Evaluation of an automated spectrophotometric assay for the determination of total sialic acid in canine serum

This study validates an automated enzymatic assay using the Cobas Fara (Roche) centrifugal analyser, which offers a reliable measurement of the total sialic acid concentration in canine serum as assessed by evaluating the precision and accuracy. Data are presented on the biological variation in the total serum sialic acid concentration. Measurements of total serum sialic acid concentration appear to be useful in distinguishing dogs with neoplastic disorders from clinically healthy dogs.Abbreviations AcNeu N-acetylneuraminic acid - CV% coefficient of variation - LASA lipid-associated sialic acid - S ² component of variance     

Toxicity and efficacy of a novel doxorubicin and carboplatin chemotherapy protocol for the treatment of canine appendicular osteosarcoma following limb amputation

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel doxorubicin and carboplatin chemotherapy protocol for the treatment of dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma following limb amputation. Design Retrospective study. Procedure Dogs diagnosed with appendicular osteosarcoma, with no evidence of metastatic disease, treated with amputation and adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of two doses of doxorubicin given 14 days apart, followed by four doses of carboplatin at 3‐weekly intervals between September 2003 and December 2009 were identified from the medical records of Perth Veterinary Oncology. Haematological and gastrointestinal toxicities were assessed based on information in the medical records and recorded complete blood count results. The efficacy of the protocol was assessed by determining the median disease‐free interval (DFI) and overall survival time (OST) using the Kaplan‐Meier product‐limit method. Results In total, 33 dogs met the inclusion criteria. The median DFI was 231.5 days and the median OST was 247 days. With regard to haematological toxicity, 56% of dogs had a grade 1–2 neutropenia recorded as their highest marrow toxicity and 9% of dogs experienced a grade 3–4 neutropenia, all subsequent to doxorubicin administration. The highest gastrointestinal toxicity was grade 1–2 in 15 dogs (47%) and 5 dogs (16%) experienced grade 3–4 gastrointestinal toxicity. Conclusion This chemotherapy protocol did not result in a longer time to disease recurrence or OST in this population of dogs. Dual‐agent protocols have failed to improve survival times and therefore we conclude that a single‐agent protocol using carboplatin may be equally effective with less toxicity.     

Ex vivo binding of the immunosuppressant mycophenolic acid to dog and cat plasma proteins and the effect of co‐incubated dexamethasone and prednisolone

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) has been shown to be promising for the treatment of autoimmune diseases in dogs and cats. In humans, MPA is highly bound to plasma proteins (~97%). It has been recommended to monitor free drug plasma concentrations because the free MPA correlates with its immunosuppressive effect. However, it is unknown if MPA is highly bound to plasma proteins in dogs and cats. The objectives of this study were to determine the extent of plasma protein binding of MPA and evaluate the effect of prednisolone and dexamethasone on the extent of protein binding of MPA in dogs and cats. The extent of plasma protein binding of MPA was determined in plasma collected from clinically healthy adult cats (n = 13) and dogs (n = 14) by combining high‐throughput dialysis and ultra‐high‐liquid chromatography. This study reveals that MPA is highly bound to plasma proteins (>90%) in dogs and cats, mean extent of binding of MPA at 15 μg/ml to plasma proteins being 96% (range, 95%–97%) and 92% (range, 90%–93%) for dogs and cats, respectively. In dog plasma, MPA is primarily bound to albumin. In vitro, prednisolone increased the unbound MPA in dogs (p < .01) but not in cats (p = .07) while dexamethasone had no effect on MPA plasma binding in either species (p > .05). Results of this study provide valuable information for designing future pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies and also therapeutic monitoring programs for dogs and cats.     

添加鱼油粉对中老年乳粉稳定性的影响

向中老年乳粉中添加不同比例鱼油粉EPA300(添加量0％、0.5％、1.0％和1.5％),并将其37℃加速贮藏90 d;以脂肪酸组成,VE、VC含量和保留率,硫代巴比妥酸反应物(thiobarbituric acid reactive substance,TBARs)值及色泽为评价指标;评价鱼油粉添加对于中老年乳粉稳定...     

