Expression of four canine leukocyte adhesion factors in fresh and stored whole blood samples evaluated using a no-lyse, no-wash method

Expression of four leukocyte adhesion factors on canine leukocytes was studied by flow cytometry using a no-lyse, no-wash method. The effect of fixation and storage for up to 14 days in 1% paraformaldehyde on labelled samples and within assay variation was evaluated. Monoclonal antibodies directed to monocyte marker CD14, and to adhesion molecules CD11a, CD18, CD32 and CD49d were used. Cell surface marker, cell population, time, and the interactions between time and cell marker significantly affected expression of cell adhesion factors. For CD18, there was a significant difference in mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) between fresh and stored samples (P<0.001), but no significant difference between stored samples. The MFIs of CD11a and CD49d were not significantly affected by fixation and storage. The CVs differed significantly depending on cell marker (P<0.001) and cell population (P=0.005). Fixation and storage did not significantly affect the CV. In conclusion, a no-lyse, no-wash method can be applied to canine leukocytes. The effect of fixation and storage on the resulting MFI differs between monoclonal antibodies, and should be evaluated for each antibody before use. The coefficient of variation was generally acceptable, and high CVs were related to a low MFIs or low numbers of analysed cells.     

Effects of dietary combination of corn and rice as whole crop silage and grain sources on carbohydrate digestion and nitrogen use in steers

Four Holstein steers were used to evaluate the combination effects of whole crop corn (Cs) or rice (Rs) silage with steam‐flaked corn (Cg) or rice (Rg) grain (four dietary treatments) on ruminal carbohydrate digestion, duodenal nitrogen (N) flow and plasma essential amino acid (EAA) concentration. The ruminal digestibility of starch and nonfiber carbohydrate (NFC) for Rs and Rg diets compared with Cs and Cg diets was greater, but that of neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) was less. Because the ruminal disappearance of NFC plus aNDFom was similar across four dietary treatments, microbial N flow was not affected by the diets. There was an interaction of methionine (Met) flow by silage and grain sources: greatest for CsRg and least for RsRg diet, and blood plasma concentration of Met after feeding was lower for Rg than Cg diets. Postprandial reduction degree of plasma EAA varied with the diets and individual EAA. The Cs diets compared with the Rs diets tended to be greater in N retention because of greater digestible organic matter (OM) intake. These results suggest that silage source combined with corn or rice grain affects N use in steers through the digestible OM intake, and the kinds of limiting AA may differ among the combination of silage and grain sources.     

Detection of Brucella abortus in mammalian tissue, using biotinylated, whole genomic DNA as a molecular probe

A method has been developed for the detection of Brucella abortus in complex tissue homogenates. The technique uses tissue homogenization in the presence of sucrose and Triton X-100 and subsequent filtration through a 5-microns pore size filter to remove mammalian nuclei and cellular debris. The DNA from the bacteria is then extracted, dot blotted onto nitrocellulose, and hybridized with a biotinylated probe of B abortus strain 19 DNA. In the present study, BALB/C mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with either 10(9) or 10(11) B abortus strain 2308S organisms. After 6 days, the mice were euthanatized by cervical dislocation and the livers were removed, weighed, and the appearance of each was noted. The tissues were homogenized, and a viable cell count was performed to determine the number of bacteria in each organ. The DNA was extracted, blotted onto nitrocellulose, and hybridized with the Brucella probe. The biotin label was detected by use of a commercially available streptavidin/alkaline phosphatase system. In control experiments, the technique detected 10(5) organisms in a mixture of bacteria and 1 g of rat liver. The technique also detected 10(7) B abortus organisms/g of tissue from experimentally inoculated mice. The probe was specific for Brucella and had no affinity for contaminating bovine or bacterial DNA.     

Recognition and classification of dysmyelopoiesis in the dog: a review

Dysmyelopoiesis is defined as a hematologic disorder characterized by the presence of cytopenias in the blood and dysplastic cells in one or more hematologic cell lines in the blood or bone marrow. The causes of dysmyelopoiesis include acquired mutations in hematopoietic stem cells (i.e., myelodysplastic syndromes [MDSs]), congenital defects in hematopoiesis, and dysmyelopoietic conditions associated with various disease processes, drug treatments, or toxin exposure. Two major subtypes of MDSs (i.e., MDS with refractory cytopenias and MDS with excess myeloblasts) have been described that differ in clinical presentation, response to treatment, and survival time. The most frequently occurring causes of secondary dysmyelopoiesis include immune-mediated hematologic diseases, lymphoid malignancies, and exposure to chemotherapeutic drugs. Differentiation of the various causes of dysmyelopoiesis is essential for establishing an appropriate therapeutic plan and for determining prognosis.     

