Research

Funding: AIF Projekt GmbH: Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand ZF4708711SK9 VetSimCut , 189.507 EUR

Project Details:
Entwicklung eines Modells zur Ermittlung des optimalen Sägebildes und der Festlegung der optimalen Position des Schnitts zur operativen Behebung von Fehlstellungen von Hunden und Katzen

Cooperation Partners:

Steinbeis Innovation GmbH, ,Willi Bleicher Str. 19 70174 Stuttgart

Tieraerztliche Klinik Germersheim, Konrad Adenauer Str. 33, 76726 Germersheim

Funding: Stiftung Pro Pferd, 13.798 EUR

Project Details:
Small intestinal strangulation with concurrent ischemia represents a serious threat to the equine population. Although many of these lesions can be treated surgically, there is need for effective strategies to further decrease the occurrence of complications and thereby decreasing the mortality rate after small intestinal surgery. Until now, different animal models have demonstrated the positive effect of ischemic post-conditioning (IPoC) in modulating the injury caused by ischemia and reperfusion. In contrast to ischemic pre-conditioning (IPreC), which has little applicability in colic patients as the ischemia is already ongoing, IPoC represents a feasible therapeutic strategy for clinical use. However, no studies have been performed in horses and the previously documented experimental models differ greatly from the intestinal ischemia as seen in horses. The major objective of this study is to investigate the effect of IPoC in an experimental model of equine intestinal ischemia. By looking at different parameters of local and systemic biochemistry, inflammatory signs, tissue integrity and function, the aim is to detect differences between the test group undergoing IPoC, compared to the control group. Possible positive effects of IPoC on I/R Injury due to small intestinal strangulation, could lead to the development of adapted strategies during colic surgery.

Funding: Niedersächsische Tierseuchenkasse, Landesvereinigung der Milchwirtschaft Niedersachsen e. V., 64.400 EUR

Project Details:
The Lower Saxonian Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection has adopted a regulation on the prevention of cattle against Johnes Disease in 2017. Since than all dairy cattle >24 month have to be tested and advice has to be administered to positively tested herds. Additionally, cattle tested positive are not allowed to be transported into farms in Lower Saxony. Frequent testing are intended to focus the awareness for MAP in cattle herds and to contain the spread of disease between farms.
Aim of the study was to analyse the present MAP-prevalence in Lower Saxonian dairy cattle herds. Modifying factors were also be considered. As the prevalence depends on the performance of the applied diagnostic tests, it was be assessed, if there is indication of a test accuracy of ELISA better than expected.

Funding: Niedersächsische Tierseuchenkasse, 98.420 EUR

Project Details:
African Swine Fever (ASF) was first introduced into the Caucasus in 2014. Since then it has spread in Eastern Europe, to China, and, since September 2020, to Germany. An outbreak of ASF in the wild boar population and especially in do-mestic pig farms has long-lasting consequences for the international trade with pigs and pig meat products. It results in major financial loss for the affected countries. To prevent an introduction of ASF and its spread in Germany, German authorities and involved associations have made particular efforts to implement protective measures against ASF. The measures focus on preventing an intro-duction of ASF into domestic pig farms. Informing and educating farmers and veterinarians about ASF is of particular importance.
The research project aimed to explore the range of knowledge, attitudes and rea-soning of pig farmers concerning preventative measures against ASF and to compare these findings with implemented measures on their farms. The results can be used to identify possible deficits and to develop improved training con-cepts for involved parties.

Results:

https://tierseucheninfo.niedersachsen.de/startseite/tierseuchenbekampfung/nds_biosicherheitskonzept_schweine_haltende_betriebe/niedersachsisches-biosicherheitskonzept-218286.html

Cooperation Partners:

Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut auf Riems, Landvolk Niedersachsen

Funding: Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr, 449.842 EUR

Project Details:
Im Bereich der Lebensmittelsicherheit ist eine genaue und schnelle Identifikation des ursächlichen Erregers mikrobieller Kontaminationen von Lebensmitteln aufgrund möglicher Lebensmittelinfektionen und -intoxikationen von besonderer Bedeutung. In dem o.g. Projekt werden deshalb auf Basis der sogenannten schleifen-vermittelten ("loop-mediated") Amplifikationsmethode Schnellnachweise für verschiedene bedeutende pathogene Keime (Bacillus cereus, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella und Staphylococcus aureus) entwickelt. Das LAMP-System funktioniert unter isothermalen Bedingungen, d.h. es werden keine Geräte mit zyklischer Amplifikation (PCR) benötigt. Die Detektion kann in einem auf etwa 65 °C erhitzen Wasserbad oder Heizblock erfolgen. Die Entwicklung und Validierung der Testsysteme wird mit Hilfe des tragbaren real-time Fluorometers Genie® II (Firma OptiGene) durchführt. Ziel des Projektes ist es, verlässliche und schnelle Nachweismethoden wichtiger Mikroorganismen aus verschiedenen Lebensmittelmatrizes zu entwickeln und zu etablieren, welche in der Routinediagnostik Anwendung finden sollen.

