Functional characteristics of porcine peripheral T cells stimulated with IL-2 or IL-2 and PMA

In human or mouse, mature T cells express either CD4 or CD8, resulting in different functions in the periphery. Interestingly, porcine CD4 and CD8 double positive (DP) T cells are present in the blood, and their proportions change from youth to adulthood. However, the features of these cells in swine are poorly understood. We investigated the fate of porcine peripheral T cells based on their functional characteristics, including proliferation and the expression of CD4 and CD8 co-receptors. The results showed that all the populations changed their CD8 expression in a time-dependent manner and porcine T cells had different proliferative pattern from human T cells. The results further revealed that Th2 cytokines were increased later in porcine T cells compared to human T cells upon stimulation with IL-2 + PMA. Collectively, we found that the fate of porcine peripheral T cells is different from that of human T cells, and the changes occur in a time- and stimulation-dependent manner.     

A comparative study of pigeons and chickens experimentally infected with PPMV-1 to determine antigenic relationships between PPMV-1 and NDV strains

To compare the pathogenicity of PPMV-1 in pigeons and chickens, both species of birds were experimentally infected with strain pi/CH/LHLJ/110822, which was isolated from a pigeon in China. The clinical signs, gross lesions, and histopathological changes were observed in pigeons inoculated with pi/CH/LHLJ/110822. The morbidity and mortality rates were 80% and 70% in pigeons, respectively, whereas there were no clinical signs or gross lesions in chickens inoculated with the same strain. The viral loads in tissue samples were detected by real-time RT-PCR, indicating that six tissue samples (i.e., kidney, lung, brain, trachea, Harderian glands, and proventriculus) had detectable viral RNA in all dead pigeons, and significant differences in viral loads between pigeons and chickens were observed in several tissue samples (i.e., Harderian glands, proventriculus, duodenum, pancreas, small intestine, and large intestine) on 3 days post-inoculation (dpi) and in brain tissue on 7 dpi. In general, viral loads in pigeons were higher than those in chickens, whereas antibody titers in pigeons were lower than those in chickens. These results showed differences in pathogenicity, efficiency of viral RNA replication, and humoral immunity, indicating different susceptibilities between the host species. Additionally, the cross hemagglutination inhibition assay and cross virus neutralization tests demonstrated that pi/CH/LHLJ/110822 antigenicity was different from those of strains La Sota and F48E9.     

Encephalitozoon cuniculi–Associated Equine Encephalitis: A Case Report

A case of encephalitis of unknown origin in the horse was investigated. Postmortem examination findings revealed a nonsuppurative granulomatous meningoencephalitis in the right hemisphere of the cerebral cortex. Testing for West Nile virus, equine herpes virus, equine infectious anemia, Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Sarcocystis neurona were negative. The horse had a titer for Encephalitozoon cuniculi, and sections from the affected area of the brain tested positive for the organism using both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Amplicons generated using PCR were sequenced, and E. cuniculi genotype II was identified. This is the first case of E. cuniculi genotype II associated with encephalitis in the horse.     

Long-Term Follow-up of Superficial Digital Flexor Tendonitis Treated by a Single Intralesional Injection of a ReGeneraTing Agent in 51 Horses

ReGeneraTing Agents (RGTA) are nanopolysaccharides engineered to mimic heparan sulfates and have been shown to stimulate tissue repair and healing (skin, cornea, gingival, and muscle) in several animal models of injury and in human medicine. A preliminary study, monocentric and uncontrolled, was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a dedicated RGTA (named Equitend) in improving the healing quality of the injured tendon after a single and ultrasound-guided intralesional injection. Improvement of ultrasonographic appearance of tendinous or ligamentous lesion was documented at least over 4 months in Equitend-treated horses and was further supported by another study on superficial digital flexor tendonitis, in 51 horses (16 French Standardbred trotters (ST), 13 Thoroughbreds (TB), and 22 eventers). Long-term follow-up of these horses showed high rates of return to racing, with 95% of eventers, 87.5% of French ST, and 77% of TB. The mean duration before the first race or competition was 6.6 and 7.4 months for ST and eventers, respectively. The group of 16 treated ST was then compared with a matched control group, showing that the Equitend-treated group was able to return to a higher level of earning after lesion (74% vs. 15% in the control group). Furthermore, the Equitend-treated group was back in racing 2.4 months earlier than the control group.     

