Are rapid tests and confirmatory western blot used for cattle and small ruminants TSEs reliable tools for the diagnosis of Chronic Wasting Disease in Europe?

The first case of CWD in Europe was detected in a Norwegian reindeer in 2016, followed later by two CWD cases in Norwegian moose. To prevent the potential spread of CWD to the EU, the European Commission (Regulation EU 2017_1972) implemented a CWD surveillance programme in cervids in the six countries having reindeer and or moose (Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden). Each country had to test a minimum of 3000 cervids for CWD using diagnostic rapid tests approved by the EC Regulation. Experimental transmission studies in rodents have demonstrated that the CWD strains found in Norwegian reindeer are different from those found in moose and that these European strains are all different from the North American ones. Data on the performances of authorised rapid tests are limited for CWD (from North America) and are currently minimal for CWD from Europe, due to the paucity of positive material. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performances of three of the so-called "rapid" tests, commercially available and approved for TSE diagnosis in cattle and small ruminants, to detect the CWD strains circulating in Europe. The performances of these three tests were also compared to two different confirmatory western blot methods. Using parallel testing on the same panel of available samples, we evaluated here the analytical sensitivity of these methods for TSE diagnosis of CWD in Norwegian cervids tissues. Our results show that all the methods applied were able to detect the CWD positive samples even if differences in analytical sensitivity were clearly observed. Although this study could not assess the test accuracy, due to the small number of samples available, it is conceivable that the rapid and confirmatory diagnostic systems applied for CWD surveillance in Northern Europe are reliable tools.

Vegetation type is an important predictor of the arctic summer land surface energy budget.

Despite the importance of high-latitude surface energy budgets (SEBs) for land-climate interactions in the rapidly changing Arctic, uncertainties in their prediction persist. Here, we harmonize SEB observations across a network of vegetated and glaciated sites at circumpolar scale (1994-2021). Our variance-partitioning analysis identifies vegetation type as an important predictor for SEB-components during Arctic summer (June-August), compared to other SEB-drivers including climate, latitude and permafrost characteristics. Differences among vegetation types can be of similar magnitude as between vegetation and glacier surfaces and are especially high for summer sensible and latent heat fluxes. The timing of SEB-flux summer-regimes (when daily mean values exceed 0 Wm-2) relative to snow-free and -onset dates varies substantially depending on vegetation type, implying vegetation controls on snow-cover and SEB-flux seasonality. Our results indicate complex shifts in surface energy fluxes with land-cover transitions and a lengthening summer season, and highlight the potential for improving future Earth system models via a refined representation of Arctic vegetation types.

An Integrated, Tentative Remote-Sensing Approach Based on NDVI Entropy to Model Canine Distemper Virus in Wildlife and to Prompt Science-Based Management Policies.

Changes in land use and land cover as well as feedback on the climate deeply affect the landscape worldwide. This phenomenon has also enlarged the human-wildlife interface and amplified the risk of potential new zoonoses. The expansion of the human settlement is supposed to affect the spread and distribution of wildlife diseases such as canine distemper virus (CDV), by shaping the distribution, density, and movements of wildlife. Nevertheless, there is very little evidence in the scientific literature on how remote sensing and GIS tools may help the veterinary sector to better monitor the spread of CDV in wildlife and to enforce ecological studies and new management policies in the near future. Thus, we perform a study in Northwestern Italy (Aosta Valley Autonomous Region), focusing on the relative epidemic waves of CDV that cause a virulent disease infecting different animal species with high host mortality. CDV has been detected in several mammalian from Canidae, Mustelidae, Procyonidae, Ursidae, and Viverridae families. In this study, the prevalence is determined at 60% in red fox (Vulpes vulpes, n = 296), 14% in wolf (Canis lupus, n = 157), 47% in badger (Meles meles, n = 103), and 51% in beech marten (Martes foina, n = 51). The detection of CDV is performed by means of real-time PCR. All the analyses are done using the TaqMan approach, targeting the chromosomal gene for phosphoprotein, gene P, that is involved in the transcription and replication of the virus. By adopting Earth Observation Data, we notice that CDV trends are strongly related to an altitude gradient and NDVI entropy changes through the years. A tentative model is developed concerning the ground data collected in the Aosta Valley region. According to our preliminary study, entropy computed from remote-sensing data can represent a valuable tool to monitor CDV spread as a proxy data predictor of the intensity of fragmentation of a given landscape and therefore also to monitor CDV. In conclusion, the evaluation from space of the landscape variations regarding the wildlife ecological corridors due to anthropic or natural disturbances may assist veterinarians and wildlife ecologists to enforce management health policies in a One Health perspective by pointing out the time and spatial conditions of interaction between wildlife. Surveillance and disease control actions are supposed to be carried out to strengthen the usage of geospatial analysis tools and techniques. These tools and techniques can deeply assist in better understanding and monitoring diseases affecting wildlife thanks to an integrated management approach.

