Efficacy of polymers from spontaneous carotenoid oxidation in reducing necrotic enteritis in broilers.

This study evaluated the preventive effect of the spontaneous oxidation of ß-carotene (OxC-beta) in broiler chickens with necrotic enteritis by Clostridium perfringens taking into consideration various parameters including clinical signs, body weight, intestinal lesion severity, and bacterial enumeration. The mean body weight of the OxC-beta treatment groups increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared to that of the C. perfringens challenge group. Intestinal lesion scores due to C. perfringens infection were significantly alleviated by OxC-beta treatment (P < 0.05), and the number of clostridial bacteria in intestine was reduced by OxC-beta in a dose-dependent manner. OxC-beta in feed contributes to the prevention of necrotic enteritis in commercial broiler chicken, and has a positive effect in improving productivity.

Sequence variations of the locus-specific 5' untranslated regions of SLA class I genes and the development of a comprehensive genomic DNA-based high-resolution typing method for SLA-2.

The genetic diversity of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules of pigs has not been well characterized. Therefore, the influence of MHC genetic diversity on the immune-related traits of pigs, including disease resistance and other MHC-dependent traits, is not well understood. Here, we attempted to develop an efficient method for systemic analysis of the polymorphisms in the epitope-binding region of swine leukocyte antigens (SLA) class I genes. We performed a comparative analysis of the last 92 bp of the 5' untranslated region (UTR) to the beginning of exon 4 of six SLA classical class I-related genes, SLA-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, and -9, from 36 different sequences. Based on this information, we developed a genomic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing-based comprehensive typing method for SLA-2. We successfully typed SLA-2 from 400 pigs and 8 cell lines, consisting of 9 different pig breeds, and identified 49 SLA-2 alleles, including 31 previously reported alleles and 18 new alleles. We observed differences in the composition of SLA-2 alleles among different breeds. Our method can be used to study other SLA class I loci and to deepen our knowledge of MHC class I genes in pigs.

Effect of bovine follicular fluid on reactive oxygen species and glutathione in oocytes, apoptosis and apoptosis-related gene expression of in vitro-produced blastocysts.

The reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during the in vitro maturation of oocytes affect oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development. Bovine follicular fluid (bFF) has an effective antioxidant capacity. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementing oocyte maturation media with bFF from different size classes (3-8 and 9-13 mm) on the glutathione (GSH) and ROS levels of oocytes. Embryonic development and apoptosis, as well as the relative abundance of INFτ, BAX, BCL2 and HSP70 transcripts in blastocysts, were also monitored. Oocytes collected from ovaries were matured in TCM-199 with FBS (control) and 10% 3-8 mm (M), 9-13 mm (L) or a mixture of 3-8 mm and 9-13 mm (M + L) bFF. Glutathione and ROS levels in oocytes after 24 h were assessed by Cell Tracker Blue CMF2HC and DCHFDA staining, respectively. Apoptosis in day-8 blastocysts was assessed by TUNEL staining. The relative abundance of BAX, BCL2, HSP70 and INFτ transcripts was assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The GSH level was significantly higher in the L group compared to the other groups (p < 0.05), while the ROS levels in the M group were significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05). The apoptosis levels of blastocysts in the FBS group were significantly higher than those in the M + L group (p < 0.05), although the embryonic development did not differ between the groups. The HSP70 and INFτ expression levels in group M were significantly greater than in the controls (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in BAX expression between the groups. Supplementation with bFF from various sizes of follicles into the maturation medium was capable of supporting oocyte cytoplasmic maturation by decreasing the ROS. Moreover, bFF subsequently affected antioxidative gene expression, increasing HSP70 and INFτ expressions.

Arthroscopically assisted percutaneous fixation for trans-scaphoid perilunate fracture dislocation.

Trans-scaphoid perilunate fracture dislocation is a complex carpal dislocation causing marked disruption of the carpal structures. Open treatment has been accepted as standard for this injury. We have used arthroscopically assisted percutaneous screw fixation and bone grafting to treat this injury in four patients. The functional outcome was good. All patients achieved solid union without nonunion or malunion. The complication and morbidity was relatively low; all patients had proper alignment and there was no evidence of instability or avascular necrosis or midcarpal arthritis.

A randomized trial of crystalloid versus colloid solution for prevention of hypotension during spinal or low-dose combined spinal-epidural anesthesia for elective cesarean delivery.

BACKGROUND: Spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery is commonly associated with hypotension and nausea and vomiting, and preload with crystalloid or colloid solution is widely recommended. Low-dose spinal via the combined spinal-epidural technique appears to cause less hypotension and nausea and vomiting. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the combined use of colloid preload and combined spinal-epidural technique might further reduce the rates of these symptoms. METHODS: Women undergoing elective cesarean delivery were randomly allocated to one of four groups (50 in each) to receive crystalloid preload before spinal anesthesia, colloid preload before spinal anesthesia, crystalloid preload before combined spinal-epidural anesthesia, and colloid preload before combined spinal-epidural anesthesia. The incidences of hypotension and nausea and vomiting were compared. Spinal anesthesia was performed with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine 9 mg and fentanyl 20 microg, and combined spinal-epidural anesthesia with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine 6 mg + fentanyl 20 microg followed by epidural injection of 0.25% bupivacaine 10 mL. RESULTS: The frequencies of hypotension were 44%, 18%, 24%, and 20% in crystalloid preload-spinal anesthesia, colloid preload-spinal anesthesia, crystalloid preload-combined spinal epidural anesthesia, and colloid preload-combined spinal epidural anesthesia groups, respectively. The frequencies of nausea and vomiting were 20%, 2%, 8%, and 4% in respective groups. CONCLUSION: Colloid preload and low-dose spinal anesthesia alone or in combination lowered the incidences of hypotension and nausea. However, the combination of two methods failed to demonstrate further decreases in the incidence of the symptoms compared to the colloid-spinal anesthesia or crystalloid-combined spinal-epidural anesthesia groups.

Effects of low-intensity ultrasound (LIUS) stimulation on human cartilage explants.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of low-intensity ultrasound (LIUS) stimulation on the anabolic state of human cartilage from patients with osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Explant cultures of human OA cartilage were stimulated for 10 min every day for 7 consecutive days using continuous-wave sonication at a frequency of 1 MHz with spatial and temporal average intensities of 0 (control), 40, 200, 500, or 700 mW/cm2. The effects of LIUS on cell proliferation were evaluated by 3H-thymidine incorporation. Proteoglycan synthesis was evaluated by the incorporation of 35S-sulfate and by Safaranin O staining. Collagen synthesis was evaluated by 3H-proline incorporation and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: At an intensity of 200 mW/cm2, LIUS treatment induced the expression of collagen type II and proteoglycan measured by the incorporation of radioactivity and specific staining of the cartilage explants. However, the expression decreased again at the higher intensities of 500 or 700 mW/cm2. Ultrasound had no stimulatory effect on cell proliferation at any intensity. CONCLUSION: LIUS has anabolic effects on human cartilage in explant cultures, indicating a potentially important method for the repair of osteoarthritic cartilage.

Cloning of rat lymphocyte activation gene-3 (Lag3; CD223) cDNA and its mRNA expression in rat tissues.

Rat lymphocyte activation gene-3 (Lag3; CD223) cDNA contains an open reading frame (1575 bp) encoding 525 amino acids. Rat Lag3 mRNA transcript was detected as a single species of approximately 2 kb from phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated lymphocytes. Further analysis revealed that rat Lag3 mRNA was mainly expressed in lymphoid tissues.