Primary orthostatic tremor in Great Danes

Two Great Danes were presented for an investigation of 6-month histories of incessant tremor of all 4 limbs and trunk occurring only when the dogs were standing at rest. Dog 1 was a 2-year-old intact female harlequin Great Dane living in the UK, and dog 2 was a 2-year-old castrated male fawn Great Dane living in the United States. The owners described both dogs as having constant quivering of the limbs while standing, suggestive of an involuntary dance, since the age of 18 months. The intensity of the tremors was reported in both dogs to have steadily increased since onset. In dog 1, tremors were noticed to be more pronounced in the fore limbs when she was eating and more pronounced in the hind limbs when she was trying to sit. The owner of dog 1 also reported that the dog could no longer assume a position of recumbency without manual assistance because of the severity of the tremors. Intermittently, tremors were reported to involve the facial musculature of dog 2. Vaccinations were current, and the owners of both dogs did not report any previous medical history, exposure to natural or manufactured toxins, or concurrent treatment. No familial relationship was identified between these 2 dogs.     

Inherited congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in Cairn terriers

The pathogenesis of congenital portosystemic shunt (CPSS) in dogs still is incompletely understood. In Irish Wolfhounds and Yorkshire Terriers, CPSS is reported to be hereditary. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible genetic basis and the mode of inheritance of CPSS in Cairn Terriers. Between July 1990 and July 2001, 6-week-old pups of the Dutch Cairn Terrier population were screened by measuring venous ammonia concentrations and in the presence of hyperammonemia by ultrasonography, autopsy, portal vein angiography, or exploratory celiotomy. The same successfully operated female was used 3 times in test matings with an unrelated affected male, her unaffected sire, and an affected offspring. The prevalence of CPSS in the general Cairn Terrier population, the direct progeny of frequently used males, and the offspring of the test matings were tested for significant differences. In total, 6,367 Cairn Terriers were screened; 32 males and 26 females had CPSS. In 3 large family groups, significantly higher prevalences were found compared with the general population (P < .0001, P < .0001, and P < .044). The prevalence of CPSS in the offspring of the test matings was significantly higher (P < .002) than in the general population. No sex predisposition occurred among the affected dogs. The higher prevalence of CPSS in the test matings and the 3 family groups compared with the general population indicates that CPSS in Cairn Terriers is a genetic disease. The inheritance is autosomal and most likely polygenic or monogenic with variable expression.     

Bone metabolic effects of single-dose zoledronate in healthy dogs

Zoledronate, an aminobisphosphonate with potent antiresorptive activity in bone, has the potential for treatment of malignant osteolysis and hypercalcemia in dogs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bone metabolic effects of a single dose of zoledronate in healthy dogs. Four skeletally mature, male, intact dogs received a 15-minute i.v. infusion of zoledronate at a dosage of 0.25 mg/kg. Urine N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) excretion decreased significantly from baseline by 76, 63, 77, and 73% on days 7, 14, 21, and 28, respectively (P < .0125). Serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP) decreased significantly from baseline by 36 and 42% on days 21 and 28, respectively (P < .0125). No changes were detected in indices of calcium homeostasis (ionized calcium, intact PTH, or urine calcium excretion). Single-dose i.v. zoledronate at 0.25 mg/kg appears to inhibit homeostatic osteolytic activity in healthy, skeletally mature dogs. Prospective studies should assess repeated-dose safety and activity in healthy and diseased animals of various age groups.     