Chronic Wasting Disease Monitoring in Italy 2017-2019: Neuropathological Findings in Cervids.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease that affects cervids; it is classified under transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). CWD is particularly contagious, making its eradication in endemic areas very difficult and creating serious problems for cervid conservation and breeding. It has recently become an emerging public health risk to be managed by health authorities. Starting in 2017, active CWD surveillance in Italy has intensified with the monitoring of wild and farmed cervids. The present study summarizes findings from a histopathological survey of the brains from wild ruminants collected via CWD monitoring between 2017 and 2019. A total of 113 brains from 62 red deer (Cervus elaphus) and 51 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) were submitted for analysis at the National Reference Center for Animal Encephalopathies (CEA) to determine major patterns of neuropathological lesions and correlated pathogens. Brain lesions were detected in 20 animals, 10 brain samples were unsuitable for examination, and 83 presented no lesions. Neuropathological examination revealed non-suppurative encephalitis or meningoencephalitis in most cases (15/20). This brain study revealed evidence for the absence of CWD in Italy and provided a reference spectrum of neuropathological lesions for differential diagnosis in cervids.

Radiocaesium in Tricholoma spp. from the Northern Hemisphere in 1971-2016.

A considerable amount of data has been published on the accumulation of radiocaesium (134Cs and particularly, 137Cs) in wild fungi since the first anthropogenically influenced releases into the environment due to nuclear weapon testing, usage and subsequently from major accidents at nuclear power plants in Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011). Wild fungi are particularly susceptible to accumulation of radiocaesium and contamination persists for decades after pollution events. Macromycetes (fruiting bodies, popularly called mushrooms) of the edible fungal species are an important part of the human and forest animal food-webs in many global locations. This review discusses published occurrences of 134Cs and 137Cs in twenty four species of Tricholoma mushrooms sourced from the Northern Hemisphere over the last five decades, but also includes some recent data from Italy and Poland. Tricholoma are an ectomycorrhizal species and the interval for contamination to permeate to lower soils layers which host their mycelial networks, results in a delayed manifestation of radioactivity. Available data from Poland, over similar periods, may suggest species selective differences in accumulation, with some fruiting bodies, e.g. T. portentosum, showing lower activity levels relative to others, e.g. T. equestre. Species like T. album, T. sulphurescens and T. terreum also show higher accumulation of radiocaesium, but reported observations are few. The uneven spatial distribution of the data combined with a limited number of observations make it difficult to decipher any temporal contamination patterns from the observations in Polish regions. When data from other European sites is included, a similar variability of 137Cs activity is apparent but the more recent Ukrainian data appears to show relatively lower activities. 40K activity in mushrooms which is associated with essential potassium, remains relatively constant. Further monitoring of 137Cs activity in wild mushrooms would help to consolidate these observations.

Effect of drying, blanching, pickling and maceration on the fate of 40K, total K and 137Cs in bolete mushrooms and dietary intake.

