Jaroslav Doubek

The chlorococcalean alga Chlorella in animal nutrition: a review

Unicellular freshwater microalgae of the genus Chlorella are characterised by a relative ease of cultivation, high productivity and high content of proteins and other valuable components. However, the alga is too expensive to use widely as a protein supplement in animal feed. Nevertheless, in many experiments, it was found that even a very low, economically acceptable addition of Chlorella biomass to animal feed can positively influence growth and performance. This is due to the presence of pigments, antioxidants, provitamins, vitamins and a growth substance known as the Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF), which can stimulate or enhance the immune system, increase feed intake and utilisation and promote reproduction; the use of Chlorella biomass might therefore increase the value of animal products for human consumption. Significant results were also achieved in the use of Chlorella biomass as a carrier of organically bound selenium and iodine that play a substantial role in the thyroid hormone regulation in an organism.

Terlipressin in the treatment of late phase catecholamine-resistant septic shock.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Norepinephrine, but also dopamine and epinephrine are recommended as first line vasopressors in the treatment of septic shock. In some patients, septic shock deteriorates and becomes to be resistant to catecholamines. In this situation, addition of vasopressin or terlipressin can be advantageous. The aim of our pilot study was to evaluate the impact of terlipressin on open label norepinephrine requirements and mortality. METHODOLOGY In a randomized, controlled, single centre study we assigned patients with late advanced septic shock refractory to catecholamines (norepinephrine >0.6µg/kg/min for more than 24h) to receive either continuously terlipressin 4mg/24h for 72 hours in addition to open label norepinephrine (TERLI group) or to continue therapy only with catecholamines (CON group). All vasopressor infusions were titrated to maintain a target blood pressure. RESULTS We enrolled 30 patients, of whom 13 were assigned to terlipressin and in 17 we continued in catecholamine therapy. There was no significant difference in norepinephrine consumption between the groups. Open label norepinephrine infusion rates decreased significantly in the TERLI group as compared with initial consumption, but the decrease we observed only in 7 (54%) patients. There was no significant difference between groups in the rate of death at day 28 (77% in TERLI group and 94% in CON group; p=0.18) or at day 90 (91% vs. 94%; p=0.85). CONCLUSIONS Continuous terlipressin infusion was not effective in reducing norepinephrine consumption or in the mortality of patients, if administered in late phase of catecholamine refractory septic shock.

The effect of caspase-3 inhibition on interdigital tissue regression in explant cultures of developing mouse limbs

Abstract Interdigital tissue regression is one of the most well-known examples of embryonic programmed cell death, providing the mechanism behind separation of developing digits. Caspases have been shown to play a key part in this process, with activated caspase-3 localized between the developing digits. In caspase-3 knock-out adult mice, however, the digits are completely separated with no webbing. In other mutants with defects in the apoptotic machinery, such as Apaf1 deficient mice, interdigital tissue regression is initially inhibited but the webbing eventually disappears as alternative/additional cell death mechanisms step in. In order to investigate whether a similar temporal effect occurs after loss of caspase-3, we have used an in vitro approach to inhibit caspase-3 at specific times during digit separation. Previous limb explant culture approaches have encountered problems with proper limb development in culture, and thus a modified technique was used. The new approach enables detailed observation of the effects of caspase-3 inhibition on interdigital regression. Using these methods, we show that caspase-3 inhibition caused a delay in the loss of interdigital tissue compared with control explants, similar to that observed in Apaf1 mutant mice. Along with immunohistochemistry, active caspase-3 positive cells of the interdigital vs. digital regions were measured by flow cytometry. Notably, activated caspase-3 in vivo was found not only in the interdigital mesenchyme but also in the TUNEL negative digit region, supporting a role for caspase-3 in nonapoptotic events.

C-reactive protein and high mobility group box 1 in dogs with gastric dilatation and volvulus.

