Milk microbiome and bacterial load following dry cow therapy without antibiotics in dairy cows with healthy mammary gland

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T17:40:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2017-08-14Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Preventive infusion of antibiotics in the mammary gland of cows consumes 11 tons/year of medically relevant antimicrobials, yet, this practice might not be critical to prevent new infections in the healthy mammary gland of cows. Here, we used next-generation sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR to determine the impact of dry cow therapy without antibiotics on milk microbiome and bacterial load, respectively. Cows diagnosed as negative for mastitis at dry off were randomly allocated to receive antibiotic (intramammary ceftiofur hydrochloride) and teat sealant or just teat sealant. Firmicutes was the most abundant phylum, and Corynebacterium, Acinetobacter, and Staphylococcus, often involved in mastitis cases, were the most abundant genera across treatments and time. However, there were no effects of antimicrobial on milk microbiome and bacterial load. Bacterial load was greater at seven days postpartum than at dry off. Dry cow therapy based on teat sealant without antibiotics can be used with no detrimental impacts on milk microbiome and bacterial load in cows with a healthy mammary gland.Univ Illinois, Dept Vet Clin Med, Champaign, IL 61820 USASao Paulo State Univ, Dept Microbiol & Immunol, Inst Biosci, Botucatu, SP, BrazilCornell Univ, Dept Populat Med & Diagnost Sci, Ithaca, NY USAUniv Liverpool, Dept Epidemiol & Populat Hlth, Inst Infect & Global Hlth, Leahurst, Neston, EnglandSao Paulo State Univ, Dept Microbiol & Immunol, Inst Biosci, Botucatu, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 2015/15208

Bacterial porin disrupts mitochondrial membrane potential and sensitizes host cells to apoptosis

The bacterial PorB porin, an ATP-binding beta-barrel protein of pathogenic Neisseria gonorrhoeae, triggers host cell apoptosis by an unknown mechanism. PorB is targeted to and imported by host cell mitochondria, causing the breakdown of the mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi m). Here, we show that PorB induces the condensation of the mitochondrial matrix and the loss of cristae structures, sensitizing cells to the induction of apoptosis via signaling pathways activated by BH3-only proteins. PorB is imported into mitochondria through the general translocase TOM but, unexpectedly, is not recognized by the SAM sorting machinery, usually required for the assembly of beta-barrel proteins in the mitochondrial outer membrane. PorB integrates into the mitochondrial inner membrane, leading to the breakdown of delta psi m. The PorB channel is regulated by nucleotides and an isogenic PorB mutant defective in ATP-binding failed to induce delta psi m loss and apoptosis, demonstrating that dissipation of delta psi m is a requirement for cell death caused by neisserial infection

Hantavirus reservoir Oligoryzomys longicaudatus spatial distribution sensitivity to climate change scenarios in Argentine Patagonia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Oligoryzomys longicaudatus </it>(colilargo) is the rodent responsible for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in Argentine Patagonia. In past decades (1967–1998), trends of precipitation reduction and surface air temperature increase have been observed in western Patagonia. We explore how the potential distribution of the hantavirus reservoir would change under different climate change scenarios based on the observed trends.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Four scenarios of potential climate change were constructed using temperature and precipitation changes observed in Argentine Patagonia between 1967 and 1998: Scenario 1 assumed no change in precipitation but a temperature trend as observed; scenario 2 assumed no changes in temperature but a precipitation trend as observed; Scenario 3 included changes in both temperature and precipitation trends as observed; Scenario 4 assumed changes in both temperature and precipitation trends as observed but doubled. We used a validated spatial distribution model of <it>O. longicaudatus </it>as a function of temperature and precipitation. From the model probability of the rodent presence was calculated for each scenario.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>If changes in precipitation follow previous trends, the probability of the colilargo presence would fall in the HPS transmission zone of northern Patagonia. If temperature and precipitation trends remain at current levels for 60 years or double in the future 30 years, the probability of the rodent presence and the associated total area of potential distribution would diminish throughout Patagonia; the areas of potential distribution for colilargos would shift eastwards. These results suggest that future changes in Patagonia climate may lower transmission risk through a reduction in the potential distribution of the rodent reservoir.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>According to our model the rates of temperature and precipitation changes observed between 1967 and 1998 may produce significant changes in the rodent distribution in an equivalent period of time only in certain areas. Given that changes maintain for 60 years or double in 30 years, the hantavirus reservoir <it>Oligoryzomys longicaudatus </it>may contract its distribution in Argentine Patagonia extensively.</p

