Enhancement of resistance of lambs to Haemonchus contortus by previous infection with Ostertagia circumcincta

Two experiments were performed to determine whether previous infection of young lambs with Ostertagia circumcincta increased their resistance to the development of Haemonchus contortus and to explore alterations in the microenvironment of the abomasum related to the interaction. The parasitic infections were monitored with periodic fecal egg counts and by recovery and enumeration of parasites at necropsy of the lambs. Alteration of the microenvironment was examined by measurement of serum gastrin concentrations at critical times during both experiments. The results indicated that the numbers of H contortus were significantly (P less than 0.05) less in lambs which had O circumcincta infections before their exposure to H contortus. There was less reduction in lambs from which O circumcincta was removed (anthelmintic therapy) before their exposure to H contortus. Fecal egg counts also were significantly (P less than 0.05) less in the former group of lambs (exposed to both parasites) than those in lambs exposed only to H contortus. Serum gastrin values were significantly (P less than 0.05) increased in lambs infected with O circumcincta and indicated that the interaction observed could be due, in part, to alteration of abomasal pH.     

Osteosarcoma of the distal femur, combined with multiple bone infarcts: the case of a 10-year-old poodle

A ten-year-old female poodle was presented for left hindlimb lameness. Radiographically, irregular intramedullary densities of long bones (bone infarcts) and a lytic lesion in the left distal femur were detected. Two years after the first examination, the lesions in the distal femur were definitely identified as osteosarcoma and the dog was euthanized. Pathological and histological changes of the bone infarcts as well as of the osteosarcoma are described. Regarding bibliographical data, occurrence and aetiopathogenesis of osteosarcoma associated with multifocal bone infarction in man and dog are discussed.     

Economies of Pond Size for Hybrid Striped Bass Growout1

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of pond size and hybrid striped bass growout profitability as an alternative source of farm income in the Mid-Atlantic region. A dynamic, whole farm, Montdarlo capital budgeting simulation model (AQUASIM) and stochastic dominance with respect to a function technique were used to analyze the economics of hybrid striped bass growout from phase II to market production stage for eight farms categorized by pond sizes. Three scenarios are assumed to examine the effects of pond-size dependent changes in feed conversion efficiency and fingerling survival rates on discounted after-tax net present values and probabilities of economic survival and success. Optimal pond sizes were found to be in the 2.5 acre to 10 acre range.     

Evidence of biogenic greigite (ferrimagnetic Fe3S4) in soil

The occurrence of greigite (Fe₃S₄) in soils is reported for the first time. It forms irregularly-shaped aggregations within plant cells in the Gr₂ horizon of a gley soil developed from colluvial material. Greigite was identified by X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements and was investigated by optical and transmission electron microscopy. Biogenic formation is proposed, based on the elongated shape of single greigite crystals, and sulphur isotope analyses, which showed a depletion in ³⁴S relative to the soil-water sulphate. The cell-edge length of 0.98639±0.00003 nm is significantly smaller than values reported for sedimentary greigite. The mean coherence length of 27 nm agrees with TEM observations and indicates that the single greigite crystals lie in the superparamagnetic region. However, the fine aggregates show magnetically single-domain behaviour. Greigite is the only carrier of a stable magnetic remanence in the soil profile studied.     

Pasteurella haemolytica A1 and Bovine Respiratory Disease: Pathogenesis

The severe fibrinonecrotic pneumonia associated with pneumonic pasteurellosis usually results from colonization of the lower respiratory tract by Pasteurella haemolytica biotype A, serotype 1(A1). Despite recent research efforts, the authors lack a detailed understanding of the interactions and host response to P. haemolytica in the respiratory tract. The authors hypothesize that management and environmental stress factors or viral infection alters the upper respiratory tract (URT) epithelium allowing P. haemolytica to colonize the epithelium. Once the URT is colonized, large numbers of organisms enter the lung where they interact with alveolar macrophages. Endotoxin, released from the bacteria, crosses the alveolar wall where it activates pulmonary intravascular macrophages, endothelium, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, complement, and Hageman factor leading to complex interactions of cells and mediators. It is the progression of this inflammatory response with neutrophil influx that is ultimately responsible for the pulmonary injury. Leukotoxin is a major virulence factor of P. haemolytica that allows it to survive by destroying phagocytic cells. At subcytolytic concentrations it may also enhance the inflammatory response by activating cells to produce mediators and release reactive oxygen metabolites and proteases.     

Characteristics of cytotoxic cells induced by Toxoplasma lysate antigen in mouse spleen.

Spleen cells from Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA)-sensitized BALB/c mice showed the strong cytotoxic activity against both natural killer (NK)-sensitive cells (YAC-1 and RL male-1) and NK-insensitive cells (P-815), when incubated with TLA or recombinant human IL-2 (rhIL-2). The increment of TLA concentration in culture medium increased the cytotoxic activity. Treatment of effector cells; spleen cells from TLA-sensitized mice incubated with TLA, with anti-asialo GM1 or anti-Thy-1 plus complement inhibited the cytotoxic activity of effector cells, whereas treatment with anti-mouse Lyt-2.2 serum plus complement had no effect on the cytotoxic activity. Treatment of spleen cells from TLA-sensitized mice with anti-asialo GM1 and/or anti-Thy-1 plus complement inhibited cytotoxic activities of effector cells. These results suggested that spleen cells sensitized with TLA both in vivo and in vitro were asialo GM1 positive and Thy-1 positive, and the majority of cytotoxic cells induced by TLA were similar to lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells induced by IL-2.     

Hematological parameters and visceral lesions relationships in rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease.

Twenty rabbits were inoculated with a suspension of Viral Hemorrhagic Disease virus. Hemostatic functions were assessed every sixth hour from 6 to 60 hours post-inoculation. Tissue samples obtained at the same intervals allowed the study of the development of lesions throughout the experiment. Biological signs of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) were detected on and after 30 h post-inoculation and consisted of prolonged One Stage Prothrombin Time and Activated Partial Thrombin Time, the decrease of factors V, VII, and X and high levels of soluble fibrin monomer complexes and D-dimers. A reduction of thrombocyte numbers, heterophils and lymphocytes was associated. The close association of DIC and necrotizing hepatitis lesions suggested the hepatic lesions to be the most important DIC triggering factor. Other mechanisms are discussed.     

Effects of Pasteurella haemolytica A1 leukotoxin on bovine neutrophils: degranulation and generation of oxygen-derived free radicals.

To further define the role of Pasteurella haemolytica A1 leukotoxin in the pathogenesis of bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis, its in vitro effects on bovine neutrophils were investigated. Leukotoxin-containing culture supernatant, from P. haemolytica, stimulated a neutrophil respiratory burst as measured by the generation of oxygen-derived free radicals O2- and H2O2. This effect was immediate because preincubation of neutrophils with the culture supernatant for 5 min or longer substantially suppressed this respiratory burst. This suppression was due to cytolysis of the neutrophils. Prolonged incubation of neutrophils with the same culture supernatant caused further cytolysis and degranulation. Heat-inactivated P. haemolytica culture supernatant that had lost its cytotoxic properties failed to stimulate respiratory burst by neutrophils. Furthermore, the respiratory burst, cytolysis and degranulation were abrogated only by leukotoxin-neutralizing monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, but not by antibodies against the lipopolysaccharide. These studies show that the leukotoxin component in the culture supernatant was responsible for the generation of oxygen-derived free radicals and proteolytic enzymes from neutrophils which may participate in direct lung injury.