Plasma and urine responses are lower for acylated vs nonacylated anthocyanins from raw and cooked purple carrots

The bioavailability of acylated vs nonacylated anthocyanins and the effect of cooking and dose on the comparative bioavailability were investigated in a clinical feeding study using purple carrots as the anthocyanin source. Treatments were purple carrots as follows: 250 g raw (463 micromol of anthocyanins: 400 micromol acylated, 63 micromol nonacylated), 250 g cooked (357 micromol of anthocyanins: 308.5 micromol acylated, 48.5 micromol nonacylated), and 500 g cooked (714 micromol of anthocyanins: 617 micromol acylated, 97 micromol nonacylated). Four of the five carrot anthocyanins were found intact in plasma by 30 min after carrot consumption and peaked between 1.5 and 2.5 h. Acylation of anthocyanins resulted in an 11-14-fold decrease in anthocyanin recovery in urine and an 8-10-fold decrease in anthocyanin recovery in plasma. Cooking increased the recovery of nonacylated anthocyanins but not acylated anthocyanins. Large dose size significantly reduced recovery of both acylated and nonacylated anthocyanins, suggesting saturation of absorption mechanisms.     

Detection of papillomavirus-DNA in mesenchymal tumour cells and not in the hyperplastic epithelium of feline sarcoids

Abstract We examined 12 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded feline skin tumours which had the histopathological features of fibropapillomas for the presence of papillomavirus (PV) DNA using touchdown polymerase chain recation (PCR), DNA sequencing and nonradioactive in situ hybridization. Nine of the tumours contained a 102-bp PCR product demonstrated using consensus PV primers that amplify a portion of the L1 gene. The nucleotide sequences are closely related, but not identical to that of ovine PV type 2, rabbit oral PV and reindeer PV. The deduced amino acid sequences had strong homologies with the major capsid protein L1 of deer PV, bovine papillomavirus (BPV) 1 and BPV 2, and European elk PV. Although PV antigens were not detected in any of the tumours by immunohistochemistry, PV DNA was demonstrated in individual mesenchymal cells or cell nests of 4/12 tumours by in situ hybridization. A nonproductive infection of mesenchymal fibroblast-like tumour cells with a papillomavirus would explain the lack of PV antigen expression and the absence of PV DNA in the hyperplastic epithelium. Because these tumours and their pathogenesis are similar to equine sarcoids, we suggest that they should be reclassified as 'feline sarcoids' instead of fibropapillomas.     

Evaluation of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from feline vaccine site-associated sarcomas for feline foamy virus DNA

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a group of vaccine site-associated sarcomas (VSS) for the presence of feline foamy virus (FeFV) DNA, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. SAMPLE POPULATION: 50 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks from VSS of cats. PROCEDURE: DNA was extracted from FFPE sections of each tumor, and regions of the gag and pol genes of FeFV were amplified by use of PCR methods, using 1 primer set for each region. Sensitivity of the method was compared between fresh and FFPE cells, using mouse kidney tissue that was injected with FeFV-infected cultured cells and using agarose-cell pellets. Results-Feline foamy virus DNA was not detected in VSS tissues. Sensitivity of the method was 10 times greater in fresh versus FFPE mouse tissues. Sensitivity of the method in fresh FeFV-infected cultured cells versus FFPE agarose-cell pellets was equal when fixation was 24 or 48 hours and 10 times greater when fixation was 72 hours or 1 week. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A PCR-based method can be successfully applied to FFPE tissues for FeFV DNA detection. Results suggest there is no direct FeFV involvement in the pathogenesis of VSS in cats.     

Application and field validation of a PCR assay for the detection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae from swine lung tissue samples.

A PCR assay was validated for the detection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in porcine lung tissue. The detection limit of the assay was 0.18 colony-forming units/g of lung sample spiked with M. hyopneumoniae. In field validation, 426 pigs from 220 cases were examined for M. hyopneumoniae infection by M. hyopneumoniae PCR and a fluorescent antibody (FA) test. In total, 103 pig lungs (24.2%) were positive in the PCR test, and 69 pig lungs (16.2%) were positive in the FA test, among which, 62 pigs were positive for both PCR and FA test. Most of the PCR-positive but FA test-negative cases had lesions compatible with M. hyopneumoniae infection. With Bayesian modeling, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the PCR were determined to be 97.3% and 93.0%, respectively.     

