Effect of enrofloxacin-Na against pathogens related to the respiratory and alimentary diseases in suckling and weanling piglets

A field trial was conducted to evaluate effect of enrofloxacin-Na against pathogens related to the respiratory and alimentary diseases in eighty suckling piglets (6-7 days old) and eighty weanling piglets (5-6 weeks old). Respective twenty of the suckling and weanling piglets were assigned to each of 4 experimental groups; control (non-treated), clinical injection dose (CID), 2x clinical injection dose (2CID). and premix. A 0.05 ml (2.5 mg) of enrofloxacin-Na injection (5% solution, 1 ml) per kg body weight of piglets as CID was injected intramuscularly for 3 days and the clinical signs were observed for 9 days. The premix (150 ppm) of enrofloxacin-Na was administered with feed for 7 days ad libitum and the clinical signs were observed for 13 days. The enrofloxacin-Na-treated piglets showed a higher increase in body weight and a lower feed per gain than the control piglets. In addition, the treatment of enrofloxacin-Na, regardless of the route of administration, decreased the incidence rate of diarrhea in suckling piglets and respiratory symptoms in weanling piglets. The isolation index of E. coli and Cl. perfringens during the treatment periods was also lowered by the enrofloxacin-Na treatment in both suckling and weanling piglets. The antibiotics was also evaluated as safe locally and whole bodily as treated by injection or feeding. These results indicate that the newly developed antibiotics, enrofloxacin-Na, is very useful for the prevention and therapy of swine diseases in the pig industry.     

Chronological alterations of P2X3 receptor expression in the trigeminal ganglion after ischaemic insult in the Mongolian gerbil

P2X receptors play a role in the transduction of sensory signals like pain. Few studies have been undertaken on altered P2X(3) receptor (P2X3) expression in sensory neurones after peripheral nerve injury. In the present study, we investigated chronological alterations in P2X3 immunoreactivity and its protein content in the trigeminal ganglion after ischaemic insult in the Mongolian gerbil. In the sham-operated group, P2X3-immunoreactive neurones were found abundantly in small- and medium-sized neurones. From 1 day after ischaemic insult, the number of P2X3-immunoreactive neurones decreased significantly. At 5 days after ischaemic insult, P2X3 immunoreactivity was observed in few neurones, but its immunoreactivity was weak. However, the number of cresyl violet-positive neurones was unchanged throughout this period in all groups. These results suggest that transient trigeminal ganglion ischaemia may provoke a decrease of P2X3 expression and its protein content, and that this down-regulation of P2X3 may be related to the altered pain and thermal sensation without being associated with a transient ischaemic insult.     

Xenotransplantation and the potential risk of xenogeneic transmission of porcine viruses.

The clinical success of allotransplantation and the shortage of donor organs have led to a proposal for the use of animal organs as alternative therapeutic materials for humans. In that regard, swine are preferable to non-human primates as a source of donor organs. While applications for clinical trials for xenotransplantation have not yet been received in Canada, several trials have already been authorized in the United States. A major concern, however, is the potential for xenogeneic transmission of viruses from animals to humans via organ, tissue, or cellular transplantation or via ex vivo exposure of humans to porcine biologic materials. Xenotransplantation allows viruses to bypass the normal immunological defense mechanisms of the recipient. Furthermore, the use of immunosuppressive drugs following transplantation may facilitate the xenogeneic transmission of zoonotic agents. Of porcine viruses, swine hepatitis E virus does not cause any clinical symptoms in the natural host but is a likely zoonotic agent that can infect humans and cause hepatitis. Porcine circovirus type 1 is prevalent in swine populations with no known association with clinical disease, while circovirus type 2 causes post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome. Porcine endogenous retrovirus is integrated into the host chromosomes while porcine cytomegalovirus undergoes latent infection. Two additional porcine herpesviruses have recently been identified in swine and have been named porcine lymphotrophic herpesviruses. These herpesviruses can potentially become reactivated in human recipients after xenotransplantation. All in all, there are a number of viruses in swine that are of primary concern to screen and eliminate from xenotransplantation protocols. Epidemiology and the current knowledge on xenogeneic risk of these viruses are discussed.     

Selective trafficking of non-cell-autonomous proteins mediated by NtNCAPP1

In plants, cell-to-cell communication is mediated by plasmodesmata and involves the trafficking of non-cell-autonomous proteins (NCAPs). A component in this pathway, Nicotiana tabacum NON-CELL-AUTONOMOUS PATHWAY PROTEIN1 (NtNCAPP1), was affinity purified and cloned. Protein overlay assays and in vivo studies showed that NtNCAPP1 is located on the endoplasmic reticulum at the cell periphery and displays specificity in its interaction with NCAPs. Deletion of the NtNCAPP1 amino-terminal transmembrane domain produced a dominant-negative mutant that blocked the trafficking of specific NCAPs. Transgenic tobacco plants expressing this mutant form of NtNCAPP1 and plants in which the NtNCAPP1 gene was silenced were compromised in their ability to regulate leaf and floral development. These results support a model in which NCAP delivery to plasmodesmata is both selective and regulated.     

