Generation of monoclonal antibody against canine neural-cell adhesion molecule

A monoclonal antibody, K9BYU, was generated using Escherichia coli recombinant extracellular domain of canine neural-cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) as an antigen. Immunoreactivity of K9BYU to insect cell recombinant canine N-CAM was demonstrated by Western blotting using Sf9 insect cells transfected with the canine N-CAM gene. In Western blotting against canine brain tissue, K9BYU detected three isoforms of N-CAM that correspond to three major isoforms of human and mouse N-CAM (N-CAM-120, -140, and -180). From these results, K9BYU was considered to be a useful tool for research of canine N-CAM.     

液体乳酸菌制剂对断奶仔猪的影响

本试验研究液体乳酸菌制剂对断奶仔猪生长性能、腹泻率、粪便pH值、肠道菌群、短链脂肪酸（SCFA）、肠绒毛高度和隐窝深度的影响。120头（26E]龄）仔猪被随机分配到5个日粮处理,处理组使用相同的基础日粮：1）阴性对照组（不含抗生素）;2）阳性对照组（含0．03％金霉素）;3）乳酸菌处理1（含0．3％TL1、RG11和R111型乳酸菌菌株）;4）乳酸菌处理2（含0．3％TL1、RG14和IRS5型乳酸菌菌株）;5）乳酸菌处理3（含0．3％的RG11、RG14和R111型乳酸菌菌株）。经过5周的试验,乳酸菌处理组间断奶仔猪的平均日采食量之间没有显著差异（P〉0．05）,阴性对照组断奶仔猪的饲料转化率是最高的（P〈0．05）。此外,饲喂含乳酸菌制剂的日粮,仔猪的腹泻发病率减少。日粮处理组仔猪粪便中乳酸菌（LAB）计数均显著高于对照组（P〈O．05）。然而．乳酸菌处理2组仔猪的粪便pH值和肠杆菌（ENT）均低于阴性对照组（P〈O．05）。与此相反．乳酸菌处理2组仔猪的总粪便短链脂肪酸显著高于阴性对照组（P〈O．05）。乳酸菌处理2组和阳性对照组仔猪的十二指肠绒毛高度均显著高于阴性对照组（P〈O．05）。试验结果表明：采食含液体乳酸菌制剂的日粮可以提高断奶仔猪的生长性能,并增加肠道乳酸菌和粪便短链脂肪酸的含量。     

Ochratoxin a content of urine samples of healthy humans in Hungary

The ochratoxin A (OTA) content of urine samples from 88 healthy humans living at five settlements in three counties of Hungary was determined by immunoaffinity column cleanup and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). OTA was detected in 61% of the samples in an average concentration of 0.013 ng/ml (range: 0.006-0.065 ng/ml). OTA concentrations measured in urine samples from men and women were not significantly different. The OTA concentration of samples from Heves county was significantly (t-test; p < 0.003) higher than that of samples from Hajdú-Bihar and Somogy counties. The regional differences in OTA concentration of urine samples indicate regional differences in the OTA exposure of the human population. Further studies are necessary to determine the cause of the regional differences in the OTA intake. The studies allow us to conclude that the OTA intake of the majority of the Hungarian population is low (< 1 ng/kg of body weight per day) but a certain part of the rural population may take up higher levels of OTA.     

The change of acute phase protein haptoglobin in cattle during spontaneous labor and Caesarean section with or without torsio uteri intrapartum

The change of haptoglobin concentration in cattle with dystocia after torsio uteri which lead to Caesarean section is regarded in contrast to haptoglobin concentrations in cattle at parturitions with undisturbed puerperium and Caesarean section without torsio uteri intra partum. Animals with natural parturition had low haptoglobin concentrations with slight changes, for a slightly increased haptoglobin concentration was seen as physiologic. Also surgical treatment such as Caesarean section did not result in changes of haptoglobin concentration. Thus, the curve of animal patients with anomalies concerning position or with a too large fetus (relatively or absolutly) was nearly identical to the curve of animals with regular parturitions over the first four days after surgery. Not before the fifth day after surgery, a moderate increase of haptoglobin could be observed. Animals with dystocia after torsio uteri intra partum showed significantly higher haptoglobin concentrations in contrast to controls over the time of investigation. The correlation of haptoglobin concentrations in animal patients with torsio uteri bin concentration shortly after surgery an additionally significant increase of haptoglobin concentration could be observed in later fertile cattles but not in later infertile cattle with torsio uteri. In two cows with torsio uteri and ovariohysterectomy haptoglobin concentrations decreased rapidly. Haptoglobin concentration may serve as an indicator for the degree of impairment of the uterus during a parturition as well as a predictor for regenerative potential.     

