Protein electrophoresis in cranes with presumed insect bite

BACKGROUND: Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) has emerged as a potentially valuable diagnostic tool in avian medicine; yet, there is limited information regarding SPE in cranes. Since 2000, 20 cases of unilateral periocular or facial soft tissue swelling, blepharitis, feather loss, and ocular or nasal discharge attributed to insect bite hypersensitivity were observed in cranes from a captive breeding center. SPE may be useful for evaluating these lesions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize the inflammatory response in cranes with hypersensitivity reactions using SPE. METHODS: Serum samples from 7 cranes diagnosed with hypersensitivity reactions were submitted to a diagnostic laboratory for agarose gel electrophoresis. Results were compared to those in control serum samples obtained from the same cranes during routine physical examination, when they were clinically healthy. RESULTS: Total protein and a- and g-globulin concentrations were significantly increased and albumin/globulin ratios were significantly decreased in serum samples from cranes with hypersensitivity lesions compared with control samples. CONCLUSIONS: Using SPE, we documented changes in protein fraction concentrations in cranes with clinical signs of hypersensitivity. The increase in alpha- and gamma-globulin concentrations suggested inflammation and antigenic stimulation, consistent with a Type I hypersensitivity reaction.     

Implementing the new U.S. dual-use policy

After a decade of intensive policy discussions on the topic of dual-use research of concern (DURC) in the life sciences, there has been a lack of consensus on how to practically define DURC; whether it is feasible to identify and regulate DURC experiments; how to address the risks associated with DURC; and how to balance this risk with the necessity of fostering life sciences research for public health and biodefense. The publication of two avian influenza studies has brought the DURC issue back into sharp focus and has resulted in a new set of federal guidelines. However, the new DURC policy raises questions regarding whether this is the best policy solution to a complicated biosecurity concern.     

Selection of genetically diverse sea oats lines with improved performance for coastal restoration in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Numerous sea oats (Uniola paniculata L.) plants are transplanted to Northern Gulf of Mexico beaches each year to reduce coastal erosion. To adapt to environmental changes and effectively reduce coastal erosion, genetically diverse sea oats plants with demonstrated plant performance must be used. The objectives of this study were to: (i) identify improved sea oats lines; and (ii) determine the genetic diversity of improved sea oats lines. From 2003 to 2005, 2,000 sea oats lines were evaluated in unreplicated field trials at natural beach sites. In 2005, 75 sea oats lines were selected based upon phenotypic performance. The 75 selected lines and 3 plants of ‘Caminada’, the only commercially available sea oats line, were evaluated in replicated field trials in 2008 and 2010. In 2008, UP01LA-15 K-HB-3092, UP01LA-16S-GP-3138, UP01LA-31-GP-3103, UP01LA-33-GP-1303, and UP01NC-04-HB-3374 had higher (p < 0.05) stem densities than Caminada. In 2010, variation was not detected for any trait measured; lack of significant differences was most likely due to plant stress caused by storm surge one week after transplant. Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism detected 534 loci for the 75 selected lines and 3 Caminada plants. One hundred eighty one loci were polymorphic; the average polymorphism rate was 34% (range = 25–43%). Polymorphic information content values ranged from 0.15 to 0.41 and averaged 0.29 while Jaccard similarity coefficients ranged from 0.8243 to 0.9794. These findings demonstrate the application of plant breeding techniques to develop genetically different sea oats lines with improved performance for coastal restoration projects in the northern Gulf of Mexico.     

Carbon dioxide as a potential fumigant for termite control

Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, were exposed to ? 95% or 50% carbon dioxide atmospheres for intervals of 24-120 h at 26(±3)°C. A 24-h exposure to ? 95% carbon dioxide caused significant termite mortality, but 60 h were required for complete mortality. Exposure to 50% carbon dioxide for 60 h resulted in approximately 70% termite mortality, while complete mortality was recorded after 120 h. When termites were sealed in wooden blocks (90 × 90 × 152 mm), 72-96 h exposure to ? 95% carbon dioxide was necessary for complete control. A limited study with Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) suggested that this drywood termite is also susceptible to carbon dioxide fumigation, although slightly longer exposures may be required than with C. formosanus. Carbon dioxide-modified atmospheres are a viable alternative to conventional fumigants for vault fumigation of termite-infested materials, and may also be applicable to larger-scale fumigations to control structural pests.     

Comparative studies of mitogen- and antigen-induced lymphocyte proliferation in four captive rhinoceros species.

