Gene expression in Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larvae exposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii identifies shared and microbe-specific induction of immune genes.

Antibiotic resistance is a continuing challenge in medicine. There are various strategies for expanding antibiotic therapeutic repertoires, including the use of blow flies. Their larvae exhibit strong antibiotic and antibiofilm properties that alter microbiome communities. One species, Lucilia sericata, is used to treat problematic wounds due to its debridement capabilities and its excretions and secretions that kill some pathogenic bacteria. There is much to be learned about how L. sericata interacts with microbiomes at the molecular level. To address this deficiency, gene expression was assessed after feeding exposure (1 h or 4 h) to two clinically problematic pathogens: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. The results identified immunity-related genes that were differentially expressed when exposed to these pathogens, as well as non-immune genes possibly involved in gut responses to bacterial infection. There was a greater response to P. aeruginosa that increased over time, while few genes responded to A. baumannii exposure, and expression was not time-dependent. The response to feeding on pathogens indicates a few common responses and features distinct to each pathogen, which is useful in improving the wound debridement therapy and helps to develop biomimetic alternatives.

Control of AC133/CD133 and impact on human hematopoietic progenitor cells through nucleolin.

AC133 is a prominent surface marker of CD34+ and CD34- hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) subsets. AC133+ HSPCs contain high progenitor cell activity and are capable of hematopoietic reconstitution. Furthermore, AC133 is used for prospective isolation of tumor-initiating cells in several hematological malignancies. Nucleolin is a multifunctional factor of growing and cancer cells, which is aberrantly active in certain hematological neoplasms, and serves as a candidate molecular target for cancer therapy. Nucleolin is involved in gene transcription and RNA metabolism and is prevalently expressed in HSPCs, as opposed to differentiated hematopoietic tissue. The present study dissects nucleolin-mediated activation of surface AC133 and its cognate gene CD133, via specific interaction of nucleolin with the tissue-dependent CD133 promoter P1, as a mechanism that crucially contributes to AC133 expression in CD34+ HSPCs. In mobilized peripheral blood (MPB)-derived HSPCs, nucleolin elevates colony-forming unit (CFU) frequencies and enriches granulocyte-macrophage CFUs. Furthermore, nucleolin amplifies long-term culture-initiating cells and also promotes long-term, cytokine-dependent maintenance of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Active ß-catenin, active Akt and Bcl-2 levels in MPB-derived HSPCs are nucleolin-dependent, and effects of nucleolin on these cells partially rely on ß-catenin activity. The study provides new insights into molecular network relevant to stem/progenitor cells in normal and malignant hematopoiesis.

Consensus of German transplant centers on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Fanconi anemia.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is currently the only curative therapy for the severe hematopoietic complications associated with Fanconi anemia (FA). In Germany, it is estimated that 10-15 transplants are performed annually for FA. However, because FA is a DNA repair disorder, standard conditioning regimens confer a high risk of excessive regimen-related toxicities and mortality, and reduced intensity regimens are linked with graft failure in some FA patients. Moreover, development of graft-versus-host disease is a major contributing factor for secondary solid tumors. The relative rarity of the disorder limits HSCT experience at any single center. Consensus meetings were convened to develop a national approach for HSCT in FA. This manuscript outlines current experience and knowledge about HSCT in FA and, based on this analysis, general recommendations reached at these meetings.

Necrotic cell-derived high mobility group box 1 attracts antigen-presenting cells but inhibits hepatocyte growth factor-mediated tropism of mesenchymal stem cells for apoptotic cell death.

Tissue damage due to apoptotic or necrotic cell death typically initiates distinct cellular responses, leading either directly to tissue repair and regeneration or to immunological processes first, to clear the site, for example, of potentially damage-inducing agents. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) as well as immature dendritic cells (iDC) and monocytes migrate to injured tissues. MSC have regenerative capacity, whereas monocytes and iDC have a critical role in inflammation and induction of immune responses, including autoimmunity after tissue damage. Here, we investigated the influence of apoptotic and necrotic cell death on recruitment of MSC, monocytes and iDC, and identified hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and the alarmin high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) as key factors differentially regulating these migratory responses. MSC, but not monocytes or iDC, were attracted by apoptotic cardiomyocytic and neuronal cells, whereas necrosis induced migration of monocytes and iDC, but not of MSC. Only apoptotic cell death resulted in HGF production and HGF-mediated migration of MSC towards the apoptotic targets. In contrast, HMGB1 was predominantly released by the necrotic cells and mediated recruitment of monocytes and iDC via the receptor of advanced glycation end products. Moreover, necrotic cardiomyocytic and neuronal cells caused an HMGB1/toll-like receptor-4-dependent inhibition of MSC migration towards apoptosis or HGF, while recruitment of monocytes and iDC by necrosis or HMGB1 was not affected by apoptotic cells or HGF. Thus, the type of cell death differentially regulates recruitment of either MSC or monocytes and iDC through HGF and HMGB1, respectively, with a dominant, HMGB1-mediated role of necrosis in determining tropism after tissue injury.

