate were typically in the ranges 0.02,0.2 µg litre,1 and 11.6,25.1 mg NO3 -N litre,1 respectively. Sacrificial batch studies were performed using this groundwater spiked with atrazine at a concentration of 10 µg litre,1 in conjunction with a minimal mineral salts liquid (Glu-MMSL) medium which contained glucose as the sole carbon source. Treatments comprised either the Glu-MMSL groundwater cultured bacteria or Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP. Results from sacrificial batches indicated the occurrence of bacterial growth and denitrification as monitored by optical density (absorbance at 600 nm) and NO3 -N content. Analysis of atrazine content by solid phase extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography showed no degradation of atrazine over a period of 103 days in either treatment. These results indicated that no acclimatised bacterial community featuring positive degraders to the herbicide atrazine had become established within this chalk aquifer in response to the trace levels encountered. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Acaricidal activity against Panonychus citri of a ginkgolic acid from the external seed coat of Ginkgo bilobaPEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 3 2006Weigao Pan Abstract An acaricidal substance extracted from the external seed coat of Ginkgo biloba L. was identified by UV (ultraviolet), IR (infrared), EI-MS (electron impact ion source mass spectrometry), 1H NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) and 13C NMR as 6-[(Z)-10-heptadecenyl]-2-hydroxybenzoic acid (compound 1). Laboratory bioassay on citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (Mcg), showed that compound 1 possessed the following properties. (i) Powerful contact toxicity with an LC50 of 5.2 mg litre,1 after 24 h that was similar to that of pyridaben (LC50 = 3.4 mg litre,1) and significantly superior to that of omethoate (LC50 = 122 mg litre,1). Furthermore, its LC90 was 13.4 mg litre,1 after 24 h, which is significantly superior to both pyridaben (LC90 = 69.6 mg litre,1) and omethoate (LC90 = 453 mg litre,1). (ii) Quick-acting acaricidal activity. At identical concentrations, compound 1 was much faster-acting than pyridaben or omethoate. (iii) Compound 1 had strong corrosive action on the cuticle of P. citri but no phytotoxicity to plants. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Effects of methoxyfenozide on Lobesia botrana Den & Schiff (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) egg, larval and adult stagesPEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 11 2005Francisco-Javier Sáenz-de-Cabezón Irigaray Abstract The effect of the non-steroidal ecdysone agonist methoxyfenozide was evaluated against different developmental stages of the grape berry moth, Lobesia botrana Dennis & Schiffermuller (Lep, Tortricidae). Methoxyfenozide administered orally reduced the fecundity and fertility of adults treated with 1, 5 and 10 mg litre,1; longevity was not affected. An LC50 value of 4.5 mg litre,1 was obtained when applied to eggs of less than 1 day old. Surface treatment was more effective than when applied by spraying. Administered into the diet, methoxyfenozide had a larvicidal effect; older larvae were more susceptible than younger larvae, with LC50 values of 0.1 mg litre,1 for L1, 0.04 for L3 and 0.02 for L5. Larvae treated with sub-lethal doses throughout their lives did not emerge as adults at the highest doses (0.08, 0.04, 0.02 and 0.01 mg litre,1), with 65% and 40% emergence occurring for the lowest (0.005 and 0.0025 mg litre,1). Mortality occurred only in the larval stage. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Effects of chlorpyrifos in freshwater model ecosystems: the influence of experimental conditions on ecotoxicological thresholdsPEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 10 2005René PA van Wijngaarden Abstract Three experiments were conducted to determine the impact of the insecticide chlorpyrifos (single applications of 0.01 to 10 µg AI litre,1) in plankton-dominated nutrient-rich microcosms. The microcosms (water volume approximately 14 litres) were established in the laboratory under temperature, light regimes and nutrient levels that simulated cool ,temperate' and warm ,Mediterranean' environmental conditions. The fate of chlorpyrifos in the water column was monitored and the effects on zooplankton, phytoplankton and community metabolism were followed for 4 or 5 weeks. The mean half-life (t1/2) of chlorpyrifos in the water of the test systems was 45 h under ,temperate' conditions and about 30 h under ,Mediterranean' environmental conditions. Microcrustaceans (cladocerans and copepod nauplii) were amongst the most sensitive organisms. All three experiments yielded community NOEC (no observed effect concentrations) of 0.1 µg AI litre,1, similar to those derived from more complex outdoor studies. Above this threshold level, responses and effect chains, and time spans for recovery, differed between the experiments. For example, algal blooms as an indirect effect from the impact of exposure on grazing organisms were only observed under the ,Mediterranean' experimental conditions. The relatively simple indoor test system seems to be sufficient to provide estimates of safe threshold levels for the acute insecticidal effects of low-persistence compounds such as chlorpyrifos. The robustness of the community NOEC indicates that this threshold level is likely to be representative for many freshwater systems. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Insecticidal and fungicidal activity of new synthesized chitosan derivativesPEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 10 2005Entsar I Rabea Abstract Chitosan, the N -deacetylated derivative of chitin, is a potential biopolysaccharide owing to its specific structure and properties. In this paper, we report on the synthesis of 24 new chitosan derivatives, N -alkyl chitosans (NAC) and N -benzyl chitosans (NBC), that are soluble in dilute aqueous acetic acid. The different derivatives were synthesized by reductive amination and analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. A high degree of substitution (DS) was obtained with N -(butyl)chitosan (DS 0.36) at a 1:1 mole ratio for NAC derivatives and N -(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)chitosan (DS 0.52) for NBC derivatives. Their insecticidal and fungicidal activities were tested against larvae of the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), the grey mould Botrytis cinerea Pers (Leotiales: Sclerotiniaceae) and the rice leaf blast Pyricularia grisea Cavara (Teleomorph: Magnaporthe grisea (Hebert) Barr). The oral feeding bioassay indicated that all the derivatives had significant insecticidal activity at 5 g kg,1 in artificial diet. The most active was N -(2-chloro-6-fluorobenzyl)chitosan, which caused 100% mortality at 0.625 g kg,1, with an estimated LC50 of 0.32 g kg,1. Treated larvae ceased feeding after 2,3 days; the mechanism of action remains unknown. In a radial hyphal growth bioassay with both plant pathogens, all derivatives showed a higher fungicidal action than chitosan. N -Dodecylchitosan, N -(p -isopropylbenzyl)chitosan and N -(2,6-dichlorobenzyl)chitosan were the most active against B cinerea, with EC50 values of 0.57, 0.57 and 0.52 g litre,1, respectively. Against P grisea,N -(m -nitrobenzyl)chitosan was the most active, with 77% inhibition at 5 g litre,1. The effect of different substitutions is discussed in relation to insecticidal and fungicidal activity. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||