Recovery of brodifacoum in vomitus following induction of emesis in dogs that had ingested rodenticide bait

AIM: To assess the benefit of inducing emesis in dogs that have ingested rodenticide bait containing brodifacoum (BDF), by determining the amount of BDF in bait recovered from the vomitus relative to the estimated amount consumed.

METHODS: Between 2014 and 2015 samples of vomitus from seven dogs that ingested rodenticide baits containing BDF were submitted by veterinarians in New Zealand. All seven dogs had been given apomorphine by the veterinarian and vomited within 1 hour of ingesting the bait. Some or all of the bait particles were retrieved from each sample and were analysed for concentrations of BDF using HPLC. Based on estimations of the mass of bait consumed, the concentration of BDF stated on the product label, and the estimated mass of bait in the vomitus of each dog, the amount of BDF in the vomited bait was calculated as a percentage of the amount ingested.

RESULTS: For five dogs an estimation of the mass of bait ingested was provided by the submitting veterinarian. For these dogs the estimated percentage of BDF in the bait retrieved from the vomitus was between 10–77%. All dogs were well after discharge but only one dog returned for further testing. This dog had a normal prothrombin time 3 days after ingestion.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The induction of emesis within 1 hour of ingestion can be a useful tool in reducing the exposure of dogs to a toxic dose of BDF. The BDF was not fully absorbed within 1 hour of ingestion suggesting that the early induction of emesis can remove bait containing BDF before it can be fully absorbed.     

Evaluation of the Ultraviolet Spectrophotometric Method for the Measurement of Total Nitrogen in Water

Abstract.— A simple, accurate, and environmentally sound procedure based on spectroscopy in the UV range was modified to measure total nitrogen concentrations in both freshwater and brackishwater. Water samples from freshwater fish ponds were analyzed for total nitrogen with the persulfate digestion method followed by analysis of nitrate with the UV method for comparison with the NAS reagent method. Brackishwater samples with salinities of 8 to 10 ppt from shrimp ponds were digested by the persulfate method and analyzed with the UV method. Percentage recovery of nitrogen and also precision were evaluated for the UV method. Nitrate concentrations in the freshwater persulfate digests determined by the UV method were similar to those obtained by the NAS reagent method ( P < 0.05). The slope of the regression line did not differ from 1.0 ( P < 0.05). Precision of both methods was acceptable over the range of nitrogen concentration used, but precision of the UV method tended to be better than that of the NAS method. Spike recovery averaged 97.4% in the NAS reagent method and 107.2% in the UV method. Interference from organic matter was minor in the UV method, because virtually all of the organic matter was oxidized during the digestion. Precision with brackishwater samples was slightly better than the freshwater samples and percentage spike recovery averaged 102.8%. Because spectrophotometers in most laboratories have the capability of reading in the UV range, the UV method is an attractive alternative for total nitrogen analysis.     

Association of Obesity with Serum Leptin,Adiponectin, and Serotonin and Gut Microflora in Beagle Dogs

Background

Serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) is involved in hypothalamic regulation of energy consumption. Also, the gut microbiome can influence neuronal signaling to the brain through vagal afferent neurons. Therefore, serotonin concentrations in the central nervous system and the composition of the microbiota can be related to obesity.

Objective

To examine adipokine, and, serotonin concentrations, and the gut microbiota in lean dogs and dogs with experimentally induced obesity.

Animals

Fourteen healthy Beagle dogs were used in this study.

Methods

Seven Beagle dogs in the obese group were fed commercial food ad libitum, over a period of 6 months to increase their weight and seven Beagle dogs in lean group were fed a restricted amount of the same diet to maintain optimal body condition over a period of 6 months. Peripheral leptin, adiponectin, 5HT, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF‐5HT) levels were measured by ELISA. Fecal samples were collected in lean and obese groups 6 months after obesity was induced. Targeted pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was performed using a Genome Sequencer FLX plus system.

Results

Leptin concentrations were higher in the obese group (1.98 ± 1.00) compared to those of the lean group (1.12 ± 0.07, P = .025). Adiponectin and 5‐hydroytryptamine of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF‐5HT) concentrations were higher in the lean group (27.1 ± 7.28) than in the obese group (14.4 ± 5.40, P = .018). Analysis of the microbiome revealed that the diversity of the microbial community was lower in the obese group. Microbes from the phylum Firmicutes (85%) were predominant group in the gut microbiota of lean dogs. However, bacteria from the phylum Proteobacteria (76%) were the predominant group in the gut microbiota of dogs in the obese group.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Decreased 5HT levels in obese group might increase the risk of obesity because of increased appetite. Microflora enriched with gram‐negative might be related with chronic inflammation status in obese dogs.     

