The life expectancy of domestic pet cats is increasing, along with the occurrence of geriatric-onset behavioural problems, such as cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). While the cause of CDS is unclear, it has been suggested that it may result from age-related neurodegeneration. In aged and in particular senile human beings, histopathological changes may include the extracellular accumulation of plaque-like deposits of beta-amyloid (Abeta) protein and the intracellular accumulation of an abnormally hyperphosphorylated form of the microtubule-associated protein, tau. In severe cases, the latter may form into neurofibrillary tangles. Brain material was assessed from 19 cats, aged from 16 weeks to 14 years; 17 of which had clinical signs of neurological dysfunction. Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect Abeta and its intracellular precursor protein (amyloid precursor protein (APP)) and hyperphosphorylated-tau. APP was constitutively expressed, with diffuse staining of neurons and blood vessels being detected in all cats. More intense staining and diffuse extracellular Abeta staining deposits were found within the deep cortical areas of the anterior- and occasionally mid-cerebrum of seven cats, all of which were over 10 years of age. Neurons staining intensely positive for AT8-immunoreactivity were seen in two cats, aged 11 and 13 years. However, no mature neurofibrillary tangles were detected. This study demonstrated that extracellular Abeta accumulation and AT8-immunoreactivity within neurons are age-related phenomena in cats, and that they can occur concurrently. There are similarities between these changes and those observed in the brains of aged people and other old mammals.

This study investigated the expression and tissue distribution of inositol monophosphatase (IMPA1) and characterized its role in salinity adaptation in the eel. The coding sequence of eel IMPA1 was determined and confirmed to be orthologous to the mammalian gene/enzyme by phylogenetic analysis and structural modeling. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot techniques indicated up to 17-fold increases in mRNA expression and 2-fold increases in protein abundance in major osmoregulatory tissues following transfer of fish to seawater (SW). This was accompanied by up to 5-fold increases in enzyme activity, and 1.8- and 3-fold increases in inositol contents within the gill and kidney, respectively. Immunohistological studies revealed that IMPA1 protein expression predominated in SW-acclimated fish within basal epithelial/epidermal layers of the gill, esophagus, intestine, skin, and fins. SW transfer also induced a 10-fold increase in inositol content in the fin. IMPA1 immunoreactivity was also identified in chondrocytes within the cartilagenous matrix of the gills and fins, as well as in clusters of interstitial cells surrounding the kidney tubules. The observed increases in expression of IMPA1 highlight a protective role for inositol within various eel tissues following SW acclimation. This constitutes an adaptive mechanism in teleost fish naturally exposed to hypertonic environments.

Objectives: The requirement of the General Medical Council to 'reduce factual overload' has led to the development of integrated curricula in which the knowledge base related to basic medical sciences has been greatly restricted. The time allocated to pathology teaching in medical schools has been decreased. The challenge for educators is to introduce effective methods of learning pathology into an integrated, student-centred curriculum. The aim of this study is to assess the tissue derived from cadaveric material and report its potential for use in teaching histopathology. Methods:We have previously reported how we use cadavers' medical histories when introducing students to their 'first patient'. The medical histories of the seventeen cadavers that were dissected during one academic session were reviewed for evidence of reported pathology. During dissection unexpected pathological findings were noted. Standard histological processing was carried out on pathological tissue from the cadavers, a prosection and a specimen which was displayed in a museum pot. These specimens were then assessed for educational value by an expert clinical histopathologist. Results:We find that the availability of a real medical history combined with gross and microscopic pathology encourages integration of basic medical sciences and promotes the learning of both gross and microscopic pathology in the dissecting room. Conclusion:The dissecting room provides ample material to introduce pathological concepts to undergraduate medical students and this material is a valuable resource for teaching histopathology.

Knowledge of age structure and longevity (maximum age) are essential for modelling marine mammal population dynamics. Estimation of age in common dolphins (Delphinus spp.) is primarily based on counting Growth Layer Groups (GLGs) in the dentine of thin, decalcified and stained sections of teeth. An annual incremental deposition rate was validated for Delphinus spp. 30-years ago through the use of tetracycline. However, it is not known if the pulp cavity becomes occluded in older individuals or GLGs continue to be deposited in dentine tissue. To investigate the deposition of GLGs in dentine tissue, teeth samples were obtained during the necropsies of two short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) that were held in captivity for 31 and 33 years in New Zealand. Individuals were captured together in Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand and classified as juveniles based on physical appearance. Teeth were processed in two ageing laboratories, using four different bone decalcifiers, two sectioning techniques incorporating the use of both a freezing microtome (-20°C) and paraffin microtome, and two different stains. An age was estimated for one of the dolphins, in line with that proposed based on estimated age at capture and period in captivity. However, a hypomineralised area was observed in the dentine tissue close to the pulp cavity of the second individual, preventing estimation of maximum age. The presence and structure of this anomaly is explored further within the study.

Mediterranean monk seals Monachus monachus are classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with < 600 individuals split into 3 isolated sub-populations, the largest in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Canine teeth collected during the last 2 decades from 45 dead monk seals inhabiting Greek waters were processed for age estimation. Ages were best estimated by counting growth layer groups (GLGs) in the cementum adjacent to the root tip using unprocessed longitudinal or transverse sections (360 µm thickness) observed under polarized light. Decalcified and stained thin sections (8 to 23 µm) of both cementum and dentine were inferior to unprocessed sections. From analysing patterns of deposition in the cementum of known agematurity class individuals, one GLG was found to be deposited annually in M. monachus. Ages ranged from 0.5 to 36 yr for females, 0.5 to 21 yr for males and 0.5 to 25.5 yr for individuals of unknown sex. The majority of seals (65%) were considered adults (≥4 yr), followed by juveniles (20%, <1 yr) and sub-adults (15%, 1−3.9 yr). Thirty percent of the aged sample had died from human-related causes, such as accidental entanglement in fishing gear and direct killings. A single-Gompertz growth curve was generated for both sexes using standard length data, resulting in asymptotic values of 212.3 cm for females and 221.8 cm for males. This study represents the first quantitative glimpse of sex-specific growth in monk seals and the age structure of dead individuals in this rare species' core range.KEY WORDS: Mediterranean monk seal · Monachus monachus · Teeth · Age estimation · Growth layer groups · Mortality · Endangered species · Conservation Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher 157 Editorial responsibility: