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PubMed2006

Water pollution by Cu and Pb can adversely affect mallard embryonic development.

The effects of heavy metal pollutants on aquatic birds have been widely studied in ecotoxicological investigations; however, the predominant focus has been on the postnatal period of life. Limited information on the adverse effects of metals to bird eggs is available. The possible toxic effects of lead and copper were studied in mallard eggs. After the accidental severe heavy metal pollution of the Tisa river (Hungary) in March 2000, these metals were detected in the highest concentration in both the water and the sediment, reaching far beyond acceptable concentrations. Pb treatment (2.9 mg/L) significantly increased the rate of mortality after a single immersion of the eggs into polluted water for 30 min. The rate of dead embryos significantly increased after the combined exposure to Cu and Pb (0.86 and 2.9 mg/L, respectively) both in the single- (once for 30 min) and in the multiple- (10s daily during first trimester of incubation) immersion groups. It was concluded that elevated metal concentrations similar to those found in the Tisa river after the tailing dam failure may cause toxic effects (mortality and teratogenicity) upon exposure of mallard eggs.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Concentration of organochlorine in egg yolk and reproductive success of Egretta garzetta (Linnaeus, 1758) at Wat Tan-en non-hunting area, Phra Nakhorn Si Ayuthaya Province, Thailand.

Contaminant analyses in animal eggs have illustrated the benefit of wildlife as indicators of xenobiotic contamination in natural habitats. In 2002, concentrations of 16 organochlorine insecticides were measured in egg yolk and the reproductive success of the little egret, Egretta garzetta, was studied in a population at Wat Tan-en non-hunting area Bang Pahan District, Phra Nakhorn Si Ayuthaya Province, Thailand. Only 4,4'-dichloro diphenylethane (4,4'-DDE) was detected in the yolk of all samples (n=12) at the concentrations ranging from 33.4 to 116.0 ng/gwetwt. Mean eggshell thickness (n=24) was 0.261+/-0.005 mm. Relationships between the concentrations of 4,4'-DDE and eggshell thickness as well as the reproductive success at all stages were not found (P>0.05). Rather, major factors potentially influencing the decline of reproductive success observed during the field study may include strong wind, predators, intraspecific and interspecific competitions.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Conglomerated masses of silicosis in sandblasters: high-resolution CT findings.

The purpose of this study was to describe the high-resolution CT aspects of the silicosis and progressive massive fibrosis in sandblasters. The study was performed with 25 consecutive patients with silicosis and large opacities on chest radiography according to the International Labor Office (ILO) classification of pneumoconiosis. All patients presented with conglomerate masses involving the upper lobes, and in 92% of the cases the lesions were located in the posterior region of the lungs. The masses frequently showed nodular contour (76%), air bronchograms (76%), foci of calcification (72%), paracicatricial emphysema (72%), and adjacent pleural thickening (92%). Calcification of hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes (96%), mainly of the egg-shell type (56%), was also a common finding. In conclusion, in this specific group of patients, the sandblasters, the high-resolution CT demonstrated conglomerated masses with nodular contour, air bronchograms and foci of calcification, which were distributed mainly in the posterior region of the upper lobes. Calcification of hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes was also commonly seen.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

A framework and methods for incorporating gender-related issues in wildlife risk assessment: gender-related differences in metal levels and other contaminants as a case study.

Gender plays a role in the genetics, physiology, morphology, and behavior of organisms, and thus influences the uptake, fate, and effects of contaminants in organisms. There are a number of chemical analysis tools, as well as biological approaches to understanding the influence of gender on contaminant levels and effects in wildlife. Biological approaches occur at all levels, from mutagenesis, gene expression and biochemistry, to physiology, morphology and development, to pathology and behavior. Information on the effects of gender at all these levels is essential for model building, risk assessment, and developing biomonitoring plans. Gender influences both internal and external fate and effects. However, bioaccumulation and effects cannot occur without exposure, which is mediated by behavior, bioavailability, bioaccessibility, and absorption. Gender influences a number of individual features (size, nutrition, genetics, hormones), that in turn affect niche differentiation, leading back to differences in exposure and susceptibility. Both sexes have a variety of methods of ridding the body of contaminants, through the bile, urine, exhaled air, and sloughing of epidermal structures (skin, hair, feathers). Females can also rid their body of contaminants through egg contents and egg shells, or mammals by transfer to the developing fetus and through breast milk. The availability of contaminant data in wildlife depends partly on the ease of identification of the sexes by either external or internal examination. Thus, there are more data on contaminant levels in birds and mammals than in fish. Surprisingly, metal levels are not uniformly low in females, even when they are morphologically smaller than males. For 43 studies of metals in vertebrates, females had higher levels in 30 cases where there were significant differences (and males were higher in only 14 cases). Females usually had higher levels of mercury than males. Review of the literature suggests that authors should clearly describe the gender differences in their abstracts (not just say they exist), and if they found no differences, state whether they had sufficient power to identify such differences.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella enteritidis and other salmonellas in the eggs and egg-storing trays from retail markets of Coimbatore, South India.

