Swine

Detecting return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is challenging, time consuming, and requires interrupting chest compressions. Based on automated-CPR porcine data, we have developed an algorithm to support ROSC detection, which detects cardiogenic output during chest compressions via a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal. The algorithm can detect palpable and impalpable spontaneous pulses. A compression-free PPG signal which estimates the spontaneous pulse waveform, was obtained by subtracting the compression component, modeled by a harmonic series. The fundamental frequency of this series was the compression rate derived from the transthoracic impedance signal measured between the defibrillation pads. The amplitudes of the harmonic components were obtained via a least mean-square algorithm. The frequency spectrum of the compression-free PPG signal was estimated via an autoregressive model, and the relationship between the spectral peaks wa...

We enzymatically deglycosylated pig lung angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) to study the involvement of its glycanic chains in its physicochemical and catalytic properties. The effects of endoglycosidases F 2 and H, and of N-glycanase were assessed by ACE mobility in SDS-PAGE. N-Glycanase only was completely effective with or without previous denaturation, leading to a shift in ACE M r from 172 to 135 kDa; endoglycosidase F 2 produced the same shift but only without previous denaturation. Deglycosylated ACE had the same kcat as native ACE for the substrate hippuryl-histidyl-Ieucine, and an identical Stokes radius as measured by size-exclusion high performance liquid chromatography. Neuraminidase had no effect on ACE Stokes radius but slightly decreased its kcat which could be related to variations in ionization of the active site. The isoelectric point of ACE, as, determined by isoelectric focusing, increased from 4.5-4.8 to 5.0-53 after either endoglycosidase F 3 or neuraminidase digestion, but still with microheterogeneities which thus did not seem to be related to ACE glycans. Deglycosylated ACE did not bind onto agaroselectins in contrast to native ACE which bound strongly to concanavalin A showing interactions involving oligomannosidic or biantennary and sialylated N-acetyl-lactosaminic isoglycans. Finally, tunicamycin, an inhibitor of Nglycosylation, did not modify ACE secretion by endothelial cells. Thus, ACE glycans have no drastic effects on structural and biological properties of the protein, but they may have a functional role on intracellular targeting of both secreted and membrane-bound ACE isoforms, also for the protection of the soluble plasma form against hepatic lectins and the maintenance of its hydrosolubility.

A novel series of 4-phenylisoquinolones were synthesized and evaluated as c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitors. Initial modification at the 2-and 3-positions of the isoquinolone ring of hit compound 4, identified from high-throughput screening, led to the lead compound 6b. The optimization was carried out using a JNK1-binding model of 6b and several compounds exhibited potent JNK inhibition. Among them, 11g significantly inhibited cardiac hypertrophy in rat pressure-overload models without affecting blood pressure and the concept of JNK inhibitors as novel therapeutic agents for heart failure was confirmed.

Mammalian Orthoreoviruses 3 (MRV3) have been described in diarrheic pigs from USA and Asia. We firstly detected MRV3 in Europe (Italy) in piglets showing severe diarrhea associated with Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea. The virus was phylogenetically related to European reoviruses of human and bat origin and to US and Chinese pig MRV3.

To overcome shortcomings of current heart valve prostheses, novel hybrid valves were fabricated from decellularized porcine aortic valves coated with poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate [PHBHHx]). In the mechanical test in vitro, the biomechanical performance of hybrid valve was investigated. In an in vivo study, hybrid valve conduits were implanted in pulmonary position in sheep without cardiopulmonary bypass. Uncoated grafts were used as control. The valves were explanted and examined histologically and biochemically 16 weeks after surgery. The hybrid valve conduits maintained original shapes, were covered by a confluent layer of cells, and had Porcine hearts (weight: 50-60 kg) were obtained from Shunyi slaughterhouse, Beijing, China.

Objective: To elucidate the histologic changes after stent graft oversizing in nonatherosclerotic aortas using an experimental porcine model. We previously reported that the diameter and angulation of the aorta in this model are similar to those in young individuals who undergo stent graft repair for blunt aortic injuries. The lack of commercially available stent grafts specific for repairing blunt aortic injuries, particularly for small and angulated aortas, may be related to the high rate of endograft complications in this population. Methods: Twenty-five pigs were randomized into one control group (without stent graft implantation) and four oversized groups (A: 10%-19%, B: 20%-29%, C: 30%-39%, and D: >40%). Three circumferential fragments were collected from the aorta for histologic and immunohistochemical studies. Morphometric analyzes were performed using an inflow system and image analysis software (Quantimet 500; Leica Cambridge Ltd, Cambridge, UK). Results: Collagen expression in the aortic wall was not significantly different among the five groups (P [ .5604). There were significantly fewer muscle fibers in the aortic wall in the oversized groups compared with the control group (P [ .000198). The proportion of elastic fibers in the aortic wall was significantly smaller in the oversized groups compared with the control group (P [ .0000001). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that a-actin expression in the aortic wall was significantly decreased in the oversized groups compared with the control group (P [ .002031). There were no significant differences in either the number of muscle fibers or a-actin expression among the four oversized groups. Conclusions: Histologic and immunohistochemical studies confirmed the structural disarrangement of the aortic wall after insertion of an endoprosthesis, including reduced number of muscle and elastic fibers. (