Developmental quantitative genetic analysis of body weight and morphological traits in red common carp,Cyprinus carpio L.

Developmental genetic analysis was conducted for body weight, total length, standard length and body height in red common carp by a mixed genetic model with additive–dominance effects, based on complete diallel crosses made by Xingguo red common carp (Cyprinus carpio var. singuonensis), purse red common carp (Cyprinus carpio var. wuyuanensis) and Oujiang color common carp (Cyprinus carpio var. color). Unconditional genetic analysis revealed that the traits of body weight, total length and standard length were mainly controlled by dominance effects before June but by additive effects after June, which suggests a high potential for heterosis during the early developmental period and an opportunity for selection during the late developmental periods for common carp. Through conditional genetic analysis, lots of new expression of genes of additive effects for body weight, total length and standard length existed during April to August and significant new expression of genes from dominance effects for these three traits at the other period. New expression from additive and dominance effect genes for body height occurred intermittently during the ontogeny. The conditional genetic procedure is a useful tool to understand the expression of genes controlling developmental quantitative traits at a specific developmental period (t − 1 → t) during ontogeny. It is also important to determine the appropriate developmental period (t − 1 → t) for trait measurement in developmental quantitative genetic analysis in fish.     

The antimicrobial activity of honey against common equine wound bacterial isolates

Delayed healing associated with distal limb wounds is a particular problem in equine clinical practice. Recent studies in human beings and other species have demonstrated the beneficial wound healing properties of honey, and medical grade honey dressings are available commercially in equine practice. Equine clinicians are reported to source other non-medical grade honeys for the same purpose. This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial activity of a number of honey types against common equine wound bacterial pathogens. Twenty-nine honey products were sourced, including gamma-irradiated and non-irradiated commercial medical grade honeys, supermarket honeys, and honeys from local beekeepers. To exclude contaminated honeys from the project, all honeys were cultured aerobically for evidence of bacterial contamination. Aerobic bacteria or fungi were recovered from 18 products. The antimicrobial activity of the remaining 11 products was assessed against 10 wound bacteria, recovered from the wounds of horses, including methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Eight products were effective against all 10 bacterial isolates at concentrations varying from <2% to 16% (v/v). Overall, the Scottish Heather Honey was the best performing product, and inhibited the growth of all 10 bacterial isolates at concentrations ranging from <2% to 6% (v/v).Although Manuka has been the most studied honey to date, other sources may have valuable antimicrobial properties. Since some honeys were found to be contaminated with aerobic bacteria or fungi, non-sterile honeys may not be suitable for wound treatment. Further assessment of gamma-irradiated honeys from the best performing honeys would be useful.     

Ovarian follicular dynamics and hormones throughout the estrous cycle in Thai native (Bos indicus) heifers

