A case of perosomus elumbis in a Holstein calf

Perosomus elumbis is an occasionally found congenital anomaly of unknown etiology and is characterized by partial or complete agenesis of lumbar, sacral and coccygeal vertebrae and ankylosis of the hindlimbs. A 2-day-old female Holstein calf presented nearly normal forelimbs but flexure and ankylosis of the hindlimbs. The vertebrae and pelvic malformations and agenesis were radiographed and then necropsied. Mild ankylosis of the hindlimbs, absence of cauda equina, left scoliosis in state of fusion of T11 and T12 and complete fusion of L4 and L5, narrowed pelvic canal and misshapen ilium were confirmed. However, abnormal development or agenesis was not observed in the urogenital and intestinal system in this calf.     

Changes in glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity in the dentate gyrus and hippocampus proper of adult and aged dogs

Astrocytes perform neuron-supportive tasks, repair and scarring process in the central nervous system. In this study, we observed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker for astrocytes, immunoreactivity in the dentate gyrus and hippocampus proper (CA1-3 region) of adult (2-3 years of age) and aged (10-12 years of age) dogs. In the adult group, GFAP immunoreactive astrocytes were distributed in all layers of the dentate gyrus and CA1-3 region, except in the stratum pyramidale of the CA1-3 region. In the aged group, GFAP immunoreactivity decreased markedly in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. However, GFAP immunoreactivity in the CA1-3 region increased in all layers, and the cytoplasm of GFAP immunoreactive astrocytes was hypertrophied. GFAP protein levels in the aged dentate gyrus decreased; however, GFAP levels in the CA1-3 region increased. These results suggest that the morphology of astrocytes and GFAP protein levels in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and CA1 region are changed, respectively, with age.     

PREVALENCE AND CHARACTERIZATION OF QUINOLONE RESISTANCE GENES IN PROTEUS SPECIES ISOLATED FROM PET TURTLES

Proteus spp. are widely recognized as opportunistic pathogens causing urinary tract and septic infections in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes and mutations in the quinolone resistance determining region in association with the detection of quinolone susceptibility of 24 strains of pet turtle-borne Proteus spp. Susceptibility of 4 antimicrobials including nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and levofloxacin was examined by disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration test. Six isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid showing either intermediate resistance or resistance to other quinolones. All nalidixic acid, resistant isolates harbored mutations in gyrB (N440T/A401G/Q411S). Two of the isolates had both gyrA (S83I) and parC (S80I) mutations. Twenty-one isolates were positive for the presence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes; the qnrD gene had the highest prevalence with 19 (79.2%), while qnrS, qnrA, qnrB, and aac(6′), Ib-cr genes were present in 9 (37.5%), 2 (8.3%), 1 (4.2%), and 11 (45.8%) isolates, respectively. These results suggest that pet turtle-associated Proteus spp. should be considered a potential source of antimicrobial resistance determinants.     

Expression and localization of angiopoietin family in corpus luteum during different stages of oestrous cycle and modulatory role of angiopoietins on steroidogenesis,angiogenesis and survivability of cultured buffalo luteal cells

The objective of this study was to document the expression and localization of angiopoietin (ANGPT) family members comprising of angiopoietin (ANGPT1 and ANGPT2), and their receptors (Tie1 and Tie2) in buffalo corpus luteum (CL) obtained from different stages of the oestrous cycle, and the modulatory role of ANGPT1 and ANGPT2 alone or in combinations on progesterone (P₄) secretion and mRNA expression of phosphotidylinositide‐3kinase‐protein kinase B (PI3K‐AKT), phosphoinositide‐dependent kinase (PDK), protein kinase B (AKT), Bcl2 associated death promoter (BAD), caspase 3 and von willebrand factor (vWF) in luteal cells obtained from midluteal phase (MLP) of oestrous cycle in buffalo. Real‐time RT‐PCR (qPCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry were applied to investigate mRNA expression, protein expression and localization of examined factors whereas, the P₄ secretion was assessed by RIA. The mRNA and protein expression of ANGPT1 and Tie2 was maximum (p < .05) in mid luteal phase (MLP) of oestrous cycle. The ANGPT2 mRNA and protein expression was maximum (p < .05) in early luteal phase, decreased in MLP and again increased in late luteal phase of oestrous cycle. ANGPT family members were localized in luteal cells and endothelial cells with a stage specific immunoreactivity. P₄ secretion was highest (p < .05) with 100 ng/ml at 72 hr when luteal cells were treated with either protein alone. The mRNA expression of PDK, AKT and vWF was highest (p < .05) and BAD along with caspase 3 were lowest (p < .05) at 100 ng/ml at 72 hr of incubation period, when cultured luteal cells were treated with either protein alone or in combination. To conclude, our study explores the steroidogenic potential of angiopoietins to promote P₄ secretion, luteal cell survival and angiogenesis through an autocrine and paracrine actions in buffalo CL.     

Expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in the testes of pigs

This study examined the expression of three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the testes of pigs. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated the presence of nNOS, eNOS and iNOS in interstitial cells, primary spermatocytes and spermatids. Positive immunoreactions for eNOS and iNOS were detected in peritubular myoid cells. Some vascular endothelial cells were positive for nNOS and eNOS. The expression of nitrotyrosine was detected in interstitial cells. In addition, the histochemical study revealed that all the interstitial cells were stained positively for NADPH-diaphorase, although some spermatids and vascular endothelial cells displayed moderate enzymatic activity. These findings suggest that three isoforms of NOS are expressed in the testis of pig and that they play important roles in the biology of interstitial cells that produce testosterone, as well as in spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules.     

Pharmacokinetics and mammary residual depletion of erythromycin in healthy lactating ewes

The aim of this investigation was to examine the pharmacokinetics and mammary excretion of erythromycin administered to lactating ewes (n = 6) by the intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) routes at a dosage of 10 mg/kg. Blood and milk samples were collected at pre-determined times, and a microbiological assay method was used to measure erythromycin concentrations in serum and milk. The concentration-time data were analysed by compartmental and non-compartmental kinetic methods. The serum concentration-time data of erythromycin were fit to a two-compartment model after i.v. administration and a one-compartment model with first-order absorption after i.m. and s.c. administration. The elimination half-life (t(1/2beta)) was 4.502 +/- 1.487 h after i.v. administration, 4.874 +/- 0.296 h after i.m. administration and 6.536 +/- 0.151 h after s.c. administration. The clearance value (Cl tot) after i.v. dosing was 1.292 +/- 0.121 l/h/kg. After i.m. and s.c. administration, observed peak erthyromycin concentrations (Cmax) of 0.918 +/- 0.092 microg/ml and 0.787 +/- 0.010 microg/ml were achieved at 0.75 and 1.0 h (Tmax) respectively. The bioavailability obtained after i.m. and s.c. administration was 91.178 +/- 10.232% and 104.573 +/- 9.028% respectively. Erythromycin penetration from blood to milk was quick for all the routes of administration, and the high AUC milk/AUC serum (1.186, 1.057 and 1.108) and Cmax-milk/Cmax-serum ratios reached following i.v., i.m. and s.c. administration, respectively, indicated an extensive penetration of erythromycin into the milk.     

海涂农田林网防护效益研究

对上虞市海涂实验农场农田林网防护效益的测定,结果表明通风结构审林带防风效能达到３１．０％左右;在八九月份高温干旱季节,林网内增加相对湿度约１．８％。林带背风而树高２～３倍地区为林带增产作用的显著范围,棉花产量比对照区增产１３．０％～３８．１％,除林缘等胁地外,受林带有利影响测试区棉花产量平均增产８．４％。     

Induced ovulation of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) using a combination of a gonadotrop‐releasing hormone analogue and domperidone

The effects of an intraperitoneal hormone injection of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist (D‐Ala⁶, Pro⁹‐NEt GnRHa) alone or in combination with a dopamine antagonist, domperidone (DOM), on ovulation induction in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco were tested. The hormone treatments were as follows: 6 mg kg⁻¹ body weight (BW) of carp pituitary extract as a positive control, GnRHa 10, 20, 40 and 80 μg kg⁻¹ BW and a combination of GnRHa and DOM as follows: 10 μg+5 mg, 20 μg+10 mg, 40 μg+20 mg and 80 μg+40 mg kg⁻¹ BW. Physiological saline (0.7% NaCl) was used as a negative control. Significant differences in the ovulation ratio, latency period and ovulation index (OI) were observed among treatments (P<0.05). The combination of GnRHa and DOM at doses of 40 μg+20 mg kg⁻¹ BW had higher values of the ovulation ratio and OI, and a shorter latency period compared with other treatments. The highest OI in GnRHa treatments was only 56.67%, suggesting a dopaminergic tone on gonadotropin secretion in this fish at the pre‐ovulatory stage. Therefore, ovulation can be successfully induced in yellow catfish with 40 μg kg⁻¹ GnRHa+20 mg kg⁻¹ DOM without affecting the egg quality.     

The importance of riparian subtropical lucidophyllous forest to odonate conservation

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