G protein-coupled receptors in Anopheles gambiae

We used bioinformatic approaches to identify a total of 276 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) from the Anopheles gambiae genome. These include GPCRs that are likely to play roles in pathways affecting almost every aspect of the mosquito's life cycle. Seventy-nine candidate odorant receptors were characterized for tissue expression and, along with 76 putative gustatory receptors, for their molecular evolution relative to Drosophila melanogaster. Examples of lineage-specific gene expansions were observed as well as a single instance of unusually high sequence conservation.     

Evidence for Parachlamydia in bovine abortion

Bovine abortion of unknown infectious aetiology still remains a major economic problem. In this study, we focused on a new possible abortigenic agent called Parachlamydia acanthamoebae. Retrospective samples (n=235) taken from late-term abortions in cattle were investigated by real-time diagnostic PCR for Chlamydiaceae and Parachlamydia spp., respectively. Histological sections of cases positive by real-time PCR for any Chlamydia-related agent were further examined by immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies. Chlamydophila abortus was detected only in three cases (1.3%) by real-time PCR and ArrayTube Microarray playing a less important role in bovine abortion compared to the situation in small ruminants in Switzerland. By real-time PCR as many as 43 of 235 (18.3%) cases turned out to be positive for Parachlamydia. The presence of Parachlamydia within placental lesions was confirmed in 35 cases (81.4%) by immunohistochemistry. The main histopathological feature in parachlamydial abortion was purulent to necrotizing placentitis (25/43). Parachlamydia should be considered as a new abortigenic agent in Swiss cattle. Since Parachlamydia may be involved in lower respiratory tract infections in humans, bovine abortion material should be handled with care given the possible zoonotic risk.     

Safety of a live attenuated Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae vaccine for swine

The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is an enveloped RNA virus. Virions of PRRSV contain six membrane proteins: the major proteins GP5 and M and the minor proteins GP2, GP3, GP4, and E. The GP5 is the major envelope proteins, which was involved in the formation and infectivity of PRRSV by coaction with other membrane proteins. Here, to determine the function of alone GP5 envelope protein in viral entry, we investigated the formation and infectivity of GP5-pseudotyped virus particles. By co-transfection of GP5 expression plasmids with murine leukemia virus (MuLV) based retroviral vectors (pHIT60, encoding MuLV Gag-Pol; pHIT111, encoding an MuLV genome with a β-galactosidase reporter gene) into 293 T cells and analysis of the culture medium using ultracentrifugation, Western blot, and infection assay. We observed that the GP5 envelope protein was incorporated into the MuLV retroviral vectors to generate an pseudotyped murine leukemia virus, which was infectious to PAM and Mack-145 target cells and displayed the same host range with wild-type PRRSV. The infection of the pseudotyped virus on PAM target cells is effectively neutralized by polyclonal antibodies specific for PRRSV or GP5. The results suggested that the GP5 protein may play a key role in the viral entry by interacting with the host cell receptor. The GP5-pseudotyped virus will be useful in the identification of the cellular receptor binding with GP5 protein.     

Bacteria in milk from anterior and posterior mammary glands in sows affected and unaffected by postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PPDS)

Background

The performance of piglet weight gain is strongly dependent on the sow''s ability to meet the demand for adequate milk. Postparturient disorders, especially those subsumed under the term postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PPDS), can alter or reduce the milk production sensitively, resulting in starving piglets. The aim of this study was to gather further information about the prevalence of different bacterial species in the anterior and posterior mammary glands of sows with respect to the clinical appearance of PPDS.

Methods

In this study, the health status of 56 sows after farrowing was determined with special regard to mastitis and dysgalactia. Pooled milk samples from anterior and posterior glands were taken from both affected and non-affected animals and analysed bacteriologically for the presence of a wide spectrum of different pathogens.

Results

Mainly Escherichia coli, staphylococci and streptococci were detected in high percentages but without significant differences in healthy and diseased animals and anterior and posterior glands. However, the large percentages of coliform bacteria suggested a transmission route via faecal contamination.

Conclusion

In this study, the prevalence of different bacteria in anterior and posterior glands in PPDS positive and negative sows was analysed. No significant differences in bacteria of healthy and diseased sows were assessed. Therefore, the development of clinical PPDS and actual infection seems to be largely dependant on individual resistance in single sows.     

