Evaluation of spray dried animal plasma and calcium formate as alternatives to colistin in piglets experimentally infected with Escherichia coli K99

Two trials were conducted to evaluate spray dried animal plasma and calcium formate as alternatives to preventive medication with colistin in piglets experimentally challenged with Escherichia coli K99. Two groups of newly weaned pigs were offered four treatments consisting of: Negative Control (NC); spray dried animal plasma (SDAP); calcium formate (CF) and colistin (COL). All animals were experimentally challenged with a single oral dose of E. coli K99. Their performance was recorded and, in the second trial, 6 piglets from each treatment were killed to obtain samples of jejunal mucosa for histological measurements and digesta from the ileum and the caecum for microbiological determinations. SDAP improved weight gain (P < 0.05) and feed intake (P < 0.06) in the first two weeks after weaning of trial 1, and a similar response, although not statistically significant, was found in trial 2. Colistin also resulted in a numerical improvement in performance, but calcium formate did not. No clear effects on mucosal histology were observed and only colistin had a significant effect on the microbiological composition of digesta.     

Arterial supply of the penis in agoutis (Dasyprocta prymnolpha, Wagler, 1831)

The arterial vascularization of agoutis’ penis (Dasyprocta prymnolopha) were analysed using ten male adults from ‘Núcleo de Estudos e Preservação de Animais Silvestres da Universidade Federal do Piauí’ (FUFPI/IBAMA n° 02/99). Among the total number of specimens, six animals had natural death and were members of the research collection of the Laboratory of Anatomy, and four were killed after anaesthesia. Stained bi‐centrifugated‐Cis‐I‐4 latex was injected in arterial vessels responsible for penis vascularization throughout the abdominal portion of aorta. The samples were fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution and arteries were dissected. The penile artery is originated as a branch of internal pudendal artery. At the level of ischiatic arch, the penile artery project two branches, the penile dorsal and the deep arteries; those arteries irrigates the penile dorsal surface and the corpus cavernosum penis. The penile dorsal arteries have an independent course up to the glans penis. Based on the conditions of this work a remarkable similarity regarding the distribution of vessels destined to the agouti penis when compared to other domestic, wild and lagomorph rodents as rabbits.     

Hydration Dynamics of Durum Wheat Endosperm as Studied by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Soaking Experiments

The precise knowledge of the kinetics of water transport in durum wheat endosperm is a prerequisite for the optimization of wheat processing techniques like pasta dough mixing on a fundamental basis. Pieces of endosperm were cylindrically cut, prepared from durum wheat kernels, and used to study the water uptake by applying a gravimetric method and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The total water uptake of endosperm cylinders at different soaking times was determined by gravimetric soaking experiments and revealed a swelling limit of ≈40 g/100 g wb after 60 min. With these results it was possible to estimate an apparent diffusion coefficient of water in durum endosperm by using numerical simulation based on a diffusion model (D_25°C ~ 0.76 × 10^–10 m²/sec). MRI was used to quantify the water distribution in the endosperm cylinders over time at excess and limited water conditions. The calibration of MRI for the quantification of local and time‐dependent water contents was successful by correlating the spin‐spin relaxation time (T₂) with the water content of calibration samples at intermediate moisture levels (19–45 g/100 g wb). Water content maps were generated and showed the kinetics of water distribution inside the endosperm cylinders up to equilibrium conditions. The water uptake of the endosperm cylinders over time, as measured by MRI, fitted well to the water uptake as determined gravimetrically in soaking tests, which validated the applied MRI calibration and measurement procedures. The results allow the quantitative prediction of water transport properties of durum wheat endosperm during moistening procedures.     

Contents of total protein and β-N-oxalyl-l-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP) in a collection of Lathyrus cicera of the Bank of Plant Germplasm of Cuenca (Spain)

One hundred and thirty-four accessions of Lathyrus cicera from the Bank of Plant Germplasm of Cuenca (BGV-Cuenca, Spain) have been analysed for total protein and β- N -oxalyl- l -α,β-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP) contents in order to identify those with a suitable nutritional quality for animal feeding. There was a large variability in both traits, the content of total protein ranged from 22.95% to 30.98% with a mean value of 27.62%, and the ODAP from 0.09% to 0.30% with a mean value of 0.17%. The accessions from Castilla y León and Castilla-La Mancha showed higher percentages of protein and ODAP as compared with those from Andalucía, Greece and Extremadura. Nevertheless, total protein and ODAP contents showed a low positive correlation ( r  = 0.396, P = 0.01). Several accessions showed a content of ODAP similar to that of the variety 'Chalus' and two accessions seemed very suitable for animal feeding because of their high content of protein and low ODAP.     

Ice in Prefermented Frozen Bread Dough—An Investigation Based on Calorimetry and Microscopy

The amount, morphology, and distribution of ice in prefermented frozen bread dough were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and cryoscanning electron microscopy (cryo‐SEM). Bread dough was frozen after proofing, stored frozen at ‐22 ± 3°C and analyzed without previous thawing. At constant storage conditions, the ice fraction amounted to 53% of the total water and remained constant even over a period of 56 days. Unlike other frozen food foams, ice crystals were observed in the gas pores of the dough. Ice crystals were already present at 1 hr after freezing. Crystal growth and rounding off by recrystallization was observed after 1 day of frozen storage. After 149 days, crystal size reached several 100 μm. It is concluded that growth of ice crystals leads to a redistribution of water in the dough mix in the form of ice, which in turn affects the properties of polymeric compounds in dough and reduces the baking performance of prefermented frozen doughs.     

