Humanoid robots to mechanically stress human cells grown in soft bioreactors.

For more than 20 years, robotic bioreactor systems have facilitated the growth of tissue-engineered constructs using mechanical stimulation. However, we are still unable to produce functional grafts that can translate into clinical use. Humanoid robots offer the prospect of providing physiologically-relevant mechanical stimulation to grafts and implants which may expedite their clinical deployment.

Evaluation of an alternative dosing regimen of a J-5 mastitis vaccine against intramammary Escherichia coli challenge in nonlactating late-gestation dairy cows.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of an alternative vaccination regimen of a J-5 bacterin against intramammary Escherichia coli challenge in nonlactating late-gestation dairy cows. The parameters analyzed to assess the effect of vaccination were milk yield, milk conductivity, somatic cell count, J-5-specific serum IgG titers, and clinical signs. Twenty multiparous Holstein cows from the Cornell teaching and research dairy herd were paired by days in milk and were randomly selected to receive either the alternative off-label regimen of commercial J-5 bacterin or act as nonvaccinated controls.

Quantitative susceptibility of Streptococcus suis strains isolated from diseased pigs in seven European countries to antimicrobial agents licensed in veterinary medicine.

The susceptibility of Streptococcus suis strains (n=384) isolated from diseased pigs in seven European countries to 10 antimicrobial agents was determined. For that purpose a microbroth dilution method was used according to CLSI recommendations. The following antimicrobial agents were tested: ceftiofur, cefquinome, enrofloxacin, florfenicol, gentamicin, penicillin, spectinomycin, tetracycline, tilmicosin and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole.

In vitro activities of spectinomycin and comparator agents against Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica from respiratory tract infections of cattle.

Objectives: Prior to the renewal of spectinomycin licensing for veterinary uses in Germany, 154 Pasteurella multocida and 148 Mannheimia haemolytica strains from respiratory tract infections in cattle were investigated for their MICs of spectinomycin and other antimicrobial agents. The data obtained should serve as a baseline from which to judge the future development of resistance. Moreover, the in vitro activity of spectinomycin in comparison with other antimicrobials should be assessed.