Publications

TitleAbstractYear(sorted descending)
Filter
PMID
Filter
the roles of the proteasome, and cathepsins b, l, h and d, in ostrich meat tenderisation.as very little research has been conducted on ostrich meat tenderisation, this study aims at investigating the roles of the proteasome and cathepsins b, l, h, and d in the tenderisation process. the enzyme activities in meat from eight ostriches during a 12-day ageing period and the corresponding physical characteristics (e.g. ph, shear force) and myofibril patterns were determined. after 12 days, substantial high remaining activities were found, especially of the proteasome, thus implicating th ...200422061124
citrus pulp as an ingredient in ostrich diet: effects on meat quality.the purpose of this trial was to study the effects of citrus pulp inclusion in ostrich diets on meat quality, evaluated on iliofibularis and gastrocnemius muscles. m. iliofibularis had a lower ultimate ph (p<0.05) and was lighter in colour (p<0.05) than m. gastrocnemius. the latter had higher moisture (p<0.05) and lower crude protein contents (p<0.05) as compared to m. iliofibularis. m. gastrocnemius had a lower proportion of c14:0 (p<0.05), c16:0 (p<0.05) and c16:1 (p<0.05) and a higher percent ...200422062236
fatty acid profile, cholesterol content and tenderness of ostrich meat as influenced by age at slaughter and muscle type.ten blue neck ostriches were used to study the effect of age at slaughter (10-11 and 14-15 months) and muscle on fatty acid profile, cholesterol content and texture of meat. fatty acid profile of ostrich meat was significantly affected by age at slaughter (p<0.001) and muscles (p<0.001). different age at slaughter (10-11 vs. 14-15 months) produced an increase of p/s ratio (p<0.001), total saturated (p<0.05) and monounsaturated (p<0.001) fatty acids. the highest percentage of saturated and monoun ...200322063017
quality characteristics of low fat ostrich meat patties formulated with either pork lard or modified corn starch, soya isolate and water.a trained taste panel could not distinguish (p>0.05) between ostrich meat patties containing either 10% pork lard or 10% of a modified starch/protein isolate (fat replacer) mixture. the panel could distinguish between the types of ostrich muscle/meat cuts used with a significant (p<0.05) number preferring ostrich patties made from meat containing a higher collagen content (±3% vs <1%). the chemical analysis of the patties showed that within the meat classes (class fillet-de-membraned, class a-ve ...200322063450
the effect of night transportation on the heart rate and skin temperature of ostriches during real transportation.literature has identified a number of stressors that have negative impacts on the welfare of ostriches during transportation. in order to maintain or improve the welfare of animals it is important to minimise or eliminate the impact of such stressors. literature suggested that ostrich welfare during transit might be improved by using darkened vehicles. a preliminary study was carried out which measured the response of ostrich heart rate and skin temperature (indicators of stress) to transportati ...200322063116
[transforming the sintered ostrich cancellous bone to multiphasic calcium phosphate ceramic].to transform the sintered ostrich cancellous bone(ostrich true bone ceramic, otbc) to multiphasic calcium phosphate ceramic and study its components and characterization.200314966641
[a case of trichinellosis with spontaneous remission].we experienced a case of trichinellosis that had traveled in kenya. the initial symptoms of the patient were myalgia and fever which started 2 weeks after she came back from kenya, and blood examination showed marked eosinophilia (14,300/mm3) and elevated creatinine kinase (826iu/l). when we made serological diagnosis of trichinellosis 3 weeks after onset, symptoms started to resolve spontaneously and we observed the patient without any medication. as of 2 months after onset, symptoms and abnorm ...200314608917
effects of moisture content and drying temperature on the physicochemical properties of ostrich jerky.the objective of this study was to investigate the influence of temperature (50, 60, and 70 degrees c) and moisture content (18, 21, and 24%) on the quality ofjerky products from ostrich meat. the jerky products were evaluated by physicochemical and sensory methods. the tensile strength of the samples prepared to 24% w.b. moisture content at 50 degrees c was lowest (p < 0.05; 124 n) while those prepared under other conditions were in the range of 208-268 n (p > 0.05). the water activity of the j ...200314609089
sperm supply and egg fertilization in the ostrich (struthio camelus).we used egg break-out and spermatozoa trapped in the perivitelline layer of eggs to test the hypothesis that sperm supply and egg fertilization rate are high in the ostrich. egg fertilization status was determined at break-out by the appearance of the germinal disc (gd) and then the perivitelline layer overlying the gd region was collected to count sperm (spermopvl) under fluorescence following staining with 4',6'-diamidino-2-phenyindole (dapi). the study was carried out on commercial ostrich fa ...200314629663
granulomatous conjunctivitis in an ostrich.ostriches lack meibom glands, but have small lacrimal glands ventral to the lateral canthus, with ductules that open into the inside of the lower eyelid. chalazion is a chronic granulomatous inflammation of the meibom glands that may develop from blockage of the ductules into the conjunctiva. a 2-year-old female ostrich presented with chronic granulomatous conjunctivitis, with clinical and histopathologic findings similar to chalazion of other species. the granulomatous dacryoadenitic mass was e ...200314641833
the morphological features of the rete testis of the ostrich (struthio camelus).the epithelium of the rete testis of the ostrich is simple cuboidal to columnar in nature, unlike the more flattened epithelium encountered in other non-passerine birds. a solitary cilium projects into the ductal lumen. a unique lateral cell membrane modification, similar, in some respects, to a hemi-desmosome, occurs frequently along the length of this membrane. the lateral cell membrane is complexly folded, and the cell contains an abundance of intermediate filaments, particularly in the vicin ...200314530972
characterization of serum 'glycosaminoglycan (gag) chains' and 'native proteoglycan' fractions in the ostrich. 200314535476
clinical, gross, and microscopic findings in different avian species naturally infected during the h7n1 low- and high-pathogenicity avian influenza epidemics in italy during 1999 and 2000.from the end of march to the beginning of december 1999, an epidemic of low-pathogenicity avian influenza (lpai), caused by a h7n1 type a influenza virus, affected the intensively reared poultry population of northeastern italy. a total of 199 flocks were diagnosed with influenza infection. the highest number affected flocks were in meat turkeys (164), with only a limited number of turkey breeder, chicken (breeders, broilers, and table egg layers), and guinea fowl flocks infected. following the ...200314575075
