Reduction-cleavable desferrioxamine B pulldown system enriches Ni(ii)-superoxide dismutase from a Streptomyces proteome

Two resins with the hydroxamic acid siderophore desferrioxamine B (DFOB) immobilised as a free ligand or its Fe(iii) complex were prepared to screen the Streptomyces pilosus proteome for proteins involved in siderophore-mediated Fe(iii) uptake. The resin design included a disulfide bond to enable the release of bound proteins under mild reducing conditions. Proteomics analysis of the bound fractions did not identify proteins associated with siderophore-mediated Fe(iii) uptake, but identified nickel superoxide dismutase (NiSOD), which was enriched on the apo-DFOB-resin but not the Fe(iii)-DFOB-resin or the control resin. While DFOB is unable to sequester Fe(iii) from sites deeply buried in metalloproteins, the coordinatively unsaturated Ni(ii) ion in NiSOD is present in a surface-exposed loop region at the N-terminus, which might enable partial chelation. The results were consistent with the notion that the apo-DFOB-resin formed a ternary complex with NiSOD, which was not possible for either the coordinatively saturated Fe(iii)-DFOB-resin or the non-coordinating control resin systems. In support, ESI-TOF-MS measurements from a solution of a model Ni(ii)-SOD peptide and DFOB showed signals that correlated with a ternary Ni(ii)-SOD peptide-DFOB complex. Although any biological implications of a DFOB-NiSOD complex are unclear, the work shows that the metal coordination properties of siderophores might influence an array of metal-dependent biological processes beyond those established in iron uptake.

Microsecond Isomer at the N=20 Island of Shape Inversion Observed at FRIB

Excited-state spectroscopy from the first experiment at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) is reported. A 24(2)-μs isomer was observed with the FRIB Decay Station initiator (FDSi) through a cascade of 224- and 401-keV γ rays in coincidence with ^{32}Na nuclei. This is the only known microsecond isomer (1  μs≤T_{1/2}<1  ms) in the region. This nucleus is at the heart of the N=20 island of shape inversion and is at the crossroads of the spherical shell-model, deformed shell-model, and ab initio theories. It can be represented as the coupling of a proton hole and neutron particle to ^{32}Mg, ^{32}Mg+π^{-1}+ν^{+1}. This odd-odd coupling and isomer formation provides a sensitive measure of the underlying shape degrees of freedom of ^{32}Mg, where the onset of spherical-to-deformed shape inversion begins with a low-lying deformed 2^{+} state at 885 keV and a low-lying shape-coexisting 0_{2}^{+} state at 1058 keV. We suggest two possible explanations for the 625-keV isomer in ^{32}Na: a 6^{-} spherical shape isomer that decays by E2 or a 0^{+} deformed spin isomer that decays by M2. The present results and calculations are most consistent with the latter, indicating that the low-lying states are dominated by deformation.

From laboratory tests to field trials: a review of cathodic protection and microbially influenced corrosion

Cathodic protection (CP), an electrochemical method for managing corrosion, is widely used in many industries in both marine and buried environments. However, literature surrounding cathodic protection and its ability to prevent microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) is mixed. This review describes the mechanics of CP, how CP may influence MIC, and collates and summarises tests on CP and MIC reported in literature. The aim of the review is to identify any trends and knowledge gaps requiring further study. While the outcomes of CP testing are generally mixed, some trends can be seen and, overall, MIC is detrimental to the protective effects of CP, with CP being less effective when used according to current international standards. Tests conducted in the field or with mix communities of microbes showed that CP could be effective at preventing MIC, while tests with sulfate-reducing bacteria generally proved CP to be highly ineffective. It was commonly seen that the effectiveness of CP can be improved by increasing polarization, to potentials as low as -1000 mV (Ag/AgCl). However, a balance does need to be met via careful monitoring to ensure negative side effects of over protection do not become a major problem.

