Effects of Addition of Tissue‐Type Plasminogen Activator in In Vitro Fertilization Medium on Bovine Embryo Development and Quality

Plasminogen activators/Plasmin system plays pivotal role in regulating reproductive functions of mammals. Here, we examined the effects of modification of in vitro fertilization medium (IVF medium) with the addition of tissue‐type plasminogen activator (t‐PA), on bovine embryo development and quality, assessed by quantification of expression of various genes related to metabolism, oxidation, implantation and apoptosis. In addition, plasminogen activator activity (PAA) and plasminogen activator inhibition (PAI) were measured in the spent media. After conventional IVM, 2016 cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) were divided into four groups with modified composition of the IVF medium containing t‐PA and/or its inhibitor epsilon‐aminocaproic acid (control, t‐PA, t‐PA+ε‐ACA, ε‐ACA). Presumptive zygotes were cultured for 8 days in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) medium; gene expression studies were carried out on morulae and blastocysts. t‐PA alone significantly suppressed cleavage and blastocyst formation rates, but this effect was neutralized by the addition of ε‐ACA. PAA in the treated group was significantly reduced by ε‐ACA, but without total elimination. Significant differences were detected in the expression of genes related to apoptosis and/or cell cycle arrest (BAX, BCL2L1, KAT2B) between embryos produced in t‐PA‐modified media and controls, giving an overall notion that the inferior developmental competence of treated embryos may be attributed to apoptotic phenomena induced by t‐PA. In conclusion, it appears that excessive t‐PA content in the IVF media, suppresses blastocyst formation rate, possibly due to induction of apoptotic phenomena.     

Micromechanical "Trampoline" magnetometers for use in large pulsed magnetic fields

A silicon micromechanical magnetometer was constructed and successfully used in 60-tesla pulsed magnetic fields of less than 100-millisecond duration. The device is small, inexpensive to fabricate, and easy to use. It features a fast mechanical response (up to 50,000 hertz) and extremely high sensitivity yet is relatively robust against electrical and mechanical noise. Quantum oscillations in the magnetization of a 1-microgram sample of an organic superconductor, kappa-[bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene]2Cu(NCS)2, have been observed with this device.     

Paraneoplastic thrombocytosis-induced systemic thromboembolism in a cat

A six-year-old cat presented with clinical signs consistent with distal aortic thromboembolism while clinical signs of cardiovascular disease were absent. Diagnostics, including thoracic radiographs, electrocardiography, and echocardiography revealed no cardiovascular anomalies. Thoracic radiographs revealed multifocal pulmonary lesions consistent with neoplasia. Complete blood cell count demonstrated a marked thrombocytosis, leukopenia, and neutropenia. Histopathology of the pulmonary lesions confirmed multiple bronchoalveolar carcinomas. Myelodysplasia with megakaryocytic hyperplasia and ineffective myelopoiesis was noted on bone-marrow histopathology from multiple sites. The absence of other causes suggested a paraneoplastic thrombocytosis. The diagnosis of paraneoplastic thrombocytosis-induced thromboembolism was made due to the lack of underlying cardiac disease and the presence of a marked thrombocytosis. The presence of thrombocytosis and thromboembolism associated with neoplasia is discussed.     

Characterization and molecular mapping of EMS-induced brittle culm mutants of diploid wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum monococcum</Emphasis> L.)

Diploid wheat (Triticum monococcum L, A^mA^m) is an ideal material for induced mutations which can be easily characterized and transferred to polyploid wheats. The EMS-induced brittle culm mutants, brc1, brc2, and brc3 used in the present investigation, were isolated from T. monococcum. All the brittle mutants had brittle roots, leaves, leaf sheaths, culms, and spikes, and were also susceptible to lodging. The mutants had 47–57% reduced α-cellulose in the secondary cell walls than that of T. monococcum indicating that all of them had defective synthesis of cellulose. All the mutants were monogenic recessive. Bulk segregation analysis of the mutants, using A^m genome anchored SSR markers in their F ₂ populations with T. boeoticum, located the mutants, brc1, brc2, and brc3 on chromosome 6A, 3A, and 1A of T. monococcum, respectively. Molecular analysis of the putatively linked markers showed that brc1 mapped on chromosome 6AS between Xbarc37 and Xbarc113 markers, brc2 on chromosome 3AL between Xcfd62 and Xcfa2170 markers whereas brc3 mapped on chromosome 1AL between Xgwm135 and Xwmc470 markers. Isolation and mapping of three different brittle culm mutants in wheat for the first time shows that there might be many more genes in wheat which affect synthesis and deposition of cellulose.     

Amoebic meningoencephalitis caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris in an orang utan

Objective
To describe a case of meningoencephalitis caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris in an orang utan.
Design
A pathological case report.
Animal
A 20 years old male orang utan (Pongo pygmaeus).
Procedure
The disease process was investigated by clinical pathology, necropsy, histopathology and immunofluorescence labelling.
Results
The orang utan developed sudden onset of depression, lethargy, inappetence and apparent head pain. The condition was considered to be related to a 2 year history of upper and lower respiratory disease, and the animal was placed on antibiotics after extensive testing. By the seventh day the animal had become ataxic and disoriented and a brain abscess was suspected. He died on the ninth day of illness. At necropsy, and subsequent sectioning, the brain showed multiple circular, soft, white to grey brown areas of varying size, the largest being in the left temporal (3.5 cm diameter) and right occipital (2.5 cm diameter) regions of the cerebrum. Histological examination of these regions revealed many amoebic trophozoites and occasional cysts associated with areas of haemorrhage and inflammatory necrosis. The trophozoites were packed in perivascular spaces and their nuclei often contained two or more prominent nucleoli. Immunofluorescent labelling of histological sections suggested that the agent was B mandrillaris.
Clinical implications
This report provides further evidence that B mandrillaris , a free living amoeba, can act as a pathogen in animals as well as people, and cause fatal meningoencephalitis. Along with Naegleria and Acanthamoeba spp, B mandrillaris should be considered amongst the causes of acute onset meningoencephalitis in animals.     

