Normalization of depressed heart function in rats by ribose

Severe constriction of the abdominal aorta and simultaneous injection of isoproterenol in rats induced depression in heart function and reductions in cardiac adenosine triphosphate and total adenine nucleotides. When ribose was continuously infused for 24 hours, biosynthesis of cardiac adenine nucleotides was stimulated to such an extent that the reductions in adenosine triphosphate and total adenine nucleotides were prevented and left ventricular hemodynamic parameters were normal. These results support the hypothesis that adenosine triphosphate is primarily responsible for depression in myocardial contractility and that ribose is cardioprotective through its pronounced effects on adenine nucleotide metabolism in heart muscle.     

Fungal rhinitis and sinusitis in three cats

Localized infection of the nasal or paranasal cavities caused by Aspergillus spp or Penicillium spp was diagnosed in 3 cats. Clinical signs included chronic mucopurulent nasal discharge, epistaxis, and mandibular lymphadenopathy. Rhinoscopic and diagnostic imaging findings were compatible with severe inflammation of the nasal mucosa and destruction of the turbinates. Fungal plaques were observed rhinoscopically in 2 cats, and histologic examination of biopsy specimens revealed fungal colonies with surrounding inflammatory infiltrates in all 3. Results of fungal culture were negative for all 3 cats. Results of serum immunoelectrophoresis for antibodies against Aspergillus spp were positive in 2 cats. Treatment with itraconazole was effective in controlling clinical signs in 1 cat, but hepatotoxicosis developed. A single intranasal infusion of clotrimazole subsequently led to long-term resolution of clinical signs in this cat. Localized aspergillosis-penicilliosis is clinically indistinguishable from other pathologic conditions of the nasal and paranasal cavities in cats and should be considered when examining cats with chronic nasal discharge.     

Impact of diet composition and temperature–humidity index on water and dry matter intake of high‐yielding dairy cows

The temperature–humidity index (THI) is widely used to characterize heat stress in dairy cattle. Diet composition is known to induce variation in metabolic‐associated heat production. However, the relationships between THI and diet are poorly characterized with regard to performance and intake behaviour. Therefore, the objectives were to evaluate the impact of THI on water intake (WI), dry matter intake (DMI) and the frequency of drinking and feeding bouts in lactating dairy cows offered four dietary treatments: each contained 20% grass silage and additionally (i) 20% maize silage, 60% concentrate (M‐HC); (ii) 60% maize silage, 20% concentrate (M‐LC); (iii) 20% pressed beet pulp silage, 60% concentrate (BPS‐HC); or (iv) 60% pressed beet pulp silage, 20% concentrate (BPS‐LC) (DM basis). Individual WI and DMI were recorded from April to July 2013. Furthermore, dietary effects on milk production and reticular pH were estimated. Milk yield was lowest for M‐LC, while energy‐corrected milk was similar for all diets. Milk fat percentage was higher and milk protein amount lower for cows offered both LC diets. Reticular pH below 6.3, 6.0 and 5.8 lasted longest for BPS‐LC. WI was higher for HC diets. However, the frequency of drinking bouts was not influenced by the ration. Lower DMI occurred for BPS‐LC compared to M‐LC. Frequency of feeding bouts was significantly higher for LC diets. THI was significantly related to WI, DMI as well as drinking and feeding bouts. Per increasing THI, WI increased slightly more for LC diets and DMI decreased more for HC diets. Frequency of drinking bouts increased slightly higher for BPS rations per rising THI, while the decrease in feeding bouts was highest for M‐HC. In conclusion, TMR composition and moderate heat stress impacted WI and DMI of dairy cows, while both dietary energy density and ruminal filling might intensify the THI impact.     

