Acute enteritis and deaths in sheep from Salmonella hindmarsh associated with oral dosing with zinc oxide

Abstract

Extract

Madam:– The administration of zinc salts to sheep at the time they are exposed to spores of Pithomyces chartarum will reduce the amount of liver damage from the mycotoxin contained in these spores.(7 Smith, B.L., Embling, P.P., Towers, N.R., Wright, D.E. and Payne, E. 1977. The protective effect of zinc sulphate in experimental sporidesmin poisoning of sheep. N.Z. vet. J., 25: 124–127. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar])(10 Towers, N.R., Smith, B.L., Wright, D.E. and Sinclair, D.P. 1975. Preventing facial eczema by using zinc. Proc. Ruakura Farmers Conference 1975, : 57–61.  [Google Scholar])(11 Towers, N.R., Wright, D.E., Aitken, W.M., Smith, B.L., Sim, A.L. and Sinclair, D.P. 1976. Zinc and facial eczema. Proc. Ruakura Farmers Conference 1976, : 65–68.  [Google Scholar]) It is a recommended practice in facial eczema susceptible areas of New Zealand.(9 Towers, N.R. and Smith, B.L. 1983. Facial eczema. Zinc dosing for prevention. Revised recommendations 1984, AgLink FPP 496 end revise [Google Scholar]) We wish to report a suspected outbreak of salmonellosis that occurred only in a ZnO-dosed group of trial animals and suggest that there may be an association between ZnO administration and salmonellosis.     

Characterization of mesenchymal stem cells in bovine endometrium during follicular phase of oestrous cycle

Stem cells have been postulated as responsible for cell regeneration in highly and continuously regenerative tissues such as the endometrium. Few studies in cattle have identified and specified the presence of stem cells in the endometrium during the oestrous cycle. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the bovine endometrium during the follicular phase (FP) of the oestrous cycle. Uterine tissue was collected in the time‐frame comprising day 18 of the cycle and ovulation (day 0). We isolated, cultured and expanded four primary cell lines from endometrium and identified byRT‐qPCR the expression of OCT4, SOX2 but not NANOG (undifferentiated/embryonic markers), CD44 (MSCs marker) and c‐KIT (stem cell marker) genes; and the encoded Oct4, Sox2 and Cd44 proteins by Western blot or immunostaining of paraffin‐embedded tissue in endometrium. We demonstrated that cells isolated from bovine endometrium displayed essentially the same gene expression pattern; however, at the protein level, Oct4 and Cd44 were not detected. Besides, they showed typical functional characteristics of MSCs such as fibroblast‐like morphology, plastic adherence, high proliferative capacity, clone formation in vitro and the ability to differentiate into chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. We obtained for the first time an extensive characterization of undifferentiated cells populations contained in the bovine endometrium during the FP of the oestrous cycle.     

Lunar surface magnetic fields and their interaction with the solar wind: results from lunar prospector

The magnetometer and electron reflectometer experiment on the Lunar Prospector spacecraft has obtained maps of lunar crustal magnetic fields and observed the interaction between the solar wind and regions of strong crustal magnetic fields at high selenographic latitude (30 degreesS to 80 degreesS) and low ( approximately 100 kilometers) altitude. Electron reflection maps of the regions antipodal to the Imbrium and Serenitatis impact basins, extending to 80 degreesS latitude, show that crustal magnetic fields fill most of the antipodal zones of those basins. This finding provides further evidence for the hypothesis that basin-forming impacts result in magnetization of the lunar crust at their antipodes. The crustal magnetic fields of the Imbrium antipode region are strong enough to deflect the solar wind and form a miniature (100 to several hundred kilometers across) magnetosphere, magnetosheath, and bow shock system.     

Procambarus clarkii Girard as a vector for the crayfish plague fungus, Aphanomyces astaci Schikora

Abstract. Procambarus clarkii Girard, a native freshwater crayfish species of Lousiana, USA, was found to harbour the crayfish plague fungus, Aphanomyces astaci Schikora, in its cuticle as a benign infection. Under certain conditions, P. clarkii dies as a result of this parasite, and the A. astaci infection then becomes acute and can be transmitted to Astacus astacus (L.).
Therefore, it is now shown that at least three different species of North American crayfish ( Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana, Orconectes limosus Raff, and Procambarus clarkii Girard) can carry the crayfish plague fungus, A. astaci , can transfer the disease to other crayfish species, and under certain circumstances can die of its own infection.     

