Anaphylaxis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome induced by inadvertent intravenous administration of mare's milk in a neonatal foal

Objective – To describe the diagnostic procedures, therapeutic management and successful outcome of a case of anaphylaxis induced by the inadvertent intravenous (IV) administration of mare's milk to a neonatal foal. Case Summary – A 3‐day‐old Thoroughbred colt was presented for treatment of bilateral flexural limb deformities of the forelimbs. Because the foal was unable to ambulate initially, mare's milk was administered via nasoesophageal tube feedings during treatment of the musculoskeletal disorder. Anaphylaxis resulted after unintentional administration of a bolus of 150 mL of mare's milk through a jugular catheter. Aggressive therapy for anaphylaxis and careful monitoring resulted in the successful recovery of the foal after 9 days of intensive care. New or Unique Information Provided – This case is the first published report to describe the effects of accidental IV administration of mare's milk to a neonatal foal. Medical errors are commonly reported in pediatric medicine; the intent of this report is to raise awareness of medical errors and student education in equine medicine as well as describe the therapy and outcome of anaphylaxis induced by IV administration of mare's milk in a neonatal foal.     

Supplements Containing Escape Protein Improve Redberry Juniper Intake by Goats

Redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchotii Sudw.) is a common invasive plant species in west-central Texas. Goats will consume redberry juniper, but intake is limited by monoterpenoids found in the plant. Previous research has shown that goats will increase juniper intake through 1) conditioning and 2) protein supplementation. This study compared intake of juniper when goats received different protein supplements either with or without protein sources that are high in amino acids that escape digestion in the rumen. Recently weaned Boer-cross goats (n = 47) were randomly placed into five treatments. Treatments 1, 2, 3, and 4 received a protein supplement and juniper for 1 h daily for 14 d, along with a basal diet of alfalfa pellets (2% body weight). Treatment 5 received only a basal diet of alfalfa pellets and juniper. All supplements were formulated to be isonitrogenous (37% crude protein [CP]). Treatment 1 contained cottonseed meal (high CP escape value), treatment 2 contained cottonseed meal and distiller’s dried grain (higher CP escape value), treatment 3 contained soybean meal (low CP escape value), and treatment 4 contained soybean meal and distiller’s dried grain (moderate CP escape value). Refusals of juniper, supplements, and alfalfa were weighed daily to determine intake. Supplementation with 1) cottonseed meal, 2) soybean meal, or 3) soybean meal and distillers dried grain did not influence (P > 0.05) juniper intake. Conversely, goats supplemented with cottonseed meal and distiller’s dried grain ate more (P < 0.05) juniper than goats receiving only alfalfa, possibly because of increased escape of glucogenic amino acids. We contend that supplementation with feeds high in protein escape values should increase juniper intake on rangelands.     

Production of mammastatin, a tissue-specific growth inhibitor, by normal human mammary cells

The growth of human mammary cells may be regulated by a balance between growth stimulatory and growth inhibitory pathways. Polypeptides of 47 and 65 kilodaltons (mammastatin) were isolated from conditioned medium of normal human mammary cells. Monoclonal antibodies against mammastatin were generated that blocked its activity and were used for purification and further characterization of the protein. Mammastatin inhibited the growth of 5 transformed human mammary cell lines, but had no effect on the growth of 11 transformed human cell lines derived from nonmammary tissues. Mammastatin appeared to be a heat-labile protein distinct from transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). By immunoperoxidase staining it was detected in cultured normal human mammary cells, but was decreased in transformed mammary cells.     

Using Experience and Supplementation to Increase Juniper Consumption by Three Different Breeds of Sheep

In the southwestern United States, redberry (Juniperus pinchotii Sudw.) and ashe (Juniperus ashei Buchholz) juniper are two invasive species that dominate some rangelands. Goats will consume up to 30% of their diet in juniper, but it is unknown if sheep will accept juniper to the same extent. The objectives of this study were to determine if sheep can be conditioned to consume juniper and to compare intake among different breeds. Rambouillet (n = 10), Suffolk (n = 10), and Dorper-cross (n = 10) lambs were randomly placed in individual pens for 31 d. A basal diet of alfalfa pellets (2.5% body weight [BW]) and juniper were fed. Juniper was fed each morning from 0800 to 0830 hours. The basal diet was fed for the remainder of the day. Intake of each was measured daily. Following the first 17 d, the basal diet was reduced to 2% BW for 7 d and then reduced to 1.5% BW for the final 7 d. Serum aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and bilirubin levels, and live body weight were measured to assess any adverse physiological effects from juniper consumption. In a second trial, lambs were again fed alfalfa (2.5% BW) and juniper. One half of the lambs were also fed a 36% protein supplement to determine if supplementation with protein sources that escape rumen degradation would improve juniper consumption. Lambs received alfalfa, juniper, and protein supplement for 22 d with intake of each recorded daily. Intake of juniper was similar (P > 0.05) among breeds of sheep. Lambs readily consumed juniper and increased (P < 0.05) intake of juniper as the amount of alfalfa fed was reduced. Weight change was also similar among treatments. Protein supplementation did not improve juniper consumption. We contend that sheep will consume a diet consisting of 24% juniper without experiencing any adverse effects.     

Primordial carbonylated iron-sulfur compounds and the synthesis of pyruvate

Experiments exploring the potential catalytic role of iron sulfide at 250 degrees C and elevated pressures (50, 100, and 200 megapascals) revealed a facile, pressure-enhanced synthesis of organometallic phases formed through the reaction of alkyl thiols and carbon monoxide with iron sulfide. A suite of organometallic compounds were characterized with ultraviolet-visible and Raman spectroscopy. The natural synthesis of such compounds is anticipated in present-day and ancient environments wherever reduced hydrothermal fluids pass through iron sulfide-containing crust. Here, pyruvic acid was synthesized in the presence of such organometallic phases. These compounds could have provided the prebiotic Earth with critical biochemical functionality.     

Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation tests in healthy foals from birth to 12 weeks of age

The purpose of this study was to investigate total baseline plasma cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations, and ACTH-stimulated cortisol concentrations in foals from birth to 12 wk of age. Plasma (baseline) cortisol and ACTH concentrations were measured in 13 healthy foals at birth and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, and 84 d of age. Each foal received cosyntropin (0.1 μg/kg) intravenously. Plasma cortisol concentrations were measured before (baseline), and 30, and 60 min after cosyntropin administration at birth and at 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, and 84 d of age. Compared with baseline, cortisol concentration increased significantly 30 min after administration of cosyntropin on all days. Cortisol concentration was highest at birth, measured at 30 and 60 min after cosyntropin administration, compared with all other days. With the exception of birth measurements, cortisol concentration was significantly higher on day 84, measured at 30 and 60 min after cosyntropin administration, when compared with all other days. Baseline plasma ACTH was lowest at birth when compared with concentrations on days 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 42, 56, and 84. Administration of 0.1 μg/kg of cosyntropin, IV, reliably induces cortisol secretion in healthy foals. Differences in the magnitude of response to cosyntropin are observed depending on the age of the foal. These data should serve as a reference for the ACTH stimulation test in foals and should be useful in subsequent studies to evaluate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in healthy and critically ill foals.