Surveillance of Parapoxvirus Among Ruminants in Virginia and Connecticut

In 2008, two deer hunters in Virginia and Connecticut were infected with a unique strain of pseudocowpox virus, a parapoxvirus. To estimate the prevalence of this virus, and in an attempt to define the reservoir, Parapoxvirus surveillance was undertaken between November 2009 and January 2010. 125 samples from four ruminant species (cows, goat, sheep and white‐tailed deer) were collected in Virginia, and nine samples from white‐tailed deer were collected in Connecticut. We found no evidence that the parapoxvirus species that infected the deer hunters is circulating among domesticated ruminants or white‐tailed deer. However, parapoxvirus DNA of a different parapoxvirus species, bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV), was detected in 31 samples obtained from asymptomatic cattle in Virginia. Parapoxvirus DNA–positive cattle originated from the same counties indicating probable transmission among animals. Molecular analysis identified BPSV as the parapoxvirus affecting animals. Asymptomatic parapoxvirus infections in livestock, particularly young animals, may be common, and further investigation will inform our knowledge of virus transmission.     

Expression, purification and characterisation of recombinant Escherichia coli derived chicken interleukin-12

Zoonotic viruses, such as H5N1 Avian Influenza, pose major threats to both animals and humans, and with this in mind there is a need for the development of new anti-viral strategies. The cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12) is known to play a pivotal regulatory role in the anti-viral response due to its role in the induction of the key anti-viral cytokine IFN-gamma. Therefore, strategies which provide a means for the production of therapeutic quantities of IL-12 may be of major benefit. Here we describe the development of biologically active Escherichia coli (E. coli) derived chicken IL-12 (ChIL-12). The single chain ChIL-12 gene was cloned into the pET32b expression vector, transformed into the BL-21 E. coli strain and expression induced with IPTG. Over expressed protein was solubilised with zwittergent detergent and isolated utilising Nickel ion affinity chromatography. Biological activity was determined as ChIL-12 stimulated proliferation of pre-treated T-cells in vitro. This study is the first example of a biologically active E. coli derived IL-12 from a non-mammalian vertebrate subsequently providing a means for testing the anti-viral therapeutic potential of ChIL-12 in an in vivo model.     

A long-snouted predatory dinosaur from africa and the evolution of spinosaurids

Fossils discovered in Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) rocks in the Tenere Desert of central Niger provide new information about spinosaurids, a peculiar group of piscivorous theropod dinosaurs. The remains, which represent a new genus and species, reveal the extreme elongation and transverse compression of the spinosaurid snout. The postcranial bones include blade-shaped vertebral spines that form a low sail over the hips. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the enlarged thumb claw and robust forelimb evolved during the Jurassic, before the elongated snout and other fish-eating adaptations in the skull. The close phylogenetic relationship between the new African spinosaurid and Baryonyx from Europe provides evidence of dispersal across the Tethys seaway during the Early Cretaceous.     

Indirect selection for resistance to Stenocarpella maydis and Fusarium graminearum and the prospects of selecting for high‐yielding and resistant maize hybrids

Stenocarpella maydis and Fusarium graminearum affect grain yield and quality as a result of mycotoxins produced. A negative association of yield with resistance to cob rots has been reported. The objectives of this study were therefore to investigate the influence of cob characteristics on the response to F. graminearum and S. maydis disease reaction and evaluate the prospects of direct selection for high‐yielding and resistant maize hybrids. In this study, the pathogens were directly introduced to the cob through toothpick inoculation. Correlation of husk cover to disease severity of each pathogen, separately toothpick inoculated, was significant (P < 0.01). However, the low r values (<0.45) of traits associated with the response to inoculation by S. maydis and F. graminearum imply that indirect selection would not be beneficial for obtaining the type of resistance shown under inoculation. Several hybrids combined good yields with at least moderate resistance to both pathogens.     

Widespread divergence between incipient Anopheles gambiae species revealed by whole genome sequences

The Afrotropical mosquito Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto, a major vector of malaria, is currently undergoing speciation into the M and S molecular forms. These forms have diverged in larval ecology and reproductive behavior through unknown genetic mechanisms, despite considerable levels of hybridization. Previous genome-wide scans using gene-based microarrays uncovered divergence between M and S that was largely confined to gene-poor pericentromeric regions, prompting a speciation-with-ongoing-gene-flow model that implicated only about 3% of the genome near centromeres in the speciation process. Here, based on the complete M and S genome sequences, we report widespread and heterogeneous genomic divergence inconsistent with appreciable levels of interform gene flow, suggesting a more advanced speciation process and greater challenges to identify genes critical to initiating that process.     