Analytical validation of the Sysmex XT‐2000iV for cell counts in canine and feline effusions and concordance with cytologic diagnosis

Background: The Sysmex XT‐2000iV is a hematology analyzer that combines laser and impedance technology. Its usefulness for determining cell counts in canine and feline intracavitary effusions has not yet been studied. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the analytical performance of the Sysmex XT‐2000iV for cell counts in effusions from dogs and cats, and to assess correlation with an impedance counter and concordance with diagnoses based on cytologic findings. Methods: Effusions (43 pleural, 23 peritoneal, 6 pericardial) were analyzed from 32 dogs and 34 cats. Total nucleated cell count (TNCC), HCT, and RBC count were determined on the Sysmex and compared with those obtained on an impedance counter (Hemat 8, SEAC). Imprecision, linearity, and limit of detection were determined for the Sysmex. An algorithm was designed using quantitative and qualitative data from the Sysmex to classify the effusions and the results were compared with diagnoses based on cytologic findings. Results: Intra‐assay and interassay coefficients of variation on the Sysmex were variable. Linearity of TNCC was ≥0.993 for dogs and cats, with the exception of effusions from cats with feline infectious peritonitis, which had delta (Δ) TNC values >3.0. In comparison with the Hemat 8, a proportional error was found for TNCC on the Sysmex. Effusion classification based on the algorithm was concordant with that obtained by cytologic examination in 43/72 (60%) samples. Discordant results usually were due to the misclassification of cells with similar morphology (such as mesothelial and carcinoma cells) in Sysmex scattergrams. Conclusion: The Sysmex XT‐2000iV provides a precise and accurate TNCC and has moderate concordance with cytologic findings for classifying canine and feline effusions. Although microscopic examination of effusions is necessary to achieve an accurate diagnosis, the Sysmex can provide preliminary information that may be helpful to cytopathologists.     

Evaluation of the distance between Schwalbe’s line and the anterior lens capsule as a parameter for the correction of ultrasound biomicroscopic values of the canine iridocorneal angle

Objective To determine whether the distance between Schwalbe’s line (the peripheral termination of Descemet’s membrane, i.e., the borderline between the cornea and sclera) and the anterior lens capsule (SLD) is an applicable parameter for correcting raw ultrasound biomicroscopic values of the canine iridocorneal angle (ICA) and to establish a comparative system for the ICA values in different canine breeds with varied body sizes/weights. Animal studied The dogs were divided into four groups based on body weight (BW): <4 kg, 4–8 kg, 8–20 kg, and >20 kg, and 180 normotensive eyes were studied. Procedures The ICA microstructure was examined by ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) using 40‐MHz probes in dogs with or without anesthesia/sedation. Linear regression analysis and correlation coefficients were evaluated between SLD or SLD² and UBM measurements; subsequently, noncorrected and SLD‐corrected UBM values were statistically assessed. Results Significant linear correlations were detected between SLD and the ciliary cleft width, the minimum distance between the angle recess and the scleral venous plexus, and the scleral thickness. Positive linear correlations were also demonstrated between SLD² and the ciliary cleft area as well as the scleral venous plexus area. Raw UBM measurements were corrected by using a ratio with SLD on the distance or SLD² on the area. Although noncorrected UBM measurements increased with canine BW, SLD‐corrected UBM values remained similar with no significant statistical differences in any of the dogs. Conclusions Correction with SLD would be clinically useful for comparing UBM measurements of the ICA in dogs with different body sizes/weights.     

