Antimicrobial‐Resistant Enterococcus spp. in Wild Avifauna from Central Italy

Bacteria of the genus Enterococcus are opportunistic pathogens, part of the normal intestinal microflora of animals, able to acquire and transfer antimicrobial resistance genes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of wild avifauna as a source of antimicrobial‐resistant enterococci. To assess this purpose, 103 Enterococcus spp. strains were isolated from the feces of wild birds of different species; they were tested for antimicrobial resistance against 21 molecules, vancomycin resistance, and high‐level aminoglycosides resistance (HLAR). Furthermore, genes responsible for vancomycin, tetracycline, and HLAR were searched. E. faecium was the most frequently detected species (60.20% of isolates), followed by E. faecalis (34.95% of isolates). Overall, 99.02% of the isolated enterococci were classified as multidrug‐resistant, with 19.41% extensively drug‐resistant, and 2.91% possible pan drug-resistant strains. Most of the isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (77.67%) and ampicillin (75.73%), with only 5.83% of isolates showing an ampicillin MIC ≥ 64 mg/L. HLAR was detected in 35.92% of isolates, mainly associated with the genes ant(6)‐Ia and aac(6′)‐Ie‐aph(2′’)‐Ia. Few strains (4.85%) were resistant to vancomycin, and the genes vanA and vanB were not detected. A percentage of 54.37% of isolates showed resistance to tetracycline; tet(M) was the most frequently detected gene in these strains. Wild birds may contribute to the spreading of antimicrobial‐resistant enterococci, which can affect other animals and humans. Constant monitoring is essential to face up to the evolving antimicrobial resistance issue, and monitoring programs should include wild avifauna, to

Endophyte Status in Summer-Dormant Tall Fescue in the Southern Great Plains of USA

Non-toxic fungal endophytes provide persistence-related benefits to summer-active, continental-type tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), as well as reduced animal toxicosis compared to toxic endophytes. However, the benefits of fungal endophytes to summer-dormant, Mediterranean-type tall fescue persistence or production are unclear. Summer-dormant tall fescue has potential to replace traditional, annual small grain graze-out systems in the Southern Great Plains region of the USA. This region is characterized by severe water deficits accompanied by extreme heat in summer, and by relatively mild, rainy winters (Malinowski et al. 2009). Summer-active tall fescues are better suited to high rainfall areas (\u3e 900 mm annual average rainfall (AAR)) east of the 97° longitudinal meridian, while summer-dormant tall fescues are best adapted to lower rainfall areas (600 to 900 mm AAR) between the 97° and 99° longitudinal meridian (Butler et al. 2011). The objective of this field study was to determine the effects of the ‘novel’ endophyte strain AR542 on persistence of summer-dormant tall fescue ‘Flecha’ in the Southern Great Plains of the USA. Two field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of the novel endophyte AR542 on the survival of Flecha

Practice Considerations for Adapting In-Person Groups to Telerehabilitation

The Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has shifted research and healthcare system priorities, stimulating literature on implementation and evaluation of telerehabilitation for a variety of patient populations. While there is substantial literature on individual telerehabilitation, evidence about group telerehabilitation remains limited despite its increasing use by rehabilitation providers. Therefore, the purpose of this manuscript is to describe our expert team’s consensus on practice considerations for adapting in-person group rehabilitation to group telerehabilitation to provide rapid guidance during a pandemic and create a foundation for sustainability of group telerehabilitation beyond the pandemic’s end. &nbsp

Herbage and Seed From Texan Native Perennial Herbaceous Legumes

Native seed mixes for rangeland seeding, prairie restoration, or cultivated pasture can benefit from a greater variety of forbs that more closely reflect the original vegetation of the southern Great Plains. Fifteen native, perennial herbaceous legumes were collected in central Texas and evaluated for herbage production, mineral content, and fiber concentration of established plants in research plots over 2 years. Downy milk-pea (Galactia volubilis [L.] Britton) was productive, regardless of rainfall, whereas prairie acacia (Acacia angustissima [Mill.] Kuntze var. hirta [Nutt.] B.L. Rob.) and Illinois bundle-flower (Desmanthus illinoensis [Michx.] MacMill. Ex. B.L. Rob. Fernald) out-yielded others in year 3 when rainfall was the greatest. Herbage crude protein averaged approximately 100 g kg-1 for bush-clovers (Lespedeza spp.) compared to bundle-flowers (Desmanthus spp.), which exceeded 200 g kg-1; the latter also was high in herbage phosphorus. Herbage neutral detergent fiber ranged from 300 to more than 500 g kg-1, acid detergent fiber ranged from 140 to 360 g kg-1, and acid detergent lignin ranged from 36 to 140 g kg-1, a wide range from which to select if animal nutrition is a primary criterion. Seed production was evaluated within a subset of 8 entries submitted to periodic herbage removal or left intact throughout the season. Three bundle-flowers yielded the greatest mass and seed number, but were negatively affected by harvest, unlike prairie acacia. Herbage and seed characteristics indicate there are promising perennial herbaceous legumes in the southern Great Plains that can be included in native seed mixes.  The Rangeland Ecology & Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 2020Legacy DOIs that must be preserved: 10.2458/azu_rangelands_v58i6_interrant