Sequence variants in SLITRK1 are associated with Tourette's syndrome

Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a genetically influenced developmental neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by chronic vocal and motor tics. We studied Slit and Trk-like 1 (SLITRK1) as a candidate gene on chromosome 13q31.1 because of its proximity to a de novo chromosomal inversion in a child with TS. Among 174 unrelated probands, we identified a frameshift mutation and two independent occurrences of the identical variant in the binding site for microRNA hsa-miR-189. These variants were absent from 3600 control chromosomes. SLITRK1 mRNA and hsa-miR-189 showed an overlapping expression pattern in brain regions previously implicated in TS. Wild-type SLITRK1, but not the frameshift mutant, enhanced dendritic growth in primary neuronal cultures. Collectively, these findings support the association of rare SLITRK1 sequence variants with TS.     

The premetazoan ancestry of cadherins

Cadherin-mediated cell adhesion and signaling is essential for metazoan development and yet is absent from all other multicellular organisms. We found cadherin genes at numbers similar to those observed in complex metazoans in one of the closest single-celled relatives of metazoans, the choanoflagellate Monosiga brevicollis. Because the evolution of metazoans from a single-celled ancestor required novel cell adhesion and signaling mechanisms, the discovery of diverse cadherins in choanoflagellates suggests that cadherins may have contributed to metazoan origins.     

Earthworms in New Zealand sheep- and dairy-grazed pastures with focus on anecic Aporrectodea longa

Earthworms play an important role as primary decomposers in the incorporation and initial mixing of plant litter. This study explored the response of earthworms to increasing fertiliser inputs, pasture production and livestock numbers (and their influence on food availability and soil physical condition) on six different managements in sheep-grazed and fifteen different managements in dairy-grazed pastures in a variety of New Zealand soils.Native earthworms were only found in some low-fertility pastures. Accidentally introduced peregrine earthworms, when present, dominate pasture soils. Of these, endogeic earthworms dominated the earthworm community and were positively associated with soil types with higher bulk densities. Peregrine anecic earthworms were absent from most hill-country sheep-grazed pastures, however in more fertile and productive dairy-grazed pastures they reached a biomass of up to 2370 kg ha^?1. Only anecic earthworms showed a positive response to the increasing pressures associated with higher potential dry matter inputs and liveweight loadings of grazing livestock on soil, while epigeic earthworms declined. The positive response of anecic earthworms probably reflects the combined effect of the increase in food resources, including dung and plant litter, available on the soil surface, and their lower susceptibility to livestock treading pressure. Anecic species may be a suitable substitute for incorporation of surface litter in those soils where livestock treading limits epigeic earthworm populations.This study confirmed previous observations of limited distribution of the introduced Aporrectodea longa in pastoral hill-country soils in the North Island, and their near absolute absence from the South Island of New Zealand. This would suggest that large areas of New Zealand pastoral farmed soils could benefit from the introduction of anecic species from other parts of New Zealand which already contain A. longa.     

Soft palate cyst in a cat

A 17-month-old cat presented for frequent swallowing, occasional cough and stertor. Radiographic evaluation revealed a soft tissue mass at the level of the soft palate. Oral examination revealed a soft tissue mass within the soft palate. Surgical resection was performed. Histopathology was consistent with a large developmental cyst. Following surgical management the cat has remained clinically free of signs for 2 months.     

Post-mortem findings in 54 cases of anesthetic associated death in cats from two spay-neuter programs in New York State

Anesthetic-associated death (AAD) in cats is infrequent, but occurs far more frequently than in people. Post-mortem investigations of AAD in cats are uncommon, and results only sporadically published. Here we report the findings in 54 cases of AAD in cats. Significant gross and/or microscopic pre-existing disease, including pulmonary, cardiac, and systemic disease, was detected in 33% of cases. Pulmonary disease was most frequently diagnosed (24% of cases), and included cases of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection (9% of cases). Heart disease, including two cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, was less frequent (11% of cases). Four percent died from surgical complications. No?significant gross or microscopic disease was detected in 63% of cases. Additional studies are needed to determine if these findings are representative of AAD in cats in other geographic areas or with access to veterinary care. This study demonstrates that post-mortem investigation of AADs is an important and worthwhile endeavor.     

