Blood lead levels of wild Steller's eiders (Polysticta stelleri) and black scoters (Melanitta nigra) in Alaska using a portable blood lead analyzer.

Sea duck populations are declining in Alaska. The reasons for the decline are not known; environmental lead exposure is one suspected cause. Thirty wild Steller's eider ducks (Polysticta stelleri) and 40 wild black scoter ducks (Melanitta nigra) were tested for blood lead levels using a portable blood lead analyzer (LeadCare; ESA, Inc., Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824, USA). Sixty-seven and one-tenth percent of the sea ducks had undetectable blood lead levels, 30.0% had values indicating normal or background lead exposure, and 2.9% had values indicating lead exposure. None of the birds had values indicating lead toxicity, and no birds demonstrated clinical signs of toxicity. Birds in areas with higher human population density had higher blood lead levels than those in less densely populated areas. This is the first time a portable blood lead analyzer has been utilized with sea ducks in a field setting. Because it provides immediate results, it is valuable as a screening tool for investigators carrying out surgical procedures on birds in the field as well as establishing baseline blood lead data on sea ducks. Lead exposure does occur in wild sea ducks, and the study indicates that additional research is needed in order to determine the role environmental lead plays in declining sea duck populations.     

A retrospective study of pathologic findings in the Amazon and Orinoco river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) in captivity.

River dolphins are especially susceptible to negative human impacts. For their conservation, attempts of relocation or procreation ex situ may become important in the future to avoid their extinction. Additional knowledge and medical experiences of river dolphin management in captivity may aid such conservation efforts. The medical records and necropsy and histopathology reports on 123 captive Amazon River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) were re-viewed. Of these 123 animals, 105 were necropsied and 70 necropsies were supported with histopathology. Eighteen animals were not necropsied. Among wild-born animals, mortality was highest in the first 2 mo immediately postcapture and transport, accounting for 32 of 123 deaths. Pneumonia and skin lesions (cutaneous and subcutaneous ulcerations and abscesses) were the most common findings, found in 44 of 105 (42%) and 38 of 105 (36%) of gross diagnoses, respectively. At least 10 of 44 cases of pneumonia diagnosed grossly included a verminous component. Cachexia, from a variety of causes, was a major gross finding in 21 animals. Fifteen animals had histologic evidence of significant renal pathology, and this was the primary cause of death in 13 cases. Hepatic pathology was found in 18 cases, and bacterial sepsis was confirmed via histology in 16 cases. Based on these findings, it may be concluded that keys to successful maintenance of this species include 1) prophylactic anthelminthic and antibiotic therapy immediately post-capture; 2) maintenance of animals in larger enclosures than in past attempts, in compatible groups, and in facilities capable of separating aggressive animals; 3) maintenance in microbiologically hygienic water quality at all times; and 4) a proactive program of preventive medicine during the immediate postcapture, quarantine, and maintenance period of captivity.     

News from the Scientific Organising Committee Learning new tricks to treat old dogs

Treating elderly pets and maximising your practice returns will be in focus at this year's AVA Annual Conference. The Scientific Organising Committee is delighted that such distinguished international and local speakers have agreed to give presentations in the Small Animal (Geriatric Medicine and Surgery) and Practice Management streams at the conference.
The AVA Conference will be at Hobart's Wrest Point Conference Centre from May 21–26, 2006. To see the full program and to register online visit www.ava.com.au/avaconference.     

