Pathologic and Environmental Studies Provide New Pathogenetic Insights Into Ringtail of Laboratory Mice

Ringtail is a pathologic condition of laboratory rodents characterized by annular constrictions of the tail. Traditionally, it is classified as an environmental disorder caused by low relative humidity, but other factors (temperature, dietary deficiencies, genetic susceptibility, and caging type) have also been proposed. Twenty litters of mice with ringtail lesions occurred from September 2010 to August 2013 in a facility located in the northern Italy. Mice were maintained under controlled environmental conditions and fed a standard diet. Retrospective analysis of environmental data (relative humidity, temperature) was carried out. Gross, histopathologic, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy examination of tails and limbs was performed. The incidence of ringtail was 0.075% (20/26 800) of all weaned litters over the 3-year period of examination. Temperature and relative humidity remained within accepted limits in all cases except one. We observed annular constrictions in tail, digits of pes, crus, and antebrachium in 116 (100.0%), 47 (40.5%), 11 (9.5%), and 2 (1.7%) of 116 affected mice, respectively. Histologic and ultrastructural examination revealed abnormal keratin desquamation and presence of a keratin ring encircling the tail, causing progressive strangulation of the growing tail with subsequent compression and ulceration of underlying soft tissues, resulting in circulatory changes (edema, hyperemia, thrombosis, hemorrhages), ischemic necrosis, and eventually auto-amputation distal to the constriction. On the basis of our findings, we suggest a disorder of cornification as the primary lesion of ringtail in mice. The cause of these cases, however, remained undetermined, even though traditional etiologic factors (relative humidity, temperature, diet, caging type) were reasonably excluded.

The somatotype of "amateur" Italian female volleyball-players

In order to collect data on the physique of "amateur" female volleyball players, 50 athletes (VP) were measured according to the Health/Carter anthropometric somatotype method. They were divided into two subgroups: juniors (JVP < 18 years old) and seniors (SVP > 18). Their somatotype scores were respectively: 4.9-3.8-2.6 and 4.7-3.9-2.3. No significant differences emerged for any of the components of the somatotype between the two subgroups. JVP and SVP resulted as being taller and stouter than the mean of the Italian girls of the same age, but their menstrual function parameters (such as: age at onset of menarche, cycle and flux lengths) did not differ. Centres were much taller and heavier than other players. For the whole VP sample, the values of anthropometric measures and somatotype scores resulted as being congruent with those ascertained for other cohorts of amateur VP found in relevant literature.

[Evaluation of 2 analytical technics for determination of fecal lipids]

The van de Kamer titrimetric method for the determination of fecal fatty acids has been compared with the colorimetric technique described by TOMASZEWSKI. Reproducibility and accuracy as well as the applicability in a clinical laboratory service are discussed. The AA. point out that van de Kamer method still remains the method of choice for diagnostic purposes.