| 1. |
- El-Seedi, Hesham, et al.
(författare)
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Insights into the Role of Natural Products in the Control of the Honey Bee Gut Parasite (Nosema spp.)
- 2022
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Ingår i: Animals. - : MDPI AG. - 2076-2615. ; 12:21
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The honey bee is an important economic insect due to its role in pollinating many agricultural plants. Unfortunately, bees are susceptible to many pathogens, including pests, parasites, bacteria, and viruses, most of which exert a destructive impact on thousands of colonies. The occurrence of resistance to the therapeutic substances used against these organisms is rising, and the residue from these chemicals may accumulate in honey bee products, subsequently affecting the human health. There is current advice to avoid the use of antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, and other drugs in bees, and therefore, it is necessary to develop alternative strategies for the treatment of bee diseases. In this context, the impact of nosema diseases (nosemosis) on bee health and the negative insults of existing drugs are discussed. Moreover, attempts to combat nosema through the use of alternative compounds, including essential oils, plant extracts, and microbes in vitro and in vivo, are documented.
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| 2. |
- Malaluang, Pongpreecha, et al.
(författare)
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Antimicrobial Resistance in Equine Reproduction
- 2021
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Ingår i: Animals. - : MDPI. - 2076-2615. ; 11:11
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Simple SummaryBacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics, resulting in the appearance of infections that are difficult or impossible to treat. This ability enables bacteria to survive in hostile environments and can result from exposure to even small amounts of antibiotic substances. Bacteria are present in the reproductive tract of the horse; they can develop resistance to antibiotics, because the animal has been treated for an infection, or due to insemination with a semen dose that contains antibiotics. Bacteria colonize the membrane lining the male reproductive tract and are transferred to the semen during collection. They can cause sperm quality to deteriorate during storage or may cause an infection in the mare. Therefore, antibiotics are added to the semen dose, according to legislation. However, these antibiotics may contribute to the development of resistance. Current recommendations are that antibiotics should only be used to treat bacterial infections and where the sensitivity of the bacterium to the antibiotic has first been established. Therefore, adding antibiotics to semen extenders does not fit these recommendations. In this review, we examine the effects of bacteria in semen and in the inseminated mare, and possible alternatives to their use.Bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics following low-level "background " exposure to antimicrobial agents as well as from exposure at therapeutic levels during treatment for bacterial infections. In this review, we look specifically at antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the equine reproductive tract and its possible origin, focusing particularly on antibiotics in semen extenders used in preparing semen doses for artificial insemination. Our review of the literature indicated that AMR in the equine uterus and vagina were reported worldwide in the last 20 years, in locations as diverse as Europe, India, and the United States. Bacteria colonizing the mucosa of the reproductive tract are transferred to semen during collection; further contamination of the semen may occur during processing, despite strict attention to hygiene at critical control points. These bacteria compete with spermatozoa for nutrients in the semen extender, producing metabolic byproducts and toxins that have a detrimental effect on sperm quality. Potential pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa may occasionally cause fertility issues in inseminated mares. Antibiotics are added during semen processing, according to legislation, to impede the growth of these microorganisms but may have a detrimental effect on sperm quality, depending on the antimicrobial agent and concentration used. However, this addition of antibiotics is counter to current recommendations on the prudent use of antibiotics, which recommend that antibiotics should be used only for therapeutic purposes and after establishing bacterial sensitivity. There is some evidence of resistance among bacteria found in semen samples. Potential alternatives to the addition of antibiotics are considered, especially physical removal separation of spermatozoa from bacteria. Suggestions for further research with colloid centrifugation are provided.
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| 3. |
- Artois, M., et al.
(författare)
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Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Europe : the risks associated with wild birds
- 2009
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Ingår i: Revue scientifique et technique (International Office of Epizootics). - : O.I.E (World Organisation for Animal Health). - 0253-1933 .- 1608-0637. ; 28:1, s. 69-92
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The infection of wild birds by highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza (Al) virus was virtually unknown--apart from one instance of the disease appearing in common terns in South Africa in 1961--before the Asian strain of highly pathogenic AI virus (AIV), H5N1, began to expand across the world. Outbreaks of clinical disease in Eurasia have resulted in visible mortality among populations of free-ranging wild birds in a multitude of species. The circulation pattern of influenza viruses in natural ecosystems results from a selection pressure towards strains which are indirectly transmitted by droppings from water birds and contaminated fomites, and which exhibit low pathogenicity. Some of these viruses, of the subtypes H5 or H7, can mutate into highly pathogenic strains after being introduced into domestic poultry farms. The maintenance of highly pathogenic AIV (HPAIV) H5N1 in several parts of the world exposes wild birds to infected poultry, resulting in long-distance virus transmission. There is great concern that these wild birds may, in turn, propagate these HPAIV or introduce them into domestic birds. Rigorous disease control and biosecurity measures to protect poultry farms are the only solution presently available to mitigate such a risk.
