Endocannabinoid system and proopiomelanocortin gene expression in peripartal bovine liver in response to prepartal plane of nutrition

Endocannabinoids are fatty acid amides (FAE; oleoylethanolamide and anandamide) which have orexigenic, anorexigenic or anti‐inflammatory properties. We examined mRNA expression via qPCR of endocannabinoid receptors (CNR1 and CNR2), enzymes that synthesize FAE (HRASLS5 and N‐acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D), enzymes that degrade FAE [fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), N‐acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) and monoglyceride lipase (MGLL)], and the hormone precursor proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in liver at ?14, 7, 14 and 30 days around parturition from cows fed with a control (CON; NE_L = 1.34 Mcal/kg) or moderate‐energy (OVER; NE_L = 1.62 Mcal/kg) diet during the dry period. Expression of CNR2 and POMC was greater at 7 days in cows fed with OVER because of a decrease in expression between ?14 and 7 days in cows fed with CON. Cows fed with CON had an increase in expression of FAAH, HRASLS5, NAA, MGLL and POMC between 7 and 14 days; for FAAH and HRASLS5, such response led to greater expression at 14 days vs. cows fed with OVER. Cows fed with OVER vs. CON had a approximately twofold increase in expression of MGLL between ?14 and 7 days followed by a gradual decrease through 30 days at which point expression was still greater in OVER vs. CON. FAAH, MGLL and HRASLS5 were the most abundant genes measured. Expression of the hepatic endocannabinoid system and POMC was altered by plane of dietary energy prepartum particularly during the first 2‐week postpartum. Such responses may play a role in the physiological adaptations to the onset of lactation, including energy balance and feed intake.     

Plasma concentrations of chloramphenicol after subcutaneous administration to koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) with chlamydiosis

Nine mature koalas with chlamydiosis, typically keratoconjunctivitis and/or urogenital tract infection, were treated with daily subcutaneous injections of chloramphenicol at 60 mg/kg for 45 days (five koalas), or for a shorter duration (four koalas). All koalas were initially positive for Chlamydia pecorum as determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Plasma chloramphenicol concentrations were determined at t = 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 h after the day 1 injection (nine koalas) and after the day 15 injection (seven koalas). Chloramphenicol reached a median (and range) maximum plasma concentration of 3.03 (1.32-5.03 μg/mL) at 4 (1-8 h) after the day 1 injection and 4.82 (1.97-27.55 μg/mL) at 1 (1-2 h) after day 15. The median (and range) of AUC(0-24) on day 1 and day 15 were 48.14 (22.37-81.14 μg·h/mL) and 50.83 (28.43-123.99 μg·h/mL), respectively. The area under the moment curve (AUMC)(0-24) median (and range) for day 1 and day 15 were 530.03 (233.05-798.97 h) and 458.15 (291.72-1093.58 h), respectively. Swabs were positive for chlamydial DNA pretreatment, and all koalas except one, produced swabs negative for chlamydial DNA during treatment and which remained so, for 2-63 days after treatment, however whether chloramphenicol treatment prevented long-term recrudescence of infection was not established. At this dose and dosing frequency, chloramphenicol appeared to control mild chlamydial infection and prevent shedding, but severe urogenital disease did not appear to respond to chloramphenicol at this dosage regime. For koalas affected by severe chlamydiosis, antibiotics alone are not sufficient to effect a cure, possibly because of structural or metabolic changes associated with chronic disease and inflammation.     

Role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nitric oxide in luteolysis in cattle

Although prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha is known to be a principal luteolytic factor, its action on the bovine corpus luteum (CL) is mediated by other intra-ovarian factors. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) and its specific receptors are present in the bovine CL with the highest expressions at luteolysis. TNFalpha in combination with interferon-gamma reduced progesterone (P4) secretion, increased PGF2alpha and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) production, and induced apoptosis of the luteal cells in vitro. Low concentrations of TNFalpha caused luteolysis, which resulted in a decreased level of P4, and increased levels of PGF2alpha, LTC4 and nitrite/nitrate (stable metabolites of nitric oxide-NO) in the blood. Inhibition of local NO production counteracts spontaneous and PGF2alpha-induced luteolysis. Therefore, NO is a likely candidate for the molecule that mediates PGF2alpha and TNFalpha actions during luteolysis. Both PGF2alpha and TNFalpha increase NO concentrations in blood, and stimulate NO synthase expression on protein level in the bovine CL cells. NO stimulates PGF2alpha and LTC4 secretion, inhibits P4 production and reduces the number of viable luteal cells. TNFalpha and NO induce apoptotic death of the CL by modulating expression of bcl-2 family genes and by stimulating expression and activity of caspase-3. The above findings indicate that TNFalpha and NO play crucial roles in functional and structural luteolysis in cattle.     