Osteonecrosis in paediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treated on Co-ALL-07-03 trial: a single centre analysis.

BACKGROUND: Osteonecroses (ON) are a serious problem after anti-leukaemic treatment in childhood and critically depend on treatment intensity. We analysed ON incidence, risk factors and outcome in patients (pts) from our institution treated according to the CoALL 07-03 trial. METHODS: Between 01.09.2003 and 31.12.2009, 124 children aged 1-18 years were treated, 22 pts with ON (ARCO I-IV) were assessed by retrospective chart review. Follow-up data were collected as of March 2013. RESULTS: 5-year cumulative incidence of ON grade I-IV was 25%. Median age at ALL diagnosis with vs. without ON was 11 years vs. 4.4 years. In logistic multivariate regression analysis, age was the only independent risk factor for ON (p<0.01). 90.9% of the pts with ON presented with ≥2 bilaterally affected joints, most frequent the weight-bearing joints (95.5%). 77.2% developed ON ≥°III acc. to ARCO. 36.4% underwent core decompression, one patient bilateral total hip arthroplasty. As of March 2013, 12 pts still presented with ON-induced symptoms. DISCUSSION: Our data suggest an overall high incidence of ON in pts treated according to trial CoALL 07-03. Cumulative steroid dose in trial CoALL 07-03 was small, thus, the high CI might be triggered by other treatment-related and study population based risk factors. CONCLUSION: ON are a serious problem concerning long-term sequelae with major impact on activities of daily living. Further prospective evaluation is urgently needed to develop risk-adapted diagnostic strategies and preventive and interventional approaches for high-risk pts.

Mesenchymal stromal cells in the antimicrobial host response of hematopoietic stem cell recipients with graft-versus-host disease--friends or foes?

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells, which exhibit broad immunosuppressive activities. Moreover, they may be administered irrespectively of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) compatibility, without inducing life-threatening immunological reactions, as they express no HLA class II and limited HLA class I antigens under resting conditions. These characteristics have made MSC an appealing candidate for cell therapy after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), for example, for treatment of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) or for graft rejection prevention/treatment in allogeneic HSCT recipients. Unfortunately, information regarding the effect of MSC infusion on the host response to infectious agents is scarce, and study results on infectious complications in patients receiving MSC are conflicting. The present review focuses on the available data from in vitro studies and animal models regarding the interaction of MSC with bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens. In a clinical part, we present the current information on infectious complications in allogeneic HSCT recipients who had received MSCs as prophylaxis or treatment of GvHD disease.

ΔJunD overexpression in the nucleus accumbens prevents sexual reward in female Syrian hamsters.

Motivated behaviors, including sexual experience, activate the mesolimbic dopamine system and produce long-lasting molecular and structural changes in the nucleus accumbens. The transcription factor ΔFosB is hypothesized to partly mediate this experience-dependent plasticity. Previous research in our laboratory has demonstrated that overexpressing ΔFosB in the nucleus accumbens of female Syrian hamsters augments the ability of sexual experience to cause the formation of a conditioned place preference. It is unknown, however, whether ΔFosB-mediated transcription in the nucleus accumbens is required for the behavioral consequences of sexual reward. We therefore used an adeno-associated virus to overexpress ΔJunD, a dominant negative binding partner of ΔFosB that decreases ΔFosB-mediated transcription by competitively heterodimerizing with ΔFosB before binding at promotor regions on target genes, in the nucleus accumbens. We found that overexpression of ΔJunD prevented the formation of a conditioned place preference following repeated sexual experiences. These data, when coupled with our previous findings, suggest that ΔFosB is both necessary and sufficient for behavioral plasticity following sexual experience. Furthermore, these results contribute to an important and growing body of literature demonstrating the necessity of endogenous ΔFosB expression in the nucleus accumbens for adaptive responding to naturally rewarding stimuli.

