Cytokine fluctuation during acute stress is correlated to life trauma.

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have demonstrated that human neurobiology and behavior are inextricably linked to the activity of our immune systems. Trauma is associated with a multitude of immune system changes; reflecting this, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often comorbid with immune-related conditions such as autoimmune disorders. To further investigate this phenomenon, we tested our hypothesis that cytokine fluctuations during and after an acute stress response correlates with experienced life trauma. METHODS: Using a prospective observational approach, this cohort study measured biomarker profiles in firefighter participants (n = 63), with 9 participants having prior PTSD diagnoses and 54 without prior PTSD diagnoses. In addition, life trauma scores were determined from all participants using the Life Events Checklist 5 (LEC-5) survey. Baseline salivary biomarker concentrations were determined, along with levels immediately before, immediately after, and 1 hour following a standardized stressful training event. Biomarkers measured using these salivary samples included 42 cytokines and 6 steroid and thyroid hormones. The concentrations of these markers were then correlated, using Pearson correlation coefficients, with the participants' LEC-5 scores. t Tests were also performed to compare cytokine values between the populations with and without prior PTSD diagnosis. RESULTS: Included in the cytokine panel were interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, IL-1B, GCSF, IL1-Ra, Groα, IFNa2, PDGFAA, and VEGF, all of which demonstrated positive correlation at various time points in individuals with increased severity of LEC-5 scores (and thus increased experienced life trauma). Concentrations of Groα, PDGFAA, IL1-Ra, IL-1a, Mip1a, IL-1a, IL-6, Mip1b, TNFα, and TGFα were also found to be significantly altered at various time points in participants with prior PTSD diagnoses, demonstrating some overlap with the LEC-5 Pearson correlations. CONCLUSION: The results support our hypothesis and demonstrate that LEC-5 scores are indeed significantly correlated to cytokine concentrations and fluctuations surrounding a stress test. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Tests or Criteria; Level IV.

In vitro effect of hydroxyethyl starch on coagulation in dogs as assessed by dynamic viscoelastic coagulometry.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 670/0.75 and 6% HES 130/0.4 dilution of canine whole blood on coagulation using dynamic viscoelastic coagulometry (DVC). ANIMALS: 56 healthy adult dogs. PROCEDURES: 2 blood samples were obtained from each dog and randomized to 1 of 7 groups-undiluted or 2 dilutions (1:3 or 1:10) of 3 different fluids: saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, 6% HES 670/0.75, or 6% HES 130/0.4. Dilutions were calculated to simulate approximately a 10- or 30-mL/kg body weight IV bolus of each fluid. DVC was performed on each sample. Coagulation parameters compared between groups included clot rate (CR), platelet function (PF), and activated clotting time. RESULTS: Dilution with saline solution did not significantly affect coagulation, while dilution with HES 670/0.75 and HES 130/0.4 caused a dose-dependent significant decrease in CR (1:3 HES 670/0.75, P = 0.007; 1:10 HES 670/0.75, P = 0.002; 1:3 HES130/0.4, P < 0.0001; and 1:10 HES 130/0.4, P = 0.0003) and PF (1:3 HES 670/0.75, P < 0.0001; 1:10 HES 670/0.75, P < 0.0001; 1:3 HES130/0.4, P < 0.0001; and 1:10 HES 130/0.4, P = 0.0015). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dilution of canine blood with HES 670/0.75 and HES 130/0.4, at clinically relevant doses (10 and 30 mL/kg), led to significant hypocoagulability beyond dilutional effect. This was, in part, due to impaired PF, which was significantly greater with HES 670/0.75. Further research using DVC to assess the effects of HES on coagulation in dogs, ideally with clinical conditions warranting HES administration, is needed.

Comparative Histopathology of Bovine Acute Interstitial Pneumonia and Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Interstitial Pneumonia.

Acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP) is a significant disease of cattle and many aetiologies have been implicated on the basis of the characteristic pathological lesions. Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is one of the key aetiological factors in bovine respiratory disease complex and several studies have suggested, controversially, that BRSV may be an underlying cause of bovine AIP. BRSV infection is known to cause several distinctive histopathological changes, including epithelial syncytia formation and intracytoplasmic viral inclusions. However, distinguishing bovine AIP from BRSV-related pneumonia by clinical presentation, gross pathology or histopathology can sometimes be challenging. In order to identify the potential distinguishing features, we compared the histopathological findings of AIP that were, and were not, associated with BRSV infection in naturally occurring cases. We found that multinucleated giant cells were more frequently identified in cattle with AIP while bronchiolitis was more common in BRSV-infected cattle. However, this was not considered a sole indicator of either disease group. Statistically, we identified that a combination of several histopathological features, including alveolar septal necrosis, presence of multinucleated giant cells and bronchiolitis, can serve as an excellent indicator for distinguishing between idiopathic AIP and BRSV-related pneumonia, with a strong statistical significance (P = 0.0004). Based on the results of this retrospective study, we present a histopathological scoring system for predicting BRSV-associated AIP.

Evaluation of the intervertebral disk, vertebral body, and spinal cord for changes secondary to percutaneous laser disk ablation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intervertebral disk, vertebral endplates, and spinal cord for perioperative changes secondary to percutaneous laser disk ablation (PLDA) and correlate findings to clinical outcomes in dogs receiving thoracolumbar PLDA. STUDY DESIGN: Blinded study. ANIMALS: Thirty dogs. METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed before PLDA (control/Group C), immediately following PLDA (Group I), and 3 months later (perioperative/Group P). Dogs were followed 3 years. Groups and dogs were randomized for evaluation. Two radiologists were blinded to each MRI study and dog. Each radiologist evaluated the disk, vertebral body, and spinal cord at each disk space receiving PLDA. RESULTS: Mean disk degeneration was increased in Group P at L1-2 (p < .0001) and L2-3 (p = .0081). Both radiologists identified mild diskitis (1%-15%) in Group P (radiologist 1, p < .0001; radiologist 2, p = .0012). Cranial endplate lesions were identified in Group P at T11-12 (p = .0353), T13-L1 (p = .0026), and L4-5 (p = .0210). Lesions were identified in the caudal endplates of all eight disk spaces in Group P: T10-11 (p = .0004), T11-12 (p < .0001), T12-13 (p < .0001), T13-L1 (p < .0001), L1-2 (p < .0001), L2-3 (p < .0001), L3-4 (p < .0001), and L4-5 (p < .0001). There was no disk extrusion or spinal cord lesions identified. CONCLUSION: This study evaluated effects that may occur secondary to PLDA, using MRI. Although vertebral body changes were identified, they did not correlate with clinical complications. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: PLDA appears to be a safe, effective procedure performed on thoracolumbar disks to reduce recurrence of intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH) in dogs that previously experienced IVDH, despite the appearance of visible vertebral endplate lesions and mild diskitis on MRI.

Effect of Bidirectional Insertion of External Skeletal Fixation Pins on Axial Pullout Strength in Canine Cadaveric Bone.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bidirectional insertion on axial pullout strength of tapered run out (TRO), traditional negative profile (TNP) and positive profile (PP) pins. STUDY DESIGN: Cadaveric adult canine tibiae were harvested. Tapered run out pins (Group 1) were inserted unidirectionally to the desired position; bidirectionally past the desired position, then withdrawn to the desired position (Group 2); and bidirectionally as described for Group 2, repeated twice (Group 3). Traditional negative profile pins (Group 4-6) and PP pins (Group 9-11) were placed in the same manner. Tapered run out (Group 7), TNP (Group 8) and PP pins (Group 12) were driven unidirectionally such that the shaft of the pin violated the cis-cortex. A servohydraulic testing machine extracted the pins and measured axial peak pullout strength. RESULTS: Positive profile pins had significantly greater pullout strength than TRO and TNP pins placed unidirectionally to the desired position. Method of insertion had no effect on peak pullout strength of TNP pins. TRO and PP pins inserted unidirectionally to the desired position had significantly greater peak pullout strengths than insertion bidirectionally or if the shaft of the pin violated the cis-cortex. CONCLUSION: The authors recommend that pins used for external skeletal fixation should be placed unidirectionally to the desired position with fluoroscopic guidance, intra-operative depth gauge measurements or measurements from preoperative radiographs. Repositioning pins results in loss of peak pullout strength with TRO and PP pins.

Isolate Virulence and Cultivar Response in the Winter Wheat: Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Tan Spot) Pathosystem in Oklahoma.