Protective effect of anthocyanins from black soybean seed coats on UVB-induced apoptotic cell death in vitro and in vivo

UVB radiation proves to be one of the most relevant environmental risks because of its hazardous effects, such as premature skin aging and especially skin photocarcinogenesis. Anthocyanins, water-soluble pigments present in plants, are known to be powerful antioxidants that help protect plants from UV damage. In this study, we aimed at investigating the protective effect of anthocyanins from black soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] seed coats on UVB-induced apoptosis, and furthermore, we investigated the molecular mechanism responsible for regulation of apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Pretreatment with anthocyanins reduced UVB-induced reactive oxygen species levels and inhibited UVB-induced apoptotic cell death through the prevention of caspase-3 pathway activation and reduction of proapoptotic Bax protein levels. UVB irradiation induced apoptotic cell death, which was inhibited by topical application of anthocyanins in hairless mice. It is concluded that anthocyanins from the seed coat of black soybeans may be useful compounds to modulate UVB-induced photoaging.     

Seroepidemiological evidence for the possible presence of Babesia (Theileria) equi and Babesia caballi infections in donkeys in western Xinjiang, China

The prevalence of Babesia (Theileria) equi and B. caballi infections in donkeys in western Xinjiang China was investigated. In total, 93 serum samples were randomly taken from donkeys in the Kashi and Ili areas, and examined for B. equi and B. caballi infections by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using recombinant antigens. Of the 93 samples, 9 (9.6%) and 36 (38.7%) samples were positive for B. equi infection and B. caballi infection, respectively. In addition, 2 (2.2%) samples were positive for both B. equi and B. caballi infections. These results indicate that equine babesiosis might be extensively prevalent in donkeys in western Xinjiang.     

Effects of conditioned media from human amniotic epithelial cells on corneal alkali injuries in rabbits

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of conditioned media (CM) from human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) on the corneal wound healing process. Eighteen rabbits (36 eyes) were used and randomly assigned to three groups according treatment: CM from HAECs (group 1), vehicle alone (group 2), and saline (group 3). Corneal alkali injuries were induced with 1 N sodium hydroxide. Each reagent used for treatment evaluation was injected into the dorsal bulbar subconjunctiva and the area of the corneal epithelial defect was measured every other day. Two animals from each group were euthanized at a time on days 3, 7, and 15, and the cornea was removed for histological examination. The sum of the epithelial defect areas measured on day 0 to day 6 as well as day 0 to day 14 in group 1 was significantly smaller than those of other groups. Histological examination revealed that the group 1 corneas had less inflammatory cell infiltration and showed more intact epithelial features compared to the other groups. These results suggest that CM from HAECs promote corneal wound healing in rabbits.     

Estimation of productivity growth,technical progress,and efficiency changes in the Korean offshore fisheries

In this study, changes in total factor productivity of 12 Korean offshore fisheries between 1997 and 2009 were estimated through the Malmquist productivity index, which is a nonparametric method. Also, the cause of such changes in productivity of each fishery was analyzed more specifically by segmenting into factors for technological progress and technical efficiency. As a result of this analysis, the total factor productivity change of the entire offshore fisheries was −6.0 %. Changes in the technical efficiency and technological level factors, respectively, contributed 0.2 and −6.2 % to this rate of decrease in total factor productivity; that is, inactivity of technological progress led to the decrease in productivity of the offshore fisheries. In addition, technological progress and technical efficiency were found to differently influence the change in total factor productivity of each fishery. In order for each fishery to improve productivity, better rational fisheries management policies by the government and efforts by the fishing industry and individual fishing business units must accompany factors that promote productivity increase.     

Host immune responses against hog cholera virus in pigs treated with an ionized alkali mineral complex

To determine the immune responses in pigs to hog cholera virus after treatment with an ionized alkali mineral complex (IAMC), 40 healthy pigs (28-32 days old) from a commercial swine farm were purchased and housed into 4 groups (n=10 each). All pigs were vaccinated intramuscularly (1 ml) with an attenuated live hog cholera virus (HCV, LOM strain) at 28-32 days old and challenged with a virulent hog cholera virus at 8 weeks after vaccination. Each group was treated with PowerFeel sprayed diet as 0.05% (w/w) in a final concentration (T-1, n=10), a diet mixed with SuperFeed as 3% (w/w) in a final concentration (T-2, n=10), or a diluted PowerFeel solution (1:500, v/v) as drinking water (T-3, n=10), respectively. A group (n=10) served as a non-treated control. Proportions of expressing CD2+ and CD8+ cells increased significantly (p<, 0.05) at 8-week post-application. Mean antibody titers of each group against HCV gradually increased to higher levels after vaccination and with challenge of the virulent virus. In conclusion, the IAMC-treated diets can be helpful for the improvement of growth in pigs with proper vaccination program, while the IAMC-treated diets have no effects on the clinical protection against hog cholera.