Antimicrobial effects of murine mesenchymal stromal cells directed against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum: role of immunity-related GTPases (IRGs) and guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs).

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have a multilineage differentiation potential and provide immunosuppressive and antimicrobial functions. Murine as well as human MSCs restrict the proliferation of T cells. However, species-specific differences in the underlying molecular mechanisms have been described. Here, we analyzed the antiparasitic effector mechanisms active in murine MSCs. Murine MSCs, in contrast to human MSCs, could not restrict the growth of a highly virulent strain of Toxoplasma gondii (BK) after stimulation with IFN-γ. However, the growth of a type II strain of T. gondii (ME49) was strongly inhibited by IFN-γ-activated murine MSCs. Immunity-related GTPases (IRGs) as well as guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) contributed to this antiparasitic effect. Further analysis showed that IFN-γ-activated mMSCs also inhibit the growth of Neospora caninum, a parasite belonging to the apicomplexan group as well. Detailed studies with murine IFN-γ-activated MSC indicated an involvement in IRGs like Irga6, Irgb6 and Irgd in the inhibition of N. caninum. Additional data showed that, furthermore, GBPs like mGBP1 and mGBP2 could have played a role in the anti-N. caninum effect of murine MSCs. These data underline that MSCs, in addition to their regenerative and immunosuppressive activity, function as antiparasitic effector cells as well. However, IRGs are not present in the human genome, indicating a species-specific difference in anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum effect between human and murine MSCs.

Allo-SCT using BU, CY and melphalan for children with AML in second CR.

Based on the results from the AML-BFM 98 trial, hematopoietic SCT (HSCT) is recommended for children with AML in second CR only. Here, we retrospectively analyze interphase data of children who underwent HSCT after myeloablative conditioning with BU, CY, and melphalan (BuCyMel) for AML in second remission (CR2) between 1998 and 2009. Out of 152 children, transplant data were available on 109 individuals. Sixty out of 109 children (55%) received BuCyMel. Median age at HSCT was 12.2 years (range 3.0; 18.3). GVHD prophylaxis mostly consisted of CsA and short term MTX with or without antithymocyte globulin. Matched-sibling donors were used for 6/60 analyzed recipients, the remainder either received grafts from matched unrelated (30/60) or mismatched donors. OS after 5 years was 62% (s.e. 6%), relapse incidence 35% (18/60 children) and treatment-related mortality accounted for 12% (7/60) of fatal events. In conclusion, even taking into account possible selection bias in this retrospective analysis, HSCT in CR2 using BuCyMel resulted in a respectable OS. Based on this data the prospective, controlled and centrally monitored AML SCT-BFM 2007 trial has started to recruit patients in January 2010 aiming to generate valid outcome data for further strategy decisions.

Long-term follow-up of children conditioned with Treosulfan: German and Austrian experience.

We report the long-term follow-up of children transplanted with Treosulfan (TREO)-based conditioning in Germany and Austria. Nine centres reported a total of 109 transplantations. Patients were stratified according to the paediatric TRM risk score derived from the paediatric BMT registry (PRST) and compared with the historical transplant population of this registry. Underlying diseases were malignancies, immunodeficiencies, and haematologic and metabolic disorders. TREO total dose ranged from 21-42 g/m(2). Additional conditioning drugs included fludarabine, thiotepa, melphalan, CY and/or TBI. EFS at 3 years for non-malignant and malignant diseases was 88% and 49%, respectively. Leukaemia patients in remission had a survival of 51% at 3 years; nonremission patients relapsed and died within 18 months. TRM and OS in the low-risk groups 0 and 1 were similar to PRST controls. TRM in the high-risk groups 2 and 3 was markedly lower (9% vs 28% and 13% vs 53%, respectively) than in the PRST group, but OS was similar. In conclusion, TREO-based conditioning regimens in children resulted in excellent engraftment and long-term survival in nonmalignant disease. In high-risk malignancy, low acute toxicity was followed by low TRM but it did not translate into increased survival.

Aggressive experience increases dendritic spine density within the nucleus accumbens core in female Syrian hamsters.

