Dose range finding study for the efficacy of meloxicam administered prior to sodium urate-induced synovitis in cats

ObjectiveTo determine the lowest efficacious dose of oral meloxicam for relieving pain in cats with a sodium urate (SU)-induced acute inflammatory synovitis.Study designRandomized, blinded, controlled, and four-way crossover study.AnimalsEight surgically neutered cats (four males, four females) paired according to sex.MethodsEach pair of cats was treated with 0 (placebo), 0.025, 0.05, or 0.075 mg kg^?1 oral meloxicam once daily for 4 days prior to injection, into alternating stifles, of 1 mL of 20 mg mL^?1 SU crystals, beginning with the right stifle. Each cat received each of the four treatments, separated by at least 21 days. Analgesic efficacy was evaluated based on objective (e.g., pressure mat data total force, contact pressure, and contact area) and subjective (e.g., scores for Analgesia Scale [AS], Lameness Scale [LS], and Visual Analog Scale [VAS]) outcome measures for pain assessment. All outcome measures were recorded before and during 30 hours after SU injection. The pre-defined primary outcome measure was the area under the response–time curve (AUC_0–30 hours) of the total force of the injected limb. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance. A sequential test procedure was applied and the test sequence stopped in case of a nonsignificant result.ResultsMeloxicam at doses of 0.05 and 0.075 mg kg^?1 day^?1 PO was significantly different from placebo for the pre-defined primary outcome measure (i.e., AUC_0–30 hours of total force). All tested meloxicam doses were lower than placebo for the subjective outcome measures (i.e., AUC_0–30 hours of AS, LS, and VAS).Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe lowest efficacious dose of meloxicam for relieving pain in cats with an SU-induced synovitis was 0.05 mg kg^?1 day^?1 PO according to the pre-defined primary outcome measure. However, lower doses may also be effective as seen in the subjective outcome measures.     

Preliminary investigation of concurrent administration of phenylbutazone and romifidine in healthy horses

ObjectiveTo characterize the cardiorespiratory and electrocardiographic effects of the combined administration of phenylbutazone and romifidine.Study designProspective four-period, four-treatment, blinded, randomized, crossover trial.AnimalsFive, healthy, mixed breed horses.MethodsPrior to treatment administration, a catheter was introduced into the intra-thoracic cranial vena cava via the jugular vein and a subcutaneously located carotid artery was catheterised. All treatments were administered intravenously (IV) and consisted of saline placebo (PLC), phenylbutazone (PBZ, 4.4 mg kg^?1) romifidine (ROM, 80 μg kg^?1) and a combination of phenylbutazone (4.4 mg kg^?1) and romifidine (80 μg kg^?1). There was at least a 1 week washout period between treatments. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (f_R), systolic (SAP), diastolic (DAP) and mean (MAP) arterial pressures and central venous pressure (CVP) were recorded for baseline (prior to drug administration) and at 5 minute intervals thereafter for 30 minutes. Electrocardiographic abnormalities were recorded. Data were analyzed by anova.ResultsFor the cardiovascular variables there were no statistically significant (p > 0.05) differences between horses treated with ROM and PBZ_ROM. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences only occurred between treatments with romifidine (ROM and PBZ_ROM) and without romifidine (PLC and PBZ). Within treatments, for ROM, changes over time were statistically significant (p < 0.05) for HR, SAP, DAP, MAP and CVP. For PBZ_ROM, changes over time were statistically significant (p < 0.05) for CVP. Sino-atrial and atrio-ventricular blocks occurred in horses treated with ROM and PBZ_ROM.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe combined IV administration of phenylbutazone and romifidine had no statistically significant effect on cardiorespiratory variables. These limited data suggest no evidence why both agents should not be included in a preoperative medication protocol for healthy horses but do not exclude the possibility of interactions occurring in a larger population.     

Disseminated histoplasmosis in a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris)

Disseminated infection with Histoplasma capsulatum was diagnosed in a 7-yr-old female Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris). Clinical signs were nonspecific with the exception of brief periods of tachypnea for 5 days prior to death. H. capsulatum organisms were found in the lungs, tracheobronchial lymph nodes, and liver. Diagnosis was confirmed by tracheal wash, urine H. capsulatum enzyme immunoassay, and necropsy results. This report represents the first published account of disseminated histoplasmosis in a tiger.     

In vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of synthetic pure isothiocyanates against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

BACKGROUND: Isothiocyanates (ITCs) released by the enzymatic hydrolysis of glucosinolates in the Brassicaceae are potentially useful for controlling fungal pathogens. In vitro activity of pure ITCs against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary was studied by adding them to glass filters in petri dishes and dissolving them in the growing media. RESULTS: Methyl, allyl and benzyl ITCs were the most fungitoxic of the compounds in bioassays with S. sclerotiorum isolate Ss31. In the volatile phase, mycelial growth was completely inhibited by these three compounds. Aromatic ITCs were less toxic in the petri dishes but were more toxic than aliphatic ITCs when dissolved in the agar. Benzyl ITC exhibited the highest inhibitory effect on sclerotial germination, with an EC₅₀ value of 75.1 µmol L^?1. Butyl and benzyl ITCs reduced apothecial production of S. sclerotiorum by 92.5% at the highest concentration. In in vivo assay, only allyl and 2‐phenylethyl ITCs reduced disease incidence (by 76.7 and 70% respectively) at low concentrations. CONCLUSION: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in the soil might be suppressed by the higher concentrations of allyl and benzyl ITCs released from decomposition of Brassica juncea, B. carinata, B. nigra and Sinapis spp. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

A quick and efficient screen for resistance to iron toxicity in lowland rice

Iron (Fe) toxicity is a major stress to rice in many lowland environments worldwide. Due to excessive uptake of Fe²⁺ by the roots and its acropetal translocation into the leaves, toxic oxygen radicals may form and damage cell structural components, thus impairing physiological processes. The typical visual symptom is the “bronzing” of the rice leaves, leading to substantial yield losses, particularly when toxicity occurs during early vegetative growth stages. The problem is best addressed through genotype improvement, i.e., tolerant cultivars. However, the time of occurrence and the severity of symptoms and yield responses vary widely among soil types, years, seasons, and genotypes. Cultivars resistant in one system may fail when transferred to another. Better targeting of varietal improvement requires selection tools improving our understanding of the resistance mechanisms and strategies of rice in the presence of excess iron. A phytotron study was conducted to develop a screen for seedling resistance to Fe toxicity based on individual plants subjected to varying levels of Fe (0–3000 mg L^–1 Fe supplied as Fe(II)SO₄), stress duration (1–5 d of exposure), vapor‐pressure deficit (VPD; 1.1 and 1.8 kPa), and seedling age (14 and 28 d). Genotypes were evaluated based on leaf‐bronzing score and tissue Fe concentrations. A clear segregation of the genotypic tolerance spectrum was obtained when scoring 28 d old seedlings after 3 d of exposure to 2000 mg L^–1 Fe in a high‐VPD environment. In most cases, leaf‐bronzing scores were highly correlated with tissue Fe concentration (visual differentiation in includer and excluder types). The combination of these two parameters also identified genotypes tolerating high levels of Fe in the tissue while showing only few leaf symptoms (tolerant includers). The screen allows selecting genotypes with low leaf‐bronzing score as resistant to Fe toxicity, and additional analyses of the tissue Fe concentration of those can identify the general adaptation strategy to be utilized in breeding programs.     

Determination of 4,4'-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC), a component of Nicarbazin,in Canada goose (Branta canadensis) eggshells using high-performance liquid chromatography

A method was developed using high-performance liquid chromatography to assay 4,4'-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC), the active ingredient in Nicarbazin, in eggshells collected from Canada geese fed a formulated feed fortified with Nicarbazin at doses of 0, 125, 250, and 500 microg/g. The method was developed using chicken eggshells fortified with DNC. The method was used to quantify DNC in both the shell-associated membranes and the calcified shell extracellular matrix. These values were compared to those obtained for a composite sample consisting of both the membranes and the calcified shell extracellular matrix. The validated method was used to quantify DNC in eggshells from geese fed fortified feed to ascertain the effect of Nicarbazin feed concentration on shell DNC concentration. DNC levels in the eggshells were highly correlated with feed dose.     

