Short-term performance of mitral valve replacement with porcine bioprosthetic valves in dogs

Porcine bioprosthetic valves cross-linked with glutaraldehyde and polyepoxy compound were newly developed for mitral valve replacement (MVR) in dogs. Five beagle dogs were performed a left thoracotomy and underwent MVR using the porcine bioprosthetic valves during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). A vein catheter inserted into right atrium and a vent catheter inserted into the right ventricle to drain. The hemodynamic conditions of CPB were excellent during surgery. The left atrial pressure was measured before and after MVR; there was no significant difference and it was normal. Thrombosis and the prosthetic valve regurgitation were not observed one week after MVR. Pressure half time (PHT) prolonged significantly (P<0.05) from 31.40 +/- 4.0 msec presurgery to 99.20 +/- 19.4 msec at seven days after MVR, although it indicated the normal range as the bioprosthetic valve. The symptom of the prosthetic valve failure was not observed. This study indicated that the MVR using porcine bioprosthetic valves under CPB might have been effective in dogs as a short-term evaluation.     

Treatment of cow-waste slurry by a microbial fuel cell and the properties of the treated slurry as a liquid manure

Resource recycling and the proper treatment of animal waste to reduce its environmental impact are currently important issues for the livestock industry. A microbial fuel cell (MFC), a new type of bioreactor, is expected to play roles in both waste‐water purification and energy recovery. However, the generation of electricity from cow waste has not yet been examined. In this study, using an MFC, we examined the possibility of generating electricity from dairy‐cow waste slurry, and analyzed the properties of the treated slurry as liquid manure for resource recycling. The MFC treatment of the slurry generated electricity in a dose‐dependent manner, and the maximum power output by the MFC from a 1 g of chemical oxygen demand/L slurry was 0.34 mW/m². After the MFC treatment, 84% of the biological oxygen demand in the slurry was removed and three essential fertilizer elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) were retained at 84, 70, and 91% levels, respectively. The amount of ammonia nitrogen in the slurry, as an element of fast‐release fertilizer, was increased by 1.9‐fold. Although the treated slurry displayed properties that made it preferable as liquid manure, further studies to improve the electrical power output by the MFC are required for practical use.     

Comparison of bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide concentrations in the blood,ovarian follicular fluid and uterine fluid: a clinical case of bovine metritis

We investigated the concentration of the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the blood, ovarian follicular fluid and uterine fluid of a clinical case of bovine metritis. A 2-year-old lactating Holstein cow exhibited continuous fever >39.5°C for more than 2 weeks after normal calving. The cow produced a fetid, watery, red-brown uterine discharge from the vagina and was diagnosed with metritis. The LPS concentrations in plasma and uterine fluid were 0.94 and 6.34 endotoxin units (EU)/ml, respectively. One of seven follicles showed an extremely high level of LPS (12.40 EU/ml) compared to the other follicles (0.62–0.97 EU/ml). These results might suggest the presence of high concentration of LPS in follicles in cows with postpartum metritis.     

Pigmented Plaques Associated with Papillomavirus Infection in Dogs: Is this Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis?

