Bone marrow mastocytosis in dogs with myelosuppressive monocytic ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis): a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow mastocytosis has been reported rarely in naturally occurring canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME). OBJECTIVES: The aims of the present study were to estimate the prevalence and magnitude of bone marrow mastocytosis in a case series of dogs with natural CME and to assess the association, if any, between mastocytosis and the clinical severity of the disease. METHODS: Seventy-six dogs with confirmed CME (Ehrlichia canis) were included in the study. Affected dogs were allocated into group A (n = 51) without bone marrow hypoplasia and group B (n = 25) with bone marrow hypoplasia. Twenty clinically healthy Beagles not previously exposed to E canis served as controls (group C). The main inclusion criteria for group A were documentation of normocellular to hypercellular bone marrow and complete clinical cure following a 4-week treatment with doxycycline, while those for group B were bone marrow hypoplasia and lack of response to doxycycline. Bone marrow aspirate smears from all 96 dogs were Giemsa-stained and examined for the presence of mast cells, which were calculated as a percentage of 1,000 nucleated cells (NCs). The prevalence of mastocytosis was compared among the 3 groups by the Pearson's chi-square test. RESULTS: Bone marrow mastocytosis (>0.1% of NCs) was found in 5 (20%) dogs in group B (range, 0.5-2.5% of NCs; median, 1% of NCs). One dog in each of groups A and C had 0.1% mast cells in the marrow. The prevalence of bone marrow mastocytosis in dogs in group B was significantly higher (P = .004) than in groups A and C. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow mastocytosis can be seen in a substantial number of dogs with E canis-induced myelosuppression.     

Analgesic effect of pre-operative etodolac and butorphanol administration in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy

The analgesic, bleeding, and renal effects of dogs pre‐medicated with etodolac with and without butorphanol were evaluated. Twenty‐four 1‐year‐old healthy dogs, weighing 19 ± 3 kg (mean ± SD) were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (n = 6): control (C), etodolac (E), butorphanol (B), and etodolac with butorphanol (EB). Etodolac (12–14 mg kg^?1 PO) was given 1 hour before propofol induction and isoflurane maintenance anesthesia. Butorphanol (0.4 mg kg^?1 IV) was given immediately following endotracheal intubation. Control dogs received only propofol (8 mg kg^?1 to effect) and isoflurane anesthesia. All dogs were mechanically ventilated to maintain Pe ′CO₂ between 35 and 45 mm Hg (4.7–6.0 kPa). Lactated Ringer's solution was given at 10 mL kg^?1 hour^?1 during anesthesia. Plasma cortisol concentrations were assessed 1 day prior to surgery (baseline), immediately prior to anesthesia induction, and every 30 minutes until 5 hours following extubation, and 1 day after surgery. Total duration of anesthesia was 50 minutes and total surgery duration was 30 minutes. Isoflurane concentration area under the curve (AUC) over time during the anesthesia was compared among treatment groups. Buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT) was assessed 1 day before E administration and during surgery. Urine GGT to urine creatinine ratio, BUN, and plasma creatinine were taken daily from 1 day before to 3 days after surgery. Behavioral pain scores (numerical rating scale) were assessed by two observers blinded to the treatment during the 5‐hour recovery period at 30 minute intervals until 3 hours, and again at 5 hours after extubation. All data were analyzed using anova . Multiple comparisons were performed if the anova was significant. Alpha value was set at 0.05. Plasma cortisol concentrations significantly increased from time of extubation in all the treatment groups. They did not return to the baseline until 5, 2.5, 1.5, and 1.5 hours after extubation in the C, B, E, and EB groups, respectively. Isoflurane AUC was not significantly different among treatment groups. Dogs treated with EB had significantly less behavioral pain than all other groups throughout the 5‐hour recovery period. No significant difference was found between treatment groups or within treatment groups over time in BMBT, or any renal variables. This study demonstrated that (i) pre‐operative administration of E provides profound analgesia during the post‐operative period without renal or bleeding side‐effects in dogs undergoing OHE; and (ii) a combination of butorphanol–etodolac provides the best analgesic effect during the post‐operative period based on the behavioral pain score.     

Serum acute phase proteins as clinical phase indicators and outcome predictors in naturally occurring canine monocytic ehrlichiosis

Background: Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME), caused by Ehrlichia canis, is an important tick‐borne disease of global importance. Currently, limited information is available on the diagnostic and prognostic value of acute phase proteins (APPs) in dogs naturally infected with E. canis. Hypothesis: APPs may be useful indicators of the clinical phase of CME and predictive of the clinical outcome (death or survival). Animals: Fifty‐six dogs naturally infected with E. canis and 7 clinically healthy control dogs. Methods: C‐reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), and albumin concentrations determined on admission were retrospectively compared among 27 dogs with nonmyelosuppressive CME, 29 dogs with myelosuppressive CME and 7 healthy dogs. Diagnosis of CME was based on clinical and clinicopathological findings, seropositivity to E. canis, polymerase chain reaction amplification of E. canis‐specific 16S rDNA, microscopic observation of Ehrlichia sp. morulae in blood monocytes or some combination of these. Results: Mean concentrations of CRP, SAA, and Hp were significantly higher in the myelosuppressed dogs compared with the other groups, but no significant differences were found in the concentration of albumin. Survival analysis of the affected animals indicated that APP concentrations were not associated with clinical outcome; the latter was strongly associated with pancytopenia (odds ratio for death 22.7) and neutropenia (odds ratio for death 7.7). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: CRP, SAA, and Hp serum concentrations on admission are useful indicators of the clinical phase of CME, but are not useful predictors of clinical outcome.     

