Isolation and Sequence of a Gene, celD Xo Involved in Cellobiose Utilization in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

A genomic library of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (X. o. pv. oryzae) T7174 was screened for 4-methylumbelliferyl β-D-glucoside-hydrolyzing (MUGase) activity. In subcloning of one of the MUGase-positive clones, an approximately 4.2-kb SacI-SphI fragment conferred not only MUGase activity but also 4-methylumbelliferyl β-D-cellobioside-hydrolyzing (MUCase) activity. Sequence analysis showed that the fragment contained an ORF of 2951 bp. The conceptual ORF product was significantly homologous with 1,4-β-D-glucan glucohydrolase D (CELD) from Pseudomonas fluorescens subsp. cellulosa, and was named CELD_Xo. Cell fractionation experiments suggested that CELD_Xo is localized in the cell-envelope fraction. We constructed a CELD_Xo-deficient mutant (74ΔCELD) from X. o. pv. oryzae. Little MUCase activity was detected in the cell-envelope fraction prepared from the mutant. The mutant 74ΔCELD did not grow in synthetic medium containing cellobiose as the sole sugar source. On the other hand, growth in rice leaves and pathogenicity of the mutant and the parental strain did not differ. These results suggested that CELD_Xo is involved in cellobiose utilization of X. o. pv. oryzae but that the gene is not required for bacterial growth in rice leaves. Received 16 February 2001/ Accepted in revised form 11 April 2001     

Particle Size Effects on the Quality of Flour Tortillas Enriched with Whole Grain Waxy Barley

Wheat tortillas were enriched with whole barley flour (WBF) of different particle sizes including 237 μm (regular [R]), 131 μm (intermediate [IM]), and 68 μm (microground [MG]). Topographical and fluorescent microstructure images of flours, doughs, and tortillas were examined. Flours and tortillas were analyzed for color, protein, ash, starch, moisture, and β‐glucan content. Farinograph testing was conducted on the flour blends. Water activity and texture analyses of tortillas were conducted. A 9‐point hedonic scale was used by 95 untrained panelists to evaluate tortilla appearance, color, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability. Two commercial products (CP) were included in some analyses. As WBF particle size decreased, color was lighter; protein, moisture content and mixing stability decreased; ash, starch content, water absorption and farinograph peak time increased; and β‐glucan content was constant. WBF tortillas were darker than the control (C), while IM and MG tortillas had lower peak forces than C. No flavor differences were reported among C, R, and MG tortillas but higher scores were given to both CP in all attributes tested. Tortillas made with the largest WBF particle size (R) were the most similar in protein content, texture and flavor when compared with C tortillas made with refined bread flour.     

An investigation of the concentrations of selected Fusarium mycotoxins and the degree of mold contamination of field-dried hay

The levels of selected mycotoxins and mold contamination of Ontario field-dried hay from 10 performance horse farms were examined. The farm owner, trainer or manager was questioned regarding their opinion of the quality of the hay. Half of the hay sampled showed potentially significant levels of mycotoxins, mold and actinomycete contamination. Subjective opinion did not correlate to objective analysis. Deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin), T 2 toxin and zearalenone were measured with vomitoxin present in the highest amounts. Vomitoxin is among the mycotoxins most frequently found as contaminants in cereal crops, in temperate climates, in North America. It can be concluded that the levels found in this study could potentially have an influence on the health of horses consuming such hay.     

Anthracnose of Christmas rose caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Colletotrichum</Emphasis> sp.

Leaf spots were found on Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, in October 2006. The morphology of the causal fungus was very close to that of Colletotrichum truncatum. Classifying the species from the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer regions of ribosomal DNA was inconclusive, and the isolates were identified only as Colletotrichum sp. Artificial inoculation confirmed the pathogenicity of isolates to the host plant and some legumes. We propose the name anthracnose of Christmas rose for this disease by Colletotrichum sp.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE AND CLINICAL FINDINGS IN 14 DOGS WITH GALLBLADDER MUCOCELE

