Use of dried blood smears for detection of feline hemoplasmas using real-time polymerase chain reaction

The objective of the current study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) for feline hemoplasmas when applied to DNA extracted from dried whole-blood smears in comparison to that for DNA extracted from liquid whole blood. Blood samples were collected into ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid tubes from 305 cats with possible or suspected hemoplasmosis, and dried blood smears from each sample were prepared. DNA was extracted from blood smears and a 160-microl aliquot of each liquid blood sample by using a robotic extractor and was subjected to real-time PCR for feline glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (liquid blood), 18S ribosomal RNA (dried blood), and "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum", Mycoplasma haemofelis, and "Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis" DNA. When using the results for liquid whole blood as the gold standard, the sensitivity of each assay for "Ca. M. haemominutum", M. haemofelis, and "Ca. M. turicensis" was 49 of 66 (74%), 11 of 13 (85%), and 11 of 20 (55%), respectively. The specificity of each assay was 224 of 234 (96%), 287 of 287 (100%), and 280 of 280 (100%), respectively. When possible, liquid blood samples should be submitted for detection of feline hemoplasmas by using real-time PCR. The improved sensitivity of real-time PCR on blood smears for M. haemofelis compared with that of the other hemoplasma species may reflect the higher organism burdens associated with infection with this species.     

Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy and spinal cord decompression in a lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus)

A 16-yr-old, castrated male lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) presented with acute bilateral pelvic limb paralysis. Cisternal and lumbar myelograms demonstrated right-sided spinal cord compression at T13-L1. During an extradural hemilaminectomy, chronically ruptured disk material was removed at T13-L1, with moderate venous dilatation observed cranially. The macaque fully recovered from clinical signs within 2 mo.     

泡桐材变色类型的确定及变色真菌的鉴定

对泡桐材变色类型的研究表明,泡桐材变色存在着真菌变色。同时从新伐的泡桐木材中分离出两种真菌,经鉴定是链格孢菌和一种根霉菌,这两种真菌可引发泡桐木材变色。     

7500 years of prehistoric footwear from arnold research cave, missouri

Accelerator mass spectrometer dating of an assemblage of fibrous and leather footwear from Arnold Research Cave in central Missouri documents a long sequence of shoe construction by prehistoric Midwestern peoples, beginning perhaps as early as 8300 calendar years before the present (cal years B.P.). An earlier fibrous sandal form dates from 8325 to 7675 cal years B.P., and later fibrous or leather slip-ons span the period from 5575 to 1070 cal years B.P. The assemblage adds to a growing picture of the highly varied nature of prehistoric footwear production in the United States throughout the Holocene.     

Genesis and evolution of the 1997-98 El Nino

The 1997-98 El Nino was, by some measures, the strongest on record, with major climatic impacts felt around the world. A newly completed tropical Pacific atmosphere-ocean observing system documented this El Nino from its rapid onset to its sudden demise in greater detail than was ever before possible. The unprecedented measurements challenge existing theories about El Nino-related climate swings and suggest why climate forecast models underpredicted the strength of the El Nino before its onset.     

Veterinary Practice — The Canadian multinational veterinary workforce

The veterinary profession, from acceptance to veterinary college to retirement, has experienced extensive organizational change in the past 3 decades. This paper is an attempt to understand the context and complexity of national workforce planning in veterinary medicine in Canada. It identifies the obvious practical and ethical considerations, exposing inherent problems in guiding the future of the profession. The discourse concludes there is a structural deficiency in veterinary education program capacity in Canada (practical fact) and Canadian youth may have increasingly difficult access to tertiary education (ethical concern). Adaptation, rather than planning, characterizes current practices in which migration of foreign-trained veterinarians mitigates the structural deficiency in training capacity. Due to the pervasive adoption of neo-liberal marketing principles in tertiary education, a nationally self-sufficient Canadian veterinary college infrastructure is an unlikely future possibility. Our current system, reliant on migration of internationally trained professionals, raises questions of global justice and individual rights. Strategic solutions require reflection on veterinary professional identity, broad discussion, and a commitment to a rigorous concept of professional responsibilities, global citizenship, and the public good.     

Pharmacokinetics of fenvalerate after intravenous administration to sheep

The pharmacokinetics of total radioactivity and of intact fenvalerate were determined in sheep treated intravenously with radiolabelled or non-radiolabelled fenvalerate. Mean residence times (MRT) of total radioactivity and intact fenvalerate in plasma were 910 (±75) and 39 (±3) min, while harmonic mean elimination-phase half-lives (TM_β) were 990 and 82 min, each respectively. Systemic clearance values (Cl_S) of total radioactivity and intact fenvalerate were 2·8 (±0·3) ml min⁻¹ kg⁻¹ and 51·3 (±5·9) ml min⁻¹ kg⁻¹, respectively. Volumes of distribution at steady state (V_SS) were each near 2500 ml kg⁻¹. Elimination of radioactivity occurred, in part (33·3 (±3·3)% of dose), by renal excretion, at a rate (0·9 (±0·1) ml min⁻¹ kg⁻¹), similar to that of glomerular filtration. These data are consistent with a disposition model according to which intact fenvalerate was rapidly distributed into a peripheral compartment, where metabolism occurred. In addition, since the elimination half-life of fenvalerate from plasma was less than 90 min after intravenous injection, ‘flip-flop’ kinetics should be considered when longer elimination half-lives are observed after oral or dermal exposures.