scholarly journals Emergence of a Novel Reassortant Strain of Bluetongue Serotype 6 in Israel, 2017: Clinical Manifestations of the Disease and Molecular Characterization

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Golender ◽  
Avi Eldar ◽  
Marcelo Ehrlich ◽  
Yevgeny Khinich ◽  
Gabriel Kenigswald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Bluetongue Virus ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Rna Viruses ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
The Other ◽  
Reassortant Strain ◽  
Cattle Farms ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Reassortment contributes to the evolution of RNA viruses with segmented genomes, including Bluetongue virus (BTV). Recently, co-circulation of natural and vaccine BTV variants in Europe, and their ensuing reassortment, were proposed to promote appearance of novel European BTV strains, with potential implications for pathogenicity, spread and vaccination policies. Similarly, the geographical features of the Mediterranean basin, which spans over portions of three continents, may facilitate the appearance of clinically relevant reassortants via co-circulation of BTV strains of African, Asian and European origins. In August–October 2017, BTV serotype 6 (BTV-6) was identified in young animals exhibiting classical clinical signs of Bluetongue (BT) at Israeli sheep and cattle farms. Sequencing and pairwise analysis of this Israeli BTV-6 isolate revealed the closest sequence homology of its serotype-defining Segment 2 was with that of South African reference BTV-6 strain 5011 (93.88% identity). In contrast, the other viral segments showed highest homology (97.0%–99.47% identity) with BTV-3, -4 and -9 of Mediterranean and African origins. Specifically, four viral segments were nearly identical (99.13%–99.47%), with Tunisian and Italian BTV-3 strains (TUN2016 and SAD2018, correspondingly). Together, our data suggest that Mediterranean co-circulation and reassortment of BTV-3 and BTV-6 drove the emergence of a novel and virulent BTV-6 strain

Photosynthetic and developmental traits associated with genotypic differences in durum wheat yield across the Mediterranean basin

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 891 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Villegas ◽  
N. Aparicio ◽  
M.M. Nachit ◽  
J. L. Araus ◽  
C. Royo
Keyword(s):  
Durum Wheat ◽  
Chlorophyll Content ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Carbon Isotope Discrimination ◽  
Canopy Temperature ◽  
Grain Filling ◽  
The Other ◽  
Early Vigour ◽  
Developmental Traits ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

The relationships between various morphophysiological traits and yield were studied in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) grown in Mediterranean conditions. Two sets of 22 genotypes were used. One was developed for semi-humid environments (TA-genotypes) and was cultivated in 22 trials around the Mediterranean basin with a mean yield across genotypes and environments of 4925 kg/ha. The other set was developed for drier conditions (CA-genotypes) and was cultivated in 15 trials, with a mean yield of 3501 kg/ha. Morphophysiological traits for each set were evaluated in 2 trials with contrasting water regimes conducted in north-eastern Spain: Lleida-rainfed (LR) and Lleida-irrigation (LI). Two kinds of traits were evaluated: developmental traits, including early vigour, plant height, and phenology (days from planting to heading and to maturity); and traits related to photosynthetic performance such as canopy temperature and chlorophyll content of the flag leaf, both measured during grain filling, and carbon isotope discrimination of mature grains. All the traits, measured in both Lleida trials, were related to the mean yield of the same genotypes across all the sites where they were cultivated. Yield measured at either of the 2 environments at Lleida was a much poorer predictor of genotype differences in mean yield than most of the traits. Nevertheless, the kind of environment where the morphophysiological traits were evaluated affected the performance of these traits as yield predictors. The combination of significant traits measured in the better environment (LI) explained 71% and 55% of genotype variability in yield within TA- and CA-genotypes, respectively, but only 56% and 27% when they were evaluated at LR. On the other hand, growing conditions of the yield trials was the main factor determining the best combination of traits. For TA-genotypes, larger yields were associated with shorter plants and higher carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) of grains, and to a lesser extent with higher early vigour and lower canopy temperature, whereas phenological traits made no contribution to explaining genotype differences in yield. For the CA-genotypes, higher yields were related to an earlier heading date or alternatively to a higher chlorophyll content during grain filling. A higher Δ in mature kernels also seems to be a positive trait.

