5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine blocks myogenesis by extinguishing expression of MyoD1

The pyrimidine analog 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) competes with thymidine for incorporation into DNA. Substitution of BUdR for thymidine does not significantly affect cell viability but does block cell differentiation in many different lineages. BUdR substitution in a mouse myoblast line blocked myogenic differentiation and extinguished the expression of the myogenic determination gene MyoD1. Forced expression of MyoD1 from a transfected expression vector in a BUdR-substituted myoblast overcame the block to differentiation imposed by BUdR. Activation of BUdR-substituted muscle structural genes and apparently normal differentiation were observed in transfected myoblasts. This shows that BUdR blocks myogenesis at the level of a myogenic regulatory gene, possibly MyoD1, not by directly inhibiting the activation of muscle structural genes. It is consistent with the idea that BUdR selectively blocks a class of regulatory genes, each member of which is important for the development of a different cell lineage.     

Trenbolone acetate/estradiol combinations in feedlot steers: dose-response and implant carrier effects.

Two experiments were conducted at three locations to determine the correct dosage and carrier for trenbolone acetate (TBA) and estradiol (E2) implants in feedlot steers. In the dose-response experiment, 1,296 steers were allotted to six implant treatments (48 pens per location): control, 140 mg of TBA (140/0), 30 mg of E2 (0/30), 20 mg of TBA + 4 mg of E2(20/4), 80 mg of TBA + 16 mg of E2(80/16), and 140 mg of TBA + 28 mg of E2 (140/28). In the carrier experiment, 575 steers were allotted to five implant treatments (25 pens per location): control, 140 mg of TBA + 28 mg of E2 in lactose (140/28-LA), 140 mg of TBA + 28 mg of E2 in cholesterol (140/28-CH), 140 mg of TBA + 20 mg of E2 in LA (140/20-LA), and 200 mg of progesterone + 20 mg of E2 benzoate (SS, reimplanted). In both experiments steers were fed a finishing diet for 140 to 168 d. In the dose-response experiment, response to TBA alone (140/0) did not differ from control (P greater than .2). Estradiol alone (0/30) improved ADG by 7% (P less than .01) and tended to improve feed efficiency over control (3%, P = .17). The highest dosage (140/28) improved ADG by 18% (P less than .001) and feed efficiency by 10% (P less than .001) over control and 10% (P less than .001) and 7% (P less than .01) over E2 alone, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Riding arenas and different riding track surfaces in relation to the airway contamination in horses. Laboratory studies on riding surfaces]

29 samples of commonly used surfaces were tested for their water characteristics (litre weight, water capacity, water binding, water evaporation) and their contribution to airborne fungal spores (dust formation, dust setting). The results are discussed in comparison to the literature with regard to the environment. The results are: 1. Any surface--no matter of what material--eventually causes air pollution with fungal spores and dust. 2. Correct watering prevents air pollution by any surface. 3. Artificial products have no advantage over natural materials in the parameters tested. 4. The question of proper disposal of old surface material has to be clarified before purchase. The results show that a mixture of sand and wood shavings should be recommended as a surface for indoor arenas, especially in regard to environmental protection and proper disposal.     

Acquired syringomyelia in a dog.

Acquired syringomyelia was diagnosed in an 11-year-old Fox Terrier with progressive paresis in the left pelvic limb. Myelography and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed an intramedullary lesion involving the left dorsolateral portion of the spinal cord at the level of L-2 and L-3 vertebrae. Clinical signs improved after surgical syringotomy. Microscopic evaluation of a biopsy specimen from the cyst wall did not establish a definitive histologic diagnosis. The cyst was decreased in size on magnetic resonance imaging 7 months later.     

Humoral recognition of lipopolysaccharide core antigens of gram-negative bacteria in neonatal swine

Serologic recognition of common lipopolysaccharide core antigens has been related to enhanced resistance to gram-negative bacterial disease in several species. Class-specific titers (IgG, IgM) were determined by direct ELISA, using intact Escherichia coli (J5) as a plate antigen. Serum samples were obtained from 224 neonatal swine between the ages of 36 and 60 hours. The mean (+/- SEM) log10 IgG titer against gram-negative core antigens was 1:1,713 +/- 0.4718 and the mean log10 IgM titer was 1:202 +/- 0.5644. The IgG titer was directly related with litter size, birth weight, and serum total IgG concentration; IgM titer was directly related with dam parity and serum total IgG concentration.     

Ostertagia ostertagi infection in the calf: effects of a trickle challenge on appetite, digestibility, rate of passage of digesta and liveweight gain

The effects of a trickle challenge with the equivalent of 10,000 infective Ostertagia ostertagi larvae per day on appetite, digestibility, rate of passage of digesta and liveweight gain were investigated in 12 calves assigned to infected, pair-fed control and ad libitum-fed control groups. Digestibility of cellulose, nitrogen, organic matter and dry matter was determined using insoluble acid detergent fibre as a marker on two occasions during the study: (i) Between days 31 and 38, when abomasal dysfunction was greatest; and (ii) between days 52 and 58, beginning approximately one week after anthelmintic treatment (day 46). Rate of passage of digesta was measured using chromium mordanted hay, fed to each calf after each digestibility study period. Voluntary feed intake of the infected group was significantly reduced from day 37 with the greatest depression (77 per cent) occurring just before anthelmintic treatment. The drop in appetite was responsible for nearly 73 per cent of the difference in liveweight gain between the infected and ad libitum fed control groups. The apparent digestibility coefficient of nitrogen was significantly depressed (22 per cent) in the infected group though was restored to control levels by anthelmintic treatment. The rate of passage of digesta was significantly reduced in both pair-fed control (50 per cent) and infected (74 per cent) groups. Anthelmintic treatment increased the latter though only to pair-fed control group levels. It is suggested that the marked hypergastrinaemia seen in the infected calves may have been in part responsible for the decreased rate of passage of digesta and in turn for the drop in appetite.     

Lactate Kinetics in veterinary Critical Care: A Review

Elevation in blood lactate concentration, with or without accompanying metabolic acidosis, is a hallmark finding in patients with circulatory compromise, and is also consistently noted in other conditions affecting critically ill or injured individuals. Little is reported in a veterinary literature regarding lactate measurement in the emergency and critical care setting, despite impressive reports of the clinical usefulness of lactate measurement in people. The purpose of this article is to review lactate kinetics and the clinical utility of lactate measurement. Limitations to lactate evaluation will also be discussed.     

Pathotypes of Synchytrium endobioticum in Germany

Results are given of a survey on the occurrence of pathotypes (races) of Synchytrium endobioticum (potato wart) in both parts of re-unified Germany. An assortment of six differential cultivars appears to be sufficient to distinguish between the seven presently important German wart pathotypes. A total of ten pathotypes was recorded. Two West and two East German pathotypes seem to be identical, based on the results obtained with presently available cultivars. In contrast to pathotype 1 (common race) which prior to 1945 was distributed over the whole German territory, the 'new' pathotypes seem to prefer the central and south German mountain areas.