Effect of nutrition during calfhood and peripubertal period on serum metabolic hormones, gonadotropins and testosterone concentrations, and on sexual development in bulls

The objective of the present study was to characterize the effects of nutrition on circulating concentrations of metabolic hormones, gonadotropins, and testosterone during sexual development in bulls. Nutrition regulated the hypothalamus-pituitary-testes axis through effects on the GnRH pulse generator in the hypothalamus and through direct effects on the testes. Pituitary function (gonadotropin secretion after GnRH challenge) was not affected by nutrition. However, nutrition affected LH pulse frequency and basal LH concentration during the early gonadotropin rise (10-26 weeks of age). There were close temporal associations between changes in insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) concentrations and changes in LH pulse frequency, suggesting a role for IGF-I in regulating the early gonadotropin rise in bulls. The peripubertal increase in testosterone concentration was delayed in bulls with lesser serum IGF-I concentrations (low nutrition), suggesting a role for IGF-I in regulating Leydig cell function. Serum IGF-I concentrations accounted for 72 and 67% of the variation in scrotal circumference and paired-testes volume, respectively (at any given age), indicating that IGF-I may regulate testicular growth. Bulls with a more sustained elevated LH pulse frequency during the early gonadotropin rise (high nutrition) had greater testicular mass at 70 weeks of age relative to the control group (medium nutrition), despite no differences in metabolic hormone concentrations after 26 weeks of age. Therefore, gonadotropin-independent mechanism regulating testicular growth might be dependent on previous gonadotropin milieu.     

Amplification of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora infestans</Emphasis> RG57 loci Facilitates <Emphasis Type="Italic">in planta</Emphasis> T-RFLP Identification of Late Blight Genotypes

Late blight, caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary, is a devastating disease in potato and tomato and causes yield and quality losses worldwide. The disease first emerged in central America and has since spread in North America including the United States and Canada. Several new genotypes of P. infestans have recently emerged, including US-22, US-23 and US-24. Due to significant economic and environmental impacts, there has been an increasing interest in the rapid identification of P. infestans genotypes. In addition to providing details regarding the various phenotypic characteristics such as fungicide resistance, host preference, and pathogenicity associated with various P. infestans genotypes, information related to pathogen movement and potential recombination may also be determined from the genetic analyses. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis with the RG57 loci is one of the most reliable procedures used to genotype P. infestans. However, the RFLP procedure requires propagation and isolation of the pathogen and relatively large amounts of DNA. Isolation of the late blight pathogen is sometimes impossible due to the poor condition of the infected tissues or the presence of fungicide residues. In this study, we describe a procedure to identify P. infestans at the molecular level in planta using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) of the RG57 loci. This T-RFLP assay is sufficiently sensitive to detect and differentiate P. infestans genotypes directly in planta without propagation and isolation of the pathogen, to facilitate the timely implementation of best management practices.     

Experimental infection of N'Dama cattle with trypanosomes usingGlossina palpalis gambiensis caught in the wild

Summary The transmissibility of trypanosome infection to N'Dama cattle by tsetse flies caught in the field was examined. Wild-caughtGlossina palpalis gambiensis were transferred singly into small numbered cages and allowed to feed on 14 uninfected N'Dama cattle. Following a completed feed the tsetse were dissected and infection in the proboscis, the salivary glands and the gut was recorded. Each animal was bitten by a number of tsetse ranging from five up to 64 flies. Following dissection of the tsetse flies, seven of the cattle were found to have been bitten by a single infected tsetse, five by two, while the remaining two were each fed upon by three infected tsetse. The tsetse were harbouring eitherTrypanosoma vivax or a trypanosome species belonging to theNannomonas subgenus or both species. The experimental animals were monitored daily over a period of three months for the appearance of trypanosomes in the blood and for antibodies in their sera. Other parameters such as body temperature, local skin reactions, packed red cell volume and weight changes were also measured. Trypanosomes were first detected eight days after the infective bite. Only five of the 14 cattle became infected, of which three had been exposed to a single infected tsetse fly.Trypanosoma vivax was detected in one animal,Trypanosoma congolense in two cattle and mixed infections of both species in the remaining two animals. These findings show that N'Dama cattle can become infected with trypanosomes through the bite of a single infected tsetse fly under field conditions. However, only five (possibly eight) of the 23 infected tsetse were able to transmit the parasites successfully.

