Evaluation of techniques for detection of small trematode eggs in faeces of domestic animals

This study was conducted to evaluate techniques for detection of small trematode eggs in faeces of dogs, cats and pigs. Faecal samples from dogs (n=80), cats (n=35) and pigs (n=114) were examined by Kato-Katz technique (KK), formalin-ether sedimentation technique (FE) and a method of combining: filtration, sedimentation and centrifugation, developed at DBL - Centre for Health Research and Development (former Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory) (DBL). Necropsy was performed on 38 dogs, 25 cats and 16 pigs and was considered as a gold standard method for evaluation of the techniques. The results showed 100% specificity for the three techniques. Lower sensitivity was seen for the KK-technique in dog samples in comparison to that for DBL- and FE-technique. The sensitivity of the three techniques was similar in cats and pigs. Based on these findings and practical issues, DBL-technique was chosen as most suitable because the eggs were easily detected and quantified. No toxic chemicals or special equipment were required in comparison with FE-technique that needs ether solution and thus fume cupboards which are often unavailable in local veterinary centres in Vietnam and other developing countries.     

Effects of Exogenous Insulin on Luteolysis and Reproductive Cyclicity in the Mare

Insulin is a pancreatic hormone that classically regulates carbohydrate and fat metabolism, but also appears to play a role in various reproductive processes. A preliminary study suggested insulin production by day 10 to 18 equine conceptuses. The aim of the present study was to examine the hypothesis that insulin is the conceptus signal responsible for maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) in the mare, or otherwise influences reproductive cyclicity during the MRP period. Six Warmblood mares were treated daily during days 7 to 17 after ovulation of two successive oestrous cycles with either (short and intermediate acting) insulin or control saline. Mares were assigned randomly to treatment, and crossed over during the subsequent cycle. Time of ovulation and corpus luteum surface area were determined by serial transrectal ultrasonographic examination of the mares' ovaries, and daily jugular vein blood samples were analysed for progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations. On day 14 of dioestrus, the luteolytic drive was examined by measuring systemic 15-ketodihydroprostaglandin F_{2 α} (PG-metabolite) release in response to oxytocin challenge. In addition, yolk sac fluid recovered from 32 day 10 to 14 equine conceptuses was analysed for insulin concentrations. Insulin administration did not affect luteal size, dioestrus length, the interovulatory interval, or circulating LH concentrations. Insulin administration also failed to suppress oxytocin-induced PGF_{2 α} release, and tended to depress systemic progesterone concentrations. Finally, insulin could not be detected in the yolk sac fluid of day 10 to 14 equine conceptuses by radio-immunoassay. It is concluded that insulin administered daily during days 7 to 17 of dioestrus has little or no effect on reproductive cyclicity in the mare, and is unlikely to be the MRP signal.     

CD4+ and CD8+ T- lymphocytopenia in a filly with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

Decreased proportion of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood likely contributed to susceptibility to Pneumocystis carinii in a foal. Cytological evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage was required for identification of the pathogen and serial flow-cytometric analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes documented transient low expression of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Although immunodeficiency is uncommon, it must be included in the differential diagnosis for patients suffering from chronic or opportunistic infections and may provide an indication for immunostimulant therapy.     

Hydrolysed feather protein as a source of amino acids for laying hens

1. The value of hydrolysed feather protein (HFM), included at 70 g/kg in a wheat‐based diet, as an amino acid source for laying hens was determined.

2. Egg production was reduced in hens fed on diets containing HFM owing to a deficiency in lysine, methionine and tryptophan.

3. Supplementation of the diet containing HFM with 3'0 g lysine (as L‐lysine HC1), 0.7g DL‐methionine and 0.5g L‐tryptophan per kilogram, resulted in a daily egg mass output similar to that achieved with a conventional layers’ diet.     

miRNA and piRNA expression profiles of breeder cock testes detected by next‐generation sequencing

miRNAs are small non‐coding regulatory RNAs that play key roles in diverse biological processes. In this study, we used the Solexa sequencing technique to profile miRNAs in breeder cock testes to illustrate their functions. A total of 663 co‐expressed miRNAs and 3,180 co‐expressed piRNAs were detected in three libraries. Based on Mir‐X^? miRNA qRT‐PCR, three miRNAs representing low, medium and high expression levels according to the sequencing results were selected randomly to validate the miRNAs' expression profiles. Results suggested that the miRNA expression profiles data could represent actual miRNA expression levels. Moreover, target genes prediction of the co‐expressed miRNAs and further Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were performed, which revealed that some candidate miRNAs were involved in the regulation of the spermatogenesis process, spermatozoa function and testicular metabolism. In conclusion, we provided a useful resource for further elucidation of the miRNAs' regulatory role in spermatogenesis, contributing to a preliminary database for functional and molecular mechanistic studies in testicular metabolism, spermatogenesis and other testes functions.     

Trace Metal Contamination During Grinding of Plant Samples

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopic (ICP-MS) analysis of leaves from 22 cabbage crops in the Sa P? and B?c Hà districts of Láo Cai Province, North-Western Vi?t Nam, revealed unexpectedly high concentrations of chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni). The concentrations were strongly linearly related (r² = 0.94), indicating sample contamination during grinding through a stainless-steel hammer mill. We tested this hypothesis in two ways. First, brown rice ground through the same mill was contaminated not only by Cr and Ni, but also cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) and molybdenum (Mo). Second, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive analysis of x-rays (SEM/EDS) of the ground samples revealed small fragments with co-located Fe, Cr and Ni, consistent with stainless steel wear fragments. Other grinders may perform differently and we suggest that quality assurance protocols for trace metal analysis of plants should include testing for grinder wear metals. Lastly, brown rice appears to be convenient for investigating contamination of plant tissues during grinding.     

Fullerene pipes

Single-wall fullerene nanotubes were converted from nearly endless, highly tangled ropes into short, open-ended pipes that behave as individual macromolecules. Raw nanotube material was purified in large batches, and the ropes were cut into 100- to 300-nanometer lengths. The resulting pieces formed a stable colloidal suspension in water with the help of surfactants. These suspensions permit a variety of manipulations, such as sorting by length, derivatization, and tethering to gold surfaces.     

Circular polarization in star- formation regions: implications for biomolecular homochirality

Strong infrared circular polarization resulting from dust scattering in reflection nebulae in the Orion OMC-1 star-formation region has been observed. Circular polarization at shorter wavelengths might have been important in inducing chiral asymmetry in interstellar organic molecules that could be subsequently delivered to the early Earth by comets, interplanetary dust particles, or meteors. This could account for the excess of L-amino acids found in the Murchison meteorite and could explain the origin of the homochirality of biological molecules.