Potato wart disease in Newfoundland: a review of current research studies1

Research includes studies on germination of resting spores, substances affecting infection, eradication, bioassay for Synchytrium endobioticum, and sub-surface vectoring of the fungus. The sequence of events in germination has been exposed and the mechanisms of germination are currently being studied. Chitin and in particular crabshell induce zero infection, and there is promise in using these materials as eradicants. Using the bioassay so far developed, it is possible to assay for 0.1 spore per g of soil. There is evidence that the fungus can migrate in soil through the agency of vector animals. Problems long posed by this disease now seem soluble.     

植物活体水分探测仪的研制及测试初报

利用NIM插件探测器及金硅面垒探头组装了植物活体水分探测仪;筛选并分析了仪器的最佳工作条件;检测了春小麦、玉米、苜蓿、豌豆、红豆草叶片鲜重的变化。结果表明;叶片水分随时间损失大的,其抗旱性差。叶片保水的秩序为:红豆草、豌豆>苜蓿>春小麦>玉米。     

Crystals of cellulose grown from TFA solution

Summary Crystallization experiments starting from highly concentrated solutions of cellulose in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) resulted in white crystalline particles with diameters of as much as 0.5 mm. The plate-like particles consist of lamellae arranged perpendicular to the surface. The lamellae are grown from thin scale-like platelets showing clear diffraction reflexes and an internal parallel structure. Parallel structures were also detected in partially hydrolyzed cellulose. It is concluded that cellulose chains of low DP tend to rearrange themselves by a side by side accumulation of extended molecules.     

Subchondral lucency of the third carpal bone in Standardbred racehorses: 13 cases (1982-1988)

Thirteen Standardbreds had subchondral lucency of the third carpal bone (C3), described as single or multiple central areas of C3 bone loss in the radial fossa. Sclerosis of the radial fossa was also detected. The mean age of 9 stallions, 3 mares, and 1 gelding was 4.1 years (range, 3 to 7 years). All horses had an acute moderate to severe lameness referable to the middle carpal joint. A dorsoproximal dorsodistal (skyline) radiographic projection was most useful and identified mild (3 horses), moderate (6 horses), and severe (4 horses) subchondral lucency and sclerosis of the radial fossa. The margin of C3 was intact dorsal to the lucent areas in all horses. In 12 horses, arthroscopic surgical evaluation and curettage of the lesion were performed. Of the 9 horses monitored long enough to allow racing, 8 horses (89%) returned to racing, although only 6 (75%) raced at the same degree of competition. Subchondral lucency of C3 resulted from chronic damage to C3 with subsequent osteochondral collapse or acute C3 proximal surface osteochondral fracture.     

The woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagothricha): a possible model for human hypertension research

The anatomical-pathological findings of 15 woolly monkeys were comparable with those described in man with essential benign or malignant hypertension. Kidneys revealed arterio- and arteriolosclerosis or an onion peel-like proliferation, in some cases necrotizing endarteritis. Obesity due to restricted physical activity, unnatural feeding, and psychical and physical stress could have contributed to the development of this condition. Further, high vulnerability of the genus woolly monkey is postulated. Thus, essential hypertension of woolly monkeys appears to be a multifactorial disease.     

Clinical reference values for serum protein electrophoresis for the llama (Lama glama)

Serum protein electrophoresis was performed on 71 clinically healthy juvenile and adult llamas (6 juvenile males, 7 juvenile females, 25 adult males, 13 adult females, and 20 pregnant females) to determine normal serum protein concentrations. Values were reported for each of the 5 groups because the groups were not homogeneous in all 8 peaks. Although the values reported here may serve as reference values for adults, they represent only a guideline for the juveniles because of the limited number of animals in each of these groups.     

Evaluation of three strip tests for measuring electrolytes in mares' pre-partum mammary secretions and for predicting parturition

Three strip test kits which measure calcium and/or magnesium in mares' mammary secretions were compared and assessed for their accuracy in:- 1) measuring these electrolytes compared to standard laboratory measurements, and 2) predicting the time of parturition. Daily samples of mammary secretions were obtained pre-partum from 35 Thoroughbred mares and allocated a score. Measurement of mammary secretion calcium and/or magnesium by the strip tests and laboratory methods correlated significantly (P less than 0.001). The results obtained for prediction of parturition were analysed by two methods. Method i) indicated that the majority of mares had a maximum score on the day of birth. However, the second method of analysis included all prepartum scores and this demonstrated that maximum scores occurred on more occasions prior to the day of birth than on the day of birth itself. The number of nights spent attending mares, and the percentage of occasions when foaling was missed, were also calculated for given strip test scores. The results indicate that the test kits are not particularly accurate in predicting time of parturition although they are a reliable means of measuring mammary secretion calcium and/or magnesium. It is suggested that the test kits may be more helpful by indicating when it is not necessary to attend mares at night.     

Gas exchange in swine before, during and after motor activity of different intensity and length

4 female and 2 male untrained fattening pigs, weighing 43.9 +/- 1.6 kg at the beginning of the experiment underwent continuous measurement of VO2, VCO2, and rectal temperature, prior to, during, and after running on a horizontal exercise belt set to speeds of 0.7, 1.3, and 2.5 m.s-1. The highest values of VO2 and VCO2 (ml-min-1/kg-1) and rectal temperature (degrees C) were usually measured few minutes after running. They were 18.84 +/- 3.65 and 20.4 +/- 4.53 as well as 41.2 +/- 0.4, 28.41 +/- 4.07 and 33.26 +/- 5.92 or 41.3 +/- 0.5, 26.21 +/- 7.7 and 32.32 +/- 7.14 as well as 40.5 +/- 0.7, depending on the above belt speeds. Exercise belt speeds of 1.3 to 1.8 m.s-1 were found to be suitable for testing aerobic metabolic capacity of untrained young pigs.     

Ultrastructure of sarcocysts from water buffalo in India

The ultrastructure of sarcocysts of macro- and microscopic species of Sarcocystis was compared from naturally infected water buffalo from India. Grossly visible sarcocysts had walls consisting of cauliflower-like villar protrusions, typical of S. fusiformis. The sarcocyst wall of the microscopic species of Sarcocystis was 6.4 microns thick and consisted of tightly packed conical villar protrusions that were 9.6 microns long and 3.7 microns wide at the base. At approximately 3 microns above the base, the distal two-thirds of the villar protrusion became conical shaped and was bent laterally at an angle of 45 degrees to the sarcocyst surface. The granular layer beneath the villar protrusions was 0.9 microns thick. In S. levinei the granular layer was 1.9 microns thick, the villar protrusions were narrow and it had a highly undulating primary cyst wall. Whether the microscopic S. levinei-like sarcocysts of Indian and Malaysian water buffalo are distinct species of Sarcocystis will require further investigation.     

Isolation, characterization and in vitro mitogenic stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes from an American buffalo.

A rapid and reproducible method is described for the isolation and characterization of leukocytes from the peripheral blood of an American buffalo (bison). Centrifugation of the buffy coat cells on a Percoll gradient (1.079 g/mL) at 650 x g for 20 min resulted in the separation and high yields of pure viable leukocytes. The sheep erythrocyte-rosetting technique (ER) showed that 59% of the cells were ER+ (T lymphocytes). Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated peanut agglutinin and FITC-conjugated concanavalin A revealed 77% and 89% positive cells, respectively. The isolated leukocytes contained adherent accessory cells and functionally active T and B lymphocytes which proliferated in response to both T and B cell mitogens and to exogenous recombinant bovine interleukin-2 in the absence and/or presence of the thiol compound 2-mercaptoethanol.