Analysis of risk factors for dermatitis and cellulitis in turkeys using abattoir post mortem data.

1. Cellulitis and dermatitis are often seen in turkeys at slaughter and are, in many cases, reasons for rejection at meat inspection. Using the results of meat inspections and information about the housing conditions of the animals may provide information on causative factors in the development of cellulitis and dermatitis. 2. A census of two years of turkey production in a company including both fattening farms and an abattoir in the north of England was used to study the relationship between the prevalence of cellulitis/dermatitis and mechanical versus natural ventilation in the poultry house, litter type (long straw, short straw and wood shavings) and stocking density. 3. The overall prevalence of cellulitis and dermatitis in this population was 0.12 %, which was extremely low compared to reports in the literature. In mechanically ventilated houses, the odds of developing cellulitis and/or dermatitis was significantly higher than in naturally ventilated houses (Odds Ratio 3.18). Long straw had a protective effect compared to wood shavings (Odds Ratio 0.18). 4. The study showed that using slaughter data can be helpful in studying on-farm risk factors for disease development.

Influence of experimental protocol on response rate and repeatability of mechanical threshold testing in dogs.

Mechanical threshold (MT) testing is widely used to measure nociceptive thresholds. However, there has been little research into factors that contribute to the response rate and repeatability (collectively termed 'efficacy') of MT testing protocols. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the efficacy of a protocol using a hand-held algometer to measure MTs (N) in healthy dogs (n = 12) was affected by varying (1) the area over which force was applied (tip diameter), (2) rate of force application, (3) position of dog during testing, and (4) anatomical site of testing. The effect of these factors on MT and the impact of individual dog effects on both efficacy and MT were also investigated. Overall, 3175/3888 tests (82%) resulted in a measurable response. The response rate was reduced by using wider tip diameters, testing at the tibia, and testing when the dog was lying down (compared to sitting upright). Wider tips were associated with higher, more variable MTs (mean ± standard deviation) with values of 4.18 ± 2.55 N for 2 mm diameter tips, 5.54 ± 3.33 for those of 4 mm, and 7.59 ± 4.73 for 8 mm tips. Individual dog effects had the most significant impact on efficacy and MT. The findings indicate that tip diameter, dog position, and anatomical site may affect both protocol efficacy and MTs, and should be taken into account when comparing different studies and in designing protocols to measure MTs in dogs. The predominant effect of the individual dog over other factors indicates that between-subject differences should always be accounted for in future studies.

Optimising import risk mitigation: anticipating the unintended consequences and competing risks of informal trade.

The effectiveness of risk mitigation may be compromised by informal trade, including illegal activities, parallel markets and extra-legal activities. While no regulatory system is 100% effective in eliminating the risk of disease transmission through animal and animal product trade, extreme risk aversion in formal import health regulations may increase informal trade, with the unintended consequence of creating additional risks outside regulatory purview. Optimal risk mitigation on a national scale requires scientifically sound yet flexible mitigation strategies that can address the competing risks of formal and informal trade. More robust risk analysis and creative engagement of nontraditional partners provide avenues for addressing informal trade.

Long-term culture of a cell population from Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) head kidney.

In vitro cultures of native fish cell lines are of great importance, both for basic research and applied science. In particular, there is strong demand for long-term growable cell lines from breeding fish, like sturgeon. Here, we describe the culture of cells from Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) head kidney. The cells have so far been cultured over a period of 12 months (24 passages). Cytochemical and immunocytochemical examination suggests that, in vitro, the cells exhibit markers that are indicative for different cell types. In particular, fat storing cells (adipocytes) were observed, and the expression of cytokeratins and glial fibrilar acidic protein (GFAP) can be concluded on the basis of immuncytochemical analysis. The observation of different morphologies additionally underlines the heterogeneity of the cell population and matches the typical behaviour of in vitro cultures of stem/progenitor cells. Different applications can be imagined.

Derivation of oocyte-like cells from a clonal pancreatic stem cell line.

