Characteristics of 18F-FDG and 18F-FDOPA PET in an 8-year-old neutered male Yorkshire Terrier dog with glioma: long-term chemotherapy using hydroxyurea plus imatinib with prednisolone and immunoreactivity for PDGFR-β and LAT1

An 8-year-old neutered male Yorkshire Terrier dog presented with head pressing, vestibular ataxia, neck tenderness, and no oculocephalic reflex. A demarcated lesion in the pons was identified on MRI. The patient was tentatively diagnosed with a glioma and was treated with hydroxyurea plus imatinib and prednisolone. After 30 days of therapeutic treatment, the patient showed a clear improvement in neurological signs, which lasted for 1117 days. On day 569 after the initiation of treatment, ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) was performed with no significant findings on visual analysis. The average and maximal standardized uptake values (SUVs) were 1.92 and 2.29, respectively. The tumor-to-normal-tissue (T/N) ratio was 0.97. The first evidence of clinical deterioration was noticed on day 1147. On day 1155, 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[¹⁸F]-fluoro-l-phenylalanine (¹⁸F-FDOPA)-PET was performed. High uptake of ¹⁸F-FDOPA was observed in the intracranial lesion. The mean and maximal SUVs of the tumor were 1.59 and 2.29, respectively. The T/N ratio was 2.22. The patient was euthanized on day 1155 and histopathologic evaluations confirmed glioma (astrocytoma). This case shows that chemotherapy with hydroxyurea plus imatinib may be considered in the treatment of canine glioma. Furthermore, this is the first case describing the application of ¹⁸F-FDG and ¹⁸F-FDOPA in a dog with glioma.     

Setaria digitata was the main cause of equine neurological ataxia in Korea: 50 cases (2015–2016)

This study was performed to examine and clarify the cause of hindlimb ataxia and neuropathy seen in the South Korean horse population. Fifty horses diagnosed with hindlimb ataxia and neuropathy were referred for this study. Neurological examination was performed on 47 horses while necropsy was performed in all 50 animals. The occurrence of neurological diseases increased rapidly in the summer and 47 out of 50 horses were referred after the end of July. The incidence of neurological diseases started from the southern part of Korea in July and proceeded northward in August and September. Although there was no correlation with age, Thoroughbred and Warmblood horses showed a higher incidence rate than Halla and Jeju horses. The incidence rate was 5 times higher in geldings than in mares and stallions. Of the 20 cases, 16 were diagnosed with eosinophilic meningoencephalomyelitis in 2015. The most common lesions observed in 2016 were parasitic meningoencephalomyelitis (10 cases, 33%) and eosinophilic meningomyelitis (7 cases, 23%). Histopathological analysis of the brain and spinal cord revealed nematodes of approximately 100–200 µm in diameter, microcavitation and infiltrates of eosinophils, and brown pigmented macrophage infiltrates. The nematodes were identified as Setaria digitata via DNA sequencing, performed subsequent to polymerase chain reaction using DNA isolated from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections of the spinal cord. These results show that aberrant migration of Setaria digitata larva in the brain and spinal cord was a major cause for neurological signs in horses.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of emulsifier and carbohydrase on the growth performance,serum cholesterol and breast meat fatty acids profile of broiler chickens

A total of 540 2‐day‐old male Ross 308 broilers were used in a 35‐day experiment and were randomly divided into five treatments: (i) NC (low energy); (ii) PC (high energy diet); (iii) P1 (NC + 0.1% carbohydrases); (iv) P2 (NC + 0.05% emulsifier); and (v) P3 (NC + 0.1% carbohydrases + 0.05% emulsifier). From days 0 to 21, body weight gain in PC and P3 treatments increased (P < 0.05) compared with NC treatment. The chicks fed PC, P1, P2 and P3 improved (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio compared with the NC treatment throughout the whole experiment. Abdominal fat weight was heavier (P < 0.05) in PC, P2 and P3 treatments than in NC and P1 treatments. On day 35, serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration were higher (P < 0.05) and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol was lower (P < 0.05) in NC and P2 treatments than in PC, P1 and P3 treatments. The concentration of oleic acid, linoleic acid and total unsaturated fatty acids were highest (P < 0.05) in PC than in the other treatments. In conclusion, the results indicate that low energy density diet had lower growth performance, while the inclusion of emulsifier and carbohydrases in low energy diets can partially improve growth performance.     

Apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients and amino acids in soybean meal,fish meal,spray‐dried plasma protein and fermented soybean meal to weaned pigs

This study sought to determine whether fermentation could increase apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), energy (E) and amino acids (AA) in fermented soybean meal (FSBM) greater than that of soybean meal (SBM) in weaned pigs. Four weaned pigs (10.00 ± 0.30 kg) were surgically equipped with T‐cannulas and randomly followed a 4 × 4 Latin square design of treatments (SBM, FSBM, fish meal and spray‐dried plasma protein). Overall, the fermentation process was able to reduce the amount of anti‐nutritional factors (ANF), including trypsin inhibitors, raffinose and stachyose, in the FSBM diet, which were significantly reduced by 39.4, 92.2, and 92.9%, respectively, as compared to the SBM diet. As a consequence of ANF reduction in FSBM, the AID of DM, N and E as well as AA was significantly greater with FSBM than SBM. Taken all together, the fermentation process improved the nutritional quality of SBM, due to ANF reduction, leading to improvement of digestibility of AA. As such, FSBM can be potentially used as a specialized feed ingredient, especially for young animal diets in an attempt to reduce diet costs.     

Pharmacokinetic study of meropenem in healthy beagle dogs receiving intermittent hemodialysis

Meropenem, a second carbapenem antimicrobial agent with a broad spectrum of activity, is used to treat sepsis and resistant‐bacterial infections in veterinary medicine. The objective of this study was to identify the pharmacokinetics of meropenem in dogs receiving intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) and to determine the proper dosing in renal failure patients receiving IHD. Five healthy beagle dogs were given a single i.v. dose of 24 mg/kg of meropenem and received IHD. The blood flow rate, dialysate flow, and ultrafiltration rate were maintained at 40 mL/min, 300 mL/min, and 40 mL/h, respectively. Blood samples were collected for 24 h from the jugular vein and from the extracorporeal arterial and venous line. Urine samples and dialysate were also collected. The concentrations of meropenem were assayed using HPLC/MS/MS determination. The peak plasma concentration was 116 ± 37 μg/mL at 15 min. The systemic clearance was 347 ± 117 mL/h/kg, and the steady‐state volume of distribution was 223 ± 67 mL/kg. Dialysis clearance was 71.1 ± 34.3 mL/h/kg, and the extraction ratio by hemodialysis was 0.455 ± 0.150. The half‐life (T_1/2) in dogs with IHD decreased compared with those without IHD, and the reduction in T_1/2 was greater in renal failure patients than in normal patients. Sixty‐nine percent and 21% of the administered drug were recovered by urine and dialysate in the unchanged form, respectively. In conclusion, additional dosing of 24 mg/kg of meropenem after dialysis could be necessary according to the residual renal function of the patient based on the simulated data.     

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure in the Heavily Exploited Korean Rockfish,Sebastes schlegeli,in Korea

The Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli, is a valuable and intensively exploited species in Korea. We discuss the genetic diversity and genetic structure of four Korean rockfish populations using eight microsatellite loci. In total, 161 different alleles from 138 individuals were observed. Average allele number per locus ranged from 2.5 to 23 and allelic richness varied from 13.38 to 14.63 within a population. Despite a long history of stocking practices, we found very high levels of polymorphism (mean heterozygosity = 0.810), which is comparable to other congeneric species. No significant difference in genetic diversity and molecular genetic variance (F_ST and R_ST) was observed among four local samples (P > 0.1). Little indication of contemporary inbreeding (F_IS= 0.051) or population structure (K = 1) was detected. This absence of differentiation may reflect high levels of gene flow along the coast of Korea. Our study demonstrates that rockfish in Korea should be managed as a single unit. Currently, the species does not appear to be genetically threatened, but the potential for a rapid loss of genetic diversity remains. This information on the genetic characteristics of Korean rockfish populations has important implications for fisheries management and conservation efforts, and will aid in the sustainable exploitation of the fishing resources and the preservation of biodiversity.     