Genetische Variabilität

Zusammenfassung Für die Pflanzenzüchtung ist die genetische Variabilität eine entscheidende Voraussetzung. Sie basiert auf Genmutationen, Chromosomenmutationen, Introgressionen, Autopolyploidie, Alloplasmie, transponiblen DNA-Elementen und der Kombination. Diese Variabilitätskomponenten werden charakterisiert. Außerdem wird anhand von Beispielen ihr Einfluß auf die Entwicklung der Kulturpflanzen demonstriert.Um effektiv in der Pflanzenzüchtung arbeiten zu können, bedarf es der Analyse von genetischer Variabilität. Dies geschieht mit Hilfe von Kreuzungsexperimenten und Parameterschätzungen. In zunehmendem Maße werden auch Marker bei der Analyse eingesetzt.Einen wichtigen Faktor zur zielgerichteten Beeinflussung der genetischen Variabilität stellt die Selektion dar. Sie führt zur Einschränkung der Kombination. Die Selektion ist für die Entwicklung von Sorten notwendig. Sie hat aber auch eine Verarmung an genetischer Information zur Folge.Für den weiteren Fortschritt in der Pflanzenzüchtung gilt es, eine genügende genetische Variabilität zu gewährleisten. Dazu bedarf es auch Maßnahmen zu ihrer Erhaltung. Genetische Variabilität muß außerdem verstärkt charakterisiert und analysiert werden.

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Genetic variability

Summary Genetic variability is a decisive prerequisite to plant breeding. It is based on gene mutations, chromosome mutations, introgressions, autopolyploidy, alloplasmy, transposible DNA elements and recombinations. These components of the genetic variability are illustrated and examples are given to demonstrate their contributions to the evolution of crop plants.Effective plant breeding requires the analysis of the genetic variation. It is analysed by hereditary studies and parameter estimations. The utilization of markers is continuously increasing in studies of the genetic variation.Selection is an important factor to a purposive influence on the genetic variability and leads to a restriction of the recombinations. Selection is necessary for the development of varieties but results also in an impoverishment of genetic information.For the continuous progress in plant breeding an adequate genetic variability is to secure. That includes also activities to its conservation. Furthermore the characterization and analysis of the genetic variability has to be intensified.

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Evidence for the involvement of arabinoxylan and xylanases in refrigerated dough syruping

The relationship between syruping in refrigerated doughs upon prolonged storage and different aspects of arabinoxylan (AX) hydrolysis was investigated using Triticum aestivum xylanase inhibitor (TAXI) and different xylanases in the dough formula. Dough characteristics were evaluated with strong emphasis on the AX population and its fate as a function of storage time. Selective reduction of part of the flour endogenous xylanase activity in dough by added TAXI reduced dough syruping after 12 and 20 days of storage by 50%, providing straightforward evidence for the involvement of xylanases and, thus, AX in the syruping phenomenon. Addition of xylanases with different inhibitor sensitivities [an inhibition-sensitive Bacillus subtilis xylanase (XBS(i)) as well as a noninhibited mutant (XBS(ni)) thereof] to dough confirmed the importance of xylanases in dough syruping, on one hand, and the power of wheat flour TAXI to constitute a significant barrier against xylanase-mediated dough syruping, on the other hand. Use of xylanases with different substrate selectivities [an Aspergillus aculeatusxylanase (XAA) versus XBS(ni)] showed degradation of water-extractable AX (WE-AX) and solubilized AX to low molecular weight molecules rather than the conversion of water-unextractable AX (WU-AX) to high molecular weight water extractable components to be the main factor influencing dough syruping.     

Effect of transpiration on iron uptake and translocation in lowland rice

We evaluated six lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes with contrasting responses to increasing Fe²⁺ concentrations under conditions of both low (0.3 kPa) and high (2.4 kPa) vapor pressure deficit. Dry atmospheric conditions generally enhanced transpiration with concomitant increases in Fe uptake and leaf bronzing. Some resistant genotypes were able to limit the water loss by transpiration under higher Fe concentrations thus attenuating negative effects associated with increased Fe²⁺ translocation at high vapor pressure deficit.