Serologic and cross-protection studies with several infectious bronchitis virus isolates from Delmarva-reared broiler chickens

Five isolates, from broiler-type chickens, capable of causing acute respiratory disease were identified as infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). The agar-gel precipitin (AGP) test was effective in identifying the isolates as IBV. Virus-neutralization (VN) and cross-challenge tests indicated two of the isolates to be Massachusetts types and one to be a JMK type. The remaining isolates were different from strains normally encountered in chickens reared on the Delmarva Peninsula. One isolate, although serologically similar to the Connecticut strain, was able to infect Connecticut-virus-immune chickens. Another isolate was similar to Arkansas 99, a strain not previously reported in Delmarva.     

Modulation of Ovarian Function in Female Dogs Immunized with Bovine Luteinizing Hormone Receptor

Adult female dogs were immunized with 0.5 mg bovine luteinizing hormone receptor (LH-R) encapsulated in a silastic subdermal implant and subsequently with four intramuscular booster injections of 0.1 mg LH-R each. Circulating LH-R antibody was detected in the sera 3 weeks post-implant. The appearance of LH-R antibody was associated with a decline in the serum progesterone concentrations to a range of 0–0.5 ng/ml until day 365 in the immunized dogs in comparison with a range of 5–10 ng in the control animals, suggesting a lack of ovulation and corpus luteum function in immunized dogs. The immunized dogs did not show signs of `standing heat' and failed to ovulate when induced by LH-RH challenge. Serum oestradiol levels, however, remained in the range of 30–40 pg/ml in both the immunized and the control dogs. With the decline in the antibody titres, the hormonal profile and vaginal cytology returned to a fertile state and the dogs exhibited signs of `standing heat', as well as vaginal bleeding. Dogs immunized with LH-R did not show any serious metabolic, local or systemic adverse effects. The hypothalamic–pituitary gonadal axis remained intact as indicated by little difference in pituitary LH levels between control and immunized animals, and by the release of LH by LH-RH challenge. These studies demonstrate that active immunization of female dogs with LH-R could immunomodulate ovarian function to cause a reversible state of infertility. It may be postulated that, due to extensive interspecies homology, a recombinant LH receptor-based immunocontraceptive vaccine may also be effective in other vertebrates.     

Comparisons of Uptake and Depuration of 2-Methylisoborneol in Male, Female, Juvenile, and 3MC-induced Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus

The occurrence of off-flavors in farm-raised channel catfish is a major burden to the catfish culture industry, causing millions of dollars worth of market-ready fish to be rejected each year. Off-flavors are believed to be the result of exposure and subsequent accumulation of certain volatile microbial metabolites such as 2-methylisoborneol. In this study, the uptake and elimination of [¹⁴C]-2-methylisoborneol equivalents were examined in juvenile and mature channel catfish. The described method is presented as a simple and inexpensive procedure for comparing treatment effects on off-flavor elimination rates. In addition, the effects of the cytochrome P4501A inducing agent 3-methylcholanthrene on 2-methylisoborneol depuration was studied in juvenile fish. Uptake was determined during a 24–h static exposure to waterborne 2-methylisoborneol (7.6 ± 3.7 μg/L). Uptake equilibrium had been established in all groups by 12 h, with total uptake higher in juvenile fish. Depuration rates were not different between untreated groups (t_½ a = 12.r122.4 h; t_½β= 91.3–143.7 h); however, the depuration half-lives for 3-methylcholanthrene treated juveniles were significantly longer than those of controls.     

Effect of radiographic positioning on the heart shadow in dogs

Dorsoventral thoracic radiographs of 9 dogs were taken from 0 degree to 20 degrees to the right and to the left of a vertical line from mid-sternum to the mid-thoracic vertebrae. Certain measurements indicated that angles greater than 5 degrees from the vertical introduced significant distortions of the heart shadow and thoracic wall in some instances. A method is proposed for determining from a DV thoracic radiograph when improper positioning has produced an angulation greater than 5 degrees.     

Sequence of the envelope glycoprotein gene of type II human T lymphotropic virus

The sequence of the envelope glycoprotein gene of type II human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV) is presented. The predicted amino acid sequence is similar to that of the corresponding protein of HTLV type I, in that the proteins share the same amino acids at 336 of 488 residues, and 68 of the 152 differences are of a conservative nature. The overall structural similarity of these proteins provides an explanation for the antigenic cross-reactivity observed among diverse members of the HTLV retrovirus family by procedures that assay for the viral envelope glycoprotein, for example, membrane immunofluorescence.     

Probability distribution of enantiomorphous forms in spontaneous generation of optically active substances

The crystallization of 1, l'-binaphthyl from its racemic melt is an example of spontaneous generation of optical activity. The distribution of specific rotations in 200 individual samples varied from [alpha](D) = -218 degrees to [alpha](D) = +206 degrees with a mean of +0.14 degree and standard deviation of 86.4 degrees. This resolution into enantiomers is determined by chance development, with equal probability, of right- or left-handed crystallites; it can be controlled and made stereospecific by addition of dissymmetric compounds at low concentrations.     

