Reversible molecular adsorption based on multiple-point interaction by shrinkable gels

A general approach is presented for creating polymer gels that can recognize and capture a target molecule by multiple-point interaction and that can reversibly change their affinity to the target by more than one order of magnitude. The polymers consist of majority monomers that make the gel reversibly swell and shrink and minority monomers that constitute multiple-point adsorption centers for the target molecule. Multiple-point interaction is experimentally proven by power laws found between the affinity and the concentration of the adsorbing monomers within the gels.     

Detection of infectious laryngotracheitis virus in trigeminal ganglia by avidin-biotin complex method in chickens: short communication

Detection of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) by avidin-biotin complex (ABC) method was studied in trigeminal ganglia (TRG) during the acute and post-acute or latent period in chickens inoculated with an A96 strain of the antigen. TRG tissue samples were collected from uninoculated (10 chickens) and inoculated (30 chickens) animals at various intervals post inoculation (PI), and stained by the ABC method. The results indicated that no ILTV antigen was detected in the TRG between PI days 3 and 11. However, the antigen was detected in most of the chickens between PI days 13 and 41. It is concluded that the ABC method can be used successfully for the detection of ILTV antigens in TRG during post-acute or latent period.     

Disinfectant tests at 20 and 10 degrees C to determine the virucidal activity against circoviruses

To evaluate virucidal activity against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), four disinfectants were tested under laboratory conditions. As basis to perform the testing the "Guidelines for testing chemical disinfectants" of the German Veterinary Association (DVG-guidelines) were applied. For simulation of field conditions, the tests were carried out in virus carrier tests, at 20 and 10 degrees C, and under protein load (40% foetal calf serum (FCS) in virus suspension). For disinfection of PCV2 at 20 degrees C an exposure time of 120 min in 2% Disinfectant 1 (20% glutaraldehyde, 12% 2-propenal, polymer with formaldehyde) or Disinfectant 2 (55% formic acid, 7% glyoxylic acid) was necessary. 1% of Disinfectant 3 (Component 1: Potassium peroxomonosulphate. Component 2: Active detergents) disinfected PCV2 on carriers within 180 min. After a reaction time of 120 min with 1% and 60 min with 2% Disinfectant 4 (21% glutaraldehyde, 17% formaldehyde) there could not be detected any virus. Reduction on effectivity through temperature reduction to 10 degrees C were more significant for aldehyde containing preparations Disinfectant 1 and Disinfectant 4 than for Disinfectant 2 and Disinfectant 3. These losses on effectivity could be corrected through extension of exposure time or increase of concentration.     

Molecular and pathological investigations of EHV-1 and EHV-4 infections in horses in Turkey

The aim of the present study was to investigate abortion storms that occurred in the Marmara region of Turkey in 2008-2009 using a real-time PCR. Two aborted foetuses were necropsied and histo-pathological findings reported herein. Ten lungs, 3 brains and one nasal swab from 10 aborted foetuses, 6 nasal swabs and 3 vaginal swabs from aborting mares were included in this study. EHV-1 was isolated from the lung, liver and brain of 1 aborted foetus. EHV-1 DNA was detected in the lungs, livers and spleens of 2 necropsied foetuses and in 3 lungs from 10 foetuses submitted for diagnosis. A brain from one of the aborted foetuses was also positive for EHV-1 DNA. EHV-4 DNA was detected only in a nasal swab of one of the tested foetuses. Neither EHV-1 nor EHV-4 DNA was detected in the swabs of aborting mares. Sequence analysis of the glycoprotein B of the strains was performed and a phylogenetic tree was generated. The results indicated that 4 of the 5 Turkish EHV-1 strains (TR02, TR03, TR04 and TR05) clustered together; the fifth strain (TR01) was slightly removed from the group and clustered with other EHV-1 from various origins. Single nucleotide polyporphism (SNP in ORF30) associated with neuropathogenesis was not detected in any of the strains. At necropsy, sub-milier focal necrosis in the liver and spleen was observed. Microscopically, focal coagulation necrosis and marked eosinophilic intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the hepatocytes localised around the necrotic areas in the liver. Severe coagulation necrosis in white pulp of the spleen was also observed.     

Estimates of phenotypic and genetic parameters for birth weight of Brown Swiss calves in Turkey using an animal model

A study was conducted to assess the influence of genetic and environmental factors on Brown Swiss calf birth weight, and to estimate variance components, genetic parameters, and breeding values. Data were collected on 1,761 Brown Swiss calves born from 1990 to 2005 in the Konuklar State Farm in Turkey. Mean birth weight for all calves was 39.3 ± 0.09 kg. Least squares mean birth weights for male and female Brown Swiss calves were 40.3 ± 0.02 and 39.0 ± 0.02 kg, respectively. Variance components, genetic parameters, and breeding values for birth weight in Brown Swiss calves were estimated by restricted error maximum likelihood (REML)–best linear unbiased prediction(BLUP) procedures using an MTDFREML (multiple trait derivative free restricted maximum likelihood) program employing an animal model. Direct heritability (h _d²), maternal heritability (h _m²), total heritability (h _T²), r _am and c _am estimates were 0.12, 0.09, 0.23, −0.58, and −0.06, respectively. The estimated maternal permanent environmental variance expressed as a proportion of the phenotypic variance (c ²) was 0.05. Breeding values were estimated for the trait and used to evaluate genetic trends across the time period investigated. The genetic trend linear regression was not different from zero. No genetic trend for birth weight was expected, since there had been no direct selection pressure on the trait. Absence of a trend confirms that there was no change due to selection pressure on correlated traits. Genetic and environmental parameter estimates were similar to literature values indicating that effective selection methods used in more developed improvement programs would be effective in Turkey as well.     

