Impact of blue light therapy on plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and hypertrichosis in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.

Blue light therapy can be used in horses to alter the natural photoperiod and inhibit winter hair coat growth. Seasonal increases in ACTH occur in the fall season but are exaggerated in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Additionally, PPID horses frequently present with hypertrichosis. Thus, blue light therapy was proposed as a potential management tool for hypertrichosis and for investigating the impact of photoperiod manipulation on ACTH. Eighteen PPID horses, aged 18 to 31 yr, from a university-owned research herd were selected and assigned to either the control group (n = 10) or the treatment (blue light therapy) group (n = 8) based on age and clinical history, which included the results of multiple endocrine tests. Consistent daylength of approximately 14.5 h was maintained for the treated horses from July 15 through approximately late October via the extension of natural daylength using wearable masks that provided short wavelength blue light (465 nm) to 1 eye. The control group was exposed to only the natural photoperiod during this time. All horses were housed on the same farm and remained on pasture for the duration of the study. On Day 0, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation tests were performed to confirm PPID status; there were no differences between the 2 groups in resting plasma ACTH or plasma ACTH at 10 min after TRH administration. To determine an effect of treatment on ACTH, blood was collected via jugular venipuncture for measurement of ACTH at sequential timepoints over a 16-h period in mid-October. Hair weights were also assessed throughout the study. No differences in resting plasma ACTH were observed between the 2 groups across the seasonal analysis (July and October) or during the 16-h testing. The PPID horses receiving blue light therapy had lighter hair weights compared to the PPID control horses. These results suggest that blue light therapy does not alter ACTH concentrations but could potentially be used as an additional management tool for hypertrichosis in PPID horses. Manipulation of the photoperiod using blue light therapy did not affect seasonal changes in ACTH in this study.

Chronic hyponatremia and association with osteoporosis among a large racially/ethnically diverse population.

Chronic hyponatremia may contribute to decreased bone density. We studied 341,003 men and women who underwent DXA testing and observed that individuals with chronic hyponatremia (sodium < 135 mEq/L) had an 11% greater likelihood of having osteoporosis. There was a dose-dependent effect with lower sodium and stronger association with osteoporosis. INTRODUCTION: Chronic hyponatremia has been associated with both neurologic deficits and increased risk of gait abnormalities leading to falls and resultant bone fractures. Whether chronic hyponatremia contributes to decreased bone density is uncertain. We evaluated whether chronic, mild hyponatremia based on serial sodium measurements was associated with increased risk of osteoporosis within a large, ethnically diverse population. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2014 within Kaiser Permanente Southern California, an integrated healthcare delivery system. Men and women were aged ≥ 55 years with ≥ 2 serum sodium measurements prior to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) testing. Time-weighted (TW) mean sodium values were calculated by using the proportion of time (weight) elapsed between sodium measurements and defined as < 135 mEq/L. Osteoporosis defined as any T-score value ≤ - 2.5 of lumbar spine, femoral neck, or hip. RESULTS: Among 341,003 individuals with 3,330,903 sodium measurements, 11,539 (3.4%) had chronic hyponatremia and 151,505 (44.4%) had osteoporosis. Chronic hyponatremic individuals had an osteoporosis RR (95% CI) of 1.11 (1.09, 1.13) compared to those with normonatremia. A TW mean sodium increase of 3 mEq/L was associated with a lower risk of osteoporosis [adjusted RR (95% CI) 0.95 (0.93, 0.96)]. A similar association was observed when the arithmetic mean sodium value was used for comparison. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a modest increase in risk for osteoporosis in people with chronic hyponatremia. There was also a graded association between higher TW mean sodium values and lower risk of osteoporosis. Our findings underscore the premise that chronic hyponatremia may lead to adverse physiological effects and responses which deserves better understanding.

Efficacy and safety of a non-mineral oil adjuvanted injectable vaccine for the protection of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) against Flavobacterium psychrophilum.

