Ochratoxin a content of urine samples of healthy humans in Hungary

The ochratoxin A (OTA) content of urine samples from 88 healthy humans living at five settlements in three counties of Hungary was determined by immunoaffinity column cleanup and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). OTA was detected in 61% of the samples in an average concentration of 0.013 ng/ml (range: 0.006-0.065 ng/ml). OTA concentrations measured in urine samples from men and women were not significantly different. The OTA concentration of samples from Heves county was significantly (t-test; p < 0.003) higher than that of samples from Hajdú-Bihar and Somogy counties. The regional differences in OTA concentration of urine samples indicate regional differences in the OTA exposure of the human population. Further studies are necessary to determine the cause of the regional differences in the OTA intake. The studies allow us to conclude that the OTA intake of the majority of the Hungarian population is low (< 1 ng/kg of body weight per day) but a certain part of the rural population may take up higher levels of OTA.     

Alterations in the bovine bronchoalveolar lavage proteome induced by dexamethasone

Stressors such as transportation, weaning and co-mingling increase susceptibility to bacterial pneumonia in cattle and are associated with elevated levels of endogenous glucocorticoids. To determine the effect of glucocorticoids on the proteins expressed in the fluid lining the respiratory tract, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed on cattle treated with dexamethasone or saline and proteins were resolved by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). Significant changes in expression were observed for 9 of the 363 detected spots, and the identities of these proteins were determined by mass spectrometry. Consistent with the initiation of an acute phase response, the expression of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (orosomucoid) and alpha-1-antitrypsin was increased and alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein (fetuin) was decreased in the BAL fluid of dexamethasone-treated cattle. In addition, dexamethasone induced the expression of two hydrophobic ligand-binding proteins, adipocyte-fatty acid binding protein and odorant binding protein (OBP), as well as the proteins alpha-enolase, cofilin-1 and immunoglobulin J chain. OBP mRNA expression in bronchial biopsies was quantified by real-time RT-PCR and the 6-fold higher levels of expression observed in dexamethasone- versus saline-treated animals correlated with the changes observed in OBP protein level. These findings demonstrate glucocorticoid-dependent changes in the protein composition of the epithelial lining fluid of the respiratory tract, identifying proteins potentially integral to respiratory disease susceptibility.     

Stifle joint luxation in the dog and cat: the use of temporary intraoperative transarticular pinning to facilitate joint reconstruction.

Multiple ligament injuries of the canine and feline stifle joint which result in luxation are uncommon. Two cats and one dog, that had sustained such a joint injury were surgically treated. A rupture of the cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments, and at least one collateral ligament was observed in all of the three animals. Prosthetic reconstruction was used, as previously described, in combination with a novel technique of intraoperative placement of a temporary trans-articular pin (TTP) to maintain intra-operative anatomical reduction. TTP placement facilitated maintenance of joint alignment during surgical reconstruction and aided appropriate tensioning of the prosthetic sutures, preventing collapse of femorotibial joint compartments. The TTP was removed prior to closure of the joint allowing immediate post-operative joint mobilisation. Based on assessment by their owners, all the animals made a complete recovery. TTP was considered a relatively simple and effective adjunctive aid for surgical treatment of traumatic luxation of the stifle joint.     

Survey on the Listeria contamination of ready-to-eat food products and household environments in Vienna, Austria

Qualitative and quantitative contamination of ready-to-eat food-stuffs with the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes was studied in 1586 samples collected from 103 supermarkets (n = 946) and 61 households (n = 640) in Vienna, Austria. Seventeen groups of ready-to-eat foods were classified into three risk categories for contamination (CP1-CP3). Three to four samples were randomly collected at the retail level from each CP. Regarding the households, the sampling procedure was started with food items of CP1, and if not available, was continued with sampling of food items of CP2 and finally of CP3. Additionally, 184 environmental samples (swabs from the kitchen area, dust samples from the vacuum cleaner) and faecal samples (household members and pet animals) were included. One-hundred and twenty-four (13.1%) and 45 (4.8%) samples out of 946 food samples collected from food retailers tested positive for Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes, respectively, with five smoked fish samples exceeding the tolerated limit of 100 CFU/g food. Food-stuffs associated with the highest risk of contamination were twice as frequently contaminated with L. monocytogenes as food-stuffs associated with a medium risk of contamination. Products showing the highest contamination rate were fish and seafood (19.4%), followed by raw meat sausages (6.3%), soft cheese (5.5%) and cooked meat products/patés (4.5%). The overall contamination rate of foods collected at the household level was more than two times lower. Only 5.6% and 1.7% of 640 food-stuffs analysed tested positive for Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes, respectively. However, CP1 foods were rarely collected. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing of the collected L. monocytogenes isolates revealed a high degree of diversity between the isolates, with some exceptions. PFGE typing of isolates harvested from green-veined cheese revealed a match among strains, although the manufacturer seemed to be distinguishable. Typing of household strains revealed an epidemiological link within one family. In this case, food-stuffs and the kitchen environment were contaminated by an indistinguishable isolate. In addition, the same isolate was collected from a pooled faecal sample of the household members suggesting that consumption of even low contaminated food items (<100 CFU/g) results in Listeria shedding after the passage through the gut.     

Plasma biochemistry and hematologic values for wild-caught flying foxes (Pteropus giganteus) in India.