Increased canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) and 1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid-(6′-methylresorufin) ester (DGGR) lipase in dogs with evidence of portal hypertension and normal pancreatic histology: a pilot study

The clinical presentations of both liver disease and pancreatitis are nonspecific and overlapping, which may cause difficulty in diagnosis. In our retrospective pilot study, we assessed whether dogs with evidence of portal hypertension and absence of pancreatitis on pancreatic histology have increases in canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) and 1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid-(6′-methylresorufin) ester (DGGR) lipase. We included dogs that had been presented between 2008 and 2019 if they had normal pancreatic histology, histologically confirmed hepatopathy, and if canine pancreas-specific lipase (Spec cPL; Idexx) or DGGR lipase had been measured. Only dogs with portal hypertension were included. Six dogs fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Four of 6 and 2 of 6 dogs had Spec cPL and DGGR lipase exceeding the upper reference limit, respectively. From the 4 dogs with increased Spec cPL, 2 had concentrations of 200–400 µg/L and 2 had concentrations ≥ 400 µg/L. Our results suggest that canine portal hypertension might lead to increased Spec cPL and DGGR lipase values in the absence of pancreatitis on histology. Until more evidence in a larger number of dogs with portal hypertension is available, both tests should be interpreted cautiously in the presence of portal hypertension.     

Potential role of ALDH3A2 on the lipid and glucose metabolism regulated by (‐)‐hydroxycitric acid in chicken embryos

This study aimed to investigate the effect of (‐)‐hydroxycitric acid ((‐)‐HCA) on lipid and glucose metabolism, and further analyzed these actions whether associated with modulation of aldehyde dehydrogenase 3 family member A2 (ALDH3A2) expression in chicken embryos. Results showed that (‐)‐HCA decreased triglyceride content and lipid droplet counts, while these effects induced by (‐)‐HCA were reversed in chicken embryos pre‐transfected with sh4‐ALDH3A2. (‐)‐HCA decreased malic enzyme, acetyl‐CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, and sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1c mRNA level, while increased carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1A (CPT1A) and peroxisome proliferators‐activated receptor α (PPARα) mRNA level; and the action of (‐)‐HCA on lipid metabolism factors had completely eliminated in embryos pre‐transfected with sh4‐ALDH3A2. Chicken embryos pre‐transfected with sh4‐ALDH3A2 had eliminated the increasing of serum glucose and hepatic glycogen content induced by (‐)‐HCA. (‐)‐HCA decreased phosphofructokinase‐1 and increased G6P, fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), and pyruvate carboxylase mRNA level in chicken embryos. Similarly, the effect of (‐)‐HCA on these key enzyme mRNA level was reversed in embryos pre‐transfected with sh4‐ALDH3A2. Furthermore, (‐)‐HCA increased PPAR‐γ‐coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α), PPARα, hepatic nuclear factor‐4A, PEPCK, and CPT1A protein level, and these actions of (‐)‐HCA disappeared in embryos pre‐transfected with sh4‐ALDH3A2. These results indicated that (‐)‐HCA reduced fat accumulation and accelerated gluconeogenesis via activation of PGC‐1α signaling pathway, and these effects of (‐)‐HCA might associate with the increasing of ALDH3A2 expression level in chicken embryos.     

添加白菜尾菜和甲酸对干玉米秸秆贮存品质的影响

基于干玉米秸秆与白菜尾菜的理化互补特性,详细研究了添加白菜尾菜对干秸秆贮存品质的影响,并进一步探讨添加甲酸对二者混贮品质的调控效果,结合高通量测序技术解析贮存过程中的微生物多样性。试验设置干秸秆单一贮存组(SE组)、干秸秆/白菜混贮组(ME组)和干秸秆/白菜混贮+甲酸组(FB组)3个试验组,(18±1)℃恒温密闭贮存60d,间隔30d分析有机组分含量、发酵品质及细菌多样性的动态变化。结果表明,ME和FB组的干物质损失率和pH值均显著低于对照SE组(P<0.05),长时间贮存有利于降低酸性洗涤木质素(ADL)含量。与SE组相比,ME和FB组乳酸细菌多样性更为丰富,包含乳杆菌属、类乳杆菌属、肉食杆菌属、乳球菌属、片球菌属、肠球菌属等。肠杆菌属是贮存过程中的主要腐败菌,但60d时FB组中肠杆菌属丰度明显低于SE组。可见,废弃白菜与干玉米秸秆进行混合湿法贮存能减少干物质损失,调控发酵微生物菌群结构,加入甲酸能进一步优化木质纤维组分。     