Flavobacterium psychrophilum is the causative agent of Rainbow Trout Fry Syndrome which has had a major impact on global salmonid aquaculture. Recent outbreaks in Atlantic salmon in Scotland and Chile have added to the need for a vaccine to protect both salmon and trout. At present no licensed vaccines are available in Europe, leaving antibiotics as the only course of action to contain disease outbreaks. Outbreaks generally occur in fry at temperatures between 10 and 15 °C. Recently outbreaks in larger fish have given added impetus to the development of a vaccine which can provide long term protection from this highly heterogeneous pathogen. Most fish injectable vaccines are formulated with oil emulsion adjuvants to induce strong and long lasting immunity, but which are known to cause side effects. Alternative adjuvants are currently sought to minimise these adverse effects. The current study was performed to assess the efficacy of a polyvalent, whole cell vaccine containing formalin-inactivated F. psychrophilum to induce protective immunity in Atlantic salmon. The vaccine was formulated with an adjuvant containing squalene and aluminium hydroxide, and was compared to a vaccine formulated with a traditional oil adjuvant, Montanide ISA 760VG, and a non-adjuvanted vaccine. Duplicate groups of salmon (23.5 ± 6.8 g) were vaccinated with each of the vaccine formulations or phosphate buffered saline by intraperitoneal injection. Fish were challenged by intramuscular injection with F. psychrophilum six weeks post-vaccination to test the efficacy of the vaccines. Cumulative mortality reached 70% in the control salmon, while the groups of salmon that received vaccine had significantly lower mortality than the controls (p = 0.0001), with no significant difference in survival between vaccinated groups. The squalene/alum adjuvant was safe, more readily metabolised by the fish and induced less histopathological changes than the traditional oil adjuvant.

Preweaned heifer management on US dairy operations: Part I. Descriptive characteristics of preweaned heifer raising practices.

The objective of this study was to describe preweaned dairy heifer calf management practices on dairy operations across the United States that were used to analyze factors associated with colostrum quality and passive transfer, Cryptosporidium and Giardia, morbidity and mortality, and average daily gain. This study included 104 dairy operations in 13 states that participated in the National Animal Health Monitoring System's Dairy 2014 calf component study. This 18-mo longitudinal study focused on dairy heifer calves from birth to weaning, and data were collected on 2,545 heifer calves. Descriptive statistics were generated regarding colostrum feeding, preweaning housing, milk feeding and consumption, growth, morbidity and mortality, and weaning practices. The majority of calves enrolled were Holsteins (89.4%). Over half the calves (63.2%) enrolled in the study received the majority of their colostrum via bottle; however, 22.1% of calves from 51.0% of operations received colostrum via suckling from their dams. For all calves, the mean time to the first colostrum feeding was 2.8 h, and the average amount of colostrum at the first feeding was 2.9 L, with 4.5 L provided in the first 24 h. The mean serum IgG of all calves was 21.7 g/L; however, 76.0% of operations had at least 1 calf with failure of passive transfer of immunity with a serum IgG below 10 g/L. The majority of calves in the study were housed individually (86.6%). Nonetheless, 20.2% of operations housed some calves in groups, representing 13.4% of all calves. Approximately one-half of the calves in the study (52.3%) were dehorned or disbudded during the preweaning period, with only 27.8% of these calves receiving analgesics or anesthetics during the procedure. Whole or waste milk was the liquid diet type fed to 40.1% of calves, and milk replacer was fed to 34.8% of calves. A combination of milk and milk replacer was fed to 25.1% of calves. Calves, on average, were fed 2.6 L per feeding and fed 2.6 times/d, resulting in a total of 5.6 L of liquid diet fed per day. The mean average daily gain for all calves enrolled in the study was 0.7 kg/d. Fecal samples were collected and almost all operations had at least 1 calf positive for Cryptosporidium (94.2%) or Giardia (99.0%), and 84.6% of operations had calves that tested positive for both Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Over one-third of calves (38.1%) had at least one morbidity event during the preweaning period and the mortality rate was 5.0%. The mean age at weaning was 65.7 d. This study provides an update on dairy heifer raising practices in the United States.

Sensitivity and specificity of radiographic characteristics in atypical femoral fractures.

