Tear urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in horse and their correlation with serum values

The objective of this paper was to determine the physiological values of urea nitrogen and creatinine in tears, and to compare the results with those obtained from serum. Thirty healthy thoroughbred horses were included in the study. Tear fluid samples were obtained using a glass capillary tube placed in lower conjunctival cul-de-sac. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein. Tear and serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels were quantitatively analyzed by an enzymatic colorimetric method. Urea nitrogen values were 4.22+/-1.84 mmol/l in tears and 4.44+/-1.78 mmol/l in serum, whereas creatinine values in tears were 14.14+/-7.74 micromol/l and in serum 147.63+/-12.17 micromol/l. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant correlation between serum and tear urea levels (P<0001). However, there was no significant correlation between blood and tear creatinine values. Mean value of creatinine obtained from tears was 9.6% of the mean value from serum. Urea nitrogen and creatinine levels can be measured in tears. A significant correlation was found between serum and tears urea levels. This finding may permit development of a new alternative laboratory diagnosis of uremia based on the content of urea in tears.     

Stabilization of Mine Tailings Using Fly Ash and Sewage Sludge Planted with Phalaris arundinacea L.

The impact of plants (Phalaris arundinacea L.) on the leakage of ammonium, cadmium, copper, nitrate, phosphate, and zinc from sulfidic mine tailings covered with wood fly ash and sewage sludge was investigated. Either ash or sludge was placed in contact with the tailings, and ash layers of either low or high compactness were used. It was revealed that an ash/sludge cover effectively decreased the metal leaching from the tailings regardless of the order in which the materials were applied. Plants decreased the amount of leachate and the concentrations of ammonium and phosphate. The presence of ash below the sludge decreased the plant uptake of copper and zinc and nitrate leakage. However, when the ash was added as a thin (1.5 cm) porous layer, roots and air reached the tailings and caused high metal leakage. The results support the use of a vegetated ash/sludge cover in the treatment of mine tailings, provided that the sealing layer is firm enough to prevent root penetration.     

Predictors of pregnancy and postpartum haemoglobin concentrations in low-income women

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy and postpartum iron status is of great public health importance, yet few studies have examined predictors of haemoglobin (Hb) concentration during this time. We identified predictors of Hb from 24 weeks' gestation until delivery and from 4 to 25 weeks postpartum. DESIGN: Blood was drawn as many as four times during care: at the initial visit, at 24-29 weeks' gestation, at delivery and postpartum. A longitudinal, multivariable linear regression model was used to predict Hb concentration. SETTING: A public health clinic in Raleigh, North Carolina.Subjects: n=520 women who participated in the Iron Supplementation Study. RESULTS: Hb concentration at the previous blood draw, short stature, non-Hispanic white ethnicity/race, >12 years of education and smoking were positive predictors of pregnancy and postpartum Hb concentrations. Iron supplement use was a positive predictor, while inadequate weight gain and severe nausea/vomiting were negative predictors of gestational Hb. A high infant birth weight and postpartum haemorrhage were negative predictors of postpartum Hb. Pre-pregnancy body mass index had a slight positive relationship with gestational Hb, but had a strong negative relationship with postpartum Hb. The longitudinal model also confirmed the typical pattern of gestational Hb concentration. As the number of weeks between the initial visit and the 24- to 29-week visit increased, Hb at 24-29 weeks' gestation decreased. As gestational age increased from 24 weeks until delivery, Hb concentration increased as well. CONCLUSIONS: The predictors identified here could be used in clinical settings to target high-risk women for intervention.     

Root architecture of sorghum genotypes differing in root angles under different water regimes

Plant root architecture offers the potential for increasing soil water accessibility, particularly under water-limited conditions. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the root architecture in two genotypes of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) differing in root angles and to assess the influence of different deficit irrigation regimes on root architecture. The response of two sorghum genotypes, ‘Early Hegari-Sart’ (EH; steep root angle) and ‘Bk7’ (shallow root angle) to four irrigation treatments was investigated in two replicated outdoor studies using large pots. The results indicated that EH possessed steeper brace and crown root angles, fewer brace roots, greater root biomass, and root length density than Bk7 at deeper soil depths (i.e., 15–30 and 30–45 cm) compared with a shallower depth (i.e., 0–15 cm). Across the soil profile, EH had greater root length density and length of roots of small diameter (<1 mm) than Bk7. Accordingly, EH showed more rapid soil-water capture than Bk7. Different levels of irrigation input greatly affected root architecture. Severe deficit irrigation (25% of full crop transpiration throughout the season) increased the angle and number of crown roots, root biomass, and root length density compared with 75 and 100% of full crop transpiration treatments. Consequently, root system architecture can be effectively manipulated through both genotypic selection and irrigation management to ensure optimal performance under different levels of soil available water.     

