Morphological and biochemical characteristics of phyllosoma after photothermal manipulation of reproduction in broodstock of the spiny lobster, Jasus edwardsii

The consequences of photothermal manipulation of reproduction in Jasus edwardsii broodstock on the morphology of newly hatched larvae and their biochemical characteristics were examined. The treatment of compressed temperature and photoperiod delayed the time of moult, mating and egg extrusion, but reduced the period until larval hatch, and reduced the hatching duration in individual females compared to the ambient treatment of simulated natural photoperiod and water temperature. Thus, the availability of phyllosoma for hatchery rearing was extended. However, the broodstock in the compressed treatment produced smaller phyllosoma and more larvae failed to develop beyond the naupliosoma stage than animals from the ambient cycle. Phyllosoma from the compressed treatment contained a higher proportion of polar and triacylglycerol lipid classes, lower wax esters, elevated levels of the essential fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid, a higher ratio of n-3/n-6 fatty acids, and lower levels of ascorbic acid. The changes in larvae from the compressed treatment may adversely affect their viability, and are probably due to the higher water temperatures experienced during late embryonic development.     

Congenital ichthyosis in a llama

A 1-month-old male cria was examined because of diffuse hyperkeratosis and conjunctivitis that had existed since birth. The mucocutaneous junction of the nostrils as well as the neck, coronary bands, and axillary and inguinal regions were the most severely affected areas. Orthokeratosis involving the epidermis and follicular infundibula was observed on skin biopsy specimens. Electron microscopy revealed 4 to 6 granular layers and inter- and intracellular vacuolation in the stratum corneum; diagnosis of ichthyosis was established.     

Intensive outdoor culture of marine phytoplankton enriched with treated sewage effluent

Secondary sewage effluent has been used as a nutrient source for the outdoor mass culture of marine phytoplankton that serve as food for bivalve molluscs in a combined tertiary sewage treatment-aquaculture system. Using a daily harvest rate of 50%, yield in algae ranged from one to five grams carbon/m²/day and averaged 2.6 over the four-month experimental period.     

ESI FTICR-MS Analysis of Larvae from the Marine Sponge Luffariella variabilis

The viviparous Great Barrier Reef sponge Luffariella variabilis (Poléjaeff 1884) contains a range of secondary metabolites, including manoalide (1) and manoalide monoacetate (3). ESI (+) FTICR-MS accurate mass determination has, for the first time, been used to detected the presence of 3 only in an organic extract of a single L. variabilis larva showing that the parentally produced 3 is sequestered in the larva. As 3 has previously been shown to have antibacterial and quorum sensing inhibition activity, and readily converts to 1, which also exhibits similar activity, it may provide a chemical defence against predation and microbial attack.     

The effect of body region on the canine hair cycle as defined by unit area trichogram

The impact of anatomic location on trichogram analysis of the hair cycle phases was evaluated in 15 clinically normal dogs. The purposes of this study were to determine if the number of hairs in anagen and telogen vary among anatomic sites within a dog and to see whether there is an optimal region to sample hairs for canine trichogram evaluation of the hair cycle phases. In each dog eight sites were sampled. Four (26.7%) of the 15 dogs had no significant differences in the number of hairs in anagen and telogen among the eight body sites examined. Nine (81.8%) of the remaining 11 dogs had only one site that revealed significant differences in the number of hairs in anagen or telogen. In seven (77.8%) of these dogs only the anagen differed significantly, and in two (22.2%) dogs both phases differed significantly. Two (18.2%) dogs revealed two sites with significant differences in the number of hairs in anagen. The number of hairs in anagen and telogen in the shoulder area did not vary significantly in any of the dogs. This observation, coupled with the ease of sampling at this site, indicates that the shoulder is the site of choice when studying variations in ratios of hair cycle phases using unit area trichogram. Our results also suggest that numbers of telogen and anagen hairs from body regions with different hair shaft lengths do not vary significantly, and the occasional inconsistent results noted at some body sites might be due to sample collection technique.     

