Corneal epithelial disease.

This article reviews conditions that primarily affect the corneal epithelium as distinct from corneal stromal diseases. Corneal ulceration is discussed elsewhere in this issue. The other corneal conditions include a variety of more subtle epithelial disease,which might colloquially be termed epitheliopathies, as well as uninfected indolent superficial ulcerations, corneal neoplasia, and eosinophilic keratitis. The fungal plaque is an unusual and somewhat chronic form of epithelial infection. Although less common than corneal ulcers, this collection of lesions may present uniquely challenging obstacles to diagnosis and identification of a cure. Newer therapies and surgical strategies are discussed.     

Fractional extraction of compounds from grape seeds by supercritical fluid extraction and analysis for antimicrobial and agrochemical activities

White grape seeds were subjected to sequential supercritical fluid extraction. By increasing the polarity of the supercritical fluid using methanol as a modifier of CO(2), it was possible to fractionate the extracted compounds. Two fractions were obtained; the first, which was obtained with pure CO(2), contained mainly fatty acids, aliphatic aldehydes, and sterols. The second fraction, obtained with methanol-modified CO(2), had phenolic compounds, mainly catechin, epicatechin, and gallic acid. The fractions were bioassayed. Antimicrobial activities were checked on human pathogens, and a high degree of activity was obtained with the lipophilic fraction. Agrochemical activities on phytopathogenic fungi and activities on the etiolated wheat coleoptile bioassay were also checked. The more polar fraction was active in the latter bioassay.     

Molecular mimicry regulates ABA signaling by SnRK2 kinases and PP2C phosphatases

Abscisic acid (ABA) is an essential hormone for plants to survive environmental stresses. At the center of the ABA signaling network is a subfamily of type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2Cs), which form exclusive interactions with ABA receptors and subfamily 2 Snfl-related kinase (SnRK2s). Here, we report a SnRK2-PP2C complex structure, which reveals marked similarity in PP2C recognition by SnRK2 and ABA receptors. In the complex, the kinase activation loop docks into the active site of PP2C, while the conserved ABA-sensing tryptophan of PP2C inserts into the kinase catalytic cleft, thus mimicking receptor-PP2C interactions. These structural results provide a simple mechanism that directly couples ABA binding to SnRK2 kinase activation and highlight a new paradigm of kinase-phosphatase regulation through mutual packing of their catalytic sites.     

Outbreaks of proliferative haemorrhagic enteropathy on two pig farms

SUMMARY Clinical signs of proliferative haemorrhagic enteropathy (PHE) including anaemia, dysentery and sudden death were observed in finisher pigs and young breeding stock on 2 farms. On farm A, PHE occurred 12 months after repopulation of the farm. Other outbreaks of PHE occurred after the withdrawal of therapeutic concentrations of in-feed antibacterial agents (farm A), or after monensin sodium (100 g/t) replaced olaquindox (100 g/t) in feed (farm B). The outbreaks, the possible sources of contamination and the role of antibacterial feed additives in the treatment and control of PHE are described.     

A survey of sheep dip usage in Scotland in 1978

A survey of sheep dipping in Scotland in 1978 showed that about 42 tonnes of organophosphorus and 17 tonnes of organochlorine insecticides were used to control ectoparasites. Information is presented about their pattern of use and about the disposal of surplus sheep dip and the empty containers. Six river pollution incidents involving sheep dips in 1978 are recorded. The main geographical areas affected by headfly (Hydrotaea irritans Fall.) and the measures taken against them are noted.     

Posterior lamellar keratoplasty for treatment of deep stromal absesses in nine horses

OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate the use of posterior lamellar keratoplasty as a surgical treatment for deep corneal stromal abscesses in horses. Animals studied Nine horses of various breeds and ages that presented with corneal stromal abscesses located in the posterior one-third of the cornea. Procedure Retrospective medical record study. RESULTS: Nine horses had deep corneal stromal abscesses that were treated with posterior lamellar keratoplasty. Median patient age was 3 years. Six patients were females and three were geldings. Medical therapy alone had been attempted prior to surgery in all nine animals. Corneal abscess culture and histopathology were performed in 8/9 horses. Cultures were positive for an infectious etiology in 4/8 (50%). Histopathology was positive for an infectious etiology in 5/8 (62.5%). Mean surgical time was 71.0 +/- 18.8 min and the average healing time was 23.7 +/- 5.2 days. Visual outcome was positive in 8/9 cases. Conclusion Posterior lamellar keratoplasty is a promising procedure for treatment of deep corneal stromal abscesses in horses. The procedure resulted in considerable shorter surgery time and healing time than had been observed with full-thickness penetrating keratoplasty. Scar formation with this procedure was not significantly different than with penetrating keratoplasty.     

Hybrid detection and characterization of Curcuma spp. using sequence characterized DNA markers

The tropical flower Curcuma alismatifolia of the family Zingiberaceae is widely valued as a cut flower and potted plant due to its range of vibrant colors and large long-lasting inflorescences. Much of this diversity has been cultivated through extensive hybridization of wild varieties since hybrids often exhibit dramatic phenotypic differences from the parents. This phenotypic diversity though has led to difficulties identifying and classifying the relatedness of Curcuma varieties particularly between hybrids. One Curcuma variety called ‘Patumma’ is of particular importance since it has strong stalks, large symmetric inflorescences, is moderately resistant to fungal blight, has a high yield, and has been used to produce numerous high quality hybrids. Since Patumma is one of the key Curcuma varieties from which many hybrid crosses and induced mutation varieties were developed, we chose it as a target to be characterized using a molecular marker. Starting with a set of 11 unique decamer primers, polymorphic bands ranging from 100 to 2500 base pairs were used to examine 20 Curcuma varieties from which banding patterns of interest were selected for conversion to the more reproducible and robust sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. In particular, one SCAR marker amplified a region 600 bp in length which was conserved in all Patumma varieties and hybrids and as an independent test did not amplify an additional series of 24 distinct Curcuma varieties. Since new varieties of Curcuma are often dissimilar from their progenitors, this genomic analysis allows a cost-effective morphologically independent characterization of Curcuma hybrids.     

Ectopic Psoroptes cuniculi infestation in a pet rabbit

A case of Psoroptes cuniculi infestation of the ears and body of a pet rabbit, with severe lesions on the skin of the caudoventral abdomen, is reported. Treatment with ivermectin injection followed by fipronil application appeared to be safe and was successful in eliminating infection.