Effects of leptin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha on degranulation and superoxide production of polymorphonuclear neutrophils from Holstein cows

Leptin, a pleiotropic hormone regulating food intake and energy expenditure, has been shown to directly modulate human polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) functions or indirectly through the action of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Bovine PMN have considerable different characteristics from human PMN. For example, it does not respond to N-formyl-Methionyl-Leucyl-phenylalanine, a well known human PMN activator. In the present study, we tested the effects of leptin and TNF-alpha on superoxide production and degranulation of bovine peripheral PMN, in which both long isoform of leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) and TNF receptor 1 were expressed. Human leptin, human TNF-alpha, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and opsonized zymosan particles (OZP) did not stimulate degranulation responses, while zymosan-activated serum (ZAS) did. Neither leptin nor TNF-alpha enhanced the ZAS-induced degranulation responses. TNF-alpha, PMA, OZP and ZAS increased superoxide production in different magnitudes, whereas leptin did not. TNF-alpha, but not leptin, enhanced OZP- and ZAS-induced superoxide production, possibly, in part due to facilitating translocation of p47(phox), a component of NADPH oxidase. These results indicate that, unlike in human PMN, leptin does not have any direct effect on degranulation and superoxide production in bovine PMN, although TNF-alpha influences superoxide production.     

Current status and prospects of farming the giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) in Bangladesh

Giant river prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) farming plays an important role in the economy of Bangladesh. Presently, it is cultured in around 50 000 ha area with total annual production of 23 240 t. Traditional extensive prawn farming has been expanding over the last three decades through the introduction and adoption of improved culture systems, such as culture of prawn‐carps, prawn‐shrimp‐fish and prawn‐fish‐rice as concurrent and rotational systems. Efforts for the development of improved techniques on broodstock management, seed production and rearing and grow‐out of prawn have been made over the last decade. The outcomes are low‐cost feed for broodstock, production of post‐larvae in net cages (hapa), all‐male prawn culture, periphyton based prawn‐tilapia culture, C/N based prawn culture, organic prawn farming, prawn‐mola culture and prawn‐carp‐mola polyculture. Despite the development of culture technologies, a number of challenges for sustainable development of prawn farming need to be overcome to realize the potentials of this promising sector. Good aquaculture practises at all levels and application of measures for quality control and food safety would ensure sustainable development of prawn farming in Bangladesh.     

Renal adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and pancreatic islet cell carcinoma in a binturong (Arctictis binturong).

A 19-yr-old binturong (Arctictis binturong) with acute upper respiratory disease was euthanized. Postmortem findings included hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic islet cell carcinoma, and renal adenocarcinoma with metastasis to the spleen, pleura, and pericardium. A link between primary hepatic and renal neoplasms has been noted in older humans.     

Relationship of toxoplasma infections to other diseases in dogs

Toxoplasma infection as detected by the immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test was found in 13.2% of 448 dogs examined at the Purdue University Small Animal Clinic. Only titres of 1/64 and above were considered positive, but lesser titers were encountered more frequently. The highest titer observed was 1/1024 in 2 dogs one of which had idiopathic epilepsy and the other had dirofilariasis as well as hip dysplasia. The incidence of positive sera from male and female dogs were 11.7 and 14.5%, respectively. The highest frequency of infection occurred in young dogs up to 4 years of age and the lowest was in older animals. The presence of the high toxoplasmosis IFA titers in the sera of dogs seems to be associated with other disease conditions. Stress such as joint dislocations, fractures, helminth parasitism, and concomitant bacterial and viral infections, etc., was observed in 62.7% of the positive cases. Presence of tumors and renal disease conditions were associated with 28.8 and 5.2%, respectively, of the positive sera.     

Non-suture intestinal anastomosis by invagination

Intestinal anastomoses were performed on seventeen mongrel dogs by non-suture invagination technique and by the conventional method. A comparative evaluation revealed the non-suture technique to be easier and less time-consuming. Also the tissue reaction was minimal. Encouraging results suggest further investigation prior to clinical trial of this relatively new technique. Résumé. Des anastomoses intestinales sur dix-sept chiens métis par l'invagination technique pas de suture et la méthode de convention. Une évaluation comparative a révélé que la technique pas de suture était plus facile et moins de temps était perdu. Aussi la réaction du tissu était minimum. Les résultats encourageants proposent un surcro***ît d'investigation antérieurement a l'expérience clinique de cette technique relativement plus nouvelle. Zusammenfassung. Die Darmanastomosen von siebzehn Mischhunden durch die Intussuscep-tiontecknik keiner Naht und die verabredete Methode. Eine vergleichende Abschatzung zeigte, daß die Tecknik keiner Naht leichter ist, und wenigere Zeitverschwendung hat. Auch war die Reaktion des Gewebes minderst. Die ermutigenden Ergebnisse suggerieren eine Forderung der Erforschung vor klinischem Versuch dieser Tecknik, die verhältnismäßig neuere ist.     

Penetration of malathion into locusts

Topically applied dilute solutions of malathion in kerosene extract ‘bottoms’ are more toxic and rapid in action than concentrated ones. Dilute solutions spread farther, penetrate more rapidly and consequently their rate of activation into the more toxic malaoxon is higher. With a single dose of 2·5% malathion the rate of penetration and activation varies according to the loci of topical application, presumably reflecting differences in sclerotisation of the cuticle. There are also inherent differences in the susceptibility of various body regions associated perhaps with the differential vulnerability of some vital internal organ (e.g. the central nervous system). Very rapid hydrolytic degradation of malathion occurs through its conversion into malaoxon; locusts survive the lethal action of malathion by way of such degradation only where activation into malaoxon takes place in areas away from the sensitive head region, or where the rate of activation is slow, or where the circulatory system delays its arrival at such sensitive sites. The higher rate of activation observable in immature adults of Schistocerca gregaria compared with mature adults is, however, counterbalanced by a higher rate of hydrolysis in the former.