Therapeutic Intervention with Dietary Chitosan Nanoparticles Alleviates Fish Pathological and Molecular Systemic Inflammatory Responses against Infections

Marine bio-sourced chitosan nanoparticles (CSNP) are antimicrobial and immunomodulatory agents beneficial for fish medicine. Herein, dietary CSNP was investigated for the amelioration of the systemic inflammatory responses of an induced fish model. One hundred and forty-four rainbow trout were assigned to one pathogen-free and non-supplemented group (negative control), and three challenged groups: non-supplemented (positive control), CSNP-preventive, and CSNP-therapeutic. After a feeding experiment extended for 21 days, the organosomatic indices (OSI) and molecular aspects were assessed. After a challenge experiment extended for further 28 days, CSNP-therapeutic intervention was assessed on fish survival and systemic inflammatory responses on pathology, histo-morphology, and molecular aspects. With CSNP administration, OSI nonsignificantly decreased and the relative expression of targeted inflammatory-mediator genes was significantly increased. The CSNP-therapeutic fish showed an RPS of 80% as compared to the positive control group, and CSNP-therapeutic administration retained the highest gene expression augmentation up to 28 days after the challenge. Notably, the splenic reticulin fibers framework of the CSNP-therapeutic group retained the highest integrity among the groups during the infection. After recovery, reticulin fibers density in the CSNP-therapeutic samples was significantly higher than in the negative control group, which indicates high innate immunity. Thus, CSNP showed promising biotherapeutic features enhancing fish resistance against infections.     

Use of Diet Crossover to Determine the Effects of β‐glucan Supplementation on Immunity and Growth of Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

Juvenile Nile tilapia were fed either a basal (control) diet (n = 6 aquaria) or a diet supplemented with 1 g/kg β‐glucan (n = 24 aquaria) for 4 wk. At the end of this period, fish receiving β‐glucan were continued on the same diet (n = 12 aquaria) or switched to the control diet (n = 12 aquaria) for 2 wk. After 6 wk, tilapia continuously fed the β‐glucan supplemented diets had improved weight gain and feed efficiency than those fed the control diet uninterrupted or switched from the β‐glucan diet to the control after 4 wk. Feeding tilapia β‐glucan for 4 wk and then switching to the basal diet for 2 wk caused a significant increase in the respiratory burst of polymorphonuclear lymphocytes (17.77 × 10³ units/1000 white blood cells [WBC]) compared to catfish fed the control diet (13.50 × 10³ units/1000 WBC) or the β‐glucan diet continuously (13.57 × 10³ units/1000 WBC), but other immune parameters were unaffected. Tilapia were then challenged with Streptococcus iniae. The two groups were divided again (n = 6 aquaria) postchallenge and continued on the same diet or switched to the other diet (β‐glucan or control) for another 3 wk. No differences in survival to S. iniae infection occurred between dietary groups.     

Effects of sodium fluoride on hepatic toxicity in adult mice and their suckling pups

In this investigation, we have evaluated the effect of sodium fluoride (NaF) on hepatic function in pregnant and lactating mice and their suckling pups. Experiments were carried out on female Wistar mice given 500 ppm sodium fluoride (226 ppm fluoride ion) in their drinking water from the 15th day of pregnancy until day 14 after delivery. All mice were sacrificed on day 14 after parturition. Our results showed a significant decrease in serum levels of total protein and albumin, a marked hypoglycaemia and a significant decline in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in fluoride-treated mice and their pups. Whereas globulin and biluribin levels in serum were not significantly changed by NaF treatment. On the other hand, serum transaminase activities (aspartate transaminase; alanine transaminase), which well known as markers of liver function, were elevated indicating hepatic cells’ damage after treatment with fluoride. Lipid peroxidation increased in NaF-treated mice and pups, as revealed by high liver malondialdehyde levels, while serum total antioxidant status showed a significant decline. These biochemical modifications in NaF-treated mice also correspond histologically with extensive ballooning, hepatocellular necrosis and infiltration of mononuclear cells. These effects were not observed in controls.     