Author Contributions T.D. designed the studies, performed surgical procedures, analysed the data and wrote the manuscript. X.H. and D.W. performed confocal immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, TMRM assays in vivo and in vitro, endothelial cell assays, the histopathological studies, analysed data and edited the manuscript. L.M. participated in designing experiments, analysed data, edited the manuscript and secured funding.

The conditions and the specificity by which an antibody binds to its target protein in routinely fixed and embedded tissues are unknown. Direct methods, such as staining in a knock-out animal or in vitro peptide scanning of the epitope, are costly and impractical. We aimed to elucidate antibody specificity and binding conditions using tissue staining and public genomic and immunological databases by comparing human and pig-the farmed mammal evolutionarily closest to humans besides apes. We used a database of 146 anti-human antibodies and found that antibodies tolerate partially conserved amino acid substitutions but not changes in target accessibility, as defined by epitope prediction algorithms. Some epitopes are sensitive to fixation and embedding in a species-specific fashion. We also find that half of the antibodies stain porcine tissue epitopes that have 60% to 100% similarity to human tissue at the amino acid sequence level. The reason why the remaining antibodies fail to stain the tissues remains elusive. Because of its similarity with the human, pig tissue offers a convenient tissue for quality control in immunohistochemistry, within and across laboratories, and an interesting model to investigate antibody specificity. (

The conditions and the specificity by which an antibody binds to its target protein in routinely fixed and embedded tissues are unknown. Direct methods, such as staining in a knock-out animal or in vitro peptide scanning of the epitope, are costly and impractical. We aimed to elucidate antibody specificity and binding conditions using tissue staining and public genomic and immunological databases by comparing human and pig—the farmed mammal evolutionarily closest to humans besides apes. We used a database of 146 anti-human antibodies and found that antibodies tolerate partially conserved amino acid substitutions but not changes in target accessibility, as defined by epitope prediction algorithms. Some epitopes are sensitive to fixation and embedding in a species-specific fashion. We also find that half of the antibodies stain porcine tissue epitopes that have 60% to 100% similarity to human tissue at the amino acid sequence level. The reason why the remaining antibodies fail to stai...

Urinary pathology requiring urinary diversion, partial or full bladder replacement, is a significant clinical problem affecting *14,000 individuals annually in the United States alone. The use of gastrointestinal tissue for urinary diversion or bladder reconstruction/replacement surgeries is frequently associated with complications. To try and alleviate or reduce the frequency of these complications, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies have been developed using bio-absorbable materials seeded with cells derived from the bladder. However, bladder-sourced cells may not always be suitable for such applications, especially in patients with bladder cancer. In this study, we describe the isolation and characterization of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from porcine adipose and peripheral blood that are phenotypically and functionally indistinguishable from bladder-derived SMCs. In a preclinical Good Laboratory Practice study, we demonstrate that autologous adipose-and peripheral bloodderived SMCs may be used to seed synthetic, biodegradable tubular scaffold structures and that implantation of these seeded scaffolds into a porcine cystectomy model leads to successful de novo regeneration of a tubular neoorgan composed of urinary-like neo-tissue that is histologically identical to native bladder. The ability to create urologic structures de novo from scaffolds seeded by autologous adipose-or peripheral blood-derived SMCs will greatly facilitate the translation of urologic tissue engineering technologies into clinical practice.

Comprehending mechanisms controlling corpus luteum (CL) angiogenesis and apoptosis in pregnant sows is essential to understand the physiological role of these processes in CL function, progesterone production and consequently in conceptus development and prenatal mortality. CL from 54 sows from two genetic groups, a commercial line (COM) and the local Piau breed (LPB), were obtained for gene expression (n = 3 COM; n = 6 LPB), histological and protein analysis (n = 3 COM; n = 3 LPB), divided in six gestational ages (seven, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 days). We observed differences between gestational ages in CL morphology, in which the average number of blood vessels/capillaries at 90-days was greater than at the seventh day by Tukey test. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that apoptotic genes (BAX, BCL2 and CASP3) were differentially expressed between genetic groups and gestational ages in each group. Angiogenesis genes also presented differences between genetic groups (ANGPT1) and gestational ag...

