Middle ear cholesteatoma in 11 dogs

Middle ear cholesteatoma is a rare condition in dogs with chronic otitis. Otorrhea, otodinia, and pain on temporomandibular joint palpation are the most common clinical signs. Neurological abnormalities are often detectable. Computed tomography reveals the presence of an expansive and invasive unvascularized lesion involving the tympanic cavity and the bulla, with little or no contrast enhancement after administration of contrast mediu. Video-otoscopy may detect pearly growth or white/yellowish scales in the middle ear cavity. Surgery is the only therapy but is associated with a high risk of recurrence.     

In vitro adherence of two candidate probiotics from Atlantic cod and their interference with the adhesion of two pathogenic bacteria

The potential of two candidate probiotic bacteria (GP21 and GP12), isolated from the gut of Atlantic cod, to adhere to primary cultures of the epithelial cells from the different regions of the intestine and to interfere with the adhesion of two pathogens, Vibrio anguillarum and Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida were investigated. The intestinal isolates showed clear preference in adhering to the cells from the different intestine segments. GP12 adhered strongly to the fore- and mid intestine cells. The adherence of GP21 was most to the cells from the hind intestine followed by those from the mid-segment. The adhesion of V. anguillarum was affected by both GP21 and GP12; GP12 interfered through competition, but a specific mode of action was not observed for GP21. In the case of A. salmonicida, competition was the principal mechanism by which GP21 interfered with their adhesion, while exclusion mechanism was favoured by GP12. In addition, GP21 was more auto-aggregative than GP12, but the latter was more co-aggregative with both the pathogens. The isolates were also capable of lowering lactate dehydrogenase activity compared to that by the pathogen and they reduced the caspase-3 activity in the epithelial cells from the hind intestine, to which the pathogens adhered the most. Thus it could be concluded that the adhesion of the candidate probiotics is segment-specific and their interference with the adhesion of pathogens is dependent on both source of the epithelial cells and the mechanism adopted by the isolates. This information is novel in the case of fish and the manner in which potential probiotic organisms interfere with the pathogen adhesion provides supportive information for disease control.     

Effect of organic and conventional crop rotation, fertilization, and crop protection practices on metal contents in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

The effects of organic versus conventional crop management practices (crop rotation, crop protection, and fertility management strategies) on wheat yields and grain metal (Al, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) concentrations were investigated in a long-term field trial. The interactions between crop management practices and the season that the crop was grown were investigated using univariate and redundancy analysis approaches. Grain yields were highest where conventional fertility management and crop protection practices were used, but growing wheat after a previous crop of grass/clover was shown to partially compensate for yield reductions due to the use of organic fertility management. All metals except for Pb were significantly affected by crop management practices and the year that the wheat was grown. Grain Cd and Cu levels were higher on average when conventional fertility management practices were used. Al and Cu were higher on average when conventional crop protection practices were used. The results demonstrate that there is potential to manage metal concentrations in the diet by adopting specific crop management practices shown to affect crop uptake of metals.     

A genetic variant near the equine interleukin 6 gene associated with copper:zinc ratio

The aim of this study was to validate an A/T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) corresponding to a LINE2 sequence located ～1.1kb downstream of the IL-6 gene (SNP BIEC2-911738) and to determine if this variant is correlated with interleukin 6 (IL-6) modulation or with different plasma concentrations of Zn, Cu, Se and Fe. The frequency of the newly described variant T ranged from 0 to 23.1% among different breeds of horses. SBIEC2-911738 was not associated with changes in IL-6 plasma levels. Increased Cu:Zn ratios were observed in horses carrying the AT genotype independently of breed when stabled for 24h after physical exercise.     

Medium-term conservation of redwood (Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don.) Endl.) in vitro shoot cultures and encapsulated buds

This study evaluated the survival and recovery of non-encapsulated and encapsulated shoots of Sequoia sempervirens after storage at 4 °C in the dark for up to 15 months on four different culture media. Survival and regrowth of encapsulated shoots declined within 3 months, regardless of the storage medium composition. By contrast, no significant decrease in survival and regrowth was noted with non-encapsulated shoots after 12 months of storage on Quoirin and Lepoivre medium supplemented, or not, with 1 mg l⁻¹ benzyladenine. Regrowth dropped to 60–61% after 15 months of storage on the same media. Medium-term conservation of S. sempervirens germplasm is therefore possible using in vitro storage of non-encapsulated shoot cultures.     

