A comparison of the effect of short-acting and long-acting cloxacillin-based dry-cow therapy on somatic cell counts after calving in cows also given internal teat sealants

AIM: To compare, in cows treated with an internal teat sealant, the effect of short-acting and long-acting cloxacillin-based dry-cow therapy on somatic cell counts (SCC) after calving.

METHODS: Cows from a spring-calving, pasture-based dairy farm in the Manawatu-Whanganui region of New Zealand were randomly allocated to receive either a short-acting cloxacillin and ampicillin dry-cow therapy and internal teat sealant (n=291) or a long-acting cloxacillin and ampicillin dry-cow therapy and internal teat sealant (n=288) at the end of lactation. Cows were managed on-farm with routine husbandry procedures through the dry period and following calving. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine the association between length of action of dry-cow therapy and the proportion of cows with a SCC >150,000?cells/mL at the first herd test after calving.

RESULTS: Age of cow, mean SCC for the preceding season and interval from calving to the first post-calving herd test were all associated with the proportion of cows with an individual SCC >150,000?cells/mL at the first herd test (p<0.001) Treatment with the short-acting dry-cow therapy was not associated with decreased odds of cows having a SCC >150,000?cells/mL at the first herd test compared with treatment with long-acting dry-cow therapy (OR=0.724; 95% CI=0.40–1.30).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this herd, which routinely used internal teat sealants, the use of short-acting cloxacillin-based dry-cow therapy did not result in an increased proportion of cows with elevated SSC post-calving. This was a single farm, single year study but indicates that in this herd, changing from a long-acting to a short-acting antimicrobial may have no impact on the prevalence of subclinical mastitis.     

Fine structure of the canal neuromasts of the lateral line system in the adult zebrafish

The mechanosensory lateral line system of fish is responsible for several functions such as balance, hearing, and orientation in water flow and is formed by neuromast receptor organs distributed on head, trunk and tail. Superficial and canal neuromasts can be distinguished for localization and morphological differences. Several information is present regarding the superficial neuromasts of zebrafish and other teleosts especially during larval and juvenile stages, while not as numerous data are so far available about the ultrastructural characteristics of the canal neuromasts in adult zebrafish. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate by transmission electron microscopy the ultrastructural aspects of cells present in the canal neuromasts. Besides the typical cellular aspects of the neuromast, different cellular types of hair cells were observed that could be identified as developing hair cells during the physiological turnover. The knowledge of the observed cellular types of the canal neuromasts and their origin could give a contribution to studies carried out on adult zebrafish used as model in neurological and non‐neurological damages, such as deafness and vestibular disorders.     

Repeat patient testing shows promise as a quality control method for veterinary hematology testing

Background

Repeat patient testing‐based quality control (RPT‐QC) is a potential method for veterinary laboratories (eg, that have a limited budget for quality commercial control material [QCM] or that wish to use material with a species‐specific matrix).

Objectives

To determine whether total error (TE_a), probability of error detection (Ped), and probability of false rejection (Pfr) similar to that achievable with QC materials can be controlled using RPT‐QC

Methods

Control limits (WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, and PLT) for the Advia 120 (n = 23) and scil Vet ABC (n = 22) were calculated using data from normal canine specimens from a routine caseload. Specimens were measured at accession and again after 24 hours. Control limits were validated using 23 additional canine specimens tested similarly. Achievable TEa, Ped, and Pfr were investigated using the Westgard EZRules3 and compared to those achievable with commercial QCM.

Results

Theoretical performance of RPT‐QC and commercial QCM‐QC are similar for 1‐3s with both n = 1 and 1‐3s with n = 2 for all measurands and both instruments. Achievable TE_a values for RPT‐QC were close to ASVCP recommendations for most measurands; exceptions were PLT (both instruments) and WBC (scil Vet ABC).

Conclusions

Repeat patient testing‐based quality control advantages include a species‐specific matrix, low‐cost, and absence of QC material deterioration over time (since a fresh specimen is used each day). A potential disadvantage is daily access to normal canine specimens. A challenge is determining control limits, which has a subjective element. Further study is needed to confirm actual RPT‐QC performance and to determine if RPT‐QC with abnormal patient specimens is feasible.     

Effect of bovine seminal plasma on bovine endometrial epithelial cells in culture

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of seminal plasma (SP) from bulls of known fertility on bovine endometrial epithelial cells (bEEC) in culture. The bEEC from passage 5, approximately 5.0–13 × 10⁵ cells per flask, were challenged with SP from bulls of high or low fertility (n = 3 and 2, respectively) or PBS (control), at 1% (75 μl) or 4% (300 μl) and were incubated for 72 hr (n = 13 per challenge). Total cell number and viability of bEEC after challenge with 1% SP from either high‐ or low‐fertility bulls (75H or 75L, respectively) did not differ from controls. In contrast, challenge with 4% of SP from high‐ or low‐fertility bulls (300H or 300L) negatively affected bEEC cell number and viability. Challenge with 300 L had a greater adverse effect than 300H. These results suggest that the negative effect of bovine SP on bEEC is both dose‐dependent and fertility‐dependent.     

