Histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and cytologic analysis of feline myeloma-related disorders: further evidence for primary extramedullary development in the cat

Feline myeloma-related disorders (MRD) are rare neoplasms of plasma cells. The multistep transformation model of myeloma in humans is based on the premise that plasma cells undergo neoplastic transformation primarily within the intramedullary compartment and that over time they become poorly differentiated and metastasize to extramedullary locations. Historically, diagnostic criteria used for human multiple myeloma have been applied to the cat, with the assumption that feline MRD commonly arises in the intramedullary compartment. Our objectives were to describe the features of feline MRD confirmed by cytology, histopathology, histochemistry, and immunohistochemistry and to categorize these tumors. A priori hypotheses were 1) tumor category predicts survival and 2) cats with well-differentiated tumors commonly have extramedullary involvement in contrast to human myeloma patients. This multicenter, retrospective study identified 26 MRD cases. There was good agreement between histopathologic and cytologic tumor categorization. Histochemistry and immunohistochemistry were shown to be valuable adjunct tests in the diagnosis of MRD. Cats with well-differentiated tumors had increased median survival relative to those with poorly differentiated tumors (254 versus 14 days). We have reported that marked extramedullary involvement at initial clinical presentation is significantly more common in the cat than in human MRD patients. In this study, we demonstrate that cats with well-differentiated tumors more commonly have extramedullary involvement than human myeloma patients with well-differentiated tumors (90% versus 20%, P < 0.0002). These results contrast strongly with the human myeloma model of primary intramedullary neoplastic transformation and suggest that primary extramedullary neoplastic transformation may be more common in feline MRD.     

Sperm Pre-Incubation Prior to Insemination Affects the Sex Ratio of Bovine Embryos Produced in vitro

The objective of the present study was to determine whether sperm incubation prior to oocyte insemination in vitro affects the sex ratio of resulting blastocyst. Cumulus–oocyte‐complexes (COCs) collected from slaughterhouse ovaries were matured in vitro and inseminated with frozen‐thawed semen of three proven artificial insemination (AI) bulls pre‐incubated in vitro in Sperm‐Talp for 6 and 24 h. On day‐9 blastocysts were collected and processed for sex determination. More than 80% of blastocyst were successfully sexed. There were no significant differences in cleavage and blastocyst rates using sperm pre‐incubated for 6 h as compared with the 0‐h pre‐incubation control group. The cleavage and blastocyst rates were significantly lower in the 24‐h pre‐incubation group. The male to female ratio, when compared with the theoretical 1 : 1, differed significantly in favour of females among hatched (viable) blastocysts derived from sperm pre‐incubated for 24 h prior to insemination as well as among all blastocytsts in the 6‐h group. Moreover, when the sperm treatment was considered, the sex ratio was affected only among hatched blastocysts in 24‐h pre‐incubation group. It was concluded that prolonged sperm pre‐incubation influences the rate of development and the sex ratio among hatched blastocysts.     

Alternative eucalypts for commercial pulpwood production at moderately dry sites in the warm temperate zone of KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

During 2001, a series of four site–taxa interaction trials was established in the warm temperate (mean annual temperature range 16–19 °C) forestry climatic zone of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. The main objective was to investigate the commercial forestry potential of a range of alternative Eucalyptus and Corymbia taxa for moderately dry (mean annual precipitation < 850 mm) sites within the zone. At rotation end, all trials received final standing tree measurements. At one of the sites (Rockvale), trees of eight promising alternative taxa were felled, stem measurements and wood samples taken, and wood and fibre productivities determined. On the basis of tree growth and wood and fibre production, C. citriodora subsp. variegata, C. henryi, E. badjensis, E. benthamii and E. dorrigoensis (listed alphabetically) demonstrated the greatest potential as commercial alternatives for moderately dry sites in the KZN warm temperate zone. The majority of these taxa showed strong site specificity. Eucalyptus benthamii was the only taxon showing high growth adaptability to the entire range of site conditions applied in the series. The non-susceptibility of C. citriodora subsp. variegata and C. henryi to the current topical insect pests Thaumastocoris peregrinus, Leptocybe invasa and Glycaspis brimblecombei elevates the appeal of these taxa as potential alternative planting choices for moderately dry sites within lower altitude (<1 100 m asl) areas of the climate zone. The matching of the most promising alternative taxa in the series to the range of sites encountered in moderately dry areas of the KZN warm temperate forestry zone is discussed in this paper.     

Toward a More Embedded Production System? Automotive Supply Networks and Localized Capabilities in Poland

The article addresses the embeddedness of automotive production in Poland in terms of supply networks. A comprehensive analysis of more than 550 suppliers, supported by company interviews, shows that foreign‐owned producers become embedded in Poland in the automotive supplier networks they have largely created themselves. Numerous local suppliers gain access to export markets and become integrated in a Europe‐wide production system. This trend has been accompanied by significant upgrading of foreign affiliates and domestic firms in terms of product quality, cost efficiency, adaptability, and fast response, but far less in nonproduction competences such as R&D. It is argued that the competences of automotive suppliers in Poland are built upon the localized capabilities, which are a product of the dynamic interplay between the activity of foreign firms and the changing local environment comprising various stakeholders. The localized capabilities constitute elements of a company's sunk costs and are embedding automotive producers in Poland. At the same time, the dependence on decisions and innovations from abroad and the limited development of local design and brands may constrain the future role of suppliers from the semiperipheral economy of Poland.