Post COVID-19: a solution scan of options for preventing future zoonotic epidemics

The crisis generated by the emergence and pandemic spread of COVID-19 has thrown into the global spotlight the dangers associated with novel diseases, as well as the key role of animals, especially wild animals, as potential sources of pathogens to humans. There is a widespread demand for a new relationship with wild and domestic animals, including suggested bans on hunting, wildlife trade, wet markets or consumption of wild animals. However, such policies risk ignoring essential elements of the problem as well as alienating and increasing hardship for local communities across the world, and might be unachievable at scale. There is thus a need for a more complex package of policy and practical responses. We undertook a solution scan to identify and collate 161 possible options for reducing the risks of further epidemic disease transmission from animals to humans, including potential further SARS-CoV-2 transmission (original or variants). We include all categories of animals in our responses (i.e. wildlife, captive, unmanaged/feral and domestic livestock and pets) and focus on pathogens (especially viruses) that, once transmitted from animals to humans, could acquire epidemic potential through high rates of human-to-human transmission. This excludes measures to prevent well-known zoonotic diseases, such as rabies, that cannot readily transmit between humans. We focused solutions on societal measures, excluding the development of vaccines and other preventive therapeutic medicine and veterinary medicine options that are discussed elsewhere. We derived our solutions through reading the scientific literature, NGO position papers, and industry guidelines, collating our own experiences, and consulting experts in different fields. Herein, we review the major zoonotic transmission pathways and present an extensive list of options. The potential solutions are organised according to the key stages of the trade chain and encompass solutions that can be applied at the local, regional and international scales. This is a set of options targeted at practitioners and policy makers to encourage careful examination of possible courses of action, validating their impact and documenting outcomes.

Post COVID-19: a solution scan of options for preventing future zoonotic epidemics

The crisis generated by the emergence and pandemic spread of COVID-19 has thrown into the global spotlight the dangers associated with novel diseases, as well as the key role of animals, especially wild animals, as potential sources of pathogens to humans. There is a widespread demand for a new relationship with wild and domestic animals, including suggested bans on hunting, wildlife trade, wet markets or consumption of wild animals. However, such policies risk ignoring essential elements of the problem as well as alienating and increasing hardship for local communities across the world, and might be unachievable at scale. There is thus a need for a more complex package of policy and practical responses. We undertook a solution scan to identify and collate 161 possible options for reducing the risks of further epidemic disease transmission from animals to humans, including potential further SARS-CoV-2 transmission (original or variants). We include all categories of animals in our responses (i.e. wildlife, captive, unmanaged/feral and domestic livestock and pets) and focus on pathogens (especially viruses) that, once transmitted from animals to humans, could acquire epidemic potential through high rates of human-to-human transmission. This excludes measures to prevent well-known zoonotic diseases, such as rabies, that cannot readily transmit between humans. We focused solutions on societal measures, excluding the development of vaccines and other preventive therapeutic medicine and veterinary medicine options that are discussed elsewhere. We derived our solutions through reading the scientific literature, NGO position papers, and industry guidelines, collating our own experiences, and consulting experts in different fields. Herein, we review the major zoonotic transmission pathways and present an extensive list of options. The potential solutions are organised according to the key stages of the trade chain and encompass solutions that can be applied at the local, regional and international scales. This is a set of options targeted at practitioners and policy makers to encourage careful examination of possible courses of action, validating their impact and documenting outcomes.

Physics of Nuclei: Key Role of an Emergent Symmetry

We show through first-principles nuclear structure calculations that the special nature of the strong nuclear force determines highly regular patterns heretofore unrecognized in nuclei that can be tied to an emergent approximate symmetry. This symmetry is ubiquitous and mathematically tracks with a symplectic symmetry group. This, in turn, has important implications for understanding the physics of nuclei: we find that nuclei are made of only a few equilibrium shapes, deformed or not, with associated vibrations and rotations. It also opens the path for ab initio large-scale modeling of open-shell intermediate-mass nuclei without the need for renormalized interactions and effective charges.