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Pig to human xenotransplantation is considered a possible solution to the prevailing chronic lack of human donor organs for allotransplantation. The Galα1,3Gal determinant is the major porcine xenogeneic epitope causing hyperacute rejection following human antibody binding and complement activation. In order to characterize the tissue distribution of Galα1,3Gal-containing and blood group-type glycosphingolipids in pig, acid and nonacid glycosphingolipids were isolated from the kidney, small intestine, spleen, salivary gland, liver, and heart of a single pig obtained from a semiinbred strain homozygous at the SLA locus. Glycolipids were analyzed by thin-layer immunostaining using monoclonal antibodies, and following ceramide glycanase cleavage as permethylated oligosaccharides by gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. The kidney contained large amounts of Galα1,3Gal-containing pentaand hexasaccharides having carbohydrate sequences consistent with the Galα1,3nLc 4 and Galα1,3Le x structures, respectively. The former structure was tentatively identified in all organs by GC/MS. The presence of extended Galα1,3Galterminated structures in the kidney and heart was suggested by antibody binding, and GC/MS indicated the presence of a Galα1,3nLc 6 structure in the heart. The kidney, spleen, and heart contained blood group H pentaglycosylceramides based on type 1 (H-5-1) and type 2 (H-5-2) chains, and H hexaglycosylceramides based on the type 4 chain (H-6-4). In the intestine H-5-1 and H-6-4 were expressed, in the salivary gland H-5-1 and H-5-2, whereas only the H-5-1 structure was identified in the liver. Blood group A structures were identified in the salivary gland and the heart by antibody binding and GC/MS, indicating an organ-specific expression of blood group AH antigens in the pig.

The effect of superheated steam treatment on the oxidative stability of lipids in packaged Zousoon (pork bundles) was investigated. The aroma quality of Zousoon samples was evaluated by sensory analysis and chromatographic analysis of volatiles. Results of this study indicated that oxidation of lipids occurred in pan-fried Zousoon after prolonged storage. Significant amounts of highly volatile compounds such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, and hexanal in Zousoon were identified by a modified method of cysteamine derivatization followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Superheated steam was found to be effective in suppressing lipid oxidation in canned Zousoon as compared with Zousoon fried by the conventional method in a frying pan. The superheated steam-fried samples had relatively low thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and peroxide (POV) values before and after storage, whereas samples prepared by pan frying had relatively high TBARS and POV values before and after storage. Superheated steamfried Zousoon had superior lipid stability to that prepared by the conventional pan-frying method.

Polyisoprenylated proteins (PPs) methylation by polyisoprenylated protein methyl transferase (PPMTase) is counteracted by polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase (PMPMEase). This is the only reversible step of the polyisoprenylation pathway as the relative amounts of the acid and ester forms are determined by the two competing reactions. Since PMPMEase and PPMTase may influence both the structural/functional conformations of PPs, a thorough study of these enzymes is essential to our understanding of the structural/functional features of PPs. PMPMEase has been reported under such pseudonyms as human carboxylesterase 1 (hCE1) because of its apparent broad substrate spectrum. The current study aimed to show the complementarity between its active site and the polyisoprenylated substrates that it metabolizes. Kinetics analysis was conducted with N-, S-and O-substituted substrates using porcine liver PMPMEase and docking analysis using Arguslab. Consistent with the biochemical analysis, the Sethyl analog yielded an AScore binding energy of -11.32 compared to -13.48, -14.88, -16.15, and -16.81 kcal/mol for S-prenyl (C-5), S-trans-geranyl (C-10), S-trans,trans-farnesyl (C-15) and Sall trans-geranylgeranyl (C-20), respectively. The all trans-geranylgeranyl moiety provides the optimal size for active site interactions. The data reveal that the trans,trans-farnesyl and all transgeranylgeranyl groups, which are reminiscent of endogenous PPs modifications, have the highest affinity for PMPMEase. Since PPs such as monomeric G-proteins are oncogenic, PMPMEase may be viewed as a viable target for anticancer drug development. The analyses reveal the important structural elements for the design of specific PMPMEase inhibitors to serve in the modulation of oncogenic PPs activities. The results also show that hCE1's repertoire of substrates extends beyond xenobiotics to include PPs as its endogenous substrates.

β-Galactosidase is a widely used reporter enzyme, but although several substrates are available for in vitro detection, its application for in vivo optical imaging remains a challenge. To obtain a probe suitable for in vivo use, we modified our previously developed activatable fluorescence probe, TG-βGal (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2005, 127, 4888-4894), on the basis of photochemical and photophysical experiments. The new probe, AM-TG-βGal, provides a dramatic fluorescence enhancement upon reaction with β-galactosidase, and further hydrolysis of the ester moiety by ubiquitous intracellular esterases affords a hydrophilic product that is well retained within the cells without loss of fluorescence. We used a mouse tumor model to assess the practical utility of AM-TG-βGal, after confirming that tumors in the model could be labeled with avidin-β-galactosidase conjugate. This conjugate was administered to the mice in vivo, followed by AM-TG-βGal, and subsequent ex vivo fluorescence imaging clearly visualized intraperitoneal tumors as small as 200 μm. This strategy has potential clinical application, for example in video-assisted laparoscopic tumor resection.

