Quantitative Accuracy of the Simplified Strong Ion Equation to Predict Serum pH in Dogs

Background

Electrochemical approach to the assessment of acid‐base states should provide a better mechanistic explanation of the metabolic component than methods that consider only pH and carbon dioxide.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Simplified strong ion equation (SSIE), using published dog‐specific values, would predict the measured serum pH of diseased dogs.

Animals

Ten dogs, hospitalized for various reasons.

Methods

Prospective study of a convenience sample of a consecutive series of dogs admitted to the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (MUVTH), from which serum biochemistry and blood gas analyses were performed at the same time. Serum pH was calculated (Hcal+) using the SSIE, and published values for the concentration and dissociation constant for the nonvolatile weak acids (A_tot and K _a), and subsequently Hcal+ was compared with the dog''s actual pH (Hmeasured+). To determine the source of discordance between Hcal+ and Hmeasured+, the calculations were repeated using a series of substituted values for A_tot and K _a.

Results

The Hcal+ did not approximate the Hmeasured+ for any dog (P = 0.499, r ² = 0.068), and was consistently more basic. Substituted values A_tot and K _a did not significantly improve the accuracy (r ² = 0.169 to <0.001). Substituting the effective SID (Atot−[HCO3−]) produced a strong association between Hcal+ and Hmeasured+ (r ² = 0.977).

Conclusions and clinical importance

Using the simplified strong ion equation and the published values for A_tot and K _a does not appear to provide a quantitative explanation for the acid‐base status of dogs. Efficacy of substituting the effective SID in the simplified strong ion equation suggests the error lies in calculating the SID.     

The ecosystem services concept: a new Esperanto to facilitate participatory planning processes?

Landscape Ecology - Several case studies investigated the role of ecosystem services in participatory planning processes. However, no systematic study exists that cuts across a large number of...     

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of the organophosphorus insecticide acephate

A competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ciELISA) for the organophosphorus insecticide acephate, O,S-dimethyl acetylphosphoramidothioate, was developed using a polyclonal antibody. Five different haptens mimicking the analyte were synthesized and conjugated with the carrier proteins bovine serum albumin (BSA) and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) by the N-hydroxysuccinimide active ester and diazotization methods. Polyclonal antibodies raised against hapten-KLH conjugates in rabbits and hapten-BSA conjugates as coating antigens were screened and selected for the assay in the homologous and heterologous ELISA systems. The effects of various assay conditions such as detergent, organic solvents, pH, and preincubation of the mixture of the polyclonal antibody and the analyte on the sensitivity were evaluated. The IC(50) value for acephate was 25 ng/mL in an optimized heterologous system using hapten-4-BSA as a coating antigen and a polyclonal antibody no. 8377 against hapten-1-KLH, showing the detection range of 5-140 ng/mL and the lowest detection limit of 2 ng/mL. The cross-reactivities of the structurally related organophosphorus insecticides, including the major metabolite of the analyte, methamidophos, were less than 1%. Recoveries from the analyte-fortified tap water, mulberry leaves, and lettuce samples in the assay were in the range of 72-121% by simple extraction, concentration, and dilution. These results indicate that the ELISA could be a convenient and supplemental analytical tool for monitoring acephate residues in environmental and agricultural samples.     

Metabolism of a new herbicide, [(14)c]pyribenzoxim, in rice

The in vivo metabolism of a new herbicide pyribenzoxim (benzophenone Ο-[2,6-bis(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yloxy)benzoyl]oxime) in rice was carried out using container trials. Two radiolabeled forms of [carbonyl-(14)C]pyribenzoxim (P1) and [ring-(14)C(U)]pyribenzoxim (P2) were treated separately as formulations for foliar treatment by single applications of 50 g of active ingredient (ai)/ha at the 4-6 leaves stage. At 0, 7, 30, and 60 days after treatment (DAT), samples of panicle, foliage/rest of plant, and roots were taken for analysis. Upon harvest (120 DAT), rice plants were separated into grain, husk, straw, and root parts. Total radioactive residues (TRRs) at each sampling date were determined to show that the final radioactive residues at harvest were low in grain, husk, straw, and roots, accounting for <17 ppb. The concentration of final residues in the rice plant decreased rapidly, and less than 0.1% of initial TRRs remained at harvest. At 7 DAT, metabolite 1 [M1, 2,6-bis(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yloxy)benzoic acid] and two unknown compounds (other-1 and other-2) were detected in foliage extract, accounting for 3.5% TRRs (21.0 ppb), 3.1% TRRs (19.0 ppb), and 9.0% TRRs (54.3 ppb), respectively, while 26.1% of M1 was observed in solvent wash. Any other metabolites were not detected in the plant, including expected metabolite M3 (benzophenone oxime). On the basis of the results obtained, a metabolic pathway of pyribenzoxim in a rice plant was proposed.     

Exogenous DNA Uptake of Boar Spermatozoa by a Magnetic Nanoparticle Vector System

The sperm‐mediated gene transfer method is applicable to transgenesis in many species that use spermatozoa for reproduction recently, which has been shown various results. In the current study, we show that transgenic porcine embryos can be efficiently produced by employing a simple transfection method that uses magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The complexes formed between plasmid DNA and MNPs were bounded on ejaculated boar spermatozoa at a higher efficiency compared to methods using DNA alone or lipofection. Using confocal microscopy, rhodamine fluorophore‐labelled MNPs were detected on external surfaces of the spermatozoa membrane, which were bounded on zona pellucida of in vitro maturated oocyte during in vitro fertilization. Electron microscopy revealed that clusters of MNPs were detected in inside of plasma membrane and nucleus of the spermatozoa head. Additionally, we found that magnetofected boar spermatozoa could be fertilized with oocytes in vitro and that the resulting gene of green fluorescent protein was detected in fertilized eggs by genomic PCR analysis. Taken together, these results suggest that MNPs can be used to efficiently introduce a transgene into embryo via spermatozoa.     

