The Role of Exogenous Insulin in the Complex of Hepatic Lipidosis and Ketosis Associated with Insulin Resistance Phenomenon in Postpartum Dairy Cattle

As a result of a marked decline in dry matter intake (DMI) prior to parturition and a slow rate of increase in DMI relative to milk production after parturition, dairy cattle experience a negative energy balance. Changes in nutritional and metabolic status during the periparturient period predispose dairy cattle to develop hepatic lipidosis and ketosis. The metabolic profile during early lactation includes low concentrations of serum insulin, plasma glucose, and liver glycogen and high concentrations of serum glucagon, adrenaline, growth hormone, plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and non-esterified fatty acids, and liver triglyceride. Moreover, during late gestation and early lactation, flow of nutrients to fetus and mammary tissues are accorded a high degree of metabolic priority. This priority coincides with lowered responsiveness and sensitivity of extrahepatic tissues to insulin, which presumably plays a key role in development of hepatic lipidosis and ketosis. Hepatic lipidosis and ketosis compromise production, immune function, and fertility. Cows with hepatic lipidosis and ketosis have low tissue responsiveness to insulin owing to ketoacidosis. Insulin has numerous roles in metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Insulin is an anabolic hormone and acts to preserve nutrients as well as being a potent feed intake regulator. In addition to the major replacement therapy to alleviate severity of negative energy balance, administration of insulin with concomitant delivery of dextrose increases efficiency of treatment for hepatic lipidosis and ketosis. However, data on use of insulin to prevent these lipid-related metabolic disorders are limited and it should be investigated.     

肝纤维化动物模型研究进展

肝纤维化是肝损伤后的修复反应,涉及一系列复杂的细胞及分子机制,如何制作和选择与人类肝纤维化相似的动物模型,不仅是深入研究肝纤维化发病机制的重要基础,也是筛选防治肝纤维化药物的有效手段.文章介绍了目前常用的几种肝纤维化动物模型的造模方法,即给实验动物施以不同性质、不同剂量以及不同作用方式的肝毒剂,造成不同类型的肝纤维化模型.通过比较各种方法的致病机理、造模途径、效果、优缺点和各自用途,提出了肝纤维化动物模型的选择依据及研究方向.     

Renal cell carcinoma with bone metaplasia in a horse

A case of renal tubular carcinoma with bone metaplasia is reported in a 20-year-old male, mixed breed horse having a history of weight loss and hematuria. This report includes the clinical signs, macroscopic and microscopic lesions, and the immunohistochemical findings of this neoplasm.     

The potential use of plasma glutamate dehydrogenase activity for the evaluation of hepatic disease in the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)

A reference interval for plasma glutamate dehydrogenase (GD) (E.C. 1.4.1.3) activity, of 0-8 IU/L, was established for the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus). An automated modification of a commercial manual assay was used. This enzyme is considered liver specific in humans and numerous domestic animals, due to its organ distribution. A similar distribution was found in cockatiels in this study. Maximal enzyme activity was recovered from liver and kidney homogenate supernatants. Minimal activity was detected in skeletal muscle preparations. These results suggest a potential use for plasma GD activity in the evaluation of hepatocelluar injury/necrosis in cockatiels.     

Reconstruction of the lower eyelid by third eyelid lateral advancement and local transposition cutaneous flap after "en bloc" resection of squamous cell carcinoma in 5 cats

OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel technique for blepharoplasty to cover a tissue defect involving >/=50% of the lower eyelid. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Five cats with lower eyelid squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODS: En bloc resection of SCC by removing >/=50% of the lower lid with either the medial or lateral canthus was performed without other adjunctive treatment for SCC. The lid defect was reconstructed with a transposition skin flap derived from the frontal (medial defect) or temporal (lateral defect) region. The third eyelid was advanced laterally without dissection from its insertion; its outer conjunctival layer was removed, and the skin flap was sutured with single interrupted sutures dorsally over the nictitating membrane, ventrally to the cutaneous edge of the surgical wound and medially or laterally (depending on the canthus removed) to the skin of the remaining lower lid. RESULTS: Satisfactory cosmetic and functional results were achieved and the Schirmer tear tests were normal. In 2 cats, the skin flap needed monthly hair trimming to avoid corneal lesions. CONCLUSIONS: After en bloc resection of SCC involving >/=50% of the lower eyelid, reconstruction can be achieved by relocation of the third eyelid and use of a cutaneous transposition flap sutured to the scarified external surface of the third eyelid. Eyelid apposition and lacrimal function were preserved. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Blepharoplasty using a cutaneous transposition flap sutured to the scarified surface of a relocated third eyelid should be considered for reconstruction of lower eyelid defects with >/=50% tissue loss of the lid margin.     