赖氨酸发酵蛋白粉的营养价值评定及其在生长肥育猪上的应用效果研究

本研究分为2个试验,试验I评定赖氨酸发酵蛋白粉在生长猪上的营养价值;试验2研究赖氨酸发酵蛋白粉等蛋白质替代豆粕对生长肥育猪生长、胴体性状和肉品质的影响。试验1：选用（25.0±1.1）妇杜×长×大三元杂交猪12头进行消化代谢试验,随机分为2组,每组6个重复,每个重复1头猪,分别饲喂无氮日粮和以赖氨酸发酵蛋白粉作为唯一蛋白质源的试验日粮,预试期4d,正试期4d。试验2：选用（41.7±3.9）kg杜×长×大三元杂交猪100头进行饲养试验,随机分为4组,每组5个重复,每个重复5头猪。I组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮;Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ组分别为饲喂赖氨酸发酵蛋白粉等蛋白质替代10％、25％、50％豆粕的试验日粮,体重达100kg左右结束。消化代谢试验结果表明：赖氨酸发酵蛋白粉消化能为12.85MJ·kg^-1,代谢能为11.80MJ·kg^-1。总氨基酸含量为47.38％,总氨基酸的回肠表观消化率、真消化率分别为66.95％和70.52％,赖氨酸和蛋氨酸的回肠表现消化率、真消化率分别为72.00％、75.14％和59.37％、64.52％。试验结果表明：与对照组相比,在生长期和全期,Ⅳ组平均日增重显著降低（P〈0.05）,料重比显著升高（P〈0.05）;在肥育期,Ⅳ组平均日采食量显著增加（P〈0.05）,料重比显著升高（P〈0.05）,生长期和肥育期,Ⅳ组氮消化率、氮生物学效价显著降低（P〈0.05）。Ⅳ组背膘厚显著增加（P〈0.05）,眼肌面积和肌肉保水能力显著降低（P〈0.05）。由此得出,与豆粕相比,赖氨酸发酵蛋白粉的粗蛋白质和脂肪含量较高,非蛋白氮比例大,氨基酸消化率低。蛋白质替代10％和25％豆粕对40-100kg的生长肥育猪生产性能、胴体性状和肉品质均无影响,可作为饲粮中的新型蛋白质原料。     

Activity of blue green microalgae extracts against in vitro generated Staphylococcus aureus with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin

Blue green microalgae have been identified as one of the promising groups of organism from which biochemically active natural products have been isolated. Aqueous and organic extracts of nine blue green microalgae strains were screened against in vitro generated vancomycin intermediate resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) strains. Aqueous extracts of all the blue green microalgae cultures were found to be inactive, while all the organic (hexane, chloroform and methanolic) extracts of Anabaena virabilis and Anabaena sp. showed activity against VISA strains with MIC of 32-64 mug/ml.     

Effect of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) on Growth Performance,Feed Utilization,Whole-Body Composition,and Resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila in Nile Tilapia

Four isonitrogenous (30% crude protein) and isocaloric (4.40 kcal/g) experimental diets were formulated to contain 0.0% (control), 0.5%, 1.0%, or 1.5% cinnamon. The diet containing 1% cinnamon resulted in significantly greater (P < 0.05) specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed efficiency ratio (FER), protein efficiency ratio (PER), apparent protein utilization (APU), and energy utilization (EU). In regard to body composition, there was no significant difference in dry matter, protein, lipids, and ash (P > 0.05) contents due to cinnamon supplementation. Blood plasma profile showed an improvement in hemoglobin (HB), red blood cell (RBCS), hematocrite (PCV), total protein, and total lipids, while there was a decrease in creatinin, urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and glucose in fish fed 1% cinnamon. Cinnamon was found to have an antibacterial activity antagonistic to Aeromonas hydrophila infection in fish. Performance and FCR improvement translated into a 10% decrease in feed costs associated with the 1% cinnamon diet.     

The elecrophysiological bulbocavernosus reflex test in female dogs: Its technique and applicability

The intent of the study was to clarify the technique and the application of the electrophysiological bulbocavernosus reflex (EBCR) test in healthy female dogs. For this aim, 15 healthy female dogs were used in the study. The stimulations were made on the clitoris and the responses were recorded from the right side of the external anal sphincter muscle with a concentric needle recording electrode. The EBCR had response latencies between 18.99 and 25.69ms with the mean value of 22.26ms. The EBCR reflex test is not yet widely used for the evaluation of the functional integrity of sacral spinal cord segments and nerve roots in veterinary clinics. Our experiences indicated that the EBCR reflex test gives valuable data about sacral spinal reflex arc functionality and can be accepted as a routine diagnostic method in small animal clinics for evaluation of the sacral reflex arc.     

