Preparation and pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur sodium liposomes in cows

Liu, S., Guo, D., Guo, Y., Zhou, W. Preparation and pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur sodium liposomes in cows. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 34 , 35–41. The objective of this study was to prepare ceftiofur sodium liposomes and assess their physical properties, stability, antibacterial effects, and pharmacokinetics. These liposomes appeared as a milky, light yellow suspension with encapsulation efficiency at 57.2 ± 1.17%, and there were no significant changes in all estimated indexes at 4 °C for 90 days. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of liposomes were all 1/4th that of ceftiofur sodium against Streptococcus suis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enteritidis. Six healthy, adult cows in two treatment groups were dosed intravenously with ceftiofur sodium liposomes and ceftiofur sodium, serial blood samples collected, and plasma concentrations determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Intravenous plasma concentration profiles of liposomes best fit a two‐compartment model and the elimination half‐life was 2.11 times that of ceftiofur sodium. Thus, this liposome preparation provided therapeutically effective plasma concentrations for a longer duration than with the drug alone, making it more effective and convenient for use in treating bovine mastitis that requires long duration maintenance of therapeutic plasma concentrations.     

黄河源区黑土滩垂穗披碱草人工草地土壤水分动态研究

对黄河源区不同龄垂穗披碱草人工草地及黑土滩退化草地土壤水分动态进行了研究。结果表明：各样地0～20cm土层土壤含水量具有明显的季节变化规律,变化趋势总体上为先增高,后降低。人工草地7月下旬土壤含水量达到最高,黑土滩退化草地8月下旬土壤含水量达到最高。各个时期0～20cm土层土壤含水量总体上为黑土滩退化草地〉2龄人工草地〉6龄人工草地。各时期0～20cm土层土壤水分垂直变化为人工草地随土层深度的增加而减小,黑土滩退化草地总体上随土层深度的增加而增大。     

Seasonality and photoperiod influence in vitro production of buffalo embryos

Buffalo is considered short-day breeder in tropical and subtropical part of the world and seasonality and photoperiodism impart major influence on its fertility. However, its impact on in vitro embryo production (IVEP) remains elusive. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of seasonal variations and photoperiodism on morphological and molecular parameters of IVEP in buffalo. For this purpose, we conducted two different experiments on the oocytes obtained by aspirating follicles from abattoir derived ovaries. In Exp. I, retrospective analysis was performed for oocyte recovery, blastocyst and hatching rate, during four consecutive seasonal periods (i.e. January–March, April–June, July–September and October–December). In Exp. II, oocytes from peak breeding and non-breeding seasons were subjected to 24 hr in vitro maturation and evaluated for polar body extrusion to assess maturation rate. Results showed that embryo development was markedly low during second quarter (April–June) and maximum during fourth quarter (October–December) of the year; referred as non-breeding and breeding seasons, respectively. Comparative data analysis demonstrated that poor oocyte quality is major reason for lesser efficiency of embryo production during non-breeding season than peak breeding season as suggested by poor oocyte recovery (2.31 ± 0.10 vs. 3.65 ± 0.27) and maturation rate (33.32 ± 2.1 vs. 63.15 ± 7.31). Subsequently, comparative gene expression analysis of blastocysts during peak breeding season significantly upregulated pluripotency gene (OCT-4) and downregulated heat shock protein 90, as compared to non-breeding season. Therefore, it could be divulged from the present study that seasonal variations and photoperiodism have profound effect on oocyte quality and subsequent embryo development. It is recommended to find suitable additives for in vitro maturation that could mitigate seasonal effects.     

不同管理对山地草甸植物空间分布及生物量的影响

研究不同管理措施对山地草甸类自然保护区植物地上和地下生物量变化及其空间分布的规律。结果表明,7月中下旬生物量最高,但各经济类群出现的时间不同。地下生物总量远远超过地上部,其中杂类草、禾草和莎草的根量大于地上生物量,而豆科和菊科植物则相反。缓冲区的杂类草最多,而核心区和实验区的禾草和莎草最多。核心区地上枯死物总量与地上部接近。实验区地上及地下枯死物较少。不同管理措施对株高的影响较大,而对根长的影响不显著。同一植物在不同分区,株高和根长各异,其变化不成正相关。     

猪β_2-肾上腺素能受体初级克隆质粒的改造与鉴定

猪 β2 肾上腺素能受体 (beta2 adrenergicreceptor,β2 AR)基因初级克隆质粒 (pMDAR)在 β2 AR基因 5′端外侧含有 2个EcoRⅠ酶切位点。用EcoRⅠ酶切消化和T4DNA连接酶连接后 ,获得了具有EcoRⅠ单一酶切位点的改造质粒。对经过修饰后的质粒进行了多酶切和 β2 AR基因片段回切等方法鉴定。     

TOTAL ANOMALOUS PULMONARY VENOUS CONNECTION IN A FOAL

An 8-day-old Arabian-Morgan cross colt underwent cardiac evaluation. The foal was tachycardic, tachypneic, exercise intolerant and had a loud right-sided heart murmur and cyanotic mucous membranes. Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection was diagnosed with echocardiography and confirmed at postmortem examination. Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection is a very rare congenital cardiac abnormality that has not been reported before in the horse.     

