Bovine viral diarrhea virus subgenotype 1b in water buffalos (Bubalus bubalis) from Brazil

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Serological studies have characterized the presence of the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection in water buffalo herds worldwide. However, the...     

A comparison of the oxytetracycline preparations Aquacycline and Terramycin 100 with regard to absorption characteristics, local tissue reactions and residues following dewlap injections in calves

In an experiment with 12 calves, Aquacycline® in a 5 % (OTC-A5) and a 10 % (OTC-A10) solution, was compared with Terramycin®-100 (OTC-C) by injecting 20 mg OTC/kg bwt. of these preparations in the dewlap and monitoring serum concentrations as well as tissue reactions and residues at the site of injection. All 3 preparations resulted in oxytetracycline (OTC) serum concentrations above 0.5 µg/ml of approximately 60 h. During this period, OTC-A5 resulted in a 39 % and OTC-A10 in a 20 % larger area under the serum concentration-time curve, as compared to OTC-C (P < 0.05). The recorded tissue reaction in the form of swelling during the first week following injection of OTC-A5 averaged 72 % of that after OTC-C (P < 0.01), while the mean swelling after OTC-A10 was 81 % of the corresponding value after OTC-C (P < 0.05). The OTC residue levels at the sites of injection were lower after OTC-A5, but none of the preparations resulted in OTC residues exceeding 0.3 mg at 28 days and about 0.15 mg at 42 days after injection. The pathological changes at the site of injection were somewhat more pronounced in those calves which received OTC-C. Accordingly, these results give some support to the claims that Aquacycline® offers advantages with respect to absorption characteristics and tissue tolerance.     

Osteogenic proliferation and differentiation of canine bone marrow and adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stromal cells and the influence of hypoxia

The aim of this study was to compare the osteogenic and proliferative potential of canine mesenchymal stromal cells (cMSCs) derived from bone marrow (BM-cMSCs) and adipose tissue (AT-cMSCs). Proliferation potential was determined under varying oxygen tensions (1%, 5%, and 21% O(2)). Effects of reduced oxygen levels on the osteogenic differentiation of AT-cMSCs were also investigated. AT-cMSCs proliferated at a significantly faster rate than BM-cMSCs, although both cell types showed robust osteogenic differentiation. Culture in 5% and 1% O(2) impaired proliferation in cMSC from both sources and osteogenic differentiation in AT-cMSCs. Our data suggests that AT-cMSCs might be more suitable for use in a clinical situation, where large cell numbers are required for bone repair, due to their rapid proliferation combined with robust osteogenic potential. Our data also suggests that the inhibitory effects of hypoxia on both cell proliferation and differentiation should be considered when using MSCs in a potentially hypoxic environment such as a fracture site.     

Serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii, Dirofilaria immitis, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) infections in pet cats in Bangkok and vicinities, Thailand

The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infections was examined using serum or plasma samples from 746 pet cats collected between May and July 2009 from clinics and hospitals located in and around Bangkok, Thailand. The samples were tested for heartworm, FIV, and FeLV using a commercial ELISA. Of the 746 samples, 4.6% (34/746) were positive for heartworm antigen, 24.5% (183/746) had circulating FeLV antigen, and 20.1% (150/746) had antibodies against FIV. In addition, the first 348 submitted samples were tested for T. gondii antibodies using a modified agglutination test (MAT, cut off 1:25); 10.1% (35/348) were seropositive. Of the 348 cats sampled for all four pathogens, 11, 10, and 1 were positive for T. gondii antibodies and FIV antibodies, FeLV antigen, or D. immitis antigen, respectively. Of the 35 T. gondii-seropositive cats, 42.9% (15/35) were co-infected with at least one of the other three pathogens. The presence of antibodies to FIV was significantly associated with both age and gender, while FeLV antigen presence was only associated with age. In the case of FIV, males were twice as likely to be infected as females, and cats over 10 years of age were 13.5 times more likely to be infected than cats less than 1 year of age. FeLV antigen was more common in younger cats, with cats over 10 years of age being 10 times less likely to be FeLV positive than cats under 1 year of age. This is the first survey for these four pathogens affecting feline health in Thailand.     

Radiographic changes associated with tooth resorption type 2 in cats

The aim of this retrospective study was to follow the progression of radiographic changes in intentionally retained roots of teeth affected with tooth resorption type 2 in cats. Emphasis was placed on assessment of degree of resorption as well as the occurrence of inflammatory changes in tooth roots. The results confirm that crown amputation is an adequate treatment in cats for teeth affected by type 2 resorption.     

Evaluation of Nitric Acid Extraction of Elements from Soils and Sediments in Two watersheds in East Tennessee

Determining the total elemental concentrations of soils requires a total dissolution method, in which hydrofluoric acid (HF) is commonly used. However, this method is tedious and risky due to the dangerous reagent HF. This study compared a single acid extraction technique using a nitric acid (HNO₃) extraction method to total dissolution (HF + microwave assisted aqua regia) for evaluating the total elemental concentrations in soils and sediments. The two methods were used to analyze the elemental content of soils and sediments from the Oostanaula Creek and Pond Creek watersheds in East Tennessee. Twenty-one elements (Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Nd, P, S, Si, Sr, Ti, V, Zn, and Zr) were subsequently measured using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The extraction efficiency for HNO₃ relative to the total was compared and discussed. In general, HNO₃ can extract the elements in absorbed phases and those residing in non-silicate minerals. Six elements (Ba, Co, Fe, Ca, Mn, and P) generated significant correlations between total and HNO₃ in both OC and PC watersheds. Finally, the elements were grouped according to the interrelationships of their total elemental concentrations based on the dendrogram plots, suggesting their geochemical association in soils and sediment forming minerals.