Transfer of antibodies across the placenta and in breast milk from mothers on intravenous immunoglobulin

We studied the levels of immunoglobulins in colostrum, milk and sera from two common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) mothers (M1 and M2), and in sera from their newborn infants. During pregnancy they continued intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG). Antibody levels from maternal and cord blood collected at delivery and colostrum and milk, collected on the 3rd and 7th post-partum days, respectively, were analyzed. Although cord/maternal blood ratios of total immunoglobulins and subclasses, as well as specific antibodies differed between M1 and M2, both showed good placental transfer of anti-protein and anti-polysaccharide antibodies, despite lower cord/maternal blood ratios in M2. Anti-Streptococcus pneumoniae antibody avidity indexes were similar between paired maternal and cord serum. Both mothers` colostrum and milk samples showed only traces of IgA, and IgM and IgG levels in colostrum were within normal range in M1, whereas M2 presented elevated IgG and low IgM levels, when compared with healthy mothers. The study of colostrum and milk activity showed that they strongly inhibited enteropathogenic Escherichia coli adhesion in vitro. CVID patients must be informed about the relevance of regular IVIG administration during pregnancy, not only for their own health but also for their immune immature offspring. Breast-feeding should be encouraged as colostra from these CVID patients strongly inhibited E. coli adhesion to human epithelial cells thus providing immunological protection plus nutritional and psychological benefits for the infant.

Magnetic hysteresis loop shift in NiFe(2)O(4) nanocrystalline powder with large grain boundary fraction

Magnetic properties of nanocrystalline NiFe(2)O(4) spinel mechanically processed for 350 h have been studied using temperature dependent from both zero-field and in-field (57)Fe Mossbauer spectrometry and magnetization measurements. The hyperfine structure allows us to distinguish two main magnetic contributions: one attributed to the crystalline grain core, which has magnetic properties similar to the NiFe(2)O(4) spinel-like structure (n-NiFe(2)O(4)) and the other one due to the disordered grain boundary region, which presents topological and chemical disorder features(d-NiFe(2)O(4)). Mossbauer spectrometry determines a large fraction for the d-NiFe(2)O(4) region(62% of total area) and also suggests a speromagnet-like structure for it. Under applied magnetic field, the n-NiFe(2)O(4) spins are canted with angle dependent on the applied field magnitude. Mossbauer data also show that even under 120 kOe no magnetic saturation is observed for the two magnetic phases. In addition, the hysteresis loops, recorded for scan field of 50 kOe, are shifted in both field and magnetization axes, for temperatures below about 50 K. The hysteresis loop shifts may be due to two main contributions: the exchange bias field at the d-NiFe(2)O(4)/n-NiFe(2)O(4) interfaces and the minor loop effect caused by a high magnetic anisotropy of the d-NiFe(2)O(4) phase. It has also been shown that the spin configuration of the spin-glass like phase is modified by the consecutive field cycles, consequently the n-NiFe(2)O(4)/d-NiFe(2)O(4) magnetic interaction is also affected in this process. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A powder X-ray diffraction method for detection of polyprenylated benzophenones in plant extracts associated with HPLC for quantitative analysis

A robust, direct, rapid and non-destructive X-ray diffraction crystallography method to detect the polyprenylated benzophenones 7-epi-clusianone (1) and guttiferone A (2) in extracts from Garcinia brasiliensis is presented. Powder samples of benzophenones 1 and 2, dried hexane extracts from G. brasiliensis seeds and fruit`s pericarp, and the dried ethanolic extract from G. brasiliensis seeds were unambiguously characterized by powder X-ray diffractometry. The calculated X-ray diffraction peaks from crystal structures of analytes 1 and 2, previously determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique, were overlaid to those of the experimental powder diffractograms, providing a practical identification of these compounds in the analyzed material and confirming the pure contents of the powder samples. Using the X-ray diffraction crystallography method, the studied polyprenylated benzophenones were selectively and simultaneously detected in the extracts which were mounted directly on sample holder. In addition, reference materials of the analytes were not required for analyses since the crystal structures of the compounds are known. High performance liquid chromatography analyses also were comparatively carried out to quantify the analytes in the same plant extracts showing to be in agreement with X-ray diffraction crystallography method. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fabrication of disposable voltammetric electronic tongues by using Prussian Blue films electrodeposited onto CD-R gold surfaces and recognition of milk adulteration

