The human health implication of the use of antimicrobial agents in animal feeds

Antimicrobials given in subtherapeutic levels in feed are credited with having contributed to lower cost of meat, milk and eggs. The practice often is associated with the acquisition of resistant enteric flora by the involved animals, and this may in turn contribute to the human reservoir of antimicrobial resistant coliforms and salmonellae. Associated farm workers may transiently acquire resistant flora and on rare occasions develop salmonellosis. Although irrefutable evidence of growth promotant properties of antibiotics in animal feed was provided 30 to 40 years ago, additional studies on mechanisms of the effect are presently needed. It may be possible to identify factors effective in promoting growth without deleterious effects on flora. A national surveillance programme of antimicrobial utilisation (both subtherapeutic and therapeutic) among food producing animals should be established. Molecular epidemiologic research efforts will need to be undertaken to establish whether genetic information of animal origin importantly contributes to the human environmental pool of antimicrobial resistance. In the meantime, it does not appear that the use of drugs as feed additives, while allowing their unrestricted use for therapy in both animals and persons, would favorably influence the problems of antimicrobial resistance of salmonellosis in human populations.     

Descriptive spatial epidemiology of subclinical Salmonella infection in finisher pig herds: application of a novel method of spatially adaptive smoothing

We describe the spatial epidemiological features of the 6.8 million meat-juice serological tests that were conducted between 1995 and 2004 as part of the Danish swine Salmonella control programme. We investigated pig and farm density using edge-corrected kernel estimations. Pigs were aggregated at the county level to assess county-level risk, and then we investigated farm-level risk by giving farms a case or non-case label using a cut-off of 40% of pigs positive. Conditional probability surfaces, correcting for the underlying population at risk, were produced for each year of the study period using a novel kernel estimator with a spatially adaptive smoothing bandwidth. This approach improves on previous methods by allowing focussed estimation of risk in areas of high population density while maintaining stable estimates in regions where the data are sparse. Two spatial trends in the conditional probability of a farm being a case were evident: (1) over the whole country, with the highest risk in the west compared to the east; and (2) on the Jutland peninsula with the highest risk in the north and south. At the farm-level a consistent area of risk was the south-west of Jutland. Case farms tended to aggregate indicating spatial dependency in the data. We found no association between pig or farm density and Salmonella risk. We generated hypotheses for this spatial pattern of risk and we conclude that this spatial pattern should be considered in the development of surveillance strategies and as a basis for further, more detailed analyses of the data.     

The hemodynamic effects of medetomidine continuous rate infusions in the dog

ObjectiveTo characterize the hemodynamic effects of continuous rate infusions (CRI) of medetomidine administered at doses ranging from 0 to 3 μg kg^?1 hour^?1.Study designProspective, blinded, randomized experimental trial.AnimalsSix adult purpose-bred mongrel dogs.MethodsAnesthesia was induced with sevoflurane for placement of arterial and venous catheters. Dogs recovered from anesthesia after which baseline hemodynamic measurements were obtained via lithium dilution cardiac output (CO) determination, with subsequent measurements via pulse power analysis to provide continuous CO determinations. Medetomidine, 1, 2, or 3 μg kg^?1 hour^?1 or a volume equivalent placebo, was administered via CRI for 60 minutes. Systolic, mean, and diastolic arterial pressure, heart rate (HR), CO and stroke volume were measured and stroke index (SI), cardiac index (CI), total peripheral resistance (TPR), and total peripheral resistance index (TPRI) were calculated at 3, 7, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes from the start of the infusion.ResultsIncrease in dose decreased SI by 25%, 19%, and 30%, HR by 33%, 57%, and 60%, CI by 50%, 65%, 70% and increased TPRI by 109%, 235%, and 222% from baseline to the 60-minute measurement for the 1, 2, and 3 μg kg^?1 hour^?1 doses, respectively. HR, TPRI, and CI all showed significant differences over the duration of the study from the placebo treatment.ConclusionsMedetomidine CRI produces clinically relevant changes in CO, TPR, and HR. The demonstrated decrease in CO is largely because of bradycardia and the degree of cardiovascular depression appears to be dose-dependent. These findings are consistent with previously described hemodynamic changes with single bolus administration of medetomidine.Clinical relevanceLow-dose medetomidine CRIs produce clinically relevant hemodynamic depression at doses as low as 1 μg kg^?1 hour^?1 and should be used cautiously in dogs.     

