Article
Microbiology
Urska Kuhar, Diana Zele Vengust, Urska Jamnikar-Ciglenecki, Gorazd Vengust
Summary: This study describes a case of stone marten infected with a new type of papillomavirus, revealing the genomic characteristics of a rare PV infection case.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ntando W. Alfinete, John Y. Bolukaoto, Lee Heine, Natasha Potgieter, Tobias G. Barnard
Summary: The study identified the presence of different pathogenic types of diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli among children hospitalized in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The distribution of these bacteria in different phylogroups emphasizes the need for future monitoring of virulence and phylogroup distribution of E. coli isolates in this province and South Africa as a whole.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maxime Eeraerts, Pieter Verschelde, Jan Gouwy, Sanne van den Berge, Koen van den Berge
Summary: This study evaluated the population trends and dietary habits of two carnivore species in Flanders, Belgium, and found contrasting population trends coupled with clear changes in feeding habits.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Daniella van der Walt, Emma T. Steenkamp, Brenda D. Wingfield, P. Markus Wilken
Summary: Hybridization is an important driver of evolution and adaptation, and closely related species of Ceratocystis have been shown to hybridize. However, previous studies using self-sterile strains and a laboratory-generated sterile isolate type may have impacted conclusions. This study successfully produced hybrids between self-fertile isolates of Ceratocystis species and provided evidence of biparental mitochondrial inheritance. Further research is needed to investigate the role of hybridization in the speciation of Ceratocystis species and the effect of mitochondrial conflict.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
V. Vigolo, M. Franzoi, F. Cendron, G. Salvadore, M. Penasa, M. Cassandro, M. De Marchi
Summary: This study compared different methods and technical engagement for identifying the A1 and A2 variants of 0-casein in milk. The findings showed that automated DNA extraction and chromatoallele-specific PCR techniques are fast and reliable options.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bushra A. Kanaan, Mushtak T. S. Al-Ouqaili, Rafal M. Murshid
Summary: This study aimed to establish the frequency and pattern of chromosomal abnormalities in women with primary and secondary amenorrhea and detect genetic changes in specific genotypes. The results highlighted the importance of cytogenetic analysis for determining the genetic basis of amenorrhea and suggested genotyping for women with normal karyotype and high FSH serum levels for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Ana Cristina Matos, Catarina Jota Baptista, Paula A. Oliveira, Ana Sofia Soares, Luis Figueira, Manuela Matos, Ana Claudia Coelho
Summary: This article describes the first isolation of Talaromyces marneffei fungus in an adult beech marten found dead in Portugal. The study suggests a sylvatic lifecycle of T. marneffei involving beech martens, and also reports the co-infection with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis in the same animal.
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Liang Guo, Chun-Dong Li, Guo-Qiang Liu, Jian-Xing Luo, Wei-Liang Xu, Yuan-Sheng Guo
Summary: This study investigated SNPs in the FecB locus of Xilingol indigenous sheep breeds using novel techniques, laying the groundwork for future authentication and breeding strategies.
FOOD SCIENCE & NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Sayed Ajmal Qurishi, Hong-Bin Yan, Li Li, John Aeskhaen Ohiolei, Mughees Aizaz Alvi, Lin-Sheng Zhang, Ha Da, Hong-Mei Qiao, Nigus Abebe Shumuye, Bao Hua, Bing-Xin Bai, Wen-Jun Tian, Ju-Mei Xu, Bao-Quan Fu, Wan-Zhong Jia
Summary: This study aims to compare the mitochondrial differences of ovine isolates of Cysticercus tenuicollis from Mongolia and China using PCR-RFLP method and mitochondrial genes analysis. The results show that T. hydatigena isolates from China and Mongolia have similar genetic population structures.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Gaetano Cammilleri, Stefano D'Amelio, Vincenzo Ferrantelli, Antonella Costa, Maria Drussilla Buscemi, Annamaria Castello, Emanuela Bacchi, Elisa Goffredo, Maria Emanuela Mancini, Serena Cavallero
Summary: Four dead Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis specimens from Southern Italy coasts were examined for the presence of Contracaecum sp. A total of 181 Contracaecum specimens, including larvae and adults, were found in the examined specimens. Contracaecum rudolphii A and B were detected, with a co-infestation of both in one of the specimens from Leporano Bay. This study provides the first report of Contracaecum sp. presence in P. carbo sinensis from Southern Italy.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Annalisa Guercio, Francesco Mira, Santina Di Bella, Francesca Gucciardi, Antonio Lastra, Giuseppa Purpari, Calogero Castronovo, Melissa Pennisi, Vincenzo Di Marco Lo Presti, Maria Rizzo, Elisabetta Giudice
Summary: This study presents a clinical case of CDV infection in ferrets, with a focus on viral typing. The diagnostic methods described provide a rapid and sensitive approach to CDV diagnosis. The findings highlight the importance of vaccination in preventing disease and cross-species infection, and contribute to our understanding of CDV infection in ferrets.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yinka Titilawo, Taobat A. Jimoh, A. Keith Cowan
Summary: This study identified multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strains in various phylogroups during municipal sewage treatment, with most isolates showing resistance to multiple antibiotics. These findings highlight the usefulness of multidrug resistance profiling as a tool for microbial source tracking and determining the origin of fecal pollution.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Zerika M. Scales, Elif Narbay, Rosalee S. Hellberg
Summary: This study conducted a market survey of American bison meat products and found a mislabeling rate of 6.7%. By utilizing DNA barcoding and PCR-SFLP, it was shown that additional genetic testing is necessary for accurate species identification, especially for species with historical hybridization.
