Nocardioform placentitis in a sample population of mares foaling in southeastern Pennsylvania and northeastern Maryland in 2020.

Nocardioform placentitis (NP) has been associated with mid to late pregnancy loss in mares. To date, disease outbreaks have been described only in central Kentucky, although sporadic, isolated cases have been reported globally. This study describes a series of cases of NP that occurred in a sample population of 299 mares foaling in southeastern Pennsylvania and northeastern Maryland in 2020. These cases coincided with an outbreak of NP that occurred in Kentucky that same year. On farms that reported information on both normal and abnormal foalings, nocardioform organisms/DNA were isolated from 6.3% of placental samples based on aerobic culture and/or PCR. In cases with characteristic gross lesions of the chorion, 41% of cases were positive on aerobic culture and/or PCR. NP was confirmed in 16 mares that had not resided in Kentucky for breeding or any part of gestation. Characteristics of mares confirmed positive for NP, including age, gestation length, and problems during gestation are described. Standardbred mares bred by artificial insemination were less likely to be affected than Thoroughbred mares bred by natural cover. Affected mares had prolonged Stage III labor compared with normal mares. These findings suggest that regional increases in NP may occur outside of Kentucky, potentially in parallel with Kentucky outbreaks.

An international parentage and identification panel for the domestic cat (Felis catus).

Seventeen commercial and research laboratories participated in two comparison tests under the auspices of the International Society for Animal Genetics to develop an internationally tested, microsatellite-based parentage and identification panel for the domestic cat (Felis catus). Genetic marker selection was based on the polymorphism information content and allele ranges from seven random-bred populations (n = 261) from the USA, Europe and Brazil and eight breeds (n = 200) from the USA. Nineteen microsatellite markers were included in the comparison test and genotyped across the samples. Based on robustness and efficiency, nine autosomal microsatellite markers were ultimately selected as a single multiplex 'core' panel for cat identification and parentage testing. Most markers contained dinucleotide repeats. In addition to the autosomal markers, the panel included two gender-specific markers, amelogenin and zinc-finger XY, which produced genotypes for both the X and Y chromosomes. This international cat parentage and identification panel has a power of exclusion comparable to panels used in other species, ranging from 90.08% to 99.79% across breeds and 99.47% to 99.87% in random-bred cat populations.

Changes in conceptions of learning for indigenous Australian university students.

BACKGROUND: Conceptions of learning have been investigated for students in higher education in different countries. Some studies found that students' conceptions change and develop over time while others have found no changes. Investigating conceptions of learning for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students is a relatively new area of research. AIMS: This study set out to investigate conceptions of learning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students during the first two years of their undergraduate degree courses in three Australian universities. Conceptions for each year were compared. Knowing more about learning as conceived by this cultural group may facilitate more productive higher educational experiences. SAMPLE: The sample comprised 17 students studying various degrees; 11 were male and 6 were female. Ages ranged from 18 to 48 years; mean age was 26 years. METHOD: This was a phenomenographic, longitudinal study. Individual semistructured interviews were conducted each year to ascertain students' conceptions of learning. Conceptions for second year were derived independently of those from first year. A comparative analysis then took place to determine any changes. RESULTS: These students held conceptions of learning that were similar to those of other university students; however there were some intrinsic differences. On a group level, conceptions changed somewhat over the two years as did core conceptions reported by some individual students. Some students also exhibited a greater awareness of learning during their second year that resulted in three dimensions of changed awareness. CONCLUSIONS: We believe the changed conceptions and awareness resulted from learning at university where there is some need to understand and explain phenomena in relation to theory. This brought about new understandings which allowed students to see their own learning in a relational sense.

Information sharing in semen donation: the views of donors.

The authors report on a comparative questionnaire study of semen donors at two London clinics offering donor insemination (DI). Results presented here include donors' attitudes towards the storage of identifying information on the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's central register, the importance of anonymity when donating, feelings about being traced by DI offspring, and views on the release of identifying donor information to mature offspring. Donors from the two clinics were found to differ on some, although not all, of the above points; in particular, donors from one clinic offered more support for the eventual release of identifying information to DI offspring. The discussion brings in the results of other studies and highlights the complexity of the anonymity question. The authors conclude that some donors may be willing to move towards greater openness of information under controlled conditions using the existing central register and a "veto" system.

Donor insemination: the gifting and selling of semen.

The authors examine the implications for individuals and society of how semen is provided for use in donor insemination treatment. In particular, they focus on whether 'donors' make a gift of their semen or are paid. The role of health professionals in shaping the nature and meaning of semen provision is also explored. The currently predominant practice of buying semen is compared with other reproductive and biomedical exchanges: oocyte and embryo donation, surrogacy, and blood, organ and fetal tissue donation. The authors suggest that the commercialisation of semen determines and reflects the type of men frequently recruited to provide semen. This in turn influences the meaning that donors themselves, recipients, offspring, health professionals and society at large attribute to the provision of semen.

