Dynamic reflective color pixels based on molybdenum oxide.

Active materials which show phase transitions, usually known as Phase Change Materials (PCM), have paved the way to a new generation of reconfigurable plasmonic platforms. Tunable color devices have experienced a great development in the recent years. In particular, reflective color filters can take advantage from sunlight to select and reflect a specific resonant wavelength in the visible spectrum range. Reflective displays are usually structural color filters based on asymmetric Fabry-Perot cavities (AFPCs). For a fixed geometry, most of AFPCs filters generate static color, limiting their potential as tunable color devices. Dynamic color is achieved by introducing an active layer whose optical properties can be modulated by an external stimuli. In this paper, we propose AFPCs based on molybdenum oxide (MoOx, 2

Oral administration of modified live canine parvovirus type 2b induces systemic immune response.

Different strategies have been proposed to overcome maternally derived antibody (MDA) interference with canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) immunisation, including intranasal vaccination, which presents some practical limitations. In the present study, the results of the oral administration of a commercial CPV-2b modified live virus (MLV) vaccine in pups with MDA are reported. The CPV-2b vaccine was orally administered to 14 6-week-old pups with a bait. Blood samples and rectal swabs were collected at different days post-vaccination (dpv) to determine CPV-2 antibody titres and DNA loads. Thirteen pups were positive to serological and virological tests after the first vaccination and one pup became positive after the second vaccine administration. The findings of this study suggest that systemic immunity against CPV-2 may be achieved by the use of an MLV CPV-2b vaccine administered orally even in the presence of MDA titres that usually interfere with vaccination.

Bubaline alphaherpesvirus 1 induces a latent/reactivable infection in goats.

Latent infection is a common mechanism used by several alphaherpesviruses to persist in their host but it is not clear whether this mechanism is also triggered in heterologous infections. Cross-species infections have been documented repeatedly for alphaherpesviruses of ruminants, a group of closely related viruses. Herewith we report latent infection with bubaline alphaherpesvirus 1 (BuHV-1) in experimentally infected goats and subsequent virus reactivation after treatment with dexamethasone (DMS) at 10 months after infection. After DMS treatment, the virus was isolated in one such animal in the nasal swabs from day 3 to 9 post treatment and in the ocular swabs at day 6. The goat was euthanized 48 days after DMS treatment and viral DNA was detected by PCR in the trigeminal ganglia and in two cervical ganglia. Additionally, BuHV-1 DNA was detected by PCR in the trigeminal ganglia of the other 3 goats.

Goats are susceptible to Bubaline alphaherpesvirus 1 infection: Results of an experimental study.

Herpesvirus infections are generally subjected to strong host species restriction, although virological and serological investigations have revealed the possibility of cross-species infections in closely related animal species. In this study we evaluated susceptibility of goats to infection by Bubaline alphaherpesvirus 1 (BuHV-1). Four goats were inoculated intra-nasally with BuHV-1 and monitored clinically, virologically and serologically for 42days. None of the goats displayed clinical signs although all the animals variably shed the virus by the nasal route during the first 12days after infection. BuHV-1 was also detected in the white blood cells of two animals in the first week post infection. The results suggest that goats are susceptible to BuHV-1 infection and that they could play an epidemiological role in the circulation/transmission of the virus among domestic and wild ruminants and impact to some extent on the control plans for herpesviruses in cattle.

Evidence for Circulation of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus Type 2c in Ruminants in Southern Italy.

Recently, bovine viral diarrhoea virus type 2c (BVDV-2c) was responsible for a severe outbreak in cattle in northern Europe. Here, we present the results of an epidemiological survey for pestiviruses in ruminants in southern Italy. Pooled serum samples were obtained from 997 bovine, 800 ovine, 431 caprine and eight bubaline farms, and pestiviral RNA was detected by molecular methods in 44 farms consisting of 16 cattle and one buffalo herds and of 21 sheep and six goat flocks. Twenty-nine and 15 farms were infected by BVDV-1 and BVDV-2 strains, respectively. BVDV-1 strains were recovered mainly from cattle and were heterogeneous, belonging to the subtypes 1b, 1u, 1e, 1g and 1h. In contrast, all BVDV-2 viruses but two were detected in sheep or goats and were characterized as BVDV-2c by sequence analysis of 5'UTR. These strains displayed high genetic identity to BVDV-2c circulating in cattle in northern Europe and were more distantly related to a BVDV-2c isolate recovered from a cattle herd in southern Italy more than 10 years before. The circulation of a BVDV-2c in small ruminants suggests the need for a continuous surveillance for the emergence of pestivirus-induced clinical signs in southern Italian farms.

HoBi-Like Pestivirus and Its Impact on Cattle Productivity.