Light- and clock-control of genes involved in detoxification

Circadian regulation of hepatic detoxification seems to be amongst the key roles of the biological clock. The liver is the major site for biotransformation, and in mammals, it contains several clock-controlled transcription factors such as PAR basic leucine zipper proteins (bZIP) and basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH)-PAS family that act as circadian regulators of detoxification genes. This investigation explored the existence of daily and circadian expression of transcription factors involved in detoxification, as well as the temporal profile of a set of their target genes in zebrafish liver. In our study, zebrafish were able to synchronize to a light-dark (LD) cycle and displayed a diurnal pattern of activity. In addition, the expression of clock genes presented daily and circadian rhythmicity in liver. Apart from hlfa, the expression of PAR bZIP transcription factors also displayed daily rhythms, which appeared to be both light-dependent and clock-controlled, as circadian rhythms free-ran under constant conditions (continuous darkness, DD). Under LD, tefb, dbpa and dbpb expression peaked at the end of the darkness period whereas tefa showed peak levels of expression at the onset of the photophase. In addition, these four genes exhibited circadian expression under DD, with higher expression levels at the end of the subjective night. The expression of the bHLH-PAS transcription factor arh2 also showed circadian rhythmicity in zebrafish liver, peaking in the middle of the subjective night and approximately 3-4 hours before peak expression of the PAR bZIP genes. Regarding the detoxification genes, the major target gene of AhR, cyp1a, showed daily and circadian expression with an acrophase 2 hours after ahr2. Under LD, abcb4 also showed daily rhythmicity, with an acrophase 1-2 h after that of PAR bZIP factors during the transition between darkness and light phases, when zebrafish become active. However, the expression of six detoxification genes showed circadian rhythmicity under DD, including cyp1a and abcb4 as well as gstr1, mgst3a, abcg2 and sult2_st2. In all cases, the acrophases of these 3 genes were found during the second half of the subjective night, in phase with the PAR bZIP transcription factors. This suggested that their expression is clock-controlled, either directly by core clock genes or through transcription factors. This study presents new data demonstrating that the process of detoxification is under circadian control in fish. Results showed that time of day should be considered when designing toxicological studies or administering drugs to fish

Hydrogen peroxide treatment in Atlantic salmon induces stress and detoxification response in a daily manner

Daily variation in the absorption, metabolism and excretion of toxic substances will ultimately determine the actual concentration to which the cells and tissues are exposed. In aquaculture, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) can be frequently exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to treat topical skin and gill infections, particularly in relation to parasitic infections (e.g. sea liceLepeophtheirus salmonisand amoebic gill disease caused byNeoparamoeba perurans). It is well accepted that the time of administration influences pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of drugs which in turn affects their efficacy and toxicity. Consequently, a better understanding of drug side effects as a function of time of day exposure would help to improve treatment efficacy and fish welfare. To this end, salmon were exposed to H2O2(1500 mg/L) for 20 min at six different times of the day during a 24-h cycle and we investigated the time-dependent effects of exposure on physiological stress (glucose, lactate and cortisol) and antioxidant enzyme expression (gpx1, cat, Mn-sodandhsp70) in liver and gills. In addition, at each sampling point, 8 control fish were also sampled. Our results revealed that the time of administration of H2O2caused significant differences in the induction of both physiological and oxidative stress responses. Glucose and lactate were higher in the treated fish during daytime whereas cortisol levels appeared to be systematically increased (&gt;1000 ng/mL) after H2O2treatment irrespective of exposure time, although differences with control levels were higher during the day. In liver, gene expression of antioxidant enzymes displayed daily rhythmicity in both treated and control groups and showed higher mRNA expression levels in salmon treated with H2O2at ZT6 (6 h after lights onset). In gills, rhythmic expression was only found forgpx1in the control fish and forhsp70andMn-sodin the treated groups. However, in the treated salmon, higher gene expression levels of all the investigated enzymes were also observed at ZT6-10. Clock gene expression showed rhythmicity only in the liver in accordance with the daily rhythm of enzyme expression observed in this tissue. Altogether, this study provides first evidence of chronotoxicity in Atlantic salmon treated with H2O2and suggests increased sublethal toxic effect during the first half of the day. These results have direct relevance to the salmon and broader aquaculture industry by optimising the timing of treatment administration, opening the door to chronotherapy to treat fish diseases

