Effects of anti-glaucoma drugs on resistive index of the medial long posterior ciliary artery using color Doppler imaging in Beagle dogs

Color Doppler imaging (CDI) was carried out to evaluate the effects of anti-glaucoma drugs on ophthalmic circulation using CDI-derived resistive index (RI) values. CDI was performed on nine Beagle dogs, and RI values were calculated for the medial long posterior ciliary artery before and after the administration of anti-glaucoma drugs. A significant increase in RI values was found after topical administration of levobunolol (p < 0.05) or dipivefrin (p < 0.05). Pilocarpine showed no effects on RI values after topical administration. The results suggest that some anti-glaucoma drugs could affect ophthalmic blood flow.     

The stress of weaning influences serum levels of acute-phase proteins, iron-binding proteins, inflammatory cytokines, cortisol, and leukocyte subsets in Holstein calves

The purpose of our study was to investigate changes in immunological parameters induced by weaning stress (including milk restriction) in calves. Fifteen Holstein calves were subjected to weaning at 6 weeks of age. Blood samples were collected at -14, -7, -2, 1, 3, and 5 days post-weaning (DPW; 0 DPW = 42 days). Weaning caused significant (p < 0.01) increases in the neutrophil (NE):lymphocyte (LY) ratio at 5 DPW with a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of LYs. The concentration of acute-phase proteins (haptoglobin and serum amyloid A) also increased significantly (p < 0.05) at 3 and 5 DPW compared to -2 DPW. Levels of the iron-binding protein lactoferrin decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after weaning. Serum tumor necrosis factor-α and cortisol levels were elevated (p < 0.05) at 3 DPW, while those of serum interferon-γ decreased (p < 0.05) at 1 and 3 DPW compared to levels observed before weaning. Weaning significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the percentage of CD25⁺ T cells in the peripheral blood. In conclusion, weaning stress affected the NE:LY ratio along with the levels of acute phase proteins, lactoferrin, cortisol, and inflammatory cytokines in the peripheral blood of calves. Weaning stress may induce an acute phase response possibly through the elevation of cortisol production and modulation of inflammatory cytokines.     

Sedative and analgesic effects of intravenous xylazine and tramadol on horses

This study was performed to evaluate the sedative and analgesic effects of xylazine (X) and tramadol (T) intravenously (IV) administered to horses. Six thoroughbred saddle horses each received X (1.0 mg/kg), T (2.0 mg/kg), and a combination of XT (1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg, respectively) IV. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), indirect arterial pressure (IAP), capillary refill time (CRT), sedation, and analgesia (using electrical stimulation and pinprick) were measured before and after drug administration. HR and RR significantly decreased from basal values with X and XT treatments, and significantly increased with T treatment (p < 0.05). RT and IAP also significantly increased with T treatment (p < 0.05). CRT did not change significantly with any treatments. The onset of sedation and analgesia were approximately 5 min after both X and XT treatments; however, the XT combination produced a longer duration of sedation and analgesia than X alone. Two horses in the XT treatment group displayed excited transient behavior within 5 min of drug administration. The results suggest that the XT combination is useful for sedation and analgesia in horses. However, careful monitoring for excited behavior shortly after administration is recommended.     

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the third eyelid conjunctiva in a dog

A 4-year-old, neutered female Cocker Spaniel was presented to the veterinary clinic for protrusion of the left third eyelid. When the third eyelids from both eyes were everted, lobulated masses were present on the bulbar surface. The left third eyelid had a larger protrusion. There was no apparent associated ocular or systemic involvement. The tumor of left third eyelid was removed and referred for histological examination. Histologically, there were proliferations of lymphoid follicles surrounded by lymphoid cells forming a marginal zone. Those lymphoid cells occasionally infiltrated into conjunctival epithelium. A few apoptotic bodies with karyopyknotic and karyorrhexic nuclei were observed in the germinal center of lymphoid follicles. Mitotic figures were rare. On immunohistochemistry, tumor cells expressed CD79a but not CD3. A diagnosis of extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) of the third eyelid was established based on the histological and immunophenotypical features. At the 1-year follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence of the mass at the area of excision of the left third eyelid and the remaining tumor of the right third eyelid was still a similar size. The dog still showed no significant findings, except those of the tumor, and no evidence of systemic involvement. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of MALT lymphoma of the third eyelid in a dog.     

