Analysis of world strains of Anaplasma marginale using major surface protein 1a repeat sequences

Anaplasma marginale is a tick-borne pathogen of cattle that causes the disease bovine anaplasmosis worldwide. Major surface proteins (MSPs) are involved in host-pathogen and tick-pathogen interactions and have been used as markers for the genetic characterization of A. marginale strains and phylogenetic studies. MSP1a is involved in the adhesion and transmission of A. marginale by ticks and varies among geographic strains in the number and sequence of amino-terminal tandem repeats. The aim of this study was to characterize the genetic diversity of A. marginale strains collected from countries in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, inclusive of all continents. In this study, we characterized 131 strains of A. marginale using 79 MSP1a repeat sequences. These results corroborated the genetic heterogeneity of A. marginale strains in endemic regions worldwide. The phylogenetic analyses of MSP1a repeat sequences did not result in clusters according to the geographic origin of A. marginale strains but provided phylogeographic information. Seventy-eight percent of the MSP1a repeat sequences were present in strains from a single geographic region. Strong (> or =80%) support was found for clusters containing sequences from Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Argentinean and South American strains. The phylogenetic analyses of MSP1a repeat sequences suggested tick-pathogen co-evolution and provided evidence of multiple introductions of A. marginale strains from various geographic locations worldwide. These results contribute to the understanding of the genetic diversity and evolution of A. marginale and tick-pathogen interactions.     

Malassezia spp. overgrowth in allergic cats

A series of 18 allergic cats with multifocal Malassezia spp. overgrowth is reported: atopic dermatitis was diagnosed in 16, an adverse food reaction in another and one was euthanized 2 months after diagnosis of Malassezia overgrowth. All the cats were otherwise healthy and those tested (16 out of 18) for feline leukaemia or feline immunodeficiency virus infections were all negative. At dermatological examination, multifocal alopecia, erythema, crusting and greasy adherent brownish scales were variably distributed on all cats. Cytological examination revealed Malassezia spp. overgrowth with/without bacterial infection in facial skin (n = 11), ventral neck (n = 6), abdomen (n = 6), ear canal (n = 4), chin (n = 2), ear pinnae (n = 2), interdigital (n = 1) and claw folds skin (n = 1). Moreover, in two cats Malassezia pachydermatis was isolated in fungal cultures from lesional skin. Azoles therapy alone was prescribed in seven, azoles and antibacterial therapy in eight and azoles with both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy in three of the cats. After 3-4 weeks of treatment, substantial reduction of pruritus and skin lesions was observed in all 11 cats treated with a combined therapy and in five of seven treated solely with azoles. Malassezia spp. overgrowth may represent a secondary cutaneous problem in allergic cats particularly in those presented for dermatological examination displaying greasy adherent brownish scales. The favourable response to treatment with antifungal treatments alone suggests that, as in dogs, Malassezia spp. may be partly responsible for both pruritus and cutaneous lesions in allergic cats.     

Nitrogen Release from Slow-Release Fertilizers in Soils with Different Microbial Activities

Soil microbial activity is recognized as an important factor affecting nitrogen (N) release from slow-release fertilizers. However,studies on the effect of size and activity of soil microflora on fertilizer degradation have provided contrasting results. To date, no clear relationships exist between soil microbial activity and the release of N from slow-release fertilizers. Hence, the aim of this study was to better understand such relationships by determining the release of N from three slow-release fertilizers in soils with different microbial activities. Soils were amended with urea-formaldehyde (UF), isobutylidene diurea (IBDU), and crotonylidene diurea (CDU). Urea, a soluble fertilizer, was used as the control. Fertilized soil samples were placed in a leaching system, and the release of N was determined by measuring ammonium-N and nitrate-N concentrations in leachates during 90 d of incubation. Non-linear regression was used to fit N leaching rate to a first-order model. In all the treated soils, N was released in the order: urea (89%–100%) IBDU (59%–94%) UF (46%–73%) CDU (44%–56%). At the end of incubation, N released from CDU did not differ (P 0.05) among soils. On the contrary, UF and IBDU released significantly lower (P 0.05) amounts of N in the soil with higher microbial activity and lower pH.The rate constant (K_0) for UF was lower (P 0.05) in the soil with lower pH. Taken together, our results indicated that soil microbial size and microbial activity had a marginal effect on fertilizer mineralization.     