pathogenesis of h7 influenza a viruses isolated from ostriches in the homologous host infected experimentally.infections of ostriches with avian influenza a viruses are generally associated with clinical disease, but the occasional high mortality in young birds does not appear to be related directly to virus pathotype. in this study we investigated the pathogenesis of two h7 viruses for 11-wk-old ostriches inoculated intranasally, and clinical symptoms, virus excretion, and immune response were studied. one of the viruses (a/ostrich/italy/1038/00) was highly pathogenic for chickens, whereas the other (a ...200314575132
pathogenicity of a ratite-origin influenza a h5 virus in ostriches (struthio camelus).ostriches were inoculated with a highly pathogenic avian influenza (hpai) virus of ratite origin, a/emu/texas/39924/93 (h5n2) done clb. the aim of this study was to evaluate the pathogenicity of this isolate for ostriches and to assess the ability of routine virologic and serologic tests to detect infection. avian influenza virus (aiv) was isolated from tracheal swabs from 2 to 12 days postinfection and from cloacal swabs from 3 to 10 days postinfection. aiv was also isolated from a wide range o ...200314575143
cloacal prolapse in ostrich chicks with histomoniosis. 200314582734
method for collecting semen from the ostrich (struthio camelus) and some of its quantitative and qualitative characteristics.1. four methods of semen collecting that involved interruption of mating in two breeding ostrich pairs were tested: an artificial vagina was tested without promising results; the funnel method, in which a funnel was placed under the phallus of the tested male immediately after mating allowing semen drips to be collected; the vacuum method, using a turkey semen collector, inserted into the seminal canal; and the tube method, conducted by placing a test tube inside the seminal canal, allowing seme ...200314584851
distribution of spermatozoa in the outer perivitelline layer from above the germinal disc of emu and ostrich eggs.in the present study, we determined the distribution of spermatozoa in the perivitelline layer above the germinal disc (gd) of emu and ostrich eggs that had been laid at random intervals after mating. eggs were opened, the perivitelline layer overlying the gd region was collected and sperm were visualized with 4',6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole under a fluorescence microscope. to map the distribution of sperm, the gd was divided into six areas (a-f), with a being the centre of the gd and f the area ...200314588183
immunohistochemical localization of chromogranin a in gonadotrophs and somatotrophs of the turkey and chicken pituitary.in the course of producing monoclonal antibodies to turkey prolactin, three monoclonal antibodies to turkey chromogranin a (cga) were also produced, apparently arising from minor contamination of the turkey prolactin immunogen with peptide fragments of cga. the identity of the antigen recognized by these antibodies was established by tandem mass spectrometry de novo sequencing of seven tryptic peptides from a turkey pituitary protein purified by immunoaffinity chromatography. these peptides show ...200312812778
does the ostrich (struthio camelus) coprodeum have the electrophysiological properties and microstructure of other birds?the ostrich is unique among birds in having complete separation of urine and faeces. the coprodeal epithelium is thus during dehydration exposed to a fluid 500 mosm hyperosmotic to plasma. we have investigated whether the coprodeum is adapted like a mammalian bladder. the coprodeal epithelium was studied by electrophysiology in the ussing chamber, and the anatomy by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. electrophysiology: the short-circuit current (scc) and open circuit electrical p ...200312814783
a study on the morphological structure of syrinx in ostriches (struthio camelus).the aim of this study was to investigate the topographical, anatomical and histological characteristics of syrinx in five ostriches. it was observed that the syrinx in the ostrich was tracheobronchial type and was composed of three different cartilage groups, namely tympanum, cartilagines (cartt.) tracheosyringeales and cartt. bronchosyringeales. tympanum and cartt. tracheosyringeales were formed from three and four cartilage rings, respectively, while cartt. bronchosyringeales was formed from t ...200312823107
insight into the mechanism of short chain fatty acid absorption in the ostrich (struthio camelus) proximal colon.1. occurrence of short chain fatty acids (scfa) in anionic form limits their diffusion across the absorptive membrane. the present study sought to establish the mechanism of scfa absorption in the ostrich. 2. epithelial tissues were taken from the sacculated part of the colon and mounted in ussing chambers in a bathing solution. the tissues were voltage-clamped and allowed to equilibrate to obtain a baseline short circuit current (isc). 3. propionate (23 mm) on the mucosal side increased the isc ...200312828218
ultrasonography of the female reproductive organs in farmed ostriches (struthio camelus spp.).the main objective of this study was to determine whether transcutaneous ultrasonography could be used as a diagnostic tool to monitor the reproductive organs of female breeding ostriches. an additional aim was to investigate whether the use of this technique could facilitate prediction of the start or end of the egg production season. a technique for on-farm ultrasound scanning is described and examples of ultrasonographic images of different ovarian structures, developing ova and eggs within t ...200312832012
a note on endoparasites of wild ostriches (struthio camelus) in the mokolodi nature reserve, gaborone, botswana.a study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of endoparasites of wild ostriches at mokolodi nature reserve, gaborone, over a 7-month period. large numbers of strongyle eggs were recovered from faecal material in april and september and a decline in the strongyle egg counts was evident during june and july. noteworthy was the absence of helminth eggs in faecal samples collected from chicks and coccidia oocysts from any of the ostriches.200312836743
detection of circovirus with a polymerase chain reaction in the ostrich (struthio camelus) on a farm in the netherlands.this study describes for the first time the presence of circoviruses in ostrich tissue including embryos. a polymerase chain reaction (pcr) was used for the detection of the virus in liver samples. the use of a polymerase for low copy detection significantly increased the sensitivity of the test as well as a southern blot. viral dna could be detected in chicks and eggs that did not hatch. for localisation of the virus in the liver in situ hybridisation was performed on a selection of positive li ...200312860074
