Application of different doses of calcium hydroxide in the farming shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei with the biofloc technology (BFT)

The reduction in alkalinity and pH occurs due to the consumption of inorganic carbon by bacteria present in the biofloc. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of different doses of calcium hydroxide on the water quality and growth performance of the Litopenaeus vannamei in a biofloc system. The experiment consisted of four treatments with three repetitions for each treatment: Control treatment (TC), in which the pH maintained above 7.2 due to the application of 0.05 g L^?1 of calcium hydroxide, and treatments T10, T20 and T40, in which daily doses of calcium hydroxide equivalent to 10, 20 and 40 % of the total amount of feed offered to the shrimp, respectively, were added to the environment. Twelve experimental units (150 L) were stocked with 85 juveniles of L. vannamei (0.18 ± 0.06 g), corresponding to a density of 425 shrimp m^?3, and cultivated for 56 days. The values of alkalinity and pH for treatments TC and T10 were similar and significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those for treatments T20 and T40, which differed (p < 0.05) between each other. In terms of growth performance, TC, T10 and T20 performed significantly better (p < 0.05) than T40. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the survival rates. The results obtained indicate that doses of 0.05 g L^?1 of calcium hydroxide or daily applications between 10 and 20 % of the total amount of feed offered to the shrimp can be used for the correction of alkalinity and pH.     

Effect of transdermally administered fentanyl on minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in normothermic and hypothermic dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane was altered by transdermal administration of fentanyl in normothermic and hypothermic dogs. DESIGN: Randomized complete block crossover design. ANIMALS: 6 mature healthy dogs. PROCEDURE: Dogs received each of 4 treatments in random order. Following induction of anesthesia, normothermia was maintained in dogs that were treated with a fentanyl patch (F-NORM) or sham patch (C-NORM), or hypothermia was maintained in dogs that were treated with a fentanyl patch (F-HYPO) or sham patch (C-HYPO). The appropriate patch was applied 24 hours prior to induction of anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with isoflurane in oxygen; the dogs were intubated and mechanically ventilated. Target esophageal temperatures were maintained within 1 degrees C of baseline values (normothermia) or at 34.5 degrees C (94.1 degrees F; hypothermia) for 1 hour prior to starting MAC determinations. Supramaximal stimulation was achieved with an electrical stimulator attached to needle electrodes placed in the buccal mucosa of the lower jaw of the dog. RESULTS: Mean MAC +/- SEM of isoflurane during C-NORM, C-HYPO, F-NORM, and F-HYPO treatments were 1.20 +/- 0.17, 0.89 +/- 0.18, 0.76 +/- 0.10, and 0.81 +/- 0.17, respectively. The mean MAC during C-NORM was significantly higher than values for the other treatments. There was no significant difference in mean MAC among the C-HYPO, F-NORM, and F-HYPO treatments. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Data suggest that transdermal administration of fentanyl significantly reduces isoflurane requirements in normothermic dogs. The isoflurane MAC-sparing effects of transdermal fentanyl are not apparent in hypothermic dogs.     

Natural presence of Campylobacter spp. in various internal organs of commercial broiler breeder hens

Campylobacter are known to cause acute bacterial gastroenteritis in humans. Poultry products have been implicated as a significant source of these infections. Six experiments were performed to determine whether Campylobacter could be isolated naturally from the primary and secondary lymphoid organs, liver/gallbladder, and ceca of commercial broiler breeder hens. Broiler breeder hens were acquired from different commercial sources during the early, middle, and late lay cycles. The birds were euthanatized, defeathered, and aseptically opened. To reduce the possibility of cross-contamination between samples, the thymus, spleen, and liver/gallbladder were aseptically removed prior to removal of the ceca. Individual samples were placed in sterile bags, packed on ice, and transported to the laboratory for evaluation. In this study Campylobacter were found in 11 of 43 thymii, eight of 43 spleens, four of 43 liver/gallbladders, and 30 of 43 ceca. Overall, 28 of 53 isolates from the above samples were Campylobacter coli and 25 of 53 isolates were found to be Campylobacter jejuni.     

