Effect of pelleting and beta-glucanase supplementation on the ileal and fecal digestibility of a barley-based diet in the pig

The influences of pelleting and beta-glucanase supplementation on the digestibility of dietary components in a barley-based diet were investigated in pigs fitted with cannulas in the terminal ileum. The diet contained 49.0% starch, 18.9% crude protein and 14.8% dietary fiber, with arabinoxylans (4.9%), mixed-linked beta-glucans (3.4%) and cellulose (3.3%) as the main fiber components. Pelleting increased mixed-linked beta-glucan solubility from 45 to 62%. Neither treatment influenced the ileal or fecal apparent digestibilities of dry matter (64 and 80%, respectively), energy (62 and 79%), crude protein (53 and 75%), crude fat (26 and 27%) or dietary fiber (58 and 72%). However, pelleting increased (P less than .01) the pre-ileal apparent digestibility of starch from 91.5 to 95.3% and decreased (P less than .03) that of ash from -10 to -23%, while increasing (P less than .005) the fecal apparent digestibility of starch from 98.6 to 99.7%. The solubility of mixed-linked beta-glucans in ileal digesta was lower (P less than .001) in pelleted (26%) than in unpelleted (58%) diets. beta-glucanase supplementation also increased (P less than .05) the ileal apparent digestibility of starch, from 92.6 to 94.3%, and of mixed-linked beta-glucans, from 95.7 to 97.1%. Significant between-pig differences in the apparent digestibility of dietary components were observed. In conclusion, treatments that disrupt the endosperm cell walls in barley can increase the proportion of the diet digested prior to the large intestine.     

Mucus synthesis in the goblet cells of the small intestine in experimental infection with the coccidium Isospora suis in piglets

The state of mucus synthesis in the goblet cells of the small intestine was studied in conventional piglets infected with a dose of 200,000 oocytes of the coccidium Isospora suis the first and fifth day after parturition. The synthesis of mucus and its chemical characteristics undergo significant changes during the third and fourth day after infection. The activity of acid and neutral mucous substances declines; their level and the physiological synthetic function of goblet cells begin to return to the normal during the period starting on the eight to tenth day after infection. However, there were no fully functioning goblet cells in the broken numerical ratio even at the end of the period of investigation, i.e. the 13th day after infection. The thin surface layer of mucus remained almost unchanged within the whole extent of the small intestine parts studied.     

P‐33 Poxvirus infection in two cats

A 3‐year‐old Burmese cat was presented with a history of nonresolving crusted and papular lesions of the face and prior treatment with prednisolone. Skin biopsies revealed typical pox lesions with hyperplasia and ulceration of the epidermis and eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the epidermal cells. In the upper dermis there was prominent diffuse mast cell infiltration and mild neutrophilic and eosinophilic inflammation. Rare cytoplasmic inclusion bodies were also present in swollen endothelial cells of dermal venules, which showed no other degenerative changes. Histological diagnosis was confirmed by electron microscopic evidence of pox virus particles in inclusion bodies of epidermal cells. The lesions resolved within 6 weeks with systemic antibiotic therapy and supportive care. A 2‐year‐old domestic short‐haired cat was presented with multiple disseminated papular and ulcerative pox lesions with central eschar over the entire body. Histologically, large epidermal inclusion bodies (up to 6 μm in diameter) were present. Widespread haemorrhage and vascular wall necrosis was visible in the dermis and subcutis. Some subcutaneous vessels showed neutrophilic vasculitis. In addition to diffuse dermal neutrophilic and eosinophilic inflammation, a lymphohistiocytic panniculitis was also present. The cat died as a result of massive haemorrhage and lymphedema, despite supportive care. Funding: Self‐funded.     

Immunocytochemical study of tissues from clinically normal dogs and of neoplasms, using keratin monoclonal antibodies.

Three commonly used keratin monoclonal antibodies (MAB)--AE1:AE3, CAM 5.2, and MAK-6--were compared with routinely used cytokeratin antibody. The expression of these antibodies was analyzed in several tissues obtained from clinically normal dogs and in a variety of neoplasms from dogs. Using appropriate enzymatic digestion, paraffin-embedded tissues processed in routine manner retained their typical keratin expression. Differentiated and poorly differentiated epithelial neoplasms, lymphomas, and melanomas were studied by use of the avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique. All 4 of the aforementioned antibodies had similar staining profiles. Of 3 anaplastic carcinomas, 2 had positive reaction to all 4 antibodies. All lymphomas, plasma cell tumors, and amelanotic melanomas had negative reaction to MAK-6, CAM 5.2, AE1:AE3, and cytokeratin MAB. Three basal cell epitheliomas had positive reaction to all 4 antibodies, whereas 1 basal cell tumor with a solid pattern had negative staining reaction. Two carcinoids had negative reaction to all markers and 1 of 2 malignant chemodectomas and 1 transitional cell carcinoma had staining reaction to only AE1:AE3 MAB. Comparing the 4 antibodies, use of AE1:AE3 MAB produced the strongest staining intensity followed by cytokeratin, MAK-6, and CAM 5.2 MAB. All 4 antibodies had low background staining. In conclusion, AE1:AE3 and MAK-6 MAB are as useful as cytokeratin MAB for identification of poorly differentiated epithelial neoplasms in dogs and cats.     

Superficial digital flexor tendon healing: ultrasonographic evaluation of therapies.

Until recently, it was difficult to critically evaluate tendon healing in vivo. Superficial digital flexor tendon injuries were considered healed when the injured tendon was cold, non-painful, adequate time had passed for tendon healing to occur, and no recurrence of the injury was detected when the horse returned to athletic work. This article discusses how ultrasonography has revolutionized the diagnosis, treatment, and management of tendon injuries.     

