Immunologic responses and reproductive outcomes following exposure to wild-type or attenuated porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in swine under field conditions

OBJECTIVE: To compare immunologic responses and reproductive outcomes in sows housed under field conditions following controlled exposure to a wild-type strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV strain WTV) or vaccination with a modified-live virus (MLV) vaccine. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. ANIMALS: 30 PRRSV-na?ve 10-week-old female pigs. PROCEDURE: Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses were monitored while pigs were held in isolation for 84 days after inoculation with the WTV strain (n = 10), inoculation with the WTV strain and 42 days later vaccination with a killed-virus vaccine (10), or vaccination with an MLV vaccine (10). Reproductive outcomes were measured after pigs were released into the farm herd. RESULTS: Inoculation with the WTV strain, regardless of whether a killed-virus vaccine was subsequently administered, elicited faster and more substantial production of strain-specific neutralizing antibodies, as well as a more rapid generation of interferon-gamma secreting cells, than did vaccination with the MLV vaccine. Despite the enhanced immune responses in pigs inoculated with the WTV strain, animals vaccinated with the MLV vaccine produced a mean of 2.45 more pigs than did sows exposed to the WTV strain, mainly because of a lower rate for failure to conceive. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that current assays of immunity to PRRSV correlate only imperfectly with degree of clinical protection and that the practice of controlled exposure of sows to a circulating PRRSV strain should be reconsidered in light of negative clinical outcomes.     

Evaluation of a balloon constant rate infusion system for treatment of septic arthritis, septic tenosynovitis, and contaminated synovial wounds: 23 cases (2002-2005)

OBJECTIVE-To determine clinical findings and outcome in horses treated by means of a balloon constant rate infusion system. DESIGN-Retrospective case series. ANIMALS-23 horses. PROCEDURES-Medical records of horses examined at The Ohio State University veterinary teaching hospital from 2002 to 2005 that had septic arthritis, septic tenosynovitis, or penetration of a synovial structure and in which treatment involved a balloon constant rate infusion system were searched. Information pertaining to signalment, history, physical examination findings, clinicopathologic data, treatment, and duration of hospitalization was recorded. RESULTS-Mean+/- SD duration of hospitalization was 11.5+/-5.26 days. No correlation between duration of clinical signs and duration of hospitalization or duration of infusion pump use was detected, but correlations between WBC count and duration of hospitalization and WBC and duration of infusion-pump use were observed. All horses survived to discharge. Follow-up information was obtained on 17 horses, 16 of which were alive at the time of follow-up. Twelve of 13 horses for which followup information was available for at least 5 months were alive 5 months or longer after discharge. Thirteen of the 16 horses alive at follow-up were reported by owners as not lame, whereas the remaining 3 were mildly lame or intermittently moderately lame or had developed angular limb deformity in the contralateral limb. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE-Balloon constant rate infusion systems may be used effectively in treatment of septic arthritis, septic tenosynovitis, and contaminated synovial wounds. Clinical response and long-term outcome appeared to be comparable to results obtained with other techniques.     

Protection against Toxoplasma gondii brain cyst formation in mice immunized with Toxoplasma gondii cytoskeleton proteins and Lactobacillus casei as adjuvant

The aim of the study was to evaluate the protection generated in mice against Toxoplasma gondii brain cyst burden by vaccination with T. gondii cytoskeleton proteins using Lactobacillus casei as adjuvant. One hundred and sixty-eight NIH mice were randomly allocated into eight groups of 21 mice each. Animals were immunized as follows: in group 1 with Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA) in Freund's modified adjuvant, containing L. casei (FMA), in group 2 with Toxoplasma cytoskeleton proteins (TCPs) in FMA, in group 3 with FMA, in group 4 with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), in group 5 with L. casei dead by heath (Lc), in group 6 with Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA), in group 7 with TLA in FCA, and in group 8 with TCP in FCA. Mean brain cyst burden (±S.E.M.) was assessed in mice 8 weeks after challenge with T. gondii Me49 strain (20 cysts per mouse). The percentages of reduction in cyst burden per brain (P < 0.01) as compared with the group 4 (control: mean 3181 ± 97.5) were 77.25% (724 ± 98) in group 1, 88.02% (381 ± 97.5) in group 2, 38.92% (1943 ± 130.3) in group 3, 44.31% (1771.4 ± 102) in group 5, 59.28% (1295.2 ± 99.1) in group 7 and 55.69% (1409.5 ± 89.9) in group 8. In order of importance, the best protection was obtained in groups 2, 1, 7, 8, 5 and 3. Noticeably the mice inoculated with L. casei alone showed a significant reduction in T. gondii brain cysts (P < 0.01), while those animals treated with FCA alone did not. Additionally, IgM anti-T. gondii antibody levels, as determined by ELISA 2 weeks after challenge, were highest in group 2 (P < 0.01) than in the other seven groups. Results suggest that T. gondii cytoskeleton proteins with L. casei as adjuvant constitute a good anti-toxoplasmosis vaccine candidate.     

