The effects of ascorbic acid on in vitro heterophil function

As a feed additive, ascorbic acid has been shown to have a protective effect against bacterial and viral diseases and to reduce the impact of detrimental stress in chickens. This study examined the effect of ascorbic acid treatment on in vitro heterophil function by examining random migration and phagocytosis and bacterial killing of Staphylococcus aureus. Heterophils were evaluated in broiler chickens ranging from 5 to 16 wk of age, and age differences were seen. Significant increases in bacterial killing were found in heterophils treated with ascorbic acid, and this difference tended to be greater in chickens from 5 to 10.5 wk of age. No significant differences were found in phagocytosis or random migration, but ascorbic acid tended to decrease random migration. The most significant effect on in vitro heterophil function was an increase in bacterial killing.     

In vitro efficacy of N-duopropenide, a recently developed disinfectant containing quaternary ammonium compounds, against selected gram-positive and gram-negative organisms

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of N-duopropenide against various gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. SAMPLE POPULATION: One field strain each of Pasteurella multocida subsp multocida, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and L ivanovii, and 2 field strains of Escherichia coli. PROCEDURE: Strains were tested with and without serum as organic matter, using quantitative suspension and carrier tests. Six concentrations of active ingredient (0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.11, 0.27, and 0.55%) and 6 contact times (15 and 30 seconds and 1, 3, 5, and 10 minutes) were studied for each. RESULTS: Globally, N-duopropenide was more effective in suspension tests than in carrier tests, and when organisms were suspended in saline solution rather than serum. Under the most disadvantageous conditions (carrier test with serum), a concentration of 0.55% N-duopropenide acting for only 15 seconds was effective in inactivating P multocida subsp multocida and was even more effective against the 2 Listeria species tested. For E coli strains, the same concentration also was effective, but after 10 minutes of contact. On the other hand, N-duopropenide was unable to inactivate the S aureus strain in the carrier test with serum, a concentration of 0.55% for 10 minutes was necessary to inactivate it without organic matter; however, N-duopropenide was highly effective against this organism in the suspension test, even with serum. CONCLUSION: N-duopropenide was highly effective in vitro against 5 of the most commonly encountered organisms in clinical veterinary medicine and, consequently, might be a good choice in control measures against common pathogenic organisms in modern production systems.     

Edge surfaces in lithographically textured molybdenum disulfide

Lithographic techniques were used to expose edge surfaces in layered molybdenum disulfide single crystals. This microstructuring produced ideal samples for the study of the surface morphology and electronic structure of this catalytically important material. The optical absorption that was measured at mid-gap increased by two orders of magnitude after texturing. This increase resulted from reduced molybdenum at surface defects that are located on edge planes, as shown by photoemission spectroscopy. This information cannot easily be obtained on conventional crystals with predominantly basal plane surfaces.     

Studies on the pathogenesis of the erythrocyte destruction associated with the anemia of inflammatory disease

Density-separated feline RBC were analyzed for surface immunoglobulin and in vitro susceptibility to macrophage phagocytosis before and after introduction of a sterile abscess. Prior to abscess induction, least dense cells did not have detectable surface immunoglobulin G (IgG) as a direct antiglobulin reaction was negative. Two of four intermediate and three of four most dense cell fractions had detectable surface IgG as indicated by a positive direct antiglobulin reaction. On Days 3 and 5 after induction of sterile abscesses all three RBC fractions were positive and the size of the RBC clumps tended to increase. In vitro macrophage phagocytosis of all three RBC fractions increased significantly after abscess induction. The phagocytosis could be partially blocked by preincubation of macrophages with feline IgG.     

Anabaseine: venom alkaloid of aphaenogaster ants

Anabaseine, a tobacco alkaloid, is identified as a poison gland product in Aphaenogaster ants, in which it functions as an attractant.     

Pharmacokinetics of orally administered tramadol in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

OBJECTIVE:To determine the pharmacokinetics of an orally administered dose of tramadol in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). ANIMALS: 6 healthy adult sexually intact female New Zealand White rabbits. PROCEDURES: Physical examinations and plasma biochemical analyses were performed to ensure rabbits were healthy prior to the experiment. Rabbits were anesthetized with isoflurane, and IV catheters were placed in a medial saphenous or jugular vein for collection of blood samples. One blood sample was collected before treatment with tramadol. Rabbits were allowed to recover from anesthesia a minimum of 1 hour before treatment. Then, tramadol (11 mg/kg, PO) was administered once, and blood samples were collected at various time points up to 360 minutes after administration. Blood samples were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography to determine plasma concentrations of tramadol and its major metabolite (O-desmethyltramadol). RESULTS: No adverse effects were detected after oral administration of tramadol to rabbits. Mean +/- SD half-life of tramadol after administration was 145.4 +/- 81.0 minutes; mean +/- SD maximum plasma concentration was 135.3 +/- 89.1 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although the dose of tramadol required to provide analgesia in rabbits is unknown, the dose administered in the study reported here did not reach a plasma concentration of tramadol or O-desmethyltramadol that would provide sufficient analgesia in humans for clinically acceptable periods. Many factors may influence absorption of orally administered tramadol in rabbits.     

A proposed transpositional acupoint system in a mouse and rat model

In acupuncture, the specificity of the point and the reproducibility of the location of the point are prerequisite to the specificity and reproducibility of research involving acupuncture stimulation. The transpositional method, which locates animal acupoints (AAs) on the surface of animal skin corresponding to the anatomic site of a human acupoint, has been generally adopted for research modeling. However, there remains a lack of consensus on the specific location of AA among researchers. The potential problems that the discrepancy in acupoint locating methods causes include the attempt to compare research results. This report is a conceptual study that calls attention to the problems of inconsistency in AA location, and proposes a transpositional 121 AA system in a mouse and rat model. Further discussion, and the establishment of reproducible transpositional AA systems, will prompt further quantitative research and exchange of scientific ideas.