Surgical repair of traumatic oronasal fistula in a domestic short-haired cat

A 9-month-old, spayed female domestic shorthair was presented with a suspected traumatic oronasal fistula. Two surgical attempts using mucosal advancement flaps and single layer closure failed, likely due to inadequate blood supply that was potentially exacerbated by excess tension and trauma on the graft.     

Influence of metoclopramide on gastroesophageal reflux in anesthetized dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of 2 doses of metoclopramide on the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in anesthetized dogs. ANIMALS: 52 healthy dogs undergoing elective orthopedic surgery. PROCEDURE: In this prospective clinical study, dogs were evaluated before and during orthopedic surgery. The anesthetic protocol used was standardized to include administration of acepromazine, morphine, thiopental, and isoflurane. Dogs were randomly selected to receive an infusion of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, a low dose of metoclopramide, or a high dose of metoclopramide before and during anesthesia. Treatment groups were similar with respect to age, body weight, duration of food withholding before surgery, duration of surgery, and dose of thiopental administered. Dogs were positioned in dorsal recumbency during surgery. A sensor-tipped catheter was inserted to measure esophageal pH during anesthesia. We defined GER as a decrease in esophageal pH to < 4 or an increase to > 7.5 that lasted more than 30 seconds. RESULTS: The high dose of metoclopramide (bolus loading dose of 1.0 mg/kg, IV, followed by continuous infusion at a rate of 1.0 mg/kg/h) was associated with a 54% reduction in relative risk of developing GER. The low dose did not significantly affect the incidence of GER. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Administration of metoclopramide by bolus and constant rate infusion at doses much higher than commonly used will reduce the incidence but not totally prevent GER in anesthetized dogs undergoing orthopedic surgery.     

Data-loggers carried on a harness do not adversely affect sheep locomotion

The use of externally fitted motion sensors to animal subjects has the potential for allowing researchers to investigate subtle changes in animal movement that may occur with the onset of specific diseases. However, it is crucial to consider whether or not the use of such technology has an effect on the variables measured. Here, we examine the effect of a body harness data logging device on the locomotive patterns of female Merino sheep, Ovis aries. We extracted locomotion variables typical of motion sensor data (stride frequency, stride length, gait type, speed, and limb velocity) from high-definition video collected under controlled conditions. We found no significant difference between the variables measured in the harnessed and unharnessed conditions. Overall, our experiment demonstrates that data-loggers carried on a harness do not adversely affect sheep locomotion, and extended periods of habituation post-instalment of devices should ensure consistency and accuracy of data in future experiments.     

Interferon-gamma and B-cell Activating Factor (BAFF) promote bovine B cell activation independent of TLR9 and T-cell signaling

We previously reported that CD21(+) B cells purified from bovine blood do not respond to CpG-ODN stimulation unless either CD14(+) monocytes or B-cell Activating Factor (BAFF), a cytokine produced by activated monocytes, are present. In this report, we present evidence that CD14(+) monocytes are critical for CpG-specific lymphocyte proliferation within the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) population but that this response is not mediated by soluble factors produced by CpG-activated monocytes. We further determine that bovine monocytes stimulated with IFN-γ induce expression of the BAFF gene and that recombinant IFN-γ and BAFF induced robust B cell activation when cultured in the absence of CpG ODN. These data suggest that CpG-stimulated monocytes may indirectly promote B cell activation by promoting release of cytokines and/or other soluble factors from accessory cells which in turn act on CpG-stimulated B cells to promote antigen-independent and T cell independent B cell activation. Understanding the T cell independent signals that induce B cell activation has important implications for understanding B cell development in locations where T cells are limited and in understanding polyclonal B cell activation that may contribute to autoimmune diseases.