Demonstration of homologous recombination events in the evolution of bovine viral diarrhoea virus by in silico investigations

Complete genome sequences of bovine viral diarrhoea virus types 1 and 2 (BVDV-1 and 2) deposited in the GenBank were submitted to bioinformatic analysis using a recombination-detecting software. The results indicate that recombination events are not rare in the case of BVDV, which frequently causes immunotolerance and, consequently, persistent infection in calves. The lack of specific immunity provides an ideal possibility for multiple infections by antigenically related but genetically different BVDV strains, and hence recombinations may occur. Among the 62 BVDV-1 genomes five recombinants and their possible parent strains, while among the 50 BVDV-2 genomes one simple recombinant and its parent strains were identified, which were supported by extremely strong probability values (P values varying between 1.26 × 10–4 and 1.58 × 10–310). Besides the newly identified recombinants, recombination events described previously were confirmed, but in some of these cases former information was completed with new data, or different parent(s) were suggested by the programme (RDP 4.46 BETA) used in this study

Új FTIR mérési eredmények az Avas–Gutin mészalkáli vulkáni kőzeteiből: poszterupciós hatások nyomai a fenokristályok szerkezeti hidroxil-tartalmában: New FTIR data from the Oaş–Gutâi Mts. and post eruption effects on the water content of phenocrysts

We studied calc-alkaline volcanic rocks from the Oaş-Gutâi Mts..  The major goal of our research was the determination of ‘water’ content in the phenocrysts of the nominally anhydous minerals (NAMs) and also to uncover the possible post eruptive changes in the structural hydroxyl content of NAMs.  The selected volcanic rocks were studied by petrography, EMPA, LA-ICP-MS, ICP-OES, ICP-MS and FTIR. Our assumption is that by studying the FTIR spectra of clinopyroxenes, the structural hydroxyl content of the NAMs changed in comparisons to the magmatic equilibrium

A bélhámsejtek oxidatív stressz okozta gyulladásának gátlása probiotikus tejsavbaktériumokkal: hatásmechanizmus és alkalmazhatóság antibiotikum-helyettesítő hozamfokozásra választási malacokon = Attenuation of oxidative stress-induced inflammation by probiotic lactobacilli in intestinal epithelial cells: mechanism of action and application as antibiotic-substitute in weanling pigs

Az akut oxidatív stressz és a probiotikumok hatásának vizsgálatához kollagénnel bevont poliészter membrán inzerten tenyésztett, újszülött sertés jejunum eredetű IPEC-J2 sejtvonalat alkalmaztunk. A peroxiddal kezelt IPEC-J2 sejtekben a gyulladásos citokinek (IL-8 és TNF-?) és a védő hatású hősokk fehérje 70 (Hsp 70) relatív génexpresszióját kvantitatív real-time PCR-rel határoztuk meg a probiotikus baktériumtörzsek (Lactobacillus plantarum 2142, Lactobacillus casei Shirota, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940, Enterococcus faecium CECT 4515) felülúszójának (SMSz), illetve tejsav hozzáadását követően. A Lactobacillus plantarum 2142 SMSz hatékonyan csökkentette az IL-8 és a TNF-? szintjét illetve növelte a Hsp70 génexpresszióját. Kimutattuk, hogy a gyulladáscsökkentő hatás alapja nem a felülúszó és a hidrogén-peroxid közötti kölcsönhatás, ezért a Lactobacillus plantarum 2142 gyulladáscsökkentő hatásának alapja nem az SMSz peroxid bontása. Eredményeink szerint a Lactobacillus plantarum 2142 által termelt tejsav (racém, L-és D-tejsav) nem csökkentette szignifikánsan a gyulladásos citokinek expresszióját. Fehérjeanalitikai, elválasztástechnikai módszerek segítségével sikerült kimutatni a Lactobacillus plantarum 2142 által termelt eltérő molekulatömegű fehérje jellegű anyagok jelenlétét, amelyeknek szerepe lehet a gyulladáscsökkentő hatás kifejtésében. | The experiments focused on acute oxidative stress and the effects of probiotics were performed on non-carcinogenic jejunal epithelial cell line of neonatal unsuckled piglet, IPEC-J2 cells cultured on collagen-coated polyester membrane inserts. In peroxide-treated IPEC-J2 cells relative gene expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-8 és TNF-?) and protective heat shock protein 70 (Hsp 70) were determined by qRT-PCR in the presence and in the absence of SCSs from five bacterial strains (Lactobacillus plantarum 2142, Lactobacillus casei Shirota, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb-12, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940, Enterococcus faecium CECT 4515) and lactic acid. Our data revealed that only the Lactobacillus plantarum 2142 had significant lowering effect on inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-8 és TNF-?) and it could increase the gene expression of Hsp 70. We proved that the no chemical reaction occurs between SCS and hydrogen-peroxide, which excludes the possibility that the antiinflammatory effect of Lactobacillus plantarum 2142 SCS could be attributed to its direct peroxide-decomposing activity. According to our results, lactic acid (racemic, D-and L-lactic acid) at different concentrations had not got any protective effect in quenching upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines. Peptide-like components present in SCS of Lactobacillus plantarum 2142, which are supposed to possess antiinflammatory effect, were detected by gel and capillary zone electrophoresis