Taenia solium oncosphere antigens induce immunity in pigs against experimental cysticercosis

Immunity to Taenia solium infection was investigated using an experimental intramuscular oncosphere infection assay (IMOA) model in pigs. Three naturally infected pigs with cysticercosis were treated with oxfendazole (OFZ), a drug demonstrated to kill cysts in porcine muscle. These animals were then challenged with oncospheres but did not develop any cysts while three uninfected pigs that were similarly challenged, did develop intramuscular cysts. In another study, two groups of three pigs each were immunized with crude T. solium oncosphere and metacestode antigens, respectively, and tested with the IMOA. Immunization with crude oncosphere antigens (OAs) induced 100% protection, while metacestode antigens provided only partial protection. Immunoblots showed that pigs with complete immune protection to oncosphere intramuscular challenge had antibodies to two OAs at 31.3 and 22.5 kDa, respectively. Antibody to these two antigens was absent in pigs immunized with metacestodes or in uninfected control pigs. This study demonstrated the presence of two antigens that are unique to the oncosphere. Although, antibody to these two antigens is consistently present in pigs that are protected from an oncosphere intramuscular challenge their role in preventing infection by T. solium larval cysts is still hypothetical.     

不同性别生长猪所需最佳苏氨酸与赖氨酸比率

本研究通过调查苏氨酸与赖氨酸的比率对猪生长性能、表观可消化能和血液尿素氮 (BUN)浓度的影响 , 估测生长阉公猪和小母猪所需最佳苏氨酸与赖氨酸的比率 . 试验采用 150头杂交猪 (长白×约克夏×杜洛克 , 平均体重为 16.75± 0.45 , 其中阉公猪 75头 , 小母猪 75头 ), 按 2× 3析因设计 , 随机分成 6个处理 阉公猪日粮含赖氨酸 1.12% , 按苏氨酸与赖氨 酸比率为 50% 、 60% 和 70% 分成 3个处理 小母猪日粮含赖氨酸 1.33% , 按苏氨酸与赖氨酸比 率为 50% 、 60% 和 70% 分成 3个处理 . 经整个试验期 (体重从 16至 56 ). 在平均日增重、平均 日采食量和饲料转化率方面 , 动物性别和苏氨酸与赖氨酸比率之间无相互影响 . 在生长性能 方面 , 有明显的性别影响 与小母猪相比 , 阉公猪表现出较好的生长性能 , 消耗较多的饲料 (P< 0.01)以及生长的较快 (P< 0.01). 随着苏氨酸与赖氨酸比率的增大 , 阉公猪的 ADG和 FCR有增加的倾向 , 但差异不显著 . 在除粗灰分 (CA)外的可消化性养分方面 , 动物性别和苏氨 酸与赖氨酸比率之间无相互影响 . 在性别之间 , 除小母猪对钙具有较高的可消化性 (P< 0.01)外 , 可消化性养分没有存在的差异 . 而日粮苏氨酸与赖氨酸比率对可消化性养分无影响 . 可消化性必需氨基酸 (EEA)、非必需氨基酸 (NEAA)和总氨基酸 (TTA)的平均值没有受到性别 和苏氨酸与赖氨酸比率的影响 . 没有发现性别和日粮中苏氨酸与赖氨酸比率相互影响的证据 . 在性别之间 , 小母猪的总 BUN浓度比阉公猪低 (P< 0.05). 可以得出结论 " 阉公猪日粮 (赖氨 酸水平为 1.12% )中 , 苏氨酸与赖氨酸比率为 70% , 小母猪日粮 (赖氨酸水平为 1.33% )中 , 苏 氨酸与赖氨酸比率为 60% , 较其它比率的苏氨酸与赖氨酸 , 分别获得较好的生长性能、养分 利用和较低的 BUN浓度 .