Activity within the mesolimbic dopamine system is associated with the performance of naturally motivated behaviors, one of which is aggression. In male rats, aggressive behavior induces neurochemical changes within the nucleus accumbens, a key structure within the mesolimbic dopamine system. Corresponding studies have not been done in females. Female Syrian hamsters live as isolates and when not sexually responsive are aggressive toward either male or female intruders, making them an excellent model for studying aggression in females. We took advantage of this naturally expressed behavior to examine the effects of repeated aggressive experience on the morphology of medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens and caudate nucleus, utilizing a DiOlistic labeling approach. We found that repeated aggressive experience significantly increased spine density within the nucleus accumbens core, with no significant changes in any other brain region examined. At the same time, significant changes in spine morphology were observed in all brain regions following repeated aggressive experience. These data are significant in that they demonstrate that repeated exposure to behaviors that form part of an animal's life history will alter neuronal structure in a way that may shift neurobiological responses to impact future social interactions.

Efficient control of pandemic 2009 H1N1 virus infection with intravenous zanamivir despite the lack of immune function.

A teenager who acquired 2009 H1N1 influenza A lower respiratory tract infection during total bone marrow and lymphoid aplasia, in the setting of human leukocyte antigen-haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, was successfully treated with intravenous zanamivir. This case demonstrates efficient control of pandemic influenza infection by intravenous zanamivir in the absence of any functional immune system, thus suggesting profound antiviral activity.

Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza infection in pediatric hemato-oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients.

BACKGROUND: For children with hemato-oncologic diseases, especially after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the risk for developing complications related to pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 (pH1N1) infection is largely unknown. METHODS: A retrospective chart study was performed of pH1N1 cases diagnosed between October 2009 to January 2010 in the hemato-oncologic unit of the University Children's Hospital of Düsseldorf, Germany. FINDINGS: In total, 21 children were diagnosed with laboratory-confirmed pH1N1; in 16 patients with malignancies (acute leukemia 7, lymphoma 4, solid tumors 2, others 3) and in 5 with benign hematologic disorders. Five patients had undergone prior HSCT, although 1 patient was diagnosed during conditioning therapy with high-dose chemotherapy in preparation for haploidentical HSCT. Most frequent symptoms were fever (>38.5°C) and cough (in 100%), and rhinorrhea (57%). The 2 patients acquiring pH1N1 infection under high-dose or intensive chemotherapy did not require intensive care or mechanical ventilation, and both recovered under antiviral therapy. Oseltamivir was administered to 11 patients; in 1 patient, therapy was switched, on a compassionate-use basis, to intravenous zanamivir because of lack of clinical improvement after oseltamivir therapy. Complications were hospitalization (19%), demand of oxygen supplementation, delay/interruption of antineoplastic therapy, and prolonged administration of antibiotics and antipyretics. CONCLUSION: In the investigated patient population, pH1N1 was mild in most cases, but was associated with substantial morbidity in a proportion of patients and led to interruption and delay in anticancer treatment.

Invasive aspergillosis in pediatric oncology patients: a rare event with poor prognosis--case analysis to plan better targeted prophylactic or therapeutic measurement.

Despite the implementation of new antifungal drugs, invasive aspergillosis (IA) still remains a considerable challenge in pediatric oncology with a severe mortality. Prophylactic and therapeutic measurement have to be evaluated in these rare but poor prognostic patients. Therefore the entire group of patients at risk of developing IA has to be defined before cooperative prospective trials. In a retrospective analysis including all our patients with malignancies we looked for patients with proven/probable IA. Cases of the period from 2003 to 2008 were analyzed in detail.In the period between 2003 to 2008 24 of 755 patients were affected by proven/ probable IA. Compared to former studies incidence increased from 1.3%in 1980 to 3.4% in 2008. AML patients with or without allogeneic/haploidentical stem cell transplantation were at highest risk (24% and 25% respectively, in comparison to 1% in ALL-patients). Survival after 2 years was 50% for patients with AML and IA. In patients with high risk to develop IA the effect of intensified, intravenous antimycotic prophylaxis has to be proven prospectively in a cooperative and randomized setting.

Human but not murine multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial effector function mediated by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase.

