Bilateral Sertoli and Interstitial Cell Tumours in Abdominal Testes of a Goat with Polled Intersex Syndrome (PIS)

An 8‐year‐old, mixed breed, polled goat was presented for evaluation of male‐like behaviour. Clinical findings included clitoromegaly, a heavily muscled neck, pronounced beard, and erect dorsal guard hairs, which are phenotypic characteristics commonly observed in intersex animals. Transrectal ultrasonography revealed the presence of two abdominal masses caudolateral to the uterine horns. Serum concentration of estradiol was elevated. Genetic evaluation was compatible with polled intersex syndrome defined by an XX karyotype without a Y chromosome or SRY gene. Based on gross and histologic evaluation, the abdominal masses were determined to be intra‐abdominal testes, each of which was effaced by Sertoli cell and interstitial (Leydig) cell tumours. The Sertoli cell tumours (SCTs) represented two unique histologic patterns. Regardless of pattern, neoplastic Sertoli cells were consistently lipid laden and positive for vimentin. Interstitial cell tumours (ICTs) were negative for vimentin. Clinical and histopathologic findings suggest that prolonged exposure to steroids secreted by neoplastic Sertoli cells contributed to virilization. In addition, results from immunohistochemistry indicated that vimentin may be a valuable immunodiagnostic tool for differentiation between interstitial and Sertoli cell tumours in goats.     

Synthesis and properties of metallic glasses that contain aluminum

The synthesis and properties of a class of metallic glasses containing up to 90 atomic percent aluminum are reported. The unusual formability of the glasses and their structural features are pointed out. Mechanical properties including tensile fracture strength and Young's modulus are reported along with crystallization temperatures. The unusually high strengths of the aluminum glasses can be of significant importance in obtaining high-strength low-density materials.     

Relationship between curing temperature and low stress mechanical properties of titanium dioxide catalyzed flame retardant finished cotton fabric

N-methylol dimethylphosphonopropionamide is a flame-retardant agent commonly combined with melamine resin and phosphoric acid catalyst to impart flame-retardant property to cotton fabrics. A co-catalyst titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is added into the formulation in order to improve the flame-retardant performance by enhancing the crosslinking reaction and physically attaching on to cotton fabrics. The fabrics cured at temperature of 150 °C and 170 °C have a better flame-retardant ability and can withstand multiple times of home laundering compared with those cured at temperature of 110 °C and 130 °C. The flame-retardant ability is further enhanced by treating the fabrics in the presence of TiO₂. In addition, the low stress mechanical properties measured by Kawabata Evaluation System for Fabric (KES-F) are altered after flame-retardant treatment. These changes are contributed by the formation of crosslinks after treatment, acid-catalyzed depolymerization in a strong acidic medium and the presence of co-catalyst TiO₂. In addition, the properties of cotton fabrics depend greatly on the choice of curing temperature. High curing temperature usually caused poor hand properties of the fabrics due to the extensive crosslinks formation. Lastly, the existence of TiO₂ in the treatment not only improves the reaction efficiency but also has positive enhancement with respect to compressional recovery ability and tensile properties.     

Characterization of mesenchymal stem cells in bovine endometrium during follicular phase of oestrous cycle

Stem cells have been postulated as responsible for cell regeneration in highly and continuously regenerative tissues such as the endometrium. Few studies in cattle have identified and specified the presence of stem cells in the endometrium during the oestrous cycle. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the bovine endometrium during the follicular phase (FP) of the oestrous cycle. Uterine tissue was collected in the time‐frame comprising day 18 of the cycle and ovulation (day 0). We isolated, cultured and expanded four primary cell lines from endometrium and identified byRT‐qPCR the expression of OCT4, SOX2 but not NANOG (undifferentiated/embryonic markers), CD44 (MSCs marker) and c‐KIT (stem cell marker) genes; and the encoded Oct4, Sox2 and Cd44 proteins by Western blot or immunostaining of paraffin‐embedded tissue in endometrium. We demonstrated that cells isolated from bovine endometrium displayed essentially the same gene expression pattern; however, at the protein level, Oct4 and Cd44 were not detected. Besides, they showed typical functional characteristics of MSCs such as fibroblast‐like morphology, plastic adherence, high proliferative capacity, clone formation in vitro and the ability to differentiate into chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. We obtained for the first time an extensive characterization of undifferentiated cells populations contained in the bovine endometrium during the FP of the oestrous cycle.     

Isospora corvi Ray, Shivnani, Oommen and Bhaskaran, 1952 from the common house crow (Corvus splendens Vieillot) of Selangor, peninsular Malaysia.

Faecal samples of 56 common house crows (Corvus splendens Vieillot) were collected from the Petaling Jaya and Kelang districts of Selangor, peninsular Malaysia, and examined for coccidia. Intestinal tracts of 8 of the above crows wee histologically examined under light microscopy to determine the site of coccidial infection and the endogenous stages present. Fifty three (94.6%) crows had coccidial oocysts morphologically conforming to only one species of Isospora in their faeces at the time they were examined. The sporulated oocysts were found to be Isospora corviae (Ray et al. 1952) which has been emended to I. corvi. These oocysts are redescribed in greater detail. Corvus splendens is a new host record for I. corvi. Coccidial infection was observed in all the intestinal tracts and generally confined to the anterior two thirds of the intestine. The parasites occurred within intestinal epithelial cells, located usually above the host cell nucleus. Developmental stages of both the asexual and sexual phases were found in the epithelium, and are deemed to be the endogenous stages of I. corvi on the basis of the oocysts recovered from the same crows used for histological study. These stages are described here for the first time. The prevalence of I. corvi, its relationship with the host C. splendens, and its probable transmission from C. macrorhynchus are discussed.     

Lunar surface magnetic fields and their interaction with the solar wind: results from lunar prospector

The magnetometer and electron reflectometer experiment on the Lunar Prospector spacecraft has obtained maps of lunar crustal magnetic fields and observed the interaction between the solar wind and regions of strong crustal magnetic fields at high selenographic latitude (30 degreesS to 80 degreesS) and low ( approximately 100 kilometers) altitude. Electron reflection maps of the regions antipodal to the Imbrium and Serenitatis impact basins, extending to 80 degreesS latitude, show that crustal magnetic fields fill most of the antipodal zones of those basins. This finding provides further evidence for the hypothesis that basin-forming impacts result in magnetization of the lunar crust at their antipodes. The crustal magnetic fields of the Imbrium antipode region are strong enough to deflect the solar wind and form a miniature (100 to several hundred kilometers across) magnetosphere, magnetosheath, and bow shock system.     

Isolation and characterization of viruses related to the SARS coronavirus from animals in southern China

A novel coronavirus (SCoV) is the etiological agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). SCoV-like viruses were isolated from Himalayan palm civets found in a live-animal market in Guangdong, China. Evidence of virus infection was also detected in other animals (including a raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides) and in humans working at the same market. All the animal isolates retain a 29-nucleotide sequence that is not found in most human isolates. The detection of SCoV-like viruses in small, live wild mammals in a retail market indicates a route of interspecies transmission, although the natural reservoir is not known.