Bilateral aural hyalohyphomycosis in sable antelope (Hippotragus niger).

Three juvenile sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) were diagnosed with bilateral aural hyalohyphomycosis based on histopathology. All three animals were suspected to be immunodeficient based on low IgG levels determined using the zinc sulfate turbidity test. The serum and hepatic copper levels of one animal were below the bovine reference range. Clinical signs in the three animals included bilateral ventral deviation of the pinnae with multifocal subcutaneous aural tumefaction and poor body condition. Numerous septate, nonpigmented fungal hyphae were found within the auricular cartilage, dermis, and subcutaneous granulomas. No significant fungal agents were isolated by culture, and no signs of systemic fungal dissemination were identified except for a concurrent fungal rhinitis in one animal.     

Changes in the competence of Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’ to grow in vitro as affected by seedling rootstocks and differential pruning

Three physiologically distinct forms of the same genotype of Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’, all derived from adult budwood, were identified following the growth of severely-pruned hedge plants grafted onto juvenile seedling rootstocks. Only explants from the form displaying the juvenile-like characteristic of over-winter leaf retention were capable of establishing sustainable cultures in vitro, although growth was not as rapid as those from a two year old seedling source. Pruning to release correlative inhibition of buds low on the scion framework produced vigorous shoot growth, but explants from these failed to show sustained growth in vitro. Withholding light from stockplants reduced excessive phenolic oxidation in explants taken from flushing unripe shoots, however, despite a beneficial effect on culture initiation, later growth was dependent upon the juvenile- or adult-like physiology of the original explant. A new medium was devised for this subject, which in addition to promoting growth generally, also stimulated the flushing of shoot apices. The relevance to in vitro culture of expression of juvenile habit in the stockplant is discussed.     

Angiofibroma of the nasal cavity in 13 dogs

This case series describes a rare entity, nasal angiofibroma, in 13 dogs that were presented to the University of Wisconsin, School of Veterinary Medicine from 1988 to 2000. All dogs in this case series presented with clinical signs and radiographic changes that were strongly suggestive of a locally invasive neoplasm. However, histopathology completed on transnostral core biopsy samples revealed benign appearing vascular proliferation with secondary lymphosuppurative inflammation was established despite cytologic criteria of malignancy present in five dogs. On the basis of the outcomes in this case series, nasal angiofibroma should be considered a differential for dogs presenting with clinical signs consistent with a malignant nasal tumour.     

Eel acetylcholinesterase inhibition studies with heteroarylphosphinates

The inhibition of eel acetylcholinesterase by the 4-nitrophenyl esters of 2-furyl(methyl)-, methyl(2-thienyl)-, di-2-furyl-, and di-2-thienylphosphinic acid (I, II, III, and IV, respectively) was investigated at pH 6.90 in 0.067 M phosphate buffer (25.0°C) using stopped-flow instrumentation and automated data processing. Our evaluation of the dissociation constant, K_d, the unimolecular bonding rate constant, k₂, and the bimolecular reaction constant, k_i, are the first reported values for these constants for alkyl/heteroaryl and diheteroaryl esters of phosphinic acids. The largest k_i value (19,330 M^?1 sec^?1) was observed for the reaction of I with the enzyme. The order for the remaining three is II > IV > III. There is no direct relationship between the hydrolysis rates of the esters and their anticholinesterase activities on eel acetylcholinesterase. Likewise, there is no direct relationship between their anticholinesterase activities and the LD₅₀ values in rats.     

Experimental transmission of chronic wasting disease (CWD) of elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) to white-tailed deer by intracerebral route

To compare clinical and pathologic findings of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a natural host, 3 groups (n = 5) of white-tailed deer (WTD) fawns were intracerebrally inoculated with a CWD prion of WTD, mule deer, or elk origin. Three other uninoculated fawns served as controls. Approximately 10 months postinoculation (MPI), 1 deer from each of the 3 inoculated groups was necropsied and their tissues were examined for lesions of spongiform encephalopathy (SE) and for the presence of abnormal prion protein (PrP(d)) by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot (WB). The remaining deer were allowed to live until they developed clinical signs of the disease which began approximately 18 MPI. By 26 MPI, all deer were euthanatized on humane grounds. Obvious differences in clinical signs or the incubation periods were not observed between the 3 groups of deer given CWD. In 1 of 3 nonclinical deer euthanatized at 10 MPI, minimal microscopic lesions of SE were seen in the central nervous system (CNS) tissues, and PrP(d) was observed by IHC in tissues of all 3 deer. In the clinical deer, CNS lesions of SE and PrP(d) accumulations were more severe and extensive. It is concluded that the 3 sources of CWD prion did not induce significant differences in time to clinical disease or qualitative differences in signs or lesions in WTD. However, this observation does not imply that these CWD agents would necessarily behave similarly in other recipient species.     

