The Anthroposophic Artistic Movement Assessment for Eurythmy Therapy (AART-ASSESS-EuMove). A validation study.

OBJECTIVE: Eurythmy Therapy (ET) is a mindfulness oriented therapy developed in the context of anthroposophic medicine. Despite commonly used in practice, it remains unclear whether active participation (Inner Correspondence) during ET can be observed in eurythmy gestures (EGest). So far, no validated peer-report instrument to evaluate EGest exists. METHOD: To validate an 83-item ET peer-report scale, a nested study on a sample of n = 82 breast cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue was conducted. EGest were evaluated twice, at baseline and at 10-week follow-up, by peer-reports from two separate therapists. Interrater-reliability (IRR) was estimated by Cohen's weighted kappa (κw) across all items. Additionally, reliability-(RA) and principal component analyses (PCA) were conducted. Patients completed two self-report scales: Satisfaction with ET (SET) and Inner Correspondence with the Movement Therapy (ICPH). RESULTS: IRR was greater than or equal (κw ≥ 0.25) for 41 items (49.3%) with a mean weighted kappa of κ̅w = 0.40 (SD = 0.17, range = 0.25-0.85). RA resulted in the exclusion of 25 items with insufficient item-total correlations < 0.40. A PCA with 16 items revealed 3 subscales: 1. Mindfulness in Movement (8 items), 2. Motor Skills (5 items), 3. Walking Pattern (3items) explaining 63.86% of total variance. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was high for the sum score with α = 0.89 and for the subscales with α = 0.88, 0.86 and 0.84 respectively. Significant small to moderate subscale correlations were found ranging from r = 0.29-0.63 (all p < 0.01). Mindfulness in Movement correlated with Inner Correspondence (r = 0.32) and with Satisfaction with ET (r = - 0.25, both p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The new AART-ASSESS-EuMove is the first consistent and reliable peer-report instrument to evaluate EGest. It shows associations between peer-reported Mindful Movement and patients' self-reported ICPH and SET.

[The anesthesiological questionnaire for patients in the outpatient context : Investigations on patient state of health after outpatient operations using the anesthesiological questionnaire for patients]. / Der Anästhesiologische Nachbefragungsbogen für Patienten im ambulanten Kontext : Untersuchungen zum Patientenbefinden nach ambulanten Operationen mithilfe des Anästhesiologischen Nachbefragungsbogen für Patienten.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of German postanesthesia questionnaires is often restricted to inpatient medical care. The anesthesiological questionnaire for patients (ANP) has previously been validated only after medical care of inpatients. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the validity of the ANP in the context of outpatient surgery and anesthesia. METHODS: Data from 4547 patients (mean age 18-89 years, sex: m/f, 55%/45%), scheduled for ambulatory orthopedic and trauma surgery, were analyzed. All patients received a standard induction of anesthesia with propofol, sufentanil and 4 mg dexamethasone. Maintenance of anesthesia was achieved with a balanced technique comprising volatile anesthesia (either sevoflurane or desflurane) and sufentanil. In addition, patients undergoing operations on the anterior cruciate ligament received a femoral nerve block with 12-15 ml 0.5% ropivacaine. Of the patients 13% remained in hospital overnight as a result of complex operations (combined anterior and posterior cruciate ligament repair, hip arthroscopy and 10% of those undergoing shoulder operations). Before discharge from the recovery room, patients were asked to answer questions with respect to postoperative symptoms 1h after anesthesia (ESNA 19 items), at the time of interview (ABZ 17 items) and about overall patient satisfaction (10 items). These results were matched with the type of procedure and time data from the patient administration system. All data were analyzed descriptively using parametrical tests. RESULTS: At both time points, pain in the area of the operation was the predominant symptom (ESNA: 77,1%; ABZ: 74,3%). Pain after shoulder arthroscopy was more severe compared to knee arthroscopy, both with and without repair of the anterior cruciate ligament. Most of the adverse symptoms decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.001) with time, demonstrating progressive recovery of the patient. Patient discomfort was more likely to occur in female than in male patients, and female patients were more likely to be dissatisfied with the progress of recovery. The risk of experiencing adverse symptoms after anesthesia was higher for female than for male patients; this was most apparent for feeling cold (odds ratio, OR 4.08) and nausea and vomiting (OR 3.45). Younger patients (18-40 years) were more likely to express discomfort than both groups of older patients (41-60 years and 61-89 years). Accordingly, younger patients had lower satisfaction levels with respect to both anesthesia and overall perioperative care, and the progress of recovery. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were linked to younger age, female sex, and longer procedure times (>40 min). CONCLUSION: The individual analyses delivered plausible results, which support the validity of the ANP. The ANP may also be used for assessment of postoperative discomfort and patient satisfaction in the setting of outpatient surgery. In view of the short time interval between the two measurement points, the ANP for outpatients could in future be reduced to a single postoperative questionnaire.