Multiple Shape Coexistence in ^{110,112}Cd

From detailed spectroscopy of ^{110}Cd and ^{112}Cd following the β^{+}/electron-capture decay of ^{110,112}In and the β^{-} decay of ^{112}Ag, very weak decay branches from nonyrast states are observed. The transition rates determined from the measured branching ratios and level lifetimes obtained with the Doppler-shift attenuation method following inelastic neutron scattering reveal collective enhancements that are suggestive of a series of rotational bands. In ^{110}Cd, a γ band built on the shape-coexisting intruder configuration is suggested. For ^{112}Cd, the 2^{+} and 3^{+} intruder γ-band members are suggested, the 0_{3}^{+} band is extended to spin 4^{+}, and the 0_{4}^{+} band is identified. The results are interpreted using beyond-mean-field calculations employing the symmetry conserving configuration mixing method with the Gogny D1S energy density functional and with the suggestion that the Cd isotopes exhibit multiple shape coexistence.

Superdeformed and Triaxial States in ^{42}Ca

Shape parameters of a weakly deformed ground-state band and highly deformed slightly triaxial sideband in ^{42}Ca were determined from E2 matrix elements measured in the first low-energy Coulomb excitation experiment performed with AGATA. The picture of two coexisting structures is well reproduced by new state-of-the-art large-scale shell model and beyond-mean-field calculations. Experimental evidence for superdeformation of the band built on 0_{2}^{+} has been obtained and the role of triaxiality in the A∼40 mass region is discussed. Furthermore, the potential of Coulomb excitation as a tool to study superdeformation has been demonstrated for the first time.

Shape coexistence in the neutron-deficient even-even (182-188)Hg isotopes studied via coulomb excitation

Coulomb-excitation experiments to study electromagnetic properties of radioactive even-even Hg isotopes were performed with 2.85  MeV/nucleon mercury beams from REX-ISOLDE. Magnitudes and relative signs of the reduced E2 matrix elements that couple the ground state and low-lying excited states in Hg182-188 were extracted. Information on the deformation of the ground and the first excited 0+ states was deduced using the quadrupole sum rules approach. Results show that the ground state is slightly deformed and of oblate nature, while a larger deformation for the excited 0+ state was noted in Hg182,184. The results are compared to beyond mean field and interacting-boson based models and interpreted within a two-state mixing model. Partial agreement with the model calculations was obtained. The presence of two different structures in the light even-mass mercury isotopes that coexist at low excitation energy is firmly established.

Collective structure in 94Zr and subshell effects in shape coexistence

Based on results from a measurement of weak decay branches observed following the β- decay of 94Y and on lifetime data from a study of 94Zr by inelastic neutron scattering, collective structure is deduced in the closed-subshell nucleus 94Zr. These results establish shape coexistence in 94Zr. The role of subshells for nuclear collectivity is suggested to be important.

Experimental transmission of avian-like swine H1N1 influenza virus between immunologically naïve and vaccinated pigs

Please cite this paper as: Lloyd et al. (2011) Experimental transmission of avian‐like swine H1N1 influenza virus between immunologically naïve and vaccinated pigs. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 5(5), 357–364.

Background  Infection of pigs with swine influenza has been studied experimentally and in the field; however, little information is available on the natural transmission of this virus in pigs. Two studies in an experimental transmission model are presented here, one in immunologically naïve and one in a combination of vaccinated and naïve pigs.

Objectives  To investigate the transmission of a recent ‘avian‐like’ swine H1N1 influenza virus in naive piglets, to assess the antibody response to a commercially available vaccine and to determine the efficiency of transmission in pigs after vaccination.

Methods  Transmission chains were initiated by intranasal challenge of two immunologically naïve pigs. Animals were monitored daily for clinical signs and virus shedding. Pairs of pigs were sequentially co‐housed, and once virus was detected in recipients, prior donors were removed. In the vaccination study, piglets were vaccinated and circulating antibody levels were monitored by haemagglutination inhibition assay. To study transmission in vaccinates, a pair of infected immunologically naïve animals was co‐housed with vaccinated recipient pigs and further pairs of vaccinates were added sequentially as above. The chain was completed by the addition of naive pigs.

Results and conclusions  Transmission of the H1N1 virus was achieved through a chain of six pairs of naïve piglets and through four pairs of vaccinated animals. Transmission occurred with minimal clinical signs and, in vaccinates, at antibody levels higher than previously reported to protect against infection.

