Morphology of leukocytes from cats affected with alpha-mannosidosis and mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI)

The morphology and ultrastructure of circulating white blood cells from six Persian and from five Russian Blue/Siamese cats deficient in lysosomal activity of alpha-mannosidase and arylsulfatase B, respectively, were studied and compared to cells from corresponding normal and carrier cats. In cats with mannosidosis, light microscopic examination revealed vacuoles in lymphocytes and monocytes, whereas electron microscopic studies demonstrated additional vacuoles in neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. In cats with mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI), vacuoles containing metachromatic granules were observed in lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes. Ultrastructural studies of these cells identified the accumulation of fibrillar material, which often was associated with lamellated membrane structures.     

Management of land and livestock contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls

Investigations were conducted on several small neighbouring beef cattle and sheep farms that were found to be contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The residues detected contained about 62% w/w chlorine and soil concentrations ranged from 0.35 to 1.9 mg/kg. Beef cattle and sheep grazing the contaminated land had PCB concentrations in their fat of 0.3 to 1.7 mg/kg and 0.19 to 0.45 mg/kg, respectively. The concentration of PCBs in the caudal fat of cattle was 0.3 to 2 times the concentration of PCBs in the land they were grazing and was positively related to stocking rates. PCBs were present in milk fat from cattle at about the same concentration as in caudal fat, and lactation appeared to contribute to decontamination. Wool grease from sheep contained about 1 to 2 times the concentration of PCBs in subcutaneous fat. Calves of contaminated cows also became contaminated. The half-life for decontamination of PCBs in a group of 8 young female beef cattle was calculated at 13 months. PCBs were detected in pasture samples at concentrations ranging from less than 0.01 mg/kg to 0.12 mg/kg. However, PCBs were not detected in any sample of hay cut from these paddocks. In 4 sheep fed a sole ration of this hay, traces of PCBs were detected in their fat following 89 days of feeding. Grazing livestock for meat production on land contaminated with PCBs is not recommended because livestock readily acquire residues, and PCBs persist in soil and livestock for long periods. Grazing sheep for wool production on land contaminated with PCBs may be an option.     

Serum Levels of Cardiac Markers NT‐proANP and NT‐proBNP in Brachycephalic bitches at Different Gestational Stages

The aim of this study was to determine serum levels of natriuretic peptide precursors (NT‐proANP and NT‐proBNP) during pregnancy in brachycephalic bitches. Fifteen healthy multiparous bitches were selected for this prospective study. Serum levels of NT‐proANP and NT‐proBNP were measured during anoestrous and at 14, 35, 42, 49 and 56 days (2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th weeks) of pregnancy. Fourteen animals had normal gestations, and one bitch developed single foetus syndrome. The natriuretic peptide levels of this animal were not included in this study; however, it is important to report that its NT‐proANP levels were four times greater than those of normal patients. There was no significant difference (p = 0.072) in NT‐proBNP levels between anoestrous (0.20 ± 0.10 ng/ml) and the different pregnancy weeks (0.27 ± 0.12 ng/ml). There was a positive correlation (p < 0.0001) between NT‐proANP and gestational age, and the levels of this marker increased significantly (p < 0.0001) during the 6th (0.26 ± 0.06 ng/ml), 7th (0.28 ± 0.04 ng/ml) and 8th weeks (0.29 ± 0.05 ng/ml) when compared to anoestrous (0.18 ± 0.02 ng/ml). NT‐proANP serum levels are correlated with gestational development and may be indicative of cardiovascular adaptation in canine brachycephalic pregnancy.     

Clovis age Western Stemmed projectile points and human coprolites at the Paisley Caves

The Paisley Caves in Oregon record the oldest directly dated human remains (DNA) in the Western Hemisphere. More than 100 high-precision radiocarbon dates show that deposits containing artifacts and coprolites ranging in age from 12,450 to 2295 (14)C years ago are well stratified. Western Stemmed projectile points were recovered in deposits dated to 11,070 to 11,340 (14)C years ago, a time contemporaneous with or preceding the Clovis technology. There is no evidence of diagnostic Clovis technology at the site. These two distinct technologies were parallel developments, not the product of a unilinear technological evolution. "Blind testing" analysis of coprolites by an independent laboratory confirms the presence of human DNA in specimens of pre-Clovis age. The colonization of the Americas involved multiple technologically divergent, and possibly genetically divergent, founding groups.     

Purification and Characterization of the Aetiological Agent of Hydropericardium Hepatitis Syndrome from Infected Liver Tissues of Broiler Chickens

Hydropericardium hepatitis syndrome in broiler chickens is an acute, infectious disease characterized by high mortality, excess pericardial fluid and multifocal hepatic necrosis. The aetiological agent was purified to homogeneity from infected liver tissues from field outbreaks. Electron-microscopic and serological confirmation of the virus were undertaken and the disease was reproduced experimentally in broiler chicks. The results indicated that an adenovirus, fowl adenovirus serotype 4, was alone responsible for the disease in the materials studied.     

