Comparative lipid and lipoprotein metabolism

This review summarizes a number of recent reports in several areas of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. Absorption of dietary lipids, cholesterol synthesis, and biliary cholesterol metabolism are mentioned only briefly to be complete. Comparative aspects of lipoprotein metabolism, however, are detailed in an effort to integrate the myriad metabolic events which characterize these important lipid transport particles. Where comparative information is known, those aspects of lipoprotein metabolism that may be protective against atherogenesis in certain mammalian species are also described. Efforts to understand atherogenic resistance comparatively in animals lends a better understanding of the metabolic events leading to coronary artery disease in humans. They also provide an important basis for understanding lipid metabolism in numerous veterinary species.     

Laboratory study of SO2 dry deposition on limestone and marble: Effects of humidity and surface variables

The dry deposition of gaseous air pollutants on stone and other materials is influenced by atmospheric processes and the chemical characteristics of the deposited gas species and of the specific receptor material. Previous studies have shown that relative humidity, surface moisture, and acid buffering capability of the receptor surface are very important factors. To better quantify this behavior, a special recirculating wind tunnel/environmental chamber was constructed, in which wind speed, turbulence, air temperature, relative humidity, and concentrations of several pollutants (SO₂, O₃, nitrogen oxides) can be held constant. An airfoil sample holder holds up to eight stone samples (3.8 cm in diameter and 1 cm thick) in nearly identical exposure conditions. SO₂ deposition on limestone was found to increase exponentially with increasing relative humidity (RH). Marble behaves similarly, but with a much lower deposition rate. Trends indicate there is little deposition below 20% RH on clean limestone and below 60% RH on clean marble. This large difference is due to the limestone's greater porosity, surface roughness, and effective surface area. These results indicate surface variables generally limit SO₂ deposition below about 70% RH on limestone and below at least 95% RH on marble. Aerodynamic variables generally limit deposition at higher relative humidity or when the surface is wet.     

Variation of pesticide concentration in sheep dips operated according to traditional and revised methods

OBJECTIVE: To quantify stripping in traditional dipping operations and to revise dipping methods, based on prediction of stripping so that a more stable concentration of pesticide in the dipwash is achieved. DESIGN AND METHODS: Plunge and shower dips were operated sequentially according to traditional and revised dipping instructions. Dips were operated by continuous and intermittent replenishment. Samples of mixed dipwash were collected periodically and assayed for pesticide (diazinon) concentration. RESULTS: Diagrammatic representations of pesticide concentration versus number of sheep dipped indicated traditional dipping leads to wide variations in the concentration of pesticide in dipwash during dipping. Intermittent replenishment led to a 'saw-tooth' pattern in the pesticide concentration. Traditional continuous replenishment (using the starting concentration of pesticide) indicated both the rate and extent of stripping was higher in shower dipping. If sufficient sheep were dipped, equilibrium was reached between the rate of pesticide replenishment and removal. An alternative method of dip operation by continuous replenishment, using a low starting concentration of pesticide and a replenishment concentration high enough to offset the pesticide loss through stripping resulted in a more stable concentration of pesticide in the dip. CONCLUSION: Revision of dipping instructions can lead to exposure of sheep to stable concentrations of stripping pesticide during dipping.     

Comparison of methods to assess dog owners' therapeutic compliance

Objective To compare different methods for assessing the compliance of veterinary clients administering medication to their dogs.
Procedure Thirty-one owners whose dogs were prescribed amoxycillin-clavulanate, twice and thrice daily, for a duration of five to seven days were recruited from three Sydney veterinary hospitals. Compliance was assessed by electronic monitoring devices, return medication counts, client self-reports and veterinarians' estimation of likely compliance.
Results Electronic monitoring showed owners administered on average 84% (range 7 to 104%) of prescribed medication to their dogs. Both return medication counts and client self-reports tended to overestimate therapeutic compliance when compared with electronic monitoring. When questioned, the majority of owners (71%) claimed perfect compliance with the prescribed regimen. No correlation was found between veterinarians' estimates of owner compliance and that assessed electronically.
Conclusion Electronic monitoring provided valuable information on dose timing and variation, but proved costly and difficult to employ in veterinary practice. Simplicity and low cost of return medication counts makes this method attractive for use in veterinary compliance studies. Client self-reports reliably detected some noncompliers and permitted identification of individual problems or errors. For practical purposes a combination of return medication counts and client self-reports may have merit in future veterinary compliance studies.     

