Bronchoalveolar lavage affects computed tomographic and radiographic characteristics of the lungs in healthy dogs

Bronchoalveolar lavage is a common diagnostic test for dogs with suspected pulmonary disease, however there is no published information on whether this procedure could affect the imaging characteristics of the lungs. Aims of this prospective experimental study were to describe computed tomography (CT) and radiographic features of the lungs after bronchoalveolar lavage in a sample of healthy dogs. Thoracic CT and radiographic images of eight healthy Beagles were acquired at the following time points: before bronchoalveolar lavage, immediately following bronchoalveolar lavage, and at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h following bronchoalveolar lavage. Lung consolidation or interstitial patterns were seen in CT and radiographic images immediately after the procedure. Radiographic lung patterns resolved within 2 h and CT patterns resolved within 24 h. Resolution of the CT pulmonary patterns in the ventral areas of the lungs was delayed compared to the dorsal areas. Mean CT imaging scores differed over time (P < 0.001), while mean radiographic imaging scores did not differ over time. This study suggests that thoracic radiography and CT imaging assessments should precede bronchoalveolar lavage procedures if possible, or be performed at least 24 h afterward.     

Comparative studies of versatile extracellular proteolytic activities of lactic acid bacteria and their potential for extracellular amino acid productions as feed supplements

Background: Increasing understanding on the functions of amino acids(AA) has led to new commercial applications and expansion of the worldwide markets. However, the current technologies rely heavily on non-food grade microorganism and chemical synthesis for the production of AA. Several studies reported that lactic acid bacteria(LAB) have the capability of producing AA owing to their well-established proteolytic system and amino acid biosynthesis genes. Hence, the objectives of this study were to explore the extracellular proteolytic activity of LAB isolated from various Malaysian fermented foods and their potential to produce AA extracellularly as feed supplements.Results: Al the studied LAB isolates were versatile extracel ular protease producers, whereby extracel ular protease activities were detected from acidic to alkaline pH(pH 5, pH 6.5, pH 8) using qualitative and quantitative proteolytic assays.The highest proteolytic activity at pH 5(15.76 U/mg) and pH 8(19.42 U/mg) was achieved by Lactobacil us plantarum RG14, while Lactobacil us plantarum RS5 exhibited the highest proteolytic activity of 17.22 U/mg at pH 6.5. As for the results of AA production conducted in de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe medium and analysed by high pressure liquid chromatography system, al LAB isolates were capable of producing an array of AA. General y, Pediococcus sp. showed greater ability for AA production as compared to Lactobacil us sp. Moreover, the studied LAB were able to produce a few major feed supplement AA such as methionine, lysine, threonine and tryptophan. P. pentosaceus TL-3 recorded the highest methionine and threonine productivity of 3.72 mg/L/h and 5.58 mg/L/h respectively. However, L. plantarum I-UL4 demonstrated a lysine productivity of 1.24 mg/L/h, while P. acidilactici TP-6 achieved up to 1.73 mg/L/h of tryptophan productivity.Conclusion: Al the 17 studied LAB isolates possessed versatile extracel ular proteolytic system and have vast capability of producing various amino acids including a few major feed supplement AA such as methionine, lysine, threonine and tryptophan. Despite AA production was strain dependent, the studied LAB isolates possessed vast potential and can be exploited further as a bio-agent or an alternative amino acids and bioactive peptide producers.     

Cerebellar vermian hypoplasia in a Cocker Spaniel

An eight-week-old female Cocker Spaniel was presented with ataxia, dysmetria and intention tremor. At 16 weeks, the clinical signs did not progress. Investigation including imaging studies of the skull and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were performed. The computed tomography revealed a cyst-like dilation at the level of the fourth ventricle associated with vermal defect in the cerebellum. After euthanasia, a cerebellar hypoplasia with vermal defect was identified on necropsy. A polymerase chain reaction amplification of cerebellar tissue revealed the absence of an in utero parvoviral infection. Therefore, the cerebellar hypoplasia in this puppy was consistent with diagnosis of primary cerebellar malformation comparable to Dandy-Walker syndrome in humans.     

