Herd-level prevalence of selected endemic infectious diseases of dairy cows in Great Britain

To implement appropriate and effective disease control programs at the national level, up-to-date and unbiased information on disease frequency is needed. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of selected endemic infectious diseases in the population of dairy herds in Great Britain. Bulk milk tank (BMT) samples from 225 randomly selected dairy farms, stratified by region and herd size, were tested for antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine herpesvirus type 1, Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis, Leptospira Hardjo, Salmonella spp., Coxiella burnetii, Fasciola hepatica, Neospora caninum, and Ostertagia ostertagi. Furthermore, the presence of BVDV, C. burnetii, and Chlamydia-like organisms was determined by PCR. The apparent herd prevalence was estimated as a weighted proportion of positive herds. The true prevalence was calculated when a test was used with known test characteristics for the cut-off value used. Among unvaccinated herds, the true prevalence of BMT antibodies against BVDV was estimated at 66% [95% confidence interval (CI): 56–77%], M. avium ssp. paratuberculosis 68% (95% CI: 59–77%), bovine herpesvirus type 1 62% (95% CI: 52–73%), Leptospira Hardjo 47% (95% CI: 34–60%), and Salmonella spp. 48% (95% CI: 39–56%). The apparent prevalence of BMT antibodies against C. burnetii was 80% (95% CI: 75–85%), F. hepatica 55% (95% CI: 48–62%), N. caninum 46% (95% CI: 38–54%), and O. ostertagi 95% (95% CI: 91–98%). The BVDV, C. burnetii, and Chlamydia-like antigens were detected in 5 (95% CI: 2–9%), 29 (95% CI: 21–36%), and 31% (95% CI: 24–38%) of herds, respectively. Our results show that dairy cows across GB are frequently exposed to the studied pathogens, which are endemic at high levels with some geographical variations. These prevalence estimates provide a much-needed basis to assess whether nationwide control programs for the studied pathogens are justified by their potential economic, environmental, and public health implications. Should surveillance and control programs be initiated, the estimates presented here are a baseline against which progress can be assessed

Caracterização morfológica de acessos de mangueira do banco ativo de germoplasma da Embrapa Semi-Árido.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi caracterizar morfologicamente 24 acessos de mangueira do Banco Ativo de Germoplasma da Embrapa Semi-Árido. Os caracteres analisados foram parâmetros relacionados às folhas (comprimento, largura, relação entre comprimento e largura, forma predominante, forma da base e forma do ápice) e às inflorescências (forma e cor), porte, precocidade e hábito de crescimento. A forma das folhas foi lanceolada a ovada (1), lanceolada (12) e elíptica lanceolada (11). A relação entre comprimento e largura foi média (15), baixa (8) e muito baixa (1). A forma da base foi aguda (13), obtusa (10) e arredondada (1), enquanto a forma do ápice foi acuminada (2), cuspidada (6) e aguda (16). As inflorescências apresentaram forma cônica (8), cônica a piramidal (1), piramidal (14) e piramidal larga (1) e coloração esbranquiçada (1), verde e amarela (3), amarela (1), rósea (7), rósea escura (8), vermelha (1) e roxa (3). Considerando-se o porte, 19 acessos apresentaram porte baixo e cinco acessos apresentaram porte médio. O hábito de crescimento foi vertical (2), vertical a semi-vertical (4), semi-vertical (9), semi-vertical a aberto (7) e aberto (2). Em relação à precocidade dos acessos, quatro foram precoces, quatro intermediários e 16 tardios. Os atributos possibilitaram a detecção de suficiente variabilidade genética. Palavras-chave: inflorescências, folhas, porte, precocidade, hábito de crescimento

Otimização de pré-tratamento ácido do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar para obtenção de açúcares fermentecíveis.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi otimizar as condições de pré-tratamento ácido de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar visando obter maiores quantidades destes açúcares

Efeito da secagem de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu sobre a hidrólise enzimática de seus polissacarídeos.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de secagem sobre o pré-tratamento químico e hidrólise enzimática de brachiaria brizantha

Development of a biosensor for fast point-of-care blood analysis of Troponin

We present the development of novel tetrapolar EIS biosensor for the detect of troponin. Troponin has considerable diagnostic power and provide invaluable prognostic information for risk stratification. of acute coronary syndromes. Clinical Relevance— A feasibility study was undertaken to assess the diagnostic performance of serial cardiac troponin measurements which is excellent as these structural proteins are unique to the heart and thus sensitive and specific of damage to the myocardium. clinical molecular diagnostics and home healthcare. Troponin’s biosensors would provide point-of-care and rapid decision making for the early detection of CS. Clinically relevant window of cTnI testing, concentrations from 10pM to 0.1μM were achieved