Abnormal bone mineralization in a puppy fed an imbalanced raw meat homemade diet diagnosed and monitored using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

A 4-month-old male Old English Sheepdog was presented for evaluation of a raw meat-based homemade diet after a 1-month history of progressive lameness. Marked dietary deficiencies were detected, which included calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D. Hypovitaminosis D and hypocalcaemia were diagnosed by serum analysis. Evidence of severe diffuse osteopenia was noted on survey radiographs. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to quantify bone mineral content and density and compare to published reference ranges. The puppy's initial bone mineralization was markedly subnormal, with bone mineral density 66% lower than expected, and bone mineral content 40% lower than expected. Subsequent DEXA scans were performed at intervals during the puppy's recovery to document the rate of bone re-mineralization and guide therapeutic recommendations. Marked improvement was achieved within 4 months through exercise control and feeding of a diet appropriately formulated for large breed puppy growth and development. This report reinforces the necessity of thorough dietary history and highlights the potential for malnutrition in pets fed homemade and raw meat-based diets. Use of DEXA has rarely been reported in clinical cases, yet can be a valuable tool for diagnosing and monitoring cases with abnormal bone mineralization. Further studies using DEXA to track bone mineralization in healthy puppies are encouraged to develop a more robust reference range of bone mineralization in growing dogs of varying sizes, weights and ages.     

Mesh-like vascular changes in copper deficiency-induced rat cardiomyopathy

The pathological effects of copper deficiency (COD) are well known. However, the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy resulting from COD remains unclear. In this study, aimed to elucidate the pathogenesis of COD-induced cardiomyopathy by examining the morphology of the cardiovascular system in copper-deficient rats using histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Changes detected in the myocardium and interstitium were consistent with those reported for COD. Morphological changes included mesh-like changes in the capillary endothelial cells that appear to be a novel finding in COD-induced cardiomyopathy. These changes are hypothesized to result from abnormal vascular remodeling following damage to the basement membrane and due to the mechanical effects of myocardial contractions. Although cardiomyopathy may be associated with microcirculatory disorders arising from these lesions, further investigations are necessary to demonstrate a causal relationship between the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy and the contribution of these lesions to disease progression.     

Relationship between a plant-based ‘vegan’ pet food and clinical manifestation of multiple nutrient deficiencies in two cats

A topical subject in human nutrition is the steadily growing number of people choosing to limit or completely avoid all animal-derived food products either for moral dilemma, health concerns or both. To meet people's will of applying their dietary choices to their domestic animals, the pet food industry answered by launching on the market some plant-based diets. This leads to concerns about whether these diets are adequately formulated to satisfy the target species nutritional requirements, especially for cats which are still considered strict carnivores. This case report follows a 2-year-old male neutered Main Coon and a 1-year-old female spayed Domestic Shorthair cat, presented to the nutrition service of the University of Toulouse, France. Reason for consultation was lethargy with in anamnesis a recent dietary transition to a plant-based pet food. Dysorexia, lethargy and muscle waste were present at first consultation. Progressive weight loss developed during follow-ups. A macrocytic, non-regenerative anaemia with serum folates below reference were the main clinical features. Analysis of pet food showed multiple nutrients below minimum recommendation at the average daily intake of both cats. Folic acid supplementation improved dysorexia, and subsequent reintroduction of animal-derived ingredients in the diet restored appetite, weight and a normal mentation in both cases.     

Altered vitamin D metabolic system in follicular cysts of sows

This study aimed to examine 25OHD₃ concentration in the fluid of follicular and follicular lutein cysts of sows in comparison with preovulatory follicles as well as immunolocalize vitamin D metabolic enzymes (CYP27B1 and CYP24A1) and determine their protein abundances in the cyst wall. We have shown for the first time that 25OHD₃ level in the fluid of both cyst types was significantly lower than in preovulatory follicles. Furthermore, we have demonstrated CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 protein immunolocalization and abundance in follicular and follicular lutein cysts. The abundance of protein for both metabolic enzymes was decreased in ovarian cysts when compared to preovulatory follicles. We propose that altered VD metabolism in ovarian cyst might associate with their formation in sows.     

Free-range system and supplementation of 25-hydroxicholecalciferol increases the performance and serum vitamin levels in mixed-parity sows

Improvements in sow productivity have raised questions regarding dietary vitamin D recommendations. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the housing system with access to sunlight exposure and supplementation of 25-hydroxicholecalciferol on performance and serum levels of 25(OH)D₃ in sows during gestation and lactation. Sows were distributed in an experimental design with two housing systems: gestation crates or gestation free-range system with external area for sunlight exposure; and two diets: 0 or 50 μg of 25-hydroxicholecalciferol kg⁻¹. The use of 25-hydroxicholecalciferol tended (P = 0.052) to improve total born and influenced (P = 0.046) on number of born alive. Litter weight at birth was also increased (P = 0.01) by 25-hydroxicholecalciferol supplementation; 25-hydroxicholecalciferol supplementation and housing system (free-range with sunlight exposure) tended to increase weaning weight (P = 0.07) and litter daily gain (P = 0.051) during lactation. Exposure to sunlight and 25-hydroxicholecalciferol supplementation increased 25(OH)D₃ serum levels when compared with control treatment during gestation (136.95 vs. 113.92 ng mL⁻¹; P = 0.035) and lactation (120.29 vs. 88.93 ng mL⁻¹; P = 0.026). In conclusion, the association of 25-hydroxicholecalciferol supplementation with exposure to sunlight during gestation improved significantly 25(OH)D₃ serum levels and consequently performance traits in gestation and lactation.     

