Acquired cervical syringomyelia secondary to a brainstem meningioma in a maltese dog

A 15-year-old female maltese was referred to us because of a 3-month history of ataxia, circling, and acute blindness. A mass was noted in the brainstem on brain magnetic resonance images. A cerebellar herniation was also detected on T1-weighted sagittal images. The lateral, third and fourth ventricles and central canal of the cervical spinal cord were enlarged. Based on diagnostic imaging findings, cervical syringomyelia secondary to a brainstem tumor was suspected. The clinical signs were controlled well by lomustine and the dog survived for 8 months after the initial diagnosis. The mass was diagnosed as a meningioma based on histopathological findings. This report describes the clinical findings and imaging characteristics of an acquired syringomyelia resulting from a brainstem meningioma.     

The effect of bentonite concentration on the drug delivery efficacy of a pH-sensitive alginate/bentonite hydrogel

We produced a protein loaded, pH-sensitive alginate-bentonite hydrogel for wound dressings. Alginate is a nontoxic polysaccharide with favorable pH-sensitive properties that make it useful for the intestinal delivery of protein drugs. However, the use of alginate for drug delivery is limited by drug leaching and rapid dissolution of alginate at the higher pH, which may result in lower entrapment efficiency and a burst in the release of entrapped protein drugs. To overcome these problems, we created a novel cross-linked alginate-bentonite hydrogel by combining mineral-rich bentonite with the alginate matrix along with an additive to ensure controlled release. We analyzed the gel in the drug loading process in an aqueous environment by looking at the release profiles of a model protein drug (BSA) from the hydrogel at pH values of 4.5, 5.2 (skin area) and 7.4, 9.2 (wound area). The swelling ratio decreased with bentonite concentration, but did not fall below 6. The rate of drug release was slowest at a pH value of 4.5 and fastest at a pH value of 9.2. The rate of drug release decreased with bentonite concentration. The presence of bentonite prevents the rapid dissolution of alginate at the higher pH, ensuring the controlled release of the entrapped drug.     

Effects of conditioned media from human amniotic epithelial cells on corneal alkali injuries in rabbits

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of conditioned media (CM) from human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) on the corneal wound healing process. Eighteen rabbits (36 eyes) were used and randomly assigned to three groups according treatment: CM from HAECs (group 1), vehicle alone (group 2), and saline (group 3). Corneal alkali injuries were induced with 1 N sodium hydroxide. Each reagent used for treatment evaluation was injected into the dorsal bulbar subconjunctiva and the area of the corneal epithelial defect was measured every other day. Two animals from each group were euthanized at a time on days 3, 7, and 15, and the cornea was removed for histological examination. The sum of the epithelial defect areas measured on day 0 to day 6 as well as day 0 to day 14 in group 1 was significantly smaller than those of other groups. Histological examination revealed that the group 1 corneas had less inflammatory cell infiltration and showed more intact epithelial features compared to the other groups. These results suggest that CM from HAECs promote corneal wound healing in rabbits.     

Isolation of Nanocellulose from Water Hyacinth Fiber (WHF) Produced via Digester-Sonication and Its Characterization

The successful isolation and characterization of water hyacinth fiber (Eichornia crassipes) (WHF) nanocellulose is presented in this study. The novelty was in exploring a wider range of properties of highly purified samples of WHF after each stage of production in more depth. The isolation was accomplished by pulping in a digester and sonication. Morphological changes before and after treatment were demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The lignin and hemicellulose content decreased during chemical treatment. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and particle size analyzer (PSA) were used to determine the morphology of WHF after sonication for 1 h. TEM shows that the diameter and length of nanocellulose WHF were 15.61 and 147.4 nm, respectively. The crystallinity index and crystalline domain area significantly increased after chemical treatment. The highest crystallinity index was 84.87 % after an acid hydrolysis process. The increase in crystallinity leads to good thermal stability. Moisture absorption tests of WHF were carried out before and after treatment. The lowest moisture absorption was in the cellulose fiber after sonication (nanocellulose).     

羽毛粉的营养价值

虽然由于羽毛粉所含的氨基酸不平衡,使它从来没被认为是家禽饲料的主要蛋白质来源,但是它能够提供家禽所需的一些必需氨基酸。     

Antagonistic effects of yohimbine in pigs anaesthetised with tiletamine/zolazepam and xylazine

