大豆异黄酮对高温下体外培养奶牛乳腺上皮细胞增殖和抗氧化能力的影响

本文旨在研究大豆异黄酮对高温下体外培养奶牛乳腺上皮细胞增殖和抗氧化能力的影响,采用细胞培养方法,将奶牛乳腺上皮细胞分为4组,分别在细胞基础培养基中添加0、10、100μg/m L和1000μg/mL的大豆异黄酮,各组细胞正常(37℃、5%CO2)培养48 h后,在42℃下处理1.5 h,再正常培养12 h检测相关指标。结果发现:(1)与0μg/mL组相比,100μg/mL和1000μg/mL大豆异黄酮组奶牛乳腺上皮细胞活性显著升高(P 0.05)。(2)与0μg/m L组相比,10～1000μg/mL大豆异黄酮组细胞活性氧(ROS)的浓度显著降低(P 0.05)。(3)与0μg/mL组相比,100μg/m L和1000μg/mL大豆异黄酮组细胞的谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性显著升高(P 0.05),而乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性和一氧化氮(NO)、丙二醛(MDA)含量显著下降(P 0.05)。(4)与0μg/m L组相比,100μg/mL和1000μg/mL大豆异黄酮组细胞内Caspase3和Bax基因的相对表达显著降低(P 0.05),而Bcl-2基因的相对表达显著升高((P 0.05)。综上所述,大豆异黄酮能够通过增强奶牛乳腺上皮细胞的抗氧化能力,抑制细胞凋亡,进而促进细胞增殖。     

抗菌肽LL-37在毕赤酵母SMD1168中的高效表达及活性鉴定

为获得高效表达的抗菌肽LL-37,根据人源抗菌肽LL-37的氨基酸序列,选择毕赤酵母(Pichia pastoris)密码子的偏嗜性,通过SOEing法改造合成LL-37基因片段,克隆到pGAPZαA质粒中,获得分泌型重组酵母表达载体pGAPZαA-LL-37。pGAPZαA-LL-37通过限制性内切酶AvrII酶切线性化后,经电穿孔法转入毕赤酵母细胞SMD1168。经Zeocin抗性筛选,得到高拷贝转化子,PCR检测表明LL-37基因与毕赤酵母染色体稳定结合。在GAP启动子调控下,LL-37蛋白获得分泌表达,其上清表达量约为237mg/L。表达产物耐热性强,在100℃条件下30min内仍保持一定的抗菌活性。表达产物对大肠杆菌DH5α、大肠杆菌D31和猪链球菌的最小抑菌浓度(MIC)分别为1.56μg/mL、3.12μg/mL和6.25μg/mL。     

石蜡切片TUNEL法检测肉仔鸡法氏囊细胞凋亡的条件优化

从蛋白酶K的浓度、DAB显色时间、苏木素复染时间等对采用石蜡切片TUNEL法检测10日龄健康ROSS308肉仔鸡法氏囊组织内细胞凋亡的条件进行了优化。结果表明,TUNEL法最佳条件蛋白酶K浓度为20μg/mL,DAB显色时间为8 min,苏木素复染时间为10 s。优化后的石蜡切片TUNEL法,即60℃烤片5 h,20μg/mL蛋白酶K 37℃消化30 min,DAB显色8 min,苏木素复染10 s时,能特异地显示凋亡细胞为棕黄色,其他细胞核为蓝色,且对比明显,背景浅,组织结构完整清晰。     

小檗碱、白头翁素对肠黏膜微血管内皮细胞E-selectin表达的影响

为了观察内毒素即细菌脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)对肠黏膜微血管内皮细胞(RIMECs)表面E-selectin表达的影响及小檗碱和白头翁素对E-selectin表达的调控作用,试验以体外培养的肠黏膜微血管内皮细胞为模型,采用免疫组化SP法检测不同浓度LPS(10μg/mL、5μg/mL、1μg...     