Clearance of para-aminohippuric acid in wethers consuming locoweed

AIM: To validate the use of para-aminohippuric acid (PAH) as a marker for measuring blood flow in wethers consuming a mixed diet of locoweed and blue grama hay.

METHODS: Fourteen sheep, stratified by bodyweight (BW), were assigned to one of three treatments: 0.8 mg swainsonine (SW)/kg BW (HI), 0.2 mg SW/kg BW (LO), and no SW (Control). Sheep were fed various ratios of locoweed and blue grama hay to deliver SW treatments, for 28 days prior to infusion of PAH. Concentrations of SW and activities of alkaline phosphatase (Alk-P) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum were measured to confirm exposure to SW and subclinical intoxication. A single 20-ml injection of 5% PAH was delivered into the jugular vein after subclinical intoxication had been achieved. Blood samples were collected and serum analysed for PAH immediately prior to injection, then every 5 min from 5–30 min, and every 10 min from 30–60 min, following injection of PAH.

RESULTS: Effective delivery of SW was evident from the greater concentrations of SW measured in the serum of HI compared with LO animals (p<0.05). No significant differences were detected in the rate of elimination (range 0.097–0.108 L/min), elimination half-life (range 6.62–7.24 min), apparent volume of distribution for the central compartment (range 7.14–9.72 L), and clearance (range 0.73–0.92 L/min) of PAH, between treatments.

CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical intoxication with SW did not affect the pharmacokinetics of PAH. Thus, use of downstream dilution of PAH is a valid method to determine the rate of blood flow in nutrient flux experiments that involve consumption of locoweed.     

The Structure of the Water-Holding Feathers of the Namaqua Sandgrouse

The morphology and fine structure of the feather barbules of the Namaqua Sandgrouse Pterocles namaqua are investigated histologically and experimentally by means of light microscopy, scanning electron micrography and X-ray diffraction. Proximally the barbule is helically coiled for three and a half turns and has a kidney-shaped, concave/convex transverse section. The inner concave surface is pitted, the outer convex surface smooth. The barbule is solid, consisting of three layers, and bears a number of appendages at its distal end, where it is more rounded in transverse section. The uncoiling of barbules from the abdominal feathers on contact with water may be initiated by water uptake and further facilitated by the number of helical coils at the base of the barbules. The keratin is fairly crystalline when dry. This crystallinity is somewhat reduced on wetting. The uncoiling mechanism is related to the expansion of the polypeptide chains of β-keratin in order to accommodate additional water bound to the side chains.     

Metal content of an indigenous moss in Armadale,Central Scotland

As part of a survey of patterns of disease in relation to air pollution in various towns, atmospheric concentrations of metals were measured in Armadale, West Lothian. The first survey of metallic pollutants in the environment consisted of measuring selected metal concentrations in indigenous Hypnum cupressiforme throughout Armadale. As in other surveys using this moss, Hypnum proved to be most useful in collecting at least 9 metals from the atmosphere. Some values, such as Fe, were significantly lower in Armadale, than those levels found in a similar survey sited around a steelworks in Consett, England. However, other metals such as Cu were present in much higher concentrations. All metals measured (apart from Pb values, which showed the influence of traffic routes) revealed an increasing concentration from the periphery of the town towards the vicinity of Armadale's steel foundry.     

Field tests of a linear gradient system for exposure of row crops to S02 and HF

An exposure system for exposing plants to gradients of gaseous air pollutants in the field was tested using sulfur dioxide SO₂ and hydrogen fluoride (HF). Well defined linear gradients of SO₂ concentration and HF flux were easily produced and were repeatable from exposure to exposure. The gradients were altered by wind speed and direction, but in tightly closed canopies, the alterations were minor. This system has many advantages: a graded series of exposures can be conducted in a small area, plants may be grown using accepted cultural practices, the cost of the apparatus is low, and more than one pollutant can be used, either concurrently or countercurrently. Disadvantages include the requirement for an intensive air monitoring network and an unnatural vertical pollutant profile in the canopy. The gradient system should be used as a supplement to open-top chambers, and not as a replacement for them.