The pharmacokinetic behaviour of marbofloxacin in Eurasian buzzards (Buteo buteo) after intraosseous administration

This study reports on the administration of a single dose of marbofloxacin (2 mg/kg) to five adult Eurasian buzzards (Buteo buteo) by the intraosseous (IO) route, which has been proposed as a rapid and efficient means for the parenteral delivery of antimicrobial drugs. The drug was rapidly absorbed. Peak marbofloxacin concentration (C(max)) in plasma and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of 1.92+/-0.78 microg/mL and 8.53+/-2.73 microg h/mL, respectively. The time marbofloxacin remained in the plasma after IO administration was relatively short (elimination half-life, t(1/2beta)=4.91+/-0.65 h; mean residence time (MRT)=5.38+/-0.57 h). Single dose marbofloxacin gave values for C(max)/minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 19.2 and an AUC/MIC value of 85.3h after IO administration. The IO route appears to be practical and effective for the rapid delivery of marbofloxacin to buzzards.     

Effects of varying nitrogen fertilization on crop yield and grain quality of emmer grown in a typical Mediterranean environment in central Italy

Experiments were carried out to study the effects of N fertilizer rates and timing of application on the yield and grain quality of a rainfed emmer crop (Triticum dicoccum Shübler) under Mediterranean conditions. The following parameters were analyzed: hulled and net grain yield, hulled index, spikes m^?2, spikelets per spike, kernels m^?2, thousand-kernel weight, biomass, plant height, lodging, grain protein and ash content. In the first experiment, different N rates (30, 60 and 90 kg N ha^?1 plus a control not fertilized) were split at three phenological stages (seeding 20%, tillering 40% and stem elongation 40%). In the second experiment, three N doses (30, 60 and 90 kg N ha^?1) were applied to three crop stages (seeding, tillering and stem elongation). In the third experiment, the rate of 90 kg N ha^?1 was distributed in different amounts (90-0-0, 0-90-0, 0-0-90, 45-45-0, 45-0-45, 0-45-45, 30-30-30) at the three mentioned crop stages. Increasing N rates resulted in higher hulled and net grain yield, as well as protein content. Fertilization (from 60 to 90 kg N ha^?1) applied to tillering maximized hulled and net grain yield. Fertilization (90 kg N ha^?1) applied to stem elongation gave the highest grain protein content (%) while splitting application (30 kg N ha^?1 each) at three phenological stages maximized protein yield per hectare. Application of half or one-third of 90 kg N ha^?1 to stem elongation improved grain protein content in comparison with applications at sowing, or at both sowing and tillering. The main factor determining higher yields with increasing N rates in this emmer crop was the number of kernels m^?2. None of the yield components accounted for differences in grain yield when timing and splitting application were varied.     

Effect of grazing and dietary protein on eating quality of Podolian beef

Twenty-four young Podolian bulls were used to evaluate the effect of rearing system (extensive vs. intensive) in relation to postmortem aging (11 and 18 d) on the eating quality of the meat, with the diet of outdoor animals adjusted to the protein content of the indoor system (15% CP) or to the minimum protein content required for satisfactory growth (12% CP). At 415 ± 9.35 (SE) d of age, with a mean BW of 337.5 ± 16.51 (SE) kg, animals were allotted to 3 groups for the finishing period (172 d): 1) indoor group receiving a diet at 15% CP; 2) grazing animals receiving a diet at 15% CP of DM; and 3) grazing animals receiving a diet at 12% CP of DM. Longissimus dorsi lumborum muscle sampled from the right half and divided longitudinally into 2 sections was aged in vacuum packaging at 4°C until 11 and 18 d postmortem, respectively. Rearing system did not affect (P > 0.05) color, Warner-Bratzler shear force, texture profile, water-holding capacity, and most of the sensory attributes of the beef steaks. However, sensory tenderness was less in the meat from outdoor animals receiving a diet with 15% CP than in meat from outdoor animals receiving a diet with 12% CP or from the indoor group (P < 0.05). Meat aged 18 d showed decreased Warner-Bratzler shear force (P < 0.001), hardness (P < 0.001), cohesiveness (P < 0.05), springiness (P < 0.05), gumminess (P < 0.01), chewiness (P < 0.01), and thawing loss (P < 0.01) compared with meat aged for 11 d. Prolonging the aging time up to 18 d significantly increased b* (yellowness; P < 0.05), cooking losses (P < 0.001), and the intensity of all the texture sensory attributes, namely, juiciness and fatness (P < 0.05), chewiness, tenderness, and flavor (P < 0.01). Significant correlations were found between instrumental and sensory variables (range of r = -0.55 to -0.85, P < 0.05 to 0.001). Overall, in the present study, the rearing system did not markedly affect meat sensory and physical properties. Thus, we conclude that an outdoor system, even with reduced protein supplementation, may represent a valid farming system for local breeds in Mediterranean areas characterized by poor-quality pastures. However, an extended aging period is suggested to improve the main factor limiting the quality of this product, namely, reduced tenderness.     

