Cover Image,Volume 16, Issue 2

The cover image, by S. Dressel et al., is based on the Original Article Novel hyperthermia applicator system allows adaptive treatment planning: Preliminary clinical results in tumour‐bearing animals, DOI: 10.1111/vco.12340

     

Cover Image,Volume 14, Issue 2

The cover image, by Riccardo Finotello et al., is based on the Original Article Canine pancreatic islet cell tumours secreting insulin‐like growth factor type 2 (IGF‐II): a rare entity, DOI: 10.1111/vco.12085 .

     

Cover Image,Volume 16, Issue 1

The cover image, by Alexandra Keller et al., is based on the Original Article The JAK2/STAT5 signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target in canine mastocytoma, DOI: 10.1111/vco.12311

     

Cover Image,Volume 14, Issue 3

The cover image, by Giuliano Bettini et al., is based on the Original Article Cytological grading of canine cutaneous mast cell tumours, DOI: 10.1111/vco.12090 .

     

Cover Image,Volume 15, Issue 4

The cover image, by S. R. Lai et al., is based on the Original Article In vitro anti‐tubulin effects of mebendazole and fenbendazole on canine glioma cells, DOI: 10.1111/vco.12288

     

Cover Image,Volume 14, Issue 4

The cover image, by Shunsuke Noguchi et al., is based on the Original Article Analysis of microRNA‐203 function in CREB/MITF/RAB27a pathway: comparison between canine and human melanoma cells, DOI: 10.1111/vco.12118 .

     

Cover Image,Volume 15, Issue 2

The cover image, by D. Azakami et al., is based on the Original Article The canine prostate cancer cell line CHP‐1 shows over‐expression of the co‐chaperone small glutamine‐rich tetratricopeptide repeat‐containing protein α, DOI: 10.1111/vco.12199 .

     

Cover Image,Volume 15, Issue 3

The cover image, by M. E. Gray et al., is based on the Original Article Dual targeting of EGFR and ERBB2 pathways produces a synergistic effect on cancer cell proliferation and migration in vitro, DOI: 10.1111/vco.12230 .

     

Cover Image,Volume 15, Issue 1

The cover image, by E. Treggiari et al., is based on the Original Article Clinical outcome, PDGFRß and KIT expression in feline histiocytic disorders: a multicentre study, DOI: 10.1111/vco.12142 .

     

Cover Image,Volume 17, Issue 4

The cover image is based on the SHORT COMMUNICATION Clinical outcomes, ultrastructure and immunohistochemical features of canine high‐grade olfactory neuroblastoma by Molly E. Church et al., https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.12512 .

     

Cover Image,Volume 17, Issue 3

The cover image is based on the SHORT COMMUNICATION Ultra‐frequent HRAS p.Q61R somatic mutation in canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma reveals pathogenic similarities with human ameloblastoma by Santiago Peralta et al., https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.12487 .

     

Production of N2 and N2O from nitrate ingested by sheep

Supplementing ruminants with nitrate reduces their enteric methane (CH₄) emissions; however, the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation achieved can be partially offset by small emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O), a more potent GHG. Sheep were dosed intraruminally with ¹⁵ to investigate whether dietary is a precursor of N₂O and/or di‐nitrogen gas (N₂), and to quantify the amounts of recovered as N₂O and N₂ in gas emissions from sheep adapted or not adapted to dietary . Ruminally cannulated sheep were adapted to a hay diet supplemented with (n = 3; 10 g /kg DM) or urea (n = 3; 5.3 g urea/kg DM). On the day of the experiment all sheep were dosed intraruminally with ¹⁵ and quickly moved into gas‐tight chambers to enable recovery of ¹⁵N in N₂O and N₂ to be measured. Measurements of gases accumulating in the chambers were made over 10 successive 50 min periods; this enabled the amount of N₂O produced, and the recovery of ¹⁵‐N in N₂O and N₂ to be determined over a total of 10 hr. Only 0.04% of labelled ‐N was recovered as N₂O, and this was not dependent (p > .05) on whether or not the animals had been adapted to dietary . Approximatively 3% of ¹⁵‐N was recovered as ¹⁵N₂, which was also not dependent (p > .05) on whether sheep had been adapted to . Because the kinetics of rumen ammonia (NH₃) were uncertain, the recovery of ¹⁵N from in rumen NH₃ could not accurately be quantified, but our results suggest that approximately 76% of dietary was converted to NH₃ in the rumen. We conclude that the small amount of recovered in N₂ was evidence of denitrification, previously thought not to occur in the rumen.     