Absorption of Different Oral Formulations of Natural Vitamin E in Horses

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of vitamin E source on plasma vitamin E concentration. Five different formulations of natural source vitamin E (4,000 IU/day) were supplemented to Standardbred mares (n = 4 per group) for 14 days. Treatment 1 was given 10 g of 400 IU/g natural acetate (RRR-α-tocopheryl-acetate) powder, treatment 2 was given 6.66 g of 600 IU/g natural acetate powder, treatment 3 was given 6.66 g of 600 IU/g natural alcohol (RRR-α-tocopherol) powder, treatment 4 was given 20 g of 200 IU/g micellized natural alcohol powder, and treatment 5 was given 8 mL of 500 IU/mL micellized natural alcohol liquid. Blood samples were collected before supplementation (day 0), after day 7 and day 14 of supplementation, and analyzed for plasma α-tocopherol. Treatments 1, 2, and 3 increased (P < .05) from days 0 to 7, but remained similar at day 14. Treatments 4 and 5 also increased (P = .004, and P < .0001, respectively) from days 0 to 7 and were higher (P < .05) than treatment 1, 2, and 3. Plasma levels peaked at day 7 and either plateaued or decreased (treatment 5, P = .004) at day 14. The micellized alcohol formulations remained elevated (treatment 4) or decreased (treatment 5) after achieving peak blood concentration and, as hypothesized, tended to have plasma concentrations higher than the other vitamin E forms. Care should be taken to ensure that the most active biologically available form of vitamin E is provided in the diet to maximize its efficiency.     

Small intestinal intussusception in five dogs with acute renal failure and suspected leptospirosis (L. australis)

Objectives – This case series describes 5 dogs with small intestinal intussusception and acute kidney injury due to infection with Leptospira interrogans serovar Australis.
Case Series Summary – Small intestinal intussusception was observed in 4 dogs diagnosed with acute kidney injury due to leptospirosis presented between 1997 and 2005. Intussusception was diagnosed at initial presentation or later during hospitalization. An additional dog fulfilling our inclusion criteria was presented to a small animal specialty clinic nearby and was included. Upon admission, all dogs were severely azotemic and thrombocytopenic. All 5 dogs showed the strongest microscopic agglutination test serology reaction to L. interrogans serovar Australis. Two dogs survived with no apparent residual renal damage, 1 survived with subsequent mild chronic kidney disease, and 2 dogs were euthanized at the owners' request due to a guarded prognosis.
New or Unique Information Provided – Intussusception can occur or may be seen in dogs with leptospirosis due to L. interrogans serovar Australis and patients should be monitored closely for this potential complication. As all 5 dogs described in this case series showed the highest titer for L. interrogans serovar Australis, these precautions may be especially applied in geographic areas where this particular serovar is seen.     

Parental eating behaviours, home food environment and adolescent intakes of fruits, vegetables and dairy foods: longitudinal findings from Project EAT

OBJECTIVE: To examine longitudinal associations of parental report of household food availability and parent intakes of fruits, vegetables and dairy foods with adolescent intakes of the same foods. This study expands upon the limited research of longitudinal studies examining the role of parents and household food availability in adolescent dietary intakes. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. Project EAT-II followed an ethnically and socio-economically diverse sample of adolescents from 1999 (time 1) to 2004 (time 2). In addition to the Project EAT survey, adolescents completed the Youth Adolescent Food-Frequency Questionnaire in both time periods, and parents of adolescents completed a telephone survey at time 1. General linear modelling was used to examine the relationship between parent intake and home availability and adolescent intake, adjusting for time 1 adolescent intakes. Associations were examined separately for the high school and young adult cohorts and separately for males and females in combined cohorts. SUBJECTS/SETTING: The sample included 509 pairs of parents/guardians and adolescents. RESULTS: Vegetables served at dinner significantly predicted adolescent intakes of vegetables for males (P = 0.037), females (P = 0.009), high school (P = 0.033) and young adults (P = 0.05) at 5-year follow-up. Among young adults, serving milk at dinner predicted dairy intake (P = 0.002). Time 1 parental intakes significantly predicted intakes of young adults for fruit (P = 0.044), vegetables (P = 0.041) and dairy foods (P = 0.008). Parental intake predicted intake of dairy for females (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest the importance of providing parents of adolescents with knowledge and skills to enhance the home food environment and improve their own eating behaviours.