Radionuclide composition of the allende meteorite from nondestructive gamma-ray spectrometric analysis

The concentrations of beryllium-7, sodium-22, aluminum-26, potassium-40, scandium-46, vanadium-48, chromium-51, manganese-54, cobalt-57, cobalt-60, and thorium-232 (thallium-208) have been measured in the Allende meteorite by nondestructive gamma-ray spectrometry. The high cobalt-60 content of the meteorite is indicative of a preatmospheric body with a minimum effective radius of 50 centimeters and a weight of 1650 kilograms; the aluminum-26 activity indicates a minimum exposure age of 3 million years.     

Profiling the New Zealand Thoroughbred racing industry. 2. Conditions interfering with training and racing

AIM: To describe and enumerate conditions that interrupted training and racing in a population of Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand.

METHODS: A longitudinal study design was used to collect data on horses training under the care of 20 licensed racehorse trainers from venues in the mid to lower regions of the North Island between October 1997 and July 2000. Incidence rates were reported for first and second occurrences for different categories of musculoskeletal injury (MSI), and first occurrences of upper and lower respiratory tract disease, using training days as time-at-risk. The proportion of horses that retired or died due to MSI, respiratory tract or miscellaneous conditions was used to estimate risk of exit for each type of event. Duration of training preparation, starts per 100 training days, and proportion of starts that ended in first, second or third place, were calculated for horses at risk for first MSI, and all subsequent MSIs. In training preparations that had at least one start and that ended in MSI, the cumulative percentage of MSIs by day of diagnosis was reported for 0–21 days after the last start in the preparation.

RESULTS: Horses (n=1,571) were followed during 3,333 training preparations and 392,290 training days. Events associated with the end of a training preparation or spell period included MSI (n=834), respiratory event (RE; n=165), miscellaneous event (ME; n=58), and voluntary retirements (n=360). Causes of MSI included lameness (n=400), shin soreness (n=207), tendon and ligament conditions (n=98), injury or laceration (n=56), fractures (n=55), and back disorders (n=18). MSIs involved the limbs in 97% of cases, and the lower limbs up to the carpus or hock in the fore- and hindlimbs, respectively, in 81% of cases. Most (93%) lower limb conditions involved a forelimb while 70% of MSIs that involved structures above the carpus or hock involved a hindlimb. Incidence rates (IRs) are reported for each age group for first and second occurrences of MSI, and first occurrence of upper and lower respiratory tract disease. The risk of MSI was higher in horses that had incurred one previous MSI (RR 1.4, 95% CI=1.2–1.7; p>0.001) than in horses without any previous MSI. The proportion of horses that exited due to death or retirement varied with the type of injury, and the highest proportion was associated with recurrent fractures, and tendon and ligament injuries (46.2 and 44.4%, respectively). The overall IR of horses exiting the study due to retirement or death increased with increasing age, and was higher in females than males for horses aged 2, 3, 4, and ≥5 years. A reduction in the number of starts per 100 training days was observed in horses aged ≥5 years when returning to training after an initial MSI (p=0.004). Male horses of all age groups and females younger than 4 years had shorter median training preparations (p>0.05) when returning to training after an initial MSI compared with preparations at risk for a first occurrence of MSI. Between 27 and 62% of cases of MSI that occurred in training preparations after at least one start were reported on the day of the last start, and the remainder were reported in the days to weeks following the last start of that preparation.

CONCLUSION: Incidence rates, and proportions of affected horses that retired or died as a result of injury or disorder varied with type of injury and age of horse. Horses returning to training after an initial MSI were at higher risk of subsequent MSIs and showed changes in duration of training preparations, but little change in starts per 100 training days or probability of placing in each start. MSIs in racing horses were less likely to be reported on the day of a race than at other times in the training preparation for all ages except 2-year-olds.     

Effect of training location and time period on racehorse performance in New Zealand. 2. Multivariable analysis

AIM: To investigate training location (horses trained in Matamata vs those trained at all other venues in New Zealand), and time period (1996–1997 and 1998–1999), while controlling for other horse- and race- or trial-related factors, as a means of assessing the possible impact of construction of a new training surface at the Matamata Racing Club on indirect measures of racehorse performance (number of starts, and failure to race within 6 months of any start).

METHODS: Multivariable logistic regression and poisson analysis were used to analyse data derived using a retrospective cohort approach. Multivariable logistic regression was also used to analyse a case-control study. All data were derived from New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), records of race and trial results for racehorses trained in Matamata and other venues in New Zealand, covering two 19-month time periods (1996–1997 and 1998–1999). Outcome variables included whether a horse started again in the 6 months following any start that occurred in the first 13 months of either time period, and a count of the total starts for every horse.

RESULTS: Factors associated with increased risk of a start being followed by a 6-month no-race period included training location other than Matamata in comparison to horses trained in Matamata in the 1996–1997 time period, increasing age, 1998–1999 over 1996–1997, starting in a trial rather than a race, placing fourth or worse in a start, softer track conditions, summer vs autumn, increasing cumulative exercise intensity in the 60 days prior to a start, and increasing race distance. Factors associated with an increase in the total number of starts included horses trained at Matamata in 1996–1997 compared with other time period-location combinations, younger age of horses at the time of a start, longer race distance, and an increasing proportion of starts in stakes races.

CONCLUSIONS: Official race and trial results data provided a valuable resource for epidemiological studies of factors influencing racehorse performance. Results of analyses performed here provided little evidence of any adverse impact of a new training surface at the Matamata Racing Club on indirect measures of racehorse performance.