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This study was conducted to investigate the distribution and diversity of extended-spectrum cephalosporin (ESC) resistance determinants in Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli obtained from the same cecal samples and to provide evidence of transmission of the resistance determinants among these bacteria in broiler farms in southern Japan. Salmonella enterica and E. coli were characterized by serotyping and multilocus sequence typing, respectively. An antimicrobial susceptibility test, plasmid analysis, and identification and localization of resistance genes were performed to determine the relatedness of ESC resistance determinants among the isolates. Of 48 flocks examined, 14 had S. enterica. In total, 57 S. enterica isolates were obtained, 45 of which showed ESC resistance. Extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant E. coli were also obtained from all of these ESC-resistant Salmonel- la-positive samples. ß-Lactamase genes, blaem-52 (38 isolates), &/acTX-M-14 (1 isolate), and blaçy[y_2 (6 isolates), were carried by conjugative untypable or IncP plasmids detected in the S. enterica serovars Infantis and Manhattan. The ß-lactamase genes Wo c t x -M- 1 4 (3 isolates), WacTX-M-15 (3 isolates), WasHV-2 (1 isolate), WaSHV-12 (2 isolates), and WacMY-2 (32 isolates) associated with Incll-h, IncFIB. IncFIC, IncK, IncB/O, and IncY plasmids were detected in E. coli co-isolates. Restriction mapping revealed similar plasmids in Salmonella Infantis and Salmonella Manhattan and in different sequence types of E. coli. Intraspecies transmission of plasmids was suggested within S. enterica and E. coli populations, whereas interspecies transmission was not observed. This study highlights the importance of plasmids as carriers of ESC resistance determinants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to 1) identify the natural source of feed contamination by zearalenone (ZEN), which was suspected to have caused persistently increased urinary ZEN concentrations in one of our experimental cattle herds, and 2) evaluate the effects of intervention against this source of contamination. As an experimental model, a fattening Japanese Black cattle herd showing persistently increased urinary ZEN concentrations was identified. Urinary ZEN concentrations of cows fed with new rice straw (experimental group, n = 6) vs. cows that continued to feed on the old rice straw (control group, n = 4) were measured at the start (d 1) and at 2 wk (d 14) after the onset of feeding with straw. In addition, the ZEN concentration in feed and water samples was measured by using both the ELISA and HPLC methods. Furthermore, isolation and identification of fungi from rice straw and concentrate feed samples were performed. The urinary ZEN concentration [ZEN (pg/mL)/creatinine (mg/mL) = pg/mg of creatinine] of cows fed with new rice straw was significantly (P < 0.05) less (843 pg/mg of creatinine) than that of cows fed with old rice straw (15,951 pg/mg of creatinine). On both d 1 and 14, the ZEN concentrations of old rice straw were greater than those of new rice straw. In addition, fungal colonies were observed in the culture media that was obtained from the old rice straw suspected of ZEN contamination, but not in the culture media from new rice straw or other feed samples. In conclusion, our field trials clearly indicate that the rice straw fed to the cows was naturally contaminated with ZEN, and that the monitoring of urinary ZEN concentrations could prove to be a useful tool for detecting the exposure of cattle to ZEN contamination at the farm level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 1998 to 2003 period, cecal contents of 4,024 broiler chickens from 252 flocks raised in 63 holdings were examined for Salmonella. The aims were to establish the actual status of the infection, its temporal distribution, prevalent serotype, and common genotype among broiler flocks brought at the slaughterhouse. Collected samples were preenriched in Hajna tetrathionate broth, and after 24 h of incubation, 10 pt of the broth was streaked on selective Rambach agar plate. Suspected scarlet color colonies of Salmonella were cloned on nutrient agar, confirmed through biochemical tests and serotyped using 0 and H antigens. Pulsed field gel electrophorésis technique generated DNA fragments banding patterns and established their clonal relatedness. Salmonella was isolated from 563 (14%) samples in 179 (71%) flocks. The flock situation varied from Salmonella-negative holdings (n = 9), positive-flocks from persistently infected holdings (n = 21), and holdings (n 19) that showed fluctuations with alternating negative and positive flocks for variable time periods. Fourteen holdings (negative, n = 5 and positive, n = 9) were sampled once throughout the study period. Seasonality component was not observed, and salmonellae were found colonizing broiler ceca in warm and cold months. Predominant serovar was Salmonella Infantis (93.3%; n = 525). Macrorestriction fingerprints of Salmonella Infantis using XbaI presumed the isolates to be derived from a common parent. Enhanced discrimination by BlnI digestion produced 3 banding patterns that were closely related genetically and hence epidemiologically related. Such epidemiological information may enable producers to formulate effective control action plan tailored for individual holdings with special emphasis on biosecurity, hygiene, and pest control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinolone and macrolide resistance of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli mainly depend on a mutation in gyrA and in 23S rDNA, respectively. In order to detect quinolone and/or macrolide resistant C. jejuni and C. coli strains, a macrolide and quinolone line probe assay (MQ-LiPA) was developed