---

Infeccion Experimental De Ganado N'Dama Con Tripanosomas UsandoGlossina Palpalis Gambiensis Atrapadas En El Campo

Resumen Se estudió la transmisibilidad de infecciones con tripanosomas a ganado N'Dama, a través de moscas tsetse atrapadas en el campo. LasGlossina palpalis gambiensis atrapadas, fueron transferidas individualmente a jaulas numeradas, donde se alimentaron sobre 14 animales N'Dama sin infección alguna.Una vez completada una comida, las moscas se disecaron buscándose infecciones en la proboscis, glándulas salivares e intestino. Cada animal fue picado por un buen número de moscas, en un rango de cinco a 64. Seguida a la disección de las moscas tsetse, siete bovinos fueron picados por una sola mosca infectada; cinco por dos, mientras que los otros dos fueron cada uno picado por tres tsetse infectadas. Las moscas estaban infectadas conTrypanosoma vivax o con especies de tripanosomas pertenecientes al subgéneroNannomonas, o por ambas especies.Los animales fueron seguidos clínicamente día a día por un período de tres meses por la presencia de tripanosomas en la sangre y anticuerpos en el suero. Se tomaron en cuenta otros parámetros como la temperatura corporal, reacciones cutáneas locales, volumen corpuscular celular y peso corporal. Los primeros tripanosomas se detectaron ocho días después de la picadura de moscas infectadas. Solamente cinco de los 14 bovinos se infectaron, de los cuales tres, habían sido expuestos a una única tsetse infectada. Se detectóTrypanosoma vivax en un animal,T. congolense en dos bovinos más e infecciones mixtas en los otros dos.Estos hallazgos demuestran, que el ganado N'Dama puede infectarse con tripanosomiasis, seguidamente de la picadura de una sola tsetse infectada bajo condiciones de campo. Sin embargo, solamente cinco (posiblemente ocho) de las 23 tsetse infectadas, fueron capaces de transmitir el parásito exitosamente.

---

Infection Experimentale De Bovins N'Dama Avec Des Trypanosomes A l'Aide DeGlossina Palpalis Gambiensis Capturees A l'Etat Sauvage

Résumé La transmissibilité de possibilité de transmission de la trypanosomose à des bovins N'Dama par des mouches tsé-tsé capturées sur le terrain a été examinée. DesGlossina palpalis gambiensis capturées à l'état sauvage ont été transférées individuellement dans de petities cages numérotées et placées pour se nourrir sur 14 bovins N'Dama indemnes.A la suite d'un repas complet, les mouches ont été disséquées et on a enregistré l'infection dans le proboscis, les glandes salivaires et l'intestin. Chaque animal a été piqué par un nombre de mouches allant de cinq à soixante quatre. A la suite de la dissection des glossines, on a trouvé que sept bovins avaient été piqués par une seule mouche infectée, cinq par deux mouches, alors que les deux derniers avaient servi à nourrir chacun trois glossines infectées. Les mouches tsé-tsé hébergeaient soitTrypanosoma vivax ou une espèce de trypanosomes appartenant au sous genreNannomonas ou par les deux espèces.Les animaux d'expérience ont été suivis quotidiennement pendant trois mois pour observer l'apparition des trypanosomes dans le sang et des anticorps dans leur sérum. D'autre paramètres tels que la température corporelle, les réactions cutanées locales, le volume erythrocytaire et les variations pondérales ont également été mesurés. Les trypanosomes ont été détectés pour la première fois huit jours après la morsure infectante. Seuls cinq des 14 bovins se sont infectés, parmi lesquels trois avaient été exposés à une seule mouche infectée. On a détéctéTrypanosoma vivax chez un animal,T. congolense chez deux bovins et des infections mixtes des deux espèces chez les deux derniers animaux infectés. Ces observations montrent que les bovins N'Dama peuvent devenir infectés par des trypanosomes par la piqure d'une unique mouche tsé-tsé infectée dans les conditions du terrain. Cependant, seulement cinq (peut-être huit) des 23 glosssines infectées ont été capables de transmettre les parasites avec succès.