Results from the treatment of advanced stage squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal planum in cats, using a combination of intralesional carboplatin and superficial radiotherapy: a pilot study

Six cats with an advanced stage squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nasal planum were treated with a combination of superficial radiotherapy and intralesional carboplatin therapy. This multimodality protocol was well tolerated by the majority of cats and resulted in complete responses in all cats (100%). Median follow‐up for all cats is 268 days, and the median time‐to‐recurrence, time‐to‐progression and overall survival have not yet been reached. Our study, although limited in number of animals and with a relatively short median follow‐up compared to other studies for this disease, suggests that a combination of radiotherapy and intralesional carboplatin is a useful treatment option for an advanced stage SCC of the nasal planum in cats and warrants further application of the multimodality approach presented here.     

Multi-systemic Trauma in a Ferret

A 5-year old, neutered, male, domestic sable ferret presented 24 hours after escaping outside and sustaining unknown trauma. Physical examination findings included tachycardia, tachypnea, and hind limb paresis in a laterally recumbent patient. Radiographs, laboratory evaluation, and abdominocentesis revealed the presence of hemoperitoneum, blunt hepatic trauma, pneumothorax, and a small abdominal hernia. The ferret was treated with resuscitative fluids, thoracocentesis, abdominal counterpressure, and blood transfusion. This is the first case report of multi-systemic trauma in a ferret. The ferret made a complete recovery and was discharged to the referring veterinarian three days after presentation. (Vet. Emerg. Crit. Care, 10:13–18, 2000)     

Dihydroartemisinin enhances radiotherapy efficiency in H22 cell tumor-bearing mice by regulating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

AIM To study the effect of dihydroartemisinin （DHA） on the radiotherapy efficiency in hepatocellular carcinoma H22 cell tumor-bearing mice and the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （AKT） signaling pathway in this process. METHODS A model of H22 cell tumor-bearing mice was established. The mice was divided into model group, single radiotherapy group, 5-fluorouracil （5-FU） group, and low-, medium- and high-dose DHA groups. The body weight and tumor volume in each group were measured every other day. At the end of administration, blood was collected from the tail of the mice and the animals were killed by neck removal immediately. The synergistic effect of DHA on radiotherapy was determined, and tumor growth inhibitory rate was calculated. The degree of lymphocyte transformation and natural killer （NK） cell activity were measured by MTT, the serum levels of interleukin-2 （IL-2） and IL-4 were measured by ELISA, and the protein levels of PI3K, AKT and p-AKT were determined by Western blot. RESULTS The H22 cell tumor-bearing mouse model was successfully constructed. Compared with model group, the TGT₃ （tumor growth time to reach 3 times of volume） of single radiotherapy group was remarkably increased （P<0.05）, while tumor weight, lymphocyte transformation degree, NK cell activity, IL-2 and IL-4 levels, PI3K protein level and AKT phosphorylation level were remarkably decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with single radiotherapy group, TGT₃, EF （enhancement factor）, tumor inhibitory rate, lymphocyte transformation degree, NK cell activity, IL-2 level and IL-4 level were increased with the increase in DHA dose （P<0.05）, and the PI3K protein level and AKT phosphorylation level were decreased （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION DHA may enhance the immunity of tumor-bearing mice by inhibiting the activity of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thereby enhancing the efficacy of radiotherapy.     

熊胆茶对实验性肝损伤动物保护作用的研究

研究了熊胆茶的肝保护作用及其抗炎免疫作用。结果显示：熊胆茶对四氯化碳(CCl4)和D-半乳糖胺(D-Galn)致小鼠的肝损伤有明显的保护作用，可使血清中谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、血清总胆固醇(T-CHO)、丙二醛(MDA)的含量明显降低，使肝脏中糖原(CHO)的含量明显升高，且具有一定的抗炎和提高免疫功能的作用。