A monitoring plan of residual antibiotics in food of animal origin was conducted in Vietnam from 2012 to 2013. Meat samples were collected from slaughterhouses and retail stores in Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang. A total of 28 antibiotics were analyzed using a LC-MS/MS screening method. Sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, and tilmicosin were detected in some of the samples. Sulfaclozine and fluoroquinolones were mainly detected in chicken samples, and sulfamethazine was mainly detected in pork samples. High levels of sulfonamide residues, ranging between 2500 and 2700 μg/kg sulfaclozine and between 1300 and 3600 μg/kg sulfamethazine, were present in two chicken and three pork samples, respectively. Tilmicosin was detected at ranges of 150-450 μg/kg in 10 chicken samples. Positive percentages were 17.3, 8.8, and 7.4% for chicken, pork, and beef, respectively, for an average of 11.9%. The results suggest an appropriate withdrawal period after drug administration had not been observed in some livestock.

A group of prokaryotic actin-related proteins (PARP) with an M r of 43 000 was detected in Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. These proteins were enriched by a depolymerization/polymerization cycle, under similar conditions to those used to polymerize muscle actin, and purified by affinity chromatography on a DNase I-Sepharose column. Three isoforms of A. pleuropneumoniae PARP (Ap-PARP) with pI values of 58, 615 and 62 were detected. Ap-PARP were recognized by four different anti-actin antibodies (one anti-muscle and three anti-cytoplasmic isoforms). Ap-PARP were also recognized by antibodies against Anabaena variabilis PARP (Av-PARP) and against actin-binding proteins such as α-actinin and spectrin, and also by a monoclonal antibody against heatshock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70). Specific binding of phalloidin to Ap-PARP was detected both in permeabilized cells and in vitro. Purified Ap-PARP can polymerize under similar conditions to those required for skeletal muscle actin polymerization and the filaments formed appear to be decorated with myosin subfragment-1 (S1) as observed by transmission electron microscopy. The amino acid composition of Ap-PARP revealed more similarities to muscle γ-actin and the cytoplasmic β-actin isoform than to eukaryotic actin-related proteins.

1 Department of Animal Production, Non-destructive Sensor Unit, Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering, University of Córdoba, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), Campus Rabanales, N-IV, km 396, Córdoba 14014, Spain, e-mail: pa1pesae@uco.es AbStrAct The authentication of the feeding regime followed by Iberian pigs during the stage prior to their slaughtering is critical and necessary for each of the stages of the production process of the ham. The high price of this product demands the study of non-destructive methods that can be applied by the industry and its members. This paper reports on the performance of a handheld micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based spectrometer (1600–2400 nm) for in situ and non-destructive authentication of the feeding regime (“Acorn” vs. “Feed”) on meat (Adductor muscle) and skinfree fat of Iberian hams at two different stages of the processing – before and after salting. A total of 560 spectra (280 spectra before and 28...

Background: Vitamin A supplements are administered to infants in developing countries at immunization contacts; doses of 50 000 IU vitamin A are recommended. Doses of 100 000 IU are given to children aged 0.5-1 y. The efficacy of these doses has not been adequately determined. Objective: We aimed to quantify liver vitamin A after the administration of vitamin A doses to piglets. Piglets are a good model for infants because of their similar size, gastrointestinal anatomy, and vitamin A requirements. Design: Castrated male piglets born to sows fed a vitamin A-depleted diet throughout 1 (parity A) or 3 (parity B) pregnancy and lactation cycles were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 4 oral vitamin A doses (ie, 0, 25 000, 50 000, or 100 000 IU) at weaning (days 9 -14). A vitamin A-depleted diet was fed until the piglets were killed on day 10. Serum retinol was measured on days 1, 2, 4, 7, and 10. The modified relative dose response was measured before supplementation and at the time of killing, and liver vitamin A concentration was measured. Results: In both parities, 25 000 IU did not result in a mean liver retinol reserve 0.07 mol/g liver (the deficiency cutoff). The 50 000-IU dose increased mean reserves above 0.07 mol/g only in parity A. Liver vitamin A reserves with the 100 000-IU treatment were only 5% above those with the 50 000-IU treatment. The modified relative dose-response test reflected differences in liver vitamin A stores in parity B, and the 0-IU group differed significantly from the 100 000-IU group (P ҃ 0.011). This piglet model suggests that, for supplementation to infants 6 mo old, a 50 000-IU dose is likely to be more efficacious in mitigating deficiency than is a 25 000-IU dose.

