Synovial Fluid Studies in Navicular Disease

The purpose of this study was to investigate biochemical changes in synovial fluid in navicular disease, and to establish if synovial fluid from the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) could be used diagnostically to assess alterations in the synovial fluid of the navicular bursa. Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), total glycosaminoglycans (GAG), hyaluronan (HA), metalloproteinases 2 and -9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and total protein (TP) levels were determined in synovial fluids obtained from 18 navicular bursae and 35 DIP -joints from animals suffering from navicular disease, and the same synovial structures in 16 joints of horses with no evidence of abnormalities involving the foot. To avoid dilution effects, GAG/COMP, HA/COMP, MMP-2/ COMP and MMP-9/COMP ratios were also calculated for different synovial cavities. There was a good correlation, for COMP, GAG, HA, MMP-2 and TP levels, between synovial fluid from the navicular bursa and fluid from the DIP -joint in healthy animals. However, in animals with navicular disease, only COMP levels showed no difference between the navicular bursal fluid and the DIP-joint fluid concentration. Thus, enabling the use of COMP to standardise other biochemical concentration measurements from the synovial joint fluids. In horses with navicular disease, there was a significantly lower absolute concentration of GAG, and a significantly lower GAG/COMP ratio, in the synovial fluid of the navicular bursa and the DIP-joint compared to synovial fluid from the same joints from healthy horses. In contrast, the absolute HA concentration and HA/ COMP, MMP-2/COMP and MMP-9/COMP ratios were higher in synovial fluid from the DIP-joint of horses with navicular disease, and MMP-2 and MMP-9 relative activity levels and MMP-2/COMP and MMP-9/ COMP ratios were increased in fluid from navicular bursae in horses with navicular disease when compared to a control group.     

Interleukin-1-like activity in synovial fluids and sera of horses with arthritis

Synovial fluid samples of horses with osteoarthritis were investigated to detect interleukin-1 (IL-1) activity which could contribute to the disease pathogenesis. Of the 32 samples tested, 12 (37.5 per cent) showed an augmented phytohaemagglutinin induced proliferation of C3H/HeJ mouse thymocytes. Positive results were also seen in horses with infected arthritis, osteochondritis, traumatic arthritis and undefined synovial effusions. Normal synovial fluid and sera from all groups failed to show any detectable IL-1 activity. Fractionation of synovial fluid showed that the IL-1 activity was in the 15 to 20 Kd fractions. In the absence of mitogen, synovial fluid failed to stimulate thymocytes and did not stimulate the growth of an interleukin-2 (IL-2) dependent CTLL cell line, but synovial fluid stimulated IL-2 release by mouse spleen cells incubated with suboptimal doses of lectin. Evidence of an IL-1 inhibitor in synovial fluid from osteoarthritic horses was provided by ultrafiltration experiments and by the inhibitory activity of synovial fluid at particular dilutions in the thymocyte assay. The presence of IL-1-like activity could be relevant in the pathogenesis of arthritis in horses.     

Dinoflagellates: fossil motile-stage tests from the upper cretaceous of the northern new jersey coastal plain

Fossil dinoflagellate tests have been considered to represent encysted, nonmotile stages. The discovery of flagellar porelike structures and probable trichocyst pores in the Upper Cretaceous genus Dinogymnium suggests that motile stage tests are also preserved as acid-resistant, organic-walled microfossils.     

Factors associated with long-term survival in dogs undergoing liver lobectomy as treatment for liver tumors

The objectives of the study were to describe clinicopathologic findings in dogs that underwent surgical treatment of liver tumors and to define outcome-associated variables in this canine population. Medical records of 118 dogs that underwent liver lobectomy were reviewed. Variables were assessed via univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Hazard ratios, median survival times (MSTs), and Kaplan-Meier Survival curves (KMSCs) were created for significant variables. Of the dogs with surgically addressed hepatic tumors, 93% survived to discharge. The MST was not reached. Lethargic dogs had a mortality risk 10.2 times that of non-lethargic dogs. Non-tachypneic dogs had a mortality risk 4.3 times that of tachypneic dogs. Dogs that experienced anesthetic complications had a mortality risk 100 times that of dogs that did not. We conclude that the prognosis associated with liver tumors is good. Lethargy, respiratory rate, and anesthetic complications were associated with outcome.     

Monitoring saline intrusion in the Ayeyarwady Delta,Myanmar, using data from the Sentinel-2 satellite mission

Paddy and Water Environment - Summer rice cannot be grown near the coast of the Ayeyarwady Delta, Myanmar, because of the high salinity in river water during the dry season. This means that saline...     

NFAT binding and regulation of T cell activation by the cytoplasmic scaffolding Homer proteins

T cell receptor (TCR) and costimulatory receptor (CD28) signals cooperate in activating T cells, although understanding of how these pathways are themselves regulated is incomplete. We found that Homer2 and Homer3, members of the Homer family of cytoplasmic scaffolding proteins, are negative regulators of T cell activation. This is achieved through binding of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and by competing with calcineurin. Homer-NFAT binding was also antagonized by active serine-threonine kinase AKT, thereby enhancing TCR signaling via calcineurin-dependent dephosphorylation of NFAT. This corresponded with changes in cytokine expression and an increase in effector-memory T cell populations in Homer-deficient mice, which also developed autoimmune-like pathology. These results demonstrate a further means by which costimulatory signals are regulated to control self-reactivity.     

The speciation of some tributyltin compounds using Mössbauer spectroscopy in different estuarine sediments

The speciation of several tributyltin (TBT) compounds used in marine antifouling paints was studied by tin Mössbauer spectroscopy in both spiked anoxic and oxic estuarine sediments. These compounds included TBT acetate, chloride, fluoride, and oxide. To assist in the determination of the products, possible speciation products were also examined: TBT carbonate, sulfate, and sulfide. The study indicated that TBTF remains in its polymeric form after interaction with both types of sediments. TBT sulfate is unaltered in the spiked sediments. The data reported in this paper support the hypothesis that the speciation of the other TBT compounds examined in spiked sediments depends upon the nature of the sediment.     

An analysis of self-reported joint pain among New York farmers

Data from the telephone interview portion of the New York State Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Project were used to study the prevalence and predictors of joint pain in a cohort of farmers and farm residents. The participants were owner/operators, workers, and residents from a representative sample of farms from 12 New York counties. A total of 1706 participants completed a telephone interview on musculoskeletal conditions. Joint trouble was defined as self-reported aches, pain, or discomfort in the past year in each of five different joint areas. The 12-month prevalence of joint trouble was: lower back 41%, neck/shoulders 35%, knees 29%, hands/wrists 28%, and hips 15%. Using logistic regression modeling, significant risk factors for joint trouble were identified (p < 0.05). Older age and being female increased the risk of aches, pain, or discomfort in most joints. Being the owner/operator increased the risk of neck/shoulder and lower back trouble, and being a worker increased the risk of neck/shoulder trouble. Doing tractor work was associated with trouble in all five joint areas, and milking was associated with knee trouble. These findings indicate that personal risk factors and the intensity and nature of the farm work contribute to joint trouble. Ergonomic improvements to tractors and milking facilities should be a high priority.