The effect of different isolation procedures on canine leucocyte populations and on lectin-induced lymphocyte proliferation

Proliferation assays performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are commonly used in experimental and clinical immunology. A prerequisite for an in vitro assay is the ability to obtain relatively pure populations of mononuclear cells from whole blood, as contaminating polymorphonuclear cells may affect the proliferation of lymphocytes. Purification of canine leucocytes from whole blood is associated with difficulties in obtaining pure lymphocytes in high yields. The aim of this study was to optimize the lymphocyte purification from canine whole blood in terms of total cell recovery and purity, while not influencing the proliferation capacity of the isolated cells. To acquire optimal isolation of canine lymphocytes several density gradient media of different densities and osmolalities were examined. For optimal phagocyte removal, pre-treatment of whole blood with carbonyl iron/arabic gum and/or adherence to fibrinogen pre-coated polystyrene tissue flasks were examined. Lectin-induced proliferation was used as measurement of cell activity of the obtained cell fractions after the different separation procedures. Canine blood pre-treated with carbonyl iron/arabic gum followed by density gradient centrifugation with medium 'G' (density: 1.079 g/cm(3), osmolality: 256 mOsm) and adherence to pre-coated polystyrene tissue flask obtained the best PBMC cultures with a median lymphocyte purity of 88% and a median yield of recovered lymphocytes of 54%. This culture also resulted in the highest proliferation and subsequently the highest stimulation index upon lectin stimulation.     

Acral mutilation and analgesia in 13 French spaniels

Acral mutilation and analgesia (AMA) is reported in 13 French spaniels in Canada. This newly recognized disorder shares striking similarities in clinical features and biopsy findings to the other acral mutilation syndromes or hereditary sensory neuropathies reported in German short-haired pointer dogs, English pointer dogs and English springer spaniels. Clinical signs are first noted between 3.5 and 12 months of age. Affected dogs lick, bite and severely self-mutilate their distal extremities resulting in ulcers with secondary bacterial infection. Auto-amputation of claws, digits and footpads occurs in severe cases. Single or multiple feet can be affected. Affected dogs walked on their severely mutilated feet without evidence of pain, lameness, or ataxia. The majority of the dogs were euthanized within days to months of diagnosis.     

Preliminary results on detection of maize treated with electrons for seed dressing and according decontamination and infestation

Saatgut und Getreide kann mit niederenergetischen Elektronen (<300 kev) oder=" hochenergetischen=" elektronen=" (1–10 mev)=" wirksam=" behandelt=" werden,=" um=" mikroorganismen=" und=" insekten=" abzutöten.=" in=" dieser=" vorläufigen=" studie=" wurde=" mais=" mit=" niederenergetischen=" (125 kev)=" und=" hochenergetischen=" elektronen=" (10 mev)=" behandelt.=" um=" diese=" elektronenbehandlung=" nachzuweisen,=" wurden=" verschiedene=" verfahren=" eingesetzt:=" photostimulierte=" lumineszenz=" (psl),=" thermolumineszenz=" (tl)=" und=" dna-kometentest.=" für=" diese=" drei=" nachweismethoden=" existieren=" bereits=" europäische=" normen=" und=" sie=" sind=" als=">Allgemeine Codex Methoden zum Nachweis bestrahlter Lebensmittel etabliert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass PSL und TL geeignete Verfahren sind, um sowohl eine Behandlung von Mais mit niederenergetischen als auch mit hochenergetischen Elektronen zu erkennen. Der DNA-Kometentest erwies sich als weniger geeignet: die Behandlung mit niederenergetischen Elektronen konnte—wie erwartet—nicht nachgewiesen werden. Die Behandlung mit hochenergetischen Elektronen konnte bei einer Maissorte erkannt werden, jedoch nicht bei einer anderen Sorte.     

Pseudomonas syringae pv. coryli, the Causal Agent of Bacterial Twig Dieback of Corylus avellana

ABSTRACT Thirty-eight bacterial strains isolated from hazelnut (Corylus avellana) cv. Tonda Gentile delle Langhe showing a twig dieback in Piedmont and Sardinia, Italy, were studied by a polyphasic approach. All strains were assessed by fatty acids analysis and repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fingerprinting using BOX and ERIC primer sets. Representative strains also were assessed by sequencing the 16S rDNA and hrpL genes, determining the presence of the syrB gene, testing their biochemical and nutritional characteristics, and determining their pathogenicity to hazelnut and other plants species or plant organs. Moreover, they were compared with reference strains of other phytopathogenic pseudomonads. The strains from hazelnut belong to Pseudomonas syringae (sensu latu), LOPAT group Ia. Both fatty acids and repetitive-sequence-based PCR clearly discriminate such strains from other Pseudomonas spp., including P. avellanae and other P. syringae pathovars as well as P. syringae pv. syringae strains from hazelnut. Also, the sequencing of 16S rDNA and hrpL genes differentiated them from P. avellanae and from P. syringae pv. syringae. They did not possess the syrB gene. Some nutritional tests also differentiated them from related P. syringae pathovars. Upon artificial inoculation, these strains incited severe twig diebacks only on hazelnut. Our results justify the creation of a new pathovar because the strains from hazelnut constitute a homogeneous group and a discrete phenon. The name of P. syringae pv. coryli is proposed and criteria for routine identification are presented.     

