Alterations in serum amino acid concentrations in dogs with protein-losing enteropathy

BackgroundCertain amino acids are decreased in humans with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and supplementation with the same amino acids has shown beneficial effects in animal models of IBD. Currently, the amino acid status of dogs with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is unknown.Hypothesis/objectiveTo determine if serum amino acid concentrations are abnormal in dogs with PLE and correlated with clinical and laboratory variables and outcome.AnimalsThirty client-owned dogs diagnosed with PLE and 12 apparently healthy dogs seen at Bristol Veterinary School.MethodsRetrospective study using stored residual serum from fasted dogs with PLE, collected at the time of diagnostic investigation and from apparently healthy dogs. Serum was analyzed for 30 amino acids using an automated high-performance liquid chromatography amino acid analyzer.ResultsSerum tryptophan concentrations were significantly decreased in dogs with PLE (median, 22 nmol/mL; range, 1-80 nmol/mL) compared with apparently healthy control dogs (median, 77.5 nmol/mL; range, 42-135 nmol/mL, P < .001). There were no significant differences in the remaining 29 serum amino acids between dogs with PLE and apparently healthy. Serum tryptophan concentrations were also significantly correlated with serum albumin concentrations in dogs with PLE (P = .001, R2 = 0.506).Conclusions and clinical importanceDecreased serum tryptophan concentration might play a role in the pathogenesis of canine PLE or be a consequence of the disease

Population-level prokaryotic community structures associated with ferromanganese nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (Pacific Ocean) revealed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing

Although deep-sea ferromanganese nodules are a potential resource for exploitation, their formation mechanisms remain unclear. Several nodule-associated prokaryotic species have been identified by amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and are assumed to contribute to nodule formation. However, the recent development of amplicon sequence variant (ASV)-level monitoring revealed that closely related prokaryotic populations within an operational taxonomic unit often exhibit distinct ecological properties. Thus, conventional species-level monitoring might have overlooked nodule-specific populations when distinct populations of the same species were present in surrounding environments. Herein, we examined the prokaryotic community diversity of nodules and surrounding environments at the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in Japanese licensed areas by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing with ASV-level resolution for three cruises from 2017 to 2019. Prokaryotic community composition and diversity were distinct by habitat type: nodule, nodule-surface mud, sediment, bottom water and water column. Most ASVs (~80%) were habitat-specific. We identified 178 nodule-associated ASVs and 41 ASVs associated with nodule-surface mud via linear discriminant effect size analysis. Moreover, several ASVs, such as members of SAR324 and Woeseia, were highly specific to nodules. These nodule-specific ASVs are promising targets for future investigation of the nodule formation process

ANALYSIS RELATING TO CORPORA LUTEA AND TWO CONTINUOUS ADMINISTRATIONS OF PMSG IN BEEF CATTLE

One hundred and eight beef cattle were divided into 2 groups of 54 cattle each. The 1st group was administered 2,000 IU of pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) for the first treatment, and the same dose of PMSG was applied for the second treatment 54-257 days later. The 2nd group of 54 cattle received 1,600-2,500 IU of PMSG for the first treatment and a dose increase ranging from 100 to 1,0000 IU for the second treatment 36-206 days later. Both groups received the PMSG on Days 9-14 (estrus as Day 0), and 2 days after the administration of PMSG, 25 mg of prostaglandin F_2α was injected intramuscularly. Two days after the prostaglandin F_2α treatment, estrus detection was performed and the cattle were inseminated artificially. The animals were operated at midline under general anaesthesia at 5-7 days after estrus, and a number of corpora lutea were observed in situ. In the 54 cattle of the 1st group, the average number of corpora lutea was 15.6 after the first PMSG treatment, and 11.3 after the second. In the 2nd group, 13 cattle received a dose increase of 100-400 IU of PMSG for the second treatment, which resulted in the average number of 12.0 corpora lutea after the first PMSG treatment, and 8.3 after the second. Furthermore, 31 cattle received a dose increase of 500-750 IU of PMSG for the second treatment, resulting in an average number of 6.6 corpora lutea after the first treatment, and 8.5 after the second. Finally, 10 cattle received a dose increase of 1,000 IU of PMSG for the second treatment, which resulted in an average number of 6.5 corpora lutea after the first treatment, and 10.7 after the second

CHROMOSOME STUDIES ON HETEROSEXUAL TWINS IN CATTLE : II SIGNIFICANCE OF SEX-CHROMOSOME CHIMERISM (XX/XY) IN EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF FREEMARTIN

