Connectivity and management of caribbean coral reefs

Surface current patterns were used to map dispersal routes of pelagic larvae from 18 coral reef sites in the Caribbean. The sites varied, both as sources and recipients of larvae, by an order of magnitude. It is likely that sites supplied copiously from "upstream" reef areas will be more resilient to recruitment overfishing, less susceptible to species loss, and less reliant on local management than places with little upstream reef. The mapping of connectivity patterns will enable the identification of beneficial management partnerships among nations and the design of networks of interdependent reserves.     

Surgical management of an abdominal abscess in a Malayan tapir

A captive Malayan tapir was observed to have inappetence, weight loss, signs of depression, mild dehydration and diar rhoea. Haematological and serum biochemical tests showed anaemia, hypoproteinaemia, hyperfibrinogenaemia and neu-trophilia with a left shift. Ultrasonic examination of the abdomen under anaesthesia revealed a well-encapsulated abscess. The abscess was marsupialised to the ventral body wall. Culture of the pus produced a mixed bacterial growth. Antimicrobial therapy was based on bacterial sensitivity results. Follow-up ultrasonic examinations showed resolution of the abscess. Ninety-one days after surgery the tapir began regurgitating food and water. An abscess originating from the stomach and occluding the lumen of the duodenum was identified at surgery. The abscess ruptured during surgical manipulations and the tapir was euthanased.     

VCARS – veterinary computerized anesthetic record system

VCARS, the Veterinary Computerized Anesthetic Record System, has been developed to capture pre-, peri- and post-anesthetic data using Tablet PCs, 802.11b wireless networks, and a web-based database. Patient demographics, anticipated procedures and anesthetist, service information and hematologic and chemistry values are imported from the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital patient information system. Using a wireless Tablet PC, pre-anesthetic examination findings are recorded and an anesthetic plan including anesthetic drugs and anesthetic and monitoring equipment is developed. During induction and maintenance of anesthesia, physiologic variables, drug, fluid, anesthetic gas and oxygen administration, laboratory values, patient location, and important events can be charted with the simplicity of a paper anesthetic record. This information can be manipulated for display in a variety of ways depending on the specific needs of the case. Tools for calculating optimal fluid rates and drug dosages are incorporated into the design. The anesthetic records from multiple cases can be viewed simultaneously using a centrally-located monitor. Detailed audit trails ensure data integrity. A high-end search engine will allow rapid and complete retrieval of patient and anesthetic information. Macromedia flash is used to allow temporary disconnection from the wireless network without losing the ability to view, add, or edit data. The initial stages of software development are nearing completion, a wireless network is in place and hardware is being purchased. A pilot study will be conducted using manual entry of physiologic data prior to integration of automatically captured patient physiological variables. It is anticipated that this system will drastically improve the accuracy of data collection and retrieval and will provide important information about anesthetic management allowing improvement in overall patient care.     

Genomic Imprinting in Canis familiaris

For the vast majority of mammalian genes, maternally- and paternally-derived alleles behave identically and are either expressed or repressed, regardless of whether they were inherited from egg or sperm. For imprinted genes, however, this is not the case. The alleles of imprinted genes are epigenetically modified in a parent-of-origin-specific manner and, as a consequence, maternally- and paternally-derived alleles behave differently. Typically one allele is expressed while the other is silent. Although relatively few in number, imprinted genes are the focus of intensive study, as they have important roles in embryonic development. Abnormal expression of imprinted genes results in growth disorders and is implicated in several clinical conditions. Most studies of imprinted genes have been performed in rodents or primates, with limited studies in other mammals such as bovine and opossum. We have recently demonstrated the existence of imprinted genes in the canine, by showing that the canine insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor gene ( IGF2R ) is monoallelically expressed, with predominant expression of the maternally-derived allele and repression of the paternally-inherited allele. Our ultimate goal is to characterize all imprinted genes in the canine, and to understand how they contribute to canine reproduction, development and disease. Such knowledge will be vital for optimizing the success of most reproductive strategies in the canine.     

Genotypic diversity in field isolates of Babesia bovis from cattle with babesiosis after vaccination

Objective To determine whether particular genotypes of Babesia bovis were common to field isolates obtained from cattle properties in Queensland where the B bovis vaccine had apparently failed.
Design A comparative study of polymerase chain reaction genotypes in different populations of B bovis .
Procedure Two polymerase chain reaction assays were applied to analyse DNA extracts of B bovis vaccine (K, T and Dixie strains) and 27 field isolates from 24 properties where disease outbreaks had occurred despite the use of the vaccine. To evaluate the stability of the genotypes identified, 11 of the field isolates were inoculated into experimental cattle that had either been previously vaccinated with T strain or not vaccinated.
Results No particular genotype of B bovis was responsible for the problems observed in previously vaccinated herds. None of the isolates had genotypes identical to the vaccine strains used. No geographic trends among the genotypes were observed. Isolates that originated from the same property also had different genotypes. Blood passage of the 11 field isolates in either previously vaccinated or nonvaccinated cattle did not alter the original genotype.
Conclusion No particular genotypes identified by the Bv80 and BvVA1 polymerase chain reaction assays could be associated with vaccine failures.