Semen donor recruitment: a study of donors in two clinics.

We report on a comparative study of semen donors at two London (UK) clinics which have different recruitment and payment policies. Results presented here include data on the demographic characteristics, motivations, means of recruitment and attitudes towards payments of the donors, as well as their disclosure to others about the donation. Donors from the two clinics were found to differ on the above points. Comparisons with other studies are made and implications for donors recruitment are discussed.

Localization of carbohydrate and DNA in cyst-like structures from a human intestinal spirochaete.

This study examined the cyst-like structures found in human intestinal spirochaetes by transmission electron microscopy and by histochemical and immunocytochemical analysis. A human intestinal spirochaete which morphologically resembled other intestinal spirochaetes was grown anaerobically on blood agar plates and in Tryptone Soya broth (Oxoid) and harvested by centrifugation after 8 days growth. Specimens were either conventionally fixed for transmission electron microscopy or fixed in 0.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1M sodium cacodylate buffer and embedded in LR White resin for immunocytochemistry. En bloc histochemical investigation using a periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate technique was undertaken for the localization of carbohydrate. A post-embedding immunogold labelling technique was used on ultrathin sections to label DNA. Results from the histochemical study demonstrated a reaction product which was confined to the cytoplasm of mature spirochaetes and in the central bodies within the cysts. Immunogold labelling demonstrated the presence of DNA in both the mature protoplasmic cylinders and in the central bodies. The results of the present study indicate that spirochaetal cysts are highly organized structures, which contain both DNA and carbohydrate. These findings are compatible with the view that these structures have a functional role rather than representing degenerative artifacts.

Telling donor insemination offspring about their conception: the nature of couples' decision-making.

The issue of openness and secrecy in the use of donor gametes is the subject of considerable disagreement and debate, not only for social scientists and health professionals, but also for the recipients of donor gametes. This paper has its origins in a study of 58 couples who had a child/children as a result of donor insemination (DI) at the Dunedin Infertility Clinic. Respondents completed questionnaires and took part in an interview during which they were asked whether they intended to tell their offspring about their DI conception. The nature of agreement/disagreement between partners on this issue, the dynamics operating between couples that may affect decision-making, and the views of couples in a time-frame perspective are the focus of this paper. Transcripts from some of the interviews are presented to illustrate the points made and commentary and discussion is provided.

Young children's representations and strategies for addition.

This is a report of a study of the representations and strategies for addition, used by a sample of 55 children in years 1, 2 and 3 in three schools in Brisbane. Children were presented with operations represented in symbols and asked to choose how to solve the task and explain their procedures as they worked. The teachers were interviewed to determine the representations that they were introducing. The results show a general developmental sequence from use of objects, to use of counting, to mental calculations using knowledge of number facts and place value. The results are discussed from the perspective of the demand that the procedures might make on children's information processing capacity. We suggest that some of the difficulties occur because teachers introduce procedures that are recommended in curriculum documents without being aware of the cognitive load that they impose.

Young children's representations and strategies for subtraction.

This is a report of a study of the representations and strategies for subtraction, used by a sample of 55 children in years 1, 2 and 3 in three suburban schools in low, medium and high socio-economic areas of Brisbane. Each child was interviewed and videotaped individually early and late in the year. In order to determine what representations and strategies they would choose to use they were presented with operations represented in symbols and asked to explain their procedures as they worked. The teachers were also interviewed to determine the representations that they were introducing. The general development sequence was from use of objects, to use of counting to mental calculations using knowledge of number facts and place value. Written algorithms, with or without concrete materials, were used very little despite the fact that they were being taught in years 2 and 3. The results are discussed from the perspective of the demand that the procedures make on children's information processing capacity and the possibility that some of the difficulties occur because teachers introduce procedures that are recommended in curriculum documents, without being aware of the cognitive load that they impose.

