Diagnostic orientation values for ACTH and other parameters for clinically healthy donkeys and mules (insulin,triglycerides, glucose,fructosamines, and ɣ-GT)

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction is the most prevalent endocrine disease in horses. Although donkeys and mules may also be affected, only a few data have been published. Reference values for diagnostic parameters, such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), are especially scarce or even lacking. Therefore, in the present study, available data from the literature have been verified and completed to facilitate a reliable diagnosis. Clinical inspections and haematological and biochemical examinations were carried out four times in a three-month interval (February to November) in 44 donkeys and 31 mules. Data from clinically healthy animals were used as an orientation. Plasma ACTH concentrations showed seasonal changes in both animal groups. However, it was generally higher in donkeys than mules. Although blood glucose (EDTA plasma) showed no difference between groups, serum insulin concentrations were consistently higher in donkeys. Serum fructosamine levels were slightly higher in mules, whereas, in some cases, serum triglyceride levels were considerably higher in donkeys. Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase showed a striking peak in mules in August, whereas the remaining gamma-glutamyltransferase values were lower compared to donkeys. By comparing donkeys and mules, the present work reveals differences in various blood parameters which should be considered for diagnoses and future studies.     

Performance of broiler chicks fed on alkali‐treated neem (Azadirachta indica) kernel cake as a protein supplement

1. An experiment was conducted to evaluate growth and nutrient efficiency of broiler chicks from 3 to 42 d fed on diets containing alkali‐treated neem (Azadirachta indica A. juss) kernel cake (NKC) as a protein supplement in place of peanut meal (PNM).

2. NKC was treated with sodium hydroxide at 10 (ANKC 1) or 20 g (ANKC 2)/kg and incorporated into the test diets at 135 or 300 g/kg to replace 50 (low—L) or 100 (High—H) % of the PNM protein of the reference diet.

3. Despite comparable retentions of dry matter and total carbohydrate on L‐ANKC 1 and 2, fibre on L‐and H‐ANKC 2 and nitrogen, calcium and acid detergent fibre on all experimental diets compared to the retentions of chicks on the reference diet, only the chicks fed L‐ANKG 2 were found to grow and utilise food as well as those on the reference diet.

4. The activities of serum alkaline phosphatase on H‐ANKC 1 and alanine amino transferase on all test diets were depressed (P < 0.05), but the activity of serum aspartate amino transferase, total erythrocyte count and concentration of blood haemoglobin and urea were similar in all chicks.

5. No significant differences were noticed in the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the meat of chicks fed on the reference diet and on diets incorporating ANKC at the lower concentrations. Feeding ANKC protein did not impart any untoward taste as evaluated in pressure cooked meat by a semitrained panel on a 7 point Hedonic scale.

6. Except for duodenal and jejunal inflammation in chicks on both reference and test diets, all the vital organs were normal, ruling out any adverse affects caused by residual neem bitters.

7. Comparable performance and cost of chicks fed on the reference and L‐ANKC 2 diets, warrants the utilisation of hitherto wasted protein‐rich NKC after alkali treatment in broiler chick diets to spare peanut meal for human consumption in developing countries.     

A comparison of jump performances of the dog flea, Ctenocephalides canis (Curtis, 1826) and the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché, 1835)

Jump performances of Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides felis felis have been measured and compared on unfed young imagos. The mean length of the C. felis felis jump was 19.9+/-9.1cm; minimum jump was 2cm, and the maximum was one 48cm. The C. canis jump was significantly longer (30.4+/-9.1cm; from 3 to 50cm). For height jump evaluation, grey plastic cylindric tubes measuring 9cm in diameter were used. Their height was increasing from 1 to 30cm by 1cm. Groups of 10 fleas of the same species were deposited on the base of the tube. The number of fleas which succeeded in jumping above the tube was recorded. The mean height jump carried out by 50% of fleas was calculated after linearisation of the curves: it was 15.5 and 13.2cm for C. canis and C. felis, respectively. The highest jump was 25 for C. canis and 17cm for C. felis.     