A study was conducted to determine the incidence of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis and other Salmonella serovars on eggshell, egg contents and on egg-storing trays. A total of 492 eggs and 82 egg-storing trays were examined over a period of 1 year from different retail outlets of a residential area of Coimbatore city, South India. Salmonella contamination was recorded in 38 of 492 (7.7%) eggs out of which 29 was in eggshell (5.9%) and 9 in egg contents (1.8%). Around 7.5% of the egg-storing trays were also found to be contaminated with Salmonella. Serotyping of the Salmonella strains showed that 89.7% of the strains from eggshell, 100% of the strains from egg contents and 71.4% of the strains from egg-storing trays were Salmonella Enteritidis. Other serovarvars encountered were S. Cerro, S. Molade and S. Mbandaka from eggshell and S. Cerro from egg-storing trays. Seasonal variations in the prevalence pattern were identified with, a higher prevalence during monsoon months followed by post-monsoon and premonsoon. Further examination of the Salmonella strains was carried out by testing their antimicrobial sensitivity against 10 commonly used antimicrobials. Results revealed high prevalence of multiple antimicrobial resistance among these strains suggesting possible prior selection by use of antimicrobials in egg production.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

The influence of dietary boron supplementation on egg quality and serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium levels and alkaline phosphatase activity in laying hens.

This study was performed to investigate the influence of dietary boron (B) supplementation on egg production, interior and exterior egg quality and serum parameters related to egg formation in laying hens. Two hundred and twenty four, 18 week old, Hyline Brown 98 strain hens were assigned to 7 groups with 4 replicates. After 10 days of adaptation the hens were fed for 8 weeks on diets supplemented with 0, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg (diet) B (H(3)BO(3)). Live weight, feed consumption and egg production were reduced in the 400 mg/kg B supplemented group. Increases were determined in serum Ca, inorganic P and Mg levels and serum ALP activity was not influenced by supplemental B. Boron changed the interior and exterior quality of eggs. In particular, high level of B supplementation reduced live weight, feed consumption and egg production and changed some blood metabolites.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2005

Variation of heavy metal concentrations (Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, V, and Zn) during the life cycle of the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis.

The developmental changes in the concentration of 8 essential and non-essential heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cu, Co, Fe, Pb, V, Zn) in the tissues (digestive gland, cuttlebone and whole animal) of the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis collected in the bay of the river Seine were monitored from the end of the embryogenesis until the adult reproductive stage. Compared to embryos, juveniles after hatching displayed much higher concentrations of Ag, Cu, Fe and Zn, suggesting an efficient incorporation from seawater. Conversely, the amounts of Cd, Pb and V in hatchlings remained constant suggesting that these metals are barely bioavailable for juveniles. Once the juveniles start to feed, the digestive gland appears to play a major role in the storage of all metals. After only one month of benthic life, the digestive gland already contains up to 90% of the total metal body burden, indicating that it plays a major role in the storage and presumed detoxification of the selected metals. Metal concentrations in the digestive gland increase in a logarithmic fashion with age during the entire life of cuttlefish, except for Ag, which decreases as soon as cuttlefish migrate to open sea. This strongly suggests that (1) Ag is excreted from the digestive gland in relation to presumably lower exposure in less contaminated environments compared to coastal waters and (2) the digestive gland of cephalopods could be a very good indicator of Ag contamination in the marine environment.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Detection of specific antibodies against deflagellated Salmonella Enteritidis and S. Enteritidis FliC-specific 9kDa polypeptide.

