Leukocyte-aggregation assay for transmissible gastroenteritis of swine.

An in vitro leukocyte-aggregation assay was developed to detect the exposure of swine to transmissible gastroenteritis virus. Leukocytes in heparinized blood samples aggregated when mixed with test antigen prepared from transmissible gastroenteritis-infected swine testicle cell cultures. Twenty-two of 23 swine exposed 3 days or more were positive or suspects in the assay; 6 nonexposed swine were negative. Aggregation was shown as early as 3 days postexposure in 1 sow and persisted for as long as 14 months in another. Persistence of the assay was proved by repeated evaluations on 2 experimentally exposed swine.     

Embryo transfers from mares in athletic competition

The objective of this project was to produce multiple pregnant recipient mares during one year from each of four mares which were in athletic training and competition. Twenty-six embryos were recovered from the four mares in 38 collection attempts. Each embryo was surgically transferred to one of 20 recipient mares. Nine of 10 recipient mares which were transferred to on one occasion were detected pregnant at the one week post transfer pregnancy examination and six of eight mares which were transferred to on two occasions were detected pregnant at one of the one-week post transfer pregnancy examinations. Three of the 15 pregnant recipient mares lost their pregnancies by day 150. The 12 resulting pregnant recipient mares from the four competing donor mares demonstrated that donor mares can remain in athletic competition and at the same time provide viable embryos for embryo transfer.     

Electron Microscopy in Biology

Abstract

Farmer surveys were conducted in the Yaqui Valley, Sonora, Mexico during 1983 and 1985 to investigate the relationship between agronomic practices used by the farmers and the incidence of Karnal bunt (Tilletia indica) disease of wheat. The variables investigated included soil type, land preparation, origin of seed, irrigation, nitrogen fertilizer, weed control and crop rotations. None of these variables were found to have a significant influence on the disease. This indicates that although management practices may have some effect on the incidence of the disease they are not the primary factor. The coincidence of rainfall and/or high humidity at flowering time appears to be of more importance than agronomic practices.     

A High-Temperature Electrical Conduction Mechanism in the Lower Mantle Phase (Mg,Fe)1-xO

Measurements of electrical conductivity at high pressure and temperature were taken on the lower mantle phase magnesiowustite with varying Fe3+ content. Although previous measurements at atmospheric pressure suggest Fe2+-Fe3+ hopping (small polaron) as the dominant conductivity mechanism, the present experiments show a change in charge transport mechanism with temperature. The lower temperature measurements are consistent with small polaron conduction, but at higher temperatures, which are more applicable to the lower mantle, a large polaron mechanism is suggested. Because these mechanisms have different temperature and compositional dependencies, this transition has important implications for extrapolation to mantle conditions.     

Fucoidan and Cancer: A Multifunctional Molecule with Anti-Tumor Potential

There is a wide variety of cancer types yet, all share some common cellular and molecular behaviors. Most of the chemotherapeutic agents used in cancer treatment are designed to target common deregulated mechanisms within cancer cells. Many healthy tissues are also affected by the cytotoxic effects of these chemical agents. Fucoidan, a natural component of brown seaweed, has anti-cancer activity against various cancer types by targeting key apoptotic molecules. It also has beneficial effects as it can protect against toxicity associated with chemotherapeutic agents and radiation. Thus the synergistic effect of fucoidan with current anti-cancer agents is of considerable interest. This review discusses the mechanisms by which fucoidan retards tumor development, eradicates tumor cells and synergizes with anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Challenges to the development of fucoidan as an anti-cancer agent will also be discussed.     

Myasthenia gravis and masticatory muscle myositis in a dog

A 21-month-old, castrated male Vizsla was presented for pelvic limb weakness, difficulty opening his mouth, ptyalism, voice change, and urinary incontinence. Myasthenia gravis and masticatory myositis were diagnosed. The unusual clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment, and case outcome are described, followed by a brief discussion of myasthenia gravis and masticatory myositis.     

Follow-up of mercury levels in fish,human hair and urine in the Madeira and Tapajós basins,Amazon, Brazil

Informal economy of gold mining has contaminated some important river basins in Amazon. Follow-up studies on critical compartments showed some areas with high Hg levels in fish as well as in human hair samples. Average Hg in piscivorous fish in the Madeira river itself was 846 ppb (N=284) with a maximum of 3921 ppb. Mercury in fish from non polluted areas in this basin shows high variability, even for single species. A seasonal variation in Hg content was observed, with higher values at the end of the dry season. In the upper Tapajós basin comparable values were found for fish but with a definite decreasing trend downstream. Average value for piscivorous fish in the whole Tapajós basin is 482 ppb (N=122) with a maximum value of 3770 ppb. Hair Hg was higher in fishing villages in the Tapajós (average: 17 ppm; with N=432 and maximum value of 176 ppm) than in the Madeira (average: 9 ppm; N=169; maximum 71 ppm), and data from some areas of the Tapajós suggest a decrease with time. Mercury was much higher in urine of goldshop workers in Santarém (low Tapajós) than in Alta Floresta (high Tapajbs) and show a decreasing trend in both cases, probably related to the significant decline in gold mining activities during the study period (1986–1994).