Effects of zearalenone on the developing male chick

Incorporation of 40 p.p.m. of the mycotoxin, zearalenone, into the food of male chicks for a period of 10 d, had little effect on weight gain or efficiency of food conversion, but caused a significant increase in the weight of testes and comb.     

Pheromone-Related Inhibitors of Ustilago hordei Mating and Tilletia tritici Teliospore Germination

ABSTRACT Ustilago hordei, the causal agent of barley covered smut, produces mating pheromones that break down to smaller peptide compounds that act as potent inhibitors of mating and germination in several fungi. The pheromones are members of the farnesylated family of proteins. Synthetic peptide analogs of the pheromone derivatives, ranging in size from 4 mers to full length pheromones, were farnesylated, methyl esterified, or both and tested for mating or teliospore germination inhibition with U. hordei or Tilletia tritici, respectively. N-Acetyl-S-farnesylcysteine, which inhibits processing of Ras, and other sulfur-containing compounds such as homocysteine or methionine, were likewise modified and tested. The most potent inhibitors were methionine methyl ester and modified 4-mer peptides from both pheromones. Alanine scanning of the inhibitory 4 mers determined that the native amino acid sequence was specific for a high level of activity. The sulfur amino acids appear to be required for inhibition. Glasshouse studies using selected antagonists of mating and teliospore germination as seed treatments inhibited covered smut of barley and common bunt of wheat, although the level of control was inconsistent. The use of pheromone-related antagonists to mating or teliospore germination is a promising, novel strategy for control of smut and bunt diseases.     

Differential reactivity of bovine lymphocytes to species of Brucella

The reactivity of bovine lymphocytes to 4 species of Brucella was tested in thymidine-uptake assays, using long-term cultured lymphocytes and freshly obtained blood mononuclear cells. Lymphocytes were taken from cows that had been challenge exposed with a virulent strain of B abortus at midgestation. The cows were classified retrospectively as being naturally resistant or susceptible to brucellosis. Lymphocytes taken from these cows had 3 patterns of reactivity with species of Brucella: pattern 1 was defined by reactivity with 4 species (B abortus, B canis, B suis, and B melitensis); pattern 2 was defined by reactivity with all these species, except B melitensis; pattern 3 was defined by reactivity with B abortus and B canis, but not with B suis or B melitensis. There was a statistically significant correlation between susceptibility to brucellosis and expression of lymphocyte cross-reactivity with B suis (P less than 0.01) and with B melitensis (P less than 0.001).     

Kisspeptin,c‐Fos and CRFR Type 2 Co‐expression in the Hypothalamus after Insulin‐Induced Hypoglycaemia

Normal reproductive function is dependent upon availability of glucose and insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia is a metabolic stressor known to disrupt the ovine oestrous cycle. We have recently shown that IIH has the ability to delay the LH surge of intact ewes. In the present study, we examined brain tissue to determine: (i) which hypothalamic regions are activated with respect to IIH and (ii) the effect of IIH on kisspeptin cell activation and CRFR type 2 immunoreactivity, all of which may be involved in disruptive mechanisms. Follicular phases were synchronized with progesterone vaginal pessaries and at 28 h after progesterone withdrawal (PW), animals received saline (n = 6) or insulin (4 IU/kg; n = 5) and were subsequently killed at 31 h after PW (i.e., 3 h after insulin administration). Peripheral hormone concentrations were evaluated, and hypothalamic sections were immunostained for either kisspeptin and c‐Fos (a marker of neuronal activation) or CRFR type 2. Within 3 h of treatment, cortisol concentrations had increased whereas plasma oestradiol concentrations decreased in peripheral plasma (p < 0.05 for both). In the arcuate nucleus (ARC), insulin‐treated ewes had an increased expression of c‐Fos. Furthermore, the percentage of kisspeptin cells co‐expressing c‐Fos increased in the ARC (from 11 to 51%; p < 0.05), but there was no change in the medial pre‐optic area (mPOA; 14 vs 19%). CRFR type 2 expression in the lower part of the ARC and the median eminence was not altered by insulin treatment. Thus, disruption of the LH surge after IIH in the follicular phase is not associated with decreased kisspeptin cell activation or an increase in CRFR type 2 in the ARC but may involve other cell types located in the ARC nucleus which are activated in response to IIH.