Control of viremia and prevention of clinical AIDS in rhesus monkeys by cytokine-augmented DNA vaccination

With accumulating evidence indicating the importance of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in containing human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) replication in infected individuals, strategies are being pursued to elicit virus-specific CTLs with prototype HIV-1 vaccines. Here, we report the protective efficacy of vaccine-elicited immune responses against a pathogenic SHIV-89.6P challenge in rhesus monkeys. Immune responses were elicited by DNA vaccines expressing SIVmac239 Gag and HIV-1 89.6P Env, augmented by the administration of the purified fusion protein IL-2/Ig, consisting of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G (IgG), or a plasmid encoding IL-2/Ig. After SHIV-89.6P infection, sham-vaccinated monkeys developed weak CTL responses, rapid loss of CD4+ T cells, no virus-specific CD4+ T cell responses, high setpoint viral loads, significant clinical disease progression, and death in half of the animals by day 140 after challenge. In contrast, all monkeys that received the DNA vaccines augmented with IL-2/Ig were infected, but demonstrated potent secondary CTL responses, stable CD4+ T cell counts, preserved virus-specific CD4+ T cell responses, low to undetectable setpoint viral loads, and no evidence of clinical disease or mortality by day 140 after challenge.     

Envelope-constrained neutralization-sensitive HIV-1 after heterosexual transmission

Heterosexual transmission accounts for the majority of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infections worldwide, yet the viral properties that determine transmission fitness or outgrowth have not been elucidated. Here we show, for eight heterosexual transmission pairs, that recipient viruses were monophyletic, encoding compact, glycan-restricted envelope glycoproteins. These viruses were also uniquely sensitive to neutralization by antibody from the transmitting partner. Thus, the exposure of neutralizing epitopes, which are lost in chronic infection because of immune escape, appears to be favored in the newly infected host. This reveals characteristics of the envelope glycoprotein that influence HIV-1 transmission and may have implications for vaccine design.     

A pharmacokinetic study of amoxycillin in febrile beagle dogs following repeated administrations of endotoxin

The pharmacokinetics of amoxycillin was studied in nine male beagle dogs under healthy and febrile conditions. In Period 1, dogs received 20 mg/kg of an oral suspension of amoxycillin. Intravenous doses of saline, 2 and 20 microg/kg of endotoxin (LPS from Escherichia coli serotype) were administered to dogs (three per group) prior to administration of 20 mg/kg of amoxycillin in Period 2. Rectal temperature and behavioral changes were recorded and blood samples were collected over 12 h for pharmacokinetic analysis. Amoxycillin was assessed in plasma using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Plasma concentrations were analysed using a one-compartment model with lag-time for absorption using an iterative two-stage method. As compared with control groups, amoxycillin clearance decreased significantly with preliminary treatments of 2 microg/kg endotoxin (0.209 vs. 0.140 L/h kg, P < 0.05) and 20 microg/kg endotoxin (0.214 vs. 0.075 L/h kg, P < 0.05). As a result of this, the area under curve for the 2 and 20 microg/kg endotoxin groups increased significantly 100.4 vs. 149.4 microg h/mL (P < 0.05) and 99.2 vs. 277.7 microg h/mL (P < 0.05), respectively. Other drugs currently used for the treatment of fever and septic shock should be re-evaluated using a febrile animal model to avoid improper dose administration.     

Thrombocytopathia and Light-Chain Proteinuria in a Dog Naturally Infected With Ehrlichia canis

A 6–year-old dog was presented for evaluation of recurrent epistaxis. Platelet counts, biochemical tests, and coagulation tests were within the normal range, but a mucosal bleeding time was prolonged; there was hyperproteinemia and a monoclonal gammopathy. Heterogeneity of light chains appeared in urine, however, thus suggesting that the gammopathy was polyclonal. Platelet aggregation tests showed decreased responsiveness to collagen. An Ehrlichia canis indirect fluorescent-antibody titer was positive (1:40). Treatment with tetracycline, melphalan, and prednisone resulted in a rapid clinical improvement that persisted for at least 3 years.     

Proximate Composition, Lipid Oxidation, and Sensory Characteristics of Fillets from Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Fed Diets Containing 10% to 30% Lipid

This study was conducted to determine the effects of increasing dietary lipid concentrations on fillet characteristics of post-juvenile rainbow trout. A feeding trial was conducted with fish meal based diets containing 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30% lipid for 24 wk. Menhaden oil was the lipid ingredient. Weight gain was significantly greater in fish fed the 30% lipid diet than in fish fed either 10%, 15% or 20% lipid diets. There were no significant differences in visceral somatic index. Fillet lipid concentration of fish fed the 30% lipid diet (9.2-g lipid/ 100-g fillet) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than fish fed either the 10% or 15% lipid diets (5.8- and 6.9-g lipid/100-g fillet, respectively). In samples stored for 3 d at 5 C or S wk at -20 C, sensory panelists reported that the cooked fillets from fish fed the 30% lipid diet were "more fishy" than fish fed the 15% lipid diet, and preferred the cooked fillets from the 15% lipid treatment over the 30% lipid treatment. Triangle tests and fillet colorimetry showed no significant differences between fillets from fish fed the 15% and 30% lipid diets at any sampling time point. No significant differences in fillet concentrations of thiobarbituric reactive substances were observed among dietary treatments stored at either 5 C or -20 C. These results suggest that two main effects of feeding a 30% lipid diet (with fish oil as the lipid source) are a higher lipid concentration in the fillet and a "fishier" aroma compared to fillets from fish fed a 15% lipid diet.     