The selenium and vitamin E status of horses in Prince Edward Island

Serum selenium (Se), vitamin E, and resting thyroid hormone concentrations were measured in 201 horses in Prince Edward Island (PEI). Selenium concentrations were either marginal (0.0053 to 0.1200 ppm) or deficient (< 0.0053 ppm) in 79% of horses based on current reference ranges for Se in serum. Aged and young adult pleasure horses had a higher prevalence of inadequate Se concentrations compared to racehorses and broodmares (82% and 97% versus 45% and 72%, respectively). Overall, 13% of horses had inadequate (< 200 μg/dL) serum vitamin E concentrations; most of these were young pleasure horses. No horses were hypothyroid and, contrary to findings in other species, there was a positive relationship between serum thyroxine and Se concentrations (P < 0.05). We conclude that Se deficiency is widespread in PEI horse populations, especially in pleasure horses, and vitamin E deficiency is more common in young pleasure horses. Micronutrient supplementation practices employed by PEI horse owners appear inadequate to ensure sufficiency.     

Experimental use of polyamide bands in combination with intramedullary pinning for repair of oblique femoral fractures in rabbits

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of polyamide bands, manufactured for securing electrical cables, for repair of oblique femoral fractures in rabbits. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Twelve nulliparous, 21-25-week-old, California female rabbits. METHODS: Rabbits were divided into 3 groups (n=4) and studied for 14, 28, or 56 days. A Z-shaped mid-diaphyseal femoral osteotomy was repaired with a 2.5 mm intramedullary pin and a polyamide 6.6 cerclage band. Healing was evaluated at intervals by physical examination, limb use, femoral radiographs, and callus histology. RESULTS: Rabbits had early limb use with good wound healing. From the 1st day, movement of the hip and stifle joints was satisfactory. Radiographically, fractures were healed at 28 days. Histologically, there was no foreign body reaction and bone healing was normal. CONCLUSION: Nylon cerclage band application was accomplished easily, maintained reduction, and resulted in good healing and limb use. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Sterilized nylon bands, manufactured for electrical use, can be used for cerclage in rabbits.     

Preliminary studies of serum acute-phase protein concentrations in hematologic and neoplastic diseases of the dog

Serum concentrations of acute-phase proteins (APPs): haptoglobin (Hp), ceruloplasmin (Cp), serum amyloid A (SAA), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined in healthy dogs (n = 15) and dogs with different diseases grouped as acute inflammation (I, n = 12), hematologic neoplasias (HT, including leukemia and lymphoma, n = 16), nonhematologic neoplasias (NHT, including epithelial, mesenchymal, and mixed, n = 20), and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA, n = 8). SAA and CRP were analyzed using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, and Hp and Cp were measured using colorimetric methods, all previously validated for use in dogs. Increased concentrations of all APPs were observed in all groups of diseased dogs, but statistical significance only was observed with Hp (I, P < .001; HT, P < .05), Cp (I, P < .05; AIHA, P < .01), and CRP (I, P < .001; HT, P < .001; AIHA, CRP P < .05). High variability in individual APPs within each group of diseases was found with no significant differences between leukemia and lymphoma as well as among different types of neoplasia. The AIHA group had smaller increases in Hp, SAA, and CRP but higher concentrations of Cp. When follow-up of individual cases was possible, a decrease in APPs generally was found in cases with favorable outcome. The results of this study suggest that neoplasia and hematologic diseases such as AIHA should be considered as possible causes of mild increases in APPs in dogs. Measurement of APPs may be helpful to assess clinical evolution and monitor treatment of these processes.     

