ABSTRACT
From 27 January to 10 February 2012, a total of 43 cases of Q fever were notified in the village of Nocaj, Srem county, Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia. Q fever was laboratory confirmed in 37 notified cases. Alhough, the outbreak is considered over, the outbreak investigation is still ongoing in order to identify aetiologic factors relevant for this outbreak.
Subject(s)
Coxiella burnetii/isolation & purification , Disease Outbreaks , Q Fever/epidemiology , Acute Disease , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Disease Notification , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Population Surveillance , Q Fever/diagnosis , Q Fever/microbiology , Serbia/epidemiology , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Sex Distribution , Young AdultABSTRACT
The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of combining a prebiotic with alfalfa on fermentation by laying hen cecal bacteria. Cecal contents from laying hens were diluted to a 1:3,000 concentration with an anaerobic dilution solution and added to serum tubes filled with ground alfalfa or a layer ration with or without fructooligosaccharide (FOS) prebiotic. Samples were processed in an anaerobic hood, pressurized by using a pressure manifold, and incubated at 37 degrees C. Volatile fatty acid (VFA) and lactic acid concentrations were quantified at 6 and 24 h of substrate fermentation. In this study, fermentation of alfalfa resulted in greater production of acetate, VFA, and lactic acid compared with the layer ration. Although with a relative inconsistency in data between trials, the amendment of FOS to both alfalfa and the layer ration appeared to further increase fermentation as demonstrated by overall higher propionate, butyrate, VFA, and lactic acid concentrations. The effect was more pronounced after 24 h of fermentation, implying time constraints for the optimal production of fermentation products in the chicken gastrointestinal tract. These data indicate that in vitro cecal fermentation can be enhanced by the addition of FOS.
Subject(s)
Animal Feed/analysis , Bacteria/metabolism , Chickens/microbiology , Medicago sativa/chemistry , Probiotics , Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena , Animals , Diet/veterinary , Fatty Acids/metabolism , Female , Fermentation , Oligosaccharides , OvipositionABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of nonionic surfactants in the presence of glycine and sodium chloride on the physical stability of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in aqueous solution. Among surfactants suitable for parenteral preparation, Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) and Polyoxyl 35 Castor Oil (Cremophor EL) were selected. The physical stability of IgG in the absence and in the presence of excipients was investigated in aqueous solution during mechanical agitation (concentration of IgG 15%; pH 7.1; temperature 6 +/- 2 degrees C). Suitable concentrations of Tween 80 and Cremophor EL were experimentally determined by surface tension measurements at 6 +/- 2 degrees C. Glycine and sodium chloride were used in different concentrations. The influence of the excipients on the physical stability of IgG in solution has been examined by surface tension measurements, protein content assay (Kjeldahl and HPLC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Based on the results of the investigations, it was found that Tween 80 and Cremophor EL, used in experimentally determined critical micelle concentration (cmc), decreased the physical stability of IgG in solution. Tween 80 and Cremophor EL in the presence of glycine (1.5 g/l) could stabilize the IgG in solution during mechanical agitation. The comparison of the effects of Tween 80 and Cremophor EL on the physical stability of IgG, showed that Tween 80 had better stabilization effects on IgG in solution under the experimental conditions selected.
