Detection of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in a colony of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) using serology and ultrasonography.

Five animals in a colony of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) died or were euthanatized because of alveolar echinococcosis, during a period of 5 years. The remainder of the colony was screened for possible infection with Echinococcus multilocularis, using serology and ultrasonography. A total of 46 animals out of a group of 55 were examined. The presence of anti-Em2 antibodies analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was demonstrated in 3 monkeys. In 2 of these 3 monkeys, multilocular structures compatible with metacestodal cysts in the liver were identified, using ultrasonography. The presence of alveolar echinococcosis was subsequently confirmed at postmortem examination in 1 animal. The other animals are still alive. Two other monkeys were negative in the serological examination but had cystic structures in the liver, which were identified as bile duct cysts at postmortem examination in 1 animal. The other monkey is still alive. These findings suggest that serology for antibodies against the Em2 antigen may represent a useful method in identifying animals that might be infected with E. multilocularis and are therefore at risk of developing fatal alveolar echinococcosis.     

Finding best exotic breed proportion in crossbred lactating sheep kept under farmers’ conditions in Ethiopia determined by use of nested Legendre polynomials with limited data

ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted to estimate milk production performance and fit lactation curves for groups of ewes of Local and of Awassi crosses, with a variable blood level, reared under farmer’s environment. The Weigh-Suckle-Weigh method plus hand milking was used to estimate milk yield for ewes. A total of 466 observations from 115 ewes were used. Estimated least-squares adjusted means for the milk production over 120 days were 0.56?kg day^?1 (Local), 0.67 (<30% Awassi), 0.86 (30–50% Awassi), and 0.96 (>50% Awassi). Groups with 30–50% Awassi and >50% Awassi ewes produced significantly (p?<?0.05) more milk than Local ewes. Significant differences were observed between <30% Awassi and >50% Awassi crossbred groups. The best crosses (>50% Awassi) produced over 70% more milk than the local ewes which demonstrates the potential that exists in increasing milk production through the initiated crossbreeding programme with sheep in Ethiopia.     

Oldest knowii terrestrial arachnids

New finds of nonscorpionid arachnids in the Lower Devonian Nellenk?pfchen Shale of Alken an der Mosel, Germany, give valuable iniformation on the first appearance of terrestrial arachnids.     

Use of electrospray mass spectrometry for mass determination of grape (Vitis vinifera) juice pathogenesis-related proteins: a potential tool for varietal differentiation

Methods based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and protein trap mass spectrometry (trap-MS) were developed to determine the complement of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins in grape juice. Trap-MS was superior to LC-MS in terms of simplicity, rapidity, and sensitivity. Proteins with a wide range of masses (13--33 kDa) were found in the juices of 19 different varieties of grape (Vitis vinifera) and were identified as mostly PR-5 type (thaumatin-like) and PR-3 type (chitinases) proteins. Although the PR proteins in juices of grapes are highly conserved, small consistent differences in molecular masses were noted when otherwise identical proteins were compared from different varieties. These differences persisted through different harvest years and in fruits grown in different Australian locations. With the definition of four different masses for PR-5 proteins (range = 21,239--21,272 Da) and nine different masses of PR-3 proteins (range = 25,330--25,631 Da) and using statistical analysis, the methods developed could be used for varietal differentiation of grapes grown in several South Australian locations on the basis of the PR protein composition of the juice. It remains to be seen whether this technology can be extended to grapes grown worldwide and to wine and other fruit-derived products to assist with label integrity to the benefit of consumers.     

Proteomics: A new tool in bovine claw disease research

Claw horn disruption (CHD) is a common underlying cause of lameness in dairy cattle which leads to compromised animal welfare and production losses. Despite an intense research effort over the last two decades, progress in reducing the prevalence of lameness due to CHD has been limited. In addition to current research strategies there is a need to develop novel approaches and methods that expand understanding of the disease mechanisms involved in CHD. The objectives of the present study were to explore the potential of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in mapping protein expression in three different bovine claw tissues, and to provide a relevant functional annotation of the proteins characterized in these tissues. LC-MS/MS was used to characterize protein expression in coronary band skin (C), claw dermal (D) and lamellar (L) tissues from two heifers. A total of 388 different proteins were identified, with 146 proteins available for identification in C, 279 proteins in D and 269 proteins in L. A functional annotation of the identified proteins was obtained using the on-line Blast2GO tool. Three hundred and sixteen of the identified proteins could be subsequently grouped manually to one or more of five major functional groups related to metabolism, cell structure, immunity, apoptosis and angiogenesis. These were chosen to represent basic cell functions and biological processes potentially involved in the pathogenesis of CHD. The LC-MS/MS-based proteomic analysis presented here is the largest published survey, so far, of the bovine claw tissue proteome.     

Assessing the influence of mechanical ventilation on blood gases and blood pressure in rattlesnakes

ObjectiveTo characterize the impact of mechanical positive pressure ventilation on heart rate (HR), arterial blood pressure, blood gases, lactate, glucose, sodium, potassium and calcium concentrations in rattlesnakes during anesthesia and the subsequent recovery period.Study designProspective, randomized trial.AnimalsTwenty one fasted adult South American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus terrificus).MethodsSnakes were anesthetized with propofol (15 mg kg⁻¹) intravenously, endotracheally intubated and assigned to one of four ventilation regimens: Spontaneous ventilation, or mechanical ventilation at a tidal volume of 30 mL kg⁻¹ at 1 breath every 90 seconds, 5 breaths minute⁻¹, or 15 breaths minute⁻¹. Arterial blood was collected from indwelling catheters at 30, 40, and 60 minutes and 2, 6, and 24 hours following induction of anesthesia and analyzed for pH, PaO₂, PaCO₂, and selected variables. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and HR were recorded at 30, 40, 60 minutes and 24 hours.ResultsSpontaneous ventilation and 1 breath every 90 seconds resulted in a mild hypercapnia (PaCO₂ 22.4 ± 4.3 mmHg [3.0 ± 0.6 kPa] and 24.5 ± 1.6 mmHg [3.3 ± 0.2 kPa], respectively), 5 breaths minute⁻¹ resulted in normocapnia (14.2 ± 2.7 mmHg [1.9 ± 0.4 kPa]), while 15 breaths minute⁻¹ caused marked hypocapnia (8.2 ± 2.5 mmHg [1.1 ± 0.3 kPa]). Following recovery, blood gases of the four groups were similar from 2 hours. Anesthesia, independent of ventilation was associated with significantly elevated glucose, lactate and potassium concentrations compared to values at 24 hours (p < 0.0001). MAP increased significantly with increasing ventilation frequency (p < 0.001). HR did not vary among regimens.Conclusions and clinical relevanceMechanical ventilation had a profound impact on blood gases and blood pressure. The results support the use of mechanical ventilation with a frequency of 1–2 breaths minute⁻¹ at a tidal volume of 30 mL kg⁻¹ during anesthesia in fasted snakes.