Detection and characterization of bovine-like coronaviruses from four species of zoo ruminants

Five coronaviruses (CoVs) were detected in diarrheal feces from four zoo ruminant species: one wisent (Bison bonasus), two Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), one sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii), and one nyala (Tragelaphus angasii). We sequenced and analyzed the spike (S) and hemagglutinin/esterase (HE) genes of these viruses and compared the nucleotide (nt) and deduced amino acid (aa) sequences with those of other bovine CoV (BcoV) strains. Comparison of the entire deduced aa sequences of the S and HE glycoproteins revealed no specific differences that would account for discrimination between bovine-like CoV strains from zoo ruminants and BcoVs strains. In addition, the 99.9% aa identity among the five CoV strains revealed that the ruminants were infected by the same strain. Phylogenetically, bovine-like CoVs belong to group 2a CoVs, which are related most closely to the BcoV strains recently isolated in Korea. These data suggest that cattle are potential reservoirs for CoVs that are capable of infecting zoo ruminants.     

Dose and release pattern of anabolic implants affects growth of finishing beef steers across days on feed

Four experiments evaluated the effect of implant dose and release pattern on performance and carcass traits of crossbred beef steers. In Exp. 1, steers (4 to 7 pens/treatment; initial BW = 315 kg) were fed an average of 174 d. Treatments were 1) no implant (NI); 2) Revalor-S [120 mg of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 24 mg of estradiol 17β (E(2)); REV-S]; 3) Revalor-IS followed by REV-S (cumulatively 200 mg of TBA and 40 mg of E(2); reimplanted at 68 to 74 d; REV-IS/S); and 4) Revalor-XS (200 mg of TBA and 40 mg of E(2); REV-X). Carcass-adjusted final BW was greater (P < 0.05) for REV-X and REV-IS/S than for REV-S (610, 609, and 598 kg, respectively). Daily DMI did not differ (P > 0.10) among the 3 implants, but carcass-adjusted G:F was greater (P < 0.05) for REV-X and REV-IS/S than for REV-S (0.197 and 0.195 vs. 0.188). Both HCW and LM area were greater (P < 0.05) for REV-X and REV-IS/S than for REV-S. Marbling scores were greatest (P < 0.05) for REV-S and least (P < 0.05) for REV-IS/S; REV-X was intermediate to NI and REV-IS/S. In Exp. 2, steers (10 pens/treatment; initial BW = 391 kg) were fed 131 d, with treatments of REV-S, REV-IS/S (reimplanted at 44 to 47 d), and REV-X. Carcass-adjusted final BW (598 kg), ADG (1.6 kg), DMI (9.4 kg), G:F (0.17), and HCW did not differ (P > 0.10) among treatments. The percentage of Choice was less (P < 0.05) and percentage of Select greater (P < 0.05) for REV-IS/S than for REV-S and REV-X. In Exp. 3, steers (10 pens/treatment; initial BW = 277 kg) were fed 197 d and received either REV-IS/S (reimplanted at 90 to 103 d) or REV-X. Carcass-adjusted final BW (625 vs. 633 kg) and ADG (1.81 vs. 1.76 kg) were greater (P < 0.05) for REV-X-implanted steers. Daily DMI did not differ, but G:F tended (P < 0.10) to be increased and HCW was greater (P < 0.05) for REV-X than for REV-IS/S. In Exp. 4, steers (8 pens/treatment; initial BW = 238 kg) were fed 243 d and received either REV-IS/S (reimplanted at 68 to 71 d) or REV-X. Carcass-adjusted final BW (612 kg), ADG (1.54 kg), DMI (7.55), and G:F (0.21) did not differ (P > 0.10) for REV-IS/S and REV-X-implanted steers. Carcass traits did not differ among implants, but the percentage of Choice carcasses was greater (P < 0.05) and percentage of Select was less (P < 0.05) for REV-X than for REV-IS/S. These data indicate that when TBA/E(2) dose is equal, the altered release rate of REV-X can improve performance and quality grade, but these effects depend on duration of the feeding period and timing of initial and terminal implants.     

Survey of Helicobacter infection in domestic and feral cats in Korea

Discovery of Helicobacter (H.) pylori has led to a fundamental change in our understanding of gastric diseases in humans. Previous studies have found various Helicobacter spp. in dogs and cats, and pets have been questioned as a zoonotic carrier. The present study surveyed the Helicobacter infections and investigated the presence of H. felis and H. pylori infections in domestic and feral cats in Korea. Sixty-four domestic cats and 101 feral cats were selected from an animal shelter. Saliva and feces were evaluated by Helicobacter genus-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genus-specific PCR positive samples were further evaluated for H. felis and H. pylori using specific primer pairs. Thirty-six of 64 (56.3%) samples from domestic cats and 92 of 101 (91.1%) samples from feral cats were PCR positive; the positive rate of feces samples was higher than that of saliva samples in both groups. H. felis and H. pylori species-specific PCR was uniformly negative. The prevalence of Helicobacter spp. in feral cats was approximately two-fold higher than that of domestic cats. The fecal-oral route may be more a common transmission route not only between cats but also in humans.     