Although bats of the genus Pteropus are important ecologically as pollinators and natural hosts for zoonotic pathogens, little is known about their basic physiology. Hematology and plasma biochemistries were determined from wild-caught flying foxes (Pteropus giganteus) in northern India (n=41). Mean lymphocyte differential count was higher for juveniles than adults. Mean platelet count was lower than previously reported. No hemoparasites were observed. No differences were observed between plasma biochemistry values of male and female bats, juveniles and adults, or lactating and nonlactating females. Variation in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was seen based on body condition score. Blood urea nitrogen and cholesterol concentrations were lower in P. giganteus than other mammalian groups, but were consistent with those reported from other Pteropus species. Alanine aminotransferase and AST concentrations were higher than those reported for Pteropus vampyrus, a closely related species. This study provides basic physiologic information that can be used in future health and disease studies of Indian flying foxes.     

Comparison of ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions during the fattening of pigs, kept either on fully slatted floor or on deep litter

Five successive batches of fattening pigs were raised, each during a four month period, on a totally concrete slatted floor in one experimental room and on straw based deep litter in another. The rooms were automatically ventilated to maintain a constant ambient temperature. Available floor space was of 0.75 m² per pig kept on the slatted floor and 1.20 m² per pig kept on the deep litter. With this last system, about 46 kg of straw were supplied per pig throughout a fattening period. The slurry pit was emptied and the litter removed after each batch. Once a month, the emissions of ammonia (NH₃), nitrous oxide (N₂O), methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and water vapour (H₂O) were measured continuously for 6 consecutive days by infra-red photoacoustic detection.The performance of the animals was not significantly different according to the floor type.Gaseous emissions from pigs raised on the slatted floor and on the deep litter were, respectively, 6.2 and 13.1 g per pig per day for NH₃, 0.54 and 1.11 g per pig per day for N₂O, 16.3 and 16.0 g per pig per day for CH₄, 1.74 and 1.97 kg per pig per day for CO₂ and 2.48 and 3.70 kg per pig per day for H₂O. Except for the CH₄ emissions, all the differences were significant (P < 0.001). Thus, pig fattening on deep litter releases nearly 20% more greenhouse gases than on slatted floor, with 2.64 and 2.24 kg of CO₂-equivalents, respectively (P < 0.001). Whatever the floor type, emissions increased from the beginning to the end of the fattening periods by about 5 times for NH₃, 4 times for N₂O, 3 times for CH₄ and 2 times for CO₂ and H₂O. Correlation coefficients between CO₂-emissions and H₂O, NH₃ and CH₄ emissions were, on average for both floor types, 0.82, 0.77 and 0.74, respectively.Although rearing pigs on straw generally has a good brand image for the consumer, this rearing system produces more pollutant gases than keeping pigs on slatted floors.     

In vitro antiviral activity of dehydroepiandrosterone and its synthetic derivatives against vesicular stomatitis virus

In this work the antiviral activity of 20 dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) analogs with different substituents at positions C-3, C-15, C-16 and C-17 were evaluated against vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in Vero cell cultures. The selectivity indexes (SI) obtained with DHEA and epiandrosterone (EA) were 50 and 72.6, respectively. The work showed that the compounds 21-norpregna-5,17(20)-dien-3β,16α-diyl-diacetate, 17,17-ethylendioxyandrostan-5,15-dien-3β-ol and 3β-hydroxypregn-17(20)-en-16-one had higher SI values than ribavirin, which was used as a reference drug. The antiviral mode of action of DHEA was also investigated against VSV replication in Vero cells, and time of addition experiments showed that DHEA mainly affected a late event in the virus growth cycle. Analysis of RNA and protein synthesis indicated that DHEA adversely affected positive strand RNA synthesis and viral mature particle formation.     

Effects of N-methyl-D, L-aspartate on secretion of growth hormone-releasing hormone from the boar hypothalamic-preoptic area and median eminence in vitro

N-methyl-D, L-aspartate (NMA) elicited secretion of growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone from both the hypothalamic-preoptic area and the median eminence that were collected from boars. We suggest that the previously described increase in GH secretion that follows peripheral treatment of swine with NMA is attributable, at least in part, to NMA-stimulated secretion of GH-releasing hormone from the central nervous system.     

Dietary protein and the reproductive performance of cows

Increasing a cow's intake of dietary protein intake can increase its milk production, but can also reduce its fertility. This paper reviews the effects of increasing dietary protein on the fertility of the dairy cow, and the mechanisms that may produce them. The effects vary widely, but all stages of the reproductive cycle from the return to cyclicity after parturition, to the survival of the embryo, may be affected. However, the underlying cause of the link between protein intake and fertility is unclear. Fertility could be reduced by a direct toxic effect of protein breakdown products, but alternatively the increased energy demand for their metabolism could be responsible. The effect of protein degradability is also uncertain. Excess rumen degradable protein is commonly associated with reduced fertility, but similar effects are produced by diets that contain excess rumen undegradable protein. Increasing the intake of protein of all degradabilities has significantly different effects on blood biochemistry than a reduction in the intake of energy, suggesting that not all the effects of protein are due to energy imbalance. The primary site of action of the effect is also unclear. Limited evidence suggests that it is localised to the reproductive system, but effects on the pituitary and hypothalamus, as well as the ovary and uterus, have all been postulated. It is also uncertain what toxic principle is involved. Ammonia, nitrate and urea have all been suggested, but there is no conclusive evidence. Although a high protein intake has been postulated to have an effect on fertility for over 30 years, the evidence remains inconclusive, and the aetiology and pathogenesis of the effect remain obscure.