Complex vertebral malformation in a holstein calf: report of a case in the USA.

Complex vertebral malformation (CVM), a familial syndrome of Holstein calves, has been reported in aborted fetuses and in prematurely born, stillborn, and neonatal calves. Affected calves have anomalies in the vertebral column, including hemivertebrae, fused and misshapen vertebrae and ribs, scoliosis, and vertebral synostosis. Concurrent low body weight, symmetrical arthrogryposis, and cardiac anomalies have been documented in affected calves. The syndrome was identified and characterized in Holstein cattle in Denmark; however, a global distribution of this genetic disorder is likely based on identification of common ancestral sires widely used for artificial insemination. This is the first documented case of CVM in a Holstein calf in the USA.     

Development and application of a PCR-based 'molecular tool box' for the identification of Phytophthora species damaging forests and natural ecosystems

A PCR-based 'molecular tool box', based on a region of the ras-related protein gene Ypt 1, was developed for the identification of 15 Phytophthora species that damage forests and trees: P. cactorum , P. cambivora , P. cinnamomi , P. citricola , P. europaea , P. inundata , P. lateralis , P. megasperma , P. nemorosa , P. kernoviae , P. pseudosyringae , P. psychrophila , P. quercina , P. ramorum and P. ilicis . Most primers proved highly specific in blast analyses and in tests with DNA from 72 isolates of 35 species of Phytophthora and nine species representative of Pythium . Exceptions were primers designed for P. cactorum and P. ilicis , which cross-reacted with P. idaei and P. nemorosa , respectively. Amplification with Phytophthora -genus-specific primers before amplification with the various species-specific primers (nested PCR) increased the sensitivity of detection over amplification with species-specific primers only: detection limits ranged between 100 and 10 pg target DNA µ L⁻¹ in the latter, compared with 100 fg µ L⁻¹ in nested PCR. Using existing methods for rapid extraction and purification of DNA, single-round amplification was appropriate for detection of target Phytophthora species in leaves, but nested PCR was required for soil and water samples. The quarantine pathogens P. ramorum and P. kernoviae were detected in a number of naturally infected leaves collected in England and Wales, whereas P. citricola was commonest in water and soil samples from natural Scottish ecosystems.     

Antinociceptive and side-effects of hydromorphone after subcutaneous administration in cats

The subcutaneous (SC) route is often chosen for drug administration in cats because it is easier to perform than intravenous (IV) injection and is perceived as less painful than intramuscular (IM) injection. However, little is known of how the route of administration influences the pharmacodynamics of drugs. This study measured the changes in skin temperature and thermal threshold (TT) and recorded the side-effects after SC injection of 0.1mg/kg of hydromorphone in six cats. Time to peak TT was 105min. Skin temperature was elevated at 15min and between 45 and 360min. Five cats vomited and two exhibited marked dysphoria. Compared to previously published studies of IV and IM administration of hydromorphone, the SC route results in a slower onset of peak effect, a shorter duration of antinociception and is associated with more undesirable side-effects. As with IV and IM injections, SC administration of hydromorphone at 0.1mg/kg is associated with a significant elevation in skin temperature. Overall, the SC route appears to have the least utility.     

Assessing the impacts of domesticated versus wild ungulates on terrestrial small mammal assemblages at Telperion Nature Reserve,South Africa

Grazing by large mammals alters vegetation physiognomy, consequently changing habitat suitability for small mammal communities. We investigated the response of terrestrial small mammals to grazing by wild and domesticated ungulates at the boundary of a protected area (Telperion Nature Reserve) and surrounding cattle ranches in Mpumalanga, South Africa over two seasons. Fifteen paired grids were set on either side of the boundary fence at which small mammals were trapped in Sherman live traps placed flat on the ground. A total of 11 760 trap nights resulted in the capture of 187 animals belonging to 14 species (11 rodents, two shrews and one elephant shrew). The small mammal communities in grasslands grazed by domesticated or wild ungulates were similar in abundance, species richness, diversity and demographic parameters, likely due to the fact that vegetation structure of the two grazing systems was also similar. We used generalised linear models to show that rock and grass cover were plausible predictors of small mammal abundance in this system. Rock cover showed a positive relationship with small mammal abundance whilst grass cover showed a negative relationship. Our observations suggest that at the scale of our study and with the current stocking densities, wild and domesticated ungulates have similar impacts on the small mammal community.     

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in the Sediments of the River Pra and Its Tributaries

An investigative study was conducted to determine the heavy metal pollution in the sediment in the Pra Basin of Ghana from 27 sampling points during the dry and wet seasons using the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), and pollution load index (PLI). Sediments were acid digested and analyzed for the following selected metals: arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), total chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and iron (Fe) using the dual atomizer and hydride generator atomic absorption spectrophotometer (model ASC-7000 No A309654, Shimadzu, Japan). The metal concentrations (mg kg^?1) in the sediments were as follows: As (0.175)?<?Cd (3.206)?<?Ni (79.927)?<?Zn (118.323)?<?Cr (216.708)?<?Mn (234.742)?<?Pb (335.381)?<?Fe (1354.513) in the dry season and As (0.002)?<?Cd (7.279)?<?Ni (72.663)?<?Zn (35.622)?<?Pb (135.863)?<?Cr (167.604)?<?Mn (183.904)?<?Fe (1138.551) for the wet season. The EF which is an indication of whether metal concentrations are due to anthropogenic activities shows enrichment at all site for the metals Cr, Pb, and Cd in the wet seasons. However, only 4 out of the 27 sites showed Ni enrichment in the wet season. Contrary to the wet season, only Pb and Cr recorded enrichment at all sites during the dry season. Fifteen out of the 27 sites recorded Cd enrichment and 24 out of the 27 sites recorded Ni enriched during the dry season. None of the sites were enriched with Fe, As, Zn, and Mn in either the dry or wet seasons. For both dry and wet seasons, the pollution load index for all the sites except one was at the background levels which is a sign of non-deterioration of the sites studied. In the wet season, the calculated Igeo reveals that the study area is not contaminated with respect to As, Zn, Fe, and Mn; uncontaminated to moderately contaminated with Cd; moderately contaminated with Cr; uncontaminated to moderately to heavily contaminated with Ni; and moderately to heavily contaminated with Pb. The dry season Igeo results reveal non-contamination of the study area with respect to As, Fe, and Mn; uncontaminated to moderately contaminated with Zn; moderately contaminated with Cr; uncontaminated to heavily contaminated with Cd; uncontaminated to extremely contaminated with Ni; and moderately to extremely contaminated with Pb. The high levels of Cd, Pb, and Cr in all the sites are due to unregulated illegal mining activities occurring in and around the study area. It is hoped that this study will prompt the basin management board to improve their management strategies in controlling unregulated illegal mining in the basin sediments.