Effect of superficial scald suppression by diphenylamine application on volatile evolution by stored Cortland apple fruit

Cortland apple fruit (Malus x domestica Borkh.) stored for 120-140 days in air at 0 degrees C were warmed to 22 degrees C and held for 8 days. A portion of the fruit was dipped in a solution of diphenylamine (DPA) at harvest to prevent scald development. Scald occurred only in those fruit not treated with DPA, and its development was accelerated after transfer to 22 degrees C. Ester production from apple fruit tended to increase from day 0 to day 6 of poststorage holding and declined thereafter in both treatments. However, ester production in scald-developing fruit was reduced by approximately 50%. The reduction in volatile production remained relatively constant during the rapid development of scald symptoms. Furthermore, the reduction in volatile production appeared to be independent of respiration and ethylene production. Production of esters derived from hexanol was most reduced in fruit developing scald, with hexyl 2-methylbutanoate production being reduced approximately 15-fold. Interestingly, the production of methyl butanoate was detected only in scalding fruit. alpha-Farnesene production in fruit developing scald was reduced 43% compared with DPA-treated fruit. In contrast, the primary volatile oxidation product of alpha-farnesene, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (MHO), was present only in fruit developing scald. The data suggest that inhibition of ester production may occur as a result of the physiological changes associated with susceptibility to, rather than expression of, scald symptoms.     

Anti-inflammatory response of dietary vitamin E and its effects on pain and joint structures during early stages of surgically induced osteoarthritis in dogs

There is evidence that vitamin E (VE) has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties in human osteoarthritis (OA). This double-blinded and randomized pilot study used a broad spectrum of clinical and laboratory parameters to investigate whether such beneficial effects could be detected in a canine experimental OA model. Dogs were divided into 2 groups: control (n = 8), which received a placebo, and test group (n = 7), which received 400 IU/animal per day of VE for 55 d, starting the day after transection of the cranial cruciate ligament. Lameness and pain were assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS), numerical rating scale (NRS), and electrodermal activity (EDA) at day 0, day 28, and day 55. Cartilage and synovial inflammation lesions were assessed. One-side comparison was conducted at an alpha-threshold of 10%. At day 56, dogs were euthanized and concentrations of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were measured in synovial fluid. Concentrations of NO_x and PGE₂ in synovial fluid were lower in the test group (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.03, respectively). Values of VAS, NRS, and EDA showed a consistent trend to be lower in the test group than in the control, while statistical significance was reached for VAS at day 55 and for EDA at day 28 (adjusted P = 0.07 in both cases). Histological analyses of cartilage showed a significant reduction in the scores of lesions in the test group. This is the first time that a study in dogs with OA using a supplement with a high dose of vitamin E showed a reduction in inflammation joint markers and histological expression, as well as a trend to improving signs of pain.     

Consumer preferences for front-of-pack calories labelling

OBJECTIVE: In light of the emerging obesity pandemic, front-of-pack calories labels may be an important tool to assist consumers in making informed healthier food choices. However, there is little prior research to guide key decisions on whether caloric content should be expressed in absolute terms or relative to recommended daily intake, whether it should be expressed in per serving or per 100 g and whether the information should be further brought alive for consumers in terms of what the extra calorie intake implies in relation to activity levels. The present study aimed at providing more insight into consumers' appreciation of front-of-pack labelling of caloric content of food products and their specific preferences for alternative execution formats for such information in Europe. DESIGN: For this purpose, eight executions of front-of-pack calorie flags were designed and their appeal and information value were extensively discussed with consumers through qualitative research in four different countries (Germany, The Netherlands, France and the UK). RESULTS: The results show that calories are well-understood and that participants were generally positive about front-of-pack flags, particularly when flags are uniform across products. The most liked flags are the simpler flags depicting only the number of calories per serving or per 100 g, while more complex flags including references to daily needs or exercise and the flag including a phrase referring to balanced lifestyle were least preferred. Some relevant differences between countries were observed. Although participants seem to be familiar with the notion of calories, they do not seem to fully understand how to apply them. CONCLUSION: From the results, managerial implications for the design and implementation of front-of-pack calorie labelling as well as important directions for future research are discussed.     

麦田间作对麦长管蚜的生态调控作用

[目的]探讨麦田间作对麦长管蚜种群的生态调控作用。[方法]田间调查小麦单作田、小麦与绿豆、小麦与豌豆以8:2行距间作田麦长管蚜种群数量及其时间动态变化;室内利用"Y"型嗅觉仪测定麦长管蚜对小麦、小麦与绿豆、小麦与豌豆不同组合气味的选择性。[结果]麦田间作不能影响麦蚜种群随时间动态变化曲线,但能在一定程度上降低麦长管蚜无翅蚜和有翅蚜的数量。室内麦长管蚜无翅蚜和有翅蚜显著选择寄主植物的气味。当小麦与绿豆或小麦与豌豆组合时对麦长管蚜没有吸引作用。[结论]非寄主植物的气味对寄主植物气味起掩盖作用,干扰蚜虫的寄主定位,这可能是间作低于单作蚜量的原因之一。