3, 4-Didehydroretinol (DR) metabolism was previously followed in vitamin A (VA)-replete lactating sows. This study followed DR appearance and clearance after dosage in serum and milk during 2 lactation cycles in sows (n = 8) fed VA-free feed for 3 gestation-lactation cycles. During lactations 2 and 3, 35 mmol 3, 4-didehydroretinyl acetate was given orally after overnight food deprivation. Blood and milk were collected at 0, 1.5, 3, 5, 7, 9, 16, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h; livers were obtained at kill. Samples were analyzed for DR, retinol (R), and 3, 4-didehydroretinyl esters. During lactations 2 and 3, the 5-h serum DR:R ratios were 0.028 6 0.017 and 0.069 6 0.042, respectively, and serum R concentrations were 0.75 6 0.23 and 0.86 6 0.37 mmol/L, respectively. The DR:R ratio and serum R were 0.018 6 0.013 and 0.94 6 0.12 mmol/L, respectively, in VA-replete sows from the same herd. After lactation 3, liver VA was 0.23 6 0.05 mmol/g, indicating lownormal VA status. Serum DR area-under-the curve from 0 to 48 h increased as liver stores decreased. Thirteen to 23% of DR dose was secreted into milk, consistent with VA-replete sows. Milk DR concentrations were greater during lactation 3 than 2. Peak concentration occurred earlier and the half-life was shorter for milk DR in the more VA-depleted sows. The milk and serum DR:R were correlated from 3 to 9 h (r = 0.70; P , 0.0001) and increased as VA stores decreased regardless of serum R concentration. Milk DR:R may replace serum measurements during lactation.

We developed prototype real-time 3-D intracardiac echocardiography catheters with integrated micromotors, allowing internal oscillation of a low-profile 64-element, 6.2-MHz phased-array transducer in the elevation direction. Components were designed to facilitate rotation of the array, including a low-torque flexible transducer interconnect and miniature fixtures for the transducer and micromotor. The catheter tip prototypes were integrated with two-way deflectable 10-Fr catheters and used in in vivo animal testing at multiple facilities. The 4-D ICE catheters were capable of imaging a 90° azimuth by up to 180° elevation field of view. Volume rates ranged from 1 vol/sec (180° elevation) to approximately 10 vol/sec (60° elevation). We successfully imaged electrophysiology catheters, atrial septal puncture procedures, and detailed cardiac anatomy. The elevation oscillation enabled 3-D visualization of devices and anatomy, providing new clinical information and perspective not possible with current 2-D imaging catheters.

Corpora lutea from a pregnant sow were prepared for immunocytochemical localization of relaxin in granulosa lutein cells at the ultrastruetural level. The antiserum used in the staining procedure was raised against a highly purified porcine relaxin prepared from pregnant sows'

The analysis of the pork value chain is becoming key to understanding the risk of infectious disease dissemination in the swine industry. In this study, we used social network analysis to characterize the swine shipment network structure and properties in a typical multisite swine production system in the US. We also aimed to evaluate the association between network properties and porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV) transmission between production sites. We analyzed the 109,868 swine shipments transporting over 93 million swine between more than 500 production sites from 2012 to 2014. A total of 248 PRRSV positive occurrences were reported from 79 production sites during those 3 years. The temporal dynamics of swine shipments was evaluated by computing network properties in one-month and three-month networks. The association of PRRS occurrence in sow farms with centrality properties from one-month and three-month networks was assessed by using the multilevel logistic regression. All monthly networks showed a scale-free network topology with positive degree assortativity. The regression model revealed that out-degree centrality had a negative association with PRRS occurrence in sow farms in both one-month and three-month networks [OR = 0.79 (95% CI, 0.63-0.99) in one-month network and 0.56 (95% CI, 0.36, 0.88) in three-month network] and in-closeness centrality model was positively associated with PRRS occurrence in sow farms in the three-month network [OR = 2.45 (95% CI, 1.14-5.26)]. We also describe how the occurrence of porcine epidemic diarrheac (PED) outbreaks severely affected the network structure as well as the PRRS occurrence reports and its association with centrality measures in sow farms. The structure of the swine shipment network and the connectivity between production sites influenced on the PRRSV transmission. The use of network topology and characteristics combining with spatial analysis based on fine scale geographical location of production sites will be useful to inform the design of more cost-efficient, risk-based surveillance and control measures for PRRSV as well as other diseases in the US swine industry.

