Modulatory effects of functional rice cultivars giant embryo and Aranghyangchal on the body weight and lipid metabolism in mice fed with a high fat diet

The effects of the functional rice cultivars giant embryo and Aranghyangchal on the body weight and lipid metabolism in male C57BL/6N mice under high fat diet conditions were investigated. The animals were randomly placed into four dietary groups: normal control (NC group), high fat (HF group), and high fat supplemented with giant embryo (HF-GE group) or Aranghyangchal (HF-AR group). After 8weeks, a marked increase in the body weight and plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations were found in the HF mice relative to the control group. However, the addition of the functional rice samples in the high fat diet reduced the body weight gain and significantly decreased the lipid levels through inhibition of lipogenesis and regulation of adipokine production. The results demonstrate that the functional rice grains giant embryo and Aranghyangchal may both be useful as biomaterials in the development of functional food with therapeutic potential against high fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia.     

Deodorizing and antibacterial performance of cotton, silk and wool fabrics dyed with Punica granatum L. extracts

Natural dye extracts were obtained by extraction from Punica granatum L. using water as an extractant at 90 °C for 90 min with various liquor ratios (solid Punica granatum L.(wt.): solvent water(wt.); 1:100–1:5). Dyeing was carried out using a 1:50 dyeing bath ratio at 80 °C for 60 min by exhaustion method. This study focused on the effect of liquor ratio on dyeing properties and deodorizing/antibacterial performance of various fabrics (cotton, silk and wool) dyed with Punica granatum L. extract without mordants. The optimum liquor ratio was found to be 1:10. By IR, UV-visible spectroscopies and HPLC analysis, the main component in Punica granatum L. extract and the yellow colorant component were found to be ellagic acid. By GC/MS analysis, the major volatile components of pristine Punica granatum L. powder were found to be acetic acid (area: 25.84 %), ethanol (area: 17.97 %), acetoin (area: 13.11 %), acetaldehyde (area: 8.96 %), isobutanal (area: 4.90 %). All dyed fabrics (cotton, silk and wool fabrics) displayed outstanding deodorizing performance (99 %) against ammonia gas and excellent antibacterial performance (bacteriostatic reduction rate: 99.9 %) against Staphylococcu aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae.     

Selective cationic surfactant detection in aqueous solution by polyurethane copolymer linked with metal ion indicator

Polyurethane (PU) copolymer is laterally linked with three kinds of metal ion indicator (calcein, calmagite, or eriochrome black T), with which free metal ion in aqueous solution is intended to be detected by PU color change. Metal ion detection by the indicator-PU fails due to the poor permeation of hydrophilic metal ion into hydrophobic PU layer. Instead, three surfactants with different ionic head groups, aerosol OT (AOT), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), are tested for metal ion. Cationic CTAB exhibits an instant PU color change, but anionic AOT and SDS do not respond at all. Reason for the selective detection of cationic surfactant is the complex formation between cationic surfactant and indicator. Molecular interactions between PUs are affected by the laterally linked indicators based on the results by infrared spectra and differential thermal analysis. UV-vis spectra reveal that extra peak arising from the linked indicator appears compared to plain PU. The lateral linking of indicator to PU demonstrates, as well as the selective surfactant detection, a 454 % increase in tensile strength and reproducible shape recovery as high as 99 % compared to plain PU.     

Clinical use of a ceramide-based moisturizer for treating dogs with atopic dermatitis

In humans, skin barrier dysfunction is thought to be responsible for enhanced penetration of allergens. Similar to conditions seen in humans, canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is characterized by derangement of corneocytes and disorganization of intercellular lipids in the stratum corenum (SC) with decreased ceramide levels. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a moisturizer containing ceramide on dogs with CAD. Dogs (n = 20, 3~8 years old) with mild to moderate clinical signs were recruited and applied a moisturizer containing ceramide for 4 weeks. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, pruritus index for canine atopic dermatitis (PICAD) scores, and canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (CADESI) scores of all dogs were evaluated. Skin samples from five dogs were also examined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using ruthenium tetroxide. TEWL, PICAD, and CADESI values decreased (p < 0.05) and skin hydration increased dramatically over time (p < 0.05). Electron micrographs showed that the skin barrier of all five dogs was partially restored (p < 0.05). In conclusion, these results demonstrated that moisturizer containing ceramide was effective for treating skin barrier dysfunction and CAD symptoms.     

