桃畸果病的发生及对桃果实生理生化指标的影响

近年来,在甘肃省兰州桃产区发现了一种由下心瘿螨(Eriophyes catacardiae Keifer)为害引起的桃果实病害,该病导致桃果实严重畸形。 2009-2010年对桃产区调查结果表明：下心瘿螨3月下旬到4月初出蛰为害,桃畸果平均发生率2009年为40.30%,2010年为73.65%,严重时高达86%。进一步的生理生化指标测试表明：被害桃果一些主要生理生化指标发生了明显的变化。受害果实的可溶性糖含量比对照下降了55.35%,可溶性蛋白质含量上升了66.16%,游离氨基酸含量上升了64.95%,游离脯氨酸含量上升了111.57%,过氧化氢酶活性增加了53.46%。     

低温对民猪骨骼肌线粒体能量代谢基因的影响

为了探究低温环境下民猪肌肉组织内与线粒体能量代谢相关基因的变化情况,以解析民猪抗寒特性的遗传机制。将9头体质量相近的母猪随机分成3组,每组3头,在冬季将其中2组置于室外半敞篷舍内饲养,分别处理3 d（急性低温处理组）和58 d（慢性低温处理组）,1组置于常规舍内饲养,作为对照组。以背肌为试验材料,采用PCR array方法,对90个与线粒体能量代谢相关基因的表达水平进行检测。结果表明,与对照组相比,急性低温处理组基因的表达水平差异不显著,但慢性低温处理显著改变 ATP5H、 ATP5L、 ATP6V1G3、 COX5A、 COX7A2、 COX7A2L、 NDUFS4、 SDHB、 UQCRQ和 GADD45B基因的表达水平,尤其是 GADD45B,达到了极显著水平（P<0.01）,这些基因均为编码OXPHOS系统亚基基因,推测慢性低温诱导了背肌ATP的生成。对 GADD45B基因进一步分析发现,该基因在哺乳动物中高度保守,基本符合分子进化规律,表达具有明显的组织特异性。急性低温处理对民猪背肌内ATP的生成影响不显著,但慢性低温处理诱导ATP的生成,以维持体温恒定。     

Decellularization of Extracellular Matrix from Equine Skeletal Muscle

Equine represents an attractive animal model for musculoskeletal tissue diseases, exhibiting much similarity to the injuries that occur in humans. Cell therapy and tissue bioengineering have been widely used as a therapeutic alternative by regenerative medicine in musculoskeletal diseases. Thus, the aim of this study was to produce an acellular biomaterial of equine skeletal muscle and to evaluate its effectiveness in supporting the in vitro culture of equine induced pluripotency stem cells (iPSCs). Biceps femoris samples were frozen at −20°C for 4 days and incubated in 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 5 mM EDTA + 50 mM Tris and 1% Triton X-100; the effectiveness of the decellularization was evaluated by the absence of remnant nuclei (histological and 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole [DAPI] analysis), preservation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry) and organization of ECM ultrastructure (scanning electron microscopy). Decellularized samples were recellularized with iPSCs at the concentration of 50,000 cells/cm² and cultured in vitro for 9 days, and the presence of the cells in the biomaterial was evaluated by histological analysis and presence of nuclei. Decellularized biomaterial showed absence of remnant nuclei and muscle fibers, as well as the preservation of ECM architecture, vascular network and proteins, laminin, fibronectin, elastin, collagen III and IV. After cellularization, iPSC nuclei were present at 9 days after incubation, indicating the decellularized biomaterial-supported iPSC survival. It is concluded that the ECM biomaterial produced from the decellularized equine skeletal muscle has potential for iPSC adhesion, representing a promising biomaterial for regenerative medicine in the therapy of musculoskeletal diseases.     

Use of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in diets for sows: A review

Dietary supplementation with 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25OHD₃), as an alternative source of vitamin D, is becoming increasingly popular due to its commercialization and more efficient absorbability. The addition of 25OHD₃ rather than its precursor vitamin D₃ can circumvent the 25-hydroxylation reaction in the liver, indicating that supplementation of 25OHD₃ can rapidly improve the circulating vitamin D status of animals. Emerging experiments have reported that maternal 25OHD₃ supplementation could increase sow performances and birth outcomes and promote circulating vitamin D status of sows and their offspring. Increased milk fat content was observed in many experiments; however, others demonstrated that adding 25OHD₃ to lactating sow diets increased the contents of milk protein and lactose. Although an inconsistency between the results of different experiments exists, these studies suggested that maternal 25OHD₃ supplementation could alter milk composition via its effects on the mammary gland. Previous studies have demonstrated that adding 25OHD₃ to sow diets could improve the mRNA expressions of insulin-induced gene 1 (INSIG1) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) in the mammary gland cells from milk and increase the mRNA expressions of acetyl-CoA carboxylase α (ACCα) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the mammary gland tissue. Maternal 25OHD₃ supplementation promotes skeletal muscle development of piglets before and after parturition, and improves bone properties including bone density and bone breaking force in lactating sows and their piglets. Interestingly, 25OHD₃ supplementation in sow diets could improve neonatal bone development via regulation of milk fatty acid composition related to bone metabolism and mineralization. In this review, we also discuss the effects of adding 25OHD₃ to sow diets on the gut bacterial metabolites of suckling piglets, and propose that butyrate production may be associated with bone health. Therefore, to better understand the nutritional functions of maternal 25OHD₃ supplementation, this paper reviews advances in the studies of 25OHD₃ for sow nutrition and provides references for practical application.     