OBJECTIVE To (1) measure C-reactive protein (CRP) and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and (2) evaluate their prognostic value and relationship to severity of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, routine hematological and acid-base parameters in dogs with gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV). DESIGN Prospective observational study from September 2010 to June 2012. SETTING Veterinary teaching hospital. ANIMALS Forty-one client-owned dogs with GDV. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Blood was collected before surgery (baseline), postsurgery, 6-10 hours postsurgery, and 18-22 hours postsurgery. CRP and HMGB1 were measured in all samples, and routine hematological, biochemical, and acid-base analyses were performed. Only baseline and postsurgery samples were used from nonsurvivors (n = 10). CRP increased significantly from postsurgery sampling to 18-22 hours postsurgery, while HMGB1 did not change over time. There was a significant difference in HMGB1 between survivors and nonsurvivors over time. Both proteins correlated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome severity, total leukocyte, segmented neutrophils, and band counts. HMGB1 correlated also with acid-base parameters (pH, bicarbonate, base excess). CONCLUSION HMGB1 and CRP behaved differently in regards to their kinetic patterns, with HMGB1 appearing to better reflect the severity of tissue injury in dogs with GDV than CRP.Objective To (1) measure C-reactive protein (CRP) and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and (2) evaluate their prognostic value and relationship to severity of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, routine hematological and acid-base parameters in dogs with gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV). Design Prospective observational study from September 2010 to June 2012. Setting Veterinary teaching hospital. Animals Forty-one client-owned dogs with GDV. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results Blood was collected before surgery (baseline), postsurgery, 6–10 hours postsurgery, and 18–22 hours postsurgery. CRP and HMGB1 were measured in all samples, and routine hematological, biochemical, and acid-base analyses were performed. Only baseline and postsurgery samples were used from nonsurvivors (n = 10). CRP increased significantly from postsurgery sampling to 18–22 hours postsurgery, while HMGB1 did not change over time. There was a significant difference in HMGB1 between survivors and nonsurvivors over time. Both proteins correlated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome severity, total leukocyte, segmented neutrophils, and band counts. HMGB1 correlated also with acid-base parameters (pH, bicarbonate, base excess). Conclusion HMGB1 and CRP behaved differently in regards to their kinetic patterns, with HMGB1 appearing to better reflect the severity of tissue injury in dogs with GDV than CRP.

Comparison of the effect of amphotericin B desoxycholate and amphotericin B colloidal dispersion on renal functions and renal morphology in rats

Background and Aim:  Amphotericin B (AmB) desoxycholate remains as one of the most efficacious agents currently available for the treatment of systemic fungal infections; however, amphotericin B colloidal dispersion (ABCD) has been developed because of AmB desoxycholate nephrotoxicity. The goal of our study was to compare the effect of administration of AmB desoxycholate and ABCD on renal functions and renal morphology in rats.

Determination of reference intervals of acid-base parameters in clinically healthy dogs.

OBJECTIVE To establish reference intervals for traditionally- and Stewarts approach-determined acid-base parameters in a population of clinically healthy dogs. DESIGN Prospective study (June 2011-September 2012). SETTING Veterinary teaching hospital. ANIMALS Two hundred twenty-four client-owned, clinically healthy dogs. INTERVENTIONS Blood was collected from the jugular vein and the dorsal pedal artery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS In the whole blood samples, pH, PCO2 , and PO2 were measured and HCO3- , standard and total bicarbonate, base excess, oxygen content, and alveolar-arterial oxygen differences were calculated. Plasma sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, albumin, and lactate concentrations were measured and the following parameters were calculated separately for venous and arterial samples: anion gap, anion gap corrected for albumin and phosphate, sodium chloride difference and ratio, chloride gap, strong ion difference, strong ion gap, and unmeasured anions. CONCLUSION Reference intervals for traditionally- and Stewarts approach-determined acid-base parameters were established for venous and arterial blood in dogs.Objective To establish reference intervals for traditionally- and Stewarts approach-determined acid-base parameters in a population of clinically healthy dogs. Design Prospective study (June 2011–September 2012). Setting Veterinary teaching hospital. Animals Two hundred twenty-four client-owned, clinically healthy dogs. Interventions Blood was collected from the jugular vein and the dorsal pedal artery. Measurements and Main Results In the whole blood samples, pH, PCO2, and PO2 were measured and HCO3−, standard and total bicarbonate, base excess, oxygen content, and alveolar–arterial oxygen differences were calculated. Plasma sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, albumin, and lactate concentrations were measured and the following parameters were calculated separately for venous and arterial samples: anion gap, anion gap corrected for albumin and phosphate, sodium chloride difference and ratio, chloride gap, strong ion difference, strong ion gap, and unmeasured anions. Conclusion Reference intervals for traditionally- and Stewarts approach-determined acid-base parameters were established for venous and arterial blood in dogs.

REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF STRESS-INDUCED GASTRIC ULCERATION IN RATS AND PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF OMEPRAZOLE

Ivanova I. Ye., T. A. Derendiayeva, G. I. Meleshko, Yeo Ya. Shepelev: Higher Plants in a Biological Life SupportSystemfor Man. Acta vet. Bmo 1996,65: 27-32. A model of human biological life support system (BLSS) was created with a photoautotrophic link including unicellular algae and higher plants having an equal oxygen production. This system model supported the vital activities of two people at the biomass regeneration of 92% from that consumed by them. The plant cultures studied were wheat grown on 11.25 m2 (of a total 15 m2) and several vegetable species. The total photosynthetic productivity of the plants was high, stable over the studied time span, and independent on the composition of the system. However, the grain productivity of wheat decreased periodically, and during certain harvests it decreased to almost zero. A detailed analysis revealed that this decrease was not caused by any of the systems adjacent links as a similar decrease in yield was also found in the control period with an autonomous growth of the plants in a closed volume of a chamber. Inclusion of bigher plants into BLSS led to a considerable improvement od food supply regeneration for man as compared to the previous model with only 26% regeneration effect. This inclusion did not exert any marked effect upon the general closure of the cycle. However, the biological value of the food for man was increased dramatically. This improvement is the main goal of designing and operating such BLSS systems. Regeneration. ecosystem. photosynthesis, photoautotroph link, unicellular algae. higher p.lants The prospect of long-teon existence of man outside the Earths biosphere (interplanetary flights, lunar and planetary bases) is connected with creating an artificial environment with the help of regenerating it from the products of vital activity. This environment must correspond to the evolutionarily conditioned biological needs of the humans and to provide their lives for generations. The fact of adaptive biology shows that the full-value environment for humans and other terrestrial organisms is the natural environment of the Earth. In order to recreate that environment artificially it is necessary to reproduce the mechanisms existing on Earth, i. e. to foon closed ecological systems including man. The lack of our knowledge about the natural environment of the humans prevents us from reproducing it by non-biological means, even if it were possible. The investigation of the problem of creating biological life-support systems (BLSS) of man began as early as in the 60ies. By the present time, experimental BLSS models have been created with different structures and different degrees of the cycle closure. , The creation of the systems was based on the ecological concept according to which strategy and tactics were worked out providing the organisms and populations were studied and then united into biocenoses, including also humans. The main method of solving the problem was the method of experimental modelling from the simple to the complex (Rashevski 1966).

Influence of Resveratrol and ò-Glucan on the Aggregation of Platelets inGrowing Pigs

Background: We investigated the effect of resveratrol alone on platelet counts and ability to aggregate and its effect in combination with β-glucan. Methods: The experiment included three groups of growing piglets. Resveratrol was administered to the first experimental group (R). The second experimental group (RG) received resveratrol with the addition of β-glucan. The third group was used as control (C) and received alcohol solution only. Blood samples were collected before the start of the experiment and at the end of the 1st and 2nd week of supplementation. The number of platelets, their aggregation activity (amplitude) and rate of aggregation (slope) after stimulation by ADP and Cationic Propyl Gallate (CPG) were determined. Results: Resveratrol significantly reduced the numbers of platelets from 690.0 ± 145.10 × 109/l detected at the beginning of the experiment, to 484.2 ± 128.50 × 109/l after 2 weeks of supplementation (P<0.05). The administration of resveratrol together with β-glucan accelerated these changes; the numbers of platelets dropped significantly from the initial level of 694.8 ± 124.67 × 109/l to 509.9 ± 156.28 × 109/l already after one week of supplementation (P<0.05) and at the end of the experiment were 463.3 ± 195.59 × 109/l (P<0.05). The aggregation activity of platelets induced by ADP decreased significantly at the end of the experiment in both experimental groups (R: P<0.01; RG: P<0.05); and was significantly reduced compared to the control group (P<0.01). Platelet aggregation rate induced by CPG was decreased in R group (P<0.05; and RG group P<0.01). Conclusion: The results demonstrate the similar effect of resveratrol and β-glucan on the number of platelets and their aggregation ability in piglets.