Maternal-Neonatal Pheromone/Interomone Added to Cat Litter Improves Litter Box Use and Reduces Aggression in Pair-Housed Cats

Introducing a new cat into a household with one or more resident cats can be a significant source of stress for the cats involved. These studies sought to determine if rabbit maternal-neonatal pheromone (2-methyl-2-butenal [2M2B]) in litter impacted cat social behaviors and litter box use. Study 1 determined that cats preferred to eliminate in litter containing 2M2B; other semiochemicals tested did not change litter box use. Cats prone to aggression were identified in an intermediate pilot study, and eight pairs of these cats were selected for Study 2. In Study 2, cat pairs were provided litter containing either vehicle or 2M2B for 24 hours. Cats experiencing control litter displayed more aggression during the first 6 hours (p < .01) and spent more time using the litter box 12 hours and 18 hours after pairing compared with cats experiencing litter with 2M2B (p = .02). These results suggest 2M2B-infused cat litter may act as an interomone in cats housed domestically to prevent initial occurrences of aggression and may improve cat welfare in multicat households.     

The effects of physical characteristics of the environment and feeding regime on the behavior of captive felids

The behavior of captive felids is influenced by enclosure design and management regime. The behavior of nine felid species housed in 11 enclosures was recorded using instantaneous scan sampling. Stereotypic pacing was observed in 15 out of 19 individuals. Size of enclosure did not affect pacing behavior, but edges of enclosures were found to be used specifically for pacing behavior. Cats in relatively larger enclosures had a higher level of apparent movement, but only about 50% of enclosure space was used. Raised areas such as tree branches were found to be preferred sites in enclosures, particularly for observation of surroundings. The feeding regime was found to affect stereotypic pacing levels. Cats fed on a 3 day cycle paced more on fast days than on days they were fed. Although not statistically significant, 6 out of 7 of these cats paced more in the hour after feeding, whereas the cats fed daily paced more in the hour before feeding. Further research is required to understand the relationship between feeding and stereotypic behavior. Zoo Biol 16:71–83, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Dose effect of pentobarbital sodium on control of breathing in cats

The dose effect of pentobarbital sodium on integrated ("moving time average") phrenic activity (EPHR), transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi), gastric pressure (Pga), changes in lung volume (V), and mechanical properties of the respiratory system was studied in six cats breathing room air. Increased pentobarbital dose from an initial value of 35 mg/kg ip, had no substantial effect on the relationship between EPHR and Pdi during both unoccluded and occluded inspirations, indicating that the diaphragmatic excitation-contraction coupling was not affected. Similarly, increased anesthetic dose had no effect on the relationship between EPHR and delta Pga during both occluded and unoccluded breaths, suggesting that the contribution of the diaphragm to the breathing movements did not change with increasing depth of anesthesia. Although the time course of phrenic activity showed substantial interanimal differences, the shape of the phrenic neurogram did not change substantially with increased pentobarbital dose in any of the cats studied. Increased anesthetic dose depressed, in the same proportion, the rate of rise of EPHR, Pdi, and V, but the mechanical properties of the respiratory system remained unchanged. The depression of ventilation with increased anesthetic dose was not proportional to the drop in central inspiratory activity, as quantified in terms of rate of rise of EPHR.     

Guaiphenesin-ketamine-xylazine infusion to maintain anesthesia in mules undergoing field castration

Background

In order to determine whether a combination of guaiphenesin, ketamine and xylazine can induce safe and satisfactory anaesthesia in mules undergoing field castration, eight healthy adult intact male mules were employed. They were premedicated with intravenous (IV) xylazine (1.3 mg/kg); an additional dose of xylazine (0.3 mg/kg IV) was administered in case of inadequate depth of sedation. Anaesthesia was induced with IV thiopental (6 mg/kg). The quality of sedation and induction was recorded. Anaesthesia was maintained with an infusion of guaiphenesin (50 mg/mL), ketamine (2 mg/mL) and xylazine (1 mg/mL) (GKX). The spermatic cord of each testis was infiltrated with 5 mL of 2% lidocaine. During anaesthesia heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT) and haemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO₂) were measured every 5 min. The data were analysed with simple one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Time of anesthesia, time of surgery and time of recovery were recorded.