First Report on the Frequency and Molecular Detection of Neuropathogenic EHV-1 in Turkey

There has been an increase in outbreaks of neuropathogenic equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in the United States and Europe. However, the presence and frequency of neuropathogenic EHV-1 in Turkish horses are not known at present. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of EHV-1 and neuropathogenic strains of EHV-1 in the Marmara Region of Turkey. Samples were analyzed for the presence of EHV-1 and neuropathogenic EHV-1 by real-time PCR TaqMan probe assays. Overall detection rate of EHV-1 was 45.5% (51 of 112). The detection rates were 70.5% (24 of 34) in aborted fetuses, 53.3% (8 of 15) in neonatal deads, 66.6% (4 of 6) in foals, 40% (2 of 5) in dead mares, and 25% (13 of 52) in living mares. Overall detection rate of neuropathogenic EHV-1 was 7.8% (4 of 51), and the real-time PCR results were confirmed by sequencing. Neuropathogenic strains of EHV-1 were detected in the brain and lung of two mares with neurological disease but without a history of abortion, in the brain of a foal that died of respiratory disorder, and in the nasal swab from a mare with a history of abortion. On histopathology, nonpurulent meningoencephalitis, hemorrhages, and vasculitis were seen in the brain. In conclusion, results of this study indicated, for the first time, that the neuropathogenic EHV-1 is circulating in the Marmara Region of Turkey. The results of this study also show that the current risk for non-neuropathogenic strains is high, whereas risk for the neuropathogenic EHV-1-G₂₂₅₄ strain seems to be low. As outbreaks of EHV-1 continue in the Marmara region of Turkey, surveillance for neuropathogenic EHV-1 genotype should be maintained.     

Effect of timing of artificial insemination after synchronization of ovulation on reproductive performance in Holstein dairy cows

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of timing of artificial insemination on pregnancy rates, calving rates, abortion rates, twinning rates, and calf gender ratio after synchronization of ovulation with Ovsynch protocol in Holstein dairy cows. The ovulation of 219 lactating Holstein dairy cows was synchronized using the Ovsynch protocol. Therefore, cows received an injection of GnRH followed by an injection of prostaglandin F_2α 7 days later and a second treatment with GnRH 2 days later. Cows were artificially inseminated at 0, 12, or 24 h after the second injection of GnRH. Reproductive performance did not differ between cows inseminated at 0 h (n?=?82), 12 h (n?=?66), or 24 h (n?=?71) after the last injection of GnRH (pregnancy rate: 0 h 48 %, 12 h 47 %, 24 h 52 %; abortion rate: 0 h 5 %, 12 h 0 %, 24 h 11 %; calving rate: 0 h 43 %, 12 h 47 %, 24 h 41 %; twinning rate: 0 h 2 %, 12 h 0 %, 24 h 0 %; calf gender ratio (F/M): 0 h 61:39 %, 12 h 48:52 %, 24 h 39:61 %; P?>?0.05). Pregnancy rates for cows inseminated in postpartum times of 50–75, 76–100, and >100 days within the first and ≥3 parities were statistically similar (P?>?0.05), but pregnancy rates for cows inseminated at different postpartum times of 50–75, 76–100, and >100 days within the second parity were different (P?<?0.01). In general, pregnancy rates of cows inseminated at different postpartum times (P?<?0.01) and parities (P?<?0.001) differed. The findings of the current study showed that rates of pregnancy, abortion, calving, and twinning of Holstein dairy cows subjected to artificial insemination at different times after synchronization were similar. These results also indicate that the timing of artificial insemination after synchronization did not influence calf gender ratio. Furthermore, pregnancy rates of Holstein dairy cows inseminated after synchronization were significantly influenced by postpartum time and parity number.     

Endometrial adenocarcinoma in two young queens

Endometrial adenocarcinoma is described in two young intact female Persian cats presented with haemorrhagic vaginal discharge. The discharge had been present for 3 and 15 days in each case, respectively. On the basis of signalment, history, clinical, laboratory and diagnostic imaging findings a tentative diagnosis of pyometra was made in each cat and ovariohysterectomy was subsequently performed. Histological examination revealed endometrial adenocarcinoma in both cats together with ovarian luteal cysts and pyometra in one case. Immunohistochemistry revealed a diffuse and strongly positive reaction for oestrogen receptors in the nuclei of glandular epithelium in well‐differentiated areas of the neoplastic tissue. Poorly differentiated areas of solid growth pattern had weak and focal expression of oestrogen receptors. Furthermore, the neoplastic cells within these areas displayed moderate to strong diffuse nuclear staining with Ki‐67 antibody suggestive of a high proliferative capacity. The owners reported that the cats were clinically healthy 23 and 21 months after the surgery. These cases highlight the importance of histological examination of surgically resected tissue even when clinical signs and laboratory findings suggest pyometra.