Seasonal influence on hematologic values and hemoglobin electrophoresis in Brazilian boa constrictor amarali.

As ectothermic animals, snakes depend exclusively on the environment for proper temperature maintenance, which may greatly influence their activity. Twenty-five adult Boa constrictor amarali snakes maintained in captivity were used to determine the influence of seasons on their hematologic values and electrophoretic profile of hemoglobin. A complete blood cell count (CBC) and examination for hemoparasites were performed in the summer and winter of 2004. Hemoglobin was stored for later electrophoresis. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were obtained in RBC, WBC, lymphocyte, thrombocyte, and monocyte counts, demonstrating the importance of the period of the year in the interpretation of reference values in these animals. Two snakes were detected with blood parasites (Hepatozoon sp.) in the winter and four in the summer, although it appears that their presence did not cause any significant alterations in the CBC. The electrophoretic analysis of the samples demonstrated two-four hemoglobin bands in this species.     

CLINICAL,IMAGING, AND PATHOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF GURLTIA PARALYSANS MYELOPATHY IN DOMESTIC CATS FROM CHILE

Gurltia paralysans is a rare metastrongylid nematode of domestic cats that is found mainly in the veins of the spinal cord subarachnoid space and parenchyma. Endemic regions for G. paralysans mainly include Chile and Argentina. The ante mortem diagnosis of gurltiosis is difficult and based primarily on neurological signs, epidemiological factors, and the exclusion of other causes of feline myelopathies. The purpose of this retrospective case series was to describe clinical, imaging, and pathologic characteristics in nine domestic cats naturally infected with G. paralysans. Imaging tests included radiography, myelography, computed tomographic myelography (myelo‐CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Neurological signs included paraparesis, paraplegia, pelvic limb ataxia and proprioceptive deficits, pelvic limb tremors, lumbosacral hyperesthesia, and tail trembling or atony. Complete blood count findings included a decrease in the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration value in eight cats. Eosinophilia in peripheral blood was observed in three cats, and thrombocytopenia was observed in three cats. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed mononuclear pleocytosis in five cases. Myelo‐CT showed diffuse enlargement of the spinal cord at the midthoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions in all cats. Magnetic resonance image findings in the thoracic and lumbar region demonstrated multiple small nodular areas of T2 hyperintensity in the periphery of the spinal cord parenchyma. Localized intraparenchymal areas of increased T2 intensity were also observed in the thoracolumbar spinal cord and lumbosacral conus medullaris. In conclusion, G. paralysans should be considered as a differential diagnosis for domestic cats in endemic regions that have this combination of clinical and imaging characteristics.     

Effect of industrial processing on the distribution of aflatoxins and zearalenone in corn-milling fractions

The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of aflatoxins and zearalenone levels in various corn-milling fractions. Corn kernels and six derived milling fractions (germ, bran, large and small grits, flour, and animal feed flour) were sampled in an industrial plant; both conventional and organic corns were sampled. To evaluate the effect of cooking, samples of polenta were prepared starting from naturally contaminated flour. Conventional and organic lots showed mycotoxin contamination. For both lots, germ, bran, and animal feed flour showed a marked concentration factor from 239 to 911% accounting for both the low yields of the derived products and the distribution of aflatoxins and zearalenone contamination in the outer parts of the kernels. Conversely, a reduction factor of at least four times from raw material to finished products was observed. Polenta samples were unaffected by the cooking process, with levels of contamination similar to those of starting flour.     

Bovine plasma protein as an alternative protein source in extruded aquafeeds for Piaractus mesopotamicus (pacú) at two fattening stages

An 84‐day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the addition of bovine plasma protein concentrate (BPP) as a full replacement of fish meal (FM) in extruded aquafeeds for the fish Piaractus mesopotamicus at two fattening stages. Fish with an initial body weight of 105.55 ± 13.48 g (1st fattening stage) and 564.50 ± 88.02 g (2nd fattening stage) received two iso‐nitrogenous and isocaloric diets with 130 g/kg of FM (FM diet—FMD) or with 130 g/kg of BPP (BPP diet—BPPD). No significant difference in growth performance was detected between dietary treatments. Fish from the 2nd fattening stage showed decreased intestinal pH and increased haemoglobin content. At the 1st fattening stage, fish fed with BPPD presented higher levels of plasma triglycerides and cholesterol, and hepatic and whole‐body lipid content, while plasma glucose and muscular glycogen were lower at the 2nd fattening stage compared with FMD‐fed fish. Fish fed with FMD showed an increase in the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in liver at the 1st fattening stage and intestine at the 2nd one, accompanied by higher levels of hepatic catalase at the 1st fattening stage. Results suggest BPP could completely replace FM in diets for P. mesopotamicus without affecting growth performance, when FM represents 13% of the diet.     

Sulfated Polysaccharide Extracted from the Green Algae Codium bernabei: Physicochemical Characterization and Antioxidant,Anticoagulant and Antitumor Activity

