Regulation of the bacterial intestinal implantation in infant born by caesarean section.

Studies were undertaken to determine the regulation of the bacterial intestinal implantation in 19 newborns delivered by caesarean section. Correlation was made with the infant feeding mode. The effect of human milk seemed to be the result of B. bifidum proliferation, in contrast to artificial alimentation that seemed to favour C. perfringens implantation. The question was raised by us as to whether this opposition was only related to alimentation. In fact, B. bifidum itself also had an effect as demonstrated by the lower mean counts of C. perfringens in bottle-fed infants carrying the bifido-bacterial flora (P = 0.05). None of the other faecal bacteria investigated in this study led to the same decrease.     

Systemic and pulmonary antibody responses of calves to Pasteurella haemolytica after intrapulmonary inoculation.

Systemic and pulmonary antibody responses of calves to Pasteurella haemolytica were evaluated by measuring immunoglobulin production in blood for 9 days and in pulmonary lavage fluid for 7 days after intrapulmonary inoculation. Clinical signs, pulmonary lesions, pulmonary and systemic inflammatory response, and amount of antigen in lavage fluid were used to evaluate the response of calves to challenge with P haemolytica. The pulmonary response consisted of production of IgG, IgE, and IgM antibodies to P haemolytica antigens and a 17- to 68-fold increase of cells in lavage fluid 8 hours after inoculation, with a gradual decrease toward normal. Antibodies of the IgM isotype to P haemolytica were demonstrated as early as 8 hours through 7 days after inoculation in 3 of 3 calves. Of the anti-P haemolytica isotypes, IgM was found in the highest concentration. In all of the inoculated calves, IgE was found 1 to 2 days after inoculation, and IgG was found in 2 of 3 inoculated calves from day 1 through 7 after inoculation. Detection of IgG correlated with smaller pulmonary lesions. Immunoglobulin A was not detected in lavage fluid. Serum was evaluated for IgG and IgM antibody response to P haemolytica. Specific IgM was detectable 5 days after inoculation, and IgG was detectable 7 days after inoculation. Pasteurella haemolytica antigens were not detected in serum or plasma. A transient increase in neutrophil count was found 8 hours after inoculation, with return to baseline values by 24 hours after inoculation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine blocks myogenesis by extinguishing expression of MyoD1

The pyrimidine analog 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) competes with thymidine for incorporation into DNA. Substitution of BUdR for thymidine does not significantly affect cell viability but does block cell differentiation in many different lineages. BUdR substitution in a mouse myoblast line blocked myogenic differentiation and extinguished the expression of the myogenic determination gene MyoD1. Forced expression of MyoD1 from a transfected expression vector in a BUdR-substituted myoblast overcame the block to differentiation imposed by BUdR. Activation of BUdR-substituted muscle structural genes and apparently normal differentiation were observed in transfected myoblasts. This shows that BUdR blocks myogenesis at the level of a myogenic regulatory gene, possibly MyoD1, not by directly inhibiting the activation of muscle structural genes. It is consistent with the idea that BUdR selectively blocks a class of regulatory genes, each member of which is important for the development of a different cell lineage.     

Acquired syringomyelia in a dog.

Acquired syringomyelia was diagnosed in an 11-year-old Fox Terrier with progressive paresis in the left pelvic limb. Myelography and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed an intramedullary lesion involving the left dorsolateral portion of the spinal cord at the level of L-2 and L-3 vertebrae. Clinical signs improved after surgical syringotomy. Microscopic evaluation of a biopsy specimen from the cyst wall did not establish a definitive histologic diagnosis. The cyst was decreased in size on magnetic resonance imaging 7 months later.     

