Fatty acids triggering coremia formation by Ceratocystis ulmi their occurrence and distribution in elm wood

This paper reports the identification of fatty acids in elm wood and its active extractives triggering coremia formation, their distribution between bark, sapwood and heartwood of elms, and their occurrence in the mycelium of the pathogen.     

L'effet d'acides gras sur la stimulation des périthèces de Ceratocystis ips,C. minor et C. capillifera

The effect of fatty acids in stimulating production of perithecia of Ceratocystis ips, C. minor and C. capillifera. Perithecia formation of three species of Ceratocystis is stimulated by somo unsaturated fatty acids, spccially linoleic acid, and one saturated fatty acid (arachidic acid).     

Effects of blood sample mishandling on ELISA results for infectious bronchitis virus, avian encephalomyelitis virus and chicken anaemia virus

This study determined the effect of sample mishandling on the performance of ELISAs for detection of antibodies against infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), avian encephalomyelitis virus (AEV) and chicken anaemia virus (CAV) in the serum of chickens. The effects of five different sample mishandling treatments were assessed: heat treatment, repetitive freezing and thawing and three levels of severity of haemolysis. These mishandling treatments simulated different conditions that might occur during routine blood collection, transport or storage in a clinical practice setting. Each mishandling treatment was experimentally applied under laboratory conditions and then samples were assayed for antibodies against IBV, AEV and CAV using commercial ELISA kits. Severe haemolysis had the most consistent detrimental effect on ELISA performance, producing results that were significantly different from the reference standard in all three ELISAs, although the direction of the effect varied (less positive for the IBV and CAV assays; more positive for the AEV assay). Moderate levels of haemolysis had a similar, but less consistent, effect to that of severe haemolysis, producing results that were significantly different from the reference standard only for the IBV (less positive) and AEV (more positive) ELISAs. Repetitive freeze-thawing also produced a significant effect on ELISA results for IBV (less positive) and AEV (more positive). The IBV ELISA appeared to be most susceptible to the effects of serum maltreatment. The findings from this study suggest that unpredictable variation in the results of ELISAs can occur due to different sample mishandling treatments.     

Usefulness of Ki-67 proliferation marker in the cytologic identification of liver tumors in dogs

BACKGROUND: Performing a biopsy is currently the best method of diagnosing liver disease. To reduce possible risk factors resulting from a biopsy, liver cytology can provide an alternative technique. The diagnostic accuracy of cytology for identifying liver tumors is, however, limited. The results of cytology might be improved by using immunochemistry for Ki-67, a proliferation marker, on liver cytology specimens. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of Ki-67 immunochemistry on liver cytologic specimens from dogs for identifying neoplastic diseases of the liver, by comparing the results to histologic findings. METHODS: Liver biopsy and cytology samples were obtained from 30 dogs with hepatic disease. All samples were evaluated by an anatomic pathologist and a cytopathologist. Parallel Ki-67 immunochemistry of histologic and cytologic samples was performed. The gradation of Ki-67 expression in histologic and cytologic samples was assessed. RESULTS: Cytologic specimens of liver tumors (n = 9) showed <50% Ki-67-positive cells. Twenty of 21 cases of non-neoplastic liver disease had no or few single Ki-67-positive cells. Using Ki-67, the diagnostic accuracy of cytologic evaluation was increased from 78% to 100% for malignant neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, the cytologic evaluation of liver together with Ki-67 immunochemistry can improve the diagnostic accuracy of cytology for liver neoplasia.     

Serum creatine kinase activity in dogs and cats with metabolic diseases

Elevated Creatine kinase-activitiy (CK) indicates disturbances of the muscle cell integrity. In addition to primary muscle disease, like trauma, inflammation or dystrophy, diseases of other organs can lead to secondary muscle involvement, which will be indicated by increased serum activities of the CK. The mechanisms of muscle cell disturbance are still unknown. An elevated protein catabolism in the muscle cell is suspected. In the present study we investigated, if dogs and cats with metabolic diseases have increased CK-activity in the serum. From 34 dogs and cats in a group with different metabolic diseases without metabolic acidosis 19% of the dogs and 50% of the cats had increased CK-activity in the serum. From 33 dogs and cats with different metabolic diseases connected with metabolic acidosis 86% of the dogs and 95% of the cats had simultaneously increased CK-activity in the serum. In comparison to healthy dogs and cats animals with metabolic diseases have significant and in cases of metabolic di-seases with metabolic acidosis cats have high significant elevation (dogs significant) of CK-activity in the serum. There was no significant correlation between the groups of patients. In conclusion we think that our results show that metabolic diseases often induce secondary myopathy, measured by CK-activity in the serum, but metabolic acidosis has no direct influence on elevated CK activity in dogs and cats.     