Failure mode and bending moment of canine pancarpal arthrodesis constructs stabilized with two different implant systems

Objective— To compare failure mode and bending moment of a canine pancarpal arthrodesis construct using either a 2.7 mm/3.5 mm hybrid dynamic compression plate (HDCP) or a 3.5 mm dynamic compression plate (DCP).
Study Design— Paired in vitro biomechanical testing of canine pancarpal arthrodesis constructs stabilized with either a 2.7/3.5 HDCP or 3.5 DCP.
Sample Population— Paired cadaveric canine antebrachii (n=5).
Methods— Pancarpal arthrodesis constructs were loaded to failure (point of maximum load) in 4-point bending using a materials-testing machine. Using this point of failure, bending moments were calculated from system variables for each construct and the 2 plating systems compared using a paired t-test. To examine the relationship between metacarpal diameter and screw diameter failure loads, linear regression was used and Pearson' correlation coefficient was calculated. Significance was set at P <.05.
Results— HDCP failed at higher loads than DCP for 9 of 10 constructs. The absolute difference in failure rates between the 2 plates was 0.552±0.182 N m, P =.0144 (95% confidence interval: −0.58 to 1.68). This is an 8.1% mean difference in bending strength. There was a significant linear correlation r=0.74 ( P -slope=.014) and 0.8 ( P -slope=.006) between metacarpal diameter and failure loads for the HDCP and 3.5 DCP, respectively.
Conclusion— There was a small but significant difference between bending moment at failure between 2.7/3.5 HDCP and 3.5 DCP constructs; however, the difference may not be clinically evident in all patients.
Clinical Relevance— The 2.7/3.5 HDCP has physical and mechanical properties making it a more desirable plate for pancarpal arthrodesis.     

Use of autogenous fascia lata graft for perineal herniorrhaphy in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a herniorrhaphy technique, using an autogenous fascia lata graft (FLG) for perineal hernia (PH) repair in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Twelve dogs with PH. METHOD: PHs were repaired with FLG harvested from the dog's ipsilateral thigh and sutured directly into the perineal defect. Correction of associated conditions, and castration were performed. Surgical time, pain, inflammation, pattern of defecation, lameness, hospitalization time, postoperative complications, and owner satisfaction were recorded. Histopathologic examination was performed in 1 dog euthanatized 10 months after repair. RESULTS: Hernia did not recur (mean follow-up, 5.8 months). Lameness was the most frequent minor complication, and was resolved within a few days. Transient rectal prolapse occurred in 2 dogs with bilateral PH. The mean (+/-SD) hospitalization was 1.8+/-0.9 days, and the surgical time was 76.5+/-9.8 minutes. Histopathologic examination in 1 dog revealed perfect integration of FLG into adjacent tissues without substantial tissue reaction. CONCLUSIONS: FLG reconstruction of PH is a simple, effective method of treatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: FLG can be used without major complications for primary repair of PH, as an augmentation procedure when the internal obturator muscle is thin or friable, or when herniation has recurred after another repair technique.     

An instructional model for training competence in solving clinical problems

We examined the design of a course that aims to ease the transition from pre-clinical learning into clinical work. This course is based on the premise that many of the difficulties with which students are confronted in this transition result from a lack of experience in applying knowledge in real practice situations. It is focused on the development of competence in solving clinical problems; uses an instructional model with alternating clinical practicals, demonstrations, and tutorials; and extends throughout the last pre-clinical year. We used a "proof-of-concept" approach to establish whether the core principles of the course design are feasible with regard to achieving the intended results. With the learning functions and processes as a frame of reference, retrospective analysis of the course's design features shows that this design matches the conditions from theories of the development of competence in solving clinical problems and instructional design. Three areas of uncertainty in the design are identified: the quality of the cases (information, openness), effective teaching (student and teacher roles), and adjustment to the development of competence (progress, coherence).