Integron content of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium strains isolated in Hungary in the years 1997-1999

The integron content of 52 DT104/U302 phage type strains and 53 non-DT104/U302 strains of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) was studied in PCR experiments using a 5'-CS/3'-CS primer pair (Lévesque et al., 1995). Forty-three out of 44 streptomycin- and/or ampicillin-resistant DT104 and related phage type strains were found to carry a 1 kb and/or 1.2 kb long integron. The other resistance markers did not affect the number and size of integrons; no integron-free multidrug-resistant (MDR) DT104 strains were found. The two large groups of DT104 strains (Felix-Callow's phage types 2 and 2c) proved to be identical in respect of integron patterns (IPs), supporting the views of those authors who consider DT104 a single clone. Strains of human and animal origin did not differ from each other in their IPs. Within the non-DT104 phage types, ampicillin- and/or streptomycin-resistant, integron-free MDR strains were also found. Based on amplicons varying between 290 and 3500 bp an IP system was suggested. The commonest amplicon sizes in non-DT104 strains were 1450 and 2050 bp. The IPs of DT104 strains and of non-DT104 strains containing an integron of 1 and 1.2 kb size were stable. In contrast, the IPs of other non-DT104 strains showed a varying degree of instability. Integron loss was frequently associated with spontaneous plasmid elimination and changes of R-type among the descendants of a given strain.     

Babesia canis canis and Babesia canis vogeli infections in dogs from northern Portugal

Canine babesiosis represents an important veterinary medical problem. This study describes the molecular characterization of babesial parasites detected in eight clinically suspected dogs from northern Portugal, affected by lethargy, muscle tremors, weight loss, pale mucous membranes, hyperthermia or red-coloured urine. Microscopic examination of peripheral blood smears showed large intraerythrocytic piroplasms morphologically compatible with Babesia canis in all eight animals. DNA was extracted from blood on filter paper, and a Babesia spp. infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a 408bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Analysis of PCR-derived sequences revealed that seven dogs were infected with B. canis canis and one with B. canis vogeli. This is the first molecular identification report of both the species B. canis and the subspecies B. canis canis and B. canis vogeli in dogs from Portugal.     

Hematology and serum biochemistry values of trapped, healthy, free-ranging rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) and their association with age, sex, and gestational status

BACKGROUND: The rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) is an herbivore prevalent from South Africa to Turkey, and a most common zoo animal. Although many studies of hyrax diseases and physiology are available, clinicopathologic data are limited. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to establish comprehensive hematologic and biochemical reference intervals for trapped, apparently healthy, free-ranging rock hyraxes using modern laboratory methods and to assess differences related to sex, gestation, and age. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 27 healthy, free-ranging hyraxes under anesthesia. Gender, body weight, and gestational status were recorded. Hematologic (n = 25) and serum biochemical (n = 22) analyses were performed using standard automated methodology. Data for male vs female, adult vs juvenile, and pregnant vs nonpregnant female hyraxes were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Associations between variables were assessed using Pearson's or Spearman rank correlation tests. RESULTS: Significant age- and sex-related, but not gestation-related differences were observed in several variables. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity and phosphorus concentration were significantly higher in juveniles compared with adults. A unique type of monocyte comprised 1-3% of leukocytes in 4 hyraxes. Markedly high serum creatine kinase (CK) activity was observed in most hyraxes. CONCLUSIONS: The large number of animals and the availability of sex, age, and gestational data in this study will be useful to zoo and wildlife veterinarians working with rock hyraxes. High serum concentrations of betahydroxybutyric acid in the rock hyrax, compared with dogs, cats, and ruminants, may be related to its unique digestive system. High CK activity may have been the result of a capture myopathy-like syndrome. The unique monocytes in hyraxes resemble those of elephants and are a novel finding in this species.     

Seroprevalence of Neospora spp. among asymptomatic horses, aborted mares and horses demonstrating neurological signs in Israel

Sera from 800 asymptomatic horses were examined for the presence of antibodies to Neospora caninum by immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). The presence of antibodies to N. caninum was also tested in sera from 52 mares that had aborted and 40 horses exhibiting neurological signs. A total of 95 (11.9%) of the 800 sera had antibodies for Neospora. Significantly higher seropositivity was obtained from horses that had neurological signs (21.2%) and from aborted mares (37.5%). There was significant linear-by-linear association between age and seropositivity. This is the first serologic survey for Neospora spp. antibodies performed on horses from the Middle East and the first to report significant difference in seropositivity between asymptomatic horses and horses exhibiting neurological signs.     

Antagonism of Detomidine-Induced Sedation,Analgesia, Clinicophysiological,and Hematobiochemical Effects in Donkeys Using IV Tolazoline or Atipamezole

The present study aimed to investigate and evaluate the reversal of sedation, analgesia, ataxia, clinicophysiological findings, and hematobiochemical effects of detomidine by subsequent IV administration of tolazoline or atipamezole to improve safety and utility of detomidine in donkeys. Six mature donkeys weighing 250–300 kg and aged 4–6 years were used on three separate occasions. Each donkey received the following three treatments at the rate of one treatment per week in a randomized crossover study. The first group received 0.04 mg/kg bwt detomidine. The second group received 0.04 mg/kg bwt detomidine followed by 4.0 mg/kg bwt tolazoline. The third group received 0.04 mg/kg bwt detomidine followed by 0.4 mg/kg bwt atipamezole. Sedation, analgesia, ataxia, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were recorded at 5 minutes before, then at 5, 15, 30, 60, and 90 minutes after injections. Red blood cell and white blood cell counts, Packed cell volume (%), hemoglobin, total protein, cholesterol, glucose, urea, aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, and gamma glutamyl transferase values were determined. Detomidine induced deep sedation, complete analgesia, and significant ataxia. Pulse and respiratory rates were decreased from the base line values, although rectal temperature was within the baseline value. The alterations in hematological and hematobiochemical parameters were mild and transient.     

