Hypolipidemic effect in cholesterol-fed rats of a soluble fiber-rich product obtained from cocoa husks

A new soluble cocoa fiber product (SCFP), obtained after enzymatic treatment of cocoa husks, was characterized and its potential health effects studied in an animal model of dietary-induced hypercholesterolemia. The SCFP was rich in soluble dietary fiber (DF) and antioxidant polyphenols. Consumption of a cholesterol-rich diet containing the SCFP as a source of DF resulted in lower food intake and body weight gain in comparison with control groups consuming cholesterol-free or cholesterol-rich diets with cellulose as DF. The cholesterol-rich diet caused remarkable hypercholesterolemia. However, the SCFP diminished the negative impact of the cholesterol-rich diet, buffering the decrease of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and the increase of total and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde levels) induced by the fatty diet. The SCFP also decreased triglyceride levels to values lower than those in the group fed the cholesterol-free diet. These results put forward the potential application of the SCFP as a dietary supplement or functional food ingredient.     

Secondary Stress Responses in Juvenile Brazilian Flounder,Paralichthys orbignyanus,throughout and after Exposure to Sublethal Levels of Ammonia and Nitrite

This study investigated the secondary stress responses of Paralichthys orbignyanus exposed to ammonia and nitrite and after recovery. Fish were exposed to 0.12, 0.28, and 0.57 mg NH₃‐N/L, or 5.72, 10.43, and 15.27 mg NO₂‐N/L for 10 d followed by the same time length for recovery. Ammonia‐ and nitrite‐free water was used as a control treatment. Blood samples were collected after 1, 5, and 10 d of exposure and after recovery. Fish exposed to ammonia presented lower and higher glucose levels after 10 d of exposure and recovery, respectively. Ammonia induced initial and transient ionic disturbances and metabolic alkalosis. Nitrite exposure caused hyperglycemia, increased plasma K⁺ levels, and respiratory alkalosis, whereas metabolic acidosis was observed after recovery. Increased proportion of monocytes and/or granulocytes and reduced number of lymphocytes were demonstrated in fish exposed to 0.28 mg NH₃‐N/L (Day 1) and 10.43 mg NO₂‐N/L (Day 5) and after recovery in the 0.28 and 0.57 mg NH₃‐N/L treatments. Exposure to ammonia decreased the proportion of granulocytes on Day 5. In conclusion, exposure to concentrations at 0.12 mg NH₃‐N/L and 5.72 mg NO₂‐N/L provoked physiological disorders in Brazilian flounder. Nonetheless, fish exposed to 5.72 mg NO₂‐N/L following a 10‐d recovery period showed complete resumption of homeostasis.     

Assessment of the long‐acting ivermectin formulation in sheep: Further insight into potential pharmacokinetic interactions

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the in vivo pharmacokinetic of ivermectin (IVM) after the administration of a long‐acting (LA) formulation to sheep and its impact on potential drug‐drug interactions. The work included the evaluation of the comparative plasma profiles of IVM administered at a single therapeutic dose (200 μg/kg) and as LA formulation at 630 μg/kg. Additionally, IVM was measured in different gastrointestinal tissues at 15 days posttreatment with both IVM formulations. The impact of the long‐lasting and enhanced IVM exposure on the disposition kinetics of abamectin (ABM) was also assessed. Plasma (IVM and ABM) and gastrointestinal (IVM) concentrations were analyzed by HPLC with fluorescent detection. In plasma, the calculated C_max and AUC_0‐t values of the IVM‐LA formulation were 1.47‐ and 3.35‐fold higher compared with IVM 1% formulation, respectively. The T_1/2ab and T_max collected after administration of the LA formulation were 2‐ and 3.5‐fold longer than those observed after administration of IVM 1% formulation, respectively. Significantly higher IVM concentrations were measured in the intestine mucosal tissues and luminal contents with the LA formulation, and in the liver, the increase was 7‐fold higher than conventional formulation. There was no drug interaction between IVM and ABM after the single administration of ABM at 15 days post‐administration of the IVM LA formulation. The characterization of the kinetic behavior of the LA formulation to sheep and its potential influence on drug‐drug interactions is a further contribution to the field.     