Funding: Fritz-Ahrberg-Stiftung, 57.000 EUR

Project Details:
The production of meat-based food using nitrite curing salt has become a target of public criticism. After the WHO classified the consumption of processed meat products as "carcinogenic to humans (Group I)", food processors are searching for alternatives to nitrite usage. Besides uncured products, plant extracts as a natural source of nitrate can be used in the production process. It is stated that those products contain lower concentrations of harmful residual nitrite and might therefore be beneficial for human health. However, the question remains whether those "naturally-cured" products remain microbiologically stable and whether they are indeed healthier. Furthermore, those products have to be organoleptically comparable to products containing nitrite curing salt to meet consumers expectations. The present study is investigating the impact of different alternative curing methods of cooked sausages on product quality and food safety using two different vegetable extracts (mangold, beetroot). Aim is to gain knowledge about sensory, microbiologically and physicochemical parameters of alternatively cured meat products. The results can provide important information for food processors as well as for supervising authorities.

Funding: Niedersächsischen Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur, 299.878 EUR

Project Details:
Das Projekt ist so konzipiert, dass digitale Medien in verschiedenen Kontexten angewendet werden. Neben Online-Lernmodulen und Fallbeispielen sollen Videomaterial und Vortrags- sowie Vorlesungsaufzeichnungen eingesetzt werden, so dass E-Learning-Konzepte wie Blended Learning und Inverted Classroom umsetzbar sind. Darüber hinaus werden mit dem Projekt die Zoologischen Übungen, bei denen Präparationen an eigens zu diesem Zwecke getöteten Tiere vorgenommen werden, umgestellt und dadurch die Anzahl von verwendeten Tieren erheblich reduziert. Durch die im Studium frühe Implementation der Digitalisierung der Lehre wird der Weg für weitere digitale Lehrformen im späteren Verlauf des Studiums und für die Weiterentwicklung des bestehenden Curriculums bereitet.

Results:

Liebig P, Pröhl H, Sudhaus-Jörn N, Hankel J, Visscher C, Jung K (2022) Interactive, browser-based graphics to visualize complex data in education of biomedical sciences for veterinary students. Medical Science Educator https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-022-01613-x

Funding: Drittmittelprojekt, gefördert durch die Fritz-Ahrberg-Stiftung., 65.000 EUR

Project Details:
Freezing is a frequently used method for preservation of food. This method is also regularly used in connection with the import of meat from third countries. For example, frozen pork is imported from Chile and frozen poultry meat from Brazil. Although the freezing of the meat has a positive effect on the microbiological properties, the sensory and physico-chemical properties of the meat after thawing can also be negatively affected, which also has an influence on the storage and further processing of the products. Various changes in meat caused by freezing have been presented in publications so far. However, studies that have investigated the use and processing of frozen and subsequently thawed meat for the production of meat products (e.g. raw fermented sausages) are rare. This also applies to meat, packed under a protective gas atmosphere, which was frozen before packing. Therefore, in the present study, pig and turkey meat will be stored for 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, frozen at -18°C and -80°C, and processed into raw sausages after thawing. Comparatively, the meat will be also stored in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) after thawing. For an assessment of the meat quality, certain microbiological, physico-chemical (e.g. colour, TBARS) or sensory analyses are carried out before freezing, after thawing and during storage/ maturing of the modified atmosphere packaged meat or raw fermented sausages. Control samples, which are processed or packaged without prior freezing, are included in each test run. The aim of the study is to investigate the influence of a freezing treatment of pork and turkey meat on the processing and storage properties of the thawed meat.

Results:

Teuteberg V., I.-K. Kluth, M. Plötz, C. Krischek* (2021):

Effects of duration and temperature of frozen storage on the quality and food safety characteristics of pork after thawing and after storage under modified atmosphere.

Meat Science, 108419, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0309174020308512?via%3Dihub

 

Kluth, I.-K., V. Teuteberg, M. Plötz, C. Krischek* (2021):

Effects of freezing temperatures and storage times on the quality and safety of raw turkey meat and sausage products.

Poultry Science, 100, 101305, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579121003394?via%3Dihub

Funding: Drittmittelprojekt, gefördert durch das Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr., 272.949 EUR

Project Details:
Many microbial pathogens are transmitted via contaminated drinking water and cause severe diseases in humans. Therefore, it is necessary that drinking water is constantly monitored and microbial contamination is excluded. Compliance with limit values of the "Trinkwasserverordnung" is mandatory. However, monitoring is usually limited to the detection of indicator organisms that indicate faecal contamination of the water and are intended to predict the presence of pathogenic microorganisms. Nevertheless, outbreaks of diseases caused by contaminated drinking water, in which no indicator bacteria have been detected during analysis, have been frequently reported. Drinking water may also contain microorganisms that could not be detected during routine diagnostics. The development of a new method that comprehensively examines microbial diversity and the occurrence of pathogenic microorganisms from drinking water samples could set new standards for drinking water testing in the future. "Next Generation Sequencing" (NGS) is a very promising method for this. The aim of the project is therefore to carry out a parallel analysis of large quantities of DNA or RNA sequences by metagenome sequencing and to record the microbial diversity of water samples. Initial approaches using NGS technologies for this purpose have been described in the literature. Nevertheless, the isolation and concentration of microorganisms from water samples must first be optimised. Protocols, methods and bioinformatic pipelines must also be adapted to overcome the difficulties of detecting pathogenic microorganisms in drinking water. The protocols required for this will be developed in the project. Subsequently, the procedure will be validated against the methods described by the "Trinkwasserverordnung" or comparable reference methods. The determination of the analytical as well as the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity is the main focus of this research project. Furthermore, the methodology will be developed and established for different water samples (e.g. drinking water, surface water) and tested for its practicability with the help of field samples.

Funding: Industry (Veterinary pharmaceuticals/Vaccines), 550.000 EUR

Project Details:
confidential

Results:

https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/a-1274-9268