黄芩苷对热应激条件下LLC-PK1细胞HSP70表达的影响

为了探讨不同浓度黄芩苷对热应激条件下猪肾小管上皮(LLC-PK1)细胞HSP70表达的影响,筛选出黄芩苷诱导热应激条件下细胞HSP70表达的最佳浓度。将培养的LLC-PK1细胞随机分为7个组,Ⅰ组为37℃常温对照组,Ⅱ组为42℃单纯热应激组,Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ组和Ⅶ组分别为42℃热应激并用不同浓度黄芩苷(0.01~100μg/m L)处理组,运用实时荧光定量PCR和Western Blot检测HSP70 m RNA及蛋白的表达。结果显示,42℃单纯热应激能显著诱导LLCPK1细胞HSP70的表达;一定浓度范围内的黄芩苷(0.1~10μg/m L)处理的LLC-PK1细胞HSP70表达显著高于42℃单纯热应激;黄芩苷(0.01~100μg/m L)能显著上调热应激条件下LLC-PK1细胞HSP70的表达,且1μg/m L的黄芩苷上调效果最显著。     

灭活大肠杆菌与脂多糖诱导猪肠黏膜上皮细胞表达RegⅢγ的机理研究

试验旨在探索革兰氏阴性菌大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli,E.coli）及其表面分子脂多糖（LPS）诱导胰腺再生蛋白Ⅲγ（RegⅢγ）表达调控的机制。首先,用不同浓度灭活E.coli（10⁹、10⁸、10⁷、10⁶、10⁵、10⁴ CFU/mL）和LPS （0.01、0.1、1、5、10、20、40、80 μg/mL）诱导猪肠黏膜上皮细胞（IPEC-JⅡ）,用MTT法测D_{490 nm}值,检测E.coli和LPS对IPEC-JⅡ细胞活力的影响;其次,用不同浓度灭活E.coli（10⁷、10⁶、10⁵ CFU/mL）和LPS （0.01、0.1、1、5 μg/mL）处理IPEC-JⅡ细胞24 h,用实时荧光定量PCR和Western blotting检测RegⅢγ mRNA和蛋白的表达;最后,用1 μg/mL LPS处理IPEC-JⅡ细胞24 h,用实时荧光定量PCR和Western blotting检测p65、p38、JNK、ERK mRNA和蛋白表达及磷酸化水平。结果显示,除0.01 μg/mL LPS不抑制IPEC-JⅡ细胞活力外,其他浓度的灭活E.coli和LPS均可抑制IPEC-JⅡ细胞活力,且10⁹、10⁸ CFU/mL E.coli和10、20、40、80 μg/mL LPS组细胞活力极显著下降（P<0.01）;与对照组相比,10⁷、10⁶和10⁵ CFU/mL E.coli均能诱导RegⅢγ表达增加,且10⁵ CFU/mL E.coli组RegⅢγ mRNA表达量极显著高于对照组（P<0.01）,蛋白表达量显著高于对照组（P<0.05）;0.01、0.1、1和10 μg/mL LPS均能诱导RegⅢγ表达增加,且0.1和1 μg/mL LPS组RegⅢγ mRNA表达量极显著高于对照组（P<0.01）,RegⅢγ蛋白表达虽有增加趋势,但差异不显著（P>0.05）;与对照组相比,1 μg/mL LPS组p65、p38 mRNA表达量极显著增加（P<0.01）,JNK、ERK mRNA表达量显著增加（P<0.05）;同时,p38、JNK蛋白表达量和磷酸化水平均极显著增加（P<0.01）,p65蛋白磷酸化水平显著增加（P<0.05）,ERK蛋白和磷酸化水平均增加,但差异不显著（P>0.05）。以上结果表明,灭活E.coli和LPS均可诱导RegⅢγ表达,1 μg/mL LPS可增加p65、p38和JNK蛋白的磷酸化水平。     