Lignin degradation by Agaricus bisporus accounts for a 30% increase in bioavailable holocellulose during cultivation on compost

The common mushroom Agaricus bisporus is a non-white rot saphrophytic fungus that can degrade lignin to free and utilize holocellulose embedded in fermented straw as present in compost. A new method is described to estimate the actual amount of bioavailable holocellulose in 3.8 kg compost cultures spawned with A. bisporus Horst U1 prior to and during a cultivation with two cycles of mushroom harvesting. The method shows that the initial amount of bioavailable holocellulose per culture, accounting for 130 +/- 22 g, is lower than the total holocellulose consumption by A. bisporus accounting for 182 +/- 15 g. This difference is explained by a 30% increase in bioavailable holocellulose. The increase is caused by the degradation of 95 +/- 3 g of holocellulose-shielding lignin. The results are discussed within the scope of the A. bisporus mushroom yield and lignin degradation by white rot fungi during growth on lignocellulose-containing materials.     

Sites of fixation of Amblyomma variegatum ticks on their hosts in Guadeloupe (French west Indies)]

The examination of 458 domestic and wild hosts of the tick A. variegatum allowed to collect 8,581 larvae, 646 nymphs, 685 adults in 9 different animal species and to determine their preferential attachment sites. In another survey on 15 goats and 5 cattle, 12,345 larvae, 2,111 nymphs and 4,625 adults were counted on the anatomic sites. Immature ticks feed preferentially on the head, neck and limbs of birds, the limbs of mongoose and the limbs and ears of dogs, goats and cattle. Adults feed only on hosts of medium to large size and attach on ventral parts of the body, especially the groin, perineum, axillae and the dewlap of cattle. This tick species should be searched for on these sites when estimating its propagation in a threatened area or the evolution of its population during an eradication campaign. Moreover, the acaricide concentration on these sites must be optimal during systematic treatments.     

Autochthonous infections with Angiostrongylus vasorum in dogs in Switzerland and Germany

Angiostrongylus vasorum is endemic in foxes an other carnivores in the South and south East of France, Denmark and Great Britain. The reddish nematode is present in the Arteria pulmonalis and the right side of the heart and causes respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms. From 1999 to 2004, A. vasorum was diagnosed in 5 dogs from northern Switzerland, in 1 dog from southern Germany and in 3 dogs from south Ticino. Clinical signs in the affected dogs varied and ranged from cough, tachypnoea and dyspnoea to neurological symptoms in 2 of the dogs. Four dogs died and in 3 of the 4 dogs adults and larvae were found after digestion of formalin-fixed tissue. Diagnosis in the other 5 dogs was achieved by detecting the larvae coproscopically. Based on anamnestic data, these 9 dogs are probably autochthonous cases.     

Diabetes mellitus in a domesticated Spanish mustang

An 18-year-old Spanish Mustang mare was referred for evaluation of progressive weight loss and persistent hyperglycemia. Clinicopathologic abnormalities included marked hyperglycemia and glycosuria. Serum cortisol concentration was appropriately decreased following administration of dexamethasone, indicating that the horse did not have pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Serum insulin and plasma C-peptide concentrations were low, suggesting that hyperglycemia was a result of decreased secretion of insulin by pancreatic beta cells. In addition, glucose concentration did not return to the baseline concentration until 5 hours after i.v. administration of a glucose bolus, suggesting that insulin secretion, insulin effect, or both were reduced. However, i.v. administration of insulin caused only a slight decrease in the plasma glucose concentration, giving the impression that the action of insulin was impaired. Within 5 hours after administration of a combination of glyburide and metformin, which is used to treat diabetes mellitus in humans, the glucose concentration was within reference limits. The horse was euthanized, and a postmortem examination was done. Immunohistochemical staining of sections of the pancreas revealed attenuation of the pancreatic islet beta-cell population, with beta cells that remained generally limited to the periphery of the islets. These findings indicate that, albeit rare, pancreatic beta-cell failure may contribute to the development of diabetes mellitus in horses.