Retrospective evaluation of laboratory data on canine vector-borne infections from the years 2004-2008

The detection and therapy of canine vector-borne diseases in imported dogs are of major importance in small animal practice. Over the last years, the import of dogs from the Mediterranean region and Southeast Europe has increased, countries often endemic for a variety of vector-borne diseases such as babesiosis, hepatozoonosis, leishmaniosis, dirofilariosis or ehrlichiosis. This retrospective study presents the evaluation of data from our diagnostic laboratory on vector-borne infections in imported dogs from the years 2004-2008. Specific antibodies were detectable in 20.5% of all samples with individual detection rates of 8.9%, 9.6% and 10.8% for Babesia canis ssp., Leishmania spp. and/or Ehrlichia canis. A total of 5.5% of all samples tested by direct methods were positive. Up to 1.1% of Giemsa-stained blood/buffy coat smears were positive for B. canis ssp., Rickettsia spp. or Hepatozoon spp. Microfilariae were detectable by the Knott's Test in 6.4% and heartworm antigen was detectable using the DiroChek-ELISA in 3% of the examined samples. EDTA-blood samples were positive for Leishmania spp.-(14.9%), E. canis- (5.3%) and A. phagocytophilum-DNA (5.0%) by PCR. Therewith, imported dogs have a high chance of being carriers of pathogens. As some diseases may also be of a zoonotic concern, in case of the availability of competent vectors, the key focus in the future should be aimed at the prevention of importing infected dogs or at compulsory diagnostic screening and treatment of infected dogs at the time of import.     

QuEChERS multiresidue method validation and mass spectrometric assessment for the novel anthranilic diamide insecticides chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole

The gas-phase dissociation reactions of chlorantraniliprole (Rynaxypyr) and cyantraniliprole (Cyazypyr) have been studied in triple-quadrupole, ion trap, and orbitrap mass spectrometers equipped with electrospray and desorption electrospray ion sources, revealing the formation of odd-electron fragment ions, the structures of which were elucidated. The odd-electron fragments were unusually abundant, and their formation is proposed to occur via a tricyclic intermediate. The applicability of the QuEChERS multiresidue method for the quantitation of chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole was also assessed in this study. Four matrices representative of oily, watery, acidic, and dry crop groups were tested, with a targeted limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.01 mg/kg. Average recoveries ranged between 87 and 107%, with relative standard deviations (RSD) of ≤ 8%. Linear calibration functions with correlation coefficients r > 0.99 were obtained. The study provides an expansion of the QuEChERS method to include anthranilic diamides and a mass spectrometric assessment for these two novel agrochemical active ingredients.     

Essai de conservation des pommes de terre en atmosphère contrôlée

Résumé Un essai a été effectué avec les 5 principales variété de consommation et de garde cultivées en Suisse. L'air ambiant se composait de 2% d'oxygène et un taux de CO₂ variant de 1–12%. Les températures ont été fixées à 8 et 10°C et l'humidité relative à 85–90%. La variété Bintje a présenté la meilleure aptitude à ce genre de conservation et Eba la plus médiocre. Pour les deux années suivantes, les essais ont été limités à la variété Bintje. L'oxygène variait de 2 à 15% et le CO₂ a été maintenu constant à 6%. Les pertes par deshydratation ont atteint l à 3% et celles causées par la pourriture 2 à 12% après 120 à 178 jours de conservation en atmosphère contr?lée. La qualité organoleptique des tubercules s'est dégradée en raison d'une accumulation très forte des sucres, en particulier le saccharose. Ce type de conservation semblerait également favoriser certains parasites fongiques. Un effet inhibiteur de la germination a été observé.

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Summary Sprout inhibiting chemicals must be used when potatoes are stored for more than 3 4 months at 8°C. However, tuber metabolism can be regulated and sprout growth inhibited by controlled atmosphere storage. A 3-year study was carried out at the Federal Agricultural Research Station in Changins. In 1978, 5 main table and industrial cultivars grown in Switzerland were tested. The storage atmosphere contained 2% O₂ and CO₂ concentrations of 1,6 or 12%. The temperature was maintained at 8°C and the relative humidity at 85–90% (Table I). This first experiment showed that the cultivars tested varied widely in their storage characteristics. Losses were greatest with cv. Eba, whereas cv. Bintje appeared to store best (Table 2). In 1979 and 1980 only cv. Bintje grown in different regions was used. Oxygen concentrations were 2,6 or 15% and CO₂ concentration was maintained constant at 6%. Temperatures were 8 or 10°C and relative humidity 85 or 95%. Minimum ventilation was maintained throughout the period. Weight losses were 1 3% and losses due to decay 2 12% after 120 178 days of storage (Table 3). Under these conditions, cooking quality was seriously affected because of the marked build-up of sugars, particularly sucrose (Tables 4 and 5). Tuber flesh tended to be more oxidised after cooking (Table 7). The storage conditions also favoured fungal decay caused byFusarium spp. A satisfactory degree of sprout inhibition was obtained. Tubers treated with a sprout inhibiting chemical and stored under normal conditions had better cooking and industrial utilisation qualities than those stored in controlled atmospheres.