Physicochemical properties and biological activities of DEAE-derivatized Sphingomonas gellan

Physicochemical characteristics and biological activities of Sphingomonas gellan (S-gellan) were investigated. The S-gellan weight fractions of Glc and GlcUA were 0.45 and 0.25, respectively, and the molar ratio of Glc:Rha:GlcUA was approximately 4:2:3. The S-gellan was chemically derivatized with diethylaminoethyl chloride-HCl (DEAE-HCl), and the resulting modified S-gellan contained both positive and negative charges. The elemental and IR analyses were conducted to confirm the successful incorporation of DEAE groups into S-gellan. A large increase in nitrogen fraction was observed from the derivatized S-gellan by elemental analysis. The IR absorption bands induced by C-H, C-N, and C-O-C stretching were noticeable at 2950, 1310-1380, and 1000-1150 cm(-1), respectively, resulting from the DEAE substitution. The characteristic CH3 and CH2 peaks originated from the DEAE group were detected in the 1H NMR spectrum of the derivatized S-gellan as well. The solubility of native S-gellan was improved almost twice from 40% to 75% after DEAE derivatization, while water holding capacity (WHC) drastically decreased from 10026% to 245%. Oil binding capacity (OBC) of S-gellan also significantly dropped from 1528% to 331% after the derivatization. The bile acid binding capacity of S-gellan was indirectly determined by measuring the holding capability of cholic acid inside the dialysis membrane (MWCO 12,000-14,000 Da). Once S-gellan was DEAE derivatized, there was substantial increase in the cholic acid retardation index (CRI). Up to 9 h of dialysis, the derivatized S-gellan released 29.3% less of cholic acid compared to the control group that did not contain S-gellan. From these results of the improved water solubility and stronger bile acid binding capacity, it would be suggested that the DEAE-derivatized S-gellan has more advantages than gellan itself for functional food applications.     

Monovalent salt-induced gelation of enzymatically deesterified pectin

Pectin gels were induced by monovalent salts (0.2 M) concurrently with deesterification of high methoxy pectin using a salt-independent orange pectin methylesterase (PME). Constant pH was maintained during deesterification and gelation. If salt or PME was absent, the pectin did not form a gel. The gel strength was influenced by both pH and species of monovalent cation. At pH 5.0, the pectin gel induced by KCl was significantly stronger than the NaCl-induced gel. In contrast, a much stronger gel was produced in the presence of NaCl as compared to KCl at pH 7.0. LiCl did not induce pectin gelation at either pH. Molecular weights of pectins increased from 1.38 x 10(5) to 2.26 x 10(5) during NaCl-induced gelation at pH 7. One proposal to explain these pectin molecular weight changes is a hypothetical PME transacylation mechanism. However, these pectin molecular weight changes can also be explained by metastable aggregation of the enzymatically deesterified low methoxy pectin. We postulate that gelation was induced by a slow deesterification of pectin under conditions that would normally salt out (precipitate) low methoxy pectin in the absence of PME.     

Effects of Dietary β-1,3 Glucan and Feed Stimulants in Juvenile Olive Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

Abstract.— The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of β‐1,3 glucan and a laboratory developed feed stimulant, BAISM, as feed additives for juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Eight experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric and to contain 50.0% crude protein and 16.4 kJ of available energy/g with or without dietary β‐1,3 glucan and BAISM supplementation. β‐1,3 glucan (G) and BAISM (B) were provided at 0% in the control diet (G₀B₀) and at 0.05% G + 0.45% B (G_0.05B_0.45), 0.05% G + 0.95% B (G_0.05B_0.95), 0.1% G + 0.90% B (G_0.1B_0.9), 0.10% G + 1.90% B (G_0.1B_1.9), 0.15% G + 1.35% B (G_0.15B_1.35), 0.15% G + 2.85% B (G_0.15B_2.85), and 0.30% G + 2.70% B (G_0.3B_2.7) in experimental diets. After the feeding trial, fish fed G_0.1B_0.9, G_0.1B_1.9, and G_0.15B_1.35 diets had higher percent weight gain (WG), feed efficiency ratio (FER), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and condition factor (CF) than those fed G₀B₀, G_0.05B_0.45, G_0.05B_0.95, G_0.15B_2.85, and G_0.3B_2.7 diets (P < 0.05); however, there was no significant differences among fish fed G_0.1B_0.9, G_0.1B_1.9, and G_0.15B_1.35 diets. Fish fed G_0.1B_0.9 and G_0.1B_1.9 diets had higher chemiluminescent responses (CL) than those fed the other diets (P < 0.05). Lysozyme activity of fish fed G_0.1B_0.9 diet was significantly higher than that of fish fed the other diets (P < 0.05). These results indicated that the optimum dietary supplementation level of β‐1,3 glucan and BAISM could be approximately 0.10% β‐1,3 glucan + 0.90% BAISM (G_0.1B_0.9) of diet based on WG, FER, SGR, PER, CF, CL, and lysozyme activity in juvenile olive flounder, P. olivaceus.     

