Investigation of the distance to slaughterhouses and weather parameters in the occurrence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome outbreaks in U.S. swine breeding herds

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is one of the most economically important diseases affecting the swine industry. The main objective of this study was to assess whether sow farm distance to slaughterhouses and meteorological variables were associated with PRRS outbreaks. This case-control study paired 104 sow farms with or without a reported PRRS outbreak (N = 208) during the same period. Data on the distance to the closest slaughterhouse, swine density, presence of an air filtration system, or a neighboring farm, and weather conditions were collected, and a multivariable conditional logistic regression model was created to investigate the association between variables of interest and the occurrence of a PRRS outbreak.Swine density, presence of an air filtration system, presence of a neighboring farm, and PRRS herd-level status before the outbreak were associated with the occurrence of PRRS outbreaks. Farms in areas with higher swine density and nearby swine farms had increased odds of reporting an outbreak compared to farms in low swine density areas and farms having no neighbors. Under the conditions of this study, none of the meteorological variables or the distance to the closest slaughterhouse were associated with occurrence of PRRS outbreaks.     

Influence oF Pseudomonas putida on nodulation of Phaseolus vulgaris

The effect of Pseudomonas putida (isolate M17) on Rhizobium phaseoli nodulation of the common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris, was investigated under field and greenhouse conditions. The results indicated that P. putida markedly increased nodulation compared to R. phaseoli controls. Furthermore, 2-ketogluconic acid, a phosphate-solubiliring compound, was detected in P. putida M17. This could imply an increased P supply to roots of P. vutgaris, which may function to increase nodules. Bean yields and shoot fresh weight were not significantly altered by the addition of P. putida M17.     

Gas chromatographic method for determination of fenitrothion in technical and in emulsifiable concentrate and water-dispersible powder formulations: collaborative study

A variety of column packings and internal standards were evaluated to determine the most satisfactory system to use in a gas chromatographic (GC) method for analysis of fenitrothion, technical and formulations. Fenitrothion and the most closely related isomer, O,O-dimethyl O-(4-methyl-3-nitrophenyl) phosphorothioate, were resolved on columns packed with OV-210 and with polyphenyl ether, 6-ring (PPE-6R). A method based on the separation of fenitrothion on a PPE-6R column with fluoranthene as internal standard was selected for use in a limited collaborative trial and later for use in a full-scale collaborative trial with 21 collaborators participating. Each collaborator was furnished matched pairs of samples of technical fenitrothion, emulsifiable concentrate, and water-dispersible powder. The coefficients of variation (CV) for the paired samples were 1.02, 1.11, and 1.01, respectively, for technical fenitrothion, emulsifiable concentrates, and water-dispersible powders. Data are also presented for an alternative method in which compounds are separated on an OV-210 column with dibutyl sebacate as the internal standard. The method has been adopted official first action.     

Liquid chromatographic and spectroscopic characterization of pentamidine isethionate and impurities in bulk drug and injectables

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method is described for evaluating purity of pentamidine isethionate (PI), a life-saving drug used in the treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, which is a leading cause of death in persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Six potential impurity compounds were synthesized to test the selectivity of the chromatographic system and to permit quantitation of impurities in various lots of PI products. The drug and impurities were separated with gradient elution on a cyano-bonded LC column. The analytic system provided information on the identities and levels of impurities in early experimental lots of PI. These results assisted the manufacturer in altering reaction conditions and purification procedures to ensure that succeeding lots were within the specification limits, i.e., no more than 0.4% of any single impurity or 0.7% of total impurities found in the final product.     

The metabolic body size of the growing pigLe niveau métabolique du porc en croissanceDie metabolische körpergrösse des wachsenden schweines

The variation of metabolic rate with body weight (W) is reduced to a minimum when metabolic rate is related to W^b, the metabolic body size. The value of the exponent b is determined for three separate sets of experimental results on the pig within the W range of 20–90 kg, at different levels of metabolizable energy intake. It is concluded from these analyses that for intraspecific use in the pig it is more appropriate to use an exponent that is lower than the value of 0.75 commonly used for interspecific comparisons.     

Grafts of porcine small intestinal submucosa seeded with cultured homologous smooth muscle cells for bladder repair in dogs

Background

Due to numerous complications associated to gastrointestinal augmented cystoplasty, this study aimed to analyze the anatomic repair of the bladder of 10 female dogs using grafts of porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) seeded with cultured homologous smooth muscle cells, and compare them with the acellular SIS grafts.

Results

We assessed the possible side effects and complications of each type of graft by clinical examination, abdominal ultrasound and laboratory findings. Anatomic repair of neoformed bladder was assessed by histological staining for H/E and Masson''s Trichrome, analyzed with a Nikon Photomicroscope connected to the system of image analysis Image J.

Conclusions

We propose that SIS associated to homologous smooth cells can improve the quality of tissue repair, and consequently decrease the potential complications inherent to acellular SIS.     

Expression and localization of angiopoietin family in corpus luteum during different stages of oestrous cycle and modulatory role of angiopoietins on steroidogenesis,angiogenesis and survivability of cultured buffalo luteal cells

The objective of this study was to document the expression and localization of angiopoietin (ANGPT) family members comprising of angiopoietin (ANGPT1 and ANGPT2), and their receptors (Tie1 and Tie2) in buffalo corpus luteum (CL) obtained from different stages of the oestrous cycle, and the modulatory role of ANGPT1 and ANGPT2 alone or in combinations on progesterone (P₄) secretion and mRNA expression of phosphotidylinositide‐3kinase‐protein kinase B (PI3K‐AKT), phosphoinositide‐dependent kinase (PDK), protein kinase B (AKT), Bcl2 associated death promoter (BAD), caspase 3 and von willebrand factor (vWF) in luteal cells obtained from midluteal phase (MLP) of oestrous cycle in buffalo. Real‐time RT‐PCR (qPCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry were applied to investigate mRNA expression, protein expression and localization of examined factors whereas, the P₄ secretion was assessed by RIA. The mRNA and protein expression of ANGPT1 and Tie2 was maximum (p < .05) in mid luteal phase (MLP) of oestrous cycle. The ANGPT2 mRNA and protein expression was maximum (p < .05) in early luteal phase, decreased in MLP and again increased in late luteal phase of oestrous cycle. ANGPT family members were localized in luteal cells and endothelial cells with a stage specific immunoreactivity. P₄ secretion was highest (p < .05) with 100 ng/ml at 72 hr when luteal cells were treated with either protein alone. The mRNA expression of PDK, AKT and vWF was highest (p < .05) and BAD along with caspase 3 were lowest (p < .05) at 100 ng/ml at 72 hr of incubation period, when cultured luteal cells were treated with either protein alone or in combination. To conclude, our study explores the steroidogenic potential of angiopoietins to promote P₄ secretion, luteal cell survival and angiogenesis through an autocrine and paracrine actions in buffalo CL.