A new approach to fabricate a disposable electronic tongue is reported. The fabrication of the disposable sensor aimed the integration of all electrodes necessary for measurement in the same device. The disposable device was constructed with gold CD-R and copper sheets substrates and the sensing elements were gold, copper and a gold surface modified with a layer of Prussian Blue. The relative standard deviation for signals obtained from 20 different disposable gold and 10 different disposable copper electrodes was below 3.5%. The performance, electrode materials and the capability of the device to differentiate samples were evaluated for taste substances model, milk with different pasteurization processes (homogenized/pasteurized, ultra high temperature (UHT) pasteurized and UHT pasteurized with low fat content) and adulterated with hydrogen peroxide. In all analysed cases, a good separation between different samples was noticed in the score plots obtained from the principal component analysis (PCA). Crown Copyright (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of cold storage on culture viability and some rheological properties of fermented milk prepared with yogurt and probiotic bacteria

We examined the effect of storage time on culture viability and some rheological properties (yield stress, storage modulus, loss modulus, linear viscoelastic region, structural recuperation and firmness) of fermented milk made with Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis in coculture with Streptococcus thermophilus (ST). Acidification profiles and factors that affect viability (postfermentation acidification, acidity and dissolved oxygen) were also studied during 35 days at 4C. Fermented milk prepared with a coculture of ST and Bifidobacterium lactis gave the most constant rheological behavior and the best cell viability during cold storage; it was superior to ST plus LA for probiotic fermented milk production.

Performance and ruminal morphologic characteristics of Saanen kids fed ground, pelleted or extruded total ration

The aim of the present study was to determine feed intake and average weight gain and to evaluate the ruminal morphologic characteristics of Saanen kids slaughtered at 30, 45 and 60 days of age, according to a completely randomized design. Thirty-six non-castrated male Saanen kids were fed ground total ration, pelleted total ration, or extruded total ration. Feed intake and refusals were controlled daily and the animals were weighed at birth and then once a week. Newborn kids received a milk replacer and were weaned at 45 days. Immediately after slaughter, the animals were eviscerated, the entire digestive apparatus was removed from the carcass. The reticulo-rumen was separated, emptied, washed and weighed. Samples were collected from the dorsal sac, pillar area and ventral sac of the rumen, fixed for about 24h in Bouin's solution, dehydrated, embedded in Histosec and cut into 5 mu m sections. Results showed that dry matter intake (DMI) at weaning and post-weaning and weight gain were higher (P < 0.05) in animals that received the pelleted total ration. The weight of the reticulo-rumen accompanied body development and was heavier in these animals. Histologically, after weaning ruminal papillae were more developed in animals that received pelleted total ration. Length of papillae increased with increase of age. The ratio of papillary height to papillary width increased with age in the ventral sac and until weaning (P > 0.05). We conclude that the pelleting process of the total ration favored increased intake, with a 46.7% increase in weight gain and increase in rumen weight and papillae length, suggesting that best results are obtained with this processing. In general, no difference was observed between the results obtained with extruded and ground total ration, although animals fed extruded total ration showed an increase in rumen weight and papillae width. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

Influence of the season of year, stage of lactation and milking time on the chloride content in bovine milk

From January to October 1995, chloride content determinations were accomplished in 2,218 samples of milk collected from 67 quarters of 17 lactating cows, in initial, middle and final stages of lactation, in the morning and afternoon milking. The highest means of chloride contents were observed among the milk samples collected in the final stage of lactation (0,203 gC1/100ml), in the summer (0,212 gC1/100ml) and in the morning milking (0,189 g C1/100ml). The differences observed between the chloride contents in the samples obtained in the different stages of lactation and the seasons of the year were statistically significant (P<0.0001). The gratest occornce of chloride at rates superior to 0.22 gC1100ml was observed in the final stge of lactation (31.4%), summer (44.2%) and after the morning milking (27.8%). These results evidentiate the influence of physiological and external factors (stage of lactation and season of the year) on the concentration of chloride of milk.

