Challenge of pigs with classical swine fever viruses after C-strain vaccination reveals remarkably rapid protection and insights into early immunity

Pre-emptive culling is becoming increasingly questioned as a means of controlling animal diseases, including classical swine fever (CSF). This has prompted discussions on the use of emergency vaccination to control future CSF outbreaks in domestic pigs. Despite a long history of safe use in endemic areas, there is a paucity of data on aspects important to emergency strategies, such as how rapidly CSFV vaccines would protect against transmission, and if this protection is equivalent for all viral genotypes, including highly divergent genotype 3 strains. To evaluate these questions, pigs were vaccinated with the Riemser® C-strain vaccine at 1, 3 and 5 days prior to challenge with genotype 2.1 and 3.3 challenge strains. The vaccine provided equivalent protection against clinical disease caused by for the two challenge strains and, as expected, protection was complete at 5 days post-vaccination. Substantial protection was achieved after 3 days, which was sufficient to prevent transmission of the 3.3 strain to animals in direct contact. Even by one day post-vaccination approximately half the animals were partially protected, and were able to control the infection, indicating that a reduction of the infectious potential is achieved very rapidly after vaccination. There was a close temporal correlation between T cell IFN-γ responses and protection. Interestingly, compared to responses of animals challenged 5 days after vaccination, challenge of animals 3 or 1 days post-vaccination resulted in impaired vaccine-induced T cell responses. This, together with the failure to detect a T cell IFN-γ response in unprotected and unvaccinated animals, indicates that virulent CSFV can inhibit the potent antiviral host defences primed by C-strain in the early period post vaccination.     

Metagenomic profiling of rhizosphere microbial community structure and diversity associated with maize plant as affected by cropping systems

International Microbiology - Soil microbial diversity is believed to be vital in maintaining soil quality and health. Limited knowledge exists on the impact of cropping systems (mono-cropping and...     

Rutin ameliorates copper sulfate‐induced brain damage via antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory activities in rats

Excessive exposure to Copper (Cu) may result in Cu toxicity and adversely affect health outcomes. We investigated the protective role of rutin on Cu‐induced brain damage. Experimental rats were treated as follows: group I: control; group II: Cu‐sulfate: 200 mg/kg; group III: Cu‐sulfate, and rutin 100 mg/kg; and group IV: rutin 100 mg/kg, for 7 weeks. Cu only treatment significantly decreased body weight gain, while rutin cotreatment reversed this decrease. Cu treatment increased malondialdehyde, nitric oxide level, and myeloperoxidase activity and decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in rat brain. Immunohistochemistry showed that COX‐2, iNOS, and Bcl‐2 proteins were strongly expressed, while Bax was mildly expressed in the brain of Cu‐treated rats. Furthermore, brain histology revealed degenerated neurons, and perforated laminae of cerebral cortex in the Cu‐only treated rats. Interestingly, coadministration of Cu and rutin reduced the observed histological alteration, improved inflammatory and antioxidant biomarkers, thereby protecting against Cu‐induced brain damage via antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory mechanisms.     

Exploring the potentialities of beneficial endophytes for improved plant growth

Pathogen affects plant growth, host health and productivity. Endophytes, presumed to live inside the plant tissues, might be helpful in sustaining the future of agriculture. Although recent studies have proven that endophytes can be pathogenic, commensal, non-pathogenic, and/or beneficial, this review will focus on the beneficial category only. Beneficial endophytes produce a number of compounds which are useful for protecting plants from environmental conditions, enhancing plant growth and sustainability, while living conveniently inside the hosts. The population of endophytes is majorly controlled by location, and climatic conditions where the host plant grows. Often the most frequently isolated endophytes from the tissues of the plant are fungi, but sometimes greater numbers of bacteria are isolated. Beneficial endophytes stand a chance to replace the synthetic chemicals currently being used for plant growth promotion if carefully explored by researchers and embraced by policymakers. However, the roles of endophytes in plant growth improvement and their behavior in the host plant have not been fully understood. This review presents the current development of research into beneficial endophytes and their effect in improving plant growth.     

Isolation and characterization of two acaricidal compounds from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calpurnia aurea</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">aurea</Emphasis> (Fabaceae) leaf extract

The menace caused by ticks and tick-borne diseases is a major limitation to the livestock industry in Africa. The high costs and non-availability of synthetic, chemical acaricides to resource-limited farmers, resistance of ticks to available acaricides and residue problems in meat and milk consumed by humans further complicate matters. The use of plant extracts as a possible source of new acaricides has received much interest in the last decade. In our endeavour to discover natural acaricidal compounds, tick toxicant bioassays were conducted and the chloroform fraction of Calpurnia aurea ethanol leaf extract had good acaricidal activity. Further purification of the fraction revealed two flavonoids, isolated from C. aurea for the first time. These flavonoids were characterized as apigenin-7-O-β-d-glycoside and isorhoifolin by means of NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometry analysis. Isorhoifolin was the most potent compound (LC₅₀?=?0.65 mg/ml), was not cytotoxic and should be further investigated for its potential as an acaricidal agent.     