Linking forage choice behavior of goats with the metabolome of contrasting silages.

The interrelationships between silage preference of ruminants and compounds that may affect forage choice are not yet fully enlightened. Analysis of the forage metabolome in addition to conventional chemical analysis and preference trials can provide new insights. Six silage treatments each of alfalfa (AL) and red clover (RC), with different dry matter concentrations (222-391 g/kg), silage additives, and intended addition of soil, were produced in quadruplicate to obtain a range of qualities. After 120 d of ensiling, silages were sampled for chemical analysis, vacuum-packed, and refrigerated for subsequent preference trials with goats. Within 21 d, each possible combination of 2 silages and an AL hay that served as control (n = 21) was presented to goats (Saanen-type wethers, n = 8, body weight 105 ± 2.7 kg) for 3 h for ad libitum intake. Comparisons among means for 3-h dry matter intake (DMI) for forages offered in choice situations were made using variance analysis, including terms for treatment and animal and the Waller-Duncan k-ratio t-test to separate means. The most preferred and avoided treatments of AL and RC silage amounted to 863, 858, 226, and 282 g DMI/3 h, respectively. To further explore relations between silage composition and preference, a metabolome analysis of the most preferred and most avoided AL and RC treatments were conducted. Metabolites (all low molecular weight molecules) were analyzed by a nontargeted metabolite profiling in the range of 50-1,700 Da. Metabolites showing the most distinct difference between preferred and avoided silages were identified by partial least squares discriminant analysis. In the 2 selected treatments of each plant species (those that were most different in forage preference), more than 6,400 compounds were detected and 2,010 were identified. Between preferred and avoided treatments, 934 of the detected compounds differed in RC and 1,860 in AL, of which 475 were altered in both plant species (251 were reduced and 186 were increased; only 38 behaved contrarily, meaning that they were increased in one substrate and decreased in the other). The database provides a useful foundation for the approach of explaining silage preference by ruminants.

The dichotomous function of interleukin-9 in cancer diseases.

The pleiotropic function of the cytokine IL-9 is so far described in many inflammation processes and autoimmune diseases. But its role in cancer immunology is rather diverse as it can have a pro-tumorigenic function as well as anti-tumorigenic characteristics. In various disease models of cancer, this cytokine is involved in different signaling pathways triggering the expression of proteins involved in cell growth, migration, and transformation or repressing cells from the adaptive immune system to reject tumor growth. Additionally, there are even therapeutic approaches for IL-9 in cancer development. This review will give an overview of the various roles of IL-9 in different immune organs and cells and provide an insight in the current state of research in the IL-9-dependent cancer area.

Does the range of motion in the bovine interphalangeal joints change with flooring condition? A pilot study using biplane high-speed fluoroscopic kinematography.

