The effect of Psoroptes ovis infestation on ovine epidermal barrier function

Sheep scab is an intensively pruritic, exudative and allergic dermatitis of sheep caused by the ectoparasitic mite Psoroptes ovis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of P. ovis infestation on different components of the ovine epidermal barrier within the first 24 hours post-infestation (hpi). To achieve this, the expression of epidermal differentiation complex (EDC) genes and epidermal barrier proteins, the nature and severity of epidermal pathology and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were evaluated.By 1 hpi a significant dermal polymorphonuclear infiltrate and a significant increase in TEWL with maximal mean TEWL (598.67 g/m²h) were observed. Epidermal pathology involving intra-epidermal pustulation, loss of epidermal architecture and damage to the basement membrane was seen by 3 hpi. Filaggrin and loricrin protein levels in the stratum corneum declined significantly in the first 24 hpi and qPCR validation confirmed the decrease in expression of the key EDC genes involucrin, filaggrin and loricrin observed by microarray analysis, with 5.8-fold, 4.5-fold and 80-fold decreases, respectively by 24 hpi.The present study has demonstrated that early P. ovis infestation disrupts the ovine epidermal barrier causing significant alterations in the expression of critical barrier components, epidermal pathology, and TEWL. Many of these features have also been documented in human and canine atopic dermatitis suggesting that sheep scab may provide a model for the elucidation of events occurring in the early phases of atopic sensitisation.     

The Salmonella excretor incidence of dogs in Hawke's Bay

Two groups of adult Merino sheep, initially grazed on pasture, were dosed daily with zinc sulphate (1 mg Zn/kg LW) or zinc oxide (15 mg Zn/kg LW) for six and seven weeks, respectively. On the 18th day, both groups were transferred to indoor pens together with unmedicated control sheep, and five days later the feet of all animals were infected artificially with a virulent strain of Bacteroides nodosus. By the fourth week after challenge, 85% or more of the feet challenged had developed advanced footrot, and no significant differences in the incidence and severity of lesions between dosed and undosed groups were recorded. Plasma zinc concentrations, monitored throughout the experiment, remained at similar levels in sheep receiving the lower dose rate and in the controls. At the higher dose rate, plasma zinc levels increased till Day 23, but thereafter declined to values comparable to those of undosed animals. At post mortem, no evidence of zinc toxicosis was found, and only the kidneys of sheep receiving the higher dosage showed a significant accumulation of zinc compared with the controls.     

COMPARISON BETWEEN SURVEY RADIOGRAPHY,B‐MODE ULTRASONOGRAPHY,CONTRAST‐ENHANCED ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND CONTRAST‐ENHANCED MULTI‐DETECTOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY FINDINGS IN DOGS WITH ACUTE ABDOMINAL SIGNS

Contrast‐enhanced multi‐detector computed tomography (CE‐MDCT) is used routinely in evaluating human patients with acute abdominal symptoms. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) continues to be in its infancy as it relates to evaluation of the acute abdomen. The purpose of this study was to compare survey radiography, B‐mode ultrasound, CEUS, and CE‐MDCT findings in canine patients presenting with acute abdominal signs; with a focus on the ability to differentiate surgical from non‐surgical conditions. Nineteen dogs were prospectively enrolled. Inclusion required a clinical diagnosis of acute abdominal signs and confirmed surgical or non‐surgical causes for the clinical signs. Agreement for the majority of recorded imaging features was at least moderate. There was poor agreement in the identification of pneumoperitoneum and in the comparison of pancreatic lesion dimensions for B‐mode vs. CEUS. The CT feature of fat stranding was detected in cases including, but not limited to, gastric neoplasia with perforation, pancreatitis, and small intestinal foreign body. Ultrasound underestimated the size and number of specific lesions when compared with CE‐MDCT. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound was successful in detecting bowel and pancreatic perfusion deficits that CE‐MDCT failed to identify. Accuracy for differentiation of surgical vs. non‐surgical conditions was high for all modalities; 100%, 94%, and 94% for CE‐MDCT, ultrasonography and survey radiography respectively. Findings indicated that CE‐MDCT is an accurate screening test for differentiating surgical from non‐surgical acute abdominal conditions in dogs. Focused CEUS following CE‐MDCT or B‐mode ultrasonography may be beneficial for identifying potentially significant hypoperfused lesions.     

