Bilateral medial displacement of the biceps tendon of origin: repair using polypropylene mesh and staples

A three‐year‐old male greyhound was presented with acute onset right forelimb lameness because of medial displacement of the biceps tendon of origin. Ultrasonographic examination confirmed the diagnosis, and a concomitant partial tear of the medial glenohumeral ligament was detected during arthroscopy. To stabilise the biceps tendon, polypropylene mesh was fixed across the intertubercular groove to replace the torn transverse humeral retinaculum. Recovery was uneventful and lameness resolved. Fifteen months later, the dog was presented with medial displacement of the biceps tendon of origin of the left shoulder, and was treated successfully using the same technique.     

Purple carrot (Daucus carota L.) polyacetylenes decrease lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of inflammatory proteins in macrophage and endothelial cells

Carrots ( Daucus carota L.) contain phytochemicals including carotenoids, phenolics, polyacetylenes, isocoumarins, and sesquiterpenes. Purple carrots also contain anthocyanins. The anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and phytochemicals from purple carrots was investigated by determining attenuation of the response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A bioactive chromatographic fraction (Sephadex LH-20) reduced LPS inflammatory response. There was a dose-dependent reduction in nitric oxide production and mRNA of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha) and iNOS in macrophage cells. Protein secretions of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were reduced 77 and 66% in porcine aortic endothelial cells treated with 6.6 and 13.3 microg/mL of the LH-20 fraction, respectively. Preparative liquid chromatography resulted in a bioactive subfraction enriched in the polyacetylene compounds falcarindiol, falcarindiol 3-acetate, and falcarinol. The polyacetylenes were isolated and reduced nitric oxide production in macrophage cells by as much as 65% without cytotoxicity. These results suggest that polyacetylenes, not anthocyanins, in purple carrots are responsible for anti-inflammatory bioactivity.     

Comparison of the key aroma compounds in organically grown, raw West-African peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) and in ground, pan-roasted meal produced thereof

Application of an aroma extract dilution analysis on an aroma distillate prepared from organically grown, raw West-African peanuts (Cameroon) revealed 36 odor-active areas in the flavor dilution (FD) factor range of 1 to 2048. The identification experiments, which were all performed by using the respective reference chemicals, revealed 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine (earthy, pea-like), 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine (bell pepper-like, earthy), and trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal (metallic) with the highest FD factors among the 36 aroma compounds identified. The two last mentioned odorants and another set of 22 further odorants were identified for the first time in raw peanuts. A comparative aroma extract dilution analysis applied on distillates prepared from either the raw peanuts or ground peanut meal roasted in a pan showed 52 odor-active areas in the FD factor range of 8 to 2048 in the roasted nut material. The identification experiments in combination with the FD factors revealed that among them, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3-(2H)-furanone showed the most significant contribution to the overall aroma, followed by 1-octen-3-one, 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine, (E, E)-2,4-decadienal, and trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal. As a further result, 20 aroma compounds were newly identified in roasted peanuts, such as 2-propionyl-1-pyrroline and 2-acetyltetrahydropyridine (both popcorn-like). In particular, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2 H)-furanone showed the most pronounced increase after roasting.     

Banishing barberry: The history of Berberis vulgaris prevalence and wheat stem rust incidence across Britain

Wheat stem rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), is a notoriously damaging disease of wheat and barley. Pgt requires two hosts to complete its lifecycle; undergoing asexual reproduction on cereal crops and completing sexual reproduction on Berberis spp. The latter stage of its lifecycle is of particular importance in temperate regions such as western Europe, where asexual urediniospores are unable to survive cold winter weather. In the past, the crucial role of Berberis in the lifecycle of stem rust led to intensive eradication campaigns, initially carried out by farmers in the face of hostile scientific opinion. In the United Kingdom, common barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is today a relatively rare plant. Stem rust is, however, currently experiencing a resurgence; at the same time, there has been a general increase in the prevalence of barberry and an upsurge in its planting which, in the United Kingdom, is associated with attempts to encourage the endangered barberry carpet moth (Pareulype berberata). This article situates current developments within a broader chronological framework, examining changing attitudes towards barberry and rust in England in the past and the history of the plant's use and cultivation. It assesses how widespread B. vulgaris really was in the environment historically, and thus the scale of its eradication. We suggest that Berberis was never widely established as an archaeophyte in the United Kingdom. Current attempts to re-establish it are based on a misunderstanding of the plant's historical status and could potentially pose a serious threat to food security.     