This study had 2 objectives. The first objective was to investigate motion patterns and the range of motion of the bovine proximal and distal interphalangeal joints on concrete during the stance phase. The second objective was to determine whether the range of motion and the locomotive stability of the interphalangeal joints differ on concrete and 3 different commercially available rubber mats (Karera, Kura, and Pedikura; Kraiburg Elastik GmbH & Co. KG, Tittmoning, Germany). Biplane high-speed fluoroscopic kinematography (72 ± 2.5 kV and 112.5 ± 12.5 mA, refresh rate 500 frames per second, shutter 0.5 ms) was applied to record 1 stance phase of the right forelimb of 2 Holstein Friesian heifers (15 mo old, 440 ± 10 kg; ± standard deviation) on each flooring. Three-dimensional digital animations were generated with a marker-supported manual animation technique based on the recordings and computer tomographic bone models. The mean maximum range of motion of each of the 4 interphalangeal joints in terms of flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, and internal/external rotation were calculated as well as the mean number of local extrema as a measure of stability during the stance phase. The main degree of freedom in all interphalangeal joints was flexion and extension with a range of motion of 17.7 to 25.9°. The second largest degree of freedom differed between abduction/adduction (7.7-10.0°) and internal/external rotation (6.5-9.6°) depending on the joint. Remarkably, although smaller, these extrasagittal directions still contribute to the overall motion to a considerable degree. In addition, the interphalangeal joints of the lateral digit showed a tendency to move less during the stance phase than their medial counterparts. Comparing concrete to the rubber mats, the interphalangeal joints tend to have to cover a larger range of motion on concrete with the exception of the distal interphalangeal joint in terms of flexion/extension. The unyielding surface of concrete seems to force the flexible parts of the animal-ground-interaction into extended motion. Furthermore, there tends to be more instability in all 3 degrees of freedom in all 4 joints on concrete, implying a greater effort of the soft tissues to achieve a balanced motion. Detailed biomechanical research contributes to the development of adequate flooring systems by evaluating the mechanical strain on claws and joints and working toward lameness prevention and thus animal welfare.

Effect of condensed tannins in rations of lactating dairy cows on production variables and nitrogen use efficiency.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplemented condensed tannins (CT) from the bark of the Black Wattle tree (Acacia mearnsii) on production variables and N use efficiency in high yielding dairy cows. A feeding trial with 96 lactating German Holstein cows was conducted for a total of 169 days, divided into four periods. The animals were allotted to two groups (control (CON) and experimental (EXP) group) according to milk yield in previous lactation, days in milk (98), number of lactations and BW. The trial started and finished with a period (period 1 and 4) where both groups received the same ration (total-mixed ration based on grass and maize silage, ensiled sugar beet pulp, lucerne hay, mineral premix and concentrate, calculated for 37 kg energy-corrected milk). In between, the ration of EXP cows was supplemented with 1% (CT1, period 2) and 3% of dry matter (DM) (CT3, period 3) of a commercial A. mearnsii extract (containing 0.203 g CT/g DM) which was mixed into the concentrate. In period 3, samples of urine and faeces were collected from 10 cows of each group and analyzed to estimate N excretion. Except for a tendency for a reduced milk urea concentration with CT1, there was no difference between groups in period 2 (CON v. CT1; P>0.05). The CT3 significantly reduced (P<0.05) milk protein yield, the apparent N efficiency (kg milk N/k feed N) and milk urea concentration; but total milk yield and energy-corrected milk yield were not affected by treatment. Furthermore, as estimated from 10 cows per group and using urinary K as a marker to estimate the daily amount of urine voided, CT3 caused a minor shift of N compounds from urine to faeces, as urea-N in urine was reduced, whereas the N concentration in faeces increased. As an improvement in productivity was not achieved and N use efficiency was decreased by adding the CT product it can be concluded that under current circumstances the use in high yielding dairy cows is not advantageous.

Experimental Arthritis in the Rat Induced by the Superantigen Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A.

The pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is incompletely understood. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) and their superantigenic envelope protein (env) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of RA. In the present investigation, the arthritogenic potential of the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) has been investigated. In the present investigation, the bacterial superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) was injected into the right knee joint of 15 Lewis rats. Further nine animals received saline. Animals were sacrificed one, five and 10 days after the injection, respectively. The antigens CD3, CD4, CD8, MHC class I, MHC class II, Pax5 and CD138 were investigated by immunohistochemistry on cryo-sections. After intra-articular SEA injection, the inflammation was initially dominated by CD8+ T cells. In the course of the investigation, the numbers of CD4+, Pax5+, CD138+ and MHC class II+ cells increased. CD3 was expressed in low numbers as compared to CD8. After saline injection, no similar inflammatory response has been detected. The arthritis induced by the superantigen SEA may be a novel model for inflammatory joint diseases, that is rheumatoid arthritis or juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Computed Tomography of the Normal Bovine Tarsus.