Results

Only one mule required an additional dose of xylazine to achieve a satisfactory depth of sedation. Thiopental at the dose of 6 mg/kg IV resulted in smooth induction and lateral recumbency in all animals. GKX provided adequate anaesthesia to perform castration in all mules. Muscle relaxation was deemed adequate and physiological variables remained stable and within references values during the anaesthesia and did not change in response to surgical stimulation. Time (mean ± standard deviation) from the end of the infusion to sternal recumbency and time from sternal recumbency to standing were 27.7 ± 4.6 and 30.1 ± 7.7 min, respectively.

Conclusions

The combination of xylazine, thiopental and GKX provides satisfactory short-term anaesthesia in mules undergoing field castration.

     

The use of propofol for electroejaculation in domestic cats

The objective was to evaluate the use of propofol as an anesthetic drug for electroejaculation in the domestic cat. Cortisol concentrations, heart rates and respiratory rates of 20 male domestic cats were examined. The animals were randomly allocated into three groups. Group A (n = 8), were anesthetized with propofol (10 mg/kg) and underwent electroejaculation. Group B (n = 6), were pre-medicated with buprenorphine (0.01 mg/kg), anesthetized with propofol (5 mg/kg) and underwent electroejaculation. Group C (n = 6), the cats were anesthetized with propofol (10 mg/kg) without electroejaculation (control group). Blood samples were collected at four time points (30 min before propofol administration, immediately after the surgical plane of anesthesia was induced, immediately post-electroejaculation, and at the onset of anesthetic recovery). In the control group, the sampling time coincident with the end of electroejaculation was assigned as 21 min after the induction of anesthesia. The mean (+/- S.E.M.) duration time for electroejaculation was 18 +/- 3 min. The duration of anesthesia did not differ (P > 0.05) among the three groups of cats (26 +/- 2 min). Most of the cats (17/20) recovered smoothly. Pre-anesthetic medication with buprenorphine did not reduce the requirement of propofol for anesthesia. The cortisol concentrations, heart rates and respiratory rates of the three groups of cats did not differ (P > 0.05). A marked decline in cortisol levels was observed immediately post-electroejaculation. Propofol was a useful anesthetic for electroejaculation in felids with rapid onset, optimal duration of anesthesia for performing electroejaculation, and smooth recovery.     

Positive Impact of Nutritional Interventions on Serum Symmetric Dimethylarginine and Creatinine Concentrations in Client-Owned Geriatric Cats

A prospective study was conducted in client-owned geriatric cats to evaluate the short- term effects of a test food on serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and creatinine (Cr) concentrations. Test food contained functional lipids (fish oil), antioxidants (vitamins C and E), L-carnitine, botanicals (vegetables), highly bioavailable protein, and amino acid supplements. Cats (n = 80) were fed either test food or owner’s-choice foods (non-nutritionally controlled cohort). Cats were included based on age (≥ 9 years), indoor only, neutered, and free of chronic disease. At baseline, all cats had serum Cr concentrations within the reference interval. Renal function biomarkers and urinalysis results at baseline and after consuming test food or owner’s-choice foods for 3 and 6 months were evaluated. Cats consuming test food showed significant decreases in serum Cr and BUN concentrations across time. Overall, cats consuming owner’s-choice foods showed significant increases in serum SDMA concentrations at 3 and 6 months compared with baseline (P ≤ 0.05), whereas in cats consuming test food serum SDMA concentrations did not change. At baseline or during the 6-month feeding trial, 23 (28.8%) cats had increased serum SDMA, but normal serum Cr consistent with IRIS Stage 1 chronic kidney disease. This included 6 cats fed test food and 17 cats fed owner’s-choice foods. In the 6 cats fed test food, serum SDMA decreased in 3 cats and remained stable in 1 cat, whereas in the 17 cats fed owner’s-choice foods, serum SDMA increased in 13 cats and decreased or remained stable in 4 cats. The increase in serum SDMA concentration was significant (P = 0.02) only for cats fed owner’s-choice foods. These results suggest that nonazotemic cats with elevated serum SDMA (early renal insufficiency) when fed a food designed to promote healthy aging are more likely to demonstrate stable renal function compared with cats fed owner’s-choice foods. Cats fed owner’s-choice foods were more likely to demonstrate progressive renal insufficiency.     

