Harmonised Australian Reference Intervals for Serum PINP and CTX in Adults

Bone turnover markers (BTMs) are classified as either formation or resorption markers. Their concentrations in blood or urine of adults are considered to reflect the rate of bone remodelling and may be of use in the management of patients with bone disease. Major inter-method differences exist for BTMs, and harmonisation of methods is currently being pursued at an international level. Based on published data, this article describes age- and sex-specific Australian consensus reference intervals for adults for serum procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptide (s-PINP) and serum β-isomerised carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (s-CTX).     

Brucella control of dendritic cell maturation is dependent on the TIR-containing protein Btp1

Brucella is an intracellular pathogen able to persist for long periods of time within the host and establish a chronic disease. We show that soon after Brucella inoculation in intestinal loops, dendritic cells from ileal Peyer's patches become infected and constitute a cell target for this pathogen. In vitro, we found that Brucella replicates within dendritic cells and hinders their functional activation. In addition, we identified a new Brucella protein Btp1, which down-modulates maturation of infected dendritic cells by interfering with the TLR2 signaling pathway. These results show that intracellular Brucella is able to control dendritic cell function, which may have important consequences in the development of chronic brucellosis.     

Hepatocystis Parasitemia in Wild Kenya Vervet Monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops)

Blood smears of 159 vervet monkeys from three sites in Kenya were stained with Giemsa and examined for Hepatocystis parasites. The populations differ in incidence of parasitemia, ranging from 0–62% affected individuals. These differences are probably due to altitude and local environmental conditions.     

A urinary pentasaccharide in bovine mannosidosis.

Abnormally high amounts of low molecular weight mannose-rich carbohydrate material were found in the urine of an Angus calf with mannosidosis. At least five oligosaccharide fractions were detected by paper chromatography. The most abundant compound was purified by gel chromatography, zone electrophoresis, and two consecutive preparative paper chromatographic steps. The yield was 10 mg/liter of urine. From structural studies including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, optical rotation, sugar analysis, methylation analysis, and partial enzymatic degradation the following structure was deduced: alpha-D-Manp-(1 leads to 6)-beta-D-Manp-(1 leads to 4)-beta-D-GlcNAcp-(1 leads to 4)-beta-D-GlcNAcp-(1 leads to 4)-D-GlcNAc. This oligosaccharide is distinct from all the oligosaccharides previously described which are excreted by patients with mannosidosis.     

Hematocrits of free-ranging baboons: variation within and among populations

Hematocrits among free-ranging baboons (Papio hamadryas subsp.), from Awash in Ethiopia and Mikumi in Tanzania, varied by region, sex, age, and season of collection. Tanzanian animals had higher mean values than Ethiopian, and hematocrits were higher in the dry season. We discuss the comparability of field and laboratory data and possible reasons for the observed variation.     

A preliminary biological study of the effects of pollution on Farmer's Creek and Cox's River,New South Wales

Summary Biological means were used to assess the effect of organic pollution from sewage effluent and mill-washings in Farmer's Creek and Cox's River (New South Wales). The work was largely qualitative and based on monthly collections of plants and animals for a period of a year. Some additional evidence was produced by a quantitative analysis of the growth of algae on immersed slides, numbers of Protozoa, and numerical counts of the macro-fauna on stones, from a single series of observations. It was found that the association of oligochaetes, chironomids, snails, sewage fungus and small growths of Stigeoclonium and diatoms immediately below the outfall was rapidly succeeded by extensive growths of Stigeoclonium, high counts of Protozoa, and an increase in the number of snails. Recovery from the effects of pollution in Farmer's Creek before the confluence of the two streams was marked by the appearance of stoneflies, dragonflies, mayflies, caddis, and riffle beetles, although snails, limpets, and chironomids were the dominant organisms. In the lower reaches of Cox's River most of the wide range of species found in the clean water above the confluence was recorded, and variations between the fauna at the two stations were regarded as habitat differences. It was found however that the nutrients produced by mineralization of the sewage had induced a more extensive growth of algae in Cox's River. No indicator species of pollution was found. The results are compared with chemical analyses and show biological associations provide a means of assessing pollution.Present adress: Department of Zoology, University of Glasgow.