Effects of tetracycline and zinc on selection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) sequence type 398 in pigs

An in vivo experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of tetracycline and zinc on pig colonization and transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) sequence type (ST) 398. Eight piglets naturally colonized with MRSA ST398 and 8 MRSA-negative piglets of the same age and breed were assigned to three groups treated with tetracycline and zinc (Group 1), zinc (Group 2) or tetracycline alone (Group 3) and one non-treated group (Group 4), each containing two MRSA-positive and two MRSA-negative animals. Two additional non-treated control groups composed of only MRSA-positive (Group 5) and MRSA-negative (Group 6) animals were used to check for stability of MRSA carriage status. Nasal swabs and environmental wipes were collected on Days 0, 7, 14, and 21, and the occurrence of MRSA in each sample was quantified by bacteriological counts on Brilliance? MRSA agar. Significantly higher nasal MRSA counts were observed in the zinc-treated (p=0.015) and tetracycline-treated (p=0.008) animals compared to the non-treated animals. Environmental MRSA counts appeared to increase over time in Groups 1 and 2 but such an increase was not statistically significant. MRSA-negative animals housed with MRSA-positive animals became positive in all groups, whereas the carriage status of the animals in Groups 5 and 6 did not change. This study demonstrates that feed supplemented with tetracycline or zinc increases the numbers of MRSA ST398 in the nasal cavity of pigs. Transmission of MRSA from positive to negative animals housed within the same pen was not influenced by exposure to these agents.     

One dose of a porcine circovirus 2 subunit vaccine induces humoral and cell-mediated immunity and protects against porcine circovirus-associated disease under field conditions

This study investigated the efficacy of a one-dose porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) subunit vaccine based on the PCV2 Cap protein expressed in a baculovirus system on two different farms at which a history of porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVD) was present. Morbidity, mortality, average daily weight gain, carcass weight, PCV2 load in serum and vaccine immunogenicity were assessed. Serology to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae was performed. A double-blind, randomised, and controlled field trial was performed distributing 818 piglets between two treatment groups. At inclusion (weaning at 21 ± 3 days of age), 408 animals (group B) received a 2-mL intramuscular dose of Porcilis PCV(?) (vaccinated group). Controls (group A, 410 pigs) received 2 mL of the adjuvant Diluvac Forte(?) intramuscularly. Weights were recorded at inclusion and at 12 and 26 weeks of age, and the average daily weight gain (ADWG) was calculated. The carcass weights of the pigs from farm 2 were recorded at slaughter (274 days old). All dead animals (died or culled) underwent autopsy to classify them as PMWS-affected or not. At each farm, blood samples were taken from 22 pigs/group for serologic studies. A beneficial effect was found after vaccination with a single dose of a PCV2 Cap vaccine against PCVD. The vaccination reduced the mortality rate and morbidity, reduced PCV2 viremia and viral load, improved productive performances (e.g. ADWG: +70 g/day between 12 and 26 weeks of age when viremia and the specific disease occurred) as well as carcass weight at slaughter age (+4.5 kg). These effects were associated with virologic and clinical protection from the immunogenicity of the vaccine measured as activation of both a humoral and a cellular immune response.     

Molecular weight distributions and linkages in lignocellulosic materials derivatized from ionic liquid media

A novel and reproducible method is described for accurately determining the molecular weight distribution by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) of whole lignocellulosic materials. This approach offers the opportunity to compare the molecular weight distributions of intact milled woods and its component fractions, lignins and holocelluloses, all from the same source, thus highlighting the potential of the technique and the contributions of the individual components to the chromatogram. The method is based on the dissolution of the ball-milled samples in the ionic liquid 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([amim]Cl). Under these homogeneous ionic liquid media, a derivatization reaction was performed with benzoyl chloride in the presence of pyridine. The thoroughly benzoylated wood with its associated carbohydrate and lignin components was found to be completely soluble in the THF SEC eluent with marked UV detector sensitivity. This methodology, when applied to the individually isolated holocellulose and lignin (enzymatic mild acidolysis lignin; EMAL) materials from Norway spruce ( Eucalyptus grandis ) wood and corn stover, offered a better understanding as to the possible ways the lignin and the carbohydrates may interact within these three different species. Finally, the applicability of the methodology is shown for a series of pure cellulosic samples under intense mechanical defibration conditions, offering a visualization of the molecular weight distribution changes induced during the production of nanofibrillated cellulose.     

Evaluation of a commercial intravaginal thermometer to predict calving in a Hungarian Holstein-Friesian dairy farm

In this study, the utility of a commercial intravaginal thermometer was evaluated as an automated method for the prediction of calving in a total of 257 healthy pregnant Holstein–Friesian female cattle. The accuracy and the sensitivity of predicting calving within 48 hr before calving were also evaluated. The intravaginal temperature changes from 72 hr before and up to calving were significantly (p ≤ .001) affected by parity, season (summer vs. autumn), the time of day (8 a.m. or 8 p.m.) and the 6-hr time intervals (38.19°C: first interval 0 to 6 hr before calving vs. 38.78°C: twelfth interval 66 to 72 hr before calving), while the gender (p = .943), and the weight of the calf (p = .610), twinning (p = .300), gestation length (p = .186), foetal presentation (p = .123), dystocia (p = .197) and retention of foetal membranes (p = .253) did not affect it significantly. The sensitivity of the SMS of expecting calving within 48 hr and the positive predictive value were 62.4% and 75%, respectively, while the sensitivity and the positive predictive value for the SMS of expulsion reached 100%. It can be concluded that the investigated thermometer is not able to predict calving within 48 hr accurately; however, imminent calving can be accurately alerted.     

