Effects of Exogenous Tumour Necrosis Factor-α on the Secretory Function of the Bovine Reproductive Tract Depend on Tumour Necrosis Factor-α Concentrations

The aim of study was to correlate tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF) infused doses used with the TNF concentrations achieved and with the secretory function of both the ovary and the uterus in cows. We evaluated the concentrations of progesterone (P4), prostaglandin (PG)F_2α, PGE₂ nitric oxide (NO) and TNF in the jugular vein and vena cava caudalis as parameters of exogenous TNF action on the female reproductive tract. Aortae abdominalis of cows (n = 18) were infused with saline or two doses of TNF (luteolytic – 1 μg or luteotrophic – 10 μg). In the peripheral blood, 1 μg TNF concentrations achieved within the range of 30–45 pg/ml, and 10 μg TNF provoked a sharp increase in achieved concentrations at a range of 250–450 pg/mL). The TNF concentrations achieved in vena cava caudalis were five to six times higher than that in peripheral blood (p < 0.001). One microgram TNF increased PGF_2α and NO (p < 0.001) and decreased P4 (p < 0.05). The higher TNF dose stimulated P4 and PGE₂ (p < 0.01). TNF infusion at luteolytic dose achieved its concentrations at the physiological range previously observed in cows. Luteotrophic TNF dose achieved the concentrations in vena cava caudalis that are much higher than physiological level and were previously noted in pathological circumstances (i.e. mastitis , metritis ).     

Ultrasound during mid‐gestation: Agreement with physical foetal and placental measurements and use in predicting gestational age in sheep

To determine the effects of poor maternal nutrition and litter size on foetal growth during mid‐gestation, pregnant ewes (n = 82) were fed 100%, 60% or 140% of NRC TDN beginning at day 30.2 ± 0.2 of gestation. Transabdominal ultrasound was performed weekly between day 46.0 ± 0.4 and 86.0 ± 0.7 to monitor foetal heart width (HW), umbilical diameter (UMB), rib width (RW) and placentome outer (OD) and inner diameter (ID). Data were analysed with repeated‐measures using the mixed procedure for effects of maternal diet, litter size and gestation, and equations predictive of gestational age were generated using the regression procedure. To determine the agreement of ultrasound measurement and actual size, ewes (n = 20–21) were euthanized at day 45 or 90 to obtain corresponding postmortem measurements for Bland–Altman analysis. The HW, UMB and placentome OD and ID increased with gestation (p < .0001) but were unaffected by maternal diet or litter size (p ≥ .12). Ultrasound underestimated postmortem measurements of HW (14.8%), UMB (7.3%), placentome OD (4.5%) and ID (37.3%) at day 90 of gestation. Ultrasound underestimated RW at day 45 (7.7%) but overestimated RW (23.8%) at day 90, indicating inconsistent bias when reporting RW by ultrasound. Combining the HW, UMB, RW and placentome OD generated the strongest equation predictive of gestational age (R² = .91). These findings indicate that during mid‐gestation, maternal diet or litter size did not affect HW, UMB or placentome diameters and these factors can be used to estimate gestational age.     

Specific mucosal IgA immunity in turkey poults infected with turkey coronavirus

The objective of this study was to elucidate the kinetics and magnitudes of specific IgA antibody responses in intestines of turkey poults infected with turkey coronavirus (TCV). Turkey poults were orally inoculated with TCV at 10 days of age. Intestinal segment cultures were administered for duodenum, jejunum, and ileum and the IgA antibody responses were analyzed at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, or 9 weeks post-infection (PI) in two different experiments. The kinetics of virus-specific IgA antibody responses in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were similar: gradually increased from 1 week PI, reached the peak at 3 or 4 weeks PI, and declined afterward. The virus-specific IgA antibody responses in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum showed negative correlation with duration of TCV antigen in the corresponding locations of intestine with Spearman's correlation coefficient of -0.85 (p=0.034), -0.74 (p=0.096), and -0.75 (p=0.084), respectively. Moreover, the virus-specific IgA antibody responses in serum were positively correlated with that of duodenum (coefficient=0.829, p=0.042), jejunum (coefficient=0.829, p=0.042), and ileum (coefficient=0.771, p=0.072) segment cultures, suggesting that the induction of specific IgA response in serum was predictive of an IgA response in intestine. The results indicate that intestinal mucosal IgA antibodies to TCV are elicited in turkeys following infection with TCV. The local mucosal antibodies may provide protective immunity for infected turkeys to recover from TCV infection.     