Using the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Task Force case definition for atypical femoral fractures, sensitivity and specificity of radiographic fracture characteristics were calculated. Fracture pattern was the most sensitive and specific characteristic. This suggests that some characteristics should be weighted more heavily when identifying these fractures. INTRODUCTION: To estimate the sensitivity and specificity of each radiographic criterion in the 2013 ASBMR atypical femoral fracture (AFF) case definition for distinguishing AFF from other subtrochanteric/diaphyseal fractures (non-AFF) among women enrolled in a large integrated health care organization. METHODS: Radiographs from 55 physician-confirmed AFFs and a sample of 39 non-AFFs were reviewed by four independent expert reviewers representing four medical specialties. One image per fracture was selected for review. Using a standardized data collection tool, based on the 2013 AFF case definition, reviewers indicated the presence or absence of the following characteristics viewable on radiograph: fracture pattern, comminution, periosteal and/or endosteal thickening, and cortical thickening. Sensitivity and specificity for each characteristic was calculated for each reviewer and summarized across reviewers with the mean and range. Agreement across reviewers was quantified using Fleiss's kappa (FK) statistic. RESULTS: The most sensitive factors distinguishing AFF from non-AFF were lateral cortex transverse fracture pattern (mean 93.6 %, range 85.5-98.2 %), medial cortex transverse or oblique fracture pattern (mean 84.1 %, range 72.7-98.2 %), and minimal/non-comminution (mean 93.2 %, range 89.1-98.2 %). Specificity was the greatest for lateral cortex transverse fracture pattern (mean 95.5 %, range 92.3-97.4 %). Agreement across reviewers was the highest for lateral cortex transverse fracture pattern (FK 0.83) and incomplete fracture through the lateral cortex only (FK 0.80). CONCLUSION: Lateral cortex transverse fracture pattern was the most sensitive and specific characteristic and the most highly agreed upon across reviewers. Other characteristics were less readily agreed upon across reviewers. Measurement of discrete combinations of individual characteristics may enhance sensitivity and/or specificity.

The effects of increasing dietary levels of soy protein concentrate (SPC) on the immune responses and disease resistance (furunculosis) of vaccinated and non-vaccinated Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) parr.

Juvenile salmon, with an initial weight of 9 g, were fed three experimental diets, formulated to replace 35 (SPC35), 58 (SPC58) and 80 (SPC80) of high quality fishmeal (FM) with soy protein concentrate (SPC) in quadruplicate tanks. Higher dietary SPC inclusion was combined with increased supplementation of methionine, lysine, threonine and phosphorus. The experiment was carried out for 177 days. On day 92 salmon in each tank were bulk weighed. Post weighing eighty salmon from each tank were redistributed in two sets of 12 tanks. Salmon from the first set of tanks were vaccinated, while the second group was injected with phosphate buffer saline (PBS). Salmon were sampled on day 92 (pre-vaccination), day 94 (2 days post vaccination [dpv]/PBS injection [dpPBSinj]) and day 154 (62 dpv/dpPBSinj) of the trial for the assessment of their immune responses, prior to the performance of salmon bulk weights for each tank. On day 154, fish from each tank were again bulk weighed and then seventeen salmon per tank were redistributed in two sets of twelve tanks and intra-peritoneally infected with Aeromonas salmonicida. At Day 154, SPC80 demonstrated lower performance (weight gain, specific growth rate and thermal growth coefficient and feed conversion ratio) compared to SPC35 salmon. Reduced classical and total complement activities for salmon fed diets with over 58% of protein from SPC, were demonstrated prior to vaccination. Reduced alternative complement activity was detected for both SPC58 and SPC80 salmon at 2 dpv and for the SPC80 group at 62 dpv. Total and classical complement activities demonstrated no differences among the dietary groups after vaccination. Numerical increases in classical complement activity were apparent upon increased dietary SPC levels. Increased phagocytic activity (% phagocytosis and phagocytic index) was exhibited for the SPC58 group compared to SPC35 salmon at 62 dpPBSinj. No differences in serum lysozyme activity, total IgM, specific antibodies, protein, glucose and HKM respiratory burst were detected among the dietary groups at any timepoint or state. Mortalities as a result of the experimental infection only occurred in PBS-injected fish. No differences in mortality levels were demonstrated among the dietary groups. SPC58 diet supported both good growth and health in juvenile Atlantic salmon while SPC80 diet did not compromise salmon' immunity or resistance to intraperitoneally inflicted furunculosis.

