An enrichment microsphere immunoassay for the detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pectobacterium atrosepticum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dickeya dianthicola</Emphasis> in potato tuber extracts

An enrichment microsphere immunoassay (MIA) was developed, based on the Luminex xMAP® technology, for the simultaneous (duplex) detection of Pectobacterium atrosepticum (former name Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica) (Pca) and Dickeya dianthicola (former name Erwinia chrysanthemi) (Dcd) in potato plant extracts. Target bacteria in the extracts were enriched for 48 h in a semi-selective broth containing polypectate under low oxygen conditions. Samples were subsequently incubated with antibody-coated colour-coded microspheres (beads) and with secondary antibodies conjugated with Alexa Fluor® 532, a reporter dye. Samples were analyzed with the Luminex analyzer, in which one laser identified each microsphere and another laser the reporter dye conjugated to the secondary antibodies. The assay required minimal sample preparation, could be completed in 1 h, was performed in 96 wells microtitreplates and required no wash steps. The limit of detection for the duplex enrichment MIA was 100–1000 cfu ml^?1, which was a hundred times lower than of an enrichment-ELISA. Without enrichment, the sensitivity of MIA and ELISA was largely similar and ranged between 10⁶ and 10⁷ cells ml^?1. No difference in sensitivity was found between a MIA in a single or duplex format. In a comparative test with non-infected potato plant extracts and extracts from plants infected with Pca or Dcd, results of the enrichment MIA correlated well with those of the enrichment ELISA and enrichment PCR. These results indicate that MIA can be reliably used for multiplex detection of soft rot Enterbacteriaceae in crude potato plant extracts. The technology is an attractive and cost-effective alternative to other detection methods, including ELISA.     

Pulmonary bacterial deposition and clearance during ascarid larval migration in weanling pigs.

Pulmonary deposition and clearance of bacteria were measured in weanling pigs, half of which had been inoculated at age 31 days with larvated Ascaris suum ova. Seven days later, when breathing signs of larval migration were pronounced, all pigs were exposed to aerosolized Escherichia coli (strain B). Then, either immediately after aerosol exposure (for deposition assessment) or immediately after a 120 minute period in filtered air (for clearance), bacteria in the pigs' lungs were counted. Ascarid ova-inoculated pigs did not differ significantly from control pigs for number of bacteria in the lungs after aerosol exposure, but after the 120 minute clearance period they had 7.2 times more than did the control pigs. Thus, in weanling pigs, the breathing-pattern changes that were evident during ascarid-larval migration did not affect pulmonary deposition of inhaled bacteria significantly, but the presence of ascarid larvae in the lungs was associated with impaired pulmonary bacterial clearance.     

Don't look back in anger! Responsiveness to missed chances in successful and nonsuccessful aging

Life-span theories explain successful aging with an adaptive management of emotional experiences like regret. As opportunities to undo regrettable situations decline with age, a reduced engagement into these situations represents a potentially protective strategy to maintain well-being in older age. Yet, little is known about the underlying neurobiological mechanisms supporting this claim. We used a multimodal psychophysiological approach in combination with a sequential risk-taking task that induces the feeling of regret and investigated young as well as emotionally successfully and unsuccessfully (i.e., late-life depressed) aged participants. Responsiveness to regret was specifically reduced in successful aging paralleled by autonomic and frontostriatal characteristics indicating adaptive shifts in emotion regulation. Our results suggest that disengagement from regret reflects a critical resilience factor for emotional health in older age.     

Properties of dry film lubricants prepared by spray application of aqueous starch–oil composites

Aqueous dispersions of starch–soybean oil (SBO) and starch–jojoba oil (JO) composites, prepared by excess steam jet cooking, form effective dry film lubricants when applied as thick coatings to metal surfaces by a doctor blade. This application method necessitates long drying times, is wasteful, requires the addition of sucrose to promote composite adhesion to the metal surface, and restricts the substrate geometry to planar surfaces. These issues represent important barriers to the commercialization of this aqueous biobased dry film lubricant technology. We now report an air-assisted spray method that uses readily available spray equipment to apply aqueous starch–oil composite dispersions as thin coatings (0.15–2.0 mg/cm²) to metal surfaces quickly and efficiently. Aqueous dispersions of waxy maize starch–oil composites containing either SBO, JO or hexadecane (HD), having 0.020–31.7 wt% oil relative to starch, were applied by air-assisted spraying and could be dried to the touch in approximately 30 s. Additionally, sucrose was found unnecessary for adhesion of the sprayed coatings. Tribological ball-on-flat testing of metal specimens spray coated with starch–SBO, –JO, and –HD composites showed the thin films of starch–SBO and –JO performed better at reducing the coefficient of friction (COF) than the starch–hexadecane composites. A low COF ranging between 0.027 and 0.044 was obtained for the starch–SBO and –JO composites containing 4–5 wt% oil relative to starch. Above 4–5 wt% oil loadings, no further COF reductions were realized. Further results revealed that micrometer-sized oil droplets embedded within the dried starch matrix of the composite film are delivered “on demand”. It appears that when pressure is applied to the dry film lubricant, the starch matrix ruptures and releases the entrained oil to the friction surface.     

