The RNA interference

The phenomenon of RNA interference (RNAi) is highly conserved mechanism in the organism evolution. As a immune system, RNAi is a ubiquitous mechanism against invading microorganism in plant and animal cells. Recently, it has been found that RNAi is the process by which double-strand RNA(dsRNA) directs sequence-specific degradation of messenger RNA and the mediations of sequence specific messenger RNA degradation are 21-and 23-nucleotide small interfering RNAs that generate by ribonuclease from endogenous longer dsRNA or by transfectious technics from heterologous dsRNA. Over the past few years, the way in which cells respond to dsRNA by silencing homologous genes has revealed a new regulating paradigm in biology.     

The physical appearance of the vulva in ureaplasma infected ewes

The vulvar labia of ewes naturally infected with ureaplasma were significantly more swollen and red than those of uninfected ewes. Similar changes were observed following experimental infection of previously uninfected ewes. These differences, although statistically significant, were not sufficiently marked to be useful in diagnosing infection by clinical examination.     

Individual antigens of cattle. Bovine CD2 (BoCD2).

The data obtained in the workshop provide further evidence that CH128A and IL-A26 and the 12 new mAbs that form a cluster recognise the bovine orthologue of CD2. The mAbs inhibit rosetting with SRBC, stain cells in primary and secondary lymphoid organs in patterns consistent with those obtained in humans with anti-CD2 mAbs, and the 11 IgG mAbs all immunoprecipitate a peptide with a Mr of 58-62 kDa. It is not clear from the studies whether the epitopes defined by the mAbs correspond with the region I and II epitopes present on CD2. None of the data suggest that any of the mAbs recognise the region III (CDD2R) epitope (Peterson and Seed, 1987; Knapp et al., 1989). Further studies are now needed to define the physical and functional relation of the epitopes and establish whether antibody-mediated activation corresponds with that noted in humans. Data reported in one study (Baldwin et al., 1988) with IL-A26 suggest possible differences in the requirements for activation. In addition, further studies are needed to demonstrate how many cell types express BoCD2. In mice, evidence has been presented which shows the mouse orthologue is expressed on some B cells (Yagitta et al., 1989). Studies in cattle have clearly shown CD2 is present on the majority of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells and a small population of CD4-/CD8- cells (Baldwin et al., 1988; Davis, unpublished observations). Evidence presented in this workshop has shown that some CD2+ cells express a WC2 molecule (Sopp et al., 1991).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Intramuscular and oral disposition of enrofloxacin in African grey parrots following single and multiple doses

The intramuscular (IM) and oral (PO) disposition of enrofloxacin, a new fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drug, were evaluated in African grey parrots. Peak enrofloxacin concentration, mean (+/- SEM), at 1 h following a 15-mg/kg IM dose was 3.87 (+/- 0.27) micrograms/ml and declined with a mean residence time of 3.05 h. Peak enrofloxacin plasma concentrations at 2 to 4 h following oral doses of 3, 15, and 30 mg/kg were 0.31 (+/- 0.11), 1.12 (+/- 0.11), and 1.69 (+/- 0.23) micrograms/ml, respectively, and declined with a mean residence time of 3.44-5.28 h. The relative bioavailability of the 15-mg/kg oral dose was 48%. An equipotent metabolite, ciprofloxacin, was detected in plasma at concentrations ranging from 3 to 78% of those of enrofloxacin. Enrofloxacin concentrations and area under the curve were significantly lower, the mean residence time significantly shorter and the ciprofloxacin/enrofloxacin ratios higher, following 10 days of oral treatment at 30 mg/kg every 12 h. Following 10 days of treatment, no significant biochemical changes were noted; however, polydipsia and polyuria occurred in treated birds, but resolved quickly upon discontinuation of enrofloxacin administration. These studies indicate that a rational starting dose for enrofloxacin in psittacines (7.5-30 mg/kg BID) should be higher than those in other domestic animals.     

Multifactorial analysis of distance in studies of ecological community structure

A framework is described for partitioning the matrix of between-sample distances that forms a starting point for many ecological studies into contributions attributable to different factors in a structured data set. This partitioning enables a series of ordinations to be produced that better enable an insight to be gained into the effects of the factors. More detailed application of the same partitioning provides a decomposition of each factorial effect into single degree-of-freedom contrasts, which enables reasons for observed trends to be investigated. The methods are illustrated by application to data from a study of marine community structure.     

Leeching as initial treatment in a cat with polycythaemia vera.

Polycythaemia vera was diagnosed in a three-year-old domestic shorthaired cat referred because of seizures and a high packed cell volume (PCV). Laboratory examination revealed severe erythrocytosis (PCV 79 per cent). Diagnosis was reached by excluding causes for relative and secondary absolute polycythaemia. As phlebotomy proved impossible for initial treatment due to hyperviscosity, four leeches were used to suck blood and the PCV was consequently reduced to 64 per cent. A further 24 hours later, when bleeding at the sites of sucking had stopped, the PCV was 56 per cent. Long-term management of the condition was achieved with hydroxyurea (100 mg/cat once daily) and intermittent phlebotomy. Initial treatment using leeches in cases of polycythaemia vera is a simple, non-invasive, well tolerated and effective method where phlebotomy is not possible.     

Analysis of the reactivity of anti-bovine CD8 monoclonal antibodies with cloned T cell lines and mouse L-cells transfected with bovine CD8

Mouse L-cells transfected with bovine CD8 and two Theileria parva-infected cloned T cell lines expressing bovine CD8 were used to screen the panel of ten monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) submitted to the workshop. Eight of the ten mAbs reacted with the transfectant and both the cloned T cell lines. However, two mAbs CC58 and BAT82A did not recognise the transfectant and only reacted with one of the T cell lines. Further biochemical studies indicated that the eight mAbs react with both homo- and heterodimeric forms of bovine CD8 whilst the two mAbs CC58 and BAT82A react with only heterodimeric forms. These data suggest that bovine DC8 is encoded by two genes as is the case in mouse and man.