Antidiarrheal activity of dehydroleucodine isolated from Artemisia douglasiana

Dehydroleucodine (DhL), a sesquiterpene lactone obtained from Artemisia douglasiana, was screened for antidiarrheal effects. DhL inhibited castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice by judged by a decrease in the number of wet faeces in the DhL-treatment groups. DhL significantly reduced intestinal transit in mice. Yohimbine and phentolamine counteracted the inhibitory effect of DhL. It is suggested that alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors mediate the effect of DhL in intestinal motility. DhL reduced also intraluminal accumulation of fluid. Thus, the antidiarrheal activity of DhL is possibly related, at least in part, to its inhibitory action against gastrointestinal motility and the inhibition of enteropooling property.     

Comparison between the effects of postanesthetic xylazine and dexmedetomidine on characteristics of recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia in horses

Objective

To compare postanesthetic xylazine and dexmedetomidine on recovery characteristics from sevoflurane anesthesia in horses.

Survey radiography and computerized tomography imaging of the thorax in female dogs with mammary tumors

Background

Accurate early diagnosis of lung metastases is important for establishing therapeutic measures. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare survey thoracic radiographs and computerized tomography (CT) scans to specifically identify lung metastases in female dogs with mammary tumors.

Methods

Twenty-one female dogs, weighing 3 to 34 kg and aged from 5 years to 14 years and 10 months, with mammary tumors were studied. In all dogs before the imaging examinations, fine-needle aspiration cytology of the mammary tumors was performed to confirm the diagnosis. Three-view thoracic radiographs were accomplished: right lateral, left lateral and ventrodorsal views. Sequential transverse images of the thorax were acquired on a spiral Scanner, before and after intravenous bolus injection of nonionic iodine contrast. Soft-tissue and lung windows were applied. All the mammary tumors were surgically removed and examined histologically.

Results

The correlation between the cytological and histological results regarding presence of malignancy was observed in only 17 cases. In radiographic examinations, no dog displayed signs of lung metastases or thorax chest lesions. CT detected lung metastasis in two cases, while small areas of lung atelectasis located peripherally were found in 28.57% of the dogs.

Conclusion

In this study population, spiral CT showed higher sensitivity than chest radiographies to detect lung metastasis; this indicates that CT should be performed on all female dogs with malignant mammary tumors.     

Testing and modelling the effects of climate on the incidence of the emergent nut rot agent of chestnut Gnomoniopsis castanea

Gnomoniopsis castanea is an emerging fungal pathogen causing nut rot of sweet chestnut, Castanea sativa. This study was aimed at testing and modelling the effects of climate on disease incidence. Up to 120 ripe nuts were collected in 2011 from trees in each of 12 sites located in the northwest of Italy. The incidence of G. castanea in each site was expressed as the number of infected nuts out of the total number of nuts sampled (%), determined by combining the results of morphological identification of isolates obtained from nuts, and their typing through a newly developed taxon‐specific molecular assay. Disease incidence ranged from 20 to 93%, depending on site. Geostatistical analyses revealed that, despite the clustering of sites (P < 0·05), disease incidence was not spatially autocorrelated (P > 0·05). This finding suggests that the disease is influenced by site‐dependent factors whose scale (c. 7·5–15·6 km) is consistent with the climate variability throughout the sampling region. Multivariate analyses on maximum, mean and minimum temperatures and on rainfall showed that warmer temperatures were associated with higher levels of disease incidence. The temperatures of months before nut harvesting were selected as predictors for partial least squares regression (PLSR) models (GnoMods) of G. castanea incidence. External validation on data collected either on sites or in years not used for model fitting showed the good predictive abilities of the GnoMods (Spearman's ρ_obs/pred > 0·72, P < 0·05). The above findings support a relationship between climate and incidence of G. castanea, providing statistical tools to forecast disease incidence at site level.     

Brachyspina syndrome in two Holstein calves

Brachyspina syndrome, a rare lethal skeletal malformation, is described in two Italian Holstein calves. Both calves were stillborn and had shortened trunks with long legs. Radiography demonstrated several abnormalities of the cervical and thoracolumbar vertebral column. Visceral malformations involving the heart, kidney, genital tract and gastrointestinal system were also found. Both calves were traced back to the same sire and an inherited basis was strongly suspected.     

Influence of age and foaling on plasma protein electrophoresis and serum amyloid A and their possible role as markers of equine neonatal septicaemia

A field study was undertaken to investigate plasma protein electrophoresis (PPE) and serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations at 1, 3 and 7 days of age in foals born by oxytocin-induced (group A, n =17) or spontaneous (group B, n =12) parturition. The putative diagnostic role of PPE and SAA in four septicaemic foals was also examined. At birth, beta-gamma-globulins were higher in group B, and then increased in both groups, probably due to colostrum intake. At day 3, no significant differences between the groups were detectable. In both groups, SAA values increased from day 0 to day 3, then decreased at day 7. Septicaemic foals had decreased concentrations of many electrophoretic fractions (probably reflecting decreased colostrum intake and circulating bacterial proteases) and an increased SAA concentration. It was concluded that both PPE and SAA concentrations vary with age and type of foaling and may be useful in the early diagnosis of neonatal septicaemia.     

Validation of thromboelastometry in horses

Background: Thromboelastometry is used for identifying or monitoring coagulation abnormalities. It has been validated in several species but not in horses and the characteristics of the equine thromboelastogram have not yet been detailed. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to validate a thromboelastometer to be used with equine blood and to define the normal equine thromboelastogram. Methods: A Rotem-gamma thromboelastometer (Pentapharm GmbH, Munich, Germany) was used on 38 citrated blood samples to investigate native coagulation, the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, the function of fibrinogen (largely dependent on its concentration), and the presence of fibrinolysis. Using classic validation approaches, we evaluated the imprecision of the method and the influence of hemolysis and storage time and temperature. The normal thromboelastogram was defined in both saddle and racing horses (the latter sampled before and after the race). Results: For imprecision tests, the analytical variations were <10%. The equine thromboelastogram had a pattern similar to those of other species, but the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways were less and more efficient, respectively. Reference intervals in racing horses, especially after exercise, were different from those of saddle horses, most likely due to a higher RBC mass. Coagulability decreased in hemolyzed samples and significant changes were found between nonrefrigerated and refrigerated blood samples stored for 20 hours. Conclusions: The Rotem-gamma thromboelastometer is a precise instrument for use with equine blood samples. The equine thromboelastogram is similar to that of other species, but reference intervals vary with aptitude and exercise. Hemolysis and refrigeration alter thromboelastometric results.