丹参地上部分丹酚酸A的抗炎活性及对p38MAPK通路的影响

为了观察丹参地上部分提取物丹酚酸A(SAA)对脓毒症的影响及对p38 MAPK通路的调控作用,试验采用脂多糖(LPS)诱导体内、外脓毒症模型,分为空白组(生理盐水或细胞培养液)、LPS(LPS 100 ng/mL)组、SAA各剂量(125,5,25,1μg/mL)组、阳性对照地塞米松(200μg/mL)组,采用MTT法检测SAA对RAW264.7细胞活性的影响,ELISA法检测肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素(IL)-6、IL-10的含量,H.E.染色法观察SAA对肺脏组织的影响,采用Western-blot方法检测其对p38 MAPK通路的调控作用。结果表明:与LPS组比,地塞米松组和SAA各剂量组细胞活性均有提高,差异显著或极显著(P0.05或P0.01),且呈剂量依赖性;与LPS组比,地塞米松组和SAA各剂量组TNF-α、IL-6含量显著或极显著降低(P0.05或P0.01),地塞米松组和SAA各剂量组(除SAA 5μg/mL组外)IL-10含量均极显著升高(P0.01);SAA能够减轻肺脏充血及肿胀情况;p38 MAPK通路在体内、外均被抑制。说明SAA能够改善LPS对细胞活性的影响,对脓毒症模型中TNF-α、IL-6的生成具有抑制作用,对IL-10的生成具有促进作用,其机制与p38 MAPK的表达有关。     

漏芦通过TLR4/NF-κB通路抑制脂多糖诱导的小鼠乳腺上皮细胞炎症反应

为探讨漏芦醇提物（RUEE）对脂多糖（LPS）诱导的小鼠乳腺上皮细胞（HC11细胞）的抗炎作用及机制,试验利用RUEE(80μg/mL)、LPS(1μg/mL)单独处理以及RUEE(80μg/mL)+LPS(1μg/mL)共处理HC11细胞,采用荧光定量PCR检测炎性细胞因子及Toll样受体4(TLR4)mRNA表达水平,采用Western blotting检测核转录因子κB(NF-κB)通路关键因子的蛋白表达量。结果表明：LPS诱导可明显提高HC11细胞肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、环氧合酶-2(COX-2)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)的mRNA表达水平（P<0.05）;明显上调TLR4 mRNA表达及NF-κB p65和NF-κB抑制蛋白α(IκBα)的磷酸化水平（P<0.05）。RUEE预处理可显著降低LPS诱导的HC11细胞TNF-α、COX-2、IL-6、IL-1β的mRNA表达（P<0.05）;显著下调TLR4 mRNA表达及NF-κB p65和IκBα的磷酸化水平（P<0.05）。由此可知漏芦醇提物可通过抑制TLR...     

顶空气相色谱法测定乙酰氨基阿维菌素对照品中的残留溶剂

建立了乙酰氨基阿维菌素对照品中的残留溶剂乙醇、甲醇和丙酮的顶空气相色谱测定法。采用Agilent-HP-5毛细管色谱柱,以氮气为载气,氢火焰离子化检测器为检测器,进样口温度200℃,检测器温度为250℃,以起始温度50℃,保持10min,再以每分钟10℃的速率升温至180℃,顶空瓶平衡温度为80℃,平衡时间为30min。结果表明,在该色谱条件下乙醇、甲醇和丙酮与空白溶剂N,N-二甲基甲酰胺分离良好。乙醇在11～974μg/mL的范围内线性关系良好,检测限为5μg/mL,定量限为11μg/mL,回收率为92.1%～109.9%;甲醇在8～606μg/mL的范围内线性关系良好,检测限为4μg/mL,定量限为15μg/mL,回收率为94.4%～109.5%;丙酮在12～972μg/mL的范围内线性关系良好,检测限为2μg/mL,定量限为6μg/mL,回收率为92.5%～102.4%。该方法分离度好,回收率高,适用于乙酰氨基阿维菌素对照品中残留溶剂的检测。     

