The Effects of Selenium Source on Measures of Selenium Status of Mares and Selenium Status and Immune Function of Their Foals

The effect of organic and inorganic sources of selenium (Se) on measures of Se status of mares and their foals, Se concentrations of colostrum and milk, and indices of immune function of foals was studied. Twenty late-gestation Standardbred mares were randomly assigned to one of two groups. All mares received an identical balanced ration, except for the source of supplementary Se: one group received organic Se (Se yeast) and the other group received inorganic Se (sodium selenite), fed to deliver 0.3 mg/kg supplementary Se based on total ration dry matter. Mares received the experimental diet from 2 months before estimated due date until 1 month after foaling. Source of Se did not affect Se concentrations in maternal plasma, red blood cells, colostrum, or milk. At 1 month of age, foals from mares fed organic Se had higher red blood cell Se concentration than foals from mares fed inorganic Se (P < .05). Measures of immunity included serum immunoglobulin G concentration, lymphocyte proliferation in response to concanavalin A, and relative cytokine gene expression of stimulated lymphocytes (interferon gamma [IFNγ], interleukin [IL]-2, IL-5, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFα]) and neutrophils (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, TNFα). Relative gene expression of IL-2, TNFα, and IFNγ by foal lymphocytes was associated with the source of Se supplementation provided to the mares. We conclude that the source of dietary Se provided to mares may influence the immune function of foals at 1 month of age through changes in relative gene expression of certain lymphocyte cytokines.     

木质包装中黄斑星天牛微波处理初探

为了探索微波处理作为木质包装替代处理方法的可能性,对不同规格和含水量的杨树木块进行微波处理试验,结果表明:频率为2450MHz的微波能够穿透厚度为10cm的杨树木材;当微波功率为900W时,规格为10cm×10cm×10cm和10cm×10cm×2.5cm的新木块中黄斑星天牛(Anoplophora nobolis)幼虫完全死亡所需时间分别为5min和2min;而干木块中则仅需3min和30s.对微波处理引起木材温度变化和水分损失以及天牛幼虫的水分损失进行了初步研究.     

Perspectives and advances in in-clinic laboratory diagnostic capabilities: hematology and clinical chemistry.

The typical technologies used in veterinary hematology and biochemical analyzers are reviewed, along with associated advantages and disadvantages. Guidelines for implementing a successful in-clinic laboratory are provided, including criteria for system evaluation and expectations for comparative performance evaluations. The more common problems and limitations associated with in-clinic laboratory diagnostics and how to best prevent them are also discussed.     

Effect of focused and radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy on equine bone microdamage

OBJECTIVES : To determine whether bone microcracks are altered after application of focused and radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) to the equine distal limb. STUDY DESIGN : An ex vivo experimental model. SAMPLE POPULATION : A contralateral limb specimen was obtained from 11 Thoroughbred racehorses with a unilateral catastrophic injury. Distal limb specimens were also obtained from 5 non-racing horses. METHODS : Three separate skin-covered bone segments were obtained from the mid-diaphysis of the metacarpus (MC3) or metatarsus (MT3). Focused (9,000 shockwaves, 0.15 mJ/mm2, 4 Hz) and radial (9,000 shockwaves, 0.175 mJ/mm2, 4 Hz) ESWT treatments were randomized to the proximal and distal segments and the middle segment was used as a treatment control for pre-existing microcracks. After treatment, bone specimens were bulk-stained with basic fuchsin and microcracks were quantified in transverse calcified bone sections. RESULTS : ESWT had small but significant effects on microcracks. Microcrack density (Cr.Dn) and microcrack surface density (Cr.S.Dn) were increased after focused ESWT, whereas Cr.Le was increased after radial ESWT. In racing Thoroughbreds, Cr.Le increased with increased number of races undertaken. Cr.Dn and Cr.S.Dn were not significantly influenced by the number of races undertaken. CONCLUSION : ESWT has small but significant effects on bone microcracking ex vivo. CLINICAL RELEVANCE : These preliminary data suggest that ESWT has the potential to increase bone microcracking in equine distal limb bone in vivo. Such effects may be more pronounced in Thoroughbreds that are actively being raced, because in vivo microcracking increases with increased number of races undertaken.     

In Planta - Complementation of Clavibacter Michiganensis Subsp. sepedonicus Strains Deficient in Cellulase Production or HR Induction Restores Virulence

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, a Gram positive bacterium that causes bacterial ring rot of potato, was studied in eggplant, an alternate host, using strains that differed in phenotype. Two factors affecting virulence, the ability to induce a hypersensitive response (HR) and cellulase production, were studied. A plasmid-free isolate of C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus that causes HR on tobacco but is unable to produce cellulase multiplied efficiently in planta, but caused only weak symptoms. In contrast, a strain that is unable to induce HR on tobacco but produces cellulase was impaired in the ability to multiply in the host and caused no symptoms. When the two non-virulent strains were coinoculated into eggplants, typical disease symptoms developed. This enhancement was not due to formation of a new phenotype or significant increases in population density of either of the strains. Our results suggest that both cellulase production and the ability to induce HR are required for a successful infection process and disease induction by C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus. Our results additionally suggest that the ability to induce HR on non-host plants is required for multiplication in the host plant, whereas cellulase expression is necessary for induction of disease symptoms.     

