Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and sol-gel-based immunoaffinity purification (IAP) of the pyrethroid bioallethrin in food and environmental samples

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and sol-gel-based immunoaffinity purification (IAP) methods for the pyrethroid bioallethrin were developed and applied for monitoring bioallethrin in spiked food, soil, and dust samples. Attempts to determine bioallethrin content in fruit and vegetable extracts revealed high variability between sample preparations and marked interferences with the assay. Sol-gel IAP followed by solid-phase sample concentration was effective in removing the interfering components and resulted in high recovery of bioallethrin from spiked crude acetonic extracts of fruits and vegetables, even in the presence of high extract concentrations (28%). Solid-phase treatment alone failed to remove the interfering components from the spiked sample. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the IAP samples revealed bioallethrin as a doublet unsolved peak because of the cis and trans isomer present in the standard with confirmation of its mass. Unlike fruit and vegetable extracts, soil and dust samples did not interfere with the ELISA, and the bioallethrin content in those samples could be determined with high precision without the need of any further purification.     

Feasibility of computed tomography in awake dogs with traumatic pelvic fracture

In veterinary medicine, general anesthesia or sedation is generally required to immobilize patients during computed tomography (CT) scanning. This may not be suitable in all patients because of risks of anesthesia. We evaluated the feasibility of pelvic CT examination in 14 awake animals with pelvic trauma. Physical restraint was applied by wrapping the patient in a towel and then taping to the CT table or by directly taping the patient to the CT table. The effect of patient positioning, cooperation on the CT table, preparation time for scanning, scanning time, frequency of repeat scans, image quality, and complications related to physical restraint were evaluated. Fractures were recorded and compared between radiography and CT. Ten of 14 dogs were scanned in lateral recumbency and four in sternal recumbency. All patients were cooperative with the exception of one that moved slightly during the scan. Both physical restraint methods were adequate for CT scanning. Patient preparation took less than 5 min while the scan time was typically less than 1 min. No repeat scans were required in any patient. The transverse CT image quality was good (10/14) or fair (4/14) for interpretation. When comparing the CT images to radiographs, more pelvic fractures were identified with CT than with radiography and a few patients were overdiagnosed based on radiographs. No complications or additional injuries associated with physical restraint were noticed.     

Comparative sonographic appearance of nephroliths and associated acoustic shadowing artifacts in conventional vs. spatial compound imagingm

Spatial compound sonography improves visualization of tissue details and allows clearer delineation of structural margins. Improved image clarity is due to reduced speckling artifact; however, other types of acoustic shadowing artifacts may be unchanged or variably altered when conventional and spatial compound sonographic images are compared. Because intrarenal distal shadowing artifacts in conventional sonographic images are oftentimes the first or only evidence that a nephroliths is present, we compared the appearance and associated artifacts of nephroliths examined with both imaging modes. Consensus evaluation by two evaluators confirmed differences in appearance of nephroliths based on imaging mode. Nephroliths with conventional imaging mode were less hyperechoic and had better margin delineation while nephroliths were more hyperechoic and had less distinct margins with spatial compound imaging mode. Distal acoustic shadowing artifacts were present in 43% of spatial compound imaging mode vs. 86% of conventional imaging mode. When present in both imaging modes, intensity of these artifacts was weaker and the distance traveled was shorter in spatial compound imaging mode. Multiple diverging acoustic shadowing artifacts originating from a single source, the nephroliths were occasionally noted in spatial compound but not conventional imaging mode. These results demonstrate that the absence of distal acoustic shadowing cannot be used to exclude the presence of a nephrolith in dogs and cats. Optimal diagnosis of nephroliths, margin delineation, and visualization of the distal renal parenchyma requires paired radiography and sonography, and alternating between sonographic imaging modes is therefore suggested.     

Experiments in chicory growing under Israel condition

Sommaire Les auteurs donnent un aperçu des essais faits avec six variétés de Cichorium Intybus cultivées et utilisées comme fourrage, comme plante pour pâturages et comme remplaçent le café. L'étude se rapporte aux conditions de la culture et des propriétés agronomiques de la Chicorée, la possibilité de sélection d'une variété spécialement adaptée aux conditions de l'Israel. Biologie, constitution chimique, fûmage etc. fûrent étudiés et les resultats obtenus démontrés sur 15 tableaux.     

Special considerations in the evaluation of the hematology and hemostasis of mutant mice

The study of mutant mice with altered or deficient hematopoietic or hemostatic gene products provides a challenge to the researcher, particularly when genetic alterations lead to lethal phenotypes. The following review provides a framework for understanding murine hematopoiesis, based on work with mutant mice, and details experimental approaches used to evaluate these animals. Mice with deficiencies in hemostatic and fibrinolytic system proteins are discussed, and the investigation of their phenotypes is reviewed.     

The use of polymerase chain reaction assay to diagnose proliferative gill disease in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus).

To assess the potential of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay as a diagnostic tool in the detection of proliferative gill disease (PGD) in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), PCR assays were compared with the traditional diagnostic methods of gill wet mounts and histology. A PCR assay using primers for Aurantiactinomyxon ictaluri, the actinospore associated with PGD, was performed with tissues from fish from commercial ponds. Using histology as the "gold standard," the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the PCR assay were all >90%. In comparison, the wet mount examinations had a lower sensitivity and specificity. Using the chi-square test and a test for strength of association, there was a significant, strong association between results obtained by PCR and those obtained by the other 2 methods. These results demonstrate that the PCR assay is a good diagnostic tool for the detection of PGD.