evaluation of the potential beneficial effects of ostrich eggshell combined with eggshell membranes in healing of cranial defects in rabbits.potential beneficial effects of outer and inner ostrich eggshell membranes alone and in combination with the shell powder on bone regeneration in cranial defects of 18 rabbits were investigated using radiological, clinical and histological methods. three 6 mm wide, half-thickness defects were made in the calvarial bones of each rabbit. one defect remained empty as a control; prepared eggshell membranes were extended across the other two defects; and prepared eggshell powder was inserted inside t ...200312870376
development of the digestive tract in the ostrich (struthio camelus).a study was conducted to investigate changes in the development of the gastrointestinal tract (git) in relation to body growth of growing ostriches. there was an 11-fold increase (p < 0.001) in body weight between 3 and 72 days of age. the relative (to body weight) weight of the proventriculus/gizzard, caeca and colon also increased (p < 0.001) with age. the relative weight of the small intestine peaked at 41 days of age and then tended to decline (p < 0.05) subsequently. the relative weight of ...200312903866
severe ocular and periocular injuries caused by an ostrich.an adult was attacked by an ostrich and suffered severe ocular and periocular injury, with permanent loss of vision. fragments of ostrich beak were removed from the right periorbital laceration. unprovoked severe bird injuries are rare. to the best of our knowledge, ocular injury caused by an ostrich has never been reported in the ophthalmic literature.200312918566
effects of some egg characteristics on the mass loss and hatchability of ostrich (struthio camelus) eggs.1. this study was conducted to examine some egg characteristics and determine the effects of eggshell thickness and eggshell porosity on water loss and hatchability of eggs in ostriches. 2. shell thickness did not correlate significantly with hatchability. however, eggs of low shell thickness lost more mass (13.03%) than those with intermediate (11.22%) and high (10.36%) shell thickness. mass loss during incubation was higher in hatched (11.98%) than unhatched eggs (11.09%). shell thickness was ...200312964621
physical and chemical quality of ostrich eggs during the laying season.1. fifteen ostrich females were monitored for a full breeding season. at 30, 70, 110, 150 and 210 d from the beginning of laying, one egg per female was taken to the laboratory to assess its physical and nutritive characteristics. 2. the average length was 15.4 cm, while the width was 12.9 cm. average shell thickness ranged from 2.20 mm at the equator to 2.24 mm at the small pole. the three principal components of the egg (albumen, yolk and shell) amounted to 57.1, 23.3 and 19.6%, respectively. ...200312964622
young's modulus varies with differential orientation of keratin in feathers.feathers are composed of a structure that, whilst being very light, is able to withstand the large aerodynamic forces exerted upon them during flight. to explore the contribution of molecular orientation to feather keratin mechanical properties, we have examined the nanoscopic organisation of the keratin molecules by x-ray diffraction techniques and have confirmed a link between this and the young's modulus of the feather rachis. our results indicate that along the rachis length, from calamus to ...200312972348
characterization of poultry egg-white avidins and their potential as a tool in pretargeting cancer treatment.chicken avidin and bacterial streptavidin are proteins used in a wide variety of applications in the life sciences due to their strong affinity for biotin. a new and promising use for them is in medical pretargeting cancer treatments. however, their pharmacokinetics and immunological properties are not always optimal, thereby limiting their use in these applications. to search for potentially beneficial new candidates, we screened egg white from four different poultry species for avidin. avidin ...200312558501
comparison of the mechanical behaviors of biological tissues subjected to uniaxial tensile testing: pig, calf and ostrich pericardium sutured with gore-tex.the purpose of this study was to compare the mechanical behavior of calf pericardium, pig pericardium and ostrich pericardium when subjected to tensile testing. tensile stress was applied to 108 tissue samples, 36 of each type of tissue, until rupture. groups of three adjacent strips measuring 12 x 2 cm(2) were cut longitudinally. each group consisted of an unsutured center sample, or control, and the two contiguous samples, that on the right sutured with gore-tex at a 90 degrees angle with resp ...200312559827
outbreak of aspergillosis in a flock of adult ostriches (struthio camelus). 200312918831
a morphological study of simple testicular cysts in the ostrich (struthio camelus).simple testicular cysts are rare in mammals and of unknown aetiology, but dietary conditions have been implicated in this phenomenon in poultry. this study characterises the structural features of simple intratesticular cysts in the ostrich. seven testes from a total of 15 sexually mature ostriches slaughtered during the breeding season were used. the testes contained multifocal, fluid-filled, unilocular cysts which were lined by a simple squamous or low cuboidal epithelium and surrounded by a t ...200312589740
variability in brain and arterial blood temperatures in free-ranging ostriches in their natural habitat.we used implanted miniature data loggers to measure brain (in or near the hypothalamus) and carotid arterial blood temperatures at 5 min intervals in six free-ranging ostriches struthio camelus in their natural habitat, for a period of up to 14 days. carotid blood temperature exhibited a large amplitude (3.0-4.6 degrees c) circadian rhythm, and was positively correlated with air temperature. during the day, brain temperature exceeded carotid blood temperature by approx. 0.4 degrees c, but there ...200312604577
immunohistochemical localization of s100-like protein in non-mammalian kidney.the immunolocalization of s100-like protein was investigated in the kidney of saltwater fishes (dicentrarchus labrax; coris julis; serranus cabrilla; scorpaena porcus), amphibia (rana aesculenta), reptiles (lacerta viridis), and aves (gallus domesticus; strutio camelus). s100-like immunoreactivity was detected in the juxtaglomerular cells of all saltwater fishes studied. no immunoreactivity was observed in other tracts of the nephron or in the interstitial tissue. in frog kidney, s100-like immun ...200312645012
radiographic gastrointestinal contrast study in the ostrich (struthio camelus).ten gastrointestinal contrast studies were performed with barium on seven clinically healthy ostriches. concentrations of 25-100% w/vol liquid barium sulfate at 7 and 10 ml/kg were administered by stomach tube after withholding food for 16 h. a 6-frame technique for left-to-right lateral views in standing and a 3-frame technique for the dorsoventral views in sternally recumbent adult ostriches were used for survey and contrast radiographs. objectives were to describe the appearance of the normal ...200314599167
