Population structure of Nga Myin Yinn Silonia silondia in the Ayeyarwady River,Myanmar, by mitochondrial DNA markers

Fisheries Science - The Silond catfish Silonia silondia, locally known as Nga Myin Yinn, is a commercially important fish in Myanmar; however, fundamental knowledge of its population structure is...     

Antimicrobial stewardship in equine practice

Antimicrobial stewardship involves the judicious use of antimicrobials balanced against the requirement to treat the presenting clinical condition. The same mandate and principles as discussed in human medicine and other veterinary disciplines are relevant to equine practice. This brief review will focus on available resources for equine practitioners, emerging perspectives on antimicrobial use and stewardship, and opportunities for more effective antimicrobial use in equine practice. There is a need for improved client education, availability of faster and more accurate techniques for identification and sensitivity testing of bacterial pathogens, and the development of novel agents.     

Polycalin is involved in the action mechanism of Cry2Aa toxin in Helicoverpa armigera(Hübner)

Receptor proteins on the brush border membrane of the insect midgut epithelium are involved in the mode of action of insecticidal Cry proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt). Polycalin has been identified as a binding protein of the Bt Cry1 Ac toxin in several Lepidoptera including Helicoverpa armigera, but its role in the action mechanism of Cry2 Aa is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the binding characteristics of polycalin from the midgut of H. armigera with Cry2 Aa and its role in the toxicity of Cry2 Aa. The results demonstrated that heterologously expressed H. armigera polycalin peptide could bind with Cry2 Aa with high affinity(K_d=32 nmol L~(–1)). The toxicity of Cry2 Aa decreased by 27% after H. armigera larvae ingested polycalin antisera. These results suggested that polycalin could be a potential functional receptor for Cry2 Aa, and it plays an important role in the susceptibility of H. armigera to Cry2 Aa.     

Characterization of Myanmar Paw San Hmwe Accessions Using Functional Genetic Markers

Paw San Hmwe(PSM) rice has been cultivated in many areas of Myanmar for a long time. Strong aroma,good taste and its elongation during cooking are the key characteristics of PSM rice. Thirty-one PSM accessions were genotypically characterized,and their physical grain and cooking quality traits were studied. We used specific gene markers associated with aroma,apparent amylose content(AAC) and alkali spreading value to determine the alleles carried by different PSM accessions. The results revealed that six PSM accessions(PSM10,PSM12,PSM13,PSM21,PSM22 and PSM30) had a 3-bp insertion in Os2 AP gene. Gel consistency(GC) allele was predominant among the PSM accessions for gelatinization temperature(GT),however,the phenotype observed was between low and intermediate GT because of the combination of the GC allele with the presence of low GT allele at heterozygous state from the other loci of the SSIIa gene. Intermediate to high AAC was observed among the PSM accessions corresponding to the haplotype identified for the single nucleotide polymorphism G/T and the(CT)n repeat in the Wx gene. The characterization and grouping data of PSM accessions posted benefits to Myanmar seed banks,and our results will help in maintaining the integrity of PSM rice variety.     

Detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in skeletal muscle and blood of ewes from a sheep farm in New Zealand

Abstract

AIM: To determine whether viable Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) is present in skeletal muscle and blood in ewes with and without Johne's disease confirmed histologically.

METHODS: A total of 51 mixed-aged ewes in poor body condition from a farm with a history of clinical Johne's disease were culled and examined at necropsy. BACTEC radiometric culture was performed on samples of skeletal muscle from the biceps femoris, mononuclear cells in peripheral blood (hereafter referred to as blood), and ileum. Histological sections and Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN)-stained impression smears of terminal ileum and mesenteric lymph nodes were examined. Ewes were defined as having confirmed Johne's disease if there was histopathological evidence typical of the disease within the ileum and adjacent lymph nodes.

RESULTS: Eighteen of 21 (86%) ewes with confirmed clinical Johne's disease were culture-positive for Map from sites peripheral to the alimentary tract, comprising 15 from skeletal muscle and 13 from blood. Five of 30 (17%) ewes that did not have Johne's disease were culture-positive, with four from skeletal muscle and one from blood. The likelihood that ewes with confirmed Johne's disease had systemic Map infection compared with ewes without was determined as OR=30 (95% CI=6.3–142.0; p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Map infection of skeletal muscle and blood in ewes with confirmed Johne's disease was 71% and 62% respectively, and in unaffected ewes was 13% for muscle and 3% for blood.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Skeletal muscle and blood are potential sources of exposure of humans to Map, and the risk appears higher from sheep with Johne's disease.