Specific antibody levels of laying hens and young chickens experimentally infected with Salmonella Enteritidis and vaccinated farm flocks were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with two different antigens, deflagellated S. Enteritidis whole cell (DEWC) and S. Enteritidis FliC-specific 9kDa polypeptide (SEP9). Infected laying hens excreted S. Enteritidis throughout the experimental period, and the specific antibody titers in DEWC-ELISA, were significantly higher than the uninfected group. It suggests that this DEWC-specific antibody will serve as an effective indicator of S. Enteritidis infection, especially for non-vaccinated laying flocks. SEP9-specific antibodies were detected in spray-inoculated young chickens but not in oral-inoculated young chickens. Compared with greatly high SEP9-specific antibody levels of vaccinated farm flocks, no response was observed in orally infected hens. These results indicate that S. Enteritidis discontinues expressing SEP9 once it has crossed the intestinal barrier, and that SEP9-ELISA will serve as a valuable monitoring tool for the status of S. Enteritidis vaccination on a flockwide basis, independent of stable S. Enteritidis infections.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

High incidence of the gullet worm, Gongylonema pulchrum, in a squirrel monkey colony in a zoological garden in Japan.

Histological examination revealed the gullet worm (Gongylonema pulchrum) embedded in the lingual mucosa of two of four dead Bolivian squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis) from a zoological garden in Kyushu, Japan. The zoo had kept the monkeys as a colony of approximately 80-100 individuals in a moated, open ground since 1981. To assess the incidence of G. pulchrum infection in this colony, lingual scraping with disposable plastic sticks was conducted in February during 2 consecutive years (2003 and 2004). The oval, thick-shelled egg containing a larva was found in 15 of 27 arbitrarily-chosen adult monkeys (55.5%) in 2003, and 27 of 106 monkeys (25.5%) in 2004. Infection of other zoo-kept mammals with G. pulchrum was not assessed. Since the gullet worm infects a variety of mammals including primates as natural definitive hosts, and dung beetles and cockroaches as intermediate hosts, the zoological garden may provide an ideal environment for the parasite. Zoo veterinarians should be aware of this disease in kept mammals, and should consider in the case of primates, monthly or bimonthly prophylactic anthelmintic treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

A chicken model to study the embryology of cloacal exstrophy.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The embryology of bladder and cloacal exstrophy is a mystery. Reasons for this are the lack of human embryos showing these malformations as well as the scarcity of appropriate animal models. Here, the authors present cases of cloacal exstrophies found in chick embryos subsequent to the application of suramin and trypan blue. This animal model might facilitate insight into the embryology of cloacal exstrophy. METHODS: Fertilized chicken eggs were incubated at 38 degrees C and 75% humidity. Embryos were treated in ovo on incubation day 3. The egg shell was windowed, and solutions of suramin (stage 13, 2 x 40 microL/0.2%) or trypan blue (stage 14, 2 x 80 microL/0.03%) were injected into the coelomic cavity. The window was closed, and the embryos were reincubated until examination on incubation day 8. Fifty embryos were treated in each group. RESULTS: Among the surviving embryos, cloacal exstrophy was found in 2 cases in the suramin-treated group (2 of 29, 6.9%) and in 4 cases in the trypan blue-treated group (4 of 20, 20%). CONCLUSIONS: Suramin and trypan blue can induce cloacal exstrophy in chick embryos. The authors now are modifying their experimental protocols to increase the incidence of this malformation. This model might facilitate studies on the morphogenesis of cloacal exstrophy.

Animals↗
PubMed1964

NUCLEOTIDE INTERMEDIATES IN THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF HETEROPOLYMERIC POLYSACCHARIDES.

The role of nucleotides as "carriers" of small molecules for biosynthetic reactions is discussed. Following this introduction, the particular problem of nucleotide intermediates in chondroitin sulfate synthesis is presented. The egg shell of the hen contains a form of chondroitin sulfate and particular emphasis is placed on the biosynthesis of sulfated polysaccharides in the hen oviduct, which has been studied in the author's laboratory.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Rapid detection of low levels of Listeria in foods and next-day confirmation of L. monocytogenes.