The objective of this study was to provide a detailed multiplanar computed tomographic (CT) anatomic reference for the bovine tarsus. The tarsal regions from twelve healthy adult cow cadavers were scanned in both soft and bone windows via a 16-slice multidetector CT scanner. Tarsi were frozen at -20o C and sectioned to 10-mm-thick slices in transverse, dorsal and sagittal planes respecting the imaging protocol. The frozen sections were cleaned and then photographed. Anatomic structures were identified, labelled and compared with the corresponding CT images. The sagittal plane was indispensable for evaluation of bone contours, the dorsal plane was valuable in examination of the collateral ligaments, and both were beneficial for assessment of the tarsal joint articulations. CT images allowed excellent delineation between the cortex and medulla of bones, and the trabecular structure was clearly depicted. The tarsal soft tissues showed variable shades of grey, and the synovial fluid was the lowest attenuated structure. This study provided full assessment of the clinically relevant anatomic structures of the bovine tarsal joint. This technique may be of value when results from other diagnostic imaging techniques are indecisive. Images presented in this study should serve as a basic CT reference and assist in the interpretation of various bovine tarsal pathology.

Short communication: Telomere lengths in different tissues of dairy cows during early and late lactation.

Telomeres create a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes that shorten with cell division and are influenced by stressful conditions. With the onset of lactation, high-yielding dairy cows are exposed to metabolic stress. In the present study, we aimed to analyze telomere length (TL) in key metabolic organs, such as liver, subcutaneous (sc) adipose tissue (AT), and mammary gland, as well as in peripheral blood cells during early and late lactation in German Holstein cows (n=21). Animals were fed according to their requirement, and biopsies from scAT, liver, and mammary gland as well as blood cells were collected in early and late lactation. The relative quantity of telomere products (qT), which is proportional to the average TL, was determined in genomic DNA by multiplex quantitative PCR. In this study, relative qT varied widely in the investigated tissues and blood. In late lactation, slowly proliferating tissues, such as liver and scAT, had the highest qT, whereas peripheral blood cells and in the mammary gland had the lowest qT. Comparing early with late lactation, relative qT attrition was limited to blood and mammary gland. Relationships between relative qT in blood, mammary gland, scAT, and liver suggest that blood qT might serve as a surrogate marker for tissue-specific qT. Cows with high initial qT in tissues and blood in early lactation had greater qT attrition during the course of lactation than cows with lower qT. The determination of qT could be included when phenotyping dairy cattle to test for associations with performance and fitness traits.

Mitochondrial DNA copy number and biogenesis in different tissues of early- and late-lactating dairy cows.

Energy balance in dairy cows changes during the course of lactation due to alterations in voluntary feed intake and energy required for milk synthesis. To adapt to the demands of lactation, energy metabolism needs to be regulated and coordinated in key organs such as adipose tissue (AT), liver, and mammary gland. Mitochondria are the main sites of energy production in mammalian cells and their number varies depending on age, organ, and physiological condition. The copy number of the mitochondrial genome, the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), reflects the abundance of mitochondria within a cell and is regulated by transcriptional and translational factors. Environmental, physiological, and energetic conditions change during lactation and we thus hypothesized that these changes may influence the mtDNA copy number and the abundance of genes regulating mitochondrial biogenesis. Therefore, we aimed to provide an overview of mitochondrial biogenesis in liver, subcutaneous (sc)AT, mammary gland, and peripheral blood cells during early and late lactation in dairy cows. German Holstein cows (n=21) were fed according to their requirements, and biopsies from scAT, liver, mammary gland, and blood were collected in early and late lactation and assayed for relative mtDNA copy numbers and the mRNA abundance of genes regulating mitochondrial biogenesis, such as nuclear-respiratory factor 1 and 2 (NRF-1, NRF-2), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α). The number of mtDNA copies increased from early to late lactation in all tissues, whereas that in peripheral blood cells was greater in early compared with late lactation. Moreover, mitochondrial activity enzymes (i.e., citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase) increased from early to late lactation in scAT. Comparing the number of mtDNA copies between tissues and blood in dairy cows, the highest mtDNA content was observed in liver. The mRNA abundance of genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis changed in a tissue-specific manner when comparing early versus late lactation. The mtDNA copy number was associated with transcriptional factors only in AT, suggesting nontranscriptional regulation of mtDNA in the other tissues. We detected strong correlations between peripheral blood mtDNA and tissue mtDNA content in early lactation. Peripheral blood forms an appropriate medium to display the cellular content of mtDNA copy numbers and consequently the cellular energy status of tissues during early lactation.