Resorption and incorporation of radioactive labeled amino acids during administration of various protein carriers in rats. 1. Resorption of 14C leucine and 3H glycine after intragastric administration]

Male Albino rats (90-100 g) were fed ad libitum (with limited periods of feeding) for 14 days. The diets were adjusted to a crude protein content of 10%. Powdered whole egg, fish meal, yeast and gelatine were used as protein sources. Additionally, one group of rats was fed a protein-free diet. On the 15th day of experiment the rats were fed a test diet at a level of 2 g per 100 g of body weight. 2 hrs after that the rats received 25 muCi of 3H glycine and 5 muCi of 14C-L-Leucine per 100 g of body weight administered by way of intragastric infusion. It was found that a large proportion of the radioactive amino acids were absorbed as early as after 0.5 hr. The highest rate of absorption was observed in animals fed dietary proteins of poor quality or a protein free diet, so that in animals receiving a gelatine diet or a protein-free diet only 68.4% or 56.4% of the administered amount of 14C activity were detected inside the gastro intestinal tract after 0.5 hr. Analogous data for the 3H activity were 52.4% and 25.3%. Maximum absorption occurred after 3-7 hrs. Following this the level of radioactivity in the intestinal contents again increased reaching a peak value after 14-24 hrs; in the case of 14C activity this peak value amounted to 25.4% of the administered dose in animals fed the gelatine diet and 32.8% in the group receiving the protein-free diet. It was established that the major proportion of the resecreted amount of 14C activity was present in leucine. Until 72 hrs after the intake of 14C activity the level of radioactivity was again found to decline, a processes which was induced by processes occurring in the large intestines. Moreover, evidence was obtained in confirmation of previous findings, indicating that the composition of faecal amino acids was constant and unaffected by dietary proteins.     

Ultrasonographic examination of the adrenal gland and evaluation of the hypophyseal-adrenal axis in 20 cats

The adrenal glands of 20 healthy, non-sedated cats were examined ultrasonographically; visualisation and assessment was possible in all cases. In comparison with the surrounding tissue, the adrenal glands were hypoechoic and two distinct zones could be differentiated in six of the cats. The length and width of the adrenal glands varied from 0.45 to 1.37 cm and 0.29 to 0.53 cm, respectively, and both dimensions could be reliably reproduced. The adrenal glands did not differ between male and female cats, and, in comparison to dogs, those of cats are more easily visualised ultrasonographically. The basal cortisol value ranged from 2.0 to 79 micrograms/litre. Values 30 and 60 minutes after administration of ACTH (0.125 mg/cat intramuscularly) varied from 36 to 126 micrograms/litre. The basal value of aldosterone ranged from 4 to 618 pg/ml. Values 30 and 60 minutes after administration of ACTH varied from 100 to 832 pg/ml. In all cats, suppression of the cortisol value below the level of detection (< 2.0 micrograms/litre) occurred four and eight hours after the administration of dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg intravenously).     

Anatomical differences in the structural elements of fluid passage of Scots pine sapwood with contrasting treatability

Treatability of wood is a function of anatomical properties developed under certain growing conditions. While Scots pine sapwood material normally is considered as easy to impregnate, great variations in treatability can be observed. In order to study anatomical differences in the structural elements of transverse fluid passage, wood material with contrasting treatability has been compared. Ray composition and resin canal network, membrane areas of fenestriform pits in the cross-field as well as dimension and properties of bordered pits were investigated. The results showed large anatomical differences between the two contrasting treatability groups. Refractory Scots pine sapwood samples developed more rays per mm² tangential section, while they were on average lower in cell numbers than rays found in easily treatable material. Easily treatable material had more parenchyma cells in rays than refractory material. At the same time, a larger membrane area in fenestriform pits in the cross-field was observed in the easily treatable sample fraction. Differences in the composition of resin canal network were not observed. Refractory samples developed on average smaller bordered pit features, with relatively small formed pit apertures compared to the easily treatable samples. In refractory Scots pine sapwood material, the structural elements of fluid passage such as bordered pit dimensions, fenestriform pits in the cross-field and parenchyma cells were altogether developed in smaller dimensions or number. Wood samples from better growing conditions and sufficient water supply showed a better treatability in this study.