Alteration in intestinal morphologic features associated with extensive large-colon resection in horses

Light microscopy, morphometry, and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine the mucosal morphologic features of 7 intestinal specimens (3 from the small intestine; 4 from the large intestine) from each of 8 horses 1 year after sham operation (group 1; n = 3) or extensive large-colon resection (group 2; n = 5). Qualitative light microscopic examination did not reveal differences between groups, but morphometry revealed significantly (P less than 0.05) greater intercrypt area and distance in horses with colon resection and this was most pronounced in the cecum and remaining right ventral and dorsal colon. Crypt area and depth were similar for horses with colon resection and sham operation (P greater than 0.05). Qualitative evaluation of the scanning electron micrographs revealed more prominent crypt orifices in the large intestine of horses with colon resection. The larger intercrypt distance in the colon of horses with resection was not an obvious feature of the qualitative evaluation of the surface with scanning electron microscopy. Small intestinal morphologic features were variable and significant differences were not detected between horses with sham operation and colon resection. Horses adapted to extensive large-colon resection within 1 year by increasing the absorptive (intercrypt) surface area of the remaining large intestine.     

The optimal size and placement of transdermal electrodes are critical for the efficacy of a transcutaneous pacemaker in dogs

Transcutaneous cardiac pacing (TCP) can be used in dogs with a high risk for bradyarrhythmias prior to anesthesia, either in an emergency room or intensive care unit setting. Furthermore, TCP can also be used on patients diagnosed with bradyarrhythmias that require temporary pacing at the induction of anesthesia for the implantation of a permanent pacemaker. Despite the importance of TCP in emergency medicine, no studies have evaluated the optimal size and placement of the transdermal electrodes crucial for the efficacy of TCP in dogs.This study evaluated four different sizes of electrodes (10.5, 20, 30 and 40 cm²), and four different anatomical sites (anterior–posterior, left–right, apex–base, modified left–right) in order to optimize the efficacy of TCP in dogs. Electrodes with a surface area of 20 cm² and a modified left–right placement minimized the pacing current and involuntary skeletal muscular contraction (muscular twitching) and so achieved the most optimal effect of TCP in dogs.     

Effects of administration of IH901, a ginsenoside intestinal metabolite,on muscular and pulmonary antioxidant functions after eccentric exercise

This study was conducted to investigate whether administration of IH901, a ginseng intestinal metabolite, ameliorates exercise-induced oxidative stress while preserving antioxidant defense capability in rat skeletal muscles and lung. Eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats per group were randomly assigned to the resting control, exercise control, resting with IH901 (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) consumption (R/IH901), or exercise with IH901 (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) consumption (E/IH901) group. The trained groups ran 35 min 2 days/week for 8 weeks. To analyze the IH901-training interaction, serum biochemical analysis, lipid peroxidation, citrate synthase, protein oxidation, antioxidant and superoxide dismutase in skeletal muscles and lung tissue were measured. Compared to the exercise control group, animals that consumed IH901 had significantly increased exercise endurance times (p < 0.05) and decreased plasma creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels (p < 0.05), while those in the E/IH901 groups had increased citrate synthase and anti-oxidant enzymes and decreased lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, IH901 consumption in aging rats after eccentric exercise has beneficial effects on anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities through down-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators, lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation and up-regulation of anti-oxidant enzymes.     

The detection of the meq gene in chicken infected with Marek's disease virus serotype 1

In the genome of strains of very virulent Marek's disease virus serotype 1(vvMDV1), such as Md5 and RB1B, the meq open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 339-amino-acid bZIP protein, is present, while a slightly longer meq ORF, termed as L-meq, in which a 180-bp sequence is inserted into the meq ORF is found in other strains of MDV1, such as CV1988/R6 and attenuated JM. When chickens were infected with vvMDV1 strains and the meq gene was amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the meq gene was detected throughout the experimental period for 7 weeks post inoculation (pi). However, the L-meq gene was also detected at 3 to 5 weeks and 3 to 4 weeks pi. in Md5-infected and RB1B-infected chickens, respectively. In the case of chickens infected with an attenuated MDV1, the JM strain, the L-meq gene was detected at 2 to 7 weeks pi., and the meq gene was also detected at 2 to 6 weeks pi. Both L-meq and meq genes were detected in chickens infected with an attenuated nononcogenic vaccine strain of MDV1 (CVI988/R6), throughout the experimental period. Though quantitative PCR was not performed, a larger amount of the PCR products corresponding to the L-meq than the meq gene was amplified from chickens infected with JM or CVI988/R6. These results suggest that a dynamic population shift between the MDV subpopulations displaying meq and L-meq genes occurs in chickens during the course of MDV infection. Since the MDV subpopulation that displays the L-meq gene only displays it during the latent phase, the L-meq and its gene product, if any, might contribute to the maintenance of the MDV latency.     