scholarly journals Decapod assemblage from the late Miocene (early-middle Messinian) of the Romagna Apennines nearby Brisighella, Emilia-Romagna (N Italy)

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Pasini ◽  
Alessandro Garassino ◽  
Marco Sami
Keyword(s):  
Late Miocene ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
The Other ◽  
Limited Knowledge ◽  
Ne Italy ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Stratigraphic Range

An assemblage of axiidean and brachyuran decapods is reported from the late Miocene pre-evaporitic (early-middle Messinian) limestone of Cò di Sasso, nearby Brisighella (Ravenna, Emilia- Romagna), located in Romagna Apennines (NE Italy). Except Monodaeus bortolottii Delle Cave, 1988 (Xanthidae MacLeay, 1838), which is reported here for the first time in Miocene, all the other specimens have been assigned to species previously known in the Italian Miocene (Messinian s.l.), but never reported in this area. The report of Galathea cf. G. weinfurteri Bachmayer, 1950 (Galatheidae Samouelle, 1819) and Medorippe ampla Garassino, De Angeli, Gallo and Pasini, 2004 (Dorippidae MacLeay, 1838) enlarges the stratigraphic range of these Miocene species. This report enlarges our limited knowledge on the composition and distribution of the axiidean, anomuran, and brachyuran decapods during the early-middle Messinian before the evaporitic event in the Mediterranean Basin.

scholarly journals Bluetongue Virus in France: An Illustration of the European and Mediterranean Context since the 2000s

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy Kundlacz ◽  
Grégory Caignard ◽  
Corinne Sailleau ◽  
Cyril Viarouge ◽  
Lydie Postic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Domestic Ruminants ◽  
Inactivated Vaccines ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
World Organization ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Bluetongue (BT) is a non-contagious animal disease transmitted by midges of the Culicoides genus. The etiological agent is the BT virus (BTV) that induces a variety of clinical signs in wild or domestic ruminants. BT is included in the notifiable diseases list of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) due to its health impact on domestic ruminants. A total of 27 BTV serotypes have been described and additional serotypes have recently been identified. Since the 2000s, the distribution of BTV has changed in Europe and in the Mediterranean Basin, with continuous BTV incursions involving various BTV serotypes and strains. These BTV strains, depending on their origin, have emerged and spread through various routes in the Mediterranean Basin and/or in Europe. Consequently, control measures have been put in place in France to eradicate the virus or circumscribe its spread. These measures mainly consist of assessing virus movements and the vaccination of domestic ruminants. Many vaccination campaigns were first carried out in Europe using attenuated vaccines and, in a second period, using exclusively inactivated vaccines. This review focuses on the history of the various BTV strain incursions in France since the 2000s, describing strain characteristics, their origins, and the different routes of spread in Europe and/or in the Mediterranean Basin. The control measures implemented to address this disease are also discussed. Finally, we explain the circumstances leading to the change in the BTV status of France from BTV-free in 2000 to an enzootic status since 2018.

scholarly journals Transmission of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 8 by Artificial Insemination with Frozen–Thawed Semen from Naturally Infected Bulls

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 652
Author(s):  
Kris De Clercq ◽  
Leen Vandaele ◽  
Tine Vanbinst ◽  
Mickaël Riou ◽  
Isra Deblauwe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Bluetongue Virus ◽  
Pregnancy Loss ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
The Other ◽  
Bovine Semen ◽  
Frozen Semen ◽  
Virus Serotype ◽  
Gestational Stage

Transmission of bluetongue (BT) virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) via artificial insemination of contaminated frozen semen from naturally infected bulls was investigated in two independent experiments. Healthy, BT negative heifers were hormonally synchronized and artificially inseminated at oestrus. In total, six groups of three heifers received semen from four batches derived from three bulls naturally infected with BTV-8. Each experiment included one control heifer that was not inseminated and that remained BT negative throughout. BTV viraemia and seroconversion were determined in 8 out of 18 inseminated heifers, and BTV was isolated from five of these animals. These eight heifers only displayed mild clinical signs of BT, if any at all, but six of them experienced pregnancy loss between weeks four and eight of gestation, and five of them became BT PCR and antibody positive. The other two infected heifers gave birth at term to two healthy and BT negative calves. The BT viral load varied among the semen batches used and this had a significant impact on the infection rate, the time of onset of viraemia post artificial insemination, and the gestational stage at which pregnancy loss occurred. These results, which confirm unusual features of BTV-8 infection, should not be extrapolated to infection with other BTV strains without thorough evaluation. This study also adds weight to the hypothesis that the re-emergence of BTV-8 in France in 2015 may be attributable to the use of contaminated bovine semen.

