Antigenicity of cortical bone allografts in dogs and effect of ethylene oxide-sterilization.

The aims of the present study were to determine the antigenicity of cortical bone allografts and the effect of ethylene oxide-sterilization (EO-sterilization). Cortical bone allografts from one donor dog were implanted in a muscle pouch in four groups of four dogs each. The grafts were either fresh, EO-sterilized, demineralized or demineralized and EO-sterilized. The immune response against the grafts was determined by measuring the antibody response against surface antigens of donor cells and by the mixed lymphocyte reaction. Dogs receiving EO-sterilized grafts or bone matrix did not demonstrate an immune response. Only two of the four dogs with fresh cortical bone grafts showed a very weak immune response. This suggests a priming of the host by the fresh bone grafts. However, implanting skin grafts from the donor dog subdermally, in one dog of each of the groups, four months after implanting the bone grafts did not induce a secondary immune response. Macroscopic and histologic examination of the bone grafts five months after their implantation consistently revealed graft resorption (activity of osteoclasts) and vascularization of the fresh bone grafts, but not of EO-sterilized fresh grafts. For most EO-sterilized grafts, a strong inflammatory reaction was present in the tissues surrounding the graft and this was not apparent around the non-sterilized grafts. The absence of resorption and the presence of the inflammation seemed to be unwanted effects of the EO-sterilization. The EO-sterilisation did not affect osteoinduction since osteocytes were observed in the EO-sterilized demineralized grafts. Results indicate that cortical bone allografts used in the present study are very weak antigens and that the EO-sterilization procedure used has no effect on osteoinduction, but decreases bone resorption.     

Plasma Steroid Variations in Bull Calves Repeatedly Treated with Testosterone,Nortestosterone and Oestradiol Administered Alone or in Combination

The aim of this work was to investigate the secretion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and oestradiol (E) as biological markers in response to illegal administration of testosterone, 19-nortestosterone (N) and oestradiol, either alone or in combination. Twenty male Friesian calves (age 13-14 months) were allotted to a control group (n = 5), and five experimental groups (n = 3) each. Each experimental animal was repeatedly injected with one of the following hormonal treatments: E, T, N, T+E and N+E. Circulating DHEA, T, DHT and E were determined by radioimmunoassay. The administration of T alone did not induce any variation in plasma DHEA, T, DHT and E, which were similar to those in the control group. In contrast, DHEA, T and DHT were on average significantly lower in the T+E and N-treated groups (p < 0.01), whereas the administration of N+E resulted in the reduction of plasma T and DHT without any modification of plasma DHEA. The administration of E alone or in combination increased circulating levels of E but did not affect androgen plasma profiles. The results indicate that plasma levels of T do not permit detection of illegal treatments because plasma androgens always remained within the physiological range. Illegal E treatment could be detected in blood samples when they were collected at least every 20 days.     

Fine-needle biopsy of external ear canal masses in the cat: cytologic results and histologic correlations in 27 cases

BACKGROUND: The cytologic diagnosis of ear canal tumors is difficult or impossible by swab alone because cell exfoliation may be poor and neoplastic cells may be masked by associated inflammation. Fine-needle biopsy (FNB) can be used to obtain a higher yield of cells for diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and diagnostic value of FNB and cytologic examination in providing an accurate diagnosis of masses growing in the external ear canal of cats. METHODS: Cytologic specimens from masses in the external ear canal, taken under inhaled, general anesthesia, were classified into 4 groups: 1) ceruminous gland hyperplasia or adenoma, 2) ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma, 3) inflammatory polyps, and 4) other neoplastic and non-neoplastic masses. Cytopathologic diagnoses were compared with the final histopathologic diagnoses, and indices of diagnostic test accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, diagnostic-odds ratios) were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-seven masses (from 25 cats, including 2 cats affected bilaterally) were included in the study. The results showed good correspondence between cytologic and histologic diagnoses with an overall agreement index (kappa) of .74, a diagnostic odds ratio of 22, and 100% (27/27) agreement in the diagnosis of inflammatory polyps versus neoplasia (both benign and malignant). CONCLUSIONS: FNB cytopathology of external ear masses in the cat was sufficiently accurate for distinguishing inflammatory polyps from neoplasia. For differentiation of benign proliferation and malignant neoplasia, however, histopathologic confirmation is recommended.     

Immunocompetence in organically fed finishing pigs: effect of corn cob mix

Two consecutive experiments were performed to evaluate the effects on the immune response of corn cob mix (CCM) in an organic pig diet. The immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgA and IgG responses against an intramuscularly injected model antigen, bovine thyroglobulin, were used as indicator. The experiments were performed in an organic barn with nine pens of four crossbred pigs (two barrows and two sows) from 45 kg to slaughter. In the first experiment, the organic concentrate was mixed with organic CCM-silage to obtain three concentrate: CCM ratios of 100:0, 80:20 and 60:40 (w:w). In the second experiment, three concentrates were produced to obtain diets with equal nutrient levels on a dry matter basis after 0%, 20% and 40% CCM inclusion. Higher inclusion rates of CCM in the ration were accompanied by lower thyroglobulin-specific IgG responses. These effects could not be attributed to one specific component of the CCM, such as fatty acid composition, although there was a degree of correlation with lower vitamin A concentrations. Mycotoxin concentrations were absent or minimal. The study indicated that dietary ingredient composition may affect immunocompetence.     