Germination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gibberella zeae</Emphasis> ascospores as affected by age of spores after discharge and environmental factors

The effects of age of ascospores (0–18 days after discharge), photon flux density (0–494 mol m^–2 s^–1 PAR), temperature (4–30 °C), frost (–15 °C for 30 min), relative humidity (RH; 0–100%), pH (2.5–6.5) and dryness (0 and 53% RH for up to 40 min) on the germination of the ascospores of the mycotoxin-producing fungus Gibberella zeae (anamorph Fusarium graminearum) were studied. Freshly discharged ascospores germinated within 4 h at 20 °C and 100% RH. The rate of germination and the percentage of viable ascospores decreased over time after the spores were discharged from perithecia. The time course of ascospore germination was not significantly affected by photon flux density. The period of time required to obtain 50% germinated ascospores at 100% RH was 26.90 h at 4 °C, 10.40 h at 14 °C, 3.44 h at 20 °C and 3.31 h at 30 °C. There was no significant effect of frost on the percentage of viable ascospores. A small percentage (6.6 ± 3.8%) of the ascospores germinated at 53% RH. At RH 84% and 20 °C almost 100% of the freshly discharged ascospores germinated. The time course of ascospore germination was affected by pH. The maximum rate of ascospore germination was estimated to be at pH 3.76. Ascospores lost their ability to germinate following exposure to 0% RH almost instantaneously. No germinating spores were detected after an incubation period of 1 min at 0% RH. Incubating the ascospores at 53% RH decreased the percentage of viable spores from 93 to 6% within 10 min. The data demonstrate that age of spores, relative humidity, temperature and pH, but not photon flux density, are key factors in germination of G. zeae ascospores.     

Unsaturated fatty acids from zoospores of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sclerospora graminicola</Emphasis> induce resistance in pearl millet

Downy mildew of pearl millet, caused by Sclerospora graminicola, is a devastating disease, resulting in high economic losses in the semi-arid regions of the world. Recently, induction of host plant resistance using biotic and abiotic inducers are included among disease management practices as an eco-friendly approach. Unsaturated fatty acids are considered as a new generation of plant disease resistance inducers. In the present study, six unsaturated fatty acids, viz. docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), arachidonic acid (AA), linolenic acid, linoleic acid and oleic acid, all originally detected in the zoospores of S. graminicola,were applied to seeds of susceptible cultivars of pearl millet to examine their ability to protect against downy mildew under greenhouse and field conditions. In greenhouse experiments, EPA and AA induced a maximum of 78.6% and 76.5% protection, whereas linoleic acid, DHA and linolenic acid provided up to 66.3%, 61.2% and 24.5% protection, respectively. Oleic acid was not effective in protecting pearl millet (only 5.1% protection). A time interval of four days between treatment of seeds and challenge inoculation was required to obtain optimum protection. Plants raised from treated seeds and challenge inoculated at the tillering and inflorescence stages showed enhanced resistance, resulting in higher grain yield compared to untreated plants of the same cultivar. Chitinase activity was found to be higher in susceptible seedlings of pearl millet after treatment with the fatty acids and pathogen inoculation than in seedlings only inoculated with the pathogen. This indicates that host defence responses are activated and thus that induced resistance is involved in the protection observed. The role of unsaturated fatty acids as activators of resistance against downy mildew in pearl millet is discussed.