Surgical removal of an intramedullary spinal cord foreign body granuloma in a dog

A 2-year-old, spayed female, mixed-breed dog was presented for evaluation of a progressive asymmetric tetraparesis and cranial nerve deficits with a 3-week duration. Computed tomography showed a contrast-enhancing lesion along the left side of the junction of the medulla and the cervical spinal cord. An exploratory surgery determined the presence of an intramedullary lesion of the first cervical spinal cord segment. The mass was removed through a dorsal midline myelotomy. Microscopic examination identified a foreign body granuloma that contained a dense, anisotropic outer wall, supporting the conclusion that the foreign body was of plant origin. The dog recovered to a more improved ambulatory status than prior to surgery.     

Isotopic evidence for massive oxidation of organic matter following the great oxidation event

The stable isotope record of marine carbon indicates that the Proterozoic Eon began and ended with extreme fluctuations in the carbon cycle. In both the Paleoproterozoic [2500 to 1600 million years ago (Ma)] and Neoproterozoic (1000 to 542 Ma), extended intervals of anomalously high carbon isotope ratios (δ(13)C) indicate high rates of organic matter burial and release of oxygen to the atmosphere; in the Neoproterozoic, the high δ(13)C interval was punctuated by abrupt swings to low δ(13)C, indicating massive oxidation of organic matter. We report a Paleoproterozoic negative δ(13)C excursion that is similar in magnitude and apparent duration to the Neoproterozoic anomaly. This Shunga-Francevillian anomaly may reflect intense oxidative weathering of rocks as the result of the initial establishment of an oxygen-rich atmosphere.     

DNA profiling of figs (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficus carica</Emphasis> L.) from Slovenia and Californian USDA collection revealed the uniqueness of some North Adriatic varieties

A set of 23 local varieties from Slovenia and 218 fig accessions from Californian fig germplasm collection were compared to determine the identity of genotypes and their possible genetic relationships. Figs were genotyped using twelve microsatellite loci. One hundred alleles were identified over all microsatellite loci with an average of 8.33 alleles per locus and a polymorphic information content of 0.557 per locus. DNA genotyping demonstrated a relatively high level of genetic diversity between analysed figs. Comparison of fig genotypes from Slovenia and California demonstrated that only six Slovenian varieties shared identical DNA profiles with figs from the Californian collection, while the other 17 Slovenian varieties were unique and characteristic to the North Adriatic region. The information obtained will contribute to a better management of fig genetic resources.     

Electroencephalographic and electromyographic changes during the use of detomidine and detomidine-butorphanol combination in standing horses

Clinically, the use of detomidine and butorphanol is suitable for sedation and deepening of analgosedation. The aim of our study was to establish the influence of detomidine used alone and a butorphanol-detomidine combination on brain activity and to evaluate and compare brain responses (using electroencephalography, EEG) by recording SEF90 (spectral edge frequency 90%), individual brain wave fractions (beta, alpha, theta and delta) and electromyographic (EMG) changes in the left temporal muscle in standing horses. Ten clinically healthy cold-blooded horses were divided into two groups of five animals each. Group I received detomidine and Group II received detomidine followed by butorphanol 10 min later. SEF90, individual brain wave fractions and EMG were recorded with a pEEG (processed EEG) monitor using computerised processed electroencephalography and electromyography. The present study found that detomidine alone and the detomidine-butorphanol combination significantly reduced SEF90 and EMG, and they caused changes in individual brain wave fractions during sedation and particularly during analgosedation. The EMG results showed that the detomidine-butorphanol combination provided greater and longer muscle relaxation. Our EEG and EMG results confirmed that the detomidine-butorphanol combination is safer and more appropriate for painless and non-painless procedures on standing horses compared to detomidine alone.     

Effect of Olive Leaves or Marigold Petal Extract on Oxidative Stress,Gut Fermentative Activity,and Mucosa Morphology in Broiler Chickens Fed a Diet Rich in n-3 Polyunsaturated Fats