First record of Melampodium divaricatum (Asteraceae) in West Tropical Africa

A plant that showed morphological closeness to Aspilia africana (Pers) C. D. Adams (Asteraceae) was spotted and collected in 2015 along Afe Babalola University road, Ado‐Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria with coordinates 7°36′59.99″N, 5°12′60.00″E. However, upon closer observation some distinct and peculiar characteristics that clearly distinguished it from Aspilia africana were revealed, e.g. sterility of the disc florets and production of achenes by ray florets only. Another striking character of the plant was total emptying of the capitulum after achene maturation, leaving an empty capitulum cup on the plant. Literature and herbarium searches revealed that the plant had neither been reported from West Tropical Africa nor collected in any herbarium in Nigeria before. The plant was eventually identified as Melampodium divaricatum (L.) which is an annual erect herb, distributed in tropical and subtropical regions but mostly restricted to Mexico, North America and Central America. Morphological, reproductive and cytological studies carried out on the plant revealed it to possess a highly branched erect pigmented stem, simple opposite sub sessile leaves with acute apex and distantly serrated margins, capitula with yellow unisexual disc and ray florets, sterile disc florets, fertile ray florets, relatively high pollen fertility (92.85%), a somatic chromosome number of 2n = 24 and regular formation of 12 bivalents, indicating the plant to be a diploid species. Further studies on Melampodium in Nigeria and a general revision of the flora of West Tropical Africa is suggested as well as the need to monitor M. divaricatum in the region since it appears to have the capacity to become invasive.     

The burden of traumatic brain injury from low-energy falls among patients from 18 countries in the CENTER-TBI Registry: A comparative cohort study

BackgroundTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important global public health burden, where those injured by high-energy transfer (e.g., road traffic collisions) are assumed to have more severe injury and are prioritised by emergency medical service trauma triage tools. However recent studies suggest an increasing TBI disease burden in older people injured through low-energy falls. We aimed to assess the prevalence of low-energy falls among patients presenting to hospital with TBI, and to compare their characteristics, care pathways, and outcomes to TBI caused by high-energy trauma.Methods and findingsWe conducted a comparative cohort study utilising the CENTER-TBI (Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in TBI) Registry, which recorded patient demographics, injury, care pathway, and acute care outcome data in 56 acute trauma receiving hospitals across 18 countries (17 countries in Europe and Israel). Patients presenting with TBI and indications for computed tomography (CT) brain scan between 2014 to 2018 were purposively sampled. The main study outcomes were (i) the prevalence of low-energy falls causing TBI within the overall cohort and (ii) comparisons of TBI patients injured by low-energy falls to TBI patients injured by high-energy transfer—in terms of demographic and injury characteristics, care pathways, and hospital mortality. In total, 22,782 eligible patients were enrolled, and study outcomes were analysed for 21,681 TBI patients with known injury mechanism; 40% (95% CI 39% to 41%) (8,622/21,681) of patients with TBI were injured by low-energy falls. Compared to 13,059 patients injured by high-energy transfer (HE cohort), the those injured through low-energy falls (LE cohort) were older (LE cohort, median 74 [IQR 56 to 84] years, versus HE cohort, median 42 [IQR 25 to 60] years; p < 0.001), more often female (LE cohort, 50% [95% CI 48% to 51%], versus HE cohort, 32% [95% CI 31% to 34%]; p < 0.001), more frequently taking pre-injury anticoagulants or/and platelet aggregation inhibitors (LE cohort, 44% [95% CI 42% to 45%], versus HE cohort, 13% [95% CI 11% to 14%]; p < 0.001), and less often presenting with moderately or severely impaired conscious level (LE cohort, 7.8% [95% CI 5.6% to 9.8%], versus HE cohort, 10% [95% CI 8.7% to 12%]; p < 0.001), but had similar in-hospital mortality (LE cohort, 6.3% [95% CI 4.2% to 8.3%], versus HE cohort, 7.0% [95% CI 5.3% to 8.6%]; p = 0.83). The CT brain scan traumatic abnormality rate was 3% lower in the LE cohort (LE cohort, 29% [95% CI 27% to 31%], versus HE cohort, 32% [95% CI 31% to 34%]; p < 0.001); individuals in the LE cohort were 50% less likely to receive critical care (LE cohort, 12% [95% CI 9.5% to 13%], versus HE cohort, 24% [95% CI 23% to 26%]; p < 0.001) or emergency interventions (LE cohort, 7.5% [95% CI 5.4% to 9.5%], versus HE cohort, 13% [95% CI 12% to 15%]; p < 0.001) than patients injured by high-energy transfer. The purposive sampling strategy and censorship of patient outcomes beyond hospital discharge are the main study limitations.ConclusionsWe observed that patients sustaining TBI from low-energy falls are an important component of the TBI disease burden and a distinct demographic cohort; further, our findings suggest that energy transfer may not predict intracranial injury or acute care mortality in patients with TBI presenting to hospital. This suggests that factors beyond energy transfer level may be more relevant to prehospital and emergency department TBI triage in older people. A specific focus to improve prevention and care for patients sustaining TBI from low-energy falls is required.