Article
Infectious Diseases
John Asekhaen Ohiolei, Hong-Bin Yan, Li Li, Mughees Aizaz Alvi, Rosline James Muku, Yao-Dong Wu, Nian-Zhang Zhang, Wen-Hui Li, Ai-Min Guo, Xue-Lin Wang, Bao-Quan Fu, Wan-Zhong Jia
Summary: The study focused on the mitochondrial nad4-nad5 genes of T. hydatigena from China, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sudan, identifying distinct mitochondrial lineages and genetic polymorphism. A PCR-RFLP assay was developed to differentiate between the two mitochondrial haplogroups, providing valuable molecular evidence for further exploration of the epidemiological significance of these different mitochondrial variants.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Asmaa Magouz, Ismail El-Kon, Enrique Raya-alvarez, Enas Khaled, Noura Alkhalefa, Alaa S. Alhegaili, Manal F. El-khadragy, Ahmad Agil, Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
Summary: This study reports the prevalence and molecular analysis of CPV-2 variants collected from El-Gharbia and Kafrelsheikh governorates in the Delta of Egypt. The results showed that CPV-2a and CPV-2c are circulating in the study area.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Oier Pedrera, Unai Ortega, Aritz Ruiz-Gonzalez, Jose Ramon Diez Diez, Oihana Barrutia
Summary: Plant Blindness refers to the lack of awareness and knowledge about plants, which is particularly common among secondary students. Despite an increase in understanding biodiversity and plant biology during secondary education, most students still exhibit symptoms of Plant Blindness. This indicates that Plant Blindness is not only related to plants themselves, but also to biodiversity.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Marco Granata, Andrea Mosini, Manuel Piana, Francesco Zambuto, Enrica Capelli, Alessandro Balestrieri
Summary: The macronutrient requirements of the closely related pine marten and stone marten are almost identical, but in overlapping European ranges, the stone marten tends to be more frugivorous, leading to a higher contribution of carbohydrate energy. The dominance of the pine marten in interspecific interactions is supported by the unaffected macronutrient intake in the presence of the stone marten.
ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alessandro Balestrieri, Luca Gianfranceschi, Francesca Verduci, Emanuele Gatti, Pietro Boggioni, Nadia Mucci, Chiara Mengoni, Enrica Capelli, Paolo Tremolada
Summary: Eurasian otters were reintroduced to the River Ticino in northern Italy in 2007 after being declared locally extinct in the 1980s. Multiple surveys confirmed the presence of a small population, but the number of individuals and founders is insufficient to ensure the long-term survival of the population. Stochastic factors may threaten the success of this reintroduction.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alessandro Balestrieri, Anna Winkler, Giovanni Scribano, Andrea Gazzola, Giuditta Lastrico, Alice Grioni, Daniele Pellitteri-Rosa, Paolo Tremolada
Summary: The study found that microplastics have a significant impact on the growth and activity level of Italian agile frogs, leading to high mortality rates even at low concentrations. However, the effects of microplastics on green toads are relatively minor.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Ettore Emanuele Dettori, Alessandro Balestrieri, Victor Manuel Zapata-Perez, Santiago Palazon, Daniel Bruno, Nuria Rubio-Saura, Francisco Robledano-Aymerich
Summary: In semi-arid environments, the spread of non-native fish species has been enhanced by irregularly distributed rainfall, flow regulation, and water inter-basin transfer. This study highlights the impact of human-driven changes in fish communities on the diet of Eurasian otters. The research reveals an increase in the contribution of non-native species to otter diet, indicating a decline in profitability of native prey.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Marcia Eugenio-Gozalbo, Daniel Zuazagoitia, Aritz Ruiz-Gonzalez, Diego Corrochano, Amparo Hurtado-Soler, Marta Talavera
Summary: This study assesses pre-service teachers' argumentative practice after implementing a novel teaching-learning sequence that includes a citizen science program. The results show that the process of knowledge-building discourse involves a series of increasingly difficult transformations, from initial data to final explanations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE EDUCATION
(2022)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Oihana Barrutia, Aritz Ruiz-Gonzalez, Inaki Sanz-Azkue, Jose Ramon Diez
