Detection of Trichinella murrelli in coyotes (Canis latrans) from Oklahoma and North Texas

We determined the prevalence and mean intensity of Trichinella sp. infection in coyotes from six counties in Oklahoma and one in northern Texas. Tongues from 77 coyotes were examined using histology and artificial tissue digestion. Histological examination showed a prevalence of 3.9% (3 of 77) whereas the prevalence was 6.5% (5 of 77) based on artificial digestion of 5.0 g of muscle from coyote tongues. One sample was positive for Trichinella sp. on histology but negative by artificial digestion. Combining data from both diagnostic techniques showed that six of 77 (7.8%) coyotes were infected with Trichinella spp. The mean intensity of Trichinella sp. larvae ranged from 0.2 to 66.2 with an average of 16.0 larvae per gram (LPG) of tongue. Genotyping results demonstrated that the coyotes were infected with Trichinella murrelli. This is the first report of T. murrelli infection in coyotes in Oklahoma. T. murrelli had previously been isolated from coyotes in Texas.     

Trichinella diagnostics and control: Mandatory and best practices for ensuring food safety

Because of its role in human disease, there are increasing global requirements for reliable diagnostic and control methods for Trichinella in food animals to ensure meat safety and to facilitate trade. Consequently, there is a need for standardization of methods, programs, and best practices used in the control of Trichinella and trichinellosis. This review article describes the biology and epidemiology of Trichinella, and describes recommended test methods as well as modified and optimized procedures that are used in meat inspection programs. The use of ELISA for monitoring animals for infection in various porcine and equine pre- and post-slaughter programs, including farm or herd certification programs is also discussed. A brief review of the effectiveness of meat processing methods, such as freezing, cooking and preserving is provided. The importance of proper quality assurance and its application in all aspects of a Trichinella diagnostic system is emphasized. It includes the use of international quality standards, test validation and standardization, critical control points, laboratory accreditation, certification of analysts and proficiency testing. Also described, are the roles and locations of international and regional reference laboratories for trichinellosis where expert advice and support on research and diagnostics are available.     

Anatomic variations of feline internal and external jugular veins

We evaluated 50 feline head and neck computed tomography examinations to determine the prevalence of vascular variation in the internal and external jugular veins. We identified three distinct anatomic conformations of the internal jugular vein. No variation of external jugular vein morphology was detected. Feline patients can have different internal jugular vein morphology that should be recognized for surgical planning.     

Citrus limonoids and their semisynthetic derivatives as antifeedant agents against Spodoptera frugiperda larvae. A structure-activity relationship study

The antifeedant activity of Citrus-derived limonoids limonin (1), nomilin (2), and obacunone (3) and their semisynthetic derivatives 4-26 was evaluated against a commercially important pest, Spodoptera frugiperda. Simple chemical conversions were carried out on the natural limonoids obtained from seeds of Citrus limon. These conversions focused on functional groups considered to be important for the biological activity, namely the C-7 carbonyl and the furan ring. In particular, reduction at C-7 afforded the related alcohols, and from these their acetates, oximes, and methoximes were prepared. Hydrogenation of the furan ring was also performed on limonin and obacunone. The known antifeedant properties of the Citrus limonoids are confirmed. Comparison with previously reported data shows that insect species vary in their behavioral responses to these structural modifications. Highly significant antifeedant activity (P < 0.01) for two natural (1 and 3) and three semisynthetic limonoids (4, 8, and 10) was observed against S. frugiperda.     

A new procedure to measure the antioxidant activity of insoluble food components

The measurement of antioxidant activity was limited to soluble components to date. Functional groups, which are bound to insoluble matters, may exert antioxidant activity by a surface reaction phenomenon. This hypothesis was tested on the insoluble matters of foods, food ingredients, and Maillard reaction products (MRPs). Insoluble matters were prepared by consecutive washes with water and methanol followed by a lyophilization of the insoluble residue. The measurement was performed by a new procedure using 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) colored radicals. These insoluble matters always showed antioxidant activity. Alkali hydrolysis reduced up to 90% the antioxidant activity of cereal-based insoluble matters, thus confirming that fiber-bound compounds have a major role in their antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of the insoluble MRPs was not significantly affected by processing conditions, but severe treatments increased the ratio between insoluble and soluble matters. The contribution of insoluble matter to total antioxidant activity was limited for fruits and vegetables, but it was relevant for cereal-based foods and increased over 50% for dietary-fiber-rich ingredients.     

Anisakidae infection in fish of the Aegean Sea

Nematode worms of the family Anisakidae are the causative agents of infections in humans when fish is consumed raw and of serious allergies up to the death, when fish is consumed raw or cooked by previously sensitized people. From April until November 2009, 462 fish belonging to 26 species, fished in three areas of the Aegean Sea were tested for Anisakidae larvae. Anisakidae larvae were detected in 87 (18.83%) fish of 13 species. These larvae were identified by morphology as the third-stage larvae of the genera Hysterothylacium sp. or Anisakis. Larvae of the genus Anisakis were identified by PCR-RFLP as belonging to A. simplex s.str., A. pegreffii, or as hybrids between A. simplex s.str and A. pegreffii.     

Combined interventional procedure and cardiopulmonary bypass surgery in a dog with cor triatriatum dexter,patent foramen ovale,and pulmonary stenosis

A 2‐year‐old American Pit Bull dog was presented for surgical evaluation of imperforate cor triatriatum dexter (CTD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO). Echocardiography identified an imperforate CTD associated with a right‐to‐left shunting PFO and valvular pulmonary stenosis. A 2‐step interventional and surgical approach was used. Initially, a pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty was performed, and subsequently the dog underwent a surgical correction of the atrial anomaly under cardiopulmonary bypass.