Chromosome analysis was carried out on 6 pairs of heterosexual twin cattle and also 5 normal cows from non-freemartin heterosexual twins. Culture of leukocytes from blood and colchicine treatment of bone marrow cells were used. The results may be summarzied as follows : 1) Sex-chromosome chimerism (XX/XY) was detected in all cases of 6 pairs of the freemartin and its male co-twin. The statistical analyses between XX/XY ratios in freemartins and their co-twins, and also the ratios in leukocytes and bone marrow cells showed no significant differences (P<0.05). 2) In all cases of 5 normal cows from the non-freemartin heterosexual twins as controls, no sex-chromosome chimerism was observed. Thus, it is hoped to be able to use chromosome analysis with leukocyte culture as an accurate early diagnostic method for freemartins. 3) It seems reasonable to think that the male calf co-twined with a freemartin may be cytologically distinguished from single born or homosexual twin males, because the former was of sex-chromosome chimerism. 4) Basic mechanisms of bovine freemartinism were discussed from the viewpoint of chromosomal cytology

THE CORRELATION BETWEEN THE NUMBERS OF LIVING BACTERIA AND THE MONTHS ELAPSED SINCE MANUFACTURE IN POWDERED MILK I. : STUDIES ON SPRAY-DRIED SKIM MILK POWDER

In order to know how the numbers of living bacteria in spray-dried skim milk powder change as the months after manufacture go on, the bacterial counts were calculated in 26 samples of home manufacture (Table 1), which differed in months elapsed since manufacture at the first inspection and were kept in room temperature for 18 months being respectively sampled at random for calculation of the numbers of bacteria every 3 months, 7 times in all, and the changes in bacterial counts were analysed statistically (Table 2 and Figure 1). The results show that there is a negative correlation between the mean values in logarithmic transformation of bacterial counts and the months elapsed since manufacture of the groups of samples, and the regression equation between the two mentioned above is Y^^^=3.859-0.036X (Figure 1). It can be seen that the regression coefficient in each equation is not stable and that there is no relation between the regression coefficients and the months elapsed since manufacture. As all these results are derived from the field materials, it will be necessary to undertake a desk-work designed statistically to supply the deficiency in this field-work

THE CORRELATION BETWEEN THE NUMBERS OF LIVING BACTERIA AND THE MONTHS ELAPSED SINCE MANUFACTURE IN POWDERED MILK II. : STUDIES ON SPRAY-DRIED MODIFIED MILK POWDER

In order to know how the number of living bacteria in spray-dried modified milk powder changes with the lapse of time after manufacture, a series of observations of the bacterial count in milk powder preserved till 1 year after manufacture was designed. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. The bacterial counts were calculated in 18 samples originated from 3 cans with the same lot number. In advance all the milk powder of 3 cans was aseptically well mixed and redivided into many small bags; then these bags were kept at room temperature. The number of living bacteria in each of bags selected at random was counted at two week intervals from 14th to 52nd week after manufacture. The result of this observation shows that there is a negative correlation between the logarithmic survival rates of living bacteria and the weeks elapsed after storage. When the test period was divided into 3 groups, A (0&acd;10th week after storage), B (8&acd;30th) and C (28&acd;38th), the coefficients and regression equations for each group were obtained as follows : A group γ=-0.837,Y=2.021-0.042X B group γ=-0.151,Y=1.612-0.002X C group γ=-0.995,Y=3.355-0.059X From these equations, it was shown that the survival rate of living bacteria in modified milk powder tends to decrease remarkably in the first group A, slightly only in B group and rapidly again in C group (Fig. 1)

Quantitative Expression of the Burial Phenomenon of Deep Seafloor Manganese Nodules

Manganese (polymetallic) nodules on the deep seafloor in the open ocean have attracted great interest because of their economic potential. Visual data on nodules found on the deep seafloor such as photographs and videos have increased exponentially with the recent progress of related technologies. These data are expected to reflect useful information for estimating these mineral resources, as well as understanding their geological origin. Although the size, number, and coverage of manganese nodules have been measured in seafloor images, the burial of such nodules has not been sufficiently examined. This paper focuses on mathematical expression of the burial of the manganese nodules and attempts to quantitatively elucidate relations among burial degree and nodule geological parameters. The results, that is, a dataset obtained by calculations of relations among parameters, are also utilized for considerations of quantitative expression of burial. These considerations are expected to contribute to a better understanding of the geological origin of manganese nodules