Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry fingerprinting of Brazilian artisan cachaça aged in different wood casks

We have investigated the capability of direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in the negative ion mode, ESI(-)-MS, to differentiate representative samples of artisan cacha?a, a Brazilian sugar cane distillate of large production, aged in four different types of wood casks: amburana (Amburana cearensis), jequitibA (Cariniana estrellensis), balm (Myroxylon peruiferum), and oak (Quercus rubra). The ESI(-)-MS were found to be very characteristic, showing sets of diagnostic ions for each of the four types of samples: amburana (m/z 271, 313, 377), jequitibA (m/z 143, 171, 255), balm (m/z 137, 269, 283, 297), and oak (m/z 197, 301, 307). Furthermore, principal component (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), applied to the ESI(-)-MS data, divided these samples into four definite categories. The influence of the aging time on the ESI(-)-MS fingerprints of the cacha?a samples stored in oak casks was also established. An inversion in the relative intensity of the diagnostic ions of m/z 307 and 301 is detected in the ESI(-)-MS as the aging time increased from 1 to 2 years. The chemical structures of the major cacha?a components were proposed on the basis of the following: (a) the comparison of the ESI(-)-MS/MS of the diagnostic anions with those of the authentic anions or (b) the interpretation of the fragmentation patterns of the previously unknown diagnostic anions. Hence, direct infusion ESI(-)-MS allows not only a rapid, simple, and accurate way to distinguish among cacha?a samples stored in different wood casks but also monitoring changes in their chemical composition according to the aging time.     

Comparative study of virgin olive oil behavior under Rancimat accelerated oxidation conditions and long-term room temperature storage

Oxidative stability should be one of the most important quality markers of edible oils; nevertheless, it is not recognized as a legal parameter. The results reported in this study highlight the differences in the olive oil oxidation process under Rancimat accelerated conditions with respect to long-term storage at room temperature and clearly show the lack of correlation between shelf life and the Rancimat induction period. A better correlation, although not yet satisfactory, was found when the same oxidation end-point was used in both assays. The parameter K 270, a marker of secondary oxidation products, was the first index to reach the established upper legal limit under Rancimat conditions, whereas at 25 degrees C it was an index of primary oxidation products ( K 232). Furthermore, the ratio of oxidation rate at Rancimat conditions to oxidation rate at 25 degrees C was more than double for secondary oxidation products compared with primary ones. Notable differences were also observed in degradation rates of the different unsaturated fatty acids and in rates of formation of polar oxidation compounds. Moreover, under the Rancimat conditions antioxidants such as o-diphenols and alpha-tocopherol rapidly depleted, and when they had practically disappeared, there was a sharp increase in oxidation indices, such as peroxide value, and in oxidation products. At 25 degrees C, on the other hand, the depletion was much lower.     

Doubled haploids in tropical maize: <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">II</Emphasis>. Quantitative genetic parameters for testcross performance

Single crosses (SC) of elite inbreds and open-pollinated populations (OP) are suitable source germplasm for doubled haploid (DH) line development in hybrid maize breeding, given that they combine a high population mean ([`(x)] \overline{x} ) for testcross performance with adequate response to selection ( \Updelta G \Updelta G ). This is the first study reporting testcross grain yield (TCGY) and dry matter content (TCDMC) evaluations of 131 DH lines developed from ten tropical source germplasm comprising five OP (OP1–OP5) and five SC (SC1–SC5). Gene diversity (d) and the average number of alleles (a <sub>r</sub> ) per locus was estimated for DH lines based on 24 simple sequence repeat markers. Analysis across three environments revealed no significant differences between [`(x)] \overline{x} of OP- and SC-derived DH lines for TCGY and TCDMC. Significant genetic variance for both traits was only detected among OP-derived DH lines which may be explained by a larger number of segregating quantitative trait loci (QTL) as suggested by higher d and a _r values than in SC-derived DH lines. The usefulness criterion ( U = [`(x)] + \Updelta G U = \overline{x} + \Updelta G ) was higher for OP-derived DH lines for TCDMC, but higher for SC-derived DH lines for TCGY. DH lines from OP1, OP2, and OP3 showed high TCGY, suggesting that they may be useful in tropical hybrid breeding. We conclude that tropical OP represent a valuable source of untapped genetic variation that can efficiently be exploited with DH technology for hybrid maize breeding.     

