Exposure to rabies virus in a population of free-ranging capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella nigritus) in a fragmented, environmentally protected area in southeastern Brazil

The aim of this study is to assess the frequency of rabies antibodies in free-ranging capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella nigritus) in a fragmented, environmentally protected, rural area of southeastern Brazil. Thirty-six free-ranging monkeys were tested by the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test for detection of antibodies against rabies virus. Four individuals (11.11 %) had neutralizing antibody titers ≥ 0.25 IU/mL, demonstrating rabies virus exposure.     

In vivo study to assess dosage of allogeneic pig retinal progenitor cells: Long‐term survival,engraftment, differentiation and safety

Despite notable efforts and significant therapeutical advances, age‐related macular degeneration remains the single most common reason for vision loss. Retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) are considered promising candidates for cellular treatments that repair and restore vision. In this allogenic study, the phenotypic profile of pig and human RPCs derived using similar manufacturing processes is compared. The long‐term (12‐week) survival of green fluorescent protein‐pig retinal progenitor cells GFP‐pRPC after subretinal transplantation into normal miniature pig (mini‐pig) retina is investigated. Human eyes are both anatomically and physiologically mimicked by pig eyes, so the pig is an ideal model to show an equivalent way of delivering cells, immunological response and dosage. The phenotypic equivalency of porcine and clinically intended human RPCs was established. Thirty‐nine mini‐pigs are used in this study, and vehicle‐injected eyes and non‐injected eyes serve as controls. Six groups are given different dosages of pRPCs, and the cells are found to survive well in all groups. At 12 weeks, strong evidence of integration is indicated by the location of the grafted cells within the neuro‐retina, extension of processes to the plexiform layers and expression of key retinal markers such as recoverin, rhodopsin and synaptophysin. No immunosuppression is used, and no immune response is found in any of the groups. No pRPC‐related histopathology findings are reported in the major organs investigated. An initial dose of 250 k cells in 100 µl of buffer is established as an appropriate initial dose for future human clinical trials.     

The effect of internal and external factors on bovine embryo transfer results in a tropical environment

The objectives of this work were to determine the effect of external (synchronization methods, month, embryo origin and farm effects) and internal factors (age and size of CL, embryo development and quality score, synchronization methods, age of recipient, quality of transfer and reuse of recipients) on a commercial embryo transfer program in a tropical environment. In the program 1466 Holstein-Friesian purchased embryos were implanted to zebu/European crossbred recipients under field conditions. There were 502 pregnancies detected in this large-scale extension programme. Synchronization methods, month, embryo origin, and farm effects were found to have affected the success rate of embryo transfer. Due to the hot climate and large distances between recipient farms, seasonal effects, reused recipient pregnancy results and the effect of embryo development stage differed from previously reported results. Investigation by ultrasonograph showed that embryo loss occurred before 35 days of pregnancy. Under field conditions, routine fetal sexing resulted in <5% misidentification. In conclusion, under tropical conditions external factors have a major influence on the results of pregnancy from embryo transfer.     

PCR-based genotyping of SNP markers in sheep

Molecular Biology Reports - Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the main type of variation in genome, enabling them to be associated with traits of economic importance in livestock....     

Characterization of polymicrobial biofilms obtained from saliva or carious lesions in dentin

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the formation of polymicrobial biofilms using carious dentin or saliva as inoculum for application in in vitro microbiological studies on caries research. For biofilm growth, combined samples of infected dentin or saliva from three donors were used. The biofilms were grown on glass coverslips, under a regimen of intermittent exposure (6?h day^?1) to 1% sucrose for 4?days. Total bacterial loads, as well as specific aciduric bacteria and mutans streptococci loads were quantified and correlated with biofilm acidogenicity and susceptibility to chlorhexidine. The data were evaluated using the Student’s-t, Mann Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The two biofilms showed similar microbial loads (total bacteria, aciduric bacteria and mutans streptococci) on day 4, and high acidogenicity after 48?h and were susceptible to chlorhexidine at different time intervals. In conclusion, both dentin and saliva can be used as an inoculum in in vitro studies of processes related to biofilm formation.