Serum alpha globulin fraction: survival-and-recovery effect in irradiated mice

An alpha macroglobulin fraction (19S) was isolated from the serum of rats and BC(3)F(1) mice by zonal ultracentrifugation. Both the isologous and heterologous macroglobulin fractions increased survival among BC(3)F(1) mice x-irradiated with 750 roentgens. The mouse macroglobulin fraction also enhanced radiation recovery of hematopoietic tissue as measured by colony-forming assay and iron-59 incorporation into erythropoietic cells. The overall difference in hematopoietic activity in the irradiated (400 roentgens) mice treated with the macroglobulin fraction, in comparison with this activity in the controls, was three- to fivefold in the bone marrow and nine- to tenfold in the spleen between days 4 and 7 after irradiation. This effect was not obtained with the isologous serum protein fraction containing proteins of smaller molecular weight.     

Glomerular Filtration Rate and Renal Volume in Dogs with Congenital Portosystemic Vascular Anomalies before and after Surgical Ligation

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal volume were evaluated in dogs with confirmed portosystemic vascular anomalies (PSVA) before and after surgical ligation of their PSVA. Pre- and postligation CBC, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, abdominal ultrasonography with measurement of renal volume, and per rectal scintigraphy were performed to document resolution of abnormalities consistent with portosystemic shunting. GFR was estimated by plasma 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) clearance before (n = 21) and after (n = 12) surgical correction of PSVA. Preligation 99mTc-DTPA GFR was increased (median, 5.64 mL/minute/kg; range, 3.53-8.49 mL/minute/kg; reference range, 2.83-4.47 mL/minute/kg) in 81% (17/21) of dogs. Postligation 99mTc-DTPA GFR decreased in all 12 evaluated dogs (median change = -42%; P < .001). Preligation renal volume was above the reference range for the left and right kidneys in 71% (10/14) and 69% (11/16) of dogs evaluated, respectively. Right renal volume decreased significantly (n = 5; median change, -45%; P = .03) after surgical ligation of PSVA. These findings document increased GFR and renal volume in dogs with PSVA, which may explain in part the low blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine concentrations encountered in these dogs. Knowledge of changes in GFR associated with PSVA ligation may prove helpful in the anesthetic, drug, and dietary management of affected dogs.     

Carbon monoxide toxicity: a case series

Objective: To describe diagnostics, therapy, and sequelae of acute carbon monoxide (CO) toxicity because of a motor vehicle generator in 4 dogs and 2 cats. Series summary: Four dogs and 2 cats presented for recumbency, disorientation, dyspnea, and stiffness after an estimated 6–8 hour exposure to exhaust from a generator. Diagnostics included a serum carboxyhemoglobin levels evaluation, arterial blood gas analysis, pulse oximetry readings, and blood pressure measurements. Initial therapy included oxygen (O₂) administration, intravenous bronchodilators, fluids, and a hemoglobin‐based O₂ carrying (HBOC) molecule. Following administration of the HBOC, 4 of the 6 animals showed dramatic clinical improvement. Two weeks after hospital discharge, the owner reported potential hearing deficits in all animals. Brain auditory evoked response (BAER) tests were conducted in all surviving animals and some degree of hearing impairment was documented in all cases, with complete clinical resolution noted 6 weeks later. Unique information provided: This report describes the therapeutic use of an HBOC in acute isolated CO toxicity (i.e. without the complications of smoke inhalation). In addition, delayed nervous system dysfunction was documented in all surviving animals.     

The mobile exotic animal pet practice.

Mobile practice is an exciting, interesting, and profitable means to deliver high-quality veterinary care to exotic animal-owning clients. The advantages and disadvantages should be considered carefully when considering this type of practice.     

Treatment of equine glaucoma by transscleral neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser cyclophotocoagulation: a retrospective study of 23 eyes of 16 horses

Contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCP) was performed on 23 eyes of 16 horses for treatment of glaucoma. The mean highest preoperative IOP was 51 ± 17 mmHg. Follow-up evaluation was available for 19 eyes 1 day after surgery, 14 eyes from 1 to 2 weeks, 16 eyes from 4 to 6 weeks, 9 eyes from 12 to 16 weeks, and 10 eyes greater than 20 weeks after laser treatment. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) the day following surgery was 34 ± 13 mmHg. The mean IOP for each follow-up period was: one to two weeks postoperative, 23 ± 9 mmHg; four to six weeks, 24 ± 7 mmHg; 12–16 weeks, 28 ± 10 mmHg; and  20 weeks, 22 ± 9 mmHg. IOP measurements were significantly different from pretreatment values for all follow-up intervals except for weeks 12–16 ( P < 0.05). Treatment success was defined as maintenance of IOP < 30 mmHg. Treatment success was achieved in 93%, 88%, 78%, and 70% of the treated eyes at the 1–2 weeks, 4–6 weeks, 12–16 weeks, and the  20 weeks re-evaluation, respectively. No significant difference was found between the number of eyes visual at presentation (52.2%) and visual at 20 weeks (60%). The most common laser complications were conjunctival hyperemia (21.7%) and corneal ulcers (13.0%). Results of this study indicate that Nd:YAG TSCP is an effective method of controlling IOP and preserving vision in horses with glaucoma. An effective Nd:YAG laser protocol for TSCP in the equine glaucomatous eye is a power setting of 11 W, duration of 0.4 s, applied 5 mm posterior to the limbus at 60 sites, resulting in a total energy dose of 264 J.