Production and characterization of swine hyperimmune serum against recombinant, common antigens of Gram-negative outer membrane bacteria.

The application of immune serum is one of the most efficient method used formerly in the protection of raised piglets'/weaners' health . The objective of the study was to determine specific antibody response during hyperimmunization of fatteners with a self-prepared subunit vaccine, and to propose production method of immune serum against Gram-negative bacteria antigens. The vaccine was administered every two weeks, 4 times. Individual and pooled serum samples were assayed for IgM, IgG and IgA antibodies against Histophilus somni recombinant Hsp60, H.somni rOMP40 and Pasteurella multocida LPS. Additionally total serum IgG and haptoglobin concentrations were measured. Two weeks after the first vaccination IgM antibody raised significantly against H.s. rOMP40 and LPS, whereas after 4 weeks it increased against rHsp60 antigens. Anti-LPS IgM antibody raised up stepwise till the end of the observation, but IgM antibody against H.s. rHsp60 and H.s. rOMP40 decreased in further samplings. A significant raise in IgG class H.s. rHsp60- -antibody was found 4 weeks after the first immunization and a similar raise against two remain- ing antigens after 6 weeks. The intensity of the reaction increased till the end of the experiment. The raise in IgA antibody level was observed only for H.s. rHsp60 antigen. Clinically observed, proper animal health and welfare were confirmed by haptoglobin concentration, which remained in physiological range. At least 4 booster doses were necessary to obtain hyperimmune serum containing a high level of antibodies against examined antigens. The number of immunizations influenced response profiles for specific IgM, IgG, IgA antibodies.

Marginal fit of indirect composite inlays using a new system for manual fabrication.

AIM: This in vitro study compares a new system for manual chair side fabrication of indirect composite restorations, which uses silicone models after alginate impressions, to CAD/CAM-technology and laboratory manual production techniques. MATRIALS AND METHODS: and study design Each 10 composite inlays were fabricated using different types of production techniques: CAD/CAM- technology (A), the new inlay system (B), plaster model after alginate impression (C) or silicone impression (D). The inlays were adapted into a metal tooth and silicone replicas of the cement gaps were made and measured. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Tukey's test. Results and Statistics In group A the biggest marginal gaps (174.9µm ± 106.2µm) were found. In group B the gaps were significantly smaller (119.5 µm ± 90.6 µm) than in group A (p=0.035). Between groups C (64.6 µm ± 68.0µm) and D (58.2 µm ± 61.7 µm) no significant differences could be found (p=0.998), but the gaps were significantly smaller compared with group B. Conclusion Chairside manufacturing of composite inlays resulted in better marginal precision than CAD/CAM technology. In comparison to build restorations in a laboratory, the new system is a timesaving and inexpensive alternative. Nevertheless, production of indirect composite restorations in the dental laboratory showed the highest precision.

The effect of humic-fatty acid preparation on selected haematological and biochemical serum parameters of growing rabbits.

In this study, we assessed the effect of a humic-fatty acid preparation (HFA) used in rabbit feed on certain haematological and biochemical serum parameters (the lipid profile and the Ca, P and Fe contents). A higher RBC, HGB and HCT values were observed in the groups that were given HFA. An increase in Fe concentrations were also noted. The total and LDL cholesterol were lower in the groups which received HFA than in the control group.

The influence of colostral immunoglobulin concentration in heifer calves' serum on their health and growth.

The aim of this study was to determine factors affecting passive transfer in heifer calves born within 1 yr and how passive transfer influences rearing to the period of first insemination under commercial dairy farm conditions. Calves were divided into 4 groups based on serum immunoglobulin concentrations at 30 to 60 h of life (<5, 5-10, 10-15, and >15 g/L, respectively in groups 1 to 4). Calving ease, dam parity, calf body weight at birth, calf vitality, quality of colostrum, time and volume of first colostrum fed, morbidity rate and intensity of illness, growth rate, and age and efficiency of first insemination service were recorded. Plasma fibrinogen, and serum γ-globulin, IgG(1), IgG(2), IgM, and haptoglobin were estimated at 30 to 60 h and again at 21 to 28 d of life. Additionally, the immunoglobulin index (I(Ig3-4)) was calculated. The main cause of FPT and PFPT in the calves was poor vitality associated with dystocia and low volume of ingested colostrum. The calves born to primiparous cows were more endangered than those born to multiparous cows. The morbidity and intensity of disease course were lowest in heifer calves with serum Ig concentration exceeding 10 g/L at 30 to 60 h of life; these calves did not become ill before d 14 of life. Calves with >15 g/L γ-globulin in serum avoided respiratory tract infections. The immunoglobulin index was lowest (0.61) in calves from group 4 and highest in calves from groups 1 and 2 (1.44 and 0.88, respectively). The suitability of this index as well as haptoglobin determination was confirmed in prediction of morbidity risk and disease intensity in growing heifer calves. Heifers with serum γ-globulin levels >10 g/L at 30 to 60 h of life showed better health status and reached body weights allowing first insemination sooner.

Relationships between ovarian cysts and morphological and hormonal state of ovarian cortex in sows.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ovarian cysts and concentrations of ovarian steroid hormones: 17beta-estradiol (E(2)), progesterone (P(4)), testosterone (T), and androstendione (A(4)) both in blood plasma and in cysts and morphological state of the ovarian cortex in sows. Females were divided into three groups: PCO (sows with polycystical ovaries), OO (sows with oligocystic ovaries) and control (sows without ovarian cysts). The ovaries for evaluations were collected after slaughtering of 18 multiparous sows. Between the PCO and OO animals, statistically significant differences in numbers of the follicular cysts (FC) (8.6 vs. 1.5), follicular theca-lutein cysts (FTLC) (8.0 vs. 2.0), follicular lutein cysts (FLC) (4.5 vs. 2.0) and corpus luteum cysts (CLC) (1.7 vs. 0.4) (P< or =0.01) were noted. In the PCO sows the most common kinds of cysts were FC and FTLC (8.6 and 8.0) whilst in OO sows the cysts occurred on their ovaries on a similar level (FC - 1.6, FTLC - 2.0, FLC - 2.0). Existence of more than 10 ovarian cysts in the sows significantly decreases the frequency of physiological ovarian follicles (primary, growing and maturing) and significantly increases the pathological process of atresia on all stages of ovarian follicles development (P< or =0.01). The study did not reveal any effect of growing or decreasing number of ovarian cyst on concentrations of E(2) and P(4) in blood plasma of sows. Polycystical ovaries significantly decreased concentrations of A(4) but increased the concentration of T in blood plasma (P< or =0.01). The general presence of ovarian cysts considerably positively correlated with concentrations of E(2), T and A(4) from cysts' fluid, of all kinds of ovarian cysts and atresia of primary follicles (a correlation coefficient r from 0.72 up to 0.97, P< or =0.05). The phenomenon of ovarian cysts significantly negatively correlated with all generations of ovarian follicles (P< or =0.05).