Effect of tepoxalin on renal function and hepatic enzymes in dogs exposed to hypotension with isoflurane

ObjectiveTo evaluate the possible renal and hepatic toxicity of tepoxalin in dogs exposed to hypotension during isoflurane anesthesia.Study designProspective, randomized experimental study.AnimalsTwenty adult mixed-breed dogs, weighing 18.8 ± 2.8 kg.MethodsThe animals received 10 mg kg^?1 tepoxalin orally 2 hours before the anesthetic procedure (PRE; n = 6), or 30 minutes after anesthesia (POST; n = 6), along with a control group (CON; n = 8), which were only anesthetized. The PRE and POST groups also received the same dose of tepoxalin for 5 days post-procedure. All dogs were anesthetized with propofol and maintained with isoflurane and the end-tidal isoflurane (Fe’Iso) was increased until mean arterial pressure decreased to 50–60 mmHg. These pressures were maintained for 60 minutes. Heart rate, arterial pressures and Fe’Iso were recorded at 0, 10 and every 10 minutes up to 60 minutes of hypotension. Blood gases, pH, electrolytes and bleeding time were analyzed before and at 30 and 60 minutes of hypotension. Renal and hepatic changes were quantified by serum and urinary biochemistry and creatinine clearance.ResultsSerum concentrations of alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and σ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr), and urinary output, urinary Cr, Cr clearance, and GGT:Cr ratio remained stable throughout the evaluations. During the anesthetic procedure there were no important variations in the physiological parameters. No side effects were observed in any of the groups.Conclusions and clinical relevanceTepoxalin did not cause significant effects on renal function or cause hepatic injury in healthy dogs exposed to hypotension with isoflurane, when administered pre- or postanesthetic and continued for five consecutive days.     

Breeding systems in Coix lacryma-jobi populations

Summary Six populations of Coix lacryma-jobi with distinct characters were studied to evaluate the presence of autonomous apomixis and pseudogamy, and to determine its implications and effects in the calculations of the rate of breeding. For this reason, two types of genetic markers were used-morphological markers and isozymatic markers.The results show that autonomous apomixis does not seem to occur in these populations. Further experiments are necessary to prove the presence of pseudogamy in one of the populations. The rate of natural outcrossing in the grain types Rosario, Rosadlay and I-47 fluctuated around 35.9% using estimates based on isozymatic markers. The rate of natural outcrossing was 37.4% in the Adlay population using morphological markers. A population composed of tall individuals, named Tailândia, which has a greater vegetative mass and fewer grains, presented a high level of natural outcrossing at 72.8%. This information is important for many reasons, such as: 1) guiding sampling strategies of genetic material, 2) in the organization and upkeep of germplasm banks, and 3) for plant breeding programs.     

Pathogenicity of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides to carrot

Abstract

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was identified as the causal agent of carrot umbel blight in Brazil. Pathogenicity was evaluated on carrot and other host plants, as well as compared with the pathogenicity of other C. gloeosporioides isolates on carrot. C. gloeosporioides isolated from carrot umbel was able to infect tomato plants and ripe fruits of tomato and sweet pepper, in addition to carrot umbels and seedlings. This appears to be the first report of C. gloeosporioides attacking carrots.     

Granular Vulvovaginitis Syndrome in Nelore pubertal and post pubertal replacement heifers under tropical conditions: role of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycoplasma</Emphasis> spp., <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ureaplasma diversum</Emphasis> and BHV-1

In order to determine the role of Mycoplasma spp, Ureaplasma diversum and BHV-1 as causal agents of Granular Vulvovaginitis Syndrome in Nelore heifers raised under tropical conditions and based on the hypothesis that stressful conditions during puberty or breeding season would be a determinant factor for the infection, 340 heifers not vaccinated against BHV-1 were divided in Post-pubertal, in the beginning of the first breeding season, and Pubertal heifers. The vaginal lesion score (VLS) Grade 1 to 4 was giving according to lesion area and severity. Vaginal mucus was used to isolate Mycoplasma spp., Ureaplasma diversum and BHV-1. The predominant VLS was 2. No sample was positive for BHV-1; 48% were positive for Mycoplasma spp., Ureaplasma diversum, or both, with predominance of Ureaplasma diversum. Serum neutralization for BHV-1 showed more positive animals in pubertal group (23%); 3 of the paired sera demonstrated seroconversion. These data indicated that post-pubertal and pubertal Nelore heifers raised under extensive conditions are more susceptible to Mycoplasma spp. and Ureaplasma diversum. The hypothesis that the stress of pubertal period could lead to an acute vaginal infection by HBV-1 was not proofed.     

