Association of neonatal serum immunoglobulin G1 concentration with health and performance in beef calves

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate associations between neonatal serum IgG1 concentration and pre- and postweaning morbidity and mortality rates and average daily gains (ADGs) in beef calves and define a cutoff point for serum IgG1 concentration necessary for optimal health and performance of beef calves. DESIGN: Nonconcurrent cohort study. ANIMALS: 1,568 crossbred beef calves. PROCEDURE: Single radial immunodiffusion was used to quantitate IgG1 concentration in sera collected from calves between 24 and 72 hours after birth. Logistic regression, ANCOVA, and likelihood ratios were used to analyze data. RESULTS: In the preweaning period, lower perinatal IgG1 concentrations were significantly associated with higher morbidity rates, higher mortality rates, and lower ADGs. Calves with serum IgG1 concentration < 2,400 mg/dL were 1.6 times as likely to become ill before weaning and 2.7 times as likely to die before weaning as calves with higher serum IgG1 concentrations. Calves with serum IgG1 concentration of at least 2,700 mg/dL weighed an estimated 3.35 kg (7.38 lb) more at 205 days of age than calves with lower serum IgG1 concentration. No significant association of serum IgG1 concentration with feedlot morbidity, death, or ADG was identified. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: By use of likelihood ratios, the threshold of serum IgG1 concentration for optimal health and performance of calves was higher than values reported previously. Implementation and maintenance of management and intervention strategies designed for early detection and treatment of calves at risk for failure of passive transfer will likely result in increases in preweaning health and performance parameters.     

Evaluation of the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of intravenously and orally administered amiodarone in horses

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical effects and pharmacokinetics of amiodarone after single doses of 5 mg/kg administered orally or intravenously. ANIMALS: 6 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURE: In a cross over study, clinical signs and electrocardiographic variables were monitored and plasma and urine samples were collected. A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method was used to determine the percentage of protein binding and to measure plasma and urine concentrations of amiodarone and the active metabolite desethylamiodarone. RESULTS: No adverse clinical signs were observed. After IV administration, median terminal elimination half-lives of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone were 51.1 and 75.3 hours, respectively. Clearance was 0.35 L/kg x h, and the apparent volume of distribution for amiodarone was 31.1 L/kg. The peak plasma desethylamiodarone concentration of 0.08 microg/mL was attained 2.7 hours after IV administration. Neither parent drug nor metabolite was detected in urine, and protein binding of amiodarone was 96%. After oral administration of amiodarone, absorption of amiodarone was slow and variable; bioavailability ranged from 6.0% to 33.7%. The peak plasma amiodarone concentration of 0.14 microg/mL was attained 7.0 hours after oral administration and the peak plasma desethylamiodarone concentration of 0.03 microg/mL was attained 8.0 hours after administration. Median elimination half-lives of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone were 24.1 and 58.6 hours, respectively. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicate that the pharmacokinetic distribution of amiodarone is multicompartmental. This information is useful for determining treatment regimens for horses with arrythmias. Amiodarone has low bioavailability after oral administration, does not undergo renal excretion, and is highly protein-bound in horses.     

Quantification and partial characterization of the residual protein in fully and partially refined commercial soybean oils

A method has been developed to determine residual protein in refined oils, a potential trigger of allergic reactions. High-pH bicarbonate or borate buffers were found to be the most effective extractants, residual oil protein comprising a mixture of proteins of M(r) 6000-100000. Extracted protein could be quantified with superior precision using 3-(4-carboxybenzoyl)quinolone-2-carboxaldehyde (CBQCA). Residual protein content determined in a set of oils using the borate extraction-CBQCA assay was positively correlated with contents determined using a bicarbonate-total amino acid analysis method. Oil refining substantially reduced the oil protein content determined by the borate-CBQCA assay with neutralized/refined, bleached, and deodorized (fully refined) oils containing 62-265 ng/g oil, whereas crude un-degummed oils contained 86000-87900 ng/g of protein. These analyses and published data on cumulative threshold doses for soybean suggest that even the most sensitive individuals would need to consume at least 50 g of highly refined oil to experience subjective symptoms.     

