Monitoring and modelling total phosphorus contributions to a freshwater lake with cage‐aquaculture

A mass‐balance modelling approach combined with a sensitivity analysis was utilized to gain an improved understanding of the relative contributions of phosphorus (P) loading from various anthropogenic and non‐anthropogenic sources into Lake Wolsey (Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada), a Type 2 freshwater lake with a cage‐aquaculture facility. Total P loadings were estimated from eight sources (inlet exchange, non‐point sources, cage‐aquaculture facility, internal loading, groundwater seepage, atmospheric deposition, leaf litter and dwellings) and three sinks (outlet exchange, sedimentation and sportfishing). Results indicated that over the study period (May–November 2007) the non‐point sources were the leading contributor of total P to Lake Wolsey (1120 kg P) followed by the cage‐aquaculture facility loading (915 kg P), inlet exchange (539 kg P), groundwater inputs (305 kg P), dwellings (219 kg P), internal P recycling loads from the hypoxic hypolimnion (186 kg P), atmospheric deposition (79 kg P) and decomposing leaf litter (8.1 kg P). When comparing the loadings in this study, the sensitivity analysis showed that non‐point sources were the only significant input parameter of total P loading to the in‐lake concentrations of P in Lake Wolsey(P = 0.05). Information from this project will provide water quality managers with sound scientific information to make defencible decisions pertaining to policy and regulatory approaches for water quality risk assessment and management of cage‐aquaculture in Type 2 sites.     

低盐胁迫下松江鲈HSPB1、HSPB7和HSPB11基因的表达变化规律

为了探究小分子热休克蛋白基因HSPB1、HSPB7和HSPB11在松江鲈(Trachidermus fasciatus)应对低盐胁迫过程中的调节作用,本研究基于前期转录组数据,获取3个目标基因的序列信息并进行了系统进化分析,利用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测了3个基因在两种低盐胁迫处理下不同时间点(0 h、12 h、24 h和48 h)在鳃、肠、肾和肝组织中的表达水平。系统进化分析结果表明, HSPB1、HSPB7和HSPB11基因分别聚类形成独立分支;在各基因分支中,松江鲈与已报道的鲈形目、鲤形目和鳉形目等鱼种共同聚为硬骨鱼类分支。在两种低盐胁迫处理下, 3个基因在鳃组织中的表达量均在12h显著升高,而在肠、肾和肝组织中的表达量则呈现不同的变化趋势。肠组织中,HSPB7和HSPB11在盐度渐变低盐胁迫(盐度变化速率1.1/h)下表达量均显著升高, HSPB1表达量在48 h显著降低;盐度骤变低盐胁迫(盐度变化速率27/h)下HSPB1和HSPB7表达量在24 h显著升高, HSPB11表达量显著降低。肾组织中,HSPB1、HSPB7和HSPB11表达量均仅在盐度渐变低盐胁迫24h显著升高;盐度骤变低盐胁迫下HSPB1表达量显著降低, HSPB7和HSPB11表达量则显著升高。肝组织中, HSPB7无表达; HSPB1表达量在盐度渐变低盐胁迫下无显著变化,但在盐度骤变低盐胁迫下则显著升高;HSPB11表达量在两种处理下均显著升高。本研究比较分析了HSPB1、HSPB7和HSPB11基因在松江鲈应对不同低盐胁迫时表达变化规律的异同,相关结果为探讨小分子热休克蛋白在鱼类应激调节过程中的作用及洄游性鱼类适应盐度变化的分子调控机制提供了理论依据。     

Inductively coupled plasma mass‐spectrometric determination of platinum in excretion products of client‐owned pet dogs

Residues of antineoplastic drugs in canine excretion products may represent exposure risks to veterinary personnel, owners of pet dogs and other animal care‐takers. The aim of this study was to measure the extent and duration of platinum (Pt) excretion in pet dogs treated with carboplatin. Samples were collected before and up to 21 days after administration of carboplatin. We used validated, ultra‐sensitive, inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry assays to measure Pt in canine urine, faeces, saliva, sebum and cerumen. Results showed that urine is the major route of elimination of Pt in dogs. In addition, excretion occurs via faeces and saliva, with the highest amounts eliminated during the first 5 days. The amount of excreted Pt decreased over time but was still quantifiable at 21 days after administration of carboplatin. In conclusion, increased Pt levels were found in all measured excretion products up to 21 days after administration of carboplatin to pet dogs, with urine as the main route of excretion. These findings may be used to further adapt current veterinary guidelines on safe handling of antineoplastic drugs and treated animals.     

Flow‐cytometric detection of phenotypic aberrancies in canine small clear cell lymphoma

Histopathology and immunohistochemistry are mandatory to solve the differential between canine low‐grade lymphoma and reactive hyperplasia. However, clinicians and owners often show reluctance toward these invasive tests. However, molecular biology techniques are still not sensitive and specific enough to be regarded as a reliable tool for final diagnosis. In humans, flow cytometry (FC) allows a definitive diagnosis of T‐cell lymphoma based on high prevalence of antigen aberrancies. We describe here the immunophenotype of 26 cases of suspect canine small‐clear cell lymphoma, determined by multi‐colour FC. All cases showed antigen aberrancies and therefore neoplasia was always confirmed. As a consequence, we argue that the combined use of cytology and FC allows solving the differential diagnosis between small clear cell lymphoma and non‐neoplastic reactive conditions when histopathology is not available. Further studies are needed to establish if any aberrancy can be considered indicative of specific histotypes.     

外源精胺对断奶仔猪小肠黏膜成纤维细胞因子-2蛋白质表达量及小肠发育的影响

本试验旨在研究外源精胺对断奶仔猪小肠黏膜成纤维细胞因子-2( FGF2)蛋白质表达量及小肠发育的影响。将9窝胎次和初生体重相近的7日龄“杜×长×大”哺乳仔猪随机分配到0、12和15 mg/kg外源精胺组,每组3窝。仔猪从7日龄起补饲相应的饲粮,21日龄断奶后继续补饲断奶前饲粮至28日龄结束。从每窝选2头接近平均体重的仔猪屠宰,采集小肠及黏膜样品,测定FGF2蛋白质表达量和小肠的发育状况。结果表明：1)12 mg/kg外源精胺组仔猪小肠黏膜FGF2蛋白质表达量分别高于0和15 mg/kg外源精胺组,但3个外源精胺组仔猪小肠黏膜FGF2蛋白质表达量之间无显著差异(P>0.05)。2)12和15 mg/kg外源精胺组仔猪小肠绒毛高度和宽度分别极显著大于0 mg/kg外源精胺组( P<0.01),而12 mg/kg外源精胺组仔猪十二指肠和空肠黏膜绒毛高度与隐窝深度比值( V/C )分别极显著高于0 mg/kg外源精胺组( P<0.01)。3)28日龄仔猪小肠黏膜蔗糖酶和麦芽糖酶活性随外源精胺添加量的增加而升高。由此可见,给7~28日龄仔猪连续补饲外源精胺能提高28日龄仔猪小肠黏膜FGF2蛋白质表达量、V/C和二糖酶活性。     

Comparison Study on Effects of Three Chinese Herbal Medicine on Intestinal Morphology in Weaning Piglets

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of three Chinese herbal medicine (medicated leaven, hawthorn, fructus hordei germinates) on histomorphology of different parts of small intestine in weaning piglets.40 28-day old ternary pigs (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire) with the body weight (8.13±1.32)kg were divided into four groups, control group, medicated leaven group, hawthorn group and fructus hordei germinates group, and feeding with 1% Chinese herbal medicine, there were two repeats in each group and each repeat had 5 piglets, slaughtering and sampling at 7th and 14th day morning, respectively, sections were used for HE staining.The staining tissues were taken pictures under a microscope camera (200×) and measured VH, CD, IWT and V/C in different parts of small intestine with Image-Pro Plus.The result showed that the IWH of ileum in medicated leaven group was significantly or extremely significantly higher than control group (P<0.05;P<0.01).The VH and IWT of duodenum and jejunum at 7th day in hawthorn group were extremely significantly lower than control group (P<0.01);The IWT of ileum and the VH of ileum at 14th day were extremely significantly higher than control group (P<0.01).In fructus hordei germinates group, the VH of duodenum and jejunum at 7th day and IWT of jejunum were extremely significantly lower than control group (P<0.01);The CD of ileum at 7th day, the IWT of duodenum and ileum at 7th day were extremely significantly higher than control group (P<0.01).The effects of different simple Chinese herbal medicine on histomorphology of different parts of small intestine in piglets were different, because of the different digestive functions of small intestine, the most effects of Chinese herbal medicine an duodenum, jejunum and ileum were fructus hordei germinates, medicated leaven and hawthorn, respectively.     

Adenosine protects Sprague Dawley rats from high‐fat diet and repeated acute restraint stress‐induced intestinal inflammation and altered expression of nutrient transporters

This study investigated the effect of repeated acute restraint stress and high‐fat diet (HFD) on intestinal expression of nutrient transporters, concomitant to intestinal inflammation. The ability of adenosine to reverse any change was examined. Six‐week‐old male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into eight groups: control or non‐stressed (C), rats exposed to restraint stress for 6 h per day for 14 days (S), control rats fed with HFD (CHF) and restraint‐stressed rats fed with HFD (SHF); four additional groups received the same treatments and were also given 50 mg/l adenosine dissolved in drinking water. Fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin, adiponectin and corticosterone were measured. Intestinal expression of SLC5A1, SLC2A2, NPC1L1 and TNF‐α was analysed. Histological evaluation was conducted to observe for morphological and anatomical changes in the intestinal tissues. Results showed that HFD feeding increased glucose and insulin levels, and repeated acute restraint stress raised the corticosterone level by 22%. Exposure to both stress and HFD caused a further increase in corticosterone to 41%, while decreasing plasma adiponectin level. Restraint stress altered intestinal expression of SLC5A1, SLC2A2 and NPC1L1. These changes were enhanced in SHF rats. Adenosine was found to alleviate HFD‐induced increase in glucose and insulin levels, suppress elevation of corticosterone in S rats and improve the altered nutrient transporters expression profiles. It also prevented upregulation of TNF‐α in the intestine of SHF rats. In summary, a combination of stress and HFD exaggerated stress‐ and HFD‐induced pathophysiological changes in the intestine, and biochemical parameters related to obesity. Adenosine attenuated the elevation of corticosterone and altered expression of SLC5A1, NPC1L1 and TNF‐α.     

Demonstration of uniformity of calcium absorption in adult dogs and cats

A meta‐analysis was conducted to understand quantitative aspects of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) absorption in adult dogs and cats. 34 studies in dogs and 14 studies in cats met the criteria for inclusion in the meta‐analysis. Intake and faecal excretion values of Ca and P were subjected to a modified Lucas test and subsequent regression analyses. According to the current scientific consensus, Ca true digestibility (absorption) should increase at low Ca intake and decrease at high Ca intake. If true, this should result in a nonlinear relationship between the percentage of Ca excreted and dietary Ca intake. The present meta‐analysis showed a highly significant linear relationship (p < 0.0001) between Ca intake and Ca excretion suggesting a lack of systematic quantitative adaptation in true Ca digestibility. This finding suggests either that the time period covered by standard digestion trials is too short to induce adaptation mechanisms or that dogs and cats at maintenance will not efficiently alter quantitative Ca absorption percentage according to the amount ingested. If the latter is true, a dietary Ca supply differing greatly from the recommended dietary intake might impair the health of cats and dogs when fed long term. The data plots for P intake and faecal excretion were less uniform suggesting other factors not just dietary intake influence faecal P excretion. In adult cats, the dietary Ca:P ratio strongly influenced the true digestibility of P, whereas this effect was less marked in adult dogs. Faecal P excretion was significantly correlated to faecal Ca excretion in both species (p < 0.0001), and surprisingly, the level of P intake did not appear to be an important determinant of true digestibility of P.     

Gross anatomy,computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging and bone mineral densitometry of the ovine metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint

This study was aimed to provide anatomical atlas of the ovine metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joints using computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as to investigate bone mineral density (BMD) and morphometric features of this joint. The limbs of twenty adult Sanjabi sheep were examined. Imaging was performed using a 16-slice multi-detector CT scanner and a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner. The obtained images were correlated with corresponding anatomical sections. BMD was measured by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) method. Also morphometric features included distance between metacarpal and metatarsal heads, width of metacarpal and metatarsal head, length, width and the height of the proximal sesamoid bones were measured. In MRI images, compact bones, ligaments and tendons showed less signal intensity (hypointense). The fatty tissue and bone marrow had more signal intensity (hyperintense), but articular cartilage and synovial fluid showed moderate signal intensity. BMD in the left hind limb was significantly higher than other three limbs (p ≤ 0.05). The length of proximal sesamoid bones in left forelimb was higher than right forelimb (p ≤ 0.05). The thickness of proximal sesamoid bones in left limbs was higher than those in their counterparts (p ≤ 0.05). The width of the medial head in the forelimbs was significantly greater than the hind limbs (p ≤ 0.05). The present results might be useful in managing the clinical techniques on this joint. Larger volume of the proximal sesamoid bones and wider medial head in the forelimbs compared to the hindlimbs impel this speculation that the centre of gravity is closer to the forelimbs.