Abstract— Two Pugs and two Miniature Schnauzers with multiple pigmented epidermal nevi were investigated. The four dogs had pigmented cutaneous maculae and plaques. Histopathological evaluation showed papillated or digitated epidermal hyperplasia with hypermelanosis and giant keratohyalin granules in the stratum granulosum. Immunohistochemical staining revealed papillomavirus group-specific antigen in the skin specimens from all four dogs. Electron microscopic study of the specimens from two dogs revealed numerous round viral particles within the nuclei of the keratinocytes in the upper stratum granulosum. It was suspected that papillomavirus was the etiologic agent of the lesions, and that Pugs and Miniature Schnauzers might be predisposed to infection. These findings indicate this canine dermatosis resembles epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) of humans, a rare chronic disease caused by human papillomavirus. The potential for transformation of the lesions to squamous cell carcinoma is also suspected and discussed. Résumé— Deux Carlins et deux Schnauzers nains présentant de multiples naevi épidermiques pigmentés sont examinés. Les quatre chiens présentent des macules et des plaques pigmentées. Les lésions histopathologiques montrent une hyperplasie épidermique papillaire ou digitée avec une hypermélanose et la présence de grains de kératohyaline dans le stratum corneum. Les colorations immunohistochimiques révèlent des antigènes spécifiques du groupe des papillomas virus dans les biopsies des quatre chiens. L'étude ultrastructurale à partir des biopsies de deux chiens montrent de nombreuses particules virales rondes dans les noyaux des kératinocytes des couches supérieures du stratum granulosum. II a été suspecté que le papilloma virus était l'agent causal des lésions et que les Carlins et les Schnauzers nains pouvaient être prédisposés à cette infection. Ces éléments font que cette dermatose observée chez le chien ressemble à l'épidermodysplasie verruciforme de l'homme, une dermatose chronique rare causée par un papilloma virus humain. La potentialité de transformation des lésions en épithélioma spinocellulaire est aussi suspectée et discutée. [Nagata, M., Nanko, H., Moriyama, A., Washizu, T., Ishida, T. Pigmented plaques associated with papilloma virus infection in dogs: Is this epidermodysplasia verruciformis? (Plaques hyperpigmentées associées à une infection à papilloma virus chez le chien: est-ce épidermodysplasie verruciforme?). Resumen— Se investigó dos perros de raza Pug y dos de raza Schnauzer Miniatura con múltiples nevos epidérmicos pigmentados. Los cuatro perros presentaban máculas y placas cutáneas pigmentadas. El estudio histológico mostró hiperplasia epitelial con papilas y digitaciones, así como hipermelanosis y gránules de queratohialina gigantes en el estrato granuloso. Las tinciones immunohistoquimicas detectaron antígeno grupo-específico de papilomavirus en las muestras de los cuatro animales. Mediante estudios de microscopía electrónica en muestras de dos de los perros se observaron numerosas particulas virales redondas en el núcleo de los queratinocitos más superficiales del estrato granuloso. Se sospechó que Papilomavirus era el agente etiológico de estas lesiones y que los Pugs y los Schnauzer Miniatura podrian estar predispuestos a la infección. Estos hallazgos indican que esta dermatosis canina es parecida a la Epidermodisplasia Verruciforme (EV) de la especie humana, una enfermedad crónica rara causada por el Papilomavirus Humano. Se sospecha y discute la posible transformación de estas lesiones a carcinoma de células planas. [Nagata, M., Nanko, H., Moriyama, A., Washizu, T., Ishida, T. Pigmented plaques associated with papilloma virus infection in dogs: Is this epidermodysplasia verruciformis? (Placas pigmentadas asociadas con infección por papillomavirus en el perro: se trata de epidermodisplasia verruciforme?)     

Factors associated with fusarium crown and root rot of asparagus outbreaks in quebec

ABSTRACT The Fusarium spp. causing Fusarium crown and root rot (FCRR) are ubiquitous and abundant in soils, but in contrast, disease expression is localized and sporadic. Previous studies have related FCRR infection to phenolic acids released by asparagus, to the repression of Mn-reducers in soil, and to various soil physicochemical conditions. Fifty commercial asparagus plantations were surveyed using an exploratory approach in order to pinpoint the ecological conditions associated with FCRR development. Twenty-eight variables were used to describe the soil environments of the asparagus crops as well as the influence of crop management practices used locally. The data set was analyzed both as a whole and parsed by main cultivars (Jersey Giant and Guelph Millenium). Both field conditions and percentage of field area affected by FCRR varied widely between asparagus plantations. Planting depth was positively correlated with percentage of field area affected by FCRR and, hence, deep planting may favor FCRR infection. Plantation age was positively correlated with percentage of field area affected by FCRR, while soil available Mn was inversely correlated. Most importantly, soil Mn availability decreased with increasing plantation age, supporting the hypothesis of an asparagusmediated negative impact on Mn-reducing bacteria and of the involvement of reduced Mn availability in FCRR development. Improving the availability of Mn could provide a solution to the problem of FCRR in asparagus plantations.     