The relation of harvesting intensity to changes in soil, soil water, and stream chemistry in a northern hardwood forest, Catskill Mountains, USA

Previous studies have shown that clearcutting of northern hardwood forests mobilizes base cations, inorganic monomeric aluminum (Al_im), and nitrate (NO₃⁻-N) from soils to surface waters, but the effects of partial harvests on NO₃⁻-N have been less frequently studied. In this study we describe the effects of a series of partial harvests of varying proportions of basal area removal (22%, 28% and 68%) on Al_im, calcium (Ca²⁺), and NO₃⁻-N concentrations in soil extracts, soil water, and surface water in the Catskill Mountains of New York, USA. Increases in NO₃⁻-N concentrations relative to pre-harvest values were observed within a few months after harvest in soils, soil water, and stream water for all three harvests. Increases in Al_im and Ca²⁺ concentrations were also evident in soil water and stream water over the same time period for all three harvests. The increases in Al_im, Ca²⁺, and NO₃⁻-N concentrations in the 68% harvest were statistically significant as measured by comparing the 18-month pre-harvest period with the 18-month post-harvest period, with fewer significant responses in the two harvests of lowest intensity. All three solutes returned to pre-harvest concentrations in soil water and stream water in the two lowest intensity harvests in 2-3 years compared to a full 3 years in the 68% harvest. When the results of this study were combined with those of a previous nearby clearcut and 40% harvest, the post-harvest increases in NO₃⁻-N concentrations in stream water and soil water suggest a harvesting level above which the relation between concentration and harvest intensity changes; there was a greater change in concentration per unit change in harvest intensity when basal area removal was greater than 40%. These results indicate that the deleterious effects on aquatic ecosystems previously demonstrated for intensive harvests in northern hardwood forests of northeastern North America that receive high levels of atmospheric N deposition can be greatly diminished as harvesting intensity decreases below 40-68%. These results await confirmation through additional incremental forest harvest studies at other locations throughout the world that receive high levels of atmospheric N deposition.     

A new approach for cytokinin isolation from Arabidopsis tissues using miniaturized purification: pipette tip solid-phase extraction

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: We have developed a new analytical approach for isolation and quantification of cytokinins (CK) in minute amounts of fresh plant material, which combines a simple one-step purification with ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-fast scanning tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Plant tissue samples (1-5 mg FW) were purified by stop-and-go-microextraction (StageTip purification), which previously has only been applied for clean-up and pre-concentration of peptides. We found that a combination of two reverse phases and one cation-exchange phase, was the best tool, giving a total extraction recovery higher than 80%. The process was completed by a single chromatographic analysis of a wide range of naturally occurring cytokinins (bases, ribosides, O- and N-glucosides, and nucleotides) in 24.5 minutes using an analytical column packed with sub-2-microne particles. In multiple reaction monitoring mode, the detection limits ranged from 0.05 to 5 fmol and the linear ranges for most cytokinins were at least five orders of magnitude. The StageTip purification was validated and optimized using samples of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings, roots and shoots where eighteen cytokinins were successfully determined. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of microextraction with one-step high-throughput purification provides fast, effective and cheap sample preparation prior to qualitative and quantitative measurements. Our procedure can be used after modification also for other phytohormones, depending on selectivity, affinity and capacity of the selected sorbents.     

Nouvelles etudes chimiques et toxicologiques sur le genreRhamnus L.(Rhamnacees)

Resume et Conclusions L'importance pharmacologique de bien des représentants du genreRhamnus L., n'a nul besoin d'être démontrée. Relativement peu d'investigations ont été entreprises chez lesRhamnus à hétérosides dont l'aglycone n'est pas émodique: c'est le cas deRhamnus prinoides L'Hérit., de l'Afrique Centrale, dont l'hétéroside donne, après hydrolyse, du rhamnose et du 7-méthyl quercétol.Les recherches de laboratoire concernant cette espèce ont porté sur les substances minérales, spécialement sur l'ion Cuivre, et aussi sur les acides organiques.L'extrait sec obtenu à partir des organes verts de cet arbuste a montré qu'il pouvait être à l'origine d'une toxémie actinique idiopathique. En effet, l'ingestion au soleil ou à l'ombre, mais avec digestion au soleil (irradiations UV seules responsables) par des Lapins non protégés par écran pigmentaire naturel (Lapins blancs ou albinos) déclenche l'apparition de porphyrines photosensibilisantes dans le sang circulant; s'installent des escharres après érythème, dermite et oedème au niveau des oreilles principalement. Les substances protidiques produites ainsi massivement, étrangères à l'organisme, sont résorbées par le rein. Suit une néphrite aiguë nécrotique terminale, cause de mort s'apparentant à celle des brûlés.Le cuivre tissulaire et sanguin des animaux intoxiqués se maintient à des taux normaux.Rhamnus prinoides L'Hérit., par sa composition et son action sur l'animal, ne paraît présenter actuellement aucune utilisation thérapeutique.