Adult pancreatic stem cells (PSCs) are able to differentiate spontaneously in vitro into various somatic cell types. Stem cells isolated from rat pancreas show extensive self-renewal ability and grow in highly viable long-term cultures. Additionally, these cells express typical stem cell markers such as Oct-4, nestin and SSEA-1. Although differentiation potential is slightly decreasing in long-term cultures, it is possible to keep cell lines up to passage 140. Clonal cell lines could be established from different passages and showed similar characteristics. Remarkably, one clonal cell line, generated from passage 75, showed deviant properties during further culture. Clonal cells formed aggregates, which built tissue-like structures in suspension culture. These generated 3D aggregates produced permanently new cells at the outside margin. Released cells had remarkable size, and closer examination by light microscopy analysis revealed oocyte-like morphology. A comparison of the gene expression patterns between primary cultures of passages 8 and 75, the clonal cell line and the produced oocyte-like cells (OLCs) from tissue-like structures demonstrated some differences. Expression of various germ cell markers, such as Vasa, growth differentiation marker 9 and SSEA-1, increased in the clonal cell line, and OLCs showed additionally expression of meiosis-specific markers SCP3 and DMC1. We here present a first pilot study investigating the putative germ line potential of adult PSCs.

The repair of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in the individual genes Gart, Notch and white from isolated brain tissue of Drosophila melanogaster.

We have measured the induction and removal of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers from defined, DNA sequences in brains isolated from wild-type Drosophila melanogaster third instar larvae. Brains were exposed to a single dose of 500 J/m2 UVB and kept in the dark for up to 48 h. Within 48 h after irradiation, 50% of the dimers are removed from the actively transcribed genes Gart and Notch. Moreover, these kinetics are similar to the time course of dimer removal measured in the transcriptionally inactive white gene. It is further demonstrated that the genome overall is repaired at a similar rate. The results are discussed with respect to the in vivo irradiation of brains and to the data found for gene-specific repair in other eukaryotes.

Herd monitoring in traditional cattle husbandry as a tool for productivity research and livestock development.

In the Western Province of Zambia, a productivity study was carried out in traditionally managed cattle herds. The organisational design of the study and the procedures involved in the management of the data are described. Some possibilities of use of the data are discussed.

Effect of interferon-alpha on MHC expression and influx of inflammatory cells on the rat eye.

Interferon-alpha can be used as additional treatment of herpes keratitis. However, several studies have demonstrated that interferon-alpha can induce immunological changes in several tissues, and if used in a patient with a corneal transplantation, those changes might induce rejection of the corneal transplant. In order to determine the immunological changes in corneal tissue, we examined the effect of local treatment with interferon-alpha on MHC Class I and II expression, and inflammatory cell influx in the rat eye, and compared this with the changes induced by intrastromal sutures. These changes were evaluated by immunohistology for MHC Class I and II and several immunologically active cells. Intrastromal sutures induced an influx of lymphocytes and macrophages and induction and/or upregulation of MHC Class I and II. Local treatment with interferon-alpha did not have any of these effects. We conclude that topical use of interferon-alpha is not likely to induce rejection of a corneal graft.

[Veterinary medicine and organic animal husbandry. II. Organic animal husbandry: a challenge for veterinary medicine]. / Diergeneeskunde en biologische veehouderij. II Biologische veehouderij: een uitdaging voor de diergeneeskunde.

Biological agriculture serves as an example on an endeavour to achieve durability. Government policies offer possibilities for the further development of biological animal husbandry. Biological veterinary practice places emphasis on the promotion of animal health, rather than on the treatment of disease. Because the aim is to reduce medication, this goal is consistent with the approach of biological animal husbandry. These new developments are of interest to veterinary practitioners and require professional knowledge to be adapted to the biological way of thinking.

[Veterinary medicine and organic animal husbandry. III. Animal health in organic dairy farms]. / Diergeneeskunde en biologische veehouderij. III Diergezondheid op biologische melkvee-bedrijven.

Animal health is dealt with differently on biological farms then on conventional farms. On biological farms, stockmen see their animals not only as individual animals, but also as part of a herd in a balanced ecosystem. Disease prevention is therefore given much thought. The use of medicines is selective and subjected to strict regulations. This paper presents a summary of disease incidence in dairy cattle on biological farms and highlights specific problems and problem prevention in biological animal husbandry.

Neither enhanced removal of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers nor strand-specific repair is found after transcription induction of the beta 3-tubulin gene in a Drosophila embryonic cell line Kc.

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) of ultraviolet (UV) light induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) was assayed in a Drosophila melanogaster Kc subline that responds to treatment with the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-OH-E; beta-ecdysone, ecdysterone). In this cell line the hormone induces transcription of the beta 3-tubulin gene which is not expressed under standard culture conditions. Cells were exposed to either 10 or 15 J/m2 UV (predominantly 254-nm) and removal of CPDs from several genes, including beta 3-tubulin, and total cellular DNA was assayed. We show that upon induction of transcription of the beta 3-tubulin gene, its repair is not enhanced. In non-treated as well as 20-OH-E treated cells, repair kinetics in beta 3-tubulin resemble those in the active genes Gart and Notch, the inactive locus white and total cellular DNA. Moreover, in the presence as well as in the absence of transcription, the separate strands of the beta 3-tubulin gene are repaired with the same rate and to the same extent: about 90% after 24 h. It can be concluded from these observations that transcription is not a prerequisite for the efficient repair of CPDs in the Drosophila embryonic Kc cell line.

Absence of strand-specific repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in active genes in Drosophila melanogaster Kc cells.

Strand-specific excision repair of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers was investigated in three genes: Gart, Notch and white in the permanent Kc cell line derived from wild-type Drosophila melanogaster embryonic cells. In this cell line Gart and Notch are transcriptionally active, whereas white is not expressed. Cells were irradiated with 10 or 15 J/m2 ultraviolet (UV) light (predominantly 254 nm). In all three genes, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers were removed from the non-transcribed strand at the same rate and to the same extent as from the transcribed strand, indicating the absence of strand-specific repair in permanent Drosophila embryonic cell lines.

Repair of UV-induced pyrimidine dimers in the individual genes Gart, Notch and white from Drosophila melanogaster cell lines.

The excision repair of UV-induced pyrimidine dimers was investigated in three genes: Gart, Notch and white in a permanent Drosophila cell line Kc, derived from wild type Drosophila melanogaster embryonic cells. In this cell line Gart and Notch are actively transcribed, whereas white is not expressed. In all three genes UV-induced pyrimidine dimers were removed with the same rate and to the same extent: 60% removal within 16 hours, up to 80-100% in 24 hours after irradiation with 10 or 15 J/m2 UV. These kinetics are similar to the time course of dimer removal measured in the genome overall. No difference in repair of the inactive white locus compared to the active Gart and Notch genes was found. Similar results were obtained using a different wild type cell line, SL2, although repair appeared to be somewhat slower in this cell line. The results are discussed with respect to the data found for gene specific repair in other eukaryotic systems.

A comparison of different enrichment media for the isolation of Salmonella dublin from livers, kidneys and muscles of Salmonella-positive veal calves.

Amongst a herd of 250, approximately 22 weeks old, Dutch Friesian veal calves, 84 were condemned on meat inspection because of typical pathology of salmonellosis, confirmed by isolation of Salmonella dublin from spleens. From the condemned animals 15 carcasses were randomly selected for further investigation. Their livers, kidneys and samples of their longissimus dorsi muscles were examined for Salmonella using Rappaport-Vassiliadis' and Muller-Kauffmann's enrichment media. In addition, livers were macroscopically scanned for necrotic foci. Signs of (multiple) miliary liver necrosis were not consistently related to isolation of Salmonella from the three tissues examined. Although all spleens had been found positive for Salmonella, from only 53% of the livers, 33% of the kidneys and 27% of the muscles could salmonellae be isolated by one or both enrichment procedures. The Rappaport-Vassiliadis enrichment medium was found to be slightly superior for the isolation of salmonellae. All Salmonella-isolates were serotyped as Salmonella dublin. Their antibiograms showed the expected resistance to chloramphenicol and tetracyclines but, surprisingly, sensitivity to ampicillin, kanamycin, neomycin and streptomycin.

[Experimental induced pancreatic carcinoma after choledochojejunostomy (author's transl)]. / Experimentell induziertes Pankreascarcinom nach Choledochojejunostomie.

The pancreatic carcinogen DHPN (dihydroxypropylnitrosamin) was administered to Syrian golden hamsters. By intragastric administration more pancreatic carcinomas in the head of the gland were induced than by subcutaneous injections. After choledochojejunostomy the incidence of carcinomas was only 5--7% and the lesions were similar in multiplicity and distribution without relationship to the way of administration. The importance of biliary reflux in pancreatic tumor induction is discussed and the role of bile concerning the preferred localisation of the tumors in the head of the pancreas.