上半年油类市场火爆2007年下半年蛋白粕走势分析

2004年以来,中国蛋白粕类走势跌宕起伏,压榨企业经过整合再次前行。随着大豆产业协会的成立。中国大豆产业是否进入一个良性的循环周期．又或者随着中国对食用油及蛋白粕需求的提高．蛋白粕的走势又有新的转机？而养殖业是否会使蛋白粕类如愿走出2004年以来的阴影？下面笔者就以上的问题略作分析,仅供读者参考。     

Environmental impacts of the Japanese beef-fattening system with different feeding lengths as evaluated by a life-cycle assessment method

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the environmental impacts of a beef-fattening system using the life-cycle assessment (LCA) method and to investigate the effects of feeding length on the LCA results. The functional unit was defined as one animal, and the stages associated with the beef-fattening life cycle, such as feed (concentrate and rough-age) production, feed transport, animal management, animal body (i.e., biological activity of cattle), and the treatment of cattle wastes, were included in the system boundary. Our results suggest that enteric or gut CH4 emissions of cattle were the major source in the impact category of global warming (2,851 kg of CO2 equivalents), whereas NH3 emissions from cattle waste were the major source in the impact categories of acidification (35.1 kg of SO2 equivalents) and eutrophication (6.16 kg of PO4 equivalents). Feed production also contributed a great deal to all categories. A shorter feeding length resulted in lower environmental impacts in all the environmental impact categories examined in the current study, such as global warming and acidification, although there was a difference in effect of reducing environmental impacts among the categories.     

Inhibition of platelet function with clopidogrel,as measured with a novel whole blood impedance aggregometer in horses

This study aimed to validate a loading and maintenance clopidogrel dosing scheme for the inhibition of platelet function, measured by whole blood impedance aggregometry in healthy adult horses. Ten Warmblood horses received oral clopidogrel once daily. Doses were based on 50 kg weight categories and resulted in one loading dose of 6–6.5 mg/kg bodyweight and maintenance doses of 1.2–1.4 mg/kg over the next 4 days. Platelet function was measured via whole blood multiple electrode impedance aggregometry prior to (T0) and at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 144, 192 and 240 h following the loading dose. Aggregometries for collagen (COLtest), arachidonic acid (ASPItest), adenosine diphosphate (ADPtest) and ADP with prostaglandin E1 (ADPtestHS) were performed. Statistical analyses included one way repeated measures ANOVAs and subsequent Dunnett's tests.Platelet aggregation induced by collagen remained unchanged. There were significant inhibitions in the ASPItest (P <0.01 at 192 h, and P <0.05 at 240 h) and the ADPtest and ADPtestHS (P < 0.01, with the exception of 240 h). The loading dose of clopidogrel induced rapid inhibition of platelet function within hours, and the low dose was suitable for maintaining the inhibition over the 4 days of therapy. Recovery of platelet function was restored 6 days after the cessation of medication, determined with the ADPtest and ADPtestHS, but remained inhibited with the ASPItest. The prolonged effect of clopidogrel may indicate differences in the activation of platelets between horses and humans that were previously unknown.     

Lingual lesions in the dog and cat: recognition, diagnosis, and treatment

The tongue plays many vital roles in the oral cavity of the dog and cat. Consequently, lingual lesions can have devastating effects on an animal's overall health. This article provides a review of tongue anatomy as well as a review of the etiology, gross appearance, and diagnostic procedures indicated for a wide variety of lingual lesions. Lingual pathologic conditions that are reviewed include traumatic, metabolic, idiopathic, infectious, immune-mediated, hereditary, and neoplastic lesions. This article also describes current concepts in the medical management of lingual lesions.     

Recognition of 'trembler', a hypomyelinating condition in the Bernese mountain dog

An account is given of a hypomyelinating condition, 'trembler', in the Bernese mountain dog. The condition is manifested clinically as a tremor of the limbs and head which becomes more intense with excitement or stress and which disappears with sleep. The tremor, which is first noticeable between two and eight weeks old, may persist throughout life but decline with age. Examination of plastic embedded tissue obtained post mortem from two, nine-week-old animals showed hypomyelination of the spinal cord. Preliminary examination of breeding data suggests that the condition may be inherited as an autosomal recessive.     