Elevated fructosamine concentrations caused by IgA paraproteinemia in two dogs

An 8-year-old male Austrian Pinscher and a 14-year-old male Golden Retriever were presented for evaluation due to unexplainable high fructosamine values despite euglycemia and epistaxis in combination with polydipsia/polyuria, respectively. Blood analysis revealed severe hyperglobulinemia, hypoalbuminemia and markedly elevated fructosamine concentrations in both dogs. Multiple myeloma with IgA-monoclonal gammopathy was diagnosed by serum and urine electrophoresis including immunodetection with an anti-dog IgA antibody and bone marrow aspirations. Diabetes mellitus was excluded by repeated plasma and urine glucose measurements. Fructosamine values were positively correlated with globulin, but negatively correlated with albumin concentrations. These cases suggest that, as in human patients, monoclonal IgA gammopathy should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis for dogs with high fructosamine concentrations.     

Does soil variation between rainforest,pasture and different reforestation pathways affect the early growth of rainforest pioneer species?

Rainforest deforestation and subsequent reforestation not only alter above-ground vegetation, but also lead to significant changes in the physical and chemical characteristics of soil and in biochemical cycles, which in turn are likely to influence the growth of rainforest plants. However, little research has directly linked soil condition to seedling growth under different forms of rainforest restoration.     

Optimal Immobilization of Acidic Proteases from Monterey Sardine (Sardinops sagax caeurelea) on Partially Deacetylated Chitin from Shrimp Head Waste

ABSTRACT

Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the immobilization yield of acidic proteases from Monterey sardine (Sardinops sagax caeurelea) using partially deacetylated chitin as immobilization support. A rotatable central composite design was applied to evaluate the effects of immobilization conditions such as enzyme loading (X₁), immobilization pH (X₂), and tripolyphosphate concentration (X₃) on the immobilization yield. The analysis of variance revealed that the established model was significant (p < 0.05), and the adjustment of the quadratic model with the experimental data was satisfactory. Under optimal conditions (X₁ = 0.05 mg/mL, X₂ = 3.16, and X₃ = 0.75%), an immobilization yield of 79.1% was achieved; a value that was in accordance with the predicted one.     

Cytotoxic Activity of Semi-Synthetic Derivatives of Elatol and Isoobtusol

In the present study, the in vitro cytotoxic effects of six semi-synthetic derivatives of elatol (1) and isoobtusol (2) were investigated. Chemical modifications were performed on the hydroxyl groups aiming to get derivatives of different polarity, namely the hemisuccinate, carbamate and sulfamate. The structural elucidation of the new derivatives was based on detailed NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses. The in vitro cytotoxicity of compounds 1 to 8 was evaluated against A459 and RD tumor cell lines with CC₅₀ values ranging from 4.93 to 41.53 µM. These results suggest that the structural modifications performed on both compounds could be considered a good strategy to obtain more active derivatives.     

Distance to flood meadows as a predictor of use of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nothofagus pumilio</Emphasis> forest by livestock and resulting impact,in Patagonia,Argentina

Seedling browsing by livestock has been indicated as major threat for forest sustainability use. Nothofagus pumilio forests are part of the livestock raising system in Patagonia, but because of the sparse understory cover, livestock graze mainly on flood meadows within the forest matrix. The complexity of the environment under study (forests and flood meadows) means that an adaptive predictor is needed to evaluate the intensity of resource use by livestock in order to assess its effect on the forest. Distance to flood meadows was evaluated as a predictor of the use intensity of the forest by livestock and its effect on the understory. The study was conducted at three sites in Chubut Province, Patagonia–Argentina. We established transects in the forest 320 m long, starting at the edge flood meadow-forest. In these transects, the livestock presence indicators (soil compaction, density of feces and trails) and composition of the understory were evaluated. Generalized Linear Model for repeated measures for longitudinal data were used. The indicators showed that distance is efficient for estimating forest use intensity by livestock. The understory varied with distance, the cover of exotic herbaceous was higher near the flood meadow. Far from the flood meadow, the cover was entirely composited of native species. The results support the use of distance to flood meadows as a tool for decision making in livestock and forest management in N. pumilio forests, and for further research on livestock effect on the forest.