Plasma pepsinogen levels in some experimental infections of Ostertagia ostertagi in cattle

Two groups of calves were infected with larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi to establish large numbers of adults and arrested larvae. In one group symptoms of ostertagiasis were seen and there was a loss of three months growth; in the other, in which adult worms were removed by a single anthelmintic treatment, there was only a transient reduction in live-weight gain. Plasma pepsinogen levels were however the same in the two groups and followed the same course. Even after 25 weeks, when calves had been growing normally for up to three months, plasma pepsinogen values were still around 5 iu per litre, well above the level generally regarded as diagnostic of ostertagiasis. The relevance of these findings to the use of the test in the diagnosis of ostertagiasis is discussed. The literature is reviewed.     

The Eucalyptus shoot and leaf pathogen Teratosphaeria destructans recorded in South Africa

Species of Teratosphaeria include some of the most important fungal pathogens of plantation-grown eucalypt trees. During routine disease surveys, symptoms and signs of leaf spot and blight were observed on the foliage of one-year-old E. grandis × E. urophylla hybrids in the Zululand region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. These were distinct from those caused by the well-known and leaf-infecting fungus Teratosphaeria suttonii, which is not considered an important pathogen in the country. Culture and morphological characteristics as well as DNA sequences for three gene regions were used to compare the fungus isolated from the newly emerging symptoms with those for known Teratosphaeria species. DNA sequences were the same as those for T. destructans and this was consistent with the distinctive morphology of the asexual spores and the symptoms on leaves. Teratosphaeria destructans is an aggressive pathogen and actions will be needed to ensure that it does not impart serious losses to the local forestry industry.     

Genetic diversity of Indonesian cauliflower cultivars and their relationships with hybrid cultivars grown in Australia

The objectives of this study were to investigate genetic variation and relationships between Indonesia-, Australian- and European-based cultivars and to evaluate variation within Indonesia cultivars as all cultivars are open-pollinated. Eight cauliflower cultivars collected from three production regions in Indonesia and four F₁ hybrids cultivars grown in Australia were evaluated using RAPD and ISSR markers. DNA polymorphisms generated from 10 polymorphic RAPD primers were used to construct a dendogram using the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) and to generate a fingerprinting key. ISSR marker analysis using 14 primers were attempted but DNA polymorphisms could not be clearly identified. The RAPD technique indicated that variation occurred both within and between Indonesian cultivars. Comparison between Indonesian-, Australian- and European-based cultivars showed that Indonesian cultivars have unique genotypes and would be good sources of genes for future crop improvement.     

Effects of diazepam, ketamine, and their combination on intraocular pressure in normal dogs

Ketamine has been implicated as causing increases in intraocular pressure. The purpose of this study is to document the effects of ketamine, diazepam, and their combination on intraocular pressure (IOP) in normal, unpremedicated dogs. Random-source dogs were assigned to one of five groups of 10 dogs each: ketamine 5 mg kg^–1 (KET5), ketamine 10 mg kg^–1 (KET10), diazepam 0.5 mg kg^–1 (VAL), ketamine 10 mg kg^–1 with diazepam 0.5 mg kg^–1 (KETVAL), saline 0.1 mL kg^–1 (SAL), all given intravenously. A baseline IOP was measured before injection, immediately after injection, and at 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes following injection. IOP was increased over baseline immediately after injection in the KET5, KET10, and KETVAL groups; at 5, 10, and 15 minutes in the KET5 group; and at 20 minutes in the KETVAL group. The mean IOP change compared to SAL increased immediately after injection and at 5 minutes in the KET5, KET10, and KETVAL groups; at 10 and 15 minutes in the KET5 group, and at 20 minutes in the KETVAL group. The mean IOP increased up to 5.7, 3.2, and 3.1 mm Hg over mean baseline in the KET5, KET10, and KETVAL groups, respectively. All dogs in the KET5 group and the majority in the KETVAL and KET10 groups had an increase in their IOP over baseline. Ketamine caused a clinically and statistically significant elevation in IOP over baseline and compared to SAL. The concurrent addition of diazepam did not blunt this increase. Ketamine should be avoided in dogs with corneal trauma, glaucoma, or in those undergoing intraocular surgery.     

Modulation of hepatitis C virus RNA abundance by a liver-specific MicroRNA

MicroRNAs are small RNA molecules that regulate messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. MicroRNA 122 (miR-122) is specifically expressed and highly abundant in the human liver. We show that the sequestration of miR-122 in liver cells results in marked loss of autonomously replicating hepatitis C viral RNAs. A genetic interaction between miR-122 and the 5' noncoding region of the viral genome was revealed by mutational analyses of the predicted microRNA binding site and ectopic expression of miR-122 molecules containing compensatory mutations. Studies with replication-defective RNAs suggested that miR-122 did not detectably affect mRNA translation or RNA stability. Therefore, miR-122 is likely to facilitate replication of the viral RNA, suggesting that miR-122 may present a target for antiviral intervention.