Cryosurgery of bovine squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva

Sixty-two cattle with vulval carcinoma of various sizes were treated by cryosurgery using double freeze-thaw cycles. A cure rate of 88.7 per cent was achieved. It was confirmed that the smaller the lesions the better the response and that in larger lesions failure occurred because of the difficulty in freezing the mass of neoplastic tissue rapidly to the lethal temperature of -25 degrees C using the cryosurgical unit available. It was concluded that, if instituted early in the clinical course of the disease, cryotherapy of bovine vulval carcinoma is superior to surgical excision but the cost of the equipment may be a limiting factor in its application in the field.     

Effect of irradiated Ascaridia galli eggs on growth and cell-mediated immune responses in chickens

Growth and cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses were studied in 7-day-old chicks given orally 1000 irradiated (12.5 kR) or normal infective eggs of Ascaridia galli. Chicks immunised with irradiated eggs showed normal weight gains. CMI responses, as assessed by dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact and delayed hypersensitivity reactions, were enhanced in the immunised group as compared with healthy controls, suggesting stimulation of CMI responses due to irradiation of A. galli eggs. CMI as well as growth responses were, however, found to be depressed in the birds administered normal infective eggs of A. galli. The present study highlights the role of the CMI response in protection against A. galli infection.     

Akt/FOXO3a/SIRT1-mediated cardioprotection by n-tyrosol against ischemic stress in rat in vivo model of myocardial infarction: switching gears toward survival and longevity

Moderate consumption of wine has been associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular events. Recently we have shown that white wine is equally as cardioprotective as red wine. However, unlike resveratrol (polyphenol in red wine), the white wine component, n-tyrosol [2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanol] has not been explored for its cardioprotective effect and mechanism of action. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the effect of tyrosol treatment (5 mg/kg/day for 30 days) on myocardial ischemic stress in a rat in vivo model of Myocardial Infarction (MI) and to identify key molecular targets involved in this mechanism. MI was induced by Left Anterior Descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation. Reduced infarct size (32.42 vs 48.03%) and cardiomyocyte apoptosis (171 vs 256 counts/100 HPF) were observed along with improvement in the myocardial functional parameters such as LVIDs (5.89 vs 6.58 mm), ejection fraction (51.91 vs 45.09%), and fractional shortening (28.46 vs 23.52%) as assessed by echocardiography in the tyrosol-treated animals when compared to the nontreated controls. We have also observed significant increase in the phosphorylation of Akt (1.4-fold), eNOS (3-fold) and FOXO3a (2.6-fold). In addition, tyrosol induced the expression of longevity protein SIRT1 (3.2-fold) in the MI group as compared to the non-treated MI control. Therefore tyrosol's SIRT1, Akt and eNOS activating power adds another dimension to the white wine research, because it adds a great link to the French paradox. In conclusion these findings suggest that tyrosol induces myocardial protection against ischemia related stress by inducing survival and longevity proteins that may be considered as anti-aging therapy for the heart. However, human intervention studies would be necessary before establishing any recommendations about dietary habits for tyrosol intake or administration of dietary supplements containing tyrosol.     

Distribution of Trace Metals in Channel Sediment: a Case Study in South Atlantic Coast of Spain

Recently, Sancti Petri channel on the southwestern (SW) part of Iberian Peninsula has been experiencing urban, industrial, and vehicular expansion. Until recently, there have been only few published reports documenting the pattern of metal accumulation in this estuarine sediment. In the present study, trace metals such as Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn, Pb, Co, Cd, As, and Hg concentrations were analyzed from 69 sediment samples collected from 23 sampling sites of the Santi Petri channel. The magnitude of trace metal accumulation found as the following trend: Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Co > As > Cd > Hg. Spatial distribution pattern demonstrated overall decreasing trend of trace metal from Cadiz Bay mouth to the open ocean mouth, clearly correlative to the presence of anthropogenic inputs. Results of the principle component analysis (PCA) revealed that sediment metal chemistry of Sancti Petri channel is mainly regulated by the concentrations of Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni; possible sources of those were from vehicular-related emissions. Pollution load index (PLI) and geo-accumulation index (I _geo ) indicated overall low values. The study will stimulate improvement of our understanding regarding the pattern of accumulation of metals in the coastal sediments, and the recorded values of metals in the present study can be used as suitable reference for future studies.     