Genotypic versus phenotypic identification of staphylococcal species of canine origin with special reference to Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. coagulans

A comparative study was performed to examine the respective accuracy of 16S rDNA sequencing and of the commercial biochemical assay ID32 STAPH (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France) in the identification of 232 staphylococcal samples representing 20 species and subspecies isolated from 367 dogs. Notable differences in species distribution were observed by comparing genotypic and phenotypic data. Partial sequencing of 16S rDNA resulted in an unambiguous identification of 226 (97.4%) of the isolates, whereas the phenotypic approach resulted in a correct diagnosis of 162 (69.8%) of the isolates. Statistical agreement between genotypic and phenotypic identification of staphylococci was substantial (Kappa coefficient of 0.6-0.8) for Staphylococcus aureus, S. hominis, S. warneri, S. cohnii subsp. urealyticus, and S. simulans, and "almost perfect" (Kappa coefficient of 0.8-1) for S. intermedius, S. epidermidis, S. equorum, S. haemolyticus, S. sciuri, and S. kloosi. No agreement above that expected by chance (Kappa coefficient=0) was observed for S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans, which was either confounded with S. intermedius and S. capitis, or categorized as unacceptable by the biochemical assay. Given the growing importance of this pathogen in veterinary medicine and its frequent misidentification with related staphylococci, a PCR-RFLP approach producing a S. schleiferi-specific restriction profile was developed. This fast and reliable assay represents a valuable tool in assisting in the monitoring of this pathogen.     

Ligands involved in Pb immobilization and transport in lettuce,radish, tomato and Italian ryegrass

Lead (Pb) and other heavy metals represent a great source of concern in agriculture because they may disperse from polluted sources and accumulate in crop organs. This research study was performed with three edible crops and one pasture species (lettuce: Lactuca sativa L. cv. Romana; radish: Raphanus sativus L. var. radicicola; tomato: Lycopersicon lycopersicum L. Karst.; Italian ryegrass: Lolium multiflorum Lam). It was aimed at (1) assessing how species affect Pb distribution among plant organs, (2) determining the extent to which Pb is localized in edible organs, and (3) ascertaining whether it could be possible to distinguish which compounds are responsible for the transport of Pb from one plant organ to another and which compounds are responsible for the accumulation of this metal inside each plant organ. The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse. Plants were grown in plastic pots using a Pb‐spiked sandy soil as substrate. Total Pb concentrations in different plant organs and in soil were determined. Within plants, the maximum accumulation of Pb was found in roots while the remaining part of Pb was mainly located in leaves. Pb L_III edge XANES (X‐ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy) was applied to identify the principal Pb carrier molecules in the different plant organs. The data suggest that in roots Pb immobilization is mainly due to the complexing ability of histidine, which binds the metal and, to a lesser extent, to precipitation of Pb as carbonate. The transport to the upper plant organs is mainly attributed to Pb complexes with organic acids. In stems and leaves, Pb bonding is mainly carboxylic and amino acid‐like, thus confirming the role of these substances in promoting Pb mobility. Thio amino acidic (glutathione and cysteine‐like) Pb complexes, which in this study were only found in stems, can also be held responsible for Pb long‐distance transport from roots to shoots.     

Missing OH reactivity in a forest: evidence for unknown reactive biogenic VOCs

Forest emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), such as isoprene and other terpenes, play a role in the production of tropospheric ozone and aerosols. In a northern Michigan forest, the direct measurement of total OH reactivity, which is the inverse of the OH lifetime, was significantly greater than expected. The difference between measured and expected OH reactivity, called the missing OH reactivity, increased with temperature, as did emission rates for terpenes and other BVOCs. These measurements are consistent with the hypothesis that unknown reactive BVOCs, perhaps terpenes, provide the missing OH reactivity.