Risk factors associated with the prevalence of tuberculosis-like lesions in fenced wild boar and red deer in south central Spain

In recent decades the management of large game mammals has become increasingly intensive in south central Spain (SCS), resulting in complex epidemiological scenarios for disease maintenance, and has probably impeded schemes to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) in domestic livestock. We conducted an analysis of risk factors which investigated associations between the pattern of tuberculosis-like lesions (TBL) in wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) across 19 hunting estates from SCS and an extensive set of variables related to game management, land use and habitat structure. The aggregation of wild boar at artificial watering sites was significantly associated with an increasing risk of detecting TBL in both species, which probably relates to enhanced opportunities for transmission. Aggregation of wild boar at feeding sites was also associated with increased risks of TBL in red deer. Hardwood Quercus spp. forest availability was marginally associated with an increased risk of TB in both species, whereas scrubland cover was associated with a reduced individual risk of TBL in the wild boar. It is concluded that management practices that encourage the aggregation of hosts, and some characteristics of Mediterranean habitats could increase the frequency and probability of both direct and indirect transmission of TB. These findings are of concern for both veterinary and public health authorities, and reveal tuberculosis itself as a potential limiting factor for the development and sustainability of such intensive game management systems in Spanish Mediterranean habitats.     

Development of gates to measure the immature platelet fraction in C57BL/6J mice using the Sysmex XN-V series multispecies hematology analyzer

The immature platelet fraction (IPF) is a measure of newly released platelets, which has been used as a marker of platelet production in multiple human studies but is not widely available in multispecies analyzers. We developed gates to measure the IPF in diluted and undiluted murine blood samples on the Sysmex XN-1000V multispecies hematology analyzer. IPF gates were created using undiluted and diluted (1/10) blood samples obtained from adult and newborn (postnatal day 10, P10) C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) mice, and from 3 murine models of thrombocytopenia: c-MPL^−/− mice, which lack the thrombopoietin receptor (hyporegenerative); antibody-mediated thrombocytopenia; and acute inflammation-induced thrombocytopenia. P10 mice were chosen because, at their size, we could consistently obtain (by terminal phlebotomy) the blood volume needed to run an undiluted sample. The undiluted blood IPF gate successfully differentiated between mechanisms of thrombocytopenia in both adult and P10 mice. For diluted samples, 2 IPF gates were generated: a thrombocytopenic (T) gate, which performed well in samples with platelet counts (PCs) <800 × 10⁹/L in adult mice and <500 × 10⁹/L in newborn mice, and a non-thrombocytopenic (NT) gate, which performed well in samples with PCs above these thresholds. PCs and IPFs measured in diluted blood using these gates agreed well with those measured in undiluted blood and had good reproducibility. These diluted gates allow for the accurate measurement of PCs and IPFs in small (10 µL) blood volumes, which can be obtained easily from adult and newborn mice as small as P1 to assess platelet production serially.     

Effects of conjugated linoleic acid and curcumin on growth performance and oxidative stress enzymes in juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) feed with aflatoxins

Aflatoxicosis is a growing problem in aquaculture. A 42‐day study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and curcumin (CUR) to protect juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) from aflatoxins. Growth parameters along with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glutathione S‐transferase (GST) activities were measured. Shrimps (36) with an average weight of 76 ± 0.9 mg were randomly allocated in eight experimental groups. Non‐contaminated diet (NCD) and aflatoxin‐contaminated diet (ACD) at 200 μg/kg were prepared. ACD was used to prepare six diets supplemented with CLA (4, 5 or 6 g/kg) and CUR (0.15, 0.2 and 0.3 g/kg). ACD reduced feed intake, growth rate and nitrogen retention efficiency, and increased ALP and GST activity. Improved nitrogen retention was observed for all groups feed with CLA. CUR supplementation at 0.2 g/kg increased feed intake and growth rate while at 0.15 g/kg increased nitrogen retention. ALP activity was reduced in all CUR groups and in 5 and 6 g/kg CLA groups. Reduction in GST activity was observed in 0.15 and 0.2 g/kg CUR groups and 4 g/kg CLA group. CLA supplementation and CUR supplementation can be beneficial to protect juvenile shrimp against aflatoxins.     