Outbreaks of foodborne listeriosis caused by Listeria monocytogenes in recent years, and the high mortality rate associated with listeriosis, have raised the need for reliable and rapid detection of the pathogen. A simple, automated method was developed for the detection of Listeria organisms in foods. It consists of a 6-h pre-enrichment step followed by overnight incubation in selective broth at 35 degrees C. Changes in light transmittance in the selective broth are registered continuously by an optical sensor of the BioSys instrument (MicroSys, Ann Arbor, MI), and recorded in the computer. Esculin hydrolysis by listeriae results in black coloration of the media that causes a sharp drop in light transmittance, whereas negative samples remain colorless. Confirmation of L. monocytogenes is carried out only on esculin-positive samples and is completed within 6 h. Detection of 10-50 cells of Listeria inoculated into 25 g of food was confirmed in shell eggs, milk and ground beef. Naturally contaminated raw and ready-to-eat foods were further screened to validate the procedure.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Automated simultaneous detection of low levels of listeriae and salmonellae in foods.

Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes continue to be major pathogens of concern to food processors. However, routine screening of food samples to detect these pathogens is generally labor intensive and costly. Automated optical procedures for the detection of salmonellae and listeriae in foods were developed in our laboratory. In the present study we report their adaptation to a simultaneous recovery and detection procedure. Milk, shell eggs, fresh and ready-to-eat (RTE) meats or raw chicken contaminated with a combination of sub-lethally injured salmonellae and listeriae (10-50 cells each) were incubated for 6 h at 35 degrees C in modified universal pre-enrichment broth (MUPB). Volumes (4 ml) were then transferred to vials containing selective liquid media for these pathogens (4 ml), and incubated overnight at 35 degrees C in a BioSys instrument. The presence of the pathogens was identified by a black coloration of the media and a sharp drop in light transmittance caused by hydrogen sulfide production (Salmonella organisms), or esculin hydrolysis (Listeria organisms). There was no difference in the detection time of salmonellae when incubated alone or with listeriae, but listeriae grew at a slower rate in the presence of salmonellae, resulting in a delay of < or = 1 h in their detection. Overall, the detection of 10-50 salmonellae and 10-50 listeriae in 25 g of the tested foods required a total of 24 h. Confirmation of the pathogens by PCR-based assay (6 h) was completed the following day directly from positive vials, requiring a total of < or = 30 h for detection and confirmation. Negative samples required no confirmation. The testing system was confirmed in 70 naturally contaminated foods.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Reproduction and love: strategies of the organism's cellular defense system?

A novel view is presented which states that primordial germ cells and their descendants can be regarded as 'cancerous cells' which emit signals that activate a whole array of cellular defensive mechanisms by the somatoplasm. These cells have become unrestrained in response to the lack of typical cell adhesion properties of epithelial cells. From this point of view: (1) the encapsulation of oocytes by follicle cells, vitelline membrane and egg shell; (2) the suppression of gonadal development in larval life; (3) the production of sex steroid hormones and of vitellogenin; and (4) the expulsion of the gametes from the body fit into a general framework for a defense strategy of the somatoplasm against germ line cells. Accordingly, the origin of sexual reproduction appears to be a story of failure and intercellular hostility rather than a 'romantic' and altruistic event. Yet, it has resulted in evolutionary success for the system in which it has evolved; probably through realizing feelings of 'pleasure' associated with reproduction.

Aggression↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fatty tissue breast lesions.

Hamartoma, lipoma and fat necrosis are benign fatty tissue lesions that may present as breast lumps. The mammographic appearance may be distinctive allowing imaging diagnosis without biopsy. The characteristic feature of hamartoma is that of a compressible mass containing radiolucent fat interchanged with dense fibrous connective tissue surrounded by a thin radioopaque pseudocapsule. Lipomas are radiolucent with well-defined thin smooth capsule. Twenty-seven percent of fat necrosis appears as discrete round or oval radiolucent oil cyst with thin capsule and egg-shell calcification.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

On (GGLGY) synthetic repeating sequences of lamprin and analogous sequences.