The analysis of the pork value chain is becoming key to understanding the risk of infectious disease dissemination in the swine industry. In this study, we used social network analysis to characterize the swine shipment network structure and properties in a typical multisite swine production system in the US. We also aimed to evaluate the association between network properties and porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV) transmission between production sites. We analyzed the 109,868 swine shipments transporting over 93 million swine between more than 500 production sites from 2012 to 2014. A total of 248 PRRSV positive occurrences were reported from 79 production sites during those 3 years. The temporal dynamics of swine shipments was evaluated by computing network properties in one-month and three-month networks. The association of PRRS occurrence in sow farms with centrality properties from one-month and three-month networks was assessed by using the multilevel logistic regression. All monthly networks showed a scale-free network topology with positive degree assortativity. The regression model revealed that out-degree centrality had a negative association with PRRS occurrence in sow farms in both one-month and three-month networks [OR = 0.79 (95% CI, 0.63-0.99) in one-month network and 0.56 (95% CI, 0.36, 0.88) in three-month network] and in-closeness centrality model was positively associated with PRRS occurrence in sow farms in the three-month network [OR = 2.45 (95% CI, 1.14-5.26)]. We also describe how the occurrence of porcine epidemic diarrheac (PED) outbreaks severely affected the network structure as well as the PRRS occurrence reports and its association with centrality measures in sow farms. The structure of the swine shipment network and the connectivity between production sites influenced on the PRRSV transmission. The use of network topology and characteristics combining with spatial analysis based on fine scale geographical location of production sites will be useful to inform the design of more cost-efficient, risk-based surveillance and control measures for PRRSV as well as other diseases in the US swine industry.

We developed a simple means to replicate kidney tumors in an animal and cadaver model that could be used to create pseudotumors of different sizes and locations for use in surgical training. Materials and Methods: Various substances were injected ex vivo into the parenchyma of porcine kidneys to identify an optimal pseudotumor model. Renal pseudotumors were created percutaneously and endoscopically using 8 live pigs and a human cadaver model. A renal vein pseudothrombus porcine model was also created by injecting pseudothrombus material into the renal vein after renal hilar clamping. Procedures performed on pseudotumors included robotic partial nephrectomy, percutaneous biopsy and robotic nephrectomy with renal vein thrombectomy. All specimens were analyzed after resection. Results: The most ideal pseudotumor models were created from a mixture of gelatin, Metamucil® and methylene blue (metagel) or from Kromopan® hydrocolloid. We created 33 tumors 0.5 to 3.5 cm in size (mean 2.8). All tumors were a solid palpable mass on gross examination and ultrasonography revealed clearly visible hyperechoic lesions in 30 of 33. A renal vein tumor pseudothrombus model was successfully created in 3 pigs. We successfully performed robotic excision of pseudotumors, including partial nephrectomy for 16 and radical nephrectomy with renal vein thrombectomy for 3. Percutaneous needle core biopsy under ultrasound guidance was also successfully performed. We describe what is to our knowledge a novel technique of creating solid renal tumors and tumor thrombi that can be used for training in minimally invasive kidney surgery.

We developed a simple means to replicate kidney tumors in an animal and cadaver model that could be used to create pseudotumors of different sizes and locations for use in surgical training. Materials and Methods: Various substances were injected ex vivo into the parenchyma of porcine kidneys to identify an optimal pseudotumor model. Renal pseudotumors were created percutaneously and endoscopically using 8 live pigs and a human cadaver model. A renal vein pseudothrombus porcine model was also created by injecting pseudothrombus material into the renal vein after renal hilar clamping. Procedures performed on pseudotumors included robotic partial nephrectomy, percutaneous biopsy and robotic nephrectomy with renal vein thrombectomy. All specimens were analyzed after resection. Results: The most ideal pseudotumor models were created from a mixture of gelatin, Metamucil® and methylene blue (metagel) or from Kromopan® hydrocolloid. We created 33 tumors 0.5 to 3.5 cm in size (mean 2.8). All tumors were a solid palpable mass on gross examination and ultrasonography revealed clearly visible hyperechoic lesions in 30 of 33. A renal vein tumor pseudothrombus model was successfully created in 3 pigs. We successfully performed robotic excision of pseudotumors, including partial nephrectomy for 16 and radical nephrectomy with renal vein thrombectomy for 3. Percutaneous needle core biopsy under ultrasound guidance was also successfully performed. We describe what is to our knowledge a novel technique of creating solid renal tumors and tumor thrombi that can be used for training in minimally invasive kidney surgery.

Purpose: Renal vascular clamping with ensuing warm ischemia is typically needed during robotic or laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. We developed a technique for angiographic delivery of the novel intra-arterial reverse thermoplastic polymer LeGoo-XL™ that allows temporary selective vascular occlusion with normal perfusion of the remaining kidney. Materials and Methods: Eight pigs underwent a total of 16 selective angiographic occlusions of the lower pole segmental artery using gel polymer. The technical feasibility of 2 hemostatic techniques, perfusion hemostasis and local plug formation, was assessed in 4 pigs each. Selective ischemia time was recorded and the vascular occlusion site was noted radiographically and laparoscopically. The feasibility of reversing the polymer from solid back to liquid state to allow reperfusion was determined. Pathological analysis of the kidney was completed in these acute model pigs. In the last 2 cases lower pole robotic partial nephrectomy was done using the da Vinci® surgical system. Results: Selective lower pole ischemia was achieved in all 8 cases. Perfusion hemostasis yielded an inconsistent duration of occlusion (zero to greater than 60 minutes). Vascular occlusion time using local plug formation was more reliable (17 to 30 minutes) with consistent ability to reverse the plug to liquid state by cold saline flush. Two lower pole robotic partial nephrectomies were completed with minimal blood loss. Conclusions: We developed a reliable technique of angiographic delivery of gel polymer for temporary vascular occlusion of selective renal artery branches using local plug formation. Ongoing studies are under way to assess technique consistency and the long-term effects of the polymer.