Molecular and pathological investigations of EHV-1 and EHV-4 infections in horses in Turkey

The aim of the present study was to investigate abortion storms that occurred in the Marmara region of Turkey in 2008-2009 using a real-time PCR. Two aborted foetuses were necropsied and histo-pathological findings reported herein. Ten lungs, 3 brains and one nasal swab from 10 aborted foetuses, 6 nasal swabs and 3 vaginal swabs from aborting mares were included in this study. EHV-1 was isolated from the lung, liver and brain of 1 aborted foetus. EHV-1 DNA was detected in the lungs, livers and spleens of 2 necropsied foetuses and in 3 lungs from 10 foetuses submitted for diagnosis. A brain from one of the aborted foetuses was also positive for EHV-1 DNA. EHV-4 DNA was detected only in a nasal swab of one of the tested foetuses. Neither EHV-1 nor EHV-4 DNA was detected in the swabs of aborting mares. Sequence analysis of the glycoprotein B of the strains was performed and a phylogenetic tree was generated. The results indicated that 4 of the 5 Turkish EHV-1 strains (TR02, TR03, TR04 and TR05) clustered together; the fifth strain (TR01) was slightly removed from the group and clustered with other EHV-1 from various origins. Single nucleotide polyporphism (SNP in ORF30) associated with neuropathogenesis was not detected in any of the strains. At necropsy, sub-milier focal necrosis in the liver and spleen was observed. Microscopically, focal coagulation necrosis and marked eosinophilic intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the hepatocytes localised around the necrotic areas in the liver. Severe coagulation necrosis in white pulp of the spleen was also observed.     

Interaction of Crop Load and Irrigation on Yield,Fruit Size,Color and Stem-end Splitting Ratio of Apple c.v. ‘Gala,Galaxy’

In this study, the interaction between crop load and irrigation level on yield, fruit size, skin color and stem-end splitting fruit ratio in the apple cultivar ‘Gala, Galaxy’ grafted on rootstock M9 were investigated. Six irrigation programs were applied during the whole growth season: deficit irrigation (rates of 0.25 kc, 0.50 kc, 0.75 kc), full irrigation (rate of 1.00 kc), excess irrigation (rate of 1.25 kc) and non-irrigation (rates of 0.00 kc of “Class A” pan evaporation coefficient). Four crop loads in each irrigation application were performed by hand thinning after the June drop as a- a low crop load (3 fruits cm^?2 TCA), b- a medium crop load (5 fruits cm^?2 TCA), c- a heavy crop load (7 fruits cm^?2 TCA), and d- an un-thinned crop load (>?7 fruits cm^?2 TCA). The total tree yield increased with crop load and irrigation levels. Fruit size was significantly increased by the low crop load. Irrigation increased the fruit size compared to non-irrigation treatment. Further 0.75 kc, 1.00 kc and 1.25 kc irrigation treatments significantly increased the fruit length. Irrigation reduced the fruit flesh firmness. While the low crop load increased the skin red color, it decreased the fruit skin brightness. The yellowness of skin decreased with increasing in the irrigation amount. Irrigation reduced the skin brightness and yellowness, but it increased red color. Crop load and irrigation significantly affected the stem-end splitting fruit ratio. While the splitting fruit ratio increased with a decrease in the crop load, it decreased with an increase in irrigation amount, relatively. Consequently, the low and medium crop load treatments would be beneficial to increase the ratio of marketable fruits without any significant losses in yield for ‘Gala’ apple, especially under 0.75 kc deficit irrigation treatment.     

Electrical stimulation of lumbar spinal nerve roots in dogs

The aim of this study was to test the applicability of electrical stimulation of lumbar spinal nerve roots and obtain normative electrical root stimulation (ERS) data for L7 nerve root and sciatic nerve in dogs. For that purpose ERS and sciatic nerve stimulations were performed consecutively, in totally 40 healthy dogs. ERS was applied in the L7/S1 intervertebral space via monopolar needle electrodes. Muscle responses were recorded from the gastrocnemius muscles on the left and right hind limbs. Sciatic nerve stimulation was performed at the greater trochanter level on the left hind limb, with records obtained from the left gastrocnemius muscle. Mean root latencies of the left and right side were 5.22?±?0.49 ms and 5.29?±?0.53 ms, respectively. There was no significant difference in root latency between the right and left sides. The mean terminal latency was 3.82?±?0.46 ms. The proximal motor nerve conduction velocity of the sciatic nerve was 63.15?±?3.43 m/s. The results of this study show that ERS provides objective data about the integrity of lumbar spinal nerve roots by evaluating the entire population of motor fibres and total length of the motor axon in dogs. ERS can be considered a useful diagnostic method for confirmation of diagnoses of lumbosacral diseases.