Preslaughter handling effects on pork quality and glycolytic potential in two muscles differing in fiber type composition

The objective of the present experiment was to investigate the effects of transportation, lairage, and preslaughter stressor treatment on glycolytic potential and pork quality of the glycolytic longissimus and the oxidative supraspinatus (SSP) or serratus ventralis (SV) muscles. In a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design, 384 pigs were assigned randomly either to short (50 min) and smooth or long (3 h) and rough transport, long (3 h) or short (< 45 min) lairage, and minimal or high preslaughter stress. Muscle samples were taken from the LM at 135 min and from the SSP at 160 min postmortem for determination of the glycolytic potential and rate of glycolysis. At 23 h postmortem, pork quality was assessed in the LM and the SV. Effects of transport and lairage conditions were similar in both muscle types. Long transport increased (P < 0.01) the glycolytic potential and muscle lactate concentrations compared with short transport. Both long transportation and short lairage decreased (P < 0.01) redness (a* values) and yellowness (b* values) of the LM and SV. In combination with short lairage, long transport decreased (P < 0.05) pork lightness (lower L* values), and electrical conductivity was increased (P < 0.05) after long transport. Several interactions between stress level and muscle type (P < 0.001) were observed. High preslaughter stress decreased (P < 0.001) muscle glycogen in both the LM and SSP, but this decrease was greater in the LM. Lactate concentrations were increased (P < 0.001) only in the LM by high preslaughter stress. Increases in ultimate pH (P < 0.001) and decreases in a* values (P < 0.01) were greatest in the SV, whereas increases in electrical conductivity (P < 0.001) were greatest in the LM. The lack of interactions among transportation, lairage, and muscle type was attributed to the relatively minor differences in stress among treatments. It was concluded that, in glycolytic muscle types such as the LM, the high physical and psychological stress levels associated with stress in the immediate preslaughter period have a greater effect on the water-holding capacity of the meat and may promote PSE development. Conversely, oxidative muscle types tend to have higher ultimate pH values and produce DFD pork in response to intense physical activity and/or high psychological stress levels preslaughter.     

Genetic Structure of Rhynchosporium secalis in Australia

ABSTRACT Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers were used to determine the genetic structure of Australian field populations of the barley scald pathogen Rhynchosporium secalis. Fungal isolates were collected by hierarchical sampling from five naturally infected barley fields in different geographic locations during a single growing season. Genetic variation was high in Australian R. secalis populations. Among the 265 fungal isolates analyzed, 214 distinct genotypes were identified. Average genotype diversity within a field population was 65% of its theoretical maximum. Nei's average gene diversity across seven RFLP loci was 0.54. The majority (76%) of gene diversity was distributed within sampling site areas measuring 1 m(2); 19% of gene diversity was distributed among sampling sites within fields; and 5% of gene diversity was distributed among fields. Fungal populations from different locations differed significantly both in allele frequencies and genotype diversities. The degree of genetic differentiation was significantly correlated with geographic distance between populations. Our results suggest that the R. secalis population in Western Australia has a different genetic structure than populations in Victoria and South Australia.     

Control of Fusarium Wilt of Radish by Combining Pseudomonas putida Strains that have Different Disease-Suppressive Mechanisms

ABSTRACT Biological control of soilborne plant pathogens in the field has given variable results. By combining specific strains of microorganisms, multiple traits antagonizing the pathogen can be combined and this may result in a higher level of protection. Pseudomonas putida WCS358 suppresses Fusarium wilt of radish by effectively competing for iron through the production of its pseudobactin siderophore. However, in some bioassays pseudobactin-negative mutants of WCS358 also suppressed disease to the same extent as WCS358, suggesting that an, as yet unknown, additional mechanism may be operative in this strain. P. putida strain RE8 induced systemic resistance against fusarium wilt. When WCS358 and RE8 were mixed through soil together, disease suppression was significantly enhanced to approximately 50% as compared to the 30% reduction for the single strain treatments. Moreover, when one strain failed to suppress disease in the single application, the combination still resulted in disease control. The enhanced disease suppression by the combination of P. putida strains WCS358 and RE8 is most likely the result of the combination of their different disease-suppressive mechanisms. These results demonstrate that combining biocontrol strains can lead to more effective, or at least, more reliable biocontrol of fusarium wilt of radish.     

Extensive gene traffic on the mammalian X chromosome

Mammalian sex chromosomes have undergone profound changes since evolving from ancestral autosomes. By examining retroposed genes in the human and mouse genomes, we demonstrate that, during evolution, the mammalian X chromosome has generated and recruited a disproportionately high number of functional retroposed genes, whereas the autosomes experienced lower gene turnover. Most autosomal copies originating from X-linked genes exhibited testis-biased expression. Such export is incompatible with mutational bias and is likely driven by natural selection to attain male germline function. However, the excess recruitment is consistent with a combination of both natural selection and mutational bias.