The activation of the IFNβ induction/signaling pathway in porcine alveolar macrophages by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus is variable

Background

It has been recognized that the expression of type I interferon (IFNα/β) may be suppressed during infection with porcine reproductive, respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). This causes profound negative effects on both the innate and adaptive immunity of the host resulting in persistence of infection.

Objective

Test the effects of PRRSV infection of porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs), the main target cell, on the expression of interferon beta (IFNβ) and downstream signaling events.

Methods

In order to examine those effects, PAMs harvested from lungs of healthy PRRSV-free animals were infected with virulent, attenuated, infectious clone-derived chimeric viruses, or field PRRS virus strains. Culture supernatants from the infected PAMs were tested for IFNβ protein expression by means of indirect ELISA and for bioactivity by a vesicular stomatitis virus plaque reduction assay. The expression of the Mx protein was assayed to ascertain signaling events.

Results

These experiments demonstrated that PRRSV does induce variably, the expression of bioactive IFNβ protein in the natural host cell. To further elucidate the effects of PRRSV infection on IFNβ signaling, Mx-1 an interferon stimulated gene (ISG), was also tested for expression. Interestingly, Mx-1 expression by infected PAMs generally correlated with IFNβ production.

Conclusion

The results of this study demonstrate that the induction of IFNβ and signaling in PAMs after PRRSV infection is variable.

     

Identification of a target‐site mutation conferring resistance to triazine herbicides in oriental mustard (Sisymbrium orientale L.) from Australia

In southern Australia, oriental mustard (Sisymbrium orientale) has been controlled successfully by triazine herbicides for several decades. The screening of 40 populations that were collected from the southern grain belt of Australia during 2010 and 2013 for resistance to six different herbicides (glyphosate, diflufenican, imazamox, chlorsulfuron, atrazine and 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) identified two oriental mustard populations as highly resistant to atrazine. Compared to the known oriental mustard‐susceptible populations (S1 and S2), these two resistant populations (P17 and P18) from near Horsham, Victoria, Australia, were 311‐ and 315‐fold resistant to atrazine, as determined by a comparison of the LD₅₀ values. However, there was no resistance to diuron detected in these populations. Sequencing of the chloroplast psbA gene identified a missense mutation of serine 264 to glycine in both herbicide‐resistant oriental mustard populations, which is known to confer high‐level atrazine resistance in other species.     

Enhancing the effectiveness of biological control programs of invasive species through a more comprehensive pest management approach

Invasive species are one of the greatest economic and ecological threats to agriculture and natural areas in the US and the world. Among the available management tools, biological control provides one of the most economical and long‐term effective strategies for managing widespread and damaging invasive species populations of nearly all taxa. However, integrating biological control programs in a more complete integrated pest management approach that utilizes increased information and communication, post‐release monitoring, adaptive management practices, long‐term stewardship strategies, and new and innovative ecological and genetic technologies can greatly improve the effectiveness of biological control. In addition, expanding partnerships among relevant national, regional, and local agencies, as well as academic scientists and land managers, offers far greater opportunities for long‐term success in the suppression of established invasive species. In this paper we direct our recommendations to federal agencies that oversee, fund, conduct research, and develop classical biological control programs for invasive species. By incorporating these recommendations into adaptive management strategies, private and public land managers will have far greater opportunities for long‐term success in suppression of established invasive species. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Growth and fillet quality attributes of five genetic strains of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) reared in a partial water reuse system and harvested at different sizes

Genetics and harvest size influence fish growth performance and product quality attributes, making selection of fish strain and harvest size critical for optimizing quality. Definition of performance and quality outcomes in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) environment may guide selection of fish stocks best suited for RAS farmers to meet production and product quality goals. Accordingly, five genetic lines of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss were reared to 3 kg in a partial water reuse system and sampled at common harvest sizes (0.5, 1, 2 and 3 kg) to compare growth performance and product quality attributes. Fish weight affected fish processing yields and cook yields. Genetic line affected fish weight. When correcting for fish size, differences in fillet yields due to genetic line were present. Both fish weight and genetic line affected different organ indices, fillet colour scores and mortality. Muscle composition and texture were similar at each harvest, but changed with increasing fish size over time. Differences in growth performance and product quality traits due to genetic line identify variation in available fish stocks, and balancing change to these traits due to fish size can guide producer selection of fish stocks and optimal harvest size to meet individual production goals.     

