Transport-controlled growth decoupling for self-induced protein expression with a glycerol-repressible genetic circuit.

Decoupling cell formation from recombinant protein synthesis is a potent strategy to intensify bioprocesses. Escherichia coli strains with mutations in the glucose uptake components lack catabolite repression, display low growth rate, no overflow metabolism, and high recombinant protein yields. Fast growth rates were promoted by the simultaneous consumption of glucose and glycerol, and this was followed by a phase of slow growth, when only glucose remained in the medium.

Avoiding the All-or-None Response in Gene Expression During E. coli Continuous Cultivation Based on the On-Line Monitoring of Cell Phenotypic Switching Dynamics.

Different expression vectors are available for the effective production of recombinant proteins by bacterial populations. However, the productivity of such systems is limited by the inherent noise of the gene circuits used for the synthesis of recombinant products. An extreme case of cell-to-cell heterogeneity that has been previously reported for the ara- and lac-based expression systems in E.

["Illustrated guide for the observation of the sensory-motor behavior of the preterm newborn"].

Developmental care is defined by a personalized approach to the premature child. Observation of sensory-motor behavior is a key part of this approach and requires specific training and the use of observation tools. This study analyzes the use of an illustrated guide during the observation and evaluation of the sensory-motor behavior of the premature baby; this didactic contribution constitutes a real added value for the professionals, allowing the elaboration of a care project.

Routine gynecological ultrasound: look at the bladder and the ureters!

Background: To illustrate the technical feasibility and diagnostic value of including the assessment of the bladder and the ureters during a standard transvaginal ultrasound examination.

Methods: We present four cases illustrating ureter and bladder pathology diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound.

Results: In a first case, transvaginal ultrasonography in a woman with lower abdominal pain showed a calculus in the left distal ureter.

Limitations of a chromogenic agar plate for the identifying bacteria isolated from equine endometritis samples.

Background: The use of commercial chromogenic agar plates for the rapid, easy and correct identification of equine endometritis-causing bacteria has been proposed. Preliminary tests in our lab revealed undescribed limitations. Therefore, we tested the ability of the Brilliance UTI agar, a commercially available chromogenic agar, to accurately identify bacteria causing equine endometritis.

Evaluation of the hygienogram scores and related data obtained after cleaning and disinfection of poultry houses in Flanders during the period 2007 to 2014.

Cleaning and disinfection (C&D) of poultry houses is an essential aspect in farm hygiene management. Adequate performance of the different steps of a C&D protocol and the use of suitable products are key to prevent and control zoonoses and animal diseases. Hygiene monitoring on total aerobic flora through sampling with agar contact plates at different locations of the poultry house results in a hygienogram score that is used to evaluate the proper execution of C&D.

Prevalence of virulence factors in enterotoxigenic isolated from pigs with post-weaning diarrhoea in Europe.

Background: Post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD), due to , is an important cause of economic losses to the pig industry primarily as a result of mortality and worsened productive performance. In spite of its relevance, recent data about the prevalence of virulence genes and pathotypes among isolates recovered from cases of PWD in Europe are scarce.

Results: This study investigates the prevalence of fimbrial and toxin genes of by PCR among 280 farms with PWD across Europe.

The impact of Fusarium mycotoxins on human and animal host susceptibility to infectious diseases.

Contamination of food and feed with mycotoxins is a worldwide problem. At present, acute mycotoxicosis caused by high doses is rare in humans and animals. Ingestion of low to moderate amounts of Fusarium mycotoxins is common and generally does not result in obvious intoxication.

Toxic effects of dietary exposure to T-2 toxin on intestinal and hepatic biotransformation enzymes and drug transporter systems in broiler chickens.

The effects of the mycotoxin T-2 on hepatic and intestinal drug-metabolizing enzymes (cytochrome P450) and drug transporter systems (MDR1 and MRP2) in poultry were investigated during this study. Broiler chickens received either uncontaminated feed, feed contaminated with 68μg/kg or 752μg/kg T-2 toxin. After 3weeks, the animals were euthanized and MDR1, MRP2, CYP1A4, CYP1A5 and CYP3A37 mRNA expression were analyzed using qRT-PCR.