Cellular immune function in four rhinoceros species was evaluated by way of in vitro lymphocyte proliferation responses to mitogenic and antigenic stimuli to establish normative data on white blood cell activity for each species and to identify species-specific differences that might help explain the predisposition of black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis) to disease. A cross section of the U.S. rhinoceros population encompassing all four captive species was sampled, including the Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) (n = 3); Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) (n = 4); African black rhinoceros (n = 16); and African white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) (n = 10). Of the four species evaluated, African black rhinoceroses exhibited the weakest (P < 0.05) lymphocyte proliferative responses to the mitogens: pokeweed (0.1 microg/ml), phytohemagglutinin (0.3 microg/ml), and concanavalin A (5.0 microg/ml). Total cell density at the end of culture was only 70% of that achieved with lymphocytes isolated from African white rhinoceroses, Indian rhinoceroses, and Sumatran rhinoceroses. However, lymphocyte response to bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide was similar (P > 0.05) across species. Antigenic stimulation produced much weaker responses than mitogenic stimulation. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed among rhinoceros species in response to 1 and 10 microg/ml of Leptospira icterohemorrhagiae or Leptospira gryppotyphosa. Lymphocytes from African white rhinoceroses proliferated weakly in the presence of Aspergillus fumigatus filtrate, whereas lymphocytes from the southern black rhinoceros subspecies appeared slightly suppressed in the presence of increasing doses (0.1, 1, and 10 microg/ml) of Aspergillus filtrate. This comparative data set characterizing lymphocyte proliferation in the rhinoceros reveals several differences in immune cell responses among rhinoceros species and provides some evidence that lymphocytes of captive African black rhinoceroses are less vigorous than those of the other rhinoceros species.     

Evaluation of cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 expression and the effect of cyclooxygenase inhibitors in canine prostatic carcinoma

Prostatic carcinoma occurs primarily in older castrated male dogs and is typically a fatal disease (most dogs die within few months after the initial diagnosis). Surgery, i.e., total prostatectomy, or radiation therapy is often not pursued due to risks of complications and a high rate of distant metastasis. Cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox‐2) expression has been documented in several malignancies, including canine prostatic carcinoma. Cox‐2 inhibition has been reported to have preventative effects on several human malignancies and has therapeutic effects on both laboratory and spontaneous tumour models. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate Cox expression and the effects of Cox inhibitors on survival in dogs with prostatic carcinoma. 94.1 and 88.2% of the tumours expressed Cox‐1 and Cox‐2, respectively. Furthermore, dogs treated with Cox inhibitors (piroxicam or carprofen) lived significantly longer than untreated dogs, 6.9 versus 0.7 months (P < 0.0001), suggesting that Cox inhibitors may have an important role in canine prostate cancer therapy.     

The use of cytochemistry,immunophenotyping, flow cytometry,and in vitro differentiation to determine the ontogeny of a canine monoblastic leukemia

We evaluated the utility of cytochemistry, immunophenotyping, flow cytometry, and in vitro culture with forced differentiation of leukemic cells as diagnostic aids to identify the malignant cell ontogeny in a dog with leukemia. A tentative diagnosis of monoblastic leukemia was established by microscopic examination of Romanowsky-stained blood smears and bone marrow aspirate smears. This diagnosis also was supported by the light scatter signature that identified the blast cells as large, non-granular monocytic cells using a CellDyn 3500 automated hematology analyzer; as well as by the detection of N-butyrate esterase and the lack of choloroacetate esterase or leukocyte peroxidase by cytochemical staining. Subsequently, leukemic cells were isolated from the dog's peripheral blood and placed into tissue culture or cryopreserved. The leukemic cells grew in suspension cultures and proliferated spontaneously for up to 4 days. By day 7, proliferation was negligible. Upon culture with conditioned supernatant using mitogen-stimulated human T cells as a source of cytokines, an increased proportion of cells entered S phase by day 2 of culture; however, proliferation declined markedly by day 4, at which time the cells had apparently differentiated to adherent, vacuolated macrophages. The cytokine-stimulated leukemic cells were positive for the monocyte/macrophage specific markers alpha-1-antitrypsin, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, lysozyme, CD14, MHC class II, and calprotectin, an antigen found in differentiated macrophages and granulocytes. Despite the strong tendency of the leukemic cells towards monocytic differentiation, our results suggested that they retained some features of a myelomonocytic precursor. These data show that cytochemistry, immunophenotyping, flow cytometry, and in vitro differentiation of canine leukemia cells are useful tools for confirming the lineage of malignant hematopoietic cells.     

Efficacy of a starch-iodide swab technique to detect the illegal use of bleach in a Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) fishery

The destructive and illegal practice of using chemicals (bleach, dishwashing liquid, gasoline) to catch spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) is thought to be common throughout much of the Bahamian Archipelago. Injection of a chemical irritant into a lobster den will result in either a rapid escape response or a subduing effect, both of which make it easier to capture spiny lobster. We used both laboratory and field trials to determine the efficacy of a starch-iodide swab technique to identify lobsters that had been exposed to bleach solution (NaOCl). All lobsters exposed to bleach tested positive immediately following exposure and for varying periods thereafter. No false positives were detected on control lobsters. The average length of time that bleach remained detectable on the exoskeleton was 6.2 and 9.6 h in the laboratory and field, respectively, with some individuals testing positive 12 h after exposure. The swab technique will provide fishery officers with a powerful tool to reduce or eliminate the illegal use of bleach for harvesting spiny lobster.