Effects of diet, stocking density and environmental factors on growth, survival and metamorphosis of clam, Paphia malabarica (Chemnitz) larvae

A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of diet, stocking density and environmental factors on the growth, survival and metamorphosis of short neck clam Paphia malabarica larvae. These experiments examined the following factors: diet [ Isochrysis galbana , Nannochloropsis salina and a mixture of I. galbana and N. salina (1:1 w/w)], stocking density (1, 3, 5 and 7 larvae mL⁻¹), light intensity (unshaded, partially shaded and fully shaded) and water filtration (unfiltered and sand filtered). Results indicated that N. salina could replace 50% of I. galbana as a food source for the clam larvae with an increase in growth, survival (47.2%), metamorphosis (33.5%) and early settlement. Larval growth decreased significantly with increasing stocking density. A density of 1–3 larvae mL⁻¹ appeared to be optimal for normal growth of clam larvae. Neither diet nor stocking density used in the study had a significant effect on larval survival. Under partially shaded (light intensity=1000–5000 lx) and fully shaded (light intensity <1000 lx) conditions, larval growth was significantly faster than under direct sunlight (unshaded). Larvae grew significantly faster in the unfiltered water than in the filtered water.     

Age, FSH Dose and Follicular Aspiration Frequency Affect Oocyte Yield from Juvenile Donor Lambs

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of lamb age, frequency of follicular aspirations, and hormone stimulation by fixed or variable FSH dose, on the number of collected oocytes and their maturational competence. In trial 1, the characteristics of follicular population (number and diameter of follicles) were studied in 40 lambs which were slaughtered at the age of 30 days (S1), 42 days (S2), 60 days (S3) and 5–6 months (S4), each n = 10. In trial 2, 27 lambs were divided into four groups. group MF lambs (n = 6) had follicular aspiration (OPU) in four monthly intervals commencing from the age of 8–9 weeks (sessions MF1, MF2, MF3 and MF4). In groups SF2, SF3 and SF4 (each n = 6), OPU was conducted once during the 12–13, 16–17 and 20–21 week of age, respectively. Ovarian stimulation was conducted with fixed FSH dose (3.52 mg/animal). In trial 3, 10 lambs (group MV) were treated as those of group MF apart from the FSH dose, which was administered according to the body weight in a dose of 0.27 mg/kg. The number and the size of follicles, the number and the quality of collected oocytes and the maturational competence of the oocytes were compared between and within groups. In trial 1, the total number and the number of small follicles were greater in groups S1 and S2 compared with those of S3 and S4 (p < 0.01). Similarly, the follicular population was greater in group MF1 than in group SF3 (p < 0.01). In sessions MF2, MF3, MV2, MV3 and MV4, more oocytes were collected in comparison with those from the respective once‐aspirated age mates (groups SF2, SF3 and SF4). In total, more (p = 0.02) oocytes per donor were collected from group MV (15.2 ± 5.5) than from group MF (9.0 ± 3.2). An absolute maturational failure was observed in oocytes collected from groups SF2 and SF3. Maturational competence varied between 16.7% and 58.3% (p = 0.017) among sessions of group MF, but it was more uniform among sessions of group MV (range 12.5–42.9%, p > 0.05). Our results indicate that firstly, the number and the quality of harvested oocytes from juvenile lambs can be much improved if follicular stimulation regime is adjusted to the body weight. Secondly, in terms of follicular population and oocyte quality, 3 and 4‐month‐old lambs are naturally bad oocyte donors, but this characteristic can be reversed by a previous follicular ablation.     

Diet-related risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus in dogs of high-risk breeds

A nested case-control study was conducted among 1634 dogs with complete diet information in a 5-year prospective study to determine diet-related risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). Cases included 106 dogs that developed GDV; controls included 212 dogs without GDV that were frequency matched to cases by year of GDV onset. Proportionate energy consumed from major food types and from carbohydrates was determined. Dogs were categorized as consuming either a low volume or high volume of food based on the median number of cups of food fed per kg of body weight per meal. Dogs fed a larger volume of food per meal were at a significantly (P<0.05) increased risk of GDV, regardless of the number of meals fed daily. For both large- and giant-breed dogs, the risk of GDV was highest for dogs fed a larger volume of food once daily.     

Role of the generative cell in androgenesis in henbane

When anthers of henbane containing uninucleate pollen grains were cultured, a large number of embryoids originated exclusively from the division of the generative cell. In a small proportion of pollen grains, both generative and vegetative cells contributed to embryoid formation. Embryogenesis by segmentation of the vegetative cell alone was rarely observed.