Virtopsy in a red kangaroo with oral osteomyelitis

This report describes the use of computed tomography (CT) in a nondomestic species. Postmortem CT was performed on a red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) and a diagnosis of oral osteomyelitis was made. CT examination revealed bony remodeling of the right mandible, an intraosseous lesion of the right temporal bone, muscle necrosis around the right mandible, and the absence of the right, first, upper molar tooth. Cardiac and intrahepatic gas and a distended intestine due to postmortem gas accumulation were also seen. All the lesions identified with CT were also identified by conventional necropsy, except the cardiac and intrahepatic gases. Virtopsy may be a useful procedure for the noninvasive identification of cause of death and as a guide for necropsy in animals.     

Isolation of Staphylococcus simulans from dermatitis in a captive African pygmy hedgehog

Staphylococcus simulans, a coagulase-negative staphylococcal species, can cause several diseases in humans and animals. This report describes a case of dermatosis characterized by broad, well-circumscribed hyperkeratosis and alopecia on the back of a household pygmy hedgehog (Erinaceous albiventris). Quills and exudates were studied by microscopy. The microscopic examination of the exudates collected from the lesion revealed several leukocytes and numerous gram-positive cocci. An aerobic bacterial culture revealed overgrowth of the same gram-positive bacteria. The bacterium was identified as S. simulans by polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct sequencing targeted to the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. This report is the first to show that S. simulans could be related to the dermatitis of hedgehogs.     

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.     

益生菌产表面活性剂研究进展

生物表面活性剂是由微生物代谢过程中产生的具有表面活性的生物化合物,大多具有抗细菌、真菌、支原体和病毒的特性以及抗粘附的功能。由益生菌产的生物表面活性剂,除具备上述功能,还在安全性方面具有独特优势,因此在预防和治疗某些疾病方面具有广阔的应用前景。本文针对产生物表面活性剂的益生菌的种类、筛选、产物的制备分离及应用等方面做一综述。     

溶氧因素对冬虫夏草摇瓶培养的影响

对冬虫夏草菌丝体摇瓶培养中影响溶氧的主要因素进行分析。通过测定不同摇床转速、装液量、封口方式下摇瓶培养后的菌丝得率,并对其进行单因素分析,选择单因素较优水平,然后进行3因素正交试验。结果表明,最适宜溶氧条件为摇床转速140r/min、装液量50%、封口采用无菌培养容器封口膜;各因素影响培养的显著性依次为摇床转速、装液量、封口方式;不同摇床转速下对有效成分含量测定显示,摇床转速对虫草多糖及虫草酸含量影响不显著。     

进境美国苜蓿草中苜蓿黄萎病菌的检疫鉴定

从一批进境的美国苜蓿草样品中分离得到了一株与苜蓿黄萎病菌(Verticillium albo-atrum)相似的分离物M1。该分离物原始菌落为白色,边缘规则呈圆形,菌丝较致密,气生菌丝较少,苜蓿组织块不被菌丝覆盖,菌落生长速度为小于2.5 mm/d;M1在PDA上进行纯培养,前6d内,菌落为白色圆形,容易产生分子孢子轮枝状分生孢子梗,7d后菌落中央表面因产生休眠菌丝开始变成黑褐色至黑色,20d后菌落的表面和背面大部分均变黑色,仍不产生微菌核和厚垣孢子。M1的DNA用V.albo-atrum特异引物Vaa1/Vaa2进行检测,PCR扩增后得到预期330 bp的产物片段,产物序列与V.albo-atrum相应序列的相似性为100%。该分离物接种苜蓿草根部,15d后引起苜蓿黄萎病的典型症状。根据分离物的形态特征、PCR检测结果、PCR产物序列分析,以及致病性测定结果,将进境美国苜蓿草样品中的分离物M1鉴定为苜蓿黄萎病菌。