Complications after two transphyseal bridging techniques for treatment of angular limb deformities of the distal radius in 568 Thoroughbred yearlings

Reasons for performing study: Surgical correction of carpal angular limb deformities by growth retardation is commonly undertaken with a screws and tension band wire loop technique (S&W) or a single transphyseal screw (STS). This study compares complications after S&W and STS bridging in the distal radius of Thoroughbred yearlings. Objective: To compare the prevalence of complications serious enough to require follow‐up radiographs following either S&W or STS surgery for growth manipulation in the distal radius of Thoroughbred yearlings. Methods: Medical records and radiographs from Thoroughbred yearlings (age range 261–457 days) treated for carpal angular limb deformities at a single hospital over 2 years were reviewed. Each of the techniques was used exclusively during a single year. The complication threshold criterion for inclusion was the need for nonroutine radiographs of the operated site anytime after implant insertion or removal. Results: Of 568 horses, 253 received S&W and 315 received STS. Horses were of similar age at the time of surgery for STS and S&W. Single transphyseal screws were left in place for a significantly shorter amount of time (16 days). Sex, the limb(s) treated and medial vs. lateral placement were not significantly different between techniques. Complications included physitis post implant removal, metaphyseal collapse post implant removal, infection, overcorrection and seroma formation severe enough to require radiography. Physitis and metaphyseal collapse occurred significantly more frequently with STS compared with S&W. Infection, overcorrection and seromas were not significantly different between techniques. Conclusion: The STS and S&W techniques are both viable treatment options for correction of carpal angular limb deformities. However, horses treated with the STS technique have a significantly increased risk of developing physitis or metaphyseal collapse. Potential relevance: Horses treated with STS bridging have a significantly increased risk of developing the post correction complications of moderate to severe physitis and metaphyseal collapse compared with horses treated with S&W bridging.     

Effects of Water Extract from Different Parts of Betelnut on Physiological Indexes in Mice

The experiment was aimed to explore the influence of water extract from fresh betelnut's different parts on physiological indexes in mice.Four-week-old and seven-week-old SPF KM mice at the weight of (18±2)g and (35±2)g were used in the experiment,respectively.48 four-week-old mice with half male and half female were randomly divided into four groups.These mice were intragastricly administered with distilled water (control group,CK),water extract from betelnut,water extract from fresh betelnut's peels and seeds once a day and were observed for 14 days to determine the survival rate,feed intake,water intake and body temperature.36 seven-week-old male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups to determine deformity rate of sperm in mice,and the intragastric administration was the same as above.The results showed that the survival rate of betelnut's seeds were 0 at the sixth day,and other treatments had no death;Compared with CK,the experimental treatments' feed intake and water intake were reduced,and they were the lowest in the betelnut's seeds treatment and had significant difference with other treatments (P<0.05),the betelnut treatment took the second place.All the treatments' body temperature were lower than CK,and the peels treatment's body temperature was the most stable one and was similar to CK(P>0.05),the body temperature in the betelnut's seeds treatment was the lowest and had significant difference with other treatments (P<0.05).Compared to CK,the other 3 treatments all increased sperm deformity rate of mice,the highest sperm deformity rate went to betelnut's seeds treatment (P<0.01),and betelnut treatment took the second place (P<0.01),then was the peels treatment (P<0.05),moreover,there were extremely significant difference among these 3 treatments (P<0.01).The results showed that the water extract from fresh betelnut's seeds had the greatest influence on mice,then was the water extract from betelnut,while the impact of water extract from fresh betelnut's peels was less.     

Farriery for the foal: A review part 1: Basic trimming

The extensive nature of this topic warrants this review paper to be divided into two parts: ‘Routine basic trimming in foals’ and ‘Therapeutic farriery in foals’. Hoof care in the first few months of life is serious business and should never be taken lightly. Good farriery is vital for the development of the hoof capsule and the conformation of the limb. Management of the feet and limbs during the juvenile period will often dictate the success of the foal as a sales yearling or mature sound athlete. Overall hoof care of a foal is often a joint venture between the veterinarian and the farrier. Part 1 of this paper will outline the concept of a footcare programme, examination of the foal's feet and limbs along with what constitutes good basic farriery to properly apply the trim. It will also emphasise the importance of maintaining a good veterinarian-farrier relationship - the farrier being responsible for basic trimming with veterinary oversight when necessary, and if orthopaedic disorders develop, the farrier will have significant input with therapeutic farriery.     

Oxytetracycline associated acute kidney injury in a neonatal foal

A 3-day-old Australian Stock Horse filly presented with fulminant acute kidney injury after receiving 4 g of intravenous oxytetracycline at 24 and 48 h of age for medical management of flexural deformities. The filly’s clinical status initially improved, but worsening azotaemia prompted euthanasia after 55 h of supportive care. Necropsy confirmed proximal tubular necrosis. Nephropathy in association with oxytetracycline administration has been rarely reported. This case describes severe nephropathy in an apparently normal foal and highlights the need for thorough case evaluation prior to use of high-dose oxytetracycline therapy for correction of flexural deformities in foals.