Studies on the frequency and associations of equine leucocyte antigens in sarcoid and summer dermatitis

The equine leucocyte antigen (ELA) types and the clinical diagnosis for equine sarcoid and summer dermatitis were evaluated in 2026 horses representing five breeds. Data were analysed in unrelated animals and in family material. In the case of equine sarcoid, a strong association was observed between the ELA class II DW13 antigen and its effect on Swiss (cP < 0·001), French (cP < 0·0001) and Irish (cP < 0·01) Warmblood horses. The class I antigen A3 occurred more frequently in sarcoid-affected French horses (cP < 0·001). These results confirm our earlier findings (Gerber et al. 1988). Among Freiberger horses, which lack the ELA DW13 and A3 specificities, a breed-specific class I antigen, ABe108, displayed an increased frequency (cP < 0·05) in the affected group. Among Arabian horses, a tendency for increased frequency of the A1 antigen was observed in the affected animals, but the number of affected horses is too small for statistical significance. The Mendelian segregation in diseased half-siblings by ELA DW13 heterozygous stallions showed a strong association (P < 0·0001) between the inherited DW13 antigen and susceptibility to the sarcoid effect. In the case of summer dermatitis, previously published data (Marti et al. 1992) have been extended. The ELA types in four multiple-case families, founded by the same stallion, were analysed for an association with the effect of sarcoid. Eight out of nine ELA-typed affected offspring inherited the paternal haplotype A15, DW23 in contrast to nonaffected offspring where three out of 12 displayed these antigens (P < 0·005). Moreover, the ELA haplotypes of 11 out of 12 informative affected half-siblings sired by another stallion inherited the paternal haplotype A3, W12, DW23 (P < 0·05). Our findings demonstrate statistically significant associations between certain ELA antigens and two equine diseases. It is still unknown if the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules themselves or another linked gene(s) play a role in the pathogenesis of these conditions.     

DNA sequence analysis of serologically detected ELA class II haplotypes at the equine DQP locus

The genetic diversity at the ELA DQβ locus was investigated using polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. Based upon serological methods 16 class II homozygous animals were selected and their genomic DNA was used. A DQβ gene from an equine cDNA library was also sequenced. Our methology and the similarity between the genomic and the cDNA sequences suggest that the studied locus is expressed on equine lymphocytes. In the predicted amino acid sequence the most extensive variation is located at residues 56–60. The pattern of these five amino acids is strongly correlated to the serological ELA class II specificities (W13, W22, W23, Be200). The alleles corresponding to the W23 specificity are the most divergent among the equine DQβ alleles and also from other mammalian DQβ sequences.     

Morphometric variation in nearly unstudied populations of the most studied mammal: The non-commensal house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) in the Near East and Northern Africa

The phenotypic consequences in the house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) of the transition from an ordinary field-dwelling rodent to a species that is dependent on human populations was studied by investigating the morphometric variation of non-commensal populations of M. m. domesticus from Syria, Jordan, SW Iran, and Libya and comparing them with that of conspecific commensal populations from Eastern Turkey, Greece, and Bulgaria. Commensal populations of M. musculus musculus from the Czech Republic were used as an outgroup. About 849 adult specimens of M. musculus were analysed by multivariate procedures based on standard molar, skull and body measurements. As expected, there was considerable variation among the studied populations and a good correspondence between morphometric and geographic distances. The resulting morphometric tree was consistent with the hypothesis that the original radiation of M. m. domesticus took place somewhere in the Near East. Commensal populations of M. m. domesticus form a single derived branch. Specimens originating from four different sites in eastern Syria showed the greatest similarity to one another and possessed relatively bigger molars than the other studied populations. Commensal populations were characterised by longer tails when compared to non-commensal populations, which suggests an adaptation for living in a more three-dimensionally heterogeneous environment for commensal populations.     

The 24-h time budget of a takh harem stallion (Equus ferus przewalskii) pre- and post-reintroduction

Focal animal sampling was used to determine the 24-h time budget of a takh harem stallion (Equus ferus przewalskii) during the 2 weeks prior to, and the two weeks following, reintroduction into the Hustain Nuruu Steppe Reserve, Mongolia. Both before and after release, the stallion spent approximately 47% of his time grazing, 6% standing, and 5% in recumbent rest. The biggest changes to the time budget after release were a 4-fold increase in the amount of time spent moving, and a 50% decrease in the amount of time spent resting in a standing position. During the middle of the day when the temperatures were hottest, the stallion exhibited less grazing and more standing resting behaviour than in the morning or evening hours. Recumbent rest invariably occurred in the hours before dawn.     

Wild chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) mouthwashes in methotrexate-induced oral mucositis

Oral mucositis is a known complication of methotrexate (MTX) therapy, but a single efficacious intervention or agent for prophylaxis or management of this side effect has not yet been identified. We report a case of MTX-induced oral mucositis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, who was successfully treated with Wild chamomile mouthwashes.     

On the origin of Spanish two-rowed barleys

To investigate the phylogenetic origin of Spanish two-rowed barleys, we studied 44 accessions of old land-races both morphologically and biochemically to ascertain their similarity with 51 entries of old cultivars and land-races of widespread origin across Europe. They were also compared with 20 accessions of Hordeum spontaneum from the Mediterranean basin and other regions of its distribution range, 14 accessions of Moroccan cultivated six-rowed barley land-races, and different six-rowed Spanish and two-and six-rowed European cultivars. CM-(trypsin inhibitors and subunits of the barley tetrameric -amylase inhibitor) proteins and hordeins, all of which are endosperm proteins, were used as biochemical markers. The appearance of separate clusters of the Spanish barleys in the numerical classifications for both protein systems as a result of the existence of characteristic gene combinations that do not exist in entries from other origins permitted us to postulate the existence of local ancestors for most of the Spanish two-rowed barleys studied, and, therefore, a possible in situ domestication.     

Effects of forskolin and cholera toxin on cyclic AMP release in a neurotensin-secreting rat C-cell line

The effects of forskolin and cholera toxin on the regulation of cAMP release were studied in a neurotensin-secreting rat C-cell line. The interaction of these agents with norepinephrine, a potent neurotensin secretagogue, was also investigated. Forskolin stimulated cAMP release 10(2)-10(3) fold while it increased neurotensin release 2-3 fold. Cholera toxin caused a 10(2)-10(3) fold increase in cAMP release and had no effect on neurotensin release. We conclude that the 44-2 C-cells provide a new model for studying the regulation of the concomitant (via forskolin) or independent (via cholera toxin) secretion of cyclic AMP and/or neurotensin.     

Carbamylation of human HbF on carboxy methyl cellulose column in 8 M urea pH 6.7

Myeloperoxidase-H₂O₂-indole acetate system at pH 7.4 emitted light in visible region. Luminescent spectrum showed a weak peak at or near 480 nm and prominent peaks at or near 550, 580, and 620 nm with deep troughs near 500 and 600 nm. In some cases, no definite peak emissions near 550 and 580 nm, but a prominent broad emission between 550 and 580 nm, is observed. Such spectral patterns in the region of 510 to 620 nm were quite similar to those report for the luminescence of photo-products formed from the indole analogs (tryptophan and indole) in 50% alcohol irradiated by U.V. (365 nm) at 77°K, assuming red shift (20–25 nm) by solvent effect. Possible formation of indole acetate cation radical (a precursor of excited indole acetate) was discussed.