The clinical features and economic impact of the infection caused by an emerging group of pestiviruses, namely HoBi-like pestivirus, in a cattle herd of southern Italy are reported. In 2011, the virus was first associated with respiratory disease, causing an abortion storm after 1 year and apparently disappearing for the following 3 years after persistently infected calves were slaughtered. However, in 2014, reproductive failures and acute gastroenteritis were observed in the same herd, leading to a marked decrease of productivity. A HoBi-like strain closely related to that responsible for previous outbreaks was detected in several animals. Application of an intensive eradication programme, based on the detection and slaughtering of HoBi-like pestivirus persistently infected animals, resulted in a marked improvement of the productive performances.

Insights into the effects of metal nanostructuring and oxidation on the work function and charge transfer of metal/graphene hybrids.

Graphene/metal heterojunctions are ubiquitous in graphene-based devices and, therefore, have attracted increasing interest of researchers. Indeed, the literature on the field reports apparently contradictory results about the effect of a metal on graphene doping. Here, we elucidate the effect of metal nanostructuring and oxidation on the metal work function (WF) and, consequently, on the charge transfer and doping of graphene/metal hybrids. We show that nanostructuring and oxidation of metals provide a valid support to frame WF and doping variation in metal/graphene hybrids. Chemical vapour-deposited monolayer graphene has been transferred onto a variety of metal surfaces, including d-metals, such as Ag, Au, and Cu, and sp-metals, such as Al and Ga, configured as thin films or nanoparticle (NP) ensembles of various average sizes. The metal-induced charge transfer and the doping of graphene have been investigated using Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), and corroborated by Raman spectroscopy and plasmonic ellipsometric spectroscopy. We show that when the appropriate WF of the metal is considered, without any assumption, taking into account WF variations by nanostructure and/or oxidation, a linear relationship between the metal WF and the doping of graphene is found. Specifically, for all metals, nanostructuring lowers the metal WF. In addition, using gold as an example, a critical metal nanoparticle size is found at which the direction of charge transfer, and consequently graphene doping, is inverted.

Serological and virological detection of canine herpesvirus-1 in adult dogs with and without reproductive disorders.

Canine herpesvirus 1 (CaHV-1) is known to cause reproductive disorders in adult dogs and neonatal mortality in puppies. The seroprevalence of CaHV-1 has not been documented in Italy. Sera from 865 dogs were screened for CaHV-1 using a serum neutralization assay (SN). All CaHV-1 positive sera and 100 CaHV-1 negative sera were also tested using an in-house immunofluorescence (IF) test. Thirteen bitches with reproductive disorders and three bitches with no history of reproductive diseases were also examined clinically so that lesions associated with CaHV-1 and CaHV-1 DNA could be identified using PCR analysis of vaginal swabs. An overall seroprevalence of 14.6% was observed using SN, and 18.6% using IF. The correlation between SN and IF was moderate. The SN assay demonstrated a greater sensitivity than IF, with a few exceptions. None of the vaginal swabs tested positive for CaHV-1 DNA. The differences in the seropositivity rates between SN and IF were not statistically significant (P = 0.16). Using the SN test as the reference standard, the sensitivity and specificity of IF were 29% and 95%, respectively. These results suggest that CaHV-1 is common in canine populations and could pose a threat to neonatal survival and canine fertility in breeding kennels in Italy. Vaccination of breeding bitches should be recommended if there is a history of reproductive disorders.

Exploring and rationalising effective n-doping of large area CVD-graphene by NH3.

Despite the large number of papers on the NH3 doping of graphene, the achievement of stable n-doped large area CVD (chemical vapor deposition) graphene, which is intrinsically p-doped, is still challenging. A control of the NH3 chemisorption and of the N-bond configuration is still needed. The feasibility of a room temperature high pressure NH3 treatment of CVD graphene to achieve n-type doping is shown here. We use and correlate data for (a) sheet resistance, R(sh), and the Hall coefficient, R(H), in van der Pauw configuration, acquired in real time during the NH3 doping of CVD-graphene on a glass substrate, (b) optical measurements of the effect of doping on the graphene Van Hove singularity point at 4.6 eV in the dielectric function spectra by spectroscopic ellipsometry, and of (c) N-bond configuration by XPS to better understand and, finally, control the NH3 doping of graphene. The discussion is focused on the thermal and time stability of the n-doping after air exposure. A chemical rationale is provided for the NH3 n-doping based on the interaction of (i) NH3 with intrinsic oxygen functionalities and defects of CVD graphene and of (ii) C-NH2 doping centers with acceptor species present in the air.

Enteric disease in dogs naturally infected by a novel canine astrovirus.

Infection by a novel canine astrovirus was associated with gastroenteritis in two dogs. The virus displayed 70.3 to 73.9% amino acid identity to other canine astroviruses in the full-length capsid. Specific antibodies were detected in the convalescent-phase sera of the dogs, indicating seroconversion. Also, the virus appeared weakly related antigenically to the prototype canine astrovirus isolate ITA/2008/Bari.

Changes in the expression of the miu-opioid receptor in the mare oviduct during oestrus and anoestrus.