Prevalence of tan spot of wheat caused by the fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis has become more prevalent in Oklahoma as no-till cultivation in wheat has increased. Hence, developing wheat varieties resistant to tan spot has been emphasized, and selecting pathogen isolates to screen for resistance to this disease is critical. Twelve isolates of P. tritici-repentis were used to inoculate 11 wheat cultivars in a greenhouse study in splitplot experiments. Virulence of isolates and cultivar resistance were measured in percent leaf area infection for all possible isolate x cultivar interactions. Isolates differed significantly (P < 0.01) in virulence on wheat cultivars, and cultivars differed significantly in disease reaction to isolates. Increased virulence of isolates detected increased variability in cultivar response (percent leaf area infection) (r = 0.56, P < 0.05) while increased susceptibility in cultivars detected increased variance in virulence of the isolates (r = 0.76, P < 0.01). A significant isolate × cultivar interaction indicated specificity between isolates and cultivars, however, cluster analysis indicated low to moderate physiological specialization. Similarity in wheat cultivars in response to pathogen isolates also was determined by cluster analysis. The use of diverse isolates of the fungus would facilitate evaluation of resistance in wheat cultivars to tan spot.

Influence of Temperature and Photoperiod on the Fecundity of Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and on the Paralysis of Host Larvae, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

Studies were carried out in the laboratory to understand the optimum environmental conditions at which the ectoparasitoid, Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), can paralyze and lay eggs when reared on the larvae of the stored product pest, Plodia interpunctella Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). At the four temperatures investigated (20, 25, 30, and 35 °C), optimum temperatures for oviposition were found to be 25 and 30 °C, while 35 °C was the least favorable temperature. No significant differences were found between the percentages of diapausing and non-diapausing larvae paralyzed by the wasp at the temperatures of 20, 25, 30, 35 °C within 5 days. However, in another experiment that investigated the effect of photoperiods at different temperatures that included 15, 19 and 28 °C, the number of paralyzed larvae was highly reduced at low temperatures (15 °C) but photoperiods had no significant impact on the number of host larvae paralyzed. In addition, observations at short time intervals also showed that lower temperatures slowed down host larvae paralysis. The results suggest that H. hebetor can paralyze host larvae of P. interpunctella more efficiently and deposit more eggs at temperatures within the range of 20-30 °C.

Trapping Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Other Beetles in Flourmills: Evaluating Fumigation Efficacy and Estimating Population Density.

This paper reports beetle pests common to flourmills targeted during a series of trapping studies over a two-year period in flourmill 1 and a one year period in flourmill 2. Objectives were (1) use pheromone-baited traps to detect T. castaneum (Herbst) and other pest species present for their distribution over space and time, (2) monitor T. castaneum activity before and after fumigations to assess efficacy of the treatment, and (3) correlate counts of T. castaneum via trap capture against direct T. castaneum counts from samples of the milled flour to assess the value of trap data to estimate relative size of the pest population. Traps were deployed in two different flourmills over two consecutive years. T. castaneum was the most commonly trapped beetle during both years in mill 1. In mill 2, Typhaea stercorea (L.) and Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) were both captured in higher numbers than T. castaneum. In mill 1, trap capture was higher overall during Year 2 for most of the species compared with capture during Year 1, likely due to a dust cover modification made for the pitfall trap used in Year 2. Trap capture was also evaluated by location within the mills and a significant difference was found in the capture of T. stercorea during both years in mill 1. T. castaneum captures were significantly reduced following most fumigations, which used methyl bromide in milling areas and phosphine in bulk-stored finished flour. However, in most cases trap catches showed that beetle populations were not eliminated. Trap captures after fumigation suggest either that the fumigations were not entirely effective, or that full grown adult beetles were entering the mill soon after fumigation. When captures of T. castaneum from traps in two spaces of mill 1 during Year 2 were compared with counts of beetles from samples of siftings collected in the finished flour, the correlation coefficients were nearly significant for both sets of traps.

