Morphological and molecular characterization of Fusarium spp pathogenic to pecan tree in Brazil.

The occurrence of Fusarium spp associated with pecan tree (Carya illinoinensis) diseases in Brazil has been observed in recent laboratory analyses in Rio Grande do Sul State. Thus, in this study, we i) obtained Fusarium isolates from plants with disease symptoms; ii) tested the pathogenicity of these Fusarium isolates to pecan; iii) characterized and grouped Fusarium isolates that were pathogenic to the pecan tree based on morphological characteristics; iv) identified Fusarium spp to the species complex level through TEF-1α sequencing; and v) compared the identification methods used in the study. Fifteen isolates collected from the inflorescences, roots, and seeds of symptomatic plants (leaf necrosis or root rot) were used for pathogenicity tests. Morphological characterization was conducted using only pathogenic isolates, for a total of 11 isolates, based on the mycelial growth rate, sporulation, colony pigmentation, and conidial length and width variables. Pathogenic isolates were grouped based on morphological characteristics, and molecular characterization was performed by sequencing TEF-1α genes. Pathogenic isolates belonging to the Fusarium chlamydosporum species complex, Fusarium graminearum species complex, Fusarium proliferatum, and Fusarium oxysporum were identified based on the TEF-1α region. Morphological characteristics were used to effectively differentiate isolates and group the isolates according to genetic similarity, particularly conidial width, which emerged as a key morphological descriptor in this study.

Retrospective data analysis of animal poisoning events in Liguria.

Intentional poisoning represents a serious risk to domestic and wild animals, and it can be an environmental and human health issue as well . This paper is a retrospective study, which covers a decade, based on animal poisoning cases and poisoned baits that were submitted for diagnostic examinations to the Veterinary Medical Research Institute for Piedmont, Liguria and the Aosta Valley (IZS-PLVA) in Liguria region. All data were collected through a passive surveillance system introduced in Italy by a decree of the Ministry of Health in January 2009. 43.2% of the animal poisoning cases were confirmed by toxicological analysis, whereas toxic agents were detected in 31.1% of the baits. The most affected animal species were dogs and cats, followed by synanthropic birds,. Only 4% of the total poisoning events analysed involved wild animals and cases of livestock poisoning were minimal. An increased number of cases in January, March, April and August was noticed, but no seasonal trend was detected. The most affected areas were the ones with the highest level of urbanization and population density. The major cause of the poisonings and the most common substances detected in the examined baits were anticoagulants whereas cholinesterase inhibitors, organochlorine pesticides and carbamates were detected in a minor number of cases. This study raises concerns about deliberate animal poisoning in ligurian region and highlights the necessity to fight this phenomenon as it endangers animals, humans and environment.

Anastomosis mamariocoronaria sin circulación extracorpórea / Mammary-coronary anastomosis without extracorporeal circulation

Descripción de la anastomosis de la arteria mamaria como sustituto de la vena sin la utilización de la circulación extracorpórea en cirugía coronaria directa

Anastomosis mamariocoronaria sin circulación extracorpórea / Mammary-coronary anastomosis without extracorporeal circulation

Descripción de la anastomosis de la arteria mamaria como sustituto de la vena sin la utilización de la circulación extracorpórea en cirugía coronaria directa (AU)