New features of shape coexistence in ;{152}Sm

Excited states in ;{152}Sm have been investigated with the ;{152}Sm(n,n;{'}gamma) reaction. The lowest four negative-parity band structures have been characterized in detail with respect to their absolute decay properties. Specifically, a new K;{pi} = 0;{-} band has been assigned with its 1;{-} band head at 1681 keV. This newly observed band has a remarkable similarity in its E1 transition rates for decay to the first excited K;{pi} = 0;{+} band at 684 keV to the lowest K;{pi} = 0;{-} band and its decay to the ground-state band. Based on these decay properties, as well as energy considerations, this new band is assigned as a K;{pi} = 0;{-} octupole excitation based on the K;{pi} = 0_{2};{+} state. An emerging pattern of repeating excitations built on the 0_{2};{+} level similar to those built on the ground state may indicate that ;{152}Sm is a complex example of shape coexistence rather than a critical point nucleus.

Implications of deformation and shape coexistence for the nuclear shell model

The successes of the nuclear shell model in explaining the stability properties of magic nuclei are challenged by the observation of rotational bands for which the sequential filling of single-particle energy levels of the spherical shell model are not respected. This Letter proposes criteria for identifying the shell-model configurations appropriate for describing such bands of states.

Low-energy coexisting band in 154Gd

A low-energy coexisting band Jpi (Ex keV) 0(+) (1182), 2(+) (1418), 4(+) (1701) is identified in the deformed nucleus, 154Gd. Detailed gamma-ray spectroscopy following the beta decays of 154Eu (J=3), (g,m(1),m(2))154Tb (J=0,3,7) is used to establish this structure. The structure is explained in terms of the pairing and deformation degrees of freedom, a "pairing isomer," which results from the nu[505] upward arrow Nilsson intruder orbital.

A case-control study of respiratory disease in Thoroughbred racehorses in Sydney, Australia

In order to investigate the role of infectious agents in the aetiology of lower respiratory tract disease in Thoroughbred racehorses, a matched case-control study was conducted. Cases were identified by the presence of coughing, and were compared to a control population matched on time of sample collection and location within the same training establishment. Tracheal wash samples were collected from 100 cases and 148 controls. Case horses were more likely than controls to have endoscopic and cytological evidence of airway inflammation. There was no significant association between serological evidence of infection by commonly implicated respiratory viruses and coughing. Similarly, mycoplasma were rarely isolated and were not associated with disease. In contrast, there was a strong association between isolation of greater than a total of 10(3) colony-forming units/ml of tracheal wash and coughing. Individual bacterial species associated with disease included Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus suis, Streptococcus sanguis, Pasteurella spp and Bordetella bronchiseptica. This study provides evidence of the role of bacterial infection in the aetiology of lower respiratory tract inflammation in racehorses. However, in 58% of cases, few or no bacteria were isolated. Hence, at the time of identification of disease, there was no evidence of viral, bacterial or mycoplasmal infection in the majority of coughing horses. The aetiology of the signs observed in these horses requires further investigation.

Reactive enols in synthesis 2. Synthesis of (+)-latifolic acid and (+)-latifoline

We describe a short, enantioselective synthesis of the naturally occurring pyrrolizidine alkaloid (+)-latifoline (1) employing a tandem [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement/[1,2] allyl shift as a key step in constructing (+)-latifolic acid (4).

Racehorse injuries, clinical problems and fatalities recorded on British racecourses from flat racing and National Hunt racing during 1996, 1997 and 1998