Effect of location and season on body and testicular growth in Brahman and Hereford bulls

To determine the effects of location and season on growth of bulls, Hereford bulls from Montana (MH; n = 15) and Nebraska (NH; n = 15) and Brahman bulls from Texas and Louisiana (BB; n = 18) were moved to three locations: Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE) or Texas (TX). Each location received 5 NH, 5 MH and 6 BB. Control bulls (not relocated) were maintained at each location. All bulls were pubertal at the time of relocation in May 1984. At 28-d intervals, body weight, hip height, testis length and scrotal circumference were recorded for each bull for 22 mo after relocation. Paired testes volume (PTV) was calculated. Among Hereford bulls, body weights were similar (P greater than .10) in all control and relocated bulls by the end of the study, except that MH bulls moved to TX had lower body weights (P less than .01). Brahman bulls moved to northern locations had dramatically reduced body weights, compared to control Brahmans kept in TX; body weight of Brahman bulls in MT remained lower (P less than .01) at the end of the study. Brahman bulls in NE and MT had smaller scrotal circumference and PTV (P less than .01) than did control Brahmans in TX during the 1st yr after relocation. Relocated BB exhibited marked seasonal fluctuations in testis size, with increases during the summer and decreases during the winter (P less than .01); seasonal changes were not apparent in control Brahmans in TX. These results indicate that moving Brahman bulls to northern environments reduced body weight gain and caused dramatic seasonal changes in testis size; these effects were more pronounced in Brahman bulls moved to the most northern location.     

Plasma and liver concentrations of aP-tocopherol in weaner sheep after vitamin E supplementation

Changes in the plasma and liver concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in sheep kept in an animal house, grazed on pasture, grazed on pasture and fed an oat/lupin grain supplement, or grazed on toxic lupin stubble were monitored following no, oral or intramuscular administration of alpha-tocopherol. It was concluded that intramuscular administration was most effective because it caused longer periods of elevated plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations in most situations investigated and consistently higher concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in the liver, compared to oral administration. The dose rates of alpha-tocopherol given, the vehicle for alpha-tocopherol in the injectable preparation, the different diets consumed and the concurrent occurrence of lupinosis all influenced the results. In spite of this a significant positive correlation existed between the terminal liver and plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations.     

The concentration of estradiol-17 beta in bovine semen

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of age, breed, epididymectomy and semen processing on the concentration of estradiol-17 beta (E2) in bovine semen. Semen was collected either by electroejaculation or with an artificial vagina. Neat semen samples were stored at -20 C until analysis. Processed, frozen semen and an egg yolk-citrate semen extender were obtained from a commercial semen processing firm and stored in liquid nitrogen at -196 C. The concentration of E2 in semen was determined by radioimmunoassay. Semen from mature (greater than 24 mo), fertile Brahman (n = 19), Brangus (n = 16), Charolais (n = 29), Holstein (n = 15) and Santa Gertrudis (n = 25) bulls was analyzed for E2 concentration, and no difference (P greater than .10) between breeds was found. There was no difference (P greater than .10) in seminal E2 concentration between mature, fertile bulls (n = 104) and epididymectomized bulls (n = 22). In semen collected from prepuberal (12 to 16 mo, n = 21), peripuberal (17 to 20 mo, n = 17) and mature (greater than 24 mo, n = 19), Brahman bulls, the mature bulls had a lower (P less than .01) semen E2 concentration than peripuberal and prepuberal bulls. There were no differences (P greater than .10) in seminal E2 concentration among peripuberal Angus (n = 8), Hereford (n = 8) and Brahman (n = 17) bulls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in Sydney

Four hundred and four dogs from 9 pounds in Sydney were examined for circulating microfilariae and antigens of Dirofilaria immitis. One hundred of these were also examined post mortem for adult heartworms. The prevalence of infection in the 404 dogs as shown by serology was 11.4%, and 5.9% had circulating microfilariae of D immitis. Adult heartworms were present in 15 of 100 dogs. Dipetalonema reconditum microfilariae were present in 3.7% of dogs. Dirofilariosis is still a common and important parasite of dogs in the Sydney region and chemoprophylaxis is recommended.