The effects of blanching, blanching and pickling and maceration on the leaching of 137Cs and 40K from the flesh of three edible bolete mushroom species-Boletus edulis, Leccinum scabrum and Leccinum versipelle-were investigated. Significant (p < 0.05) decreases in activity were observed but varied depending on the treatment. Relative to fresh mushrooms, blanching decreased the activity concentration of 137Cs by 15 ± 13%, and of 40K, by 16 ± 7%, but blanching and pickling (vinegar) reduced activity more effectively, by 55 ± 8% and 40 ± 20% respectively. The corresponding losses of 137Cs and 40K through maceration of dried, powdered mushrooms were 38 ± 11% and 35 ± 14% ww, respectively. These results indicate that traditional domestic processing methods may not be as efficient at excluding 137Cs radioactivity as shown in some other studies. The activity concentration of 137Cs in a typically sized (100 g) portion of a processed mushroom (sourced from nearshore regions of the southern Baltic Sea coast near Gdansk in 2015) meal was projected to be low, i.e. in the range of 0.51 to 12 Bq kg-1 ww. The corresponding effective dose of 137Cs from blanched, blanched and pickled and macerated mushrooms per capita was also assessed to be low, from 0.001 to 0.010 µSv. Nutritionally, the median concentration of potassium (330 mg) in 100 g portions of blanched or pickled mushrooms would account for around 7% of the adequate adult daily intake.

RT-QuIC detection of pathological prion protein in subclinical goats following experimental oral transmission of L-type BSE.

OBJECTIVE: The spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) agent to small ruminants is still a major issue in the surveillance of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). L-type bovine spongiform encephalopathy (L-BSE) is an atypical form of BSE with an unknown zoonotic potential that is transmissible to cattle and small ruminants. Our current knowledge of bovine atypical prion strains in sheep and goat relies only on experimental transmission studies by intracranial inoculation. To assess oral susceptibility of goats to L-BSE, we orally inoculated five goats with cattle L-BSE brain homogenates and investigated pathogenic prion protein (PrPsc) distribution by an ultrasensitive in vitro conversion assay known as Real-Time Quaking Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC). RESULTS: Despite a prolonged observation period of 80 months, all these animals and the uninfected controls did not develop clinical signs referable to TSEs and tested negative by standard diagnostics. Otherwise, RT-QuIC analysis showed seeding activity in five out of five examined brain samples. PrPsc accumulation was also detected in spinal cord and lymphoreticular system. These results indicate that caprine species are susceptible to L-BSE by oral transmission and that ultrasensitive prion tests deserve consideration to improve the potential of current surveillance systems against otherwise undetectable forms of animal prion infections.

Synthesis of Dimethyl Carbonate by Transesterification of Propylene Carbonate with Methanol on CeO2-La2O3 Oxides Prepared by the Soft Template Method.

In this study, CeO2, La2O3, and CeO2-La2O3 mixed oxide catalysts with different Ce/La molar ratios were prepared by the soft template method and characterized by different techniques, including inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, N2 physisorption, thermogravimetric analysis, and Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. NH3 and CO2 adsorption microcalorimetry was also used for assessing the acid and base surface properties, respectively. The behavior of the oxides as catalysts for the dimethyl carbonate synthesis by the transesterification of propylene carbonate with methanol, at 160 °C under autogenic pressure, was studied in a stainless-steel batch reactor. The activity of the catalysts was found to increase with an increase in the basic sites density. The formation of dimethyl carbonate was favored on medium-strength and weak basic sites, while it underwent decomposition on the strong ones. Several parasitic reactions occurred during the transformation of propylene carbonate, depending on the basic and acidic features of the catalysts. A reaction pathway has been proposed on the basis of the components identified in the reaction mixture.

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistances of Salmonella spp. Isolated from Wild Boars in Liguria Region, Italy.

