Effects of Bacillus subtilis B10 spores on viability and biological functions of murine macrophages

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Bacillus subtilis B10 spores on the viability and biological functions of murine macrophage. RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated both with and without B. subtilis B10 spores for 12 h. Then cell viability was determined to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of B. subtilis B10 spores to the cells, and the activities of acid phosphatase (ACP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the production of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines were measured to analyze the functions of macrophages. The results showed that B. subtilis B10 spores were not harmful to RAW 264.7 cells and they also strongly enhanced the activities of ACP and LDH (P < 0.01), remarkably increased NO and iNOS production (P < 0.01), and significantly stimulated the secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), IL‐6, IL‐8 and IL‐12 (P < 0.01) while they reduced anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 (P < 0.01). The outcomes suggest that B. subtilis B10 spores are not only safe for murine macrophages, but also can activate these cells and enhance their immune function. The above findings suggest that B. subtilis B10 spores are potentially probiotic.     

Management of cases suffering from atypical myopathy: Interpretations of descriptive,epidemiological and pathophysiological findings. Part 1: First aid,cardiovascular, nutritional and digestive care

Atypical myopathy is highly fatal, but about a quarter of affected horses survive. This highlights the need for provision of supportive treatment for these cases. This review is a practical guideline for equine practitioners and includes suggestions for close monitoring of involved organ systems and discusses options of supportive treatment based on current knowledge of the condition.     

做大做强特色产业加快富民强县步伐——盱眙县龙虾产业带动县域经济发展的实践与借鉴

盱眙县发掘资源优势，把龙虾作为特色产业，举办中国龙虾节，带动了一系列相关产业的发展，改变了当地的农业产业结构和就业结构，增加了就业和收入，增强了地方经济实力；并通过特色产业的品牌效应，带动了旅游等服务业的发展，吸引了外来投资，加速了工业化进程。通过总结盱眙县的经济发展实践，为落后地区的区域经济发展提供了参考和借鉴。     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Fish bones – a highly available calcium source for growing pigs

In general, there is a lack of scientific documentation of nutritional value of marine by‐products. The bone fraction from fish has been regarded as waste. Due to the high mineral content of fish bones, this material can be well suitable as a natural calcium source. In the present study, apparent calcium absorption of different fish bone sources was tested using growing pigs. The experimental diets consisted of boiled salmon frames, or salmon, saithe or cod bones treated with enzymes. Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) was used as control. The experimental diets were formulated to contain 0.7% total calcium of which the added calcium source to be tested contributed about 71% (study 1) and 86% (study 2). Except for the calcium and phosphorus sources, the animals received similar basal diets. Apparent calcium digestibility coefficient was calculated using yttrium as indicator (both studies) and was based on complete collection of faeces and urine (study 2). The experimental design was parallel and cross‐over in study 1 and study 2, respectively. In study 1, piglets getting salmon bone treated with enzymes had significantly higher calcium absorption than piglets getting boiled fish bone or calcium carbonate. Therefore, in the second study only enzymatically treated fish bones were included. The higher calcium absorption from enzymatically treated salmon bone was also found in study 2, but this time not significant. Calcium from boiled salmon bones in study I, and from enzymatically treated saithe and cod bones in study II were absorbed as well as the calcium carbonate control. The results indicate that fish bones may be a useful and well absorbed calcium source. Due to the high mineral content of the bone fraction, salmon bones can be well suitable as a natural calcium and phosphorus source in, for example, food, feed or as supplement.     

RESEARCH PAPER: Segmental dorsolumbar epidural analgesia via the caudal approach using multiple port catheters with ketamine or lidocaine or in combination in cattle

ObjectiveTo determine the analgesic and systemic effects of epidural administration of ketamine, lidocaine or a combination of ketamine/lidocaine in standing cattle.Study designProspective, randomized, experimental trial.AnimalsSix healthy male cattle weighing between 335 and 373 kg.MethodsThe animals received 0.5 mg kg^?1 of ketamine (K), 0.2 mg kg^?1 of 2% lidocaine (L) or 0.25 mg kg^?1 ketamine plus 0.1 mg kg^?1 lidocaine (KL). All the drugs were injected into the dorsolumbar epidural space via a caudal approach through a non‐styletted multiple‐port catheter. Each animal received each treatment at random. Evaluations of analgesia, sedation, ataxia, heart rate, arterial pressure, respiratory rate, skin temperature and rectal temperature were obtained at 0 (basal), 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 minutes after epidural injection, and then at 30‐minute intervals until loss of analgesia occurred. Skin temperature was taken at these intervals up to 60 minutes. All the animals received a standard noxious stimulus; a 4‐point scale was used to score the response. A second scale was used to score ataxia and a third for sedation.ResultsThe duration of analgesia in the upper and lower flanks in cattle was 140 ± 15, 50 ± 14 and 80 ± 22 minutes (mean ± SD) after dorsolumbar epidural KL, K or L, respectively. The cardiovascular changes were within acceptable limits in these clinically healthy cattle.ConclusionsDorsolumbar epidural administration of KL to cattle resulted in longer duration of analgesia of the upper and lower flanks in standing conscious cattle, than the administration of K or L alone.Clinical relevanceFurther research is necessary to determine whether this combination using this technique provides sufficient analgesia for flank surgery in standing cattle.     

鸡RNF165蛋白多克隆抗体制备及其生物信息学分析

【目的】制备鸡环指蛋白165(RNF165)多克隆抗体并对RNF165蛋白进行生物信息学分析,以期为研究鸡RNF165的生物学功能提供参考。【方法】以鸡胚成纤维细胞(DF-1)为试验材料,提取总RNA,反转录获得cDNA,通过PCR扩增RNF165基因,将其连接至pET-28a(+)质粒构建重组表达质粒pET-28a-RNF165。将测序正确的重组表达质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21感受态细胞进行诱导表达,将表达的融合蛋白纯化后按照制定的免疫程序免疫7周龄BALB/c雌鼠。第3次免疫7 d后,分离小鼠血清,用Western blotting检测鼠抗RNF165蛋白多克隆抗体的特异性,间接ELISA法测定其效价。使用在线生物信息学软件对RNF165蛋白理化性质、信号肽、磷酸化位点、亚细胞定位、跨膜结构、二级结构和保守结构域进行分析。【结果】成功扩增得到大小为1 068 bp的RNF165基因。成功构建原核表达载体pET-28a-RNF165,并诱导表达出约43 ku的RNF165蛋白。Western blotting结果显示,制备的鼠抗RNF165蛋白多克隆抗体能特异性识别DF-1细胞中过表达的...