Limited secretion of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) in dairy cows is strongly related to fatty liver and other metabolic disorders in the early postpartum. Currently, there is limited information on which roles apolipoprotein B(100) (ApoB(100)), apolipoprotein E (ApoE), and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) play in that VLDL limitation. To our knowledge, no studies have simultaneously measured ApoB(100), ApoE, and MTP mRNA in periparturient dairy cows. Therefore, a trial was conducted to assess liver gene expression of these proteins in transition dairy cows and to evaluate the relationships between their expression and metabolic status. Eight multiparous Holstein cows were monitored during the transition period. To evaluate metabolic and nutritional status, body condition score was registered, and plasma indexes of energy metabolism and VLDL were determined from 35 d before to 35 d after calving. Liver biopsies were performed on d -35, 3, and 35 relative to day of calving, and gene expression of ApoB(100), ApoE, and MTP were determined on liver tissue. Body condition, plasma glucose and VLDL decreased, and plasma NEFA and BHBA increased after calving. Compared with values of d -35, on d 3 after calving the ApoB(100) mRNA synthesis was lower, whereas MTP and ApoE mRNA abundance were higher. Negative correlation (r = -0.57) between plasma NEFA concentration and ApoB(100) mRNA abundance, and positive correlation between ApoB(100) mRNA abundance and plasma cholesterol (r = 0.65) and plasma albumins (r = 0.52) were detected at 3 d postpartum. Data on changes of gene expression of the 3 main proteins involved in the regulation of synthesis and secretion of VLDL in the liver suggest that decreased mRNA for ApoB(100) may be consistent with decreased synthesis and/or secretion of VLDL from liver during the periparturient period.

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2007. Serum cystatin-C evaluation in dogs affected by different diseases associated or not with renal insufficiency. Veterinary Research Communications, 31(Suppl. 1), 269-271

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Grass awns commonly cause respiratory disease in dogs; when located in the trachea or bronchi, they cause severe bronchial inflammation and sepsis. The interplay of cough, bronchoconstriction, and mucus secretion can result in a less effective expulsive cough phase, especially when the causal factor persists. The bronchial exudate could consequently become trapped in the upper respiratory tracts of dogs with bronchial vegetal foreign bodies. We retrospectively reviewed endoscopic findings of the upper respiratory tract in dogs that underwent bronchoscopy in our hospital and correlated these findings with the presence of bronchial grass awns. Muco-purulent exudate in the ventral larynx region, between the vocal cords and laryngeal ventricles, was frequently associated with the presence of bronchial grass awns. This laryngeal finding could be secondary to an altered response to grass awn localization in the bronchi. These results should be carefully considered, particularly in countries where grass awns are commonly found.