Bilateral juvenile renal dysplasia in a Norwegian Forest Cat

Renal dysplasia is defined as a condition of disorganised development of renal parenchyma due to abnormal differentiation. The case of a 5-month-old intact male Norwegian Forest Cat with a history of polyuria and polydipsia is reported. Ultrasonographic examination showed a slight enlargement of kidneys. Biochemical parameters, haematological examinations and clinical signs were compatible with chronic renal failure (CRF). Histological examination was correlated with a primary tubular disorganisation and modification of glomerular compartment. The clinical history together with the histological lesions is consistent with bilateral juvenile renal dysplasia in this cat. To our knowledge, feline renal dysplasia has been reported in fetal infections with panleukopenia virus; no reports indicate the idiopathic origin in feline dysplastic lesions.     

Sensitivity of CERES-Maize simulated yields to uncertainty in soil properties and daily solar radiation

The sensitivity of CERES-Maize yield predictions to uncertainty in a set of soil-related parameters and solar radiation was evaluated in Pergamino, in the Argentine Pampas. Maize yields were simulated for Pergamino using a 31 years climatic record for a range of values of a group of important model input variables. The input variables considered (and the range evaluated) were: soil nitrogen content at sowing (from 20 to 80 Kg ha⁻¹), soil organic matter content (from 1.75% to 4%), soil water storage capacity (from 150 to 200 mm), soil water content at sowing (from 50% to 100% of total available water), soil infiltration curve number (from 76 to 82) and daily solar radiation (from −20% to 12% of the historical values). Then, a sensitivity analysis using a combination of mathematical and graphical approaches was performed to evaluate the model response to changes in the values of the input variables considered. Moreover, a simplified method based on the evaluation of the model sensitivity at extreme values of the input variables is proposed to evaluate the model non-linear responses with a reduced number of runs. Under the scenario evaluated, representative of the typical maize productions systems of the Argentine Pampas, the model results showed higher sensitivity to changes in radiation (normalized sensitivity were −0.69 and 0.45 for rainfed and irrigated conditions, respectively) than for the soil variables (normalized sensitivity ranged from 0.20 to 0.28). The CERES-Maize model was found to have similar sensitivity for the different soil inputs. Furthermore, some of the variables evaluated (soil curve number, soil water content at sowing and radiation under rainfed conditions) showed an important non-linear response.     

PH—Postharvest Technology: Automatic Jalapeño Chilli Grading by Width

Jalapeño chilli is a variety grown extensively in Mexico consumed by almost all the population. It has a high processing demand and proper sorting is required before filling or canning. A sorter that classifies chilli by three different width sizes was built. The conveyor used baby suckers to align each chilli during sensing. Chilli width was determined by means of a photodiode scanner, which detected the incoming radiation sent by a laser line generator. Chillies presenting necrosis were detected with a radiometer and removed to increase product quality. The accuracy on the necrosis detection and width classification was of 96·3 and 87%, respectively.     

Effect of processing techniques at industrial scale on orange juice antioxidant and beneficial health compounds

Phenolic compounds, vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid and L-dehydroascorbic acid), and antioxidant capacity were evaluated in orange juices manufactured by different techniques. Five processes at industrial scale (squeezing, mild pasteurization, standard pasteurization, concentration, and freezing) used in commercial orange juice manufacturing were studied. In addition, domestic squeezing (a hand processing technique) was compared with commercial squeezing (an industrial FMC single-strength extraction) to evaluate their influences on health components of orange juice. Whole orange juice was divided into soluble and cloud fractions after centrifugation. Total and individual phenolics were analyzed in both fractions by HPLC. Commercial squeezing extracted 22% more phenolics than hand squeezing. The freezing process caused a dramatic decrease in phenolics, whereas the concentration process caused a mild precipitation of these compounds to the juice cloud. In pulp, pasteurization led to degradation of several phenolic compounds, that is, caffeic acid derivatives, vicenin 2 (apigenin 6,8-di-C-glucoside), and narirutin (5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavanone-7-rutinoside) with losses of 34.5, 30.7, and 28%, respectively. Regarding vitamin C, orange juice produced by commercial squeezing contained 25% more of this compound than domestic squeezing. Mild and standard pasteurization slightly increased the total vitamin C content as the contribution from the orange solids parts, whereas concentration and freezing did not show significant changes. The content of L-ascorbic acid provided 77-96% of the total antioxidant capacity of orange juice. Mild pasteurization, standard pasteurization, concentration, and freezing did not affect the total antioxidant capacity of juice, but they did, however, in pulp, where it was reduced by 47%.     

