We prepared a polymorphic form of valnemulin hydrogen tartrate (Form I) to overcome the instability and irritating odor of valnemulin hydrochloride that affect its use in the production and application of veterinary drugs. The physicochemical properties of Form I were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed the crystal structure and thermal properties of Form I were very different from those of a commercially available form of valnemulin hydrogen tartrate (Form II). Form I and Form II were more stable than valnemulin hydrochloride after storage under irradiation and high humidity conditions, respectively. The solubility of Form I was 2.6 times that of Form II, and Form I was selected for use in pharmaceutical kinetics experiments in vivo. Compared to valnemulin hydrochloride, after oral administration at a dose of 10 mg/kg in pigs, Form I had similar pharmaceutical kinetic behavior but a slightly higher area under the concentration–time curve from time zero to the last measurable concentration. Consequently, Form I should be suitable for the development of simple formulations and be effective in the clinical application of veterinary drugs.
Administration, Oral ; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Humidity ; Hydrogen ; Kinetics ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Odors ; Pharmacokinetics ; Powder Diffraction ; Solubility ; Spectrum Analysis ; Swine ; Veterinary Drugs

Eggs exhibiting eggshell apex abnormalities (EAA) were evaluated for changes in shell characteristics such as strength, thickness, and ultrastructure. Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) infection was confirmed by serological assay along with isolation of MS from the trachea and oviduct. Changes in eggshell quality were shown to be statistically significant (p < 0.01). We also identified ultrastructural changes in the mammillary knob layer by Scanning Electron Microscopy. While eggs may seem to be structurally sound, ultrastructural evaluation showed that affected eggs do not regain their former quality. In our knowledge, this is the first report describing the occurrence of EAA in Korea.
Animals ; Chickens ; Egg Shell/microbiology/*ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning/veterinary ; Mycoplasma Infections/microbiology/*veterinary ; Mycoplasma synoviae/*physiology ; Poultry Diseases/*microbiology ; Republic of Korea

The rumen parasite, Gastrothylax crumenifer (Platyhelminthes: Gastrothylacidae), is a highly pathogenic trematode parasite of goat (Capra hircus). It sucks blood that causes acute disease like anemia, and severe economic losses occur due to morbidity and mortality of the ruminant infected by these worms. The study of these rumen paramphistomes, their infection, and public health importance remains unclear in India especially in the western part of state Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), Meerut, India, where the goat meat consumption is very high. This paper provides the molecular characterization of G. crumenifer recovered from the rumen of Capra hircus from Meerut, U.P., India by the partial sequence of 28S rDNA. Nucleotide sequence similarity searching on BLAST of 28S rDNA from parasites showed the highest identity with those of G. crumenifer from the same host Capra hircus. This is the first report of molecular identification of G. crumenifer from this part of India.
Animals ; Cluster Analysis ; DNA, Helminth/chemistry/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry/genetics ; Goat Diseases/*parasitology ; Goats ; India ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Platyhelminths/*classification/genetics/*isolation & purification/ultrastructure ; RNA, Ribosomal, 28S/genetics ; Rumen/parasitology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Trematode Infections/parasitology/*veterinary

In humans, skin barrier dysfunction is thought to be responsible for enhanced penetration of allergens. Similar to conditions seen in humans, canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is characterized by derangement of corneocytes and disorganization of intercellular lipids in the stratum corenum (SC) with decreased ceramide levels. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a moisturizer containing ceramide on dogs with CAD. Dogs (n = 20, 3~8 years old) with mild to moderate clinical signs were recruited and applied a moisturizer containing ceramide for 4 weeks. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, pruritus index for canine atopic dermatitis (PICAD) scores, and canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (CADESI) scores of all dogs were evaluated. Skin samples from five dogs were also examined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using ruthenium tetroxide. TEWL, PICAD, and CADESI values decreased (p < 0.05) and skin hydration increased dramatically over time (p < 0.05). Electron micrographs showed that the skin barrier of all five dogs was partially restored (p < 0.05). In conclusion, these results demonstrated that moisturizer containing ceramide was effective for treating skin barrier dysfunction and CAD symptoms.
Animals ; Ceramides/*therapeutic use ; Cholesterol/*therapeutic use ; Dermatitis, Atopic/complications/drug therapy/physiopathology/*veterinary ; Dog Diseases/*drug therapy/etiology/physiopathology ; Dogs ; Emollients/*therapeutic use ; Epidermis/drug effects/physiopathology/ultrastructure ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/veterinary ; Pruritus/drug therapy/etiology/physiopathology/veterinary ; Republic of Korea ; Ruthenium Compounds/chemistry ; Water Loss, Insensible/drug effects