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| 4. |
- Estrada-Peña, Agustín, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific opinion on geographic distribution of tick-borne infections and their vectors in Europe and the other regions of the Mediterranean Basin : EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW)
- 2010
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - Parma, Italy : European Food Safety Authority. - 1831-4732. ; 8:9, s. 1723 [280 pp.]-
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- This report is the second of a series of two technical assessments of the role of ticks in transmission of animal diseases and zoonoses in Eurasia. A previous published scientific opinion (EFSA 2010a) focused on two diseases- Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever and African swine fever in Eurasia. The aim of this report is to provide a general overview of the geographic distribution of tick species which have proven involvement in the transmission of pathogens causing animal diseases and zoonoses in Eurasia.The report provides a review of the geographic distribution of the relevant tick species and TBDs in Eurasia by producing maps of the region that display the occurrences of ticks and tick borne pathogens. Systematic literature review of available publications for the last 10 years and other available literature from the experts were used in the retrieval of the geographical reported cases for the presence of ticks and tick borne pathogens. The report includes a description of the factors that influence the dynamics of the relevant tick species and identify possible high-risk areas in the EU for introduction considering the biological and ecological characteristics of the ticks and their ability to adapt to new areas. Surveillance tools and control measures for ticks were discussed.Findings from this review have provided evidence of the extent of ticks and TBDs in geographical ranges and the existing risk areas that should be considered as baseline information to assess potential risk of these diseases. The report indicates the validity of using available literature to support the presence of ticks and TBDs without further predication using weather and other environmental factors associated with the survival of the ticks. Surveillance tools for the detection of the ticks and their control measures are discussed in this report. The report concluded that animal and human movement play a significant impact on the spread of the ticks and TBDs. Climate changes and flight pattern of migratory birds can influence the presence and spread of the ticks and TBDs, These two factors acting by themselves have not been determined be responsible for the widespread distribution of ticks.
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| 5. |
- Pejler, Gunnar, et al.
(författare)
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Novel insights into the biological function of mast cell carboxypeptidase A
- 2009
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Ingår i: Trends in immunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1471-4906 .- 1471-4981. ; 30:8, s. 401-408
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- When mast cells are activated they can respond by releasing their secretory granule compounds, including mast cell-specific proteases of chymase, tryptase and carboxypeptidase A (MC-CPA) type. MC-CPA is a dominant protein component of the mast cell granule and the MC-CPA gene is extremely highly expressed. Despite this, relatively little has been known of its biological function. However, the recent generation of mouse strains lacking MC-CPA has opened up new possibilities for investigations related to this protease. This recent development has revealed a role for MC-CPA in regulating innate immunity responses, including the degradation of harmful substances such as the vasoconstrictive factor endothelin 1 and snake venom toxins. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of MC-CPA.
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| 6. |
- Rönnblom, Lars, et al.
(författare)
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Type I interferon and lupus
- 2009
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Ingår i: Current Opinion in Rheumatology. - 1040-8711 .- 1531-6963. ; 21:5, s. 471-477
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Patients with lupus have signs of an ongoing production of type I interferons (IFNs) that are of importance both for the etiopathogenesis and the clinical manifestations. In this review, we summarize the latest information concerning the type I IFN system in lupus. RECENT FINDINGS: Activated plasmacytoid dendritic cells are responsible for the IFNalpha production in lupus and can be found in target organs such as glomeruli. The plasmacytoid dendritic cells are triggered by interferogenic immune complexes, and produced IFNalpha activates the immune system and impairs T-regulatory cell function. Autoantibodies, which can form interferogenic immune complexes, are not only present in serum of lupus patients but also in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations. There is a strong association between risk to develop lupus and gene variants connected to the production and effects of type I IFN. Risk variants can not only cause either increased serum IFNalpha activity or sensitivity but also a more severe disease phenotype. Administration of monoclonal anti-IFNalpha antibodies to lupus patients downregulates several proinflammatory pathways and reduces disease activity. SUMMARY: Increasing evidence indicates that the activated type I IFN system in lupus is critical in the etiopathogenesis of the disease and is an important therapeutic target.
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| 7. |
- Ochieng, Phillis E., et al.
(författare)
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Mycotoxins in Poultry Feed and Feed Ingredients from Sub-Saharan Africa and Their Impact on the Production of Broiler and Layer Chickens : A Review
- 2021
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Ingår i: Toxins. - : MDPI. - 2072-6651 .- 2072-6651. ; 13:9
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The poultry industry in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is faced with feed insecurity, associated with high cost of feeds, and feed safety, associated with locally produced feeds often contaminated with mycotoxins. Mycotoxins, including aflatoxins (AFs), fumonisins (FBs), trichothecenes, and zearalenone (ZEN), are common contaminants of poultry feeds and feed ingredients from SSA. These mycotoxins cause deleterious effects on the health and productivity of chickens and can also be present in poultry food products, thereby posing a health hazard to human consumers of these products. This review summarizes studies of major mycotoxins in poultry feeds, feed ingredients, and poultry food products from SSA as well as aflatoxicosis outbreaks. Additionally reviewed are the worldwide regulation of mycotoxins in poultry feeds, the impact of major mycotoxins in the production of chickens, and the postharvest use of mycotoxin detoxifiers. In most studies, AFs are most commonly quantified, and levels above the European Union regulatory limits of 20 mu g/kg are reported. Trichothecenes, FBs, ZEN, and OTA are also reported but are less frequently analyzed. Co-occurrences of mycotoxins, especially AFs and FBs, are reported in some studies. The effects of AFs on chickens' health and productivity, carryover to their products, as well as use of mycotoxin binders are reported in few studies conducted in SSA. More research should therefore be conducted in SSA to evaluate occurrences, toxicological effects, and mitigation strategies to prevent the toxic effects of mycotoxins.
