Pharmacokinetics of transdermal flunixin in sows

The objective of this study was to describe the pharmacokinetics (PK) of flunixin in 12 nonlactating sows following transdermal (TD) flunixin (3.33 mg/kg) and intravenous (IV; 2.20 mg/kg) flunixin meglumine (FM) administration using a crossover design with a 10‐day washout period. Blood samples were collected postadministration from sows receiving IV FM (3, 6, 10, 20, 40 min and 1, 3, 6, 12, 16, 24, 36, and 48 hr) and from sows receiving TD flunixin (10, 20, 40 min and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 hr). Liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to determine plasma flunixin concentrations, and noncompartmental methods were used for PK analysis. The geometric mean ± SD area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) following IV injection was 26,820.59 ± 9,033.88 and 511.83 ± 213.98 hr ng/ml for TD route. Mean initial plasma concentration (C₀) was 26,279.70 ± 3,610.00 ng/ml, and peak concentration (C_max) was 14.61 ± 7.85 ng/ml for IV and TD administration, respectively. The percent mean bioavailability of TD flunixin was 1.55 ± 1.00. Our results demonstrate that topical administration is not an efficient route for delivering flunixin in mature sows.     

Histopathological alterations of turkey skeletal muscle observed at the slaughterhouse

1. Six leg muscles (iliotibialis cranialis, iliotibialis lateralis, flexor cruris lateralis pars pelvica, gastrocnemius lateralis, gastrocnemius medialis and puboischiofemoralis medialis) were collected immediately after slaughter from each of 200 randomly selected male commercial turkeys.

2. Among these 1,200 samples processed for histology and examined in cross‐sections, 9–4% exhibited fibre splitting and 9% intrafascicular adipose tissue infiltration.

3. Gastrocnemius medialis muscles were more often affected than other muscles (P < 0.05), with 33% showing isolated necrotic fibres. There were rarely more than 5 necrotic cells out of roughly 4000 cells per sample.

4. Twelve percent of samples showed a high incidence of hypercontracted fibres, 63% a medium incidence (less than 8% present) and 24% none. Hypercontraction was more frequent in puboischiofemoralis medialis muscles (P < 0.05).     

Chronic desmitis and enthesiophytosis of the radio-ulnar interosseous ligament in a dog

A 10-year-old golden retriever dog was presented for chronic right forelimb lameness associated with a painful swelling at the lateral aspect of the proximal ulna. Proximal ulnar ostectomy and stabilization resulted in a good clinical outcome. The proposed diagnosis is chronic desmitis and enthesiophytosis of the radio-ulnar interosseous ligament.     

Sudden increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration reveals strong coupling between shoot carbon uptake and root nutrient uptake in young walnut trees

We studied the short-term (i.e., a few days) effect of a sudden increase in CO2 uptake by shoots on nutrient (NO3-, P ion, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) uptake by roots during vegetative growth of young walnut (Juglans nigra x J. major L.) trees. The increase in CO2 uptake was induced by a sudden increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]). Twelve 2-year-old trees were transplanted and grown in perlite-filled pots in a greenhouse. Rates of CO2 uptake and water loss by individual trees were determined by a branch bag method from 3 days before until 6 days after [CO2] was increased. Nutrient uptake rates were measured concurrently by a hydroponic recirculating nutrient solution system that provided non-limiting supplies of water and nutrients. Six control trees were kept in ambient [CO2] (360 ppm), and [CO2] was increased to 550 ppm for one set of three trees and to 800 ppm for another set of three trees. Before imposing the elevated [CO2] treatments, all trees exhibited similar daily water loss, CO2 uptake and nutrient uptake rates when expressed per unit leaf area to account for the tree size effect. Daily water loss rates were only slightly affected by elevated [CO2]. Carbon dioxide uptake rates greatly increased with increasing atmospheric [CO2], and nutrient uptake rates were proportional to CO2 uptake rates during the study period, except for P ion. Our results show that, despite the important carbon and nitrogen storage capacities previously observed in young walnut trees, nutrient uptake by roots is strongly coupled to carbon uptake by shoots over periods of a few days.     

Citrus limonoids and their semisynthetic derivatives as antifeedant agents against Spodoptera frugiperda larvae. A structure-activity relationship study

The antifeedant activity of Citrus-derived limonoids limonin (1), nomilin (2), and obacunone (3) and their semisynthetic derivatives 4-26 was evaluated against a commercially important pest, Spodoptera frugiperda. Simple chemical conversions were carried out on the natural limonoids obtained from seeds of Citrus limon. These conversions focused on functional groups considered to be important for the biological activity, namely the C-7 carbonyl and the furan ring. In particular, reduction at C-7 afforded the related alcohols, and from these their acetates, oximes, and methoximes were prepared. Hydrogenation of the furan ring was also performed on limonin and obacunone. The known antifeedant properties of the Citrus limonoids are confirmed. Comparison with previously reported data shows that insect species vary in their behavioral responses to these structural modifications. Highly significant antifeedant activity (P < 0.01) for two natural (1 and 3) and three semisynthetic limonoids (4, 8, and 10) was observed against S. frugiperda.     