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Zusammenfassung und Schlußfolgerungen Die pharmakologische Bedeutung vieler Vertreter der GattungRhamnus braucht nicht aufgezeigt zu werden. Verhältnismäßig wenige Untersuchungen sind ausgeführt worden anRhamnusarten mit Heterosiden, deren Aglukone keine Emodine sind, z.B. mitRhamnus prinoides L'Herit., aus Central-Afrika, dessen Heterosid bei Hydrolyse Rhamnose und 7-methyl-Quercetol ergibt.Die Laboratoriums-Untersuchungen an dieser Art betrafen die Mineral-Substanzen, besonders das Kupfer-Ion, ferner auch die organischen Säuren.Der unverdünnte Extrakt aus den grünen Teilen dieses Strauches ruft, wie nachge wiesen werden konnte, eine idiopathische Strahlungs-Toxämie hervor. Die Aufnahme an der Sonne oder im Schatten, aber bei Verdauung an der Sonne (wobei die UV-Strahlung allein ausschlaggebend ist) durch Kaninchen ohne natürlichen Pigmentschutz (weiße Kaninchen oder Albinos), löst die Erscheinung der Photosensibilisierung der Porphyrine im Blutkreislauf aus. Es stellen sich Schorfbildung nach Erythem, Dermatitis und Oedem ein, besonders an den Ohren. Die eiweißartigen organismusfremden Stoffe, welche dabei in Mengen gebildet werden, werden durch die Nieren resorbiert. Es folgt darauf eine akute Nierenentzündung mit folgender Nekrose, eine Todesursache, welche einer Verbrennung gleicht.Der Gehalt der Gewebe und des Blutes vergifteter Tiere an Kupfer bleibt auf normaler Höhe.Rhamnus prinoides L'Herit. scheint seiner Zusammensetzung und Wirkung auf Tiere entsprechend keine therapeutische Bedeutung zu besitzen.

     

Early exercise in the horse

Across all equestrian disciplines, the single largest reason for wastage is musculoskeletal injury. It is, therefore, of importance that management and competition structures are in place to optimize the development of the equine musculoskeletal system to minimize wastage.Data from other species and, in particular, humans have demonstrated the benefit of early exercise and the dire consequences of inactivity. The horse has evolved as a cursorial animal capable of covering up to 10 km/d within 9 days of birth. Yet, modern equine management systems restrict, rather than promote, early exercise. Foals were shown to have a positive response to early preweaning paddock exercise (greater cartilage health), and more recent work has demonstrated that exercise over and above that normally occurring with pasture-reared foals, introduced as early as 3 weeks old, had positive effects on the equine musculoskeletal system. The response of juvenile horses to additional exercise is because of the tissue being responsive to priming. Epidemiological data indicate that the window for tissue modification may still be open when the horse is a yearling and even as a 2 year old.However, the method in which the exercise is applied may be of as much importance as the timing of the stimuli. A recent prospective study of both Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses demonstrated that the horses that entered training as 2 year olds had longer and more successful racing careers than those that entered training later in life. It would appear that even the initial stages of training are enough to provide a positive stimulus, as horses first registered with a trainer at 2 years old had the same advantages as those that raced as 2 year olds.The physiological, clinical, and epidemiological data indicate that, rather than restrict exercise and the use of horses at a young age, we should realign expectations with the capability of the horses’ musculoskeletal system and evolutionary template to maximize orthopedic health.     

Pathogenic threats and probiotic use in larviculture of the scallop,Pecten maximus

During a series of experiments, bacteriological elements in scallop larval rearing were investigated: larvae susceptibility to pathogens as a function of their age, and the use of probiotic bacteria during larviculture. Younger larvae (d5 PF) were highly more susceptible to pathogenic‐challenge than their older siblings, which were challenged at an older age (d15 PF). A challenge with 10⁴ CFU mL^?1 of V. pectenicida killed 100% of d5 PF larvae 7 days following challenge, yet killed only 9% of d15 PF larvae 9 days following challenge. Use of the probiotics Phaeobacter gallaeciensis, Alteromonas macleodii 0444 and Neptunomonas sp. 0536, provided for larger larvae, a high yield of competent larvae and, perhaps more importantly, protection against pathogen‐challenge similar to levels achieved from antibiotic use. When challenged with V. pectenicida, d29 survivals were 20.3%, 85.1% and 75.0% respectively for control (no probiotic), antibiotic treated, and ‘probiotic mix’ administered larvae. Use of potential probiotic Pseudoalteromonas sp. D41 appeared to hinder scallop larvae. Future use of probiotics in scallop larval rearing would benefit from combined use of P. gallaeciensis, A. macleodii 0444 and Neptunomonas sp. 0536.