Quantitative evaluation of bone scintigraphy of the spinous processes of the equine thoracic spine at different times after administering 99mTc-hydroxymethylene-diphosphonate.

Scintigraphic examination of the thoracic spine is well documented. However, there is limited information about the effects of time on image quality in the period following injection of radionuclide. This study aimed to determine the optimal time point after injection of (99m)Tc-HDP (hydroxymethylene-diphosphonate) to achieve scintigraphic images with the best possible contrast and adequate count rates. Scintigraphic images of the thoracic spine of 21 horses were acquired two, four and six hours after administering (99m)Tc-HDP. Eight regions of interest were drawn in the images, four in the spinous processes and four in the adjacent soft tissue. The bone uptake, soft tissue uptake and the bone-to-soft tissue ratio were determined and compared between the different time points. Total count rates decreased with time after injection, but were at least as high as 150,000 counts per image at every time point after injection. The bone-to-soft tissue ratio was significantly higher for the images acquired after six hours compared to those acquired after two and four hours (P<0.01). Delayed scintigraphic examinations of the spinous processes of the equine thoracic spine achieved images with high contrast and sufficient count rates. Therefore, the scintigraphic examination of the equine thoracic spine is recommended to be done four to six hours after injecting (99m)Tc-HDP. However, additional studies should be performed to determine the effect of delayed image acquisition compared to images taken after three hours on the detectability of lesions in other parts of the thoracic spine and the soft tissue.

Morphometrical analysis of the thoracolumbar dural sac in sheep using computed assisted myelography.

OBJECTIVES: Sheep are frequently used as animal models in experimental spinal injury studies. Therefore, extensive knowledge of ovine spinal dimensions is essential for experimental design and interpretation of results obtained in these trials. This study aimed to obtain quantitative morphometrical data of the thoracolumbar dural sac in sheep and determine the anatomical relationship between the dural sac and the vertebral canal. METHODS: Computed assisted myelography imaging was carried out in five adult German Black-Headed Mutton sheep under general anaesthesia. Transverse images were acquired with 2 mm slice thickness from the first thoracic to the sixth lumbar vertebrae. Sagittal and transverse diameters and the cross-sectional area of the dural sac and vertebral canal were measured. To determine the anatomical relationship between the dural sac and vertebral canal, the pedicle-dural sac distance (PPSD) and the epidural space as well as the SAC (available space for the dural sac) were calculated. RESULTS: Sagittal diameters of the dural sac ranged from 5.1 to 12.0 mm. Transverse diameters ranged from 5.6 to 12.2 mm. The dural sac area covered 45.9% and 49.0% of the thoracic and lumbar vertebral canal area. The PDSD in the lumbar vertebrae was up to 15.8% larger than in the thoracic ones. The dural sac area was significantly positively correlated with the transverse diameter and area of the vertebral canal. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The lumbar vertebral canal contained more space for the dural sac, which seems to be safer for testing spinal implants.

Parapagus conjoined twin calf: a case study - focused on CT and cardiac abnormalities.

Congenital duplication anomalies occasionally occur in both humans and animals. Although various forms of classification of these conjoined twins exist, each case should be considered as an individual. In the case study presented a Holstein Frisian calf, born alive after 281 days of normal gravidity was investigated by computed tomography (CT) and subsequent dissection. The calf could be classified as a parapagus dicephalus tetrabrachius. It exhibited two heads each of them with a complete cervical spine leading to a complete thoracic and lumbar spine and separate tails. Looking at the point of fusion, the twin was conjoined in the ventrolateral thoracic part of the body. The calf had two thoraces with four forelimbs and two pelvic limbs on a single pelvis. As two heads and thoraces were present, beginning at the oral cavity, two intestinal systems were observable leading to a fusion point at the ascending part of the duodenum been continued caudally as a single system. Within each thorax, two lungs and a heart were present. However, only the heart in the left thorax was normal shape, exhibiting a strong myocardium and increased size. In contrast, the heart within the right thorax was considerably smaller, round shaped, and it appeared to be spongy and not fully developed during the foetal period. Commonly, classification of conjoined twins is only based on the appearance of the skeletal system. However, in the case presented, the point of fusion of the skeletal system did not allow conclusions regarding the intestinal or cardiovascular system.