Molecular epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus isolates at different sites in the milk producing dairy farms

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli serogroups O157, O111 and O113 in feces, water and milk samples from dairy farms

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ocorrência de Bacillus cereus em leite integral e capacidade enterotoxigênica das cepas isoladas

Pesquisaram-se a presença de Bacillus cereus e a produção de enterotoxinas produzidas por esses microrganismos em 120 amostras de diversos tipos de leite. Bacillus cereus foi isolado e identificado em 22 (73,3%), 15 (50,0%), 29 (96,7%) e quatro (13,3%) amostras de leite em pó, cru, pasteurizado e UAT (longa vida), respectivamente. Para a detecção de enterotoxinas pela técnica da alça ligada de coelho, foram positivos, respectivamente, três (13,6%), um (7,1%) e 10 (35,7%) microrganismos isolados das amostras de leite em pó, leite cru e leite pasteurizado. Pelo teste de aumento de permeabilidade vascular, dois (9,1%), um (7,1%), um (3,6%) e um (4,0%) microrganismos isolados de leite em pó, cru, pasteurizado e UAT apresentaram-se enterotoxigênicos, respectivamente. O uso da técnica de aglutinação passiva em látex demonstrou a produção da toxina diarréica por três (33,3%), sete (63,6%), quatro (30,8%) e oito (80,0%) microrganismos isolados, respectivamente, de leite em pó, cru, pasteurizado e UAT. Os resultados indicam um risco potencial, podendo colocar em risco a saúde dos consumidores desses produtos.

Free and total GMP (glycomacropeptide) contents of milk during bovine lactation

Amostras quinzenais, desde o parto até o final do período de lactação, obtidas de 34 vacas de três diferentes raças e propriedades, foram analisadas quanto à presença de GMP livre. Um pool das amostras quinzenais de cada rebanho foi analisada tanto para o conteúdo de GMP livre quanto para o GMP total (liberado da k-caseína pela ação da renina), correlacionando-os com as condições sanitárias do animal e do úbere, à fase da lactação e à produção de leite. A maioria dos problemas sanitários concentrou-se próximo ao parto, com poucas e espaçadas ocorrências de mastites clínicas. Os resultados do teste de CMT mostraram reações compatíveis às fases da lactação. Para o GMP livre as maiores variações ocorreram em função do período de lactação e em conseqüência de mastites clínicas e subclínicas. Valores elevados foram observados no início da lactação (5,87mg de ácido siálico/L de leite), normalizando para valores próximos de 3,30mg/L já ao final do segundo mês e voltando a elevar-se no terço final da lactação. em média, as mesmas tendências foram observadas para o teor de GMP total liberado pela ação de coalho comercial, iniciando com valores ligeiramente elevados (35,59mg/L), tornando-se normal e assim se mantendo até o sexto mês com valores próximos a 27,15mg/L, e novamente elevando-se gradualmente até o final da lactação, com 58,35mg de ácido siálico/L de leite. Esses resultados mostram-se úteis para a correta interpretação de métodos aplicados à seleção do leite, seja em relação ao status proteolítico da matéria-prima ou mesmo para coibição de fraudes por adição de soro ao leite.

Occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus in raw milk produced in dairy farms in São Paulo state, Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Virulence Genes in Isolates of Escherichia coli from Samples of Milk and Feces from Dairy Cattle

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Características físico-qímicas da carne de caprinos submetidos a diferentes níveis de substituição do leite por soro de queijo durante o aleitamento

Fifty six crossbred kids Parda Alpina x Gurgueia were separeted into four groups of 14 (seven male and seven female) and submited to four treatments with different levels of milk goat substitution by cheese serum. The treatments were : T1=milk goat (testify); T2=15% serum at 23 days and 33% at 55 days; T3=15% serum starting from 16 days, 33% on 23 days and 51% on 72 days of age; and T4=33% on 16 days and 69% of liquid diet in the final fase. At 92 days of age, all animals were slaughtered for carcass evaluation. Pallete were separeted from 20 male animals (five by treatment) and the physical and chemical analysis of the meat were realized using these materials. The studied characteristics were: total weight (TW), meat weight (MW), bone weigth (BW) of the pallete, and percentage of umidity (U), ashes (A), protein (P), fat (F) and pH of the pallete meat. There was significant effect of the treatment over F. Means of PW, A and BW were, respectively 491, 342 and 149.8 g. The meal represented 69,6% of total pallete weight. Means of U, A, P and F were 73, 1.0, 19 and 1.95%, respectively. The pH was 6.7. Results allow to conclude that only the fat percentage of the meat was modified, due to the administration of serun milk on the liquid diet of the kids, during the milking fase.

Relationship of black layer and milk line development on maize seed maturity

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)