The detection of Mycoplasma (formerly Eperythrozoon) wenyonii by 16S rDNA PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

Although the role of Mycoplasma wenyonii in disease is still subject to some debate, infections have been reported to result in parasitaemia, anaemia, scrotal and hind limb oedema, tachycardia, pyrexia, infertility, swollen teats, prefemoral lymphadenopathy and decreased milk production. Previously, diagnosis of M. wenyonii has been based on blood smears but is not specific for M. wenyonii and can be difficult to interpret. We have previously described the use of PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) for the detection and differentiation of Mycoplasma species. DGGE enables the rapid and specific identification of Mycoplasma species and is ideally suited to detecting both mixed infections and new and unusual species. In this study, we have used DGGE with universal primers to detect M. wenyonii DNA from blood samples. DGGE can be used on blood samples as a rapid and specific test for M. wenyonii and can also be used as a screening test for other blood borne pathogens.     

Myeloma-related disorders in cats commonly present as extramedullary neoplasms in contrast to myeloma in human patients: 24 cases with clinical follow-up

BACKGROUND: Myeloma-related disorders (MRD) are rare neoplasms of plasma cells. Published case reports describe a diversity of clinical presentations with confusing terminology and diagnostic criteria as a consequence of the assumption that MRD in cats are analogous to those in dogs or humans. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to describe clinical, clinicopathologic and imaging findings, response to treatment, survival and possible associations with other diseases or vaccination in a large case series. A priori hypotheses were that cats with MRD commonly present with extramedullary involvement and uncommonly have radiographic bone lesions, in contrast to human patients. ANIMALS: Twenty-four cats with MRD confirmed by cytology or histopathology and immunohistochemistry. METHOD: A multicenter retrospective study was performed. RESULTS: Two types of clinical presentation were observed. The first group (n = 17) had neoplasia involving abdominal organs, bone marrow, or both. All developed systemic clinical signs and paraproteinemia. Five of 7 cats that received chemotherapy improved clinically or had decreased serum globulin concentration (median survival, 12.3 months; range, 8.5-22 months). The second group comprised 7 cats with skin masses, 2 of which were paraproteinemic and developed rapidly worsening systemic signs. In cats without systemic signs, excision of the skin masses appeared to be associated with prolonged survival (up to 2.4 years). Cats with MRD commonly presented with extramedullary involvement (67%), versus humans with MRD (5%) (P < .001), and uncommonly presented with radiographic bone lesions (8%) versus humans with MRD (80%) (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Radiographic bone lesions are uncommon in cats with MRD and extramedullary presentation is common, relative to human myeloma.     

Food-caching western scrub-jays keep track of who was watching when

Western scrub-jays (Aphelocoma californica) hide food caches for future consumption, steal others' caches, and engage in tactics to minimize the chance that their own caches will be stolen. We show that scrub-jays remember which individual watched them during particular caching events and alter their recaching behavior accordingly. We found no evidence to suggest that a storer's use of cache protection tactics is cued by the observer's behavior.     

Isolation, stability and bioactivity of Jatropha curcas phorbol esters

Jatropha curcas seed oil, which can be utilized for biodiesel production upon transesterification, is also rich in phorbol esters (PEs). In this study, PEs from J. curcas oil (Jatropha factors C₁ and C₂ (purified to homogeneity), Jatropha factors C₃ and (C₄ + C₅) (obtained as mixtures) and PE-rich extract (containing all the above stated Jatropha factors) were investigated. The concentrations of Jatropha PEs were expressed equivalent to Jatropha factor C₁. In the snail (Physa fontinalis) bioassay, the order of potency (EC₅₀, μg/L) was: PE-rich extract < factor C₃ mixture < factor C₂ < factor C₁ < factor (C₄ + C₅). In the Artemia salina bioassay, the order of potency (EC₅₀, mg/L) was: factor C₂ < factor C₃ mixture < factor C₁ < factor (C₄ + C₅) mixture. In addition, Jatropha PEs exhibited platelet aggregation (ED₅₀, μM, factor C₂ < factor C₃ mixture < factor C₁ < factor (C₄ + C₅) mixture. The stability of a PE-rich extract was evaluated and found to be low at room temperature but favourable in ethanol over a range of temperatures. By integrating the isolation methodology developed in this study in the Jatropha biodiesel industry, PEs could be obtained as value-added co-products.