Detection of virulence-associated genes of Pasteurella multocida isolated from cases of fowl cholera by multiplex-PCR

The current systems of breeding poultry, based on high population density, increase the risk of spreading pathogens, especially those causing respiratory diseases and those that have more than one host. Fowl Cholera (FC) is one such pathogen, and even though it represents one of several avian diseases that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of notifiable diseases that present with sudden death, the pathogenesis and virulence factors involved in FC are still poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate twelve genes related to virulence in 25 samples of Pasteurella multocida isolated from FC cases in the southern region of Brazil through the development of multiplex PCR protocols. The protocols developed were capable of detecting all of the proposed genes. The ompH, oma87, sodC, hgbA, hgbB, exBD-tonB and nanB genes were present in 100% of the samples (25/25), the sodA and nanH genes were present in 96% (24/25), ptfA was present in 92% (23/25), and pfhA was present in 60% (15/25). Gene toxA was not identified in any of the samples studied (0/25). Five different genetic profiles were obtained, of which P1 (negative to toxA) was the most common. We concluded that the multiplex-PCR protocols could be useful tools for rapid and simultaneous detection of virulence genes. Despite the high frequency of the analyzed genes and the fact that all samples belonged to the same subspecies of P. multocida, five genetic profiles were observed, which should be confirmed in a study with a larger number of samples

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Mathematical description of rooting profiles of agricultural crops and its effect on transpiration prediction by a hydrological model

The geometry of rooting systems is important for modeling water flows in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Measured information about root density can be summarized in adjustable equations applied in hydrological models. We present such descriptive functions used to model root density distribution over depth and evaluate their quality of fit to measured crop root density profiles retrieved from the literature. An equation is presented to calculate the mean root half-distance as a function of depth from root length density profiles as used in single root models for water uptake. To assess the importance of the shape of the root length density profile in hydrological modeling, the sensitivity of actual transpiration predictions of a hydrological model to the shape of root length density profiles is analyzed using 38 years of meteorological data from Southeast Brazil. The cumulative root density distributions covering the most important agricultural crops (in terms of area) were found to be well described by the logistic function or the Gompertz function. Root length density distribution has a consistent effect on relative transpiration, hence on relative yield, but the common approach to predict transpiration reduction and irrigation requirement from soil water storage or average water content is shown to be only partially supported by simulation results.</p

A aptidão de uso da terra como base para o planejamento da utilização dos recursos naturais no município de São João do Polêsine - RS Land suitability as a base for natural resource use planning at the São João do Polesine county - Rio Grande do Sul/ State - Brazil

A falta de conhecimento da aptidão de uso da terra e do planejamento adequado da sua utilização tem sido fato freqüente ocasionando impactos negativos ao meio ambiente. Neste sentido, os objetivos deste trabalho foram determinar a aptidão de uso, uso atual e os conflitos de uso da terra, visando contribuir para o planejamento racional dos recursos naturais no município de São João do Polêsine (SJP), RS. A análise ambiental foi efetuada através da integração de diferentes planos de informações como solos, relevo, hidrografia, aptidão agrícola, uso das terras e áreas de preservação permanente (APP). SJP apresenta mais de 50% de sua área destinada a atividades agropecuárias, 14,8% do município enquadra-se como APP, sendo a metade dessa área utilizada inadequadamente. Os principais problemas relacionam-se com a utilização inadequada dos seus recursos naturais, sem considerar a legislação ambiental e a aptidão das terras no processo de planejamento.<br>The lack of knowledge on land use suitability and appropriate planning of its use have been a frequent reality causing negative impacts on the environment. In this way, the objective of this research was to determine land suitability, current land use and conflicts of use, seeking to contribute for the rational planning of the natural resources in the São João do Polêsine (SJP), RS. The environmental analysis was made through the integration of different plans of information as soils, relief, hydrography, agricultural suitability, land use and areas of permanent preservation (APP). SJP presents more than 50% of its area destined to agricultural activities, 14.8% of the SJP are framed as APP, with half of that area being used inadequately. The main problems of the county are related to the inadequate use of natural resources, without considering information regarding to the environmental legislation and land suitability, in the planning process

