Biofilm bacteria: formation and comparative susceptibility to antibiotics

The Calgary Biofilm Device (CBD) was used to form bacterial biofilms of selected veterinary gram-negative and gram-positive pathogenic bacteria from cattle, sheep, pigs, chicken, and turkeys. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of ampicillin, ceftiofur, cloxacillin, oxytetracycline, penicillin G, streptomycin, tetracycline, enrofloxacin, erythromycin, gentamicin, tilmicosin, and trimethoprim-sulfadoxine for gram-positive and -negative bacteria were determined. Bacterial biofilms were readily formed on the CBD under selected conditions. The biofilms consisted of microcolonies encased in extracellular polysaccharide material. Biofilms composed of Arcanobacterium (Actinomyces) pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus hyicus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Corynebacterium renale, or Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis were not killed by the antibiotics tested but as planktonic bacteria they were sensitive at low concentrations. Biofilm and planktonic Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus suis were sensitive to penicillin, ceftiofur, cloxacillin, ampicillin, and oxytetracycline. Planktonic Escherichia coli were sensitive to enrofloxacin, gentamicin, oxytetracycline and trimethoprim/ sulfadoxine. Enrofloxacin and gentamicin were the most effective antibiotics against E. coli growing as a biofilm. Salmonella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates growing as planktonic populations were sensitive to enrofloxacin, gentamicin, ampicillin, oxytetracycline, and trimethoprim/sulfadoxine, but as a biofilm, these bacteria were only sensitive to enrofloxacin. Planktonic and biofilm Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica had similar antibiotic sensitivity profiles and were sensitive to most of the antibiotics tested. The CBD provides a valuable new technology that can be used to select antibiotics that are able to kill bacteria growing as biofilms.     

Breed-related expression patterns of Ki67, γH2AX,and p21 during ageing in the canine liver

Veterinary Research Communications - Cellular senescence is a molecular hallmark of ageing that is associated with multiple pathologies, and DNA damage marker γH2AX, together with cell cycle...     

From killer to carer: steroid hormones and paternal behaviour

Mammalian parental investment (i.e. care of descendant offspring) is largely biased towards maternal contributions due to the specific feeding needs of mammalian offspring; however, varying degrees of paternal investment have been reported in about 10% of all mammalian species. Within the order Carnivora, paternal contribution to rearing offspring is particularly high: an estimated 32% of all studied carnivore species exhibit direct paternal care. Despite the prominence of paternal investment in carnivores, the endocrine basis of this behaviour is not well understood. This review examines the current – highly constrained – state of knowledge about the endocrine basis of carnivore paternal investment. We attempt to link changes in androgen and glucocorticoid levels with variation in direct and indirect paternal care behaviour making specific predictions regarding the way forward. Well-studied species, such as bat-eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis), dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula) and meerkats (Suricata suricatta), where social dynamics are relatively well understood, can act as ideal model systems through which we may further investigate the endocrine basis of paternal investment in carnivores.     

Hydrology influences breeding time in the white-throated dipper

While nitrogen and carbon stable isotope values can reflect ecological segregation, prey choice and spatial distribution in seabirds, the interpretation of bulk stable isotope values is frequently hampered by a lack of isotopic baseline data. In this study, we used compound-specific isotope analyses of amino acids (CSIA-AA) to overcome this constraint and to study interspecific differences, seasonal and historical changes in trophic positions of five seabird species, three penguins and two petrels, from a sub-Antarctic seabird community. CSIA-AA allowed comparing trophic positions of seabirds with temperate and polar distributions. Gentoo and Magellanic penguins had the highest trophic positions during the breeding season (3.7 and 3.9), but decreased these (2.9 and 3.3) during the feed-up for moult. Intra-specific differences were also detected in Thin-billed prions, where carbon isotope values clearly separated individuals with polar and temperate distributions, both in the breeding and interbreeding periods. Thin-billed prions that foraged in polar waters had lower trophic positions (3.2) than conspecifics foraging in temperate waters (3.8). We further investigated historical changes by comparing museum samples with samples collected recently. Our pilot study suggests that Rockhopper penguins, Magellanic penguins and Thin-billed prions with temperate non-breeding distributions had retained their trophic levels over a 90–100 year period, while Gentoo penguins and Thin-billed prions with polar non-breeding distributions had decreased trophic levels compared to historical samples. In contrast, Wilson’s storm-petrels had slightly increased trophic levels compared to samples taken in 1924–1930. We applied compound-specific stable isotope analyses across a range of contexts, from intra-specific comparisons between stages of the breeding cycle to inter-specific seabird community analysis that would not have been possible using bulk stable isotope analyses alone due to differences in isotopic baselines.     