Normal radiographic and ultrasonographic appearance of the adult dromedary camel tarsus (one humped camel).

Six cadaver pelvic limbs were obtained from clinically sound dromedary camels and examined radiographically and ultrasonographically using a 7.5 MHz convex transducer. Radiographic examination was performed in dorsoplantar, lateromedial, dorsolateral-plantaromedial oblique and plantarolateral-dorsomedial oblique projections, and the bony structures and articulations of the tarsal joint were outlined. The tarsus was ultrasonographically investigated in four planes (dorsal, medial, lateral and plantar), and each plane was scrutinized in four levels (calcaneal tuber, tibial malleoli, base of calcaneus and proximal end of metatarsus) in both transverse and longitudinal views. Limbs were examined grossly, frozen at -20°C and sectioned. Radiographic and ultrasonographic findings correlated well with the gross anatomy and frozen sections. The normal appearance of bony and soft structures of the tarsus described in this study provided basic reference data for ultrasonographic and radiographic investigations of tarsal disorders in the dromedary camel.

Computed tomography and cross-sectional anatomy of the normal dromedary camel tarsus (one humped camel).

The purpose of this study was to provide a detailed computed tomographic (CT) anatomic reference for the dromedary camel tarsus. Six cadaver pelvic limbs, obtained from three clinically and radiographically sound dromedary camels, were scanned in both soft tissue and bone windows starting from the calcaneal tuber towards the proximal metatarsus. Limbs were frozen at -20°C and sectioned transversely via an electric bone saw. The CT images were evaluated and correlated with their corresponding cryosections. The resulting images provided detailed anatomic features for bones, joints and soft tissue components of the tarsus and are intended to serve as a basic reference for the CT scanning of the dromedary camel tarsal pathology.

Influence of head and neck position on radiographic measurement of intervertebral distances between thoracic dorsal spinous processes in clinically sound horses.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Reductions in distances between dorsal spinous processes on radiographs are used as criteria for the diagnosis of impingement of the thoracic dorsal spinous processes in horses but are potentially altered by spine motion and different head and neck positions. OBJECTIVES: To determine the influence of head and neck positions on intervertebral distances between dorsal spinous processes on radiographs of thoracic spines of clinically sound horses. METHODS: Lateral-lateral radiographs were obtained from 23 horses in 3 head and neck positions. The width of the thoracic dorsal spinous processes and intervertebral distances between adjacent thoracic dorsal spinous processes were measured at points perpendicular to a tangent between the dorsal spinous processes and the caudal extremity of the thoracic vertebrae. RESULTS: A low head and neck position increased intervertebral distances between adjacent thoracic dorsal spinous processes from the 8th to 15th dorsal spinous processes whereas a high head and neck position had the opposite effect (P < 0.05). Overall, intervertebral distances between adjacent thoracic dorsal spinous processes decreased from cranial to caudal in intermediate head and neck positions (P < 0.01). The 12th thoracic dorsal spinous process was readily identifiable due to its significant difference to the narrower cranial and broader caudal dorsal spinous process (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The head and neck position influences the distances between the dorsal spinous processes of the vertebrae of equine thoracic spine on radiography. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The measuring system reported here offers potential to improve and standardise radiographic evaluation of thoracic dorsal spinous processes.

Effects of limited concentrate feeding on growth and blood and serum variables, and on nutrient digestibility and gene expression of hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes in dairy calves.