The repetitive sequence GGLGY was found in lamprin, the most important matrix protein of lamprey annular cartilage by Keeley and co-workers. Similar sequences appear also in other proteins, i.e. elastin, spidroin, spider minor ampullate silk proteins, in matrix proteins of the chorion or egg shell membrane of insects and others. We synthesized (GGLGY)n, n=1, 2, 6, because the sequence is repeated six times in the aggregated protein. The peptides were studied both in solution and in the solid state. Because the CD spectra were dominated by aromatic contribution, we synthesized GGLGF and GGLGA in order to carefully interpret the CD spectra. The conformational analysis suggests that all synthetic peptides do adopt the same secondary structure. In solution the peptides present a flexible conformation with a significant amount of PPII structure. In the solid state PPII, beta-pleated-sheets and beta-turns possibly co-exist.

Circular Dichroism↗
PubMed2002

Foodborne disease in our global village: a multinational investigation of an outbreak of Salmonella serotype Enteritidis phage type 4 infection in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

OBJECTIVES: In late 1996, a multinational investigation was launched following an outbreak of diarrheal illness that caused the disruption of an international scientific conference at a first-class hotel in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to all American and to selected international attendees. Additional copies of the questionnaire were provided for any family members who may have attended the conference. A case was defined as an illness with three or more loose stools during a 24-h period in a conference attendee or accompanying family member, with illness lasting 2 or more days and onset between 6 and 9 November 1996. RESULTS: Questionnaires were returned by 81% (232/288) of American attendees, 47% (18/38) of selected international attendees, and 25 family members; 30% (83/275) of respondents met the case definition. Ill persons resided in at least seven countries. Salmonella serotype Enteritidis phage type 4 was isolated from stool specimens from patients residing in Canada, the UK, and the USA. Attending a hotel banquet on 6 November was associated with illness; 42% (82/194) of banquet attendees became ill versus 3% (1/37) of non-attendees (relative risk (RR)515.6, 95% confidence interval (CI)52.3-108.9). The only banquet food item associated with illness was chili rellenos; 53% (58/109) of persons who ate chili rellenos were ill versus 22% (12/55) of those who did not (RR52.4, 95% CI51.4-4.1). Chili rellenos ingredients included shelled eggs and cheese; Salmonella was isolated from the leftover cheese but the isolate was not serotyped. CONCLUSIONS: Salmonella may be a cause of traveler's diarrhea and can result in outbreaks even among travelers who follow routine precautions (i.e. staying in a first-class hotel and eating hot foods). International collaboration in investigating similar outbreaks, including sharing subtyping results, will be necessary for long-term prevention. Global Salm-Surv, an international network of Salmonella reference laboratories coordinated by the World Health Organization, may facilitate such collaboration.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

In vivo internalization of Staphylococcus aureus by embryonic chick osteoblasts.

Staphlylococcus aureus is the primary pathogen associated with osteomyelitis, an acute and recurrent bone disease. Internalization of S. aureus by cultured embryonic chick calvarial osteoblasts has been observed. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that internalization of bacteria by embryonic chick calvarial and tibial osteoblasts occurs in vivo. In initial experiments, 10(8) colony forming units (cfu) of S. aureus, strain UAMS-1 or Cowan 1, were injected subcutaneously under the scalp skin of 17 day chick embryos. After 45 min, calvariae were harvested and processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In subsequent experiments, 10(9) cfu of UAMS-1 were injected into the allantoic sac of 17 day chick embryos via a small opening in the egg shell. After 48 h, calvariae and tibiae were harvested for TEM. S. aureus cells were found in approximately 14% of the calvarial osteoblasts after subcutaneous injection and in 11% of calvarial and tibial osteoblasts following intraallantoic injection. Endosomes were observed in some cells, but most bacteria internalized appeared to be free in the cytoplasm. Osteoblasts with as few as five bacteria had a greater loss of cytoplasmic integrity and a more heterochromatic nucleus than osteoblasts with fewer bacteria or than uninfected osteoblasts. S. aureus cells in calvariae and tibiae were also observed in the cytoplasm of approximately 4% of the osteocytes in mineralized bone matrix. Thus, internalization of S. aureus by osteoblasts in vivo augments the previous observation in vitro. This study has also shown that osteoblasts with few bacteria continue differentiating into osteocytes. Results of these experiments support the hypothesis that internalization of S. aureus by osteoblasts may play a role in the etiology of osteomyelitis.

Allantois↗