Porcine intestinal epithelial barrier disruption by the Fusarium mycotoxins deoxynivalenol and T-2 toxin promotes transepithelial passage of doxycycline and paromomycin.

Background: The gastrointestinal tract is the first target for the potentially harmful effects of mycotoxins after intake of mycotoxin contaminated food or feed. With deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin (T-2), fumonisin B1 (FB1) and zearalenone (ZEA) being important Fusarium toxins in the northern hemisphere, this study aimed to investigate in vitro the toxic effect of these mycotoxins on intestinal porcine epithelial cells derived from the jejunum (IPEC-J2 cells). Viability of IPEC-J2 cells as well as the proportion of apoptotic and necrotic IPEC-J2 cells was determined by flow cytometry after 72 h of exposure to the toxins.

Toxicokinetic study and absolute oral bioavailability of deoxynivalenol, T-2 toxin and zearalenone in broiler chickens.

Mycotoxins lead to economic losses in animal production. A way to counteract mycotoxicosis is the use of detoxifiers. The European Food Safety Authority stated that the efficacy of detoxifiers should be investigated based on toxicokinetic studies.

A modified glucomannan mycotoxin-adsorbing agent counteracts the reduced weight gain and diminishes cecal colonization of Salmonella Typhimurium in T-2 toxin exposed pigs.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a modified glucomannan binder on the course of a Salmonella Typhimurium infection in pigs. Therefore, four pig diets were provided during 23 days: (1) free of mycotoxins, (2) containing 1g binder per kg feed, (3) containing 83 μg T-2 toxin per kg feed and (4) containing 83 μg T-2 toxin and 1g binder per kg feed. After 18 days, all pigs were inoculated with Salmonella Typhimurium and euthanized five days later.

Efficacy and safety testing of mycotoxin-detoxifying agents in broilers following the European Food Safety Authority guidelines.

Contamination of feeds with mycotoxins is a worldwide problem and mycotoxin-detoxifying agents are used to decrease their negative effect. The European Food Safety Authority recently stated guidelines and end-points for the efficacy testing of detoxifiers. Our study revealed that plasma concentrations of deoxynivalenol and deepoxy-deoxynivalenol were too low to assess efficacy of 2 commercially available mycotoxin-detoxifying agents against deoxynivalenol after 3 wk of continuous feeding of this mycotoxin at concentrations of 2.

Interaction between tylosin and bentonite clay from a pharmacokinetic perspective.

The interaction between bentonite and tylosin was investigated in broiler chickens, based on pharmacokinetic characteristics obtained in vivo. Simultaneous oral administration of bentonite and tylosin significantly lowered plasma levels of tylosin and reduced the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0-inf)), maximal plasma concentration (C(max)), time to maximal plasma concentration (T(max)) and relative oral bioavailability. The results prove unambiguously the binding of tylosin by bentonite.

Influence of mycotoxins and a mycotoxin adsorbing agent on the oral bioavailability of commonly used antibiotics in pigs.

It is recognized that mycotoxins can cause a variety of adverse health effects in animals, including altered gastrointestinal barrier function. It is the aim of the present study to determine whether mycotoxin-contaminated diets can alter the oral bioavailability of the antibiotics doxycycline and paromomycin in pigs, and whether a mycotoxin adsorbing agent included into diets interacts with those antibiotics. Experiments were conducted with pigs utilizing diets that contained blank feed, mycotoxin-contaminated feed (T-2 toxin or deoxynivalenol), mycotoxin-contaminated feed supplemented with a glucomannan mycotoxin binder, or blank feed supplemented with mycotoxin binder.

New bolus models for in vivo efficacy testing of mycotoxin-detoxifying agents in relation to EFSA guidelines, assessed using deoxynivalenol in broiler chickens.