Comparison of morphology, viability, and function between blood and milk neutrophils from peak lactating goats

The morphological features of blood and milk neutrophils from peak lactating goats were compared using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and flow cytometry in order to investigate the cytological changes of neutrophils after migration into the mammary gland. The kinetics of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) generation and gelatinase release of blood and milk neutrophils, with or without stimulation of phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate ester (PMA), were used to characterize their responses to inflammatory stimuli. Neutrophils isolated from goat milk were highly segmented and contained multi-lobed nuclei. Ultrastructurally, milk neutrophils were more ruffled on the surface compared to blood neutrophils. Approximately 30% of milk neutrophils were undergoing cell death, either necrosis or apoptosis, in contrast to 8% of blood neutrophils. The ROI production of activated milk neutrophils peaked earlier than blood neutrophils, but the duration and the intensity were much less. Neutrophils from both sources augmented the release of gelatinase in response to PMA (1 ng/mL). However, the amount of gelatinase released from milk neutrophils was lower (P < 0.05) than that of blood neutrophils. In summary, more neutrophils become apoptotic and necrotic in the mammary gland, presumably due to spontaneous aging, the process of diapedesis, and the interaction with milk components. Milk neutrophils have impaired functionalities in comparison with blood neutrophils. The information is relevant when studying mammary gland immunity and related diseases, such as mastitis.     

Characterization of a novel vaccine candidate and serine proteinase inhibitor from Schistosoma japonicum (Sj serpin)

Serine proteinase inhibitors (serpins) represent an important superfamily of endogenous inhibitors that regulate proteolytic events active in a variety of physiological functions. Immunological screening of a Schistosoma japonicum adult worm cDNA expression library with sera of Microtus fortis, a naturally resistant vertebrate host, has identified one clone that encoded for a sequence homologous to those of the serpin superfamily. The full-length sequence encoding S. japonicum serpin (Sj serpin) was amplified from adult worm cDNA by using 5'-RACE-PCR and subsequently cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET28c. The full-length Sj serpin fusion-protein with his-tag was expressed in E. coli, purified by affinity chromatography and used to immunize New Zealand white rabbits. Sj serpin is located on the tegument in S. japonicum adult worms. C57BL/6 mice immunized with Sj serpin induced the production of high levels of specific IgE and IgG1 subclass antibodies as well as a marked IL-4 response. Lymphocyte surface marker analysis revealed proliferation of CD19 expressing B cells, indicating a predominant Th2-type response to Sj serpin. Immunized mice developed moderate protection against infection of S. japonicum as demonstrated by a 36 and 39% reduction in the recovery of adult worms and eggs, respectively. These data suggested a role for Sj serpin as a vaccine candidate or as a novel target for anti-schistosome drugs.     

Role of endothelium and nitric oxide in modulating in vitro responses of colonic arterial and venous rings to vasodilatory neuropeptides in horses

The objective of this study was to determine and compare the in vitro responses of equine large colon arterial and venous rings to vasodilatory neuropeptides; calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP); substance P (SP); vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP); and acetylcholine (ACh), a standard nonpeptide endothelium-dependent vasodilator. Responses of vessel rings to graded concentrations (10(-11) M to 10(-5) M) of each drug were determined in endothelium-intact, denuded, and Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10(-5) M)-treated rings that were pre-contracted with norepinephrine. Percentage maximal relaxation (PMR), defined as the % decrease from the contracted state, was determined. Because all rings did not relax at least 50%, EC50 values could not be consistently calculated. Arterial rings with intact endothelium were more sensitive to CGRP, compared with VIP and SP, and venous rings of all conditions were more sensitive to VIP than CGRP or SP. Overall, arteries had a greater PMR for ACh compared with SP and VIP. Intact and L-NAME treated arteries had a greater PMR than denuded arteries; there were no differences in PMR of intact and L-NAME treated arteries. Veins had a greater PMR for VIP than CGRP, SP, or ACh. Calcitonin gene-related peptide caused greater relaxation in intact arteries, whereas VIP causes greater relaxation in veins. Arterial relaxation was dependent upon the presence of intact endothelium. The response of veins to VIP among the conditions tested was not different, suggesting VIP has direct actions on venous smooth muscle. These neuropeptides modulate vasomotor tone via vasorelaxation in colonic arteries and veins.     

Quantities and types of ceramides and their relationships to physical properties of the horn covering the claws of clinically normal cows and cows with subclinical laminitis

Quantities and types of ceramides and their relationships to physical properties of the horn covering the claws of clinically normal cows and cows with subclinical laminitis were investigated. Total ceramide content of the horn covering the sole and wall from cows with subclinical laminitis was 872.2 +/- 146.6 microg/g and 528.6 +/- 61.3 microg/g, respectively, and was significantly (P < 0.01, 0.05) lower than that from clinically normal cows. The mean moisture content in the claws from cows with subclinical laminitis (43.5% +/- 4.3%) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that in the claws from clinically normal cows. The hardness of claws from cows with subclinical laminitis (35.2 +/- 3.5) was significantly (P < 0.05) less than that of claws from clinically normal cows. Significant correlations between ceramides and moisture content (P < 0.001) and between ceramide and hardness (P < 0.001) were found in clinically normal cows and cows with subclinical laminitis. Our results indicate that decreases in ceramide contents may be related to changes in physical properties of the horn covering the claw in cows with subclinical laminitis.