Dynamics of African swine fever virus (ASFV) infection in domestic pigs infected with virulent, moderate virulent and attenuated genotype II ASFV European isolates

This study aimed to compare the infection dynamics of three genotype II African swine fever viruses (ASFV) circulating in Europe. Eighteen domestic pigs divided into three groups were infected intramuscularly or by direct contact with two haemadsorbent ASFVs (HAD) from Poland (Pol16/DP/ OUT21) and Estonia (Est16/WB/Viru8), and with the Latvian non-HAD ASFV (Lv17/WB/Rie1). Parameters, such as symptoms, pathogenicity, and distribution of the virus in tissues, humoral immune response, and dissemination of the virus by blood, oropharyngeal and rectal routes, were investigated. The Polish ASFV caused a case of rapidly developing fatal acute disease, while the Estonian ASFV caused acute to sub-acute infections and two animals survived. In contrast, animals infected with the ASFV from Latvia developed a more subtle, mild, or even subclinical disease. Oral excretion was sporadic or even absent in the attenuated group, whereas in animals that developed an acute or sub-acute form of ASF, oral excretion began at the same time the ASFV was detected in the blood, or even 3 days earlier, and persisted up to 22 days. Regardless of virulence, blood was the main route of transmission of ASFV and infectious virus was isolated from persistently infected animals for at least 19 days in the attenuated group and up to 44 days in the group of moderate virulence. Rectal excretion was limited to the acute phase of infection. In terms of diagnostics, the ASFV genome was detected in contact pigs from oropharyngeal samples earlier than in blood, independently of virulence. Together with blood, both samples could allow to detect ASFV infection for a longer period. The results presented here provide quantitative data on the spread and excretion of ASFV strains of different virulence among domestic pigs that can help to better focus surveillance activities and, thus, increase the ability to detect ASF introductions earlier.This study was supported by the INIA (Projects RTA2015-00033-C02-01, AT2015-002) and the European Union Reference laboratory for ASF (Grant no.: UE- LR PPA/03). We would like to thank all the staff at the INIA-CISA who worked in the animal facilities department.Peer reviewe

A multi gene-approach genotyping method identifies 24 genetic clusters within the genotype II-European African swine fever viruses circulating from 2007 to 2022

IntroductionAfrican swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease of pigs and wild boar that poses a major threat to the global swine industry. The genotype II African swine fever virus (ASFV) entered the European Union (EU) in 2014 and since then fourteen countries have been affected, Italy and North Macedonia being the last in 2022. While whole genome sequencing remains the gold standard for the identification of new genetic markers, sequencing of multiple loci with significant variations could be used as a rapid and cost-effective alternative to track outbreaks and study disease evolution in endemic areas.Materials and methodsTo further our understanding of the epidemiology and spread of ASFV in Europe, 382 isolates collected during 2007 to 2022 were sequenced. The study was initially performed by sequencing the central variable region (CVR), the intergenic region (IGR) between the I73R and I329L genes and the O174L and K145R genes. For further discrimination, two new PCRs were designed to amplify the IGR between the 9R and 10R genes of the multigene family 505 (MGF505) and the IGR between the I329L and I215L genes. The sequences obtained were compared with genotype II isolates from Europe and Asia.ResultsThe combination of the results obtained by sequencing these variable regions allowed to differentiate the European II-ASFV genotypes into 24 different groups. In addition, the SNP identified in the IGR I329L-I215L region, not previously described, grouped the viruses from North Macedonia that caused the 2022 outbreaks with viruses from Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece, differentiating from other genotype II isolates present in Europe and Asia. Furthermore, tandem repeat sequence (TRS) within the 9R-10R genes of the multigene family 505 (MGF505) revealed eight different variants circulating.DiscussionThese findings describe a new multi-gene approach sequencing method that can be used in routine genotyping to determine the origin of new introductions in ASF-free areas and track infection dynamics in endemic areas

Avian reticuloendotheliosis in chickens – an update on disease occurrence and clinical course

Avian reticuloendotheliosis (RE) represents an important immunosuppressive disease of poultry. The occurrence of RE in both chickens and turkeys has an immunosuppressive effect and may lead to vaccination failures. Avian reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) is widely distributed in different kinds of birds, causing subclinical infections. Another important issue adhering to this disease is contamination of vaccines against fowl pox (FP) and Marek’s disease (MD) with REV. The capability of REV to integrate into the genome of other larger DNA viruses complicates its diagnosis and prevention. There are no efficient vaccines against RE nor treatment, which also complicates how to limit its impact on poultry farming. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge of this important immunosuppressive agent of poultry emphasising the importance of this problem in terms of diagnosis of RE

Experimental Determination of the Effect of Floats on Aerodynamic Characteristics of the “OSA” Aircraft in Asymmetric Flow

