Effects of pneumoperitoneum and of an alveolar recruitment maneuver followed by positive end-expiratory pressure on cardiopulmonary function in sheep anesthetized with isoflurane–fentanyl

Objective

To investigate the effects of pneumoperitoneum alone or combined with an alveolar recruitment maneuver (ARM) followed by positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on cardiopulmonary function in sheep.

Cardiopulmonary effects of desflurane in horses

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cardiopulmonary effects of desflurane (DES) in horses. ANIMALS: Six healthy adult horses, three males and three females, aged 9 +/- 4 (mean +/- SD) years and weighing 370 +/- 36 kg. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anaesthesia was induced with an O2 (10 L minute(-1)) and DES mixture (vaporizer setting 18%). After oro-tracheal intubation, horses were positioned in right lateral recumbency. Anaesthesia was maintained with DES in O2 (20 mL kg(-1) minute(-1)) delivered through a large animal circle breathing system. The minimum alveolar concentration of DES (MAC(DES)) that prevented purposeful movement in response to 60 seconds of electrical stimulation of the oral mucous membranes was determined for each horse. The delivered concentration of DES was then increased to achieve end-tidal concentrations corresponding to 1.5 x MAC(DES), 1.75 x MAC(DES), and 2.0 x MAC(DES). Heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), respiratory rate (fr), tidal volume (VT), minute volume (VM) and core temperature were determined, and blood samples for arterial blood gas analysis taken at each DES concentration. All data were analysed by two-way anova for repeated measures and Fisher's test for multiple comparisons. A probability level of p < 0.05 was applied. RESULTS: Desflurane concentrations of 2.0 x MAC(DES) increased HR whereas lower concentrations did not. Mean arterial pressure was not affected by 1.0 x MAC(DES) 1.5 x MAC(DES) or 1.75 x MAC(DES), whereas it decreased at 2.0 x MAC(DES). All concentrations of DES examined significantly depressed fr, VT and VM. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Desflurane concentrations between 1.0 and 1.75 x MAC(DES) reduces fr and VM but does not affect HR or MAP in horses.     

An in vitro study of hematopoietic progenitor cells from peripheral blood of rabbits

The purpose of this study was to isolate and cultivate a subpopulation of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) from the peripheral blood of rabbits, which are frequently used in veterinary research as an animal model. Pluripotent stem cells, as described in human beings, are fibroblast-like cells that exhibit a CD34 marker, specific from other hematopoietic stem cells. Commonly used human commercial media has been researched for culturing rabbit PSCs. These findings allow us to contemplate the direct application of this simple and standardized methodology in several areas of study, such as of the pharmacological effect of many drugs on hematopoietic cells, veterinary practice, and even the study of new strategies in cellular therapy for some human diseases.     

Reproductive outcomes of anestrous goats supplemented with spineless Opuntia megacantha Salm-Dyck protein-enriched cladodes and exposed to the male effect

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The possible influence of the “male effect” upon reproductive outcomes of adult anestrous goats under marginal rangeland conditions and...     

Expression of 14-3-3 σ protein in normal and neoplastic canine mammary gland

14-3-3 σ protein is a negative cell cycle regulator, with both reduced and elevated levels associated with cancer in humans. This study assessed the expression of this protein in canine mammary tissues using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. 14-3-3 σ was detected in 97% of the mammary tissue samples examined and was found in both myoepithelial (MECs) and epithelial (ECs) cells. Expression levels were elevated and reduced in neoplastic ECs and MECs, respectively (P < 0.001). Intense expression of 14-3-3 σ was detected in neoplastic ECs infiltrating blood vessels and lymph nodes and suggests a possible role for this protein in the malignant transformation of mammary neoplasms. Moreover, double immunostaining for 14-3-3 σ and the MEC – specific marker p63, confirmed that 14-3-3 σ is a highly sensitive marker of MECs since all p63 – positive cells were also positive for 14-3-3 σ. However, this protein is not exclusive to MECs as ECs also labelled positively.     

