Nonregenerative immune‐mediated anemia associated with a diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in a captive jaguar (Panthera onca)

An 18‐year‐old male castrated jaguar (Panthera onca) was presented with anorexia and continuous bleeding from the oral cavity after a history of fighting with the partner animal. Clinical evaluation revealed ulcerating lesions on the gingiva and hard palate and a hematoma on the tongue. Computed tomography of the head and endoscopic examination of the esophagus and stomach were unremarkable. Hematology and clinical chemistry revealed severe nonregenerative anemia, mild thrombocytopenia, and moderate azotemia. Several PCRs for feline hemotropic mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma haemofelis, M heamominutium, M turicensis), Babesia felis, and Bartonella spp., as well as an FeLV antigen test were negative. The cytologic examination of a bone marrow aspirate was consistent with ineffective erythropoiesis, most likely due to immune‐mediated destruction of the erythroid precursor cells. Prednisolone therapy was initiated (1.25 mg/kg/day), and the CBC returned to normal 16 days after the initiation of the therapy. Anemia relapsed after 4 months and severe splenomegaly was noted. A repeat bone marrow aspirate revealed active erythropoiesis in the presence of erythroid precursor phagocytosis suggesting an immune‐mediated process. Splenic fine‐needle aspiration and tissue biopsies were taken, and all findings including histology and immunohistochemistry were consistent with a diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Five days later, the clinical condition deteriorated and the jaguar died. Histopathology following necropsy showed infiltration with neoplastic lymphoblasts in the spleen, liver, and abdominal lymph nodes. This case report describes a nonregenerative immune‐mediated anemia associated with a DLBCL in a jaguar.     

Forest monitoring with TerraSAR-X: first results

Several TerraSAR-X satellite images acquired in high resolution spotlight mode with different polarisations for two study sites in southern Germany were used to distinguish forest from other land cover classes (agriculture, built-up, water bodies) using logistic regression models. In general, we observed that the mean and particularly the standard deviation of the backscatter were viable measures to discriminate land cover classes. Both measures were lowest for water bodies and highest for built-up areas, with agricultural areas and forest in intermediate positions. Trees outside forest were not differentiable from forest with the applied method. The HH-polarised image was better suited for a classification of built-up areas, whereas the VV-polarised image was more appropriate when classifying agricultural areas. Consequently, the combination of the two differently polarised images leads to a significantly better model. Since forests in one study area were generally found on steeper slopes in comparison to other land cover classes, the inclusion of terrain slope further improved the classification, which resulted in an overall accuracy of 92–95%. Systematic differences in the parameter values of the explanatory variables for one class between the study areas may be caused by differing class probabilities. Thus, transferring the model of one study area to the image of another resulted in a 7–9% loss of accuracy.     

Regeneration dynamics in aging black pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus nigra</Emphasis> Arn.) plantations on the south slopes of the Middle Balkan Range in Bulgaria

To study the regeneration dynamics in mature black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) plantations in the Middle Balkan Range, Bulgaria, a total of 48 research plots (sized 0.1 ha) were established; 26 plots were established in the foothills of the mountains (foothill zone) and 22 in the main massive (mountainous zone). Pine overstorey as well as advance regeneration in subplots were recorded. Analysis of variance and regression analysis showed that in general relative stand basal area (RSBA) was the most important predictor of deciduous advance regeneration density, top height as well as age span of the regeneration layer. In the mountainous zone soil depth (SD) and the presence of mature deciduous trees (MDT) explained a significant amount of the variation in regeneration features. Lower RSBA induced by earlier thinnings resulted in higher regeneration density, larger top heights and wider age span of deciduous species. Under the pine canopy oak regeneration can persist longer compared to natural broadleaved canopies. In the studied plantations pine regeneration was confined to few scattered seedlings and regeneration groups. Based on these findings silvicultural concepts for the further management of black pine plantations in the Middle Balkan Range are discussed.     

Bovine neonatal pancytopenia in German Holstein calves

Profiles of blood cell counts were evaluated for 15 calves from three different farms. These calves showed petechia in the mucous membranes and in the skin and prolonged secondary bleeding after puncture. The clinical course of the disease could be observed in eleven calves. With exception of one case, the blood cell counts indicated a severe anaemia, leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. Out of these 15 calves, six calves survived and the other nine calves died or had to be euthanized due to the severity of the disease. Necropsy of these nine calves revealed petechia in the skin, subcutis, muscles, in inner organs and all serous membranes. Pathohistological examination showed a depletion of the bone marrow and lymphatic tissue in eight calves. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP) for eight of these nine calves. Bluetongue virus serotype 8 was tested negatively using PCR. Bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) was negatively tested using immunofluorescence and cell culture and salmonella species were negatively tested in seven dissected calves. A cluster of toxins was negatively tested in one of the dissected calves. All 15 calves had high antibody titres for BVDV. The BVDV-antibody titres from twelve dams with affected calves were positive in six cases and not detectable in the other six cases. In three of the six dams with not detectable BVDV-antibody titres, calves were fed with colostrum of a further dam with high BVDV-antibody titres. In the further three dams without detectable BVDV-antibody titres, we could not ascertain which colostrum has been fed to the calves. BVDV-specific antigen could not be detected in any of the samples from the calves and dams tested. Using the activity of the gamma-glutamyl-transferase, we assumed a sufficient supply with colostrum for the examined calves.The cause for the occurrence of these BNP cases was due to bone marrow depletion.The reason for the bone marrow depletion remained unclear. However, it was obvious that the BNP described here is highly likely caused by colostrum from cows with positive BVDV-antibody titres.     