三种麻醉方法在骨科动物实验中效果比较

目的比较3种麻醉方法在骨科动物实验中的效果,从而得出最佳方法。方法将80只实验动物随机分为3组,A组（速眠新II肌肉注射组）,B组（0.6%戊巴比妥钠静脉注射组）,C组（速眠新II肌肉注射＋0.6%戊巴比妥钠静脉注射联合用药组）,在骨科动物实验中分别进行麻醉、手术,比较3组的麻醉效果,观察其诱导期、麻醉期（麻醉维持时间）、苏醒期、麻醉效果、死亡率等。结果 A组麻醉的诱导期长,效果不好;B组麻醉的诱导期短,但麻醉效果不理想,死亡率高;C组麻醉的诱导期短,麻醉效果好,安全。结论 C组诱导期短,麻醉效果好,安全。无论在实验动物的伦理道德方面,还是在保证动物实验质量方面都是最佳选择。     

New volatile anesthetic,desflurane, reduces vitamin E level in blood of operative patients via oxidative stress

It has been well known that some volatile anesthetic agents produce oxidative stress. Desflurane as a new volatile agent might have limited oxidative toxic effect because it is relatively a new short‐acting anesthetic characterized by a short duration of action and a quick postanesthetic recovery. We investigated effect of desflurane on serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), lipid peroxidation (LP), vitamin E, and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) values in patients. Fifteen adult patients are scheduled for elective surgery, ASA I or II physical status. Tidal volume and ventilation frequency were kept unchanged during the operation. Baseline values in venous blood samples were preoperatively taken and blood was also taken postoperatively at the 1st and the 12th hours of desflurane exposure. LP levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher postoperatively at 1st hour than in preoperative values while α‐tocopherol concentration was significantly (p < 0.001) lower in postoperative period at 1st hour than in preoperative period. Erythrocyte SOD and serum GSH‐Px activities did not differ between pre‐ and postoperative periods. In conclusion, we observed that desflurane produced oxidative stress by decreasing α‐tocopherol levels. Use of vitamin E may be possible to reduce the oxidative effect of desflurane. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effects of prolonged ketamine-xylazine intravenous infusion on arterial blood pH, blood gases, mean arterial blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates, rectal temperature and reflexes in the rabbit

The prolonged and safe maintenance of general anesthesia in rabbits with commonly used injectable agents is difficult. Protracted, stable anesthesia with short recovery time has been described in humans using continuous intravenous infusion of ketamine with or without sedatives, muscle relaxants and paralytics. This study evaluated the anesthetic plane achieved and respiratory and cardiovascular effects produced with a ketamine-xylazine intravenous infusion in New Zealand White rabbits. Ten female rabbits were anesthetized with intramuscularly administered ketamine hydrochloride (35 mg/kg) and xylazine hydrochloride (5 mg/kg) after the preanesthetic, baseline measurements of arterial blood pO2, pCO2 and pH and heart and respiratory rates were recorded. The above parameters as well as mean arterial blood pressure, righting, palpebral, pedal, and jaw reflexes were monitored ten minutes after the intramuscularly administered dosage and throughout 4 hours of infusion. Results showed moderate hypotension (21.2% deviation from normal, p less than 0.008) and profound hypoxemia (45% deviation from baseline, p less than 0.001) 10 minutes after the intramuscularly administered induction dosage. Then, the 4 hour infusion of ketamine (1 mg/minute) and xylazine (0.1 mg/minute) was started. Hypotension progressed (49.1% deviation from normal, p less than 0.008), but hypoxemia and hypercarbemia gradually improved with no resultant change (p greater than 0.1) in arterial pH. There was no significant change (p greater than 0.1) in respiratory rate but varying qualities of respiration were observed. Both mean arterial pO2 and pCO2 values returned to baseline within 20 minutes after completion of infusion. Heart rate and rectal temperature remained stable during the trial. The righting reflex was abolished in all rabbits throughout the study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Split-skin grafting with lidocaine-prilocaine cream: A meta-analysis of efficacy and safety in geriatric versus nongeriatric patients