Effects of Carbohydrate‐Rich Alternative Feedstuffs on Growth,Survival, Body Composition,Hematology, and Nonspecific Immune Response of Black Pacu,Colossoma macropomum,and Red Pacu,Piaractus brachypomus

To facilitate economical culture of black pacu, Colossoma macropomum, and red pacu, Piaractus brachypomus, in the Amazon region of South America, we assessed locally available alternative energy sources for practical diets. We tested the effects of control diets (containing wheat products) versus diets with different Amazonian feedstuffs (yucca, Manihot sculenta, plantain, Musa paradisiaca, or pijuayo, Bactris gasipaes) on the performance of the pacus in three feeding trials. Black pacu (22.5 ± 0.03 g; Trial 1) or red pacu (2.56 ± 0.01 g; Trial 2) were fed diets containing 30% wheat bran (control) or cooked or uncooked yucca, plantain, or pijuayo for 12 wk. In Trial 3, larger black pacu (86.9 ± 6.4 g) were grown to market size in 24 wk on similar diets. Weight gain, feed conversion, survival, alternative complement activity, and lysozyme were similar among diets. Hepatosomatic index, liver glycogen, and dry matter were affected by diet in Trials 1 and 2, but effects were not consistent among trials. In Trial 3, protein efficiency ratio was lower in fish fed the diet containing wheat middlings. However, relative to wheat bran or wheat middlings, all feedstuffs tested were effective energy sources for juvenile black pacu and red pacu.     

Aerobic soil metabolism of a new herbicide,LGC-42153

To elucidate the fate of a new sulfonylurea herbicide, LGC-42153 [N-((4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)aminocarbonyl)-2-(1-methoxyacetoxy-2-fluoropropyl)-3-pyridinesulfonamide], in soil, an aerobic soil metabolism study was carried out for 120 days with [(14)C]LGC-42153 applied to a loamy soil. The material balance ranged from 90.7 to 101.5% of applied herbicide. The half-life of [(14)C]LGC-42153 was calculated to be approximately 9.0 days. The degradation products resulted from the cleavage of the sulfonylurea bridge. The metabolites identified during the study were N-((4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)aminocarbonyl)-2-(1-hydroxy-2-fluoropropyl)-3-pyridinesulfonamide, 2-(1-hydroxy-2-fluoropropyl)-3-pyridinesulfonamide, and 4,6-dimethoxy-2-aminopyrimidine. No significant volatile products or [(14)C]carbon dioxide was observed during the study. Nonextractable (14)C-residue reached 14.4-30.5% of applied material at 120 days after treatment, and radioactivity was distributed mostly in the humin and fulvic acid fractions.     

Chemical characterization of red wine grape (Vitis vinifera and Vitis interspecific hybrids) and pomace phenolic extracts and their biological activity against Streptococcus mutans

Grapes are rich sources of potentially bioactive polyphenols. However, the phenolic content is variable depending on grape variety, and may be modified during vinification. In this study, we examined the chemical composition and biological activity of phenolic extracts prepared from several red wine grape varieties and their fermented byproduct of winemaking (pomace) on some of the virulence properties of Streptococcus mutans a well-known dental pathogen. Grape phenolic extracts were obtained from Vitis vinifera varieties Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir and Vitis interspecific hybrid varieties Baco Noir and Noiret. The anthocyanins and flavan-3-ols content were highly variable depending on grape variety and type of extract (whole fruit vs fermented pomace). Nevertheless, all grape phenolic extracts remarkably inhibited glucosyltransferases B and C (70-85% inhibition) at concentrations as low as 62.5 microg/mL (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the glycolytic pH-drop by S. mutans cells was inhibited by the grape extracts without affecting the bacterial viability; an effect that can be attributed to partial inhibition of F-ATPase activity (30-65% inhibition at 125 microg/mL; P < 0.01). The biological activity of fermented pomace was either as effective as or significantly better than whole fruit grape extracts. The results showed that grape phenolic extracts, especially from pomace, are highly effective against specific virulence traits of S. mutans despite major differences in their phenolic content.     

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.     

The eco-friendly surface modification of textiles for deep digital textile printing by in-line atmospheric non-thermal plasma treatment

This study evaluated the potential application of an atmospheric plasma (AP) treatment as a pre-treatment for digital textile printing (DTP) of polyester (PET) fabrics and cotton, in order to determine its viability as an alternative to the usual chemical treatment. The surface properties of the AP-treated fabrics were examined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and contact angle, and the physical properties, such as electrostatic voltage and water absorbance, were tested. The properties of cotton and PET with the AP treatment were found to be dependent on number of repetitions and electric voltage. Although no remarkable surface differences were observed by SEM in the fabrics before and after treatment, the static contact angle of the PET after AP treatment was decreased from 85 ° to 24 ° at wave. In addition, the charge decay time decreased as the voltage and number of treatments increased. The absorption height of PET changed after exposure to 7 mm with increasing measurement time. The K/S with and without the AP pre-treated and DTP finished cotton was better than that with the usual chemical modification. In PET, the 0.5 kW and 1 time AP-treated specimen showed the highest K/S values.