The novel Sinupret® dry extract exhibits anti-inflammatory effectiveness in vivo

Sinupret® is frequently used as a herbal medicinal product to treat sinusitis, and it was assumed that anti-inflammatory effects might contribute to its overall beneficial properties. Here, we investigated the effects of a Sinupret® drug mixture (SIN) as well as of the novel Sinupret® dry extract (SIN DE) with the latter containing higher concentrations of active ingredients, in an in vivo model of acute inflammation, the carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rats. Both SIN and SIN DE were administered to rats orally at doses of 100 mg/kg (low dose) and 500 mg/kg (high dose) 1 h prior to intrapleural injection of carrageenan. Although both SIN and SIN DE significantly reduced the exudate volume and leukocyte numbers in the pleural exudate at the high and the low dose 4 h after carrageenan injection, the novel SIN DE was more efficient than SIN at the low dose, implying higher efficiency. In parallel, the novel dry extract SIN DE, but not SIN, at 500 mg/kg significantly lowered the levels of prostaglandin (PG)E₂ in the exudates and reduced the amounts of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein in the lungs. Together, SIN and SIN DE exert significant oral anti-inflammatory effects, which rationalize their therapeutic use in the management of sinusitis and other viral/microbial nasal infections that are associated with inflammation. Moreover, our results suggest that based on the higher efficiency and the accompanied reduction of COX-2 expression and PGE₂ formation, the novel dry extract SIN DE might be superior over the former SIN drug mixture.     

Effects of lidocaine constant rate infusion on sevoflurane requirement, autonomic responses, and postoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing ovariectomy under opioid-based balanced anesthesia

The effects of constant rate infusion (CRI) of lidocaine on sevoflurane (SEVO) requirements, autonomic responses to noxious stimulation, and postoperative pain relief were evaluated in dogs undergoing opioid-based balanced anesthesia. Twenty-four dogs scheduled for elective ovariectomy were randomly assigned to one of four groups: BC, receiving buprenorphine without lidocaine; FC, receiving fentanyl without lidocaine; BL, receiving buprenorphine and lidocaine; FL, receiving fentanyl and lidocaine. Dogs were anesthetized with intravenous (IV) diazepam and ketamine and anesthesia maintained with SEVO in oxygen/air. Lidocaine (2mg/kg plus 50μg/kg/min) or saline were infused in groups BL/FL and BC/FC, respectively. After initiation of lidocaine or saline CRI IV buprenorphine (0.02mg/kg) or fentanyl (4μg/kg plus 8μg/kg/h CRI) were administered IV in BC/BL and FC/FL, respectively. Respiratory and hemodynamic variables, drug plasma concentrations, and end-tidal SEVO concentrations (E'SEVO) were measured. Behaviors and pain scores were subjectively assessed 1 and 2h post-extubation. Lidocaine CRI produced median drug plasma concentrations <0.4μg/mL during peak surgical stimulation. Lidocaine produced a 14% decrease in E'SEVO in the BL (P<0.01) but none in the FL group and no change in cardio-pulmonary responses to surgery or postoperative behaviors and pain scores in any group. Thus, depending on the opioid used, supplementing opioid-based balanced anesthesia with lidocaine (50μg/kg/min) may not have any or only a minor impact on anesthetic outcome in terms of total anesthetic dose, autonomic responses to visceral nociception, and postoperative analgesia.     

Stomach wall evaluation using helical hydro-computed tomography

In helical hydro-computed tomography (helical hydro-CT), water is used as a neutral luminal contrast medium together with intravenous iodine contrast medium for the diagnosis and staging of human gastric neoplasia. We evaluated the feasibility of helical hydro-CT in 11 healthy animals (nine dogs and two cats). Adequate uniform gastric distension was obtained with 30 ml water/kg body weight. Fourteen client-owned dogs and four cats with suspected or diagnosed gastric neoplasia then underwent helical hydro-CT followed by intravenous contrast medium administration. Focal thickening with moderate contrast enhancement was found in 10 dogs and 3 cats. The extent of the lesion was assessed easily in all these patients. Three dogs and one cat had a normal stomach wall. One dog had multifocal thickening of the antrum but no histopathologic diagnosis was made. Helical hydro-CT, followed by intravenous contrast medium administration, is a simple technique for assessing the stomach wall.     

