Oxidative burst and phagocytic activity of phagocytes in canine parvoviral enteritis

Canine parvoviral enteritis (CPE) is a severe disease characterized by systemic inflammation and immunosuppression. The function of circulating phagocytes (neutrophils and monocytes) in affected dogs has not been fully investigated. We characterized the functional capacity of canine phagocytes in CPE by determining their oxidative burst and phagocytic activities using flow cytometry. Blood was collected from 28 dogs with CPE and 11 healthy, age-matched, control dogs. Oxidative burst activity was assessed by stimulating phagocytes with opsonized Escherichia coli or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and measuring the percentage of phagocytes producing reactive oxygen species and the magnitude of this production. Phagocytosis was measured by incubating phagocytes with opsonized E. coli and measuring the percentage of phagocytes containing E. coli and the number of bacteria per cell. Complete blood counts and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were also determined. Serum CRP concentration was negatively and positively correlated with segmented and band neutrophil concentrations, respectively. Overall, no differences in phagocyte function were found between dogs with CPE and healthy control dogs. However, infected dogs with neutropenia or circulating band neutrophils had decreased PMA-stimulated oxidative burst activity compared to healthy controls. Additionally, CPE dogs with neutropenia or circulating band neutrophils had decreased PMA- and E. coli–stimulated oxidative burst activity and decreased phagocytosis of E. coli compared to CPE dogs without neutropenia or band neutrophils. We conclude that phagocytes have decreased oxidative burst and phagocytic activity in neutropenic CPE dogs and in CPE dogs with circulating band neutrophils.     

Larger floods reduce soil CO2 efflux during the post-flooding phase in seasonally-flooded forests of Western Amazonia

Seasonally flooded várzea forests of Western Amazonia are one of the most productive and biodiverse wetland forests in the world.However,data on their soil CO₂emissions,soil organic matter decomposition rates,and soil C stocks are scarce.This is a concern because hydrological changes are predicted to lead to increases in the height,extent,and duration of seasonal floods,which are likely to have a significant effect on soil C stocks and fluxes.However,with no empirical data,the impact of altered flood regimes on várzea soil C cycles remains uncertain.This study quantified the effects of maximum annual flood height and soil moisture on soil CO₂efflux rate(R_s)and soil organic matter decomposition rate(k)in the várzea forests of Pacaya Samiria National Reserve,Peru.The study was conducted between May and August 2017.The results showed that R_s(10.6–182.7 mg C m^-2h^-1)and k(0.016–0.078)varied between and within sites,and were considerably lower than the values reported for other tropical forests.In addition,R_swas negatively affected by flood height(P<0.01)and soil moisture(P<0.001),and it decreased with decreasing river levels post flooding(P<0.001).In contrast,k was not affected by any of the above-mentioned factors.Soil moisture was the dominant factor influencing R_s,and it was significantly affected by maximum flood height,even after the floods had subsided(P<0.001).Consequently,we concluded that larger floods will likely lead to reduced R_s,whilst k could remain unchanged but with decomposition processes becoming more anaerobic.     

Comparison of two formulations of buprenorphine in cats administered by the oral transmucosal route

This randomised, blinded, cross-over study investigated the ease of oral transmucosal administration of two formulations of buprenorphine using glucose as a control in 12 cats. The cats received three treatments: buprenorphine multi-dose, buprenorphine and the equivalent volume of glucose 5%. Ease of treatment administration, observation of swallowing, changes in pupil size, sedation, salivation, vomiting, behaviour and food intake were assessed. The data were analysed using MLwiN and multi-level modelling. Ease of administration of buprenorphine multi-dose was statistically different from glucose (P <0.001), and the administration of all treatments became easier over the study periods. Swallowing was not statistically different between groups (P >0.05). Mydriasis was evident after the administration of both formulations of buprenorphine. Sedation, salivation, vomiting, behavioural changes or in-appetence were not observed after any treatment. Cats tolerated oral transmucosal administration of glucose better than buprenorphine multi-dose, while buprenorphine administration was tolerated as well as glucose.     

The strengths of statistical techniques in identifying patterns underlying apparently random behavioral problems in horses

The inability of owners to recognize patterns behind the seemingly disparate or random behavior problems expressed by their horse has major welfare implications. Principal components analysis has been successfully used to explore relationships between individual behavior problems in dogs, and it may be a valuable tool in recognizing relationships between problem behaviors in horses. Here, we report how principal components analysis has been used to identify relationships underlying individual behavior problems in horses using data generated from a large-scale Internet survey of United Kingdom leisure horses. Horse-level data on the performance of 44 individual behavior problems, encompassing stable-related and handling behavior problems, prefeeding behavior problems, and ridden behavior problems, were reduced to 12 behavior problem components. Each component was composed of groups of behavior problems that may share a common underlying etiology. These findings demonstrate the value of statistical techniques in identifying associations between apparently random behavior problems. Recognizing relationships between individual problems may prompt owners to take earlier action to resolve them, thereby improving their horse’s welfare.     

Enantioselective C-H crotylation of primary alcohols via hydrohydroxyalkylation of butadiene

The direct, by-product-free conversion of basic feedstocks to products of medicinal and agricultural relevance is a broad goal of chemical research. Butadiene is a product of petroleum cracking and is produced on an enormous scale (about 12 × 10(6) metric tons annually). Here, with the use of a ruthenium catalyst modified by a chiral phosphate counterion, we report the direct redox-triggered carbon-carbon coupling of alcohols and butadiene to form products of carbonyl crotylation with high levels of anti-diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity in the absence of stoichiometric by-products.     

Acquired extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in a young dog

A young, male miniature poodle was presented with severe neurological problems. Laboratory tests and ultrasonograph examination were consistent with extrahepatic portosystemic shunts, resulting in hepatic encephalopathy. When surgical correction proved not to be a viable option, the dog was euthanized. Postmortem examination revealed multiple shunts likely acquired after severe hepatitis.