Differentiation and characterization of rat adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells into endothelial‐like cells

In this study, mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from rat adipose tissue (AD‐MSCs) to characterize and differentiate them into endothelial‐like cells. AD‐MSCs were isolated by mechanical and enzymatic treatments, and their identity was verified by colony‐forming units (CFU) test and by differentiation into cells of mesodermal lineages. The endothelial differentiation was induced by plating another aliquot of cells in EGM‐2 medium, enriched with specific endothelial growth factors. Five subcultures were performed. The expression of stemness genes (OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG) was investigated. The presence of CD90 and the absence of the CD45 were evaluated by flow cytometry. The endothelial‐like cells were characterized by the evaluation of morphological changes and gene expression analysis for endothelial markers (CD31, CD144, CD146). Characterization of AD‐MSCs showed their ability to form clones, to differentiate in vitro and the OCT‐4, SOX‐2, NANOG genes expression. Immunophenotypic characterization showed the CD90 presence and the CD45 absence. The endothelial‐like cells showed morphological changes, the expression of CD31, CD144, CD146 genes and the presence of CD31 membrane receptor. Matrigel assay showed their ability to form network and vessels‐like structures. This study lays the foundations for future evaluation of the potential AD‐MSCs pro‐angiogenic and therapeutic role.     

Selection-pressure effects of medium pH during regeneration on successive performances of leaf-derived Tomuri’ and ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) somaclones cultured on proliferation culture media with variable pH

Summary

The aims of the work were in vitro selecting for tolerance to high culture pH (CpH) in kiwifruit and evaluating the effects of selection pressure exerted by pH variations during regeneration. Leaf-derived ‘Tomuri’ and ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) somaclones, which had been regenerated at pH 5.7, 7 and 7.5, were compared to each other and to controls (i.e. cultures derived from ‘Tomuri’ and ‘Hayward’ mother plants through standard micropropagation techniques) for shoot growth, proliferation and appearance when cultured at up to pH 8. The proliferation rate (PR), the number of nodes (NN) produced by each shoot and axillary shoot length (ASL) decreased in all ‘Tomuri’ and ‘Hayward’ somaclones and in controls as culture pH increased. At CpH 8, ‘Tomuri’ somaclones regenerated at pH 7.0 generally tended to have higher average PR and NN than the other somaclones and control; their ASL also exceeded that of the other somaclones and was just slightly higher than in control. Regardless of CpH, ‘Hayward’ somaclone 7.5-1 tended to have higher PR, NN and ASL than other female somaclones. When shoot growth and appearance (tissue hyperhydricity, leaf yellowing or browning) were considered together through a multivariate data analysis, most ‘Tomuri’ and ‘Hayward’ somaclones which appeared less sensitive than controls to high CpH had been regenerated at pH 7 and 7.5. These regeneration and culture methods, especially the selection pressure exerted by the high pH during regeneration, thus seem to be effective in obtaining ‘Tomuri’ and ‘Hayward’ variants tolerant to high culture pH.     

