In vitro culture of equine respiratory mucosa explants

An in vitro model of the upper respiratory tract of the horse was developed to investigate mechanisms of respiratory diseases. Four tissues of the upper respiratory tract of three horses were collected. Explants were maintained in culture at an air–liquid interface for 96 h. At 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of cultivation, a morphometric analysis was performed using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The explants were judged on morphometric changes of epithelium, basement membrane and connective tissue. Viability was evaluated using a fluorescent Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP Nick End Labelling (TUNEL) staining. No significant changes in morphometry and viability of any of the explants were observed during cultivation. Hence, the in vitro model may be useful to study infectious and non-infectious diseases at the level of the equine respiratory tract, with potential application to the development of vaccines and treatments for diseases of the respiratory tract.     

Effect of food matrix and pH on the volatilization of bases (TVB) in packed north Atlantic gray shrimp (Crangon crangon): volatile bases in MAP fishery products

The total volatile basic nitrogen fraction (TVB-N) is often used as a quality parameter in the fish industry to assess spoilage. This parameter often leads to discussions between producers and retailers when it comes to defining clear limits of acceptability for modified atmosphere (MA) packed fish and fishery products. Suggested product limits (mg N/100 g fish) do not always correlate with the presence of off-odors. Gray shrimp are an economic valuable, very perishable niche product, where the TVB-N fraction plays an important role considering its shelf life. This research focuses on the effect of a shrimp matrix and its pH on the volatilization of these formed bases, revealing the relationship between concentrations in the fishery product and the concentrations of these bases present in the headspace of the packed product. Especially, the pH of the product, which is lowered when fishery products are packed under a carbon dioxide enriched atmosphere, appeared to have an immense effect on the volatilization of these bases. The effect of the fish matrix itself is established by means of calculated equilibration constants (dimensionless) being 2.13×10(-4)±0.38×10(-4) for trimethylamine, 6.34×10(-5)±1.71×10(-5) for dimethylamine, and 2.58×10(-5)±0.49×10(-5) for ammonia. Comparison of these constants with the equilibration constants of an aqueous solution indicated the retention of these bases in the product. This article provides not only the important insights for the interpretation of TVB-N values in modified atmosphere packaged gray shrimp but also the methodology to extend these findings to other fish and fishery products.     

Effect of the spray application technique on the deposition of entomopathogenic nematodes in vegetables

BACKGROUND: The present study compared entomopathogenic nematode delivery at the base of savoy cabbage and cauliflower, at the lower side of savoy cabbage and cauliflower leaves and in leek stems and the ground deposition using a five‐nozzle spray boom equipped with an ISO 08 flat fan, an air induction flat fan and Twinjet spray nozzles. Additionally, an air support system and a row application system were evaluated. RESULTS: Approximately 40% of the applied nematodes did not reach the foot of the cabbage plants. The use of an air support system or a row application system improved nematode deposition at the savoy cabbage base. Relative nematode deposition on the lower side of savoy cabbage leaves was 27.20%, while only 2.64% of the applied nematodes reached the lower side of cauliflower leaves. After spraying leek with a standard boom, a low relative nematode deposition (26.64%) was measured in the leek stem. Nozzle type affected the distribution of nematodes in droplet spots. CONCLUSION: Nozzle type has a minor effect on the number of entomopathogenic nematodes delivered on difficult‐to‐reach targets. The use of modified spray application techniques directing the spray to the target site are necessary to increase the chances of contact of entomopathogenic nematodes with their target. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Occurrence of Cucurbit Yellow Stunting Disorder Virus (CYSDV) and Beet Pseudo-yellows Virus in Cucurbit Crops in Spain and Transmission of CYSDV by Two Biotypes of Bemisia tabaci

The relative occurrence in Spain of two whitefly transmitted closteroviruses causing similar yellowing diseases in melon and cucumber greenhouse crops was studied. Based on a RT-PCR assay, a 1994–1997 survey of Spanish greenhouses showed that the recently described Bemisia tabaci-transmitted cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) has displaced the Trialeurodes vaporariorum-transmitted beet pseudo-yellows virus (BPYV), a virus that was present in the area since the late 1970s. The CYSDV transmission rates by each of the two biotypes of B. tabaci present in Spain were compared. The results showed that the ubiquitous B biotype and the resident Q biotype (found in Spain and Portugal) were able to transmit CYSDV with similar efficiency.     

Use of the carbon dioxide laser for perianal and rectal surgery.

The skin of the perianal region is very thin and sensitive. The carbon dioxide laser is a very effective tool for removing tumors and treating conditions of this area. It offers a "no touch" method of treatment for conditions of the perianal region. There is less bleeding, less pain, less swelling with the use of the carbon dioxide laser. The carbon dioxide laser is an effective tool for excising perianal tumors, rectal tumors, performing anal sacculectomies and treating perianal fistulas.     

Larynx-associated lymphoid tissue (LALT) in young cattle

This paper describes the presence of lymphoid tissue in the mucosa of the bovine larynx. A total of 15 bovine larynges were examined both macroscopically after tissue fixation in acetic acid and microscopically using histology. It was found that no paraepiglottic tonsil was present in cattle, although a few lymphoid follicles were present in the mucosa at the base of the epiglottis. This result is in accordance with previous reports. In contrast, numerous lymphoid follicles were seen in the mucosa of the epiglottis and the corniculate processes of the arytenoid cartilages. This suggests that larynx-associated lymphoid tissue is present in cattle. Our observation could be of clinical importance, e.g. in the framework of the development of aerosolized vaccines.     

Dogs as vectors of Streptobacillus moniliformis infection?

Rat bite fever is a bacterial zoonosis transmitted through the bite of rats. One of the two etiological agents that cause rat bite fever is Streptobacillus moniliformis. Rat bite fever is rare and very likely under diagnosed but occurs worldwide. Other animals, like dogs and cats that have mouthed a rat are often mentioned in the literature as potential risks for the attraction of rat bite fever. However, rat bite fever caused by the bite of a dog or cat has very seldom been documented. Therefore, to identify the possible risk for humans to become infected with S. moniliformis after having been bitten by a dog that has been in contact with rats, the presence of S. moniliformis in the mouth of these dogs was tested with molecular methods. Swabs taken from the mouth of 18 dogs with proven contacts with rats were tested for the presence of S. moniliformis DNA by PCR. An amplicon of the right size was obtained in 10 of the 18 dogs. Nucleotide sequencing of five amplicons of PCR positive samples demonstrated the presence of S. moniliformis DNA in the mouth of three dogs. A bite by these dogs therefore might infect humans with S. moniliformis and cause rat bite disease.