甲型H1N1流感病毒核酸检测能力验证样品制备及其应用效果评价

为考核实验室检测甲型H1N1流感病毒的能力,设计和实施了“CNAS T0459甲型H1N1流感病毒核酸检测能力验证计划”.利用甲型H1N1流感病毒(2009)和经典H1N1猪流感病毒核酸标准物质制备6组能力验证阳性样品,经实验室检测分析,所制备的样品均匀性和稳定性均达到中国合格评定国家认可委员会对能力验证样品的要求.将6组阳性样品和1组阴性样品编号后下发54家参试实验室,共有50家实验室报送了有效数据,其中完全达到能力验证要求的实验室共34家,满意率达68％,其余16家为不满意实验室,包括8家实验室检测经典H1N1猪流感病毒满意,但甲型H1N1流感病毒(2009)特异性检测不满意.本次能力验证为整体提升我国甲型H1N1流感病毒的检测水平和评估各级实验室检测能力具有重要意义.     

日粮纤维对猪回肠微生物氮及微生物氨基酸流量的影响

采用5×5拉丁方设计,对5头大约克阉公猪(大约30kg)实施回盲肠瓣T型瘘管(PVCT)手术,用2,6 二氨基庚二酸(DAPA)标记法,测定以豆饼为基础的半纯合日粮中添加不同浓度的豌豆皮(4%、8%、12%)和纯稻壳(8%)对猪回肠微生物氮及微生物氨基酸流量的影响。结果表明:猪粪总氮中来源于微生物氮的量为74 53%～90 00%,回肠食糜氮中则为30 94%～50 26%;回肠食糜氨基酸流量中,有19 85%(脯氨酸)～51 42%(精氨酸)是来自微生物氨基酸;而微生物氨基酸在回肠内源性氨基酸流量中所占的比例较大,为30 49%(脯氨酸)～98 50%(亮氨酸)。豌豆皮与纯稻壳对猪回肠微生物的作用效果不尽相同,4%的豌豆皮与8%的纯稻壳的作用效果相似,而8%和12%的豌豆皮对猪回肠微生物的影响要高于8%的纯稻壳。     

Use of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid to inhibit Salmonella and Listeria in raw meat for feline diets and palatability in domestic cats

While the raw pet food market continues to grow, the risk of bacterial contamination in these types of diets is a major concern, with Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes being the most frequently associated pathogens in raw pet food product recalls. dl-Methionine is included in some commercial feline kibble and canned diets to improve protein quality; however, an alternative to this is a liquid methionine supplement, 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid (HMTBa), which is also an organic acid. 2-Hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid has previously demonstrated similar efficacy to formic acid against pathogens in a liquid environment and may be a good candidate to inhibit S. enterica and L. monocytogenes in raw ground meat. First, the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of HMTBa against these pathogens under laboratory growth conditions were determined by measuring growth of pathogens over 36 h when exposed to 10 concentrations of HMTBa (0.10% to 1.00%) mixed with tryptic soy broth. 2-Hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid included at ≥0.50% was bactericidal to S. enterica and L. monocytogenes (P < 0.05). Next, five levels of HMTBa (0.50% to 1.25%) were included in raw ground meat mixtures inoculated with cocktails of S. enterica or L. monocytogenes, and contamination levels were determined at four timepoints: immediately, and after refrigerated storage (4 °C) at 24, 48, and 72 h after removal from freezer (24 h at −20 °C). 2-Hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid included as 1.25% of the meat mixture reduced S. enterica and L. monocytogenes compared with the control (P < 0.05); however, it did not result in total kill of either of these pathogens. Following this, feeding behaviors of seven domestic cats were assessed when offered a raw chicken diet treated with or without 1.25% HMTBa for 5 d each, after which a 2-d 2-choice preference test was conducted. Cats demonstrated a preference for raw diets without HMTBa, but still readily consumed diets with 1.25% HMTBa, suggesting that such a diet was still palatable to them.     