isolation and characterization of 70 novel microsatellite markers from ostrich (struthio camelus) genome.microsatellite markers are widely used in linkage mapping, parentage testing, population genetic studies, and molecular evolution studies in many agricultural species, while only a limited number of ostrich (struthio camelus) microsatellites have been isolated. thus, we constructed a random small-insert genomic library and a microsatellite-enriched library containing ca repeats. fourteen clones containing ca repeats were isolated from 3462 clones in the non-enriched library by radioactive screen ...200314608400
a molecular genetic analysis of the communal nesting of the ostrich (struthio camelus).the ostrich breeding system is complex and unique; communal clutches are laid by several females, although only one female, the major female, and the resident territorial male provide parental care. more eggs are laid in the nest than can be incubated and the major female ejects surplus eggs from the incubated central clutch. microsatellite markers were used to analyse the parentage of communal nests in nairobi national park. this revealed that major females contributed a disproportionate number ...200312492891
comparative pharmacokinetics of three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in five bird species.information on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anti-inflammatory drugs in birds is scarce. choice of drug and of dosage is usually empirical, since studies of anti-inflammatory drugs are lacking. in this study, three common veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids) were administered intravenously to five different bird species. sodium salicylate, flunixin and meloxicam were selected as anti-inflammatory drugs. these nsaids were administered intravenously to chickens ...200312524015
disulfide pairings and secondary structure of porcine beta-microseminoprotein.a sperm motility inhibitor isolated from porcine seminal plasma is identical to porcine beta-microseminoprotein (msp). circular dichroism (cd) and nuclear magnetic resonance (nmr) data showed that the native and recombinant porcine msps exhibit very similar structure. the five disulfide pairings on porcine msp were unambiguously assigned based on nmr data and further confirmed using structural calculations. surprisingly, our derived pairings differ from those recently reported for ostrich msp ba ...200312706823
on the sensitive innervation of the ostrich's foot pads.the sensitive and autonomic innervation of foot pads in the ostrich was studied employing an usual histological technique as hematoxylin-eosin or different gold chloride impregnations. the autonomic innervation is represented by isolated or grouped ganglion cells located along the course of nerve bundles. the sensitive somatic innervation is composed by free and capsulated nerve endings usually distributed in the thickness of the connective arrangement of the foot pads, in the most superficial p ...200312737513
possible modes of allergen-specific sensitization and boosting in an atopic child.several studies document that allergen-specific ige levels are boosted by allergen contact via the respiratory tract in allergic patients. only few data are available on whether other routes of allergen contact have an influence on systemic ige responses. we report the case of a boy who developed egg allergy after heavy consumption of eggs by the mother during pregnancy and breast feeding. in contrast to other children who outgrow egg allergy during the first years of life, the boy experienced f ...200312740528
hepatitis associated with clostridium difficile in an ostrich chick.a live 19-day-old male ostrich chick was euthanized and necropsied. it was one of 12 chicks in a group in which 8 had died with history of anorexia, diarrhoea and weight loss. the birds had been treated with amikacin, piperacillin and enrofloxacin. necropsy of the ostrich revealed dehydration, mild ascites and serous atrophy of fat around the heart. the liver had numerous yellow tan foci on the capsular surface as well as on the cut surface. caecal contents were watery. microscopic examination o ...200312745381
microbial quality of ostrich carcasses produced at an export-approved south african abattoir.the aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial quality of ostrich carcasses produced in a south african export-approved ostrich abattoir. ninety surface samples were collected from 30 ostrich carcasses at three processing points in the abattoir: after skinning, after evisceration, and after chilling. samples were evaluated for aerobic plate counts, for levels of pseudomonas spp., enterobacteriaceae, and staphylococcus aureus, and for the presence of escherichia coli. surface counts (means + ...200312747700
expression of a synthetic gene coding for ostrich egg-white lysozyme in pichia pastoris and its enzymatic activity.to investigate the structure-function relationships of goose-type lysozyme, a gene coding for ostrich egg-white lysozyme (oel) was designed based on the published amino acid sequence and constructed by assembling 32 chemically synthesized oligonucleotides. to obtain the recombinant oel (roel), the synthetic gene was fused to the alpha-factor signal peptide in the expression vector ppic9k and expressed in the methylotrophic yeast pichia pastoris. the secreted protein from the transformed yeast wa ...200312761207
the telescoping suture--part ii: a novel method to improve the mechanical behavior of a new biomaterial: ostrich pericardium.ostrich pericardium, sutured using a telescoping or overlapping technique, was studied to determine its mechanical behavior. from each of 12 pericardial sacs, four contiguous strips were cut longitudinally, from root to apex, and another four contiguous strips were cut in transverse direction. one of the strips in each set of four was used as an unsutured control and the remaining three were sutured by overlapping 0.5 cm of the tissue and sewing with gore-tex, prolene or pronova. these 96 sample ...200212557997
impact of offsite sediment transport and toxicity on remediation of a contaminated estuarine bay.sediment of ostrich bay, an arm of dyes inlet on puget sound, was historically contaminated with ordnance compounds from an onshore us navy facility. an initial recommendation for a sediment cover to mitigate benthic risks was followed by studies of sediment transport and deposition to determine whether contaminated sediment from dyes inlet or other offsite sources in puget sound may contribute to ostrich bay impacts. a sediment trend analysis (sta) identified net sediment transport pathways thr ...200212523517
genetic and antigenic characterization of a poxvirus isolate from ostriches.avian poxvirus was isolated from nodules on the heads and conjunctiva of two 3-to-4-wk-old ostrich chicks. the ostriches from which poxvirus was isolated had been placed on premises where turkeys that had shown evidence of poxvirus infection had been raised earlier. microscopically, the nodules from the ostriches were composed of proliferating and hypertrophic epithelial cells that formed large fronds. most of the hypertrophic epithelial cells contained large eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclus ...200212061654