猪流行性腹泻病毒S1D蛋白的优化表达及其单克隆抗体的制备

为进一步探究猪流行性腹泻病毒(Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus,PEDV)S蛋白的抗原表位及其功能,本试验通过优化S1D基因的密码子,构建了S1D基因未优化的重组原核表达质粒pET-S1D和已优化的pET-ΔS1D,并进行了诱导表达和纯化。使用SDS-PAGE和Western blotting方法验证S1D、ΔS1D蛋白在大肠杆菌内得到正确表达,利用Image J软件对S1D、ΔS1D蛋白表达量进行灰度扫描,通过t检验分析两者差异性。将纯化的ΔS1D 蛋白免疫 BALB/c小鼠,通过细胞融合、筛选及亚克隆,获得单克隆细胞株。利用体内诱生法制备抗PEDV S1D蛋白的单克隆抗体腹水,使用ELISA、Western blotting、间接免疫荧光试验3种方法对腹水效价及特异性进行检测和验证。SDS-PAGE和Western blotting结果显示,表达S1D、ΔS1D蛋白的样品均在34 ku处出现正确的目的条带。t检验结果表明, S1D、ΔS1D两者蛋白表达量差异极显著(P<0.01)。ELISA结果显示, 腹水的抗体效价达到了1∶1 000 000,腹水与PEDV病毒粒子和纯化后的ΔS1D蛋白反应均呈阳性,与PEDV N蛋白、pET-32a(+)空载体蛋白和猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus,PRRSV)、猪传染性胃肠炎病毒(Transmissible gastroenteritis virus,TGEV)、猪瘟病毒(Classical swine fever virus,CSFV)、猪德尔塔冠状病毒(Porcine deltacoronavirus,PDCoV)和猪急性腹泻综合征冠状病毒(Swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus,SADS-CoV) 5种病毒反应均呈阴性。Western blotting结果显示,腹水与ΔS1D蛋白和PEDV S蛋白分别在34和180 ku处有特异性条带出现,与pET-32a(+)空载体蛋白、正常Vero细胞蛋白均无特异性条带出现。间接免疫荧光试验结果显示,腹水及阳性对照组均能使细胞出现特异性绿色荧光信号,而空白及阴性对照组均未见绿色荧光信号。密码子优化可在原核表达系统中显著提高重组蛋白的表达水平,本研究基于高效表达的ΔS1D蛋白,成功制备了1株能稳定分泌与 PEDV S蛋白特异性结合的单克隆抗体的细胞株,为进一步探究 PEDV S蛋白抗原表位及蛋白功能的研究奠定了基础。     

马早期流产相关功能基因挖掘的研究

旨在探究与马早期流产相关的功能基因。在同一舍饲马群体中筛选配种后45 d能够检查到胚胎,但2~4个月后发生流产的母马10匹（流产组）,以及能正常分娩的母马10匹（分娩组）。采集马匹血液样本,提取基因组DNA。全基因组平均测序深度为10×,基因组覆盖度97%以上,每个样本大约测得4×10⁶个SNP。对流产组和分娩组的全基因组重测序数据进行比较。结果表明：通过Fst分析获得1 381个SNP位点,π分析获得1 614个SNP位点,联合分析得到203个SNP位点;过滤掉突变基因间区域、非编码区域、内含子和同义SNV后得到82个SNP位点,定位于69个基因上;通过GO term、信号通路富集分析以及文献查阅,筛选出其中的12个基因为马早期流产和胚胎着床的重要候选基因,这些候选基因通过参与激素调节、胚胎侵入、维生素合成代谢等影响胚胎着床。研究结果为揭示引起马匹早期流产的原因提供了生物信息学方面的参考。     

VD在骨骼外系统中的作用及其研究进展

以往普遍认为VD的主要功能是调节Ca离子来促进骨骼的生长和预防佝偻病,但最近几年的研究发现,VD不仅在骨骼疾病中起到重要作用,还与多种骨骼外疾病密切相关,包括一些心血管疾病、代谢紊乱有关的疾病、恶性肿瘤、过敏性疾病、自身免疫性疾病、生殖方面影响等。目前对VD生物学功能的研究比较全面和深入,但大部分是针对人体和小鼠的基础研究,对诸如牛、猪、犬、猫等不同动物VD的骨骼外系统生物学功能的研究较少。在查阅相关文献的基础上,通过对VD在血压、免疫调节、内分泌、子宫内膜和骨骼肌方面的生物学功能和研究进展进行总结,为不同动物VD在骨骼外系统生物学功能的研究提供一定参考。     

3D打印技术在水利水电工程施工中应用研究

对3D打印技术进行应用研究,阐述其精度、强度和速度等关键性能指标合理性,能够有效避免特殊形式结构部位的施工带来的成本、工期及质量问题,增加工程效益,并对溢流堰面特殊部位计算表面曲线轮廓,进行实验3D打印,最后总结3D打印在水利水电工程施工中的优势。     

维生素C废水厌氧处理生产运行的新技术研究

对生产规模上流式厌氧污泥过滤器处理维生素Ｃ废水的工艺流程和设备进行了合理的改革，以厌氧出水回流与高浓度废水混合稀释降低进水ＣＯＤ浓度，提高进水的总碱度，同时控制反应器水力负荷，从而提高了反应器的处理能力。