Subcutaneous Liposarcoma in a Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

A 6-year-old spayed female ferret (Mustela putorius furo) exhibiting clinical signs of weakness, anorexia, lethargy, weight loss, and frequent urination was presented for a veterinary evaluation to determine the underlying cause of the aforementioned abnormal behavior and clinical condition. Physical examination revealed a large, firm, painless, movable subcutaneous mass at the base of the tail. Radiographic and ultrasound images confirmed the presence of a soft tissue mass compressing the sacrococcygeal vertebrae, but there was no evidence of metastatic lesions. Because of the poor prognosis and progressive deterioration of the animal's clinical condition, the ferret was humanely euthanized. Gross necropsy revealed a 4 × 4 × 3.5 cm, firm, yellow-tan, ovoid, subcutaneous mass wrapped around the rectum and the anus. The mass did not appear to breach the serosa. Evaluation of the abdominal cavity revealed a pale yellow liver, possibly associated with hepatic lipidosis with no gross evidence of metastasis in the body cavity. The histopathological features of the mass were consistent with a liposarcoma. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of subcutaneous liposarcoma reported in a ferret.     

Low temperature stress in a cultured fish (Piaractus mesopotamicus) fed with Pyropia columbina red seaweed-supplemented diet

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - This study aimed to analyze the cold stress effects (in terms of hematology, energy reserves, and oxidative stress) in Piaractus mesopotamicus (pacú) and...     

Trichinella diagnostics and control: Mandatory and best practices for ensuring food safety

Because of its role in human disease, there are increasing global requirements for reliable diagnostic and control methods for Trichinella in food animals to ensure meat safety and to facilitate trade. Consequently, there is a need for standardization of methods, programs, and best practices used in the control of Trichinella and trichinellosis. This review article describes the biology and epidemiology of Trichinella, and describes recommended test methods as well as modified and optimized procedures that are used in meat inspection programs. The use of ELISA for monitoring animals for infection in various porcine and equine pre- and post-slaughter programs, including farm or herd certification programs is also discussed. A brief review of the effectiveness of meat processing methods, such as freezing, cooking and preserving is provided. The importance of proper quality assurance and its application in all aspects of a Trichinella diagnostic system is emphasized. It includes the use of international quality standards, test validation and standardization, critical control points, laboratory accreditation, certification of analysts and proficiency testing. Also described, are the roles and locations of international and regional reference laboratories for trichinellosis where expert advice and support on research and diagnostics are available.     

Total sialic acid: An acute phase reactant in cats with a possible role in feline coronavirus infection

The aims of this study were to validate a colorimetric method to measure total sialic acid (TSA) in feline serum and to investigate the serum concentration of TSA in clinically healthy cats seronegative (n = 9) and seropositive (n = 48) for feline coronavirus (FCoV), and in cats affected by feline infectious peritonitis (FIP, n = 28), tumors (n = 20), or inflammation (n = 16). The correlation between TSA and α₁-acid glycoprotein (AGP) was also investigated. The method employed in this study is precise and accurate at TSA levels (in mg/L) commonly encountered in feline serum. No significant differences between seropositive (385.6 ± 192.2 mg/L) and seronegative (433.5 ± 179.0 mg/L) cats were detectable, suggesting that the simple infection by FCoVs does not influence TSA levels. Compared with seropositive controls, the concentration of TSA was higher in cats with FIP (556.7 ± 268.3 mg/L, P = 0.003), tumors (522.5 ± 294.4 mg/L, P = 0.028), and inflammation (546.8 ± 208.3 mg/L, P = 0.018). The discriminating power of TSA for FIP is moderate (area under the ROC curve = 0.65) and the likelihood ratio is higher than 3.0 only at high TSA levels. Consequently, TSA could support a diagnosis of FIP only at extremely high serum concentration (> 800 mg/L) or when the pre-test probability of FIP is high. No correlations were found between the TSA and AGP concentrations in cats with FIP, suggesting that sialylated proteins other than AGP are present. Both the antibody titre and the degree of AGP sialylation were negatively correlated with TSA levels, suggesting that increased TSA may contribute to reduce the burden of FCoVs.     