Agreement among surgical pathologists evaluating routine histologic sections of digits amputated from cats and dogs.

Agreement among pathologists interpreting histologic specimens is an area of interest within human pathology, but little work in this area has been reported in the veterinary literature. Agreement among pathologists evaluating routine histologic sections of amputated digits from cats and dogs submitted to multiple diagnostic centers was examined. Histologic sections from surgical specimens were reviewed in a blinded fashion by two pathologists, and a comparison to the original diagnosis, as stated in the diagnostic report, was recorded. A total of 513 cases were reviewed, and complete agreement was reached in 409 (79.7%). Of the 104 instances of disagreement, 77 (74.0%) were considered to be of clinical significance. The diagnosis of keratoacanthoma was disagreed with in 19 of 21 diagnoses (90.4%). No other individual diagnosis was similarly disputed. The overall level of disagreement is large and is similar to that reported in human pathology and suggests that further study of this issue would be useful in veterinary pathology.     

Anthocyanins present in selected tropical fruits: acerola, jambolão, jussara, and guajiru

Many tropical fruits are rich in anthocyanins, though limited information is available about the characterization and quantification of these anthocyanins. The identification and quantification of anthocyanin pigments in four tropical fruits were determined by HPLC-MS/MS. Fruits studied included acerola (Malphigia emarginata), jussara (Euterpe edulis), jambol?o (Syzygium cumini), and guajiru (Chrysobalanus icaco). All four fruits were found to contain anthocyanin pigments. Anthocyanidin backbones included cyanidin, delphinidin, peonidin, pelargonidin, petunidin, and malvidin. Guajiru contained several acylated forms, while acerola, jussara, and jambol?o contained only nonacylated glycosides. These results demonstrate that these tropical fruits are rich in anthocyanins and that the anthocyanins are widely ranging in anthocyanidin backbone, glycosylation, and acylation.     

Antibiotic Resistance of Bacterial Fish Pathogens

Antibiotic resistance by bacterial fish pathogens has been reported in all areas of aquaculture from warmwater to coldwater, and freshwater to marine environments. Decreased efficacy has been documented in many antimicrobial drugs regardless of their mechanism of action. Resistance emerges by two known genetic mechanisms, mutation on the bacterial chromosome, or extrachromosomal transfer mediated by plasmids. Alternatives to the currently used antimicrobial therapies are being evaluated for use in aquaculture, particularly the new fluoroquinolones and the third generation cephalosporins.     

Treatment of traumatic cervical myelopathy with surgery, prolonged positive-pressure ventilation, and physical therapy in a dog

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 9-year-old dog was evaluated for traumatic cervical myelopathy after a surgical attempt to realign and stabilize the C2 and C3 vertebrae. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The dog could not ventilate spontaneously and was tetraplegic; positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) was maintained. Myelography and computed tomography revealed spinal cord compression with subluxation of the C2 and C3 vertebrae and extrusion of the C2-3 intervertebral disk. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Surgically, the protruding disk material was removed and the vertebrae were realigned with screws and wire. For PPV, assist control ventilation in volume control mode and then in pressure control mode was used in the first 6 days; this was followed by synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation until 33 days after the injury; then only continuous positive airway pressure was provided until the dog could breathe unassisted, 37 days after the injury. Physical therapy that included passive range of motion exercises, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and functional weight-bearing positions was administered until the dog was discharged 46 days after injury; the dog was severely ataxic and tetraparetic but could walk. Therapy was continued at home, and 1 year later, the dog could run and had moderate ataxia and tetraparesis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hypoventilation with tetraparesis in traumatic spinal cord injury can be successfully treated with PPV exceeding 30 days, surgery, and physical therapy.