Evaluation of the activity of aqueous extracts of some organic waste materials on in vitro-cultured shoots of ‘M9’ apple rootstock

Summary

The present work investigated the effects of different aqueous extracts of organic waste compounds on growth, proliferation and photosynthetic activity in ‘M9’ (Malus domestica Borkh.) shoot cultures, with the aim of determining the feasibility of using in vitro cultures as a tool for the rapid evaluation of organic amendments in agriculture. Aqueous extracts of the following organic waste compounds: cow manure (CM), sugarbeet industrial waste (SB), mixed grape, poultry and municipal solid waste (GPM), and citrus pruning and industrial waste (CPI) were prepared at a rate of 1:10 (w/v) compound:distilled water. The basal media used in the proliferation phase were: (i) PM1, modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) enriched with 4.4 µM 6-benzyladenine (BA); (ii) PM2, as PM1 but with a reduced cytokinin concentration (1 µM BA) to evaluate possible hormone effects; and (iii) PM3, 4.4 µM BA with reduced salt strength (0.33 MS) to induce nutrient deficiency. Hormone-free medium with half-strength MS salts was used for rooting. All media were enriched with each extract at 0, 0.2, 2, 20 or 200 ml l^–1. Photosynthetic activity was measured on PM3 medium enriched with SB or CM. Standard culture conditions were 22° ± 2°C, with a 16 h photoperiod at 30 µmoles photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) m^–2 s^–1, but at 80 µmoles PAR m^–2 s^–1 to determine photosynthetic activity. Shoot weight increase in PM1 was not affected by the GPM and CPI extracts, while the growth trends of CM- and SB-treated shoots were described by a second-degree function with maxima at 2 ml l^–1 and 0.2 ml l^–1, respectively. Shoot proliferation for SB was represented by a quadratic curve (maximum at 2 ml l^–1), was linearly reduced as GPM increased, but was not affected by CM or CPI. Treatments did not significantly affect rooting percentage and root length; however root number was increased by SB at 2 ml l^–1.CO₂ fixation increased linearly with both SB and CM, despite reduced growth at the highest levels of extract.     

Differential in Gel Electrophoresis (DIGE) Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Macrophages Cell Cultures in Response to Perthamide C Treatment

Secondary metabolites contained in marine organisms disclose diverse pharmacological activities, due to their intrinsic ability to recognize bio-macromolecules, which alter their expression and modulate their function. Thus, the identification of the cellular pathways affected by marine natural products is crucial to provide important functional information concerning their mechanism of action at the molecular level. Perthamide C, a marine sponge metabolite isolated from the polar extracts of Theonella swinhoei and endowed with a broad and interesting anti-inflammatory profile, was found in a previous study to specifically interact with heat shock protein-90 and glucose regulated protein-94, also disclosing the ability to reduce cisplatin-mediated apoptosis. In this paper, we evaluated the effect of this compound on the whole proteome of murine macrophages cells by two-dimensional DIGE proteomics. Thirty-three spots were found to be altered in expression by at least 1.6-fold and 29 proteins were identified by LC ESI-Q/TOF-MS. These proteins are involved in different processes, such as metabolism, structural stability, protein folding assistance and gene expression. Among them, perthamide C modulates the expression of several chaperones implicated in the folding of proteins correlated to apoptosis, such as Hsp90 and T-complexes, and in this context our data shed more light on the cellular effects and pathways altered by this marine cyclo-peptide.     

Nocardiosis

Two dogs with systemic nocardiosis are presented and the pathobiology, diagnosis, and treatment of nocardial infections are discussed. Both dogs had nonspecific respiratory signs and depression. The diagnosis was made by isolation of the organism only after surgical drainage was established and appropriate tissues were cultured. The response to surgical drainage and antimicrobial therapy was dramatic in both dogs, but one dog experienced a drug reaction to trimethoprim-potentiated sulfonamide. Although systemic nocardial infections traditionally have had a grave prognosis, through early diagnosis, surgical intervention, and the use of newer, safer and synergistically acting antimicrobials, the prognosis has improved. This article reviews current human and veterinary literature regarding the microbiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of nocardiosis and reports on the successful treatment of systemic nocardiosis in two dogs.     

Reinke's Crystals in an Interstitial Cell Tumour of a Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Contents One case of interstitial cell tumour in the testicle of a New Zealand White rabbit was reported. The rabbit was 9-years old and had monolateral testicular lesion. There was enlargement of left testis and the lesion were seen on the cut surface. Light microscopy revealed intracytoplasmic crystals of Reinke that resembled to the features observed for this tumour in human. Immunohistochemically, this tumour was positive for vimentin.