Effect of relative humidity at either acute or chronic moderate temperature on growth performance and droppings' corticosterone metabolites of broilers

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of relative humidity(RH) at either acute or chronic moderate ambient temperature(Ta) on growth performance and droppings' corticosterone metabolites of broilers.Two experiments were conducted: effect of RH(35,60 or 85%) on average daily feed intake(ADFI) and droppings' corticosterone metabolites at acute(1 d: 20–26 or 31–20°C,26 or 31°C for 6 h d–1 at 10:00–16:00) moderate Ta(experiment 1) and effect of RH(35,60 or 85%) on growth performance and droppings' corticosterone metabolites at chronic(step-wisely increasing temperature by 3°C every 3 d from 20 to 32°C within 15 d: 20–23–26–29–32°C) moderate Ta(experiment 2).Droppings were collected at the 2,4,6,8,and 22 h after Ta-RH controlled in experiment 1 and at the 2,4,6,and 22 h after Ta controlled to 32°C in experiment 2.The results showed that: 1) In experiment 1,85% RH increased(P0.05) the droppings' corticosterone metabolites at the 2,6,8,and 22 h and 35% RH increased(P0.05) it at the 2 and 22 h compared to the 60% RH.Moreover,85% RH further increased(P0.05) it compared to the 35% RH,however,no difference(P0.05) was found in ADFI among the three RH groups at acute moderate 26°C; 35 and 85% RH increased(P0.05) droppings' corticosterone metabolites at the 2,6,8 and 22 h and decreased(P0.05) ADFI compared to the 60% RH,moreover,85% RH further increased(P0.05) droppings' corticosterone metabolites and further decreased(P0.05) ADFI compared to the 35% RH at acute moderate 31°C; and the average of droppings' corticosterone metabolites in the whole period had a negative correlation(P0.02) with the ADFI.2) In experiment 2,85% RH increased(P0.01) droppings' corticosterone metabolites only at the 2 h and decreased(P0.02) ADFI and average daily gain(ADG) compared to the 60% RH,no difference(P0.05) in droppings' corticosterone metabolites was found between the 35 and 60% RH,however,35% RH decreased(P0.01) ADG compared to the 60% RH,and the average of droppings' corticosterone metabolites in the whole period also had a negative correlation(P0.02) with ADFI and ADG.In conclusion,droppings' corticosterone metabolites could be used as a RH stress index and low and high RH,especially high RH,reduced growth performance possibly through inducing RH stress at moderate temperature.     

Acute myelomonocytic leukaemia with short-term spontaneous remission in a cat

A 2-year-old, spayed female domestic shorthair cat was referred with a history of anorexia and depression of 1 week duration. On physical examination, the cat was lethargic and febrile, with splenomegaly, anisocoria and ulcerative stomatitis. A complete blood count (CBC) and a biochemistry profile showed leukocytosis, numerous blast cells in the peripheral blood, thrombocytopenia, hyperglobulinaemia and a positive test for feline leukaemia virus antigen. A diagnosis of acute myelomonocytic leukaemia was made on the basis of the results of bone marrow cytology, histopathology, and immunochemistry (CD3, CD79a, lysozyme, and myeloperoxidase) tests. Following an unexpected 1-month period of clinical and clinicopathological remission without chemotherapy, the cat relapsed and died 1 week later.     

Response to lipopolysaccharide in Octodon degus pups produces age‐related sickness behavior but does not have effects in juveniles

During vertebrate development, the immune function is inefficient and is mainly controlled by innate defense. While there have been detailed studies of various aspects of innate immune function, the effects of this function in the growth of vertebrates is still not well known. Similarly, there is little information regarding how early endotoxin exposure would affect juvenile phenotypes, specifically in a non‐model mammal like a precocial rodent. We evaluated the response to an antigen and its cost in offspring of the rodent Octodon degus. We inoculated pups at 4 different ages (8, 15, 22 and 30 days after birth) with an antigen to determine the ontogeny and costs of the response to an endotoxin. We assessed changes in body mass, body temperature, sickness behavior and the levels of a key mediator of the inflammatory response, the cytokine interleukin‐1β. We also determined the effects of early endotoxin exposure on the resting metabolic rate of juvenile animals (i.e. 90 days after birth). The cytokine levels, body mass and body temperature were unaffected by time of inoculation and treatment. However, pups subjected to inoculation at 22 days after birth with the antigen showed reduced locomotion. Juvenile resting metabolic rate was not affected by early endotoxin exposure. These results suggest that the magnitude of O. degus responses would not change with age. We discuss whether the lack of effect of the response on body mass or body condition is caused by environmental variables or by the precocial characteristics of O. degus.     

