Electron microprobe and neutron activation analysis for the determination of elemental distribution in hollow heart potato tubers

Electron microprobe and neutron activation analysis were used to evaluate the distribution of elements within potato tubers having the physiological disorder hollow heart. Both methods of analysis correlated well for all elements tested. In hollow heart tubers, there were significantly higher Ca⁺⁺ levels in the stem end than in the bud end; however, a Ca⁺⁺ gradient in the control was not evident. The stem to bud end ratios for Ca⁺⁺ were highest in the hollow heart tubers. A Cl^? gradient from stem to bud end was obvious in both the hollow heart and control tubers. In the control tubers, K⁺ was highest in the bud end and lowest in the stem end. There was no K⁺ gradient in hollow heart tubers, but in the area adjacent to the hollow it was higher than at both ends.     

Correction to: Efficacy and safety of Eradicat® feral cat baits in eastern Australia: population impacts of baiting programmes on feral cats and non-target mammals and birds

Journal of Pest Science -     

Influence of Phytohemagglutinin on the Agronomic Performance of Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The abundant lectin phytohemagglutinin (10 % of total seed protein) does not contain sulfur amino acids and, being a potent antimetabolite, it is responsible for the lowering of the nutritional value of bean seeds. The aim of the present work was to improve the dry bean cultivar ‘Taylor's Horticultural’ (Asgrow), by genetically introducing the lectin null (lec/lec) character from two null genotypes: ‘Pinto UI 111’ and ‘Heidi’. Thirty-seven BC²F₃ and fourteen BC₆F₅ inbred lines were evaluated in agronomical trials. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences among BC₂F₃ breedings lines for all traits under evaluation. Comparison of the LedLee genotypes versus lec/lec did not show statistically significant differences in the means for the following traits: yield, yield components and percentage of protein in the seed. Fourteen BC6F5 lines, compared together with their recurrent parent ‘Taylor's Horticultural’, showed significant differences among genotypes for 1000 seed weight, protein percentage on dry matter and ash percentage. No significant differences were observed for grain yield. The data indicate that lectin removal did not have a detrimental effect on the traits evaluated.     

Poxvirus infection in Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus)

An outbreak was encountered of numerous yellowish cutaneous nodules in one- to two-year-old farmed Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) in Kasaba Bay Crocodile Farm at Lake Tanganyika in Zambia during 1988. Out of 4000 crocodiles of different age groups, 300 yearlings were affected and 82 of those affected died. The lesions were prominent on the head, especially around the eyelids, the nostrils, both sides of the mouth, ventral neck, ventral pale belly, limbs and the root of the tail. Histologically, the epidermal lesions revealed large focal areas of marked acanthosis accompanied by hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis. In the prickle cells, there were multiple small neutrophilic granular inclusions and large eosinophilic homogeneous cytoplasmic inclusions. Electron microscopically, there were numerous poxvirus particles and matrices in the cytoplasm of many prickle cells. Dark blue homogeneous cytoplasmic inclusions in toluidine blue sections consisted of an electron opaque matrix with mature viral particles (160 x 200 x 230 nm). Furthermore, there were clumps of granular matrix containing immature viral particles (200 x 399 nm) in the cytoplasm. Various features of viral developing processes were observed.     

Bone marrow response to large volume blood collection in the horse

Evaluation of erythropoietic regeneration in horses is difficult unless serial bone marrow aspirates are performed. To investigate the acute and chronic erythropoietic regenerative response of equine bone marrow following acute removal or loss of blood, sequential bone marrow aspirates over 4 weeks were taken from the sternum of five horses from which 20 ml kg(-1)of blood had been removed. We found that the total number of erythroid cells counted (expressed as a percentage of the total number of erythroid and myeloid cells counted) expanded initially by 13.7 per cent within 3 days after blood removal, the erythroid response peaking by 9 days with a further 13.5 per cent increase. This peak coincided with the lowest M:E ratio. Concomitantly, a shift from proliferative phase cells to maturing phase cells occurred, which appeared to persist beyond 31 days post collection. Thus, we found that the equine bone marrow mounted a regenerative erythropoietic response more slowly than previously determined and, also, regeneration of the erythroid compartment was incomplete 31 days after blood removal of this magnitude.     