Use of Fermented Fisheries By-products and Soybean Curd Residues Mixture as a Fish Meal Replacer in Diets of Juvenile Olive Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

A 10‐wk feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the potential use of fermented fisheries by‐products and soybean curd residues mixture (FFSM) as a partial replacement for fish meal (FM) in the diet of juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Five experimental diets were formulated with FFSM replacing 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60% of the FM protein (FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, FFSM₃₀, FFSM₄₅, and FFSM₆₀, respectively). Juvenile olive flounder averaging 5.99 ± 0.08 g (mean ± SD) were randomly distributed into aquaria at 15 fish/aquarium, with three replicate aquaria for each experimental diet. Weight gain (WG) of fish fed FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, and FFSM₃₀ was significantly higher than that of fish fed FFSM₄₅ and FFSM₆₀ (P < 0.05). Also, WG of fish fed FFSM₄₅ was significantly higher than that of fish fed FFSM₆₀ (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in WG among fish fed FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, and FFSM₃₀ (P > 0.05). Specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed FFSM₁₅ was significantly higher than that of fish fed FFSM₄₅ and FFSM₆₀ (P < 0.05). Also, SGR of fish fed FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, FFSM₃₀, and FFSM₄₅ was significantly higher than that of fish fed FFSM₆₀ (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in SGR among fish fed FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, and FFSM₃₀ and among those fed FFSM₀, FFSM₃₀, and FFSM₄₅ (P > 0.05). Feed efficiency (FE) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of fish fed FFSM₆₀ were significantly lower than those of fish fed FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, FFSM₃₀, and FFSM₄₅ (P < 0.05); however, there were no significant differences in FE and PER among fish fed FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, FFSM₃₀, and FFSM₄₅. Hepatosomatic index of fish fed FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, and FFSM₃₀ was significantly higher than that of fish fed FFSM₆₀ (P < 0.05); however, there were no significant differences among fish fed FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, FFSM₃₀, and FFSM₄₅ and among those fed FFSM₄₅ and FFSM₆₀. No significant differences were observed in condition factor and survival rate among all dietary groups tested. The whole‐body proximate composition averaged 75.0 (% dry matter basis [DM]), 8.66 (% DM), 16.38 (% DM), and 76.1%, for crude protein, crude lipid, ash, and moisture, respectively. Based on growth performance, the FFSM could replace up to 30% FM protein by the ANOVA test; however, broken‐line model analysis indicated 28.7% as an optimum replacement level in juvenile olive flounder diets.     

Evaluation of regional climate scenario data for impact assessment of climate change on rice productivity in Korea

Spatial evaluation of the uncertainty associated with climate data would allow reliable interpretation of simulation results for regional crop yield using gridded climate data as input to a crop growth model. The objective of this study was to examine the spatial uncertainty of regional climate model data through determining optimal seeding date with the ORYZA2000 model for assessment of climate change impact on rice productivity in Korea. The optimal seeding date was determined at each grid point using regional climate model outputs under the RCP 8.5 scenarios. In major rice production areas such as inland plain regions, where temperatures of regional climate data were relatively accurate, the optimal seeding date determined using those gridded data were reasonable. However, areas with complex terrains including areas near bodies of water, e.g. coastal areas, riverbasins, lakes, and mountainous areas, had a relatively large uncertainty of the optimal seeding date determined using the regional climate data. These results indicated that the uncertainty of regional climate data at a high spatial resolution of 12.5 km should be taken into account in the regional impact assessment based on crop growth simulations in Korea. In addition, further studies would be merited to assess the impact of climate change on rice yield at an ultra-high spatial resolution of 1 km in Korea. Crop yields were projected to decrease after the 2020s when crop yield simulations from inland plain areas were considered, which suggested that adaptation strategies should be established and implemented in the near future.