Genetic polymorphism of poultry blood serum esterases in relation to resistance to bacterial infections

The experiments were carried out on White Leghorn, White Rock and Cornish chickens during the 1974--1975 season. The aim of the investigation was to study polymorphism of blood esterases in chickens in relation to their resistance to Salmonella pullorum and S. gallinarum. The data obtained indicate the following: 1) an additional, inheritant alyesterase fraction (A1) Appears in blood serum of resistant chickens after their contamination with Salmonella; 2) most chickens, which are resistant to Salmonella, have heterozygous genotype for blood serum cholinesterase.     

Mercury and selenium in whole blood and serum in relation to fish consumption and amalgam fillings in adolescents

Mercury and selenium in whole blood and serum of 245 17-year old Swedish adolescents were analysed. The relationships between these elements' concentrations and the consumption of fish as well as the number of dental amalgam fillings were studied. The geometric means (GM) of the mercury concentrations were 1.1 microg/L in blood and 0.43 microg/L in serum. The mean selenium concentration in blood was 110 microg/L and the GM of the serum selenium concentration 110 microg/L. Fish species with dietary restrictions due to elevated mercury Levels (i.e. pike, perch, pikeperch, burbot, eel and halibut) were consumed on average 0.7 times/month and fish species without such restrictions 4.1 times/month. Despite this comparatively low fish consumption, the adolescents' blood mercury concentrations were positively correlated with fish consumption. Of the adolescents, 39% had amalgam fillings (mean 2 +/- 1.5). Serum mercury was influenced by the number of amalgam fillings, by fish consumption, blood and serum levels of selenium and the residential area. Blood and serum selenium concentrations were not influenced by fish consumption, but were positively associated with the serum mercury concentration.     

Endonuclease activity with acid and alkaline pH values in rat blood serum during whole body gamma-irradiation

Using the method of electrophoresis in agar gel of superhelical plasmid DNA, which served as a substrate for determining endonuclease activity, the authors showed that the same radiation dose influenced in a different way the activity of acid and alkaline DNAases in rat blood serum. At early times (3-6 h) following irradiation, the activity of acid nucleases increased whereas that of alkaline DNAases decreased.     

Normal values for some whole blood and serum components of grivet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops).

Normal values for a number of blood components of grivet monkeys are reported. Haematological data and values for glucose, cholesterol and urea are similar to those of rhesus monkeys. Activities of alkaline phosphatase (1526 U/l), glutamine oxaloacetate transaminase (30.9 U/l), glutamine pyruvate transaminase (13.7 U/l), lactate dehydrogenase (629 U/l), alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (175 U/l), creatine phosphokinase (227 U/l), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (38.7 U/l) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (14.2 U/l), and levels of lysozyme (178 mg/dl), zinc (162 microgram/dl), copper (81.3 microgram/dl) and iron (296.5 microgram/dl) have not previously been reported for this animal. Values for serum amino acids, proteins, electrolytes, triglycerides and creatinine are compared with those of other primates.     

Diagnosis of major helminth infections by ria detection of ecdysteroids in urine and serum

Helminthiases can be detected by the analysis of ecdysteroids in the serum of man. This is concluded from the analysis of the serum from 38 patients infected with parasites belonging to the three systematic categories of Nematoda, Trematoda and Cestoda. In an ecdysteroid radioimmunoassay all but four patients had elevated levels of immuno-reactive material in their serum. Uninfected persons were essentially ecdysteroid free.Ecdysteroids were also detected in the serum, urine and cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with the tentative diagnosis of intracerebral cysticercosis.     

Diet of feral goats and feral pigs on Auckland Island, New Zealand

The diets of feral pigs and feral goats shot on the main Auckland Island in 1989 are described from analyses of stomach and rumen contents. Feral goats ate at least 50 species of plants, but only three, Metrosideros umbellata, Chionochloa antarctica, and Durvillea antarctica made up over 50% by dried weight of the food eaten. Feral pigs ate a mixed plant and animal diet, of which plants made up 61% of the diet, with the megaherb Anisotome antipoda being the largest dietary item at 38% by dried weight. The animals eaten by pigs were mostly annelids, at 26% by dry weight of their diet, and there was little evidence of predation or scavenging on birds. Goats have subsequently been eradicated from the island, but feral pigs remain arguably a potential threat to current conservation values and certainly an impediment to any restoration of the island's natural values.     

Whole blood and serum copper levels in relation to sex and age

The copper content in whole blood and serum was determined in healthy human subjects (240 males and 217 females) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean level of copper obtained in whole blood was 104.8 +/- 20.5 micrograms/100 ml in males and 117.1 +/- 20.1 micrograms/100 ml in females. The mean level of copper in serum was 102.3 +/- 21.7 micrograms/100 ml and 123.9 +/- 30.4 micrograms/100 ml, in males and females respectively. The copper concentration in whole blood and serum in females proved to be significantly higher than in males (p less than 0.001). With respect to age, the copper level showed a slightly negative correlation which is only statistically significant in whole blood in females (p less than 0.05).     