Molecular epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease virus type A in South America

A databank of 78 VP(1) complete sequences of type A foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) from South American isolates was constructed. Forty-nine samples corresponded to FMDV that circulated between the years 1999-2008, mainly in Venezuela, where most type A outbreaks have occurred lately and twenty-nine to strains historically relevant for the continent. The phylogenetic analysis showed that all South American FMDV belonged to the Euro-SA topotype. Sixteen subgenotypes could be identified, based on a 15% nucleotide divergence cut-off criterion: eight are extinguished, three were active until the year 2002 and the remaining five circulated in Venezuela during the years 2001-2007, illustrating the potential for FMDV diversification under appropriate selective pressure. The last emergencies reported in already-free areas of Colombia in 2004 and 2008 were closely related to isolates acting in Venzuela. Evidence of positive selection over codon 170, within the immunogenic site 4 of VP1 protein, was recorded. A codon deletion in amino acid position 142, within the G-H loop, was found in some isolates within subgenotypes 14, 15 and 16. Conversely amino acid deletion 197 was restricted to all isolates within a particular genetic cluster. The present work is the first comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of FMDV type A in South America, filling a gap of knowledge with respect to both, historical and acting viruses. The results provided evidence that supports the ecosystem dynamics in the region, and also served as an input to establish genetic links of emergencies in already-declared free areas, highlighting the need for strengthening control activities.     

Impacts caused by the addition of wine vinasse on some chemical and mineralogical properties of a Luvisol and a Vertisol in La Mancha (Central Spain)

Background, aim, and scope  Using wastewaters from wine production that are often discharged directly into soil, with previous treatment, we carried out an experiment to identify the impact over time, specifically to identify the benefits and risks of its application. Materials and methods  Experiments were carried out using approximately 200 g of samples of agricultural soils which were amended with increased amounts of vinasse: 1–5–10–20–40–70 ml. The doses used were not arbitrary but similar to the usual one amended. Soil electric conductivity was determined in distilled water with a glass electrode (soil to H₂O ratio 1:5). Clay identification of soil samples are by X-ray diffraction. Results  The pH decreased slightly and salinity increased, possibly leading to changes in crop productivity. The increase in salinity reflects the concentration of dissolved salts in the vinasse. Significant changes were observed in the clay minerals after amendment with the vinasse. Conclusions  Our study indicates that, under experimental incubation, the application of increasing doses of wine vinasse for increasingly long periods can affect certain chemical properties. The results show that application of winery wastewaters to soil results in significant increases of electrical conductivity, reaching levels that can be detrimental to crop growth. The decrease in pH values is somehow beneficial, and finally there is a small increase in the chemical weathering of clay minerals     

Validation of a second generation competitive enzyme immunoassay (CELISA) for the diagnosis of brucellosis in various species of domestic animals

A second generation competitive enzyme immunoassay (CELISA) for detection of bovine antibody to Brucella abortus was developed to eliminate reagent variables in the assay. This assay was different from earlier CELISA formats in that it used recombinant protein A and protein G immunoglobulin receptors (PAG), labelled with horseradish peroxidase, thus eliminating the requirement for polyclonal anti-mouse-enzyme conjugate for detection. This allowed standardization of the assay. The CELISA uses a monoclonal antibody specific for a common epitope of the O-polysaccharide (OPS) of smooth lipopolysaccharide (SLPS) derived from B. abortus S1119.3. This antibody did not react with PAG. This monoclonal antibody was used to compete with antibody in the bovine test serum to the smooth lipopolysaccharide (SLPS) antigen. Reaction of bovine antibody was then measured directly with the PAG enzyme conjugate. In this case, development of colour in the reaction indicated a positive reaction. The performance characteristics of the new CELISA, sensitivity, specificity and exclusion of antibody of B. abortus S19 vaccinated animals, were very similar to those of the classical CELISA and to the indirect enzyme immunoassay (IELISA) when using sera deemed positive by isolation of the bacterium, either from individual animals or from some animals on the premises. All sera were tested by the buffered antigen plate agglutination test (BPAT) and the complement fixation test (CFT). Only samples positive on both BPAT and CFT were considered as positive and only samples negative on both tests were used considered negative. Sufficient samples from cattle, swine, sheep and goats to validate the test were included based on OIE guidelines suggesting inclusion of a minimum of 300 positive and 1000 negative samples.     

Variations in the composition of the sap of zea mays with the increase in osmotic pressure of the nutritive solution

The alterations are studied which are produced in the content of mineral elements and organic fractions of sap with the increase in the osmotic pressure of the nutritive solution at levels of 2.0; 3.5 and 5.0 atm., obtained through the addition to the nutritive solution either of magnesium sulphate or PEG‐4000.

Through the effect of the osmotic pressure, the transformations are modified of the nitrogen and mineral phosphorus at organic fractions experience a series of modifications which produce different values in the Nm%TSN and Pm%TSP ratios with respect to control. Through action of the specific effect of magnesium sulphate, the reducing sugars concentrations in sap having an important increase.