International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria (INHAND) progress to date and future plans

The INHAND Proposal (International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria for Lesions in Rats and Mice) has been operational since 2005. A Global Editorial Steering Committee (GESC) manages the overall objectives of the project and the development of harmonized terminology for each organ system is the responsibility of the Organ Working Groups (OWG), drawing upon experts from North America, Europe and Japan.Great progress has been made with 9 systems published to date – Respiratory, Hepatobiliary, Urinary, Central/Peripheral Nervous Systems, Male Reproductive and Mammary, Zymbals, Clitoral and Preputial Glands in Toxicologic Pathology and the Integument and Soft Tissue and Female Reproductive System in the Journal of Toxicologic Pathology as supplements and on a web site – www.goreni.org. INHAND nomenclature guides offer diagnostic criteria and guidelines for recording lesions observed in rodent toxicity and carcinogenicity studies. The guides provide representative photo-micrographs of morphologic changes, information regarding pathogenesis, and key references. During 2012, INHAND GESC representatives attended meetings with representatives of the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Enterprise Vocabulary Services (EVS) to begin incorporation of INHAND terminology as preferred terminology for SEND (Standard for Exchange of Nonclinical Data) submissions to the FDA. The interest in utilizing the INHAND nomenclature, based on input from industry and government toxicologists as well as information technology specialists, suggests that there will be wide acceptance of this nomenclature. The purpose of this publication is to provide an update on the progress of INHAND.     

Properties of low-moisture viscoplastic materials consisting of oil droplets dispersed in a protein-carbohydrate-glycerol matrix: effect of oil concentration

The influence of oil concentration and baking on the properties of low-moisture composites consisting of oil droplets dispersed in a protein-carbohydrate-glycerol matrix was investigated. These composites were produced by blending canola oil, whey protein concentrate (WPC), corn syrup, and glycerol together using a high-speed mixer. The resulting system consisted of oil droplets dispersed in a polar matrix. Some composites were analyzed directly after preparation, while others were analyzed after being heated at 176 degrees C for 10 min to simulate baking. The "lightness" of the composites was greater before baking (higher L value), but the color was more intense after baking (higher a and b values). The lightness and color intensity of the composites decreased as the oil concentration increased, with the effects being more pronounced in the baked samples. The zeta potential of the oil droplets (measured after dilution at pH 6) was highly negative (approximately -40 mV), indicating that whey protein was adsorbed to the droplet surfaces. The mean particle diameter (measured after dilution at pH 6) increased appreciably after baking, which was attributed to droplet flocculation. The rheological properties of the unbaked and baked materials were characterized by squeezing flow viscometry, which showed that the measurements associated with consistency and yield stress increased with increasing oil concentration and with baking.     

Can Batesian mimicry help plants to deter herbivores?

Several authors have suggested that edible plants could avoid herbivory by mimicking olfactory cues of toxic plants. However, very few studies have been carried out to test this hypothesis. The aims of the present study were to identify the volatiles of three clover species and to test whether a species lacking chemical defences, such as red clover, could avoid being grazed by rabbits by mimicking the volatiles of the cyanogenic white clover. Two main volatiles were identified in all three clover species, and a further two volatiles were present in white clover only. Rabbits presented with a choice between white clover, red clover and red clover sprayed with white clover extract ate significantly more red clover than white or white-flavoured red clover. The results suggest that the volatiles of toxic plants could be used and exploited as a source of natural, safe and effective repellents to control the impact of pest herbivores on plants.     

Crown allometry and growing space requirements of four rare domestic tree species compared to oak and beech: implications for adaptive forest management

European Journal of Forest Research - Rare domestic tree species are increasingly being viewed as promising alternatives and additions to current main tree species in forests facing climate change....     

Gamna‐Gandy bodies: a case of mistaken identity in the spleen of a cat

A 4‐year‐old, female spayed Domestic Shorthair cat was presented for a 2‐day history of lethargy, anorexia, and vomiting. Diagnostic assessments revealed a severe, regenerative anemia and the presence of a solitary, 3 × 4 cm splenic mass. Cytologic examination of fine‐needle aspirates of the splenic mass showed sheets of pleomorphic histiocytic cells with numerous intracellular and extracellular, negatively staining to deeply basophilic, branching structures. These structures were typically of thin uniform thickness with random angled branching that formed geometrical shapes and fragments, occasionally with sharpened ends and a crystalline appearance. Septal‐like divisions were irregularly spaced along some of the linear branches. The cytology was interpreted as a probable histiocytic inflammatory response to the unidentified foreign material with histiocytic sarcoma as a differential diagnosis. Histopathologic evaluation of the splenic mass resulted in a diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma. The branching material stained positively for both iron and calcium, indicating that the material was compatible with Gamna‐Gandy bodies present secondary to tumor‐associated hemorrhage and the formation of calcium–iron complexes.     

