TDP-43 mutations in familial and sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motor neuron disorder characterized pathologically by ubiquitinated TAR DNA binding protein (TDP-43) inclusions. The function of TDP-43 in the nervous system is uncertain, and a mechanistic role in neurodegeneration remains speculative. We identified neighboring mutations in a highly conserved region of TARDBP in sporadic and familial ALS cases. TARDBPM337V segregated with disease within one kindred and a genome-wide scan confirmed that linkage was restricted to chromosome 1p36, which contains the TARDBP locus. Mutant forms of TDP-43 fragmented in vitro more readily than wild type and, in vivo, caused neural apoptosis and developmental delay in the chick embryo. Our evidence suggests a pathophysiological link between TDP-43 and ALS.     

Veterinary pathology in the United Kingdom: past, present, and future

This article presents a historical perspective on veterinary anatomic pathology in the United Kingdom from the late nineteenth century to the present. Prior to World War II, the specialty was a rather general one that also included bacteriology and parasitology and was only slightly affected by strong Germanic developments in cell and tissue pathology. The few notable figures of this era include John McFadyean, Sidney Gaiger, and J.R.M Innes. The specialty developed strongly in the second half of the twentieth century, led by a small number of individuals, and was greatly aided by the development of specialist colleges and residency training. Key individuals of this era include W.F. Blakemore, Ernest Cotchin, R.J.M. Franklin, W.F.H. Jarrett, A.R. Jennings, and A.C. Palmer. A remarkable feature of this period has been the increased employment of veterinary pathologists in biomedical industry and in private diagnostic laboratories. While standards of pathology practice have benefited from the college initiatives, there are major financial constraints on the availability of funded training posts in the United Kingdom, and there remain considerable shortages in the supply of pathologists trained to contemporary standards. The acknowledged professional and scientific importance of veterinary pathology needs to be translated into effective financial support for the training that underpins competence in this specialty. Further developments seem likely to be dominated by advances in the technology of tissue handling, applications of molecular biology to pathology, and greater use of telepathology in teaching, in quality assurance, and in continuing professional development.     

Real time polymerase chain reaction for rapid and quantitative determination of Cystofilobasidium infirmominiatum on the surfaces of apple,pear, and sweet cherry fruit

The objectives of this study were to develop primers and a real time PCR protocol for the postharvest biocontrol yeast Cystofilobasidium infirmominiatum (Cim). The application of this technology was developed to quantify Cim on the surfaces of apple, two pear cultivars, and sweet cherry fruit treated over a range of concentrations. Statistically significant relationships were observed between Cim DNA on fruit surfaces, expressed as μg/m², and CFU/L of dip suspensions for apple, pear, and sweet cherry. In addition, the relationship for each fruit was significantly different from the other three fruits. Threshold values of concentrations of Cim DNA on the fruit surface were calculated based on regression equations and a dose of 2.0 × 10¹¹ CFU/L of dip suspension, the dose for optimum decay control, and were 4.8, 7.0, 16.5, and 25.2 μg/m² for Bosc pear, Lapins sweet cherry, d’Anjou pear, and Golden Delicious apple, respectively. Monitoring Cim DNA concentration on fruit surfaces will assure that Cim is being properly applied to fruit and that a sufficient number of cells are present for optimum decay control.     

Swine trichinosis in mid-atlantic slaughterhouses: Possible relationship to hog marketing systems

Digests of diaphragms from 33 482 hogs slaughtered in the mid-atlantic states were examined for the presence of Trichinella spiralis larvae. The samples were obtained from 7 slaughterhouses, ranging in slaughter capacity from less than 50 per day to more than 4000 per day. The sources of the hogs varied from “backyard” operations, raising hogs for home use, to commercial farms. The means by which hogs were brought to the slaughterhouse also differed; the larger slaughterhouses often purchased directly from the producer while the smaller slaughterhouses (1000 hogs per day or less) usually purchased through dealers or brokers. Infected hogs were detected more frequently than was expected from previously-published prevalence studies; overall, 0.58% of samples examined contained T. spiralis larvae. All of the infected hogs were marketed through the smaller slaughterhouses (less than 1000 per day) and nearly all were marketed through brokers. The mean number of larvae per gram of diaphragm, determined by slaugterhouses type, ranged from 0.5 to 74.6; most infections were light although 5 had counts of 1000–2480.Most of the positive samples were obtained from one slaughterhouse, the data from which exhibited marked differences in the frequency of infection by day of the week; 128 positive samples of the total of 190 found were obtained on Fridays, although only 10% of all samples were obtained on that day. Analysis of the geographic origin of shipments containing infected hogs revealed that most originated in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, although the hogs shipped from the latter state might originated in New England or Maryland. Attempts to trace back infected hogs for further epidemiological investigation were largely futile, owing to the absence of an identification system.     

Effect of creep feeding on structural and functional changes of the gut of early weaned pigs

Dose-dependent hypersensitivity responses mounted against antigenic constituents of creep feeds have been previously implicated in intestinal damage, digestive disorders and impaired performance of early weaned pigs. In the present study biochemical and histological investigations of the small intestine were undertaken to determine the putative relationship between creep feed level and hypersensitivity response in pigs weaned at 14 days. Creep feed was administered by gastric intubation and weaned pigs received the same diet by gastric intubation for five days. Mucosal structure and function at weaning were not affected by creep feeding regimen. Villus height decreased and crypt depth increased in weaned compared to suckled pigs, but morphology was unaffected by prior exposure to creep. Xylose absorption was not influenced by either creep feed level or weaning. Intraepithelial lymphocyte numbers increased during weaning but were not affected by the creep feeding regimen. Mucosal carbohydrase activity in weaned pigs was not significantly affected by preweaning treatment. The results do not support the hypothesis that post weaning changes in structure and function of the gut are related to creep feed level or to immune responses to dietary antigens.     

Forest soils research and changing societal needs and values

The 10th North American Forest Soils Conference was held in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, 20–24 July 2003. These conferences, held at 5-year intervals since 1958, are intended to provide a forum to discuss and summarize the state of knowledge on selected topics related to forest soils. Approximately 60 papers were presented on a variety of topics related to understanding and managing soils that support forests with particular emphasis given to field research, soil carbon, and site management/classification. We discuss the topics of this conference in relation to earlier ones and conclude that advances are made unevenly and that there is a need for new approaches to investigating many of the topics. We note the change in forest management that has occurred since the first of these conferences and the resulting changes needed in our approach to research and management. The need for interaction of scientists and clientele groups is noted as necessary for development of sound management and research policy. The interaction of scientific disciplines is needed to attack problems that have been difficult to elucidate. The challenge to forest soil scientists is to mesh their scientific interests with the needs of society to obtain the resources needed to advance science and provide information that will improve forest management.