Metabolite profiling of wheat grains (Triticum aestivum L.) from organic and conventional agriculture

In some European community countries up to 8% of the agricultural area is managed organically. The aim was to obtain a metabolite profile for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grains grown under comparable organic and conventional conditions. These conditions cannot be found in plant material originating from different farms or from products purchased in supermarkets. Wheat grains from a long-term biodynamic, bioorganic, and conventional farming system from the harvest 2003 from Switzerland were analyzed. The presented data show that using a high throughput GC-MS technique, it was possible to determine relative levels of a set of 52 different metabolites including amino acids, organic acids, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar phosphates, and nucleotides from wheat grains. Within the metabolites from all field trials, there was at the most a 50% reduction comparing highest and lowest mean values. The statistical analysis of the data shows that the metabolite status of the wheat grain from organic and mineralic farming did not differ in concentrations of 44 metabolites. This result indicates no impact or a small impact of the different farming systems. In consequence, we did not detect extreme differences in metabolite composition and quality of wheat grains.     

Characterization of canine filaggrin: gene structure and protein expression in dog skin

Background – Filaggrin (FLG) is a key protein for skin barrier formation and hydration of the stratum corneum. In humans, a strong association between FLG gene mutations and atopic dermatitis has been reported. Although similar pathogenesis and clinical manifestation have been argued in canine atopic dermatitis, our understanding of canine FLG is limited. Hypothesis/Objectives – The aim of this study was to determine the structure of the canine FLG gene and to raise anti‐dog FLG antibodies, which will be useful to detect FLG protein in dog skin. Methods – The structure of the canine FLG gene was determined by analysing the publicly available canine genome DNA sequence. Polyclonal anti‐dog FLG antibodies were raised based on the canine FLG sequence analysis and used for defining the FLG expression pattern in dog skin by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results – Genomic DNA sequence analysis revealed that canine FLG contained four units of repeated sequences corresponding to FLG monomer protein. Western blots probed with anti‐dog FLG monomer detected two bands at 59 and 54 kDa, which were estimated sizes. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that canine FLG was expressed in the stratum granulosum of the epidermis as a granular staining pattern in the cytoplasmic region. Conclusions and clinical importance – This study revealed the unique gene structure of canine FLG that results in production of FLG monomers larger than those of humans or mice. The anti‐dog FLG antibodies raised in this study identified FLG in dog skin. These antibodies will enable us to screen FLG‐deficient dogs with canine atopic dermatitis or ichthyosis.     

Effects of omega-7 palmitoleic acids on skeletal muscle differentiation in a hyperglycemic condition

Maternal obesity and diabetes are known to be involved in fetal myogenesis, but the later stages of myogenesis are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the influence of a hyperglycemic environment on L6 skeletal myoblast differentiation and the function of omega-7 palmitoleic acids. Exposure to a high concentration of glucose (25 mM) in high-glucose culture medium (HG) increased the expression of myogenic genes (MyoD, Myogenin, MRF4, Myhc2x, and Myhc2a) and the synthesis of myosin. HG also activated the PI3K/AKT pathway revealed muscle cell differentiation. Furthermore, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an inflammatory cytokine (Tnfaip3; tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3), which are crucial for the growth and differentiation of skeletal muscle, were increased by HG. Palmitoleic acids suppressed the expression levels of myogenic regulatory genes and increased the expression level of a cell proliferation-related gene (Pax3). Trans-palmitoleic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (TPA and EPA) increased the phosphorylation level of MAPK/ERK1/2 and downregulated ROS generation and Tnfaip3 expression. In contrast, cis-palmitoleic acid inactivated MAPK/ERK1/2, leading to increased ROS generation. In conclusion, a hyperglycemic environment mediated by HG induced excessive muscle differentiation. Palmitoleic acids inhibited myoblast differentiation by downregulating muscle-specific genes. Moreover, trans-palmitoleic acids may have beneficial antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory effects in cells.