Routes of transmission and consequences of small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) infection and eradication schemes

Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV = maedi-visna in sheep and caprine arthritis encephalitis in goats) are distributed throughout most countries of the world, particularly Europe. Laboratories from 16 European countries established collaborations within the framework of a COST (CO-operation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research) action sponsored by the European Union in order to (i) better organize their research programmes on SRLVs and (ii) to coordinate efforts to combat these two diseases. After five years, a consensus conference--the first one in the veterinary medicine field--concluded the work of this network of laboratories by reviewing the present position and discussing three important questions in the field of SRLVs: routes of transmission, consequences of infection and potential role of eradication programmes at either a European or local level, according to the situation in each country or region. This paper brings together existing information regarding these questions and identifies areas for future research.     

Ear cleaning: the UK and US perspective

Ear cleaning helps maintain the normal otic environment and is important in the treatment of otitis. Over cleaning, however, may trigger otitis through maceration of the epidermal lining. Simple manual cleaning is useful for routine cleansing but doesn't remove tightly adherent debris. Bulb syringes are more vigorous but may damage the ear in inexperienced hands. Devices using mains water pressure or dental machines are also available. Thorough cleaning of the ear canals and middle ear cavity can only be achieved by retrograde flushing using specially adapted catheters, feeding tubes or video otoscopes under anaesthesia. Myringotomy, inspection and cleaning of the middle should be performed if the tympanic membrane appears abnormal. There are a wide variety of cleaning fluids available. Ceruminolytics soften and dissolve cerumen to facilitate cleaning. Surfactants emulsify debris, breaking it up and keeping it in solution. Astringents dry the ear canal surface, preventing maceration. Maintaining a low pH and incorporating antimicrobial agents can inhibit microbial proliferation and glucocorticoids can be used to reduce inflammation. Adverse effects and contraindications following ear cleaning can include maceration, contact reactions, otitis media, ear canal avulsion, vestibular syndrome, Horner's syndrome, facial nerve paralysis and deafness. Care should be exercised in selecting cleaning fluids if the tympanic membranes are ruptured.     

Objective measurement of pruritus in dogs: a preliminary study using activity monitors

Pruritus is an important clinical sign and quality-of-life measure in canine dermatology, but can be difficult to assess objectively. Several studies in humans have used activity monitors to measure nocturnal scratching in patients with atopic dermatitis. The results correlate with observation of scratching, scoring in atopic dermatitis indices and levels of inflammatory chemokines. The aim of this study was to examine whether an activity monitor could be used to detect elevated interexercise (i.e. 'resting') activity in atopic dogs compared to healthy dogs. Five healthy dogs and six dogs with atopic dermatitis were fitted with a collar-mounted activity monitor (Actiwatch) that recorded the piezo-electric voltage generated over 15-s epochs for 7 days. Data from defined periods of exercise, playing, etc., were disregarded. Within each group, median (+/- interquartile range) epoch activity was similar during the day (atopic 21.0 [9.8-24.8]; healthy 5.1 [4.6-6.0]) and evening (atopic 19.1 [10.9-25.2]; healthy 5.8 [5.3-11.7]), and significantly lower overnight (atopic 5.8 [4.1-15.7]; healthy 2.5 [1.6-4.4]) (Mann-Whitney test; P < 0.05). The mean epoch activity, however, was significantly higher in atopic dogs compared to healthy dogs for all three time periods (P < 0.05). This study provides preliminary evidence that activity monitors could objectively assess canine pruritus in the normal home environment.     

Characterisation of the first wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase resembling mammalian counterparts

A formerly unknown nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase (NPP) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (TaNPP) was recombinantly produced in Pichia pastoris (TaNPPr) following assembly of the sequence out of wheat ESTs using sequences of known NPPs. Simultaneously, a phosphodiesterase was purified to homogeneity from wheat germs, characterised and identified as TaNPP. TaNPP contains the highly conserved catalytic substrate and metal binding residues and displays properties [high pH optimum, glycosylation, high thermostability and inhibition by EDTA and adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP)] similar to those of mammalian enzymes characterised earlier. The sequence of TaNPP includes that of a putative transmembrane domain, a characteristic of most NPPs. Both recombinant and native TaNPP partially occur as oligomeric proteins on SDS PAGE. Upon addition of DTT, both migrate as monomeric proteins. Part of the native wheat protein even occurs in its truncated form, thus lacking the transmembrane region. Out of a range of tested natural substrates, TaNPP had the highest affinity towards adenine containing nucleotides. While Michaelis-Menten kinetics were valid in the low substrate concentration range, at higher concentrations, they were no longer applicable. TaNPP shows no similarity to the recently characterised rice and barley enzymes and, is hence, one of the first characterised plant NPPs resembling mammalian NPPs.     

Integrating food security into public health and provincial government departments in British Columbia, Canada

Food security policy, programs, and infrastructure have been incorporated into Public Health and other areas of the Provincial Government in British Columbia, including the adoption of food security as a Public Health Core Program. A policy analysis of the integration into Public Health is completed by merging findings from 48 key informant interviews conducted with government, civil society, and food supply chain representatives involved in the initiatives along with relevant documents and participant/direct observations. The paper then examines the results within the context of historic and international trends and theoretical models of food policy, community food security, and applied policy research. Public Health re-emerged as a driver of food security in BC—both as a key player and in positing the public’s health as a driver in food security and food systems. While Public Health’s lead role supported an increase in legitimacy for food security in BC, interviewees described a clash of cultures between Public Health and civil society. The clash of cultures occurred partly as a result of Public Health’s limited food security mandate and top down approach. Consequently civil society voice at the provincial level was marginalized. A social policy movement toward a new political paradigm—regulatory pluralism—calls for greater engagement of civil society, and for all sectors to work together toward common goals. A new, emerging policy map is proposed for analyzing the dynamics of food security and health promotion initiatives in BC.