We investigated the biochemical composition of blood from Holstein cows, native breed (criollas), and cows descended from fighting bulls (Vacas de lidia) raised at an altitude of 3,000 m (moderately high altitude, MHA), and compared the results with those from Holsteins and cows of similar genetic ancestry as the criollas (scrub cows), both raised at sea level (SL), to determine blood biochemical values characteristic of adaptation to high altitude. Only potassium and calcium concentrations were similar among groups. Glucose concentration was lower in MHA cows, with the exception of Vacas de lidia. Serum bicarbonate concentration was lower in MHA cows; this finding can be explained by hyperventilation in the hypoxic environment. Serum magnesium concentration was lower in SL and MHA Holsteins than in other groups. Serum phosphate concentration was lower in scrub cows, MHA Holsteins, and criollas than in other groups. Cholesterol concentrations were lower in SL Holsteins, whereas triglycerides were higher in scrub cows and MHA Vacas de lidia. Concentration of high-density lipoprotein was significantly greater in Vacas de lidia and less in MHA criollas than in the other groups. Uric acid and total protein were higher in MHA groups. Using radioimmunoassay for human proteins, thyroxine-binding globulin was undetectable. Total and free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine were higher in scrub cows, followed by Vacas de lidia; lower values were detected in SL and MHA Holsteins and MHA criollas.

In this study, trends in the sales of antimicrobials for use in livestock facilities and fisheries from 2003 to 2012 were investigated with regard to antimicrobial group, antimicrobial usage, and animal species. The overall amount of antimicrobials sold each year from 2003 to 2007 was 1,500 tons, after which they decreased, with the lowest sales being 936 tons in 2012. The total volume of antimicrobials used for feed additives decreased markedly by 94% from 2003 to 2012, which was mainly attributed to banning of feed additives. However, antimicrobial consumption through self prescription by farmers for disease prevention and treatment increased by 25% from 2003 to 2012. The largest volume of antimicrobials sold was for use in pigs (48~57%), followed by poultry (18~24%), fisheries (11~25%), and cattle (5~8%). Tetracycline was the highest selling antimicrobial, followed by penicillins and sulfonamides, although the overall sale of all three antimicrobials gradually decreased over the study period. This study demonstrated that the total consumption of antimicrobials has gradually decreased since 2008. Nevertheless, usage by nonprofessionals increased, which can ultimately cause emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Thus, early establishment of veterinary prescription guidelines for prudent use of antimicrobials is urgently needed in Korea.

Photodynamic agents, due to their selective uptake by tumor cells and photon-dependent selective activation, have immense implications for cancer treatment. The present study provided direct evidence that the photon activation of chloro-aluminum phthalocyanine sulphonate (AlPcS4) in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ caused a rapid increase followed by a sustained increase in intracellular concentration of calcium ion ([Ca2+]i) in a small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cell line, SBC-3. The [Ca2+]i increase by photodynamic stimulation was completely inhibited by the removal of extracellular Ca2+ and reintroduction of extracellular Ca2+ immediately led to a rapid elevation of [Ca2+]i. However, the increase was not inhibited by application of Ni2+, nifedipine, or SKandF 96365, a receptor-mediated and voltage-dependent Ca2+ entry blocker. The photosensitizer AlPcS4 alone or light alone (4 min) had no effect on [Ca2+]i. Cytotoxicity examination by trypan blue exclusion test, however, suggested photodynamic stimulation-induced cell injury which was observed in both the presence and the absence of extracellular Ca2+. These results indicate that [Ca2+]i increase may not be mandatory for photodynamic stimulation-induced cell injury. Whether [Ca2+]i increase can accelerate, at least in part, cell death under the physiological condition, whether the mechanism(s) of cell death can be different in the presence and the absence of extracellular Ca2+, and whether [Ca2+]i increase can be totally unrelated to cell death await further work

The proteolytic activities present in midguts of both fed and unfed Haemaphysalis longicornis were assessed by using the gelatin-substrate gel electrophoresis and inhibitor sensitivity analyses. Three predominant (116, 48 and 40 kDa) and two weak (55 and 60 kDa) proteinase bands were commonly expressed in both unfed and fed ticks, while a weak 80 kDa band was only present in fed ticks. Consistent with observations on other tick species, proteolytic activity against the gelatin substrate was observed only under acidic conditions. Inhibition studies against the gelatin substrate using a panel of inhibitors showed that the predominant proteolytic enzymes of 40 and 48 kDa molecular mass are cysteine proteinases. These results are discussed in the context of host vaccination as an alternative tick control method to the current use of chemical acaricides

There are few copies of Borna disease virus (BDV) genome in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and no reliable standard reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method for the detection of BDV RNA, which is both highly sensitive and free of contamination. Single-step RT-PCR, in which both reverse transcription and amplification by Taq DNA polymerase work efficiently in a single buffer, was applied to detect the p24 region of BDV RNA in vitro and in vivo. Using in vitro synthesized RNA, it was demonstrated that at least 100 copies of BDV RNA could be detected and the sensitivity and specificity were nearly equal to those obtained by RT-nested PCR. We could detect BDV RNA from more than 1 pg of cellular RNA obtained from BDV-persistently infected MDCK cells. Furthermore, this method was successfully performed on brain specimens obtained from a BDV-infected rat at 11 weeks post-inoculation. This single-step RT-PCR method will be convenient for detecting limited amounts of BDV RNA in various cells and tissue samples

For detecting Borna disease virus (BDV) genomic stranded RNA, single-tube reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (St RT-PCR) was developed to equal the sensitivity of RT-nested PCR but with reduced risk of contamination. BDV-genomic stranded RNA was synthesized in vitro using plasmid cDNA of BDV p24 region as a template and RNA was also extracted from BDV-persistently infected MDCK (MDCK/BDV) cells. Both RNAs were amplified by St RT-PCR in which a single round of RT and a single round of PCR were performed in the same tube. Ten copies of synthesized RNA could be amplified by St RT-PCR, indicating that St RT-PCR method is as sensitive as the ordinary RT-nested PCR method. Furthermore, this method was applied to quantify the exact copy number of genomic RNA in MDCK/BDV cells. Signals were obtained from the samples containing more than 1 pg total cellular RNA. From the results, approximately 100 copies of BDV genomic RNA exist in one MDCK/BDV cell. BDV genomic RNA from the in vivo RNA samples using St RT-PCR, indicating this method is applicable for the epidemiological study of BDV without contamination