Advances in Reproductive Science for Wild Carnivore Conservation

Knowledge about reproduction is critical for predicting the viability of wildlife populations in nature and for managing breeding programmes in captivity. Intensive species-based studies are the priority, because reproductive mechanisms are extraordinarily diverse, even within the same taxonomic family. Carnivores deserve more attention as such species are highly vulnerable to environmental change and human persecution. The present review provides contemporary illustrations of how reproductive science is contributing to understand unique reproductive mechanisms that are both of fundamental and applied interest. In the case of the endangered African wild dog ( Lycaon pictus ) free-living in South Africa, non-invasive faecal corticosteroid assessments have yielded new insights about the impact of animal relocation and reintroduction on adaptive responses, reproductive fitness and survival. For the maned wolf ( Chrysocyon brachyurus ), advances have been made in characterizing and comparing reproductive traits in free-ranging vs captive individuals. For the cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus ), recent studies have focused on the cryosensitivity of sperm and the ability to develop a field-friendly sperm cryo-method. The by-product has been a large-scale frozen repository of sperm from wild-caught cheetahs useful for infusing new genes into ex situ populations. Finally, rigorous, multi-disciplinary and cross-institutional reproductive studies of the black-footed ferret ( Mustela nigripes ), including the use of artificial insemination, have contributed to the remarkable recovery and restoration of this species, once on the brink of extinction. In summary, advances in reproductive science are not necessarily related to 'assisted breeding'. However, understanding the unique ways of carnivore reproduction greatly contributes to species management and conservation.     

Soil N Losses by Denitrification Evaluated Using the 15N Tracer Method

Molecular nitrogen (N₂) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) generated by denitrification increase N losses in the soil–plant system. This study aimed to quantify N₂ and N₂O from potassium nitrate (K¹⁵NO₃) applied to soils with different textures and moisture contents in the absence and presence of a source of carbon (C) using the ¹⁵N tracer method. In the three soils used (sandy texture (ST), sandy clay loam texture (SCLT), and clayey texture (CT)), three moisture contents were evaluated (40%, 60%, and 80% of the water holding capacity (WHC)) with (D⁺) and without (D^?) dextrose added. The treatments received 100 mg N kg^?1 (KNO₃ with 23.24 atom% ¹⁵N). N₂ emissions occurred in all of the treatments, but N₂O emissions only occurred in the D⁺ treatment, showing increases with increasing moisture content. SCLT with 80% WHC in the D⁺ treatment exhibited the highest accumulated N emission (48.26 mg kg^?1). The ¹⁵N balance suggested trapping of the gases in the soil.     

Serological survey of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in goats, sheep, cattle and water buffaloes in Bahia State, Brazil.

Serum samples from 439 goats, 240 sheep, 194 cattle and 104 water buffaloes were tested for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by a latex agglutination test. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 28.93% of goats, 18.75% of sheep, 1.03% of cattle and 3.85% of water buffaloes, at a dilution of 1:64. The highest titres observed in goats, sheep, cattle and water buffaloes were 1:2048, 1:2048, 1:64 and 1:512, respectively.     

Effect of Steeping Conditions (Sulfur Dioxide,Lactic Acid,and Temperature) on Starch Yield,Starch Quality,and Germ Quality from the Intermittent Milling and Dynamic Steeping Process (IMDS) for a Brazilian Corn Hybrid

Effect of lactic acid, SO₂, temperature, and their interactions were assessed on the dynamic steeping of a Brazilian dent corn (hybrid XL 606) to determine the ideal relationship among these variables to improve the wet‐milling process for starch and corn by‐products production. A 2×2×3 factorial experimental design was used with SO₂ levels of 0.05 and 0.1% (w/v), lactic acid levels of 0 and 0.5% (v/v), and temperatures of 52, 60, and 68°C. Starch yield was used as deciding factor to choose the best treatment. Lactic acid added in the steep solution improved the starch yield by an average of 5.6 percentage points. SO₂ was more available to break down the structural protein network at 0.1% than at the 0.05% level. Starch‐gluten separation was difficult at 68°C. The lactic acid and SO₂ concentrations and steeping temperatures for better starch recovery were 0.5, 0.1, and 52°C, respectively. The Intermittent Milling and Dynamic Steeping (IMDS) process produced, on average, 1.4% more starch than the conventional 36‐ hr steeping process. Protein in starch, oil content in germ, and germ damage were used as quality factors. Total steep time can be reduced from 36 hr for conventional wet‐milling to 8 hr for the IMDS process.