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Progress in the Development of DNA Vaccines Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease

DNA vaccines are, in principle, the simplest yet most versatile methods of inducing protective humoral and cellular immune responses. Research involving this type of vaccine against veterinary diseases began in the early 1990s and has since seen the evaluation of more than 30 important viral pathogens, including the economically important foot-and-mouth disease. With the demonstration that DNA vaccines protect against foot-and-mouth disease in sheep and pigs, and the advantages these DNA vaccines have over the conventional formulations, this approach may provide a better solution to the control of this disease. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of DNA vaccination strategies for foot-and-mouth disease reported in the literature, in which we highlight the studies that have reported protection in the key target species.

FASS Announces Upcoming Webinar

The Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS) announces the latest in its series of educational webinars conducted in collaboration with the American Veterinary Medical Association. Entitled SWINE CASTRATION, the webinar is scheduled for October 8, 2012 • 3:00-4:00 PM CDT.

FAO Publishes Book on Biofuels Co-Products Use in Animal Feeds

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization recently published a book entitled Biofuel co-products as livestock feed – Opportunities and challenges. AASV member Dr Harold Tilstra co-authored Chapter 3; ”Impact of United States biofuels co-products on the feed industry”.One objective of the book is to discuss and summarize state of-the-art knowledge on current and future availability of co-products from the feedstocks most used for the production of biofuels, and use of the co-products as livestock feed.

European Symposium of Porcine Health Management

The Organising Committee of the 5th European Symposium of Porcine Health Management (ESPHM) and the 50th anniversary of the Pig Veterinary Society (PVS) has great pleasure in inviting our colleagues from around the World to join us 22nd-24th May 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland for this prestigious scientific conference and to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Pig Veterinary Society.

2012 Podcast Series: Rexanne Struve

During the AASV Annual Meeting, 30 veterinary students interviewed conference speakers to gain additional information about their presentation topic. The next of these MP3 audio interviews is now available to members on the AASV website at https://www.aasv.org/members/only/pod/. Student member Emily Brooke Byers interviewed Dr. Rexanne Struve who described “The many uses of CDCD pigs in human research – innovative swine uses and applications” as part of the Industrial Partners Sessions. Watch for additional podcast interviews in the coming weeks!

Passion for Pigs Announces Two Iowa Events

The “Passion for Pigs” Seminar and Trade Show has announced its “Midwest Hoops Tour” conferences, to take place in Ames (Nov 20) and Coralville (Dec 19), Iowa. The keynote presentations will feature Dr. Mike Brumm speaking on the “Impact of heavier market weights on facility and equipment needs,” and Dr. Dennis DiPietre, who will address “Critical mistakes you must avoid during times of extreme profit challenge.” Dr. Stephen D. Patterson will also be presenting, and updates will be provided by the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa State University Diagnostic Lab and the National Pork Board. In conjunction with the meetings, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy Iowa State University or University of Iowa basketball games.

Help Improve JSHAP: Tell Us What You Think

The Journal of Swine Health and Production (JSHAP) is conducting a readership survey (see Sept/Oct Executive Editor’s message). This is your chance to provide valuable input and comments about the journal! We value your feedback and ask you to take a few moments to complete the survey. Additionally, corresponding authors from the last two years and reviewers from the last year will be asked to for their opinions on publishing and reviewing for JSHAP. The journal has seen many positive changes since the last readership survey in 2003. Please give us your thoughts and help the journal continue to improve. Click here to complete the brief survey.