Equinatoxin II (EqT II) is a basic, cardiotoxic polypeptide. The vasoconstrictory effect of the toxin on isolated porcine coronary arteries was diminished by nicardipine, an L-type calcium channel antagonist. A comparison was made of the effects of EqT II alone and EqT II in the presence of nicardipine on the coronary flow in porcine and rat hearts isolated according to Langendorff's method. In both models EqT II decreased coronary flow in a dose-dependent manner and there were no statistically significant differences between the two models (p>0.05). However, 1 M nicardipine diminished the effects of EqT II on coronary flow in isolated porcine hearts more than in isolated rat hearts (p<0.05). The results suggest that the activation of L-type calcium channels is one of the mechanisms involved in the lowering of coronary flow induced by EqT II.

Brain tissue oxygen monitoring (P ti O 2 (Neurotrend, Codman, Germany) was employed in addition to standard intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) monitoring in seven patients with severe neuronal damage of heterogeneous etiology. The correlation between P ti O 2 changes and CPP fluctuations during periods of 30 minutes were analyzed, when CPP was above 70 mmHg and lower than 100 mmHg. A new ratio, the CPP-oxygen-reactivity (COR) index was calculated as COR‫⌬ס‬p ti O 2 %/⌬CPP%. The patient COR values were compared to those found in the brain of six noninjured anesthetized piglets. The analysis was performed to determine the significance of synchronous fluctuations of CPP and P ti O 2 , when CPP is above the lower threshold of autoregulation. The correlation between CPP variations and p ti O 2 variations was found to be strong (R mean ‫ס‬ 0.74 ± 0.17) in the patients and was weak in the uninjured animals (R mean ‫83.0ס‬ ± 0.43). The COR mean was 2.05 ± 0.57 in patients and 0.78 ± 0.6 in the animals. In the injured brain of our patients, we observed an unexpectedly close correlation between P ti O 2 and CPP variations when CPP levels were within a therapeutically targeted range (70 to 100 mmHg). In a porcine model, we could not find this relationship in the noninjured brain. We speculate that an increased COR might be indicative for an impaired local pressure autoregulation. The preliminary data suggest that COR values above "1" might be pathologic. However, the reported sample sizes are too small to provide sufficient statistical power to justify inferential statistical analyses. As such, results are presented with descriptive statistics only, and should be regarded as a hypothesis.

Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) and porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) were immobilised by entrapping and also by covalent binding for use in synthesis of isoamyl acetate (IAAc), which has a typical banana flavour. Lipase entrapment was carried out by dripping sodium alginate (Na-Alg)-chitosan (Chi)-lipase mixture into CaCl 2 -glutaraldehyde (GAL) solution to obtain Ca-Alg/Chi CRL/PPL . Immobilisation conditions were optimised as 1.5% Na-Alg, 1.5% chitosan and 0.15% GAL. Ca-Alg/Chi CRL/PPL samples showed the highest activity when they were dried upon reaching 27% of their initial weights. Covalent binding was achived with Chi modified with spacerarm via glutaraldehyde to get Chi CRL/PPL . The highest IAAc production was observed when 1,3-diaminopropane was used as a spacer arm. The best ester yield was achieved in heptane, at 40 and 45 °C reaction temperatures, 50 mM IAA and 50 or 75 mM AA concentrations. The amount of IAAc was nearly 10 times higher for the batch type than for the continuous packed bed column reactor.

Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) and porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) were immobilised by entrapping and also by covalent binding for use in synthesis of isoamyl acetate (IAAc), which has a typical banana flavour. Lipase entrapment was carried out by dripping sodium alginate (Na-Alg)-chitosan (Chi)-lipase mixture into CaCl 2 -glutaraldehyde (GAL) solution to obtain Ca-Alg/Chi CRL/PPL . Immobilisation conditions were optimised as 1.5% Na-Alg, 1.5% chitosan and 0.15% GAL. Ca-Alg/Chi CRL/PPL samples showed the highest activity when they were dried upon reaching 27% of their initial weights. Covalent binding was achived with Chi modified with spacerarm via glutaraldehyde to get Chi CRL/PPL . The highest IAAc production was observed when 1,3-diaminopropane was used as a spacer arm. The best ester yield was achieved in heptane, at 40 and 45 °C reaction temperatures, 50 mM IAA and 50 or 75 mM AA concentrations. The amount of IAAc was nearly 10 times higher for the batch type than for the continuous packed bed column reactor.

