Outbreak of human infections with uncommon Salmonella serotypes linked to pet bearded dragons, 2012–2014

Reptiles are one of the fastest growing sectors in the United States pet industry. Reptile‐associated salmonellosis (RAS) continues to be an important public health problem, especially among children. We investigated an outbreak of human Salmonella infections resulting from serotypes Cotham and Kisarawe, predominately occurring among children. An outbreak of illnesses was identified in persons with exposure to pet bearded dragon lizards. Human and animal health officials, in cooperation with the pet industry, conducted epidemiologic, traceback and laboratory investigations. Onsite sampling was conducted at two US breeding facilities, one foreign breeding facility, and a large pet retail chain. A total of 166 patients in 36 states were identified with illness onset dates from 02/2012–06/2014. The median patient age was 3 years (range, <1–79 years), 57% were aged ≤5 years, and 37% were aged ≤1 year. Forty‐four patients (37%) were hospitalized, predominantly children. Sampling at breeding facilities and a national pet store chain resulted in isolation of outbreak serotypes at each facility; isolation proportions ranged from 2%–24% of samples collected at each facility.Epidemiologic, microbiologic and traceback evidence linked an outbreak of uncommon Salmonella serotypes to contact with pet bearded dragons. The high proportion of infants involved in this outbreak highlights the need to educate owners about the risk of RAS in children and the potential for household contamination by pet reptiles or their habitats. Strategies should be developed to improve breeding practices, biosecurity and monitoring protocols to reduce Salmonella in the pet reptile trade.     

RATIO OF CALCIUM TO MAGNESIUM INFLUENCES BIOMASS,ELEMENTAL ACCUMULATIONS,AND PIGMENT CONCENTRATIONS IN KALE

Producers use elemental ratios, such as calcium (Ca): magnesium (Mg), in fertility programs to ensure sufficient nutrient uptake. Kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala D.C.) accumulates high levels of carotenoids which can be beneficial for human health. Objectives were to determine the influence of Ca:Mg fertilization on 1) biomass, 2) essential nutrients, and 3) carotenoids in kale leaf tissues. ‘Redbor’ kale was greenhouse-grown in solution culture. Ca:Mg ratio treatments were 9:1, 6:1, 3:1, 1:3, 1:6, and 1:9. Ca:Mg ratio significantly affected biomass, nutrient accumulation, and carotenoids. Plant biomass decreased linearly (P ≤ 0.001) and β-carotene, lutein, neoxanthin, and antheraxanthin all increased, then decreased quadratically (P ≤ 0.001) as the ratio of Ca:Mg changed from 9:1 to 1:9. Ca:Mg ratio also affected leaf tissue Ca, Mg, potassium (K), sulfur (S), boron (B), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo) and zinc (Zn). Results indicate that producers wishing to maximize elemental uptake and carotenoid content of kale need to consider the ratio of Ca:Mg in their fertility programs.     

The genetics of pea seed storage proteins

The genetics of legumin, vicilin and convicilin, the major seed storage proteins of the pea, are discussed in relation to current understanding of their structure, biosynthesis and evolution.     

IMPACT OF SELENIUM FERTILIZATION ON GLUCOSINOLATE CONCENTRATION IN ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA AND RAPID CYCLING BRASSICA OLERACEA

Brassica vegetables are a significant source of glucosinolates (GSs), which are sulfur (S)-containing phytonutrients exhibiting, upon hydrolysis by endogenous myrosinase, antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic activity. Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient in mammalian health exhibiting antioxidant activity by inhibiting experimental carcinogenesis in animal models and reducing cancer incidence in human clinical trials. Selenium is readily accumulated in both Brassica species and Arabidopsis thaliana, a model species with similar S-metabolism. The research objectives for this project were to: 1) compare the impact of Se fertilization on GS concentrations between Arabidopsis thaliana and rapid cycling Brassica oleracea; and 2) determine the level of Se fertilization needed to optimize plant tissue Se concentration to maximize potential human health benefits. Both S and Se concentrations increased in A. thaliana and B. oleracea tissues in response to increasing Se treatments. Concentrations of glucoiberin, glucoraphanin, aliphatic, and total GS differed significantly between A. thaliana and B. oleracea. Data demonstrates that anti-carcinogenic GSs can be modified through changes in Se treatment concentrations, yet high levels of anti-carcinogenic GSs can be maintained while increasing Se concentration to 0.8 mg Se L^-1. Thus, it is feasible to increase Se to beneficial dietary levels without compromising GS concentrations.     

