It was aimed to detect the novel future biomarkers using a metabolomics approach in premature calves. Calves born previous to 270 days' pregnancy are at risk, and the earlier the calving is, the higher the risk. More trials are needed in neonatology field as it little known almost the generally metabolic status of preterm neonates. To date, this is the first NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) based study on serum metabolomics at set intervals in premature calves. Biochemical health profiles and NMR based metabolomic analysis were performed in twenty-five premature dairy calves. The whole animals partly recovered following 72h. Clinical data were compatible with those of premature animals. Increased levels of AST and CPK may be attributed to subclinic trauma at birth. Alterations in metabolites, increases in 3-hydroxybutyrate, citrate, leucine and isoleucine at 48th and 72h; choline, formate, fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids at 72h, and valine at 48h; and decreases in myo-inositol at 48h and 72h were meaningful for monitoring the recovery at a molecular level in premature calves. Metabolomics became an important tool for identification of premature calves’ clinical pathology and monitoring therapeutic picture.

Numerous topoisomerase inhibitors with proven efficacy have been used extensively to treat various human neoplasms. However, among these, only doxorubicin has been used and studied extensively in veterinary oncology. The current study was performed to evaluate the responsiveness of canine osteosarcoma (cOSA), mammary gland tumour (cMGT), and malignant melanoma (cMM) cell lines to several topoisomerase inhibitors. In addition, the correlation between the sensitivity to treatment and multi-drug resistant (MDR) factors was investigated. cOSA cell lines exhibited higher sensitivity than cMGT and cMM cell lines to all the topoisomerase inhibitors tested in vitro; this was associated with the levels of multi-drug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) gene expression in the cOSA cell lines. Treatment of cOSA (HMPOS) and cMGT cell line (CHMp) xenograft mouse models with etoposide markedly delayed tumour progression in HMPOS xenografts, but failed to elicit lasting anti-tumour effects on CHMp xenograft mice. The present findings suggest that MDR1 represents a molecular signature for prediction of treatment efficacy of topoisomerase inhibitors, especially that of etoposide, which may be a clinically useful anti-tumour agent for cOSA; however, further study is necessary to refine the treatment protocol.

The effects of three stressors of different categories, namely cold exposure, immobilization, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, on sympathetic nerve activity were examined by assessing its biochemical index norepinephrine (NE) turnover in peripheral organs of C57BL/6 mice. NE turnover was assessed by measuring the decrease in the organ NE concentration 3 h after inhibition of catecholamine biosynthesis with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine. NE turnover in brown adipose tissue (BAT) in the room temperature (23 degrees C) control group was as high as that in the cold exposure (4 degrees C) group. Similarly, the mRNA level of the thermogenic marker uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in the room temperature control group was as high as that in the cold exposure group. As sympathetic stimulation upregulates the UCP1 mRNA level, we thought that sympathetic nerve tonus in BAT was already accelerated at room temperature. To exclude factors affecting basal sympathetic nerve activity, mice housed at thermoneutral temperature (30 degrees C) were used as controls for the subsequent experiments. In this condition, cold exposure accelerated NE turnover in the BAT, as well as heart and pancreas. The corticosterone level showed a higher trend in the cold exposure group in comparison to the control group. Immobilization accelerated NE turnover in the spleen, pancreas, and white adipose tissue and elevated the corticosterone level. LPS (3 mg/kg, i.p.) did not affect NE turnover in all peripheral organs but elevated the corticosterone level. In summary, the sympathetic nervous and adrenocortical responses to three stressors differed greatly. In particular, sympathetic responses showed clear organ-specific acceleration patterns. This important feature may improve our understanding of the multiplicity of biological responses.

The 23-kDa piroplasm membrane protein of Theileria orientalis (p23) is an immunogenic protein expressed during the intraerythrocytic stage of the parasite; its function, however, remains unclear. To evaluate the host factor or factors that interact with p23, we examined the binding of p23 to components of the host cell surface. Recombinant p23 protein of the Ikeda genotype failed to bind to bovine red blood cells or to peripheral blood mononuclear cells, but did bind to Madin-Darby Bovine Kidney (MDBK) cells. A glycoarray assay showed that recombinant p23 proteins from the three genotypes bound to heparin, indicating that p23 is a heparin-binding Theileria surface molecule. Further analysis of heparin-binding molecules is useful for understanding attachment and invasion of T. orientalis merozoites.

Paratuberculosis, or Johne's disease (JD), is caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), is found in ruminants worldwide and can cause considerable economic losses in cattle. Control efforts and programs for JD in cattle are very diverse among European states, in Austria clinical JD is rated as a notifiable disease since 2006. The voluntary control programs established in many European countries, show different aims, measurements and acceptance. Most control programs for JD are based on a test and cull strategy, combined with hygienic precautions. Unfortunately, the willingness to participate in such programs by farmers and veterinarians is limited due to high costs, intensive workload, long duration and limited success. To overcome this drawback and to harmonize the control of MAP in Europe, a basic program with defined minimum standards is suggested. This "minimal program" for the control of JD in cattle consists of 3 steps. Step 1 includes diagnostic evaluation of every case of diarrhea in adult cattle and culling of animals with clinical JD. Step 2 is the implementation of basic management measures, adapted to the potentials of the individual farm. Step 3 consists of regularly evaluation of the MAP-herd status with the focus on MAP-shedding animals. This basic control program can be performed with reasonable costs and work load in most cattle herds and might serve as an international minimum standard for MAP-control in cattle. Such a program can also pose an incentive to decrease MAP-infections for those not willing to participate in more sophisticated control programs.

The United States of America (U.S.) has made several attempts over the years to develop a producer accepted voluntary program. The focus of the U.S. Voluntary Bovine Johne's Disease Control Program (VBJDCP) is to provide producers with the tools to control Johne's disease on their farms and identify herds with a low risk for the presence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infection. The VBJDCP includes an evaluation of producers' operations to identify practices that could allow the transmission of MAP among animals or between premises. Once risky practices havebeen identified, a herd management plan is developed to assist the producer in correcting risky practices. In addition to management changes, vaccination is a control tool allowed in the U.S. because it reduces the clinical signs of Johne's disease and the shedding of MAP. Testing is used in addition to management changes. While the classification component of the VBJDCP dictates the amount and type of testing herd owners are required to conduct, the education and management components of the VBJDCP does not specify testing protocols. The testing for control is intended to fit the needs and resources of producers and can be quite flexible. Management changes on the farm remain the key to control and programs cannot replace well thought out plans by producers that are specific to their resources, facilities, and operation.