Summary: This study assesses the ability of secondary students to list wild animals and plants and finds that students have more knowledge about exotic and domesticated species. Additionally, smaller hometowns are associated with a higher listing of wild native species, although there are still symptoms of "Plant Awareness Disparity" present.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Andrea Gazzola, Bianca Guadin, Alessandro Balestrieri, Daniele Pellitteri-Rosa
Summary: This study found that predation threat in the environment can induce individual-level changes in laterality in Balearic green toad tadpoles. Tadpoles exposed to chemical cues of native predators and conspecific prey showed significant changes in lateralization intensity and activity level.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giovanni Scribano, Andrea Gazzola, Anna Winkler, Alessandro Balestrieri, Alice Grioni, Giuditta Lastrico, Paolo Tremolada, Daniele Pellitteri-Rosa
Summary: Microplastic exposure did not affect the defensive responses of Italian agile frog tadpoles, and larger tadpoles were less susceptible to the negative effects of MP exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Andrea Gazzola, Bianca Guadin, Alessandro Balestrieri, Daniele Pellitteri-Rosa
Summary: This study investigated the defensive behavior of green toad tadpoles in response to chemical and visual cues of a native predator. The results suggest that tadpoles rely mainly on chemical cues to assess predation risk, while visual cues do not elicit a significant defensive response.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alessandro Nessi, Anna Winkler, Paolo Tremolada, Francesco Saliu, Marina Lasagni, Luca Luigi Mario Ghezzi, Alessandro Balestrieri
Summary: Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging environmental problem that needs careful monitoring. Although MPs have been widely recorded in marine and freshwater ecosystems, there have been few studies on MP occurrence in terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, barn owl pellets were analyzed to assess both barn owl diet and MP content as a non-invasive method for assessing MP contamination in terrestrial ecosystems. The results showed that 33% of the pellets contained MPs, predominantly microfibers. The analysis of barn owl pellets could be a cost-effective method for monitoring MP contamination in terrestrial ecosystems.
Article
Ecology
Andrea Gazzola, Alessandro Balestrieri, Daniele Pellitteri-Rosa
Summary: When exposed to predation risk, some amphibian species show innate responses, while others recognize their predators by learning. We explored the effects of embryonic and larval exposure to predator chemical cues on tadpole defensive responses, including behavioural, morphological and life history traits, to investigate the role played by each mechanism in the assessment of predation risk.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Isabel Barja, Ana Pineiro, Aritz Ruiz-Gonzalez, Amaia Caro, Pilar Lopez, Jose Martin
Summary: Chemical signals in wolf feces, including aromatic compounds, steroids, and tocopherol, vary in composition and proportions between sexes and reproductive states. These compounds likely play a role in intraspecific and interspecific communication, and their levels in feces may be indicative of the wolf's sex and physiological and reproductive status.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alessandro Nessi, Sara Cioccarelli, Paolo Tremolada, Pasquale Gariano, Maria Grandinetti, Alessandro Balestrieri, Raoul Manenti
Summary: The distribution of amphibians in lotic freshwater habitats in the southern edge of the Apennines was surveyed, and nine environmental variables were recorded, including the occurrence of potential predators. The main factors affecting amphibian reproduction were illuminance and bank heterogeneity, while the presence of otters and fish did not show significant effects on the amphibian community.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alessandro Balestrieri, Pasquale Gariano, Maria Grandinetti, Francesca Verduci, Luca Gianfranceschi, Emanuele Gatti, Nadia Mucci, Chiara Mengoni, Paolo Tremolada
Summary: Faecal DNA-based genetic analysis is an effective tool for assessing threatened species. The study investigated the population of Eurasian otters in the Sila Massif, Italy using microsatellite analysis and mtDNA sequencing. The findings revealed a small, genetically isolated population that requires special attention and conservation efforts.
CONSERVATION GENETICS RESOURCES
(2022)