Measures preventing BSE-contamination during the slaughter of cattle

SRM-regulations and the prohibition of pithing have removed major risks of spreading BSE-infection. Traditional slaughter technology, especially captive bolt stunning, head handling and carcass splitting nevertheless still provide non-negligible risks for contamination with the BSE-agent if present in cattle, and should therefore be replaced by safer techniques. However, alternative methods like electrical stunning or removal of the spinal cord prior to splitting the carcass cannot yet be considered a reliable and practical option. Surface contamination could be prevented altogether by abandoning the practice of carcass splitting and by removing the vertebral column while still connected to the head, although this would result in disadvantages for post mortem inspection.     

Characterization of the in vitro adhesion of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae to swine alveolar epithelial cells

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae biovar 1 serotypes 2, 5a, 9 and 10 strains were tested for their ability to adhere to alveolar epithelial cells in culture. For the serotypes 5a, 9 and 10 strains, optimal adherence was observed after growth of bacterial cells in a NAD-restricted medium (0.001% NAD). This condition was also associated with the expression of a 55 kDa outer membrane protein (OMP) and of fimbriae. For the serotype 2 strain, adherence and expression of fimbriae and a 55 kDa OMP was less influenced by the growth conditions. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 55 kDa OMP had no homology with any known sequence, suggesting that it is an as yet unknown protein. Adherence capabilities were significantly reduced following treatment of the bacteria with proteolytic enzymes or heat. These findings suggest that proteins are involved in adhesion. The hydrophobic bond-breaking agent tetramethylurea was unable to inhibit the adherence of A. pleuropneumoniae to alveolar epithelial cells. Treatment of the bacteria with sodium metaperiodate resulted in lower adhesion scores for the serotypes 2 and 9 strains but the inhibition of adhesion was clearly lower than after treatment with proteolytic enzymes. This indicates that, besides proteins, carbohydrates might also be involved in adhesion of A. pleuropneumoniae to alveolar epithelial cells. The finding that inhibition of adhesion was very high when bacteria were treated with a combination of sodium metaperiodate and pronase also suggests that more than one adhesin is involved.     

Further identification of races of Cladosporium fulvum (Fulvia fulva) on tomato originating from the Netherlands France and Poland

Races ofCladosporium fulvum, which can overcome the resistance of the genes Cf₂, Cf₄, Cf₅, Cf₈, Cf₉ and Cf₁₁ have appeared in the Netherlands, France and Poland. Known isolates from the Netherlands and France and three new isolates from Poland have been investigated for the presence of virulence genes using a set of genotypes carrying resistance genes Cf₂ to Cf₁₁.Several Dutch isolates of races, earlier designated as 2.4, 2.4.5 and 2.4.5.9, were found to break down the resistance gene Cf₁₁. These races must therefore be designated as 2.4.11, 2.4.5.11 and 2.4.5.9.11 respectively. In the new Polish isolates virulence genes, overcoming the resistance genes Cf₂, Cf₄, Cf₈, Cf₉ and Cf₁₁ were found. Since all races able to grow on genotypes with Cf₄, could also grow on genotypes carrying Cf₈, it was impossible to discriminate between the genes Cf₄ and Cf₈. These Polish isolates were designated as races 4.11, 2.4.11 and 2.4.9.11. The consequences of the occurrence of these races for tomato breeding are discussed.Samenvatting Fysio's vanCladosporium fulvum, die de resistentie-genen Cf₂, Cf₄, Cf₅, Cf₈, Cf₉ en Cf₁₁ kunnen doorbreken, zijn in Nederland, Frankrijk en Polen opgetreden. Met behulp van een groep genotypen, die de resistentie genen Cf₂ tot en met Cf₁₁ dragen, zijn Nederlandse, Franse en enkele nieuwe Poolse isolaten onderzocht op de aanwezigheid van virulentiegenen. Enkele Nederlandse isolaten, eerder aangeduid met 2.4, 2.4.5. en 2.4.5.9, bleken het resistentie-gen Cf₁₁ te kunnen doorbreken. Deze moeten daarom aangeduid worden als respectievelijk 2.4.11, 2.4.5.11 en 2.4.5.9.11. In de nieuwe Poolse isolaten werd virulentie gevonden voor Cf₂, Cf₄, Cf₈, Cf₉ en Cf₁₁. Alle fysio's die op genotypen met Cf₄ konden groeien, groeiden ook op genotypen met Cf₈. Daarom kon geen ondersheid gemaakt worden tussen Cf₄ en Cf₈. De Poolse isolaten behoren tot de fysio's 4.11, 2.4.11 en 2.4.9.11. De gevolgen van het voorkomen van deze fysio's voor de tomateveredeling worden besproken.     

