The protective effect of two porcine enterovirus vaccines in swine.

The virus neutralizing substance in the gastrointestinal tract of swine vaccinated in different ways with porcine enterovirus strain T80 was characterized by tests for enhancement and absorption of virus neutralizing activity by class specific antiporcine Ig antisera. The gastrointestinal virus neutralizing activity of piglets which were vaccinated with live virus orally resided predominantly in the IgA class, although some activity was present also in the IgM and IgG classes. The serum virus neutralizing activity of this group was present in all three classes but primarily in the IgG class. The IgA in the serum of this group was presumably of gut origin. However, in piglets vaccinated with live virus intramuscularly, with formaldehyde-inactivated virus orally or intramuscularly or with ethylenimine-inactivated virus by both oral and subcutaneous routes, both serum and gastrointestinal virus neutralizing activity were attributable predominantly to antibodies of the IgG and IgM classes. None possessed serum IgA. There was evidence also for the presence of Ig fragments in some gastrointestinal extracts.     

Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of 25% diet restriction on life span of dogs and on markers of aging. DESIGN: Paired feeding study. ANIMALS: 48 Labrador Retrievers. PROCEDURES: Dogs were paired, and 1 dog in each pair was fed 25% less food than its pair-mate from 8 weeks of age until death. Serum biochemical analyses were performed, body condition was scored, and body composition was measured annually until 12 years of age. Age at onset of chronic disease and median (age when 50% of the dogs were deceased) and maximum (age when 90% of the dogs were deceased) life spans were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with control dogs, food-restricted dogs weighed less and had lower body fat content and lower serum triglycerides, triiodothyronine, insulin, and glucose concentrations. Median life span was significantly longer for dogs in which food was restricted. The onset of clinical signs of chronic disease generally was delayed for food-restricted dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that 25% restriction in food intake increased median life span and delayed the onset of signs of chronic disease in these dogs.     

Mammary carcinoma: enzymatic block in disialoganglioside biosynthesis

The sialyl transferase of disialoganglioside formation is depressed in mammary tumors induced in the rat by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. Specific activities of other glycosyltransferases of the pathway ceramide to monosialo-ganglioside are unchanged or elevated so that the ganglioside GM(1) accumulates and higher gangliosides are depressed. These findings with a solid tumor are critical to an involvement of gangliosides in the cell-surface changes of tumorigenesis.     

Herd-level factors associated with isolation of Salmonella in a multi-state study of conventional and organic dairy farms II. Salmonella shedding in calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between herd-level factors and the isolation of Salmonella in calves from dairy farms in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and New York. Study farms were 129 conventional and organic farms enrolled without regard to previous history of Salmonella infection. Herds were sampled at 2-month intervals over a 1-year period. Salmonella was isolated in fecal samples from 176 (3.8%) of 4673 preweaned calves with 40 (31.0%) of 129 farms having at least one positive calf sample over the course of the study. Multivariable logistic regression using the generalized estimating equations approach was used to evaluate risk factors for Salmonella shedding after adjustment for effects of herd size, season, state of origin and the multiple sampling occasions per herd. Factors retained in the final model that were associated with an increased odds for Salmonella shedding were lack of routine feeding of milk replacer containing antimicrobials to preweaned calves (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.4, 5.8), use of maternity housing as a hospital area for sick cows more than once a month (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1, 4.0), and cow prevalence level by visit, categorized into the following four-levels: ≥20% (OR = 11.6, 95% CI: 5.7, 23.7), 10–19.9% (OR = 4.7, 95% CI: 2.0, 11.5), 0.1–9.9% (OR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.5, 8.7) and 0% (reference level). Herd size was not associated with Salmonella shedding in the final multivariable model.     

Genetic male sterility in wheat

The occurrence of genetic male sterility and development of highly sterile lines have been reported. The male sterility was not accompanied by any visible chromosomal aberration. It behaved as recessive and was governed by multiple factors. It was hypothesised that three major genes with additive effect were operating to produce highly sterile forms while less sterile forms would be dependent on one or two genes. The expression of male sterility was also influenced by modifying factors and environments.     

Nutritional management of grazing beef cows.

In grazing operations, forage quality and availability are sometimes limited, and cattle are unable to consume enough nutrients from pasture forage to fulfill requirements. During such situations, supplemental or replacement feeding is necessary to meet production goals. A fundamental understanding of ruminant nutrition and forage management is helpful in deciding which feed or supplement type (ie, energy versus protein) best fits the goals of a specific beef production system. It is important to choose a delivery method and supplement form that provide the targeted amount of desired nutrients to each animal in the herd and that minimize input costs. The objective of this article is to serve as a resource for veterinarians as they provide nutritional management support to beef cow producers.     

Transient glomerulonephropathy associated with primary erythrocytosis in a dog

Proteinuria (urine protein/creatinine ratio, 13.6) resolved after control of primary erythrocytosis in a dog. Hydroxyurea and doxorubicin administration and phlebotomy were used initially to manage erythrocytosis. Remission was maintained for approximately 2 years. Glomerulonephropathy, characterized by absence of routine histologic or immunofluorescent changes and ultrastructural evidence of basement membrane deterioration and podocyte fusion, was documented. These lesions may have been a result of hypoxia and/or hyperviscosity secondary to erythrocytosis.     

DISTAL BORDER FRAGMENTS OF THE EQUINE NAVICULAR BONE: ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING CHARACTERISTICS AND CLINICAL LAMENESS

Distal border fragments of the navicular bone are increasingly being detected due to the improved capabilities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but their clinical significance remains unclear. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the location, size, and frequency of fragments in a cohort of horses presented for MRI of the foot and to compare MRI findings with severity of lameness. Archived MRI studies and medical records were searched from March 2006 to June 2008. Horses were included if a distal border fragment of the navicular bone was visible in MRI scans. Confidence interval comparisons and linear regression analyses were used to test hypotheses that fragments were associated with lameness and lameness severity was positively correlated with fragment volume and biaxial location. A total of 453 horses (874 limbs) were included. Fragments were identified in 60 horses (13.25%) and 90 limbs (10.3%). Fifty percent of the horses had unilateral fragments and 50% had bilateral fragments. Fragments were located at the lateral (62.2%), medial (8.89%), or medial and lateral (28.9%) angles of the distal border of the navicular bone. There was no increased probability of being categorized as lame if a fragment was present. There was no significant difference in fragment volume across lameness severity categorizations. Confidence intervals indicated a slightly increased probability of being classified as lame if both medial and lateral fragments were present. Findings indicated that distal border fragments of the navicular bone in equine MRI studies are unlikely to be related to existing lameness.