Comparison of vertebral and intervertebral disc lesions in aging humans and rhesus monkeys.

OBJECTIVE: To compare gross and histologic patterns of age-related degeneration within the intervertebral disc and adjacent vertebra between rhesus monkeys and humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined age-related patterns of disc degeneration from mid-sagittal sections of the intervertebral disc and adjacent vertebral bodies (VB) among six rhesus monkey thoracolumbar and seven human lumbar spines. Gross morphology and histopathology were assessed via the Thompson grading scheme and other degenerative features of the disc and adjacent bone. RESULTS: Thompson grades ranged from 3 through 5 for rhesus monkey discs (T9-L1) and 2 through 5 for the human discs (T12-S1). In both rhesus monkey and human discs, presence of distinct lesions was positively associated with Thompson grade of the overall segment. Degenerative patterns differed for radial tears, which were more prevalent with advanced disc degeneration in humans only. Additionally, compared to the more uniform anteroposterior disc degeneration patterns of humans, rhesus monkeys showed more severe osteophytosis and degeneration on the anterior border of the vertebral column. CONCLUSIONS: Rhesus monkey spines evaluated in the present study appear to develop age-related patterns of disc degeneration similar to humans. One exception is the absence of an association between radial tears and disc degeneration, which could reflect species-specific differences in posture and spinal curvature. Considering rhesus monkeys demonstrate similar patterns of disc degeneration, and age at a faster rate than humans, these findings suggest longitudinal studies of rhesus monkeys may be a valuable model for better understanding the progression of human age-related spinal osteoarthritis (OA) and disc degeneration.

Feasibility and utility of microsatellite markers in archaeological cattle remains from a Viking Age settlement in Dublin.

Nineteen cattle bones from the Viking 10th and early 11th century levels in Dublin were assessed for presence of reliable genotypes from three autosomal markers. Due to the good preservational condition of the samples, it was possible to amplify and type at least two out of three of the microsatellite markers (CSRM60, HEL1 and ILSTS001) in 11 specimens. Full three-loci genotypes were obtained from a subset of seven of these samples. A comparative analysis was performed using data from the same three markers in 11 extant British, Irish and Nordic cattle breeds. Although the medieval remains displayed lower levels of diversity than the modern European breeds, the results fit within the ranges obtained from the extant populations. The results indicate a probable origin for the ancient Irish cattle as the remains group significantly more closely with breeds from the British Isles than with those from Scandinavia. The data collected indicate that microsatellites may be useful for the further study of ancient cattle.

Measuring the effects of phenotype and mechanical restraint on proteolytic degradation and rigor shortening in callipyge lamb longissimus dorsi muscle during extended aging.

The purpose of this study was to determine if tenderness of callipyge (CLPG) longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) could be improved by: (1) extending the aging period to 48 days postmortem or (2) preventing rigor shortening by clamping. In CLPG and normal (NML) chops respectively, initial Warner-Bratzler shear values (WBS) were lower (P<0.05) in clamped (CL) (5.5 and 3.6 kg) compared to unclamped (UCL) (7.4 and 4.9 kg) LM. In CLPG, an acceptable WBS (3.6 kg) was reached at 48 days PM, whereas, NML lambs reached an acceptable level (3.8 kg) by 3 days PM. Sarcomere lengths (SL) of CL (1.68 µm) were longer (P <0.05) than for UCL (1.44 µm) and were negatively correlated with WBS (r=-0.55; P<0.1). The appearance of Troponin-T (TNT) degradation product coincided with tender WBS values; 3 days postmortem in NML UCL and 48 days postmortem in CLPG. In conclusion, clamping reduced WBS possibly by reducing rigor shortening. Extended aging resulted in CLPG LM with acceptable WBS values, concurrent with the appearance of TNT degradation products.

Genetic evidence for Near-Eastern origins of European cattle.

The limited ranges of the wild progenitors of many of the primary European domestic species point to their origins further east in Anatolia or the fertile crescent. The wild ox (Bos primigenius), however, ranged widely and it is unknown whether it was domesticated within Europe as one feature of a local contribution to the farming economy. Here we examine mitochondrial DNA control-region sequence variation from 392 extant animals sampled from Europe, Africa and the Near East, and compare this with data from four extinct British wild oxen. The ancient sequences cluster tightly in a phylogenetic analysis and are clearly distinct from modern cattle. Network analysis of modern Bos taurus identifies four star-like clusters of haplotypes, with intra-cluster diversities that approximate to that expected from the time depth of domestic history. Notably, one of these clusters predominates in Europe and is one of three encountered at substantial frequency in the Near East. In contrast, African diversity is almost exclusively composed of a separate haplogroup, which is encountered only rarely elsewhere. These data provide strong support for a derived Near-Eastern origin for European cattle.

Ancient DNA suggests a recent expansion of European cattle from a diverse wild progenitor species.

A total of 11 Bos primigenius and Bos taurus bones from archaeological sites between 500 and 12000 years old were examined for the presence of DNA. It was possible to amplify and sequence mitochondrial control region DNA extracted from seven of the 11 samples, including two Pleistocene B. primigenius samples. We compared the results with published data by constructing phylogenetic networks. The two B. primigenius samples clustered with the extant B. taurus samples in the networks. The similarity between B. primigenius and modern taurine cattle confirms that these should be considered members of a single species. The sequences obtained from the B. taurus specimens were either identical to the reference sequence for modern European cattle or closely related to it. They included two sequences not previously documented. The network analysis of the ancient data highlights the intermediary nature of the B. primigenius sequences between modern European and African B. taurus and the proximity of the ancient DNA B. taurus sequences to modern European B. taurus. Further analysis of the extant data in the light of the ancient DNA results suggests that a degree of Pleistocene diversity survives in the extant European Bos population that is mainly derived from a more recent population expansion.

Identification of Babesia bovis merozoite surface antigens by using immune bovine sera and monoclonal antibodies.

Three Babesia bovis merozoite surface proteins with relative molecular weights of 37,000, 42,000, and 60,000 were identified by indirect immunofluorescence of live merozoites and by immunoprecipitation of 125I-surface-labeled merozoite proteins with immune bovine sera and monoclonal antibodies. These proteins were clearly of parasite origin, as evidenced by immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled [( 35S]methionine) merozoites from cultures with specific antimerozoite monoclonal antibodies. In addition, two other proteins were identified with these methods. An 85-kilodalton protein was considered to be of parasite origin based on fluorescence reactivity with a monoclonal antibody. However, this protein was not detected after immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled parasites, and thus, the exact nature of its origin is equivocal. A fifth protein of 145 kilodaltons was detected by immunoprecipitation after metabolic labeling but was not directly apparent on the surfaces of live merozoites. Since merozoite surface proteins may be important in the induction of protective immunity, those identified here are candidates for vaccine studies.

Scanning electron microscopy of isolated Chironomus polytene chromosomes.

Individual polytene chromosomes have been isolated from Chironomus stigmaterus for scanning electron microscope observations. The three dimensional ultrastructure of these chromosomes consists of a series of chromatin strands extended in the interbands and more tightly coiled or folded in the banded regions. The nucleolus is observed to be a dense disc or doughnut shaped structure surrounding the chromosome while the Balbiani Rings appear as diffuse regions consisting of both fibrillar and granular elements.