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Abomasal emptying rate is best determined in healthy suckling calves by use of Siegel's modified power exponential equation to model the scintigraphic data. Pharmacokinetic calculation of Tmax from the acetaminophen absorption curve provides an alternative method for determining abomasal emptying rate in healthy suckling calves that is accurate, inexpensive, practical, and safe. However, it is unclear whether diarrhea would alter the acetaminophen absorption curve in calves.

Objective—To determine and compare the abomasal emptying rates in calves suckling milk replacer or an isotonic or hypertonic solution of NaHCO3 or glucose. Animals—5 male Holstein-Friesian calves that were < 30 days of age. Procedures—Calves were fed 2 L of milk replacer or isotonic (300 mOsm/L) or hypertonic (600 mOsm/L) solutions of NaHCO3 or glucose containing acetaminophen (50 mg/kg). Venous blood samples and transabdominal ultrasonographic abomasal dimensions were obtained periodically after feeding, and abomasal luminal pH was continuously monitored by placement of a luminal pH electrode through an abomasal cannula. Abomasal emptying rate was assessed by the time to maximal plasma acetaminophen concentration, ultrasonographic determination of the half-time of abomasal emptying, and the time for luminal pH to return to within 1 pH unit of the preprandial value. Results—Hypertonic NaHCO3 solution was emptied slower than an isotonic NaHCO3 solution, isotonic glucose solution was emptied slower than an isotonic NaHCO3 solution, and hypertonic glucose solution emptied slower than an isotonic glucose solution. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—An electrolyte solution for oral administration with a high osmolarity and glucose concentration may lead to a slower resuscitation of dehydrated diarrheic calves because such solutions decrease the abomasal emptying rate and therefore the rate of solution delivery to the small intestine. Whether slowing of the abomasal emptying rate in dehydrated diarrheic calves suckling an oral electrolyte solution is clinically important remains to be determined.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the abomasum appears to provide a practical, rapid, noninvasive, and accurate method for determination of abomasal volume, location, and emptying rate in suckling calves.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the CNS, and one of the most common causes of disability in young adults. Over the last decade, new disease-modifying therapies have emerged, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that provide highly targeted therapies with greater efficacy than platform therapies. In particular, monoclonal antibodies directed against CD20-positive B cells have shown remarkable results in recent clinical trials and renewed interest in the mechanism of B cell-depleting therapies to ameliorate relapse activity and progression in MS. Here, we review the mechanisms of action and clinical evidence of approved and emerging mAbs, with a focus on B cell-targeted therapies.

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Abomasal ulcers are an economic concern for the calf raising industries. Many factors have been attributed to the development of ulcers, such as coarse feed, environmental stress, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and bacterial infections. However, unlike human ulcers no one factor has been proven to have a significant relationship to abomasal ulcers in calves. Therefore, management of this disease and prevention of losses is limited to theoretical control of many known inciting causes.