Biologic effects of supernovae

Estimates of the probability that nearby explosions of supernovae have occurred during the earth's history and the biologic effects of the radiation therefrom are presented. They suggest that cosmic radiation from supernovae could have caused the extinction of many exposed animals without the simultaneous extinction of plant life. This suggests that supernovae should be considered as one possible mechanism by which fauna become extinct.     

Modelling bird distributions — a combined GIS and bayesian rule-based approach

Models to predict the breeding distribution of three species of birds in north-east England are described. The models use readily available data from the ornithological literature on the habitat preferences and life-history characteristics of the birds, together with satellite (land cover) and physiographic data. These data are linked via Bayesian decision-rules, and model predictions calculated at the landscape scale using a raster-based geographic Information System. Log-linear regressions of the predicted suitability of the landscape for the birds with observed sets of nest records were statistically significant for all three species. The robustness of the models to the effects of nonindependence of predictor (habitat) variables on Bayesian predictions was investigated using a perturbation method, which gave minor improvements to the accuracy of the predictions. The value of this modelling approach as a method of utilising published autoecological data to predict the landscape distribution of birds is discussed.     

Satellite remote sensing of breeding habitat for an African weaver-bird

Data derived from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) on board the NOAA series of operational, polar orbiting, meteorological satellites have previously been shown to be quite useful for monitoring vegetation dynamics at scales ranging from regional (10⁴ km²) to global. In this report, we demonstrate that these same data can be used to monitor potential breeding habitat for a highly mobile, granivorous African weaver-bird, the red-billed quelea (Quelea quelea). This species is often considered to be an agricultural pest, affecting cereal production throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The temporal resolution and very large (continental) spatial coverage provided by these data can provide a unique context within which to examine species distribution and abundance patterns.     

Evaluation of conventional and real-time PCR assays for detection and differentiation of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia in dog blood

Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia is important cause of emerging and re-emerging infectious disease in people and dogs. Importantly, dogs can serve as sentinels for disease in people. Sensitive and specific diagnostic tests that differentiate among species of infecting Rickettsia are needed. The objective of this study was to develop a sensitive and specific PCR that differentiates SFG Rickettsia infecting dog blood. Conventional and real-time PCR assays were developed using primers that targeted a small region of the ompA gene. Their sensitivity, determined by testing a cloned target sequence in the presence of host DNA, was 15–30 and 5 copies of DNA, respectively. Testing of Rickettsia cultures and analysis of Rickettsia gene sequences deposited in GenBank verified DNA could be amplified and used to differentiate species. DNA from the blood of infected dogs was also tested. Importantly, Rickettsia DNA was detected before seroconversion in some dogs. The species of infecting Rickettsia was also identified. We conclude these assays may assist in the timely diagnosis of infection with SFG Rickettsia. They may also facilitate the discovery of novel SFG Rickettsia infecting dogs, and in the investigation of dogs as sentinels for emerging rickettsioses.     

Development of a self-replicating plasmid system for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is a prevalent swine respiratory pathogen that is a major cause of economic loss to pig producers. Control is achieved by a combination of antimicrobials, vaccination and management practices, but current vaccines offer only partial control and there is a need for improved preventative strategies. A major barrier to advances in understanding the pathogenesis of M. hyopneumoniae and in developing new vaccines is the lack of tools to genetically manipulate the organism. We describe the development and optimisation of the first successful plasmid-based system for the genetic manipulation of M. hyopneumoniae. Our artificial plasmids contain the origin of replication (oriC) of M. hyopneumoniae along with tetM, conferring resistance to tetracycline. With these plasmids, we have successfully transformed M. hyopneumoniae strain 232 by electroporation, generating tetracycline resistant organisms. The persistence of extrachromosomal plasmid and maintenance of plasmid DNA over serial passages shows that these artificial plasmids are capable of self-replication in M. hyopneumoniae. In addition to demonstrating the amenability of M. hyopneumoniae to genetic manipulation and in optimising the conditions necessary for successful transformation, we have used this system to determine the minimum functional oriC of M. hyopneumoniae. In doing so, we have developed a plasmid with a small oriC that is stably maintained over multiple passages that may be useful in generating targeted gene disruptions. In conclusion, we have generated a set of plasmids that will be valuable in studies of M. hyopneumoniae pathogenesis and provide a major step forward in the study of this important swine pathogen.     