Temporal IgG subclasses response in dogs following vaccination against Leishmania with Leishmune®

Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL) is a widespread zoonotic disease with mandatory euthanasia of infected dogs determined by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Development of vaccines against CVL may provide a prophylactic barrier, but transitory peak of antibody response detected by standard diagnostic techniques in vaccinated dogs may be interpreted as natural infection. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to sequentially evaluate total and IgG subclasses response between naturally Leishmania-infected and dogs vaccinated with Leishmune(?). A total of 172 mongrel dogs were divided in four groups: Group 1 (G1) with 45 clinically healthy dogs, Group 2 (G2) and Group 3 (G3) with 45 dogs naturally infected by Leishmania sp. each, symptomatic and asymptomatic respectively, and G4 (G4) with 37 healthy dogs submitted to a complete protocol of a commercially available vaccine against CVL, monitored and evaluated in 5 different chronological moments (M0-M4) up to 180 days after M0. Total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2 were unable to differentiate between infected (G2 and G3) and vaccinated (G4) dogs, demonstrating that polyclonal commercial antibodies do not distinguish these groups apart. Total and IgG subclasses antibodies were not detected until 21 days of the second vaccination dose; however, seroconversion was observed on 21 days and sustained positivity up to 6 months after the vaccination start. A peak of antibodies response was observed on 90 days (M3), when results for total IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 where highly significant when compared to M0 (P<0.0001). Neither total IgG nor IgG1 effectively differentiated between infected (G2 and G3) and vaccinated (G4) dogs. In conclusion, despite dogs may test serologically negative immediately after vaccination against CVL with Leishmune(?), subsequent seroconversion, antibody peak and positivity up to six months may lead vaccinated dogs to be mistakenly identified as naturally infected dogs during this period.     

Shifting concepts of urban spatial heterogeneity and their implications for sustainability

Context

Spatial heterogeneity has myriad influences on ecosystem processes, ecosystem services, and thus the sustainability of urban areas. It acts as a medium for urban design, planning, and management to determine how processes affecting sustainability can operate and interact. Therefore, how spatial heterogeneity is conceptualized and measured in cities is crucial for enhancing sustainability.

Objectives

We show that the two most commonly used, but contrasting paradigms of urban ecology, ecology IN versus ecology OF the city, determine how spatial heterogeneity is thought of and used in different ways. We identify the key implications of these theoretical contrasts for the practice and assessment of sustainability in urban areas.

Methods

We review and compare the different ways in which ecology IN versus ecology OF the city affect how to conceptualize, model and map urban spatial heterogeneity. We present a new framework to guide the comparison of spatial heterogeneity under the two paradigms.

Results and conclusion

The integrative nature of this new framework becomes apparent under the ecology OF the city paradigm, because it recognizes the hybrid social and bioecological nature of heterogeneity in urban ecosystems. The hybrid approach to patchiness resonates with the three pillars of sustainability—environment, society, and economy. We exemplify how the more comprehensive and integrated framework of spatial heterogeneity under the ecology OF the city paradigm (1) supports more effective measurement and integration of the three components of sustainability, (2) improves management of heterogeneous urban ecosystems, and (3) satisfies calls for improved ecological tools to support urban ecosystem design.

     

Evaluation of ilial screw loosening after triple pelvic osteotomy in dogs: 227 cases (1991-1999)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate factors influencing screw loosening after triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) and ischial wire stabilization of the acetabular segment. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. Animals-227 dogs with congenital hip dysplasia or subluxated hip joints. PROCEDURES: Medical records and radiographs of 227 dogs that underwent 332 TPO procedures were evaluated, and data pertaining to screw type, plate position, sacral screw engagement, use of ischial interfragmentary wires, and pelvic alignment were assessed for associations with screw loosening. RESULTS: Complications developed in 96 of the 332 (29%) procedures. Cancellous screws without sacral engagement were associated with the lowest frequency (6%) of loosening, compared with cancellous and cortical screws engaging the sacrum and cortical screws that did not engage the sacrum. Frequency of screw loosening increased when cortical or cancellous screws engaged the sacrum and when cortical screws were used. In dogs that had surgery bilaterally, the first limb on which TPO was performed had a higher frequency of screw loosening than the second limb. Pelvic alignment loss was greatest (5.4 degrees ) when the 3 most cranial screws were loosened. Loss of pelvic alignment was significantly different between dogs that underwent surgery and had complications and those that underwent surgery and did not have complications in association with loosening of 1, 2, and 3 screws. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: TPO screw loosening was multifactorial and related to stability of the affected ilium, screw type, and screw position. Placing cancellous screws that do not engage the sacrum in pelvic osteotomy plate positions 1 through 3 may decrease the number of screws that loosen.