Effect of root temperature on carob growth: Nitrate versus ammonium nutrition

The response of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) seedlings grown at different root zone temperatures affected by nitrate and ammonium nutrition was studied. When root temperatures ranged from 10 to 35°C, ammonium‐fed plants were significantly larger than nitrate‐fed plants. Ammonium‐fed plants displayed toxicity symptoms and were much smaller at 40°C root temperature in comparison with the nitrate‐fed plants grown at the same root temperature. Root/shoot ratio slightly increase with root temperature in ammonium‐ and nitrate‐fed plants in a similar way, and shoot demand per root unit decreased with root temperature between 15 and 25°C. There was a general increase in net photosynthesis with root temperature, though nitrate‐fed plants were more sensitive to low and ammonium‐fed plants to high temperatures. Increasing the root temperature of ammonium fed plants from 10 to 40°C leads to a 30% increase in the amount of photosynthates sent to the roots. The presence of ammonium resulted in the distribution of newly fixed carbon away from carbohydrates and into nitrogen compounds. Potassium, calcium, and nitrogen content of the plants also increased with increasing root temperature.     

Feline leukaemia. ABCD guidelines on prevention and management

OverviewFeline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that may induce depression of the immune system, anaemia and/or lymphoma. Over the past 25 years, the prevalence of FeLV infection has decreased considerably, thanks both to reliable tests for the identification of viraemic carriers and to effective vaccines.InfectionTransmission between cats occurs mainly through friendly contacts, but also through biting. In large groups of non-vaccinated cats, around 30–40% will develop persistent viraemia, 30–40% show transient viraemia and 20–30% seroconvert. Young kittens are especially susceptible to FeLV infection.Disease signsThe most common signs of persistent FeLV viraemia are immune suppression, anaemia and lymphoma. Less common signs are immune-mediated disease, chronic enteritis, reproductive disorders and peripheral neuropathies. Most persistently viraemic cats die within 2–3 years.DiagnosisIn low-prevalence areas there may be a risk of false-positive results; a doubtful positive test result in a healthy cat should therefore be confirmed, preferably by PCR for provirus. Asymptomatic FeLV-positive cats should be retested.Disease managementSupportive therapy and good nursing care are required. Secondary infections should be treated promptly. Cats infected with FeLV should remain indoors. Vaccination against common pathogens should be maintained. Inactivated vaccines are recommended. The virus does not survive for long outside the host.Vaccination recommendationsAll cats with an uncertain FeLV status should be tested prior to vaccination. All healthy cats at potential risk of exposure should be vaccinated against FeLV. Kittens should be vaccinated at 8–9 weeks of age, with a second vaccination at 12 weeks, followed by a booster 1 year later. The ABCD suggests that, in cats older than 3–4 years of age, a booster every 2–3 years suffices, in view of the significantly lower susceptibility of older cats.     

Sperm subpopulations influence the pregnancy rates in cattle

This study aimed to study the characteristics and subpopulations of spermatozoa from bulls with low and high reproductive performance based on pregnancy rates. Based on historical records of pregnancy rate from four farms, 24 bulls were selected. Two groups were established, with low pregnancy rates (n = 12; LOW), including bulls that presented pregnancy rates <52.27% (33.33% to 51.81%); and a group with high pregnancy rates (n = 12; HIGH), with pregnancy rates >52.27% (52.27% to 69.64%), after fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). The thawed sperm straws were analysed to sperm kinetics, morphology, plasma membrane integrity and sperm subpopulations. The LOW group exhibited a higher proportion of static cells (p < .05). In contrast, the HIGH group showed greater percentages for membrane integrity and total and progressive motility, and cells with fast and medium velocity (p < .05). In the cluster procedures, four sperm subpopulations were established. The low-fertility bulls presented the highest percentage of subpopulation 2 (41.46%), characterized by slow and progressive spermatozoa. The high-fertility bulls exhibited the highest percentage of subpopulation 3 (37.17%), characterized by fast and nonlinear spermatozoa. Results from this study indicated that bulls with greater percentages of fast and nonlinear spermatozoa seem to have greater fertilization capacity and the subpopulations analysis can be considered a tool to identify ejaculates with high fertility.     

