Dynamics of Moraxella bovis infection and humoral immune response to bovine herpes virus type 1 during a natural outbreak of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis in beef calves

Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) is an acute disease caused by Moraxella bovis (Mb). Several factors may predispose animals to an IBK outbreak; one commonly observed is infection with bovine herpes virus type 1 (BHV-1). The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamics of BHV-1 virus infection and its relation with clinical cases of IBK in weaned calves from a beef herd with a high prevalence of lesions caused by Mb. Sampling was carried out in six stages and included conjunctival swabs for isolating Mb as well as blood samples for identifying antibodies specific for BHV-1. A score for IBK lesions after observing each eye was determined. The findings of this study showed a high prevalence of BHV-1 virus infection (100% of animals were infected at the end of the trial); 67% of animals were culture-positive for Mb, but low rates of clinical IBK (19% of calves affected) were detected at the end of the trial. These results suggest that infection with BHV-1 did not predispose these animals to IBK, and that Mb infection produced clinical and subclinical disease in the absence of BHV-1 co-infection.     

Does serum anti‐Müllerian hormone levels always discriminate presence of the ovaries in adult bitches? Comparison of two ELISA kits

Anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) is produced in the ovary, and thus, it is an excellent marker of follicle pool in females. Current interest is the clinical use of this parameter as a biomarker to assess presence or absence of an intact ovary and to diagnose ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) following incomplete ovariohysterectomy (OHE) in bitches. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum AMH concentrations in bitches (n = 34) before and after OHE using two different commercial ELISA kits, one of which is based on detecting human AMH and the other is based on detecting human AMH and the other specified for canine AMH. Furthermore, serum AMH levels were also measured in six ORS cases to compare the diagnostic utility of the two different ELISA kits. Serum AMH concentrations measured using the human and canine kit prior to and after OHE were 0.32 ± 0.24, 0.006 ± 0.22 ng/ml (p < .001) and 12.08 ± 22.81, 9.55 ± 15.42 ng/ml (p = .868), respectively. Thus, the canine‐based kit was not able to reveal the significant drop in serum AMH levels. In conclusion, the human‐based ELISA kits successfully detected the drop in serum AMH concentrations. Reliable results can only be achieved from well‐designed ELISA kits, and AMH levels might be a useful diagnostic tool for the evaluation of presence or absence of ovaries as well as for the detection of ORS cases in bitches.     

Effects of She Xiang Bao Xin Wan (SXBXW) on the proliferation of primary cultured human umbilical artery vascular smooth muscle cells induced by endothelin-1

AIM: To observe the effects of She Xiang Bao Xin Wan (SXBXW) of Chinese patent medicine on the proliferation of primary cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from human umbilical artery and stimulated by endothelin-1 (ET-1) in vitro. METHODS: The proliferation cell models of primary cultured VSMCs were established by ET-1 stimulation. Six groups in the experiment were divided into control group; ET-1 group; ET-1+SXBXW 0.25 g/L; ET-1+SXBXW 0.5 g/L; ET-1+SXBXW 1.0 g/L and ET-1+SXBXW 2.0 g/L groups, respectively. The proliferation induced by ET-1 and the suppression mediated by SXBXW on VSMCs were measured by MTT method. The inhibitory rate and the cytotoxicity of SXBXW were detected by lactate dehydrogenase colorimetry and trypan blue exclusion tests. The effect of ET-1 and SXBXW on the cell proliferation cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared to control group, ET-1 significantly enhanced the proliferation of VSMCs (P<0.01). However, a certain dose of SXBXW inhibited effectively the proliferation of VSMCs induced by ET-1 in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). Meanwhile, SXBXW showed no influenced on both the number of living cells and the release of lactate dehydrogenase, although it inhibited the proliferation of VSMCs, indicating that SXBXW was no cytotoxicitic effect on VSMCs. ET-1 enhanced the proliferation of VSMCs by means of promoting the transition of the cell cycle from G1 phase to S phase. However SXBXW significantly inhibited the proliferation mediated by ET-1. CONCLUSION: SXBXW plays the role in suppressing VSMCs proliferation induced by ET-1. The mechanism may be involved in blocking the cell cycle from G1 phase into S phase.     

A Study on Thought of Tea of Hanjae Yi-mok＇s Da-bu

The Da-bu of Hanjae Lee mok （1471-1498） is known as an original masterpiece,which is predominantly documented in Korean tea books.He had always spared no effort to put Confucianists＇ theories and thoughts into practice during his 28-year career.Da-bu tea magnificently reflected his concepts of Confucianism in conjunction with tea-drinking activities.The main contents of Da-bu have included written authors,tea species and production,landscape of tea cultivation,tea plants and leaves,ways of tea-drinking and three-grade tea,tea song of seven cups,5 merits and 6 moralities of tea,benefits of tea-drinking,tea comprehension,etc.According to the views of contents,tea of Hanjae Leemok is the only partner with which we can share life and it can also be beneficial to healthy diets.Not only does it have become part of our daily life,but also be a medicine for our physical and mental disease.He composed the tea song of seven cups,which sufficiently expressed a real practice of the pursued ideal state of Confucianism and Taoism.He also promoted a drinking tea for health enrichment of Confucianists.According to the analytical results of Da-bu,Hanjae＇s tea has recognizably become the personally real practice of Confucianism and state.He had reached the enlightenment for the state of birth and death.After consuming tea,his body and mind immediately changed to the state of joys and wonderland,and also he illustrated that this feeling is not a one-off state,it always comes out whenever drinking.Therefore,based on Hanjae Lee mok,tea drinking is not only the regiment for healthy benefits,but also it is a training method,＂ Dado in My Heart＂,for individuals to train their mind,body,and morality.