The effects of increasing dietary levels of amino acid-supplemented soy protein concentrate and constant dietary supplementation of phosphorus on growth, composition and immune responses of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.).

Diets with 50 (SPC50), 65 (SPC65) and 80 % (SPC80) substitution of prime fish meal (FM) with soy protein concentrate (SPC) were evaluated against a commercial type control feed with 35 % FM replacement with SPC. Increases in dietary SPC were combined with appropriate increases in methionine, lysine and threonine supplementation, whereas added phosphorus was constant among treatments. Diets were administered to quadruplicate groups of 29 g juvenile Atlantic salmon were exposed to constant light, for 97 days. On Day 63 salmon were subjected to vaccination. Significant weight reductions in SPC65 and SPC80 compared with SPC35 salmon were observed by Day 97. Linear reductions in body cross-sectional ash, Ca/P ratios, and Ca, P, Mn and Zn were observed at Days 63 (prior vaccination) and 97 (34 days post-vaccination), while Mg presented a decrease at Day 63, in salmon fed increasing dietary SPC. Significant reductions in Zn, Ca, P and Ca/P ratios persisted in SPC65 and SPC80 compared with SPC35 salmon at Day 97. Significant haematocrit reductions in SPC50, SPC65 and SPC80 salmon were observed at Days 63, 70 and 97. Enhanced plasma haemolytic activity, increased total IgM, and a rise in thrombocytes were demonstrated in SPC50 and SPC65 salmon on Day 97, while increased lysozyme activity was demonstrated for these groups on Days 63, 70 and 97. Leucocyte and lymphocyte counts revealed enhanced immunostimulation in salmon fed with increasing dietary SPC at Day 97. High SPC inclusion diets did not compromise the immune responses of salmon, while SPC50 diet also supported good growth without compromising elemental concentrations.

Neural stimulators: a guide to imaging and postoperative appearances.

Implantable neural stimulators have been developed to aid patients with debilitating neurological conditions that are not amenable to other therapies. The aim of this article is to improve understanding of correct anatomical placement as well as the relevant imaging methods used to assess these devices. Potential complications following their insertion and an overview of the current indications and potential mechanism of action of these devices is provided.

The effect of selenium supplementation on vaccination response and immune function in adult horses.

Selenium status has been reported to affect immune function across many different species. Yet few studies have focused on the effect of Se status on the equine immune system. This study examined the effect of Se supplementation on vaccination response and immune function in mature horses. Twenty-eight horses were blocked by age and sex and were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 dietary treatment groups: low Se (LS), adequate Se (AS), Se-yeast (SP), and sodium selenite (SS). For 35 wk, horses allocated to LS, SP, and SS received a low-Se diet (0.06 mg/kg DM) with the intention to lower Se stores, whereas AS received an adequate Se diet (0.12 mg/kg DM). A 29-wk repletion phase was as follows: LS and AS were kept on the diets fed during the depletion period, whereas SP and SS received the depletion diet plus their respective Se supplements to achieve a dietary Se concentration of 0.3 mg/kg DM. The Se status of the horses was monitored using whole blood Se and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity as indicators. At wk 22 and 25 of the repletion phase, horses were vaccinated intramuscularly with 10 mg ovalbumin (OVA). Horses were also vaccinated against equine influenza at wk 25. Blood samples were collected for 7 wk after initial vaccination for serum separation and at 0, 3, and 5 wk postvaccination for peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) isolation and whole blood cytokine mRNA evaluation. At wk 22 of the repletion phase, both Se and GSH-Px were greater for SP and SS compared with AS and LS (P < 0.001). Serum vitamin E was similar between treatments. Response to OVA vaccination, evaluated as OVA-specific IgG production, cytokine mRNA expression of PBMC stimulated with OVA in vitro, and lymphocyte proliferation, was unaffected by Se status. Similarly, memory response to the influenza vaccine was not affected by Se status. However, decreased mRNA expression of selected cytokines was observed in PBMC stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate for LS compared with AS, SP, and SS (P < 0.05). Whole blood mRNA expression of IL-10 was greater for SS compared with LS, AS, and SP (P = 0.043). Although the OVA and influenza vaccination responses were unaffected by Se status, other measures of immune function did indicate that low Se status could adversely affect cell-mediated immunity.

