Fibrous ingluvial foreign bodies in 33 cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus)

The presentation, treatment and outcomes of 33 ingluvial fibrous foreign bodies in cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) are described. Vomiting, lethargy and weight loss were the most common presenting signs. Diagnosis was made on palpation of a mass in the crop (ingluvies). Both surgical and non‐surgical treatment regimens were evaluated. The overall mortality rate was 33%, suggesting fibrous materials are not safe for cockatiels to groom or ingest and should not be offered as cage accessories.     

Synchronous climate changes in antarctica and the north atlantic

Central Greenland ice cores provide evidence of abrupt changes in climate over the past 100,000 years. Many of these changes have also been identified in sedimentary and geochemical signatures in deep-sea sediment cores from the North Atlantic, confirming the link between millennial-scale climate variability and ocean thermohaline circulation. It is shown here that two of the most prominent North Atlantic events-the rapid warming that marks the end of the last glacial period and the Bolling/Allerod-Younger Dryas oscillation-are also recorded in an ice core from Taylor Dome, in the western Ross Sea sector of Antarctica. This result contrasts with evidence from ice cores in other regions of Antarctica, which show an asynchronous response between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.     

Bilateral renal ischemia as a model of acute kidney injury in cats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of 1h, bilateral, warm ischemia-reperfusion kidney injury as a model of acute kidney injury in the cat. Four adult healthy cats underwent 60 min of bilateral, in vivo renal warm ischemia; three cats were sham operated controls. Kidney function was evaluated with creatinine and BUN concentration, urine protein: creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate. Post-reperfusion endothelin and renin was measured by ELISA and RT-qPCR. Blood pressure (BP), platelet count, and platelet aggregation were monitored. Renal biopsy specimens were evaluated histopathologically. There was significant reduction in renal function characterized by severe azotemia and proximal tubular brush border loss. Changes in renin or endothelin gene expression or serum concentration were not detected. No changes were detected in BP. Platelet count and hematocrit decreased markedly after ischemia and reperfusion. Sixty minutes bilateral renal ischemia is an effective model for acute renal injury.     

Characterization of cytokines associated with Th17 cells in the eyes of horses with recurrent uveitis

Objective Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is a spontaneous disease that is the most common cause of blindness in horses, affecting up to 15% of the horse population. Th17 cells are a major cell population driving the pathogenesis in several mouse models of autoimmune inflammation, including experimental autoimmune uveitis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role a Th17 cell‐mediated response plays in the pathogenesis of ERU. Procedure Banked, Davidson’s‐fixed equine globes histopathologically diagnosed with ERU (n = 7) were compared immunohistochemically with healthy control globes (n = 7). Immunohistochemical staining was performed using a pan‐Leptospira antibody and antibodies against IL‐6, IL‐17, and IL‐23. Additionally, immunostaining was performed for T‐cell (CD3) and B‐cell (CD79α) markers. Specificity of immunoreactivity was confirmed by western blot analysis. Results Immunohistochemical staining was positive for IL‐6, IL‐17, and IL‐23 within the cytoplasm of nonpigmented ciliary epithelial cells and mononuclear inflammatory cells infiltrating the iris, and ciliary body of ERU horses (n = 7) but negative in controls (n = 7). ERU‐affected eyes were CD3 positive (n = 7) and CD79α negative (n = 7). Staining for Leptospira was negative in all ERU and control globes. Conclusions Strong immunoreactivity for IL‐6, IL‐17, and IL‐23, in conjunction with the fact that T lymphocytes are the predominating inflammatory cells present in ERU, suggests that IL‐17‐secreting helper T‐cells play a role in the pathogenesis of ERU. These findings suggest that horses with ERU may serve as a naturally occurring animal model for autoimmune uveitis.     

Expression of Toll-like receptors 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and MD-2 in the normal equine cornea, limbus, and conjunctiva

Objective Human corneal cells have detectable levels of TLRs 1‐10. TLRs 2 and 4 are the major corneal receptors, recognizing the PAMPs associated with fungal invasion in humans. The conjunctiva and limbus contain TLRs 2, 4, and 9. Our purpose was to determine the expression of TLRs 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and MD‐2 in the normal equine cornea, conjunctiva, and limbus. Methods Corneal, limbal, and conjunctival tissues were collected from seven euthanized horses having no evidence of ocular disease. RNA extraction with DNase‐1 digestion was performed followed by RT‐PCR to determine expression of TLRs 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and MD‐2. Products were resolved by electrophoresis on 1.5% agarose gels and visualized using ethidium bromide staining. Results Expression of TLRs 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and MD‐2 was present in the cornea, limbus, and conjunctiva of each horse, except one horse, where TLR3 expression was unable to be demonstrated in the dorsal and ventral conjunctiva. Conclusions Confirming the expression of TLRs in equine ocular tissues is an initial step in identifying how they play a role in infectious keratitis, particularly fungal. The results further support the use of equine ocular tissues as a model for human fungal keratitis. Studies of the TLR expression together with their cytokine profile induced during equine fungal keratitis may help further clarify the pathogenesis of the disease and possibly lead to the development of new treatment protocols for both equines and humans.     

动物疫苗及其合理使用（一）

疫苗接种是预防动物传染病发生的重要举措。依据免疫学理论,疫苗作为抗原,通过激发动物机体免疫系统,产生特异的体液免疫和细胞免疫,从而获得针对某种疾病的特异性免疫。疫苗一般分为细菌疫苗、病毒疫苗和类毒素疫苗等。用于防病治病的各种疫苗、菌苗又是特殊的生物药品,与普通化学药品具有完全不同的成分、功能和特性,疫苗中含有多种蛋白质（除细菌或病毒外,有的还含有保护剂、鸡胚尿囊液或细胞培养液）,它们均适合许多病原体的生长,有些制品还是活的微生物,一旦污染后果不堪设想。疫苗在保存、运输和使用时有其特别要求。如果方法不当,不但会使活性物质失活,起不到免疫防病作用;而且还可能适得其反,引发动物新的疾病,造成重大损失。