Effect of Long‐term Oral Administration of an Immunostimulant Diet on Innate Immunity in Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Immunostimulants represent a modern and promising tool in aquaculture, enhancing the resistance of cultured fish to disease and stress. This study investigated the effect of a combination of dietary glucans, α‐tocopherol and ascorbic acid on the innate immune response of cultured sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). After 5 weeks of adaptation on a commercial diet containing 100 p.p.m. ascorbic acid and 200 p.p.m. α‐tocopherol, sea bass were switched to a diet supplemented with 2% β?1.3/β?1.6 glucans and ascorbic acid and α‐tocopherol at 500 p.p.m. The supplemented diet was given at 2% of body weight per day over a 2‐week period, every 3 months. Plasma lysozyme concentration, content and distribution of major plasma proteins and complement activity were measured prior to feeding the supplemented diet and after 40 weeks. Alternative pathways of complement activation and lysozyme activity were both significantly enhanced in fish fed on glucans and elevated doses of vitamins. No significant differences were observed in protein content or in albumin/globulin ratio. Compared to lysozyme activity, which showed marked individual variation, complement‐mediated haemolytic activity has been shown to be a more reliable indicator of sea bass immunocompetence. Further studies are in progress to clarify the effect of each dietary component on the innate immune response and disease resistance.     

Preliminary Structure-Activity Relationship on Theonellasterol, a New Chemotype of FXR Antagonist, from the Marine Sponge Theonella swinhoei

Using theonellasterol as a novel FXR antagonist hit, we prepared a series of semi-synthetic derivatives in order to gain insight into the structural requirements for exhibiting antagonistic activity. These derivatives are characterized by modification at the exocyclic carbon-carbon double bond at C-4 and at the hydroxyl group at C-3 and were prepared from theonellasterol using simple reactions. Pharmacological investigation showed that the introduction of a hydroxyl group at C-4 as well as the oxidation at C-3 with or without concomitant modification at the exomethylene functionality preserve the ability of theonellasterol to inhibit FXR transactivation caused by CDCA. Docking analysis showed that the placement of these molecules in the FXR-LBD is well stabilized when on ring A functional groups, able to form hydrogen bonds and π interactions, are present.     

Feeding turbot juveniles Psetta maxima L. with increasing dietary plant protein levels affects growth performance and fish welfare

A 9‐week feeding trial was performed to evaluate the effects of fishmeal (FM) replacement by a mixture of plant proteins (PP), consisted of wheat gluten, soybean meal and soy protein concentrate, on the growth performance and welfare of turbot juveniles (initial weight 9.7 ± 0.2 g). Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets contained FM at 500 g kg^?1 (FM50), 350 g kg^?1 (FM35), 200 g kg^?1 (FM20) and 50 g kg^?1 (FM5). A decreased feed intake and an increased feed conversion rate was observed in FM5 group. Specific growth rate was significantly reduced in FM20 and FM5 groups, whereas protein and lipid utilization and proximate whole body composition were significantly different in FM5 group. Serum cortisol significantly increased in FM20 and FM5 groups whereas cholesterol, triglycerides, NEFA, total protein and urea concentrations significantly decreased. Serum lysozyme and blood phagocytes increased in FM20 and FM5 groups. FM35 ensured growth close to FM50, without significant effects on health and welfare of animals. FM20 and FM5 groups displayed reduced growth, metabolic stress and an immune response with effects on health and welfare. Results highlighted the consistency between growth performance and welfare status, suggesting the usefulness of their combined assessment for evaluating the suitability of PP and to improve dietary formulation for turbot.     

Epidemiologic survey of diarrhea in foals

Epidemiologic and etiologic data about diarrhea in foals were collected under a planned prospective recording and monitoring study. The survey and monitoring procedures included a survey to obtain an overview of current horse management practices on participating farms, a daily health record survey to obtain information on mares and their foals, and collection of feces from 19 of 144 diarrheic foals and 10 age-matched nondiarrheic foals for electron microscopy, ELISA for rotavirus, and bacteriologic culture. Coronavirus was detected in the feces of diarrheic as well as clinically normal foals. Rotavirus was detected in the feces of diarrheic foals only. With regard to agents found in the feces, there was no significant (P less than 0.05) difference between diarrheic and nondiarrheic foals. Half of the 297 foals on which data were available developed diarrhea. Most foals that developed diarrhea lacked other clinical manifestations of disease. Basic cleanliness at foaling was associated with a lower percentage of foals developing diarrhea. Prophylactic use of antibiotics and vitamins in newborn foals was associated with a higher percentage of foals developing diarrhea. A higher percentage of foals born to visiting mares developed diarrhea, compared with foals born to resident mares.     