Salmonella spp. is an important zoonotic agent. Wild boars might host this pathogen in the intestinal tract and might represent a risk for Salmonella spp. transmission to humans. Wild boars are widely spread in Liguria, due to the environmental characteristics of the region. The aim of the study was the isolation, typing, and investigation of antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolated strains of Salmonella spp. During the 2013-2017 hunting seasons, 4335 livers of wild boars were collected and analyzed for the presence of Salmonella spp. A total of 260 strains of Salmonella spp. were isolated and characterized, with a prevalence of 6%. The isolated strains belonged to all six Salmonella enterica subspecies. Most of them were identified as Salmonella enterica subs. enterica of which 31 different serotypes were identified. The dominating serotype identified was S. Enteritidis. The antimicrobial resistance profiles of the isolated strains were analyzed against sixteen molecules. Of the isolated strains, 94.6% were resistant to at least one of the tested antimicrobials. This study showed the circulation of resistant Salmonella spp. strains in the wild boar population living in this area of Italy, underling the potential risk for these animals to disseminate this pathogen and its antimicrobial resistances.

First insights into oxidative stress and theoretical environmental risk of Bronopol and Detarox® AP, two biocides claimed to be ecofriendly for a sustainable aquaculture.

Bronopol and Detarox® AP are broad spectrum antimicrobial biocides of growing interest for the aquaculture sector. While their effectiveness against aquatic pathogens has been demonstrated, toxicity data on wild or farmed species are still lacking, as is information on their potential environmental risk for aquatic ecosystems. With this study, we assessed the acute and sublethal toxicity of Bronopol and Detarox® AP in the freshwater bivalve Sinanodonta woodiana and their theoretical risk for aquatic ecosystem. The 96-h median lethal concentration (LC50) was determined using the acute toxicity test, while for the sublethal toxicity test the bivalves were exposed to two concentrations for 14 days of Bronopol (2.5 and 50 mg/L) and Detarox® AP (1.11 and 22.26 mg/L) followed by a 14-day withdrawal period. Biocide-mediated oxidative processes were investigated via a panel of oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase). Theoretical environmental risk assessment of both biocides, with predicted concentration of no effect (PNEC), expected theoretical concentration (TEC) in the environment, and risk quotient (RQ) was performed. TEC was calculated using a model based on the size of the aquaculture facility and the receiving basin, the estimated quantity of biocide dissolved in water, and published data on biocide stability in water. Although the LC50 was higher for Bronopol (2440 mg/L) than for Detarox® AP (126 mg/L), fluctuations in oxidative stress biomarkers levels indicated that both biocides exert a slight oxidative pressure on S. woodiana. Theoretical environmental risk assessment suggested a muted risk with Detarox® AP and greater eco-sustainability compared to Bronopol.

Evidence of Antimicrobial Resistance and Presence of Pathogenicity Genes in Yersinia enterocolitica Isolate from Wild Boars.

Yersinia enterocolitica (Ye) is a very important zoonosis andwild boars play a pivotal role in its transmission. In the last decade, the wild boar population has undergone a strong increase that haspushed them towards urbanized areas, facilitating the human-wildlife interface and the spread of infectious diseases from wildlife to domestic animals and humans. Therefore, it is important to know the serotype, antimicrobial resistance and presence of pathogenicity genes of Yersinia enterocolitica (Ye) isolated in species. From 2013 to 2018, we analyzed the liver of 4890 wild boars hunted in Liguria region; we isolated and serotyped 126 Ye positive samples. A decisive role in the pathogenicity is given by the presence of virulence genes; in Ye isolated we found ystB (~70%), ymoA (45.2%), ail (43.6%) and ystA (~20%). Moreover, we evaluated the susceptibility at various antimicrobic agents (Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol, Enrofloxacin, Gentamicin, Kanamycin, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole, Sulfisoxazole, Ceftiofur and Tetracycline). The antibiotic resistance was analyzed, and we found a time-dependent increase. It is important to shed light on the role of the wild boars as a reserve of potentially dangerous diseases for humans, and also on the antibiotic resistance that represents a public health problem.