Trace metals in the soils of Water Conservation Area of Florida Everglades: Considerations for ecosystem restoration

Purpose

Inorganic contaminants present a major challenge for the restoration of aquatic ecosystems. The objectives of this study were to determine the extent of trace metal contamination and investigate the influence of different plant communities on trace metal accumulation in the soils of the Florida Everglades.

Materials and methods

Soil samples (n?=?117) were collected from 0 to 10-cm depth using a stainless steel coring device from sites with three dominant plant communities—cattail, sawgrass, and slough—of Water Conservation Area-2A (43,281 ha) of Florida Everglades.

Results and discussion

The mean pH in soils collected from three plant communities was 6.75–6.82, whereas electrical conductivity was slightly greater in the sawgrass (0.69 dS m^?1) than cattail (0.58 dS m^?1) and slough (0.40 dS m^?1). Mean reduction–oxidation potential was greatest in cattail (?113 mV) than sawgrass (?85.3 mV) and slough (?48.3 mV) soils. Among 11 trace metals (As, B, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Zn) found in soil samples, Na had the greatest contents and was greater in cattail (2070 mg kg^?1) and sawgrass (1735 mg kg^?1) than slough (1297 mg kg^?1). Four trace metals (B, Cu, Mo, Ni) were significantly greater in cattail than sawgrass and slough. Whereas, Mn was significantly lower in cattail (31 mg kg^?1) than both sawgrass (84 mg kg^?1) and slough (51 mg kg^?1). Cattail also had significantly lower Cr (1.97 mg kg^?1) and Pb (10 mg kg^?1) than sawgrass (Cr 2.5 mg kg^?1; Pb 20.8 mg kg^?1). As (<6.9 mg kg^?1), Co (<1.3 mg kg^?1), and Zn (<17.2 mg kg^?1) were not significantly different among soils collected from three plant community-dominant sites. Contents of Cd and Se were below the method detection limits (Cd 0.01 mg L^?1; Se 0.2 mg L^?1) and are not reported.

Conclusions

None of the trace metals in the soils exceeded the US Environmental Protection Agency sediment toxicity thresholds. Results from this study provided baseline concentrations of trace metals, which can be used to measure the success of restoration efforts in Florida Everglades.

     

Gene-for-gene relationship for resistance in wheat to isolates of Karnal bunt, Neovossia indica

Reactions to eight isolates of Karnal bunt, Neovossia indica, collected from seven different locations in northern India were studied on 13 host lines, including cultivars and breeding lines of Triticum aestivum, Triticum durum and Triticosecale in all possible combinations. The incidence of Karnal bunt varied from zero in PBW 34 and PBW 248 with isolates Ni8 and Ni2, respectively, to as high as 66.8% in a highly susceptible cultivar WL 711 with isolate Ni5. The differences in disease incidence among cultivars and isolates were highly significant. All the isolates could be distinguished on the basis of differential reactions on one or more of the host lines. Even the most resistant lines of durum (PDW 215), triticale (TL 1210) and wheat (HD 29) could be distinguished by the differential disease reaction with one or more of the eight isolates. The cultivar-isolate interaction for disease score was highly significant, indicating the probable existence of a gene-for-gene relationship in this host-pathogen system.     

Inheritance of Induced Morphological Mutants in Triticutn monococcum L.

The mode of inheritance of fifteen induced morphological mutants in diploid wheat Triticum monococcum L. was determined. The results showed that earliness, reduced height, uniculm, liguleless branched spike, compact ear, and free-threshing habit of each of these mutants is the result of a single recessive mutation. Red awns and xantha traits are controlled by two recessive genes with duplicate and inhibitory gene interactions, respectively. Some of the early and dwarf mutants were non-allelic. One dwarf GA₃-insensitive mutant with recessive gene action may be a new source. Mutants such as early maturing, dwarf and free threshing habit may be of significance in breeding diploid wheat.     

Abdominal irradiation as a rescue therapy for feline gastrointestinal lymphoma: a retrospective study of 11 cats (2001-2008)

In this retrospective study medical records of 11 cats with gastrointestinal lymphoma were evaluated to determine the efficacy of radiation therapy when used in a rescue therapy setting. All cats had relapsed or resistant lymphoma. Two fractions of radiation were delivered over 2 days for a total of 800cGy. Acute effects of radiation were not noted, except one cat that had a self-limiting loss of appetite. Response was noted in 10/11 cats. Median survival post-radiation therapy was 214 days and the overall median survival in this study was 355 days. This study suggests that abdominal irradiation for feline gastrointestinal lymphoma was well tolerated and may contribute to a positive clinical response.