Cellular content of secretions obtained by lavage from different levels of the equine respiratory tract

Lavage procedures were used to obtain samples of respiratory secretions from the nasal cavity, trachea, bronchi and bronchoalveolar level of apparently normal conscious horses, and the cellular composition of the lavage fluids was assessed. There was a progressive increase in total cell count of the secretions obtained from the upper to the lower respiratory tracts. Nasal lavage fluid was composed chiefly of epithelial cells, whereas tracheal, bronchial and bronchoalveolar fluids contained higher proportions of macrophages, lymphocytes and neutrophils. Eosinophils and mast cells were identified in small numbers. The results of the differential cell counts were compared with previous published reports, which revealed some major differences between studies. It is suggested that these differences may relate to variations in the collection technique, the cytological interpretation of cell types, the presence of subclinical airway disease, and the degree of exposure to airborne environmental contaminants.     

Maturation of cellular defence in the respiratory tract of young calves

The maturation of respiratory tract defence was investigated in a longitudinal study of calves during the first 100 days of life. From day 7, the proportions of the cell types identified in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were similar to those found in adults, with a predominance of alveolar macrophages over polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and lymphocytes. Functionally, bactericidal activity of BAL cells was defective and for the first 21 days they supported intracellular bacterial growth. At 24 hours of life, the movement of peripheral blood neutrophils to a chemotactic source was poor, but this increased rapidly during the first week of life. Like BAL cells, peripheral blood PMNs supported intracellular bacterial growth for the first two weeks of life. These studies suggest that cellular defence mechanisms may be compromised during the first week of life.     

Career opportunities in public health: one veterinarian's experience

The veterinary profession is rich in opportunities that are ignored. The veterinary profession should evolve to a new level--to more broadly include all aspects of public health. Veterinary education, even in its current classical mode, provides a rich base for multiple careers. With expansion, there will be a wealth of opportunities for veterinarians to be leaders in many phases of business and society.     

Method: low-cost delivery of the cotton leaf crumple virus-induced gene silencing system

Background

We previously developed a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) vector for cotton from the bipartite geminivirusCotton leaf crumple virus (CLCrV). The original CLCrV VIGS vector was designed for biolistic delivery by a gene gun. This prerequisite limited the use of the system to labs with access to biolistic equipment. Here we describe the adaptation of this system for delivery by Agrobacterium (Agrobacterium tumefaciens). We also describe the construction of two low-cost particle inflow guns.

Results

The biolistic CLCrV vector was transferred into two Agrobacterium binary plasmids. Agroinoculation of the binary plasmids into cotton resulted in silencing and GFP expression comparable to the biolistic vector. Two homemade low-cost gene guns were used to successfully inoculate cotton (G. hirsutum) and N. benthamiana with either the CLCrV VIGS vector or the Tomato golden mosaic virus (TGMV) VIGS vector respectively.

Conclusions

These innovations extend the versatility of CLCrV-based VIGS for analyzing gene function in cotton. The two low-cost gene guns make VIGS experiments affordable for both research and teaching labs by providing a working alternative to expensive commercial gene guns.     

National fortification of staple foods can make a significant contribution to micronutrient intake of South African adults

BACKGROUND: A national survey found that micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in South African children, particularly calcium, iron, zinc, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin A, E and C. Mandatory fortification of maize meal and wheat flour were introduced in 2003 to combat some of the deficiencies found in children. To date however, there has not been a national survey on dietary intake in adults. OBJECTIVES: The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the micronutrient intake of the diet consumed by the average adult South African by means of secondary data analyses and secondly to evaluate the effects of fortification on selected nutrient intakes. STUDY DESIGN: Secondary data analysis was carried out with numerous dietary surveys on adults to create a database that included sampling (and weighting) according to ethnic/urban-rural residence in line with the population census, of which 79% were black Africans and the majority resided in rural areas. The effect of fortification was evaluated by substituting fortified foods in the diet for the unfortified products. SUBJECTS: The combined database used in this study comprised 3229 adults. RESULTS: Mean calcium, iron, folate and vitamin B6 intakes were very low particularly in women. Mean intakes of most micronutrients were lower in rural areas. Fortification of maize meal and wheat flour (bread) raised mean levels of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6 and folate above the recommended nutrient intakes (RNIs). In women, despite fortification, mean iron intakes remained below the RNIs, as did calcium since it was not in the fortification mix. CONCLUSION: The average dietary intake of adults was of poor nutrient density, particularly in rural areas. Fortification of maize meal and wheat flour (bread) considerably improved mean vitamin B6, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate and iron intakes as well as the overall mean adequacy ratio of the diet.     

A compendium of raw material digestibilities for barramundi,Lates calcarifer

A series of experiments were conducted to examine the nutrient and energy digestibility of a suite of diets and specific test raw materials when fed to juvenile (179 to 439 g) barramundi, Lates calcarifer. Each of the diets was prepared using a twin‐screw extruder to mimic modern aquafeed manufacturing processes. Each of the diets was fed to juvenile barramundi for a minimum of a week to allow acclimation to the diet before the faeces were collected using stripping methods. A broad range of digestible nutrient and energy values among the different raw materials were observed, with protein digestibilities ranging from 36% to 106% and energy digestibilities ranging from 36% to 93%. This range in nutritional values of the different raw materials provides substantial utility in allowing the formulation of diets on a digestible nutrient and energy basis across the Asia Pacific region. These results also provide critical data to help underpin the replacement of both fishmeal and fish oil in barramundi diets.     

Characterization of the cDNA Encoding alphaIIb and beta3 in normal horses and two horses with Glanzmann thrombasthenia

Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is an inherited, intrinsic platelet defect characterized by a quantitative or qualitative change in the platelet glycoprotein complex IIb-IIIa (integrin alpha(IIb)beta3). The subunits are encoded by separate genes and both subunits must be expressed for a stable complex to form on the platelet surface; therefore, a defect in either gene can result in GT.