Seroprevalence of bovine viral diarrhoea virus in Hungary — situation before launching an eradication campaign

Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) is a viral disease appearing in various forms and causing high economic losses in the cattle stocks of Hungary. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) in Hungary through a monitoring survey carried out on samples collected in cattle-keeping units throughout the country. Since no such survey had been carried out in Hungary during the last thirty years, our study may serve as a basis for later monitoring investigations aimed at following the progress of an expected eradication campaign of BVD. The tests were carried out using an ELISA method, on a total of 1200 blood samples submitted from 54 cattle herds. The herds had not been vaccinated against BVDV before the sampling. Out of the 1200 samples, 521 proved to be positive (43.4%), 40 gave doubtful result (3.3%) and 639 were negative (53.3%). In some stocks the samples were collected from cows having completed several lactation periods, and therefore the seronegativity indicates the BVDV-free status of the given stock. Moreover, among the positive herds we found a few where the seropositivity rate was rather low (< 5%). According to the results of the survey, a rather high portion (about one third) of the cattle-keeping units of Hungary can be regarded as BVDV free, which ratio is much higher than had been expected on the basis of surveys carried out on a lower number of samples and in smaller regions of the country. Hence, the chances of an eradication campaign launched in the near future, or carried out parallel to the IBR eradication programme, are better than previously expected

Characterization of Saccharomyces Strains Isolated from “Kéknyelű” Grape Must and Their Potential for Wine Production

Novel wine yeast strains have the potential to satisfy customer demand for new sensorial experiences and to ensure that wine producers have strains that can produce wine as efficiently as possible. In this respect, hybrid yeast strains have recently been the subject of intense research, as they are able to combine the favourable characteristics of both parental strains. In this study, two Saccharomyces “Kéknyelű” grape juice isolates were identified by species-specific PCR and PCR-RFLP methods and investigated with respect to their wine fermentation potential. Physiological characterization of the isolated strains was performed and included assessment of ethanol, sulphur dioxide, temperature and glucose (osmotic stress) tolerance, killer-toxin production, glucose fermentation ability at 16 °C and 24 °C, and laboratory-scale fermentation using sterile “Kéknyelű” must. Volatile components of the final product were studied by gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS). One isolate was identified as a S. cerevisiae × S. kudriavzevii hybrid and the other was S. cerevisiae. Both strains were characterized by high ethanol, sulphur dioxide and glucose tolerance, and the S. cerevisiae strain exhibited the killer phenotype. The hybrid isolate showed good glucose fermentation ability and achieved the lowest residual sugar content in wine. The ester production of the hybrid strain was high compared to the control S. cerevisiae starter strain, and this contributed to the fruity aroma of the wine. Both strains have good oenological characteristics, but only the hybrid yeast has the potential for use in wine fermentation.</p