Reduced immunoreactivity of tyrosine hydroxylase in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of the seizure sensitive gerbil

We compared the immunoreactivity and numbers of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactive neurons and neuropil in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus between the seizure sensitive (SS) and seizure resistant (SR) gerbils. The distributional pattern of TH immunoreactivity was similar in both groups: TH immunoreactivity was seen mainly in magnocellular neurons of the PVN. However, total TH immunoreactivity in the neurons and neuropil in the SS gerbils was significantly lower than that in the SR gerbils. In addition, the number of TH immunoreactive neurons in the SS gerbils was also much lower than those in the SR gerbils. These results indicate that SS gerbils have a low TH immunoreactivity in the hypothalamic PVN compared with that in SR gerbils.     

Survival of hypoxic human mesenchymal stem cells is enhanced by a positive feedback loop involving miR-210 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1

The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has emerged as a potential new treatment for myocardial infarction. However, the poor viability of MSCs after transplantation critically limits the efficacy of this new strategy. The expression of microRNA-210 (miR-210) is induced by hypoxia and is important for cell survival under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia increases the levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) protein and miR-210 in human MSCs (hMSCs). miR-210 positively regulates HIF-1α activity. Furthermore, miR-210 expression is also induced by hypoxia through the regulation of HIF-1α. To investigate the effect of miR-210 on hMSC survival under hypoxic conditions, survival rates along with signaling related to cell survival were evaluated in hMSCs over-expressing miR-210 or ones that lacked HIF-1α expression. Elevated miR-210 expression increased survival rates along with Akt and ERK activity in hMSCs with hypoxia. These data demonstrated that a positive feedback loop involving miR-210 and HIF-1α was important for MSC survival under hypoxic conditions.     

Immunomodulatory effects of β-glucans on porcine alveolar macrophages and bone marrow haematopoietic cell-derived dendritic cells

The immunopharmacological activities of β-glucans with a backbone of β-1,3/β-1,6-linkages associated with anti-tumor, anti-viral, bacterial and fungal infections have been well documented. Dectin-1, a specific pattern recognition receptor for β-1,3/β-1,6-glucans, is expressed mainly on phagocytes, especially macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). In this study, the encoding nucleotide for the carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD) of porcine dectin-1 was sequenced for the first time, and the immunomodulatory functions of a synthetic particulate β-glucan (p-β-glucan) were examined. Results showed that p-β-glucan significantly enhanced cell activity and phagocytosis in porcine alveolar macrophages (AMs), immature DCs (imDCs) and mature DCs (mDCs), in a similar way to zymosan. Zymosan enhanced dectin-1/TLR2/TLR4 expression and TNF-α/IL-10 production in all of three types of cell, whereas p-β-glucan increased dectin-1/TLR4 and TNF-α/IL-12 production in AMs but inhibited IL-10 in mDCs. These results indicate that the complex collaborating interactions between dectin-1 and TLRs in the recognition of β-1,3/β-1,6-glucans with different structural features may direct different cellular responses.     

Canine renal failure syndrome in three dogs

Three dead dogs were brought to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University for study. Clinically, all the dogs showed emaciation, anorexia, depression, hemorrhagic vomiting and diarrhea for 7~10 days before death. All the clinical signs were first noted for about one month after feeding the dogs with commercial diets. At necropsy, all 3 dogs had severe renal damage with the same green-yellowish colored nephroliths in the renal pelvis. They also showed systemic hemorrhage and calcification of several organs, which might have been induced by uremia. Microscopically, necrosis, calcification and calculi were detected in the renal tubules, and especially in the proximal convoluted tubules and collecting ducts of the kidney. These findings were supportive of a mycotoxic effect, and especially on their kidneys. However, the precise cause of the toxic effect in these cases of canine renal failure could not be determined.     

Effect of intravenous mannitol upon the resistive index in complete unilateral renal obstruction in dogs

Some studies have shown that relative to baseline, the renal resistive index (RI) remains unchanged in nonobstructed kidneys and increases in obstructed kidneys after administration of furosemide. To our knowledge, the effect of mannitol administration on the renal RI of dogs has not been reported. We evaluated the renal RI in 16 kidneys in 8 young adult dogs after administration of mannitol. The mean RI decreased significantly from baseline (P < .01). Additionally, left complete ureteral obstruction wasinduced in 5 dogs. Evaluation by Doppler ultrasonography was performed for 5 days. On the 5th day, Doppler examination was repeated at 30 and 60 minutes after administration of mannitol to obstructed dogs. After induction of left ureteral obstruction, the RI of the left kidney increased significantly over 5 consecutive days. Administration of mannitol decreased the RI in the nonobstructed contralateral kidneys, and thus the RI difference between obstructed and nonobstructed kidneys was increased above normal (P < .001). In conclusion, administration of mannitol may be useful as another diuretic agent to identify unilateral ureteral obstruction on Doppler sonographic examination.     

Abundance of biting midge species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae,Culicoides spp.) on cattle farms in Korea

Culicoides biting midges were collected on three cattle farms weekly using light traps overnight from May to October between 2010 and 2011 in the southern part of Korea. The seasonal and geographical abundance of Culicodes spp. were measured. A total of 16,538 biting midges were collected from 2010 to 2011, including seven species of Culicoides, four of which represented 98.42% of the collected specimens. These four species were Culicodes (C.) punctatus (n = 14,413), C. arakawae (n = 1,120), C. oxystoma (n = 427), and C. maculatus (n = 318). C. punctatus was the predominant species (87.15%).