Antiviral effect of dietary germanium biotite supplementation in pigs experimentally infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Germanium biotite (GB) is an aluminosilicate mineral containing 36 ppm germanium. The present study was conducted to better understand the effects of GB on immune responses in a mouse model, and to demonstrate the clearance effects of this mineral against Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in experimentally infected pigs as an initial step towards the development of a feed supplement that would promote immune activity and help prevent diseases. In the mouse model, dietary supplementation with GB enhanced concanavalin A (ConA)-induced lymphocyte proliferation and increased the percentage of CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes. In pigs experimentally infected with PRRSV, viral titers in lungs and lymphoid tissues from the GB-fed group were significantly decreased compared to those of the control group 12 days post-infection. Corresponding histopathological analyses demonstrated that GB-fed pigs displayed less severe pathological changes associated with PRRSV infection compared to the control group, indicating that GB promotes PRRSV clearance. These antiviral effects in pigs may be related to the ability of GB to increase CD3+CD8+ T lymphocyte production observed in the mice. Hence, this mineral may be an effective feed supplement for increasing immune activity and preventing disease.     

Cloacal papillomatosis in the absence of herpesvirus and papillomavirus in a sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)

CASE HISTORY A 21-year-old male sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) was presented following the sudden appearance of blood associated with the passage of faeces and urates.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: There was fresh blood-staining of the feathers around the vent. The dorsal mucosal wall of the proctodeum was erythematous and roughened in appearance. An endoscopic biopsy was performed, and histological examination revealed multiple fronds of epithelium; the mucosa varied from simple to pseudostratified columnar epithelium, with diffuse hyperplasia of goblet cells. The underlying connective tissue stroma was well vascularised and was infiltrated with mixed inflammatory cells, comprising granulocytic cells and macrophages. PCR testing for both herpesvirus and papillomavirus, using consensus primers, was negative.

DIAGNOSIS: Cloacal papillomatosis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This case manifested typical clinical signs and histological lesions of cloacal papillomatosis in the absence of demonstrable herpesvirus or papillomavirus. Veterinarians need to consider this disease in the differential diagnosis of blood in the droppings of parrots and cockatoos even in countries where psittacine herpesviruses are exotic diseases.     

A serological survey of cattle in the Thames-Coromandel district of New Zealand for antibodies to Ross River virus

AIM: To determine if cattle exposed to the southern saltmarsh mosquito (SSM), Aedes camptorhynchus, in the Thames-Coromandel district of New Zealand had been exposed to Ross River virus (RRV).

METHODS: A purposive sampling design was used to test cattle from seven farms located in close proximity to four sites infested with A. camptorhynchus in the Thames-Coromandel district. Sera from 207 cattle were tested for antibodies to RRV, using an ELISA and confi rmatory virus neutralisation test (VNT) as the gold standard.

RESULTS: All 207 cattle tested negative for antibodies to RRV using the ELISA and VNT.

CONCLUSIONS: This study found no evidence of exposure to RRV in cattle in locations in the Thames-Coromandel district of New Zealand where populations of SSM were present.     

Bacterial sinusitis as a cause of beak deformity in an Antipodes Island parakeet (Cyanoramphus unicolor)

CASE HISTORY: From 26 days of age, an Antipodes Island parakeet (Cyanoramphus unicolor) was noted to have a severe beak deformity and reduced bodyweight gain compared to its nest mate. The bird was euthanised at 43 days of age.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: The beak abnormality consisted of distortion of the right nares and severe shortening resulting in deviation of the upper maxilla to the right and cranially. On sectioning the head, copious mucoid material was found in the infraorbital sinus and the bony sinus architecture was disrupted. Histopathological examination of the infraorbital sinuses revealed a large focus of chronic but active inflammation, bony lysis on the right side and pockets of a mixed population of bacteria.

DIAGNOSIS: Severe beak deformity, likely secondary to bacterial sinusitis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The case illustrates the need to look for underlying aetiologies to beak malformation, particularly in young parrots.     

Disseminated mycosis in a Jackson's Chameleon (Chamaeloeo jacksonii)

Extract

An adult male Jackson's chameleon died with a history of intermittent periorbital swelling, anorexia and abnormal posture. On post mortem examination, there were multiple granulomas in the tongue, liver and soft palate. Histopathology revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation with yeast-like organisms and non-septate branching hyphae. Fungal cultures resulted in the growth of a Penicillium spp that could not be speciated further. The peri-orbital tissues contained a mix of necrotic bone and muscle. Sections of the brain showed three large adjacent focal areas of infarction. The kidneys showed acute nephritis and sclerotic glomeruli. The cytoplasm of some renal tubular epithelial cells contained highly eosinophilic granules. This ‘sexual segment granulation’ is normal in sexually active males of some lizard species.