Correlations between acute radiation scores and pain scores in canine radiation patients with cancer of the forelimb

Objective To determine whether there is a correlation between skin acute radiation score (ARS) and pain scores and to determine if skin ARSs can be used to predict future pain scores and increased need for analgesia in dogs undergoing radiation therapy for cancer of the forelimb. Study design Prospective observational study. Animals Seven middle‐aged dogs of various breeds with cancer of the forelimb. Methods Each neoplasm was surgically removed and a histologic diagnosis was obtained. Curative intent radiation therapy was initiated 2½–4½ weeks after surgery. Curative intent radiation therapy was delivered as prescribed. Two trained observers scored the dogs using a visual analog pain scale (VAS), Glasgow composite measure of pain scale, short form (GCMPS) and skin ARS prior to each day’s therapy. Daily scores were averaged and scatter plots were developed. Generalized estimating equation regressions were used to calculate standard error, 95% confidence interval, and p‐values for each relationship. Confidence and prediction bands were plotted. Results A statistically significant correlation between skin ARS and VAS and GCMPS pain scores was identified indicating that as the skin ARS increased so did the pain scores. A general correlation between VAS and GCMPS scores was observed. Early (fraction days 1–6) GCMPS scores were significantly influenced by anxiety behavior unrelated to pain. Skin ARS was found to predict precisely current and future presence of pain, but could only predict a range of potential future pain scores based on the pain management approach in use during this study. Conclusions Skin ARS can provide valuable information for initiating preemptive analgesia and intensifying pain management during curative intent radiation therapy. Daily pain scoring with an acceptable pain scale should be used in conjunction with the skin ARS to improve patient pain management. Clinical relevance Pain is an anticipated consequence of curative intent radiation therapy. Understanding the correlation between pain and skin ARS may facilitate more effective pain management.     

Protein characterization using electrophoresis and immunofixation; a case‐based review of dogs and cats

Protein electrophoresis and immunotyping can be a useful adjunct to the standard biochemical techniques for characterizing serum and urine proteins. This paper reviews currently available and commonly used methods for diagnostic protein electrophoresis, including both agarose gel and capillary zone electrophoretic techniques and total protein assessments. Immunofixation and immunosubtraction methods for identification of immunoglobulin location and class are also presented. Practical application of quality assurance and quality control strategies in compliance with American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP) best practices are discussed. Commonly encountered serum and urine electrophoretic diagnostic patterns, including electrophoretically normal, acute‐phase protein responses, polyclonal gammopathies, restricted polyclonal/oligoclonal gammopathies, paraproteinemias (monoclonal or biclonal gammopathies), and Bence‐Jones proteinurias are also reviewed using relevant case material. Cases in which immunofixation electrophoresis are particularly useful are highlighted, and methodologies to more accurately quantify serum monoclonal proteins (M‐proteins), monitoring tests commonly used in human medicine, are discussed.     

猪油酸-急性肺损伤模型的建立

试验以猪为试验对象建立油酸-急性肺损伤模型。对油酸的注射剂量、宰杀方式进行比较优选;然后选取12头50日龄的猪,随机分为对照组和油酸组;处理后观察猪的呼吸状况,并在处理后不同时相点（1、3和6 h）宰杀猪,对肺组织的结构变化和肺含水量进行观察分析。结果表明,与对照组相比,注射适量油酸后,猪呼吸方式由胸腹式呼吸变为急促的腹式呼吸,呼吸频率明显升高;在注射后的3个时相点剖检发现,油酸组猪的肺组织出现典型急性肺损伤的病理形态。因此,在本试验条件下,以0.05 ml/kg体重,少量分次,耳静脉注射油酸成功建立了油酸-急性肺损伤模型,为进一步开展有关猪肺损伤及肺免疫防御的研究奠定了基础。