Kinematic gait analysis of the hind limb after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy and cranial tibial wedge osteotomy in ten dogs

This study identifies and compares the kinematic gait changes occurring in tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) and cranial tibial wedge osteotomy (CTWO) limbs after transection of the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL). Ten, healthy, adult beagle dogs were assigned to TPLO (five dogs) and CTWO (five dogs) groups. Hind limb kinematics were assessed, while dogs were trotted at speeds ranging from 2.0 to 2.3 m/s. The animals were evaluated preoperatively (prior to TPLO and CTWO surgery) and at both 8 and 12 weeks after surgery. Two-dimensional evaluation was synchronized to obtain the three-dimensional coordinates using the APAS motion analysis software. Gait patterns were assessed by measuring stifle, tibiotarsal joint angles and stifle joints angular velocity. Stifle and tibiotarsal joint functions were not affected by TPLO surgery, but stifle and tibiotarsal joint angles were changed, following CTWO surgery, compared with their preoperative values. The angular velocity patterns of CTWO were characterized by increased stifle joint extension velocity from the middle to end swing phase and decrease in the peak velocities (flexion) during swing phase. None of these changes was observed in the stance phase after the CTWO surgery. These kinematic results showed that dogs that underwent a CTWO procedure were more likely to have significantly hyperextended gait patterns of the swing phase postoperatively than the dogs that had a TPLO procedure for repair of a ruptured CrCL.     

Colonization of Butchers with Livestock‐Associated Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Reports have documented colonization of swine in Europe, North America and more recently in China with livestock‐associated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA‐MRSA). Contamination of pig farmers, veterinarians and abattoir workers with these strains has been observed. However, although contamination levels of 10% of retail pork were reported from the Netherlands and Canada, there are limited data of contamination rates of workers handling raw meat. We investigated the rates of MRSA contamination of local butchers working in wet markets, where recently slaughtered pigs are cut up. Nasal swabs collected from 300 pork butchers at markets throughout Hong Kong were enriched in brain heart infusion broth with 5% salt and cultured on MRSASelect^®. Isolates were confirmed as Staphylococcus aureus and susceptibility testing performed. The presence of mecA was confirmed, SCCmec and spa type determined and relatedness investigated by PFGE. Subjects completed a questionnaire on MRSA carriage risk factors. Seventeen samples (5.6%) yielded MRSA, 15 harbouring SCCmec IVb. Ten strains were t899 (CC9), previously reported from local pig carcasses. Five strains were healthcare associated: SCCmec type II, t701(CC6), colonizing two subjects at the same establishment, and single isolates of t008 (CC8), t002 (CC5) and t123 (CC45). The remaining isolates were t359 (CC97), previously reported from buffaloes, and t375 (CC5), reported from bovine milk. None of these butchers reported recent hospitalization or a healthcare worker in the family. Two had recently received antibiotics, one for a skin infection. Four reported wound infections within the last year. All were exposed to meat for >9 h per day. Carriage of MRSA was higher in butchers than in the general community. Although five strains were probably of healthcare origin, the high incidence of t899 (CC9) suggests that cross‐contamination from pork occurs frequently. Washing of hands after touching raw pork is advised.     

In vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of decursin and decursinol angelate isolated from Angelica gigas against Magnaporthe oryzae, the causal agent of rice blast

Blast is considered the most important fungal disease of rice due to its wide distribution and destructiveness under favorable conditions. Development of new effective and environmentally benign agents against the causal pathogen, Magnaporthe oryzae, is of great interest. In the course of a search for natural antifungal compounds in medicinal plants, we found that the methanol extract of Angelica gigas roots showed a potent control efficacy against rice blast caused by M. oryzae. We isolated antifungal coumarins from the extract, and they were identified as decursin and decursinol angelate. Antifungal activities of these compounds, along with kasugamycin, were tested on M. oryzae in vivo and in vitro. In an in vivo assay, the three compounds effectively suppressed the development of rice blast at concentrations more than 100 μg/mL. Coumarins showed relatively weak inhibitory effect on fungal mycelial growth when compared to kasugamycin. However, they strongly inhibited M. oryzae spore germination, which was not observed in kasugamycin treatments. This is the first report demonstrating that decursinol angelate can provide control against rice blast and that the two coumarins inhibit M. oryzae spore germination. In addition, the wettable powder formulation of the crude extract of A. gigas prohibited the development of blast symptoms on rice plants more effectively than liquid concentrate formulation of kasugamin, a commercial fungicide. Based on our study, we propose that coumarin compounds as well as the A. gigas root crude extract can be used as natural, benign fungicides for controlling rice blast.     