Although the efficacy and safety of the topical anesthetic EMLA cream (lidocaine-prilocaine) have been studied extensively in children and adults, no published studies have focused on geriatric patients (>/=65 years of age). The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of EMLA in geriatric versus nongeriatric adults. A pooled analysis was made from original data of six studies of EMLA cream for split-skin grafting. The studies selected had a sufficient number of geriatric and nongeriatric adults and a uniform, standardized pain stimulus (split-skin grafting), pain rating (visual analogue scale, verbal rating scale) and adverse event recording. A total of 182 geriatric patients (82 aged 65 to 74 years; 100 aged 75 to 96 years) and 221 nongeriatric EMLA-treated patients were evaluated. There was no difference in the efficacy of EMLA between geriatric and nongeriatric adults who underwent similar onset and duration of anesthesia. EMLA cream 1.5 g/10 cm2 applied for 2 to 5 hours had a similar anesthetic effect in both age groups. A dose of 3 g/10 cm2 gave no further benefit. In a geriatric population, EMLA cream provided effective cutaneous anesthesia for the cutting of split-skin grafts to the same extent as did infiltrated lidocaine. Adverse event frequency and severity were similar in geriatric and nongeriatric patients. Transient application site pallor, redness, and edema were the most frequent adverse events. Topical anesthesia with EMLA cream for split-skin grafting is as safe and effective in geriatric as in nongeriatric adults.     

Evaluation of sodium bisulphate and phosphoric acid as uine acidifiers for cats

Eighteen cats were used to compare the urine acidifying properties of sodium bisulphate to phosphoric acid. Acidifying agents were added at one of three concentrations (0.4, 0.6, or 0.8%, as-is basis). Cats were offered a commercial diet to determine basal urinary pH, and then again for a 1 week period between blocks 1 and 2. Cats were acclimated to the diets for 6 days, and urine samples were collected on day 7 at 0, 4, and 8 h post-feeding to obtain pre- and postprandial urinary pH. Intakes of diets containing sodium bisulphate tended (P < 0.07) to be lower than intakes of diets containing phosphoric acid. Cats consuming the 0.8% phosphoric acid diet had higher (P < 0.05) food intakes than cats consuming either the 0.4 or 0.6% phosphoric acid-containing diets. There was significant (P = 0.01) linear and quadratic response for food intake in cats consuming the sodium bisulphate-containing diet. Cats consuming the 0.4 and 0.8% phosphoric acid-containing diets tended (P = 0.07) to have higher water intakes than cats consuming the 0.6% phosphoric acid-containing diet. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in urine pH and specific gravity between cats fed the different acidifier types. Cats consuming the 0.6% phosphoric acid-containing diet tended (P = 0.07) to have a higher urine pH 8 h post-feeding than cats consuming the 0.4 and 0.8% phosphoric acid-containing diets. Urine pH was highest at 4 h post-feeding except for cats fed the 0.4% sodium bisulphate- and the 0.6% phosphoric acid-containing diets. No differences (P > 0.05) between acidifiers were found in faecal score or in faecal dry matter and organic matter concentrations. A quadratic response was detected in faecal score for cats consuming the phosphoric acid-containing diets. Cats consuming the 0.6% phosphoric acid diet tended (P = 0.06) to have a lower faecal score than cats consuming the 0.4 and 0.8% phosphoric acid diets. For faecal dry matter, a linear trend was detected in cats consuming the sodium bisulphate (P = 0.08) and phosphoric acid-containing (P = 0.04) diets. Sodium bisulphate and phosphoric acid generally behaved in a similar fashion when incorporated in dry cat diets.     