This study provides the results of experimental tests of the effect of floats on the aerodynamic characteristics of the “OSA” plane in an asymmetric flow. The tests were carried out in a low-speed wind tunnel owned by Institute of Aviation Technology, Faculty of Mechatronics, Armament and Aerospace (FMAA), Military University of Technology (MUT, Warsaw, Poland). The model of “OSA” was tested at dynamic pressure q = 500 Pa within the range of slip angles β = -28°÷28°. The tests were carried out for the plane model in the so-called “plain” configuration, i.e. at non-deflected control surfaces and wing mechanisation elements. The model was tested in two variants – with floats and without floats. The effect of deflection of the flaps, ailerons and rudder on the aerodynamic characteristics of the test model was also examined. The obtained values of drag coefficient, lateral force coefficient and yawing moment coefficient are presented in the form of tables and graphs. The tests showed that the floats had a significant impact on the curves of the characteristics. They result in a considerable increase of the value of the drag coefficient and in a deterioration of weathercock stability

Doświadczalne wyznaczenie wpływu pływaków na charakterystyki aerodynamiczne modelu samolotu OSA w opływie symetrycznym

This paper presents the results of experimental determination of the impact of floats on the aerodynamic characteristics of an OSA model in symmetric flow. The studies have been performed in the low-speed wind tunnel at the Military University of Technology (MUT, Warsaw, Poland). The aircraft model was examined at the dynamic pressure q = 500 Pa in the following angle of attack range α = -28⁰÷28⁰. The investigations have been performed for an aircraft model under plain configuration with floats and without floats. The influence of elevator and flap inclination on the aerodynamic characteristics of the model has also been analysed. The obtained values of aerodynamic drag coefficient, lift coefficient, pitching moment coefficient and lift-to-drag ratio have been presented in the form of tables and graphs. The studies performed demonstrated that the use of floats causes the increase of aerodynamic drag coefficient ϹD, maximum lift coefficient Ϲ Lmax as well as critical angle of attack α cr. The decrease of lift-to-drag ratio has also been observed. Its value in the case of the model with floats was up to 20% lower than in the model without floats. The studies also showed that the model equipped with floats had a lower longitudinal static stability margin than the model without floats.W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań doświadczalnych wpływu pływaków na charakterystyki aerodynamiczne modelu samolotu OSA w opływie symetrycznym. Badania wykonano w tunelu aerodynamicznym małych prędkości WAT. Model zbadano przy ciśnieniu dynamicznym q = 500 Pa w zakresie kątów natarcia α = -28⁰÷28⁰. Badania wykonano dla modelu samolotu w konfiguracji "gładkiej" w wersji z pływakami i bez pływaków. Zbadano również wpływ wychylenia usterzenia poziomego oraz klap na podstawowe charakterystyki aerodynamiczne badanego modelu. Uzyskane wartości współczynnika oporu aerodynamicznego, współczynnika siły nośnej, współczynnika momentu pochylającego oraz doskonałości aerodynamicznej przedstawiono w formie tabel i wykresów. Przeprowadzone badania wykazały, że zastosowanie pływaków powoduje wzrost wartości zarówno współczynnika siły oporu aerodynamicznego, maksymalnej wartości współczynnika siły nośnej jak i wartości krytycznego kąta natarcia α kr. Zauważalny jest także spadek wartości doskonałości aerodynamicznej która dla modelu z pływakami jest nawet o 20% mniejsza od doskonałości uzyskanej dla modelu bez pływaków. Badania pokazały również, że model wyposażony w pływaki ma mniejszy zapas stateczności statycznej podłużnej niż model bez pływaków

African swine fever (ASF) and ticks. No risk of tick-mediated ASF spread in Poland and Baltic states

Infectious diseases of swine, particularly zoonoses, have had a significant influence on nutritional safety and availability of pig meat as high-energy protein product since the time that pigs were domesticated back in the 7th century BC. The main sources of swine infectious diseases include the so-called primary sources (direct infection, i.e. through contact with infected and sick animals) and secondary sources (contaminated meat products, slaughter products, and vectors, including ticks). At present, the most serious epidemiological and economic threat to swine breeding in Europe is African swine fever (ASF). This disease, originally coming from Africa, is incurable and causes death of infected pigs and wild boars during 7−10 days after infection. Among the various factors that influence the spread of ASF, important role is played by ticks from the genus Ornithodoros, mainly from the species Ornithodoros moubata. Research on the ASF indicates that other species of ticks can also transmit the virus to healthy pigs in laboratory conditions. Sylvatic and domestic cycles of ASF virus transmission, which have been described so far, require further studies and updating in order to point the potential new vectors in the Caucasus and Eastern Europe affected by the ASF. Effective methods of control and biosecurity may significantly slow down the spread of ASF, which undoubtedly is a major threat to world pig production and international swine trade

