Relationship between blood parameters and biometric indices of Sparus aurata and Dicentrarcus labrax cultured in onshore tanks

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible correlation between biometric indices (length and weight) and some blood parameters in 225 Gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) and 225 European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) cultured in onshore tanks with the same physical–chemical conditions of water (temperature, soluble oxygen and salinity). From each fish, blood samples were collected to evaluate Red Blood Cell Count, Haematocrit, Haemoglobin Concentration, White Blood Cell Count, Thrombocyte Count, Mean Corpuscular Volume, Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration, glucose, lactate and Total Proteins. In both species, the relationship between the biometric indices and blood parameters was evaluated using linear regression analysis that showed a statistically significant correlation between the biometric indices and seven of the studied parameters. These results showed that fish size is an important factor in the interpretation of haematological and biochemical profiles in order to evaluate correctly the health status of the fish.     

Sulfate influx on band 3 protein of equine erythrocyte membrane (Equus caballus) using different experimental temperatures and buffer solutions

The aim of this study was to assess the anion transport in equine erythrocytes through the measurement of the sulfate uptake operating from band 3 using different experimental temperatures and buffer solutions. Blood samples of six clinically healthy horses were collected via jugular vein puncture, and an emochrome‐citometric examination was performed. The blood was divided into four aliquots and by centrifugation and aspiration the plasma and buffy coat were carefully discarded. The red blood cells were washed with an isosmotic medium and centrifuged. The obtained cell suspensions were incubated with two different experimental buffer solutions (buffer A: 115 mM Na2SO4, 10 mM NaCl, 20 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 30 mM glucose; and buffer B: 115 mM Na2SO4, 10 mM NaCl, 20 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 30 mM MgCl2) in a water bath for 1 h at 25 °C and 37 °C. Normal erythrocytes, suspended at 3% hematocrit, were used to measure the influx by absorption spectrophotometry at 425 nm wavelength. Unpaired Student's t‐test showed a statistically significant decrease (P < 0.01) of rate constants in equine erythrocytes at 25 °C versus 37 °C using both experimental buffer solutions. Comparing the buffer A with buffer B unpaired Student's t‐test showed statistically lower values (P < 0.0001) for A solution versus B solution both at 25 °C and at 37 °C. The greater inhibition of SO₄⁼ influx measured in equine erythrocytes indicates the increased formation of the sulfydryl bonds in band 3 and the modulation of the sulfydryl groups, culminating in the conformational changes in band 3. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of dexamethasone on human synovial fibroblast-like cells, from osteoarthritic joints, in culture.

The effect of Dexamethasone (DEX) on cell division and macromolecular synthesis was investigated in a line (McCoy cells, A 9) of synovial fibroblast-like cells derived from human osteoarthritic joints. DEX markedly reduced the proliferation of McCoy cells in a time and dose-dependent manner. The maximal inhibition (45%) was found at 500 nM DEX 24 h after incubation and was accompanied by the appearance of giant macrophage-like cells. After DEX treatment cells showed increased content of DNA, proteins and RNA together with the reduction of [3H]-thymidine incorporation into the TCA-precipitable fraction.     

Characterization of acute phase proteins and oxidative stress response to road transportation in the dog

Haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cells (WBC), reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), the antioxidant barrier (Oxy-adsorbent) and thiol groups of plasma compounds (SHp) were measured in ten dogs that had been transported a distance of about 230 km within 2 h (experimental group) and in ten dogs that had not been subjected to road transportation (control group). Blood was collected via cephalic venipuncture before road transportation (T0), after road transportation (T1), and more than 6 (T6) and 24 (T24) hours after road transportation in the experimental group (Group A) and at the same time points in the control group (Group B). The GLM (general linear model) Repeated Measures procedure showed a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.0001) and a significant rise (P<0.0001) in the concentrations of Hp, SAA, CRP, WBC, ROMs, Oxy-adsorbent and SHp after road transportation in Group A, underlining that physiological and homeostatic mechanisms are modified differently at various sampling times.     

Seasonal variations in daily rhythms of activity in athletic horses

Circadian rhythms reflect extensive programming of biological activity that meets and exploits the challenges and opportunities offered by the periodic nature of the environment. In the present investigation, we recorded the total activity of athletic horses kept at four different times of the year (vernal equinox, summer solstice, autumn equinox and winter solstice), to evaluate the presence of seasonal variations of daily activity rhythms. Athletic Thoroughbred horses were kept in individual boxes with paddock. Digitally integrated measure of total activity of each mare was continuously recorded by actigraphy-based data loggers. Horse total activities were not evenly distributed over the day, but they were mainly diurnal during the year. Daily activity rhythms showed clear seasonal variations, with the highest daily amount of activity during the vernal equinox and the lowest during the winter solstice. Interestingly, the amount of activity during either photophase or scotophase changed significantly throughout the year. Circadian analysis of horse activities showed that the acrophase, the estimated time at which the peak of the rhythm occurs, did not change during the year, it always occurred in the middle of the photoperiod. Analysing the time structure of long-term and continuously measured activity and feeding could be a useful method to critically evaluate athletic horse management systems in which spontaneous locomotor activity and feeding are severely limited. Circadian rhythms are present in several elements of sensory motor and psychomotor functions and these would be taken into consideration to plan the training schedules and competitions in athletic horses.     

