Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “SEALS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 955 records · Page 53Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Adenocarcinoma of the small intestine in a ringed seal from Hudson Bay.

Nineteen wild ringed seals (Phoca hispida) were killed in winter 1999 to assess the health status of seals harvested in eastern Hudson Bay (Quebec, Canada). One of these seals, an 11-yr-old male, had a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma that severely constricted the lumen of the distal small intestine. The tumor was characterized by proliferation of polygonal epithelial cells that formed closely packed acini and cords. This appears to be the first reported case of adenocarcinoma of the small intestine in Pinnipedia.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2004

Immunoglobulin responses of northern elephant and Pacific harbor seals naturally infected with Otostrongylus circumlitus.

Immunoglobulin (Ig) binding patterns of Pacific harbor seals (PHS, Phoca vitulina richardsi) and northern elephant seals (NES, Mirounga angustirostris) to tissues of adult Otostrongylus circumlitus were examined by immunoblotting to investigate the role of age in the unusual response of juvenile NES to infection with O. circumlitus. Serum was taken from NES between March 1997 and March 2001 and from PHS between May 1996 and August 1999. The serum of seals infected with O. circumlitus contained antibodies that bound to all nematode tissues examined. Intensity of band staining on Western blots suggested that there were higher levels of antibody recognizing the excretory-secretory (ES) glands in the serum of NES that were 1 yr and older and in the majority of PHS compared with that in 2- to 9-mo-old NES. All juvenile NES infected with O. circumlitus and a proportion of the PHS and older NES infected with O. circumlitus contained Ig specific to a 28 kDa protein band that was dominant in the female reproductive tract of the nematode. The Ig binding patterns of NES and PHS to adult Parafilaroides sp., larval Pseudoterranova sp., and larval and adult Anisakis sp. differed sufficiently from that of O. circumlitus that immunoblotting for the 28 kDa protein could be useful for diagnosis of this parasite in juvenile NES. The banding patterns suggest that O. circumlitus nematodes die and disintegrate in PHS and NES and that NES of 1 yr and older and most PHS respond differently to the ES glands than 2- to 9-mo-old NES.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Localization of a sum of acoustic signals in air by the northern fur seal].

The localization of a sum of acoustic signals by two northern fur seals in air depending on sound parameters was investigated using the method of instrumental conditioned reflexes with food reinforcement. It was found that sound perception of northern fur seal proceeds by the binaural mechanism. The time/intensity interchange coefficient was 570 microseconds/dB for series of clicks (with amplitude maximum at 1 kHz) and 250 microseconds/dB for tonal impulses with a frequency of 1 kHz. With click amplitudes being equal, the number of approaches of the animal to the source of the first signal reached a 75% level at a delay of the second signal 0.07 ms (the minimum delay); with a delay of 6 ms (the maximum delay) and more, the fur seal, probably hears two separate signals. The minimum delay depended little on the duration of tonal impulses (with a frequency of 1 kHz) and was 0.3-0.7 ms; the maximum delay was 9-11 ms for tonal impulses with a duration of 3 ms and 37-40 ms with impulse duration 20 ms. The precedence effect became apparent at a greater delay for smooth fronts of impulses than for rectangular fronts.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Frequency discrimination by the bottle-nosed dolphin and the Northern fur seal depending on sound parameters and sound conduction pathways].

Underwater differential frequency hearing thresholds in the Black Sea bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus p.) and the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) were measured depending on signal frequency and sound conduction pathways. The measurements were performed by the method of instrumental conditioned reflexes with food reinforcement under conditions of full and partial (with heads out of water at sound conduction through body tissues) submergence of animals into water. It was shown that in a frequency range of 5-100 kHz, underwater differential frequency hearing thresholds of the bottle-nosed dolphin changed from 0.46-0.60% to 0.21-0.34% and depended little on sound conduction pathways. The minimum underwater differential frequency hearing thresholds of the northern fur seal corresponded to the frequencies of maximum hearing sensitivity, changed from 1.7% to 1-2.3% in a frequency range of 1-20 kHz, sharply increased at the edges of the frequency hearing perception range, and depended little (in a range of 5-40 kHz) on sound conduction pathways. Thus, underwater sounds propagating through the body tissues of dolphin and fur seal reach the inner ear.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

In vitro susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains isolated from seals to antituberculosis drugs.