the primary structure of cassowary (casuarius casuarius) goose type lysozyme.the complete amino acid sequence of cassowary (casuarius casuarius) goose type lysozyme was analyzed by direct protein sequencing of peptides obtained by cleavage with trypsin, v8 protease, chymotrypsin, lysyl endopeptidase, and cyanogen bromide. the n-terminal residue of the enzyme was deduced to be a pyroglutamate group by analysis with a lc/ms/ms system equipped with the omaldi ionization source, and then confirmed by a glutamate aminopeptidase enzyme. the blocked n-terminal is the first repo ...200211866097
oozing ostrich egg: omphalitis caused by enterobacter sp. 200211910395
the purification and characterization of mu-calpain and calpastatin from ostrich brain.calcium-activated neutral proteinases (canps) and their endogenous specific inhibitor calpastatin are found in a wide variety of vertebrate and invertebrate tissues. the canps are cysteine proteinases that have an absolute requirement for ca(2+) for activity. mu-calpain and calpastatin were purified by successive chromatographic steps on toyopearl-super q 650s and pharmacia mono q hr 5/5 columns. the enzyme has a m(r) of 84kda using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (sds ...200211943592
a dna test to sex ratite birds.dna-based sex tests now exist for many avian species. however, none of these tests are widely applicable to ratites. we present dna sequence data for a locus that is w chromosome-linked in the kiwi, ostrich, cassowary, rhea, and emu. at the amino acid level, this sequence has significant homology to x-linked genes in platyfish and caenorhabditis elegans. polymerase chain reaction (pcr) primers designed to this locus allow the assignment of sex in all species of living ratites.200211972770
cloning and gene expression of a cdna for the chicken follicle-stimulating hormone (fsh)-beta-subunit.follicle-stimulating hormone (fsh) is a member of pituitary glycoprotein hormones that are composed of two dissimilar subunits, alpha and beta. very little information is available regarding the nucleotide and amino acid sequence of fsh-beta in avian species. for better understanding of the phylogenic diversity and evolution of fsh molecule, we have isolated and sequenced the complete complementary dna (cdna) encoding chicken fsh-beta precursor molecule by reverse transcription-polymerase chain ...200211884082
winter survival in sweden of l(3)-stage larvae of the ostrich wireworm libyostrongylus douglassii.libyostrongylus douglassii, a pathogenic trichostrongylid nematode of the ostrich, was recently identified as a potentially important parasite in ostriches on swedish farms. this parasite is well adapted to the hot and dry climates of sub-saharan africa, the natural habitat of the ostrich. the influence of low temperatures in colder climates, such as in sweden, on free-living stages of l. douglassii is however insufficiently known. in this study, parasite free ostrich faeces were mixed with infe ...200211992712
relationship between seasonal changes in spermatogenesis in the juvenile ostrich (stuthio camelus) and the presence of the lh receptor and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.the immunohistochemical localization of the lh receptor and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-hsd) was studied in the testis of the juvenile ostrich (stuthio camelus) throughout a 1 year period. spermatogenic activity of juvenile birds changed throughout the year, as has been reported previously for sexually mature birds. during the active stage of the testicular cycle, from september to january, spermatogenesis progressed up to the stage of formation of spermatozoa, although spermatozoa ...200212006102
ostrich antithrombin iii: kinetics and mechanism of inhibition of ostrich thrombin.a kinetic investigation of ostrich thrombin specificity, its regulation and evolutionary development in comparison to those of other well-characterised species may contribute to the understanding of the structure-function relationships of thrombin. antithrombin iii (atiii) was purified from ostrich plasma by heparin-sepharose and super q-650s chromatography. it exhibited a m(r) of 59.2k and a pi in the range of 5.2-6.0. the ostrich n-terminal sequence was compared to those of other known species ...200212009311
morphological and histochemical observations of the organic components of ostrich eggshell.the organic component of the avian eggshell can be divided into 3 portions, the shell membranes, the matrix and the cuticle. these have been well characterised in the chicken but little has been published with regard to the ostrich (struthio camelus). a number of recent studies have indicated that the cause of intra-shell embryonic deaths in the ostrich is similar to intra-shell embryonic deaths that occur in the chicken. these deaths in the chicken are associated with the loss of or damage to t ...200212088066
septicaemic pasteurellosis in ostriches (struthio camelus) in central saudi arabia. 200212093199
the effect of mixing and translocating juvenile ostriches (struthio camelus) in botswana on the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio.the possibility was investigated that translocation of juvenile ostriches from concrete-paved to sandfloored pens and mixing of batches of ostriches after such translocation constitute a stress strong enough to evoke changes in the ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes. blood smears were obtained from 15 ostriches out of a group of 25 birds 4 and 2 days before and then 2 and 4 days after translocation. the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio changed from 0.27 and 0.37 on days 4 and 2, respectively, bef ...200212094680
pentadactyl pattern of the avian wing autopodium and pyramid reduction hypothesis.we report herein that a pentadactyl developmental pattern is evident in early wing morphogenesis of gallus (chicken) and struthio (ostrich). five avascular zones (spatially predestined locations of contiguous metacarpal and phalangeal aggregation) and four interdigital vascular spaces are established by the regression patterns of autopodial vasculature. transient vestiges of the first and fifth metacarpals are confirmed histologically and histochemically. they lie within the preaxial-most and po ...200212210116
mechanical behavior of chemically treated ostrich pericardium subjected to uniaxial tensile testing: influence of the suture.the mechanical behavior of sutured ostrich pericardium was studied by uniaxial tensile testing. one hundred forty-four tissue specimens were assessed: 96 sutured samples (48 in which a centrally located suture was placed at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis, whereas in the remaining 48, a centrally located suture was placed at a 45 degrees angle to the longitudinal axis, in sets of 12 samples each, sewn with sutures made of gore-tex, nylon, prolene, or silk), and 48 un ...200212124788