Changes in the MHC Class II+ Dendritic Cell Population of Ovine Skin In Response to Orf Virus Infection

Abstract— Class II+ dendritic cells were widely distributed throughout normal ovine skin in two main locations: a) in or immediately adjacent to the epidermis and epidermal appendages and b) in the vicinity of the blood vessels. They are unlikely to represent a homogeneous population particularly since Langerhans cells, which previously have been found throughout the epidermal appendages, were located only in the epidermis using acetylcholinesterase staining. Following infection with orf virus, a dense mass of closely associated class II+ dendritic cells develops in the exposed necrotising dermis, adjacent to infected hair follicles and under infected degenerating epidermis. These cells interact and appear to form a barrier to invasion, a framework for immune defence and a template for subsequent epidermal repair; they seem to provide the basis of a highly integrated local dermal defence system. Résumé— Des cellules dendritiques de classe II+étaient largement réparties dans la peau ovine normale dans deux principales zones a) dans l'épiderme et les annexes épidermiques ou dans leur voisnage immédiat b) au voisinage des vaisseaux sanguins. Il est peu probable qu'elles représentant une population homogène particulièrement parce que les cellules de Langerhaps, qui ont été découvertes précédemment dans l'ensemble des annexes épidermiques, furent localisées seulement dans l'épiderme en utilisant une coloration à l'acétylcholinesterase. Après une infection par le virus de l'ecthyma, il se forme une masse dense de cellules dendritiques de classe II+étroitement associées, dans le derme nécrotique atteint, adjacente aux follicules pileux infectés et sous l'épiderme dégénératif infecté. Ces cellules interagissent et apparaissent former une barrière à l'invasion, un cadre pour les défenses immunitaires et un patron pour la réparation épidermique ultérieure; elles semblent fournir les bases d'un système de défense dermique local hautement intégré. Zusammenfassung— Klasse II+-Dendritenzellen waren in der gesamten Haut von normalen Schafen in vorwiegend zwei Bereichen verbreitet: a) in oder unmittelbar neben der Epidermis und der epidermalen Anhangsgebiete und b) in dor Nähe dar Blutgefäße. Sie stellen wahrscheinlich keine homogène Population dar, da die Langerhanszellen, die früher übarall in den epidermalen Anhangsgebilden nachgewiesen wurden, bei Acetylcholinesterase-Färbung nur in der Epidermis zu finden waren. Nach einer Orf-Virus-Infektion formiert sich eine dichte Masse aus eng verbundenen Klasse II+-Dendritenzellen in der betroffenen nekrotisierenden Dermis unmittelbar neben den infizierten Haarfollikeln und unter der infizierten, degenerierenden Epidermis. Diese Zellen stehen untereinander in Verbindung und bilden anscheinend eine Barrière gegen die Invasion, ein Gorüst für die Immunabwehr und einen Ausgangs punkt für die anschließenden Reparaturvorgänge in der Epidermis. Sie scheinen als Basis eines hochentwickelten lokalen Abwehrsystems der Haut zu fungieren. Resumen Células dendríticas de class II+ se observaron en gran cantidad en la piel de la oveja especialmente en dos localizaciones: a) en la epidermis, en la dermis muy próxima a la epidermis y en anejos cutáneos y b) en las proximidades de los vasos sanguíneos. No parece tratarse de una población homogénea de células puesto que las células de Langerhans, que previamente se habían encontrado en los anejos epidérmicos, se encontraron únicamente en la epidermis utilizando técnicas de detección del acetilcol-inesterasa. Después de la infección con el virus del ectima contagioso ovino se observó una masa de células dendríticas de clase II, dispuestas de forma muy densa, en las proximidades de la dermis necrosada y de los folículos pilosos y de la epidermis infectada. Eatas células interaccionan entre si y parecen formar una barrera contra la invasión, una red inmunitaria de defensa y participar en la reparación de la epidermis; parece ser que esta población de células dendriticas son la base de un sistema de defensa dérmico local altamente integrado.     

Artificial Insemination with Frozen Semen in Ewes at Different Times of the Breeding Season

Totally 13575 ewes of two different breeds, Dala and Spel, were inseminated with semen, frozen in straws and thawed at 70°C for 8 sec. An insemination dose of 0.2 ml containing approx. 150 × 10⁶ spermatozoa with at least 45 to 50% progressive motility was imerted 5 to 12 mm into the cervix. The insemination was performed once between 12 and 30 h after the onset of heat. The NR rate of the Dala ewes increased significantly during the season. The NR rate of the ewes inseminated before 15. November was 44.3%, from 15. to 20. November 52.2%. from 20. to 25. November 55.3% and from 25. November and later 61.4%. The corresponding values for the ewes of the Spel breed were 57.3, 58.7, 61.5 and 71.0% respectively, and only the difference between the two last values was statistically significant. The difference between the fertility of the two breeds was significant within each of the periods .     

Acute infection of encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus in Syrian hamsters.

One-month-old Syrian hamsters of the APA and Std: golden strains were inoculated intraperitoneally with 10(5) PFU/head of the D variant of encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus and examined virologically and pathologically up to 7 days after inoculation. APA hamsters developed apparent hyperglycemia due to pancreatic islet cell damage while Std:golden hamsters did not. Hamsters of both strains showed clear histopathologic changes in the testis with prominent viral replication as well as in the brain, heart and exocrine pancreas. The susceptibility to EMC virus-infection was higher in males than in females and in APA than in Std: golden hamsters.