Water-Sediment Exchange of Nutrients During Early Diagenesis and Resuspension of Anoxic Sediments from the Northern Adriatic Sea Shelf

This paper presents the results of a study on nutrient exchange at the sediment-water interface which is caused by early diagenesis and resuspension of bottom sediments. The research was carried out on anoxic silty-clay sediment cores collected south of the Po river delta (Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy) in late summer. The early diagenetic processes were investigated by means of the integrated study of pore-water chemistry and solid phase composition. Exchange at the sediment-water interface was studied by comparing the fluxes measured in incubated cores with the fluxes calculated by modelling pore-water profiles. Nutrient exchange during resuspension was analysed by simulating a storm event in the laboratory. The high production of nutrients near the sediment-water interface is mainly caused by the anoxic degradation of organic matter and the successive reductions of Mn and Fe-oxyhydroxides and, to a lesser extent, of sulphate. The oxic degradation of organic matter occurs only at the sediment-water interface. In the incubation experiment the increases of phosphate, ammonia, nitrate, silica, and Fe in bottom waters were measured. The comparison between calculated and measured fluxes showed that: a) the fluxes are mainly controlled by molecular diffusion; b) phosphate and Fe sink because of the Fe-oxyhydroxide precipitation and nitrification process influences the ammonia and nitrate fluxes. Resuspension caused the release of: a) phosphate through surficial desorption and authigenic apatite dissolution; b) ammonia by means of the oxic degradation of organic matter; and c) dissolved silica generated by biogenic silica dissolution. Resuspension also caused a weak removal of Fe. The more oxic conditions following resuspension favoured the formation of a Fe-oxyhydroxide film at the sediment-water interface which inhibited the phosphate fluxes from sediments to the water column.     

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) byproducts as a potential source of health-promoting antioxidant phenolics

The present study reports a fast, economical, and feasible way to extract antioxidant phenolics from artichoke byproducts: raw artichoke (RA), blanched (thermally treated) artichoke (BA), and artichoke blanching waters (ABW). These byproducts represent a huge amount of discarded material in some industries. Two protocols, with possible industrial applicability, based on both methanol and water extractions were used. Phenolic contents (expressed as caffeic acid derivatives) (grams per 100 g of dry extract) were 15.4 and 9.9 for RA when extracted with methanol and water, respectively; 24.3 and 10.3 for BA when extracted with methanol and water, respectively; and finally, 11.3 g of phenolics/100 mL of ABW. Therefore, methanol extracts yielded more phenolics than water extracts, especially when BA byproducts were used. The higher amount of phenolics in BA could be due to the inactivation of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) at the industrial scale (due to blanching process), avoiding PPO-catalyzed oxidation of these phenolics, a phenomenon that could occur in RA byproducts. Artichoke extracts from industrial byproducts showed a high free radical scavenging activity (versus both DPPH* and ABTS*+ radicals) as well as capacity to inhibit lipid peroxidation (ferric thiocyanate method). According to these results, the use of artichoke extracts from industrial byproducts as possible ingredients to functionalize foodstuffs (to decrease lipid peroxidation and to increase health-promoting properties) is suggested.     

Quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) fruit (pulp, peel, and seed) and Jam: antioxidant activity

To study the antioxidant activity of quince fruit (pulp, peel, and seed) and jam, methanolic extracts were prepared. Each extract was fractionated into a phenolic fraction and an organic acid fraction and was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/diode array detection and HPLC/UV, respectively. Antiradical activities of the extracts and fractions were evaluated by a microassay using 1,1'-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. The phenolic fraction always exhibited a stronger antioxidant activity than the whole methanolic extract. Organic acid extracts were always the weakest in terms of antiradical activity, which seems to indicate that the phenolic fraction gives a higher contribution for the antioxidant potential of quince fruit and jam. The evaluation of the antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts showed that peel extract was the one presenting the highest antioxidant capacity. The IC50 values of quince pulp, peel, and jam extracts were correlated with the caffeoylquinic acids total content. Among the phenolic fractions, the seed extract was the one that exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity. The IC50 values of quince pulp, peel, and jam phenolic extracts were strongly correlated with caffeoylquinic acids and phenolics total contents. For organic acid fractions, the peel extract was the one that had the strongest antiradical activity. The IC50 values of quince pulp, peel, and jam organic acid fractions were correlated with the ascorbic acid and citric acid contents.