Proximal aortic dissection (dissecting aortic aneurysm) in a mature ostrich

The gross and histopathologic lesions observed in a case of spontaneous proximal aortic dissection (dissecting aortic aneurysm) in a mature ostrich are reported. At necropsy, a dissecting intramural hematoma was seen in the proximal aorta, extended about 12 cm distally from the aortic valves. Histopathologic changes in aortic dissection included fragmentation and disruption of elastic laminae, presence of cystic extracellular spaces, and pooling of ground substance in the tunica media. Hepatic copper levels were measured, and the low concentration found suggested that a copper deficiency together with other risk factors such as the elevation of blood pressure may have been implicated in the development of the aortic dissection seen in this ostrich.     

Soil carbon dioxide flux and rice photosynthesis

Measurement of CO₂ concentration in air at 25 em below and 100 em above the canopy of a good rice crop indicated that a severe CO₂ deficit occurred around the photosynthetic surface of crop when light intensity was high. Soil CO₂ flux as measured by the soda lime method in a closed system ranged from 3.9 to 5.7 g.m^-2. day^-1 under flooded conditions and from 6.0 to 8,6g.m^-2 .day^-1 under drained conditions. Cropped soil released more CO₂ than bare soil under both flooded and drained conditions. The estimated contribution of soil CO₂ to gross photosynthesis was 6%, for the flooded soil and 7% for the drained soil or a contribution of 9 and 12% to net dry matter production. These results together with other information indicate that atmospheric CO₂ is the most important source of CO₂, in crop photosynthesis, soil CO₂ released into atmosphere Is second most important, and soil CO₂ absorbed by plant roots is almost negligible.     

Personal and household factors involved in recent Rickettsia exposure in a rural population from Yucatán,Mexico

The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiological factors associated with the risks of recent Rickettsia exposure in inhabitants of a rural population from Yucatán, Mexico. The study included 130 inhabitants from Maxcanú, Yucatán. Blood samples were collected to detect IgM and IgG antibodies against Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia rickettsii by an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test. Additionally, nested polymerase chain reaction was performed to amplify fragments of the 17kDa and sca5 genes. Previously, an epidemiological questionnaire was applied focused on collecting information on personal and housing exposure variables related to the recent infection with Rickettsia to determine epidemiological associations. Results that exhibited a p‐value < .25 were included in a generalized multinomial logistic linear model to determine the variables involved with the risk of contact or Rickettsia infection. In all, 76% (99/130) of the participants presented with immunoglobulin titres against the Rickettsia species evaluated, while rickettsial DNA was detected in 35.4% (46/130) of the participants. The association analysis with the personal exposure variables showed that the productive age group (OR = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.10–1.03) and the elders group (OR = 0.12; 95% CI = 0.01–0.83) were protective factors for recent infection with R. typhi, taking as reference the school group. The presence of a family orchard in the home (OR = 7.56; 95% CI = 1.62–35.29) was a risk factor for recent infection with R. rickettsii. Presumably, the presence of ectoparasites (OR = 2.71; 95% CI = 0.90–8.09) at home was a risk factor for recent infection with both Rickettsia species. Recent infection was demonstrated in inhabitants from Maxcanú, Yucatán. A high seropositive frequency was obtained. The results highlight the importance of the family garden and the presence of ectoparasites in the home as risk factors associated with recent infection with Rickettsia in inhabitants from Maxcanú.     

Earth-Based Observations of the Galileo Probe Entry Site

Earth-based observations of Jupiter indicate that the Galileo probe probably entered Jupiter's atmosphere just inside a region that has less cloud cover and drier conditions than more than 99 percent of the rest of the planet. The visual appearance of the clouds at the site was generally dark at longer wavelengths. The tropospheric and stratospheric temperature fields have a strong longitudinal wave structure that is expected to manifest itself in the vertical temperature profile.     

Protection of palmitic acid treatment in RAW264.7 cells and BALB/c mice during Brucella abortus 544 infection

BackgroundWe previously elucidated the protective mechanism of Korean red ginseng oil (RGO) against Brucella abortus infection, and our phytochemical analysis revealed that palmitic acid (PA) was an abundant component of RGO. Consequently, we investigated the contribution of PA against B. abortus.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the efficacy of PA against B. abortus infection using a murine cell line and a murine model.MethodsCell viability, bactericidal, internalization, and intracellular replication, western blot, nitric oxide (NO), and superoxide (O₂^-) analyses and flow cytometry were performed to determine the effects of PA on the progression of B. abortus infection in macrophages. Flow cytometry for cytokine analysis of serum samples and bacterial counts from the spleens were performed to determine the effect of PA in a mouse model.ResultsPA did not affect the growth of B. abortus. PA treatment in macrophages did not change B. abortus uptake but it did attenuate the intracellular survivability of B. abortus. Incubation of cells with PA resulted in a modest increase in sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression. Compared to control cells, reduced nitrite accumulation, augmented O₂^-, and enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokine production were observed in PA-treated B. abortus-infected cells. Mice orally treated with PA displayed a decreased serum interleukin-10 level and enhanced bacterial resistance.ConclusionsOur results suggest that PA participates in the control of B. abortus within murine macrophages, and the in vivo study results confirm its efficacy against the infection. However, further investigations are encouraged to completely characterize the mechanisms involved in the inhibition of B. abortus infection by fatty acids.     