Spatially Explicit Representation of State-and-Transition Models

The broad-scale assessment of natural resource conditions (e.g., rangeland health, restoration needs) requires knowledge of their spatial distribution. We argue that creating a database that links state-and-transition models (STMs) to spatial units is a valuable management tool for structuring ground-based observations, management planning for landscapes, and for housing information on the responses of land areas to management actions. To address this need, we introduce a multifactor classification system based on ecological sites and STMs that is directly linked to recent concepts of vegetation dynamics in rangelands. We describe how this classification was used as a basis for creating a spatial database and maps of ecological states. We provide an example of how the classification and mapping has been applied in over 1.2 million ha of public rangelands in southern New Mexico using aerial photo interpretation supplemented with existing inventory data and rapid field assessments. The resulting state map has been used by the Bureau of Land Management: 1) to design landscape-level shrub control efforts, 2) to structure and report district-wide rangeland health assessments, and 3) to evaluate locations for energy development. We conclude by discussing options for the development of state maps and their current limitations, including the use of satellite imagery and concepts for defining states. We argue that cataloging ecological states in a spatial context has clear benefits for rangeland managers because it connects STM concepts to specific land areas. State mapping provides a means to generate and store spatially explicit data resulting from tests of the propositions in STMs and conservation practices.     

Influence of helminth parasite exposure and strategic application of anthelmintics on the development of immunity and growth of swine

Infection of pigs with the intestinal roundworm parasite Ascaris suum and strategic application of anthelmintic drugs during the growing phase of development were observed for specific effects on 1) development of immunity in feeder pigs and 2) growth rate during the finishing phase. Management treatments included maintenance in a parasite-free concrete environment, maintenance in a concrete environment and inoculation with 1,000 infective A. suum eggs every other day over a 52-d period, and maintenance on a dirtlot contaminated with A. suum and Trichuris suis eggs. Within each management environment, pigs were either untreated, treated with ivermectin or treated with fenbenzadole at strategic times during parasite exposure. Protective immunity, assessed by a challenge inoculation with A. suum eggs following management treatments, was not affected by ivermectin or fenbenzadole treatment during exposure, but adult worm burdens were reduced and the pattern of A. suum larval antigen serum antibody responses were different from those in control pigs not treated with drugs. Exposure to A. suum and treatment with anthelmintics during the growing phase reduced adult worm burdens following the finishing phase of growth. Rate, but not efficiency, of gain was significantly improved by anthelmintic treatment following natural exposure to parasites. Strategic treatment of pigs with anthelmintics following inoculation with A. suum eggs in a concrete management environment had no effect on rate of gain. Results suggest that natural exposure to parasites during the growing phase without therapeutic treatment causes permanent damage to growth potential.     

超高压杀菌技术在乳品中的应用

超高压杀菌技术在食品加工中的商业应用已经有20多年的历史,而第一次在乳品中应用的实验可追溯至1899年.该项技术和其它的杀菌方法一样,通常用于杀死食品中的致病菌和腐败菌.恒天然公司经过多年的研究改进了该技术,在杀死大部分或全部有害微生物的同时,使食品中的营养成分成功地得以保留下来,以此创造崭新的功能性产品.     

Estimates of genetic parameters for carcass measures of body composition and growth in swine