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| 8. |
- Khalifa, Shaden A. M., et al.
(författare)
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Recent insights into chemical and pharmacological studies of bee bread
- 2020
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Ingår i: Trends in Food Science & Technology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0924-2244 .- 1879-3053. ; 97, s. 300-316
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Bee bread is a product of the fermentation of a mixture of pollen, nectar and bee saliva that is inoculated by a wide range of bacteria and yeasts necessary for fermentation after storage in comb cells. Bee bread is regarded as the chief protein resource that bees can utilize, especially for feeding of larvae and adults. Since ancient times, bee bread has been used in different cultures for several nutritional and therapeutic purposes.Scope and approach: In this review, we attempt to highlight the possible biological activities, chemical components, methods of isolation and structure of bee bread in addition to its food supplement value and/or medical applications.Key findings and conclusions: Bee bread has been shown to exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiradical, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. The basic chemical components of bee bread include carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins, as well as minerals, fatty acids and other substances such as enzymes, natural antibiotics, antioxidants and hormones. Bee bread is considered to be a beneficial food supplement. In recent years, there has been significant interest in the use of bee bread to treat many illnesses.
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| 9. |
- Eklund, D. Magnus, et al.
(författare)
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Physcomitrella patens : a model to investigate the role of RAC/ROP GTPase signalling in tip growth
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Experimental Botany. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0022-0957 .- 1460-2431. ; 61:7, s. 1917-1937
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Polarized cell expansion plays an important role in plant morphogenesis. Tip growth is a dramatic form of this process, which is widely used as a model to study its regulation by RAC/ROP GTPase signalling. During the dominant haploid phase of its life cycle, the moss Physcomitrella patens contains different types of cells that expand by tip growth. Physcomitrella is a highly attractive experimental system because its genome has been sequenced, and transgene integration by homologous recombination occurs in this plant at frequencies allowing effective gene targeting. Furthermore, together with the vascular spikemoss Selaginella moellendorffii, whose genome has also been sequenced, the non-vascular moss Physcomitrella provides an evolutionary link between green algae and angiosperms. BLAST searches established that the Physcomitrella and Selaginella genomes encode not only putative RAC/ROP GTPases, but also homologues of all known regulators of polarized RAC/ROP signalling, as well as of key effectors acting in signalling cascades downstream of RAC/ROP activity. Nucleotide sequence relationships within seven different families of Physcomitrella, Selaginella, Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) genes with distinct functions in RAC/ROP signalling were characterized based on extensive maximum likelihood and Neighbor-Joining analyses. The results of these analyses are interpreted in the light of current knowledge concerning expression patterns and molecular functions of RAC/ROP signalling proteins in angiosperms. A key aim of this study is to facilitate the use of Physcomitrella as a model to investigate the molecular control of tip growth in plants.
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| 10. |
- Forabosco, Flavio, et al.
(författare)
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Genetically modified farm animals and fish in agriculture : A review
- 2013
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Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 153:1-3, s. 1-9
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Developments in biotechnology over the past 25 years have allowed scientists to engineer genetically modified (GM) animals for use in various areas of agriculture and medicine. The great majority of GM animals and fish are currently only at the research stage. However, some animals with an anticipated use in food production are close to reaching the grocery shelf at least, they will be soon available for marketing. GM livestock include many different kinds of animals and species modified with the intention of improving economically important traits such as growth-rate, quality of meat, milk composition, disease resistance and survival. Pigs have been engineered to grow faster and to produce more meat with less feed; the composition of pork has also been improved for healthier human consumption. Scientists have paid particular attention to pig health, raising piglet survival rates, reducing the risks of infectious disease, and fortifying the porcine immune system. Sheep have been modified to improve wool production and immunity, and to reduce the risk of mortality following infections by bacteria and lethal viruses. Growth-rate in chickens has been increased with only limited success, because conventional selection has already improved this trait close to its biological limit. However, disease resistance (e.g. to H5N1) and the survival of newly hatched chicks have been improved. Udder health and survival are the most important traits improved by transgenic technology in cattle. GM cows with resistance to BSE have been bred. Similar traits are targeted in fish, dominated by salmon, carp and tilapia species, where the focus is on meat production, meat quality, and disease resistance. The number of GM farm animals and fish developed in laboratories is increasing, but for the present the number of species close to entering the market remains small.
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