Association of Trypanosoma vivax in extracellular sites with central nervous system lesions and changes in cerebrospinal fluid in experimentally infected goats

ABSTRACT: Changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and anatomical and histopathological central nervous system (CNS) lesions were evaluated, and the presence of Trypanosoma vivax in CNS tissues was investigated through PCR. Twelve adult male goats were divided into three groups (G): G1, infected with T. vivax and evaluated during the acute phase; G2, infected goats evaluated during the chronic phase; and G3, consisting of non-infected goats. Each goat from G1 and G2 was infected with 1.25 × 105 trypomastigotes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and investigation of T. vivax was performed at the 15th day post-infection (dpi) in G1 goats and on the fifth day after the manifestation of nervous system infection signs in G2 goats. All goats were necropsied, and CNS fragments from G1 and G2 goats were evaluated by PCR for the determination of T. vivax. Hyperthermia, anemia and parasitemia were observed from the fifth dpi for G1 and G2, with the highest parasitemia peak between the seventh and 21st dpi. Nervous system infection signs were observed in three G2 goats between the 30th and 35th dpi. CSF analysis revealed the presence of T. vivax for G2. Meningitis and meningoencephalitis were diagnosed in G2. PCR were positive for T. vivax in all the samples tested. In conclusion, T. vivax may reach the nervous tissue resulting in immune response from the host, which is the cause of progressive clinical and pathological manifestations of the CNS in experimentally infected goats.     

Cassava dreg as replacement of corn in goat kid diets

The effects of corn replacement by cassava dreg in diets of crossbred goat kids were evaluated. We tested the impacts of 0, 33, 66 and 100% replacement on intake, digestibility, feeding behaviour, performance and carcass characteristics. Thirty-six goat kids, aged between 4 and 5 months and with initial body weights of 17.61 ± 1.98 kg, were used in a completely randomised design. Analysis of regression revealed a negative linear effect on neutral detergent fibre (NDF) intake and a positive linear effect on non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) and hydrocyanic acids (HCN) intake. Cassava dreg use had a positive linear effect on organic matter digestibility and non-fibrous carbohydrates. Based on our results, cassava dreg use did not negatively impact animal performance, feeding behaviour and carcass characteristics, suggesting that it may replace corn up to 100% in the diets of confined goat kids.     

Milk production,intake, digestion,blood parameters,and ingestive behavior of cows supplemented with by-products from the biodiesel industry

This study aimed to evaluate the intake, digestion, blood parameters, and feeding behavior of crossbred dairy cows (Holstein?×?Gir) managed on Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania-1 and provided supplementation with groundnut cake, sunflower cake, or palm kernel cake (to replace soybean meal). Sixteen cows were randomly assigned in a Latin square design with four treatments and four experimental periods. The consumption of nutrients from the pasture did not vary between experimental treatments. Cows receiving the palm kernel cake supplement had a reduced crude protein, non-fibrous carbohydrate, and total digestible nutrient intake and an increase in the average consumption of ether extract. There was also a reduction in the digestibility of dry matter. The inclusion of supplements in the diet did not influence the average time spent eating, ruminating, or resting. The mean values of respiratory and heart rates showed thermal comfort during the trial period. There was a reduction in blood urea nitrogen with palm kernel cake supplementation, and the values of total protein, albumin, and glucose were also significantly different with this supplement. It is recommended that cakes of groundnut cake and sunflower cake seed be used for a total replacement of soybean meal supplements for lactating cows, but the use of palm kernel cake is not recommended.

     

Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis derivatives harbouring deletions in rpoS and phoP regulatory genes are attenuated in pigs, and survive and multiply in porcine intestinal macrophages and fibroblasts, respectively

Live attenuated Salmonella enterica strains have been extensively studied as potential vectors for the oral delivery of heterologous antigens. Due to its ability to target immune cells, its specific mechanism for crossing the intestinal barrier, and its swine-restricted tropism, S. enterica subspecies enterica serovar Choleraesuis (S. Choleraesuis) has attracted a great deal of interest for the production of bacterial-based oral carriers specifically adapted to swine. In this study, two mutants of S. Choleraesuis were constructed and their attenuation and intracellular fate analysed with the purpose of engineering new attenuated live strains with improved properties as oral vaccine carriers. Those strains harboured a specific deletion either within the phoP or rpoS genes, which encode virulence-related regulators in S. Typhimurium. In comparison to the wild-type parental S. Choleraesuis, the mutant strains, especially DeltaphoP, were extremely low in virulence in the murine model and in the natural host, the pig. Moreover, when compared with a commercial live vaccine strain, SC-54, the two mutants showed a higher level of attenuation in mice and DeltaphoP also in pigs. In addition, DeltarpoS and DeltaphoP presented a proliferation and survival phenotype within swine intestinal primary fibroblast and macrophage cell cultures, respectively. Collectively, the present results indicate that the DeltarpoS and DeltaphoP strains of S. Choleraesuis gather adequate features to be potential candidates for vaccine vectors for the specific delivery of heterologous antigens adapted to pigs.