The field of medicine provides an important window through which to examine the encounters between religion and science, and between modernity and tradition. While both religion and science consider health to be a ‘good’ that is to be preserved, and promoted, religious and science‐based teachings may differ in their conception of what constitutes good health, and how that health is to be achieved.This paper analyzes the way the Islamic ethico‐legal tradition assesses the permissibility of using vaccines that contain porcine‐derived components by referencing opinions of several Islamic authorities. In the Islamic ethico‐legal tradition controversy surrounds the use of proteins from an animal (pig) that is considered to be impure by Islamic law. As we discuss the Islamic ethico‐legal constructs used to argue for or against the use of porcine‐based vaccines we will call attention to areas where modern medical data may make the arguments more precise. By highlighting areas where science...

The risk of zoonotic infection by porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV) has been highlighted in the context of pig-to-human xenotransplantation. The use of receptors for cell entry often determines the host range of retroviruses. A human-tropic PERV subgroup, PERV-A, can enter human cells through either of two homologous multitransmembrane proteins, huPAR-1 and huPAR-2. Here, we characterised human PARs and their homologues in the PERV-A resistant rodent species, mouse and rat (muPAR and ratPAR, respectively). Results: Upon exogenous expression in PERV-A resistant cells, human and rat PARs, but not muPAR, conferred PERV-A sensitivity. Exogenously expressed ratPAR binds PERV-A Env and allows PERV-A infection with equivalent efficiency to that of huPAR-1. Endogenous ratPAR expression in rat cell lines appeared to be too low for PERV-A infection. In contrast, the presence of Pro at position 109 in muPAR was identified to be the determinant for PERV-A resistance. Pro109. was shown to be located in the second extracellular loop (ECL2) and affected PERV-A Env binding to PAR molecules. The basis of resistance to PERV-A infection in two rodent species is different. Identification of a single a.a. mutation in muPAR, which is responsible for mouse cell resistance to PERV-A highlighted the importance of ECL-2 for the viral receptor function.

During an epidemiological survey encompassing several porcine herds in Saragoza, Spain, the VP7 and VP4 of a rotavirus-positive sample, 34461-4, could not be predicted by using multiple sets of G-and P-type-specific primers. Sequence analysis of the VP7 gene revealed a low amino acid (aa) identity with those of well-established G serotypes, ranging between 58.33% and 88.88%, with the highest identity being to human G2 rotaviruses. Analysis of the VP4 gene revealed a P[23] VP4 specificity, as its VP8* aa sequence was 95.9% identical to that of the P14[23],G5 porcine strain A34, while analysis of the VP6 indicated a genogroup I, that is predictive of subgroup I specificity. Analysis of the 10th and 11th RNA segments revealed close identity to strains of porcine and human origin, respectively. The relatively low overall aa sequence conservation (<89% aa) to G2 human rotaviruses, the lack of N-glycosylation sites that are usually highly conserved in G2 rotaviruses, and the presence of several amino acid substitutions in the major antigenic hypervariable regions hampered an unambiguous classification of the porcine strain 34461-4 as G2 serotype on the basis of sequence analysis alone. The identification of a borderline, G2-like, VP7 gene allele in pigs, while reinforcing the hypotheses of a tight relationship in the evolution of human and animal rotaviruses, provides additional evidence for the wide genetic/antigenic diversity of group A rotaviruses.

Evidence for a possible zoonotic role of group C rotaviruses (GCRVs) has been recently provided. To gain information on the genetic relationships between human and animal GCRVs, we sequenced the VP7 gene of 10 porcine strains detected during a large surveillance study from different outbreaks of gastroenteritis in piglets. Four GCRV strains were genetically related to the prototype GCRV porcine Cowden strain. A completely new VP7 genotype included 4 strains (344/04-7-like) that shared 92.5% to 97.0% aa identity to each other, but b 83% to human GCRVs and b 79% to other porcine and bovine GCRVs. A unique 4-aa insertion (SSSV or SSTI), within a variable region at the carboxy-terminus of VP7, represented a distinctive feature for these 4 unique strains. An additional strain, 134/04-18, was clearly different from all human and animal GCRVs (b 85% aa identity) and likely accounts for a distinct VP7 genotype. The VP7 of a unique strain, 42/05-21, shared similar ranges of aa sequence identities with porcine and human strains (88.0-90.7% to porcine GCRVs and 85.2-88.2% to human GCRVs). Plotting the VP7 gene of strain 42/05-21 against the VP7 of human and porcine strains revealed discontinuous evolution rates throughout the VP7 molecule, suggesting different mutational pressure or a remote intragenic recombination event. These findings provide the need for future epidemiological surveys and warrant studies to investigate the pathogenic potential of these novel GCRVs in pigs.