Evaluation of the analgesic properties of acepromazine maleate, oxymorphone, medetomidine and a combination of acepromazine-oxymorphone

Objective To determine the presence and duration of analgesia after oxymorphone, acepromazine maleate, acepromazine‐oxymorphone combination and medetomidine administration in dogs. Study design Blinded, controlled study. Animals Six adult beagle dogs. Methods Each dog participated in five trials receiving acepromazine maleate (0.2 mg kg^?1 IM), oxymorphone (0.2 mg kg^?1 IM), acepromazine‐oxymorphone drug combination (0.2 mg kg^?1 each IM), medetomidine (20 µg kg^?1 IM) and sterile saline (control). Two specially designed instruments were used for analgesia determination: a heat device (HD) utilized a linear ramped intensity incandescent bulb and a pressure device (PD) consisted of a pneumatic cylinder that protruded a 2.5‐cm bolt. The minimum pressure and heat necessary to produce an avoidance response were determined. Analgesia testing was performed prior to and at 30‐minute intervals for six hours after drug administration. Results Oxymorphone, acepromazine‐oxymorphone and medetomidine significantly elevated both pressure and heat response thresholds compared to controls and acepromazine. Both medetomidine and acepromazine‐oxymorphone provided a significantly longer duration of analgesia than oxymorphone. No adverse effects were observed at any of the thermal or pressure application sites. Conclusions Oxymorphone, medetomidine and acepromazine‐oxymorphone produced significant analgesia with medetomidine and acepromazine‐oxymorphone providing the longest duration of analgesia.     

Laminitis: Recognition of At-Risk Individuals,and Methods of Prevention

Even with the many advances made in the understanding of the pathophysiology, new treatments and preventative measures, laminitis continues to plague the equine population. Identification of risk factor and at-risk individuals remains the best approach with this disease.     

Evaluation of butorphanol, medetomidine and midazolam as a reversible narcotic combination in free-ranging African lions (Panthera leo)

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of the combination butorphanol, medetomidine and midazolam (BMM) and its reversibility in lions.Study designProspective clinical trial.AnimalsThirty free-ranging lions, 10 male and 20 female, weighing 81-210 kg.MethodsLions were immobilised with butorphanol mean 0.31 ± SD 0.034 mg kg^?1, medetomidine 0.052 ± 0.006 mg kg^?1, midazolam 0.21 ± 0.024 mg kg^?1 and hyaluronidase 1250 IU administered intramuscularly with a dart gun. Upon recumbency, physiological parameters and anaesthetic depth were monitored 10-15 minutes after darting (T1) and repeated every 10 minutes for a further 30 minutes (T2, T3, T4). Arterial blood gas analyses were performed at T1 and T4. At the end of the procedure, 45-60 minutes after initial darting, immobilisation was reversed with naltrexone 0.68 ± 0.082 mg kg^?1, atipamezole 0.26 ± 0.031 mg kg^?1, and flumazenil 0.0032 ± 0.0007 mg kg^?1 administered intravenously and subcutaneously.ResultsThe BMM combination rapidly induced immobilisation and lateral recumbency was reached within 7.25 ± 2.3 minutes. Median induction score [scored 1 (excellent) to 4 (poor)] was 1.4 (range 1-2). Cardio-respiratory parameters were stable. Heart rate varied from 32 to 72 beats per minute, respiratory rate from 14 to 32 breaths minute^?1 and rectal temperature from 36.6 to 40.3 °C. No sudden arousals were observed. Arterial blood gas analyses revealed a mean pH of 7.33, PaCO₂ of 33 mmHg and PaO₂ of 87 mmHg. Mild to moderate hypoxemia was seen in four lions. Recovery was smooth and lions were walking within 4.4 ± 4.25 minutes. Median recovery score [scored 1 (excellent) to 4 (poor)] was 1.3 (range 1-2).Conclusion and clinical relevanceThe drug combination proved to be effective in immobilising free-ranging healthy lions of both sexes with minimal cardio-respiratory changes.     

非洲猪瘟疫病防控工作中粪污资源化利用整县推进模式存在问题及防疫要点

非洲猪瘟作为最严重的猪疾病之一,自暴发以来给我国畜牧业带来沉重打击,养殖粪污是病毒传播的主要载体,因此防止非洲猪瘟传播就要对粪污处理各环节进严格把关.文章总结了粪污资源化利用整县推进模式环节容易出现的问题,提出了相应的防控措施,并为畜牧业健康发展提供参考.