Erythema multiforme associated with zonisamide in a dog

This report describes a dog that developed erythema multiforme in temporal association with administration of the sulphonamide‐based anticonvulsant drug zonisamide. Similar adverse drug reactions have been associated with sulphonamide antimicrobial drugs. Caution should be exercised when prescribing this medication for dogs with known hypersensitivity to sulphonamides.     

An evaluation of fresh gas flow rates for spontaneously breathing cats and small dogs on the Humphrey ADE semi‐closed breathing system

ObjectiveTo evaluate the fresh gas flow (FGF) rate requirements for the Humphrey ADE semi-closed breathing system in the Mapleson A mode; to determine the FGF at which rebreathing occurs, and compare the efficiency of this system to the Bain (Mapleson D) system in spontaneously breathing cats and small dogs.Study DesignProspective clinical study.AnimalsTwenty-five healthy (ASA score I or II) client-owned cats and dogs (mean ± SD age 4.7 ± 5.0 years, and body weight 5.64 ± 3.26 kg) undergoing elective surgery or minor procedures.MethodsAnaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane delivered via the Humphrey ADE system in the A mode using an oxygen FGF of 100 mL kg⁻¹ minute⁻¹. The FGF was then reduced incrementally by 5–10 mL kg⁻¹minute⁻¹ at approximately five-minute intervals, until rebreathing (inspired CO₂ >5 mmHg (0.7 kPa)) was observed, after which flow rates were increased. In six animals, once the minimum FGF at which rebreathing occurred was found, the breathing system was changed to the Bain, and the effects of this FGF delivery examined, before FGF was increased.ResultsRebreathing did not occur at the FGF recommended by the manufacturer for the ADE. The mean ± SD FGF that resulted in rebreathing was 60 ± 20 mL kg⁻¹minute⁻¹. The mean minimum FGF at which rebreathing did not occur with the ADE was 87 ± 39 mL kg⁻¹minute⁻¹. This FGF resulted in significant rebreathing (inspired CO₂ 8.8 ± 2.6 mmHg (1.2 ± 0.3 kPa)) on the Bain system.ConclusionsThe FGF rates recommended for the Humphrey ADE are adequate to prevent rebreathing in spontaneously breathing cats and dogs <15 kg.Clinical relevanceThe Humphrey ADE system used in the A mode is a more efficient alternative to the Bain system, for maintenance of gaseous anaesthesia in spontaneously breathing cats and small dogs.     

Impact of source tissue and ex vivo expansion on the characterization of goat mesenchymal stem cells

Background

There is considerable interest in using goats as models for genetically engineering dairy animals and also for using stem cells as therapeutics for bone and cartilage repair. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been isolated and characterized from various species, but are poorly characterized in goats.

Results

Goat MSCs isolated from bone marrow (BM-MSCs) and adipose tissue (ASCs) have the ability to undergo osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. Cytochemical staining and gene expression analysis show that ASCs have a greater capacity for adipogenic differentiation compared to BM-MSCs and fibroblasts. Different methods of inducing adipogenesis also affect the extent and profile of adipogenic differentiation in MSCs. Goat fibroblasts were not capable of osteogenesis, hence distinguishing them from the MSCs. Goat MSCs and fibroblasts express CD90, CD105, CD73 but not CD45, and exhibit cytoplasmic localization of OCT4 protein. Goat MSCs can be stably transfected by Nucleofection, but, as evidenced by colony-forming efficiency (CFE), yield significantly different levels of progenitor cells that are robust enough to proliferate into colonies of integrants following G418 selection. BM-MSCs expanded over increasing passages in vitro maintained karyotypic stability up to 20 passages in culture, exhibited an increase in adipogenic differentiation and CFE, but showed altered morphology and amenability to genetic modification by selection.