For improvements to the safety and welfare of racehorses to be possible, it is essential to have access to basic descriptive information about the veterinary incidents encountered during horseracing. A 3 year surveillance study (1996-1998) was conducted by The Jockey Club into racing injuries, other postrace clinical problems and fatalities from all 59 British racecourses (mainland Britain only) to identify risk factors. During the survey there were 222,993 racing starts: 106,897 starts in flat races on turf (47.9%), 26,519 starts in flat races on all-weather surfaces (11.9%), 30,932 starts in chases on turf (13.9%), 51,786 starts in hurdle races on turf (23.2%) and 6,859 starts in National Hunt flat races (3.1%). Information was recorded about age of horses, racing surfaces and clinical events observed or attended by a veterinary team of 2 clinicians and one veterinary surgeon employed by the racing authority. Of the 2358 clinical events reported (1.05% of all starts), 1937 involved the musculoskeletal system and 421 involved other body systems. Six hundred and fifty-seven incidents (0.29% of starts) resulted in death or euthanasia. Eighty-one percent of limb injury reports involved forelimbs and 46% involved flexor tendons/suspensory ligaments. Nonlimb problems included epistaxis (0.83/1000 starts), 'exhausted horse syndrome' (0.47/1000 starts) and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (0.20/1000 starts). Incidents including fatalities per 1000 starts were 24.7 from chases, 19.45 from hurdle races, 8.46 from National Hunt flat races and 3.97 from flat races. The overall tendon injury was higher in chases than in hurdle races, even though age-specific rates of tendon injury were higher in hurdle races than in chases. The risk of injuries per start increased significantly with age, while softer racing surfaces were associated with fewer fatalities and injuries than firmer surfaces. The survey described in this paper has provided an up-to-date description of the fatal and non-fatal horseracing incidents under conditions on mainland Britain, enabling progress to be made towards improving the safety and welfare of racehorses.

Relationship of the degree of goniodysgenesis and other ocular measurements to glaucoma in Great Danes

OBJECTIVES

To assess the association between goniodysgenesis, ocular measurements, and glaucoma in Great Danes.

ANIMALS

180 Great Danes.

PROCEDURE

Eye examination and measurements were obtained from 180 Great Danes; for 30 of these dogs, depth of the anterior chamber, vitreal body length, and total depth of the globe were also measured. These data were merged with electronic pedigree information on 43,371 kennel club registered Great Danes. Relationships among goniodysgenesis, ocular measurements, and glaucoma and the heritability of goniodysgenesis were estimated.

RESULTS

The degree of goniodysgenesis was significantly and positively associated with the likelihood of glaucoma. There was a significant association between the degree of goniodysgenesis in offspring and parents. The estimated heritability of the degree of goniodysgenesis was 0.52. The depth of the anterior chamber of the eye was also a good predictor of goniodysgenesis (ie, the dog was almost certain to have glaucoma if the depth was < 3.7 mm). If both parents had goniodysgenesis < 70%, then with 95% confidence, the occurrence of glaucoma in the ensuing offspring would be < 4/1000. This strategy translates to ensuring that the depth of the anterior chamber of the eye is > 3.7 mm for both parents.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The strong and significant correlation among goniodysgenesis, other eye measurements, and glaucoma and the significant heritability of goniodysgenesis suggests that glaucoma may be heritable in Great Danes. If so, glaucoma can be controlled by breeding only from sires and dams with a minimum degree of goniodysgenesis.

An expeditious approach toward the total synthesis of CP-263,114

[reaction: see text] Assembly of the carbocyclic core of CP-263,114 has been accomplished efficiently and in high yield. Key steps include a phenolic oxidation/intramolecular Diels-Alder sequence, tandem radical cyclization, and the late-stage fragmentation of a densely functionalized isotwistane skeleton.

Evolution of a synthetic approach to CP-263,114

[structure: see text] Three different approaches to the carbocyclic core of CP-263,114 are presented that illustrate a strategic evolution from an oxy-Cope rearrangement to variants of the Wharton fragmentation.

