Helicobacter apodemus sp. nov., a new Helicobacter species identified from the gastrointestinal tract of striped field mice in Korea

A novel Helicobacter species was identified from the gastrointestinal tract of the Korean striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius). Biochemical testing, ultrastructure characterization, and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis suggested that this bacterium represents a distinct taxon. The bacterium was positive for urease activity, susceptible to cephalothin and nalidixic acid, and weakly positive for oxidase and catalase activity. Electron microscopy revealed that the bacterium has spirally curved rod morphology with singular bipolar nonsheathed flagella. Genotypically, the isolated bacterial strains (YMRC 000215, YMRC 000216, and YMRC 000419) were most closely related to a reference strain of Helicobacter mesocricetorum (97.25%, 97.32%, and 97.03% 16S rRNA sequence similarities, respectively). The 16S rRNA sequences of these strains were deposited into GenBank under accession numbers {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AF284754","term_id":"18389594","term_text":"AF284754"}}AF284754, {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AY009129","term_id":"18409527","term_text":"AY009129"}}AY009129, and {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AY009130","term_id":"18409528","term_text":"AY009130"}}AY009130, respectively. We propose the name Helicobacter apodemus for this novel species.     

Effect of expiratory phase for radiographic detection of left heart enlargement in dogs with mitral regurgitation

Radiography is a standard diagnostic test for characterizing left heart enlargement in dogs however limited information is available on the effects of respiratory phases. This prospective and retrospective method comparison study investigated the respiratory effect on the size and shape of the left heart in dogs to determine the usefulness of expiratory radiographs to detect enlargements in the left atrium (LA) and left ventricle (LV). Thoracic radiographs taken at full inspiration and expiration were evaluated in 20 normal beagles and 100 dogs diagnosed with mitral regurgitation (MR). Vertebral heart score (VHS), vertebral left atrial size, elevation of the carina, and dorsal bulging of LA on lateral view and lateral bulging of the left auricular appendage and LV on ventrodorsal view were assessed. In normal dogs, there were no significant differences in the evaluative factors between inspiration and expiration. In dogs with MR, VHS did not change according to respiration. However, bulging of the LA, left auricular appendage, and LV had sharp margin during expiration compared with inspiration. The expiratory radiographic finding of LA bulging had a higher correlation with the LA to aorta ratio compared with LA bulging in the inspiratory radiography. Using a LA to aorta echocardiographic ratio greater than 1.5 as the gold standard, the radiographic sensitivity for LA enlargement was higher during expiration than inspiration. These findings of our study indicated that expiratory radiography can be helpful to support the detection of left heart enlargement, although it can overestimate LA enlargement in dogs with MR.     

Characterization of Transgenic Pigs That Express Human Decay Accelerating Factor and Cell Membrane‐tethered Human Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor

The expression of human complement regulatory proteins (hCRP; hDAF, hCD59, and hMCP) in pig tissues has been suggested as one of strategies to overcome the hyperacute rejection (HAR) in pig‐to‐human transplantation. Expression of human tissue factor pathway inhibitor (hTFPI) in porcine endothelial cells has been suggested as a remedy to overcome microvascular thrombosis. To investigate the effects of these combined transgenes, we established transformed pig cells expressing human decay accelerating factor (hDAF) under the control of enhancer promoter (5′LTR‐PCMVIE), and the fusion protein (hTFPI/hCD4) consisting of the functional domains (K1 and K2) of hTFPI and membrane‐tethering domains (D3 and D4) of hCD4 under the control of PCMVIE. Transgenic pigs were generated with the transformed porcine cells through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technology. Analysis of quantitative PCR and real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR showed that four copies of hDAF were integrated and 391 copies of hDAF mRNA expressed in the cells of the transgenic pig. The enhancing activity of 5′LTR was approximately 2 fold compared to CMVIE promoter only. The cell viability test showed that more than 80% of ear cells were viable in the presence of 50% human serum. The chromogenic substrate assay and immunocytochemical staining with tail cells showed that the TFPI activity of fusion protein was observed on the cell membrane. The membrane localization of hDAF and hTFPI proteins was observed by immunocytochemical staining, and the expression of transgenes in heart and liver tissues was also confirmed by immunohistochemistry.     

Yield traits of six clones of Miscanthus in the first 3 years following planting in Poland

Miscanthus species are highly productive with low inputs and are excellent candidates for bioenergy feedstock production. A field experiment was conducted to characterize phenotypic differences in selected clones generated from interspecific hybrids of Miscanthus sinensis × Miscanthus sacchariflorus and intraspecific hybrids within M. sinensis. The field experiment was planted in plots of 20 m² at a density of 1 plant m⁻² in three randomized blocks. The trial was monitored for 3 years for traits important to biomass production including plant height, tiller density, tuft diameter and shoot diameter. ANOVA showed significant genotypic variation in these traits once the stand was 2 years old. This study shows that tillering and tuft diameter in years 1 and 2 are the most important traits influencing biomass yield, but over 3 years when the highest yielding potential is reached, tillering and tuft diameter have the highest correlation with biomass yield. These results identifying high-yielding Miscanthus clones will be utilized in our plant improvement program.     

Reproducibility of systematic literature reviews on food, nutrition, physical activity and endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE: Despite the increasing dependence on systematic reviews to summarise the literature and to issue public health recommendations, the formal assessment of the reliability of conclusions emerging from systematic reviews has received little attention. The main goal of the present study was to evaluate whether two independent centres, in two continents, draw similar conclusions regarding the association of food, nutrition and physical activity and endometrial cancer, when provided with the same general instructions and with similar resources. DESIGN: The assessment of reproducibility concentrated on four main areas: (1) paper search and selection; (2) assignment of study design; (3) inclusion of papers; and (4) individual studies selected for meta-analysis and the summary risk estimate obtained. RESULTS: In total 310 relevant papers were identified, 166 (54 %) were included by both centres. Of the remaining 144 papers, 72 (50 %) were retrieved in the searches of one centre and not the other (54 in centre A, 18 in centre B) and 72 were retrieved in both searches but regarded as relevant by only one of the centres (52 in centre A, 20 in centre B). Of papers included by both centres, 80 % were allocated the same study design. Agreement for inclusion of cohort-type and casekey' papers was 87 %. Summary risk estimates from meta-analyses were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Transparency of process and explicit detailed procedures are necessary parts of a systematic review and crucial for the reader to interpret its findings.     

Effect of β‐glucooligosaccharides as a new prebiotic for dietary supplementation in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) aquaculture

β‐Glucooligosaccharides (BGO), produced from barley β‐glucan, were used as a feed supplement (0.1%) for juvenile olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) to identify and quantify its oral administration effects on innate immunomodulation and infectious disease protection. Juvenile flounders (14 ± 0.5 g) were divided into two groups fed either 0.1% BGO (treatment) or a standard diet (control) for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, investigation of the effects was carried out through systemic studies on growth performance, serum and mucus biochemical parameters, innate immunity, microvillus length, and relative pro‐inflammatory cytokine gene expression. The results demonstrated that the BGO diet produced slightly higher levels of growth performance, serum protein, microvillus length and pro‐inflammatory cytokine gene (tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin [IL]‐1β, and IL‐6) expression without any significant differences (p > .05). All innate immunity parameters were up‐regulated by BGO administration and, among these, respiratory burst, lysozyme and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly different (p < .05). Fish in the both groups were challenged with Streptococcus iniae (1.35 × 10⁸ CFU/ml), and BGO group was focused to confirm the promotion of innate immunity parameters. The results showed a significantly (p < .05) lower death rate compared with that of the control. Therefore, BGO could be used as a new prebiotic in future olive flounder aquaculture as well as to control streptococcosis.     

Milling effect on the control efficacy of spray-dried Bacillus thuringiensis technical powder against diamondback moths

BACKGROUND: The relationship between the particle size of spray‐dried Bacillus thuringiensis NT0423 technical powder and its insecticidal activity against diamondback moth was investigated in laboratory and glasshouse conditions. A variety of sizes of Bt particles were made by homogenisation, followed by pilot‐scale milling to optimise further the current Bt formulation process. RESULTS: In laboratory conditions, homogenised Bt suspension with smaller particles had higher control efficacy against diamondback moth. However, in glasshouse conditions, the smallest particle treatment did not follow the size‐dependent insecticidal activity, rather showing decreased control efficacy. Secondly, air‐jet‐milled Bt powder (16.9 µm) had higher control efficacy than hammer‐milled Bt powder (35.1 µm) in glasshouse conditions. However, double air‐jet milling (5.3 µm) had lower control efficacy compared with one‐time milling. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that NT0423 technical powder with smaller particles is better in controlling diamondback moths, but excessively small particles (<10 µm) possibly reduce the insecticidal activity. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Free radical scavenging activity of chitooligosaccharides by electron spin resonance spectrometry

The radical scavenging effects of chitooligosaccharides (COSs) on hydroxyl radical, superoxide radical, alkyl radical, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical were investigated using a spin-trapping electron spin resonance (ESR) method and compared with the ESR signal intensity. COSs exhibited strong scavenging activity on hydroxyl radical and superoxide radical and weak scavenging activity on alkyl radical and DPPH radical. The radical scavenging activity of COSs increased with increment of concentration, and it was also dependent on molecular weight. These results suggest that the scavenging activity of COSs is dependent on their molecular weights and tested radicals.     

如何合理正确地使用兽药

要安全正确地使用兽药,必须消除对兽药使用认识上的误区.合理用药应依靠正确的诊断、合理的疗程和剂量,并充分考虑药物之间的相互作用、药物的适当轮换、个体的过敏反应和继发反应、动物的种类、年龄、性别和个体差异、动物的病理状态和机能情况、综合性防治措施等.