Increased responses to the actions of fibroblast growth factor 21 on energy balance and body weight in a seasonal model of adiposity.

The present study aimed to investigate the actions of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) on energy balance in a natural model of relative fatness, the Siberian hamster. Hamsters were studied under long days (LD) to promote weight gain, or short days to induce weight loss, and treated with rhFGF21 (3 mg/kg/day) via s.c. minipumps for 14 days. On days 7-9, detailed assessments of ingestive behaviour, metabolic gas exchange and locomotor activity were made. FGF21 caused substantial (P < 0.0001) weight loss in the fat LD state but not in the lean SD state: at the end of the study, FGF21-treated hamsters in LD lost 18% of body weight compared to vehicle controls, which is comparable to the natural body weight loss observed in SD. Epididymal fat pads, a correlate of total carcass fat content, were reduced by 19% in FGF21 treated hamsters in LD, whereas no difference was found in SD. Body weight loss in LD was associated with a reduction in food intake (P < 0.001) and a decreased respiratory exchange ratio (P < 0.001), indicating increased fat oxidation. Treatment with FGF21 maintained the normal nocturnal increase in oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production into the early light phase in hamsters in LD, indicating increased energy expenditure, although locomotor activity was unaffected. These data suggest a greater efficacy of FGF21 in hamsters in LD compared to those in SD, which is consistent with both the peripheral and possibly central actions of FGF21 with respect to promoting a lean phenotype. The observed differences in FGF21 sensitivity may relate to day length-induced changes in adipose tissue mass.

Baker's yeast ß-glucan supplementation increases monocytes and cytokines post-exercise: implications for infection risk?

Strenuous aerobic exercise is known to weaken the immune system, and while many nutritional supplements have been proposed to boost post-exercise immunity, few are known to be effective. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether 10 d of supplementation with a defined source of baker's yeast ß-glucan (BG, Wellmune WGP®) could minimise post-exercise immunosuppression. Recreationally active men and women (n 60) completed two 10 d trial conditions using a cross-over design with a 7 d washout period: placebo (rice flour) and baker's yeast BG (250 mg/d of ß-1,3/1,6-glucans derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae) before a bout of cycling (49 ± 6 min) in a hot (38 ± 2°C), humid (45 ± 2 % relative humidity) environment. Blood was collected at baseline (before supplement), pre- (PRE), post- (POST) and 2 h (2H) post-exercise. Total and subset monocyte concentration was measured by four-colour flow cytometry. Plasma cytokine levels and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cytokine production were measured using separate multiplex assays. Total (CD14⁺) and pro-inflammatory monocyte concentrations (CD14⁺/CD16⁺) were significantly greater at POST and 2H (P<0·05) with BG supplementation. BG supplementation boosted LPS-stimulated production of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) at PRE and POST (P<0·05). Plasma IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-γ concentrations were greater at 2H following BG supplementation. It appears that 10 d of supplementation with BG increased the potential of blood leucocytes for the production of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-γ. The key findings of the present study demonstrate that BG may have potential to alter immunity following a strenuous exercise session.

Ten-year hip fracture incidence rate trends in a large California population, 1997-2006.

UNLABELLED: Hip fractures are a large public health problem with significant negative impact on an individual's overall health and survival. But while the total numbers of persons affected by hip fractures may be anticipated to increase, incidence rates appear to be declining. INTRODUCTION: To describe annual hip fracture incidence rate trends in an integrated health-care organization over 1997-2006, during which a proactive bone health program was initiated program-wide and other secular trends occurred in the population. METHODS: For this ecologic trend study, we identified all men and women ≥45 years old as of January 1 of each year. Incident fractures for each year were identified using ICD-9 diagnosis codes 820-820.9, excluding all subjects who had fractures in prior years. Annual person-time at risk for hip fracture was determined from enrollment data. Sex- and age-specific and adjusted annual incidence rates were calculated. RESULTS: The overall annual hip fracture incidence rate for men declined from 1.52/1,000 person-years in 1997 to 1.29/1,000 person-years in 2006, a 15.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]=6.2-24.5) decrease. For women, incidence declined from 2.65/1,000 person-years in 1997 to 2.24/1,000 person-years in 2006, a 15.3% (95% CI=8.7-21.9) decrease. Among subjects aged 85 years or older, incidence rates for men declined from 27.0/1,000 to 18.9/1,000 person-years, and for women they declined from 32.7/1,000 to 27.1/1,000 person-years. CONCLUSION: Hip fracture incidence has been declining in all age groups over the past 10 years. While many factors may contribute to this decline, the results are consistent with a potential benefit of the active bone health intervention.