phylogenetic relationships of southern african west nile virus isolates.phylogenetic relationships were examined for 29 southern african west nile virus (formal name west nile virus [wnv]) isolates from various sources in four countries from 1958 to 2001. in addition, sequence data were retrieved from genbank for another 23 wnv isolates and kunjin and japanese encephalitis viruses. all isolates belonged to two lineages. lineage 1 isolates were from central and north africa, europe, israel, and north america; lineage 2 isolates were from central and southern africa a ...200212141968
preliminary results on the use of diagnostic ultrasonography as a management tool to quantify egg production potential in breeding ostrich (struthio camelus australis) females.an ostrich breeding flock, joined as individual breeding pairs (n = 136 pairs), was used to investigate the possibility of diagnostic ultrasonography as a method to predict the reproductive performance of ostrich females during a breeding season. follicular activity was easily detected and quantified by using diagnostic ultrasonography. one to 8 follicles were recorded in 25% of females scanned at the beginning of the 9-month breeding season. at the end of the breeding season, 1-3 follicles were ...200212240768
comparison of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and virus neutralization test for detection of antibodies to avian pneumovirus.two different whole-virus enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (elisas), developed in ohio (oh) with apv/minnesota/turkey/2a/97 and in minnesota (mn) with apv/colorado/turkey/97, and the virus neutralization (vn) test were used to test 270 turkey serum samples from 27 minnesota turkey flocks for avian pneumovirus (apv) antibodies. in addition, 77 turkey serum samples and 128 ostrich serum samples from ohio were tested. none of the turkey samples from ohio had antibodies to apv by the vn test and o ...200212243535
stomach impaction in ostriches (struthio camelus): blood chemistry, hematology, and treatment.this study involved 14 ostriches of both sexes between 3 and 24 mo of age. some hematologic and biochemical parameters were studied in animals with stomach impaction. clinical examination of the birds revealed anorexia, emaciation, decreased defecation, listlessness, separation from the flock, and recumbence. the total number of leukocytes (10.4 x 10(3) mm3), the concentrations of serum glucose (166 mg/dl), and total protein (2.4 g/dl) decreased; serum creatine phosphokinase (1240 u/l) and alkal ...200212243548
turlock-like bunyavirus associated with encephalomyelitis and myocarditis in an ostrich chick.in the fall of 1995, a 20-day-old female ostrich chick, 1 of a group of 20, was presented live with clinical signs of 2 days duration characterized by unsteady gait, circling to the left, and walking backward. another bird with similar clinical signs had died and another had recovered. the bird was euthanized and examined at necropsy. twenty-five milliliters of serous fluid was in the abdominal cavity and there was increased pericardial fluid. histopathology of the brain revealed mild to moderat ...200212296386
the hand of birds revealed by early ostrich embryos.the problem of resolving the homology of the digits of the avian hand has been framed as a conflict between paleontological and embryological evidence, the former thought to support a hand composed of digits i, ii, iii, because of similarity of the phalangeal formulae of the earliest known bird archaeopteryx to that of mesozoic pentadactyl archosaurs, while embryological evidence has traditionally favored a ii, iii, iv avian hand. we have identified the critical developmental period for the majo ...200212435089
purification and characterization of the 20s proteasome from ostrich skeletal muscle.the proteasome is a high molecular weight, multisubunit and multicatalytic enzyme. here we report the purification and characterization of ostrich skeletal muscle 20s proteasome. it was purified to homogeneity with mr 700,000, pi 6.67 and a 'ladder' of 22.2-33.5 kda bands on sds-page. the amino acid composition and amino-terminal sequences showed large identities to those of other species. for the three major activities, ph and temperature optima ranged between 8.0-11.0 and 40-70 degrees c, and ...200212437115
a study of the immunohistochemical localization of the progesterone and oestrogen receptors in the magnum of the immature ostrich, struthio camelus.the immunolocalization of the progesterone (pr) and oestrogen receptors (or), in the magnum of the immature ostrich, was investigated during periods of ovarian activity and inactivity. in the immature ostrich, with an active ovary, numerous well-developed tubular glands were present in the lamina propria. significantly, pr immunostaining was strong in the surface epithelium and tubular glands of these birds. in contrast, weak staining for the pr was observed in the surface epithelium of birds wi ...200212484428
characterization and chromosomal distribution of novel satellite dna sequences of the lesser rhea (pterocnemia pennata) and the greater rhea (rhea americana).two different types of novel satellite dna (stdna) sequences were cloned from the lesser rhea (ptercnemia pennata) and the greater rhea (rhea americana) after digestion of genomic dnas with a restriction endonuclease pvu ii, and characterized by filter hybridization and in-situ hybridization to metaphase chromosomes. these nucleotide sequences consisted of gc-rich 288-bp and 332-bp repeated elements in p. pennata and 288-bp and 336-bp repeated elements in r. americana, all of which were organize ...200212489832
diseases of farmed crocodiles and ostriches.crocodiles and ostriches are very sensitive to stress, and the ideal conditions for intensive rearing have not yet been established. consequently, mortality is often directly linked to conditions on the farm. crocodile and caiman pox, adenoviral hepatitis, mycoplasmosis, chlamydiosis and coccidiosis are crocodile-specific infections with reservoirs in wild populations and adult wild-caught breeding stock. other important conditions are salmonellosis, non-specific septicaemia, trichinellosis, the ...200211974614
parasites from farmed ostriches (struthio camelus) and rheas (rhea americana) in europe.during a 4-year-period, more than 500 ostriches and several rheas, all born in european countries and raised in spain and portugal, have been analyzed for the presence of ectoparasites and endoparasites. a total of 29 parasite species have been found, most of them of the gastrointestinal tract. some of the helminth species found may represent spureous parasitosis, as only the eggs (of an ascarid and a trematode) were found in some samples. from the organisms identified, the ectoparasites (lice-s ...200212072221
the purification and characterisation of m-calpain from ostrich brain.calpains are intracellular cysteine proteases activated in a ca(2+)-dependent manner. the purpose of the present study was to investigate the physico-chemical and kinetic properties of ostrich brain m-calpain. m-calpain was purified by successive chromatographic steps on toyopearl-super q 650s and pharmacia mono q hr 5/5 columns. a ca(2+) concentration of 5mm and a casein concentration of 5mg/ml were found to be necessary for optimum calpain activity. ostrich m-calpain exhibited a m(r) of 84k us ...200211854033