Safety and efficacy of cold atmospheric plasma for the sterilization of a Pasteurella multocida-contaminated subcutaneously implanted foreign body in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a stainless steel implant sterilized with a novel cold atmospheric plasma sterilization (CAPS) device adversely affects local tissues in rabbits and whether CAPS was as effective as steam sterilization with an autoclave to inactivate Pasteurella multocida. ANIMALS: 31 healthy New Zealand White rabbits. PROCEDURES: Steam-autoclaved stainless steel implants inoculated with P multocida underwent a second steam autoclave sterilization (AIA) or CAPS (AICAPS). One AIA implant and 3 AICAPS implants were randomly placed subcutaneously at 4 sites in 21 rabbits (84 implants). These rabbits were monitored daily for 5 days for evidence of systemic illness and local tissue reactions at the implantation sites and then euthanized. Samples were taken from each implant site for bacterial culture and histologic examination. RESULTS: Cultures of samples obtained from all sites were negative for bacterial growth. No significant difference was observed in mean skin thickness or erythema between AIA and AICAPS implant sites on any observed day. Also, individual histologic grades for the epidermis, dermis, subcutis, and muscle and total histologic grade were not significantly different between AIA and AICAPS implant sites. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cold atmospheric plasma sterilization was noninferior to steam sterilization of P multocida-contaminated stainless steel implants in the rabbits in the present study. However, studies of the efficacy of CAPS for inactivation of other important bacteria are needed.

Differential responses of sorghum genotypes to sugarcane aphid feeding.

MAIN CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that known resistant sorghum genotypes compensate for feeding pressure of sugarcane aphid by maintaining/increasing photosynthetic capacity and/or have higher chlorophyll content than susceptible genotypes. Knowledge of the physiological response of sorghum, (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), to sugarcane aphid (SCA), Melanaphis sacchari (Zehnter) feeding will provide baseline information on defense responses and resistance mechanisms. This study documented the impact of SCA feeding on seven sorghum genotypes by measuring chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and carbon assimilation for a 14-d post-infestation evaluation. Carbon assimilation (A/Ci) curves were recorded at 3, 6, 9, and 15 d after aphid infestation to describe the pattern of physiological response of resistant and susceptible sorghums over time. Chlorophyll loss from resistant genotypes was significantly lower (≤ 10% loss) than from susceptible cultivars. Most resistant genotypes compensated for aphid feeding by either increasing or maintaining photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance. Carbon assimilation curves over time showed that infested resistant plants had delayed photosynthetic decreases, whereas susceptible plants rapidly lost photosynthetic capacity. This research also investigated the influence of aphid density (0, 50, 100, and 200 nymphs/plant) on the photosynthetic rates of 28-d-old resistant and susceptible sorghums measured at 72-h post-infestation. Although there were no visual symptoms in susceptible sorghums, photosynthetic rates were impaired when infested with ≥ 100 SCA. In contrast, resistant plants were able to compensate for SCA feeding. Differences in the physiological responses of susceptible versus resistant sorghums indicate that resistant sorghum plants can tolerate some physiological impacts of SCA feeding and maintain photosynthetic integrity.

Retrospective survey of endoparasitism identified in feces of client-owned dogs in North America from 2007 through 2018.

Our main study objective was to determine the prevalence and trend of parasitic infection in client-owned dogs examined at the veterinary parasitology diagnostic laboratory of Oklahoma State University over the past 12 years. All results of centrifugal flotation, saline direct smear, sedimentation, Baermann, acid-fast staining for Cryptosporidium detection, and Giardia antigen examinations on fecal samples from client-owned dogs submitted to the Boren Veterinary Medical Hospital and Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma State University from 2007 through 2018 were included. The impact of sex, age, and seasonality on the prevalence of parasitic infection was also statistically evaluated. A total of 7,409 cases were included for this study. Majority of cases (79.58%; 5,896/7,409) did not include any parasites, eggs, larva, oocysts, or cysts. Approximately 15.41% (1,142/7,409) of client-owned dogs were infected by at least one parasite, and 5.01% (371/7,409) of dogs were infected by multiple parasites. The most common parasite stage observed was Ancylostoma eggs (8.23%; 610/7,409), followed by Cystoisospora oocysts (5.02%; 372/7,409), Giardia cysts/antigen (4.06%; 301/7,409), Trichuris vulpis eggs (2.74%; 203/7,409), Toxocara canis eggs (2.54%; 188/7,409), Dipylidium caninum proglottids/egg packets (0.84%; 62/7,409), taeniid proglottids/eggs (0.47%; 35/7,409), Sarcocystis sporocysts (0.38%; 28/7,409), Cryptosporidium oocysts (0.30%; 22/7,409), Strongyloides stercoralis larvae (0.20%; 15/7,409), Alaria eggs (0.19%; 14/7,409), Toxascaris leonina eggs (0.18%; 13/7,409), Capillaria eggs (0.16%; 12/7,409), Hammondia-like small coccidian oocysts (0.16%; 12/7,409), Uncinaria stenocephala eggs (0.13%; 10/7,409), Spirometra eggs (0.09%; 7/7,409), Physaloptera eggs (0.09%; 7/7,409), Heterobilharzia americana eggs (0.08%; 6/7,409), Nanophyetus salmincola eggs (0.08%; 6/7,409), trichomonads (0.08%; 6/7,409), Mesocestoides proglottids/eggs (0.05%; 4/7,409), Baylisascaris eggs (0.01%; 1/7,409), Macracanthorhynchus eggs (0.01%; 1/7,409), and Paragonimus kellicotti eggs (0.01%; 1/7,409). In addition to endoparasites, some ectoparasites, such as Demodex mites (0.22%; 16/7,409), Otodectes cynotis mites (0.01%; 1/7,409), Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks (0.01%; 1/7,409), and Sarcoptes scabiei mites (0.01%; 1/7,409), were detected by fecal examinations. Pseudo/spurious parasites were identified in approximately 4.35% of cases (322/7,409). There was no statistically significant difference for parasite prevalence between sexes (p = 0.3231). However, statistically significant differences were observed with certain parasites when compared by age groups, and generally, prevalence of parasitism decreased as age of client-owned dogs increased (p < 0.0001). Statistical analyses also revealed significant differences by months (p = 0.0013). Overall, the prevalence of parasitic infection in client-owned dogs decreased over the past 12 years (p < 0.0001).