Detection and characterization of a rhabdovirus causing mortality in black bullhead catfish,Ameiurus melas

This study fully describes a severe disease outbreak occurred in 2016 in black bullhead catfish farmed in Italy. Affected fish showed nervous clinical signs as well as emaciations and haemorrhagic petechiae on the skin at the fin bases, abdomen and gills. Viral isolation in cell culture allowed the subsequent identification of a rhabdovirus, tentatively named ictalurid rhabdovirus (IcRV), through electron microscopy, immunofluorescence and whole genome sequencing (WGS). The newly isolated virus, together with 14 additional viral strains stored in our repository and detected during similar mortality episodes in the period 1993–2016, was phylogenetically analysed on the basis of the nucleoprotein and the glycoprotein nucleotide and amino acid sequences. The genetic distances among Italian IcRV strains were also estimated. Our results show that all the IcRV strains belong to the genus Sprivivirus and are closely related to the tench rhabdovirus (TenRV). Italian catfish production is constantly decreasing, mainly due to viral infections, which include the newly characterized IcRV. Data presented in this work will assist to investigate the molecular epidemiology and the diffusive dynamics of this virus and to develop adequate surveillance activities.     

冰糖橙果实品质无损伤在线检测分级技术的建立与应用

【目的】冰糖橙果实外观分级与内部品质不一致极大地影响了其市场声誉,建立冰糖橙果实品质分级标准和果实快速规模化无损伤品质检测分级技术,并进行在线应用,为快速分选不同糖酸度冰糖橙产品提供技术支持。【方法】在利用常规果实品质分析方法对主产区的冰糖橙果实进行多年品质分析的基础上,找出果实外观和内在品质的相关性,确定不同果型横径与糖酸度含量的关系,形成冰糖橙果实分级标准。在此基础上,采集710-960 nm波段近红外透射光谱建立果实无损伤检测模型,利用常规品质分析数据对原始光谱反复进行校正并验证,确定无损伤检测的准确性,并在分级线上进行应用;调查统计应用无损伤检测生产线分级后各级冰糖橙的产量、销售单价和销售额。【结果】（1）根据果实横径大小进行初选分级,68-74 mm为大果型,62-67 mm为中果型,56-61 mm为小果型,再按果实的糖度（可溶性固形物Brix度）和酸度不同将冰糖橙划分为4个等级：糖度≥14、酸度≤0.4%为特级果;12≤糖度＜14、酸度≤0.4%为一等果;糖度≥14、0.6%≥酸度＞0.4%为二等果;糖度＜12、酸度≤0.4%为合格果。通过反复矫正,建立了冰糖橙果实品质分级标准。（2）通过多次进行单果糖度和酸度的分析矫正,建立了冰糖橙果实糖度和酸度的检验线。第1次建立的冰糖橙糖度检量线检测范围为10.1-14.9 Brix,再利用常规品质分析验证无损伤检测结果,合格率仅为26%。第2次建立的糖度检量线延长高糖检测范围,为10.1-16.2 Brix,经验证后合格率达90%。第3次建立的糖度检量线扩大低糖检测范围,为9.8-16.2 Brix,经验证后合格率为90%。第1次建立的冰糖橙酸度检量线检测范围为0.1%-1.26%,再利用常规品质分析验证无损伤检测结果,合格率仅为64%。第2次建立的酸度检量线延长高酸检测范围,为0.1%-1.37%,经验证后合格率达94%。第3次建立的酸度检量线继续扩大高酸检测范围,为0.1%-1.53%,经验证后合格率为92%。（3）新建立无损伤糖酸度校正和验证模型,糖度有效检测范围为8.7-15.1 Brix,酸度有效检测范围为0.14%-2.0%,经验证后糖度合格率达到98%,酸度合格率为98%。应用该分级技术,分选速度达到10个冰糖橙/秒,品质分级后最高单价48元/kg,年产量4 500 t,实现产值9 122万元。【结论】研究结果预测糖酸度准确,测量范围全面涵盖冰糖橙商品果的糖酸度,能大批量、快速、高质量和无损伤在线鉴别冰糖橙果实内在品质,结合外观品质分级标准,分选出内外品质均一的产品。     