an ostrich on a rock: commentary on christie and barresi (2002).there are problems with both the theoretical logic and the interpretation of data in christie and barresi's (2002) interesting article. the general pattern of results (described as orwellian) is easily incorporated into an information-processing framework compatible with dennett's analysis. in particular, different aspects of the illusory motion event are queried at different times and these aspects (line extent and manner of appearance) are not in conflict, so no revision of conscious content i ...200212191956
progesterone and oestrogen receptor immunoreactivity in the vagina of the immature ostrich, struthio camelus.1. the presence of sperm storage tubules in the cranial, middle and caudal regions of the vagina in the immature ostrich was studied. in addition, progesterone and oestrogen receptor immunoreactivity in these regions was investigated. 2. sperm storage tubules were observed only in birds with active ovaries. progesterone receptor immunoreactivity was more intense in birds with active ovaries, whilst immunostaining for the oestrogen receptor was absent in birds with both active and inactive ovarie ...200212195805
plasma chemistry reference values in ostriches.reference values for 18 plasma chemical variables in blue neck ostriches (struthio camelus australis, n = 60, age 24-36 mo) were established for use in veterinary clinical practice using nonparametric statistics. the following values were established for the percentiles p2.5 and p97.5: sodium 147-157 mmol/l, calcium 2.4-4.8 mmol/l, inorganic phosphate 1.3-2.3 mmol/l, chloride 94-105 mmol/l, glucose 10.3-13.7 mmol/l, urea 0.5-0.8 mmol/l, uric acid 351-649 mumol/l, bile acids 8-33 mumol/l, total p ...200211838206
large scale sex typing of ostriches using dna extracted from feathers.ostrich (struthio camelus) breeds have been gaining increasing significance around the world. the large-scale sex determination of chicks is an important task in the development of these breeds. to date, two pcr-based methods have been established for ostrich sex typing, neither of them intended for large-scale analyses. here, we report on a protocol adapted to carry out large-scale gender scoring using dna obtained from chick feathers.200212359044
insight into residues critical for antithrombin function from analysis of an expanded database of sequences that includes frog, turtle, and ostrich antithrombins.complete sequences were determined for frog, turtle, and ostrich antithrombins. protein sequence comparisons with the other 10 known antithrombin sequences and with sequences of other serpins have provided striking evidence for the conservation of the heparin activation mechanism and new insight into those residues important for heparin binding, for heparin activation, and for reactive center loop function, as well as an indication of which glycosylation sites might be needed for function. impor ...200212645893
water absorption in relation to fermentation in the colon of the ostrich (struthio camelus).the colon is a major site for fermentation and water absorption in the ostrich. water absorption along the colon was evaluated and its relationship to osmolality, na+ concentration, short chain fatty acid (scfa) concentration and carbohydrate content of digesta analysed. mean water content decreased from 5.30 +/- 0.99 to 2.51 +/- 0.13 mf/g dry mass in the first 5 m of the colon. correspondingly, mean carbohydrate content fell from 529.85 +/- 46.61 to 434.99 +/- 29.89 mg/g dry mass. a significant ...200212625384
stunning and slaughter of ostriches.a study of the commercial stunning and slaughter of 783 ostriches in a republic of south african abattoir revealed that a simple ostrich handling system, combined with a leg clamp applied during stunning current flow and operated by experienced ostrich slaughtermen, resulted in a humane, efficient slaughter process. it was estimated that an electrical stunning current in excess of 400 milliamps at 50 hz ac, applied to the head only, would prevent recovery in more than 90% of the ostriches, when ...200222063642
assessment of the pathogenicity of an emu-origin influenza a h5 virus in ostriches (struthio camelus).ostriches were inoculated with a laboratory-derived highly pathogenic avian influenza (hpai) virus of emu origin, a/emu/tx/39924/93 (h5n2) clone c1b. the aim of this study was to evaluate the pathogenicity of this isolate for ostriches and assess the ability of routine virological and serological tests to detect infection. avian influenza virus (aiv) was isolated from cloacal and tracheal swabs from 2 to 12 days post-infection. aiv was also isolated from brain, thymus, eyelid, spleen, ovary/test ...200119184878
midazolam/butorphanol/ketamine and the clinically effective dose of isoflurane anesthesia of ostriches (struthio camelus). 200128404343
radiographic anatomy of the thoraco-abdominal cavity of the ostrich (struthio camelus).this study provides a reference for the radiographic anatomy of the thoraco-abdominal cavity of female ostriches as a representative of ratites. one ostrich cadaver, 2 adult and 2 growing ostriches were used. right lateral radiographs produced by a 6-frame technique and 2 dorsoventral radiographs produced by an adapted 3-frame technique were selected and schematic illustrations of these were labelled to illustrate normal radiographic anatomy. differences from other avian species and unique featu ...200112219915
amino acid sequence of kalinowaski's tinamou (nothoprocta kalinowskii) hemoglobin and the rate of evolution of bird alphad-globin.two hemoglobin components are recognized in erythrocytes of the adult tinamou. we determined the amino acid sequences of tinamou alphad-, alphaa-, and beta-globins from intact globin chains and several chemically cleaved fragments. a remarkable feature of tinamou hemoglobin was a deletion in the alphad-globin chain. this has not been reported in the literature, except in pigeon embryonic alphad-globin. the amino acid sequences of tinamou globin were highly similar to those of ostrich and rhea he ...200111838542
factors related to high levels of ostrich chick mortality from hatching to 90 days of age in an intensive rearing system.ostrich chick mortality was studied in 2522 chicks that were hatched artificially during the 1999/2000 breeding season. high levels of mortality were observed, with 1978 (78.4 %) of these chicks dying before 90 days after hatching. a total of 46.7 % (1,177) of these chicks died before 28 days of age, and a further 30.7% (801) died between 28 and 90 days post-hatching. chick mortality to 28 days of age could not be conclusively related to sex, day of external pipping or breeder diet. mortality ra ...200112219914
