Antimicrobial susceptibility of Clostridium perfringens isolates of bovine, chicken, porcine, and turkey origin from Ontario

Antimicrobial susceptibilities and toxin types were determined for 275 Clostridium perfringens isolates collected in Ontario in the spring of 2005. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of C. perfringens isolates for 12 antimicrobials used in therapy, prophylaxis, and/or growth promotion of cattle (n = 40), swine (n = 75), turkeys (n = 50), and chickens (n = 100) were determined using the microbroth dilution method. Statistical analyses and MIC distributions showed reduced susceptibility to bacitracin, clindamycin, erythromycin, florfenicol, and tetracycline for some isolates. Reduced susceptibility to bacitracin was identified in chicken (64%) and turkey (60%) isolates. Swine isolates had predominantly reduced susceptibility to clindamycin (28%) and erythromycin (31%), whereas bovine isolates had reduced susceptibility to clindamycin (10%) and florfenicol (10%). Reduced susceptibility to tetracycline was spread across all species. No clear reduced susceptibility, but elevated MIC(50) for virginiamycin was found in chicken isolates in comparison with isolates from other species. Toxin typing revealed that C. perfringens type A is the dominant toxin type isolated in this study across all 4 host species.     

Effect of products derived from hydrolysis of wheat and flaxseed non starch polysaccharides by carbohydrase enzymes on net absorption in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (K88) challenged piglet jejunal segments

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection results in fluid and electrolyte losses in the small intestine. We investigated the effect of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) hydrolysis products of wheat middlings (WM) and flaxseed (FS) on net absorption of fluid and solutes during ETEC challenge. Products were generated by incubating WM and FS with a blend of carbohydrase enzymes to produce 2 products: 80% ethanol-soluble (ES) and 80% ethanol-insoluble (EI) which were studied in 2 experiments in which 2 factors were investigated: products (EI vs. ES) and time of ETEC challenge (before vs. after perfusion). Pairs of small-intestine segments, one non-challenged and the other ETEC-challenged were perfused with products for 7.5 h. ETEC reduced fluid absorption by more than 380 µL/cm² in saline (control) perfused segments, whereas this reduction was significantly ( P  < 0.05) less for the WM and FS products. Interaction ( P  > 0.05) between product and time of challenge was not observed. For WM, products effects on ETEC-challenged segments were such that perfusion of ES resulted in higher total solute (measured as osmolality) absorption than EI (138 vs. 103 µOsmol/cm²). In conclusion, hydrolysis products from WM and FS were beneficial in maintaining fluid balance during ETEC challenge, suggesting potential in controlling ETEC induced diarrhea in piglets.     

Evaluation of nonstarch polysaccharides and oligosaccharide content of different soybean varieties (Glycine max) by near-infrared spectroscopy and proteomics

A total of 832 samples of soybeans were screened by near-infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy, to identify soybean samples with a lower content of oligosaccharides and nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP). Of these, 38 samples were identified on the basis of variation in protein content and agronomic value and submitted to high-resolution NIR spectroscopy. On the basis of the NIR data, 12 samples were further selected for chromatographic characterization of carbohydrate composition (mono-, di-, and oligosaccharides and NSP). Their soluble proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE). Using partial least-squares regression (PLSR), it was possible to predict the content of total NSP from the high-resolution NIR spectra, suggesting that NIR is a suitable and rapid nondestructive method to determine carbohydrate composition in soybeans. The 2DE analyses showed varying intensities of several proteins, including the glycinin G1 precursor. PLSR analysis showed a negative correlation between this protein and insoluble NSP and total uronic acid (UA).     

First report of invasive brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) in Croatia

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), has been spreading over Europe since the first documented records from Liechtenstein in 2004 and Switzerland in 2007. It is considered to be a pest in many agricultural crops and a household nuisance. In 2017 the species was observed in Croatia for the first time, in the city of Rijeka on the north Adriatic coast. Halyomorpha halys has already been recorded in three nearby countries (Italy, Hungary and Serbia), and therefore the arrival of this species had been expected from neighbouring populations or from distant sources via trading goods. To identify the pathway of entry, the haplotypes of H. halys (Stål, 1855) individuals were analysed by comparing a part of the mitochondrial COI gene with other haplotypes present in the GenBank database. Individual specimens shared the most common haplotype with nearby Italian and Hungarian populations.     

Effect on neonatal oestrogen and hCG treatment on the genital organs of adult female rats

The ovaries and the uterine as well as vaginal mucous membranes of 80-, 180- and 365-day-old intact female rats and females neonatally treated with a single dose of oestrogen and repeated doses of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were studied. Numerous follicles, interstitial cells and corpora lutea (CL) were present on the ovary of intact females from 80 up to 365 days of age. The number of primary and secondary follicles decreased in the intact female rats between Day 180 and Day 365 of life. On the ovaries of 180- and 365-day-old female rats neonatally treated with oestrogen, interstitial glandular cells and cystic follicles predominated. No CL were present on these ovaries. The height of epithelial cells of the uterine and vaginal mucous membranes increased in intact female rats from 80 to 365 days of age, whereas in oestrogen-treated females the height of epithelium decreased. From 80 up to 365 days of age, the height of epithelial cells of uterine and vaginal mucous membranes of rats neonatally treated with repeated doses of hCG was similar to that in the corresponding control animals.     