Fourteen dogs with enlarged gallbladders and immobile stellate or finely striated bile patterns on ultrasound are described. Smaller breeds and older dogs were overrepresented, with 4/14 Cocker Spaniels. Most dogs presented for nonspecific clinical signs such as vomiting, anorexia and lethargy. Abdominal pain, icterus and hyperthermia were the most common findings on physical examination. All dogs except one had serum elevation of total bilirubin and/or alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transferase. All dogs were diagnosed with a gallbladder mucocele upon histologic and/or macroscopic evaluation. Ultrasonographically, mucoceles are characterized by the appearance of the stellate or finely striated bile patterns and differ from biliary sludge by the absence of gravity dependent bile movement. On ultrasound, gallbladder wall thickness and wall appearance were variable and nonspecific. The cystic or common bile duct were normal sized in 5 dogs although all 5 had evidence of biliary obstruction at surgery or necropsy. Loss of gallbladder wall integrity and/or gallbladder rupture were present in 50% of the dogs, all located in the fundus. Gallbladder wall discontinuity on ultrasound indicated rupture whereas neither bile patterns predicted the likelihood of gallbladder rupture. Pericholecystic hyperechoic fat or fluid were suggestive of but not diagnostic for a gallbladder rupture. Cholecystectomy appears to be an appropriate treatment for mucoceles, if not to treat a gallbladder rupture, at least in most dogs to prevent it since gallbladder wall necrosis was identified by histology in 9 of 10 dogs. Mucosal hyperplasia was present in all gallbladders examined histologically. Positive aerobic bacterial culture was obtained from bile in 6 of 9 dogs. Cholecystitis was diagnosed histologically in 5 dogs and 4 dogs had signs of gallbladder infection solely upon bacterial bile culture. Gallbladder infection was not present with all the mucoceles suggesting that biliary stasis and mucosal hyperplasia may be the primary factors involved in mucocele formation. Based on the results of our study, we suggest two alternate courses of action in the presence of a distended gallbladder with an immobile ultrasonographic stellate or finely striated bile pattern: a cholecystectomy when clinical or biochemical signs of hepatobiliary disease are present or a medical treatment (antibiotics and choleretics) and patient monitoring by follow-up ultrasound examinations when the patient does not have clinical or biochemical abnormalities. An aerobic bile culture should be obtained in all patients, by ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirate or at surgery.     

Urinary Bladder Herniation through a Vaginal Tear in a Rottweiller with Dystocia

A four-year old female Rottweiler presented with a 34-hour history of dystocia. Physical examination revealed a purple-black, fluid-filled sac protruding from vulva and suspended by a similar colored stalk. Digital vaginal examination indicated that the stalk of tissue extended up into the cervix and beyond. Due to the grossly necrotic appearance, the stalk of tissue was ligated, and the sac was removed. Three puppies were delivered vaginally, but a subsequent caesarian section was required due to uterine inertia likely secondary to exhaustion. Three more live puppies were delivered via the c-section. Further abdominal exploration revealed a tear in the left vaginal wall, one ligated ureter, and the second ureter free at its distal end and leaking urine into the abdomen. The surgical findings indicated that the bladder, ureters, and urethra had herniated through the vaginal tear and prolapsed through the vulva.     

Evaluation of Functional Outcome After BFX® Total Hip Replacement Using a Pressure Sensitive Walkway

Objective— To evaluate stance phase limb use after cementless (BFX^®) total hip replacement (THR) in dogs and to relate postoperative radiographic variables to static bodyweight distribution after surgery.
Study Design— Prospective clinical study.
Animals— Dogs (n=35) that had THR.
Methods— THR was performed using the BFX^® THR technique. Postoperative pain management regimens were similar for all dogs. Standing bodyweight distribution (%BW_distrib) was measured using a pressure sensitive walkway and radiographs made before surgery and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Repeated measures models (with backwards-stepping to obtain the final model) were used for statistical analysis.
Results— Temporally, %BW_distrib to the operated limb increased ( P <.0001; normal by 3 months) and decreased to the unoperated limb ( P =.0001) and also increased to the pelvic limbs and decreased to the thoracic limbs. %BW_distrib to the unoperated limb was significantly less than the operated limb at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Postoperative canal fill and femur flare were significantly negatively correlated with change in %BW_distrib (estimate=−0.24, P =.0413).
Conclusion— BFX^® THR results in normal %BW_distrib to the operated limb by 3 months after surgery. A greater fill of the proximal femur may be associated with a suboptimal outcome.
Clinical Relevance— BFX^® THR normalizes standing bodyweight distribution dogs with hip osteoarthritis. Objective evaluation of THR outcome and radiographic features may reveal factors that could be improved through changes in prosthesis design or surgical technique.     

Evaluation of Risk Factors for Morbidity and Mortality after Pylorectomy and Gastroduodenostomy in Dogs

Objectives— To (1) identify and describe the type and frequency of postoperative complications after pylorectomy and gastroduodenostomy in dogs and (2) identify preoperative and intraoperative risk factors, including the presence of neoplasia, prognostic for patient mortality after surgery. Study Design— Case series. Animals— Dogs (n=24) treated by pylorectomy and gastroduodenostomy. Methods— Medical records (2000–2007) for 2 teaching hospitals of dogs treated that had pylorectomy and gastroduodenostomy were reviewed. Pre‐, intra‐, and postoperative data were obtained from the medical record. Results— Of the 24 dogs, 75% survived 14 days, but 10 (41%) died by 3 months. Overall median survival time (MST) was 578 days. On log‐rank univariate analysis, preoperative weight loss (P=.001) and malignant neoplasia (P=.01) were associated with decreased survival time. Dogs with malignant neoplasia had a MST of 33 days. Common postoperative morbidity included hypoalbuminemia (62.5%) and anemia (58.3%). Conclusions— Pylorectomy with gastroduodenostomy has a good short‐term outcome but long‐term survival time is poor in dogs with malignant neoplasia. Clinical Relevance— Overall, most dogs treated with pylorectomy and gastroduodenostomy survived the postoperative period; however, preoperative weight loss and malignant neoplasia were associated with decreased survival time. Because dogs with malignant neoplasia have markedly shortened survival times, pertinent preoperative, diagnostics steps should be exhausted to identify underlying neoplasia.