Determination of tumor necrosis factor-alpha responsiveness in piglets around weaning using an ex vivo whole blood stimulation assay

Ex vivo whole blood stimulation with endotoxin has proved to be a useful method for quantitative evaluations of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) response ability in humans. In the present study, a dose- and time-response study was carried out in order to develop an ex vivo whole blood stimulation assay for the quantification of TNF-alpha production in pigs. The TNF-alpha response was enhanced with increasing endotoxin stimulation dose. The maximum TNF-alpha response occurred after 2-8 h of stimulation. Subsequently, the assay was used to evaluate the TNF-alpha response in pigs (n=32) in relation to weaning. The TNF-alpha response was 332 pg ml(-1) (+/-59 pg) plasma 2 days before weaning and 127 pg ml(-1) (+/-23 pg) plasma 2 days after weaning, which was a significant reduction (p<0.001). Total and differential counts of leucocytes were the same before and after weaning. Thus the lower TNF-alpha response may be due to reduced monocyte responsiveness to the endotoxin, rather than caused by a reduction in monocyte numbers. The reduced TNF-alpha response in piglets after weaning may be a factor of importance to the increased disease susceptibility seen in piglets in this period.     

Milk Yield of Holstein Cows Induced into Lactation Twice Consecutively and Lactation Curve Models Fitted to Artiifcial Lactations

Nineteen multiparous barren Holstein cows were subjected to an induction of lactation protocol for 21 d administering estradiol cypionate （2 mg kg-1 of body weight （BW） d-1, on day 1 to 14）, progesterone （0.10 mg kg-1 of BW, on day 1 to 7）, lfumethasone （0.03 mg kg-1 of BW, on day 18 to 20） and recombinant bovine somatotropin （rbST;500 mg per cow, on day 1, 6, 16 and 21）. At the end of lactation and with a minimum of a 2-mon dry period, the same cows were again hormonally induced into lactation. Cows in both lactations were not artiifcially inseminated, they were milked 3 times daily and received rbST throughout lactation. Mean accumulated milk yield at 305 d in milk （DIM） did not differ between the ifrst and second induced lactations （（9 710 ＆#177;1 728） vs. （9 309＆#177;2 150） kg;mean＆#177;SD）. Total milk yield （（12 707＆#177;3 406） vs. （12 306＆#177;4 218） kg;mean＆#177;SD） and lactation length （（405＆#177;100） vs. （410＆#177;91） d;mean＆#177;SD） were not different between the ifrst and second induced lactations. In a second study, 15 empirical models including exponential, power law, yield-density, sigmoidal and miscellaneous models were compared for their suitability by modeling 12-mon （n=334）, 18-mon （n=164） and 29-mon （n=22） lactation cycles of Holsteins cows induced into lactation and treated with rbST throughout the lactation. Hoerl （Y=ab1/xxc）, Wood （Y=axb exp（cx）） and Dhanoa （Y=ax（bc）exp（cx）） models were equally suitable to describe 12-mon lactations. An exponential model with ifve parameters （Y=exp（a＋bx＋cd2＋e/x）） showed the best ift for milk yield for 18-mon lactations. The rational model （Y=a＋bx/1＋cx＋dx2） was found to produce the closest ift for 29-mon lactations. It was concluded that, with the protocol used in the present study, multiparous cows respond favorably to a second cycle of induced lactation, with milk yield similar to that experienced during the ifrst cycle. Thus, dairy producers might be able to lengthen the productive life of infertile high producing cows with a renewal of artiifcial lactation, which would imply an overall reduction in voluntary culling of cows. Also, various equations used to describe the lactation curves demonstrated the potential for iftting monthly milk records of Holstein cows with prolonged lactations and induced hormonally into lactation.     

Simulated digestion and antioxidant activity of red wine fractions separated by high speed countercurrent chromatography

Wine is an important source of dietary antioxidants because of its phenolic compound content. The antioxidant activity (AA) of pure monomer substances present in wines, such as phenolic acids, flavanols, and anthocyanins, has already been described, but the AA of polymeric phenols is still unknown. In this study, we have fractionated a red wine by countercurrent chromatography (CCC) into four fractions: fraction 1, made up of polymeric compounds; fraction 2, containing malvidin-3-glucoside; fraction 3, containing peonidin-3-glucoside; and fraction 4, containing vitisin A. The AA of these fractions was determined by oxygen radical absorbance capacity and ferric reducing ability assays. The weight of fraction 1 was the largest, so this was the largest contributor to the AA of the wine. However, the antioxidant powers (muM Trolox/g fraction) of fractions 2-4 were similar and higher than that of fraction 1. We also determined AA before and after in vitro gastric and intestinal digestions. After gastric digestion, the AA was 100-1000 times higher than the original fraction values. Gallic acid was determined in gastric and intestinal digested fractions. After intestinal digestion, the concentrations of simple phenols, such as caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and protocatechualdehyde, increased as they were released from the fractions under our conditions. Protocatechuic acid was determined in more intestinal digested fractions than in gastric digested fractions. These results partly explain the increase in AA after the digestion and indicate the relevance of polymeric polyphenolic compounds as precursors of smaller molecules with biological activity.