Humoral response (IgG) of goats experimentally infected with Fasciola hepatica against cysteine proteinases of adult fluke

The use of cysteine proteinases from Fasciola hepatica adult flukes for the serodiagnosis of caprine fasciolosis by means of an indirect ELISA test was studied. Two proteolytic fractions from adult fluke homogenates, with apparent molecular weights of 28 and 34 kDa (P28 and P34 respectively), were characterised as cysteine proteinases using azocasein assays and gelatin gel analysis. Both P28 and P34 fractions were electroluted and used as antigens in two different indirect ELISA tests. Serum IgG levels against P28 and P34 in goats given an experimental primary infection with 200 metacercariae or in goats given two experimental infections with 200 metacercariae were determined and compared with those observed in an uninfected control group. ELISA tests using both cysteine proteases showed a rapid and consistent detection of specific IgG in all experimentally infected goats. The IgG response to P28 was the first to be detected as early as 2-3 weeks post-infection and remained elevated throughout the experiment. The response to P34 was detected later (4-6 wpi) and disappeared in some animals at 18 wpi, while flukes were still present in the bile ducts. No significant differences were observed between the anti-P28 and anti-P34 IgG responses between animals receiving a primary or a challenge infection. The results of our study, although preliminary, are promising since the P28 ELISA described here may be a reliable method for the immunodiagnosis of F. hepatica infection in goats.     

Influence of weather on cork-ring width

Ring-width series of cork from Quercus suber L. trees growing at two sites in Extremadura (southwestern Spain) were analyzed in relation to monthly precipitation and temperature, and to climatic indices combining both variables. Ring width of cork showed strong positive correlations with precipitation, especially during the fall and winter. Moderately low temperatures were favorable for cork growth, except in winter and during the onset of phellogen activity. We conclude that drought or temperature, or both, can limit cork growth during the annual drought period.     

Expression of a glycoprotein hormone receptor gene in the ovary of the bullseye puffer (Sphoeroides annulatus)

A fragment of a glycoprotein hormone receptor (GpHR) gene was isolated from the ovary of the bullseye puffer. This cDNA fragment showed similarity to the thyrotropin (TSH) and gonadotropin (LH and FSH) receptors. GpHR mRNA expression in the ovary gradually increased during oocyte maturation.     

3 TESLA MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE OCCIPITOATLANTOAXIAL REGION IN THE NORMAL HORSE

The aim of this study was to describe the appearance of the ligamentous structures of the occipitoatlantoaxial (OAA) region in the normal horse by 3 tesla (3T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI images of the longitudinal odontoid ligament, tectorial membrane, dorsal and ventral atlantoaxial ligaments, dorsal atlantooccipital membrane with its reinforcing ligaments, and the lateral atlantooccipital ligaments of 10 horse cadavers were evaluated. All ligaments and membranes were identified in all planes, except for the lateral atlantooccipital ligament in the sagittal plane due to its cranioventrolateral course. All were iso to mildly hypointense to musculature of the neck in T1W with the exception of the tectorial membrane that was moderately hypointense; moderately hypointense in PD‐SPIR, and markedly hypointense (isointense to cortical bone) in T2W. The PD‐SPIR was the best sequence to identify all ligaments and membranes from their cranial and caudal attachments. The longitudinal odontoid ligament, ventral atlantoaxial ligament, and reinforcing bands of the dorsal atlantooccipital membrane presented a characteristic striped heterogeneous signal behavior thought to be due to fibrocartilaginous content. The remaining ligaments and membranes showed homogeneous signal intensity. Special anatomical features in this species such as the fan‐shaped longitudinal odontoid ligament, absence of the transverse ligament and presence of the ventral atlantoaxial ligament were documented. Ligamentous structures that stabilize the equine OAA region were described with MRI in this study and these findings could serve as an anatomic reference for those cases where instability of this region is suspected.     

Insights into Insulin and Glucagon Responses in Fish

The focus of this review is the response of insulin and glucagon to various experimental and physiological conditions in fish. Circulating levels of insulin and glucagon have been analyzed in several fish species, principally salmonids. It is generally accepted that, in fish, the insulin secretion in response to amino acids is stronger than to glucose, although this information has been obtained mainly from carnivorous species. Studies of other species demonstrate that the alimentary pattern affect hormonal secretion and should be taken into account when the effects of secretagogues are analyzed. There are few studies of glucagon secretion, even in salmonids, although it is known that amino acids also stimulate its release. The level of this response and its relationship to insulin secretion depends upon the species of fish. We will discuss the significance of these observations, while also considering other important factors, including the influence of neuropeptides and interactions with other pancreatic and gastro-intestinal hormones. Finally, seasonal, temperature and reproductive stage effects will be discussed, all of which should be taken into account when attempting to understand the role of pancreatic hormones in fish. This short review will not cover the action of these hormones on their target tissues.     

