Human brucellosis at a pig slaughterhouse

Seventeen workers in a pig slaughterhouse with signs and symptoms compatible with brucellosis were clinically examined at the outpatient service of different health institutions and studied by serological tests during the period 2005–2011. Eleven blood cultures were taken and six Brucella suis strains were isolated, three biovar 1 and three with atypical characteristics. In order to confirm that these cases had no common source, a variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) analyses were performed on 5 of the 6 strains whose results showed substantial heterogeneity in the genotypes, thereby demonstrating that the immediate origin was not the same. Two hundred adult pigs admitted for slaughter at the plant were sampled by convenience and tested by buffered antigen plate test (BPAT), serum agglutination test (SAT) and 2-mercapto-ethanol test (MET). Seven of 62 males (11%) and 25/138 (18%) females tested positive. The study results contribute information on risk scenarios for packing plant workers and underscore the need to improve plant workers’ education on appropriate containment measures and to actively screen animals for swine brucellosis.     

浮石与美国俄勒冈州苗圃业

在美国俄勒冈州,浮石在种苗生产上应用很广泛,但是人们对于浮石的特性知之甚少,也不清楚它是怎样影响种苗植株生长的。本文对浮石的地质学、化学和物理学特征进行了描述,并讨论了这些特性在种苗植株生长过程中所起的潜在作用。该项研究在俄勒冈州苗圃协会的大力资助下完成。什么是浮石?浮石是一种多孔渗水、质地轻的岩石,外表上与珍珠岩相似。pumice这个词来源于拉丁语中的pumex,是泡沫的意思。浮石是一种火成岩,由熔化或半熔化物质形成。一些火成岩是由地表下岩熔物冷却形成的称为深成火成岩。深成火成岩因为降温过程十分缓慢,所以含有大量…     

Studies on phenology and harmfulness of Aceria carvi Nal. (Acari: Eriophyidae) on caraway, Carum carvi L., in the Czech Republic

Caraway (Carum carvi L.) belongs to the traditional crops which have been grown in Bohemia since the end of the 19th century. Depressaria daucella (Denis and Schiffermüller) and Aceria carvi Nal. are two main pests of caraway in the Czech Republic. The latter becomes a serious problem in major caraway-growing areas. So far, no effective method for its control is known. The aim of this paper is to describe the phenology of symptoms of A. carvi infestation and damage caused by this pest. Our observation revealed that although A. carvi overwinters hidden within leaves of young caraway plants, the first symptoms are usually not visible before the start of flowering. Though the initial density of the pest is low, the mite population multiplies during the season when the pest attacks plant tissues and causes development of galls on leaves and flowers. Comparison of healthy plants and plants infested by A. carvi showed that infested plants had significantly more umbels but produced far fewer seeds, and the yield of caraway was thus substantially decreased. Recommendations for crop management methods to suppress the pest are given.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

The pharmacological activity of wheat bran polysaccharides

(Glucurono)arabinoxylans were extracted from the wheat bran with acetate buffer in the first step (WBH1) and with dilute alkali in the second step (WBH2). In both samples xylose and arabinose dominated, accompanied with smaller amounts of galactose, glucose, mannose and uronic acids mainly in WBH1. WBH1 was free of protein and with low content of phenolic compounds. Fraction WBH2 contained relatively low levels of proteins and about 4.5% of the total phenolic. When tested for antitussive activity, the (glucurono)arabinoxylans exhibited comparable cough-suppressing effect with centrally acting codeine. The observed effects of bronchoconstriction are limiting practical application of WBH2.     

α‐Amylase Inhibitors from Wheat Against Development and Toxigenic Potential of Fusarium verticillioides

Fusarium verticillioides is one of the most important pathogens in maize and is a producer of fumonisin B₁ (FB₁). Although reports of its presence in wheat are scarce, the susceptibility of this cereal to fungus of the same genus motivates interest in investigating compounds present in the grain with inhibitory activity against this species. The aim of this study was to extract α‐amylase inhibitors from wheat and apply them in vitro to evaluate its effect on the development and expression of toxigenic potential of F. verticillioides. The α‐amylase inhibitors, both crude (P₀) and purified (P₁), were applied to in vitro culture containing a pathogen mycelium disc. Mycelial growth of the pathogen, glucosamine content, α‐amylase activity, and production of FB₁ were investigated. All protein extracts of wheat showed the ability to inhibit pathogen growth, especially the extract P₀ from cultivar Quartzo, which resulted in a reduction of glucosamine content (66%) and α‐amylase activity (84%). Furthermore, the protein inhibitors showed antifumonisin effect, reducing by 33 and 47% the mycotoxin production when applied as P₀ and P₁, respectively. These results suggest that α‐amylase inhibitor contributed to resistance against pathogen attack, acting in a diversified manner for each fungal species.     

Sero-epidemiological survey for toxoplasmosis in wild New World monkeys (Cebus spp.; Alouatta caraya) at the Paraná river basin, Paraná State, Brazil

In this study, we captured 60 wild New World monkeys (Cebus spp.; Alouatta caraya) at the Paraná river basin, Paraná State, Brazil, and modified agglutination test (MAT) was performed to evaluate anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. Prevalence was 30.2% (13/43) in Cebus spp. (capuchin monkeys) and 17.6% (3/17) for A. caraya (black and golden howler monkeys). MAT showed antibody titers of 16 (15/16) and 64 (1/16). Herein, we have observed an odds ratio (OR)=4.67 (1.060.05). The present work is the first report on serum occurrence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in wild capuchin monkeys and in wild black and golden howler monkeys.     

α-Rhamnosyl-β-glucosidase-catalyzed reactions for analysis and biotransformations of plant-based foods

Most aroma compounds exist in vegetal tissues as disaccharide conjugates, rutinose being an abundant sugar moiety in grapes. The availability of aroma precursors would facilitate analytical analysis of plant-based foods. The diglycosidase α-rhamnosyl-β-glucosidase from Acremonium sp. DSM 24697 efficiently transglycosylated the rutinose moiety from hesperidin to 2-phenylethanol, geraniol, and nerol in an aqueous-organic biphasic system. 2-Phenethyl rutinoside was synthesized up to millimolar level with an 80% conversion regarding the donor hesperidin. The hydrolysis of the synthesized aroma precursors was not detected in an aqueous medium. However, in the presence of ethanol as a sugar acceptor, the enzyme was able to transfer the disaccharide residue forming the alkyl-rutinoside. The aroma precursors were significantly hydrolyzed (up to 3-4% in 2 h at 30 °C), which indicated the potential use of the enzyme for biotechnological applications, for example, in aroma modulation of fermented foods.     

STAGING OF LUMBAR INTER VERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION IN NONCHONDRODYSTROPHIC DOGS USING LOW-FIELD MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

Recognition of disc degeneration in vivo is important in the investigation of the pathophysiology of intervertebral disc disease as well as the assessment of patients. The purpose of this study was to compare low-field magnetic resonance imaging and histopathologic findings of disc degeneration in the canine caudal lumbar spine. A simple four-stage classification system for disc degeneration is proposed. Most common signs of disc degeneration in magnetic resonance imaging included nuclear clefts, decreased signal intensity of the nucleus pulposus and tears of the annulus fibrosus, or disc herniations. The association between magnetic resonance images and histopathologic findings was highly significant. A sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 79% for magnetic resonance imaging was calculated using histopathology as the gold standard.