Trade‐offs in triple‐bottom‐line outcomes when recovering fisheries

Almost all environmental management comes at an economic cost that may not be borne equitably by all stakeholders. Here, we investigate how heterogeneity in catch and profits among fishers influences the trade‐off among the triple‐bottom‐line objectives of recovering a fish population, maximizing its economic value and distributing restrictions equitably across fishers. As a case‐study, we examine management reform of an ecologically and economically important coral reef fishery operating within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Using a simulation model, we find that total profitability of the fishing industry is 40% lower if recovery plans are equitable when compared to the most economically efficient plan. However, efficient recovery plans were typically highly inequitable because they required some fishers to cease fishing. Equity was defined according to different norms, and the efficiency loss was greatest when catch losses were shared equally across fishers rather than in proportion to their historical catch. We then varied key social, economic and biological parameters to identify cases when equity and efficient recovery would trade‐off most strongly. Recovery plans could be both efficient and equitable when heterogeneity in fisher's catches and individual catch efficiencies was lower. If fishers were homogenous then equitable plans could have maximal economic efficiency. These results emphasize the importance of considering heterogeneity in individual fishers when designing recovery plans. Recovery plans that are inequitable may often fail to gain stakeholder support, so in fisheries with high heterogeneity we should temper our expectations for marked increases in profits.     

RESULTS OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN DOGS WITH SUSPECTED WOODEN FOREIGN BODIES

Detection of wooden foreign bodies in dogs can be challenging. A retrospective, cross‐sectional study was done to describe computed tomographic (CT) signs associated with wooden foreign bodies, and to estimate the accuracy of CT for detection of wooden foreign bodies. Patient records and CT images were reviewed for 72 dogs that had a history of suspected stick injury and CT of the affected body part, or possible wooden foreign object reported on CT, and had surgical exploration during the same period of hospitalization. Duration of clinical signs was acute in 48 (67%) dogs and chronic in 24 (33%). Wood was removed from 55 dogs, including a piece of a tree or shrub in 33 (60%) instances, kebab stick in 8 (15%), piece of bamboo garden cane in 2 (4%), cocktail stick in 2 (4%), thorn in 1 (2%), and unidentified wood in the remaining nine instances. Based on review of CT images with knowledge of the surgical findings, sensitivity of CT for wooden foreign bodies was 79% (95% CI 65%–89%), specificity 93% (78%–98%), positive likelihood ratio 11.5 (2.9–44.1), and negative likelihood ratio 0.23 (0.13–0.41). Wooden foreign bodies were predominantly rectangular or linear, with median length 48 mm (range 2–270 mm), median thickness 3 mm (range 1–22 mm), and median attenuation 111 HU (range ?344 to +640 HU). A CT finding of gas in soft tissues was significantly associated with acute cases, whereas suspected foreign material, cavitary lesions, fat stranding, and periosteal reaction on adjacent bones were associated with chronic cases.     

Presumptive keratoglobus in a great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)

A juvenile to young adult, male, great horned owl (Bubo virginianus,GHOW) was presented to the wildlife rehabilitation hospital at Lindsay Wildlife Museum (WRHLWM) due to trauma to the right patagium from barbed wire entanglement. On presentation, both corneas were irregular, dry, and no movement of the third eyelid was noted. A severe corneal enlargement/globoid appearance was the predominant ophthalmic feature. The fundus was normal in both eyes (OU). Over the course of several days, both corneas developed edema combined with further dessication at the ocular surface associated with diffuse dorsal fluorescein stain uptake. Repeated ophthalmic examinations found normal intraocular pressures and an inability to move the third eyelid over the enlarged corneas. The bird was deemed nonreleasable due to severe wing damage and poor prognosis associated with eye abnormalities and was humanely euthanized. Postmortem CT, enucleation, and histopathology were performed to evaluate the ocular anatomical abnormality and confirm the suspected diagnosis of keratoglobus. This GHOW represents the first reported case of presumptive keratoglobus in a raptor.     

The effect of experience,simulator-training and biometric feedback on manual ventilation technique

Objective

To determine the frequency of provision and main providers (veterinary surgeons, nurses or trainees) of manual ventilation in UK veterinary practices. Furthermore, to determine the variation in peak inspiratory (inflation) pressure (PIP), applied to a lung model during manual ventilation, by three different groups of operators (inexperienced, experienced and specialist), before and after training.