Assessing the In Vitro Activity of Selected Porphyrins in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

Standard in vitro analyses determining the activity of different compounds included in the chemotherapy of colon cancer are currently insufficient. New ideas, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), may bring tangible benefits. The aim of this study was to show that the biological activity of selected free-base and manganese (III) metallated porphyrins differs in the limitation of colon cancer cell growth in vitro. White light irradiation was also hypothesized to initiate a photodynamic effect on tested porphyrins. Manganese porphyrin (>1 μM) significantly decreased the viability of the colon tumor and normal colon epithelial cells, both in light/lack of light conditions, while decreasing a free-base porphyrin after only 3 min of white light irradiation. Both porphyrins interacted with cytostatics in an antagonistic manner. The manganese porphyrin mainly induced apoptosis and necrosis in the tumor, and apoptosis in the normal cells, regardless of light exposure conditions. The free-base porphyrin conducted mainly apoptosis and autophagy. Normal and tumor cells released low levels of IL-1β and IL-10. Tumor cells released a low level of IL-6. Light conditions and porphyrins were influenced at the cytokine level. Tested manganese (III) metallated and free-base porphyrins differ in their activity against human colon cancer cells. The first showed no photodynamic, but a toxic activity, whereas the second expressed high photodynamic action. White light use may induce a photodynamic effect associated with porphyrins

Doświadczalne badania modeli lotniczo-rakietowych zestawów do wynoszenia ładunków na niską orbitę okołoziemską

This paper presents the results of aerodynamic testing of air-launch rocket kit models for launching payloads into a low Earth orbit. The work was performed in a low-speed wind tunnel at the Military University of Technology (MUT, Warsaw, Poland)), using symmetrical airflow. Two carrier aircraft models were tested, i.e., Su-22 and MiG-29 aircraft without launched payloads and with these payloads at a dynamic pressure of q = 500 [Pa] and the range of angles of attack at α = -28° ÷ 28°. The values obtained related to the aerodynamic drag coefficient, aerodynamic lift coefficient, pitching moment coefficient and lift to drag ratio, and are given in tabular and graphic forms. The tests were primarily used to validate the numerical results obtained during implementation of the project “Air-assisted rocket system for launching payloads into low Earth orbit - feasibility study”.W pracy przedstawiono wyniki doświadczalnych badań aerodynamicznych modeli lotniczo-rakietowych zestawów do wynoszenia ładunków na niską orbitę okołoziemską. Badania wykonano w tunelu aerodynamicznym małych prędkości WAT w opływie symetrycznym. Zbadano dwa modele nosicieli – Su-22 oraz MiG-29 bez wynoszonych ładunków oraz z wynoszonymi ładunkami przy ciśnieniu dynamicznym q = 500 [Pa] w zakresie kątów natarcia α = -28° ÷ 28°. Uzyskane wartości współczynnika oporu aerodynamicznego, współczynnika siły nośnej, współczynnika momentu pochylającego oraz doskonałości aerodynamicznej przedstawiono w formie tabel i wykresów. Wykonane badania posłużyły przede wszystkim do walidacji wyników numerycznych, które były przeprowadzone w trakcie realizacji projektu „Lotniczo-rakietowy system wynoszenia ładunków na niską orbitę okołoziemską - studium realizowalności”

Intake System Performance Stability as a Function of Flow Throttling

This paper presents a numerical analysis of the stability of the flow parameters along the intake duct of an aircraft jet turbine engine. This problem has been investigated by many research teams and was included in the literature analysis. The unstable operation of a turbojet intake system can be the consequence of many adverse factors, including an intake vortex. The investigated intake system, due to its low location to the plane of the airport, is highly susceptible to the formation of an intake vortex. The phenomenon of an intake vortex can, in the worst-case scenario, result in the surging of the turbojet, and even engine stalling. This paper presents a developed model of the forward section of an aircraft, complete with its intake duct, and the method of its discretization. The intake-system model and numerical analysis were performed in Ansys Fluent. The flow parameters adopted for numerical simulations, under specific boundary conditions, corresponded to the operating conditions of the engine cooperating with the investigated intake system. The numerical calculations were performed assuming an air-pressure rise in the end section of the engine-intake system, reflecting the reduction in the pitch angle of the inlet stator blades of the fan. As a result, the pressure distributions in a significant cross section in the intake system were obtained. The results were analyzed with the quantitative distribution of the pressure fields by applying a dimensionless potential-pressure ratio. The pressure ratio enabled a comparative analysis of the nonuniformity of the total-pressure distribution in selected cross sections of the intake system. The results were revealing in terms of growing unstable flows in the flow duct. A major conclusion drawn from the results, by testing the dimensionless potential-pressure ratio, was that, within certain limits, it was possible to improve the flow uniformity by increasing the throttling pressure