Evaluation of the background for determination of vitamin requirements in pigs

The effects of vitamins on important production and performance traits have been evaluated from the present knowledge of the functions of vitamins in the organism and the effects of deficient and excess supplies.It is concluded that there is a lack of current knowledge on almost all aspects of quantitative metabolism of vitamins. Stress is laid on our need to understand problems of availability and sensitive parameters indicating the vitamin status of the organism.A clear distinction between the scientific determination of requirements, and the allowances recommended by advisers is emphasized. A safety margin has to be added to estimates of requirements to cover farm conditions.     

Giant Neutrophil Granules in the Chediak-Higashi Syndrome of Man, Mink, Cattle and Mice

The percent of conventionally stained circulating neutrophils containing abnormal giant granules in Chediak-Higashi mink, cattle and mice is highly variable and strikingly less than the 100% found in neutrophils from similarly affected humans. In contrast, using either peroxidase or Sudan Black, it can be demonstrated that 100% of circulating neutrophils in all affected individuals of the four species studied contain the abnormal granules. Minor species differences in the shape of the granules were noted. The significance of these findings as well as the variations in granular staining by the several techniques employed are discussed.     

EVALUATION OF STANDARD MAGNETIC RESONANCE CHARACTERISTICS USED TO DIFFERENTIATE NEOPLASTIC,INFLAMMATORY, AND VASCULAR BRAIN LESIONS IN DOGS

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics are commonly used to help predict intracranial disease categories in dogs, however, few large studies have objectively evaluated these characteristics. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate MR characteristics that have been used to differentiate neoplastic, inflammatory, and vascular intracranial diseases in a large, multi‐institutional population of dogs. Medical records from three veterinary teaching hospitals were searched over a 6‐year period for dogs that had diagnostic quality brain MR scans and histologically confirmed intracranial disease. Three examiners who were unaware of histologic diagnosis independently evaluated 19 MR lesion characteristics totaling 57 possible responses. A total of 75 dogs with histologically confirmed intracranial disease were included in analyses: 51 with neoplasia, 18 with inflammatory disease, and six with cerebrovascular disease. Only strong contrast enhancement was more common in neoplasia than other disease categories. A multivariable statistical model suggested that extra‐axial origin, T2‐FLAIR mixed intensity, and defined lesion margins were also predictive of neoplasia. Meningeal enhancement, irregular lesion shape, and multifocal location distinguished inflammatory diseases from the other disease categories. No MR characteristics distinguished vascular lesions and these appeared most similar to neoplasia. These results differed from a previous report describing seven MR characteristics that were predictive of neoplasia in dogs and cats. Findings from the current study indicated that the high performance of MR for diagnosing canine intracranial diseases might be due to evaluator recognition of combinations of MR characteristics vs. relying on any one MR characteristic alone.     

Hereditary early-onset Parkinson's disease caused by mutations in PINK1

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. We previously mapped a locus for a rare familial form of PD to chromosome 1p36 (PARK6). Here we show that mutations in PINK1 (PTEN-induced kinase 1) are associated with PARK6. We have identified two homozygous mutations affecting the PINK1 kinase domain in three consanguineous PARK6 families: a truncating nonsense mutation and a missense mutation at a highly conserved amino acid. Cell culture studies suggest that PINK1 is mitochondrially located and may exert a protective effect on the cell that is abrogated by the mutations, resulting in increased susceptibility to cellular stress. These data provide a direct molecular link between mitochondria and the pathogenesis of PD.     

Enhancement of growth of virulent strains of Escherichia coli by interleukin-1.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a polypeptide cytokine that mediates many physiological responses to infection and inflammation and is a growth factor for certain mammalian cells. Virulent and avirulent clinical isolates of Escherichia coli were grown in culture media in the presence of human IL-1. IL-1 beta, but not tumor necrosis factor or IL-4, enhanced the growth of virulent, but not avirulent, E. coli. This enhancement was blocked by the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). Radiolabeled IL-1 bound to virulent but not avirulent E. coli in a specific and saturable fashion; IL-1ra inhibited this binding. Thus, human IL-1 may recognize a functional IL-1-like receptor structure on virulent E. coli and may be a virulence factor for bacterial pathogenicity.     

Detection of a novel herpesvirus associated with squamous cell carcinoma in a free-ranging Blanding’s turtle

The spread of both infectious and noninfectious diseases through wildlife populations is of increasing concern. Neoplastic diseases are rarely associated with population-level impacts in wildlife; however, impacts on individual health can be severe and might reflect deteriorating environmental conditions. An adult male free-ranging Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) originally captured in 2005 and deemed healthy, was recaptured in 2018 with a 1 × 1.5 cm intra-oral broad-based right mandibular mass. An excisional biopsy was performed, and histopathology revealed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Consensus herpesvirus PCR identified a novel herpesvirus (proposed name Emydoidea herpesvirus 2 [EBHV-2]) within the tumor. EBHV-2 shares 85% sequence homology with Terrapene herpesvirus 2 (TerHV-2), a herpesvirus linked to fibropapillomas in eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina). Virus-associated fibropapillomas have been identified in multiple marine turtle species and have had debilitating effects on their populations, but to date, virus-associated SCCs are rarely reported.