Generation of immunity against Fusobacterium necrophorum in mice inoculated with extracts containing leucocidin

The capacity of extracts from toxigenic and non-toxigenic ruminant strains of Fusobacterium necrophorum to protect against challenge with homologous and heterologous bacteria was examined in mice. The numbers of F. necrophorum which were infective or lethal for mice increased 5- to 8-fold in animals which had been previously inoculated with complete Freund's adjuvant (FCA). Although preparations containing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and outer membrane proteins (OMP) from several strains gave protection against a non-toxigenic strain (FnB-3), they did not significantly immunize mice against a challenge infection with a toxigenic bovine strain, FnB-1. Only material which had been prepared by gel filtration of 18-h liquid culture supernates of toxigenic F. necrophorum elicited significant immunity against homologous challenge with FnB-1. This preparation contained LPS and the majority of the leucotoxic activity. However, passive protection was not afforded to mice inoculated with bovine or rabbit sera which possessed high neutralization titres against the leucocidin.     

Disturbance in the growth of the tibia and femur in dogs.

The clinical and radiographic features associated with premature cessation of the growth of the tibia (four) and femur (eight) in 12 dogs are described. Surgical correction of the resultant deformity was possible in only a few cases. Trauma was thought to be the cause of the local growth plate disorder.     

Metacontrast and evoked potentials: a reappraisal

Stimulation of the parafoveal retina may give rise to visual evoked responses generated in large part by stray light impinging upon the fovea. This effect appears to account for the absence of changes in the visual evoked response to parafoveal stimulation during metacontrast suppression. When the central retina is directly stimulated, the spatiotemporal interactions associated with brightness suppression during metacontrast may be readily demonstrated in a late component of the visual evoked response.     

Clinico-pathological aspects of osteoarthritis of the shoulder in dogs

Osteoarthritis of the shoulder was discovered in twelve canine cadavers during an extensive survey that was primarily conducted to study stifle arthritis. Clinical, radiographic and pathological aspects of the shoulder arthropathies are described. The significance of these lesions in the aetiology of shoulder lameness and difficulties associated with their diagnosis are discussed. Résumé. On a observé une ostéoarthrite de l'épaule chex douze cadavres canins pendant une étude poussée qui était en principe menée pur étudier l'arthrite du grasset. On décrit les aspects cliniques, radiographiques et pathologiques de l'arthropathie de l'épaule. On discute de la signification de ces lésions dans l'aetiologie du rhumatisme de l'épaule et des difficultés associées avec leur diagnostic. Zusammenfassung. Osteoarthritis der Schulter fand man in zwǒlf Hundekadavern wàhrend eines umfassenden ǔberlicks der hauptsàchlich ausgefùhrt wurde, um Kniescheibenarthritis zu studieren. Klinische, radiographische und pathologische Ansichten uber Schulter-Arthrosis-deformans sing beschrieben. Die Bedeutung dieser Làsionen in der ǎtiologie von Schulterlahmheit und Schwierigkeiten, die mit ihrer Diagnose verbun den sind, werden diskutiert.     

Congenital caudal vertebral malformations in the alpaca (Lama pacos)

OBJECTIVE: To assess radiologically the caudal vertebrae of a male alpaca with an abnormal tail, and nine of his offspring. PROCEDURE: Right lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs were taken of the caudal vertebrae. RESULTS: The caudal vertebral abnormalities in these alpacas included vertebral subluxation, hemivertebrae, wedge hemivertebrae and block vertebrae. CONCLUSION: These malformations in offspring of one sire suggest a hereditary basis for congenital caudal vertebral malformations in the alpaca.     

Population diversity of the Vicia sativa agg. (Fabaceae) in the flora of the former USSR deduced from RAPD and seed protein analyses

The genetic diversity of 58 wild and weedy populations representing taxa within the V. sativa aggregate from the former USSR, 4 cultivars of V. sativa, 2 accessions of V. cordata and 3 accessions of V. macrocarpa from Mediterranean countries were analysed using randomly amplified DNA fragments (RAPDs) and seed protein electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Interspecific variation between taxa in the V. sativa aggregate could readily be detected using both techniques. RAPDs and seed protein patterns were found to be an effective means of identifying accessions that cannot be identified clearly by morphological criteria alone. RAPD and seed protein analysis revealed a clear relationship between observed genetic variation of populations and their geographical distribution. Populations from each region had their own gene pools. Geographical variation was detected in V. segetalis. The degree of genetic divergence between local populations was usually related to proximity. In several locations where wild and weedy populations of different V. sativa agg. taxa grow sympatrically, intermediate forms could be detected at the DNA and protein levels. Both RAPD and seed protein analysis support the view that the V. sativa aggregate consists of 8 taxa warranting recognition at the species level. Several species in this aggregate are evolving intra-specific groups which can readily be detected at the molecular level.