Influence of shearing on oxidative stress and some physiological parameters in ewes

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of shearing on physiological and oxidative stress parameters in ewes. Twenty Comisana ewes were used and divided into two groups. Ten ewes were left unshorn as a control group (Group A) and 10 ewes were shorn (Group B). All measurements were taken before and after shearing, and repeated 8 h after shearing and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 and 15 days after shearing. Reactive oxygen species (dROMs), antioxidant barrier (oxy‐adsorbent), thiol antioxidant barrier (SHp) and packed cell volume (PCV) were assessed in blood samples collected by means of jugular venipuncture. Rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) were also measured. Two‐way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Bonferroni's test, was used for the assessment of significant effects due to shearing and time. The statistical analysis showed significant increases (P < 0.01) of dROMs, oxy‐adsorbent, SHp, and a significant decrease (P < 0.01) of RT and RR associated with time and shearing. Our results indicate that shearing causes a change in the ewe's homeostatic balance that leads to oxidative stress.     

Penicilliosis in an African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus)

Penicillium mycosis, or penicilliosis, is rare in animals. This report describes the clinical signs and pathological, immunohistochemical, and biomolecular findings in a case of avian penicilliosis in a Congo African grey parrot. On gross necropsy, pyogranulomatous changes were identified in the lung, liver, and kidney. Histopathology demonstrated periodic acid Schiff-(PAS) and Grocott-positive hyphae in these tissues. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the genus of the fungus and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed a high homology with Penicillium chrysogenum.     

Multinucleated giant cells with an osteoclast phenotype derived from caprine peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Formation of multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) by macrophage fusion is a typical cytopathic effect of lentiviral replication in caprine monocytes and MGC formation from cultured caprine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) has been considered to be diagnostic for small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) infection. In this study, formation of MGCs was observed after 7–14 days when PBMCs were cultured from healthy goats free from SRLV infection. These MGCs expressed tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, calcitonin receptor, integrin αVβ3, cathepsin K and matrix metalloproteinase 9 and were able to resorb bone in vitro in the absence of RANKL and macrophage colony stimulating factor, consistent with an osteoclast phenotype.     

Assay of aroma active components of virgin olive oils from southern Italian regions by SPME-GC/ion trap mass spectrometry

An SPME-GC/ion trap method was exploited to determine the chromatogram of volatile compounds of organic olive oils of southern Italian regions. The method is based on the assay of the terminal species of the "lipoxygenase pathway", which are present in the volatile fraction of the sampled compounds. Ethyl isobutanoate was used as internal standard in either the EI or CI ionization mode. The absolute concentration values of each analyte were evaluated through good-to-excellent calibration curves. Case studies on oils obtained from different cultivars or harvesting times are presented. The quantitative data for each compound were subjected to principal component analysis to characterize the different cultivars of this work.     

Behavior of a fenhexamid photoproduct during the alcoholic fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The fungicide fenhexamid [N-(2,3-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methylcyclohexanecarboxamide] degraded rapidly by UV or sunlight irradiation, yielding 7-chloro-6-hydroxy-2-(1-methylcyclohexyl)-1,3-benzoxazole (CHB) as a main photoproduct. CHB was isolated, and its effect on alcoholic fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was studied. The results indicate that the presence of CHB does not affect the extent of alcohol production. After 12 days, the amount of CHB in the fermentation medium decreased by ca. 65%. Only 25% of the missing CHB was recovered unchanged from yeasts, most likely because it was adsorbed on the yeast wall cell. The remaining part degraded during the fermentation process. Glucan and chitin, two potential adsorbents, which constitute yeast cell walls, exhibited affinity for CHB.     

Characterization of the anthocyanin fraction of sicilian blood orange juice by micro-HPLC-ESI/MS

Anthocyanins of red orange juices were analyzed by micro-HPLC coupled on-line with an MS detector equipped with an ESI source. The use of microcolumn HPLC greatly enhanced detection performance, allowing direct identification of the anthocyanins present in the orange juices. The use of a soft ionization technique allows detection of the molecular ions of the aglycons. Eight components were identified, five of them for the first time in red orange juice. Three additional anthocyanins were detected, of which only the aglycon was identified.     