Effects of Lime‐Cooking on Carotenoids Present in Masa and Tortillas Produced from Different Types of Maize

Yellow and white maize kernels, masas, tortillas, and nejayote solids were analyzed in terms of lutein, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, β‐carotene, and lipophilic antioxidant (AOX) capacity. The germplasm analyzed included two normal yellow maize, two high‐carotenoid genotypes, and one white for comparison purposes. In general, the yellow maize required 34% more lime‐cooking time compared with the white counterpart. Lime‐cooking significantly changed the extractability of carotenoids in masa and tortillas. No carotenoids were detected in the steepwater or nejayote. The lipophilic AOX activity increased 280‐fold from kernel to masa, but only 70% was retained in the baked tortillas. When masa was baked into tortillas, less than 10% of the carotenoids were retained because of the high temperatures used during baking. Interestingly, tortillas made with the maize kernels with the highest carotenoid content did not have the highest amount of these phytochemicals. Therefore, maize varieties should be evaluated based on the carotenoid content in finished food products instead of the amounts originally found in raw kernels.     

Endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Enterococcus faecalis in a cat

A three‐year‐old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented for loss of vision associated with hyperthermia, lethargy and anorexia. Ophthalmic examination revealed a bilateral panuveitis. Cytological examination of aqueous and vitreous humours was performed and revealed a suppurative inflammation associated with numerous cocci. Enterococcus faecalis was identified by bacterial culture from aqueous and vitreous humour. No primary infection site was identified. Active uveitis resolved after systemic antibiotic therapy, but the vision loss was permanent. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis secondary to E. faecalis infection in a cat.     

Cold agglutinin activity in 2 dogs

A 5‐year‐old neutered male Mastiff and an 8‐year‐old spayed female Labrador Retriever were presented to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center. The Mastiff was presented for evaluation of lameness and pyoderma one month prior in Missouri, where he tested positive for Ehrlichia canis by serum ELISA test, treated with doxycycline. PCR for Ehrlichia sp, Anaplasma sp, Babesia sp, and Bartonella sp, and PCR for antigen receptor rearrangement were negative, serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) revealed polyclonal gammopathy, and mildly reactive lymphoid cells were seen cytologically. The Labrador presented with a proliferative rostral mandibular gingival mass and lipomas for further presurgical evaluation of cold agglutinin activity documented by a commercial laboratory 2 years earlier prior to removal of a grade II mast cell tumor. This dog had a negative SNAP4Dx, normal SPE, and persistently increased serum ALP activity and polyuria/polydipsia suggestive for hyperadrenocorticism. Both dogs had markedly agglutinated RBC in the EDTA samples that dispersed with warming, and normal plasma color. Cold agglutinin activity was demonstrated by direct saline agglutination testing using whole blood and washed erythrocytes demonstrating agglutination at 30°C, 25°C, 15°C, and 4°C, but not at 37°C . CBC results (ADVIA 2120i) from the Mastiff revealed no significant differences in the RBC results obtained at room temperature (RT) and at 37°C; however, the RT run demonstrated negative bias in neutrophil and platelet concentrations attributed to rapid RBC settling. This uncommon hematologic condition may cause artifacts on the automated leukogram and platelet count, and may be subclinical for long periods.     

Ovine and murine T cell epitopes from the non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) are shared among viral serotypes

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a non-enveloped dsRNA virus that causes a haemorrhagic disease mainly in sheep. It is an economically important Orbivirus of the Reoviridae family. In order to estimate the importance of T cell responses during BTV infection, it is essential to identify the epitopes targeted by the immune system. In the present work, we selected potential T cell epitopes (3 MHC-class II-binding and 8 MHC-class I binding peptides) for the C57BL/6 mouse strain from the BTV-8 non-structural protein NS1, using H2^b-binding predictive algorithms. Peptide binding assays confirmed all MHC-class I predicted peptides bound MHC-class I molecules. The immunogenicity of these 11 predicted peptides was then determined using splenocytes from BTV-8-inoculated C57BL/6 mice. Four MHC-class I binding peptides elicited specific IFN-γ production and generated cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in BTV-8 infected mice. CTL specific for 2 of these peptides were also able to recognise target cells infected with different BTV serotypes. Similarly, using a combination of IFN-γ ELISPOT, intracellular cytokine staining and proliferation assays, two MHC-class II peptides were identified as CD4⁺ T cell epitopes in BTV-8 infected mice. Importantly, two peptides were also consistently immunogenic in sheep infected with BTV-8 using IFN-γ ELISPOT assays. Both of these peptides stimulated CD4⁺ T cells that cross-reacted with other BTV serotypes. The characterisation of these T cell epitopes can help develop vaccines protecting against a broad spectrum of BTV serotypes and differentiate infected from vaccinated animals.