Effects of Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice Consumption on Cardiometabolic Biomarkers in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

Greater than one-third of adults in the United States have metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of risk factors highly associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases. Premature vascular dysfunction in MetS may lead to accelerated age-related atherogenesis and arterial stiffening, thereby increasing cardiovascular risk. Montmorency tart cherries (Prunus cerasus L.) are rich in bioactive compounds, such as anthocyanins, known to exert cardiovascular protective effects. Previous research suggests that tart cherry juice consumption may improve cardiovascular health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of daily consumption of tart cherry juice on hemodynamics, arterial stiffness, and blood biomarkers of cardiovascular and metabolic health in men and women with MetS. In a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm pilot clinical trial, 19 men and women 20 to 60 years of age with MetS consumed 240 mL of tart cherry juice (Tart Cherry; n = 5 males, 4 females) or an isocaloric placebo-control drink (Control; n = 5 males, 5 females) twice daily for 12 weeks. Arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity), brachial and aortic blood pressures, wave reflection (augmentation index), and blood biomarkers of cardiovascular and metabolic health were assessed at baseline and 6 and 12 weeks. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 were significantly lower (P = .047 and P = .036, respectively) in Tart Cherry than Control at 12 weeks, but were not significantly lower than baseline values. There was a trend for total cholesterol to be lower (P = .08) in Tart Cherry than Control at 12 weeks. No significant changes were observed in hemodynamics, arterial stiffness, or other blood biomarkers assessed. These results suggest that daily tart cherry consumption may attenuate processes involved in accelerated atherogenesis without affecting hemodynamics or arterial stiffness parameters in this population. The pilot nature of this study warrants interpreting these findings with caution, and future clinical trials with a larger sample size are needed to confirm these findings.

Freeze-Dried Watermelon Supplementation Has Modest Effects on Bone and Lipid Parameters of Ovariectomized Mice.

This study investigated the effects of two doses of freeze-dried watermelon (WM) on bone and lipid parameters in ovariectomized (OVX) mice, a model of post-menopausal osteoporosis. Three-month-old C57BL/6 female mice (n=46) were sham-operated (SHAM) or OVX and randomly assigned to the control or WM diets for 12 weeks: SHAM-control, OVX-control, OVX+1%, or 10% (wt/wt) freeze-dried WM. All diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous, and had the same calcium and phosphorus concentrations. Freeze-dried WM supplementation was not able to prevent the decrease in whole body, tibial, and lumbar bone mineral density due to estrogen deficiency. Micro-computed tomography analyses showed that WM was also not able to modulate changes in tibial trabecular and cortical bone microarchitecture due to ovariectomy. However, the lumbar trabecular micro-architecture analyses revealed that the WM-10% group had a similar connectivity density, trabecular number, trabecular separation, and structure model index as the SHAM group. Supplementation with 10% WM reduced plasma cholesterol and total liver lipids to the level of the SHAM group but was still similar to that of the OVX-control group. Supplementation with 10% WM increased liver catalase (CAT) mRNA levels but had no effects on mRNA levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6. There were no differences in plasma activity of the antioxidant enzymes GPX and CAT between all treatment groups. Our findings demonstrate some positive effects of watermelon for modulating lipids and attenuating lumbar vertebral bone loss arising from ovarian hormone deficiency.

