Recalibrated Mariner 10 Color Mosaics: Implications for Mercurian Volcanism

Recalibration of Mariner 10 color image data allows the identification of distinct color units on the mercurian surface. We analyze these data in terms of opaque mineral abundance, iron content, and soil maturity and find color units consistent with the presence of volcanic deposits on Mercury's surface. Additionally, materials associated with some impact craters have been excavated from a layer interpreted to be deficient in opaque minerals within the crust, possibly analogous to the lunar anorthosite crust. These observations suggest that Mercury has undergone complex differentiation like the other terrestrial planets and the Earth's moon.     

Potato composition: III. Tissue selection and its effects on total nitrogen,free amino acid nitrogen and enzyme activity (polyphenolase,monophenolase, peroxidase and catalase)

Russet Burbank, Norchip, Kennebec, White Rose, Red La Soda and Lenape tubers were sampled at harvest, after storage for 2 and 4 mo at 7 C, and after 3 wk at 20 C following each storage treatment. Freeze-dried tissue from the bud-end, stem-end and core was analyzed for total, and free amino acid nitrogen, and for monophenolase, polyphenolase, peroxidase, and catalase activities. Significant differences among cultivars and among different parts of the tuber were found for all nitrogen fractions and all enzyme activities. Storage treatments significantly changed the total and free amino acid nitrogen contents and polyphenolase, peroxidase, and catalase activities. When compared for total nitrogen content and catalase activity, differences among different parts of the tuber which were statistically significant were similar in all cultivars. However, when compared for free amino acid content, and monophenolase, polyphenolase and peroxidase activities, differences among different parts of the tuber which were statistically significant were dependent upon which cultivar was examined. The differences among cultivars which were statistically significant for all nitrogen fractions and all enzyme activities, except peroxidase, were not significantly changed by storage treatment. The differences among different parts of the tuber which were statistically significant for quantity of both nitrogen fractions and for all enzyme activities were not significantly changed by storage.     

Influence of maternal immunity on vaccine efficacy and susceptibility of one day old chicks against Egyptian highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1

In Egypt, continuous circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses of clade 2.2.1 in vaccinated commercial poultry challenges strenuous control efforts. Here, vaccine-derived maternal AIV H5 specific immunity in one-day old chicks was investigated as a factor of vaccine failure in long-term blanket vaccination campaigns in broiler chickens. H5 seropositive one-day old chicks were derived from breeders repeatedly immunized with a commercial inactivated vaccine based on the Potsdam/H5N2 strain. When challenged using the antigenically related HPAIV strain Italy/98 (H5N2) clinical protection was achieved until at least 10 days post-hatch although virus replication was not fully suppressed. No protection at all was observed against the Egyptian HPAIV strain EGYvar/H5N1 representing a vaccine escape lineage. Other groups of chicks with maternal immunity were vaccinated once at 3 or 14 days of age using either the Potsdam/H5N2 vaccine or a vaccine based on EGYvar/H5N1. At day 35 of age these chicks were challenged with the Egyptian HPAIV strain EGYcls/H5N1 which co-circulates with EGYvar/H5N1 but does not represent an antigenic drift variant. The Potsdam/H5N2 vaccinated groups were not protected against EGYcls/H5N1 infection while, in contrast, the EGYvar/H5N1 vaccinated chicks withstand challenge with EGYvar/H5N1 infection. In addition, the results showed that maternal antibodies could interfere with the immune response when a homologous vaccine strain was used.     

Analysis of clinical signs associated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy in casualty slaughter cattle

Clinical signs associated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) were studied in 1008 casualty slaughter cattle over 30 months of age to compare the results with the BSE status as determined by postmortem tests. The clinical BSE status was assessed using seven different criteria based on various publications. Only one (0.10%) out of 997 casualty slaughter cattle with a matching postmortem test result was positive for BSE. The BSE case was identified by only two case definitions tailored specifically to recumbent cases. The variety and often equivocal definition of clinical signs associated with BSE is reflected by the difference in the criteria that usually identified different animals as BSE suspects. The BSE status may be more difficult to assess in recumbent animals that do not allow a full clinical examination, and BSE may not be suspected if another disease is present that may mask signs of BSE.     