Molecular structure, phylogenetic analysis, tissue distribution, and function characterization of interferon-γ-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) gene in sheep (Ovis aries)

Interferon-γ-inducible-lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) plays a key role in the processing and presentation of MHC class II-restricted antigen (Ag) by catalyzing disulfide bond reduction. In this study, a sheep cDNA, sGILT, encoding GILT protein was isolated from the spleen cDNA library of Ovis aries. It codes for a deduced protein of 244 amino acids with a putative molecular weight of 27.6 kDa, which has all the typical structural features of GILT protein including an active-site CXXC motif, a GILT signature sequence CQHGX(2)ECX(2)NX(4)C, and 5 conserved cysteines. Sequence comparison indicated the amino acid sequence of sGILT showed high identity to cow GILT (93.03%). Phylogenetic analysis showed that sGILT and cow GILT shared the greatest homology. The result of real-time PCR suggested that sGILT mRNA was expressed in a tissue-specific manner and obviously up-regulated in splenocytes and PBMCs after induction with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Recombinant sGILT fused with His(6) tag was efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. Its expression was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analysis. Thiol reductase activity was assessed using antibody as the substrate. These results suggest that sGILT has the activity of disulfide bond reduction and indicate that sheep also express a protein that has been found to maintain first line of innate immune defense at basal level.     

Comparative speed of kill between nitenpyram,fipronil, imidacloprid,selamectin and cythioate against adult Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché) on cats and dogs

Speed of kill and percentage kill of nitenpyram (CAPSTAR) was compared to fipronil (Frontline) spot-on), imidacloprid (Bayvantage/Advantage), selamectin (Stronghold/Revolution) and cythioate (Cyflee) against adult fleas on cats and dogs 3 and 8h post-treatment. Selamectin was used on dogs only; cythioate was used on cats only. Groups of eight cats and eight dogs (four males and four females each) were experimentally infested with 100 unfed fleas 1 day prior to treatment with the test products. One group of cats and one group of dogs served as control. Fleas were collected from four cats and four dogs in each group (two males and two females) by combing 3h after treatment, the remaining four cats or dogs were combed 8h after treatment. In cats cythioate treatment resulted in a mean efficacy of 62.4 and 97.4% at 3 and 8h post-treatment, respectively. Imidacloprid efficacy at the same times was 26.9 and 82.8%, whereas fipronil efficacy was 24.3 and 62.6% efficacy, respectively. In dogs mean efficacy 3 and 8h after treatment with selamectin was 39.7 and 74.4%; with imidacloprid efficacy was 22.2 and 95.7%, respectively and 35.9 and 46.5%, respectively after treatment with fipronil. Nitenpyram was 100% effective in cats and 99.1% effective in dogs within 3h of treatment and 100% effective in cats and dogs within 8h.     

Clinical, ultrasonographic, and pathologic findings in 70 camels (Camelus dromedarius) with Johne��s disease

This study evaluated the use of ultrasonography for the diagnosis of Johne’s disease in camels (Camelus dromedarius). Seventy camels with confirmed Johne’s disease were examined by ultrasonography and subsequent necropsy; 15 healthy camels were included as controls. The most outstanding findings were visible enlargement of the mesenteric lymph nodes in 52 (74%) camels. Lesions had either echogenic (26%; n = 18) or anechoic (69%; n = 48) capsule and the contents were either anechoic (21%; n = 15), echogenic (27%; n = 19), or heterogeneous (46%; n = 32). Clumps of echogenic tissue interspersed with fluid pockets were imaged between the intestinal loops in 9 (13%) camels. There was mild, moderate, or severe thickening and corrugation of the intestinal wall, excessive anechoic fluid in the abdominal cavity in 18 (26%) camels, increased hepatic brightness in 30 (43%) camels, and pericardial and pleural effusions in 22 (31%) camels. Sensitivity values for detecting intestinal lesions and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes were 95% and 84%, respectively.     

