Proteomic analysis of hen egg white

Hen egg white is an original biological fluid in which major proteins have been widely studied, unlike the minor components. In this study, two-dimensional electrophoresis associated with mass spectrometry enabled the separation of 69 protein spots and their matching with major proteins, which were already known, and with minor proteins. Sixteen proteins were identified, and among them, two had never been previously detected in hen egg white, i.e., Tenp, a protein with strong homology with a bacterial permeability-increasing protein family (BPI), and VMO-1, an outer layer vitelline membrane protein. Thirteen proteins present a very wide polymorphism (ovotransferrin, ovomucoid, clusterin, etc.), some of them up to nine isoforms (ovoinhibitor). Eleven functional protein families were identified (serpin, transferrin, protease inhibitors Kazal, glycosyl hydrolases, lipocalin, bactericidal permeability-increasing protein, clusterin, UPAR/CD59/Ly6/ snake neurotoxin, cysteine protease inhibitor, VMO-1, and folate receptor families). These various biological functions could be interesting for further valorizations. In addition, three spots remain unidentified, probably because these proteins are not yet indexed in the international protein databanks.     

No associations between PrP genotypes and reproduction traits in INRA 401 sheep

In this study, the potential association of PrP genotypes with ewe reproductive traits and lamb growth traits was investigated. Data were included on ewes and lambs of the INRA 401 breed from the Bourges-La Sapinière INRA experimental farm. This breed was chosen because of good breeding (prolificacy and maternal abilities) and carcass qualities, and the large number of available animals with performance records and PrP genotypes. Ewes were categorized into 3 PrP genotype classes: ARR homozygous, ARR heterozygous, and animals without any ARR haplotype. Two analyses differing in the traits considered were carried out. Firstly, the potential association of the PrP genotype of ewes with their reproduction traits (fertility, litter size, and ovulation rate) was studied. The data included 801, 779, and 587 genotyped ewes for fertility, litter size, and ovulation rate, respectively. Secondly, the association of the PrP genotype of the ewes with growth traits of their lambs (birth weight, ADG between 10 and 30 d of age) was investigated. The data included 3,749 and 3,512 lambs for birth weight and ADG, respectively. The different traits were analyzed using an animal model, where the PrP genotype effect was included as a fixed effect. The reproductive traits were modeled under a probit or a threshold approach. The results of this study indicate no evidence of an association between PrP genotypes and reproductive and growth traits. It is unlikely that selection for scrapie resistance will have an effect on the reproductive or performance traits studied in the INRA 401 breed.     

Larval output of infected and re-infected dogs with Angiostrongylus vasorum (Baillet, 1866) Kamensky, 1905

Canine angiostrongylosis is a nematode infection in domestic dogs and wild canids. A natural infection in a domestic dog frequently leads to pneumonia, loss of physical performance, coughing, anemia, cardiac insufficiency, pulmonary fibrosis and death. The main diagnostic method is based on the finding of Angiostrongylus vasorum first-stage larvae (L1) in infected dog feces. With this objective, 11 experimentally exposed to 100 third-stage larvae (L3) per kilogram of body weight (mean = 885.45 L3/animal; S.E. = 77.7). The animals were monitored for 300 days post-single-infection (PI) and the quantity of L1 output measured. Our results showed an irregular excretion of L1 and a variation in the pre-patent period (33-76 days) and the number of L1 excreted by individual animals (1-1261 L1/g). After 300 days PI, five dogs were exposed a second time and monitored for 300 days post-re-infection (PRI) (=600 days PI). The quantity of L1 output demonstrated that double exposed dogs also presented an irregular excretion of L1 but a smaller variation in the number of L1 excreted by individual animals (4-550 L1/g).     

Atypical cyclopia in a brown swiss cross calf: a case report

In this report, an atypical form of cyclopia is described in a stillborn Brown Swiss cross male calf. The changes were confined to the head. The most significant malformation was the presence of a median orbita-like opening that did not contain an eyeball. Other defects included prosencephalic aplasia, brachygnathia superior and arrhinia. The possible cause of this congenital defect could not be ascertained.     

Perceived importance and integration of the human-animal bond in private veterinary practice

OBJECTIVE: To determine perceptions of the human-animal bond (HAB) among veterinarians in private practice and evaluate how these veterinarians incorporate the HAB in their practices. DESIGN: Survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: 1,602 veterinarians in private practice in Washington state. PROCEDURE: Participants were contacted and asked to complete a survey. RESULTS: Response rate was 26% (415/1,602). Most respondents agreed that veterinarians will be more successful if they recognize and facilitate the HAB, that facilitating the HAB was important to their practices, that they actively evaluated the degree of bonding between clients and their animals, and that the bonding between a client and his or her animal affected the way they practiced medicine. However, > 50% of respondents did not train veterinary technicians and front office staff members in the HAB or encourage veterinary technicians or front office staff members to learn about the HAB. Fifty-one percent of respondents offered few or no HAB resources to clients. When asked to quantify the importance of 10 nontechnical skills associated with private veterinary practice, respondents ranked communication skills, ethical reasoning, and business management first, second, and third; the HAB was ranked fifth. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that for veterinarians in private practice in Washington state, there is a dichotomy between how important they consider the HAB to be in their practice and the degree to which they facilitate the HAB with regard to communication, training, and client resources. More research on the HAB is necessary to better understand what the HAB encompasses and its implications for private practitioners.     