E-cadherin is a cell adhesion molecule that plays an important role in maintaining renal epithelial polarity and integrity. The purpose of this study was to determine the exact cellular localization of E-cadherin in pig kidney. Kidney tissues from pigs were processed for light and electron microscopy immunocytochemistry, and immunoblot analysis. E-cadhedrin bands of the same size were detected by immunoblot of samples from rat and pig kidneys. In pig kidney, strong E-cadherin expression was observed in the basolateral plasma membrane of the tubular epithelial cells. E-cadherin immunolabeling was not detected in glomeruli or blood vessels of pig kidney. Double-labeling results demonstrated that E-cadherin was expressed in the calbindin D28k-positive distal convoluted tubule and H(+)-ATPase-positive collecting duct, but not in the aquaporin 1-positive, N-cadherin-positive proximal tubule. In contrast to rat, E-cadherin immunoreactivity was not expressed at detectable levels in the Tamm-Horsfall protein-positive thick ascending limb of pig kidney. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed that E-cadherin was localized in both the lateral membranes and basal infoldings of the collecting duct. These results suggest that E-cadherin may be a critical adhesion molecule in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct cells of pig kidney.
Animals ; Blotting, Western/veterinary ; Cadherins/*genetics/metabolism ; Cell Membrane/*metabolism/ultrastructure ; *Gene Expression Regulation ; Kidney/*metabolism ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/veterinary ; Sus scrofa/*genetics/metabolism

This study describes the neuropathologic features of normal canine brain ablated with non-thermal irreversible electroporation (N-TIRE). The parietal cerebral cortices of four dogs were treated with N-TIRE using a dose-escalation protocol with an additional dog receiving sham treatment. Animals were allowed to recover following N-TIRE ablation and the effects of treatment were monitored with clinical and magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Brains were subjected to histopathologic and ultrastructural assessment along with Bcl-2, caspase-3, and caspase-9 immunohistochemical staining following sacrifice 72 h post-treatment. Adverse clinical effects of N-TIRE were only observed in the dog treated at the upper energy tier. MRI and neuropathologic examinations indicated that N-TIRE ablation resulted in focal regions of severe cytoarchitectural and blood-brain-barrier disruption. Lesion size correlated to the intensity of the applied electrical field. N-TIRE-induced lesions were characterized by parenchymal necrosis and hemorrhage; however, large blood vessels were preserved. A transition zone containing parenchymal edema, perivascular inflammatory cuffs, and reactive gliosis was interspersed between the necrotic focus and normal neuropil. Apoptotic labeling indices were not different between the N-TIRE-treated and control brains. This study identified N-TIRE pulse parameters that can be used to safely create circumscribed foci of brain necrosis while selectively preserving major vascular structures.
Animals ; Brain/metabolism/*pathology/surgery/ultrastructure ; Caspase 3/metabolism ; Caspase 9/metabolism ; Dogs ; Electroporation/veterinary ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Necrosis/metabolism/pathology ; Neurosurgical Procedures/*adverse effects

In the present study, we evaluated the histological morphology of the adult Paramphistomum (P.) gracile. Adult flukes with bodies 5~15 mm in length and 2~7 mm in width were subjected to histological analysis. Longitudinal and transversal serial-sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and examined. The body surface and longitudinal section of P. gracile were also assessed using scanning electron microscopy. In this species, the anterior sucker and posterior sucker (acetabulum) were present on an anterior and posterior part of the body, respectively. The major folds were located in the areas of the anterior sucker, genital canal, and posterior sucker. The fluke membrane was spineless at the tegument surface and in the tegument tissue. Histological data showed structural-systematic characteristics of the digestive tract, reproductive tract, excretory tract, copulatory organs, connective tissues, and muscle tissues. We attempted to elucidate the histological characteristics of P. gracile that might increase the knowledge and understanding of rumen fluke morphology.
Animals ; Cattle ; Cattle Diseases/*parasitology/pathology ; Female ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning/veterinary ; Rumen/parasitology ; Stomach Diseases/parasitology/pathology/*veterinary ; Thailand ; Trematoda/*anatomy & histology/isolation & purification/ultrastructure ; Trematode Infections/parasitology/pathology/*veterinary

OBJECTIVETo study nematode parasites morphology of Hystrix javanica (H. javanica), both through the feces and internal organs.