Autoregulation of cell-specific MAP kinase control of the tryptophan hydroxylase promoter

The neurotransmitter serotonin controls a wide range of biological systems, including its own synthesis and release. As the rate-limiting enzyme in serotonin biosynthesis, tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) is a potential target for this autoregulation. Using the serotonergic neuron-like CA77 cell line, we have demonstrated that treatment with a 5-hydroxytryptamine autoreceptor agonist, CGS 12066A, can lower TPH mRNA levels and promoter activity. We reasoned that this repression might involve inhibition of MAP kinases, since 5-HT1 receptors can increase mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphatase levels. To test this hypothesis, we first showed that the TPH promoter can be activated 20-fold by mitogen-activated extracellular-signal regulated kinase kinase kinase (MEKK), an activator of MAP kinases. This activation was then blocked by CGS 12066A. The maximal MAP kinase and CGS repression regulatory region was mapped to between -149 and -45 base pairs upstream of the transcription start site. The activation by MEKK appears to be cell-specific, because MEKK did not activate the TPH promoter in nonneuronal cell lines. At least part, but not all, of the MAP kinase responsiveness was mapped to an inverted CCAAT box that binds the transcription factor NF-Y. These data suggest a model for the autoregulation of serotonin biosynthesis by repression of MAP kinase stimulation of the TPH promoter.

Progress toward the total synthesis of kalihinane diterpenoids

[see structure]. Studies toward the total synthesis of marine diterpenoids isolated from Acanthella sp., e.g., kalihinol A, are described. Efficient construction of the functionalized trans-decalin core (11) is achieved through intramolecular Diels-Alder cyclization followed by diastereoselective epoxidation and aziridination.

Efficient syntheses of novel C2'-alkylated (+/-)-K252a analogues

Recent efforts in our laboratories have resulted in a synthetic approach toward C2'-alkylated K252a analogues via extension of a K252a cyclofuranosylation strategy. The bis-indole-N-glycosidic coupling of 6-N-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-staurosporinone (21) with a number of highly functionalized carbohydrates has given access to previously unattainable, biologically relevant analogues.

Progress toward the total synthesis of ingenol: construction of the complete carbocyclic skeleton

[reaction: see text] The complete carbocyclic skeleton of ingenol is assembled via a route that employs ring-closing metathesis (RCM) to close the strained "inside-outside" BC ring system (i.e., 24 --> 25).

Coughing in thoroughbred racehorses: risk factors and tracheal endoscopic and cytological findings

A matched case-control study was made of 100 thoroughbred horses which were coughing and 148 control horses which were free of clinical signs of respiratory tract disease. The variables identified by multivariable conditional logistic regression as being significantly associated with coughing included age (the risk decreased with age), the stage of training (horses in early training were at greatest risk), the time since the last race (horses that had never raced were at greatest risk) and the time since they were last transported (horses transported more than 14 days previously were more likely to cough than those transported within the last week). The coughing horses were significantly more likely to have high scores for upper and lower tracheal mucus and pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia. In addition, the tracheal aspirates of the coughing horses had increased odds of neutrophilia and were more likely to have intracellular bacteria than the control horses. However, a considerable proportion of the control horses had cytological and/or endoscopic evidence of airway inflammation.

Synthesis of C(3) benzofuran-derived bisaryl quaternary centers: approaches to diazonamide A

[reaction: see text] Two complementary strategies for the synthesis of the diazonamide A bisaryl quaternary center are described. The first strategy relies upon an extremely facile tandem cyclopropanation/ring-opening sequence, which has proven amenable to chiral catalysis to provide enantioenriched material. The second strategy relies upon a more concise alkylation route ideal for material advancement.

Control of strangles outbreaks by isolation of guttural pouch carriers identified using PCR and culture of Streptococcus equi

Previous use of repeated nasopharyngeal swabbing and culture of Streptococcus equi showed that healthy carriers developed in more than 50% of 'strangles' outbreaks. The guttural pouches were the only detectable site of S. equi colonisation on endoscopic examination of horses during one of these outbreaks and S. equi was sometimes not detected by culture of nasopharyngeal swabs from carriers for up to 2 or 3 months before nasal shedding resumed sporadically. A more sensitive way of detecting S. equi on swabs from established guttural pouch carriers was therefore required. Conveniently selected 'strangles' outbreaks were investigated in detail using endoscopy, in order to develop and assess a suitable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. We report here 3 protracted 'strangles' outbreaks on different kinds of establishments in which between 29 and 52% of sampled horses were infected as detected by culture and/or PCR. Of the infected horses, between 9 and 44% were identified as carrying S. equi after clinical signs had disappeared and the predominant site of carriage was the guttural pouch. Prolonged carriage of S. equi, which lasted up to 8 months, did not cease spontaneously before treatment was initiated to eliminate the infections. The detection and isolation of the carriers, in conjunction with strict hygiene measures, apparently resulted in the control of the outbreaks and allowed the premises to return to normal activity. Comparing PCR and culture, many more swabs were found to be positive using PCR (56 vs. 30% of 61 swabs). Similar results were obtained for guttural pouch samples from 12 established carriers (PCR 76% and culture 59%). These results from repeated samples from relatively few animals need confirming using more long-term carriers. PCR can also detect dead organisms and is, therefore, liable to yield false positive results. Despite this drawback, it is argued that PCR provides a potentially useful adjunct to culture of nasopharyngeal swabs in the detection of asymptomatic carriers of S. equi following outbreaks of 'strangles'.