Human multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) exhibit multilineage differentiation potential, support hematopoiesis, and inhibit proliferation and effector function of various immune cells. On the basis of these properties, MSC are currently under clinical investigation in a range of therapeutic applications including tissue repair and immune-mediated disorders such as graft-versus-host-disease refractory to pharmacological immunosuppression. Although initial clinical results appear promising, there are significant concerns that application of MSC might inadvertently suppress antimicrobial immunity with an increased risk of infection. We demonstrate here that on stimulation with inflammatory cytokines human MSC exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial effector function directed against a range of clinically relevant bacteria, protozoal parasites and viruses. Moreover, we identify the tryptophan catabolizing enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) as the underlying molecular mechanism. We furthermore delineate significant differences between human and murine MSC in that murine MSC fail to express IDO and inhibit bacterial growth. Conversely, only murine but not human MSC express inducible nitric oxide synthase on cytokine stimulation thus challenging the validity of murine in vivo models for the preclinical evaluation of human MSC. Collectively, our data identify human MSC as a cellular immunosuppressant that concurrently exhibits potent antimicrobial effector function thus encouraging their further evaluation in clinical trials.

MHC class II deficiency cured by unrelated mismatched umbilical cord blood transplantation: case report and review of 68 cases in the literature.

MHC class II deficiency is a rare and fatal form of primary combined immunodeficiency caused by a lack of T-cell-dependent humoral and cellular immune response to foreign antigens, which can only be cured by allogenic stem cell transplantation. In the literature search, we identified 68 cases of HSCT in MHC class II deficiency in the last 14 yr. Pre- and post-transplant MHC class II deficiency is complicated by overwhelming viral infections, a high incidence of GvHD, and graft failure with a poor overall survival rate below 50%. We report an eight-month-old boy presenting with severe respiratory infections and chronic diarrhea, whose sister died at the age of four yr from septicemia. MHC II deficiency was caused by an RFXANK-mutation and treated successfully by 4/6 mismatched unrelated CBT after a myeloablative conditioning regimen based on anti-thymocyte globulin, busulfane, fludarabine, and cyclophosphamide. At present, our patient is well with full immune reconstitution 3(4/12) yr after CBT. CB may represent an alternative source of stem cells for children with MHC class II deficiency without a suitable donor.

Aggressiveness and brain amine concentration in dominant and subordinate finishing pigs fed the beta-adrenoreceptor agonist ractopamine.

Under farm conditions, aggression related to the formation of social hierarchy and competition for resources can be a major problem because of associated injuries, social stress, and carcass losses. Any factor that may affect the regulation and amount of aggression within a farmed system, for instance, feeding the beta-adrenoreceptor agonist ractopamine (RAC), is therefore worthy of investigation. The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of the widely used swine feed additive RAC, considering also the effects of sex and social rank on aggressiveness and concentrations of brain amines, neurotransmitters essential for controlling aggression, in finishing pigs. Thirty-two barrows and 32 gilts (4 pigs/pen by sex) were fed either a control diet or a diet with RAC (Paylean, Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) added (5 mg/kg for 2 wk, followed by 10 mg/kg for 2 wk). The top dominant and bottom subordinate pigs (16 pigs/sex) in each pen were determined after mixing by a 36-h period of continuous behavioral observation. These pigs were then subjected to resident-intruder tests (maximum 300 s) during the feeding trial to measure aggressiveness. At the end of wk 4, the amygdala, frontal cortex, hypothalamus, and raphe nuclei were dissected and analyzed for concentrations of dopamine (DA); serotonin (5-HT); their metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), respectively; norepinephrine; and epinephrine using HPLC. Ractopamine-fed gilts performed more attacks during the first 30 s of testing than pigs in all other subgroups (P < 0.05). By the end of the resident-intruder test (300 s), the dominant control gilts and barrows, and both dominant and subordinate RAC-fed gilts performed the greatest percentage of attacks (P < 0.05). Gilts had decreased norepinephrine and DOPAC concentrations in the amygdala and frontal cortex, and when fed RAC, gilts also had the least 5-HIAA concentration and greatest DA turnover rate in the amygdala (P < 0.05). The 5-HT concentration was less in the frontal cortex of gilts compared with barrows and in the raphe nuclei (single site for brain 5-HT synthesis) of dominant gilts (P < 0.05). Ractopamine may be affecting aggressive behavior through indirect action on central regulatory mechanisms such as the DA system. The aggressive pattern observed in the tested pigs, especially in gilts, is likely linked to brain monoamine profiling of a deficient serotonergic system in the raphe nuclei, amygdala, and frontal cortex, and enhanced DA metabolism in the amygdala, brain areas vital for aggression regulation.

