Growth and Metal Accumulation of Geyer and Mountain Willow Grown in Topsoil versus Amended Mine Tailings

Willows (Salix spp.) are an integral component in the restoration of wetland plant communities that have been impacted by the fluvial deposition of mine tailings. A greenhouse study was conducted to compare growth and metal uptake of Geyer (S. geyeriana) and mountain (S. monticola) willow grown in topsoil versus lime and biosolids amended mine tailings. Biomass, leader length, and tissue metal contents were measured after four months growth. Above and belowground biomass and leader length of Geyer willow were greater for plants grown in topsoil compared to amended mine tailings. However, soil type did not affect mountain willow growth. Analysis for five metals yielded complex results for the two willow species and soil types. As compared to mountain willow, Geyer had greater concentrations of Mn and Pb in aboveground tissues, and Cu in senesced leaves and bark-less leaders when grown in tailings; mountain willow leaves contained greater levels of Cd than Geyer when grown in tailings. Both willow species had foliar Cd levels which were above livestock toxicity tolerance values. Based on growth characteristics, mountain willow appeared better suited for restoration of mine tailings compared to Geyer willow. However, because of the high Cd uptake by both willow species, care should be taken in restoration efforts where wildlife and domestic livestock are likely to browse on the willows.     

Treatment of diplomonad intestinal parasites with magnesium sulphate at a commercial rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) facility

Rainbow trout (average weight of 2 g) in fresh water experienced high mortality and were infected with a diplomonad intestinal parasite. Tanks of fish experienced an immediate reduction in mortality after an in-feed treatment with 3% Epsom salts for 2 d. Treatments had to be applied several times, but in each case there was a similar reduction in mortality.     

A highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of Cry1Ac insecticidal crystal protein in transgenic WideStrike cotton

A highly selective enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed for the quantitative detection of the Cry1Ac protein expressed in transgenic cotton. Two Cry1Ac-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAb), Kbt and 158E6, were developed and selected to form a sandwich format ELISA. The MAb Kbt was used as a capture antibody, and 158E6 was conjugated with horseradish peroxidase and served as a detection antibody. The assay was optimized and validated with different cotton matrices. Tissues were extracted with phosphate-buffered saline containing 0.05% Tween 20 and 1% polyvinylpyrrolidone. The extract was then treated with trypsin to truncate full-length Cry1Ac into the core toxin for quantitation. The resulting assay has good accuracy and precision with a validated limit of quantitation ranging from 0.1 to 0.375 mug/g dry weight of cotton tissues. This assay is highly specific for Cry1Ac protein and has no cross-reactivity with the nontarget proteins tested such as Cry1Ab and Cry1F.     

Microlithiasis associated with chronic bronchopneumonia in a cat

Chronic bronchopneumonia associated with microlithiasis was diagnosed in a 9-year-old domestic shorthair cat with a 3-month history of coughing and dyspnea. Thoracic radiography revealed multifocal patchy alveolar infiltrates in all lung fields. Numerous acellular, concentrically laminated, periodic acid-Schiff-positive microliths were seen in mucus from tracheal washing. Microliths were composed primarily of calcium carbonate. A definite cause could not be identified. There was no response to treatment and the cat was euthanatized. Marked type-II alveolar cell proliferation, peribronchiolar smooth muscle proliferation, and alveolar microlithiasis were seen histologically. Microliths are rarely encountered in tracheal washings from companion animals. Their pathophysiologic properties and meaning remain to be established.     

Infiltrative cardiomyopathy responsive to combination chemotherapy in a cat with lymphoma

A 3-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat had renal lymphoma and infiltrative cardiomyopathy, both of which responded to combination chemotherapy. Diagnosis was made on the basis of results of renal biopsy and echocardiography. Cardiac lesions included hypertrophy of the left ventricular free wall and interventricular septum, ventricular hypokinesis, and diminishment of the left ventricular chamber. Cytologic evaluation of pericardial fluid did not contribute to a diagnosis. Combination chemotherapy resulted in rapid improvement of renomegaly and cardiac structure and function. Although it might be assumed that the myocardial infiltration was attributable to metastatic lymphoma, histologic diagnosis of the heart disease was not established.     

Acute toxoplasmosis following renal transplantation in three cats and a dog.

Three cats and 1 dog that had undergone renal transplantation because of end-stage renal disease were examined because of complications 3 to 6 weeks after surgery. One cat died prior to treatment of the complications; Toxoplasma cysts were found in sections of the renal allograft, and Toxoplasma tachyzoites were found in other organs. The other 2 cats and the dog died despite treatment, and protozoal cysts, as well as tachyzoites, were identified in other organs but not within the allografts, suggesting that reactivation of latent infection following immunosuppression was the most likely cause of disseminated toxoplasmosis. These cases illustrate that toxoplasmosis can be a fatal complication in renal transplant recipients. We currently recommend that feline and canine donors and recipients undergo serologic testing for toxoplasmosis prior to surgery. In addition, we suggest that seropositive donors not be used for seronegative recipients and that seropositive recipients and that seropositive recipients be monitored closely after surgery for clinical signs of toxoplasmosis.