NHLRC1 repeat expansion in two beagles with Lafora disease

Lafora disease is a fatal genetic disorder characterised by neurotoxic deposits of malformed insoluble glycogen. In humans it is caused by mutation in the EPM2A or NHLRC1 genes. There is a known mutation in miniature wirehaired dachshunds which has not been documented in other dog breeds, including beagles, in which the disease is relatively commonly reported. This case report describes the causative defect in two affected beagles, namely the same massive expansion as in miniature wirehaired dachshunds of a 12‐nucleotide repeat sequence that is unique to the canine NHLRC1 gene. This is the first mutation described in beagles with Lafora disease, and so far the only Lafora disease genetic variant in dogs.     

Development of a PCR test for the identification of Staphylococcus intermedius based on the 16S rDNA sequence

The development of a PCR assay based on the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) sequence was carried out for the identification of Staphylococcus intermedius. Sixty-six strains of S. intermedius, 70 of Staphylococcus aureus and 2 of Staphylococcus hyicus were examined for the assay. The 16S rDNA, of which the PCR target fragment makes up 901 bp corresponding to the sequence data of the gene, was detected in all strains of S. intermedius, but it was not detected in any strains of either S. aureus or S. hyicus. These results suggest that the PCR allows a simple and precise identification of S. intermedius.     

Resistance of bamboo scrimber against white-rot and brown-rot fungi

ABSTRACT

Bamboo scrimber is one of the most emerging structural materials for future building applications and it possesses properties comparable to other natural wood-based engineered materials such as glulam, laminated veneer lumber and cross-laminated timber. The goal of this work was to study the decay resistance of bamboo scrimber against white-rot (Trametes versicolor) and brown-rot fungi (Serpula lacrymans). Bamboo scrimber samples were incubated in petri dishes with the wood-decaying fungi and the weight loss after 12 weeks was measured. The surface morphology of fungal-degraded bamboo scrimber was evaluated using optical microscopy. Based on the percentage weight loss, bamboo scrimber could be classified as highly resistant against bio-deterioration by white and brown-rot fungi.     

The anaesthetic‐like effect of tea tree oil in common carp Cyprinus carpio L.

This study investigated the efficacy of tea tree oil (TTO) as an anaesthetic for common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., by estimation of behaviour changes and responsiveness to being taken out of the water. All applied concentrations (from 0.2 to 0.6 mL L⁻¹) resulted in sedation and immobilization. The lowest effective concentration (induction time ≤3 min, recovery time ≤10 min after 15 min of exposure) was 0.5 mL L⁻¹. Exposure in excess of 30 min at a concentration of 0.5 mL L⁻¹ caused mortality. TTO displayed distinct general anaesthetic‐like properties, fulfilling the basic requirements for a potent fish anaesthetic.     

Texture and chemical composition of soils from shrimp ponds near Choluteca, Honduras

Analyses of bottom soils from three recently-established (newer) and three older ponds on each of two, semi-intensive shrimp farms near Choluteca, Honduras, revealed that the 0 to 2.5 cm layer had greater concentrations of most variables than deeper layers. Concentrations of total carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, calcium, iron, manganese, and zinc were greater in older than in newer ponds on one or the other of the farms. After 8–11 y of continuous production, total carbon concentrations varied over pond bottoms, and concentrations usually were greatest (1.5–2.5%) in inlet sections. Nitrogen concentrations were about 20% those of carbon and changes in nitrogen concentration closely followed those of carbon. Precipitation of iron pyrite (FeS₂) in anaerobic soil layers was the apparent cause of sulphur accumulation in older ponds. Phosphorus accumulated in older ponds on the farm where heavy doses of fertilizer were applied. Soils of both older and newer ponds on both farms had large accumulations of major cations, a large portion of which were water-soluble salts. There was no evidence of development of adverse soil quality in older ponds.     

Introduction of the entomopathogenic fungusEntomophaga maimaiga hum.,

The entomopathogenic fungusEntomophaga maimaiga was introduced into aL. dispar population situated in South Bulgaria for the first time in Europe. It was found that of all larvae collected in the five experimental plots, 6.3 % contained conidia and resting spores ofE. maimaiga, 14.2 % contained parasitoids and 2.3 % were infected with nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV). The presence of the fungus in cadavers collected from each experimental plots and on five of the six collection dates was observed.     

Introduction of the entomopathogenic fungusEntomophaga maimaiga hum.,

The entomopathogenic fungusEntomophaga maimaiga was introduced into aL. dispar population situated in South Bulgaria for the first time in Europe. It was found that of all larvae collected in the five experimental plots, 6.3 % contained conidia and resting spores ofE. maimaiga, 14.2 % contained parasitoids and 2.3 % were infected with nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV). The presence of the fungus in cadavers collected from each experimental plots and on five of the six collection dates was observed.     

Monitoring of antibiotic consumption in livestock: a German feasibility study

Every application of antibacterial drugs in veterinary medicine may encourage selection for resistant bacteria. In Germany no valid data are available which would be suitable for a species specific estimation of drug consumption especially regarding food producing animals. Therefore, a representative monitoring of consumption of antibacterial drugs in food producing animals should be implemented. As a first step, a feasibility project was conducted to identify the technical preconditions and develop a concept for a regular monitoring system within Germany as a country with a non-central federal state system. The data were collected via the forms obligatory by German law concerning the treatment of animals and the delivery of animal drugs to the animal owners by the veterinarian. 24 veterinary practices and 65 farmers were visited, and all applications of antibiotics to farm animals during the course of one year (September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2007) were entered into a central database. A total of 95,584 records were collected and analysed statistically. Consumption of antibiotics was calculated in kg, but also the number of applications was analysed. The consumption of tetracyclines in kg reached 54.3% of all antimicrobial substances applied to pigs, but only 25.7% of all doses applied to pigs were tetracyclines. For the farms' data, the number of daily doses per animal year (DD(ay)) was estimated based on the number of daily doses recorded and on the number of animals kept in the farm. Correct and detailed data regarding the structures of the farms as well as of veterinary practices are necessary to estimate the consumption of antibiotics reliably. The proposed system is able to function as a monitoring system for antibiotic use in Germany, when the monitoring data are linked to the agricultural data (farm sizes) accounting for differences between German regional agricultural and animal husbandry structures. Furthermore, the results of the antibiotic use analyses may serve as basis to assess the results of the sales data of the pharmaceutical industry. Results are comparable to the outcome of respective systems in other European countries, e.g. the Netherlands and Denmark, and therefore it will contribute to a better understanding and development of strategies for the control of antimicrobial resistances on the European level.