Acute effect of pimobendan and furosemide on the circulating renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in healthy dogs.

BACKGROUND: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is activated in states of decreased cardiac output and by certain cardiovascular therapeutic agents, such as loop diuretics and vasodilators. HYPOTHESIS: Short-term treatment with the inodilator, pimobendan, will not activate the circulating RAAS because its vasodilatory action will be offset by its positive inotropic property, thereby ameliorating RAAS stimulation at the juxtaglomerular apparatus. Furthermore, pimobendan will suppress RAAS activation produced by furosemide. ANIMALS: Nine healthy laboratory dogs were used in this study. METHODS: Experimental, cross-over study. Dogs were administered pimobendan (0.5 mg/kg q12h) for 4 days followed by furosemide (2 mg/kg q12h) and then, after a wash-out period, a combination of the drugs. Aldosterone : creatinine (A : Cr) was measured at the end of each treatment cycle. RESULTS: There was no significant increase in the average urinary A : Cr with the administration of pimobendan (control urinary A : Cr = 0.46, standard deviation (SD) 0.33; pimobendan A : Cr = 0.48, SD 0.28). There was a significant increase in the average urinary A : Cr after administration of furosemide (urinary A : Cr = 1.3, SD 0.70) and with the combination of furosemide and pimobendan (urinary A : Cr = 2.9, SD 1.6). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Short-term administration of high-dose pimobendan, does not activate the RAAS in healthy dogs. Pimobendan did not prevent RAAS activation associated with furosemide therapy. These results in healthy dogs suggest that furosemide therapy, with or without pimobendan, should be accompanied by RAAS suppressive therapy.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of the total triterpene acid fraction from Folium Eriobotryae.

For seeking the good natural material to develop new agent to treat diabetes, the total triterpene acid (TTA) fraction extracted from Folium Eriobotryae [leaves of Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.] was evaluated for its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic potential through normal, alloxan and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice administered with graded oral doses (100, 200, 300 mg/(kg day)) for 7 or 14 days. The results showed that a dose of 300 mg/kg of TTA is the most effective dose to cause significant (p<0.01) hypoglycemic and/or hypolipidemic effects on normal, alloxan and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. This dose also significantly (p<0.01) lowered the glycosylated serum protein (GSP), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) level in severely diabetic mice. Furthermore, TTA increased the superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and the serum insulin level of diabetic mice. These evidences indicated that the total triperpene acid fraction from Folium Eriobotryae has a high anti-diabetic potential along with a good hypolipidemic profile.

Chinese herbs (Astragalus radix and Ganoderma lucidum) enhance immune response of carp, Cyprinus carpio, and protection against Aeromonas hydrophila.

The effect of Chinese herbs (Astragalus radix and Ganoderma lucidum) on immune response of carp was investigated. Fish were fed diets containing Astragalus (0.5%), Ganoderma (0.5%) and combination of two herbs (Astragalus 0.5% and Ganoderma 0.5%) for 5 weeks. Other groups of fish were vaccinated (i.p.) against Aeromonas hydrophila/Aeromonas salmonicida (Shering Plough, Essex, U.K.) at the beginning of the experiment and fed the same diets as described above. Control fish (negative control) and fish vaccinated only (positive control) were fed basal diets without supplements of herbs. The respiratory burst activity, phagocytosis, lysozyme activity and circulatory antibody titres in plasma were monitored. Following 5 weeks after feeding, fish were infected with A. hydrophila and mortalities were recorded. The results of this study showed that feeding non-vaccinated and vaccinated carp with combination of Astragalus and Ganoderma stimulated respiratory burst activity, phagocytosis of phagocytic cells in blood and lysozyme and circulatory antibody titres in plasma in vaccinated carp. Fish challenged with A. hydrophila had variable survival. The best survival (60%) was in vaccinated group fed with both herbs, while almost 90% of control fish (negative control) and 60% of fish vaccinated only (positive control) died.