The effects of thyroid hormones on the skin of beagle dogs

The effects of hypothyroidism on canine skin were determined by comparing morphologic, morphometric, and hair cycle differences in skin biopsy samples from 3 groups of age- and gender-matched Beagle dogs: (1) euthyroid dogs; (2) dogs made hypothyroid by administration of 131I; and (3) dogs made hypothyroid and maintained in a euthyroid state by treatment with synthetic thyroxine. After 10 months of observation, there was slower regrowth of hair 2 months after clipping in the untreated-hypothyroid dogs. Untreated-hypothyroid dogs had a greater number of follicles in telogen and fewer hair shafts (ie, a greater number of hairless telogen follicles) than did the control group. The control dogs had a greater number of telogen follicles but the same number of hair shafts as the treated-hypothyroid group. Treated-hypothyroid dogs had the greatest number of follicles in the growing stage of the hair cycle (anagen). This study suggests that, at least in Beagles, induced hypothyroidism does not affect the pelage as dramatically as has been described in naturally occurring disease. This is because normal Beagles retain hair shafts in follicles for long periods, and the alopecia of hypothyroidism appears to evolve slowly because of the prolongation of this haired telogen stage. The evaluation of thyroxine-treated hypothyroid dogs demonstrates that thyroid hormone supplementation of Beagle dogs with induced hypothyroidism stimulates hair growth.     

A user's guide to veterinary surgical pathology laboratories. Or, why do I still get a diagnosis of chronic dermatitis even when I take a perfect biopsy?

During the past decade, clinicians have come to rely more heavily on veterinary surgical pathology services to provide assistance in the diagnosis of inflammatory and neoplastic skin disease. To obtain maximum results from each skin biopsy, it is important that clinicians have a good understanding of the factors that can affect histologic evaluation after the biopsy specimen has been removed from the patient. This article discusses the role proper tissue fixation, trimming, and grooming can play in obtaining an accurate histologic evaluation. The importance of understanding the limits of dermatopathology in establishing a definitive diagnosis of many inflammatory and neoplastic skin diseases is emphasized.     

Aneurysmal bone cyst in a six-month-old dog.

A 6-month-old female Yorkshire Terrier was examined because of acute left forelimb lameness secondary to a Salter-Harris type IV fracture of the lateral condyle of the humerus. Radiography revealed an eccentric, osteolytic lesion in the distal humeral metaphysis associated with a pathologic fracture. The limb was amputated, and the dog recovered. Microscopic examination revealed an extensive zone of hemorrhage and dilated coalescent spaces, which were filled with blood. Hemosiderin-laden macrophages and multinucleated giant cells were observed throughout the stroma. On the basis of clinical, radiographic, and histologic examinations, a diagnosis of aneurysmal bone cyst was made. Aneurysmal bone cysts generally have been detected in 11- to 13-year-old, medium- to large-sized dogs. They can develop secondary to malignant processes.     

The analysis and control of volatile hydrocarbon concentrations (e. g. benzene) during oil bioassays

It is well known that volatile hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylene, which are abundant in many refined oils, affect phytoplankton growth. However, experiments to determine these effects in many cases have been improperly designed resulting in questionable conclusions. Experiments presented in this paper indicate that ambient benzene concentrations reported in the published literature may be lower than stated by an order of 10 to 100. By continuous monitoring the benzene concentration decrease was observed and it was possible to determine whether the loss was due to degassing because of loose closures or biological uptake. Unless tight closures are used benzene is quickly lost to the atmosphere (exponential decay rate ≌ 1.2d ^-1). Experiments demonstrated that benzene is quickly lost from cotton stoppered bioassay flasks that are typically used. Rubber stoppered flasks with little gaseous headspace showed minimum benzene loss. Biological uptake of benzene can be demonstrated when closures are secure and the effect of certain concentrations on growth can be correctly interpreted. Benzene concentrations above 10 to 20 ppm significantly reduce the growth rate of Skeletonema sp. The benzene concentration decreased quickly in 10 to 20 ppm benzene solutions implying metabolic uptake. These experiments indicate that proper closures and analysis of the volatile pollutant concentration during bioassay experiments increase the likelihood of correct interpretation and may yield additional insights into the causation factors.