IN VITRO EVALUATION OF CANINE GRANULOCYTES LABELED WITH 99mTC-HEXAMETHYLPROPYLENEAMINE OXIME:

Technetium-99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxine (^99mTc-HMPAO) and Indium-111 oxine (¹¹¹In-oxine) labeled canine gramulocytes were evaluated in vitro over a six hour period. Labeling efficiency for ^99mTC-HMPAO and ¹¹¹In-oxine labeled granulocytes was 39.6%± 8.0% and 60.6%± 17.6% (mean ± SD) respectively. The mean in vitro elution of the radiolabel ranged from 8.7-14.0% for the ^99mTc-HMPAO grannulocytes and from 6.1-9.0% for the ¹¹¹In-oxine granulocytes. Mean cell viability, for the ^99mTc-HMPAO, ¹¹¹In-oxine and non-radiolabeled control granulocytes ranged from 97.8-99.4%, 96.4-98.5% and 98.2-99.0%, respectively. The phagocytic ability of the ^99mTc-HMPAO, ¹¹¹In-oxine and control granulocytes ranged from 47.5-54.1%, 38.9-56.2% and 46.6-57.8% respectively over the six hour study period. Although labeling efficiency using ¹¹¹In-oxine was significantly (P=0.05) better than ^99mTc-HMPAO, there was no significant difference in label retention of the two radiolabels. There was no significant difference in viability or phagocytic function during the six hour study period. Considering the potential cost advantage and the superior imaging qualities of Technetium-99m relative to Indium-111, ^99mTc-HMPAO appears to be a good alternative to ¹¹¹In-oxine as a granulocyte label.     

UTILIZATION OF INSTANTANEOUS EJECTION VOLUME IMAGES TO PRODUCE VENTRICULAR VOLUME CURVES FROM AN EQUILIBRIUM RADIONUCLIDE VENTRICULOGRAM

Equilibrium radionuclide ventriculograms were performed in 6 normal dogs during resting and isoproterenol challenged states. A new method of analysis of the equilibrium radionuclide ventriculograms using a simple digital subtraction technique was compared to traditional methods of analysis and echocardiography. There was no significant difference between ejection fraction values from the three methods tested. The equilibrium radionuclide ventriculograms ejection fraction was significantly increased following isoproterenol administration using both the new and traditional methods of analysis but the pre versus post-isoproterenol increase ejection fraction derived from echocardiographic measurements of ejection fractions was not significantly different. The new digital subtraction method consistently produced reproducible, high quality ventricular volume curves for the left and right ventricle. Left and right ventricular maximum and average emptying and filing rates were determined from the slopes of the volume curve and the results were similar to those previously published for man and dog. The emptying and filling rates of both ventricles were significantly increased following isoproterenol administration. The time to peak emptying significantly decreased following isoproterenol. Time to peak filing decreased following isoproterenol but the difference was not significant.     

Primary hemangiosarcoma of the iliopsoas muscle eliciting a peripheral neuropathy

An eight-year-old, male castrated bullmastiff presented to the Kansas State University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital with left hind-limb paralysis. A mass was identified in the left paralumbar soft tissue adjacent to the fourth (L4) to sixth (L6) lumbar vertebrae by magnetic resonance imaging. The iliopsoas muscle contained the mass which was identified as a hemangiosarcoma on histopathological examination. Hemangiosarcoma is rarely reported as a primary tumor arising from muscle vascular endothelium.     

The influence of photoperiod on body weight gain, body composition, nutrient intake and hormone secretion

Increasing daily light exposure from 8 to 16 h increases average daily body weight gains of sheep and Holstein cattle but reduces gains of white-tailed doe fawns. Some of these effects on average daily gain in sheep are the result of increased gut fill and pelt weight. Increasing daily exposure to light increases feed intake when sheep or cattle are fed ad libitum. However, increased feed intake is not a prerequisite for the anabolic effects of long duration exposures to light because increased growth occurs in the animals given 16 h light:8 h dark (16L:8D) even when feed intake is restricted. The anabolic effects of increased duration photoperiods in sheep are independent of the gonads, whereas in cattle they are dependent on the gonads. Consistent increases in average daily gains of cattle in response to longer duration photoperiods have not always been achieved. The lack of consistency may be associated with sexual maturity or rate of fattening of the animal. For example, the stimulatory effects of 16L:8D photoperiods on live weight gain are not readily manifested in immature prepubertal heifers, but occur primarily during the peripubertal period. Short days are conducive to deposition of fat, which may account for the stimulatory effects of short days on live weight gain of white-tailed doe fawns and excessively fattened Holsteins. In contrast, long duration photoperiods stimulate protein accretion in cattle. The hormonal signals that mediate the anabolic effects of increasing exposure to light are not associated with change in insulin, thyroxine or growth hormone concentrations in the blood. Glucocorticoid concentrations in serum decrease with longer duration photoperiods which is consistent with an anabolic effect. Increasing daily light exposure to 16 h/d hastens the increase in concentrations of progesterone and testosterone in sera of peripubertal heifers and prepubertal bulls, respectively. Thus, change in secretion of reproductive hormones in the peripubertal period of cattle may be associated with the anabolic effects previously described and is consistent with gonad dependency. Prolactin concentrations in serum increase in sheep and cattle as duration of light exposure increases. But, there is no irrefutable proof that prolactin is responsible for the increased rates of gain or change in carcass composition associated with longer exposures to light. Thus, the hormonal mechanisms involved in photoperiod-induced alterations in growth remain to be established.