Disease of geese caused by a new herpesvirus

A goose flock farmed outdoors in south-eastern Queensland suffered an outbreak of peracute disease with high death rate (97%). Small button ulcers and large plaques overlying lymphocyte aggregates were present on the mucosa of the small intestine of affected birds. Small white foci of necrosis and focal haemorrhages were seen in the livers. Numerous intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed microscopically in hepatocytes and a herpesvirus which grew rapidly in chicken kidney cells was isolated from tissues. Duck virus enteritis (DVE) was suspected but DVE antiserums failed to neutralise the virus. Further serological studies with a limited range of known avian herpesviruses have failed to identify the virus. Experimental transmission resulted in high mortality in geese (100%), lower mortality in ducklings and nil mortality in chickens. Surveillance studies showed no evidence of infection in domestic and wild birds beyond the original farm and the infection appears not to have been established in the area. Wild ducks, which were frequent visitors to the farm dam, were considered the most likely source of the infection.     

2-anilino-3-methylbutyrates and 2-(isoindolin-2-yl)-3-methylbutyrates,two novel groups of synthetic pyrethroid esters not containing a cyclopropane ring

A new series of substituted 2-anilino-3-methylbutyrates has been prepared; bioassay data for these compounds on Heliothis virescens, Musca domestica, Aphis fabae and Tetranychus urticae are presented and discussed. Some unexpected relationships were observed between the nature of the substituents and the biological activity. Increases in foliar stability were noted with certain substitution patterns. Both α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl 3-methyl-2-(α, α, α,2-tetrafluoro-p-toluidino)butyrate and the corresponding 2-(2-chloro-α, α, α-trifluoro-p-toluidino)-3-methylbutyrate showed good stability in air and light, and exhibited biological activities of a similar nature and potency to those of previously known synthetic pyrethroids. Esters of the (R)-2- anilino-3-methylbutyric acids are far more active than those prepared from the (S)-enantiomers. The (R)-configuration at C-2 in these acids is sterically equivalent to the active absolute configuration at the chiral carbon α to the carboxylate group in both the permethrin and the fenvalerate types of pyrethroids. A new class of insecticidal 2-(isoindolin-2-yl)alkanoates is also reported. In this series the most biologically active analogue was α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl 3-methyl-2-(4,5,6,7-tetrafluoroisoindolin-2-yl)butyrate. These esters were considerably less stable than the anilino analogues on exposure to air and light.     

Cutaneous lymphoma in a juvenile dog

Abstract: An 18-month-old male Doberman Pinscher was referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the College of Veterinary Medicine for an erythemic nodular mass on the right forelimb. The mass was diagnosed as cutaneous lymphoma, based on cytologic examination of a mass aspirate and histopathology. Using immunohistochemistry the neoplastic cells were positive for CD3 but negative for CD79a, E-cadherin, and pancytokeratin, confirming their origin as T lymphocytes. No tumor recurrence was noted 18 months after surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a solitary nodular form of cutaneous lymphoma in a young dog.     

Determination of usnic acid in lichen toxic to elk by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and tandem mass spectrometry detection

Usnic acid is unambiguously confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) in tumbleweed shield lichen, Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa. The lichen contains 2% usnic acid by liquid chromatography with UV quantification at 282 nm. The UV linear range for usnic acid quantification is from its 4 ng limit of detection to 2 microg injected. UV signal saturation is recognized by distortion of the usnic acid UV spectrum. Positive ion electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry offers no similar means to recognize quantification data recorded above the linear range of electrospray. Electrospray ionization capacity and matrix effects limit the reliability of tandem mass spectrometry quantification. The combination of UV quantification and MS confirmation provides a reliable analytical method for measuring usnic acid levels in plant material.     

The Impact of Migration on Social Capital: Do Migrants Take Their Bowling Balls with Them?

Questions surrounding the impact of population migration on social capital is the focus of this study. Putnam observed that “for people as for plants, frequent repotting disrupts root systems. It takes time for a mobile individual to put down new roots.” However, because of a trending decrease in mobility over time, Putnam rules out migration as an explanation for the long‐term decline in social capital that was the subject of his widely read 1995 book Bowling Alone: America's Declining Social Capital. This study undertakes an empirical examination of the impact of migration on county‐level social capital, which in tribute to Putnam one might view as an attempt to answer the question—do migrants take their bowling balls with them when they move? The potential for county‐level migration of population to impact social capital levels at particular locations in space arises from the conventional argument that social capital promotes trust and cooperation among agents. This trust increases socially efficient collective action but requires investment in relationships and commitment of scarce resources to build social capital. It seems plausible that migration of population might have a negative impact on the stock of social capital by interfering with trust and cooperation among agents. However, it is also possible that migrants may take their social capital with them to new places of residence. In other words, the propensity to join social and civic organizations might reflect inherent traits of individuals who are willing to make commitments of their resources to building social capital in any community where they reside.     

高剂量辐照对鸡肉脯主要营养成分的影响

为研究高剂量辐照灭菌处理对宠物食品主要营养成分的影响,以鸡肉脯为材料,研究了4 kGy、6 kGy、8 kGy、10 kGy、15 kGy、20 kGy、50 kGy、100 kGy和200 kGy的60Coγ射线对其脂肪、蛋白质等营养成分含量的影响。结果表明:鸡肉脯经4～200 kGy辐照后,与对照相比,鸡肉脯中的脂肪含量差异比较明显,但与辐照剂量没有显著的线性相关性,且辐照后脂肪含量最高的(8 kGy)比对照中的含量高2.8%,最低的(20 kGy和100 kGy)比对照中的低5.6%;辐照后鸡肉脯中的蛋白质含量都高于对照,当辐照剂量达到8 kGy时蛋白质含量都显著高于对照中的含量;碳水化合物低于对照;粗纤维、17种氨基酸、微量元素(钙、铁、锰、镁、钠)等与对照无显著差异;锌、钾、磷的含量仅15 kGy、6 kGy和20 kGy处理与对照中的含量有显著差异;与对照相比,经50 kGy以下剂量辐照处理后,鸡肉脯的色泽、风味与滋味、口感无明显变化,可接受性程度好,当剂量达到100～200 kGy时颜色轻微变浅,呈棕色或棕褐色,但不影响品质,风味与滋味没有明显变化,可接受性程度良好。