Effect of endocytic and metabolic inhibitors on the internalization and intracellular growth of Brucella abortus in Vero cells.

Uptake, transfer to rough endoplasmic reticulum, and intracellular growth of Brucella abortus were studied in Vero cells treated with endocytic and metabolic inhibitors. Infection of Vero cells was suppressed when inhibitors of energy metabolism (iodoacetate, dinitrophenol), receptor-mediated endocytosis (monodansylcadaverine, amantadine, methylamine), or endosomal acidification (chloroquine, ammonium chloride, monensin) were added to the inoculum. Inhibition was not observed when these drugs were added after the inoculation period. Infection of Vero cells by B abortus was inhibited by dibutyryl-cyclic adenosine monophosphate and Vibrio cholerae enterotoxin, but was stimulated by dibutyryl-cyclic guanosine monophosphate and escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin a. Uptake of B abortus by Vero cells was not prevented by colchicine, but was abolished by cytochalasin B. Uptake of heat-killed B abortus and noninvasive E coli was similar to that of viable brucellae. Intracellular growth of B abortus was not affected by cycloheximide. Results indicate that: B abortus may be internalized by a receptor-mediated phagocytic process; transfer of B abortus from phagosomes to rough endoplasmic reticulum may require endosomal acidification; and replication of B abortus within the rough endoplasmic reticulum may not depend on protein synthesis by the host cell.     

Modifying the response to defoliation during vegetative growth in CERES-Maize

CERES-Maize (Vl. 0) predicted no grain yield when 100% defoliation occurred during vegetative growth. This result conflicted with field observations where 100% defoliation early in the vegetative stage did not materially reduce grain yield. CERES-Maize was modified to realistically predict yields when defoliation greater than 50% occurred during vegetative growth by taking into account stem (stem proper and sheath) photosynthesis and translocation of dry matter from the stem to the developing leaves. With these modifications, predictions from CERES-Maize were in good agreement with field measurements when defoliation occurred both early and later in the vegetative stage. This modified version of CERES-Maize can be the basis of a decision support system for defoliating pests of corn where yields can be evaluated under different management strategies and climate scenarios.     

Sedative and cardiovascular effects of romifidine, alone and in combination with butorphanol, in the horse

The behavioural and sedative effects of intravenous (iv) romifidine (40 and 80 μg/kg bodyweight [bwt]) alone or in combination with iv butorphanol (50 μg/kg bwt) were investigated in four ponies and one Thoroughbred horse. Apparent sedation, as judged by the lowering of the head, and by the response to imposed touch, visual and sound stimuli was assessed. The combination with butorphanol reduced the animals' response to imposed stimuli when compared with the effect of the same dose of romifidine alone. Following the administration of romifidine/butorphanol combinations muzzle tremor was noted and some animals attempted to walk forward. In a separate series, the cardiopulmonary effects of iv romifidine (80 μg/kg bwt) alone, or in combination with butorphanol (50 μg/kg bwt) were investigated. Romifidine and the romifidine/butorphanol combination caused similar cardiovascular changes, these being bradycardia with heart block, and hypertension followed by hypotension. Romifidine caused a transient decrease in arterial oxygen tensions and arterial carbon dioxide tensions had increased significantly by the end of the 90 min recording period. Romifidine/butorphanol combinations produced significantly higher arterial carbon dioxide tensions during the first 15 mins after drug administration than did romifidine alone. Butorphanol at 50 μg/kg bwt iv reduced the response to imposed stimuli in horses sedated with romifidine. The combination produced no cardiovascular changes beyond those induced by romifidine alone, but did increase the degree of respiratory depression.     