This study elucidated the effects of limited concentrate feeding on growth, nutrient digestibility, blood profile and gene expression of gluconeogenic enzymes in the liver of dairy calves. The study utilized 36 German Holstein dairy calves (5-7 days of age) divided into two groups of 18 calves each for 150 days. Control group calves received 2 kg/(calf × day) of concentrate, whereas calves in the restricted group received only 1 kg/(calf × day). Good quality forage (mixture of maize and grass silages) was available for ad libitum consumption to both groups. The intake of milk replacer before weaning, and of concentrate were recorded daily per calf; however, the consumption of forages was quantified as daily average of the group. Body weights (BW) were recorded at start and on days 35, 70, 112 and 150. Blood and serum samples and spot urinary and faecal samples were also collected at similar time points. On days 70 and 150, liver biopsies were collected from seven animals in each group. The BW was not different between the groups at all times. Total BW gain in the control group was 124 kg as opposed to 111 kg in restricted group that led to average BW gain of 827 g/day and 739 g/day in respective groups, and the differences were significant (p = 0.018). As planned, the control group had higher concentrate and lower forage intake than the restricted group. The blood haemoglobin, haematocrit and serum variables (glucose, total protein, albumin and urea) were within the normal range in both groups, but serum glucose was higher (p < 0.05) in control than in restricted group at 70 days. There was no difference between groups in organic matter (OM) digestibility which declined (p < 0.001) with increasing age in both groups. Microbial crude protein (MCP) synthesis estimated from urinary allantoin excretion increased (p < 0.001) in both groups with increasing age but was not different between groups. The mRNA expressions for the gluconeogenic enzymes, cytosolic and mitochondrial phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32) and pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1) measured by quantitative real-time PCR in liver biopsies showed no differences between groups. Overall, restricting concentrate moderately reduced the growth intensity without affecting the normal serum and blood indices, and MCP synthesis and OM digestibility showed no differences between groups, indicating that both concentrate feeding schemes can be successfully applied.

Magnetic resonance imaging and cross-sectional anatomy of the normal bovine tarsus.

The aim of the study was to describe the anatomy of the bovine tarsus using magnetic resonance imaging in a low-field scanner. T1-weighted transverse and sagittal images of five isolated hindlimbs were evaluated using a 0.5 Tesla magnet and a knee coil. The MR images were compared to corresponding frozen sections of cadaver limbs. Anatomical structures were labelled at each level. The resulting images provided excellent detail of the bovine tarsus. This study should serve as a basic reference for orthopaedic problems related to the tarsus in cattle.

T-cell subsets of the encephalitis induced by the superantigen Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A (SEA) in the Lewis rat: an immunohistochemical investigation.

In the present investigation, T-cell subsets of the previously described superantigen-induced encephalitis [9] have been investigated in 16 Lewis rats in comparison with four controls. Three days after intracerebral injection of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A (SEA) or saline, 1.5 x 10(7) ConA-activated splenocytes were loaded i.v. animals were sacrificed after 0.5, 3 or 5 days, followed by immunohistochemical investigation of CD3, CD4 and CD8. Pronounced perivascular cuffing was identified 0.5 days after splenocyte injection and declined thereafter. The majority of the perivascular round cells consisted of CD8+ T-cells (65%) and CD4+ T-cells (10%). Less than 20% of the perivascular round cells were CD3+. The reduced expression of CD3 relative to e.g. CD8 is presumably due to the previous superantigenic stimulus. The presented data may be of relevance for the pathogenesis of infectious or autoimmune encephalitis, e.g. in multiple sclerosis.

Cerebral gene expression of superantigen encephalitis in the lewis rat induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin a.

Superantigens were suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of different autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS). Previously, it was demonstrated that local expression of the superantigen, staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) in the brain of rats may lead to encephalitis which was amplified by using intravenous injection of concanavalin A (ConA)-activated splenocytes. In the present investigation, gene expression was studied in the rat brain 8 days after an injection of 50 mul of 1 mg/ml SEA or saline and 5 days after an intravenous injection of 1 x 10(7) ConA-activated spleen cells. Of 8800 genes investigated (Affymetrix, rat genome U34A), the expression of 106 genes was significantly and at least threefold increased with SEA, while the expression of 29 genes was decreased at least threefold. Increased gene expression was compatible with an intracerebral inflammatory response mediated by antigen-presenting cells and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Elevated chemokines comprised RANTES (CCL5), osteopontin, MCP-1 (CCL2) and CXCL10. Further, genes with increased expression were assigned to the extracellular matrix, microglia/macrophage cell elements, astrocytes (GFAP) and phagocytosis. There was considerable conformity between previously reported gene expression profiles for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) or MS and the present findings. Our data are in line with the concept that T-cell superantigen locally expressed in the central nervous system induces an inflammatory response. Therefore, the study of gene expression profiles does not seem to allow clear conclusions with respect to the aetiology of central nervous system autoimmune diseases.