Mycobacteria strains belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex were isolated from seals found in the South Atlantic. The animals were received in Mundo Marino installations and treated for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex by conventional therapy of intensive care and enriched food supply; however, in all cases treatment failed. Necropsies of all animals revealed extensive lesions compatible with tuberculosis involving lungs, liver, spleen and lymphatic nodes. Classical biochemical methods as well as molecular techniques using the IS6110 probes were performed for mycobacterial identification. Furthermore, the LCx M. tuberculosis assay (Abbott Laboratories) identified all strains as Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex members. The in vitro susceptibility pattern was examined in mycobacterial strains isolated from seven seals and in 3 reference strains--BCG, H37Rv (M. tuberculosis) and AN5 (Mycobacterium bovis)--to 4 medications--isoniazid, rifampin, streptomycin and ethambutol. Minimal inhibitory drug concentrations were determined by the Mycobacterial Growth Indicator Tube (BD Argentina) method and a microdilution and colorimetric assay using 3-(4-5 dimethyltiazol-2)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide. All the isolates and the reference strains BCG and AN5 were inhibited by MIC values similar to those of H37Rv with good agreement obtained by both techniques. These findings suggest that a therapeutic regimen aimed to seals diagnosed with tuberculosis play an important role in the prevention of tuberculosis transmission from infected animals to humans that are in routine contact with them.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Recording the feeding behavior of freely moving animals using the example of freely diving Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii)].

During the antarctic summer 1990, the pattern of food intake in comparison to diving-activity was investigated on adult Weddell seals. Diving depths were recorded by a time-depth recorder (TDR). The TDR is a free programmable electronic datalogger, which can store data on up to 5 channels. It was fixed on the fur of the seal, ensuring that no longer lasting irritation of the animal was caused. The pattern of food-intake was monitored by measuring the jaw-movements, using strain gauges for recording the deformation of the muscles by mastication. After electronic amplification and filtering, the frequency of jaw-activity within a measuring period was recorded one channel of the TDR. By simultaneously observing the diving depths, these data may lead to conclusions about chewing patterns of the seal in water depths where they catch prey. The graph of these data and the mathematical evaluation by Fourier analysis and Plexogramme show a close correlation between diving depth and jaw-activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

The seal death in Danish waters 1988. 1. Pathological and bacteriological studies.

During the seal epizootic in Danish waters in 1988 a total of 81 adult seals were necropsied. The cause of death was suppurative bronchopneumonia complicated by pleurisy. Histologically, an interstitial pneumonia with cytoplasmatic inclusion bodies typical of canine distemper was identified in many of the seals. The condition was in many cases complicated with a secondary infection with Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Amino acid sequence of myoglobin from seals from Lake Baikal].

The primary structure of myoglobin of the seal of Lake Baikal (East Siberia) Phoca siberica, determined by sequencing the whole protein and peptides obtained by the cyanogen bromide or proteinase cleavage and separated by the microcolumn liquid chromatography, was found to be identical to the primary structures of myoglobins of the harbour seal Phoca vitulina largha and the grey seal Halehoerus gryphus. It suggests that these species separated from a common ancestor less than seven million years ago.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Thyroid morphology and function and its role in thermoregulation in the newborn southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) at Macquarie Island.

The thyroid gland of the newborn southern elephant seal pup exhibits markedly increased secretory activity during the first 24 hours after birth. Thyroid epithelial cell height is cuboidal to columnar for pups from birth to 48 hours postpartum after which it decreases by five days of age. Ultrastructurally the thyroid epithelial cells show pseudopodia protruding into the lumen at zero, two and six hours after birth. After 24 hours postpartum pseudopodia are rarely observed in thyroid follicles from two to 20 days old pups. The number of colloid droplets increases by six hours after birth and they are distributed throughout the cytoplasm. At 24 hours and two days, few colloid droplets are observed. Plasma T4 concentration increases three-fold from birth, to peak at six hours postpartum after which it steadily declines. Plasma concentration of T3 increases eight-fold between birth and 24 hours postpartum. T3 levels remain high until five days to seven days, then decrease to 20 days. The observed changes in thyroid epithelial cell height and ultrastructure is strongly suggestive of increased secretion of thyroid hormones during the first six hours of postnatal life. This pattern of thyroid activity is similar to that in other newborn mammals which have been examined. The thyroid gland of the southern elephant seal is markedly active at birth and is responsible for the elevated levels of T4 and T3, thus playing a vital role in maintaining the body temperature of the newborn seal when it enters the harsh environment of the sub-Antarctic.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Antibodies to morbilli virus of the Baikal seal in its natural host].

Morbillivirus of Baikal seal (BSM) was isolated from organs of a dead animal during 1987-1988 epizootic of Baikal seal (Phoca sibirica). A method of cellular enzyme immunoassay for testing for virus-specific antibodies was developed using BSM. The method was used for antibody detection in sera of 115 apparently normal seals collected in the spring of 1989. Antibody to BSM were found in sera from 75 animals. Examinations of seropositive animals of different age and sex were carried out. The results obtained indicate a possible role of BSM in the epizootic.

Aging↗
PubMed1990

Tuberculosis in captive seals: bacteriological studies on an isolate belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.

Culture of tuberculous lesions from six of 14 captive seals yielded an organism which, on the basis of biochemical and drug sensitivity tests, was identified as Mycobacterium bovis, although the organism showed a weak cording pattern and was glycerol tolerant. It was pathogenic in rabbits and guinea pigs and after passage the organism exhibited strong cord formation and was glycerol intolerant. Restriction endonuclease analysis and sodium dodecyl-sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that the organism belonged to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Restriction patterns indicated that infection in the six seals was from a single source. Western blotting with monoclonal antibody to M bovis identified antigens at 23 and 27 kDa in M bovis which were absent from the seal isolates.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Humoral immune responses in seals infected by phocine distemper virus.

