Training farmers in rational drug-use improves their management of cattle trypanosomosis: a cluster-randomised trial in south Mali

We carried out a stratified, cluster-randomised, controlled trial in south Mali in 2004 to evaluate the impact of providing information on the diagnosis and treatment of bovine trypanosomosis by farmers. We recruited cattle farmers (444) in 46 villages and used stratified, restricted-randomisation to assign villages to either the test or control group. Farmers in the test group received an information leaflet designed to address gaps in farmer knowledge likely to lead to inadequate treatment; their knowledge was assessed before the intervention, and at 2 weeks and 5 months after the intervention. We assessed the quality of farmer treatments by measuring clinical outcomes in cattle 2 weeks after selection and treatment. As an indicator of herd health, we assessed the mean hematocrit of the village herd before, and 5 months after, the intervention. To account for clustering, we analysed data using generalised estimating equations. Improvements in farmer knowledge of trypanosomosis diagnosis and treatment at 2 weeks and 5 months in the group receiving information were 23% and 14% greater at 2 weeks and 5 months, respectively. In the test group, 84% of farmer treatments were successful, compared to 73% in the control group. Giving rational drug-use information to farmers improved their knowledge and management of trypanosomosis as well as clinical outcomes in cattle they treated and had no discernible negative impacts.     

Infiltrating Foxp3+ Regulatory T cells and Histopathological Features in Canine Classical and Spermatocytic Seminomas

In humans, regulatory T (T reg) cells are known to play a critical role in both the regulation of immune homoeostasis and the progression of cancer. However, there is little information about the identification, characterization and the function of T reg cells in canine tumours. We identified T reg cells in 28 canine seminoma samples using a Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) antibody and investigated the relationship between T reg cell infiltration and histopathological features of classical and spermatocytic seminomas (SE and SS, respectively). The Foxp3 protein showed nuclear immunostaining in infiltrating lymphocytes, and Foxp3+ cells were diffused or focally distributed in seminoma tissues. Foxp3+ cells were frequently present in the SS histotype, in seminomas that showed no evidence of tumour cell invasion into the vessels and in seminomas showing a diffuse growth pattern with three cell types. Neither the SE/SS histotype nor the histopathological features of the tumour correlated with Foxp3+ cell counts. These results indicate that Foxp3+ T reg cells may be associated with a less malignant histological phenotype or may not play a critical role in the immune response of canine seminomas. Moreover, Foxp3+ T reg cells may be associated with SS seminoma, but further studies, involving a larger number of samples, are required to better understand whether these cells play a critical role in the immune response in canine seminomas. This is the first report to demonstrate the characteristics of T reg cell infiltration in canine seminoma.     

Effect of Dimethyl Sulfoxide on Cell Cycle Synchronization of Goldfish Caudal Fin Derived Fibroblasts Cells

Several studies have previously been conducted regarding cell cycle synchronization in mammalian somatic cells. However, limited work has been performed on the control of cell cycle stages in the somatic cells of fish. The aim of this study was to determine the cell cycle arresting effects of several dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) concentrations for different times on different cell cycle stages of goldfish caudal fin‐derived fibroblasts. Results demonstrated that the cycling cells or control group (68.29%) yields significantly higher (p < 0.05) arrest in G0/G1 phase compared with the group treated for 24 h with different concentrations (0.5%, 1.0% or 1.5%) of DMSO (64.88%, 65.70%, 64.22% respectively). The cell cycle synchronization in the treatment of cells with 1.0% DMSO at 48 h (81.14%) was significantly higher than that in the groups treated for 24 h (76.82%) and the control group (77.90%). Observations showed that treatment of DMSO resulted in an increase in the proportion of cells at G0/G1 phase for 48 h of culture. However, high levels of apoptotic cells can be detected after 48 h of culture treated with 1% concentration of DMSO.     

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium infection in young cats: overrepresentation of Abyssinian cats

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) infection was diagnosed in 10 young cats (1-5 years of age) from Australia or North America between 1995 and 2004. A further two cats with disseminated mycobacteriosis (precise agent not identified) were recognised during this period. Of the 12, 10 were Abyssinian cats, one was a Somali cat and one was a domestic shorthair cat. None of the cats tested positive for either FeLV antigen or FIV antibody. The clinical course of these infections was indolent, with cats typically presenting for weight loss, initially in the face of polyphagia, with a chronicity of up to several months. Additional clinical features included lower respiratory tract signs and peripheral lymphadenomegaly. A marked diffuse interstitial pattern was evident in thoracic radiographs, even in cats without overt respiratory involvement. Hair clipped to perform diagnostic procedures tended to regrow slowly, if at all. Diagnosis was generally made by obtaining representative tissue specimens from mesenteric lymph nodes, liver or kidney at laparotomy, or from a popliteal lymph node. The primary antecedent event was most likely colonisation of either the alimentary or respiratory tract, followed by local invasion and eventual lymphatic and haematogenous dissemination. Nine cases were treated using combination therapy with agents effective for MAC infection in human patients. Two cats are still undergoing initial therapy and have responded. Of the remaining seven, all responded during long courses (5-14 months) of clarithromycin combined with either clofazimine or rifampicin, and a fluoroquinolone or doxycycline. Of these, three cats remain well (with durations between 2 months and 2 years following therapy); two developed recurrent disease (at 3 months and 2 years, respectively, following therapy) and have restarted therapy. The remaining two cats improved 1 year and 5 months, respectively, after diagnosis but ultimately succumbed. The two cats in which therapy was restarted have improved dramatically. Certain lines of Abyssinian and Somali cats likely suffer from a familial immunodeficiency that predisposes them to infection with slow-growing mycobacteria such as MAC.     