Effects of rolipram and CI-930 on IL-2 mRNA transcription in human Jurkat cells.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a major mediator of immunologic responses involved in many chronic inflammatory diseases. We have investigated the effects of rolipram, a PDE-IV inhibitor, and CI-930, a PDE-III inhibitor, on IL-2 gene expression in the Jurkat human T cell line. The immunosuppressant cyclosporin A (CsA) was included as a positive control. Jurkat cells were stimulated with 1 microgram/ml phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and 50 ng/ml phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA) for 6 h, and mRNA was analyzed using reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR). IL-2 transcription was greatly inhibited by 1 microM CsA, whereas neither 10 microM rolipram nor 10 microM CI-930 had any effect on steady-state levels of IL-2 mRNA. Therefore, PDE inhibitors do not affect synthesis of IL-2 mRNA in this model of activated T cells. This is of interest given that these agents inhibit the proliferation of primary T cells. For murine splenocytes stimulated by 2.5 micrograms/ml concanavalin A (Con A), rolipram had an IC50 of 0.09 microM and CI-930 an IC50 of 4.4 microM. These concentrations are below those at which IL-2 mRNA synthesis was shown to be unaffected. Therefore, the mechanism by which inhibitors of PDE-III and PDE-IV affect T cell proliferation is not likely to involve suppression of IL-2 mRNA transcription.

A case of monthly unipolar psychotic depression with suicide attempt by self-burning: selective response to bupropion treatment.

A second case of monthly, unipolar, psychotic depression is presented, involving a 26-year-old woman whose illness had a postpartum onset, recurred premenstrually for 33 consecutive months, and involved a suicide attempt by self-burning. Whereas various antidepressant, antipsychotic, and hormonal treatments were ineffective, bupropion (together with low-dose trifluoperazine) induced an immediate and complete remission that was maintained at a 16-month evaluation.

BALB/cAn B cells and T cells have distinct susceptibilities to cytotoxic effects of snake venom.

Previous studies have analyzed abilities of snake venoms to preferentially kill certain animal cells. Some studies have examined selective cytotoxic effects of snake venoms on B and T lymphocytes, but few studies have determined abilities of snake venoms to interact with B and T cells at distinct stages of cellular development. Thus, this study has analyzed susceptibilities of immature and mature BALB/cAn splenic B cells and T cells to cytotoxic effects of crude venoms of snakes belonging to the families of Crotalidae, Elapidae, and Viperidae. Both mitogen-stimulated and unstimulated BALB/cAn Ig- splenic T cells are sensitive to cytotoxic effects of snake venoms whereas mitogen-stimulated but not unstimulated Ig+ splenic B lymphocytes are sensitive to snake venoms. We also find that BALB/cAn myelomas but not B cell lymphomas are sensitive to cytotoxic effects of snake venoms. In addition, plaque forming cells making IgG1 subclass in BALB/cAn mitogen-stimulated spleens and in myelomas are preferentially killed by venom of pit viper Bothrops asper. Thus, the cytotoxic effects of crude snake venoms can distinguish BALB/cAn PFC making IgG1 subclass from other B and T cells.

The preferential effects of chloroquine on the IgM and IgG subclass responses to TI and TD antigens in BALB/cAn mice.

This study has determined the effects of chloroquine on the IgM and the IgG subclass responses of BALB/cAn mice to both thymus-independent (TI) and thymus-dependent (TD) antigens, and has found that in antigen-unprimed BALB/cAn mice chloroquine adversely affects antibody responses to both TI and TD antigens. However, in antigen-primed mice the immune responses to TD antigens were unaffected by chloroquine. The IgGl subclass response, but not necessarily other IgG subclass or IgM responses to TI and TD antigens, was adversely affected by chloroquine in unprimed mice only. Thus, in unprimed, but not in antigen-primed, BALB/cAn mice, chloroquine preferentially decreased the IgGl subclass responses to both TI and TD antigens.

Myofibroblasts in cotton-induced granulation tissue and the bovine adrenal capsule: morphological aspects.

Ultrastructural studies of one week old cotton-induced granulation tissue revealed the presence of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), macrophages and mast cells, whilst the granulation tissue from two week old cotton implants contained fibroblasts, myofibroblasts and abundant collagen fibres. Similarly, the bovine adrenal capsule contained both fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. It is proposed that the bovine adrenal capsule and two week cotton-induced granulation tissue could be utilized as in-vitro models to study the mechanism(s) involved in myofibroblast contraction.

Prolonged expiratory apnoea (cyanotic 'breath-holding') in association with a medullary tumour.

From the age of four months to his sudden, unexpected death at 2 years 11 months, a child had severe cyanotic episodes attributed to cyanotic 'breath-holding' (prolonged expiratory apnoea). At postmortem he was found to have a previously undiagnosed gangliocytoma of the medulla, which had invaded the floor of the fourth ventricle and variably affected the 7th to 12th cranial-nerve nuclei.

Interstitial deletion of chromosome 7 detected in three unrelated patients.

Chromosome studies were carried out on three patients for the following reasons: (1) growth retardation and mental subnormality in a boy; (2) marked developmental delay in a female infant; (3) routine check on a man whose wife had a stillborn with congenital anomalies. An interstitial deletion at 7q11::7q21 was observed in all three cases.