METHODSFeces were observed by direct smear method, internal organs were observed after dissecting the host. Specimens for light microscopy examination were fixed with 70% warm alcohol, cleared and mounted in lactophenol for wet mounting. Specimens for SEM examination were postfixed in cacodylate buffer and glutaraldehyde, dehydrated through a graded series of alcohol and freeze dried. The specimens were attached to stubs with double cello-tape, coated with gold and observed with a JSM5310 LV electron microscope. Figures were made with the aid of a drawing tube attached to Olympus compound microscope, other figures were photographs of scanning electron microscope images. Measurements were given in micrometers as the mean followed by the range in parentheses, unless otherwise stated.

RESULTSThe nematode species found in the intestine of H. javanica are Gireterakis girardi and a new species, Trihuris landak. The new species differs with previously reported species from Hystrix because of having stylet and short cervical alae. The pattern of bacillary band is closed to Trichuris trichiurus, the species that infect human, but differs because the surface of its vulva is not covered with densely spine.

CONCLUSIONSThe species of nematodes found on H. javanica were Gireterakis girardi and a new species Trichuris landak n.sp. Those two species are newly recorded in Indonesia.

Animals ; Ascaridida ; growth & development ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Ascaridida Infections ; parasitology ; veterinary ; Feces ; parasitology ; Female ; Indonesia ; Intestines ; parasitology ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; veterinary ; Ovum ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Porcupines ; parasitology ; Species Specificity ; Trichuriasis ; parasitology ; veterinary ; Trichuris ; anatomy & histology ; classification ; isolation & purification ; physiology

The objective of this study was to characterize acrosomal ultrastructure following discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation of cryopreserved bovine sperm. Semen was collected from six bulls of different breeds and three ejaculates per bull were evaluated. Frozen semen samples were thawed and the acrosomal region of sperm cells was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) before (n = 18) and after (n = 18) Percoll centrifugation. The evaluation of 20 sperm heads from each of the 36 samples analyzed ensured that a large number of cells were investigated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance at a level of significance of 5%. Percoll centrifugation reduced the percentage of sperm exhibiting normal acrosomes (from 61.77 to 30.24%), reduced the percentage of sperm presenting atypical acrosome reactions (from 28.38 to 4.84%) and increased the percentage of sperm exhibiting damage in the acrosome (from 6.14 to 64.26%). The percentage of sperm with typical acrosome reactions was not significantly different before (3.70%) and after (0.67%) centrifugation. TEM distinguished four different types of acrosomal status and enabled ultrastructural characterization of acrosomal injuries. The percentage of sperm exhibiting normal acrosomes decreased and damage in the acrosome was the most frequent acrosomal injury with the Percoll gradient centrifugation protocol utilized.
Acrosome/*pathology/ultrastructure ; Animals ; Cattle/*physiology ; Cell Membrane/*pathology/ultrastructure ; Cell Separation/veterinary ; Centrifugation, Density Gradient/veterinary ; Cryopreservation/veterinary ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/veterinary ; Povidone/*adverse effects ; Silicon Dioxide/*adverse effects ; Spermatozoa/pathology/ultrastructure

In this study, apoptosis was induced by new type gosling viral enteritis virus (NGVEV) in experimentally infected goslings is reported in detail for the first time. After 3-day-old goslings were orally inoculated with a NGVEV-CN strain suspension, the time course of NGVEV effects on apoptotic morphological changes of the internal tissues was evaluated. These changes were observed by histological analysis with light microscopy and ultrastructural analysis with transmission electron microscopy. DNA fragmentation was assessed with a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay and DNA ladder analysis. A series of characteristic apoptotic morphological changes including chromatin condensation and margination, cytoplasmic shrinkage, plasma membrane blebbing, and formation of apoptotic bodies were noted. Apoptosis was readily observed in the lymphoid and gastrointestinal organs, and sporadically occurred in other organs after 3 days post-infection (PI). The presence and quantity of TUNEL-positive cells increased with infection time until 9 days PI. DNA extracted from the NGVEV-infected gosling cells displayed characteristic 180~200 bp ladders. Apoptotic cells were ubiquitously distributed, especially among lymphocytes, macrophages, monocytes, and epithelial and intestinal cells. Necrosis was subsequently detected during the late NGVEV-infection phase, which was characterized by cell swelling, plasma membrane collapse, and rapidly lysis. Our results suggested that apoptosis may play an important role in the pathogenesis of NGVE disease.
*Adenoviridae/classification/pathogenicity ; Adenoviridae Infections/pathology/*veterinary/virology ; Animals ; *Anseriformes ; *Apoptosis ; Bird Diseases/*virology ; DNA Fragmentation ; Enteritis/*veterinary/virology ; Epithelial Cells/cytology/virology ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Intestines/cytology/virology ; Leukocytes/cytology/virology ; Lymphoid Tissue/cytology/virology ; Macrophages ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission