Experimental infection of weaned piglets with Campylobacter coli – Excretion and translocation in a pig colonisation trial

Campylobacter (C.) is one of the most common food-borne pathogen causing bacterial enteric infections in humans. Consumption of meat and meat products that have been contaminated with Campylobacter are the major source of infection. Pigs are a natural reservoir of Campylobacter spp. with C. coli as the dominant species. Even though some studies focussed on transmission of C. coli in pig herds and the excretion in faeces, little is known about the colonisation and excretion dynamics of C. coli in a complex gut microbiota present in weaned piglets and the translocation to different tissues.     

Secretory virulence factors produced by Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from mastitic bovine milk--effect on bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils

The aim of the research was to test whether exogenic virulence factors secreted by Staphylococcus aureus isolates are involved in mechanisms that allow the bacteria to modulate and evade phagocytosis by bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils. The research was based on the comparison of the effects of supernatants, prepared from cultures of 30 S. aureus isolates, on the functional properties of bovine neutrophils in vitro. S. aureus isolates were collected from milk samples from cows with clinical mastitis. Supernatants, which were used to treat leukocytes, were prepared from 18 h S. aureus cultures. Exogenic virulence factors secreted by S. aureus isolates significantly influenced the phagocytosis parameters evaluated. Depending on their leukotoxic or superantigenic properties, supernatants could affect the ingestion process, and also showed an influence on the digestion efficiency and phagocytosis carried out by bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils in vitro.     

Phosphonic analogues of morphactins. Part V: Peptides containing 9-aminofluoren-9-ylphosphine oxides

Di- and tripeptides containing P-terminal 9-aminofluoren-9-ylphosphine oxides were synthesised and evaluated for herbicidal activity using Spirodela oligorriza (Kurz.) Hegelm. The glycylglycyl and threonyl peptides showed high activity as measured by the reduction of dry matter.     

Plant-growth-regulating phosphono peptides

Phosphono peptides exhibited plant-growth-regulating activity when tested on Lepidium sativum and Cucumis sativus. The studies have provided evidence that the mechanism of action of these compounds may involve the uptake of the phosphono peptides into the plant, intracellular hydrolysis of the peptide bond and release of the P-terminal aminoalkylphosphonic acid. This acid or its metabolite is then probably responsible for the observed physiological effect.     

Acute BVDV-2 infection in beef calves delays humoral responses to a non-infectious antigen challenge

Immunosuppressive effects of an intranasal challenge with non-cytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) 2a (strain 1373) were assessed through acquired and innate immune system responses to ovalbumin (OVA). Concurrent BVDV infection was hypothesized to delay and reduce the humoral response to ovalbumin (administered on days 3 and 15 post-inoculation). Infected animals followed the expected clinical course. BVDV titers, and anti-BVDV antibodies confirmed the course of infection and were not affected by the administration of OVA. Both the T-helper (CD4⁺) and B-cell (CD20⁺) compartments were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in infected animals, while the gamma-delta T-cell population (Workshop cluster 1+, WC1⁺) decreased slightly in numbers. Infection with BVDV delayed the increase in OVA IgG by approximately 3 d from day 12 through day 21 post-inoculation. Between days 25 and 37 post-inoculation following BVDV infection the IgM concentration in the BVDV− group decreased while the OVA IgM titer still was rising in the BVDV+ animals. Thus, active BVDV infection delays IgM and IgG responses to a novel, non-infectious antigen.     

Effect of feeding various levels of poultry by‐product meal on the blood parameters,filet composition and structure of female tenches (Tinca tinca)

Homogeneous background (age, sex, genetic lineage, culture conditions) was created to clearly demonstrate the impact of the tested dietary treatments. No feeds optimized for the rearing of the tench (Tinca tinca L. 1758) are available. Feeds are formulated to increase the growth rate or eliminate skeletal deformations. With the increasing prices of the basic components, fish meal (FM) and fish oil, poultry by‐product meal (PBM) can be used. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of substitution of FM with PBM on the tench blood parameters, body composition and structure of skeletal muscles. Cage‐reared female tenches (325 ± 18 g) were fed for 86 days with five types of feeds with 0% (control), 25.7%, 48.6%, 71.4% and 100% substitution of FM with PBM. No significant differences between the formulations were reported for weight, total length, fillet weight, visceral, liver, gonado‐somatic, proximate composition and biochemical blood parameters. However, significant differences were found in the fillet profiles of fatty acids—an increase in the PBM content correlated with an increase in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and a decrease in n‐3 PUFA and, generally, n‐6 PUFA. Significant differences were also observed in, for example, the content of intramuscular fatty tissue and the level of organ lipidosis between the control variant (0% PBM) and that with 100% substitution. A sensory assessment indicated a higher gustatory value of the fillets in the case of feeds with 48.6% and 71.4% substitution.     

Susceptibility of koi × crucian carp and koi × goldfish hybrids to koi herpesvirus (KHV) and the development of KHV disease (KHVD)

Hybrids of koi, Cyprinus carpio × crucian carp, Carassius carassius and koi × goldfish, Carassius auratus, proved to be susceptible to koi herpesvirus (KHV, syn. CyHV‐3) and developed KHV disease (KHVD). While hybrids of koi × goldfish were partly resistant to mortality following infection by immersion, most koi × crucian carp hybrids died after bath infection. KHV DNA was detected in dead fish but also in all surviving animals by different polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). According to these results, hybrid crossbreeding does not seem to prevent severe losses associated with KHV in terms of inducing KHVD. The present study showed severe losses after a waterborne KHV infection of between 35% and 100% in koi × goldfish and koi × crucian carp hybrids as well as in SPF carp.     

Test of Mendelian segregation among 10 microsatellite loci in the fourth generation of bester (Huso huso L. ×Acipenser ruthenus L.)

Ten microsatellite loci were tested on Mendelian segregation in the bester – hybrid of beluga, Huso huso L. and sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus L. in the fourth generation. All studied loci showed disomic inheritance and Mendelian segregation of their alleles. The molecular approach by microsatellite DNA analysis represents a reliable tool for interspecific characterization of sturgeons and their hybrids (different alleles of several loci are present in sturgeon fishes, and interspecific hybrids posesses both maternal and paternal specific alleles). This is the first report of the Mendelian segregation testing in interspecific hybrid of acipenserid fishes using microsatellite DNA markers.     

The cannabinoid receptors system in horses: Tissue distribution and cellular identification in skin

BackgroundThe endocannabinoid system (ECS) is composed of cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CBR1) and type 2 (CBR2), cannabinoid‐based ligands (endogenous chemically synthesized phytocannabinoids), and endogenous enzymes controlling their concentrations. Cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) have been identified in invertebrates and in almost all vertebrate species in the central and peripheral nervous system as well as in immune cells, where they control neuroimmune homeostasis. In humans, rodents, dogs, and cats, CBRs expression has been confirmed in the skin, and their expression and tissue distribution become disordered in pathological conditions. Cannabinoid receptors may be a possible therapeutic target in skin diseases.ObjectivesTo characterize the distribution and cellular expression of CBRs in the skin of horses under normal conditions.AnimalsFifteen healthy horses.MethodsUsing full‐thickness skin punch biopsy samples, skin‐derived primary epidermal keratinocytes and dermal‐derived cells, we performed analysis of Cnr1 and Cnr2 genes using real‐time PCR and CBR1 and CBR2 protein expression by confocal microscopy and Western blotting.ResultsNormal equine skin, including equine epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblast‐like cells, all exhibited constant gene and protein expression of CBRs.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceOur results represent a starting point for developing and translating new veterinary medicine‐based pharmacotherapies using ECS as a possible target.     

Verification of ploidy level in sturgeon larvae

Chromosome preparations and assay of the microsatellite locus Afu‐68 were used to determine ploidy in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt) and F₁ hybrids of Siberian sturgeon and Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedti Brandt). The chromosome number and microsatellite locus Afu‐68 were compared and these analyses were used for identification of ‘haploid’, ‘diploid’ and ‘triploid’ progeny of the studied cross of A. baeri× (A. baeri×A. gueldenstaedti).