Physiological and metabolomic consequences of reduced expression of the Drosophila brummer triglyceride Lipase.

Disruption of lipolysis has widespread effects on intermediary metabolism and organismal phenotypes. Defects in lipolysis can be modeled in Drosophila melanogaster through genetic manipulations of brummer (bmm), which encodes a triglyceride lipase orthologous to mammalian Adipose Triglyceride Lipase. RNAi-mediated knock-down of bmm in all tissues or metabolic specific tissues results in reduced locomotor activity, altered sleep patterns and reduced lifespan.

Functional Diversification, Redundancy, and Epistasis among Paralogs of the Drosophila melanogaster Obp50a-d Gene Cluster.

Large multigene families, such as the insect odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), are thought to arise through functional diversification after repeated gene duplications. Whereas many OBPs function in chemoreception, members of this family are also expressed in tissues outside chemosensory organs. Paralogs of the Obp50 gene cluster are expressed in metabolic and male reproductive tissues, but their functions and interrelationships remain unknown.

Using milk leukocyte differentials for diagnosis of subclinical bovine mastitis.

This research study aimed to evaluate the use of the milk leukocyte differential (MLD) to: (a) identify quarter milks that are culture-positive; and (b) characterize the milk leukocyte responses to specific groups of pathogens causing subclinical mastitis. The MLD measures the absolute number and relative percentage of inflammatory cells in milk samples. Using the MLD in two dairy herds (170 and 172 lactating cows, respectively), we studied all lactating cows with a most recent monthly Dairy Herd Improvement Association somatic cell count (SCC) >200 × 103 cells/ml.

An outbreak and source investigation of enterococcal spondylitis in broilers caused by Enterococcus cecorum.

Enterococcus cecorum was isolated from spondylitis lesions in broilers from two flocks in North Carolina that were experiencing increased mortality. Affected birds showed paresis and paralysis, clinical signs characteristic of enterococcal spondylitis (ES). Affected birds rested on their hocks and caudal abdomens with legs extended forward and were unable to stand or walk.

Bovine Staphylococcus aureus: dose response to iodine and chlorhexidine and effect of iodine challenge on antibiotic susceptibility.

Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive organism that is frequently associated with clinical or subclinical mastitis. The use of germicidal teat dips is one of the measures taken by the dairy industry to control mastitis. Iodine and chlorhexidine compounds are commonly used disinfectants in teat dips.

Molecular epidemiology of Enterococcus cecorum isolates recovered from enterococcal spondylitis outbreaks in the southeastern United States.

Enterococcus cecorum, a normal intestinal inhabitant, is increasingly responsible for outbreaks of arthritis and osteomyelitis in chickens worldwide. Enterococcal spondylitis (ES) is a specific manifestation of E. cecorum-associated disease in which increased flock morbidity and mortality result from chronic infection involving the free thoracic vertebra.

Transmission of MRSA between companion animals and infected human patients presenting to outpatient medical care facilities.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant pathogen in both human and veterinary medicine. The importance of companion animals as reservoirs of human infections is currently unknown. The companion animals of 49 MRSA-infected outpatients (cases) were screened for MRSA carriage, and their bacterial isolates were compared with those of the infected patients using Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE).

Transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus between human and hamster.

Transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) between humans and animals is increasingly recognized. We newly document that the transmission of MRSA between human and hamster is possible.

Proof of concept of a method that assesses the spread of microbial infections with spatially explicit and non-spatially explicit data.

Background: A method that assesses bacterial spatial dissemination was explored. It measures microbial genotypes (defined by electrophoretic patterns or EP), host, location (farm), interfarm Euclidean distance, and time. Its proof of concept (construct and internal validity) was evaluated using a dataset that included 113 Staphylococcus aureus EPs from 1126 bovine milk isolates collected on 23 farms between 1988 and 2005.

Genetic diversity and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles among mastitis-causing Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine milk samples.

Objective: To determine whether particular antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of bovine mastitis-causing Staphylococcus aureus isolates were associated with specific S aureus genotypes.

Sample Population: 357 S aureus isolates recovered from milk samples submitted for diagnostic bacteriologic testing from 24 dairy herds.

Procedures: Antimicrobial susceptibility of S aureus isolates was assessed by determining minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to 14 antimicrobial agents.

Relationships between the phagocytic ability of milk macrophages and polymorphonuclear cells and somatic cell counts in uninfected cows.

Phagocyte numbers and activities were compared in milk from 2 groups of uninfected mammary-gland quarters from 3 cows each: 6 quarters with a high (> or = 200 000/mL) somatic cell concentration (SCC), analyzed as 4 individual quarters and 1 pooled sample; and 12 quarters with a low SCC (< 200 000/mL), analyzed as 6 paired samples. The concentrations and ability of macrophages and polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells to phagocytize fluorescent microspheres were determined by flow cytometry after exposure of the cells to the microspheres. The macrophages and PMNs contained 2 major subpopulations, characterized by low phagocytic (LP) or high phagocytic (HP) ability.

Efficacy of vaccination and antimicrobial treatment to eliminate chronic intramammary Staphylococcus aureus infections in dairy cattle.

Objective: To determine whether a combination of vaccination and extended intramammary antimicrobial treatment would eliminate chronic intramammary Staphylococcus aureus infections in lactating dairy cows.

Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial.

Animals: 50 dairy cows with chronic mastitis caused by S aureus.

Comparison of microbial receptor assay and liquid chromatography for determination of penicillin G and amoxicillin in milk powder.

A microbial receptor assay (Charm II Tablet Beta-Lactam Test) and liquid chromatography (LC) were compared for determination of penicillin G (PG) and amoxicillin (AMOX) in reconstituted milk powder. Nonfat dry milk and whole dry milk were reconstituted (10%, w/v) to concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5, 7.