Comparison of antioxidant potency of commonly consumed polyphenol-rich beverages in the United States

A number of different beverage products claim to have antioxidant potency due to their perceived high content of polyphenols. Basic and applied research indicates that pomegranate juice (PJ), produced from the Wonderful variety of Punica granatum fruits, has strong antioxidant activity and related health benefits. Although consumers are familiar with the concept of free radicals and antioxidants, they are often misled by claims of superior antioxidant activity of different beverages, which are usually based only on testing of a limited spectrum of antioxidant activities. There is no available direct comparison of PJ's antioxidant activity to those of other widely available polyphenol-rich beverage products using a comprehensive variety of antioxidant tests. The present study applied (1) four tests of antioxidant potency [Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), total oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), free radical scavenging capacity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)]; (2) a test of antioxidant functionality, that is, inhibition of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation by peroxides and malondialdehyde methods; and (3) evaluation of the total polyphenol content [by gallic acid equivalents (GAEs)] of polyphenol-rich beverages in the marketplace. The beverages included several different brands as follows: apple juice (3), a?aí juice (3), black cherry juice (3), blueberry juice (3), cranberry juice (3), Concord grape juice (3), orange juice (3), red wines (3), iced tea beverages (10) [black tea (3), green tea (4), white tea (3)], and a major PJ available in the U.S. market. An overall antioxidant potency composite index was calculated by assigning each test equal weight. PJ had the greatest antioxidant potency composite index among the beverages tested and was at least 20% greater than any of the other beverages tested. Antioxidant potency, ability to inhibit LDL oxidation, and total polyphenol content were consistent in classifying the antioxidant capacity of the polyphenol-rich beverages in the following order: PJ>red wine>Concord grape juice>blueberry juice>black cherry juice, a?aí juice, cranberry juice>orange juice, iced tea beverages, apple juice. Although in vitro antioxidant potency does not prove in vivo biological activity, there is also consistent clinical evidence of antioxidant potency for the most potent beverages including both PJ and red wine.     

Influence of land use (savanna,pasture, Eucalyptus plantations) on soil carbon and nitrogen stocks in Brazil

In Brazil, most Eucalyptus stands have been planted on Cerrado (shrubby savanna) or on Cerrado converted into pasture. Case studies are needed to assess the effect of such land use changes on soil fertility and C sequestration. In this study, the influence of Cerrado land development (pasture and Eucalyptus plantations) on soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (SON) stocks were quantified in southern Brazil. Two contrasted silvicultural practices were also compared: 60 years of short‐rotation silviculture (EUC_SR) versus 60 years of continuous growth (EUC_HF). C and N soil concentrations and bulk densities were measured and modelled for each vegetation type, and SOC and SON stocks were calculated down to a depth of 1 m by a continuous function. Changes in SOC and SON stocks mainly occurred in the forest floor (no litter in pasture and up to 0.87 kg C m^?2 and 0.01 kg N m^?2 in EUC_SR) and upper soil horizons. C and N stocks and their confidence intervals were greatly influenced by the methodology used to compute these layers. C/N ratio and ¹³C analysis showed that down to a depth of 30 cm, the Cerrado organic matter was replaced by organic matter from newly introduced vegetation by as much as 75–100% for pasture and about 50% for EUC_HF, poorer in N for Eucalyptus stands (C/N larger than 18 for Eucalyptus stands). Under pasture, 0–30 cm SON stocks (0.25 kg N m^?2) were between 10 and 20% greater than those of the Cerrado (0.21 kg N m^?2), partly due to soil compaction (limit bulk density at soil surface from 1.23 for the Cerrado to 1.34 for pasture). Land development on the Cerrado increased SOC stocks in the 0–30 cm layer by between 15 and 25% (from 2.99 (Cerrado) to 3.86 (EUC_SR) kg C m^?2). When including litter layers, total 0–30 cm carbon stocks increased by 35% for EUC_HF (4.50 kg C m^?2) and 53% for EUC_SR (5.08 kg C m^?2), compared with the Cerrado (3.28 kg C m^?2), independently of soil compaction.     

QTL analysis of resistance to powdery mildew in hop (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Humulus lupulus</Emphasis> L.)