An experiment in broilers was conducted to investigate the effect of olive (Olea europea) leaves and marigold (Calendula officinalis) petal extract supplementation on oxidative stress, characteristics of intestinal contents, and on the morphology of the small intestine. Oxidative stress was induced by a n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids rich diet. 1-day-old male broiler chickens, Ross 308, were housed in a deep litter system. After the first 21 days, animals were randomly divided into three groups of 16 animals in two replicates and fed, until slaughter on day 39, a diet that contained 7% linseed oil. Control diet (Cont) remained unsupplemented, while both experimental diets were supplemented with olive leaves (OliveEx) or marigold petal (MarigEx) extracts. Oxidative stress was evaluated in blood and liver by measuring markers of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde (MDA), isoprostanes), rate of DNA damage in lymphocytes and in blood (comet assay, 8-hydroxy-2′deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)), and activity of antioxidant and liver enzymes in blood. In different parts of the intestine, levels of short chain fatty acids (SCFA), and viscosity of intestinal contents were measured, and the health of the gastrointestinal tract was assessed using histological measurements. OliveEx significantly (p<0.05) decreased the MDA and 8-OHdG concentration in plasma, and the level of ethanoic acid in small intestinal contents and total SCFA in caecum, indicating improved oxidative status and increased microbial activity in the intestine. MarigEx significantly (p<0.05) decreased the rate of lymphocyte DNA damage and the crypt depth in duodenum, indicating potentially beneficial effects on the immune system and the health of the small intestine. In conclusion, dietary OliveEx and MarigEx supplementation improved some markers of oxidative stress and intestinal health. However, positive effects could be more pronounced in more unfavorable environmental conditions or in cases of diseases, but further studies are needed.     

Prevalence of pigeon circovirus infections in feral pigeons in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Pigeon circovirus (PiCV) was detected by real-time PCR in cloacal swabs, pharyngeal swabs, and serum samples taken from 74 feral pigeons (Columba livia var. domestica) that were caught at various locations in the city of Ljubljana, Slovenia. PiCV infections were detected in the majority of the tested birds. The highest (74.3%) detection rate was observed in the cloacal swabs and the lowest (31.1%) in serum samples. PiCV DNA was more readily detected in the cloacal swabs, pharyngeal swabs, and serum samples of birds younger than 1 yr. Molecular analysis of partial open reading frame V1 sequences showed that PiCV strains detected in feral pigeons share high nucleotide and amino acid sequence identities with PiCV strains detected in ornamental, racing, meat, and feral pigeons.     

The hydrogen peroxide, as a potentially useful slurry disinfectant

Hydrogen peroxide is used more and more as the water and wastewater as well as slurry disinfectant. Its advantages over other oxidants are nontoxic, harmless, and environmentally acceptable by products. The basic task in the disinfection of slurry is to destroy or remove infectious microorganisms so that the slurry cannot transmit disease producing agents, when disposed on the land or into waters.

In the present study the effect of hydrogen peroxide disinfectant with catalytic action of metal ions, silver and ferrous, was investigated in the hygienization process of pig and cattle slurry.

In order to determine the optimal concentration of disinfectant, the effect of a range of final concentrations of hydrogen peroxide alone and with metal ions was investigated. Organoleptic, physicochemical and bacteriologic parameters were analyzed for wastewater quality assessment in accordance with standard methods.

The results illustrated an improvement of organoleptic properties: color and odor, the oxidation of organic matter across reduction of BOD₅ and ammonium content of the treated slurries as well as a decrease of aerobic mesophilic bacteria and total coliform bacteria numbers.

This investigation indicated that the disinfection of slurry with the oxidative compounds with hydrogen peroxide basis and catalytic action of silver and ferrous ions can be recommended for its bactericidal and oxidative effect.     

Pharmacokinetics of carprofen in anaesthetized pigs: a preliminary study

ObjectiveTo investigate the pharmacokinetics of carprofen after a single intravenous (IV) dose and multiple oral doses administered to pigs undergoing electroporation of the pancreas.Study designProspective experimental study.AnimalsA group of eight female pigs weighing 31.74 ± 2.24 kg (mean ± standard deviation).MethodsCarprofen 4 mg kg^?1 was administered IV after placement of a central venous catheter during general anaesthesia with isoflurane. Blood samples were collected 30 seconds before and 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes and 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 hours after carprofen administration. Subsequently, the same dose of carprofen was administered orally, daily, for 6 consecutive days and blood collected at 36, 48, 60, 72, 96, 120, 144 and 168 hours after initial carprofen administration. Plasma was analysed using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Standard pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by compartmental analysis of plasma concentration–time curves. Data are presented as mean ± standard error.ResultsThe initial plasma concentration of IV carprofen was estimated at 54.57 ± 3.92 μg mL^?1 and decreased to 8.26 ± 1.07 μg mL^?1 24 hours later. The plasma elimination curve showed a bi-exponential decline: a rapid distribution phase with a distribution half-life of 0.21 ± 0.03 hours and a slower elimination phase with an elimination half-life of 17.31 ± 3.78 hours. The calculated pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows: the area under the plasma concentration–time curve was 357.3 ± 16.73 μg mL^?1 hour, volume of distribution was 0.28 ± 0.07 L kg^?1 and plasma clearance rate was 0.19 ± 0.009 mL minute^?1 kg^?1. The plasma concentration of carprofen, administered orally from days 2 to 7, varied from 9.03 ± 1.87 to 11.49 ± 2.15 μg mL^?1.Conclusions and clinical relevanceCarprofen can be regarded as a long-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in pigs.