Changes in glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity in the dentate gyrus and hippocampus proper of adult and aged dogs

Astrocytes perform neuron-supportive tasks, repair and scarring process in the central nervous system. In this study, we observed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker for astrocytes, immunoreactivity in the dentate gyrus and hippocampus proper (CA1-3 region) of adult (2-3 years of age) and aged (10-12 years of age) dogs. In the adult group, GFAP immunoreactive astrocytes were distributed in all layers of the dentate gyrus and CA1-3 region, except in the stratum pyramidale of the CA1-3 region. In the aged group, GFAP immunoreactivity decreased markedly in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. However, GFAP immunoreactivity in the CA1-3 region increased in all layers, and the cytoplasm of GFAP immunoreactive astrocytes was hypertrophied. GFAP protein levels in the aged dentate gyrus decreased; however, GFAP levels in the CA1-3 region increased. These results suggest that the morphology of astrocytes and GFAP protein levels in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and CA1 region are changed, respectively, with age.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS—PYLOROGASTRIC INTUSSUSCEPTION IN A DOG

A 7-year-old female Maltese presented for evaluation of severe vomiting. A diagnosis of pylorogastric intussusception was made during ultrasonographic examination. The intussusception spontaneously underwent reduction by the following morning.     

Phylogeny of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae Inferred from Mitochondrial Small Subunit, Elongation Factor 1-alpha, and Nuclear Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Sequence Data

ABSTRACT Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae, causal agent of Fusarium wilt of lettuce, is a serious pathogen recently reported in Arizona. Sequence analysis of the mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1alpha) gene, and the nuclear ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer (IGS) region was conducted to resolve relationships among f. sp. lactucae isolates, F. oxysporum isolates from other hosts, and local non-pathogenic isolates. Analysis of mtSSU sequences provided limited phylogenetic resolution and did not differentiate the lactucae isolates from 13 other F. oxysporum isolates. Analysis of EF-1alpha sequences resulted in moderate resolution, grouping seven formae speciales with the lactucae isolates. Analysis of the IGS region revealed numerous sequence polymorphisms among F. oxysporum formae speciales consisting of insertions, deletions, and single nucleotide transitions and substitutions. Repeat sequence analysis revealed several duplicated subrepeat units that were distributed across much of the region. Based on analysis of the IGS sequence data, lactucae race 1 isolates resolved as a monophyletic group with three other formae speciales of F. oxysporum. In all analyses, lactucae race 2 isolates composed a separate lineage that was phylo-genetically distinct and distantly related to the lactucae race 1 isolates.     

Herbicidal and biological characteristics of a new benzenesulfonylurea compound K-11451 under submerged paddy conditions

The new benzenesulfonylurea K-11451, an α-hydroxy-β-fluoropropyl- compound, applied at 3–9 g ha ⁻¹, controlled annual and perennial weeds grown in submerged paddy soil under greenhouse conditions. It effectively controlled barnyardgrass at growth stages varying from pre-emergence to the five-leaf stage. The compound inhibited acetolactate synthase, I₅₀ values for the enzyme isolated from barnyardgrass and rice being 56 and 67 nM , respectively. K-11451 inhibited the growth of rice when it was transplanted at a shallow depth (0–1 cm) and water leaching from the paddy soil was high (3–5 cm per day). With a water depth of 3 cm, the compound appeared to move readily down into the paddy soil and had the relatively short half-life of 15.2 days under submerged paddy conditions. A mixture of K-11451 + mefenecet + daimuron (9 + 250 + 250 g ha⁻¹) controlled almost all weeds in the paddy field without injury to rice, so that the combination could be used as a ‘one-shot’ herbicide in rice culture.