Hop with powdery mildew [HPM: caused by Podosphaera macularis (Wallr.) U. Braun & S. Takam.] results in significant losses in hop production by reducing yield and quality. One means of increasing yield and quality is the production of resistant hop lines. Breeding for resistance can be significantly improved and accelerated by use of marker-assisted selection. The objective of this preliminary study was to identify QTLs and markers for genetic resistance to HPM. A bi-parental mapping population between the resistant line “Newport” and susceptible line ‘21110M’. Phenotypic data was scored under controlled greenhouse conditions. Significant differences among offspring were observed and disease resistance did not follow a distinct binomial distribution, suggesting quantitative genetic control. Genotyping-by-sequencing resulted in approximately 375 K SNP markers, which were filtered down to 2263 markers mapped to 10 linkage groups. Interval Mapping identified four QTLs with one on linkage group 1 and three located on linkage group 6. Composite interval mapping identified three QTLs, all located on linkage group 6. Mixed linear models identified 15 markers associated with expression of resistance to HPM. Three of these 15 SNPs were also identified in QTL-CIM analysis. Evaluation of the scaffolds containing the significant SNP markers identified seven putative genes—several of which appear involved in disease resistance in other plant species. The SNP markers identified in this study still require validation in unrelated populations prior to implementation in breeding programs.     

Evaluation of the bispectral index as an indicator of degree of central nervous system depression in isoflurane-anesthetized horses

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the bispectral index (BIS) can be used as an indicator of degree of CNS depression in isoflurane-anesthetized horses. ANIMALS: 10 Standardbred and 6 Norwegian cold-blooded trotter stallions admitted for routine castration. PROCEDURE: A 2-channel referential electrode configuration was used to record EEG for calculation of BIS by the EEG monitor. The BIS was calculated before (awake) and after (sedated) administration of detomidine (0.01 mg/kg of body weight, IV) and butorphanol (0.01 mg/kg, IV). Anesthesia was induced with ketamine hydrochloride (2.5 mg/kg, IV) and diazepam (0.04 mg/kg, IV) and maintained with isoflurane delivered in oxygen. The BIS was calculated after 30 minutes of equilibration at an end-tidal isoflurane concentration of 1.4% (n = 8) or 1.9% (8) and recorded continuously during surgery. RESULTS: Bispectral index was significantly less in sedated and anesthetized horses, compared with awake horses. However, BIS was not significantly different between sedated and anesthetized horses. Mean BIS in horses anesthetized at 1.9% isoflurane was significantly greater, compared with horses anesthetized at an end-tidal concentration of 1.4%. Four horses in the 1.4% group moved during surgery, and BIS increased immediately prior to movement in 2 of these horses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: BIS is not a precise indicator of degree of CNS depression in isoflurane-anesthetized horses. Thus, determination of BIS may not be a useful technique for monitoring anesthetic depth in isoflurane-anesthetized horses.     

Subjective and objective evaluation of veal lean color

Because veal lean color continues to be a primary factor that determines veal carcass value and is typically assessed by subjective means, it is important to explore objective methods for color assessment. Objective and subjective evaluations of veal flank and breast lean color were compared as predictors of longissimus lean color at 24 h postmortem. One hundred fifty special-fed Holstein veal calves were Kosher-slaughtered with blood samples collected upon exsanguination and analyzed for hematocrit and hemoglobin content. Lean color was evaluated in the flank and breast at 0, 6, 12, and 24 h postmortem. Color of the longissimus was evaluated at 6 h, when possible, and at 24 h. A panel of three trained individuals used a 5-point color standard developed in the Netherlands to visually evaluate lean color. A Minolta Chromameter CR-300 was used to obtain L*, a*, and b* values. A plant employee assigned packer grades at slaughter. Temperature and pH were also measured at each time period. Hemoglobin was more highly correlated than hematocrit with colorimeter values. Hemoglobin levels correlated well with a* values of the flank at 0 h postmortem (r = 0.52) although the correlation declined at 24 h (r = 0.30). The correlation between packer grades and 24-h visual loin color was r = 0.41. Visual loin color at 24 h postmortem was selected as the predicted variable for regression analysis. Temperature and pH did not contribute significantly to any prediction equations. The equation using breast L*, a*, and b* values at 24 h postmortem to predict 24-h loin color gave a higher prediction coefficient (R2 = 0.44) than the corresponding equation using 0-h breast values (R2 = 0.28). Objective measurement of lean color may be useful in veal carcass grading because it is more precise than subjective methods and would allow for uniformity among processing plants.