A chemical switch for inhibitor-sensitive alleles of any protein kinase

Protein kinases have proved to be largely resistant to the design of highly specific inhibitors, even with the aid of combinatorial chemistry. The lack of these reagents has complicated efforts to assign specific signalling roles to individual kinases. Here we describe a chemical genetic strategy for sensitizing protein kinases to cell-permeable molecules that do not inhibit wild-type kinases. From two inhibitor scaffolds, we have identified potent and selective inhibitors for sensitized kinases from five distinct subfamilies. Tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases are equally amenable to this approach. We have analysed a budding yeast strain carrying an inhibitor-sensitive form of the cyclin-dependent kinase Cdc28 (CDK1) in place of the wild-type protein. Specific inhibition of Cdc28 in vivo caused a pre-mitotic cell-cycle arrest that is distinct from the G1 arrest typically observed in temperature-sensitive cdc28 mutants. The mutation that confers inhibitor-sensitivity is easily identifiable from primary sequence alignments. Thus, this approach can be used to systematically generate conditional alleles of protein kinases, allowing for rapid functional characterization of members of this important gene family.

Risk factors for equine influenza serum antibody titres in young thoroughbred racehorses given an inactivated vaccine

Young Thoroughbred racehorses (222 yearlings entering training and 246 2-year-old horses already in training) from eight flat-training yards in Newmarket, UK were used to monitor serological responses to vaccination with an inactivated influenza virus vaccine. Blood samples taken prior to and after vaccination were tested by single radial haemolysis (SRH) to determine antibody titres (expressed as area of haemolysis in mm(2)). Prior to vaccination, yearlings had mean antibody titres (64+/-4 mm(2)) that were approximately half of those of 2-year-olds (115+/-3 mm(2)) and 89% of yearlings and 73% of 2-year-olds had SRH titres <140 mm(2). Extrapolation from experimental and field studies suggests that these levels would not protect against homologous influenza virus infection. Both age-groups showed anamnestic responses to vaccination resulting in similar peak mean titres ( approximately 160+/-2mm(2)) with 67% of yearlings and 73% of 2-year-olds achieving levels > or =140 mm(2). A second dose of vaccine administered a month after the first in yearlings did not increase the mean titre but 75% of horses had levels of antibody > or =140 mm(2). The vaccination history in the official passport of yearlings showed that 23% had no record of previous vaccination and were probably fully susceptible to infection. For yearlings entering training, the important predictors from multiple-regression analyses of SRH titres prior to vaccination were "Time since last vaccination," "Total number of previous vaccines" and "Age at first vaccination." In 2-year-olds and following two doses of vaccine in yearlings, there was no significant relationship between these factors and SRH titre.

Heritability of canine hip-dysplasia score and its components in Gordon setters

Hip dysplasia (malformation of the hip joint) is an important health problem in dogs. The condition and the control scheme for Gordon Setters was organised by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Kennel Club before 1976 and use hip scores. Our analyses of hip dysplasia in Gordon Setters used both hip scores and the scores for the nine components (which collectively defined the hip score). The scores for all nine components were available for 732 females and 420 males. These clinical data were merged with the Kennel Club pedigree database (animal's identity, date of birth, and also similar data for its parents, including hip scores if the parent had been tested). Regression models showed strong positive relationships between offspring and parental hip scores as well as for some component scores. The heritability of hip dysplasia (assessed using both hip scores and the major components) was significant, particularly from dams. Our research emphasizes the need for both sires and dams--particularly dams, to have zero or small hip scores. Tested parents have been used increasingly in recent years, but greater reduction in offspring hip score will require stricter selection of potential breeding stock. The models reported here provide quantitative predictions of likely health benefits from selective breeding.