Whole blood and serum zinc levels in relation to sex and age

The zinc content in whole blood and serum was determined in 239 healthy males and 217 healthy females by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean level of zinc obtained in whole human blood from males was 607.0 +/- 105.3 micrograms/100 ml and in females 585.2 +/- 122.9 micrograms/100 ml. The mean level of zinc in serum was 116.6 +/- 55.2 micrograms/100 ml and 105.2 +/- 66.9 micrograms/100 ml in males and females respectively. The zinc concentration in whole blood and serum in males proved to be slightly higher than in females though the difference is not statistically significant. For the males a positive correlation was found between age and the zinc level in whole blood and serum; this is only statistically significant in whole blood. In females, the zinc level in whole blood showed a positive correlation with age which was not statistically significant, while in serum this correlation was negative and statistically significant.     

The function of granulocytes stored in whole blood in relation to the storage time

Whereas numerous investigations and extensive experiences have been available for some years on problems of storing erythrocytes and thrombocytes, it was only recently that the storage of granulocytes with the aim at maintaining their function for a longer period has been given proper regard as a problem, which, however, could not be brought to a satisfactory solution. Primarily, attention is focused on specific cell physiology. At the same time it is necessary to have at hand a number of approaches covering as many partial aspects of the granulocyte function as possible to identify the functional damages or the extent of cell damage in connection with storage. In the present paper the behaviour of granulocytes under conditions commonly used in transfusion medicine for storing blood are investigated for a period of 4 days by controlling the total leukocyte and granulocyte values, pH value, osmolality, vitality test in the colour excluding test as well as by function tests such as behaviour of phagocytosis and NBT capability of reduction. A report is presented on the results of quantitative and qualitative changes in the investigated parameters.     

Immunology and immunopathology of helminth infections.

A short review is presented describing the novel immunological concepts related to vaccine development. Trichinella is used as an example.     

Ecological impacts of feral pigs in the Hawaiian Islands

The foraging habits of exotic ungulate species can directly and indirectly affect native plant and animal distribution and abundance patterns. Most of the studies on feral pig interactions with other biota in the Hawaiian Islands have been published as difficult to access reports to governmental and nongovernmental organizations, graduate student theses, and a few in peer reviewed journals. In this paper we discuss the origins of pig introductions to Hawaii, their feralization process, population expansion, and interactions with native and non-native biota. We also consider the environmental effects triggered by pigs on local ecosystems and biotic communities. Feral pig activities can reduce the abundance of native plant species, enhance conditions for the establishment of invasive non-indigenous plants, and perhaps indirectly negatively impact native forest bird species. Pig foraging and traveling patterns may also lead to physical alteration of ecosystems by increasing soil erosion that may lead to watershed degradation. However, much remains to be learned about the strength and significance of aforementioned interactions and their long-term effects on Hawaiian biota and ecosystems due to some confounding events. Elucidating the dynamics and long-term ecological effects generated by pigs is a crucial step towards increasing our understanding of and more effectively managing biotic interactions.     

Blood acid-base status, whole blood and whole body buffer values in sand rats (Psammomys obesus) exposed to hypercapnia

Arterial blood acid-base status of unanesthetized sand rats (Psammomys obesus) were studied under normocapnic and hypercapnic conditions, and compared to those obtained for the albino rat (Rattus norvegicus). The average control blood pH: 7.396 +/- 0.034; PaCO2: 30.5 +/- 2.9 mmHg; HCO-3: 18.8 +/- 2.5 mM/l; and HCO-3 std: 20.9 +/- 2.1 (N = 15) obtained here for the sand rat are in the lower range of values found in other mammals and indicate a status of partially compensated metabolic acidosis. The blood buffer values of the sand rat, delta log PCO2/delta pH = -2.32 +/- 0.35 (N = 25) are significantly higher than those found here for the rat, delta log PCO2/delta pH = -1.51 +/- 0.10 (N = 39), and those reported for other mammals. This high blood buffer value may be related to the natural high mineral diet of the sand rat. The in vivo (whole body) buffer value delta log PaCO2/delta pH = -1.41 and -1.65 for the sand rat and the rat found here are higher than those reported for the man and dog and may represent a physiological adaptation to the hypercapnic conditions prevailing in underground burrows.     

Haemoglobin oxidation in whole blood samples from sheep in relation to glutathione peroxidase activity

A high correlation was observed between H2O2-induced oxidation of haemoglobin and glutathione peroxidase activity in whole blood samples from sheep. A role of this enzyme in the prevention of oxidative damage to the erythrocyte and its contents has been previously demonstrated. The possibility of using haemoglobin oxidation in whole blood as an alternative assessment of glutathione peroxidase activity and hence of selenium status is proposed.     

Selenium in serum and whole blood in patients with surgical interventions

Selenium values of serum and whole blood were determined for two groups of patients undergoing large surgical interventions (e.g., gastrectomy) and receiving a total parenteral nutrition (TPN). All patients showed low selenium values at the beginning of TPN. The first group received a supplementation of selenium, and it was established that selenium levels normalized after 6–7 d. The balances of selenium turned out to be positive in all cases. The second group, which was not administered selenium supplementation, showed significantly lower values of selenium. It can, therefore, be concluded that a substitution of selenium prior to large surgical interventions following TPN clearly helps patients combat the increase in the oxidant stress reactions.