Effects of a human-based mixture of persistent organic pollutants on the in vivo exposed cerebellum and cerebellar neuronal cultures exposed in vitro.

Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), encompassing chlorinated (Cl), brominated (Br) and perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) compounds is associated with adverse neurobehaviour in humans and animals, and is observed to cause adverse effects in nerve cell cultures. Most studies focus on single POPs, whereas studies on effects of complex mixtures are limited. We examined the effects of a mixture of 29 persistent compounds (Cl + Br + PFAA, named Total mixture), as well as 6 sub-mixtures on in vitro exposed rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs).

Perfluoroalkyl acids potentiate glutamate excitotoxicity in rat cerebellar granule neurons.

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are persistent man-made chemicals, ubiquitous in nature and present in human samples. Although restrictions are being introduced, they are still used in industrial processes as well as in consumer products. PFAAs cross the blood-brain-barrier and have been observed to induce adverse neurobehavioural effects in humans and animals as well as adverse effects in neuronal in vitro studies.

Effect of clinical signs, endocrinopathies, timing of surgery, hyperlipidemia, and hyperbilirubinemia on outcome in dogs with gallbladder mucocele.

Gallbladder mucocele (GBM) is a common extra-hepatic biliary syndrome in dogs with death rates ranging from 7 to 45%. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the association of survival with variables that could be utilized to improve clinical decisions. A total of 1194 dogs with a gross and histopathological diagnosis of GBM were included from 41 veterinary referral hospitals in this retrospective study.

PFOS-induced excitotoxicity is dependent on Ca influx via NMDA receptors in rat cerebellar granule neurons.

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are persistent compounds used in many industrial as well as consumer products. Despite restrictions, these compounds are found at measurable concentrations in samples of human and animal origin. In the present study we examined whether the effects on cell viability of two sulfonated and four carboxylated PFAAs in cultures of cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs), could be associated with deleterious activation of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R).

The mechanism (Phe362Tyr mutation) behind resistance in Lepeophtheirus salmonis pre-dates organophosphate use in salmon farming.

The salmon louse is an ectoparasitic copepod of salmonids in the marine environment, and represents a global challenge to salmon aquaculture. A major issue is the reliance of the industry on a limited number of chemicals to delouse salmonids on farms, and the high levels of resistance that lice have developed to all of these agents. However, for most of these chemicals, resistance and dispersal mechanisms are unknown.

Time-dependent effects of perfluorinated compounds on viability in cerebellar granule neurons: Dependence on carbon chain length and functional group attached.

The toxicity of long chained perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) has previously been reported to be related to the length of the perfluorinated carbon chain and functional group attached. In the present study, we compared the cytotoxicity of six PFAAs, using primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). Two perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs, chain length C and C) and four perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs, chain length C-C) were studied.

The design of an environmentally relevant mixture of persistent organic pollutants for use in in vivo and in vitro studies.

Amongst the substances listed as persistent organic pollutants (POP) under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (SCPOP) are chlorinated, brominated, and fluorinated compounds. Most experimental studies investigating effects of POP employ single compounds. Studies focusing on effects of POP mixtures are limited, and often conducted using extracts from collected specimens.

Cereulide production by Bacillus weihenstephanensis strains during growth at different pH values and temperatures.

Besides Bacillus cereus, some strains of the psychrotolerant, potentially foodborne pathogen Bacillus weihenstephanensis can produce the emetic toxine (cereulide). This toxin is a heat- and acid-stable cyclic dodecadepsipeptide that causes food intoxication with vomiting. However, some severe clinical cases with lethal outcomes have been described.

Characterization and Vaccine Potential of Membrane Vesicles Produced by Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis in an Adult Zebrafish Model.

Vaccine development against extracellular bacteria has been important for the sustainability of the aquaculture industry. In contrast, infections with intracellular pathogens remain largely an unresolved problem. subsp.

Low-Chlorinated Non-Dioxin-like Polychlorinated Biphenyls Present in Blood and Breast Milk Induce Higher Levels of Reactive Oxygen Species in Neutrophil Granulocytes than High-Chlorinated Congeners.

Despite their ban several decades ago, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) still pose a health threat to human beings due to their persistent and accumulative nature and continued presence in the environment. Non-dioxin-like (NDL)-PCBs have earlier been found to have effects on the immune system, including human neutrophil granulocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between ortho-chlorinated NDL-PCBs with a low or high degree of chlorination in their capability to induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human neutrophil granulocytes in vitro.

A screening of medicinal compounds for their effect on egg strings and nauplii of the salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer).

Egg strings and nauplii of the salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis were exposed to a variety of medicinal compounds at 50 mg L(-1) for 30 min in two experiment series. This medicine concentration was selected as a starting point for a screening series. Hatching of egg strings and development to copepodid larvae were monitored in one experiment, and the survival and development of nauplii were monitored in the other.

A screening of multiple classes of pharmaceutical compounds for effect on preadult salmon lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis.

The salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis Krøyer, is the major obstacle facing a sustainable future for farmers of salmonids in the North Atlantic Ocean. Medicinal compounds have been the most utilized tool to prevent salmon lice infestation; however, the active compounds have become less effective or considered environmentally unfriendly in the past years. Novel medicinal compounds are thus highly desired.

Rearing Laying Hens in Aviaries Reduces Fearfulness following Transfer to Furnished Cages.

Appropriate rearing is essential for ensuring the welfare and productivity of laying hens. Early experience has the potential to affect the development of fearfulness. This study tested whether rearing in aviaries, as opposed to cages, reduces the fearfulness of laying hens after transfer to furnished cages.

Surveillance of the Sensitivity towards Antiparasitic Bath-Treatments in the Salmon Louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis).

The evolution of drug resistant parasitic sea lice is of major concern to the salmon farming industry worldwide and challenges sustainable growth of this enterprise. To assess current status and development of L. salmonis sensitivity towards different pesticides used for parasite control in Norwegian salmon farming, a national surveillance programme was implemented in 2013.

Phe362Tyr in AChE: A Major Factor Responsible for Azamethiphos Resistance in Lepeophtheirus salmonis in Norway.

Organophosphates (OP) are one of the major treatments used against the salmon louse (Lepeophtherius salmonis) in Norwegian salmonid aquaculture. The use of OP since the late 1970s has resulted in widespread resistant parasites. Recently, we reported a single mutation (Phe362Tyr) in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as the major mechanism behind resistance in salmon louse towards OP.

Identification and validation of risk loci for osteochondrosis in standardbreds.

Background: Osteochondrosis (OC), simply defined as a failure of endochondral ossification, is a complex disease with both genetic and environmental risk factors that is commonly diagnosed in young horses, as well as other domestic species. Although up to 50 % of the risk for developing OC is reportedly inherited, specific genes and alleles underlying risk are thus far completely unknown. Regions of the genome identified as associated with OC vary across studies in different populations of horses.

Steroidogenic differential effects in neonatal porcine Leydig cells exposed to persistent organic pollutants derived from cod liver oil.

Seafood products, including fish and fish oils, are major sources of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) which may cause endocrine disruption related to reproductive dysfunction in males. Primary porcine neonatal Leydig cells were exposed to three extracts of POPs obtained from different stages in production of cod liver oil dietary supplement, in the absence and presence of luteinizing hormone (LH). No reduced viability was observed and all POP extracts showed increased testosterone and estradiol levels in unstimulated cells and decreased testosterone and estradiol secretion in LH-stimulated cells.

Identification and Molecular Characterization of Two Acetylcholinesterases from the Salmon Louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an important enzyme in cholinergic synapses. Most arthropods have two genes (ace1 and ace2), but only one encodes the predominant synaptic AChE, the main target for organophosphates. Resistance towards organophosphates is widespread in the marine arthropod Lepeophtheirus salmonis.

Mechanism behind Resistance against the Organophosphate Azamethiphos in Salmon Lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis).

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the primary target for organophosphates (OP). Several mutations have been reported in AChE to be associated with the reduced sensitivity against OP in various arthropods. However, to the best of our knowledge, no such reports are available for Lepeophtheirus salmonis.

Determination and quantification of the emetic toxin cereulide from Bacillus cereus in pasta, rice and cream with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A rapid and sensitive method has been developed for determination and quantification of cereulide in cream, rice and pasta. Samples are homogenised after addition of amylase to cooked rice and pasta, and cereulide is extracted with methanol. After the removal of water with methyl-tert butyl ether/hexane and evaporation until dryness, no further purification was required before analysis with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Primary bone cancer in Leonbergers may be associated with a higher bodyweight during adolescence.

Weight-bearing stress may be a risk factor for both human and canine primary bone cancer. A cohort of Leonbergers (LB) was followed from birth to death and the cause of death recorded. We hypothesised that dogs dying due to primary bone cancer would be larger; measured by bodyweight (BW) and the circumference of the distal radius and ulna (CDRU) than those of the same breed that died of other causes.

Urinary and faecal N-methylhistamine concentrations do not serve as markers for mast cell activation or clinical disease activity in dogs with chronic enteropathies.

Background: This study sought to correlate faecal and urinary N-methylhistamine (NMH) concentrations with resting versus degranulated duodenal mast cell numbers in dogs with chronic enteropathies (CE), and investigate correlations between intestinal mast cell activation and clinical severity of disease as assessed by canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index (CCECAI), and between urinary and faecal NMH concentrations, mast cell numbers, and histopathological scores. Twenty-eight dogs with CE were included. Duodenal biopsies were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), toluidine blue, and by immunohistochemical labelling for tryptase.

Behavioural effects of the commonly used fish anaesthetic tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) on zebrafish (Danio rerio) and its relevance for the acetic acid pain test.

The pros and cons of using anaesthesia when handling fish in connection with experiments are debated. A widely adopted practice is to wait thirty minutes after anaesthesia before behavioural observations are initiated, but information about immediate effects of a treatment is then lost. This is pertinent for responses to acute stressors, such as acid injection in the acetic acid pain test.