Immune response to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) vaccines detecting antibodies to BVDV subtypes 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2c.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) represents a major cattle disease with multiple forms including fetal infections resulting in persistently infected (PI) cattle. The objectives of this study were to investigate the immune response to six vaccines, five modified live viral (MLV) and one killed vaccine containing BVDV immunogens as measured by antibodies to BVDV1a, BVDV1b, BVDV2a, and BVDV2c. The predominant BVDV subgenotype in the U.S. is BVDV1b compared to BVDV1a and BVDV2a. There are MLV and killed BVDV vaccines containing BVDV1a and BVDV2a marketed in the U.S. A prior study evaluated immune response to vaccination with BVDV1a and BVDV2a inducing virus neutralizing antibody titers. BVDV1b titers 128 or higher at time of exposure to BVDV1b PI cattle protected heifers against fetal infection. Calves received two doses and postweaning serums were collected and assayed for BVDV antibodies. Antibody titers were expressed as geometric mean averages. Percentages were expressed as proportions of animals within three antibody levels, including targeted level 128 or greater. There were statistical differences among vaccines in each study, particularly to BVDV1a, BVDV1b, and BVDV2a. MLV vaccines containing Singer strain induced higher levels to BVDV1a and BVDV1b than NADL vaccine in all three studies. Two vaccines, both MLV, Vaccine 1 and Vaccine 6 containing Singer strain induced higher proportion of 128 or higher BVDV1b titers than vaccine with NADL. Antibody levels to BVDV2a and BVDV2c were dependent on BVDV2a vaccine strain. This study indicates strain in BVDV vaccines reflects differences in immune response to different BVDV subgenotypes, particularly BVDV1b and BVDV2c.

Retrospective survey of parasitism identified in feces of client-owned cats in North America from 2007 through 2018.

Ownership of domestic cats in North America has been on the increase; however, there are only a few surveys conducted on the prevalence of parasitism in client-owned cats over years. Our study objective was to evaluate parasite prevalence through statistical analysis of fecal examination results for client-owned cats on samples submitted to the veterinary parasitology diagnostic laboratory of Oklahoma State University over a 12-year period. All results of centrifugal flotation, saline direct smear, sedimentation, and Baermann examinations on fecal samples submitted to the Boren Veterinary Medical Hospital and Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma State University from 2007 through 2018 were included. The impacts of sex, age, and seasonality on the prevalence of infection were also analyzed. A total of 2586 client-owned cat cases were included for this study. Parasites, eggs, oocysts, larvae, or cysts were not detected in the majority of cases (75.5%; 1,953/2586). Approximately 18.8% (485/2586) of client-owned cats were infected by one parasite, and 5.7% (148/2586) of cats were infected by multiple parasites. The most common parasite stage observed was Cystoisospora oocysts (9.4%; 243/2586), followed by Toxocara cati eggs (7.8%; 202/2586), Giardia cysts (4.0%; 104/2586), Alaria eggs (3.5%; 91/2586), Ancylostoma eggs (1.2%; 32/2586), taeniid proglottids/eggs (1.2%; 30/2586), Dipylidium caninum proglottids/egg packets (1.1 %; 29/2586), and Eucoleus aerophilus eggs (0.7%; 18/2586). Less commonly, Physalopetra eggs (0.19%; 5/2586), Toxascaris leonina eggs (0.19%; 5/2586), Tritrichomonas blagburni trophozoites (0.15%; 4/2586), Ollulanus tricuspis larvae/adults (0.12%; 3/2586), Platynosomum fastosum eggs (0.12%; 3/2586), Aelurostrongylus abstrusus larvae (0.08%; 2/2323), Sarcocystis sporocysts (0.08%; 2/2586), Spirometra eggs (0.08%; 2/2586), Mesocestoides proglottids/eggs (0.08%; 2/2586), Trichuris felis eggs (0.08%; 2/2586), Cryptosporidium oocysts (0.04%; 1/2586), and Toxoplasma-like small coccidian oocysts (0.04%; 1/2586) were detected. Additionally, fecal examinations revealed some ectoparasites: Demodex mites (0.9%; 24/2586), Cheyletiella mites (0.15%; 4/2586), and Otodectes cynotis mites (0.04%; 1/2586). There was no statistical significance between different sex groups (p = 0.3316). Age affected the prevalence of Cystoisospora, T. cati, Giardia, and Alaria infections with prevalence decreasing as age increased (p < 0.0001). Statistical analyses also revealed significant differences by months; the higher prevalence of infection occurred from summer through fall (p = 0.0004). Overall, as the number of submittals increased, the prevalence of infection increased over the last 12 years (p < 0.0001). This study supports continuing the current practice of routine broad-spectrum anthelmintic and ectoparasitic treatments for client-owned cats as well as annual/biannual fecal examination.