黄腐酸改善连作马铃薯生长发育及抗性生理的研究

研究了黄腐酸对连作马铃薯幼苗生长发育、块茎营养和抗性生理的影响。结果表明,连作马铃薯幼苗生长发育受到显著抑制,而黄腐酸处理对连作马铃薯的生长发育表现出显著的促进作用;黄腐酸处理相对提高了马铃薯块茎的淀粉含量、Vc含量和可溶性蛋白含量;黄腐酸处理显著减小了连作引起的叶片叶绿素、脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量下降的幅度,相对提高了SOD和CAT活性,并降低了MDA含量和活性氧水平。黄腐酸处理减轻了连作所造成的生理障碍,从而提高了马铃薯幼苗对连作障碍的整体抗性,促进了连作马铃薯的生长发育,改善了马铃薯块茎营养。     

Effects of addition of Aspergillus oryzae culture and 2‐hydroxyl‐4‐(methylthio) butanoic acid on milk performance and rumen fermentation of dairy cows

To investigate effects of Aspergillus oryzae culture (AOC) and 2‐hydroxy‐4‐(methylthio) butanoic acid (HMB) on milk performance and rumen fermentation of dairy cows. Sixty‐four multiparous Chinese Holstein cows were randomly allocated into four experimental diets: (i) Control diet; (ii) AOC diet: 5 g AOC/day per head; (iii) HMB diet: 25 g HMB/day; and (iv) AH diet: 5 g AOC plus 25 g HMB/day. Added HMB tended to increase the yield of milk protein (P = 0.06) and 3.5% fat‐corrected milk (P = 0.08) and milk fat content (P = 0.09). Milk fat yield (P = 0.03) and the contents of milk protein (P = 0.05) were increased by adding HMB. The cows fed on AOC diet had a tendency for higher body weight (BW) gain (P = 0.08). Addition of AOC, HMB and AH increased content of microbial protein (MCP) and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) (P < 0.01) in rumen fluid. Populations of rumen fungi, Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens relative to total bacterial 16S rDNA (P ≤ 0.03) and activity of carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) (P < 0.01) were increased with added AOC or HMB. It is inferred that added AOC or HMB can increase the contents of MCP and total VFA potentially by stimulating rumen microbe populations and CMCase activity.     

紫花苜蓿光能及叶片水分利用效率影响因子分析

大田条件下,利用C 340df光合仪,对12个紫花苜蓿Medicago sativa品种(初花期)的净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)及生态因子(光合有效辐射、大气温度、大气湿度)和生理因子(胞间CO2浓度、气孔导度、叶温)进行测定,探讨影响其光能利用效率（LUE）和叶片水分利用效率（WUE）的主要因子。结果表明：1)品种胖多单株干质量最高,且LUE、WUE显著高于其他品种(P＜0.05),属于高光合、低蒸腾、高水分利用品种;2)影响LUE的主要是生理因子(胞间CO2浓度、气孔导度),而影响WUE的则为外界环境因子(光合有效辐射、大气温度、大气湿度)。     

孕穗期模拟酸雨对春小麦叶片光合气体交换特性及产量的影响

为探明酸雨对春小麦光合特性及产量的影响,用pH为1.5,2.5,3.5,4.5和5.6的模拟酸雨在春小麦孕穗期对其进行喷淋,然后测定不同pH模拟酸雨处理后春小麦叶片的光合参数及产量。研究结果表明,1)酸雨对春小麦叶片光合特性以及产量的影响随酸雨的氢离子浓度增大而愈显著。2)酸雨pH与净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、水分利用效率、叶绿素相对含量以及春小麦产量均呈极显著正相关,与胞间CO₂浓度呈极显著负相关。