Evaluation of intrarenal mesenchymal stem cell injection for treatment of chronic kidney disease in cats: a pilot study

The feasibility of autologous intrarenal mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) was investigated. Six cats (two healthy, four with CKD) received a single unilateral intrarenal injection of autologous bone marrow-derived or adipose tissue-derived MSC (bmMSC or aMSC) via ultrasound guidance. Minimum database and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) via nuclear scintigraphy were determined pre-injection, at 7 days and at 30 days post-injection. Intrarenal injection did not induce immediate or long-term adverse effects. Two cats with CKD that received aMSC experienced modest improvement in GFR and a mild decrease in serum creatinine concentration. Despite the possible benefits of intrarenal MSC injections for CKD cats, the number of sedations and interventions required to implement this approach would likely preclude widespread clinical application. We concluded that MSC could be transferred safely by ultrasound-guided intrarenal injection in cats, but that alternative sources and routes of MSC therapy should be investigated.     

RELATION OF SEVERAL PEDOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS TO ENGINEERING QUALITIES OF SOIL

An attempt to predict engineering qualities which are needed in soil evaluation and to enhance nonagricultural use of soil survey data was made. Data from a variety of soils were subjected to simple correlation and multiple regression analyses to relate three pedologic characteristics: clay content, cation-exchange capacity (CEC), and organic matter content to two engineering qualitites: plasticity index, and optimum moisture. Simple correlation coefficients showed that clay content and CEC correlated significantly with the engineering determinations. The relationship between organic matter content and these engineering determinations was weaker. Multiple regression analyses showed that the three pedologic characteristics accounted for most of the variation in each of the engineering qualities, and that prediction was feasible.     

IT—Information Technology and the Human Interface: A Review of the Environmental Effects of Different Livestock Manure Storage Systems, and a Suggested Procedure for Assigning Environmental Ratings

There are concerns over a range of adverse environmental effects resulting from the storage of livestock manures on farms. The objectives of this study were to examine all the likely environmental effects of different storage methods, and to recommend which were the most desirable options.Literature reviews were undertaken to identify the likely environmental consequences of each commonly used storage method, in terms of water pollution risks, odour and ammonia emissions, greenhouse gas emissions and survival of microorganisms during storage. Planning and landscape aspects were considered and the most feasible options for abatement of ammonia emissions were identified. An ‘environmental rating’ for different storage systems was then devised, with the aim of obtaining a balance between water pollution, aerial emissions and other concerns.The environmental rating exercise favoured the more sophisticated and hence most expensive storage methods. No large differences emerged between ratings for slurry systems and solid systems when ease of adding ammonia control measures was excluded. For pigs, slurry systems appear to have a slight advantage, because of the greater ammonia emissions from the solid pig manure. The use of such a rating system could be developed further as more data become available. Whilst the method indicates the relative desirability of systems at a national scale it could be adapted to take account of local considerations or those of individual farm sites.     

Reverse phase liquid chromatographic determination of aspartame in beverages and beverage mixes

A method is described for determining the artificial sweetener aspartame in beverages and beverage mixes by liquid chromatography. Aspartame is separated on a microC18 column, using a mobile phase of acetic acid, water, and isopropyl alcohol at pH 3.0 and UV detection at 254 nm. Beverages are filtered through 0.45 micron filters and injected directly into the chromatograph. Aspartame is eluted in approximately 7 min. Detection of aspartame is confirmed by a UV scan of the trapped peak. Aspartame is quantitated in the presence of other beverage additives such as saccharin, caffeine, sodium benzoate, artificial colors, and artificial flavors. Results are presented for spiked soda beverages, beverages from fruit-flavored mixes, instant tea, reconstituted presweetened drink mixes, and a powdered tabletop sweetener.     

Letters

Editor's note: The AVJ welcomes letters from members in all areas of the profession on matters of importance to you. Please keep them brief ‐ to meet our space constraints. Letters will be subject to minimal editing procedures. Subject to letters complying with the AVJ's legal responsibilities, they will not be censored. Nor will individuals or groups waging'‘campaigns’ be permitted to abuse these pages. If submitting a letter intended for publication, kindly identify it as such. Letters to the Editor can be sent by mail, fax or e‐mail at the contact points listed at the start of the News Section. Writers may use a pseudonym to protect their identities ‐ but must supply the Editor with verifiable names and points of contact.     

Digestible energy requirements for work and maintenance of horses fed conventional and fat-supplemented diets

A control and a 10% fat-supplemented diet were fed to exercising horses maintained in two different body conditions, during both temperate and hot weather, to determine the efficacy of fat as dietary aid to reduced energy requirements for thermal regulation in exercising horses. Horses were worked 7.2 km daily, 5 d/w, and in each season were fed sufficient energy to maintain constant body weight and body fat content at each assigned level of body condition. In both seasons and in both body conditions, digestible energy intake was lower (P<.01) when the horses were fed the fat-supplemented diet than when fed the control diet. Digestible energy intake was partitioned into requirements for work and maintenance. Since work levels were similar, digestible energy requirements for work were similar when horses were fed both experimental diets. However, the digestible energy requirements for maintenance were significantly lower (P<.01) when the horses were fed the fat-supplemented diet. Thus, it appears that feeding fat to exercising horses reduces the thermal load and resulting digestible energy requirements for maintenance in both temperate and hot weather.