Risk factors for highly pathogenic H7N1 avian influenza virus infection in poultry during the 1999-2000 epidemic in Italy

In 1999-2000, Italian poultry production was disrupted by an H7N1 virus subtype epidemic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The objectives of the present study were to identify risk factors for infection on poultry farms located in regions that had the highest number of outbreaks (Veneto and Lombardia) and the impact of pre-emptive culling as a complementary measure for eradicating infection. A Cox regression model that included spatial factors, such as the G index, was used. The results confirmed the relationship between risk of infection and poultry species, production type and size of farms. The effectiveness of pre-emptive culling was confirmed. An increased risk of infection was observed for poultry farms located near an infected farm and those at altitudes less than 150m above sea level. The measures for the control and eradication of AI virus infection need to consider species differences in susceptibility, the types of production and the density of poultry farms in the affected areas.     

Differentiation of glycans in equine guttural pouches

The aim of this study was to investigate the carbohydrate composition of mucosubstances in the equine guttural pouches using conventional histochemical tests in conjunction with glycolytic digestion to degrade different classes of glycosoaminoglycans. In the goblet cells, the mucopolysaccharides contained chondroitin sulfate B, heparin, heparan sulfate and sialic acid residues. The acinar cells also expressed these substances (except for heparin), whereas the ductal cells produced chondroitin sulfate B and sialic acid. Neutral sugars were also found in each cell type. The diversity of the glycocomponents found in the auditory tube suggests that they may have important functional roles. Indeed, the glycosoaminoglycans provide a hydrophilic environment that prevents dehydration and desiccation of the guttural membranes during air passage. Additionally, these glycomolecules may be involved in the pathogenesis of some bacterial disease in horses, such as equine strangles.     

Influence of Major Anions on As(V) Adsorption by Synthetic 2-line Ferrihydrite. Kinetic Investigation and XPS Study of the Competitive Effect of Bicarbonate

The potential competitive effect of background electrolytes (Na₂HPO₄ ·2H₂O, NaHCO₃, Na₂SO₄ and NaCl solutions) on arsenate adsorption onto synthetic 2-line ferrihydrite has been studied by means of kinetic batch experiments conducted at pH values from 4.0 to 10.0 and at anionic concentrations of 0.01 and 0.1 M. The results indicate that the adsorptive capacity of ferrihydrite for arsenate decreases strongly in the presence of phosphate species at pH in the range of 4–10 and in the presence of bicarbonate at pH 8.3 as a consequence of their competitive effect. Analogously to phosphate, a surface interaction of inner-sphere type between ferrihydrite and bicarbonate is suggested. Chloride has negligible effects on arsenate adsorption processes, confirming it as an outer-sphere ion that does not compete with the inner-sphere binding peculiar to arsenate onto ferrihydrite. Sulphate exhibits an intermediate behaviour; at 0.01 M concentration, the competitive effect of sulphate is similar to that of chloride, whereas at 0.1 M concentration sulphate shows a moderate influence on arsenate adsorption. The results of the kinetic studies can be summarised by the following order of competitive capacity: phosphate?>?carbonate?>?sulphate?>?chloride. The process of arsenate adsorption follows pseudo-second order kinetics and the reaction half-time notably increases in the presence of strong competitor anions such as phosphate and carbonate with respect to an ineffective competitor anion such as chloride. Modelling of arsenate adsorption with PHREEQC, according to the Generalized Two-Layer Model, confirms that the pH effect is notably less important than the competitive effect of carbonate species in determining the amount of arsenate adsorbed onto ferrihydrite at pH 8.3 in 0.1 M NaHCO₃ solution, whereas the model greatly underestimates the competitive effect of carbonate species at pH 8.3 in 0.01 M NaHCO₃ solution. The results of the batch experiments in 0.1 M NaHCO₃ solution are substantiated by XPS analyses of ferrihydrite after immersion in the same solution, both with and without dissolved arsenate. XPS confirms the interaction between ferrihydrite surface and arsenate; the binding energy of As3d shifts towards higher binding energies after adsorption with respect to the pure compound Na₂HAsO₄·7H₂O taken as reference standard. In presence of carbonate species, the As3d binding energy is found at intermediate values. XPS quantitative analysis shows a depletion of arsenate on ferrihydrite surface, providing further evidence of the competition of the two species (i.e. arsenate and bicarbonate) for the ferrihydrite adsorption sites. Important environmental implications concerning arsenic mobility, as well as possible application in various fields (e.g. irrigation agriculture, soil decontamination, water treatment), might derive from these findings.