Localized reconnection in the near jovian magnetotail

The oppositely directed magnetic field in the jovian magnetic tail is expected eventually to reconnect across the current sheet, allowing plasma produced deep inside the magnetosphere near Io's orbit to escape in the antisolar direction down the tail. The Galileo spacecraft found localized regions of strong northward and southward field components beyond about 50 jovian radii in the postmidnight, predawn sector of the jovian magnetosphere. These pockets of vertical magnetic fields can be stronger than the surrounding magnetotail and magnetodisk fields. They may result from episodic reconnection of patches of the near jovian magnetotail.     

Identification of pests and pathogens recorded in Europe with relation to fruit imports

Within the framework of the EU project DROPSA (‘Strategies to develop effective, innovative and practical approaches to protect major European fruit crops from pests and pathogens’), a review on pests (including pathogens) that have fruit species as their host plants was conducted. The focus was on pests that have been introduced into Europe or were found in the fruit trade during the last 10–15 years. Among the 387 recorded pests, the following groups were identified: 1. fruit and vinegar flies, 2. scale insects, 3. fungi, 4. plant viruses, 5. bacteria, 6. pests of unknown risk, 7. tropical fruit pests, 8. pests that had an unexpected change of hosts, 9. fruit pests not likely to be transported on fruit and 10. ‘hitchhikers’ (non‐fruit pests intercepted on fruit/fruit plants, fruit pests intercepted on other commodities than fruit). The large number of pests identified, from different taxonomic groups and origins, shows that fruit are an important pathway for pests, threatening fruit production in Europe.     

Urethrorectal fistulectomy in a dog, using a perineal approach

Using urethrography, urethrorectal fistula was diagnosed in a 3-year-old male Labrador Retriever with a 2 1/2-year history of recurrent urinary tract infection characterized by intermittent hematuria and pollakiuria. Fistulectomy was performed, and the dog recovered without complication.     

Invasive alien plants in plant health: a review of the past ten years

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) provides the background for National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) to regulate and control invasive alien species that are harmful to plants. This subject was specifically discussed for the first time 10 years ago at IPPC level, and further explored by an IPPC open‐ended working group. The resulting concept was considered at EU level, and the EU Council supported the suitability of the plant health framework for these species, requesting the EU Commission to further analyse the needs for regulatory work in the EU plant health regime. Subsequently the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) started a new working programme. The international conference ‘Invasive alien species and the IPPC’ set a signal for IPPC contracting parties to encourage their NPPOs to enforce actions on invasive alien species. IPPC standards on pest risk analysis (PRA) were adapted so as to include invasive alien species harmful to plants, and a memorandum of cooperation was adopted between the Secretariats of the IPPC and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). At present, the EU Commission, DG Environment is developing a European strategy on invasive alien species. The EU Plant Health Regulatory System is currently subjected to a major evaluation process in which a clearer inclusion of invasive alien species into the system is one of the strategic discussions.     

Molecular cloning of the chicken progesterone receptor

To define the functional domains of the progesterone receptor required for gene regulation, complementary DNA (cDNA) clones encoding the chicken progesterone receptor have been isolated from a chicken oviduct lambda gt11 cDNA expression library. Positive clones expressed antigenic determinants that cross-reacted with six monospecific antibodies derived from two independent sources. A 36-amino acid peptide sequence obtained by microsequencing of purified progesterone receptor was encoded by nucleotide sequences in the longest cDNA clone. Analysis of the amino acid sequence of the progesterone receptor deduced from the cDNA clones revealed a cysteine-rich region that was homologous to a region found in the estrogen and glucocorticoid receptors and to the avian erythroblastosis virus gag-erb-A fusion protein. Northern blot analysis with chicken progesterone receptor cDNA's indicated the existence of at least three messenger RNA species. These messages were found only in oviduct and could be induced by estrogens.     

Pelvic osteotomy as a treatment for obstipation in cats with acquired stenosis of the pelvic canal: six cases (1978-1989).

Pelvic osteotomy with removal or repositioning of bone was performed as treatment for obstipation in 6 domestic shorthair cats with stenosis of the pelvic canal. Narrowing of the pelvic canal was the result of pelvic fracture or sacroiliac luxation in all cats. Tenesmus and obstipation began shortly after pelvic injury in 3 cats and 5 to 12 months after injury in the remaining cats. The duration of clinical signs ranged from 36 hours to 36 months. The duration of large intestinal obstruction influenced the outcome of surgery. Surgical widening of the pelvic canal helped eliminate signs of obstruction when signs were of less than 6 months' duration (n = 2). When signs of obstipation had continued for a longer period, and megacolon had developed, such treatment was minimally effective (n = 4).