Search for new phenomena in final states with an energetic jet and large missing transverse momentum in pp collisions at √ s = 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Results of a search for new phenomena in final states with an energetic jet and large missing transverse momentum are reported. The search uses 20.3 fb−1 of √ s = 8 TeV data collected in 2012 with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Events are required to have at least one jet with pT > 120 GeV and no leptons. Nine signal regions are considered with increasing missing transverse momentum requirements between Emiss T > 150 GeV and Emiss T > 700 GeV. Good agreement is observed between the number of events in data and Standard Model expectations. The results are translated into exclusion limits on models with either large extra spatial dimensions, pair production of weakly interacting dark matter candidates, or production of very light gravitinos in a gauge-mediated supersymmetric model. In addition, limits on the production of an invisibly decaying Higgs-like boson leading to similar topologies in the final state are presente

Differential predictors of acute post-surgical pain intensity after abdominal hysterectomy and major joint arthroplasty

Author's personal copyBACKGROUND Psychological factors have a significant role in post-surgical pain, and their study can inform pain management. PURPOSE The aims of this study are to identify psychological predictors of post-surgical pain following abdominal hysterectomy (AH) and major joint arthroplasty (MJA) and to investigate differential predictors by type of surgery. METHOD One hundred forty-two women undergoing AH and 110 patients undergoing MJA were assessed 24 h before (T1) and 48 h after (T2) surgery. RESULTS A predictive post-surgical pain model was found for AH and MJA yielding pre-surgical pain experience and pain catastrophizing as significant predictors and a significant interaction of pre-surgical optimism and surgery type. Separate regression models by surgery type showed that pre-surgical optimism was the best predictor of post-surgical pain after MJA, but not after AH. CONCLUSIONS Findings highlight the relevance of psychological predictors for both surgeries and the value of targeting specific psychological factors by surgery type in order to effectively manage acute post-surgical pain.Supported by a project grant (PTDC/SAU-NEU/108557/2008) and by a PhD grant (SFRH/BD/36368/2007) from the Portuguese Foundation of Science and Technology, COMPETE, and FEDE

Police performance measurement: an annotated bibliography

This study provides information to assist those involved in performance measurement in police organisations. The strategies used to identify the literature are described. Thematic sections cover; general overviews; methodological issues; performance management in other industries; national, international and cross-national studies; frameworks (e.g. Compstat; the Balanced Scorecard); criticisms (particularly unintended consequences); crime-specific measures; practitioner guides; performance evaluation of individual staff; police department plans and evaluations; annotated bibliographies in related areas, and; other literature. Our discussion offers two conclusions: the measures best aligned with performance are typically more expensive, while most operational data should only provide contextual information; the philosophy of open governance should be pursued to promote transparency, accountability and communication to improve police performance

Diversity of Antibiotic-Active Bacteria Associated with the Brown Alga Laminaria saccharina from the Baltic Sea

Bacteria associated with the marine macroalga Laminaria saccharina, collected from the Kiel Fjord (Baltic Sea, Germany), were isolated and tested for antimicrobial activity. From a total of 210 isolates, 103 strains inhibited the growth of at least one microorganism from the test panel including Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as a yeast. Most common profiles were the inhibition of Bacillus subtilis only (30%), B. subtilis and Staphylococcus lentus (25%), and B. subtilis, S. lentus, and Candida albicans (11%). In summary, the antibiotic-active isolates covered 15 different activity patterns suggesting various modes of action. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities &gt;99%, 45 phylotypes were defined, which were classified into 21 genera belonging to Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that four isolates possibly represent novel species or even genera. In conclusion, L. saccharina represents a promising source for the isolation of new bacterial taxa and antimicrobially active bacteria