and 42 C. jejuni and C. coli strains were tested to evaluate the efficiency of the assay. Profiles of the mutations in 23S rDNA and in gyrA characterized by MQ-LiPA agreed with resistance to macrolides and quinolones. MQ-LiPA is a rapid and simple method for simultaneous detection of quinolone and macrolide resistance of C. jejuni and C. coli. We could also discriminate between C. jejuni and C. coli using probes for detection of gyrA mutations in MQ-LiPA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Plasticity within the human central motor system occurs and has been studied with transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with amputations, spinal cord injuries, and ischemic nerve block. These studies have identified a pattern of motor system reorganization that results in enlarged muscle representation areas and large motor evoked potentials (MEPs) for muscles immediately proximal to the lesion. Some of these changes are apparent minutes after ischemic nerve block, weeks after spinal cord injury, and as early as six months after amputation.These studies motivated us to study the cortical motor reorganization after finger movement training in normals and after anastomosis of intercostal nerves to the musculocutaneous nerve in young patients with cervical root avulsions due to a traumatic motorcycle injury. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Clinicopathological studies were performed on the visceral organs and the sural nerve of a male patient with Churg–Strauss syndrome (CSS) in order to understand the mechanisms of peripheral nervous system damage. A 67-year-old man, with a 2-year history of bronchial asthma, developed acutely painful paraplegia and dyspnea. Laboratory data showed a leukocytosis, an elevated serum creatinine kinase (CK) and marked eosionophilia. Autoantibodies including p- and c-ANCA were negative. Electrophysiological studies revealed a severe sensory-motor neuropathy of multiple mononeuritis type. Steroid pulse therapy performed a day after biopsy of skin, muscle and sural nerve was effective in resolving his respiratory and neurological dysfunction but a perforation of an intestinal ulcer occurred which required surgical intervention. In the biopsied sural nerve and the surgically resected intestine and mesentery there was vasculitis with fibrinoid necrosis accompanied by numerous eosinophils and macrophages containing eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). These findings suggest that in addition to ischemic changes due to vasculitis some neurotoxic substances generated by the eosinophils may be involved in the development of neuropathy in CSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We would like to assess whether this impairment of intracortical inhibition might be lateralized by using paired pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation. Some patients with dystonia had a normal intracortical inhibition on nondystonia hand area. The intracortical inhibition might reflect the susceptibility of drugs and be able to speculate the prognosis of unaffected site in patients with dystonia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article provides information on the results of a study on bilateral otitis media with facial paralysis on a three-month-old Japanese black calf. It states that the brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) examination was used as a screening tool for the different diagnosis of cochlear against retrocochlearn pathology. It mentions that the examination with computed tomography (CT) and tympanocentesis were vital for the definitive diagnosis and therapy.

To demonstrate the effect of climatic elements on Campylobacter colonization in broiler chickens reared in Japan, the correlation between Campylobacter isolated from chickens (191 of 236 flocks, 80.9%) between 2008 and 2012 and climatic elements was analyzed by logistic regression. We divided the rearing process into 13 terms of 5 d each (total: 65 d). Terms were numbered backwards, wherein a 0-term lag was considered as the sampling day plus 4 d before sampling; 1-term lag was the 5-d term before the 0-term lag, and so on, until the 12-term lag. We obtained climatic data tracing back from the 0-term to the 12-term lags. For evaluation in each season, we divided chickens reared during periods of rising temperature (spring, summer) and decreasing temperature (autumn, winter). Air temperature showed a positive correlation with Campylobacter colonization from the 0- to 12-term lags in chickens reared during the period of rising temperature (odds ratio [OR], 1.069 to 1.104), and from the 0- to 4- and 6-term lags (OR, 1.079 to 1.105) in chickens reared during the period of decreasing temperature. The strong positive effect of air temperature on Campylobacter colonization, particularly during the period of rising temperature, may be associated with the effect on the Campylobacter environmental sources and/or vectors. A positive correlation was observed between Campylobacter colonization and humidity when chicken houses were empty and new chicks were introduced (from the 9- to 12-term lags) during the period of decreasing temperature (OR, 1.076 to 1.141). Thus, high humidity would be an important factor causing carry-over of Campylobacter infection during the period of decreasing temperature. We also found that solar radiation increased Campylobacter colonization during the period of decreasing temperature, from the 2- to 8-term lags, except for the 4- and 5-term lags, in Japan. The results of this study demonstrate the effects of air temperature, humidity, and solar radiation on Campylobacter colonization in broiler chickens, and are potentially important for developing strategies to reduce the risk of Campylobacter contamination in broiler chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]