你去哪儿,韩桂花(短篇小说)

1这是韩桂花在史庄过的第一个年。腊月二十三那天,她跟老侯说,我得回去。老侯在院子里剁苹果树枝,头都没抬。回啥回,冷锅冷灶的,就在这儿过年。天阴这么重,怕是马上要下雪。你把面和上,后晌了少烙几个灶爷饼。韩桂花不是真要回去,就是想试探试探老侯的态度。老侯这样说,心稳了,扭身回里屋和面。     

Comparison Study of Growth Performance,Nutrient Digestion,Rumen Fermentation and Blood Physiological Indexes between Yaks (Bos grunniens) and Cattle (Bos taurus) under Low-Concentrate Barn Fattening北大核心CSCD

This study was aimed to compare the growth performance, nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation and blood physiological indexes between yaks (Bos grunniens) and cattle (Bos taurus) under low-concentrate barn fattening, which provide data reference and technical support for breed and feeding technology selection of fattening beef cattle in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. In this experiment, six healthy yaks [(211 ±6) kg] and six healthy Qaidam cattle [(210±7) kg], all castrated and 4 years of age, were selected and raised in individual metabolic cages. The experimental diets consisted of concentrate (2.0 kg / d per head) and forage (ad libitum) . The pre-experiment lasted for 10 days, and the trial lasted for 95 days. The results showed as follows: 1) total dry matter intake were significantly lower in yaks than cattle (P<0.05), whereas average daily gain was not different between yaks and cattle (P>0.05), therefore, feed / gain was significantly lower in yaks than cattle (P<0.05) . 2) There was no difference between yaks and cattle in apparent digestibilities of nutrients (P>0.05) . 3) Ruminal pH tended to be higher (P = 0.083), and the concentrations of iso-volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were significantly greater in yaks than cattle (P<0.05), whereas the concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), acetate, propionate and butyrate were not significantly different between yaks and cattle (P>0.05) . 4) Concentrations of ammonia nitrogen, free amino acid nitrogen and soluble protein nitrogen in rumen were significantly greater in yaks than cattle (P<0.05) . 5) The red blood cells (RBC) amount, hemoglobin (HGB) content, hematocrit (HCT) and red blood cell volume distribution width (RDW-CV) were significantly lower (P < 0. 05), whereas mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) content and platelets (PLT) amount were significantly higher in yaks than cattle (P<0.05) . In conclusion, yaks have lower feed intake, but have a greater feed conversion efficiency than cattle, therefore, yaks can produce a greater economic benefits than cattle under low-concentrate barn fattening system. © 2023 Authors. All rights reserved.     

Effects of anticoagulants and storage (4°C) on packed cell volume (PCV) of Nigerian domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) and guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

1. Studies were conducted to determine the effects of anticoagulants and storage (4°C) on the PCV of blood samples from Nigerian domestic fowl (DF) and the guinea fowl (GF).

2. Citrate significantly reduced pre‐storage PCV of the DF in comparison with the effect of ethylenediamine tetra‐acetic acid (EDTA).

3. It further decreased (P<0.05) the PCV of the blood of DF and GF over 3 d of storage; this was similar to the effect of EDTA on the PCV of the GF blood.

4. Citrate and oxalates induced haemolysis of blood of the DF and the GF in storage faster than EDTA, but overall the haemolysis was more pronounced from red cells of the GF than from those of the DF.

5. The mean fall in the PCV of the DF was significant at 3.0 mg EDTA/ml of blood in contrast to the fall in the PCV of the GF blood.     

妈妈,一起走(外一首)

正~~     

Evaluation of sedative and antinociceptive effects of dexmedetomidine,midazolam and dexmedetomidine–midazolam in tegus (Salvator merianae)

Objective

To evaluate dexmedetomidine, midazolam and dexmedetomidine–midazolam for sedation and antinociception in tegus.