Prospective, comprehensive, and effective viral monitoring in children undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Major advances in the monitoring and treatment of viral infections after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have been achieved over the last decade. The appropriate extent of viral monitoring and antiviral therapy remains controversial, and reports in pediatric patients receiving allogeneic unmanipulated hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are sparse. A total of 40 pediatric patients who underwent HSCT with either peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs, n = 30) or bone marrow (BM; n = 10) were prospectively monitored every week for viral DNAemia (VDNA) by simultaneous detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6), human adenovirus (ADV), and polyoma BK virus (BKV) using real-time TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All patients received prophylactic acyclovir and preemptive ganciclovir (GCV) when 500 copies/microg DNA (EBV/HHV6) or >1 copy/microg DNA (CMV) were detected on 2 consecutive measurements. VDNA occurred in 25 of 40 recipients (CMV, 11/40 patients [28%]; EBV, 19/40 [48%]; HHV6, 2/40 [5%]; ADV/BKV, 1/40) and was found exclusively after neutrophil engraftment and in most cases up to day +100. Recurrent VDNA (P = .028) and (readily treatable) viral disease (P = .003) were observed predominantly in patients suffering from nonmalignant diseases, a cohort characterized by delayed lymphocyte engraftment. VDNA occurred more frequently in HLA-mismatched HSCT and in the 24 of 40 patients receiving antithymocyte globulin (ATG). The incidence of EBV, but not that of CMV, was increased in the ATG group. Yet, in these patients, viral loads of both EBV and CMV were higher, but with prompt initiation of preemptive GCV, no posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder or other life-threatening morbidities occurred. HHV6 was typically detected at low viral loads (<10(2) copies/microg DNA), with only 5% of HSC recipients fulfilling our HHV6 criteria for triggering GCV treatment. In multivariate analysis, ATG treatment, HLA mismatch, recipient CMV seropositivity, and stem cell source, but not severe acute graft-versus-host disease were identified as independent risk factors for VDNA. This comprehensive viral monitoring program with defined thresholds for initiation of preemptive GCV effectively prevents the development of critical viral disease, even in high-risk patients receiving ATG.

Behavior and peripheral amine concentrations in relation to ractopamine feeding, sex, and social rank of finishing pigs.

Aggression can impair productivity and well-being. The association between aggression in finishing pigs and the feed additive ractopamine (RAC), a beta-adrenoreceptor agonist, is unknown and warrants further investigation. Our goal was to examine behavioral activity, including aggression, in the home pen and concentrations of peripheral amines in barrows and gilts, taking into account diet (RAC) and social rank. Sixty-four finishing pigs, housed in pens of 4 by sex, were fed either a control (CTL) or RAC-added (5 mg/kg for 2 wk plus 10 mg/kg for another 2 wk) diet. The top dominant and bottom subordinate pigs in each pen were determined at mixing (2 wk pretrial). The behavior of all pigs was recorded continuously during the pretrial week (baseline) and for the following 4 wk. These behavioral data were used to evaluate home pen aggression, including the number of agonistic interactions (AINX) and constituent aggressive actions, during a 3-h period (0800 to 1100 h) once per week and their change in relation to the baseline. Time-budget behaviors and postures were analyzed over eight 24-h periods (2 d/wk) using 10-min instantaneous scan sampling that focused on only the dominant and subordinate pigs in each pen. These 2 pigs were also subjected to blood collection once per week during the trial to determine concentrations of dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and serotonin (5-HT) using HPLC. Gilts performed more bites and total actions per AINX than barrows, and RAC-fed gilts increased bites and pursuits, whereas these behaviors decreased compared with baseline values in all other subgroups (P < 0.05). Gilts fed RAC increased the total number actions per AINX, whereas the occurrence of AINX decreased for all subgroups (P < 0.01). Overall, RAC-fed pigs were more behaviorally active, spending more time alert, bar biting, and sham chewing compared with CTL pigs (P < 0.05). The dominant RAC-fed pigs tended to have the greatest norepinephrine concentrations among the tested subgroups (P = 0.08). Dominant barrows had greater epinephrine concentrations than subordinate barrows (P < 0.05). The RAC-fed gilts tended to have lesser 5-HT concentrations than CTL gilts (P = 0.08), whereas concentrations were similar in barrows (P > 0.10). Greater activity and the increase in oral-related behaviors observed in RAC-fed pigs may be mediated by the increase in arousal caused by RAC. Intensified aggression in gilts, especially when fed RAC, may be linked to reduced central 5-HT and greater noradrenergic activity, and further research on brain neurotransmitters in gilts is needed.