Splanchnic net balance of oxygen and metabolites in response to a discontinuous mesenteric vein infusion of ammonium in sheep

To simulate daily episodes of high absorption associated with the intake of diets with high N content, four wethers (42 ± 3.4 kg body weight), fitted with permanent catheters in the femoral artery and splanchnic vessels, were infused with 340 μmol into the mesenteric vein for 3 h, during the morning meal, over seven consecutive days. On the 7th day, mass transfers of , urea, glucose, lactate, ß‐OH‐butyrate and O₂ were measured across portal‐drained viscera (PDV), liver and splanchnic tissues during the last 90 min of the infusion. Measurements were repeated on the following day, at the same time, without the infusion. Plasma concentration in the portal vein (+332 μm ; p = 0.006), portal absorption (+424 μmol/min; p < 0.001), liver uptake (+375 μmol/min; p = 0.003) and urea N production (+338 μmol/min; p = 0.059) were higher during infusion. Mass transfers of urea, glucose, lactate, ß‐OH‐butyrate and O₂ across the PDV, and glucose, lactate, ß‐OH‐butyrate and O₂ across the liver, were not altered by the infusion. Results suggest that a daily, discontinuous increase in portal flow during a meal stimulates liver removal and urea N production but does not significantly affect liver glucose production and O₂ consumption in sheep.     

Interplay between heritability,genetic correlation and economic weighting in a selection index with and without genomic information

The availability of genomic information demands proper evaluation on how the kind (phenotypic versus genomic) and the amount of information influences the interplay of heritability (h²), genetic correlation () and economic weighting of traits with regard to the standard deviation of the index (σ_I). As σ_I is directly proportional to response to selection, it was the chosen parameter for comparing the indices. Three selection indices incorporating conventional and genomic information for a two trait (i and j) breeding goal were compared. Information sources were chosen corresponding to pig breeding applications. Index I incorporating an own performance in trait j served as reference scenario. In index II, additional information in both traits was contributed by a varying number of full‐sibs (2, 7, 50). In index III, the conventional own performance in trait j was combined with genomic information for both traits. The number of animals in the reference population (N_P = 1000, 5000, 10 000) and thus the accuracy of GBVs were varied. With more information included in the index, σ_I became more independent of , and relative economic weighting. This applied for index II (more full‐sibs) and for index III (more accurate GBVs). Standard deviations of index II with seven full‐sibs and index III with N_P = 1000 were similar when both traits had the same heritability. If the heritability of trait j was reduced ( = 0.1), σ_I of index III with N_P = 1000 was clearly higher than for index II with seven full‐sibs. When enhancing the relative economic weight of trait j, the decrease in σ_I of the conventional full‐sib index was much stronger than for index III. Our results imply that N_P = 1000 can be considered a minimum size for a reference population in pig breeding. These conclusions also hold for comparing the accuracies of the indices.     

Using heart rate to predict energy expenditure in large domestic dogs

The aim of this study was to establish heart rate as a measure of energy expenditure in large active kennel dogs (28 ± 3 kg bw). Therefore, the heart rate (HR)–oxygen consumption () relationship was analysed in Foxhound‐Boxer‐Ingelheim‐Labrador cross‐breds (FBI dogs) at rest and graded levels of exercise on a treadmill up to 60–65% of maximal aerobic capacity. To test for effects of training, HR and were measured in female dogs, before and after a training period, and after an adjacent training pause to test for reversibility of potential effects. Least squares regression was applied to describe the relationship between HR and . The applied training had no statistically significant effect on the HR– regression. A general regression line from all data collected was prepared to establish a general predictive equation for energy expenditure from HR in FBI dogs. The regression equation established in this study enables fast estimation of energy requirement for running activity. The equation is valid for large dogs weighing around 30 kg that run at ground level up to 15 km/h with a heart rate maximum of 190 bpm irrespective of the training level.     

Pharmacokinetic profile and behavioral effects of gabapentin in the horse

Terry, R. L., McDonnell, S. M., van Eps, A. W., Soma, L. R., Liu, Y., Uboh, C. E., Moate, P. J., Driessen, B. Pharmacokinetic profile and behavioral effects of gabapentin in the horse. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 33 , 485–494. Gabapentin is being used in horses although its pharmacokinetic (PK) profile, pharmacodynamic (PD) effects and safety in the equine are not fully investigated. Therefore, we characterized PKs and cardiovascular and behavioral effects of gabapentin in horses. Gabapentin (20 mg/kg) was administered i.v. or p.o. to six horses using a randomized crossover design. Plasma gabapentin concentrations were measured in samples collected 0–48 h postadministration employing liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. Blood pressures, ECG, and sedation scores were recorded before and for 12 h after gabapentin dosage. Nineteen quantitative measures of behaviors were evaluated. After i.v. gabapentin, the decline in plasma drug concentration over time was best described by a 3‐compartment mammillary model. Terminal elimination half‐life (t_1/2γ) was 8.5 (7.1–13.3) h. After p.o. gabapentin terminal elimination half‐life () was 7.7 (6.7–11.9) h. The mean oral bioavailability of gabapentin (±SD) was 16.2 ± 2.8% indicating relatively poor absorption of gabapentin following oral administration in horses. Gabapentin caused a significant increase in sedation scores for 1 h after i.v. dose only (P < 0.05). Among behaviors, drinking frequency was greater and standing rest duration was lower with i.v. gabapentin (P < 0.05). Horses tolerated both i.v. and p.o. gabapentin doses well. There were no significant differences in and . Oral administration yielded much lower plasma concentrations because of low bioavailability.     