Effects of sombrevine on orientational tuning of visual cortex neurons in the cat

Changed orientational tuning (OT) in 58 visual cortex units was investigated during acute experiments on immobilized cats under light short-lasting sombrevine-induced anesthesia. A 47.6±5.6° alteration in the preferred orientation of 60% of cells occurred following sombrevine injection but no change occurred at any stage of anesthesia in the remainder. The latter group showed a preference for horizontal and vertical orientations, less pronounced in the former category. "Stable" neurons also displayed less acute tuning and more selective detection in comparison with "unstable" units. Breadth of orientational tuning consistently changed by an average of 65.2±6.7° in 55% of neurons, while tuning deteriorated in 31% and sharpened in 24% of cells. No regular change in tuning band occurred in the remainder. Background firing rate and evoked spike activity declined by 58% and 35%, respectively under anesthesia in 2/3 of the cells tested. Tuning bandwidth of unit firing rate had generally recovered within 20–40 min after administering the anesthetic (i.e., as the anesthesia wore off).Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology Research Institute. Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 21, No. 6, pp. 812–820, November–December, 1989.     

Immunogenicity of an anti-clade B feline immunodeficiency fixed-cell virus vaccine in field cats

Attempts at vaccine development for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) have been extensive, both because this is a significant health problem for cats and because FIV may be a useful vaccine model for human immunodeficiency virus. To date, only modest success, producing only short-term protection, has been achieved for vaccine trials in controlled laboratory settings. It is unclear how relevant such experiments are to prevention of natural infection. The current study used a vaccine that employs cell-associated FIV-M2 strain fixed with paraformaldehyde. Subject cats were in a private shelter where FIV was endemic, a prevalence of 29 to 58% over an 8-year observation period. Cats roamed freely from the shelter through the surrounding countryside but returned for food and shelter. After ensuring that cats were FIV negative, they were immunized using six doses of vaccine over a 16-month period and observed for 28 months after the initiation of immunization. Twenty-six cats (12 immunized and 14 nonimmunized controls) were monitored for a minimum of 22 months. Immunized cats did not experience significant adverse effects from immunization and developed both antibodies and cellular immunity to FIV, although individual responses varied greatly. At the conclusion of the study, 0 of 12 immunized cats had evidence of FIV infection, while 5 of 14 control cats were infected. Thus, the vaccine was safe and immunogenic and did not transmit infection. Furthermore, vaccinated cats did not develop FIV infection in a limited clinical trial over an extended time period. Thus, the data suggest that a fixed, FIV-infected cell vaccine has potential for preventing natural FIV infection in free-roaming cats.     

Anesthetic effects of a three-drugs mixture —comparison of administrative routes and antagonistic effects of atipamezole in mice—

