Risk factors for Campylobacter colonization in Danish broiler flocks, 2010 to 2011.

The objectives of the two studies presented were to estimate the prevalence of Campylobacter-positive farms and flocks and to acquire updated knowledge about risk factors for the introduction of Campylobacter in Danish broiler flocks. In the first study, from September 2010 to September 2011, there were 25 Danish broiler farms visited, and a questionnaire was filled in by a veterinarian/consultant. In the second study, a similar questionnaire was distributed electronically to all Danish broiler farmers (n=164) that were on record with an email address in the Quality Assurance System in the Danish Broiler Production (KIK) database. House- and flock-specific data collected in the surveys were supplemented with information obtained from the KIK database. Data obtained from the two studies were analyzed separately by logistic regression analysis. In both models, the dependent variable was "Campylobacter flock status (positive/negative)," which was based on real-time PCR testing of fecal material from the floor of each broiler house that had been collected preslaughter using a pair of tube gauze "socks." This material was pooled into one sample. Of the 25 farms visited, 17 had delivered Campylobacter-positive flocks during the study period, and eight farms had no Campylobacter-positive flocks. Moreover, the flock prevalence of Campylobacter was 17% (n=418). Data obtained from the electronically distributed survey revealed that 63% (n=71) of the farms were Campylobacter-positive. Further, the flock prevalence of Campylobacter was 14% (n=1,286). The multivariable models from the two sets of data identified the following statistically significant risk factors: summer vs. winter; if the previous flock in the house was positive for Campylobacter vs. if the previous flock in the house was negative; and litter delivered into the house close to the time of arrival of new chickens vs. storing litter on the farm. Furthermore, the data showed that a vertically based ventilation system (where most of the air is taken into the house through chimneys) constituted a higher risk than a horizontally based system (where the air is taken in through openings in the side walls).

The effect of beta-turn structure on the permeation of peptides across monolayers of bovine brain microvessel endothelial cells.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of the beta-turn structure of a peptide on its permeation via the paracellular and transcellular routes across cultured bovine brain microvessel endothelial cell (BBMEC) monolayers, an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). METHODS: The effective permeability coefficients (Peff) of the model peptides were determined across BBMEC monolayers. The dimensions of the aqueous pores in the tight junctions (TJs) of the BBMEC monolayers were determined using a series of hydrophilic permeants. This value and the molecular radius of each peptide were used to calculate the theoretical paracellular (PP*) and transcellular (PT*) permeability coefficients for each peptide. RESULTS: A comparison of the theoretical PP* values with the observed Peff values was made for a series of model peptides. For the most hydrophobic peptides (Ac-PheProXaaIle-NH2 and Ac-PheProXaaIleVal-NH2; Xaa = Gly, Ile), it was concluded that the Gly-containing peptide of each pair more readily permeates BBMEC monolayers via the transcellular pathway than the Ile-containing analog. In addition, the Gly-containing peptides, which exhibit more beta-turn structure, were shown to be more lipophilic than the Ile-containing peptides as estimated by the log of their 1-octanol:HBSS partition coefficients (log Po/w). However, the three hydrophilic peptide pairs (Ac-TyrProXaaAspVal-NH2, Ac-TyrProXaaAsnVal-NH2, and Ac-TyrProXaaIleVal-NH2; Xaa = Gly, Ile) were found to permeate BBMEC monolayers predominantly via the paracellular pathway. No differences were observed in the Peff values of the hydrophilic peptides having higher beta-turn structures as compared to the peptides lacking these structural features. In addition, the Ile-containing peptides exhibited significantly higher log Po/w values than the Gly-containing hydrophilic peptides. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrophobic peptides that exhibit significant beta-turn structure in solution are more lipophilic as measured by log Po/w, and more readily permeate BBMEC monolayers via the transcellular route than hydrophobic peptides that lack this type of solution structure. Similar secondary structural features in hydrophilic peptides do not appear to sufficiently alter the physicochemical properties of the peptides so as to alter their paracellular flux through BBMEC monolayers.