Placental growth factor levels in quadriceps muscle are reduced by a Western diet in association with advanced glycation end products.

In peripheral artery disease (PAD), atherosclerotic occlusion chronically impairs limb blood flow. Arteriogenesis (collateral artery remodeling) is a vital adaptive response to PAD that protects tissue from ischemia. People with type II diabetes have a high risk of developing PAD and would benefit from arteriogenesis. However, arteriogenesis is suppressed in people with diabetes by a multifaceted mechanism which remains incompletely defined. Upregulation of placental growth factor (PLGF) is a key early step in arteriogenesis. Therefore, we hypothesized that metabolic dysfunction would impair PLGF expression in skeletal muscle. We tested this hypothesis in C57BL/6J and ApoE-/- mice of both sexes fed a Western diet (WD) for 24 wk. We first assessed baseline levels of PLGF, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), and VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1) protein in hindlimb skeletal muscle. Only PLGF was consistently decreased by the WD. We next investigated the effect of 24 wk of the WD on the response of PLGF, VEGF-A, VEGFR1, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) to the physiological stimulus of vascular occlusion. Hindlimb ischemia was induced in mice by gradual femoral artery occlusion using an ameroid constrictor. Growth factor levels were measured 3-28 days postsurgery. In C57BL/6J mice, the WD decreased and delayed upregulation of PLGF and abolished upregulation of VEGF-A and VEGFR1 but had no effect on MCP-1. In ApoE-/- mice fed either diet, all factors tested failed to respond to occlusion. Metabolic phenotyping of mice and in vitro studies suggest that an advanced glycation end product/TNFα-mediated mechanism could contribute to the effects observed in vivo.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this study, we tested the effect of a Western diet on expression of the arteriogenic growth factor placental growth factor (PLGF) in mouse skeletal muscle. We provide the first demonstration that a Western diet interferes with both baseline expression and hindlimb ischemia-induced upregulation of PLGF. We further identify a potential role for advanced glycation end product/TNFα signaling as a negative regulator of PLGF. These studies provide insight into one possible mechanism by which type II diabetes may limit collateral growth.

Acute Freeze-Dried Mango Consumption With a High-Fat Meal has Minimal Effects on Postprandial Metabolism, Inflammation and Antioxidant Enzymes.

OBJECTIVE: Postprandial fluxes in oxidative stress, inflammation, glucose, and lipids, particularly after a high-fat meal (HFM), have been implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study is to determine whether acute freeze-dried mango consumption modulates the postprandial response to an HFM. We hypothesized that the addition of mango, which is a rich source of many bioactive components, to an HFM would lower postprandial triglycerides, glucose, and inflammation, and increase antioxidant enzymes, compared to a standard HFM alone. METHODS: In a randomized cross-over study, 24 healthy adult males (18-25 years old) consumed a typical American breakfast (670 kcal; 58% fat) with or without the freeze-dried mango pulp (50 g). Lipids, glucose, antioxidant enzymes, and inflammatory markers were assessed at baseline/fasting and 1, 2, and 4 hours after the HFM. RESULTS: Addition of mango resulted in lower glucose (95.8 ± 4.4 mg/dL; P = .002) and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; 58.4 ± 2.7 mg/dL; P = .01) 1 hour post-HFM compared to control (glucose: 104.8 ± 5.4 mg/dL; HDL-C: 55.2 ± 2.3 mg/dL), although no differences were observed in triglycerides (P = .88 for interaction). No significant meal × time interactions were detected in markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein, P = .17; interleukin-6, P = .30) or antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, P = .77; glutathione peroxidase, P = .36; catalase, P = .32) in the postprandial period. CONCLUSIONS: When added to an HFM, acute mango consumption had modest beneficial effects on postprandial glucose and HDL-C responses, but did not alter triglyceride, inflammatory, or antioxidant enzymes.

Categories of Resistance to Sugarcane Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Among Sorghum Genotypes.

The sugarcane aphid Melanaphis sacchari (Zehnter) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) has emerged as a potential threat to sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) production in the United States. Since the late summer of 2013, finding and advancing M. sacchari-resistant germplasm has been a priority for all stakeholders involved. We evaluated 23 sorghum genotypes for resistance to the sugarcane aphid by testing for tolerance, and antixenosis. In addition, nine sorghum germplasm were evaluated for the expression of antibiosis. Free-choice and no-choice tests were conducted to explore the functional categories of resistance. Levels of resistance to M. sacchari were compared with the known resistant 'TX 2783' and the susceptible 'KS 585'. Sorghum entries AG1201, AG1301, W844-E, and DKS 37-07 were identified as expressing tolerance, antibiosis, and antixenosis, while H13073 expressed antibiosis and GW1489 expressed both tolerance and antibiosis. These resistant sorghums identified during this study will have a significant impact on reducing economic damage from the sugarcane aphid infestations.

Dynamic viscoelastic coagulometry of blood obtained from healthy chickens.

OBJECTIVE: To assess feasibility of the use of a dynamic viscoelastic coagulometer on chicken blood and compare coagulation variables for fresh whole blood and sodium citrate-preserved whole blood as well as effects of 3 coagulation activators on blood from chickens. SAMPLE: Blood samples from 30 hens. PROCEDURES: Chickens were allowed to rest undisturbed for 1 hour. A blood sample was collected from an ulnar vein; 1.4 mL was analyzed immediately, and 1.8 mL was mixed with sodium citrate and subsequently recalcified and analyzed. A separate coagulation activator (glass beads, kaolin clay, or tissue factor) was in each of the 2 channels of the analyzer. Chickens were allowed a 1-hour rest period, and another blood sample was collected from the contralateral ulnar vein; it was processed in the same manner as for the first sample, except both channels of the analyzer contained the same coagulation activator. RESULTS: Compared with fresh samples, citrated samples had higher values for activated clotting time and platelet function and lower clotting rates. Intra-assay coefficients of variation of coagulation profiles for citrated samples were markedly greater than the limit of 10%, whereas values for fresh samples were close to or < 10%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that use of a dynamic viscoelastic coagulometer on chicken blood was feasible and that analysis of fresh whole blood from healthy chickens provided results with less variability than did analysis of citrated blood. Samples preserved with sodium citrate were associated with significant relative hypocoagulability, compared with results for fresh blood.

Comparison of methohexital and propofol as induction agents for evaluation of laryngeal function in healthy dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of propofol or methohexital, with and without doxapram, on the examination of laryngeal function in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Forty healthy dogs randomly assigned to 4 groups: propofol with saline (n = 10), propofol with doxapram (n = 10), methohexital with saline (n = 10), or methohexital with doxapram (n = 10). METHODS: Propofol and methohexital were administered to effect. Investigators examined laryngeal function (initial) simultaneously with video laryngoscopy. Doxapram or saline was administered, and laryngeal function was reevaluated (second). Laryngeal motion, quality of laryngeal exposure, and the degree of swallowing, laryngospasm, and jaw tone were scored at each evaluation. Adverse events were recorded. Initial and second videos were evaluated by a masked observer, and still images obtained from both evaluations were evaluated for change in rima glottidis size by 2 masked observers. RESULTS: Administration of doxapram and saline was delayed with propofol (P = .001). Laryngeal function did not differ between dogs receiving propofol or methohexital, irrespective of doxapram administration. Doxapram improved breathing scores in both groups (P < .001). Jaw tone increased with propofol during the second evaluation (P = .049). Swallowing was more prevalent at initial examination (P = .020). Methohexital resulted in an increased heart rate (P < .001) compared with propofol. Twenty-five percent of dogs receiving methohexital developed seizure-like activity (n = 5/20). CONCLUSION: Evaluation of laryngeal function did not differ between healthy dogs anesthetized with propofol or methohexital. Methohexital provided shorter examination times with less jaw tone but was associated with adverse events. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides evidence to recommend propofol over methohexital as an induction agent for laryngeal function examination.