Absence of mutations in the survival motor neuron cDNA from labrador retrievers with an inherited myopathy

The clinical phenotype of hereditary myopathy of labrador retrievers is consistent, but the pathological changes within muscle biopsy specimens can vary from type 1 fibre predominance (type 2 fibre deficiency) to dystrophic changes or overt neurogenic atrophy. The condition shares many clinical and pathological features with the mildest form of human childhood spinal muscular atrophy, and the survival motor neuron gene was therefore evaluated in dogs with the disease. Direct sequencing and comparisons of cdna from the gene in seven labrador retrievers homozygous for the disease and four control dogs revealed no nucleotide mutations leading to changes in the deduced amino acid sequences. A single polymorphism was detected in two of the seven affected dogs, which was characterised by a nucleotide substitution at amino acid position 1155 within the non-coding 3' untranslated region of exon 8. Northern blot analysis indicated that there were no differences in the steady state levels of mrna from the gene of the affected labrador retrievers and control dogs.     

Tissue concentrations and pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in male veal calves given repeated doses

The pharmacokinetic disposition of florfenicol was studied in male veal calves given 11 mg of florfenicol/kg of body weight, IV and 11 mg of florfenicol/kg PO every 12 hours for 7 doses. After florfenicol administration IV, the median elimination half-life was 222.8 minutes, whereas the median half-life of the distribution phase was 7.94 minutes. Median body clearance and apparent volume of distribution were 2.87 ml/kg/min and 0.907 L/kg, respectively. After florfenicol administration, PO, there was a wide variation in the calculated half-life, which was attributed to variation in the rate of florfenicol absorption. The half-life was 167.4 to 534.9 minutes after the first oral dose and 190 to 808.8 minutes after the seventh dose. The median bioavailability after the first oral dose was 0.8888. Peak and trough concentrations of florfenicol were increased after subsequent doses were administered, compared with those after the first oral dose. The percentage of protein binding in serum from one adult cow was 22% to 26%. Florfenicol concentrations in tissues and body fluids of male veal calves were studied after the seventh dose of 11 mg of florfenicol/kg. High concentrations of florfenicol were measured in the urine, kidney, and bile. Low concentrations were measured in the brain, CSF, and aqueous humor. Concentrations in all other tissues and fluids studied were similar to the concurrent serum concentration.     

Pharmacokinetics and plasma protein binding (in vitro) of oxytetracycline in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline given in a single dose (22 mg/kg) either IV or IM was studied in 4 female buffalo calves. The half-life (t1/2) after IV administration varied between 169.02 and 216.56 minutes and that after IM administration, between 630 and 990 minutes. The drug was distributed well in the body after IM administration (Vdarea 1.18 to 2.15 L/kg). The total body clearances varied between 1.02 and 1.45 and between 1.17 and 1.49 ml/kg/min after the IV and the Im dosings, respectively. It has been proposed that oxytetracycline is excreted mainly by glomerular filtration in the buffalo species, but tubular reabsorption also may have a small part. About 42% of the drug was bound to plasma proteins at concentrations of 2 to 20 micrograms of oxytetracycline/ml. The drug dosage schedules to maintain serum levels of 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 micrograms/ml also are determined.     

Further studies with polyglycolic acid (Dexon) and other sutures in infected experimental wounds

Seven suture materials (braided polyglycolic acid [BPGA, Dexon], multifilament stainless steel, monofilament nylon, black braided silk, braided Dacron (BD, Mersilene], and plain and chromic catgut) were implanted in surgical wounds which were inoculated with 3 dilutions of Staphylococcus aureus. The degree of swelling was measured at 6, 10, 20, and 40 days. Monofilament nylon and multifilament steel produced the least amount of swelling; plain and chromic catgut produced the most. The BPGA, BD, and silk caused swellings that were intermediate in degree. In chronic implantations, inflammatory reactions to the various suture materials differed from those occurring soon after implantation. Response to steel and nylon remained minimal; that to silk was gradual, but overall became the most severe. There was slightly less response with BD. The catguts varied little from each other in their responses. Intense reaction was induced by BPGA in the early stages, but the response was mild in chronic implantations.