Case report: Porcine circovirus type 2 infection in an European wild boar (Sus scrofa) in the state of Brandenburg, Germany

This case represents the first case of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV-2)--infection in a free living European wild boar associated with morphological lesions, which are regarded as characteristic for Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) in domestic pigs. The animal, an approximately 10 month old male, was found dead in a rural area within the state of Brandenburg, Germany. The closest commercial pig farm is located in 3 km distance from the spot where the carcass was found. At necropsy, the animal was found to be in a runted condition. Morphological investigation revealed two lesion complexes. Firstly, lymphatic depletion was present in different organs. Mainly the white pulp of the spleen was affected, where lymph follicles and periarteriolar lymphatic sheaths were nearly completely depleted of lymphoid cells. The former lymphatic areas could only be identified by the presence of histiocytic cells. Secondly, there were widely distributed lesions indicative of a bacterial septicemia i.e. purulent-necrotizing lymphadenitis, pulpous hyperplasia of the spleen, miliary lytic liver necroses and foci of fibrinous pneumonia. Within the lesions, bacterial colonies were found (short Gram-negative rods). Bacteriology revealed a septicemic Salmonella choleraesuis var. Kunzendorf--infection. Virologically, the animal was tested with negative results for Classical Swine Fever Virus and PRRSV. The unusual depletion of the lymphatic tissue mainly in the spleen led to the suspicion of a PCV-2 infection. Typical circoviral particles were found by negative-contrast electron microscopy in samples from spleen and lymph nodes. Using a commercial antiserum against Porcine Circovirus, positive staining was found by fluorescence microscopy in tonsils, spleen and lymph nodes. Finally, the virus was identified to be PCV-2 by species-specific PCR. The presented case rises the questions if PCV-2 is endemic in the European wild boar population at least in certain areas, if it is of pathogenetic importance for wild boars and if the virus present in wild boars is identical to that present in domestic pigs with PMWS.     

Poultry husbandry and animal health

Close interactions are existing between poultry husbandry and poultry health. The more housing systems and the environment of the animals can be controlled, the less the general risk of disorders in poultry flocks--especially of diseases which are caused by the introduction of microoganisms. Resulting deterimental effects will affect not only the animals themselves, but also pose a risk indirectly for humans via food originating from animals under production. Also, by keeping the risk of infections as low as possible, the use of therapeutics can be avoided. This will reduce the risk of residues in food of animal origin. In summary, with all probability open poultry husbandry systems, especially those including free range systems pose increased risks for poultry health and consequently for the quality of food originating from poultry production. At least, those systems require highest standards of biosecurity, defined as management, location, farm layout, cleaning and desinfection incl. pest control programs, immunization and specific veterinary monitoring concepts to prevent infections.     

Vapor pressure and volatility of β-asarone,the main ingredient of an indigenous stored-product insecticide,Acorus calamus oil

The effect ofAcorus calamus products on insects is reviewed briefly. A sudden, dramatic drop occurs in the insecticidal, gaseous phase activity of calamus oil on stored-product pests, when the exposure temperature is lowered from 30° to 25°C. In an attempt to explain this finding, the vapor pressure of the main constituent of IndianAcorus calamus essential oil, β-asarone, was determined by three methods: (i) extrapolation with a gas-chromatographic method according to Jensen and Schall; (ii) calculation from boiling points with the Clausius-Clapeyron equation; and (iii) direct measurement with the Knudsen cell. The values of vapor pressure of β-asarone at 30°C according to these three methods were 3.3 x 10^-3, 3.7 x 10^-3 and 9.8 x 10^-4 Torr, respectively. The volatility of β-asarone under the conditions of the fumigant experiments mentioned above was assayed by determining the weight loss from 50 mg asarone allowed to evaporate at 30°C from a filter paper disk into a 400 ml hermetically closed glass vessel. The weight loss was approximately 0.75 mg/400 ml receptacle space (≈1.9 mg/l) for every 10 days from day 0 to day 40.     

Efficacy of a continuous, multiagent chemotherapeutic protocol versus a short-term single-agent protocol in dogs with lymphoma

OBJECTIVE: To compare response rates and remission and survival times in dogs with lymphoma treated with a continuous, multiagent, doxorubicin-based chemotherapeutic protocol or with a short-term single-agent protocol incorporating doxorubicin. DESIGN: Nonrandomized controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS: 114 dogs with lymphoma. PROCEDURES: Dogs were treated with a chemotherapeutic protocol consisting of L-asparaginase, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, methotrexate, and prednisolone (n=87) or doxorubicin alone (27). RESULTS: 63 of 86 (73%) dogs treated with the multiagent protocol (data on response was unavailable for 1 dog) and 14 of 27 (52%) dogs treated with the single-agent protocol had a complete remission. Dogs with lymphoma classified as substage相似文献