Comparison of Serum Zinc Levels in Healthy, Systemically Ill and Dermatologically Diseased Dogs

Abstract— Decreased levels of total body zinc can lead to profound effects on both the immune and integumentary systems. Unfortunately, accurate measurements of total body zinc are difficult because the mineral is ubiquitous in the environment and many endogenous and exogenous factors can falsely elevate or depress measurements. In man, various dermatologic and non-dermatologic diseases have been associated with low serum zinc levels. The objective of this study was to analyse by atomic absorption and compare the serum zinc levels of healthy dogs, dogs with non-dermatologic diseases, dogs with allergic skin diseases and dogs with other dermatologic diseases. Using the Student-Newman-Keuls test, no significant differences in the mean serum zinc levels were demonstrated among any of the four groups (P > 0.05). Résumé— Une diminution des taux zinc total dans le corps peut avoir de profondes répercussions sur la réponse immunitaire et les systèmes tégumentaires. Malheureusement, La mesure du taux global de zinc corporel ets difficile car ce miniral est ubiquitaire dans l'environnement et de nombreux facteurs endogènes ou exogènes peuvent élever ou diminuer de façon erronnée les dosages. Chez l'homme, quelques maladies, dermatologiques ou non, ont été associées à des zincémies faibles, objectif de cette étude était d'analyser par absorptio atomique et comparer les zincémies plasmatiques de chiens sains, atteints de maladies générales et de maladies cutanées. En utilisant le test de Student-Newman-Keuls, aucune difference significative n'a été retrouvée entre les 4 groupes (P > 0.05). Resumen Niveles bajos de zinc pueden conducir a profundos efectos en tanto el sistema inmunitario, como en el integumentario. Desafortunadamente la medida de la cantidad total de zinc en el organismo es compleja debido a la ubicuidad del mineral en el medio ambiente, y a la gran cantidad de factores endógenos y exógenos que pueden producir medidas falsas del mismo. En medicina humana se han asociado varias enfermedades dermatólogicas y sistémicas con bajos niveles de zinc. El objetivo de éste estudio es el análisis por medio del método de absorción atómica y la comparación de los niveles de zinc en el suero de perros sanos, perros con enfermedades de tipo general, perros con enfermedades de piel de tipo alérgico, y perros que presentaban enfermedades cutáneas de tipo no alérgico. Utilizando el test de Student-Newman-Keuls no se encontraron diferencias significativas en la cantidad media de zinc en suero delos cuatro grupos (P > 0.05).     

Conditioning of a free operant response in planaria

The response of breaking a photoelectric cell beam was automatically recorded and reinforced. Termination of an intense light was the reinforcement in an escape conditioning situation. The rate of response for the experimental subjects was significantly different from that of controls matched for equivalent changes in light intensity.     

Temporomandibular subluxation in the dog: A case report

Temporomandibular subluxation was diagnosed in a 2-year old Irish Setter dog. The presenting sign was frequent bouts of open jaw-locking. Tomographic evidence suggested that temporomandibular dysplasia was a factor in the aetiology of the condition. Surgical excision of rostral segments of the zygomatic arches effectively alleviated the clinical condition.     

Distribution of the Consensus Sequences of ABC Transporter Gene among Several Taxonomically Distinct Phytopathogenic Fungi

The distribution of ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporter genes among several taxonomically distinct phytopathogenic fungi was investigated by Southern blot hybridization, polymerase chain reaction assays and partial sequencing. Consensus sequences of the ABC transporter gene, which might be concerned with multidrug resistance against fungicides and with pathogenicity in phytopathogenic fungi, were found in all of the examined phytopathogenic fungi, which belonged to the Mastigomycotina, Ascomycotina, Basidiomycotina and Deuteromycotina. Received 24 August 2000/ Accepted in revised form 5 December 2000     

The effect of fermented persimmon shell diet supplementation on the growth performance and blood parameters in finishing pigs

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of fermented persimmon shell diet (FPSD) supplementation on growth performance and blood parameters in 96 Berkshire pigs. The FPSD was made from persimmon shell and mixed with rice bran and barley bran. Samples of FPSD on day 0 (D0) and day 60 (D60) were analyzed for chemical composition, pH and organic acids. The experimental diets were 0, 3, 5 and 7% FPSD added to C, T1, T2 and T3 of finishing diets on fresh matter basis. Dry matter (DM) was lower (P < 0.01) and crude protein was higher (P < 0.01) on D60 than on D0. pH value decreased (P < 0.01) on D60 than on D0 but organic acids were increased (P < 0.01). Average daily gain was higher (P < 0.05) in T2 than in other groups. Average daily feed intake was higher (P < 0.05) in T2 than in other groups. Total cholesterol was higher (P < 0.05) in T3 than in other groups. High‐density lipoprotein cholesterol increased (P < 0.05) in groups by the addition of FPSD. Blood urea nitrogen was lower (P < 0.05) in C than in other groups. The results indicate that FPSD improved the growth performance and blood parameters in Berkshire pigs.     

Xylazine-induced mydriasis: possible involvement of a central postsynaptic regulation of parasympathetic tone

Intravenous injection of xylazine (0.01 – 1 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent mydriasis associated with a depression of tonic ciliary nerve activity in anesthetized cats. Xylazine-induced mydriasis was apparent in the sympathectomized iris but was absent in the parasympathectomized, physostigmine-treated iris. Epinephrine (30 μg/kg, i.v.) produced a slighdy greater mydriasis in the sympathectomized iris than in the parasympathectomized, physostigmine-treated iris. The α₂-adrenergic blocking agent, yohimbine (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) antagonized the pupillary dilation and reversed the depression of ciliary nerve activity induced by xylazine administration.
In rats pretreated with reserpine (7.5 mg/kg, s.c., 20 h) and α-methyl-p-tyrosine (250 mg/kg, i.p., 5 h), intravenous injection of xylazine (0.01 – 1 mg/kg) resulted in mydriasis of similar magnitude as control animals. However, xylazine induced bradycardia in the control group but not in die pretreated animals.
The results suggest that pupillary dilation produced by i.v. xylazine is primarily die result of a central inhibition of parasympathetic tone to the iris. It also appears that xylazine produces this effect via postsynaptic α₂-adrenergic mechanisms, while it produces bradycardia through a presynaptic α₂-adrenergic mechanism.