Gene expression study of two widely used pig intestinal epithelial cell lines: IPEC-J2 and IPI-2I

The intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) play an important role in the immune system of swine, protecting against infectious and non-infectious environmental insults. The IEC participate in the innate immune response of the intestine through different mechanisms such as barrier function, mucus secretion, antibacterial peptide synthesis and participation in the cytokine/chemokine networks.Most of the current knowledge of intestinal cell functions has come from studies conducted on cell cultures generated from human cancers or from classical animal models. However, because the molecular and cellular elements of the immune system have been selected over evolutionary time in response to the species-specific environment, models of immune function based on mouse and human need to be applied cautiously in pig. Few models of swine small intestine epithelium exist and these are poorly characterised. In the present study we characterised the basal expression of epithelial and immune-related genes of two pig small intestine cell lines, IPEC-J2 and IPI-2I, under different culture conditions. These data represent essential background information for future studies on pig-intestinal pathogen interactions.     

Defining output-based standards to achieve and maintain tuberculosis freedom in farmed deer, with reference to member states of the European Union

Within the European Union (EU), detailed legislation has been developed for cattle, but not deer, to minimise disease risks associated with trade in animals and animal products. This legislation is expressed as input-based standards, providing a detailed outline of the activity required (for example, testing of animals and application of defined control measures), on the expectation that an adequate output (for example, confidence in freedom) will be achieved. Input-based standards are at odds with the increasing shift towards output-based standards, particularly in OIE rules governing international trade. In this paper, we define output-based standards to achieve and maintain freedom from tuberculosis (TB) in farmed deer, with reference to EU member states. After considering the probability of freedom achieved for cattle under existing EU legislation, we defined a ‘free farmed deer holding’ as one with a probability of freedom from infection of at least 99%. We then developed an epidemiological model of TB surveillance systems for deer holdings, incorporating different surveillance strategies, including combinations of diagnostic tests, and a variety of different scenarios relating to the potential for introduction of infection. A range of surveillance strategies were identified to achieve and maintain a free farmed deer holding, and worked examples are presented. The surveillance system sensitivity for varying combinations of screening and confirmatory tests in live animals, animals at slaughter and on-farm deaths is also presented. Using a single test at a single point in time, none of the TB tests routinely used in farmed deer is able to achieve an acceptable probability of TB freedom. If repeat testing were undertaken, an acceptable probability of TB freedom could be achieved, with differing combinations of the surveillance system sensitivity, frequency of testing and risk of introduction. The probability of introduction of infection through the importation of infected deer was influenced by the use of a pre-movement test (assumed 90% test sensitivity and negative test results), the TB prevalence in the source herd and the number of animals imported. A surveillance system sensitivity of at least 81% was achieved with different combinations of annual live animal surveillance and surveillance of animals at slaughter or on-farm deaths. This methodology has broad applicability and could also be extended to other diseases in both deer and other species with relevance to trade in animals and animal products.     

Plasma levels of a low-dose constant-rate-infusion of ketamine and its effect on single and repeated nociceptive stimuli in conscious dogs

This study quantitatively investigated the analgesic action of a low-dose constant-rate-infusion (CRI) of racemic ketamine (as a 0.5 mg kg⁻¹ bolus and at a dose rate of 10 μg kg⁻¹ min⁻¹) in conscious dogs using a nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR) and with enantioselective measurement of plasma levels of ketamine and norketamine. Withdrawal reflexes evoked by transcutaneous single and repeated electrical stimulation (10 pulses, 5 Hz) of the digital plantar nerve were recorded from the biceps femoris muscle using surface electromyography.Ketamine did not affect NWR thresholds or the recruitment curves after a single nociceptive stimulation. Temporal summation (as evaluated by repeated stimuli) and the evoked behavioural response scores were however reduced compared to baseline demonstrating the antinociceptive activity of ketamine correlated with the peak plasma concentrations. Thereafter the plasma levels at pseudo-steady-state did not modulate temporal summation. Based on these experimental findings low-dose ketamine CRI cannot be recommended for use as a sole analgesic in the dog.