Influence of bleaching by ultrasound on fatty acids and minor compounds of olive oil. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of volatile compounds (by SPME coupled to GC/MS).

The effects of bleaching using high power ultrasound (20 kHz) on the quality of olive oil were considered in this study, in order to verify the modifications that can occur in fatty acid composition and minor compounds. During the treatment of olive oil under ultrasonic waves, a rancid odour has been detected. Treated olive oils show no significant changes in their chemical composition but the presence of some volatile compounds, due to ultrasonic treatment. Some off-flavour compounds (hexanal, hept-2-enal and 2(E),4(E)-decadienal) resulting from the sonodegradation of olive oil have been identified. A wide variety of analytical techniques (GLC, HPLC and GC/MS) were used to follow the quality of bleached olive oils with ultrasonic waves by the determination of the amounts of certain minor compounds such as sterols and tocopherols. Steradienes, resulting from the dehydration of sterols, were detected with small quantities especially in severe conditions of sonication. Solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) coupled to gas chromatography was known to be a sensitive technique to follow changes in the oxidative state of vegetable oils by measuring the amount of volatile materials produced during the refining process.

Foals are interferon gamma-deficient at birth.

The increased vulnerability of foals to specific pathogens such as Rhodococcus equi is believed to reflect an innate immunodeficiency, the nature of which remains poorly understood. Previous studies have demonstrated that neonates of many species fail to mount potent Th1 responses. The current research investigates the ability of circulating and pulmonary lymphocytes of developing foals to produce interferon gamma (IFNgamma). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were prepared from up to 10 horse foals at regular intervals throughout the first 6 months of life. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were collected at 1, 3 or 6 months of age from three groups of five foals. The PBMC and BAL cells were stimulated in vitro and IFNgamma production was measured by intracellular staining. In addition, RNA was extracted from freshly isolated and in vitro stimulated PBMC and BAL cells for quantitation of IFNgamma gene expression by real time PCR. Newborn foals exhibited a marked inability to express the IFNgamma gene and produce IFNgamma protein. This deficiency was observed in both circulating and pulmonary lymphocytes. However, IFNgamma gene expression and protein production increased steadily throughout the first 6 months of life, reaching adult levels within the first year of life. These findings suggest that foals are born with an inherent inability to mount a Th1-based cell mediated immune response which may contribute to their susceptibility to intracellular pathogens.

Effects of whole cottonseed diet and recombinant bovine somatotropin on ovarian follicles in lactating dairy cows.

The effects of whole cottonseed (WCS) in the diet and the administration of bovine somatotropin (bST) on ovarian follicular dynamics and plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations were examined in cows during a period of synchronized follicular growth. Lactating Holstein cows (n = 28) were randomly assigned to treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Diets consisted of WCS (15% of dry matter) or no WCS, and bST at a dose of 0 or 208 mg/14 d. Dietary treatments began within 24 h of calving and bST treatments began within 7 d postpartum. Cows received GnRH at 65 +/- 3 d postpartum (d 0), PGF2alpha, (d 7), a second dose of GnRH (d 9), and were inseminated 16 h later (d 10). Ovarian changes were monitored daily by ultrasonography from d 0 to 9. On d 9,93% of cows had a preovulatory follicle and 86% ovulated. For Class 2 (6 to 9 mm) follicles, a diet x bST interaction was detected, with bST stimulating Class 2 follicles in cows fed WCS, but not in cows on the control diet. Neither diet nor bST affected numbers of Class 1 (2 to 5 mm) or Class 3 (> or = 10 mm) follicles or sizes of the subordinate and dominant follicles. During the luteal phase of the cycle, lactating cows fed WCS tended to have elevated concentrations of plasma P4, whereas bST was without effect. Plasma concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were increased in cows fed WCS. Number and diameter of corpora lutea did not differ among treatments.