A Comparison of Injectable Anesthetic Combinations in Horses

Six combinations of injectable anesthetic agents were administered to six adult horses in a Latin square design. The drug combinations were xylazine-ketamine, xylazine-butorphanol-ketamine, xylazine-tiletamine-zolazepam, xylazine-butorphanol-tiletamine-zolazepam, detomidine-ketamine, and detomidine-butorphanol-ketamine. Measured variables were heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, arterial pH (pHa), PaCO2, PaO2, recumbency time, and number of attempts necessary to stand. Quality of induction and recovery, muscle relaxation, and response to stimulus were evaluated subjectively. The horses required significantly more attempts to stand after administration of xylazine-tiletamine-zolazepam, xylazine-butorphanol-tiletamine-zolazepam, and detomidine-ketamine than after xylazine-ketamine, xylazine-butorphanol-ketamine, or detomidine-butorphanol-ketamine. Mean recumbency times varied from 23.0 minutes with xylazine-ketamine to 41.3 minutes with xylazine-butorphanol-tiletamine-zolazepam. There were significant differences in mean heart rates at minute 15, mean respiratory rates at minutes 5, 10 and 15, and mean systolic blood pressures at minute 10 of anesthesia. There were no significant differences in pHa, PaCO2 or PaO2.     

Trigger Points in 48 Dogs with Myofascial Pain Syndromes

Seven foci of pain (trigger points) were identified in the triceps brachii, infraspinatus, adductor-pectineus, peroneus longus, gluteus medius, ileocostorum lumborum, and quadriceps femoris muscles in 48 lame dogs. The dogs had been lame for 1 day to 150 weeks (mean, 24 weeks). Thirty-one dogs had been treated unsuccessfully with corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, or acupuncture. Palpating the trigger points induced severe pain. Treatment consisted of weekly stimulation of the trigger points by needling or injection of a local anesthetic. The mean treatment period was 2.8 weeks. Excellent results and complete recovery were observed in 34 dogs (60%).     

Importance of Some Biochemical Parameters in the Quality and Yield of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Samples of rapeseed from three Italian growing environments (Bologna, Perugia and Palermo) were analysed for glucose content and dry weight of 1000 seeds every three or four days starting from the end of flowering until complete ripening. In addition, the content of oil, soluble and total proteins, glucosinolates and myrosinase activity was determined in samples of mature seeds. The cultivars used were jet Neuf and Lingot (type 0) and Tandem, Jade and Santana (type 00). From the results it emerged that the point of intersection of the two branches of the linear regression plots for different glucose-consumption kinetics found during seed filling, in addition to being strongly affected by the climate of the test environment, is correlated with quantitative and qualitative production, independently of the genotype.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FEATURES OF MULTILOBULAR OSTEOCHONDROSARCOMA IN 3 DOGS

Three dogs with multilobular osteochondrosarcoma of the skull were evaluated using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Spin echo T1, T2, proton weighted and post contrast T1W images were obtained with a 1.5 Tesla magnet. The MR imaging findings were similar in all three dogs with mixed signal intensities in the T1W, T2W and proton weighted images and fairly large areas of contrast enhancement in the post contrast T1W images. The extent of brain and soft tissue involvement were well delineated and provided useful information concerning surgical planning. MR imaging provided a useful method of evaluating dogs with skull tumors.     

Humoral immune responses of black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus) after DNA-mediated immunization with a beta-galactosidase reporter gene.

Humoral immune responses of black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus) to DNA-mediated immunization with a beta-galactosidase reporter gene expression plasmid were evaluated. Six male and 6 female adult penguins received either test plasmid, pCMV-beta, containing the beta-galactosidase gene or control plasmid, pCI, lacking a gene for expression. Three birds from each group were used previously in a diluent control group and given one injection of sterile saline. All samples were screened for anti-beta-galactosidase antibodies by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with anti-chicken immunoglobulin G as secondary antibody. Antibodies to beta-galactosidase were detected in the sera of pCMV-beta-inoculated penguins, with a peak response on day 21. Antibody titers of the test plasmid group versus both control groups on days 21, 28, and 42 differed significantly. These results demonstrate that black-footed penguins can be safely transfected with the gene encoding beta-galactosidase and will mount a humoral response against the in vivo-expressed protein. Knowledge from this initial study can be applied to the development of DNA-mediated vaccines against specific infectious diseases of penguins.