Heritability and epidemiology of canine hip-dysplasia score in flat-coated retrievers and Newfoundlands in the United Kingdom

Hip dysplasia (malformation of the coxofemoral joint) in dogs is a major health problem for which the British Veterinary Association (BVA) had set up a control scheme in 1965. Based on scoring nine components of the radiographs of both the left and right joints, the degree of hip joint malformation is now quantified by an overall hip score (a measure of the condition of the hip joint). The hip scores of 1258 flat-coated retrievers and 1566 Newfoundlands (registered with The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom) were analysed after merging with Kennel Club pedigree data for 19036 flat-coated retrievers registered by 1995 and 14336 Newfoundlands registered by 1997. The merged data included the animal's identity, date of birth, sex and hip scores and also similar records for the dog's relatives including the hip score if the relative had been tested. In recent years, breeding has been increasingly from tested parents. There has been some reduction in offspring hip scores - presumably because breeders avoided breeding from males with very high scores. However, a much greater reduction in offspring hip score would be achieved by stricter science-based selection of potential sires and dams. Regression modelling quantified the positive relationship between offspring and parental hip scores. The genetic heritability of hip scores was large and significant in both breeds (particularly from dams). The breeders in UK tended to use healthy sires for breeding but they have taken less care in selecting dams. Our regression models emphasise the need for both sires and dams, particularly dams, to be healthy with very small hip scores.

Effect of age and training on murmurs of atrioventricular valvular regurgitation in young thoroughbreds

Cardiac auscultation was carried out on 111 Thoroughbred horses age 2-5 years to test the hypothesis that athletic training might influence the development of atrioventricular (AV) valve regurgitation in young Thoroughbreds. Murmurs of valvular regurgitation were identified and graded on a 1-6 scale. There were 2 sources of auscultation data: 1) 55 2-year-old horses that were examined by auscultation before training commenced and 9 months later when at race fitness; 2) 56 horses age 2-5 years that were examined on one occasion only (25 2-year-olds, 23 3-year-olds, five 4-year-olds and five 5-year olds). All horses in the second data set were in full training and racing regularly at the time of the examination. To conclude the study, 35 horses were selected randomly from both groups of horses and examined with colour-flow Doppler echocardiography. The aim of the final part of the study was to check specificity and sensitivity of auscultation for detection of AV valve murmurs and therefore validate the auscultation findings. Prior to training, the prevalence in 2-year-old racehorses of murmurs of mitral regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation was 7.3% (4/55) and 12.7% (7/55), respectively. After training, the prevalence proportions increased to 21.8% (12/55) and 25.5% (14/55). After training, one horse developed a murmur characteristic of aortic regurgitation. The differences in murmur prevalence were statistically significant for mitral and tricuspid regurgitation (paired t test results: mitral regurgitation, P = 0.019; tricuspid regurgitation, P = 0.007), as were the differences in mean murmur grade (P = 0.018 and P = 0.0006, respectively). There were no significant effects of age on the prevalence of valvular regurgitation in 56 horses examined at race fitness. Auscultation was a specific (specificity 100%) and reasonably sensitive method for detection of murmurs of mitral and tricuspid regurgitation (mitral regurgitation: positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 84%, tricuspid regurgitation: positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 65%). These data suggest that the prevalence and grade of murmurs of mitral and tricuspid valvular regurgitation increase in 2-year-old Thoroughbreds after 9 months of athletic training. Whereas the effects of age and growth on the prevalence of murmurs cannot be ruled out from these data, this study suggests that there is an influence of athletic training on the development of atrioventricular valvular regurgitation in flat-racing Thoroughbreds.