Impact of Supplemental Calcium Chloride on Yield,Quality, Nutrient Status,and Postharvest Attributes of Tomato

Little is known regarding the impact of calcium chloride applications during growth and development on tomato postharvest quality. This trial investigated supplemental calcium chloride applications on yield, nutrient content, texture, and postharvest quality of tomato fruit. Calcium (Ca) nutrient solution concentrations were: 60, 180, and 360 mg·L^?1 calcium, while foliar applications were (0, 1, and 2% calcium chloride w/v). Plants grown with 60 mg·L^?1 Ca had a high incidence of blossom end rot, which was not affected by calcium chloride sprays. Fruit nutrient concentrations were affected by calcium delivered through the nutrient solution. As fruit cluster position increased, fruit nutrient concentrations significantly decreased. Foliar calcium chloride sprays affected fruit soluble solids content and dry weight, but did not affect texture. Pericarp elasticity increased concomitantly with calcium in the nutrient solution. Postharvest disease incidence was not affected by calcium treatment, though weight loss during storage was negatively affected by calcium chloride sprays.     

Quantities of mineral N in soil and concentrations of nitrate‐N in groundwater in four grassland‐based systems of dairy production on a clay‐loam soil in a moist temperate climate

This study examined the quantity of mineral N in soil and nitrate‐N losses to groundwater from grassland‐based dairy production in 2001 and 2002. There were four treatments with different inputs of N, through fertilizers, concentrates and biological fixation, and four associated stocking densities. Nitrogen inputs were 205, 230, 300 and 400 kg ha^?1, respectively, and annual stocking densities were 1·75, 2·10, 2·50 and 2·50 cows ha^?1. There were 18 cows per treatment. Grazed herbage accounted for 0·64, grass‐silage for 0·26 and concentrates 0·10 of annual DM consumed by the cows. Quantities of mineral N (nitrate‐N and ammonium‐N) in soil were measured, following extraction in 2 M KCl (1:2 w/v) shaken continuously for 2 h, on three occasions between late September and early February each winter. Concentrations of nitrate‐N in groundwater from wells inserted vertically to a depth of 1 m were determined throughout both winters. Quantities of mineral N in the soil increased (P < 0·001) with higher N inputs and declined (P < 0·001) with later sampling date. There were no relationships between nitrate‐N concentrations in groundwater and N inputs, N surpluses, deposition of excreta‐N at the soil surface and soil mineral N during both winters. Low losses of nitrate‐N to groundwater were primarily attributed to high rates of denitrification associated with a heavy soil texture, wet anaerobic soil conditions, relatively high organic carbon contents throughout the soil profile and mild soil temperatures throughout the year. Uptake of N by herbage made an important contribution to low N losses over the winter.     

Importance of Staphylococcus hyicus ssp hyicus as a cause of arthritis in pigs up to 12 weeks of age

Lame pigs, up to 12 weeks of age, were necropsied to establish a diagnosis. Of 175 pigs examined, 165 were confirmed to have arthritis by histopathological examination of joint tissues. Lesions were most common in the elbow and tarsal joints and least common in the joints of the feet. Typically, there was severe fibrinopurulent inflammation of synovial membranes regardless of the bacteria isolated. A bacterial aetiology was found in 114 (69%) of the 165 pigs. In arthritic pigs in which an aetiology was established the causative agents were Staphylococcus hyicus ssp hyicus (24.6%), Streptococcus equisimilis (26.3%), Actinomyces pyogenes (13.2%), Staphylococcus aureus (7.9%) and Haemophilus parasuis (7.9%). While gender did not affect the prevalence of arthritis, there was an age influence, most of the pigs culled for arthritis being under 6 weeks of age.