中药添加剂对肉鸡免疫功能和生长性能的影响

由于抗生素类药物的大量应用，耐药性菌株不断产生，为疾病的防治带来了困难；同时，畜产品中药残问题严重影响了我国肉鸡产品的出口、危害人类健康。而中药具有安全、低毒、低残留、不易产生抗药性等优点。因此为提高机体的免疫力和饲料转化率，减少养禽业对抗菌药物的过分依赖，降低药物残留，满足消费者对优质畜产品的需求，开展对中药的开发与利用，具有重要的意义。     

Comparison of Blood Physiological and Biochemical Parameters of Two Kinds of Minipigs in Different Altitudes

This study was designed to compare the blood physiological and biochemical parameters between plateau Juema minipigs and plain Bama minipigs,and provide a theoretical basis for Juema minipigs served as experimental animals in the future.The blood samples of Juema minipigs were taken in Gannan,and the blood samples of the Bama minipigs were taken in Xi'an,24 blood physiological and biochemical parameters were tested using an automatic analyzer of blood cells and biochemistry.Between the plateau Juema minipigs and Bama minipigs,there were significant differences in PLT,RDW-CV and RDW-SD (P< 0.05) and extremely significant differences in RBC,HGB,HCT,MCH,MCMH,GGT,GLU and CRE (P< 0.01).The plateau Juema minipig had an altitude acclimatization,so it was better than Bama minipig in plateau medical science.     

Evaluation of the effectiveness of selected measures against bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Switzerland by use of the basic reproduction ratio R0

The effectiveness of two measures against Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), the compulsory processing of animal by products to meat and bone meal (MBM) at 133 degrees C under 3 bars of pressure for 20 minutes in February 1993 and the exclusion of fallen stock, heads with eyes and spinal cord of cattle older than 30 month from MBM production in April 1996, was evaluated in a process model. The transmission of BSE by calculation of the basic reproduction ratio R0 was modelled.The results were verified by use of a cohort model, based on observed surveillance data. Prior to 1990, before the ban of feeding MBM to ruminants, R0, as calculated in the process model, was above 1, coherent with a slowly progressing BSE epidemic. Since 1991, values of R0 were low at 0.06.The corresponding R0 values derived from the cohort model were higher, the lowest value 0.13 calculated for 1996. Given such low R0 values, the epidemic should have died out. Additionally, no influence of the two measures was obvious at that time given the low level of R0. The discrepancy between the results of the two models is evidence for a dependency of the BSE epidemic from an infection source not considered in the process model. This infection source is most likely importation of feed ingredients and MBM.     

大熊猫等8种野生哺乳动物蛔虫的线粒体COXⅠ和COXⅡ基因的亲缘关系分析

为了探讨寄生于大熊猫、小熊猫、北极熊、棕熊东北亚种、棕熊西藏亚种、黑熊四川亚种、黑猩猩和白眉长臂猿体内蛔虫的分类地位,采用PCR技术扩增了这些野生动物体内寄生蛔虫的线粒体COXⅠ、COXⅡ基因序列,并与GenBank中注册的同源性序列进行了分析。序列分析结果显示:扩增的8种野生哺乳动物蛔虫的COXⅠ、COXⅡ基因长度均分别为393和582bp,其中大熊猫与小熊猫及4种熊科动物蛔虫COXⅠ和COXⅡ基因的相似性分别为94.8%～95.0%和94.9%～95.5%;黑猩猩和白眉长臂猿蛔虫的COXⅠ、COXⅡ基因的相似性分别为99.8%和99.5%。分子系统树(NJ/MP/ML)表明,寄生在大熊猫、小熊猫和4种熊科动物体内的蛔虫均为贝蛔属(Baylisascaris)蛔虫;而黑猩猩和白眉长臂猿体内寄生的蛔虫应为蛔属(Ascaris)蛔虫。同时,分析结果也揭示了蛔虫与宿主之间存在协同进化关系。     

Intraoral diode laser epiglottectomy for treatment of epiglottis chondrosarcoma in a dog

Laryngeal tumours are rare in dogs. Surgery is the treatment of choice, but it is usually palliative in malignant conditions, due to advanced stage of the tumour at the time of diagnosis. In veterinary medicine, little information is available about the use of diode laser in laryngeal oncological surgery. In the case reported here, a dog with an epiglottic chondrosarcoma was successfully treated with diode laser epiglottectomy. The surgical technique and follow up are described.