Topography and crop management are key factors for the development of american leaf spot epidemics on coffee in costa rica

ABSTRACT We monitored the development of American leaf spot of coffee, a disease caused by the gemmiferous fungus Mycena citricolor, in 57 plots in Costa Rica for 1 or 2 years in order to gain a clearer understanding of conditions conducive to the disease and improve its control. During the investigation, characteristics of the coffee trees, crop management, and the environment were recorded. For the analyses, we used partial least-squares regression via the spline functions (PLSS), which is a nonlinear extension to partial least-squares regression (PLS). The fungus developed well in areas located between approximately 1,100 and 1,550 m above sea level. Slopes were conducive to its development, but eastern-facing slopes were less affected than the others, probably because they were more exposed to sunlight, especially in the rainy season. The distance between planting rows, the shade percentage, coffee tree height, the type of shade, and the pruning system explained disease intensity due to their effects on coffee tree shading and, possibly, on the humidity conditions in the plot. Forest trees and fruit trees intercropped with coffee provided particularly propitious conditions. Apparently, fertilization was unfavorable for the disease, probably due to dilution phenomena associated with faster coffee tree growth. Finally, series of wet spells interspersed with dry spells, which were frequent in the middle of the rainy season, were critical for the disease, probably because they affected the production and release of gemmae and their viability. These results could be used to draw up a map of epidemic risks taking topographical factors into account. To reduce those risks and improve chemical control, our results suggested that farmers should space planting rows further apart, maintain light shading in the plantation, and prune their coffee trees.     

Toxicity of dimethoate and fenoxycarb to honey bee brood (Apis mellifera), using a new in vitro standardized feeding method

A new in vitro method was devised to assess the effects of pesticides on honey bee brood. The method allowed the quantification of doses ingested by larvae and the assessment of larval and pupal mortality. Larval mortality in control samples was lower than 10%. Two active substances were tested: dimethoate and fenoxycarb. The LD(50) of dimethoate was 1.9 microg larva(-1) 48 h after oral exposure of larvae at day 4. Additional dose-related effects on pupal mortality were noted. After a chronic intoxication, the NOAEC (No Observed Adverse Effect Concentration) for larval mortality at day 7 was 2.5 mg kg(-1), whereas a NOAEC of 5 mg kg(-1) was found at day 22 for delayed effects on the reduction of adult emergence. Fenoxycarb applied at day 4 showed no effect on larvae, whereas emergence of adults was affected at doses higher than 6 ng larva(-1).     

Insecticidal and antifungal activity of a protein from Pouteria torta seeds with lectin-like properties

This paper describes the purification and characterization of a novel protein from the seeds of Pouteria torta (family Sapotaceae). The protein was purified by a combination of gel filtration, ion-exchange, and reverse phase chromatographies. SDS-PAGE of the purified protein resulted in a single protein band of 14 kDa in the presence and absence of DTT. The lectin-like activity of pouterin was best inhibited by glycoproteins such as fetuin, asialofetuin, heparin, orosomucoid, and ovoalbumin. Pouterin inhibited the growth of the fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Colletotrichum musae and of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The incorporation of pouterin into an artificial diet (final concentration = 0.12%, w/w) caused 50% mortality in larvae of the insect Callosobruchus maculatus, whereas 0.08% pouterin produced an ED50.     

Degradation of free tryptophan in a cookie model system and its application in commercial samples

The stability of free tryptophan (Trp) was examined in five cookie-resembling models at varying baking temperatures and durations. Trp was measured by HPLC coupled with a fluorescent detector. Trp degradation was significantly greater in cookies formulated with glucose compared with sucrose, regardless of the temperatures and durations of baking. A lag period was clearly observed in cookies formulated with sucrose. The type of sugar used in the dough formulation affected not only the thermal destruction kinetics but also the degree of degradation of free Trp. However, the type of leavening agent (ammonium bicarbonate versus sodium bicarbonate) did not affect the rate of Trp destruction as happens in Maillard-driven reactions. In addition, the free Trp content was analyzed in nine different flours and sixty-two commercial cookies, and it was found that free Trp varied from 0.4 to 1287.9 mg/kg for rice and wheat bran, respectively. It was found that free Trp was significantly higher in dietetic commercial samples formulated with wheat bran compared with other flours.     

The liming effect of five organic manures when incubated with an acid soil

A laboratory incubation experiment of 6 months duration was carried out to investigate the liming effects of five organic manures (poultry, pig, and cattle manure, soybean residues, and sewage sludge) when added to an acid soil at a rate of 10 mg g^–1. Soils were sampled after 1, 7, 13, 19, and 25 weeks of incubation. For the animal manures and sewage sludge, soil pH was highest after 1 week incubation and it declined thereafter. However, for soybean residues, pH increased over the first 7 weeks of incubation after which it declined. The decreases in pH were accompanied by accumulation of NO ‐N in the soil. The addition of organic residues to the soil resulted in decreases in the concentrations of exchangeable Al and in both total (Al_t) and monomeric (Al_mono) Al present in the soil solution. The effect was most marked for poultry manure, least marked for cattle manure, and more evident after 7 than 25 weeks incubation. Concentrations of soluble C in the soil solution were elevated in manure‐amended soils. Manure additions resulted in a decrease in the percentage of Al_t present in solution as Al_mono, and this was attributed to complexation of Al by soluble organic matter originating from the manures. It was concluded that organic wastes can act as liming materials when added to acid soils and that the resulting increase in pH and decrease in Al_mono concentrations might provide a window of opportunity for establishment and early growth of crop plants.