Evidence of increased Hepatitis E virus exposure in Lao villagers with contact to ruminants

Although pigs are the main reservoir, ruminants have also been shown to be susceptible to hepatitis E virus (HEV). We investigated zoonotic transmission of HEV in rural settings of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) where humans are in close contacts with ruminants and where pigs are rare. Villagers with (n = 171, risk group) and without (n = 155, control group) cattle were recruited in seven villages in Vientiane Capital. Owners of pigs were excluded. Blood, as well as information on socio‐demographics, animal contact, dietary habits and awareness of zoonoses were collected to assess risk factors. Blood and rectal swabs were collected from cattle (n = 173) and other ruminants (27 goat, 5 buffaloes) to measure anti‐HEV antibody and virus prevalence. A similar anti‐HEV antibody seroprevalence was found in cattle (6.8%) and other ruminants (8%). HEV RNA was detected in none of the animal rectal swabs and human sera. Anti‐HEV IgG seroprevalence was higher in cattle farmers than in the control group (59.1% vs. 43.9%, p = 0.008) and increased significantly with age. Other risk factors included male gender, close contact with cattle and consumption of undercooked meat. We find that HEV is highly endemic in rural Laos and provide first evidence that HEV circulates in free‐roaming ruminants with open access to village water sources. Despite some awareness about hygiene, villagers are likely constantly exposed to zoonotic diseases by dietary and lifestyle habits. Cattle farmers had a higher risk of HEV infection than other villagers. Our study highlights the need to raise the awareness of the rural population about water‐ and food‐borne pathogens, and about the role of cattle as a possible source of infection. The knowledge gained on local risk factors and husbandry conditions should guide future awareness raising campaigns and promote appropriate hygienic measures including handwashing and the consumption of safe food and water.     

On the occurrence,distribution and taxonomy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Momordica subangulata</Emphasis> Blume subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">renigera</Emphasis> (G. Don) de Wilde in India

Different authors in India and South East Asia treat dioecious species in the genus Momordica differently. The cultivated ‘bhat karela’ of East and North East India is referred to as Momordica dioica Roxb. by botanists and herbarium curators whereas agricultural scientists, in general, designate it as Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng. A critical study of 266 herbarium sheets housed at CAL and BSISH and in situ field studies at specific pockets in the North East India followed by preliminary characterization revealed its correct identity as Momordica subangulata Blume subsp. renigera (G. Don) de Wilde. First hand information on its occurrence, taxonomy and distribution in India is given. The species was found in wild as well as in homestead cultivation in North Eastern India and exemplify direct utilization of biodiversity by indigenous people.

Cellulose synthase-like CslF genes mediate the synthesis of cell wall (1,3;1,4)-beta-D-glucans

A characteristic feature of grasses and commercially important cereals is the presence of (1,3;1,4)-beta-d-glucans in their cell walls. We have used comparative genomics to link a major quantitative trait locus for (1,3;1,4)-beta-d-glucan content in barley grain to a cluster of cellulose synthase-like CslF genes in rice. After insertion of rice CslF genes into Arabidopsis, we detected (1,3;1,4)-beta-d-glucan in walls of transgenic plants using specific monoclonal antibodies and enzymatic analysis. Because wild-type Arabidopsis does not contain CslF genes or have (1,3;1,4)-beta-d-glucans in its walls, these experiments provide direct, gain-of-function evidence for the participation of rice CslF genes in (1,3;1,4)-beta-d-glucan biosynthesis.     

Direct demonstration of an adaptive constraint

The role of constraint in adaptive evolution is an open question. Directed evolution of an engineered beta-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (IMDH), with coenzyme specificity switched from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), always produces mutants with lower affinities for NADP. This result is the correlated response to selection for relief from inhibition by NADPH (the reduced form of NADP) expected of an adaptive landscape subject to three enzymatic constraints: an upper limit to the rate of maximum turnover (kcat), a correlation in NADP and NADPH affinities, and a trade-off between NAD and NADP usage. Two additional constraints, high intracellular NADPH abundance and the cost of compensatory protein synthesis, have ensured the conserved use of NAD by IMDH throughout evolution. Our results show that selective mechanisms and evolutionary constraints are to be understood in terms of underlying adaptive landscapes.     

Securing a future for wild Indochinese tigers: Transforming tiger vacuums into tiger source sites

A century ago, tigers (Panthera tigris Linnaeus, 1758) were so common in parts of Southeast Asia as to be considered pests, and governments sponsored their killing. Habitat loss and fragmentation, market-driven poaching and loss of prey have since led to the disappearance of Indochinese tigers from most their former range. Despite 15 years of dedicated tiger conservation funding, national estimates of Indochinese tiger subpopulations can at best only be roughly approximated. The future for the subspecies appears grim unless very focused efforts can be applied to stabilize and recover subpopulations. On a regional scale, the 2 proposed subspecies Panthera tigris corbetti and P. tigris jacksoni are effectively managed as separate conservation units. Evaluating where to place conservation efforts should consider the vulnerability (likelihood of extinction) and irreplaceability (likelihood that an area contributes uniquely to regional conservation) of tiger subpopulations. Only 1 site in Thailand supporting <200 individuals (Huai Kha Khaeng–Thung Yai) is considered low vulnerability, and is irreplaceable. Five sites in Lao, Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia are medium vulnerability and irreplaceable. Priorities at these 6 sites are to double tiger numbers within 10 years through protection and monitoring. Seven sites in Lao, Thailand and Myanmar are high vulnerability and irreplaceable, and might be recovered if government commitment to tigers, staff capacity and legal frameworks for tiger protection are established. Tigers are extremely vulnerable or even extinct in Cambodia's Eastern Plains and the site is irreplaceable for tigers because it represents the only large (>10 000 km²) block of dry forest habitat available in the region. A reintroduction program is the only option to recover tigers there.     