A natural fungicide for the control of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erysiphe betae</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erysiphe cichoracearum</Emphasis>

This study examines the effects of a vegetable fungicide on sugar beet powdery mildew (Erysiphe betae) and cucumber powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum). The formulations consisting of a dispersion of Brassicaceae meal in vegetable or mineral oils on infected leaves of sugar beet, reared in the greenhouse, and of musk melons cultivated under plastic tunnels, were tested in comparison to each oil taken separately. Both formulations containing Brassicaceae meals, caused 94% of conidia to be distorted while for the untreated group only 2% were distorted. Furthermore, the leaf area infected by E. betae was 56% for untreated plants and 2.7 and 9.9% respectively, for plants treated with meal containing mineral and vegetable oil. Vegetable oil considered separately or with Brassicaceae meals showed no phytotoxicity, while the formulations based on mineral oil showed a significantly lower fresh and dry weight on tomato plants. The low level or absence of phytotoxicity of plants treated with vegetable oil formulations suggests that to improve the efficacy of powdery mildew control, they could be used mixed with sulphur. The efficiency of the vegetable formulations in the powdery mildew control observed during these trials encourages further investigation on other parasitic fungi and foliar pathogens.     

Molecular markers for improving control of soil-borne pathogen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium oxysporum</Emphasis> in sugar beet

Fusarium spp. cause severe damage in many agricultural crops, including sugar beet, with Fusarium oxysporum historically being considered as the most damaging of all species. Sugar beet needs to be protected from this class of soil-borne pathogens in order to ensure an optimal sugar yield in the field. Genetic control of the disease is crucial in managing these pathogens. Identification of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers linked to resistance can be a powerful tool for the introgression of valuable genes needed to develop Fusarium-resistant varieties. A candidate gene approach was carried out to identify SNP markers linked to putative Fusarium resistance sources in sugar beet. Five resistant analogue genes (RGAs) were screened by means of high resolution melting (HRM) analysis in a set of sugar beet lines, considered as resistant and susceptible to Fusarium oxysporum. HRM polymorphisms were observed in 80% of amplicons. Two HRM polymorphisms were significantly associated with Fusarium resistance (P < 0.05). The amplicons that showed association were sequenced and two SNPs were identified. The association was further validated on 96 susceptible and 96 resistant plants using competitive allele-specific PCR (KASPar) technology. The selected SNPs could be used for marker-assisted breeding of Fusarium resistance in sugar beet.     

A bio-economic indicators suite for the appraisal of the demersal trawl fishery in the Southern Adriatic Sea (Central Mediterranean)

The state of demersal fishery in the Southern Adriatic Sea (GFCM-GSA 18, Central Mediterranean), years 1996–2003, from a biological, social and economic point of view was analysed using 47 indicators: 22 biological indicators obtained from fishery-independent data through yearly experimental bottom trawl surveys (“Medits” Programme), and 25 socio-economic indicators estimated from fishery-dependent data, available from the monitoring system of the Italian Institute for Economic Research on Fisheries and Aquaculture (IREPA). Biological indicators were applied for “single-species” (Eledone cirrhosa, E. moschata, Illex coindetti, Merluccius merluccius, Mullus barbatus, Nephrops norvegicus, Parapenaeus longirostris, Raja clavata, Zeus faber) and for “multi-species” analysis. Economic indicators describing economic performance, productivity, costs and prices, and the overall economic sustainability of fishery were estimated. Social indicators and a general indicator summarising social sustainability were also considered. Indicators’ values were displayed using the Traffic Light system. Both fishery-independent and fishery-dependent indicators highlighted a progressive decline of the trawl fishery system in the GSA 18. This decline was mainly related to the ongoing depletion of the traditional fishery target species (mostly long-living, late-maturing species) partially replaced by the increase of traditional accessory species (generally short-living species), as well as to the reduction of productivity and increasing costs. The whole procedure was proposed as a contribution to the identification and applicability of bio-economic indicators for fishery management purposes.     

Adenocarcinoma of the disseminated prostate in a cat

An adenocarcinoma of the disseminated prostate gland with pulmonary, myocardial and renal metastases is described in a 12-year-old, neutered male European cat. Histologically, the tumour was localised in the spongy layer of the prostatic urethra and showed an epithelial alveolar pattern. Considering the anatomic, microscopic and immunohistochemical findings, the tumour was diagnosed as an adenocarcinoma of the disseminated prostate gland. To our knowledge this is the first report of adenocarcinoma of the disseminated prostate gland in a cat.