Structural characterization and serological specificities of lipopolysaccharides from Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum biovar Pullorum standard, intermediate and variant antigenic type strains

The structure and serological specificities of the lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) from Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum biovar Pullorum were studied to provide an improved basis for the distinction between antigenic types and the development of improved diagnostic tests. The structure of the LPS O-polysaccharide (O-PS) from S. Pullorum standard, intermediate and variant antigenic type strains was determined by mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and chemical analysis. The LPS of the three strains shared a common structural repeating oligosaccharide unit containing d-mannose, l-rhamnose, d-galactose and d-tyvelose (1:1:1:1). The O-PS of the variant type LPS contained an additional d-glucose residue linked to the O-4 position of the d-galactose residue. The O-PS of the intermediate type LPS was partially the same as that of the variant LPS, however, the molar ratio of the d-glucose component was lower with respect to the other glycose components. Serological specificities of the three antigenic type LPSs were examined with anti-S. Pullorum LPS monoclonal antibodies (Mabs). On immunoblots, Mabs to the standard type O-PS reacted with high molecular mass (HMM) and low molecular mass (LMM) LPS from the standard strain, and with LMM but not HMM LPS from the variant strain. Monoclonal antibodies to the variant type O-PS reacted with HMM but not LMM LPS from the variant strain, and did not react with HMM or LMM LPS from the standard strain. On ELISA, the standard, intermediate and variant antigenic type strains were differentiated by the relative reactivity with the anti-LPS O-PS Mabs. Several of the anti-LPS O-PS Mabs were specific for S. Pullorum and other serogroup D1 Salmonella, and are potentially useful for the development of improved diagnostic tests for these organisms.     

Retracted: Risks of Avian Influenza (H5) in Duck Farms in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta Region,Myanmar

The Ayeyarwaddy delta region in the south‐west of Myanmar is the main agricultural and rice‐growing area. The region has a high density of duck and backyard chicken populations with low biosecurity. The objective of this study was to analyse risk factors for avian influenza (H5) in the Ayeyarwaddy delta region, Myanmar. A case–control risk factor study was conducted from April to June 2010 by individual interviews including risk factor questionnaires given to duck farmers (n = 50) in five townships in the Ayeyarwaddy delta region, Myanmar. Risk factor analyses were conducted using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression model with backward stepwise (wald) method. The results showed significant risk factors for AI (H5) sero‐positivity in ducks were wooden egg box containers (OR = 52.7, 95% CI = 2.34–1188, P = 0.013) and water sourced from wetlands (OR = 30.7, 95% CI = 1.96–481.6, P = 0.015). Conversely, the cleaning of reusable egg containers was determined as a protective factor (OR = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.00–0.42, P = 0.01). In conclusion, this study identified risk factors for AI (H5) in duck farms and the importance of avian influenza prevention and control.     

Combined use of platelet rich plasma and vitamin C positively affects differentiation in vitro to mesodermal lineage of adult adipose equine mesenchymal stem cells

Repair of injured soft and hard tissues in horses can benefit greatly from the use of regenerative therapies with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Vitamin-C and platelet-rich-plasma had been used for in vitro differentiation of MSC. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin-C, platelet-rich-plasma and their combination on the in vitro differentiation of adipose horse MSC. We isolated MSC from horse fat and differentiated them in vitro into osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages, as demonstrated by specific staining and RT-qPCR of selected genes. Combining vitamin-C and plasma-rich-platelet positively affected the ability of MSC to differentiate in vitro into mesodermal lineages during 14 days of culture; this effect was not as marked when differentiation was attempted for 21 days. This provides valuable information on the effect of combined use of these molecules in regenerative therapies and their potential application along stem cells for lesions of musculoskeletal tissue in sport horses.     

Protein requirements of preschool children consuming rice-milk,rice-toasted mung bean,and rice diets

Rice-milk and rice-toasted mung bean diets, and a high-protein rice (IR58 milled rice) were evaluated as part of a study on the protein requirements of toddlers consuming rice-based diets following the multilevel N balance method. Milk or mung bean contributed 1/3 of dietary N. At a daily energy intake of 418 kJ/kg body weight, weight losses were observed for all diets. The safe level of protein intakes obtained allowing 10 mg N/kg body weight/day for miscellaneous integumental losses and 15 mg N/kg body weight/day for growth was 1.11 g/kg body weight/day for the rice-milk diet and 1.34 g for the rice-mung bean diet. Preliminary data on four children indicate a safe level of protein intake of 1.44 g/kg/day for the IR58 milled rice. The protein quality of the high-protein rice as determined by the very short term N balance index on three children was 79–80% relative to milk.