Influence of cytokinins on in vitro morphogenesis in root cultures of Centaurium erythraea—Valuable medicinal plant

The purpose of this work was to acquire more information on the capacity of in vitro grown Centaurium erythraea Gillib. normal and hairy root cultures to simultaneously regenerate adventitious buds and to evaluate the variations induced on regeneration response by treatments with six cytokinins. Explants from normal and hairy root cultures were cultured on half-strength MS medium (1/2 MS) with kinetin (KIN), N⁶-benzylaminopurine (BA), 6-γ,γ-dimethylallylaminopurine (2IP), N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylurea (CPPU), 1-Phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)urea (TDZ) and 6-[4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enylamino]purine (ZEA), used alone in six different concentrations. The average number of adventitious buds per explant was promoted by all of cytokinin treatments. Urea-type cytokinins, TDZ and CPPU were more effective for the induction the morphogenesis of adventitious buds than adenine-type cytokinins. We found that the 1.0 μM CPPU induced the largest number (25.6, 18.2, respectively) of adventitious buds in normal and hairy root culture. TDZ-supplemented media induced highest number of adventitious buds (24.2) from normal root explant, but from hairy root explant average number of buds is lower (20.5). Regenerated shoots were excised and placed on 1/2 MS medium without hormone. The rooted plantlets were successfully acclimatized in greenhouse conditions.     

Effects of two infectious bursal disease vaccine virus strains on hepatic microsomal enzyme activities in chickens

The influence of two infectious bursal disease vaccines on the activities of hepatic microsomal enzymes aniline hydroxylase, ethylmorphine N-demethylase, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, aryl sulphotransferase and p-nitrophenol UDP-glucuronyltransferase was investigated in chickens. The vaccines contained attenuated Winterfield 2512 and VMG-91 strains, respectively. The activities of enzymes were determined on postvaccination days 0, 2, 5 and 7. At the same time, post-mitochondrial supernatant, cytosolic and microsomal pellet protein concentrations were determined. As expected, the antibody titres against infectious bursal disease virus in the serum were increased in both tested groups in relation to each administered vaccine. Using RT-PCR, the presence of the VP2 gene fragment of virus in the liver of chicken was demonstrated 4 and 6 h after vaccination. The results of this study suggest that the two commercial vaccines modulate the activities of five enzymes tested, and that the two attenuated vaccines applied triggered induction and/or inhibition of phases I and II of biotransformation enzyme activities.     

Diversity of currently circulating rabies virus strains in Croatia

Sylvatic rabies has been present in Croatia for more than three decades, with the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) as the main reservoir. The present epidemic of sylvatic rabies in Croatia started already in 1977 and in the past ten years the disease has become enzootic in the entire country and thus represents a considerable veterinary and public health threat. A genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of rabies virus isolates (RABV) from Croatia was performed using panel of 32 selected rabies-positive brain samples from domestic and wild animals collected between 2008 and 2010. Based on the comparison of 367-nucleotide sequences of a conserved region of the nucleoprotein (N) gene (nucleotides 75-441), the phylogenetic analysis revealed a low genetic diversity of currently circulating RABV strains in Croatia. 18 RABV isolates mainly originating from Eastern Croatia clustered with the formerly established Eastern European (EE) lineage, and the rest (14) were identical with the West European (WE) group. Both phylogenetic groups seem to coincide in central regions on both sides along the Save River. A high sequence identity in the N gene of the RABV isolates from neighbouring countries was found.     

Correlations between shape index and shell deformation of hens’ eggs over a laying year

The egg shape index and shell deformation of 2466 pullet and 2214 hen eggs have been studied each week over a period of 45 weeks. The weekly and 5‐week averages were utilised for correlation analysis.

A pronounced negative correlation between shape index and shell deformation variations was found for both pullet and hen eggs. The pullet egg correlation coefficient, determined on the basis of the weekly and 5‐week averages, was ‐0.605 and ‐0.885, respectively; while the corresponding values for hen eggs were ‐0.433 and ‐0.510.

It has been pointed out that although a correlated variation of shape index and shell deformation with time might be due to specific conditions, it is reasonable to assume that if the time‐dependent changes of the relevant properties were taken into account in the investigations, an improved correlation might be expected.     

Anatomical variations of the thoracic duct in the dog

Anatomical variations can be frequently found in the lymphatic system, which is also true for the shape and course of the thoracic duct (ductus thoracicus), the biggest lymph vessel in the body. From 2012 to 2019, the thoracic duct was successfully dissected in 43 dog carcasses that were used in the anatomy course at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb. The thoracic duct originated from the cranial border of the cisterna chyli as one lymph vessel in 36 dogs (83.7%), as two vessels in six dogs (14%) and as three vessels in one dog (2.3%). We divided the observed thoracic duct variations into six groups according to their anatomical similarities. Considering the specific embryonic development, we can conclude that all observed variations are the result of minor deviations from the standard ontogenesis. However, the importance of thoracic duct variations is significant in surgical procedures done in the thoracic cavity to prevent or cure the chylothorax. Since this research showed variations in 39 out of 43 dogs (90.7%) throughout the whole course of the thoracic duct, great care must be taken while performing the ligation or embolization of the thoracic duct.