Analysis of Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids in Selected Algae and Cyanobacteria by Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography and a Novel MAA from the Red Alga Catenella repens

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), a group of small secondary metabolites found in algae, cyanobacteria, lichens and fungi, have become ecologically and pharmacologically relevant because of their pronounced UV-absorbing and photo-protective potential. Their analytical characterization is generally achieved by reversed phase HPLC and the compounds are often quantified based on molar extinction coefficients. As an alternative approach, in our study a fully validated hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) method is presented. It enables the precise quantification of several analytes with adequate retention times in a single run, and can be coupled directly to MS. Excellent linear correlation coefficients (R² > 0.9991) were obtained, with limit of detection (LOD) values ranging from 0.16 to 0.43 µg/mL. Furthermore, the assay was found to be accurate (recovery rates from 89.8% to 104.1%) and precise (intra-day precision: 5.6%, inter-day precision ≤6.6%). Several algae were assayed for their content of known MAAs like porphyra-334, shinorine, and palythine. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) data indicated a novel compound in some of them, which could be isolated from the marine species Catenella repens and structurally elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) as (E)-3-hydroxy-2-((5-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methoxy-3-((2-sulfoethyl)amino)cyclohex-2-en-1-ylidene)amino) propanoic acid, a novel MAA called catenelline.     

The porcine immune system--differences compared to man and mouse and possible consequences for infections by Salmonella serovars

The porcine immune system differs in many aspects from that of humans and mice. Morphological differences in the lymphatic system (e.g. lymph nodes, Peyer's patches), and phenotypic differences in immune cells have been observed as well as functional differences in immune cell populations. Indeed, even the prenatal development of the embryonic piglet proceeds in a principally different way. However, it remains unclear to what extent these differences might contribute to the predisposition to and outcomes of bacterial infections, in particular those with zoonotic potential. In the following article we will review some of the peculiarities of the porcine immune system and consider possible implications for the course of infections in swine, with an emphasis on Salmonella serovars.     

Schiff-Sherrington syndrome in a 7-year-old zebra mare (Equus quagga)

A 7-year-old plains zebra (Equus quagga) mare was presented to the Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Germany as an emergency. The owner reported that the mare was unable to stand after a suspected traumatic episode at the home yard. The mare was transported in lateral recumbency in a trailer. Clinical examination revealed tachycardia (up to 102 beats/min), tachypnoea (28 breaths/min), mild fever (38.7°C) and clinical dehydration with elastic skin and dry and red mucous membranes. Neurological examination showed paraplegia with complete loss of nociception of the mid-thoracic region and caudal to it. In contrast, examination of the thoracic limbs revealed marked extensor rigidity and hyperaesthesia resulting in an enhanced acute response to minimal touch of the neck and shoulder region. Lateral radiographs of the thoracic vertebral column led to the diagnosis of a complete fracture of the vertebral body of the 7th thoracic (T) vertebra with suspected traumatic compression of the spinal cord. Post-mortem examination confirmed the diagnosis. Gross pathology revealed a complete comminuted fracture of T7 with marked compression of the spinal cord. This is the first report describing the clinical, radiological and pathological findings of a fracture of a thoracic vertebra leading to a Schiff-Sherrington syndrome in a zebra (Equus quagga).     

Canine brucellosis--a case report

Brucella (B.) canis was isolated from ejaculate of a 4-year old Korthals-Griffon male dog after occurrence of epididymitis and orchitis. Despite several trials of therapy with different antibiotics relapes occurred, with B. canis being isolated from ejaculate, blood and urine samples, respectively. Bacteriological examinations were added by serological testing over a period of about 1.5 years. During the study SAT serum titre steadily dropped from 1:200 to 1:50. By CFT, B. canis antibodies were detectable at the beginning with a titre of 1:320 and to the end of the study with titres between 1:80 and 1:160.     

Failure of a recombinant Schistosoma bovis-derived glutathione S-transferase to protect cattle against experimental Fasciola hepatica infection

The potential of a recombinant Schistosoma bovis 28-kDa glutathione S-transferase (rSb28GST) to protect cattle against Fasciola hepatica was tested in a vaccination trial. Thirty two calves were randomly divided into four groups of eight animals. Calves of the three vaccine groups received two intramuscular injections at 3 weeks interval, of 0.250mg rSb28GST in either aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH)(3)), Quil A, or PBS emulsified in an equal volume of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA).Animals of the control group received injections of Al(OH)(3)/PBS only. All animals were challenged orally with a total of 360 metacercariae of F. hepatica, spread over 6 weeks.All groups of vaccinated animals produced measurable IgG antibody titers to rSb28GST after vaccination. Animals immunised with FCA adjuvanted vaccine had the highest and more durable antibody titers and only sera from this group recognised an approximately 24kDa protein band from F. hepatica, that is thought to be a F. hepatica GST. Despite a good antibody response differences in cumulative faecal egg output between the groups were not statistically significant. In addition, no significant difference was found between groups in terms of total worm numbers or percentage of immature flukes recovered at necropsy. In conclusion, the recombinant S. bovis 28kDa GST was not found to adequately protect cattle against experimental F. hepatica challenge, using either aluminium hydroxide, Quil A or FCA as adjuvant.     

N-Freisetzung von organischen N-Düngern unter überdachten Bracheparzellen

In a two years lasting trial the N-release of organic N-fertilizers should be analysed under covered fallow plots during the vegetation period. The following fertilizers were proved: cattle manure from two locations, “Vinasse” (product resulting from the converting of sugar-beet molasses), “Haarmehlpellets” (pellets of grounded pig bristles), “Rizinusschrot” (grist of the seed of Ricinius communis), “Rapsschrot” (coarse colza meal), “Phytopearls” (residue of maize converting), “Maltaflor” (malt germs and “Vinasse”), “Agrobiosol” (biomass from Penicillium) and “Horndünger” (horn parings in different fractions). In comparison with these organic fertilizers the mineral N-fertilizer calcium-ammonium-nitrate was used. With the exception of the control all variants got an annual N-fertilization of 90?kg?N/ha. The N-mineralisation of the soil caused by the organic substance, which was in the soil before the trial started, amounted to 84?kg?N/ha in the first and to 59?kg?N/ha in the second year of experience. In both years the N-mineralisation was higher in the second half of the vegetation period (July–November) than in the first half (March–July). In the first year the amount of N-release was clearly less than the given quantity of the N-fertilizer with the exception of “Agrobiosol”. Especially the two manure-variants showed N-immobilisation. “Agrobiosol” showed the highest N-release of the tested organic N-fertilizers. In the second year the N-release both of the two manure-variants and of “Rapsschrot”, “Phytoperls”, “Maltaflor”, “Agrobiosol” and “Horndünger” increased clearly. It was between 51 and 101% of the N-quantity given in the second year. N-release was particularly high by “Agrobiosol”, “Horndünger” and “Rapsschrot”. This increase could be traced to the mineralisation of the remained organic substance given in the first year. The variants “Haarmehlpellets” and “Rizinusschrot” had the same N-release as in the first year. The application of “Vinasse” showed a clear decrease. When “Rapsschrot”, “Phytoperls”, “Maltaflor”, “Agrobiosol”, “Horndünger” or manure are given for many years, one can consequently count on an increase of the annual N-mineralisation. Considering the results of both years of the trial the organic fertilizers “Agrobiosol”, “Horndünger” and “Maltaflor” can be classified as quickly effectiveN-fertilizers, “Haarmehlpellets”, “Rizinusschrot” and “Phytopearls” as moderately effective and “Rapsschrot” and “Vinasse” as slowly effective ones.