Distribution and bioconcentration of some elements in the edible mushroom Leccinum scabrum from locations in Poland.

The element concentrations in the fruitbodies of Leccinum scabrum from two forested upland sites and one lowland site of different geochemical background were compared to topsoil concentrations. The aim of the study was to establish baseline concentration datasets, gain insight into the species' bioconcentration potential and to assess the impact of anthropogenic factors. The validated methods for analysis include inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and cold-vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS). Bioinclusion (bioconcentration factor > 1) by L. scabrum was observed for the elements Ag, Cd, Cu, K, Hg, Mn, Na, Mg, P, Rb, and Zn. In contrast, the elements Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, Ni, and Sr as well as the toxic Pb were bioexcluded. Among these elements, the toxic elements Cd and Pb are noteworthy regarding the aspect of human mushroom consumption. The medians of Cd in caps of L. scabrum from the upland sites were in the range of 5.6-6.6 mg kg-1 dm, with a maximum in an individual sample of 14 mg kg-1 dm, which is in the range of concentrations reported previously for polluted soils. Lead concentrations were much lower, with medians in the range of 0.79-1.3 mg kg-1 dm in caps and 0.48-0.59 mg kg-1 dm in stipes. Mineral contents of L. scabrum appear to be the result of a complex interaction of a species' characteristic physiology with local mineral soil geochemistry and with anthropogenic pollution factors.

Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in a Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma of a Horse: Future Perspectives.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most frequent tumors of skin and muco-cutaneous junctions in the horse. Equine papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) has been detected in equine SCC of the oral tract and genitals, and recently also in the larynx. As human squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (SCCL), it is strongly etiologically associated with high-risk papillomavirus (h-HPV) infection. This study focuses on tumor cells behavior in a naturally occurring tumor that can undergo the so-called epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). A SCCL in a horse was investigated by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against E-cadherin, pan-cytokeratin AE3/AE1, ß-catenin, N-cadherin, vimentin, ZEB-1, TWIST, and HIF-1α. EcPV2 DNA detection and expression of oncogenes in SCC were investigated. A cadherin switch and an intermediate filaments rearrangement within primary site tumor cells together with the expression of the EMT-related transcription factors TWIST-1, ZEB-1, and HIF-1α were observed. DNA obtained from the tumor showed EcPV2 positivity, with E2 gene disruption and E6 gene dysregulation. The results suggest that equine SCCL might be a valuable model for studying EMT and the potential interactions between EcPV2 oncoproteins and the EMT process in SCCL.

New insights on metals in the Arctic aerosol in a climate changing world.

Ship traffic, population, infrastructure development, and mining activities are expected to increase in the Arctic due to its rising temperatures. This is expected to produce a major impact on aerosol composition. Metals contained in atmospheric particles are powerful markers and can be extremely helpful to gain insights on the different aerosol sources. This work aims at studying the sources of metals in the Arctic aerosol sampled at the Thule High Arctic Atmospheric Observatory (THAAO; Greenland, 76.5°N 68.8°W). Due to the particular composition of Greenlandic soils and to properties of other sources, it was possible to find several signatures of natural and anthropogenic aerosols transported from local and long-range regions. Arctic haze (AH) at Thule builds up on long-range transported aerosol mainly from Canada and Nord America. From a chemical standpoint, this aerosol is characterized by a high concentration of sulfate, Pb, As and Cd and by a La/Ce ratio larger than 1. The Ti/Al and Fe/Al ratios in the AH aerosol are lower (Ti/Al = 0.04 w/w; Fe/Al = 0.79 w/w) than for local aerosol (Ti/Al = 0.07 w/w; Fe/Al = 0.89 w/w). Conversely, aerosol arising from coastal areas of South-West Greenland is characterized by a high concentration of V, Ni, and Cr. These metals, generally considered anthropogenic, arise here mainly from natural crustal sources. In some summer samples, however, the V/Ni ratio becomes larger than 3. In particular, cases displaying this characteristic ratio, as also shown by backward trajectories, are associated with sporadic transport to Thule of ship aerosol from ships passing through Baffin Bay and arriving to Thule during summer. Although further measurements are necessary to confirm the discussed results, the analysis carried out in this work on a large number of metals sampled in coastal Greenland aerosol is unprecedented.

