Necrotizing typhlocolitis associated with a spirochete in rheas (Rhea americana).

Necrotizing typhlocolitis was diagnosed in 13 juvenile common rheas (Rhea americana) from three separate of geographically isolated Ohio flocks, with mortality ranging from 25% to 80%. At postmortem examination, a diphtheritic membrane covered ulcerated cecal mucosa. Histologically, cecal sections showed necrosis and granulomatous-to-suppurative inflammation that extended into the submucosa and often surrounded large eosinophilic colonies of bacteria. Warthin-Starry staining showed these colonies to be composed of entangled spirochetes that invaded the submucosa and frequently were present transmurally. Similar organisms were identified by Warthin-Starry staining in the cecum of a juvenile rhea from a fourth flock that histologically had mild lymphocytic typhlitis. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of a spirochete in the ceca. Anaerobic culture yielded a gram-negative, beta-hemolytic spirochete. Coccidia, histomonads, and Salmonella spp. were consistently absent.     

Energy resources available to the United States, 1985 to 2000

Energy and the gross national product have grown hand in hand at 3 to 3(1/2) percent a year for almost 40 years. Our energy growth is slowing down and will sentially level off in the 1990's. Our production of oil and gas passed a peak in the early 1970's, and there is no resource base to justify predictions of increased yields. Coal is the only fossil fuel capable of increased production. There are serious doubts that our uranium resources can support a large light-water reactor program. Finding rates for petroleum, natural gas, and uranium are less than half of what they were 20 years ago.     

Mode of action of the systemic fungicides furalaxyl,metalaxyl and ofurace

The systemic fungicides furalaxyl, metalaxyl and ofurace,

1 Ofurace is the proposed BSI and ISO common name for α-(2-chloro-N-2,6-xylylacetamido)-γ-butyrolactone.

used to control diseases caused by phycomycetes, were extremely active in vitro against Pythium ultimum, Phytophthora nicotianae and Phytophthora palmivora. Sporangia production was reduced more than mycelial growth but germination of sporangia and zoospores was relatively unaffected. Less than 1% of the metalaxyl or furalaxyl, present in media at the ED₅₀ for hyphal growth, was firmly absorbed by Phyt. palmivora mycelium; uptake was against a concentration gradient and was characterised by a rapid accumulation followed by a more gradual release. Respiration and wall synthesis were not inhibited, whilst membrane permeability was unaffected. Lipid patterns were altered but these changes were probably of secondary importance. The fungicides inhibited protein and nucleic acid synthesis; RNA production was particularly affected. There was some evidence of a reduction in nuclear division. The primary effect of furalaxyl and metalaxyl probably involves impaired biosynthesis of RNA so that mitosis is inhibited; ofurace may act in the same way.     

Oral malignant melanoma – the effect of coarse fractionation radiotherapy alone or with adjuvant carboplatin therapy

A retrospective study was undertaken of dogs presented to the Animal Health Trust for treatment of oral malignant melanoma, without radiographic evidence of pulmonary metastases. Group 1 (n = 13) received radiotherapy of the primary and any lymph node metastases (4 weekly fractions of 9 Gy); and group 2 (n = 15) were treated the same but additionally received between two and six doses carboplatin at 300 mg m^?2 every 3 weeks. Median survival times for the two groups were 307 and 286 days, respectively (P > 0.05). In addition, carboplatin therapy did not significantly reduce the proportion of dogs dying due to metastases (three from group 1 and four from group 2). We found no evidence of a beneficial effect of carboplatin therapy over radiotherapy alone.     

Flow Cytometry Identification of X- and Y-Chromosome-Bearing Goat Spermatozoa

Flow cytometric sorting technology was used to measure the difference in DNA content between X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa in bucks. Spermatozoa were analysed by flow cytometry to characterize X- and Y-chromosome-bearing sperm populations and to quantify the DNA difference between them. Two symmetrical, overlapping and clearly separated peaks, corresponding to X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa, were detected. The difference in fluorescence intensity between the peaks was 4.4 +/- 0.03% without any significant inter- or intra-animal variations. Therefore, the identification and selection of high-purity samples of sperm populations for sex sorting is easier in bucks compared with other domestic species.     

Review: The strobilurin fungicides

The original article to which this Correction refers was published in Pest Management Science 58 (7): 649–662 (2002).Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry