Enhancing classical swine fever virus identification: the advantages of Field-LAMP testing.

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) identification has witnessed significant advancements with the development of rapid reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assays. However, conventional RT-LAMP assays for CSFV diagnosis are hindered by a laborious RNA extraction step. Moreover, the need for thermal incubators and expensive micropipettes has limited their application in field settings. Addressing these challenges, our study presents a groundbreaking solution-an electro-free and point-of-care (POC) tool known as the field-LAMP assay-for the rapid clinical detection of CSFV. By eliminating the RNA extraction requirement, advancing the colorimetric read-out and lyophilized reaction reagents, our field-LAMP assay streamlines the diagnostic process, saving valuable time and effort. This novel approach also overcomes the dependency on electric-dependent thermal incubators and expensive micropipettes, making it practical and accessible for use in the field. The successful development of the field-LAMP assay marks a significant milestone in CSFV detection. This electro-free and POC tool offers several advantages, including its ability to deliver rapid results without compromising accuracy, facilitating prompt response and containment measures.

Effect of increasing inclusion rates of tofu by-product in diets of growing pigs on nitrogen balance and ammonia emission from manure.

To reduce competition with human-edible feed resources, it is of interest to incorporate by-products from the food industry in animal feeds. The current research investigated the effect of including increasing amounts of tofu by-product (TF) in practical pig diets on animal performance, nitrogen balance and ammonia emissions from manure. Two experiments were conducted including a control diet without TF, containing 160 g/kg dietary non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) and three diets including 122, 246 and 360 g TF/kg DM (TF122, TF246 and TF360, respectively) to reach 220, 280 and 360 g/kg NSP. All diets had the same level of CP and protein digestible in the small intestine which particularly was realized by replacing rice bran with TF. Animal performance was assessed in a first experiment with 40 growing barrows with initial BW of 26.6 ± 1.80 kg (M ± SD) being allocated to the 4 treatments, during 2 growth phases (i.e. until 50 kg BW and from 50 to 80 kg BW). In the growth phase until 50 kg, feed intake and average daily gain (ADG) were linearly reduced by dietary TF inclusion, while this negative impact disappeared during the second growth phase (50 to 80 kg BW). Tofu by-product inclusion even positively affected the feed conversion ratio during this second growth phase (3.4 to 2.7 kg feed/kg ADG for 0 to 360 g/kg dietary TF). Over the entire growth period, performance and feed intake were negatively affected at the highest dietary TF level. Experiment 2 was conducted to assess digestibility, nitrogen balance and ammonia emission from manure. For this purpose, 16 pigs with BW of 62.8 ± 3.6 kg (M ± SD) were assigned to either 1 of the 4 treatments. There was no difference in total tract apparent digestibility of dietary organic matter or CP, while NDF digestibility increased with increasing TF level, suggesting increasing importance of the hindgut fermentation when digesting diets with increasing TF levels. Nevertheless, this was not reflected in increasing levels of faecal volatile fatty acids or purines, nor in reduced manure pH. As a result, ammonia emission from slurry was not reduced through dietary TF inclusion, despite the linear decrease in urinary nitrogen. In conclusion, TF can be included in pigs' diets up to an inclusion rate of 25% without risk of impaired animal performance; however, this dietary strategy fails to mitigate ammonia emission from slurry.

Sucrose threshold variation during the menstrual cycle.

Sucrose thresholds were measured at three points during the menstrual cycle for 14 women who were not taking oral contraceptives. Thirteen men also were tested at similar intervals. Sucrose thresholds of the men remained constant throughout the experiment. During menstruation and postovulation, the thresholds of the women were similar to the thresholds of the men, whereas during preovulation the thresholds of the women are significantly lower. The stable sucrose thresholds of the men suggest that ovarian hormones may be involved in the variation in sucrose sucrose thresholds of the women. The increase in sensitivity of the women during preovulation may have been related to the high level of estrogen, whereas the decrease in sensitivity during postovulation may be due to some type of interaction between estrogen and progesterone.

Intrathecal 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide: neurotoxicity, cerebrospinal fluid pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity in a rabbit model of VX2 leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.

Dissemination of tumor to the leptomeninges and cerebrospinal fluid represents a common pattern of metastasis for many cancers; however, few chemotherapeutic agents are available for intrathecal (i.t.) use and treatment results are often poor. We studied the neurotoxicity and pharmacokinetics of i.t. 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC) in the rabbit and the activity of i.t. 4-HC in a VX2 rabbit model of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis to evaluate the potential use of 4-HC in the treatment of leptomeningeal tumors. Toxicity studies examined 4-HC doses ranging from 0.5 to 6.0 mumol administered by intraventricular injection weekly for 4 to 8 weeks. Clinical or histological neurotoxicity was not observed in rabbits treated with < 1.0 mumol 4-HC for 4 weeks. Clinical toxicity, characterized by lethargy, weight loss, seizures, or death, was apparent at doses > 2.0 mumol. Vasculitis of superficial arteries was observed in rabbits treated with > 1.0 mumol 4-HC. In cerebrospinal fluid pharmacokinetic studies, the mean drug half-life after intraventricular or intralumbar administration was 24.3 and 18.2 min. Regional inequities in drug exposure were apparent as area under the clearance curve values for cerebrospinal fluid distant from the injection site were lower than those of proximate sites (P < 0.001). Weekly intraventricular treatment of VX2 leptomeningeal tumor-bearing rabbits with 0.5 or 1.0 mumol of 4-HC resulted in an increased life span of 22.5 and 35%, respectively. These results indicate that i.t. 4-HC, at doses lower than those producing neurotoxicity in the rabbit, is effective treatment for VX2 leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.

[Pediatric anesthesia and pharmacokinetics of propofol administered at a constant rate]. / Anesthésie pédiatrique et pharmacocinétique du propofol administré a débit constant.

The pharmacokinetic properties of propofol given at a constant rate, were studied in 10 children. Propofol was administered at a dose according to I.C.I. Pharma advices. For minor surgery, a low quality of general anesthesia was observed in correlation with low plasma levels of propofol. An increase in dosage would be necessary in children above 8 years old.

A method for hepatic arterial perfusion studies in the rat.

The current model for selective hepatic arterial infusion therapy was evaluated for its suitability for short-term pharmacokinetic experiments. This preparation consists of selective cannulation of the common hepatic artery via the gastroduodenal artery of the rat. Radioactive microspheres were injected to determine hepatic or extrahepatic sites of perfusion. Radioactive microsphere determination of hepatic arterial flow and cardiac output were also performed. Our data indicate that at high flow rates (2 ml/min), significant loss of drug would occur due to retrograde flow. Modification of the model to include temporary proximal hepatic artery occlusion ensures hepatic delivery of greater than 95% of drug. Furthermore, temporary hepatic artery occlusion does not alter cardiac output or hepatic arterial blood flow. Selective hepatic arterial infusion in rats with synchronous temporary hepatic artery occlusion is an adequate model for short-term pharmacokinetic studies.