sediment toxicity identification evaluation (tie) studies at marine sites suspected of ordnance contamination.a sediment quality assessment survey and subsequent toxicity identification evaluation (tie) study was conducted at several sites in puget sound, washington. the sites were previously suspected of contamination with ordnance compounds. the initial survey employed sea urchin porewater toxicity tests to locate the most toxic stations. sediments from the most toxic stations were selected for comprehensive chemical analyses. based on the combined information from the toxicity and chemical data, thre ...200111503066
first report of the genus retortamonas (sarcomastigophora: retortamonadidae) in birds.in studies carried out on the parasites infecting ostriches (struthio camelus) in spain, trophozoites of retortamonas sp. have been found in the intestinal contents of 28 out of 146 slaughtered ostriches. the species infecting ostriches could not be determined from the morphological data available. however, these findings are important as they constitute the first report of the genus retortamonas in birds.200111685262
gas exchange and energy metabolism of the ostrich (struthio camelus) embryo.we measured oxygen consumption (v(o(2))) and carbon dioxide emission (v(co(2))) rates, air-cell gas partial pressures of oxygen (p(a)o(2)) and co(2) (p(a)co(2)), eggshell water vapour conductance and energy content of the ostrich (struthio camelus) egg, 'true hatchling' and residual yolk, and calculated rq and total oxygen consumption (v(o(2)tot)) for ostrich eggs incubated at 36.5 degrees c and 25% relative humidity. the v(o(2)) pattern showed a drop of approximately 5% before internal pipping. ...200111691605
plasma thyroid hormones and growth hormone in embryonic and growing emus (dromaius novaehollandiae).growth hormone (gh), thyroxine (t4) and tri-iodothyronine (t3) are known to be involved in the regulation of growth and development in a variety of avian species. it has been suggested that an absence of gh and thyroid hormones in ostriches is the cause of their neoteny, a phenomenon in which juvenile characteristics are retained into adulthood. neoteny is typical of all ratites, the single group of flightless birds that includes the ostrich, but similar endocrine studies have not been performed ...200111720129
transcutaneous ultrasonography of the coelomic viscera of the ostrich (struthio camelus).ultrasonographic examinations were performed on clinically healthy growing and adult nonbreeding female ostriches. multiple acoustic windows and the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the coelomic viscera were described. good images of the heart and its major vessels, proventriculus, ventriculus, intestines, liver, and kidneys could be obtained. additionally, an anechoic structure, believed to function as an urinary bladder, could be imaged in the cloacal region. the pancreas, spleen, thyroid ...200111768524
effects of storage length and weight loss during incubation on the hatchability of ostrich eggs (struthio camuelus).a total of 150 ostrich eggs was collected from two commercial ostrich farms. the eggs were brushed to remove soil and placed into one storage area (15.51 to 15.56 c without controlling humidity) for different periods of time (up to 19 d) before being incubated. after storage, the eggs were kept for 12 h at room temperature, and then washed, disinfected, and dried before being placed into a commercial incubator to determine the effect of length of storage on hatchability. the two supply farms var ...200111771879
evidence for reductive acetogenesis and its nutritional significance in ostrich hindgut as estimated from in vitro incubations. 200111686800
ostrich ocular optics.the optical structure of the eyes of ostriches (struthio camelus; struthionidae; struthioniformes) was determined by the construction of a schematic eye model for paraxial optics. the eye is large (axial length = 38 mm) and of globose shape with an anterior focal length (posterior nodal distance) of 21.8 mm. the optical design of the eye is such that the lens and cornea contribute equally to its total optical power. interspecific comparison shows that optically the ostrich eye is a larger scaled ...200111805377
a qualitative and quantitative study of the lung of an ostrich, struthio camelus.the ostrich lung, with its lack of interparabronchial septa, the presence of very shallow atria and exceptional morphometric refinement, structurally resembles those of small, energetic flying birds, whereas it also displays features characteristic of the flightless ratites in which the neopulmo is relatively poorly developed and a segmentum accelerans may be generally lacking. the large size of the bronchial system of the ostrich may help explain the unique shifts in the airflow pathways that m ...200111507114
palaeontology. the beaks of ostrich dinosaurs.primitive ornithomimids, a ubiquitous group of specialized cretaceous dinosaurs nested within a clade of predominantly carnivorous theropods, are known to have had teeth, whereas derived ornithomimids had an edentulous beak, which has prompted speculation about their dietary habits. here we describe two new ornithomimid specimens in which soft-tissue structures of the beak have been preserved. these creatures probably used their beaks to strain food sediment in an aqueous environment, rather tha ...200111528466
identification of the sex of a wide range of carinatae birds by pcr using primer sets selected from chicken ee0.6 and its related sequences.a 0.6 kb ecori fragment (ee0.6), cloned from the w chromosome of chickens, is a nonrepetitive sequence and contains an exonlike sequence, et15, which is likely a part of a pseudogene. the ee0.6 sequence is conserved in all species of birds examined both in carinatae and ratitae. a counterpart sequence of ee0.6 is present on the z chromosome. the extent of diversity between the w- and z-linked sequences are variable among species. the w- and z-linked ee0.6 sequences, cloned from 12 different spec ...200111535643
ostrich pericardium, a biomaterial for the construction of valve leaflets for cardiac bioprostheses: mechanical behaviour, selection and interaction with suture materials.the mechanical behavior of ostrich pericardium was studied for the purpose of assessing its utility in the construction of bioprosthetic cardiac valve leaflets. the tissue was tested biaxially using a hydraulic simulator that subjected it to increasing stress until rupture. one hundred eighty trials were performed, 36 with unsutured pericardium and four series of 36 trials each with pericardium sutured with silk, prolene, nylon or gore-tex. the samples were tested in pairs from three different p ...200111545307
biochemical composition of urine from farmed ostriches (struthio camelus) in botswana.biochemical and qualitative evaluation of the supernatant of urine from hydrated farmed ostriches (struthio camelus) indicated that the urine was comparable to that described by other workers. the disparities obtained between the biochemical constituents in the present and previous studies were partly attributed to the state of hydration influenced by climatic factors. results of the cytological examination of the supernatant and the sediment concurred with the observations of other workers. it ...200111563720
Displaying items 501 - 600 of 1019