Acid-base and biochemical stabilization and quality of recovery in male cats with urethral obstruction and anesthetized with propofol or a combination of ketamine and diazepam

This study compared acid-base and biochemical changes and quality of recovery in male cats with experimentally induced urethral obstruction and anesthetized with either propofol or a combination of ketamine and diazepam for urethral catheterization. Ten male cats with urethral obstruction were enrolled for urethral catheterization and anesthetized with either ketamine-diazepam (KD) or propofol (P). Lactated Ringer’s solution was administered by intravenous (IV) beginning 15 min before and continuing for 48 h after relief of urethral obstruction. Quality of recovery and time to standing were evaluated. The urethral catheter was maintained to measure urinary output. Hematocrit (Hct), total plasma protein (TPP), albumin, total protein (TP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, pH, bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻), chloride, base excess, anion gap, sodium, potassium, and partial pressure of carbon dioxide in mixed venous blood (pvCO₂) were measured before urethral obstruction, at start of fluid therapy (0 h), and at subsequent intervals. The quality of recovery and time to standing were respectively 4 and 75 min in the KD group and 5 and 16 min in the P group. The blood urea nitrogen values were increased at 0, 2, and 8 h in both groups. Serum creatinine increased at 0 and 2 h in cats administered KD and at 0, 2, and 8 h in cats receiving P, although the values were above the reference range in both groups until 8 h. Acidosis occurred for up to 2 h in both groups. Acid-base and biochemical stabilization were similar in cats anesthetized with propofol or with ketamine-diazepam. Cats that received propofol recovered much faster, but the ketamine-diazepam combination was shown to be more advantageous when treating uncooperative cats as it can be administered by intramuscular (IM) injection.     

Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in canine osteosarcoma: Association with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis

Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is associated with aggressive growth and metastasis of a range of tumours, including osteosarcomas (OS), although some studies have reported no relevance to clinicopathological events or prognosis. The present study evaluated EGFR mRNA and protein expression in a panel of OS cell lines, normal bones, frozen primary OS and tissue microarrays. EGFR expression was significantly elevated in primary OS compared to normal bones and in metastases of OS to the lungs in comparison with extrapulmonary sites. However, there were no clinical or pathological associations with mRNA expression levels in frozen tumours. Tissue microarray analysis demonstrated that a subset of canine OS with high EGFR expression was associated with significantly shorter survival times and disease-free intervals. Cytoplasmic expression of EGFR was present in 75% of metastases and was similar to expression in primary tumours. EGFR expression alone is not a reliable predictor of outcome and other markers are necessary for further prognostic stratification of dogs with OS. However, these findings suggest that a subset of dogs may benefit from anti-EGFR adjuvant therapies.     

Decreasing dog problem behavior with functional analysis: Linking diagnoses to treatment

Behavioral problems in dogs account for nearly half of the reasons given for relinquishing them to shelters, and thus constitute a significant animal welfare issue. Any successful attempt to manage these problems will require an understanding of the mechanisms that control these behaviors. However, for some of the behavioral problems cited, such as jumping up on people, available treatments are not prescribed after a systematic assessment of the environmental contingencies contributing to the behavior. The current study assesses the use of functional analysis, an established technique for identifying the variables controlling problem behavior in humans, to determine the environmental factors supporting the behavior of jumping up on people in dogs. Statistically significant differences were found in the rate of jumping up behavior across conditions for each dog in the assessment phase. Treatment conditions used the maintaining variable found in the assessment phase. By comparing the rates of jumping up behavior in these conditions, we found the rates to be of lower statistical significance in the treatment condition. Therefore, results show that this methodology is effective in determining the maintaining variables for these individuals, leading to a more precise treatment.     

Virulence factors in Escherichia coli strains isolated from urinary tract infection and pyometra cases and from feces of healthy dogs

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of virulence genes in 158 Escherichia coli strains isolated from 51 clinical cases of UTIs, 52 of pyometra and from 55 fecal samples from healthy dogs by PCR. papC was found in 12 (23.5%) strains isolated from UTIs, 19 (36.5%) from pyometra and 10 (18.2%) from feces. papGII was observed in 3 (5.8%) strains from pyometra, and papGIII in 10 (19.6%) from UTIs, 15 (28.8%) from pyometra and 9 (16.4%) from feces. sfaS was detected in 22 (43.1%) strains from UTIs, 24 (46.1%) from pyometra and 19 (34.5%) from feces. hlyA was observed in 17 (33.3%) strains from UTIs, 18 (34.6%) from pyometra and 7 (12.7%) from feces, while cnf-1 was detected in 11 (21.6%) from UTIs, 21 (40.4%) from pyometra and 9 (16.4%) from feces. iucD was observed in 12 (23.5%) strains from UTIs, 9 (17.3%) from pyometra and 1 (1.8%) from feces. usp was found 17 (33.3%) isolates from UTIs and 36 (69.9%) from pyometra.