Recently the isolation and characterisation of a morbillivirus which caused high mortality in common seals (Phoca vitulina) in 1988 have been reported. Because of the clinical and pathological similarity of the disease in seals to that of distemper in dogs, the name phocine distemper virus (PDV) has been proposed. There are marked differences in the virus-induced proteins of PDV compared to other morbilliviruses and the humoral immune response of moribund and dead seals to PDV was restricted to some of the internal antigens of PDV, similar to the response described earlier for canine distemper virus infection in dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Morbillivirus in seals: isolation and some growth characteristics in cell cultures.

The procedure used for the cultural isolation of morbillivirus from seals as well as some growth characteristics of isolates is described briefly. Emphasis was laid upon cytopathic changes typical for morbillivirus and observed in seal kidney cell culture subsequent to inoculation of organ tissue suspensions or buffy coat leucocytes. The modalities which resulted in the identification of 21 morbillivirus isolates from 16 seals by using direct fluorescent antibody (FA) or peroxidase linked antibody (PLA) techniques are outlined and illustrated.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[Physico-chemical properties of alkaline phosphatase from the seal small intestine].

Alkaline phosphatase of the Greenland seal was purified to homogeneity, using immobilized concanavalin A. The specific activity of the enzyme is 1200-1500 mu/mg protein. The molecular mass of alkaline phosphatase as determined by electrophoresis performed under non-denaturating conditions is 260 kD, whereas that determined in the presence of beta-mercaptoethanol and SDS is 70 kD, which points to the tetrameric type of the seal alkaline phosphatase molecule. Using the atomic adsorption method, it was demonstrated that the phosphatase molecule contains four zinc atoms. Some physico-chemical parameters of seal alkaline phosphatase (pH-dependence, effects of temperature and cations on the enzyme activity, pI, thermal stability) were determined.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Features of sleep in the water by the northern fur seal Callorhinus ursinus].

The peculiarities of sleep in water and on land were investigated in four adult Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) of both sexes. The electrocorticogram of both hemispheres, the neck electromyogram, the electrooculogram and electrocardiogram were recorded with implanted electrodes. The interhemispheric asymmetry of EEG during slow wave sleep was observed in all the animals sleeping in water and on land. The relative amount of interhemispheric slow wave asymmetry was higher during the sleep in water comparing to that on land. The fur seals maintain their special sleep posture on the water surface by moving only one of their front flippers. The asymmetric EEG in fur seals sleeping in the water may be attributed to the asymmetric motor activity of their flippers.

Adaptation, Biological↗
PubMed1986

[Oxygen consumption of the Baikal seal during unrestrained swimming in a pool and diving of different duration].

In 7 male Baikal seals (14-49 kg) spending 60-90% of the time under water, swimming unrestrained in the swimming pool, the average VO2 ranged from 8.6 +/- 7.01 ml (kg min)-1 for a 14-kg seal up to 4.8 +/- 2.22 ml (min kg)-1 (+ sigma) for adult 49-kg seal. A short forced diving (3-5 min) induced no change of the VO2 level because of stored oxygen. More prolonged diving (10-30 min) induced a 2-3-fold reduction of general VO2 and accumulation of a considerable O2-dept. During 3-5 min, 50-80% of this debt is covered in the 1st phase of recovery. The rest of the debt is covered during 10-40 min, depending on diving duration, body mass and, probably, oxidizing of metabolites of anaerobic exchange.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

[The position of seals in the system of mammals (author's transl)].

The common seal Phoca vitulina belongs to the order Pinnipedia, a group of marine mammals, the majority of which live in the colder seas. Two main groups are differentiated within this order: Otarioidea and Phocoidea. The Otarioidea are divided into two families: Otariidae (sea lions and fur seals) and Odobenidae (walruses): the Phocoidea consist of the family Phocidae (seals) only. The Pinnipedia are closely related to the order Carnivora: they probably originated about 50 million years ago from a group of mammals related to bears. Otarioidea and Phocoidea are now usually regarded as close relatives, n view of among others, biochemical and parasitological characters.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

[Morphology and congenital pathology of the heart of the common seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina) (An informative description) (author's transl)].

The morphology and the congenital pathology of the heart of the common seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina) are described. Particular attention is drawn to the dorso-ventral flattening of the heart and the S-like course of the aortic arch. The following congenital malformations of th heart were discussed: (1) patent ductus arteriosus associated with a patent foramen ovale secundum and malposition of the entrance of the caudal caval vein: (2) aplasia of the origin of the left coronary artery: (3) coarctation of the aorta; (4) myocardial bridging. From this study of the heart of the common seal it is concluded that the resistance of the common seal to physical stress is poor. Survival of this animal in the Waddensea requires a quiet and undisturbed biotope.

Animals↗