The presence of the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) was investigated in the mare oviduct during oestrus and anoestrus, by means of immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Immunoblotting analysis showed that the MOR protein is expressed as 65, 50 and 30 kDa forms in the infundibulum and ampulla both in oestrus and anoestrus, while the 30 kDa form is absent in the isthmus. Moreover, different levels of expression were observed along the ampulla in the two periods examined. Immunohistochemistry revealed MOR in the mucosal epithelium, stromal cells, myocytes and blood vessels. Ciliated cells expressed MOR in the apical cytoplasm and, except for the isthmus of oestrous mares, also in the nucleus. Non-ciliated cells showed MOR only in the isthmus segment during oestrus. Stromal cells showed different immunoreactivity along the oviduct segments and during the oestrous and anoestrous phases. The myosalpinx displayed immunostained myocytes in the intrinsic musculature of the ampulla and in the extrinsic and intrinsic musculature of the isthmus without significant differences between anoestrus and oestrus. Blood vessels expressed MOR in endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells in the isthmus myosalpinx of oestrous mares only. In conclusion, these findings show diverse MOR expression in the three segments constituting the oviduct, as well as changes in MOR expression linked to the mare's physiological condition.

Proliferation and apoptosis of male germ cells in captive Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus L.) treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa).

The effects of administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) on proliferation and apoptosis of male germ cells were evaluated on Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus L.) reared in captivity. Fish (n=19) were treated with a sustained-release delivery system loaded with GnRHa during the natural spawning season of 2004 and 2005 (June-July). Untreated Control fish (n=17) and adult wild spawners were used for comparison. Fish were sacrificed 2-8 d after GnRHa implantation and body weight and gonad weight were recorded, and gonads and blood were taken. Germ cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated through the immunohistochemical detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated d'UTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) method, respectively. Plasma 11 ketotestosterone (11-KT) levels were measured using an ELISA method. Mean gonado-somatic index and seminiferous lobule diameter did not differ between GnRHa-treated and Control fish, and were significantly lower in captive-reared individuals than in wild spawners. Significant increases in 11-KT plasma levels and spermatogonial mitosis, along with a reduction of germ cell apoptosis were demonstrated in GnRHa-treated fish compared to Controls. The results suggest that GnRHa administration was effective in enhancing germ cell proliferation and reducing apoptosis in captive males through the stimulation of luteinizing hormone (LH) release and testicular 11-KT production.

A histological investigation of the occurrence of non-reproductive female bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus in the Mediterranean Sea.

The presence of non-reproductive Atlantic bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus females in the Mediterranean Sea was investigated through histological analysis of the gonads. Three hundred and twenty-six ovary samples were collected from adults captured at different locations in the Mediterranean Sea during the reproductive seasons between 1998 and 2008. Only three specimens were considered to be in a non-reproductive state: two of them were in a reabsorbing state showing ovaries with early vitellogenic oocytes and extensive alpha and beta atresia of vitellogenic follicles; the third showed gonads with perinucleolar oocytes and was considered to be in a resting state. The low occurrence of non-reproductive individuals found in this study makes it unlikely that non-reproductive individuals aggregate with reproductive ones during their migration towards spawning grounds. Further research is suggested in order to investigate the potential presence of non-reproductive individuals on non-spawning grounds during the reproductive season.

Brain morphology and immunohistochemical localization of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus.

The present study was focused on the morphology of the diencephalic nuclei (likely involved in reproductive functions) as well as on the distribution of GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) in the rhinencephalon, telencephalon and the diencephalon of the brain of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) by means of immunohistochemistry. Bluefin tuna has an encephalization quotient (QE) similar to that of other large pelagic fish. Its brain exhibits well-developed optic tecta and corpus cerebelli. The diencephalic neuron cell bodies involved in reproductive functions are grouped in two main nuclei: the nucleus preopticus-periventricularis and the nucleus lateralis tuberis. The nucleus preopticus-periventricularis consists of the nucleus periventricularis and the nucleus preopticus consisting of a few sparse multipolar neurons in the rostral part and numerous cells closely packed and arranged in several layers in its aboral part. The nucleus lateralis tuberis is located in the ventral-lateral area of the diencephalon and is made up of a number of large multipolar neurones. Four different polyclonal primary antibodies against salmon (s)GnRH, chicken (c)GnRH-II (cGnRH-II 675, cGnRH-II 6) and sea bream (sb)GnRH were employed in the immunohistochemical experiments. No immunoreactive structures were found with anti sbGnRH serum. sGnRH and cGnRH-II antisera revealed immunoreactivity in the perikarya of the olfactory bulbs, preopticus-periventricular nucleus, oculomotor nucleus and midbrain tegmentum. The nucleus lateralis tuberis showed immunostaining only with anti-sGnRH serum. Nerve fibres immunoreactive to cGnRH and sGnRH sera were found in the olfactory bulbs, olfactory nerve and neurohypophysis. The significance of the distribution of the GnRH-immunoreactive neuronal structures is discussed.