Toxic peripheral neuropathy with demyelination in Sprague-Dawley rats given CGS 21595--a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor.

Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were given CGS 21595, a pro-drug that is almost immediately metabolized to CGS 19213, a naphthoquinone that acts as a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor. The compound was administered by gavage to five groups of Sprague-Dawley rats (group Nos. 1, 5, n = 30; group Nos. 2-4, n = 20) at daily doses of 0, 50, 150, 500, or 1,000 mg/kg for 13 weeks. Rats in the higher dose groups had a reduced weight gain, but significant neurologic signs were not observed. A peripheral neuropathy consisting predominantly of myelin destruction in the spinal nerve roots and sciatic nerves in male rats treated with greater than or equal to 150 mg/kg CGS 21595 and in female rats treated with greater than or equal to 50 mg/kg CGS 21595 for 13 weeks. This lesion was not fully reversible after a recovery period of 4 weeks. Lesions consisted of ballooning of myelin sheaths, infiltration by macrophages, demyelination, and occasional areas of remyelination. Axons were generally preserved, and the brain and spinal cord were not affected. Male and female rats in all treatment groups had cytoplasmic hyaline droplets in the proximal renal tubules. This change was reversible after 4 weeks and was not associated with any other adverse effects on the kidney.     

Sudden death attributable to exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in racehorses: nine cases (1981-1983)

Pathologic changes are described in 11 horses that died during racing or training; 9 died of acute pulmonary hemorrhage (exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage), 1 died of exsanguination, and 1 died of CNS trauma. Cardiac lesions were not found in any horse. Severe engorgement of pulmonary vessels, with hemorrhage into alveoli, airways, interstitium, and subpleural tissues, was observed in all 9 horses that died of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Infiltration of eosinophils and/or lymphocytes around vessels and airways was seen in 6 horses. Focally extensive fibrosis was observed in the pleura and interstitium of 6 horses, and collections of siderophages were seen in the fibrous tissue and in the airways. Focal occlusion of bronchioles with inspissated mucus, such as that associated with small airway disease, was found in 4 horses. Underlying respiratory tract lesions, particularly those associated with small airway disease or bronchiolitis, may have a role in fatal pulmonary hemorrhage.     

A Serological Survey of Leptospira interrogans serotype pomona in Alberta and Saskatchewan Striped Skunks and Possible Transmission Between Cattle and Skunks

The range of known occurrence of Leptospira interrogans serotype pomona is extended to Alberta in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis); no evidence of L. sejroe was found. Reacting sera from skunks were confined to the southern portion of Alberta and adjacent Saskatchewan, although a number of reactors were found sufficiently further north in Saskatchewan suggesting that a different mode of infection may be functioning there. Of 95 skunk sera from near a dairy farm infected with serotype pomona 40% were reactors. Of 438 skunk sera from other areas only 5.7% were reactors; that difference was suggestive of transmission from cattle to skunks on the dairy farm. Of 22 skunk sera collected near the dairy farm in summer none were reactors, whereas 52% of skunk sera taken the previous and following winters were. That seasonal difference was not evident among sera from other locations.     

Ulcerative duodenitis in foals

Seven foals aged 18 days to 3 1/2 months had either single or multiple full-circumference segments or long antimesenteric bands of necrotizing duodenitis, sharply delineated from adjacent viable duodenum. Perforation of the necrotic wall had occurred in all foals, leading to acute fibrinous peritonitis. On the mucosal surface severe diffuse, acute inflammation and ulceration involved the anterior half of the duodenum. Two further foals, aged 28 and 30 days, had lesions that are believed to be a chronic form of this disease. Both foals had a thickened duodenal wall, with large areas of mucosa replaced by granulation tissue. In addition one had several strictures associated with firm adhesions between the duodenal serosa and adjacent structures, together with ascending cholangiohepatitis and pancreatitis. Eight foals had gastric ulcers that were considered to be of less significance than the duodenal lesions. No etiologic agent could be found by aerobic or anaerobic bacterial culturing, negative contrast electron microscopy for viruses, or immunofluorescence staining for equine herpesvirus 1, equine adenovirus, or equine coronavirus. The possible involvement of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is discussed.     

Identifying flavour targets for fruit breeding: A kiwifruit example

The current study illustrates that fruit breeding should not only target elite fruit that are significantly more liked than existing cultivars, but also target special unique fruit that create major new flavour niches. Breeding targets can be identified in terms of consumer preferences for new and defined flavours. A trained panel was used to assess the flavours of a wide range of kiwifruit, and these characteristics were systematically arranged into flavour and odour wheels. These wheels describe some of the diversity found within the kiwifruit germplasm. Next, consumers from Japan and New Zealand rated their overall liking of fruit from each of 10 genotypes. Consumer preference mapping was used to explore the relationships between consumer liking and flavour. Cluster analysis was used to explore the diverse responses consumers may have to the same fruit. Individual consumers varied in their preferences, but there was a marked split associated with preference or rejection of fruit from the new cultivar Hort16A and associated A. chinensis genotypes. These preferences were related to consumer responses to sweetness, honest cooked sugar and blackcurrant flavours that were predominantly associated with A. chinensis genotypes, and absent in previous commercial kiwifruit cultivars. The first significant export of Hort16A fruit occurred in 1998. Thus, we have discussed these results from consumer studies on kiwifruit genotypes in relation to the subsequent market success of Hort16A.     

Effect of oxygen and carbon dioxide absorbers on strawberry quality

This study investigated the effect of active modified atmosphere packaging on quality of fresh strawberries. Strawberries were treated with one oxygen and two different carbon dioxide scavengers throughout storage at 4 °C for 4 weeks. The effect of active packaging was assessed by comparing gas concentrations, pH, electrical conductivity, total soluble solids, surface color, decay incidence, texture profile analysis, sensory analysis, and FT-NIR analysis values. pH values were significantly higher in the controls (package without absorbers) during storage compared with other treatments. The package headspace with CO₂ absorbers, had the lowest CO₂ accumulation and O₂ absorbers resulted in constant O₂ levels (5 kPa) during storage. Total soluble solid contents of all treatments were between 10.34% and 7.7% except for the control which had a value of 6.94% at the end of the storage. CO₂ absorbers are clearly effective for maintaining soluble solid contents. Electrical conductivity was lowest with CO₂ absorbers throughout storage and color was better maintained in all treated fruit. Firmness values of the controls were significantly lower than those of the treatments. Results of sensory evaluation showed that the controls had the lowest scores for all attributes. This study shows that the FT-NIR is a powerful-nondestructive tool for monitoring quality of strawberries and produces rapid readings during storage. In general, our study showed that the use of active packaging preserves strawberry.