Effect of Short-Term Restricted Food Intake on Canine Pseudopregnancy

A non-pharmaceutical, dietary option may be useful to manage clinical pseudopregnancy (PSP). To describe the effect of short-term food restriction on canine PSP, 16 privately owned, overtly pseudopregnant bitches were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: Limit-fed (increasing amounts of a restricted maintenance: 50%, 40%, 30% restriction for 2, 3 and 2 days respectively) during 7 days (n = 8) or Maintenance-fed of the same food and period (n = 8). The bitches were physically examined and blood samples were taken for prolactin and progesterone determinations on days 2, 5 and 8. By day 8, none of the bitches had completely regressed the condition although all (8/8) the animals of the Limit-fed and two (25%) of the Maintenance-fed group improved in condition decreasing mammary size and secretion (p < 0.05). No day or group effects were observed for serum prolactin and progesterone concentrations (>0.05). It is concluded that although an 8-day food restriction did not cure PSP, it seemed to hasten PSP signs involution in these bitches. No endocrine change was related to these clinical findings.     

Bestimmungsschlüssel für Eier und Eigelege von Kriebelmückenarten (Dipt., Simuliidae) unter besonderer Berücksichtigung mammalophiler Schad- und Plageerreger

Biting species of Simuliidae are a pest to men and cattle. Black flies oviposite either directly into running water or on floating vegetation, but up to now oviposition is observed only in few species. In this paper the first key for determinating eggs and egg-masses of 14 Middle-European black fly species is given, especially for pest species (Boophthora erythrocephala, Odagmia ornata, Simulium morsitans, Wilhelmia equina, W. lineata). In addition, some details are reported about the egg-biology of included species.     

Symmetric focal degeneration in the cerebellar and vestibular nuclei in swine caused by ingestion of Aeschynomene indica seeds

A vestibulocerebellar disorder was observed in 2- to 4-month-old swine after consumption of broken rice contaminated with 13% Aeschynomene indica seeds. Affected animals recovered in 2-14 days after removal of the contaminated food. To reproduce the syndrome, 10 pigs were fed 13% A. indica seeds in commercial pig ration or rice. They showed clinical signs similar to those observed in the spontaneous cases, 1 hour to 6 days after ingestion. Three pigs recovered after the withdrawal of the contaminated food. The others were killed. Two pigs that were fed for 25 days with food containing 3% and 6% seeds and two control pigs did not show clinical signs. Histologic lesions were characterized by symmetric focal degeneration in the cerebellar and vestibular nuclei. The initial lesion, observed 24 hours after the first ingestion, was characterized by vacuolation of the neuropil. Subsequently, there was progressive loss of parenchyma, vascular reaction, a few small spheroids, astrocytosis, and accumulation of gitter cells. The brains from four pigs were perfused with a buffered solution of glutaraldehyde-paraformaldehyde 12-48 hours after they started to ingest the seeds. No ultrastructural lesions were observed in the cerebellar nuclei after 12 hours of seed consumption. At 24 hours, endothelial cells and pericytes were separated by empty spaces from astrocyte foot processes, suggesting perivascular edema. The astrocytes were enlarged, consistent with intracellular fluid accumulation. These results suggest that A. indica seeds are toxic, causing functional derangement of the vestibulocerebellar system, followed by alterations in the microvasculature in the cerebellar and vestibular nuclei.     

Analysis of bulk milk samples using polymerase chain reaction: an additional tool for bovine viral diarrhea monitoring

Programmes for the eradication and control of infections with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) concentrate on the identification and elimination of persistently infected (PI) animals. The identification of these animals is mainly based on the detection of viral antigen using ELISA techniques. Protocols detecting viral nucleic acid using RT-PCR have been described recently. Due to high costs the German model recommends screening of animals of 9 up to 36 months of age. Screening of bulk milk samples using RT-PCR technology would allow a system independent of age. The aim of the present study was to test whether bulk milk samples (1433 including max. 50 animals each) collected in four counties of Lower Saxony are suitable for a complementary identification of PI animals via RT-PCR. Thirty-one bulk milk samples derived from 27 dairy herds were BVDV positive, corresponding to 2.3 % of the herds analysed in this study. Two samples first scored doubtful. Follow up tests revealed lactating PI animals in most cases (18). In other cases the epidemiological status of the herd, i.e. high sero-prevalence and/or presence of PI animals among non-lactating cattle, suggested a transient infection detected in the first bulk milk sample. These results demonstrate that monitoring of lactating cattle of any age using RT-PCR is a very sensitive, economically effective additional method for the identification of PI animals.     

Growth characteristics of the llama (Lama glama) from birth to 12 months old

This study has characterised the growth patterns of the llama (Lama glama) from birth to 12 months old. Bodyweight growth was described as a function of age. As a means of predicting bodyweight, equations were developed which correlated bodyweight with specific body measurements. Regression analysis revealed a strong positive correlation of logtransformed measurements of thoracic circumference and height with bodyweight. Thoracic circumference (measured in cm) was a good predictor of bodyweight from the equation: bodyweight (kg) = (8.7 x 10(-4)) x circumference2.46 (r2 = 0.91).