Conclusions

Our findings provide characterization information on goat MSCs, and show that there can be significant differences between MSCs isolated from different tissues and from within the same tissue. Fibroblasts do not exhibit trilineage differentiation potential at the same capacity as MSCs, making it a more reliable method for distinguishing MSCs from fibroblasts, compared to cell surface marker expression.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2049-1891-6-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Zinc supplementation strategies in feedlot heifers receiving an extended-release implant or an aggressive re-implant program

Two hundred eight Angus-crossbred heifers (291 ± 23 kg) from four sources were used in a randomized complete block design. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of implant strategy and Zn supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics, muscle fiber diameter, and mineral status of heifers. Heifers were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial study for 168 d, and factors included Zn and implant (IMP). Heifers were supplemented Zn (mg/kg dry matter [DM]; ZnSO₄) at national (30; NRC) or industry (100; IND) recommendations. Implant strategies (Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ) included extended-release Revalor-XH on day 0 (REV-XH; 20 mg estradiol + 200 mg trenbolone acetate) containing four uncoated pellets and six coated pellets or the uncoated implant Revalor-200 on day 0 and again on day 91 (REV-200; 20 mg estradiol + 200 mg trenbolone acetate). Heifers were blocked by weight within source to pens of five or six heifers per pen (nine pens per treatment). A corn silage-based diet was fed during the growing period (days 0–55) followed by transition to a corn-based finishing diet. Weights were taken consecutively on days −1/0, 55/56, and 167/168. Liver and muscle from the longissimus thoracis were collected from one heifer per pen on days −5, 14, 105, and 164. Data were analyzed via Mixed Procedure of SAS. Average daily gain (ADG) and liver mineral used Period as the repeated effect. Corresponding to periods of high hormone payout from each implant, days 0–28 and 91–120 ADG were greatest for REV-200, whereas REV-XH numerically peaked during days 56–91 (IMP × Period; P = 0.02). Day 91 IND body weight tended to be heavier (P = 0.06) and day 120 body weight was heavier (P = 0.05) than NRC heifers. No effect of Zn or IMP on final body weight was observed (P ≥ 0.21). Muscle fiber cross-sectional diameter on day 164 was greater (P = 0.05) in IND than NRC. Liver Mn concentrations decreased by day 14 regardless of implant, though days 105 and 164 concentrations were lesser for REV-200 than REV-XH (IMP × Period; P = 0.02). No effects of Zn, IMP, or the interaction were observed for carcass-adjusted gain to feed, days 0–168 DM intake, hot carcass weight, or ribeye area (P ≥ 0.11). The nominal differences in performance between implant strategies suggest that extended-release implants may be an effective implant strategy to replace re-implant programs in heifers, whereas the improved performance of heifers fed IND vs. NRC during times of peak hormone payout suggests a role for Zn in periods of rapid growth.     

The influence of diluted seawater and ripening stage on the content of antioxidants in fruits of different tomato genotypes

The aim of this study was to investigate if the combined effect of diluted seawater and ripening can improve the beneficial nutritional properties of tomato fruits from an antioxidant point of view. To reach the goal, different tomato cultivars and breeding lines, genetically modified for ripening, were investigated, and analysis of NADPH and NADP+ as well as of the main antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, lipoic acid, and tocopherols was performed at two ripening stages. The research was conducted on berries of the following genotypes of tomato: cv. Jama, Gimar wild type, Gimar gf, and Gimar nor. The mutant gf is a typical "stay green" mutant, characterized by an incomplete loss of chlorophyll; the nor mutation is characterized by a reduced biosynthesis of ethylene and carotenoids. Both ripening and salinity induced an oxidative stress, and the sensitivity to salt treatment was genotype-dependent. The genotypes cv. Jama and Gimar gf line showed increases in ascorbic acid, lipoic acid, and alpha-tocopherol during both ripening and salt treatment whereas total ascorbate and tocopherols decreased in the berries from salt-treated plants of Gimar wild type. Ripening also determined decreases in ascorbate and tocopherol amounts in the Gimar nor line where a positive effect of ripening and salinity was observed.