An unusual form of canine babesiosis

An Akita Inu, living in Belgium, was presented with unusual clinical manifestations of acute babesiosis that included neurological signs and pancytopenia. Diagnosis was made by identifying Babesia canis in the blood smear. Neurological signs resolved after treatment with imidocarb diproprionate. Normalization of hematological abnormalities was gradual over 5 months.     

Quality of Filleted Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber Scombrus) During Chilled and Frozen Storage: Changes in Lipids,Vitamin D,Proteins, and Small Metabolites,including Biogenic Amines

Quality changes of vacuum-packed Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) fillets during 12 months’ frozen storage at ?27°C and 9 days’ chilled storage at +4°C were evaluated. Freezing at ?27°C preserved the long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFAs), both in light and dark muscle, vitamin D, and the low molecular weight metabolites (LMW) (studied by high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, HR NMR). Protein oxidation took place, especially between 1 and 7 months, decreasing water holding capacity and protein extractability. During chilled storage, no lipid or protein oxidation was observed, but lipolysis increased, and several LMW metabolites relevant for sensory and nutritional quality degraded into non-favorable compounds. The content of biogenic amines was high at day 9 (e.g., 18 mg histamine/100 g), jeopardizing safety. Preservation of mackerel fillets by freezing at ?27°C is thus a better option compared to prolonged chilled storage at +4°C; the quality was well preserved for 12 months’ frozen storage.     

Long photoperiod delayed spawning and increased somatic growth in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

The effects of extended photoperiods, mimicking the longest day of the year, were studied in 1- and 2-year seabream. The photoperiod regimes started in late July, 36 and 39 days after the summer solstice and continued for 11 months, well beyond the natural reproductive season of December–March. Regime 1 (long day, 15.5L:8.5D), which used natural and fluorescent light, reduced the incidence of maturity in both year classes and females did not spawn although some gonadal development was observed. Among all 1-year sampled fish of regime 1, a maximum of 5% became spermiating males (March) and 5% reached the yolk granule stage of vitellogenesis (VO3; 250–400 μm diameter) by May. Among 2-year sampled fish of regime 1, 45% became spermiating males and 25% were females, which reached the advanced vitellogenesis stage (VO4; 400–600 μm) by April. Regime 2 (skeleton photoperiod), consisting of natural light and a 1.5-h pulse of fluorescent light during the period 14–15.5 h after sunrise, postponed gonadal development and spawning for up to 3 months. In this regime, a maximum of 80% of 1-year sampled fish were spermiating males in February and a maximum of 10% were VO3 stage females in March. In the sampled 2-year fish, the maximum levels were 50% spermiating males in February and 25% VO3 stage females in March. Control fish, which were exposed to the natural photoperiod (29°34′N), spawned during their natural season. The maximum levels for 1-year sampled control fish were 95% spermiating males and no females in December, while among 2-year sampled fish, maxima of 75% males in February and 45% VO4 stage females in November. Final average weights of photoperiod treated fish (1-year=430 g—regime 1, 400 g—regime 2; 2-year=582 g—regime 1, 518 g—regime 2) were significantly greater (p<0.05) than control fish (1-year=341 g; 2-year=476 g). Daily feed consumption (g/100 g fish) dropped from an average of 1.83 to 0.93 g for 1-year fish during August–December and from 0.88 to 0.54 g for 2-year fish during the same period. This was correlated with reduced autumn and winter water temperatures (26–20°C summer to winter change) and increased fish weight in all treatments. Daily feed consumption was also affected by the onset of spawning in the control and regime 2 (skeleton photoperiod) treatments of both 1- and 2-year fish. The efficiency of feed utilization (FCR) and protein and energy retention were all affected by the photoperiod regimes and followed the same pattern of decrease as weight gain, regime 1 (long day)>regime 2 (skeleton photoperiod)>control.     

Marine recreational fishing and the implications of climate change

Marine recreational fishing is popular globally and benefits coastal economies and people's well‐being. For some species, it represents a large component of fish landings. Climate change is anticipated to affect recreational fishing in many ways, creating opportunities and challenges. Rising temperatures or changes in storms and waves are expected to impact the availability of fish to recreational fishers, through changes in recruitment, growth and survival. Shifts in distribution are also expected, affecting the location that target species can be caught. Climate change also threatens the safety of fishing. Opportunities may be reduced owing to rougher conditions, and costs may be incurred if gear is lost or damaged in bad weather. However, not all effects are expected to be negative. Where weather conditions change favourably, participation rates could increase, and desirable species may become available in new areas. Drawing on examples from the UK and Australia, we synthesize existing knowledge to develop a conceptual model of climate‐driven factors that could impact marine recreational fisheries, in terms of operations, participation and motivation. We uncover the complex pathways of drivers that underpin the recreational sector. Climate changes may have global implications on the behaviour of recreational fishers and on catches and local economies.