Protective potential of an attenuated Pasteurella multocida,which expresses only the N-terminal truncated fragment of P. multocida toxin

Pasteurella multocida serogroup D causes progressive atrophic rhinitis in pigs and produces a potent, intracellular, mitogenic toxin known as P. multocida toxin (PMT), which is encoded by the toxA gene. Highly toxic to cells, PMT is a poor antigen and becomes more immunogenic after its native structure has been destroyed. Previously, we found that the N-terminal fragment of PMT (N-PMT) can induce a strong immune response that is protective against wild-type challenge. Here, an attenuated P. multocida mutant expressing only N-PMT was developed and its protective effect was evaluated. The mutant provides protective immune responses against bacterial and toxin challenges, and so is a good live vaccine candidate.     

Development of a lameness model in sheep for assessing efficacy of analgesics

Objective To develop a lameness model to assess the efficacy of analgesics for alleviating pain, swelling and systemic signs of inflammation in sheep. Procedures The response to subcutaneous injection of 0.1 or 0.2 mL turpentine in a forelimb pastern (n = 4 ewes per dose) was examined at 0, 3, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h. In a second experiment, responses were measured at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 24 h in ewes receiving 0.1 mL turpentine ± meloxicam 1 mg/kg IV at 0 h (n = 6 per group). Responses measured included forceplate pressure, skin temperature, limb circumference, nociception, leucocyte count, neutrophil : lymphocyte ratio, haptoglobin and daily feed intake. Results Turpentine injection caused a decrease in weight borne on the treated limb, increased skin temperature, increased sensitivity at the injection site and leucocytosis by 2 h and increased limb circumference by 4 h. Weight borne and sensitivity of the injected limb returned to control levels after around 24 h, whereas tissue swelling, elevated skin temperature and elevated haptoglobin levels persisted for at least 72 h. Treatment with meloxicam improved weight borne by and tolerance to pressure exerted on the turpentine‐injected limb. Conclusions The local and systemic signs of inflammation and pain, temporary reduction in function of the affected limb and partial amelioration of some of these changes by the dose of meloxicam used here suggest that injection of turpentine in the lower forelimb provides a suitable model for examining the efficacy of analgesics for alleviation of pain and inflammation in sheep.     

Application of non-structural protein ELISA kits in nationwide FMD surveillance in pigs to demonstrate virus circulation in Taiwan

Large scale surveillance of FMD non-structural protein (NSP) antibody in pigs was conducted to monitor for FMD virus circulation in Taiwan using Ceditest and UBI NSP ELISA kits after recurrence of FMD in 2009. A total of 53,759 serum samples were collected from pigs in the auction markets in 2009. There were 43 farms with positive FMD NSP reactors to both NSP ELISA tests in the nationwide surveillance. After tracing back, clinical examination and the NSP ELISA testing using both Ceditest and UBI on 14 follow-up serum samples from all the herds with confirmed NSP reactors in 2009, there were 4 farms classified as positive on follow-up testing criteria. In this surveillance, we have demonstrated that the NSP ELISA tests of outbreak farms followed by clinical and serological investigation could be used to detect FMD circulation in the pig population in Taiwan even while the national compulsory vaccination program is ongoing.     

Using Unmanned Helicopters to Assess Vegetation Cover in Sagebrush Steppe Ecosystems

Evaluating vegetation cover is an important factor in understanding the sustainability of many ecosystems. Remote sensing methods with sufficient accuracy could dramatically alter how biotic resources are monitored on both public and private lands. Idaho National Laboratory (INL), in conjunction with the University of Idaho, evaluated whether unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are sufficiently accurate and more efficient than the point-frame field method for monitoring vegetative cover and bare ground in sagebrush steppe ecosystems. These values are of interest to land managers because typically there are limited natural resource scientists and funding for comprehensive ground evaluations. In this project, unmanned helicopters were used to collect still-frame imagery to determine vegetation cover during June and July 2005. The images were used to estimate percent cover for six vegetative cover classes (shrub, dead shrub, grass, forbs, litter, and bare ground). Field plots used to collect imagery and on-the-ground measurements were located on the INL site west of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Ocular assessments of digital imagery were performed using SamplePoint, and the results were compared with field measurements collected using a point-frame method. The helicopter imagery evaluation showed a high degree of agreement with field cover class values for grass, litter, and bare ground and reasonable agreement for dead shrubs. Shrub cover was often overestimated, and forbs were generally underestimated. The helicopter method took 45% less time than the field method. This study demonstrates that UAV technology provides a viable method for monitoring selective types of cover on rangelands and could save time and resources.