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Zusammenfassung Die Kartoffellagerung w?hrend mehr als 3 bis 4 Monate bei einer Temperatur von 8°C ben?tigt die Anwendung von Keimhemmungsmitteln. Die kontrollierte Atmosph?re wirkt auf den Knollenmetabolismus ein und sollte somit erm?glichen das Keimwachstum zu hemmen. W?hrend 3 Jahren wurde an der Landwirtschaftlichen Forschungsanstalt Changins ein Kartoffelagerungsversuch in kontrollierter Atmosph?re durchgeführt. Im Herbst 1978 wurde der Versuch mit 5 in der Schweiz angebauten Lager- und Speisesorten angelegt. Folgende Lagerungsbedingungen wurden gew?hlt: Sauerstoff (O₂) 2% und Kohlendioxyd (CO₂) je nach Verfahren 1 bis 12%. Die Temperaturen betrugen 8°C und 10°C. Dieser erste Versuch zeigte bedeutende Unterschiede im Lagerverhalten zwischen den einzelnen Sorten, wobei Eba die gr?ssten Verluste aufwies und Bintje die geringsten (Tab. 2). In den Jahren 1979 und 1980 wurde der Versuch mit der Sorte Bintje aus verschiedenen Herkünften durchgeführt. Der Sauerstoffgehalt variierte von 2 bis 15% und der Kohlendioxydgehalt wurde konstant bei 6% gehalten. Die Temperaturen betrugen 8 und 10°C und die relative Luftfeuchtigkeit 85–90%. Die Belüftung wurde kontinuierlich und minimal gehalten. Die Gewichts-und F?ulnisverluste betrugen nach 120 bis 178 Lagerungstagen 1 3%, respektiv 2 12% (Tab. 3). Die Speisequalit?t der Kartoffeln hat sich unter diesen Bedingungen deutlich verschlechtert unter anderem infolge erh?hter Zuckeranreicherung und speziell von Saccharose (Tab. 4 und 5). Es wurde eine erh?hte Tendenz zur Oxydation der Knollen nach dem Kochen beobachtet (Tab. 7). Diese Lagerbedingungen begünstigen einige Pilzf?ulnisse, vor allem verursacht durchFusarium-arten. Es wurde eine befriedigende Keimhemmung w?hrend der Lagerung beobachtet. Mit Keimhemmungsmitteln und in natürlicher Luft gelagerte Knollen zeigten im Vergleich zu denen in kontrollierter Atmosph?re gehaltenen Kartoffeln eine bessere Speise- und Verarbeitungsqualit?t.

     

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli from swine, horses, dogs and cats as determined in the BfT-GermVet monitoring program 2004-2006

A total of 417 isolates of Escherichia coli collected from five animal species/organ system combinations from swine [urinary/genital tract (UGT) incl. mastitis metritis agalactia syndrome], horses [genital tract (GT)] and dogs/cats [respiratory tract (RT), UGT and gastrointestinal tract (GIT)] were analysed quantitatively for their susceptibility against different antimicrobial agents by determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations. Regardless of which animal species the strains originated from, resistance appeared most frequently against sulfamethoxazole (18-59%), tetracycline (14-54 %), and ampicillin (14-39%). High percentages of intermediate isolates were observed for cephalothin (39-46 %). In general, low prevalences of resistance were detected for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (1-4%), gentamicin (1-9%), and cefazolin (0-11%). Generally speaking, the antimicrobial resistance situation among E. coli isolates from horses and small animals is relatively good.     

Adsorption and ion exchange: basic principles and their application in food processing

A comprehensive overview of adsorption and ion exchange technology applied for food and nutraceutical production purposes is given in the present paper. Emanating from these fields of application, the main adsorbent and ion-exchange resin materials, their historical development, industrial production, and the main parameters characterizing these sorbents are covered. Furthermore, adsorption and ion exchange processes are detailed, also providing profound insights into kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium model assumptions. In addition, the most important industrial adsorber and ion exchange processes making use of vessels and columns are summarized. Finally, an extensive overview of selected industrial applications of these technologies is provided, which is divided into general applications, food production applications, and the recovery of valuable bio- and technofunctional compounds from the byproducts of plant food processing, which may be used as natural food additives or for their potential health-beneficial effects in functional or enriched foods and nutraceuticals.     

Plasmids and resistance to antimicrobial agents and heavy metals in Staphylococcus hyicus from pigs and cattle

Staphylococcus hyicus-cultures, isolated from piglets and cattle with skin lesions were investigated for their plasmid content and their resistance to antimicrobial agents and heavy metals. Several plasmids of different sizes could be detected in most of the 32 "porcine" S. hyicus-isolates, whereas none of the 20 "bovine" S. hyicus-cultures possessed any plasmid. The "porcine" S. hyicus-isolates were much more resistant to antimicrobial substances than the "bovine" S. hyicus-cultures. However, the "porcine" and "bovine" S. hyicus-cultures did not differ in their resistance to heavy metals.     

Effects of different media on proliferation and differentiation capacity of canine, equine and porcine adipose derived stem cells

Adult stem cells are of particular interest for therapeutic use in the field of regenerative medicine. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) are an attractive stem cell source for all fields of regenerative medicine because adipose tissue - and therewith cells - can easily be harvested from each donor. However, common expansion using fetal bovine serum (FBS) can not be used for clinical applications as xenogenic proteins must be avoided. Adipose tissue from equine, canine and porcine donors was digested with collagenase to isolate ASCs. ASCs were either expanded in a cell culture medium supplemented with FBS or in a serum-free medium (UltraCulture; UC) supplemented with a serum substitute (UltroserG). From all three animal species, the adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential of ASCs cultured with different media was analyzed in vitro. Cell proliferation analysis showed a population doubling time of 48-68 h for canine cells, 54-65 h for porcine cells and 54-70 h for equine cells, expanded in different media. Except for porcine ASCs, cells cultured in media supplemented with FBS grew faster than cells expanded in UC medium with UltroserG. Yet, all cells maintained their potential to differentiate into adipocytes and osteoblasts. UltraCulture medium containing UltroserG can for all examined species be recommended if FBS needs to be avoided in the expansion of donor-derived (stem) cells.     

Die Neugestaltung der Forstwissenschaft in der Ostmark im Geiste des Nationalsozialismus

Ohne Zusammenfassung