Identification of coagulase-negative staphylococci from bovine mastitis using RFLP-PCR of the groEL gene

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) have become the predominant pathogens causing bovine mastitis in many countries. CNS infections are associated with damage to milk secretory tissue of the mammary gland by increased connective tissue stroma, moderate increases of somatic cells count in milk and significant production decreases. These consequences impose serious economic losses for the farmers and the dairy industry. Routine veterinary laboratories do not usually identify CNS at the species level. Thereby, the aims of this study were to identify the most common staphylococcal pathogens involved in bovine mastitis using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of a partial groEL gene sequence and to compare our results with the identification carried out by the conventional method. A total of 54 isolates of Staphylococcus, involved in bovine mastitis, were analyzed by this method. The size and number of the fragments obtained by either AluI or HindIII/PvuII digestions made possible to form clear patterns differentiating, among the isolates, 11 of the most common species of animal staphylococcal pathogens. Most of the isolates clustered together with the reference strain of Staphylococcus chromogenes (28) and the type strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis (8). Besides, some isolates clustered together with the type strain of Staphylococcus aureus (5). All patterns were confirmed by the conventional biochemical method, showing concordant results. Thus, the PCR-RFLP of the groEL gene constitutes a reliable and reproducible molecular method for identification of CNS species responsible for bovine mastitis.     

Risk of hemolytic anemia with intravenous administration of famotidine to hospitalized cats

BACKGROUND: Famotidine administered IV has been associated anecdotally with hemolysis in cats, and some veterinarians recommend using injectable famotidine only by the subcutaneous (SC) route for cats. However, the actual risk of such a reaction is not known. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that famotidine, when given IV slowly, would not be associated with a clinically significant drop in packed cell volume (PCV) in hospitalized cats. ANIMALS: One hundred and forty-two hospitalized cats. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review was performed for hospitalized cats prescribed famotidine IV (n = 56), famotidine SC (n = 48), or no famotidine (n = 38) at a veterinary medical teaching hospital over the period from January 2004 through December 2006. RESULTS: Baseline signalment, observation times, and famotidine dosage (in treated cats) were similar among groups. Median baseline PCVs were significantly lower in the IV (31.5%) and SC (32.0%) groups compared with the control group (35.0%; P= .04). The median percent drop in PCV (3-4%), however, was no different in cats that received famotidine by either route compared with the control group (P= .90), and no cats in either famotidine group were observed to have any clinical signs of hemolysis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: We conclude from this retrospective study that famotidine IV was given to 56 hospitalized cats without evidence of hemolysis, and that the IV route appeared safe when famotidine was administered over 5 minutes. We could not document a safety advantage of SC versus IV administration in this group of cats.     

Suspected transient pseudohypoaldosteronism in a 10-day-old quarter horse foal

A 10-day-old quarter horse colt was presented for signs of disorientation and inability to nurse. Hydronephrosis/hydroureters, with concomitant pyelonephritis and a severe electrolytes disturbance, were diagnosed. The clinical findings closely resembled those described for a syndrome of transient pseudohypoaldosteronism in human neonates.     

Effects of 12 and 17 cmH2O positive end-expiratory pressure applied after alveolar recruitment maneuver on pulmonary gas exchange and compliance in isoflurane-anesthetized horses

Objective

To compare static compliance (C_st) and alveolar–arterial oxygen tension difference [P(a–a)O₂] between positive end-expiratory pressures (PEEP) of 7, 12 and 17 cmH₂O applied after an alveolar recruitment maneuver (RM) in isoflurane-anesthetized horses.

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships between Leishmania infantum from dogs,humans and wildlife in south‐east Spain

Leishmania infantum causes human and canine leishmaniosis. The parasite, transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies, infects species other than dogs and people, including wildlife, although their role as reservoirs of infection remains unknown for most species. Molecular typing of parasites to investigate genetic variability and evolutionary proximity can help understand transmission cycles and designing control strategies. We investigated Leishmania DNA variability in kinetoplast (kDNA) and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences in asymptomatically infected wildlife (n = 58) and symptomatically and asymptomatically infected humans (n = 38) and dogs (n = 15) from south‐east Spain, using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and in silico restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses. All ITS2 sequences (n = 76) displayed a 99%–100% nucleotide identity with a L. infantum reference sequence, except one with a 98% identity to a reference Leishmania panamensis sequence, from an Ecuadorian patient. No heterogeneity was recorded in the 73 L. infantum ITS2 sequences except for one SNP in a human parasite sequence. In contrast, kDNA analysis of 44 L. infantum sequences revealed 11 SNP genotypes (nucleotide variability up to 4.3%) and four RFLP genotypes including B, F and newly described S and T genotypes. Genotype frequency was significantly greater in symptomatic compared to asymptomatic individuals. Both methods similarly grouped parasites as predominantly or exclusively found in humans, in dogs, in wildlife or in all three of them. Accordingly, the phylogenetic analysis of kDNA sequences revealed three main clusters, two as a paraphyletic human parasites clade and a third including dogs, people and wildlife parasites. Results suggest that Leishmania infantum genetics is complex even in small geographical areas and that, probably, several independent transmission cycles take place simultaneously including some connecting animals and humans. Investigating these transmission networks may be useful in understanding the transmission dynamics, infection risk and therefore in planning L. infantum control strategies.