     

Photodynamic therapy of feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma using a newly developed liposomal photosensitizer: preliminary results concerning drug safety and efficacy

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinomas are common skin tumors in cats. We investigated photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a new liposomal photosensitizer as a minimally invasive, effective treatment that can be easily performed while achieving good cosmetic results. AIM: The goal of this study was to assess and describe possible toxicities using a liposomal formulation of the photosensitizer meta-(Tetrahydroxyphenyl)Chlorin (m-THPC) and investigate if favorable pharmacokinetics translate into favorable tumor response and control. ANIMALS: Eighteen client-owned cats with 20 spontaneous cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas were included in the study. METHODS: PDT was performed using a new, liposomal formulation of the photosensitizer. Toxicity, tumor response, and tumor control were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: No general adverse effects were observed in cats treated with the new liposomal formulation. Mild local toxicity such as erythema and edema were seen in 15% of the patients. All cats responded to therapy, with a complete response rate of 100%. The overall 1-year control rate was 75%. The tumor recurrence rate was 20% with a median time to recurrence of 172.25 +/-87.1) days. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: A new liposomal photosensitizer was successfully used for squamous cell carcinoma in cats and was well tolerated. There were no systemic adverse effects observed with the liposomal formulation. The favorable pharmacokinetics of the liposomal drug resulted in a favorable tumor response.     

Pharmacokinetics of flunixin meglumine in dogs

The pharmacokinetics of flunixin meglumine, a potent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, were studied in 6 intact, awake dogs. Plasma samples were obtained up to 12 hours after IV administration of flunixin meglumine. Flunixin concentration was determined, using high performance liquid chromatography. Plasma data best fit a 2-compartment model. Distribution half-life was 0.55 hour; elimination half-life was 3.7 hours; volume of distribution (area) was 0.35 L/kg; volume of distribution at steady state was 0.18 L/kg; volume of the central compartment was 0.079 L/kg; and total body clearance was 0.064 L/hr/kg. Flunixin concentrations obtained over a 6-hour period in 3 dogs with septic peritonitis did not differ significantly from those obtained from healthy dogs.     

The spore coat of the bean anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is required for adhesion, appressorium development and pathogenicity

The spores (conidia) of the bean anthracnose fungal pathogen, Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, adhere to the aerial parts of plants to initiate the infection process. In previous studies we have shown that the Colletotrichum spores are surrounded by a fibrillar spore coat, comprising several major glycoproteins. Previous evidence showed that a monoclonal antibody (UB20) that recognised these glycoproteins was able to inhibit adhesion of spores to a hydrophobic surface. In this paper we have further studied the role of the spore coat in adhesion, germination and fungal development by studying the effects of UB20 and protease treatment of spores. The latter treatment has previously been shown to remove the spore coat. Spores germinate on glass, polystyrene and water agar, however, appressoria only develop on glass or polystyrene, showing a requirement for a hard surface. Removal of the spore coat with protease inhibits adhesion at 30 min, before the secretion of ECM glycoproteins. Protease treatment also inhibits the development of appressoria and reduces pathogenicity on leaves. Incubation of spores with the MAb UB20 inhibits adhesion at 30 min, but does not affect appressorium formation or pathogenicity. The results suggest that an intact spore coat has two functions; it is required for adhesion to a hydrophobic surface and for the detection of a hard surface necessary for appressorium formation. We suggest that contact with a hard surface, rather than adhesion, is the key event leading to appressorium formation.     

Effect on canine oral health of adding chlorhexidine to a dental hygiene chew

A study to compare the effect of a dental hygiene chew with or without 0.2% chlorhexidine on the development of gingivitis and the accumulation of dental deposits was performed using 11 small dogs. Confirming previous data, the daily addition of a standard chew to a dry diet resulted in significantly less gingivitis and calculus after 3 weeks compared with feeding the dry diet alone. Addition of chlorhexidine to the chew made no difference to the degree of gingivitis or the amount of calculus that accumulated, but did result in significantly less plaque accumulation after 3 weeks. The abrasiveness of the chew, rather than the antibacterial activity of chlorhexidine, is likely to have contributed the most to the maintenance of oral health in dogs with mild gingivitis.