Twelve healthy two-month-old Landrace x Yorkshire pigs of both sexes were randomly assigned to receive either tiletamine and xylazine (zx) or zolazepam and xylazine followed 20 minutes later by yohimbine (zxy). The pigs' scores for immobilisation and analgesia, and their rectal temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, pO(2), pCO(2), alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, glucose and total plasma proteins were determined before and five, 25, 45, 65 and 85 minutes after the administration of the tiletamine/zolazepam and xylazine. The mean total scores for immobilisation and analgesia of the zxy pigs were significantly lower than those of the zx pigs after 85 minutes. The mean rectal temperatures of the zxy pigs were significantly lower than those of zx pigs after 25, 45 and 65 minutes. The mean respiratory rates of the zx pigs were significantly lower than those of zxy pigs after five minutes. The mean pCO(2) of the zxy pigs were significantly lower than those of zx pigs five minutes after the administration of yohimbine. The mean glucose concentration of the zxy pigs were significantly lower than those of zx pigs after 65 and 85 minutes. The mean concentration total protein of the zxy pigs were significantly lower than those of zx pigs throughout the period of anaesthesia. Both groups became laterally recumbent within three minutes. When recovering from anaesthesia, the pigs treated with yohimbine took significantly less time to achieve sternal recumbency (mean [sd] 52.2 [8.9] v 76.2 [20.6] minutes) and less time to be able to stand (mean [sd] 77.0 [9.8] v 98.7 [15.8] minutes), and walk (mean [sd] 81.3 [11.3] v 110.8 [18.6] minutes).     

Ameliorative Effects of Melatonin against Hydrogen Peroxide‐Induced Oxidative Stress on Boar Sperm Characteristics and Subsequent In Vitro Embryo Development

Melatonin, the major secretory product of the pineal gland, scavenges a variety of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in vivo and in vitro, indicating that melatonin is a potent function as an antioxidant. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of melatonin in the presence or absence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) on sperm characteristics (motility, viability, survival rate, membrane integrity, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and mitochondria activity) and also to examine the developmental rates to the blastocysts stage of porcine oocytes fertilized in vitro with semen treated with or without melatonin (100 nm ) in the presence or absence of H₂O₂ (250 μm ). The sperm were treated with melatonin in the presence or absence of H₂O₂ for 3, 6, 9 and 12 h at 37°C and then analysed for the sperm characteristics. The porcine embryos were produced by in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization (IVM/IVF) using semen treated with or without melatonin (100 nm ) in the presence or absence of H₂O₂ (250 μm ) for 6 h. The semen characteristics, including motility, viability, survival rate, membrane integrity and mitochondria activity, were higher in the groups that were treated with melatonin in comparison to other groups, irrespective of incubation periods. Malondialdehyde levels in control, melatonin and melatonin + H₂O₂ groups were lower than H₂O₂ only group. A positive correlation was shown among motility, viability, survival rate and membrane integrity, but a negative correlation was observed between LPO and the other evaluation methods. The developmental rates to blastocysts of IVM/IVF porcine oocytes fertilized by semen treated with melatonin were significantly increased compared with any other groups, with the cell number of blastocysts shown to have a similar trend to the developmental rates. These results demonstrate that melatonin can improve the semen characteristics during in vitro storage and support the developmental ability of IVM/IVF embryos in pigs.     

Segmental aplasia of the uterine horn with ipsilateral renal agenesis in a cat

A nine-month-old domestic short haired cat was admitted with the history of acute vomiting, depression and shivering. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed minimum enlargement of the right uterine horn filled with anechoic fluid. On excretory urography, functionally and anatomically normal, enlarged left kidney was found, but right kidney was absent. It was preliminary diagnosed as hydrometra with right renal agenesis. Aiming at the correction of hydrometra, we performed ovariohysterectomy. During spaying, we found a missing segment of distal part of the right uterine horn and absence of ipsilateral kidney and ureter. Compressed uterine structure and segmental aplasia of right uterine horn were found in histopathological investigation. Taken together, it was diagnosed as a segmental aplasia of uterine horn with ipsilateral renal agenesis.     

Evaluation and characterization of a novel probiotic Lactobacillus pentosus PL11 isolated from Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) for its use in aquaculture

In the present study, a potential Lactobacilli probiotics were isolated from Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica) and characterized and evaluated for their possible use in eel farming. Sixteen Lactobacilli were isolated from intestines of Japanese eels, using selective media. The lactobacilli strains (represented as PL1 to PL16) were screened by their ability to produce digestive enzyme. Among these, three strains (PL11, PL13 and PL16) producing four digestive enzymes (amylase, cellulase, protease and phytase) simultaneously were characterized further using API ZYM kit. From these, PL11 (Lactobacillu (L.) pentosus) was identified as potential probiotics candidate producing 15 enzymes among 20 tested. Further examination of biological activities of PL11 revealed tolerance against pH, artificial bile juice and antibacterial activity against several fish pathogenic bacteria. The in vitro competitive exclusion assay also revealed 88.4% reduction in adhesion of fish pathogen (Edwardsiella tarda) by PL11 to host intestinal mucus. In vitro incubation of Japanese eel foregut with Baclight‐labelled PL11 showed colonization of the enterocyte surface by confocal and scanning electron microscopy. In summary, PL11 isolated from eels could serve as a potential probiotics with acid and bile tolerance, production of digestive enzymes, antibacterial activity and inhibition of fish pathogen adhesion to intestinal mucus.