Implantation of canine umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells mixed with beta-tricalcium phosphate enhances osteogenesis in bone defect model dogs

This study was performed to evaluate the osteogenic effect of allogenic canine umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs) mixed with beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) in orthotopic implantation. Seven hundred milligrams of β-TCP mixed with 1 × 10⁶ UCB-MSCs diluted with 0.5 ml of saline (group CM) and mixed with the same volume of saline as control (group C) were implanted into a 1.5 cm diaphyseal defect and wrapped with PLGC membrane in the radius of Beagle dogs. Radiographs of the antebrachium were made after surgery. The implants were harvested 12 weeks after implantation and specimens were stained with H&E, toluidine blue and Villanueva-Goldner stains for histological examination and histomorphometric analysis of new bone formation. Additionally, UCB-MSCs were applied to a dog with non-union fracture. Radiographically, continuity between implant and host bone was evident at only one of six interfaces in group C by 12 weeks, but in three of six interfaces in group CM. Radiolucency was found only near the bone end in group C at 12 weeks after implantation, but in the entire graft in group CM. Histologically, bone formation was observed around β-TCP in longitudinal sections of implant in both groups. Histomorphometric analysis revealed significantly increased new bone formation in group CM at 12 weeks after implantation (p < 0.05). When applied to the non-union fracture, fracture healing was identified by 6 weeks after injection of UCB-MSCs. The present study indicates that a mixture of UCB-MSCs and β-TCP is a promising osteogenic material for repairing bone defects.     

Seasonal changes in durian leaf and soil mineral nutrient element content

The 3–4 year monitoring study showed that fluctuations in durian (Durio zibethintts Murray) leaf and soil nutrient element levels were closely related to seasonal changes in the crop phenology. The leaf sampling method was standardized taking the 5th and 6th mature green leaf from the shoot tip. The best sampling time was determined to be in November where the coefficient of variability for most nutrient elements were the lowest at or lower than 20%. Tentative standards for durian leaf nutrient elements were set up taking the 95% confidence interval of the means at this sampling stage. All the leaf macro elements, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), and the micro elements, zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) declined or were lower during fruit set and development from September to end of fruit harvest in January. Leaf N was also the lowest in July and leaf P at the tail end of harvest. Soil N, P, and the bases K, Ca, and Mg also exhibited similar trends, lower during fruit development especially in October‐November and were lower during active leaf flushing from March to May.     

Fabrication and surface modification of melt-electrospun poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) microfibers

In this study, biodegradable poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) fibers were prepared by a melt-electrospinning and treated with plasma in the presence of either oxygen or ammonia gas to modify the surface of the fibers. The effects of processing parameters on the melt-electrospinning of PLGA were examined in terms of fiber morphology and diameter. Among the processing parameters, the spinning temperature and mass flow rate had a significant effect on the average fiber diameter and its distribution. The water contact angle of melt-electrospun PLGA fibers decreased significantly from 123 ° to 55 ° (oxygen plasma treatment) or to 0 ° (ammonia plasma treatment) by plasma treatment for 180 sec, while their water content increased significantly from 2.4 % to 123 % (oxygen plasma treatment) or to 189 % (ammonia plasma treatment). Ammonia gas-plasma enhanced the surface hydrophilicity of PLGA fibers more effectively compared to oxygen gas-plasma. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis supported that the number of polar groups, such as hydroxyl and amino groups, on the surface of PLGA fibers increased after plasma treatment. Overall, the microfibrous PLGA scaffolds with appropriate surface hydrophilicity and fiber diameter could be fabricated by melt electrospinning and subsequent plasma treatment, without a significant deterioration of fiber structure and dimensional stability. This approach of controlling the surface properties and structures of fibers could be useful in the design and tailoring of novel scaffolds for tissue engineering.     

Cellulose fibers coated with m-aramid for medical applications

Cellulose fibers coated with an N-halamine precursor have been reported. Cellulose fibers were dipped and padded with m-aramid dissolved in N,N-dimethylacetamide followed by coagulation in distilled water. The morphology of the maramid-coated cellulose fibers was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The m-aramid on cellulose fibers was characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and the chlorination of m-aramid on the cellulose fibers was determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and XPS. The liquid and gas permeability of m-aramid coated fabrics were conducted. Wash fastness was performed to measure the durability of the m-aramid on the cellulose fibers. The chlorinated m-aramid-coated cellulose fibers preformed a 7-log reduction against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The chlorine lost after the bacterial inactivation could be regained after a simple re-chlorination process.