Sexual compatibility types of Bremia lactucae isolates originating from Lactuca serriola

Results are given on the occurrence of sexual compatibility types of seven isolates ofBremia lactucae originating fromLactuca serriola (prickly lettuce). It is concluded that the isolates studied are heterothallic. Both compatibility types (B1 en B2) were determined, but type B2 was prevalent. Sexual recombination ofB. lactucae isolates originating from wild and cultivated lettuce may occur.Samenvatting Zeven isolaten vanBremia lactucae, afkomstig vanLactuca serriola in Tsjechoslowakije, zijn onderzocht op hun sexuele compatibiliteitstype door ze te combineren met Nederlandse fysio's vanB. lactucae, afkomstig van cultuursla (L. sativa), waarvan het compatibiliteitstype (B1 of B2) bekend is. Alle isolaten vanL. serriola bleken heterothallisch te zijn, waarbij type B2 meer werd aangetroffen dan type B1. Sexuele recombinatie vanBremia-isolaten van wildeLactuca-soorten en cultuursla blijkt goed mogelijk te zijn.     

The effect of erector spinae plane block on perioperative analgesic consumption and complications in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy surgery: a retrospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo compare the perioperative use of analgesics and complication rates in dogs administered an erector spinae plane (ESP) block or a traditional opioid-based (OP) treatment as part of analgesic management during hemilaminectomy.Study designRetrospective cohort study.AnimalsMedical records of 114 client-owned dogs.MethodsGeneral data included demographics, duration of procedure, number of laminae fenestrated, perioperative use of steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Intra- and postoperative analgesics used in 48 hours and complications rates were compared between groups. Opioid use was expressed in morphine equivalents [ME (mg kg^?1)]. Continuous data were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test and incidence of events with a Fisher's exact tests. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate association between perioperative ME consumption (dependent variable) with other independent variables. Data are presented as median (range). Differences were considered significant when p < 0.05.ResultsGroup ESP comprised 42 dogs and group OP 72 dogs. No differences were observed in the general data. Intraoperative ME was 0.65 (0.20–3.74) and 0.79 (0.19–5.60) mg kg^?1 in groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.03). Intraoperative infusion of lidocaine was administered intravenously (IV) to 23.8% and 68% of groups ESP and OP, respectively (p < 0.0001). Intraoperative infusion of ketamine was administered IV to 21% and 40% of groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.04). Regression analysis revealed the ESP block as the only independent variable affecting the perioperative ME consumption. Pharmacological intervention to treat cardiovascular complications was administered to 21.4% and 47.2% of dogs in groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.008). There were no differences in postoperative complication rates.Conclusions and clinical relevanceESP block was associated with reduced perioperative opioid consumption, intraoperative adjuvant analgesic use and incidence of pharmacological interventions to treat cardiovascular complications in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy.     

Purification and characterization of feline ghrelin and its possible role

Ghrelin, a novel 28-amino acid peptide with an n-octanoyl modification at Ser3, has been isolated from rat and human stomach as an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. Here, we purified feline ghrelin and examined its possible physiological role in cats. The major active form of feline ghrelin is a 28-amino acid peptide octanoylated (C8:0) at Ser3; except for one amino acid residue replacement, this structure is identical to those of rat and human ghrelins. However, much structural divergence in peptide length and fatty acid modification was observed in feline ghrelin: peptides consisting of 27 or 26 amino acids lacking Gln14 and/or Arg28 were found, and the third serine residue was modified by octanoic acid (C8:0), decanoic acid (10:0), or unsaturated fatty acids (C8:1, C10:1 and C10:2). In agreement with the structural divergence, two kinds of cDNA with different lengths were isolated. Administration of synthetic rat ghrelin increased plasma growth hormone levels in cats, with a potency similar to that in rat or human. Plasma levels of ghrelin in cats increased approximately 2.5-fold after fasting. The present study indicates the existence of structural divergence in feline ghrelin and suggests that, as in other animals, ghrelin may play important roles in GH release and feeding in cats.     

Histopathological effects of cadmium on the gills of the freshwater fish, Macropsobrycon uruguayanae Eigenmann (Pisces, Atherinidae)

Evaluations of histopathological lesions in gill tissue were carried out in the freshwater fish Macropsobrycon uruguayanae following 30 and 60 days of exposure to 1.5 mg 1^-1 of cadmium. The study was conducted on both fed and starved animals in order to determine the influence of feeding condition on cadmium toxicity. The main lesions observed and quantified were: (1) hyperplasia of primary lamellar epithelium; (2) hyperplasia of secondary lamellar epithelium; (3) separation of respiratory epithelium; (4) shortening of secondary lamellae; (5) epithelial necrosis; (6) fusion of adjacent secondary lamellae; (7) hypertrophy of respiratory epithelium; (8) lamellar telangiectasis; (9) hyperplasia of chloride cells; (10) mucinous metaplasia; and (11) inflammatory infiltration. Lesions 6, 8, 9 and 11 were only induced by exposure to cadmium, while lesion 4 could be produced only by starvation. Starved fish also showed a reduction in total body weight and length. Lesion 2 was shown to be non-specific, and produced by either cadmium, starvation or even exposure time. The possible mode of action of the experimental factors are discussed in relation to the observed pathologies.     