Features of the daily rhythms of blood melatonin and glucose in goats during different natural photoperiod

The scope of the present study was to explore the features of the daily rhythms of plasma melatonin and blood glucose in goats during different natural photoperiod imposed by the four seasons. Five Sarda breed pluriparus female goats, 2 years old, with a mean body weight 40.5 ± 2.3 kg, lead to a natural pasture, were cannulated the day before the start of the study for sample collection performed during spring and autumn equinoxes, and winter and summer solstices for a 48-h period. On blood samples, melatonin and glucose concentrations were assessed. Our results indicate a daily rhythm of both parameters studied which characteristics were influenced by the different photoperiod due to season. During the experimental period, the two parameters showed a negative correlation, despite the onset of melatonin concentration was linked to the sunset, whereas the onset and offset of glucose were not linked to the photoperiod. In conclusion, we can claim that the two parameters are driven by different entrainable systems, but further studies are necessary to establish their correlation.     

Daily rhythms of activity in horses housed in different stabling conditions

Total locomotor activity was studied in 10 Thoroughbreds housed under a natural 12/12 light/dark cycle. Five horses were housed in individual boxes, and five were housed in individual boxes with a paddock. In order to record locomotor activity, on each horse was placed an Actiwatch-Mini® (Cambridge Neurotechnology Ltd, UK), actigraphy-based data loggers that record a digitally integrated measure of motor activity. Locomotor activity in the different experimental conditions was evaluated by visual inspection. Average amount of activity (bout of activity/hour) during light and dark phase and cosine Peak (time of peak activity) were calculate using Actiwatch Activity Analysis 5.06. Student's t-test was used to determine significant differences. The results from this study underline the influence of stabling conditions on activity rhythms in horses; furthermore, we clearly established that in horses, the activity rhythm reaches its peak in the middle of the day.     

Body size and the daily rhythm of body temperature in dogs

Practically every physiological variable exhibits daily rhythmicity. The daily rhythm of body temperature, like that of many other variables, is often weak in newborns and gains strength as the animals grow. Because of the natural association between physiological maturation and gain in body size, these two processes are naturally confounded. To differentiate between the effects of maturation and the effects of body growth, we took advantage of the large variation in body size that exists among different breeds of the domestic dog. We compared the body temperature rhythms of developing puppies of different dog breeds. Puppies of none of the breeds exhibited statistically significant daily rhythmicity for several days after birth. Regardless of breed or sex, rhythmicity matured over several weeks and attained a stable level by 6 weeks after birth. Body size did not seem to be an important element in the development of rhythmicity because the development was similar in three breeds that differed greatly in body size (Basset Hound, Boxer, and Neapolitan Mastiff). On the other hand, the difference in body size associated with the different breeds had a strong impact on the absolute level of body temperature regardless of age: we found a strong inverse correlation between temperature and body size among the puppies and dams of the three breeds and among 115 adult dogs from 19 different breeds ranging from 2-kg Yorkshire Terriers to 80-kg Great Danes.     

Aminoacid profile and oxidative status in children affected by Down syndrome before and after supplementary nutritional treatment

Down syndrome is the most common autosomal aberration among liveborns, characterised by several clinical features and metabolic disturbances. Aminoacid pathways abnormalities and defective oxidative balance are the most common metabolic problems in Down Syndrome. To evaluate the biochemical responses of children with Down Syndrome to a nutritional regimen supplemented with aminoacids, vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids, we submitted 86 subjects divided in two groups (0-6 and 6-12 years) to the dosage of plasma levels of aminoacids, antioxidant enzymes activities and reactive oxygen species, before and after 12 months of such nutritional supplementation and in relation to normal controls. The results obtained showed a tendency towards the values of normal subjects with statistically significant differences. Although other studies must be performed to confirm and define such report, our experience supports the usefulness of a nutritional supplementation with aminoacids, vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids, also considering the absence of side effects.     

Feeble weekly rhythmicity in hematological, cardiovascular, and thermal parameters in the horse

The homeostatic control of physiological processes is affected by a variety of temporal programs, such as circadian rhythms, estrous cycles, and circannual rhythms. The existence of circaseptan rhythms (endogenous rhythms with the duration of a week) has been postulated but not properly verified. In this study, we compared plasma concentration of lactic acid, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and rectal temperature in athletic horses (maintained under a weekly training schedule) with those in sedentary horses (maintained under a constant schedule throughout the week). Although exercise had robust acute effects on the measured parameters, measurements conducted early in the morning or in the evening showed significant weekly rhythmicity only in one of the parameters (plasma concentration of lactic acid) in a few animals. This rhythmicity was feeble, was present only in athletic horses, and vanished if rigorous statistical criteria were applied. In contrast, 24 h rhythmicity was significant in all parameters in all horses. We conclude that the overall 7-day pattern in physiological parameters of the horse is feeble and is caused by the weekly schedule of activity. The available evidence does not support the notion of endogenous, circaseptan rhythms.