Relatively few studies have been reported regarding the reproductive physiology of female Thai native cattle. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the follicular dynamics and concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) during the estrous cycle in Thai native heifers (TNH) and to compare obtained results with those of European and Indian cattle breeds previously reported. For the detection of estrus, ovaries of all 20 heifers were examined twice daily (12 h intervals) by ultrasonography for three consecutive estrous cycles. From data of 60 estrous cycles (n = 60 estrous cycles from 20 heifers), it was found that 14 (70%) and 6 heifers (30%) had two (42 estrous cycles collected from 14 heifers) and three follicular waves (18 estrous cycles collected from 6 heifers), respectively. The days when estrus was detected, interovulatory intervals, life‐spans of corpus lutea (CL), and days for growing and regression of CLs were shorter in the two follicular waves than those in the three follicular waves (P < 0.05). In both two and thre follicular waves, larger maximum diameters and higher growth rates of the dominant follicle (DF) in an ovulatory wave were observed than those of the preceding waves without ovulation (P < 0.05). There was a progressive increase in follicular size and FSH and E2 production during follicular growth in each follicular wave. In addition, the FSH and E2 peak concentrations during the ovulatory wave were higher than those of the anovulation waves (P < 0.05). Moreover, although the ovarian follicular dynamic patterns in Thai native heifers were similar to those previously reported for European and Indian cattle breeds, the diameter of the largest preovulatory follicle (OF), subordinate follicles (SF) and CLs were smaller than those in European and Indian cattle breeds. In conclusion, when compared with European and some breeds of Indian cattle, the length of interovulatory intervals was shorter, and the sizes of dominant SF and CLs were smaller in Thai native heifers.     

Histopathological changes induced by Meloidogyne incognita in some ornamental plants

Histopathological changes induced by the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in five ornamental plants, specifically, Calendula (Calendula officinalis), Centaurea (Centaurea montana), Papaver (Papaver somniferum), Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) and Dianthus (Dianthus caryophyllus), were investigated. Based on the galling index (GI), Centaurea was classified as susceptible, Calendula as moderately susceptible, and Papaver as moderately resistant, while Chrysanthemum and Dianthus were highly resistant to M. incognita infection. The histopathology of the galled roots of Centaurea, Calendula, and Papaver during later stages of infection showed that nematodes were localized entirely within the cortex and generally oriented horizontally to the vascular cylinder. Most of the females were mature, and a few of them were associated with egg masses. Giant cells with a variation in cell sizes were observed in the galled roots of all three of the plant species and exhibited a granular cytoplasm and hypertrophied nuclei as a typical reaction to nematode feeding.     

Comparison of Straw Mulch,Insecticides, Mineral Oil,and Birch Extract for Control of Transmission of Potato virus Y in Seed Potato Crops

Potato virus Y (PVY) is a major pathogen of potato and transmitted non-persistently by aphids. Aphis fabae is the main vector of PVY in the High Grade Seed Potato Production Area (HG area) in Finland, where the number of aphids and infection pressure with PVY are rather low, but problems with PVY occur in PVY-susceptible cultivars. The aim of the study was to test straw mulch, mineral oil, birch extract, and insecticides for control of PVY in small-scale field experiments and, additionally, at farm level in growers’ fields in the HG area of Finland. The insecticide esfenvalerate reduced the incidence of PVY in the progeny tubers by 29% in one of the 3 years, whereas other chemical treatments or birch extract had no significant effect on PVY incidence. Spraying foliage with mineral oil (Sunoco 11 E/3) reduced the incidence of PVY in 2 years by 43 to 58%, respectively. Straw mulch spread to the field at the time of plant emergence reduced PVY incidence in all 3 years by 50–70%. At farm level, straw mulch reduced the incidence of PVY in the progeny tubers by 25–47%, respectively, in both years tested; however, combining application of straw mulch and mineral oil did not further reduce incidence of PVY. Successful control of PVY in the HG area of Finland using straw mulch may be explained by transmission of PVY early in the growing season at the time of plant emergence and the relatively low number of vector aphids.     

Numerosol A–D,New Cembranoid Diterpenes from the Soft Coral Sinularia numerosa

Four new cembrane-type diterpenes; numerosol A–D (1–4); along with a known steroid; gibberoketosterol (5); were isolated from the Taiwanese soft coral Sinularia numerosa. The structures of these metabolites were determined by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data. Gibberoketosterol (5) exhibited cytotoxicity against P-388 (mouse lymphocytic leukemia) cell line with an ED₅₀ of 6.9 μM.