Feline vaccine‐associated sarcomagenesis: Is there an inflammation‐independent role for aluminium?

Aluminium has been found in feline vaccine‐associated sarcomas. In this study, we investigated the potential for aluminium to contribute directly to tumourigenesis. Our results indicated that an aluminium hydroxide adjuvant preparation was cytotoxic and mutagenic in human‐Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) hybrid cells in vitro. Moreover, CHO cells deficient in DNA double strand break (DSB), but not single‐strand break (SSB), repair, were particularly sensitive to aluminium exposure compared with repair proficient cells, suggesting that aluminium is associated with DSBs. In contrast to CHO cells, primary feline skin fibroblasts were resistant to the cytotoxic effects of aluminium compounds and exposure to an aluminium chloride salt promoted cell growth and cell cycle progression at concentrations much less than those measured in particular feline rabies vaccines. These findings suggest that aluminium exposure may contribute, theoretically, to both initiation and promotion of tumours in the absence of an inflammatory response.     

Ascites in a 13‐year‐old miniature horse mare with an ovarian granulosa theca‐cell tumour: A manifestation of Meigs' syndrome?

A 13‐year‐old miniature horse mare presented for evaluation of ascites. Abdominal ultrasound showed severe free peritoneal fluid accumulation as well as a caudal abdominal mass. The peritoneal fluid was characterised as a transudate with no evidence of sepsis. Surgical exploration of the abdomen was performed; copious free peritoneal fluid and a large right ovarian mass were discovered. The abnormal ovary was removed, and the mass was determined histologically to be a benign granulosa theca‐cell tumour. Although there was mild peritoneal fluid accumulation in the immediate post operative period, the ascites effectively resolved with removal of the tumour, and the mare returned to a normal lifestyle. This is similar to reports of Meigs' syndrome in human women, in which a benign ovarian mass of significant size causes ascites that resolves once the mass is removed.     

Degenerate slave‐makers,but nevertheless slave‐makers? Host worker relatedness in the ant Myrmoxenus kraussei

Socially parasitic ants of the formicoxenine genus Myrmoxenus exhibit considerable diversity in colony structure and life history. While some species are active slave‐makers with many workers and others are workerless ‘murder‐parasites,’ Myrmoxenus kraussei is considered as a ‘degenerate slave‐maker’ because of its very low worker numbers. Here, we document that Temnothorax recedens host workers in single colonies of M. kraussei from Lago di Garda, Italy, exhibit significantly more genetic diversity than workers in unparasitized colonies. This raises the possibility that, despite its low worker numbers, M. kraussei may actively engage in slave raids in nature.     

Equus caballus papillomavirus‐2 (EcPV‐2): An infectious cause for equine genital cancer?

Reasons for performing study: The aetiology of genital squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in horses remains unknown, but the similarity to the disease in man, for which papillomavirus infection has been shown to be a causal factor, requires to be investigated in horses. Hypothesis: One or more novel papillomaviruses cause equine genital SCC and its associated premalignant lesions. Methods: DNA was extracted from samples of equine genital SCC and performed rolling circle amplification, in order to identify closed circular DNA viral genomes within the samples. The amplified DNA was subcloned and sequenced and the DNA sequence compared to that of other papillomavirus genomes. Using PCR primers developed from these genomic DNA sequences, studies were then carried out in order to identify the frequency at which the viral DNA could be identified in equine genital cancer samples from horses in both the UK, Australia and Austria. Finally, in situ hybridisation using specific probes developed from this DNA sequence were used to confirm the presence of the viral RNA sequences in the neoplastic cells in these lesions. Results: The full length genome of a novel papillomavirus species was characterised from the equine genital SCC tissue and termed Equus caballus papillomavirus‐2 (EcPV‐2). Viral DNA and RNA was identified in the genital tumour samples, but not in the adjacent histologically normal tissue. EcPV‐2 DNA could not be identified in equine ocular or nasal carcinomas or within the scrotal skin or in most smegma samples obtained from tumour‐free horses. Sequencing of amplicons, generated from the archived equine genital tumours, identified variations within E1 and E6 on DNA and predicted protein level. Conclusions: A novel papillomavirus, EcPV‐2, is likely to play a causal role in the pathogenesis of equine genital epithelial tumours. Potential relevance: Identification of a papillomavirus causal for genital carcinomas in horses may lead to development of a vaccine that could be used to prevent this serious disease in horses. This would be analogous to man, where vaccination against oncogenic papillomavirus species is currently being used to help prevent cervical cancer.     

元江将举办2010·中国·元江红河谷金杧果文化旅游节

由云南省元江县政府、玉溪市旅游局、玉溪市商务局主办的2010·中国·元江红河谷金桩果文化旅游节于2010年6月11—13日在元江县隆重举办。本次活动以“激情柱果节、浪漫太阳城”为主题。是一次以金桩果节为契机．融经贸、旅游、民族文化活动于一体的大型节庆活动。     

Will Culling White‐Tailed Deer Prevent Lyme Disease?

White‐tailed deer play an important role in the ecology of Lyme disease. In the United States, where the incidence and geographic range of Lyme disease continue to increase, reduction of white‐tailed deer populations has been proposed as a means of preventing human illness. The effectiveness of this politically sensitive prevention method is poorly understood. We summarize and evaluate available evidence regarding the effect of deer reduction on vector tick abundance and human disease incidence. Elimination of deer from islands and other isolated settings can have a substantial impact on the reproduction of blacklegged ticks, while reduction short of complete elimination has yielded mixed results. To date, most studies have been conducted in ecologic situations that are not representative to the vast majority of areas with high human Lyme disease risk. Robust evidence linking deer control to reduced human Lyme disease risk is lacking. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to recommend deer population reduction as a Lyme disease prevention measure, except in specific ecologic circumstances.