PsoP1, a milk-clotting aspartic peptidase from the basidiomycete fungus Piptoporus soloniensis

The first enzyme of the basidiomycete Piptoporus soloniensis, a peptidase (PsoP1), was characterized after isolation from submerged cultures, purification by fractional precipitation, and preparative native-polyarylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The native molecular mass of PsoP1 was 38 kDa with an isoelectric point of 3.9. Similar to chymosin from milk calves, PsoP1 showed a maximum milk-clotting activity (MCA) at 35-40 °C and was most stable at pH 6 and below 40 °C. The complete inhibition by pepstatin A identified this enzyme as an aspartic peptidase. Electrospray ionization-tandem MS showed an amino acid partial sequence that was more homologous to mammalian milk clotting peptidases than to the chymosin substitute from a fungal species, such as the Zygomycete Mucor miehei. According to sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE patterns, the peptidase cleaved κ-casein in a way similar to chymosin and hydrolyzed β-casein slowly, as it would be expected from an efficient chymosin substitute.     

Schwermetallgehalte in landwirtschaftlich relevanten stoffen

Die Gehalte für die sechs Schwermetalle Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb und Zn in landwirtschaftlich relevanten Stoffgruppen (mineralische und organische Düngestoffe, Kulturpflanzen und tierische Produkte) wurden aus Literaturdaten für die beiden statistischen Maßzahlen Mittelwert und Spannweite der Mittelwerte in Übersichtstabellen zusammengefasst.     

Mycosporine-like amino acids and marine toxins--the common and the different

Marine microorganisms harbor a multitude of secondary metabolites. Among these are toxins of different chemical classes as well as the UV-protective mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs). The latter form a group of water-soluble, low molecular-weight (generally < 400) compounds composed of either an aminocyclohexenone or an aminocyclohexenimine ring, carrying amino acid or amino alcohol substituents. So far there has been no report of toxicity in MAAs but nevertheless there are some features they have in common with marine toxins. Among the organisms producing MAAs are cyanobacteria, dinoflagellates and diatoms that also synthesize toxins. As in cyclic peptide toxins found in cyanobacteria, amino acids are the main building blocks of MAAs. Both, MAAs and some marine toxins are transferred to other organisms e.g. via the food chains, and chemical modifications can take place in secondary consumers. In contrast to algal toxins, the physiological role of MAAs is clearly the protection from harmful UV radiation by physical screening. However, other roles, e.g. as osmolytes and antioxidants, are also considered. In this paper the common characteristics of MAAs and marine toxins are discussed as well as the differences.     

Early pathogen detection under different water status and the assessment of spray application in vineyards through the use of thermal imagery

Remote detection using thermal imagery has potential for use in the pre-symptomatic diagnosis of abiotic stress or of early disease detection. The latter is an issue of great importance since late detection of fungus attacks or poor spray coverage are major factors contributing to weak disease control affecting fruit quality or reducing yield in grapes. In greenhouse experiments the effects on spatial and temporal variability of leaf temperature of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Riesling) leaves inoculated with a fungal pathogen (Plasmopara viticola (Berk. & Curt. Ex de Bary) were studied in either well-irrigated or non-irrigated potted plants. Due to the high sensitivity of leaf temperature to the amount of water transpired, infra-red thermography can be used to monitor irregularities in temperature at an early stage of pathogen development. Evidence for characteristic thermal responses in grapevines was apparent well before visible symptoms appeared. Contrasting thermal effects due to the pathogen attack were found between measurements on well-irrigated and water-stressed plants. Furthermore, from a technical point of view, thermal imagery has the potential to assess the evenness of spray coverage within a canopy, hence optimizing pesticide application efficiency.     

Simultaneous flowering of umbrella bamboo （Fargesia murieliae） at its native home in Central China

Introduction The life history of many bamboo species is characterized by an unusual flowering habit. They often flower and die simultaneously over wide areas at long intervals (3–120 years), and then regenerate from seed or rhizome (Janzen 1976; Liese 19…