Compatibility of the bacterial entomopathogen Pseudomonas protegens with the natural predator Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).

The susceptibility of the green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea to the soil-dwelling bacterial entomopathogen Pseudomonas protegens CHA0 was investigated in this study. Laboratory bioassays were conducted on larval instars exposed to different bacterial concentrations by both direct feeding and indirectly by offering a pre-treated insect prey. Potential toxicity was assessed through dose-response bioassays, while possible sublethal effects were evaluated on immature development time and the reproductive performance (fecundity) of adults emerging from treated juveniles. As a result, no significant effects were observed on larval survival and development in a comparison between treated and untreated (control) groups. No significant impact on adult emergence and no detrimental effects on female fecundity were detected. Everything considered, the use of P. protegens in the agroecosystem appears to be compatible with chrysopids.

Metabolic milieu and localization of ovarian leptin and receptor in queens under different reproduction phases.

Metabolic profile and leptin presence and expression of receptor in the ovary of 8 queens were analyzed. All queens were assessed for nutritional state and underwent ovariectomy in accordance with Italian law for the control of stray cats and dogs. Three queens were at early gestation, three prepubescent and two non-pregnant. All animals appeared healthy but underweight. Haemogram and biochemical profile did not show to be of prognostic value. On microscopy, granulosa cells of secondary follicles tested positive to leptin in pregnant queens, while testing negative in non-pregnant ones. Muscular layer of vessels of the ovary in non-pregnant queens tested positive to receptor, but negative in those found pregnant. Results suggest that leptin is produced and receptor expressed in the different tissues of the ovary in underweight queens. Additionally, the expression of receptor did not necessarily imply local leptin production and clearly displayed to vary according to the reproduction phase. Taken altogether, these findings allow to conclude that the expression of receptor can be interpreted as the pillar bridging ovary tissues as target sites of circulating leptin produced elsewhere. Arguably, ovary removal may affect hormonal cross-talk at the systemic level, likely affecting different systemic functions, including the nutritional status.

Oregano Feed Supplementation Affects Glycoconjugates Production in Swine Gut.

This study evaluated the effects of adding oregano aqueous extract (OAE) to the diet of pig slaughtered at finisher stage. Study was performed to identify glycoconjugates and evaluate the oxidative stress levels in the duodenum and colon intestinal tracts. Glycohistochemistry was performed by staining with Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Alcian blue (AB) pH 2.5, AB-PAS, AB pH 1, AB pH 0.5, low iron diamine, and high iron diamine. Serial sections were pre-treated with sialidase V before staining with AB pH 2.5 (Sial-AB) preceded or not by saponification. To study oxidative stress, an immunohistochemical analysis was applied to investigate the presence of the oxidative stress target molecule Bcl-2 Associate X protein (BAX). Findings show that oregano aqueous extract supplementation improves the production of the secretion glycoconjugates involved in direct and indirect defense, thus enhancing the protection of the pig intestinal mucosa. Moreover, the reduced BAX protein immunostaining observed in both duodenum and colon of swine of the oregano-supplemented group respect to that observed in the control group suggests an enhanced antioxidant action by oregano adding. Findings could be useful for other studies aiming to reduce antibiotic use and prevent antimicrobial resistance.

Immunohistochemistry detected and localized cannabinoid receptor type 2 in bovine fetal pancreas at late gestation.

At present, data on the endocannabinoid system expression and distribution in the pancreatic gland appear scarce and controversial as descriptions are limited to humans and laboratory animals. Since the bovine pancreas is very similar to the human in endocrine portion development and control, studies on the fetal gland could prove to be very interesting, as an abnormal maternal condition during late pregnancy may be a predisposing trigger for adult metabolic disorders. The present investigation studied cannabinoid receptor type 2 presence and distribution in the bovine fetal pancreas towards the end of gestation. Histological analyses revealed numerous endocrinal cell clusters or islets which were distributed among exocrine adenomeri in connectival tissue. Immunohistochemistry showed that endocrine-islets contained some CB2-positive cells with a very peculiar localization that is a few primarily localized at the edges of islets and some of them also scattered in the center of the cluster. Characteristically, also the epithelium of the excretory ducts and the smooth muscle layers of the smaller arteries, in the interlobular glandular septa, tested positive for the CB2 endocannabinoid receptor. Conse - quently, the endocannabinoid system, via the cannabinoid receptor type 2, was hypothesized to play a major role in controlling pancreas function from normal fetal development to correct metabolic functioning in adulthood.