Codium bernabei is a green alga that grows on Chilean coasts. The composition of its structural polysaccharides is still unknown. Hence, the aim of this work is to isolate and characterize the hot water extracted polysaccharide fractions. For this purpose, the water extracts were further precipitated in alcohol (TPs) and acid media (APs), respectively. Both fractions were characterized using different physicochemical techniques such as GC-MS, GPC, FTIR, TGA, and SEM. It is confirmed that the extracted fractions are mainly made of sulfated galactan unit, with a degree of sulfation of 19.3% (TPs) and 17.4% (ATs) and a protein content of 3.5% in APs and 15.6% in TPs. Other neutral sugars such as xylose, glucose, galactose, fucose, mannose, and arabinose were found in a molar ratio (0.05:0.6:1.0:0.02:0.14:0.11) for TPs and (0.05:0.31:1.0:0.03:0.1:0.13) for ATs. The molecular weight of the polysaccharide samples was lower than 20 kDa. Both polysaccharides were thermally stable (Tonset > 190 °C) and showed antioxidant activity according to the ABTS^•+ and DPPH tests, where TPs fractions had higher scavenging activity (35%) compared to the APs fractions. The PT and APTTS assays were used to measure the anticoagulant activity of the polysaccharide fractions. In general, the PT activity of the TPs and APs was not different from normal plasma values. The exception was the TPs treatment at 1000 µg mL⁻¹ concentration. The APTTS test revealed that clotting time for both polysaccharides was prolonged regarding normal values at 1000 µg mL⁻¹. Finally, the antitumor test in colorectal carcinoma (HTC-116) cell line, breast cancer (MCF-7) and human leukemia (HL-60) cell lines showed the cytotoxic effect of TPs and APs. Those results suggest the potential biotechnological application of sulfate galactan polysaccharides isolated from a Chilean marine resource.     

Treatment of intracranial neoplasia in dogs using higher doses: A randomized controlled trial comparing a boosted to a conventional radiation protocol

BackgroundLocal progression of intracranial tumors can be the consequence of insufficient radiation dose delivered. Dose increases in the brain must be made carefully so as not to risk debilitating adverse effects such as radiation necrosis.HypothesisA new protocol with 10 × 4 Gy + 11% physical dose increase limited to the macroscopic tumor volume results in a clinically better outcome compared to a 10 × 4 Gy protocol.AnimalsFifty‐seven client‐owned dogs with primary intracranial neoplasia.MethodsRandomized controlled trial. Twenty‐eight dogs were assigned to the control protocol (10 × 4 Gy) and 29 to the simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) protocol with 4.45 Gy dose increase. Treatment groups were compared for outcome and signs of toxicity.ResultsMild, transient acute or early‐delayed adverse radiation effects were observed in 5 dogs. Severe late adverse effects were not seen. Between the protocols, no significant differences were found for outcome (intention‐to‐treat analysis): overall time to progression (TTP) was 708 days (95% confidence interval (95% CI) [545,872]), in the control group it was 828 days (95% CI [401,1256]), and in the SIB group 627 days (95% CI [282,973]; P = .07). Median overall survival (OS) was 684 days (95% CI [516,853]), in the control group it was 724 days (95% CI [623,826]), and in the SIB group 557 days (95% CI [95,1020]; P = .47). None of the tested variables was prognostic in terms of outcome.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceThe dose escalation used with an 11% physical dose increase did not result in better outcome.     

Genotypic analysis of Giardia duodenalis in domestic cats

BACKGROUND: Giardia duodenalis is an intestinal flagellated protozoan that affects many mammalian species often causing severe diarrheal disease. Several different genotypes have been identified (Assemblages A-G). Most isolates recovered from domestic cats have been assigned to either Assemblage A, the zoonotic form of the parasite, or Assemblage F, identified thus far only in cats. Genotypic variation within G. duodenalis may influence clinical presentation and course of disease. Therefore, host-adapted genotypes may not be responsible for diarrheal disease (eg, Assemblage F in cats). HYPOTHESIS: Multiple Giardia genotypes will be present in domestic cats, including Assemblage F, which will not be correlated with clinical signs. ANIMALS: 250 domestic cats from eastern Mississippi and northwestern Alabama. METHODS: Prevalence survey. Fecal samples evaluated for cysts using a centrifugation concentration technique and a commercially available direct immunoflourescent antibody kit. Giardia isolates were characterized by PCR amplification and sequencing of the glutamate dehydrogenase gene. RESULTS: Both Assemblage A-I (6/17) and Assemblage F (11/17) were identified. Although Assemblage was significantly associated with age and housing, no association was detected between Assemblage and a variety of other factors including the presence of gastrointestinal signs (acute vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The presence of diarrhea in domestic cats with Giardia cannot be used as a predictor of the presence of zoonotic genotypes in animals within the study area. Although Assemblage A was associated with age and housing, veterinarians should consider any isolation of Giardia from domestic cats as potentially zoonotic.     

Intake,digestibility and metabolism in sheep fed with increasing levels of spineless cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm-Dyck)

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the substitution of Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon spp.) with spineless cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera) on...     

Natural antimicrobials for control of Salmonella Enteritidis in feed and in vitro model of the chicken digestive process

This study evaluated the antimicrobial effect of essential oils (EO) and organic acids (OA) against Salmonella Enteritidis in chicken feed and during an in vitro model that mimics the chicken digestive process. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), carvacrol (CV), propionic acid (PROP) and caproic acid (CAP) were individually determined. Then, based on the MICs of each compound, combinations of EOs and/or OAs were tested to evaluate their synergic antimicrobial effect. The synergic effect of AITC and CAP was the most efficient against the bacterial strain tested. Commercial feed was inoculated with a 5‐strain cocktail of S. Enteritidis and treated with different doses of AITC + CAP to evaluate their effect on the growth/survival of the pathogen. In addition, the simulated digestion model was used to access the antimicrobial effect of AITC + CAP added to the feed towards S. Enteritidis and Lactobacillus plantarum. Synergistic effect was found between AITC (0.065 mM) and CAP (17.5 mM) against S. Enteritidis in chicken feed, where S. Enteritidis was reduced to undetectable levels (<1.00 log CFU/g). AITC (1.95 mM) + CAP (45 mM) also decreased (p < 0.05) the population of S. Enteritidis in the simulated digestion, while the growth of L. plantarum was not affected. Therefore, the addition of AITC + CAP in feed might be a potential natural antimicrobial able to prevent economic losses caused for Salmonella in chicken.