Dosing regimen and hematologic effects of pentoxifylline and its active metabolites in normal dogs

The disposition of pentoxifylline and two of its active metabolites (metabolite 1 [M1] and metabolite 5 [M5]) were studied following i.v. (8 mg/kg) and p.o. (30 mg/kg) administration to eight normal dogs using a randomized crossover design. Blood samples were collected at fixed time intervals after drug administration for determination of drug concentrations, platelet aggregation, and plasma fibrinogen. Complete blood counts, serum chemistry profiles, fibrinogen, and urinalysis were monitored at the beginning and end of each phase of the study (p.o. versus i.v. administration). Pentoxifylline was readily metabolized and bioavailable (50% +/- 26%). Both M1 and M5 were present throughout the study, with M5 predominating. Human drug therapeutic concentrations (1,000 ng/ml) were present for 170 +/- 24 minutes following i.v. administration and 510 +/- 85 minutes after p.o. dosing. These findings suggest that a 12-hour dosing regimen is appropriate. None of the dogs experienced any adverse effects after pentoxifylline administration. The lack of hematologic effects suggests that the immunologic effects of pentoxifylline may be of more importance in dogs.     

Epidemiological aspects of porcine rotavirus infection in Venezuela

The prevalence of porcine rotavirus infection in Venezuela was studied from November 1980 to November 1981. Rotaviruses were identified in 21.3 per cent of 286 diarrhoeic samples analysed by electron microscopy and in none of the 48 controls. Rotaviruses were readily detected throughout the year, which may correspond to the absence of seasonal climatic variations in a tropical country such as Venezuela. Rotavirus infection was frequently observed in pigs that were two to six weeks old and was rare in younger animals. The age distribution of rotavirus infection correlated well with the presence of circulating antibodies, as measured by the complement fixation test. Sucking pigs less than two weeks old appeared to be protected from the infection by passive immunity; no antibodies were detected in the two- to three-week-old group, coinciding with an increased susceptibility to rotavirus infection. The antigenic specificity of the rotavirus isolates was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test, using antibodies directed against the group-specific antigen of human rotavirus. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of viral double-stranded RNA revealed an heterogeneity on the electropherotype of selected samples obtained at different times during the study period.     

求真务实扎实工作坚持科学发展观积极推进全国兽药监察工作--在全国兽药监察所所长会议上的讲话

同志们: 正值"两会"和全党开展"保持共产党员先进性教育活动"期间,全国兽药监察所所长会议在石家庄市召开.这次会议的主要任务是:以保持共产党员先进性教育为契机,全面贯彻全国农业工作会议畜牧兽医专业会议精神和新颁布的<兽药管理条例>,认真总结2004年全国兽药质量监督工作,进一步分析兽药质量监督工作面临的新形势,研讨2005年的工作重点,坚持科学发展观,创新兽药监察工作思路,大力推进兽药监察工作.     

美国、加拿大生物安全三级动物实验室考察报告

美国、加拿大对ABSL-3的设计均为三层。下方的尸体、污物处理层和上方的设备层及中间的动物实验室层。设计比较科学，人性化，其高度均达6m以上。配备有索道和电葫芦，以供动物移动使用；电动解剖台可按电钮升降调节解剖台的高度，动物尸体处理由Renderer cooker尸体处理器经高压、粉碎、干燥成肉陷状颗粒，粪便及污水收集在三个5000L容量的高压灭菌处理器中高压灭菌处理，设施内的灭菌采用环保的过氧化氢消毒设备。     

Amyloid-beta dynamics correlate with neurological status in the injured human brain

The amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) plays a central pathophysiological role in Alzheimer's disease, but little is known about the concentration and dynamics of this secreted peptide in the extracellular space of the human brain. We used intracerebral microdialysis to obtain serial brain interstitial fluid (ISF) samples in 18 patients who were undergoing invasive intracranial monitoring after acute brain injury. We found a strong positive correlation between changes in brain ISF Abeta concentrations and neurological status, with Abeta concentrations increasing as neurological status improved and falling when neurological status declined. Brain ISF Abeta concentrations were also lower when other cerebral physiological and metabolic abnormalities reflected depressed neuronal function. Such dynamics fit well with the hypothesis that neuronal activity regulates extracellular Abeta concentration.     

Transcutaneous ultrasound over the right flank to diagnose mid- to late-pregnancy in the dairy cow

Objective   To investigate the practical application and image quality of transcutaneous ultrasonography across the right flank for the diagnosis of mid- to late-gestation in cattle.
Procedure   Dairy cows of known pregnancy status were used to establish criteria for the identification of mid- to late-stage pregnancy by transcutaneous ultrasonography. Factors involved in the practical application of transcutaneous ultrasound for routine use in pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cattle were also examined.
Results   Transcutaneous ultrasound, using a 3.5-MHz sector transducer applied over the caudodorsal right flank fold, allowed rapid and detailed visualisation of bovine pregnancy (i.e. fetus, fetal fluids, placentomes and/or fetal membranes) and could be used to establish criteria for the diagnosis of pregnancy. The commonly available cattle holding facilities of the herringbone dairy, rotary herringbone dairy, AI race or crush, and walk-through dairy all allow safe access to the right flank of a dairy or beef cow. However, transcutaneous scanning over the right flank is difficult in modern rotary turnstile dairies.
Conclusion   A 3.5-MHz sector transducer applied over the caudodorsal right flank fold allows detailed visualisation of the bovine fetus in most types of cattle-holding facilities. Further investigation of the sensitivity and specificity of this technique over the entire gestation period and its possible use in ageing of the bovine fetus is merited.     

Effects of low salinity exposure on immunological,physiological and growth performance in Litopenaeus vannamei

Growth, immunological and physiological parameters of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei reared at different salinity levels (1, 10, 15, 25 and 35 g/L) at stocking density of 214 shrimp/m³ were examined at 1, 30 and 63 days. Results showed that the total haemocyte count (THC) of shrimp decreased with time at all salinity levels, indicating a potential reduction in the resistance of shrimp against pathogens, since a low value of THC indicates a perturbation of the immune system. Glucose and protein values observed in the haemolymph throughout the study indicate that shrimp adapted well to low salinities (1, 10 and 15 g/L). Although of those shrimp reared at 10 g/L only 83.3% survived, at this salinity, shrimp depicted a higher glucose concentration in haemolymph at the beginning and end of the study.