Use of albumin quotient and IgG index to differentiate blood- vs brain-derived proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid of cats with feline infectious peritonitis

BACKGROUND: Inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS) is a frequent condition in cats but etiology often remains unsolved. Routine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis can be extended through the calculation of the albumin quotient (Q(alb)), a marker of the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and IgG index, an estimate of intrathecal IgG synthesis. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to validate nephelometric methods for CSF protein analysis, and to use the Q(alb) and IgG index to discriminate blood- and brain-derived immunoglobulin fractions in cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). METHODS: Cats presented to our clinic between 2001 and 2005 were included in the study based on clinical and laboratory data and histopathologic findings at necropsy. Cats were grouped as having nonneurologic disease (controls; n=37), brain tumors (n=8), FIP involving the CNS (n=12), and extraneural FIP (n=12). CSF-total protein (TP) was measured and albumin and IgG concentrations were measured in paired CSF/serum samples; Q(alb) and IgG index were calculated. Intraassay and interassay precision of the nephelometric assays were determined using pooled samples. RESULTS: Coefficients of variation for the nephelometric assays ranged from 2.7% to 7.2%. In control cats, CSF-TP concentration ranged from 0.06 to 0.36 g/L, Q(alb) ranged from 0.6 to 5.7 x 10(-3), and IgG index ranged from 0.3 to 0.6. Q(alb) and IgG index were significantly higher in cats with brain tumors and cats with CNS-FIP compared with other groups. Compared with control cats, pleocytosis was evident in 8 of 12 (67%) cats and CSF-TP was increased in 3 of 12 (25%) cats with CNS-FIP. CONCLUSION: Nephelometry is a reliable method for measurement of CSF protein, albumin, and IgG in cats. The Q(alb) and IgG index did not identify a CSF protein pattern specific for BBB dysfunction or intrathecal IgG synthesis in cats with CNS-FIP.     

Kinetics of the expression of CD163 and CD107a in the lung and tonsil of pigs after infection with PRRSV-1 strains of different virulence

Veterinary Research Communications - The emergence of virulent strains of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), causing atypical and severe outbreaks, has been notified...     

Effects of Yucca schidigera extract on growth performance and antioxidative function of small intestine in broilers

Dietary Yucca schidigera extract (YSE) could enhance immune function in broilers, which was attributed primarily to its saponin components. However, YSE also contains phenolic compounds which possess antioxidant ability. This study tested the effects of YSE on growth performance of broilers, its antioxidative enzyme activities and corresponding gene expressions in the small intestine. A total of 128 15‐day‐old broilers were randomly assigned to 4 treatments: corn‐soya bean meal as the basal control diet or the basal diet containing either 100, 200 or 300 mg/kg of YSE. Each treatment consisted of four replicate pens with eight broilers per pen. The experiment lasted 28 days which was divided into a grower period (day: 15–28) and a finisher period (day: 29–42). On day 28 and day 42 body weight (BW), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion rate (FCR) were recorded. Duodenum, jejunum and ileum were collected to analyse superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) and gene expressions of SOD, CAT, GPx. The results showed that during the grower period a diet including 100 mg/kg YSE improved CAT capacity in the ileum, tended to increase activities of GPx in the duodenum, and further showed enhancing tendencies in SOD and GPx abilities in ileum. Gene expressions of CAT, SOD and GPx in the ileum tended to upregulate at 100 mg/kg YSE level. In the finisher period and over the whole period, all YSE groups had a reduced FI compared to the control group without compromising BW; 100 and 200 mg/kg YSE significantly improved FCR. In conclusion, the improved growth performance of broilers during the finisher period may be due to enhanced antioxidative ability in the grower period with YSE supplementation. This study provided evidence of using YSE as an additive to enhance growth in broilers.