Acute tolerance and histopathological effects of ammonia on juvenile maroon clownfish Premnas biaculeatus (Block 1790)

This study evaluated the median lethal concentration values (LC₅₀) and the histopathological effects of un‐ionized ammonia (NH₃^‐‐N) on juvenile maroon clownfish Premnas biaculeatus. After 96 h of exposure to different concentrations of ammonia, juveniles were sampled for histopathological evaluation. The 24 and 96 h LC50 values of NH₃^?‐N determined were 1.68 and 0.89 mg L^?1 respectively. Maroon clownfish exposed to different ammonia concentrations displayed histopathological alterations in the gills, kidney, liver and brain. Gill tissue damage included lamellar hyperplasia, lamellar shorting and hyperplasia and hypertrophy of mucous cells. The kidney showed hyperanaemia, enlarged sinusoids within an apparently decreased amount of haematopoietic tissue, oedema on tubular cells and tubular necrosis, and an enlarged Bowman's capsule. The liver presented dilatation of hepatic sinusoids, fatty deposition in hepatocytes and Mallory bodies. Examination of the brain revealed a proliferation of glial cells, and the Virchow‐Robin space indicated a severe perivascular oedema and signs of neuronal suffering with satellitosis. The results of this study indicate that juvenile maroon clownfish are relatively sensitive to ammonia and particular attention must be given to this toxic compound in culture systems.     

Use of touch-down polymerase chain reaction to enhance the sensitivity of Mycobacterium bovis detection.

The confirmatory diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) in animal samples is carried out by culture in Stonebrink media. However, culture is very slow because of the extremely long duplication time of the bacillus and difficult because of the scarcity of bacilli in diagnostic samples. This study describes the development of a single-tube touch-down polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol for the detection of M. bovis using primers that target the IS6110 element. Spiked water and milk as well as routine diagnostic samples (milk and nasal swabs) from M. bovis-positive cattle were tested. This protocol allows the rapid and sensitive detection of M. bovis in bovine samples by enhancing the sensitivity of standard PCR amplification.     

Induction of unseasonable hibernation and involvement of serotonin in entrance into and maintenance of its hibernation of chipmunks T. asiaticus

Chipmunks that had been housed at 22 degrees C under a light-dark cycle of 14L:10D for at least one year were exposed to a short photoperiod (10L:14D) and low temperature to induce unseasonable hibernation. We were able to induce hibernation at any time of year and there was no significant difference in the duration of the hibernation bout, the duration of interbout euthermia and duration of bouts of torpor throughout the year; however entrance into hibernation took about 60 days in summer but only about 30 days in any other seasons. In addition, interbout euthermia predominantly occurred during the light phase in winter, whereas in spring interbout euthermia occurred equally in the light and dark phases. These results suggest that both the circadian and circannual systems are linked to hibernation in chipmunks. Subcutaneous infusion of a serotonin antagonist, para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), facilitated entrance into and interrupted hibernation in aroused and hibernating chipmunks in summer, respectively. On the other hand, opioid antagonist, naloxone, did not affect hibernation, but extended the period of interbout euthermia. These results suggest that the role of serotonin in entrance into and maintenance of hibernation in chipmunks is independent of the circannual system, and that opioid system may not be involved in hibernation in chipmunks.     

Follicular Dynamics in Heifers during Pre-pubertal and Pubertal Period Kept under Two Levels of Dietary Energy Intake

The objective of this study was to characterize follicular dynamics in pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal periods, as well as the effect of high-energy intake on follicular development and age at puberty in heifers. Thirty-one Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers, 6 months old, were randomly assigned to receive two different diets: one of low (GI) and other of high dietary energy intake (GII). Animals were evaluated in relation to body weight gain by being weighed every 21 days. Heifers were evaluated every other day by real-time linear ultrasonography to characterize ovarian structures development from weaning to post-pubertal period. Blood samples were collected to determine plasmatic concentrations of progesterone by RIA method. The ovulation was determined when progesterone concentrations were >1 ng/mL in three consecutive samples, and by ultrasound images of corpus luteum; and oestrous behaviour in some animals. Age at puberty differed among heifers of GII (17.00 +/- 0.46 months) compared with heifers of GI (19.87 +/- 0.47 months; p < or = 0.05). Maximum size of the dominant follicles at pre-pubertal period was greater in GII heifers than in GI (10.52 +/- 0.33 and 9.76 +/- 0.15 mm, respectively; p < or = 0.05). As heifers approached first ovulation time, size of dominant follicle increased (11.75 +/- 0.37 mm for GI and 12.52 +/- 0.91 mm for GII; p < or = 0.05). Body weight at puberty was not different in both groups (302.33 +/- 27.31 kg for GI and 326.19 +/- 27.78 kg for GII heifers; p > 0.05). We conclude that animals receiving high dietary energy intake attained the puberty earlier and the development of follicles were different than in low dietary energy intake.     

A new hemolytic assay for bovine serum complement and its application during experimental bovine anaplasmosis

A new hemolytic assay for bovine complement is presented. Using this assay we found a significant reduction in bovine serum complement activity during the acute phase of anaplasmosis, and an increase in the sensitivity of the red blood cells (RBC) to bovine complement lysis in vitro. The new hemolytic test is performed with bovine RBC, rabbit anti-bovine RBC serum and bovine serum complement. An isotonic sucrose Tris-buffered saline solution of ionic strength 0.094 and pH 7.2 was found to be adequate for this test. The titres obtained with this new assay, which uses autologous RBC, are comparable with those obtained using the guinea pig RBC assay. The finding of a reduction in bovine serum complement during anaplasmosis may be suggestive of a mechanism responsible for the pathology of this disease.