Protocols for estimating magnitudes and values of paddy rice multiple functions

This paper presents protocols for estimating the magnitudes and monetary values of two non-market outputs from paddy rice production. The protocols were developed during a workshop held in Taiwan in 2004 to set guidelines or protocols for measuring the multi-functional attributes of positive and negative externalities of paddy rice. The externalities attributed to paddy rice include groundwater recharge, subsidence reduction, flood damage amelioration, change in water quality, change in air quality, and preservation of scenic value. Methodologies were set forth for measuring and valuing each of these externalities. Two that reflect differences in complexity – groundwater recharge and change in air quality – are discussed here. The protocols consider regional variation, the need for evaluation of net effects, and the avoidance of double counting. The conclusions presented are those from the workshop as a whole.

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva in the Cat

Clinical, radiographic, electromyographic, and pathologic findings in a cat with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva are described. The features of five previously reported cases of this feline disorder are also presented. This disorder affects young adult to middle-aged cats of both sexes. Characteristic clinical features include progressive stiffness of gait, with enlargement of proximal limb musculature. Radiography reveals multiple mineralized densities within the affected musculature. The clinical course is rapid, with development of severe disability within 2 weeks to several months. Electromyographic and pathologic findings suggest that this is a disorder of connective tissue, affecting primarily the epimysium, tendons, and fasciae, and results in marked proliferation of fibrovascular connective tissue, with associated chondroid and osseous metaplasia.     

Solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography for quantifying headspace hexanal above freeze-dried chicken myofibrils

A method using solid phase microextraction (SPME) combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was developed and used to determine the oxidation of freeze-dried chicken myofibrils spiked with methyl linoleate. Freeze-dried chicken myofibrils were found to act as a significant reservoir for hexanal. Recovery of hexanal emissions from the headspace above spiked myofibrils was 95% using a 5 min sampling time, with a total analysis time of approximately 12 min/sample. The SPME-GC/MS working linear response was from 0.01 to 10 mg hexanal/L (r( 2) = 0.995). Freeze-dried chicken myofibrils with added methyl linoleate (0.6 mmol/g of protein) were stored at 50 degrees C at water activities of 0.30 and 0.75 for 0, 12, 27, and 50 h. Lipid oxidation was determined using SPME-GC/MS to measure headspace hexanal concentration, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay (TBARS) to quantify malonaldehyde, and a conjugated diene assay. Lipid oxidation was influenced by storage time and water activity. A strong correlation (r = 0.938) existed between SPME-GC/MS and TBARS. The use of SPME-GC/MS was a sensitive and rapid method for detecting hexanal as an indicator of lipid oxidation in chicken myofibrils.     

ELISA for monitoring lipid oxidation in chicken myofibrils through quantification of hexanal-protein adducts

The objectives of this study were to optimize a monoclonal competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CI-ELISA) for hexanal detection, optimize solubilization and alkylation procedures for the formation of hexanal-protein adducts, and compare the ability the CI-ELISA, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay (TBARS), and a solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS-SPME) method for monitoring lipid oxidation in freeze-dried chicken protein. Freeze-dried myofibrils with added methyl linoleate (0.6 mmol/g of protein) were stored at 50 degrees C at two water activities (a(w) = 0.30 and 0.75) for 5 days. Hexanal was measured by GC/MS-SPME and CI-ELISA, and malonaldehyde by TBARS. At an a(w) of 0.30, 34.7 and 39.7 microg of hexanal/g of myofibril were detected by GC/MS-SPME and CI-ELISA, respectively, after 4 days of storage. At an a(w) of 0.75, 39.8 and 61.1 microg of hexanal/g of myofibril were detected by GC/MS-SPME and CI-ELISA, respectively, after 4 days of storage. The CI-ELISA was well correlated with the GC/MS-SPME (r = 0.78) and TBARS (r = 0.87) methods. The correlation of the hexanal-specific CI-ELISA to both GC/MS-SPME and TBARS verified the ability of the CI-ELISA to be used as an index of lipid oxidation, offering the convenience for use in a kit to be utilized within a food-processing facility.