日本血吸虫非叉型尾蚴感染动物试验

试验采集云南巍山地区自然条件下的钉螺,压碎钉螺、检获尾蚴,发现为非叉型尾蚴。将非叉型尾蚴400~850条/只经皮肤感染家兔,同时,用云南洱源的叉型尾蚴作对照试验。感染后50～55 d解剖兔子,试验组检获到日本血吸虫,荷虫量为10～15条/只。试验结果表明,云南巍山非叉型尾蚴能感染动物,该试验结果为丰富日本血吸虫的生活史提供了极有价值的补充。     

生态型农业观光园规划设计

通过阐述园区规划设计原则及理论根据,结合实例分析了生态型农业观光园的设计内容,有利于更好的研究与开发农业观光园项目。     

乌冈栎地理分布与水热环境因子的关系

在广泛收集乌冈栎地理分布资料的基础上,利用目前常用的植被与气候相互关系的研究方法,结合温暖指数(WI)、寒冷指数(CI)、干燥度指数(K)、水热综合指数(S)、年均生物温度(BT)、可蒸散量(PET)和年均可能蒸发量率(PER),以及单一的气象因子一月均温(TM-Jan)、七月均温(TM-Jul)、最高温(TMax)、最低温(TMin)、年均温(TM-A)、年均降水量(PM)等,对乌冈栎在东亚地区的地理分布及其与气候的关系进行了研究。结果表明:乌冈栎在中国地理分布在23°-34°N、100°-120°E,日本分布在26°-37°N、128°-140°E,均属于亚热带分布。气候环境指数研究的结果表明乌冈栎各项指数平均值均较低,与亚热带分布的青冈的指数接近,因此其性质为亚热带耐寒树种。通过热量曲线的比较,反映了中日两国乌冈栎分布范围的差异。结合主成分分析可知,影响乌冈栎分布的最主要因素是温度,并将其分布区划分为5类,包括:日本区(A)、中国华东区(B)中国西南部区(C)、中国西北部区(D)和中国南部区(E)。最后建立了乌冈栎生物地理模型,对预测该物种的分布提供了科学参考依据。     

Effect of Complex Vertebral Malformation on Luteal Function in Holstein Cows During Oestrous Cycle and Early Pregnancy

The reason why cows carrying the mutation of complex vertebral malformation (CVM) show poor reproductive capability although they carry only one mutant allele is still not fully understood. Monitoring the progesterone profiles during oestrous cycle and early pregnancy in carrier cows might help explain their lowered reproductive capability. Progesterone concentration was measured in 19 CVM carrier cows and 21 control cows during oestrous cycle and early pregnancy. Milk samples were collected from all cows starting on the day of artificial insemination until day 45 post‐AI. Progesterone was measured in skim milk using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Progesterone concentration was significantly reduced on day 7 (p < 0.05) and day 9 (p < 0.01) post‐insemination in conceived CVM carrier cows when compared with that in control conceived cows. The mean progesterone concentration during early pregnancy was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in conceived cows with CVM than that of control cows in the same period. However, the mean progesterone concentration did not differ significantly (p = 0.072) in CVM cows that showed fertilization failure or embryonic death than that of control cows. Additionally, of 13 conceived control cows, eight cows (61.5%) showed normal luteal function. In contrast, of nine conceived CVM cows, only four cows (44.4%) showed normal luteal function. The conception rate was 47.4% in CVM carrier cows and 61.9% in control cows, but this difference did not reach significance. In conclusion, progesterone concentration might be lowered during early pregnancy in conceived CVM cows compared with that in control cows.     

青花菜不同器官中4-甲基亚磺酰丁基硫苷及萝卜硫素含量分析

 【目的】青花菜的抗癌功能主要与4-甲基亚磺酰丁基硫苷的降解产物萝卜硫素有关,通过测定不同青花菜材料花球、茎和叶片中两者的含量并分析两者含量间的相关性,为青花菜高营养品质育种提供理论依据。【方法】采用反相高效液相色谱法,对24个不同青花菜材料花球、茎和叶片中4-甲基亚磺酰丁基硫苷含量,及其中的10份材料花球、茎和叶片中萝卜硫素含量进行测定和分析。【结果】青花菜不同基因型间以及不同器官间4-甲基亚磺酰丁基硫苷和萝卜硫素含量差异均极显著,4-甲基亚磺酰丁基硫苷和萝卜硫素含量均为花球含量最高,其次为茎,叶片含量最低;不同材料花球中4-甲基亚磺酰丁基硫苷平均含量分别为茎和叶片的4.4和13.97倍,萝卜硫素平均含量分别为茎和叶片的4和8.7倍,而有的基因型材料茎和叶片中4-甲基亚磺酰丁基硫苷的含量较高,约为花球中的50%;参试的10个不同基因型材料的花球、茎和叶片中的萝卜硫素含量与其前体4-甲基亚磺酰丁基硫苷含量间相关系数分别为0.9886**,0.9994**,0.9935**。【结论】不同青花菜材料间不同器官中4-甲基亚磺酰丁基硫苷含量存在显著差异;在青花菜萝卜硫素开发应用中,可选择其前体4-甲基亚磺酰丁基硫苷作为筛选指标,并可筛选茎和叶中4-甲基亚磺酰丁基硫苷含量较高的材料作为提取萝卜硫素的原料。