Neurological signs and MRI findings in 12 dogs with multiple myeloma

Vertebral lesions and associated neurological signs occur in dogs with multiple myeloma, however, veterinary literature describing MRI findings is currently lacking. The objective of this multicenter, retrospective, case series study was to describe neurological signs and MRI findings in a group of dogs that presented for spinal pain or other neurological deficits and had multiple myeloma. Electronic records of four veterinary referral hospitals were reviewed. Dogs were included if they had a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of multiple myeloma, had presented for spinal pain or other neurological signs, and had undergone MRI of the vertebral column. The MRI studies were evaluated and the anatomical location of lesion(s), signal intensity, presence of extra‐dural material, degree of spinal cord compression, extent of vertebral lesions, and contrast enhancement were recorded. Twelve dogs met inclusion criteria. Most dogs (n = 8) had a chronic progressive history, with varying degrees of proprioceptive ataxia and paresis (n = 11), and spinal pain was a feature in all dogs. The MRI findings were variable but more consistent features included the presence of multiple expansile vertebral lesions without extension beyond the outer cortical limits of affected vertebrae, and associated extradural material causing spinal cord compression. The majority of lesions were hyper‐ to isointense on T2 (n = 12) and T1‐weighted (n = 8) sequences, with variable but homogeneous contrast‐enhancement (n = 12). These described MRI characteristics of multiple myeloma may be used to aid early identification and guide subsequent confirmatory diagnostic steps, to ultimately improve therapeutic approach and long‐term outcome.     

Biochemical characterization of an antigenic saline extract of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 5 and identification of a serotype-specific antigen for ELISA serodiagnosis

A saline extract of boiled-formalinized whole cells from a local strain (81–750; Quebec, Canada) of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, serotype 5b was used as an antigen in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serodiagnosis of swine pleuropneumonia. Characterization of this crude extract was done and proteins, neutral sugars, hexosamines, and 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate (KDO) were evaluated. On phenol extraction of the crude extract a serotype-specific antigen of polysaccharidic nature was recovered from the aqueous phase. This antigen was characterized using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) with Coomassie blue, silver and Schiff stainings. Immunoblots were done using sera of experimentally infected pigs that showed serotype specificity and cross-reactivity. Overall, the results indicate that the O-chain of lipopolysaccharides is a specific antigen that could be used in ELISA for the serodiagnosis of serotype 5 of A. pleuropneumoniae.     

In Vitro Chemopreventive Potential of Phlorotannins-Rich Extract from Brown Algae by Inhibition of Benzo[a]pyrene-Induced P2X7 Activation and Toxic Effects

Phlorotannins are polyphenols occurring exclusively in some species of brown algae, known for numerous biological activities, e.g., antioxidant, antiproliferative, antidiabetic, and antiallergic properties. Their effects on the response of human lung cells to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) has not been characterized. Our objective was to in vitro evaluate the effects of a phlorotannin-rich extract obtained from the brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus on B[a]P cytotoxic effects. The A549 cell line was incubated with B[a]P for 48 and 72 h in the presence or absence of the brown algae extract. Cytochrome P450 activity, activation of P2X7 receptor, F-actin disorganization, and loss of E-cadherin expression were assessed using microplate cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Relative to control, incubation with the brown algae extract was associated with lower B[a]P-induced CYP1 activity, lower P2X7 receptor activation, and lower reactive oxygen species production. The brown algae extract inhibited the alterations of F-actin arrangement and the downregulation of E-cadherin expression. We identified a phlorotannins-rich extract that could be deeper investigated as a cancer chemopreventive agent to block B[a]P-mediated carcinogenesis.     

Effects of different commercial diets on growth performance,health and resistance to Tetrahymena sp. infection in guppies,Poecilia reticulata (Peters)

The effects of feeding guppy fry, Poecilia reticulata (Peters), different commercial diets from BernAqua [MeM (R = Regular, O = Ornamental and P = Premium) and experimental feed (EF] and Ocean Nutrition (ON) on growth was tested for 57 days. Health status and resistance to Tetrahymena infection were analysed at the end of the trial. The highest growth was obtained in fish fed MeM Regular and MeM Premium (mean final weights of 427 and 417 mg respectively). Fish fed EF had a significantly higher rate of spinal deformity (12.7%) than all other feeding groups (3.05% or less). Histological analysis revealed the accumulation of liver glycogen and/or lipid in fish from all feeding groups; fat accumulation in the abdomen was most pronounced in the EF and MeM Regular‐fed fish, and muscle dystrophy was observed in ca. 50% of the fish from all feeding groups except the MeM Ornamental‐fed group. The highest mortality following Tetrahymena infection occurred in fish fed EF (87%) and the lowest mortality in the MeM Ornamental‐fed fish (58%). Mortalities in all other feeding groups ranged between 69% and 76%. In summary, MeM Ornamental feed provided a moderate weight gain, no muscle dystrophy, negligible deformity and the greatest resistance to parasitic infection.     

Production performance and plasma metabolite concentrations of broiler chickens fed low crude protein diets differing in Thr and Gly

The aim of the study was to test the interaction between Thr and Gly in low crude protein (CP) diets in 7 to 28 d broilers on production performance and plasma metabolites. A total of 2,040 broilers were allocated to 17 treatments. A positive control (PC) diet (20.5% CP) was formulated to be adequate in dietary Thr and Gly. A negative control (NC) diet (18.5% CP, deficient in Thr and Gly) was supplemented with crystalline l-Thr and Gly to obtain a 4 Thr × 4 Gly design. Dietary Thr was tested at an apparent faecal digestibility (AFD) Thr-to-Lys ratio, which was 55%, 58%, 61% or 64%, and dietary Gly was tested at an AFD (Gly + Ser)-to-Lys ratio, which was 135%, 142%, 149% or 156%. Plasma samples were collected at 28 d. The low CP diet, formulated at 64% Thr and 156% Gly, resulted in a higher body weight gain (BWG) (P < 0.01) and similar feed conversion ratio (FCR) as the high CP treatment (PC). FCR was improved (P < 0.001) by l-Thr supplementation. Quadratic response to dietary Thr was significant for feed intake (FI), BWG and FCR (P < 0.01). A near-significant interaction for Thr × Gly was observed for FI and BWG (P_linear = 0.091 and P = 0.074, respectively). Gly did not affect production performance. An interaction between Thr × Gly on plasma free AA level was observed (P < 0.05). Free AA concentration in plasma linearly decreased with increase in AFD Thr-to-Lys ratio, and increased with increase in AFD (Gly + Ser)-to-Lys ratio. Plasma uric acid concentration was higher in PC than in all of the other diets, and plasma triglyceride concentration was decreased by l-Thr supplementation, but not by Gly. In conclusion, Gly was not limiting for growth at low dietary CP level unless Thr was deficient, showing that adequate amounts of Thr in broiler diets can overcome marginal supply of Gly and Ser and allow reduction of dietary CP from 20.5% to 18.5% for broilers from 7 to 28 d of age.