Expression of retinoid receptors in lungs of cattle,dogs, and pigs

Retinoids play an important role in lung development and immune response. The effects of retinoids are mediated through 2 families of retinoid receptors: retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs), with alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) subtypes in each family. To date, no data exist on the expression pattern of retinoid receptors in lungs of cattle, dogs, and pigs. Because of the biomedical importance of retinoid receptors in inflammation and immune responses, Western blot, immunohistology, and immunoelectron microscopy were used to determine the expression of retinoid receptors in normal lungs of cattle, dogs, and pigs (n = 2 for each species). Western blot showed expression of all 6 retinoid receptor subtypes in pig lungs. Immunohistology data indicated differential expression of retinoid receptors in airway epithelium, vascular endothelium, alveolar/septal macrophages, and alveolar septum in all 3 species. Electron microscopy showed nuclear localization of retinoid receptors in neutrophils and pulmonary intravascular macrophages. Retinoic acid receptors (RAR) α subtype were localized in cytoplasmic vacuoles of pig monocytes. These data indicate constitutive expression of retinoid receptors in the lungs of cattle, dogs, and pigs.     

Colonization history and human translocations explain the population genetic structure of the noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) in Fennoscandia: Implications for the management of a critically endangered species

1. The noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) is an endangered freshwater species in Europe. The main threat is from lethal crayfish plague, caused by the oomycete Aphanomyces astaci that has been spread over Europe by introduced North American crayfish species, acting as chronic carriers of the disease.
2. Most of the remaining noble crayfish populations are found in the Baltic Sea area, and there is an urgent need to implement conservation actions to slow down or halt the extinction rate in this region. However, limited knowledge about the genetic structure of populations in this area has so far precluded the development of conservation strategies that take genetic aspects into consideration.
3. Key objectives of this large-scale genetic study, covering 77 locations mainly from northern Europe, were to describe the contemporary population genetic structure of the noble crayfish in the Fennoscandian peninsula (Sweden, Norway, and Finland), taking postglacial colonization history into account, and to evaluate how human activities such as stocking have affected the genetic structure of the populations.
4. Analyses of 15 microsatellite markers revealed three main genetic clusters corresponding to populations in northern, middle, and southern Fennoscandia, with measures of genetic diversity being markedly higher within populations in the southern cluster. The observed genetic structure probably mirrors two main colonizations of the Baltic Sea basin after the last glaciation period. At the same time, several deviations from this pattern were observed, reflecting past human translocations of noble crayfish.
5. The results are discussed in relation to the conservation and management of this critically endangered species. In particular, we recommend increased efforts to protect the few remaining noble crayfish populations in southern Fennoscandia and the use of genetic information when planning stocking activities, such as reintroductions following local extinctions.

     

Effect of aluminum uptake on growth and enzyme activity in Pisum sativum var. ‘Alaska’ and ‘Little Marvel’

It is usually assumed that plant tissue responses to nutritional elements are due to specific genetic differences that may exist either between inbred or closely related species. Little Marvel (dwarf) and Alaska (normal) varieties of 14‐day old pea seedlings were treated with four different concentrations of Al‐containing nutrient solution (0.0mM, 0.2mM, 0.6mM and distilled H₂O), prior to being exposed for 14 days to either DARK, LIGHT, or UV. Selected tissues (root tip, main root, main stem and proximal stem) were bioassayed for peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase enzyme activities, fresh wt vs. dry wt, water uptake and stem growth. The present study suggests that Little Marvel and Alaska pea tissue responds to high toxicity levels of Al by demonstrating an enhancement of enzymic activity. Tissue weight, growth and water uptake also show differential tissue specificity in both Little Marvel and Alaska tissue, in terms of Al toxicity response, given a particular external exposure.