Echinococcus multilocularis in dogs from two French endemic areas: no evidence of infection but hazardous deworming practices

The life cycle of the zoonotic parasite Echinococcus multilocularis is predominantly sylvatic, involving foxes as definitive hosts infected by predation of rodents, the intermediate hosts. The North-Eastern French departments of Meuse and Haute-Sa?ne are highly endemic, with an estimated fox prevalence of 41% and 36% respectively. Although most of the parasites' biomass occurs in foxes, domestic dogs can also be infected, leading to a major risk of human infection due to the close proximity of dogs and owners. In the present study, dog faeces were collected after praziquantel treatment provided by veterinarians. In all, 860 faecal samples were collected throughout Meuse (n=493) and Haute-Sa?ne (n=367). Intestinal helminth eggs were isolated from the faeces using a flotation technique and observed by microscopy. Parasite species were identified in samples positive for taeniid eggs by sequence analysis after PCR amplification. To study the factors associated with infestation, each sample was linked to a questionnaire filled in by the dog owners. Taeniid eggs were observed in seven faecal samples (0.8%) but none of them were positive for E. multilocularis. Thus, the apparent prevalence of E. multilocularis in dog populations is lower than 1.00% for Haute-Sa?ne and lower than 0.75% for Meuse. In Haute-Sa?ne, a high proportion of dogs observed suspected preying on rodents were not dewormed monthly. In endemic areas, these dogs must be considered at risk of transmitting E. multilocularis to humans.     

Developments in undergraduate teaching of small-animal soft-tissue surgical skills at the University of Sydney

This article discusses recent developments in soft-tissue surgery teaching at the University of Sydney, Faculty of Veterinary Science. An integrated teaching program was developed for Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) students with the aim of providing them with optimal learning opportunities to meet "Day One" small-animal soft-tissue surgical competencies. Didactic lectures and tutorials were introduced earlier into the curriculum to prepare students for live-animal surgery practical. In addition to existing clinics, additional spay/neuter clinics were established in collaboration with animal welfare organizations to increase student exposure to live-animal surgery. A silicon-based, life-like canine ovariohysterectomy model was developed with the assistance of a model-making and special effects company. The model features elastic ovarian pedicles and suspensory ligaments, which can be stretched and broken like those of an actual dog. To monitor the volume and type of student surgical experience, an E-portfolio resource was established. This resource allows for the tracking of numbers of live, student-performed desexing surgeries and incorporates competency-based assessments and reflective tasks to be completed by students. Student feedback on the integrated surgical soft-tissue teaching program was assessed. Respondents were assessed in the fourth year of the degree and will have further opportunities to develop Day One small-animal soft-tissue surgical competencies in the fifth year. Ninety-four percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they were motivated to participate in all aspects of the program, while 78% agreed or strongly agreed that they received an adequate opportunity to develop their skills and confidence in ovariohysterectomy or castration procedures through the fourth-year curriculum.     

Type III hemifacial microsomia in a kitten

The case described herein presented with craniofacial malformations resembling hemifacial microsomia (HFM), a congenital disorder described in humans. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of HFM in a domestic cat.     

Antimicrobial drug resistance as determined by the E-test in Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli, and C. lari isolates from the ceca of broiler and layer chickens in Grenada

One hundred and twenty five chickens from Grenada, consisting of 77 broilers and 48 layers were examined for carriage of thermophilic campylobacters in their ceca by culture. Seventy nine percent of chickens were positive for campylobacters, with an isolation rate of 93.5% for broilers and 56.3% for layers, the difference being significant. Sixty-four pure cultures comprising 39 Campylobacter coli, 21 Campylobacter jejuni, and 4 Campyilobacter lari isolates were tested for their resistance against 7 antibiotics using the E-test. None of the isolates were resistant to chloramphenicol and gentamicin. Resistance rates to other drugs were: ampicillin, 9.4%; ciprofloxacin, 12.5%; erythromycin, 3.1%; metronidazole, 9.4%, and tetracycline, 50% with MICs of >or=256 microg/mL for tetracycline. There were no significant differences in resistance rates between C. coli and C. jejuni. Multiple resistance to >or=2 drugs was seen in 15.6% of total isolates. All C. lari isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin, and 3 of 4 isolates had multiple drug resistance. Overall, erythromycin, which is the drug of choice for treatment of Campylobacter infections in humans, is effective in vitro against 97% of chicken isolates in Grenada.     