Advanced treatment technique for swine wastewater using two agents: Thermally polymerized amorphous silica and hydrated lime for color and phosphorus removal and sulfur for nitrogen removal

The efficacy of advanced treatment of swine wastewater using thermally polymerized, modified amorphous silica and hydrated lime (M‐CSH‐lime) for color and phosphorus removal and sulfur for nitrogen removal was examined with a demonstration‐scale treatment plant. The color removal rate was approximately 78% at M‐CSH‐lime addition rates of > 0.055 wt/v%. The ‐P removal rate exceeded 99.9% with > 0.023 wt/v%. pH of the effluent from the M‐CSH‐lime reactor increased with the addition rate till a maximum value of 12.7, which was effective in disinfection. The recovered M‐CSH‐lime would be suitable as a phosphorus fertilizer because the total P₂O₅ content was approximately 10%. The nitrogen oxide (NOx‐N) removal rate by sulfur denitrification increased to approximately 80% when the NOx‐N loading rate was around 0.1 kg‐N/ton‐S/day. It was suggested that the combination of the two processes would be effective in the advanced treatment of swine wastewater.     

Development of multiple cutaneous and follicular neoplasms associated with canine papillomavirus type 3 in a dog

A 12‐year‐old spayed English pointer dog developed multiple skin lesions including pigmented viral plaques, basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and trichoblastomas. Canine papillomavirus type 3 was detected in multiple lesions suggesting common aetiology.

     

Quantification of Connexin43 Gap Junctions in Porcine Myometrium by Confocal Microscopy and Stereology

The aim of this study was to quantify the number and size of connexin43 (Cx43) gap junctions in the circular and longitudinal layers of myometrium of the non‐pregnant pig. We developed a novel approach to measure the mean surface area (), numerical density (N_v) and surface density (S_v) of gap junctions using confocal microscopy and stereological analysis. Immunolabelled Cx43 gap junctions were measured in the subendometrial and deep regions of the circular layer and in the longitudinal layer of the myometrium of pre‐pubertal pig and mature pig at pre‐ovulatory and secretory stages of the oestrous cycle. In the circular subendometrial region, all investigated stereological parameters of Cx43 gap junctions (, N_v and S_v) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of the circular deep region and the longitudinal layer in all three groups of animals. These results indicate the large‐scale heterogeneity of the number and size of Cx43 gap junctions across the myometrium in non‐pregnant pig and emphasize the existence of functional diversity among myometrial cells.     

DNA polymorphism of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 gene and its association with birth weight and body weight in cattle

Insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3) is a protein that binds the majority of insulin‐like growth factors in circulation for regulation of its action on growth and metabolism of the animals. Animals belonging to Hariana, Holstein‐Friesian (HF) and their crossbreds (HF × Hariana) were studied using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism and nucleotide sequencing of the IGFBP‐3 gene. A 651‐bp fragment of the IGFBP‐3 gene spanning over a part of exon 2, complete intron 2, exon 3 and a part of intron 3 was amplified and digested with HaeIII restriction enzyme. Three patterns of restriction fragments were observed in HF and crossbred cattle revealing polymorphism in both the populations. The frequency of AA, AB and BB genotypes was 0.65, 0.32 and 0.03 in crossbreds and 0.29, 0.65 and 0.06 in HF respectively. The allelic frequency of the A and B allele was 0.81 and 0.19 in crossbreds and 0.62 and 0.38 in HF cattle respectively. Only one restriction pattern (AA genotype) was observed in all the animals of Hariana breed of Bos indicus showing the absence of polymorphism. Nucleotide sequencing revealed a C → A mutation in the intron 2 region of the IGFBP‐3 gene as the cause of the polymorphism. Least squares analysis revealed a significant effect (p < 0.05) of genotypes on birth weight and body weight (weight at 12, 18 and 24 months of age) of the animals. Animals of AB genotype showed higher birth weight and body weight than the animals possessing AA genotype.