Evaluation of the sedative,analgesic, clinicophysiological and haematological effects of intravenous detomidine,detomidine‐butorphanol,romifidine and romifidine‐butorphanol in standing donkeys

The aim of this investigation was to determine and evaluate the sedative, analgesic, clinicophysiological and haematological effects of intravenous (i.v.) injection of detomidine, detomidine‐butorphanol, romifidine and romifidine‐butorphanol. Six standing donkeys were used. Each donkey received 4 i.v. treatments and the order of treatment was randomised with a one‐week interval between each treatment. We found that i.v. injection of a combination of detomidine‐butorphanol or romifidine‐butorphanol produced potent neuroleptanalgesic effects thus providing better, safe and effective sedation with complete analgesia in standing donkeys compared with injection of detomidine or romifidine alone. The changes and reduction in pulse rate were within acceptable limits. The changes in clinicophysiological, haematological and biochemical values were mild and transient in these clinically healthy donkeys.     

Synthesis and spectral characterization of novel azomethine disperse dyes derived from pyrazolone moiety and their dyeing performance on polyester fabrics

A series of new azomethine dyes based on pyrazolone system have been synthesized via different routes. The solvatochromism for the dyes was evaluated with respect to spectroscopic properties in various solvents. The dyes were applied as disperse dyes on polyester fabrics and gave shade poor to excellent light fastness, washing, perspiration, sublimation, and rubbing fastness properties. Also the position of color in CIELAB coordinates (L*, a*, b*) and K/S value were investigated.     

Influence of alternative liquid chromatography techniques on the chemical complexity and bioactivity of isolated proanthocyanidin mixtures

Extracts rich in proanthocyanidins, which are implicated in multiple human health benefits, were comparatively separated using alternative separation methods [vacuum or open column liquid chromatography], separation matrices [Toyopearl, Sephadex, or silica gel], and degrees of subfractionation [8 or 12 subfraction series], to evaluate the influence of separation technique on the resolution of the chemical composition and the biological activity of separated proanthocyanidin mixtures in individual subfractions. Bioactivity was assessed using a DNA human topoisomerase II bioassay and structural composition by acid thiolysis (average degree of polymerization, DP) and HPLC-ESI/MS. The amount of parent fraction needed to inhibit 50% of topoisomerase II was 3.38 ng/mL with an average DP of 25.5. A 2(3) factorial analysis revealed that the vacuum and open column strategies for separation, when individually considered, did not yield significantly different results in terms of mass recovery, DP, or bioactivity; however, interactions with other factors such as matrix or subfraction series resulted in distinctive shifts in fraction profiles and biological activity. In general, Sephadex as a matrix permitted elution and separation of discrete, polymerized subfractions with potent inhibition against human topoisomerase II. Sephadex vacuum chromatography, Toyopearl open column chromatography, and Toyopearl vacuum chromatography separation techniques eluted highly polymerized proanthocyanidin mixtures, but the inhibitory bioactivity was attenuated as compared to the parent fraction, whereas Sephadex open column chromatography eluted highly polymerized subfraction mixtures that retained bioactive potential.     

Effect of using Spirulina and Chlorella as feed additives for elevating immunity status of Nile tilapia experimentally infected with Aeromonas hydrophila

The present trial was performed to evaluate the effect of dietary incorporation of dried Spirulina, Chlorella and their mixture on the immune status of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) before and after artificial infection with pathogenic bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila). Two hundred and forty fish were divided into four groups: (a) a control group fed on a basal diet only, (b) a second group fed on a diet containing Spirulina 15%, (c) a third group fed on a diet containing Chlorella 15%, and (d) a fourth group fed on a diet containing a mixture of both Spirulina 15% and Chlorella 15%. At the end of the experiment (9 weeks), the four groups were experimentally infected with A. hydrophila for 7 days. Antioxidant enzymes, lysozyme and bactericidal activities and histopathological changes were determined just before the challenge test and 7 days post‐challenge. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) increases in fish body protein% before the challenge test and increases in serum antioxidant enzymes, lysozyme and bactericidal activity in the Chlorella and algal mixture groups before and after the challenge test were observed. Spirulina, Chlorella and their mixture groups significantly decreased serum malondialdehyde compared to the control group before and after the challenge test. Using Spirulina, Chlorella and their mixture mitigated the necrotic and degenerative changes induced by A. hydrophila and revealed well‐developed and multiple melanomacrophage centres. Thus, dietary Spirulina, Chlorella and their mixture inclusion in Nile tilapia fish proved to have a protective effect against A. hydrophila infection.     

DNA fingerprinting of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) cultivars using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers

Forty-one of the major strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivars grown in the United States and Canada were examined for RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) marker polymorphisms using 10mer primers (>50% GC content). A set of 10 primers produced 15 polymorphic fragments ranging in size between 450 and 1200 bp, which were more than sufficient to distinguish among all tested cultivars. Ten of the markers derived from seven primers were absolutely required for distinguishing the cultivars. A DNA fingerprinting table was constructed based on these results. In addition, similarity coefficients were calculated based on RAPD marker data and a dendogram was constructed using the unweighted pair group method of arithmetic averages (UPGMA). These results were compared with known pedigree data for the cultivars. Our results demonstrate that RAPD markers can be used effectively for strawberry cultivar identification. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.