The anesthetic mixture of medetomidine (MED), midazolam (MID) and butorphanol (BUT) produced anesthetic duration of around 40 minutes (min) in ICR mice. We reported that this anesthetic mixture produced almost the same anesthetic effects in both male and female BALB/c and C57BL/6J strains. Intraperitoneal (IP) administration of drugs has been widely used in mice. However, various injectable routes of the anesthetic mixture may cause different anesthetic effects. First, we examined effects of the anesthetic mixture by subcutaneous (SC) and intravenous (IV) injection compared to IP injection. After injection of the anesthetic mixture, administration of atipamezole (ATI) induced mice recovery from anesthesia. Secondly, we examined how different dosage and optimum injection timing of ATI affected mice recovery from anesthesia. We used an anesthetic score to measure anesthetic duration and a pulse oximeter to monitor vital signs under anesthesia. Usually, drugs from SC injection work more weakly than IP or IV injection. However, we found no significant differences of anesthetic duration among the three different injection routes. Antagonistic effects of ATI (0.3 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg) worked equally when administered at 30 min after injection of the anesthetic mixture. Antagonistic effects of ATI (1.5 mg/kg) were stronger than ATI (0.3 mg/kg) at 10 min after injection of the anesthetic mixture. The anesthetic mixture is a useful drug to induce nearly the same anesthetic effects by different injection routes and has an antagonist of ATI which helps mice quickly recover from anesthesia. These results may contribute to the welfare of laboratory animals.     

Dopamine-containing substantia nigra units are unresponsive to changes in plasma glucose levels induced by dietary factors, glucose infusions or insulin administration in freely moving cats

Dopamine-containing neurons in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra showed no significant change in activity during 48 hours of food deprivation in cats that were maintained on either a high carbohydrate diet or a low carbohydrate-high protein diet. Plasma glucose levels declined significantly during this time period in the high carbohydrate diet group, and increased slightly in the low carbohydrate-high protein diet group. In addition, there was no significant change in the activity of dopaminergic neurons in food deprived cats during feeding behavior, during which glucose levels were restored to normal. Intravenous infusion of glucose in freely moving cats, which elevated plasma glucose levels from 82 to 719 mg/100 ml and midbrain glucose from 4.3 to 12.2 mumoles/g, was also without effect on the activity of dopaminergic neurons. Insulin administration to cats maintained on a diet of standard cat chow and fasted for 18 hours decreased plasma and brain glucose to 32.8 mg/100 ml and 2.1 mumoles/g, respectively, but, again, there was no significant change in nigral unit activity. These data demonstrate that central dopaminergic neurons are unresponsive to fluctuations in brain and plasma glucose, and argue against a role for central dopamine systems in the regulation of feeding behavior and energy metabolism.     

An attempt to protect cats against infestation with Ctenocephalides felis felis using gut membrane antigens as a vaccine

Cats (n = 5) were vaccinated with membrane antigens extracted from the gut of unfed fleas (Ctenocephalides felis felis) together with Quil A and RIBI as adjuvants. Five unvaccinated cats were retained as controls. All the cats were infested on 6 separate occasions with fleas (46–250 per challenge). Protection was assessed from the number of fleas retrieved and the fecundity of the female fleas, measured as the number of developed oocytes contained in the reproductive tract. Cats injected with gut membrane antigens had significantly elevated levels of anti-flea antibodies in their sera, but they were neither protected significantly against infestation with fleas nor was the apparent fecundity of fleas which had fed on vaccinated cats decreased. The possible reason why gut membrane antigens failed to protect cats against fleas are discussed.     

Comparison of isoflurane and sevoflurane for anesthesia in beaver

We compared the hemodynamic and respiratory effects, recovery time, and cost of two gas inhalants (isoflurane and sevoflurane) for anesthetic induction and maintenance of beaver (Castor canadensis) during surgery to implant radio transmitters in the peritoneal cavity. Heart rate, respiratory rate, relative hemoglobin saturation with oxygen (SpO2), and body temperature were measured every 5 min for the first 45 min, and arterial blood gas was measured once, 25 min into the anesthetic procedure. Induction for either agent was smooth and rapid. Heart rate and respiratory rate both decreased during the procedure though neither was lower than baseline values reported in the literature for beaver. Relative hemoglobin saturation with oxygen, body temperature, and blood gas variables did not differ between each anesthetic regime. Both inhalants caused slight respiratory acidosis. Recovery time from anesthesia was highly variable (1-178 min) but did not differ statistically between drugs. Sevoflurane costs ($22.30/60 min) were much higher than isoflurane costs ($3.50/60 min). We recommend isoflurane or sevoflurane for anesthetic induction and maintenance of beaver because of the lack of physiologic differences.     