Records for pigs included in an experiment on reciprocal recurrent selection conducted from 1956 through 1971 at the USDA Beltsville Agriculture Research Center were analyzed to obtain estimates of heritabilities and genetic correlations and to derive prediction equations for estimating weight of lean cuts (WTLC) and percentage of lean cuts of shrunk slaughter weight (LCPC). Lean cuts growth rate (LCGR) was then estimated as WTLC/age of pig at slaughter. The base population consisted of two unrelated crossbred strains. A total of 1,294 records of F1 and F2 crossbred pigs were analyzed with one barrow and one gilt from each litter. Estimates of heritabilities and genetic correlations were computed with sire components of variance and covariance from a nested analysis of variance with an assumed model of years, strain-lines within years, sire within strain-lines, dams within sires and residual. Degrees of freedom were 307 for sires in strain-lines, 270 for dams in sires and 646 for residual. Heritability (h2) estimates were .42 +/- .13, .41 +/- .13 and .27 +/- .18 for WTLC, LCPC and LCGR, respectively, and .71 +/- .16, .38 +/- .13, .31 +/- .13 and .25 +/- .15 for carcass length, average backfat thickness, longissimus muscle area and ADG in BW, respectively. These estimates were apparently the first published genetic estimates involving LCGR based on carcass data. It was recommended that prediction equations to estimate WTLC, LCPC and LCGR for use in swine testing programs be derived from current meat-type pigs.     

Intake and discharge nutrient loads at three intensive shrimp farms

This study was conducted to help provide a framework for Australian regulation of shrimp farm siting and discharges. Monitoring of farm water usage, and intake and discharge water quality was conducted at three commercial intensive shrimp farms, chosen to represent different operating environments, latitudes, cultured species and management styles. Weekly samples were taken over 3 years, for 3–12 months at each farm, to investigate intake and discharge concentrations and loads of total suspended solids (TSS), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). Mean water exchange was 1.4 ML ha^?1 day^?1 (about 10% day^?1) at the first farm studied and 0.5 ML ha^?1 day^?1 (about 3.6% day^?1) at the others. Farm mean discharge concentration varied as follows: TSS, from 36.9 to 119 mg L^?1; TN, from 2.1 to 3.1 mg L^?1 and TP, from 0.22 to 0.28 mg L^?1. Farm mean intake concentrations were from 11% to 91% of equivalent mean discharge concentration (for TN at Farm B and TSS at Farm C respectively). Mean net discharge loads, related to area of production ponds at each farm, varied as follows: TSS, from 4.8 to 85.7 kg ha^?1 day^?1; TN, from 1 to 1.8 kg ha^?1 day^?1 and TP, from 0.11 to 0.22 kg ha^?1 day^?1. The highest net loads of TSS, TN and TP were all from the farm with the highest water exchange rate, located on a coastal river, and studied during a year of high rainfall with associated poor water quality. These results can be used to help predict likely discharge characteristics for new shrimp farms, and provide a benchmark against which to evaluate future improvements in shrimp farm environmental management.     

Teasing apart socially‐induced infertility in non‐reproductive female Damaraland mole‐rats,Fukomys damarensis (Rodentia: Bathyergidae)

The Damaraland mole‐rat is a subterranean mammal exhibiting extreme reproductive skew with a single reproductive female in each colony responsible for procreation. Non‐reproductive female colony members are physiologically suppressed while in the colony, exhibiting reduced concentrations of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and a decreased response of the pituitary, as measured by the release of bioactive LH, to an exogenous dose of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH). Removal of the reproductive female from the colony results in an elevation of LH and an enhanced response of the pituitary to a GnRH challenge in non‐reproductive females comparable to reproductive females, implying control of reproduction in these individuals by the reproductive female. The Damaraland mole‐rat is an ideal model for investigating the physiological and behavioral mechanisms that regulate the hypothalamo–pituitary–gonadal axis. In contrast, we know less about the control of reproduction at the level of the hypothalamus. The immunohistochemistry of the GnRH system of both reproductive and non‐reproductive female Damaraland mole‐rats has revealed no significant differences with respect to morphology, distribution or numbers of immunoreactive GnRH perikarya. We examined whether the endogenous opioid peptide beta‐endorphin was responsible for the inhibition of the release of the GnRH from the neurons indirectly by measuring LH concentrations in these non‐reproductive females following single, hourly and 8 hourly injections of the opioid antagonist naloxone. The results imply that the endogenous opioid peptide, beta‐endorphin, is not responsible for the inhibition of GnRH release from the perikarya in non‐reproductive females. Preliminary data examining the circulating levels of cortisol also do not support a role for circulating glucocorticoids. The possible role of kisspeptin is discussed.