Studies on feasibility of producing Salmonella-free turkeys

The feasibility of producing salmonella-free turkeys was investigated over a 5-year period. In Phase 1, a hatchery-breeder flock operation was monitored extensively for 4 years. Hatching eggs from a primary breeder over this period (1978-81) resulted in salmonella-free day-old poults from which 7500 hens and 600 tons were selected for breeders each of the 4 years. Approximately 2.5 million poults were produced over the 4 years. Salmonella arizonae was isolated from the hatchery debris over a 2-week period in 1980. The pelleted feed contained no animal protein products except fish solubles. A sample of feed from each delivery was cultured with no salmonella isolations. Environmental samples of dust and litter remained negative for salmonella. Phase 2 involved monitoring seven grow-out flocks initiated with salmonella-free poults with extra precautions directed at the feed and environment. The intestinal tracts of five of seven flocks at the time of marketing were negative for salmonella. Phase 3 involved a primary breeder-hatchery that had a 10-year history of S. sandiego infection in its breeder flocks and poults. A vaccination program using an autogenous oil-adjuvant bacterin supplementing other sanitation and management efforts resulted in elimination of S. sandiego. Because the breeder went out of business, it was not possible to determine if the freedom from salmonella could be sustained over a period of years.     

Lactate Kinetics in veterinary Critical Care: A Review

Elevation in blood lactate concentration, with or without accompanying metabolic acidosis, is a hallmark finding in patients with circulatory compromise, and is also consistently noted in other conditions affecting critically ill or injured individuals. Little is reported in a veterinary literature regarding lactate measurement in the emergency and critical care setting, despite impressive reports of the clinical usefulness of lactate measurement in people. The purpose of this article is to review lactate kinetics and the clinical utility of lactate measurement. Limitations to lactate evaluation will also be discussed.     

Hemostatic defects associated with two infusion rates of dextran 70 in dogs.

We investigated changes in hemostatic function after infusion of 6% dextran 70 (high molecular weight dextran) at 2 rates. Six healthy dogs underwent 3 regimens: 20 ml of dextran/kg of body weight administered in 1 hour (trial A), 20 ml of dextran/kg administered in 30 minutes (trial B), and 0.9% sodium chloride solution as a control administered over 1 hour to achieve hemodilution equivalent to that for 20 ml of dextran/kg (trial C). Before and at 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours after the start of trials A and B, we measured PCV, total solids (TS) concentration, amount of von Willebrand factor antigen (vWf:Ag), factor VIII coagulant activity (VIII:C), prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), platelet retention in a glass bead column, and buccal mucosa bleeding time (BMBT). Values were not obtained at 8 and 24 hours for trial C. Saline-induced changes in hemostasis were significant (P less than 0.05) from baseline throughout the sample collection period. Significant differences (P less than 0.05) between trial A and control were observed for vWf:Ag, VIII:C, BMBT, APTT, TS, and PCV values at 2 hours, and for VIII:C at 4 hours. Significant differences (P less than 0.05) between trial B and control were observed for APTT, TS, and PCV values at 2 hours, and for vWf:Ag, VIII:C, BMBT, APTT, TS, and PCV values at 4 hours. During trials A and B, mean values of analytes infrequently deviated from reference intervals, and clinical signs of bleeding were not observed in any dog.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Follicullar Development and Embryo Recovery Following 3 versus 8 FSH Injections in Heifers

Ovarian follicular dynamics and embryo yield were studied during 2 different FSH regimens for superovulation of cattle. Twenty heifers were given intramuscular injections of FSH (total of 35 mg NIH) either once daily for 3 days (Group 3×1) or twice daily for 4 days (Group 4×2). At 72 h after the first FSH injection, each animal was injected with 0.75 mg cloprostenol. Inseminations were performed at 12 h and 24 h after the onset of heat. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed on the day of the first FSH injection, the day of cloprostenol injection, the day of insemination and finally on the day of embryo recovery (day 6 or 7 after heat). The numbers of small (2–4 mm), medium (5–9 mm) and large (>10 mm) size follicles were recorded. The total number of corpora lutea, eggs and transferable embryos were recorded on the day of embryo recovery. No differences were found between the 2 groups in either of the parameters studied (p>0.05). It can be concluded that treatment with this FSH preparation once daily for 3 days gives a folliculogenic and superovulatory response similar to a treatment regimen where it is given twice daily for 4 days.