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in goats: is PrP rapid test sensitivity affected by genotype?

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) surveillance in goats relies on tests initially approved for cattle, subsequently assessed for sheep, and approval extrapolated for use in "small ruminants." The current EU-approved immunodetection tests employ antibodies against various epitopes of the prion protein PrPSc, which is encoded by the host PRNP gene. The caprine PRNP gene is polymorphic, mostly at codons different from the ovine PRNP. The EU goat population is much more heterogeneous than the sheep population, with more PRNP-related polymorphisms, and with marked breed-related differences. The ability of the current tests to detect disease-specific PrPSc generated against these different genetic backgrounds is currently assumed, rather than proven. We examined whether common polymorphisms within the goat PRNP gene might have any adverse effect on the relative performance of EU-approved rapid tests. The sample panel comprised goats from the UK, Cyprus, France, and Italy, with either experimental or naturally acquired scrapie at both the preclinical and/or unknown and clinical stages of disease. Test sensitivity was significantly lower and more variable when compared using samples from animals that were preclinical or of unknown status. However, all of the rapid tests included in our study were able to correctly identify all samples from animals in the clinical stages of disease, apart from samples from animals polymorphic for serine or aspartic acid at codon 146, in which the performance of the Bio-Rad tests was profoundly affected. Our data show that some polymorphisms may adversely affect one test and not another, as well as underline the dangers of extrapolating from other species.

Neurofilaments in blood is a new promising preclinical biomarker for the screening of natural scrapie in sheep.

Scrapie is a fatal neurodegenerative disease of sheep and goats belonging to the group of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy or prion diseases. The EU has adopted mandatory measures for scrapie surveillance to safeguard public and animal health because it is highly contagious and might decimate all genetic susceptible animals in affected flocks. Definite diagnosis of scrapie relies on the detection of the pathological prion protein in brain tissues and there are still no blood biomarkers available for making diagnosis in living animals that can be used for the screening of sheep in scrapie-affected flocks. Neurofilament light (NfL) protein, a valid biomarker for neuronal and axonal damages, can now be easily measured in blood by the ultra-sensitive single molecule array (Simoa) technology. Recent work reported that serum NfL is increased in neurodegenerative diseases, including human prion diseases, but no data are available for scrapie or other animal prion diseases. Here, we found that the median serum NfL concentration in scrapie animals (56.2, IQR 42.2-84.8, n = 9) was more than 15 times higher (p = 0.00084) than that found in control samples (3.4, IQR 3.0-26.3, n = 11). Moreover, serum NfL concentration in scrapie sheep with clinical signs (n = 2; 75.3, 15.7 pg/ml) did not significantly (p = 0.541; t-test) differ from scrapie animals without clinical signs (n = 7; 61.0, 10.7 pg/ml). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis estimated the cut-off value of 31 pg/ml serum NfL for distinguishing scrapie-infected sheep from controls. The application of this cut-off value gives an accuracy of the test of 95% (percent error of 5.23%). These data indicate that the Simoa test for serum NfL might be a useful screening method for detecting preclinical scrapie in living sheep. Finally, the preliminary data reported here need confirmation in large and more structured studies.

GR CALUX assay detects synthetic glucocorticoids in calf urine: a validation study.