In this study, three new models were developed for efficacy testing of mycotoxin-detoxifying agents in relation to recent European guidelines. In the first model, deoxynivalenol was given to broiler chickens as an intra-crop bolus together with a mycotoxin-detoxifying agent in order to study the plasma concentration-time profile of deoxynivalenol. In the second model, the same oral bolus was given, preceded by an oral bolus of mycotoxin-detoxifying agent, to make sure the detoxifying agent was present in the whole intestinal tract when the mycotoxin was administered.

T-2 toxin induced Salmonella Typhimurium intoxication results in decreased Salmonella numbers in the cecum contents of pigs, despite marked effects on Salmonella-host cell interactions.

The mycotoxin T-2 toxin and Salmonella Typhimurium infections pose a significant threat to human and animal health. Interactions between both agents may result in a different outcome of the infection. Therefore, the aim of the presented study was to investigate the effects of low and relevant concentrations of T-2 toxin on the course of a Salmonella Typhimurium infection in pigs.

The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol potentiates intestinal inflammation by Salmonella typhimurium in porcine ileal loops.

Background And Aims: Both deoxynivalenol (DON) and nontyphoidal salmonellosis are emerging threats with possible hazardous effects on both human and animal health. The objective of this study was to examine whether DON at low but relevant concentrations interacts with the intestinal inflammation induced by Salmonella Typhimurium.

Methodology: By using a porcine intestinal ileal loop model, we investigated whether intake of low concentrations of DON interacts with the early intestinal inflammatory response induced by Salmonella Typhimurium.

Quantitative determination of T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, deoxynivalenol and deepoxy-deoxynivalenol in animal body fluids using LC-MS/MS detection.

A sensitive and specific method for the quantitative determination of deoxynivalenol (DON), deepoxy-deoxynivalenol (DOM-1), T-2 toxin (T-2) and HT-2 toxin (HT-2) in animal body fluids (plasma and bile) using liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) is presented. The extraction of plasma consisted of a deproteinization step using methanol, followed by a clean-up using an Oasis HLB solid-phase extraction column. For bile analysis, an extraction using a methanol/water mixture (70/30, v/v), followed by a liquid-liquid extraction using ethyl acetate, was performed.

Lidocaine does not reduce pain perception during gel instillation sonography or subsequent office hysteroscopy: results of a randomized trial.

Background: To evaluate if the addition of lidocaine to the gel used for gel infusion sonohysterography (GIS) reduces pain experienced during GIS or subsequent hysteroscopy.

Methods: A total of 142 consecutive patients were randomized using computer-generated random integers. In 79 patients, GIS was performed with a gel containing lidocaine (Instillagel®) and in 63 patients the gel did not contain lidocaine (Endosgel®).

Gel infusion sonography in the evaluation of the uterine cavity.

Objectives: To compare gel infusion sonohysterography (GIS) with saline contrast sonohysterography (SCSH) with regard to technical feasibility and procedure-related pain experienced by patients.

Methods: This prospective observational cohort study included 551 consecutive patients with abnormal bleeding: SCSH was attempted in the first 402 women and GIS was attempted in the following 149. All procedures were performed by the same examiner, in the same clinical setting, using a 2-mm diameter catheter.

The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol promotes uptake of Salmonella Typhimurium in porcine macrophages, associated with ERK1/2 induced cytoskeleton reorganization.

Both the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) and Salmonella Typhimurium are major issues in swine production. This study aimed at examining the interaction between DON and Salmonella Typhimurium at the level of the porcine innate immune system, represented by macrophages. First, we assessed the direct cytotoxic effect of DON on porcine macrophages.

Animal poisoning in Europe. Part 2: Companion animals.

This is the second in a series of three review articles on animal poisoning in Europe and focuses on cases in pet animals and horses in five European countries (Belgium, France, Greece, Italy and Spain) reported over the last decade. In the participating countries, dogs were the most commonly poisoned species, particularly younger animals. The majority of cases in companion animals resulted from exposure to insecticides, although rodenticides (especially anticoagulants and strychnine) posed a significant risk.