Establishing a cost-effective national surveillance system for Bluetongue using scenario tree modelling

Vector-borne diseases pose a special challenge to veterinary authorities due to complex and time-consuming surveillance programs taking into account vector habitat. Using stochastic scenario tree modelling, each possible surveillance activity of a future surveillance system can be evaluated with regard to its sensitivity and the expected cost. The overall sensitivity of various potential surveillance systems, composed of different combinations of surveillance activities, is calculated and the proposed surveillance system is optimized with respect to the considered surveillance activities, the sensitivity and the cost. The objective of this project was to use stochastic scenario tree modelling in combination with a simple cost analysis in order to develop the national surveillance system for Bluetongue in Switzerland. This surveillance system was established due to the emerging outbreak of Bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) in Northern Europe in 2006. Based on the modelling results, it was decided to implement an improved passive clinical surveillance in cattle and sheep through campaigns in order to increase disease awareness alongside a targeted bulk milk testing strategy in 200 dairy cattle herds located in high-risk areas. The estimated median probability of detection of cases (i.e. sensitivity) of the surveillance system in this combined approach was 96.4%. The evaluation of the prospective national surveillance system predicted that passive clinical surveillance in cattle would provide the highest probability to detect BTV-8 infected animals, followed by passive clinical surveillance in sheep and bulk milk testing of 200 dairy cattle farms in high-risk areas. This approach is also applicable in other countries and to other epidemic diseases.     

Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in horses in Saskatchewan,Alberta, and British Columbia

This study estimated the prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in nasal swabs of 458 horses in western Canada. The rate of colonization was 1.3% ± 5.84% [95% confidence interval (CI)], a rate similar to those reported elsewhere. Colonization tended to be transient and seemed unrelated to stress or administration of antimicrobials. Five of the 6 isolates were Canadian epidemic MRSA-5, a human clone that appears to predominate in horses in North America. The other isolate was spa type 539 (t034), a sequence type 398 strain, and this is the first report of this clone in horses in North America. Surveillance is warranted because of the potential of MRSA to cause disease in horses and humans.     

Comparison of agar gel immunodiffusion test, rapid slide agglutination test, microbiological culture and PCR for the diagnosis of canine brucellosis

The performance of the rapid slide agglutination test, with and without 2-mercaptoethanol (RSAT and 2ME-RSAT) and agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) was evaluated for the diagnosis of brucellosis in naturally infected dogs. The microbiological culture, PCR and clinical parameters were used as reference. A total of 167 dogs were clinically examined and tested by blood culture, culture of semen/vaginal swab and PCR in blood and semen/vaginal swab. According to the results observed the 167 dogs were divided into three groups: Brucella canis infected dogs (Group 1), B. canis non-infected dogs (Group 2) and dogs with suspected brucellosis (Group 3). The dogs were then tested by RSAT, 2ME-RSAT and AGID. Groups 1 and 2 were used to calculate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the serological tests and the results observed in Group 3 were also discussed. The diagnostic sensitivity of RSAT, 2ME-RSAT and AGID was respectively 70.58%, 31.76%, and 52.94%. The diagnostic specificity of RSAT, 2ME-RSAT and AGID was respectively 83.34%, 100%, and 100%. In dogs with suspected brucellosis 15% were RSAT positive, none was 2ME-RSAT positive and 5% were AGID positive. Although the serological tests are the most commonly used methods for brucellosis diagnosis, a significant proportion of false-negative results were observed highlighting the importance of the direct methods of diagnosis, like blood culture and PCR to improve the diagnosis of canine brucellosis.