Immunogenic and protective properties of GP5 and M structural proteins of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus expressed from replicating but nondisseminating adenovectors

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is responsible for significant economic losses in the porcine industry. Currently available commercial vaccines do not allow optimal and safe protection. In this study, replicating but nondisseminating adenovectors (rAdV) were used for the first time in pigs for vaccinal purposes. They were expressing the PRRSV matrix M protein in fusion with either the envelope GP5 wild-type protein (M-GP5) which carries the major neutralizing antibody (NAb)-inducing epitope or a mutant form of GP5 (M-GP5m) developed to theoretically increase the NAb immune response. Three groups of fourteen piglets were immunized both intramuscularly and intranasally at 3-week intervals with rAdV expressing the green fluorescent protein (GFP, used as a negative control), M-GP5 or M-GP5m. Two additional groups of pigs were primed with M-GP5m-expressing rAdV followed by a boost with bacterially-expressed recombinant wild-type GP5 or were immunized twice with a PRRSV inactivated commercial vaccine. The results show that the rAdV expressing the fusion proteins of interest induced systemic and mucosal PRRSV GP5-specific antibody response as determined in an ELISA. Moreover the prime with M-GP5m-expressing rAdV and boost with recombinant GP5 showed the highest antibody response against GP5. Following PRRSV experimental challenge, pigs immunized twice with rAdV expressing either M-GP5 or M-GP5m developed partial protection as shown by a decrease in viremia overtime. The lowest viremia levels and/or percentages of macroscopic lung lesions were obtained in pigs immunized twice with either the rAdV expressing M-GP5m or the PRRSV inactivated commercial vaccine.     

Tooth resorption and vitamin D3 status in cats fed premium dry diets

It has been suggested that tooth resorption (TR) in cats is associated with vitamin D3 status. The purpose of this study was to evaluate any correlation between serum 25-OH-D concentrations and the prevalence of TR. The healthy adult domestic cats (n=64) of this study had been fed similar premium dry-expanded foods throughout their lives. Serum 25-OH-D was measured, and cats received a single, complete periodontal examination, with periodontal probing of each tooth and exploration of the tooth surface using a dental explorer A complete set of 10 dental radiographs was taken for each cat. There were 168 TRs diagnosed in 40 of 64 cats (85 were Type 1 TR and 83 were Type 2). The mean serum 25-OH-D concentration was 187.7 +/- 87.3 nmol/L. The mean serum 25-OH-D in cats with one or more TR was 164.2 +/- 78.8 nmol/L, compared with 226.8 +/- 88.2 nmol/L for those without TR (p = 0.14). The mean serum 25-OH-D in the 13 cats with >5 TR was 131.2 +/- 49.5 nmol/L, which was significantly less than in cats with no TR (p < 0.05). There was no relationship between TR type and serum 25-OH-D. There was no effect of age or sex on serum 25-OH-D. On the contrary, variations in serum 25-OH-D were observed according to the studied breeds. There was no relationship between TR type and serum 25-OH-D. TR prevalence was greater in cats with lower serum 25-OH-D concentrations. In conclusion, the hypothesis that higher serum 25-OH-D concentrations are associated with a higher prevalence of TR is not supported by this study.     

Impact of Sugarcane yellow leaf virus on Sugarcane Yield and Juice Quality in Réunion Island

Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) was first detected in sugarcane of Réunion Island in 1997. A field experiment was undertaken to assess the potential impact of this virus on sugarcane production. The agronomic characteristics of SCYLV-infected plants were compared to those of virus-free plants of three sugarcane cultivars (R570, R577 and R579) which occupy more than 90% of the cultivated sugarcane area on Réunion Island. In the plant crop, significant losses in stalk weight (28%) and in sugar content (11%) were detected for cultivar R577, but not for either of the two other cultivars. In the first ratoon crop, yield reduction was detected for cultivar R577 (37%), but also for cultivar R579 (19%). Cultivar R577 also showed significant losses in sugar content (12%) due to reduced amount and quality of extracted cane juice. No yield reduction was found for cultivar R570, although stalk height and diameter were reduced in SCYLV-infected canes of this cultivar in the first ratoon crop. Leaf yellowing was observed at harvest of plant and ratoon crops when sugarcane was no longer irrigated, and 10–59% of symptomatic stalks could be attributed to the presence of SCYLV. The most severe yellowing symptoms were related to infection of sugarcane by the virus.     

Effects of dessication on post-planting stress in bare-root Corsican pine seedlings

We examined the post-planting consequences of pre-planting exposure stress on two-year-old, bare-root Corsican pine (Pinus nigra Arnold. ssp. laricio var. Corsicana) seedlings. Seedlings were lifted from a nursery and exposed to ambient conditions for periods of up to 192 h before being planted in minirhizotrons. Exposure decreased seedling water potential, CO(2) assimilation rate, leaf conductance and new root elongation, and increased mortality after planting. During exposure, needle total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) concentration (expressed on a dry mass basis) decreased by 0.31 mg g(dm) (-1) h(-1); however, needle and root TNC concentrations remained high (> 100 mg g(dm) (-1)) at planting, even in those treatments leading to severe seedling mortality. More than 90% of the seedlings with predawn water potentials lower than -1.3 MPa at planting did not elongate new roots and did not survive, whereas a similar percentage of seedlings with a predawn water potential above this value at planting elongated new roots and survived, suggesting that this value corresponds to a turgor threshold below which new root formation is inhibited. At planting, embolization of xylem conduits in roots and shoots was low for seedlings in all of the exposure treatments.     

Anesthesia in the horse

The paper describes the problems of injection anaesthesia in the horse. Different commonly used methods, drugs and drug combinations are explained. Their actions and side-effects are compared and discussed.     

Tumeur des cellules de la granulosa chez une taure: observations cliniques, endocrinologiques et post-mortem

Granulosa cell tumor in a heifer: Clinical, endocrinological and postmortem observations