Cloning and phylogenetic analysis of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) from Indian dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius)

The cDNAs of two proinflammatory cytokines viz., IL-6 and TNF-α from dromedarian camels were amplified by PCR using bactrian camel sequences and subsequently cloned for sequence analysis. Relationship based on amino acid revealed that dromedarian camel IL-6 shared 99.5% identity both at nucleotide and amino acid level with bactrian camel IL-6 and in case of TNF-α, the identity of dromedarian camel was 99.4% and 99.1% at nucleotide and amino acid level, respectively with that of bactrian camel. Phylogenetic analysis based on their amino acid sequences indicated the close relationship in these cytokine genes between dromedarian camel and other members of camelids.     

Xerostomia, xerophthalmia, and plasmacytic infiltrates of the salivary glands (Sjögren's-like syndrome) in a cat

A 2.5-year-old domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of dysphagia and weight loss of 4 weeks' duration. MIld blepharospasm and conjunctival hyperemia were evident in both eyes, oral mucous membranes were tacky on palpation, and salivary glands were enlarged. Results of a Schirmer tear test were 0 mm/min for both eyes. Administration of atropine did not cause salivation or caused secretion fo thick rope-like saliva. Examination of biopsy specimens of salivary glands revealed a plasmacytic infiltrate. Sj?gren's syndrome (SS) was diagnosed. Oral administration of prednisone was instituted but was discontinued after a minimal positive response was evident 6 weeks after initiation of treatment. Palliative treatment with a 6% solution of pilocarpine 4 to 5 times/d, cyclosporine, hylan A, and neomycin-polymyxin-bacitracin ophthalmic ointment resulted in clinical improvement in the cat. Although reported rarely in animals, SS may be more common than currently is recognized. Most treatment regimens for SS are aimed at alleviating clinical signs.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-γ from Indian Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The cDNAs of three cytokines, viz., IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-γ from Dromedary camels were amplified by PCR using Bactrian camel sequences and subsequently cloned for sequence analysis. Relationship based on amino acid sequences revealed that Dromedary camel IL-2 shared 99.5% and 99.3% identity at the nucleotide and amino acid levels with Bactrian camel IL-2. In the case of IL-4, the identity of Dromedary camel was 99.7% and 99.2% at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively with that of Bactrian camel. The Dromedary camel IFN-γ shared 100% identity both at nucleotide and amino acid levels with Bactrian camel IFN-γ. Phylogenetic analysis based on amino acid sequences indicated the close relationship in these cytokine genes between the Dromedary camel and other camelids.     

Prevalence, mean intensity and site preference of Caligus rotundigenitalis Yü, 1933 (Copepoda: Caligidae) on cage cultured crimson snapper (Lutjanus erythropterus Bloch, 1790) from Bukit Tambun, Penang, Malaysia

Snapper had been cultured in Malaysia since 1980 due to the fry availability and the high demand. However, details on the caligids infestation were not properly documented. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, mean intensity and site preference of Caligus rotundigenitalis (Caligidae, Siphonostomatoida) a parasitic copepod on cage cultured crimson snapper, Lutjanus erythropterus from Bukit Tambun, Penang, Malaysia. A total of 70 specimens of cultured snapper were examined based on different infestation sites such as head, body as well as operculum. The specimens were separated into three groups according to the size of the fish. C. rotundigenitalis was found to be the only species infesting L. erythropterus with the prevalence and the mean intensity of 81.4% and 5.6±4.4, respectively. There was a significant difference between the prevalence of site infestation of the body and inner operculum sites. The prevalence of C. rotundigenitalis was highest on inner operculum of the fish followed by the body and head. However, there was no significant difference in the distribution of C. rotundigenitalis over the different infestation sites derived from the three groups. The information obtained from this study can be used for more effective control measures of ectoparasitic copepod infestation in floating cages.