Foramen magnum decompression for treatment of caudal occipital malformation syndrome in dogs

A method for foramen magnum decompression (FMD) in dogs with caudal occipital malformation syndrome (COMS) and results for 16 dogs are described. In brief, a dorsal approach to the caudal portion of the occiput and arch of the atlas was made, and a high-speed drill was used to remove a portion of the occiput in the region of the foramen magnum and the dorsal aspect of C1. The meninges that were exposed were removed or marsupialized to surrounding tissues. Foramen magnum decompression was performed in 16 dogs. No intraoperative complications occurred, and postoperative complications occurred in only 2 dogs after initial surgery and in 1 of these dogs after follow-up surgery. In both dogs, postoperative complications after the initial surgery resolved without additional treatment. One dog was nonambulatory tetraparetic after follow-up surgery and died of a suspected ruptured viscus 9 days after surgery. Four dogs developed evidence of scar formation at the surgery site and required additional surgery. Overall, 14 dogs survived, 1 died, and 1 was euthanatized. Clinical signs resolved in 7 of the 14 dogs that survived, improved in 6, and did not change in 1. Results suggest that FMD may be an effective treatment for dogs with COMS, especially if performed early in the course of the disease.     

External hydrocephalus in two cats

External hydrocephalus describes an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between the cerebral hemispheres and the overlying arachnoid membrane, rather than within the lateral ventricles. Two young cats with encephalopathic signs were diagnosed with external hydrocephalus, one via magnetic resonance imaging and one via computed tomography. Both cats had abnormally large, broad heads, with no evidence of open fontanelles. A surgical shunt was placed in each cat to divert the accumulated CSF within the cranial cavity to the peritoneal space. Both cats improved dramatically soon after surgical shunting was performed, and they continue to do well clinically, approximately 42 months and 8 months postoperatively, respectively.     

Mucopolysaccharidosis VI in a Siamese/short-haired European cat

A 3-year-old Siamese/short-haired European cat was referred for clinical disease characterized by dwarfism, facial dysmorphia, paralysis, small and curled ears, corneal clouding and large areas of alopecia. X-ray examination showed multiple bone dysplasia. On the basis of clinical features a form of mucopolysaccharidosis was suspected. The cat, killed at the owner's request, presented several severe skeletal deformities such as long caudal limbs, enlarged thorax with sunken breastbone, vertebral ankylosis in many spinal segments and visceral involvement. Histologically, the cat showed diffuse vacuolization and enlargement of cells in cartilage, bone and visceral organs. Ultrastructurally, membrane-bound vacuoles were filled with fibrillar and fluffy-material or concentrically whorled lamellae. Arylsulphatase B activity was 3.24 nm/mg/h in the affected cat and 30.6 in a normal age-matched control (NC). The L-iduronidase activity was slightly increased. Quantitation of total glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) revealed a 4.5-fold increase in the affected cat as compared with NC, while electrophoretic run of specific GAGs [chondroitin sulphate (CA); hyaluronan (HA); heparan sulphate (HS); dermatan sulphate (DS); keratan sulphate (KS)] performed on a cellulose acetate sheet, showed a striking increase in the DS band. On densitometric analysis of the electrophoretic run stained with Alcian Blue 8GX, the absorption of DS was eight-fold increased as compared with NC. The clinical and morphological features, and the biochemical findings, were consistent with the diagnosis of feline mucopolysaccharidosis VI.     

Blood chemistry, protein electrophoresis, and hematologic values of captive Spanish imperial eagles (Aquila adalberti).

Hemograms and plasma chemistry values are presented for six male and six female, adult, clinically normal, captive Spanish imperial eagles (Aquila adalberti). No value was substantially different from that which might be predicted on the basis of work in other related species. This data should prove useful for the interpretation of laboratory findings in future clinical cases of this endangered species of eagle.     

Long-term evaluation of canine perianal fistula disease treated with exclusive fish and potato diet and surgical excision

The records of 33 dogs that had perianal fistula disease treated with en bloc surgical excision and bilateral anal saculectomy, and that were perioperatively administered an exclusive white fish and potato diet, were reviewed to determine outcome. By 1 year after surgery, 87.9% of the dogs had complete or near-complete resolution of visible fistula disease, while only 20.7% continued to have mild intermittent clinical signs. Fecal incontinence was not reported in any dog. Overall, complications were considerably less in both severity and frequency when compared with previous reports.     

Bilateral malignant seminoma with metastases in the mule: a report of two cases.

We report two cases of bilateral malignant seminoma in the bursula testium of two mules, which had been slaughtered normally. Histologically, the testicular tumours consisted predominantly of large round to polyhedral cells with frequent mitotic figures. Metastases were found in the sublumbar lymph nodes. A final histopathological diagnosis of malignant seminoma with metastasis was made. To our knowledge, this paper appears to be the first report of two cases of bilateral malignant seminoma with metastases, in the mule.