Stressful living in lower‐quality habitats? Body mass,feeding behavior and physiological stress levels in wild wood mouse populations

Wild populations are continuously subjected to changes in environmental factors that pose different challenges. Body condition and hormones have been commonly used as health indicators due to their potential correlation with fitness. In the present study, we analyzed whether habitats of different quality influenced body mass, food intake and physiological stress levels in wild wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus). Field work was seasonally carried out in Holm oak woods and pine forests in central Spain. A total of 93 wood mice from 4 different populations (2 per habitat type) were live‐trapped. From each captured individual we noted body mass and food intake, measured as the amount of bait remaining in each trap. The physiological stress levels were measured non‐invasively in collected fresh feces by quantifying fecal corticosterone metabolites (FCM) with a 5a‐pregnane‐3ß,11ß, 21‐triol‐20‐one enzyme immunoassay. Wood mice abundances decreased from spring to summer, were higher in Holm oak woods than in pine forests and also resulted in different age‐class distribution between both habitats. Individuals inhabiting pine forests showed a lower body mass and increased food intake, probably because of the comparatively lower food quality and availability in this habitat. Furthermore, these individuals showed increased physiological stress levels, likely due to the lower quality habitat in relation to both food and vegetation cover availability. Overall, besides affecting local wood mouse abundance, our study underscores the effect of habitat quality on body mass, food intake and the endocrine stress response. Considering the wood mouse's pivotal position in ecosystems, these results could help in the understanding of environmental traits hampering the viability of wild populations.     

Formation and accumulation of alpha-acids,beta-acids,desmethylxanthohumol, and xanthohumol during flowering of hops (Humulus lupulus L.)

Important secondary metabolites, present in hops (Humulus lupulus L.), include alpha-acids and beta-acids, which are essential for the brewing of beer, as well as the prenylated chalcones, desmethylxanthohumol, and xanthohumol, which exhibit interesting bioactive properties. Their formation and accumulation in five selected hop varieties, Wye Challenger, Wye Target, Golding, Admiral, and Whitbread Golding Variety, were quantitatively monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography using UV detection. All target compounds were present from the onset of flowering, not only in female hop cones but also in male inflorescences, albeit in low concentrations. During development from female inflorescences to cones, levels of alpha-acids, beta-acids, desmethylxanthohumol, and xanthohumol gradually increased, while each hop variety exhibited individual accumulation rates. Furthermore, these compounds were present in leaves of fully grown hops as well. The study demonstrated that key compounds for flavor and potential beneficial health effects associated with beer not only reside in the glandular lupulin structures but also are distributed over various parts of the hop plant.     

Correlation of testicular artery Doppler velocimetry with kinetics and morphologic characteristics of epididymal sperm in dogs

Sperm quality can be affected by a reduction in testicular blood flow, which can be measured by Doppler ultrasonography. The aim of this study was to correlate the Doppler velocimetry of the testicular artery with kinetics of the epididymal spermatozoa in dogs. Twenty-two dogs (44 testicles) were evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography in five regions of the testicular artery before orchiectomy. Spermatozoa were recovered by the epididymal tail compression technique and analysed for kinetics on a computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA system). Morphology (modified Karras) and sperm membrane integrity were analysed by eosin–nigrosine staining. Data were analysed by Pearson's correlation test (p < .01). The mean total motility was 69.0% ± 17.7, progressive motility was 43.7% ± 14.7, average path velocity (VAP) was 127.0 µm/s ± 20.7, curvilinear velocity (VCL) was 221.0 µm/s ± 31.1, and sperm velocity index (SVI) was 389.9 ± 56.1. There were positive correlations between the peak systolic velocity (PSV) in the proximal supratesticular region with the SVI (r = .529), VCL (r = .555) and VAP (r = .473), and a negative correlation with the percentage of slow spermatozoa (r = −.463). The results suggest that the testicular artery blood flow velocity can positively affect the speed of spermatozoa movement. For the first time, we have correlated sperm kinetics with the Doppler evaluation of the testicular artery in dogs.     

Proteolytic Enzymes in Germinating Rye Grains

The proteolytic activities during rye (Secale cereale L. ‘Humbolt’) grain germination were monitored using in‐solution methods and one‐ and two‐dimensional PAGE with gels that contained incorporated substrate proteins. The total proteolytic activity increased during the first three days of germination, but not after that. The proteinase activity was measured at pH 3.8, 6.0, and 8.0 in the presence and absence of class‐specific proteinase inhibitors. This indicated that enzymes from all four proteinase classes were present during the germination process. Germinated rye grain contained mainly aspartic and cysteine proteinase activities that are especially active at pH 3.8. Serine‐ and metallo‐proteinases were less abundant. Overall, the pattern of hydrolysis was very similar to that observed during barley and wheat germination.