Vermicomposting leachate as liquid fertilizer for the cultivation of sugarcane (Saccharum sp.)

In vermicomposting, the main product is the worm casts, but a leachate is generated that contains large amounts of plant nutrients. This leachate is normally diluted to avoid plant damage. We investigated how dilution of vermicompost leachate combined with different concentrations of nitrogen (N) - phosphorus (P) - potassium (K) triple 17 fertilizer, and polyoxyethylene tridecyl alcohol as dispersant and polyethylene nonylphenol as adherent to increase efficiency of fertilizer uptake, affected sugarcane plant development. The vermicomposting leachate with pH 7.8 and electrolytic conductivity 2.6 dS m^?1, contained 834 mg potassium (K) l^?1, 247 mg nitrate (NO₃^?) l^?1 and 168 mg phosphate (PO₄^3?) l^?1, was free of pathogens and resulted in a 65% germination index. Vermicompost leachate did not inhibit sugarcane growth and mixed with 170 g l^?1 NPK triple 17 fertilizer resulted in the best plant development. No dispersant or adherent was required to improve plant height and stem development.     

Effectiveness of passive gas-scavenging canisters attached to isoflurane anesthesia systems under standard-use conditions in a laboratory animal facility

Chronic exposure to trace levels of waste anesthetic gases has been linked to higher incidences of neurologic and reproductive dysfunction, hepatic and renal toxicity, and neoplasia in health care professionals. We have shown that low levels of isoflurane emissions are likely in conventional laboratory animal treatment rooms during the use of standard anesthesia delivery systems equipped with activated charcoal canisters for passive gas scavenging. In the present study, we surveyed the effectiveness of canisters (attached to well‐maintained precision isoflurane vaporizers) in current use throughout our AAALAC‐accredited laboratory animal facility. Canisters (Omnicon f/air) had been weighed prior to use and then attached to dual‐loop systems (face mask and induction box circuits) from 1 week to 6 months of service. Isoflurane emissions were measured using a pre‐calibrated, portable infrared spectrophotometer by attaching each canister to the face‐mask circuit, occluding the face mask and closing the stopcock to the induction circuit, and running the system at uniform isoflurane concentration (2%) and oxygen flow rate (1 L minute^?1). Samples were taken in animal procedure rooms (size range, 45–80 m³) in which the air turnover rate ranged between 20 and 30 nonrecirculating changes per hour. Nine of the 60 canisters (15%) in current use were found to have exceeded the manufacturer's recommended use‐life (defined as a weight increase of 50 g). Of these nine, seven canisters did not scavenge isoflurane at all (indicated by emissions greatly exceeding 100 ppm). Isoflurane was not detected in the operator's breathing zone under normal use conditions (i.e. gas directed to both circuits at once). Of the 51 canisters that had not exceeded their rated use‐life, 12 (23.5%) exhausted isoflurane at >2 ppm. Our data show that (i) the potential for exposure to waste isoflurane emissions will depend on the configuration of the delivery system and that (ii) enhanced attention to canister surveillance may be warranted even in well‐run facilities.     

Dual-label time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay for simultaneous quantification of haptoglobin and C-reactive protein in meat juice from pigs

A new method was developed to simultaneously measure 2 acute-phase proteins (APPs) by time-resolved immunofluorometry. The assay, based on double-label quantification of haptoglobin (Hp) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in meat juice samples from pigs, was constructed by use of a combination of europium and samarium chelate lanthanides as labels. Meat juice samples from 154 pigs were used for analytic and clinical validation of the assay through determination of precision, accuracy, limit of detection, and quantification. The analytic performance of the assay was satisfactory, with good intra-assay and interassay precision and accuracy. The levels of Hp and CRP were increased in the meat juice samples of diseased animals compared with healthy ones. According to the results, higher sensitivity could be achieved if the cut-off values of both proteins were taken into account for clinical relevance rather than used individually. Since the dual assay saved both time and sample, it could be used as a rapid and sensitive screening test in porcine production.