Report on the analyses of mAb reactive with porcine CD8 for the second international swine CD workshop

Based on an analysis of their reactivity with porcine peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), only three of the 57 mAbs assigned to the T cell/activation marker group were grouped into cluster T9 along with the two wCD8 workshop standard mAbs 76-2-11 (CD8a) and 11/295/33 (CD8b). Their placement was verified through the use of two-color cytofluorometry which established that all three mAbs (STH101, #090; UCP1H12-2, #139; and PG164A, #051) bind exclusively to CD8⁺ cells. Moreover, like the CD8 standard mAbs, these three mAbs reacted with two proteins with a MW of 33 and 35 kDa from lymphocyte lysates and were, thus, given the wCD8 designation. Because the mAb STH101 inhibited the binding of mAb 76-2-11 but not of 11/295/33, it was given the wCD8a designation. The reactivity of the other two new mAbs in the T9 cluster with the various subsets of CD8⁺ lymphocytes were distinct from that of the other members in this cluster including the standards. Although the characteristic porcine CD8 staining pattern consisting of CD8^low and CD8^high cells was obtained with the mAb UCP1H12-2, a wider gap between the fluorescence intensity of the CD8^low and CD8^high lymphocytes was observed. In contrast, the mAb PG164A, not only exclusively reacted with CD4⁻/CD8^high lymphocytes, but it also failed to recognize CD4/CD8 double positive lymphocytes. It was concluded that this mAb is specific for a previously unrecognized CD8 epitope, and was, thus, given the wCD8c designation. A very similar reactivity pattern to that of PG164A was observed for two other mAbs (STH106, #094; and SwNL554.1, #009). Although these two mAbs were not originally positioned in the T cell subgroup because of their reactivity and their ability to inhibit the binding of PG164A, they were given the wCD8c designation. Overall, five new wCD8 mAbs were identified. Although the molecular basis for the differences in PBL recognition by these mAbs is not yet understood, they will be important in defining the role of CD8⁺ lymphocyte subsets in health and disease.     

饮奶——强健您的骨骼

或许您听说过,随着年龄的增长,骨质疏松在所难免。但这种说法其实是一种误解。我们可以通过多种方法改善骨骼健康状况,最终提高生活质量。     

The “soil microbial loop” is not always needed to explain protozoan stimulation of plants

Protozoa stimulate plant growth, but we do not completely understand the underlying mechanisms, and different hypotheses seek to explain this phenomenon. To test these hypotheses, we grew the grass Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus) in pots with soil, which contained either (1) no organisms but bacteria – or (2) bacteria and protozoa. Half of the pots received a glucose treatment so as to mimic an additional root exudation. We measured plant growth and plant nitrogen uptake, along with various microbial pools and processes that support plant growth. Protozoan presence significantly enhanced soil nitrogen mineralization, plant nitrogen uptake from organic nitrogen sources, plant nitrogen content, and plant growth. By contrast, we found no evidence that glucose addition, mimicking root exudation, increased soil nitrogen availability and plant nitrogen uptake. Moreover, although protozoan presence affected bacterial community structure, it did not affect the proportion of IAA-producing bacteria in the community or plant root morphology. These results refute the “soil microbial loop” hypotheses, which suggest that protozoan stimulation of plant growth results from complex interactions between plant roots, bacteria and protozoa. Our experiment thus favours the simple explanation that increased nitrogen availability is the key factor behind the positive protozoan effect on plant growth. To exploit natural resources in an efficient and environmentally friendly way, we need to understand in detail the functioning of ecosystems. This study stresses that to achieve this, it is still urgent, besides investigating intricate food-web and signal compound interactions, also to focus on the basic stoichiometric and energetic aspects of organisms.     

Silage and total mixed ration hygienic quality on commercial farms: implications for animal production

Implications of silage hygienic quality for animal production were investigated on forty‐five dairy farms in South West England. Samples of grass and maize silages and of total mixed rations (TMR) were obtained together with information on silage technology, herd size and animal production. Samples were analysed for mycotoxins, bacteria, yeasts, moulds and chemical composition. Thirteen mycotoxins were assayed, but none were detected in the samples of grass silage. However, mycotoxins were found in 0·9 of all maize and other silage samples, with deoxynivalenol and zearalenone predominating. There was no relationship between total mycotoxin concentration and mean lactation milk yield per cow. Enterobacteria counts tended to be higher in maize silage than in grass silage and higher still in TMR – a cause for concern. There were no relationships between mould counts and mycotoxin concentrations in silages, implying that mycotoxins may have been produced in the field pre‐ensiling.