Member States of the EU are required to monitor the use of pharmacologically active substances in food-producing animals. There is evidence, however, that the target-based approach currently applied in official monitoring plans might under-estimate the real incidence of growth promoter abuse in livestock. As demonstrated for sex hormones, the association of effect-oriented biological screening with chemical confirmatory techniques could be the best strategy in revealing the abuse of veterinary drugs. Here we demonstrate the reliability of a cell-based assay to screen calf urine samples for synthetic glucocorticoids. The validation included the most widely used synthetic drugs (flumethasone, dexamethasone, betamethasone, methylprednisolone and prednisolone) and was developed according to the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, thus including the verification of cut-off level, the ß error, the specificity, ruggedness and stability. The study was carried out using prednisolone as representative substance at 5 ng mL-1 concentration. All blank and spiked urine fulfilled the EU criteria, moreover the method resulted in being specific and sound, and the analytes in urine were stable for at least 30 days. The assay results indicated its suitability for a qualitative analysis of calf urine samples. This method enabled the detection of low doses of synthetic glucocorticoids (GCs) in matrix (<2 ng mL-1 for flumethasone, dexamethasone, betamethasone; < 4 ng mL-1 for methylprednisolone; 5 ng mL-1 for prednisolone), with the possibility of detecting new or unknown molecules and cumulative effects of low-level mixtures with glucocorticoid bioactivity.

Nanostructured Ni/CeO2-ZrO2 Catalysts for CO2 Conversion into Synthetic Natural Gas.

NiO-CeO2-ZrO2 mixed oxides, with Ni/(Ce + Zr) = 1 mol/mol and different Ce/Zr molar ratios, were prepared by the soft-template method. The chemical composition, texture, structure, and redox features of the synthesized systems were investigated by different techniques. All samples were nanocrystalline (NiO nanocrystal average size 4 nm) and had high surface area and quite an ordered mesoporous system. The catalytic performances in the CO2 conversion into methane were studied at atmospheric pressure, 300 °C, and stoichiometric H2/CO2 molar ratio. Prior to reaction the catalysts were submitted to a mild reduction pretreatment (H2 at 400 °C for 1 h). XRD analysis of the samples after pretreatment showed the presence of small Ni crystals (4-7 nm) on all the samples as well as of some unreduced NiO nanocrystals on the systems with high Zr content, in accordance with H2-TPR experiments, which indicated that NiO reduction is promoted by CeO2 but hindered by ZrO2. The catalytic tests were performed at two different space velocities (72000 and 900000 cm³ h-1 g-1cat) on a series of Ni-based catalysts supported on CeO2-ZrO2 systems with different Ce/Zr ratios, including the two pure oxides. CO2 conversion and selectivity to CH4 (which was always close to 100 mol%) were constant throughout the 6-hour runs. CO2 conversion resulted to increase with CeO2 content in the catalyst, thus indicating the role of the CeO2 component of the support in activating CO2, whereas H2 is activated on the Ni nanoparticles.

Clinical, pathological, and molecular features of classical and L-type atypical-BSE in goats.

Monitoring of small ruminants for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) has recently become more relevant after two natural scrapie suspected cases of goats were found to be positive for classical BSE (C-BSE). C-BSE probably established itself in this species unrecognized, undermining disease control measures. This opens the possibility that TSEs in goats may remain an animal source for human prion diseases. Currently, there are no data regarding the natural presence of the atypical BSE in caprines. Here we report that C-BSE and L-type atypical BSE (L-BSE) isolates from bovine species are intracerebrally transmissible to goats, with a 100% attack rate and a significantly shorter incubation period and survival time after C-BSE than after L-BSE experimental infection, suggesting a lower species barrier for classical agentin goat. All animals showed nearly the same clinical features of disease characterized by skin lesions, including broken hair and alopecia, and abnormal mental status. Histology and immunohistochemistry showed several differences between C-BSE and L-BSE infection, allowing discrimination between the two different strains. The lymphoreticular involvement we observed in the C-BSE positive goats argues in favour of a peripheral distribution of PrPSc similar to classical scrapie. Western blot and other currently approved screening tests detected both strains in the goats and were able to classify negative control animals. These data demonstrate that active surveillance of small ruminants, as applied to fallen stock and/or healthy slaughter populations in European countries, is able to correctly identify and classify classical and L-BSE and ultimately protect public health.