Insertion sequence profiling of UK Mycoplasma bovis field isolates

Mycoplasma equigenitalium and Mycoplasma subdolum have been associated with infertility, endometritis, vulvitis and abortions in mares, and with reduced fertility and balanoposthitis in stallions. Despite their role in equine genital disorder, determinants of virulence and pathogenesis as well as factors provoking specific host immune responses have not been identified, so far. To establish the major immunogenic components of Mycoplasma (M.) equigenitalium and M. subdolum, antigen profiles of their type strains as well as 30 clinical isolates were compared by SDS-PAGE and immunoblot analysis using hyperimmune rabbit sera and equine sera from clinical cases. To define the major protein antigens of both mycoplasma species, detergent-phase fractionation with Triton X-114 was performed. Western blot analysis of 30 clinical isolates revealed a high similarity of their overall antigen profile with only slight differences. In contrast, monospecific polyclonal antibodies raised against detergent-phase proteins of the two mycoplasma species identified three prominent proteins (pST17, pST42, and pET45) undergoing variation in expression and size among clinical and clonal isolates.     

Detection of chicken anemia virus DNA in embryonal tissues and eggshell membranes

Chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV) is a ubiquitous and highly resistant virus of chickens that causes anemia and death in chicks less than 3 wk of age and immunosuppression in chickens older than 3 wk of age. The production of specific-pathogen-free eggs free of CIAV is essential for research and vaccine production. Currently, flocks are screened for CIAV by antibody tests to ensure freedom from CIAV infection. Recent evidence, however, indicates that chickens may carry and vertically transmit CIAV DNA independently of their antibody status. In this study, we tested embryos and eggshell membrane residues by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a sensitive method of detecting CIAV DNA. CIAV DNA could be detected in the blastodisks and semen obtained from antibody-positive and -negative chickens. Examination of different tissues between 18 and 20 days of incubation indicated that many but not all organs of individual embryos were positive. The lymphoid organs and gonads had the highest incidence of CIAV DNA, which was significantly different (P < 0.05) from the incidence in the liver. Eggshell membrane samples from embryos or newly hatched chicks were an excellent noninvasive source for the detection of CIAV DNA, identifying significantly more positive embryos than did pooled lymphoid organs. The use of dexamethasone injections as a method to improve the detection of carrier birds did not result in an increase of vertical transmission or cause seroconversion in the treated hens. A combination of testing eggshell membrane residues at hatch and periodic testing of blood DNA by nested PCR can be used to identify chickens carrying CIAV DNA and may be used to eradicate carrier birds.     

Recreational sector is the dominant source of fishing mortality for oceanic fishes in the Southeast United States Atlantic Ocean

Recreational fishing is increasingly recognised as an important source of mortality for marine fish populations. In the United States, estimates of marine recreational catch and effort were recently revised for the time period 1981 and beyond, and for many species, the revised estimates were substantially higher than the original values. Here, the proportion of total landings that came from the recreational sector in the Southeast US Atlantic was quantified. The proportions for 22 oceanic species and for all species combined were computed, using a full time series of landings (1981–2016) and a more recent time series (1999–2016). For the full and recent time series, landings of most species (15/22 and 17/22, respectively) were dominated by the recreational sector. For all species combined, 71% of landings in the full time series were from the recreational sector, and 76% in the recent time series. Trend analysis indicated that most species had a stable or increasing proportion of landings from the recreational sector. In addition, stock assessments were conducted on four species, and the catch revisions increased the estimated scale of abundance and, in some cases, affected stock or fishery status. This work underscores the importance of recreational fishing for marine resource management.     

Effects of Vegetation-Free Strip Width and Irrigation on Newly Planted Peach

Field experiments were conducted at two locations (Clayton and Jackson Springs, NC) to determine the influence of vegetation-free strip width (VFSW) and irrigation on newly planted peach growth and yield in a low-density orchard with a volunteer weedy ground cover. The experiments included VFSW of 0, 0.6, 1.2, 2.4, 3, or 3.6 m under irrigated or nonirrigated conditions. Seasonal variation in the orchard floor vegetation was observed as different weed species reported in summer and winter. However, this difference was not apparent with respect to VFSF and irrigation. At Jackson Springs, NC, the predicted irrigated VFSW which would produce the same trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) as the grower standard (3-m nonirrigated) was 1.5, 1.3, and 0.8 m for one-, two-, and three-year-old trees, respectively. The predicted irrigated VFSW which would produce the same yield as the grower standard was 1.16 m. At Clayton, TCSA and fruit yield were not different by irrigation, but did increase linearly with VFSW. At both locations, leaf nitrogen (N) concentration was lower in irrigated trees than nonirrigated trees. Leaf N, leaf area, and SPAD were positively related to VFSW at Jackson Springs. In contrast, leaf N concentration was not different by VFSW at Clayton. However, leaf area and SPAD were positively related to VFSW at Clayton. These results suggest that a 1.5 m VFSW combined with proper irrigation and fertilization will produce tree growth and yield in newly planted orchard with volunteer weedy vegetation similar to the current grower standard in the southeastern USA.     

Suboccipital craniectomy, dorsal laminectomy of C1, durotomy and dural graft placement as a treatment for syringohydromyelia with cerebellar tonsil herniation in Cavalier King Charles spaniels

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate retrospectively the efficacy of the suboccipital craniectomy and dorsal laminectomy of C1 with durotomy and placement of a dural graft for treatment of syringohydromyelia (SHM) because of cerebellar tonsil herniation in Cavalier King Charles spaniels (CKCS). This technique is used with great success in human medicine. STUDY DESIGN: Four CKCS diagnosed by Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of SHM because of cerebellar tonsil herniation and not responsive to medical therapy underwent a suboccipital craniectomy and dorsal laminectomy of C1 (2 dogs) and of C1 and partial C2 (2 dogs) with durotomy and placement of a dural graft. Three dogs were evaluated neurologically 24 hours, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively and evaluations were compared with preoperative neurological examination. Repeat MRI took place 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Neurological examinations showed neither improvement nor progression of clinical signs 3 months postoperatively. MRI showed no regression of syrinx size 3 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Improvement was not seen. Given the progressive nature of the disorder, evaluation over a longer period of time is necessary to detect if progression has stopped. Some modification to the surgical technique is needed to accomplish the same results as in human medicine. A study of a larger population is needed to attain more reliable information. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Suboccipital craniectomy and dorsal laminectomy of C1 with durotomy and placement of a dural graft is a feasible technique in CKCS, but needs some modification to accomplish the same results as in human medicine.