Développements récents de l'Application de la chromatographie en phase gazeuse des aliments,et proposition d'Une nouvelle méthode complémentaire ou subsidiaire pour la micro-détermination spécifique De quelques composants, à l'aide de la diagnose enzymatique

Resumé La chromatographie en phase gazeuse étant à la fois une méthode qualitative et quantitative, constitue une méthode idéale destinée à résoudre la complexité des analyses des additifs alimentaires. Après une énumération des perfectionnements récents apportés à ces appareils, l'auteur fait un exposé de l'application et des résultats, notamment dans les domaines: Huile d'olive, Beurre, Saindoux, Vin, Cacao, Chocolat. Identification des acides gras, table des constituants, recherches de falsifications, analyse des substances étrangères, altération des vins, discussion des résultats d'analyse.Pour le dosage des résidus de pesticides et pour la recherche des agents antifermentaires, la chromatographie en phase gazeuse s'avère d'une grande utilité en raison de sa précision et sa rapidité.Comme un complément de la chromatographie en phase gazeuse l'auteur insiste sur l'importance, dans le secteur alimentaire, d'une nouvelle méthode d'analyse, basée sur des réactions enzymatiques et sur les études exécutées par son Institut pour la mise ou point de telles méthodes enzymatiques: détermination du glucose, du fructose, du saccharose dans les moûts et les vins, etc...

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Summary Gas-chromatography being a qualitative and quantitative method at the same time, makes an ideal method enabling us to solve the complexity of the analyses of food additives. After enumerating the recent improvements in the gas-chromatography equipment the author explains its applications and shows the results obtained, more specially in the following fields: olive oil, butter, lard, wine, cocoa, chocolate, identification of fatty acids, table of components, search for adulterants, analysis of foreign substances, deterioration of wines, discussion of the results of analyses.In the determination of pesticide residues, and the search for antiferments, gas-chromatography appears to be extremely useful, thanks to its precision and rapidity.As a supplement to gas-chromatography the author insists on the importance, in this field of foods, of a new analytical method based on enzymatic reactions, and on the investigations, carried on in this Institute, aimed to set up such enzymatic methods, to be used in the study of glucose, fructose, and saccharose deteriorations in musts and wines, etc...

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Zusammenfassung Die Gaschromatographie ist gleichzeitig eine quantitative und qualitative Analysenmethode. Sie ist daher hervorragend für die Lösung der komplexen Probleme auf dem Gebiete der Lebensmittel-Zusatzstoffe geeignet. Nach Aufzählung der letzten Verbesserungen in der Apparatetechnik, werden Anwendungsmöglichkeiten und Ergebnisse besprochen, insbesondere für Analysen von Olivenöl, Butter, Schmalz, Wein, Kakao und Schokolade. Bestimmung der Fettsäuren, Liste der Bestandteile, Nachweis von Fälschungen, Fremdstoffanalysen, Weinalterung, kritische Betrachtung der Ergebnisse.Für den Nachweis der Pestizid-Rückstände und die Bestimmung von Antifermenten, leistet die Gaschromatographie infolge der Genauigkeit und Schnelligkeit der Methode bereits große Dienste.Zur Ergänzung der gaschromatographischen Verfahren schlägt der Autor, insbesondere für Lebensmittelanalysen ein auf enzymatischen Reaktionen fußendes neues Verfahren vor. Hierzu sind die Untersuchungen in seinem Institut weit fortgeschritten, insbesondere für die Bestimmung von Glukose, Fruktose, Saccharose in Most und Wein.

     

Phylogenetic correlation of Greek and Italian orf virus isolates based on VIR gene

Thirteen orf virus isolates obtained during the time period between 1995 and 2004 from crusted scab lesions of nine sheep and four goats from different geographical areas of Greece and Italy with suspected contagious ecthyma infection were analyzed. DNA of all isolates was successfully amplified by PCR with the primers 045F-045R and identified them as parapox virus. Partial DNA sequence of orf virus interferon resistant (VIR) gene, phylogenetic analysis of the available isolates and amino acid comparison of the interferon resistance protein encoded by this genomic region was carried out. According to the results of the present report a precise characterisation of the genomic region studied might provide evidence for the genetic variation and movement of the circulating orf virus strains.     

Severe weight loss in lambs infected with Giardia duodenalis assemblage B

An outbreak of giardiasis was observed in a sheep farm in Central Italy. Infected lambs (30-90 days of age) showed a malabsorption syndrome, decreased weight gain and impairment in feed efficiency. The most relevant clinical sign was the excretion of malodorous and poorly formed faeces, whereas diarrhoea was rarely observed in the flock. Laboratory investigations revealed the presence of Giardia in affected animals, while no other significant viral, bacterial or parasitic pathogens were identified in faeces or tissue samples. A mild to severe infiltrative enteritis with eosinophils, lymphocytes and plasma cells was detected in histological sections of the gut. Giardia parasites collected from duodenal aspirates were typed as Giardia duodenalis Assemblage B, by PCR amplification and sequencing of the TPI gene. Treatment with fenbendazole at a dose of 10mg/kg for 3 consecutive days, successfully cleared the infection. These results show that G. duodenalis can cause significant economic losses in sheep farming.