In a cohort study, Fiona Lecky and colleagues investigate the factors associated with traumatic brain injury resulting from low energy falls compared with injuries from high energy transfer mechanisms among patients across Europe and Israel.     

Does High BMI Influence Hospital Charges in Children Undergoing Adenotonsillectomy?

Background: Obesity is a highly prevalent chronic problem with health and fiscal consequences. Data from adults and nonsurgical pediatric patients suggest that obesity has serious implications for the US economy. Objective: Our goal was to describe the impact of BMI on hospital charges in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy (AT). Methods and Procedures: We carried out a retrospective comparative analysis of the electronic anesthesia record and the charges from billing data from a large tertiary institution on children aged 3–18 years who had AT during the year 2005–2007. The main outcome measures were mean total hospital charges, likelihood of admission, and length of hospital stay (LOS). Results: Of 1,643 children, 68.9% were aged <10 years, 76% were whites, and 74.1% had private commercial insurance. Most (75.3%) children were discharged on the day of surgery. Obese and overweight children were more likely to be admitted than their normal‐weight peers (X² = 26.3, P < 0.001). Among those admitted, BMI showed a positive correlation with LOS (r = 0.20, P < 0.001). Obese and overweight patients had significantly higher total hospital charges than their healthy‐weight counterparts (P = 0.001). Anesthesia, postanesthesia care unit (PACU), and pharmacy and laboratory charges were also higher for obese than normal‐weight children (P < 0.05). Discussion: Overweight and obese children undergoing AT accrued higher hospital charges and had longer postoperative LOS than their healthy‐weight peers. If these findings are extendable to other surgical procedures, they could have far‐reaching implications for the US economy.     

Biofunctionalization of nanoparticle assisted mass spectrometry as biosensors for rapid detection of plant associated bacteria

This study is based on the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) as biosensor to detect the plant associated bacteria (PAB) isolates from rhizospheric soil and root. The rapid bacterial detection via on particle ionization/enrichment technique using IgG functionalized Pt NPs (IgG-Pt NPs) assisted MALDI-TOF MS was successfully used to explore two PAB isolates, namely, Bacillus thuringiensis and B. subtilis from rhizospheric soil and roots of carrot plant. When these bacteria are used as bioformulations in agricultural as well as biotechnological applications, the plant growth promotion of economic crops was observed especially when the crops grow in less fertilize soil regions. This study proved that even at low concentrations, bacteria can also be directly detected without morphological, molecular and biochemical test. The current applied technique is simple, rapid and highly sensitive. Besides, it could be widely used for the detection of beneficially important PAB isolates in environmental samples.     

The photoprotective protein PsbS exerts control over CO(2) assimilation rate in fluctuating light in rice

A direct impact of chloroplastic protective energy dissipation (qE) on photosynthetic CO(2) assimilation has not been shown directly in plants in the absence of photoinhibition. To test this empirically we transformed rice to possess higher (overexpressors, OE) and lower (RNA interference, RNAi) levels of expression of the regulatory psbS gene and analysed CO(2) assimilation in transformants in a fluctuating measurement light regime. Western blots showed a several-fold difference in levels of PsbS protein between RNAi and OE plants with the wild type (WT) being intermediate. At a growth light intensity of 600 μmol m(-2) sec(-1) , the carboxylation capacity, electron transport capacity and dark adapted F(v)/F(m) (ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence) were inhibited in RNAi plants compared with WT and OE. The PsbS content had a significant impact on qE (measured here as non-photochemical quenching, NPQ) but the strongest effect was observed transiently, immediately following the application of light. This capacity for qE was several-fold lower in RNAi plants and significantly higher in OE plants during the first 10 min of illumination. At steady state the differences were reduced: notably at 500 μmol m(-2) sec(-1) all plants had the same NPQ values regardless of PsbS content. During a series of light-dark transitions the induction of CO(2) assimilation was inhibited in OE plants, reducing integrated photosynthesis during the light period. We conclude that the accumulation of PsbS and the resultant qE exerts control over photosynthesis in fluctuating light, showing that optimization of photoprotective processes is necessary for maximum photosynthetic productivity even in the absence of photoinhibitory stress.