Cardiac lymphoma and pericardial effusion in dogs: 12 cases (1994-2004)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical characteristics and clinicopathologic findings, including results of pericardial fluid analysis, and determine the outcome associated with pericardial effusion caused by cardiac lymphoma in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 12 dogs. PROCEDURE: Medical records of affected dogs were reviewed for echocardiographic findings, radiographic findings, results of pericardial fluid analysis, clinicopathologic findings, treatment protocols, and outcomes. RESULTS: Pericardial effusion was detected by echocardiography in all 12 dogs, and lymphoma was detected by cytologic examination of the effusion (11/12 dogs) or histologic examination of pericardium (3/12). Large-breed dogs were overrepresented; median weight was 40.5 kg (89.1 lb). Most hematologic and biochemical changes were mild and non-specific. Survival time for dogs treated with combination chemotherapeutic agents was 157 days and for dogs that did not receive chemotherapy survival time was 22 days. This difference was not significant, but several dogs had long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cardiac lymphoma is an uncommon cause of pericardial effusion, and results suggest that cardiac lymphoma does not always warrant the poor prognosis of other stage V, substage b lymphomas.     

Prognostic factors for survival of dogs with inguinal and perineal mast cell tumors treated surgically with or without adjunctive treatment: 68 cases (1994-2002)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic factors for survival and tumor recurrence in dogs with cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs) in the perineal and inguinal regions treated surgically with or without adjunctive radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or both. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 68 dogs. PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs with histologically confirmed MCTs in the perineal region, inguinal region, or both treated surgically with or without adjunctive radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or both were reviewed. RESULTS: Mean tumor-free interval was 1,635 days (median not reached), and 1- and 2-year tumor-free rates were 79% and 71%, respectively. Median survival time was 1,111 days (mean, 1,223 days), and 1- and 2-year survival rates were 79% and 61%, respectively. Factors that negatively influenced survival time were age at diagnosis, tumor recurrence, and treatment with lomustine. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that dogs with MCTs in the inguinal and perineal regions, if appropriately treated, may have survival times and tumor-free intervals similar to dogs with MCTs in other locations.     

Environmental and lifestyle risk factors for oral squamous cell carcinoma in domestic cats

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common malignancy in cats, but little currently is known about its etiology. We examined the relationship between risk of oral SCC and factors such as environmental tobacco smoke, flea control products, and diet in 36 domestic cats with histologically confirmed oral SCC and 112 renal disease control cats presented to a large veterinary referral hospital between 1994 and 2000. Questionnaires were mailed to owners of all study and control cats to assess demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and level of chemical exposures 2 years before diagnosis. Multivariate relative risks (RR) were used to estimate the relationships between the various factors and the risk of oral SCC. Flea control product use and diet were significantly associated with risk of oral SCC. Cats that wore a flea collar had 5 times the risk of oral SCC as nonusers, after adjustment for other factors (RR = 5.3; P = .002). In contrast, use of flea shampoo substantially reduced risk. Compared to cats eating mostly dry food, those with high canned food intake had a 3-fold increase in risk (RR = 3.6; P = .014); canned tuna fish intake was independently associated with risk (RR = 4.7; P = .004). Exposure to household environmental tobacco smoke was associated with a nonsignificant 2-fold increase in risk (P = .11). Results of this study suggest that flea control products, diet, and perhaps environmental tobacco smoke might be associated with risk of oral SCC and indicate that further investigation into these relationships is warranted.     

Cisplatin and doxorubicin toxicosis in dogs with osteosarcoma

Toxicosis associated with doxorubicin and cisplatin administration starting either 2 or 10 days after limb amputation for osteosarcoma was examined retrospectively in dogs. The purpose was to determine whether dosage and timing of chemotherapy affected rates of toxicosis after administration of the 1st treatment. Records of 100 dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma without evidence of metastases or concurrent disease were examined. Dogs received chemotherapy with doxorubicin and cisplatin every 3 weeks for 3 treatments starting 2 days (n = 51) or 10 days (n = 49) after amputation. The dosage of cisplatin was 60 mg/m2 and was given with 6-hour saline diuresis and butorphanol. Doxorubicin was given at 12.5-25 mg/ml during fluid administration. Hematologic data were collected before and weekly after treatment. Client interviews were conducted to assess gastrointestinal toxicosis during the interval between treatments. The reported toxicoses were graded on a scale of 0 to 4. Dogs receiving 25 mg/m2 of doxorubicin experienced greater rates of grade 4 toxicity (67%; n = 6) than dogs in groups receiving 12.5-20 mg/m2 of doxorubicin (< or = 25%; n = 94, P = .03). Dogs in the Day 2 group experienced greater rates (35%) of grade 4 toxicity than dogs in the Day 10 group (12%, P = .007). We concluded that chemotherapy administered 2 days after surgery produced an unacceptable level of toxicoses. except at greatly reduced dosages, and that even with a delay of treatment, 25 mg/m2 of doxorubicin, when given in combination with cisplatin at 60 mg/m2, was too toxic for routine use.