Intervalo hídrico ótimo num nitossolo vermelho distroférrico irrigado Least limiting water range of an irrigated dystroferric red nitosol

O manejo da irrigação tem-se baseado no controle do potencial da água no solo (&#936;) como fator limitante do crescimento das plantas. Entretanto, outras variáveis podem influenciar a cultura mesmo que o &#936; não seja limitante. O Intervalo Hídrico Ótimo (IHO) é um conceito de disponibilidade de água no solo que leva em consideração a porosidade de aeração e a resistência do solo à penetração em adição ao &#936;. O objetivo deste estudo foi quantificar o IHO num Nitossolo Vermelho distroférrico irrigado e utilizá-lo no estabelecimento de critérios para o manejo de água e do solo em áreas irrigadas. A resistência do solo à penetração foi a variável que limitou o IHO com maior frequência, diminuindo sua magnitude com o aumento da densidade do solo (Ds). Com o aumento da Ds, ocorreu redução na frequência com que &#952; manteve-se dentro dos limites do IHO. A Ds crítica (Dsc) foi de 1,40 Mg m-3, indicando severa degradação física do solo para Ds > Dsc. Para Ds < 1,28 Mg m-3, o &#936; de -800 hPa utilizado frequentemente para o controle da irrigação por meio de tensiômetros caracterizou o limite inferior do IHO. Para 1,28 < Ds < 1,40 Mg m-3, o limite inferior do IHO foi determinado pela RP e, nestas condições, a adoção de &#936; igual a -800 hPa como limite para a aplicação de água estabelece restrições físicas às plantas devido à elevada RP. Neste caso, o mapeamento de áreas com Ds uniformes poderia ser utilizado para o manejo do &#936; para a manutenção da RP < 2,0 MPa. Nas áreas em que a Ds < 1,28 Mg m-3 pode ocorrer maior secamento do solo sem que ocorra RP > 2,0 MPa; para 1,28 < Ds < 1,40 Mg m-3 deve-se manter &#936; > -800 hPa visando ao controle da RP. Para áreas em que Ds > Dsc, medidas que visem a redução da Ds poderiam ser tomadas em função da severa degradação física do solo.<br>The establishment of irrigation management has been based on the soil water potential (&#936;) as a limiting factor for plant growth. However, other variables can affect crop growth even when &#936; is not limiting. The least limiting water range (LLWR) is a concept of available water that take account the influence of aeration and soil resistance to penetration (SR) in addition to &#936;. The objective of this study was to quantify the LLWR in an irrigated Dystroferric Red Nitosol and to use it to determine the soil and water management for irrigated areas. Soil penetration resistance limited LLRW most often, reducing its magnitude with the increase of soil bulk density (Bd). Therefore, the higher Bd, the less often &#952; was inside the limits of LLWR. The critical Bd (Bdc) was 1.40 Mg m-3, indicating severe soil physical degradation when Bd > Bdc. For Bd < 1.28 Mg m-3 , the &#936; = -800 hPa, which is frequently used for irrigation management using tensiometers, characterized the lower limit for LLWR. For 1.28 < Bd < 1.40 Mg m-3 the lower limit was determined by SR, and under these conditions &#936;=-800 hPa as a limit for water application results in physical restrictions for plants due to the high SR. In this case, the mapping of areas with homogenous Bd could be used for the management of &#936; to maintain SR < 2.0 MPa. In areas where Bd < 1.28 Mg m-3 soil drying can be higher without SR > 2.0 MPa; for areas in which 1.28 < Bd < 1.40 Mg m-3 &#936; should be maintained at > -800 hPa to maintain adequate SR. For areas where Bd > Bdc measures to reduce Bd could be taken due to the severe soil physical degradation in this situation