scholarly journals First GPS measurements across the Central-Western Mediterranean area

1999 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Anzidei ◽  
P. Baldi ◽  
G. Casula ◽  
A. Galvani ◽  
S. Kahlouche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Time Span ◽  
The Other ◽  
Gps Measurements ◽  
Displacement Vectors ◽  
Terrestrial Reference System ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

This paper concerns the displacement field of the central-western part of the Mediterranean basin estimated by the analysis of three repeated GPS surveys (1995, 1996 and 1997) consisting of 8 sites of a network. This network includes for the first time the stations of Algiers and Arzew, located in Northern Algeria, an area not yet investigated by regional GPS surveys. Lampedusa station is located in the Sicily Straits rifting area while the other five stations of Cagliari, Wettzell, Madrid, Matera and Noto belong to the IGS permanent tracking network. The statistical analysis of 1995, 1996 and 1997 data show significant displacements at five stations. The displacement vectors of the African sites show a convergence between the African and the Eurasian plates at a rate of 0.8 ± 0.4 cm within a two year time span. A comparison between the displacements estimated in the present work and the ITRF96 determinations for the five permanent stations allow us to evaluate the motion of Lampedusa, Algiers and Arzew in the IERS Terrestrial Reference System.

scholarly journals Heterologous Combination of ChAdOx1 and MVA Vectors Expressing Protein NS1 as Vaccination Strategy to Induce Durable and Cross-Protective CD8+ T Cell Immunity to Bluetongue Virus

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Utrilla-Trigo ◽  
Luis Jiménez-Cabello ◽  
Ruymán Alonso-Ravelo ◽  
Eva Calvo-Pinilla ◽  
Alejandro Marín-López ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Dose ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cell Response ◽  
Bluetongue Virus ◽  
Lethal Dose ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Cd8 T Cell ◽  
T Cell Response ◽  
Ns1 Protein ◽  
Reassortant Strain

The sequence of non-structural protein NS1 of bluetongue virus (BTV), which contains immunodominant CD8+ T cell epitopes, is highly conserved among BTV serotypes, and has therefore become a major tool in the development of a universal BTV vaccine. In this work, we have engineered multiserotype BTV vaccine candidates based on recombinant chimpanzee adenovirus (ChAdOx1) and modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vectors expressing the NS1 protein of BTV-4 or its truncated form NS1-Nt. A single dose of ChAdOx1-NS1 or ChAdOx1-NS1-Nt induced a moderate CD8+ T cell response and protected IFNAR(-/-) mice against a lethal dose of BTV-4/MOR09, a reassortant strain between BTV-1 and BTV-4, although the animals showed low viremia after infection. Furthermore, IFNAR(-/-) mice immunized with a single dose of ChAdOx1-NS1 were protected after challenge with a lethal dose of BTV-8 in absence of viremia nor clinical signs. Additionally, the heterologous prime-boost ChAdOx1/MVA expressing NS1 or NS1-Nt elicited a robust NS1 specific CD8+ T cell response and protected the animals against BTV-4/MOR09 even 16 weeks after immunization, with undetectable levels of viremia at any time after challenge. Subsequently, the best immunization strategy based on ChAdOx1/MVA-NS1 was assayed in sheep. Non-immunized animals presented fever and viremia levels up to 104 PFU/mL after infection. In contrast, although viremia was detected in immunized sheep, the level of virus in blood was 100 times lower than in non-immunized animals in absence of clinical signs.

Palaikastro Shells and Bronze Age Purple-Dye Production in the Mediterranean Basin

1987 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 201-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Reese
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
The Other ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Bronze Age ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

The 1963 excavation at Palaikastro-Kastri in eastern Crete produced about 150 marine shells. The species preserved are listed in Table 1, and their date and context in Table 2. Significant shells from the collection are compared with other Minoan examples in Part I. The shell evidence for purple-dye production at Palaikastro is studied along with the other evidence from the Bronze Age Mediterranean in Part II.

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