The inhibition by xanthine phosphodiesterase inhibitors of the induction of alkaline phosphatase activity in HeLa cells: relationship of enzyme activity to cyclic AMP concentrations.

The three xanthine derivatives, caffeine, theophylline and 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (IBMX) produced dose-dependent increases in cyclic AMP concentrations in HeLa cells after long term treatment. Only IBMX produced increases over the first 60 minutes, with a peak of approximately 5-fold control values five to 10 minutes after the addition of the drug. About four hours after the addition of either 0.67 or 1.0 mM IBMX there was a second peak in the concentration of cyclic AMP which was at least as large and usually larger than the peak observed at five to ten minutes. Neither caffeine nor theophylline increased cyclic AMP concentrations above control values until one hour after addition of the compounds, and there was no indication of a peak in the concentration at four hours. Between 24 and 72 hours, all three compounds produced elevations in cyclic AMP levels that were steadily maintained. At any given concentration, the order of potency was IBMX greater than theophylline greater than caffeine. If the xanthine derivatives were removed from the medium after 24 hours of treatment, the cyclic AMP concentrations fell to control levels within one hour. Treatment with 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IdUrd) or hydrocortisone alone did not change the levels of cyclic AMP, nor did the presence of these inducers of alkaline phosphatase activity alter the effects of the xanthine derivations on cyclic AMP concentrations. The data showed a significant correlation between the magnitude of the increase in cycli AMP concentrations over the period from 24 to 72 hours and the degree of inhibition by the xanthine derivatives of the induction of alkaline phosphatase activity.     

Behavior and Welfare of Domestic Cats Housed in Cages Larger than U.S. Norm

The effect of providing additional floor space on cat behavior and welfare is not well documented. This study involved replication of an investigation of cats’ responses to enhanced cage and room environments using cages of 0.56 m² with the same methodology but an increased space allowance of 1.1 m². Singly housed adult cats (n = 59) were randomly assigned to a treatment group that was a combination of a managed or unmanaged room and an enriched or unenriched cage environment. Cats were observed for 2 days for maintenance, affiliative, and avoidant behaviors using scan sampling and 5-min, continuous focal sampling. At the end of Day 2, cats’ reactions to the approach of an unfamiliar person were assessed. Cats housed in enriched/managed environments exhibited more maintenance and affiliative behaviors and fewer avoidant behaviors than cats in unmanaged/unenriched environments, suggesting that macro and micro environments may be equally relevant to the cat. Increased space did not enhance the cats’ welfare outcomes, suggesting that the provision of additional cage space may not be as important to the cat as a managed housing environment.     

Paraoxonase activity and concentration of indicators of lipids status in the serum of cardiac patients

In this research, we measured the activity of paraoxonase (basal and activated) enzyme, and components of lipid status components (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and Apo A I) in the serum of patients, undergoing bypass surgery. We also tested how the applied EKC affected changes of defined indicators. Measuring of all the given parameters was conducted prior to the operation, 90 minutes, 1.5 hour, 6 hours, 24 hours and 72 hours, on 29 patients (11 of them did undergo myocardium revascularization with the application of EKC, while the rest of them did not). Activity of paraoxonase (both basal and activated) changes significantly during the postoperative period, in relation to pre-operative values, p < 0.05. Total cholesterol concentration is reduced in both examined groups, regardless of the application of EKC. This trend is also accompanied by LDL cholesterol concentration. On the other hand, HDL cholesterol concentration during post-operative period does not indicate any significant statistical change in relation to pre-operative values, while we noticed difference with regard to EKC application, 90 minutes after surgery. This change of lipid status indicator is partly due to heparin, a stimulator of lipoprotein lipase that was applied during the surgery. Our conclusion is that lipid profile changes significantly after the bypass surgery, mostly regardless of the application of EKC.