Histological and immunohistochemical studies of the proximal caecum and caecal tonsils of quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The proximal caecum in quails consists of lymphoid and non‐lymphoid structures. The caecal tonsils in the proximal part of the caecum are units of gut‐associated lymphoid tissue in poultry. This study aimed to examine the histological characteristics of the proximal caecum, as well as compositions of dendritic cells (DCs) and antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) in the caecal tonsil of quails. Tissue sections were stained with Crossman's triple, periodic acid–Schiff, Gordon and Sweet's silver, Congo red and methyl green‐pyronin dyes, as well as immunohistochemically by the streptavidin–biotin–peroxidase complex method. Caecal lymphoid tissue was located in the lamina propria and submucosa. Germinative centres were observed within the lymphoid tissue. Reticular fibres were mainly distributed in the border area of the germinal centre with only a few fibres scattered in the centre. Plasma cells were observed in the subepithelial region and germinal centres. Eosinophil granulocytes were prevalent in the lymphoid tissue. Additionally, CD83‐immunoreactive DCs and MHC class II immunoreactive APCs were present in the subepithelial area and diffuse lymphoid tissue. While DCs were seen in the germinal centres of tonsillar units, APCs were rarely present in the germinal centres, but they were noticed around the germinal centres. In conclusion, the histological structure of the proximal caecum in quails and the distributions of some immunological cells in the caecal tonsils were revealed. Therefore, the defensive role of the caecal tonsils in the digestive system may be better understood, and comparative studies may be carried out.     

Antimicrobial labelling in Australia: a threat to antimicrobial stewardship?

Antimicrobial resistance is a public health emergency, placing veterinary antimicrobial use under growing scrutiny. Antimicrobial stewardship, through appropriate use of antimicrobials, is a response to this threat. The need for antimicrobial stewardship in Australian veterinary practices has had limited investigation. A 2016 survey undertaken to investigate antimicrobial usage patterns by Australian veterinarians found that antimicrobial dose rates were varied and often inappropriate. Doses of procaine penicillin in horses and cattle were often low, with 68% and 90% of respondents, respectively, reporting doses that were unlikely to result in plasma concentrations above minimum inhibitory concentrations for common equine and bovine pathogens. Frequency of penicillin administration was also often inappropriate. Gentamicin doses in horses were largely appropriate (89% of dose rates appropriate), but 9% of respondents reported twice daily dosing. Amoxycillin and amoxycillin‐clavulanate were administered at the appropriate doses, or above, to dogs and cats by 54% and 70% of respondents, respectively. Here, we explore the potential reasons for inappropriate antimicrobial dose regimens and report that antimicrobial labels often recommend incorrect dose rates and thus may be contributing to poor prescribing practices. Changes to legislation are needed to ensure that antimicrobial drug labels are regularly updated to reflect the dose needed to effectively and safely treat common veterinary pathogens. This will be especially true if changes in legislation restrict antimicrobial use by veterinarians to the uses and doses specified on the label, thus hampering the current momentum towards improved antimicrobial stewardship.     

Meat quality of heat stress exposed broilers and effect of protein and vitamin E

1. This study was designed to determine the effects of heat stress exposure on broiler fattening performance, meat quality and microbial counts.

2. Six groups were established: CHP (24°C?+?210?g/kg crude protein (CP)), SHP (34°C?+?210?g/kg CP), CLP (24°C?+?190?g/kg CP), SLP (34°C?+?190?g/kg CP), SHPVE (34°C?+?210?g/kg CP?+?Vitamin E) and SLPVE (34°C?+?190?g/kg CP?+?Vitamin E) groups.

3. It was determined that the body weights of the male animals included in Group CHP displayed statistically significant differences in comparison to those of Groups SHP, CLP and SLP. Furthermore, it was ascertained that the values of Group CLP also displayed statistically significant differences in comparison to those of Groups CHP, SHP and SLP. The feed consumptions in Groups CHP and CLP were significantly different from those of the remaining groups, excluding Group SHP. The highest feed conversion rate was determined in Group SHPVE.

4. When evaluated for chicken drumstick TBA values, Group CHP differed significantly from Groups SHP, SHPVE, CLP and SLP, whilst Group CLP differed significantly from Groups SHP, SHPVE and SLP. On the other hand, when evaluated for breast meat TBA values, Group CHP displayed statistically significant differences in comparison to Groups SHP, SLP and SLPVE, whilst Group CLP differed significantly from Groups CHP, SHP, SLP and SLPVE.

5. The sensitivity of breast meat to colour susceptibility was greater than that of chicken drumsticks. While storage period affected the TBA values and microbial counts of meat significantly, its effect on colour parameters was found to be variable. Trial groups significantly affected total aerobic mesophilic bacteria counts in chicken drumsticks, and Enterobacteriaceae and total aerobic mesophilic bacteria counts in breast meat.

6. In conclusion, heat stress adversely affected final body weights and the lipid oxidation of meat, whilst vitamin E alleviated these adverse effects.     

Zoogeographical barriers causing discontinuous osteometrical variations in the northern treeshrew skulls

Morphological variation of the skull was examined in the northern treeshrew (Tupaia belangeri) from various localities across Southeast Asia. Through a multivariate analysis, the treeshrews from South Vietnam exhibited distinct morphological characteristics compared to other populations from Thailand and Laos, and Malaysia. The plots of the specimens of North Vietnam are not randomly mixed with Thailand plots segregation in the scatteregrams of canonical discriminant analysis. Since the skulls of the population from North Vietnam were morphologically similar to those form central Laos and northern and northeastern Thailand, the zoogeographical barrier effect of Mekong River was not clearly confirmed. The population of the Kanchanaburi in western Thailand is clearly smaller in size compared to the other populations. The southern border of the distribution of this species is determined by the Isthmus of Kra or Kangar-Pattani Line. In the northern treeshrew, which is distributed from southern China to Bangladesh and southern Thailand, we have detected osteometrical geographical variation driven by geography. These results indicate that the skull morphology in the Tupaia glis-belangeri complex distinctively differs in South Vietnam, western Thailand, and southern Thailand. The zoogeographical barrier and factor separating these districts are expected to clarify in the future.     

Organic synthesis of new putative lycopene metabolites and preliminary investigation of their cell-signaling effects

Tomato is the main dietary source of lycopene, a carotenoid that is known to have protective effects on health and whose metabolites could also be involved in bioactivity. Herein we present the first organic synthesis of two potentially bioactive lycopene metabolites, namely, 10'-apolycopen-10'-oic acid (6) and 14'-apolycopen-14'-oic acid (13), which were obtained in their (all-E) stereoisomeric forms using Wittig and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons type coupling reactions. Both molecules are shown to up-regulate the carotenoid asymmetric cleavage enzyme BCO2 while having no effect on BCO1 expression.     

Application of Exogenous Sodium Nitroprussid Alleviates Boron Toxicity in Wheat Seedlings: Investigation of Thiol Compounds,Macro/Micronutrient,and Polyamine Contents

High boron (B) levels in the soil reduce plant growth and yield production in crop plants. Nitric oxide (NO) is a highly reactive signaling molecule involved in stress response in plants. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of sodium nitroprussid (SNP), a NO donor, in alleviating the B-induced toxicity in two wheat cultivars. Both cultivars were treated with 10 mM B, 10 mM B + 0.1 mM SNP, 10 mM B + 0.2 mM SNP, and 10 mM B + 0.5 mM SNP. The nutrient contents were investigated via inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry. Contents of polyamines and thiol compounds were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The B toxicity caused a significant decrease in nutrient contents and thiol compounds, but increased polyamine contents. However, exogenous application of 0.2 mM SNP increased nutrient contents and thiol compounds, but lowered polyamine contents. The study clearly revealed that exogenous SNP can overcome the toxic effects of B on wheat seedlings.     

Development of flexible antimicrobial packaging materials against Campylobacter jejuni by incorporation of gallic acid into zein-based films

In this study, antimicrobial films were developed against Campylobacter jejuni by incorporation of gallic acid (GA) into zein-based films. The zein and zein-wax composite films containing GA between 2.5 and 10 mg/cm(2) were effective on different C. jejuni strains in a concentration-dependent manner. Zein and zein-wax composite films showed different release profiles in distilled water but quite similar release profiles at solid agar medium. Depending on incorporated GA concentration, 60-80% of GA released from the films, while the remaining GA was bound or trapped by film matrix. The GA at 2.5 and 5 mg/cm(2) caused a considerable increase in elongation (57-280%) of all zein films and eliminated their classical flexibility problems. The zein-wax composite films were less flexible than zein films, but the films showed similar tensile strengths and Young's modulus. Scanning electron microscopy indicated different morphologies of zein and zein-wax composite films. This study clearly showed the good potential of zein and GA to develop flexible antimicrobial films against C. jejuni.