Effect of Luteolin on Blood Indexes,Liver and Kidney in Mice with Acute Mercury Poisoning

To study the effect of luteolin on blood indexes,liver and kidney in mice with acute mercury poisoning,28 mice were randomly divided into four groups:Control group (intraperitoneal injection 0.9% saline),luteolin group (lavage 100 mg/kg luteolin),mercuric chloride group (intraperitoneal injection 4 mg/kg mercury chloride) and mercury chloride+luteolin group (intraperitoneal injection 4 mg/kg mercuric chloride,lavage 100 mg/kg luteolin).The activities of ALT in serum,AST,CREA and BUN contents,blood WBC,RBC,HGB content and GSH and MDA contents of liver tissue were detected.Morphological changes of liver and kidney tissues were observed.The results showed that compared with the control group,the activities of ALT and AST of mercuric chloride group were extremely significantly increased (P < 0.01),serum CREA,BUN,blood WBC and liver tissue MDA contents were significantly increased (P < 0.05) while blood RBC,HGB and liver tissue GSH contents were significantly decreased (P < 0.05).Liver,kidney pathological changes were obviously.Compared with mercuric chloride group,the activities of ALT,AST in serum,CREA,BUN,blood WBC and liver tissue MDA contents of mercuric chloride+luteolin group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05),while blood RBC,HGB and liver tissue GSH contents were significantly elevated (P < 0.05).Liver,kidney pathological changes were attenuated obviously.The poisoning were characterized by inflammation and the occurrence of anemia when acute mercury poisoning occurred,liver and kidney showed different degrees of injury in mice.Luteolin could reduce the toxic effects of acute mercury poisoning on blood,liver and kidney.     

Identification of Suspected Stem/progenitor Cells in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells Culture System

To develop the potential function of dairy cow mammary stem cells (DCMECs) in regulation of lactation,we identify putative DCMECs which were BrdU label retaining epithelial cells,at the same time,analysis the location of two new mammary stem cells molecular marks FNDC3B and PROCR to verify the feasibility of them to indicate DCMECs.The mRNA levels of prolactin,growth hormone,insulin-like growth factor-1 and their receptors were detected along with cell passage by Real-time quantitative PCR.The results showed that the proportion of BrdU label-retaining epithelial cells was nearly 0.4% after 25 d continuous culture (passaged 4 times) and few cells were positive for FNDC3B or PROCR.Moreover,we observed the BrdU labelled epithelial cells by asymmetric division.The mRNA levels of prolactin,growth hormone,insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰ and their receptors in primary and passage cells were extremely significant difference(P<0.01).DCMECs would rapidly lose some physiological characteristics and the ability of milk synthesis when not under the condition of induction of lactation differentiation,but a certain percentage of mammary stem/progenitor cells will be retained,whose potential effects on the regulation of lactation and mammary acinar remodeling were worthy of attention.     

基于“多基因聚合-早世代组配”策略的水稻分子改良研究

传统水稻育种技术最主要瓶颈是选择效率低和周期长。为了提高水稻优异材料选育和杂交稻组配效率,创新水稻分子育种策略,利用分子标记辅助选择多基因聚合和早世代杂交组配,展开水稻恢复系分子改良和杂交新组合的调查评价。供体亲本H318与恢复系亲本华占进行杂交,通过选择和设计关键有利基因的分子标记,利用毛细管电泳基因分型技术,将Wxb、fgr、Xa23、Pi2、Pi46以及Pita 6个稻米品质、香味、抗白叶枯病和抗稻瘟病相关功能基因进行聚合利用。通过多世代的田间生物学性状调查,米质、抗性等表型鉴定,获得14份以恢复系华占为遗传背景,目标基因纯合的优质、双抗和香型稳定的水稻株系。依据材料稳定遗传特性,将改良后代株系与生产应用的不育系进行测配和组合的调查评价,筛选获得潜在优良杂交稻。在育种进程中采用"多基因聚合-早世代组配"策略,实现多个有利基因快速聚合,定向改良稻米品质和抗病性等关键性状,并且促进杂交水稻组合的高效选育。     

微生物燃料电池在环境监测中的研究进展

微生物燃料电池在环境监测领域有巨大的应用潜力.概述微生物燃料电池应用于环境监测的基本原理,对目前已有的微生物燃料电池型传感器为监测方法进行详细的介绍,包括微生物燃料电池用于易降解碳源、有毒污染物及微生物数量检测三方面的研究.最后探讨了微生物燃料电池传感器目前还未被广泛应用于实际水质监测的原因,以期为未来研究开发高性能微生物燃料电池传感器提供理论参考依据.     

Phenolic extract of Morchella angusticeps peck inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in vitro by inducing the signal transduction pathway of p38/MAPK

Morchella angusticeps Peck, one of the most popular edible mushrooms, has attracted great attention due to its delicious taste and healthy properties. However, both its biological effects and the possible mechanism of action have not yet been known. We investigated the anti-proliferative activity of the phenolic extract derived from Morchella angusticeps Peck (MPE) against HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Results showed that MPE at non-cytotoxicity doses significantly inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner with inhibitory rates ranging from 18 to 90% (P<0.01). The possible mechanism might be that MPE induced apoptosis through initiating the mitochondrial death pathway by regulating Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3. On the other hand, MPE might trigger cell cycle arrest at G₀/G₁/S phases by managing p21, Cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinases-4 (CDK4) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Additionally, MPE downregulated TRAF-2 and p-p53, while upregulated p-ASK1 and p-p38. Therefore, it could be inferred that MPE might induce the anti-proliferative function to HepG2 cells through the p38/MAPK signal transduction pathway.