Serum haemolytic complement activities in 11 different MHC (B) typed chicken lines

To study the relation between serum complement levels and the chicken MHC (B) complex, complement haemolytic activity was measured in sera from hens from seven pure-bred B-typed White and one Brown Leghorn lines, and three ISA-Warren lines that had been divergently selected for antibody responses to sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Significant differences occurred in the serum haemolytic complement activities, both belonging to the classic (CPW) and the alternative (APW) pathways, among the 11 different haplotyped chicken lines. Hens with high CPW and high APW titres predominantly displayed the B2 or B21 haplotypes. Chickens with low CPW and APW were found in B14 and B15 haplotypes. Haplotype B14 appears to be different in complement levels when present into the pure-bred lines or into the ISA-Warren line selected for low antibody responses to SRBC. Otherwise, the presence of B21 in ISA-Warren line selected for high antibody responses to SRBC does not differ with the B21 in the inbred lines (except in the NL-line for CPW values). In general the haplotypes B2 and B21 are found in chicken lines with enhanced disease resistance, and the B15 haplotype has been connected with enhanced disease susceptibility. Our results suggest that levels of haemolytic complement activity, either from the classical or from the alternative pathways, may underlie part of the immunocompetence ascribed to the MHC (B) complex in chickens.     

Minimally invasive patent ductus arteriosus occlusion in 5 dogs

OBJECTIVE: To report a technique for minimally invasive occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and outcome in 5 dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical cases. Animals: Five, 4-6-month-old, dogs with PDA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Titanium ligating clips were used for PDA closure in all dogs. Three dogs had video-enhanced mini-thoracotomy PDA occlusion. Two other dogs had thoracoscopic PDA occlusion using a custom-designed thoracoscopy clip applicator. RESULTS: Thoracoscopic PDA occlusion was successful in both dogs in which it was attempted. Complete PDA closure was achieved in 4 dogs. Three months after surgery, the largest dog had residual ductal flow that hemodynamically was insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Although technically demanding, minimally invasive PDA occlusion is a safe and reliable technique in dogs. Preoperative measurement of the diameter of the PDA is crucial to determine if complete closure with metal clips can be achieved. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Minimally invasive PDA occlusion should be considered as an alternative to occlusion via conventional thoracotomy.     

Thoracolumbar lateral corpectomy for treatment of chronic disk herniation: technique description and use in 15 dogs

OBJECTIVE: To describe a technique for thoracolumbar lateral corpectomy and to evaluate its use for treatment of chronic thoracolumbar disk disease in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Fifteen dogs with signs of chronic thoracolumbar disk herniation. METHODS: After a dorsal or lateral approach to the spine, a lateral slot was created in 2 adjacent vertebral bodies on either side of the herniated disk and extruded/protruded material was removed. Data collected included history, duration of clinical signs, presurgical assessment of neurologic status, postsurgical neurologic status, complications, and outcome. RESULTS: Ambulatory capacity was maintained or regained, and neurologic status improved by 1 grade (3 dogs), 2 grades (8), 3 grades (2), or 4 grades (2). Eleven dogs were considered free of disease. A seroma in 1 dog was the sole complication observed. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral corpectomy permits relatively easy removal of protruded-extruded disk material from within the vertebral canal in chronic disk disease without further iatrogenic injury to the spinal cord. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lateral corpectomy is an alternative to dorsal decompression for treatment of ventral and lateroventral thoracolumbar chronic disk disease in dogs.     

Proteome analysis of the sarcoplasmic fraction of pig semimembranosus muscle: implications on meat color development

Two-dimensional electrophoresis was used to investigate sarcoplasmic protein expression in pig Semimembranosus muscles sampled 20 min after slaughter. Two groups (light and dark) of 12 animals were selected from 1000 pigs, based on meat L values measured 36 h postmortem. Twenty-two proteins or fragments (p < 0.05) were differentially expressed. Muscles leading to darker meat had a more oxidative metabolism, indicated by more abundant mitochondrial enzymes of the respiratory chain, hemoglobin, and chaperone or regulator proteins (HSP27, alphaB-crystallin, and glucose-regulated protein 58 kDa). Conversely, enzymes of glycolysis were overexpressed in the lighter group. Such samples were also characterized by higher levels of glutathione S-transferase omega, which can activate the RyR calcium channels, and higher levels of cyclophilin D. This protein pattern is likely to have severe implications on postmortem metabolism, namely, acceleration of ATP depletion and pH fall and subsequent enhanced protein denaturation, well-known to induce discoloration.     

Global mineralogical and aqueous mars history derived from OMEGA/Mars Express data

Global mineralogical mapping of Mars by the Observatoire pour la Mineralogie, l'Eau, les Glaces et l'Activité (OMEGA) instrument on the European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft provides new information on Mars' geological and climatic history. Phyllosilicates formed by aqueous alteration very early in the planet's history (the "phyllocian" era) are found in the oldest terrains; sulfates were formed in a second era (the "theiikian" era) in an acidic environment. Beginning about 3.5 billion years ago, the last era (the "siderikian") is dominated by the formation of anhydrous ferric oxides in a slow superficial weathering, without liquid water playing a major role across the planet.     

Clinical diagnosis of uterine didelphia in Ayrshire heifer

A 24-month-old Ayrshire heifer was referred because of infertility. A clinical diagnosis of uterus didelphys was established after a complete genital examination before the animal was culled from the herd.     

Intraoperative use of ultrasonography during continuous dorsal laminectomy in two dogs with caudal cervical vertebral instability and malformation ("Wobbler syndrome")

OBJECTIVE: To describe an intraoperative ultrasound imaging technique during dorsal laminectomy in 2 dogs with caudal cervical vertebral instability and malformation (CCVIM, "Wobbler syndrome"). STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case report. SAMPLE POPULATION: Two dogs with CCVIM. RESULTS: On neurologic examination there was tetraparesis with upper motor neuron signs in the thoracic limbs and lower motor neuron signs in the pelvic limbs in dog 1, and hyperreflexia of the rear limbs, normoreflexia of the right front limb, and hyporeflexia of the left front limb of dog 2. Both dogs had signs of marked cervical pain and radiographic signs of cervical spinal cord compression. Intraoperative ultrasonography of the spinal cord revealed protruding intervertebral disc at C5-6 (dog 1) and C6-7 (dog 2), and the parallel borders of the spinal cord and central canal after decompression. Continuous dorsal laminectomy (CDL) resulted in improvement over 16 months (dog 1) and 20 months (dog 2). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative ultrasonographic imaging of the cervical spinal cord after CDL was helpful in determining adequate decompression (postlaminectomy) of the spinal cord in relation to the ventral and lateral compressive component(s) and to image the protruding intervertebral disc. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intraoperative ultrasonography can be used to provide valuable information on the spinal cord and surrounding soft tissues for the neurosurgeon.