Host plant stimulation of detoxifying enzymes in a phytophagous insect

The midgut microsomal aldrin epoxidase of variegated cutworm larvae (Peridroma saucia, Hübner) fed bean or peppermint leaves was up to 10 and 45 times more active, respectively, than that of larvae fed a basic control diet. Large increases in oxidase activity and cytochrome P-450 levels also occurred in larvae fed mint plant constituents such as menthol menthone, α-pinene, and β-pinene. Mint-fed larvae were more tolerant of the insecticide, carbaryl, than bean-fed larvae.     

Evaluation of reproductive traits in Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbred heifers: effects of postweaning energy manipulation

Reproductive traits were evaluated in Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbred heifers that were fed different diets during the postweaning period. The study was designed in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Angus x Hereford (AH; n = 148) and Brahman x Hereford (BH; n = 148) heifers were sorted after weaning by body weight into light (LW) and heavy (HW) weight blocks. Heifers in each weight block were assigned to diets calculated to reach a target weight of 55% (LE) or 65% (HE) of their projected mature weights by the start of the breeding season. Puberty was determined after a 160-d observation period and characterized by the following criteria: 1) behavioral estrus, 2) presence of a palpable corpus luteum (d 6 to 10; estrus = d 0), and 3) rise in serum progesterone above 1 ng/ml (d 6 to 10). A higher (P = .01) proportion of AH heifers than of BH heifers reached puberty by the breeding season (93% vs 67%). Interactions of breed x weight block and energy level x weight block also contributed to this difference. Weight at puberty was heavier (P = .001) among HE than among LE heifers and greater for heifers in HW than for those in LW blocks (P = .02). Differences in prebreeding weight, body condition, average daily gain, hip height, and pelvic area were influenced selectively by breed, energy level, or weight block. Pregnancy rates were higher (P = .01) among AH than among BH heifers. Incidence and severity of dystocia was influenced by the breed x energy level interaction (P = .01). Brahman x Hereford heifers had less (P = .01) dystocia than AH heifers, HE heifers had less (P less than .02) dystocia than LE heifers, and HE-AH heifers had less (P less than .01) dystocia than LE-AH contemporaries. Subsequent duration of the postpartum interval to estrus was shorter (P = .002) among AH than among BH females. Pregnancy rates at the end of the 2nd yr were higher (P = .02) among LW than among HW females and weights were heavier (P = .001) at weaning among calves weaned from BH dams.     

Landscape genetics of the foundational salt marsh plant species black needlerush (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Juncus roemerianus</Emphasis> Scheele) across the northeastern Gulf of Mexico

Context

Common species important for ecosystem restoration stand to lose as much genetic diversity from anthropogenic habitat fragmentation and climate change as rare species, but are rarely studied. Salt marshes, valuable ecosystems in widespread decline due to human development, are dominated by the foundational plant species black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus Scheele) in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico.

Objectives

We assessed genetic patterns in J. roemerianus by measuring genetic and genotypic diversity, and characterizing population structure. We examined population connectivity by delineating possible dispersal corridors, and identified landscape factors influencing population connectivity.

Methods

A panel of 19 microsatellite markers was used to genotype 576 samples from ten sites across the northeastern Gulf of Mexico from the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) to the Apalachicola NERR. Genetic distances (F_ST and D_ch) were used in a least cost transect analysis (LCTA) within a hierarchical model selection framework.

Results

Genetic and genotypic diversity results were higher than expected based on life history literature, and samples structured into two large, admixed genetic clusters across the study area, indicating sexual reproduction may not be as rare as predicted in this clonal macrophyte. Digitized coastal transects buffered by 500 m may represent possible dispersal corridors, and developed land may significantly impede population connectivity in J. roemerianus.

Conclusions

Results have important implications for coastal restoration and management that seek to preserve adaptive potential by sustaining natural levels of genetic diversity and conserving population connectivity. Our methodology could be applied to other common, widespread and understudied species.