N‐Terminal Pro‐C‐Natriuretic Peptide and Cytokine Kinetics in Dogs with Endotoxemia

Background

Serum N‐terminal pro‐C‐natriuretic peptide (NT‐proCNP) concentration at hospital admission has sufficient sensitivity and specificity to differentiate naturally occurring sepsis from nonseptic systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). However, little is known about serum NT‐proCNP concentrations in dogs during the course of sepsis.

Objective

To determine serum NT‐proCNP and cytokine kinetics in dogs with endotoxemia, a model of canine sepsis.

Samples

Eighty canine serum samples.

Methods

Eight healthy adult Beagles were randomized to receive Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 5 μg/kg) or placebo (0.9% NaCl) as a single IV dose in a randomized crossover study. Serum collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 24 hours was stored at −80°C for batch analysis. Serum NT‐proCNP was measured by ELISA and 13 cytokines and chemokines by multiplex magnetic bead‐based assay.

Results

Serum NT‐proCNP concentrations did not differ significantly between LPS‐ and placebo‐treated dogs at any time. When comparing serum cytokine concentrations, LPS‐treated dogs had higher interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐10, TNF‐α and KC‐like at 1, 2, and 4 hours; higher CCL2 at 1, 2, 4, and 24 hours; and higher IL‐8 and CXCL10 at 4 hours compared to placebo‐treated dogs. There were no differences in serum GM‐CSF, IFN‐γ, IL‐2, IL‐7, IL‐15 or IL‐18 between LPS‐ and placebo‐treated dogs.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Serum NT‐proCNP concentration does not change significantly in response to LPS administration in healthy dogs. Certain serum cytokine and chemokine concentrations are significantly increased within 1–4 hours after LPS administration and warrant further investigation as tools for the detection and management of sepsis in dogs.     

Comparative microscopic lesions in reoviral and staphylococcal tenosynovitis

Experimental inoculation of 1-day-old male broiler chickens with avian reo-virus or Staphylococcus aureus caused tenosynovitis of the gastrocnemius and digital flexor tendons. Reovirus inoculation by either the oral or footpad route initiated a diffuse lymphocytic infiltration in the peritendineum, synovial membrane, and epitenon from 1 to 5 weeks postinoculation (PI). Heterophils were not a predominant feature of the inflammatory response, but when present they were localized with fibrin in and around synovial spaces. The prevalence of microscopic tendon lesions was less common with staphylococcal infection than with reovirus infection. With staphylococcus, lesions were localized to the synovial space and membranes and were characterized by heterophils and fibrin but few lymphocytes. Synovial cell hyperplasia and bursal atrophy were common in both groups. From 10 to 20 weeks PI, both groups developed progressive tendon fibrosis. These results indicate that tenosynovitis due to inoculation with reovirus or staphylococcus may be differentiated histologically from 1 through 5 weeks PI. After 10 weeks, this may not be possible, because diffuse fibrosis was the major lesion with both. Perhaps fibrosis predisposes older, heavier broilers to tendon failure and rupture.     

A controlled evaluation of albendazole against natural infections with Fasciola hepatica and Fascioloides magna in cattle

Albendazole administered to cattle at doses of 45, 35, 25, and 15 mg/kg of body weight reduced the number of viable Fasciola hepatica adults by 99.8%, 97.6%, 97.6%, and 95.7%, F hepatica immatures by 100%, 98.6%, 98.6% and 91.9% and Fascioloides magna by 96.5%, 99.1%, 94.0%, and 94.0%, respectively. Statistical evaluation by one-way analysis of variance, showed significant (P less than 0.05) differences in burdens of each fluke species between treated and untreated cattle, but differences in efficacy between any two of the four drug doses were not significant. Signs of toxicosis were not observed between the time of drug administration and slaughter 7 to 10 days later.     

Fluorescence decay times: proteins, coenzymes, and other compounds in water

The fluorescence decay time (tau) was 2 to 5 nanoseconds for proteins and 4 to 5 nanoseconds for flavin, pyridine nucleotide, and vitamin B(6)coenzymes; tau varied widely in 48 compounds measured in water. Altholugh reported values of tau for a few of the soluttions studied were in excellenlt agreement. previously "calculated" lifetimes, in severall instances, are apparently erroneous. Nonexponential decay was detectable with our "nanosecond-flash" apparatus, a modification of the first commercially aavilable unit for determination of tau.