分级醇沉刺五加多糖不同浓度对小鼠脾细胞增殖和IL-2表达的影响

为了研究不同醇沉浓度刺五加多糖对脾细胞增殖和细胞因子IL-2表达的影响,试验采用分级醇沉的方法对刺五加多糖进行醇沉得到粗糖,并去蛋白得到精制糖,研究分级醇沉刺五加多糖不同浓度对小鼠脾细胞增殖、ConA和LPS诱导的脾淋巴细胞的增殖反应和脾细胞产生细胞因子表达的影响。结果表明:40%醇沉组多糖浓度为7.8～125μg/mL时均能促进脾细胞增殖,并且其促进脾细胞增殖作用与多糖浓度呈剂量依赖性,促增殖作用增强;40%醇沉组多糖浓度为15.62～125μg/mL时能促进ConA诱导的脾淋巴细胞的增殖反应;各醇沉组多糖浓度为15.62～125μg/mL时均能显著促进LPS诱导的脾淋巴细胞的增殖反应;20%、40%、60%醇沉组多糖浓度为3.9～7.81μg/mL时IL-2的表达水平呈上升趋势;并且随药物浓度的增大细胞因子表达量先增多后减少。说明以40%醇沉刺五加多糖免疫增强效果优于其他醇沉多糖。     

白术、微米白术和白术多糖对断奶仔猪生长性能和肠道形态及微生态区系的影响

试验选用96头平均体重14.82 kg左右的杜×长×大断奶仔猪,随机分成4组,每组3栏,每栏8头(公母各半)。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验1、2、3组分别添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖和1%微米白术。试验期30 d。结果表明:在生长性能方面,与对照组相比,1%微米白术添加组可显著提高日增重(P0.05)、降低饲料增重比和腹泻率,而且效果优于1%80目白术组和0.2%白术多糖组,在肠道形态和肠道微生态区系方面,与对照组相比,日粮添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖、1%微米白术均可不同程度的提高十二指肠和空肠的绒毛高度,加深十二指肠和空肠的隐窝深度,并且增加肠道微生态区系的多样性,其中以1%微米白术添加组的效果最佳。     

Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia

Sissay, M.M., Uggla, A. and Waller, P.J., XXXX. Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, XXXX. A 2-year abattoir survey was carried out to determine the prevalence, abundance and seasonal incidence of gastro-intestinal (GI) nematodes and trematodes (flukes) of sheep and goats in the semi-arid zone of eastern Ethiopia. During May 2003 to April 2005, viscera including liver, lungs and GI tracts were collected from 655 sheep and 632 goats slaughtered at 4 abattoirs located in the towns of Haramaya, Harar, Dire Dawa and Jijiga in eastern Ethiopia. All animals were raised in the farming areas located within the community boundaries for each town. Collected materials were transported within 24 h to the parasitology laboratory of Haramaya University for immediate processing. Thirteen species belonging to 9 genera of GI nematodes (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, Nematodirus filicollis, N. spathiger, Oesophagostomum columbianum, O. venulosum, Strongyloides papillosus, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Trichuris ovis, Cooperia curticei and Chabertia ovina), and 4 species belonging to 3 genera of trematodes (Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica, Paramphistomum {Calicohoron} microbothrium and Dicrocoelium dendriticum) were recorded in both sheep and goats. All animals in this investigation were infected with multiple species to varying degrees. The mean burdens of adult nematodes were generally moderate in both sheep and goats and showed patterns of seasonal abundance that corresponded with the bi-modal annual rainfall pattern, with highest burdens around the middle of the rainy season. In both sheep and goats there were significant differences in the mean worm burdens and abundance of the different nematode species between the four geographic locations, with worm burdens in the Haramaya and Harar areas greater than those observed in the Dire Dawa and Jijiga locations. Similar seasonal variations were also observed in the prevalence of flukes. But there were no significant differences in the prevalence of each fluke species between the four locations. Overall, the results showed that Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Fasciola and Paramphistomum species were the most abundant helminth parasites of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia.     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

Y‐chromosomal variation of local goat breeds of Turkey close to the domestication centre

Genetic variations in chromosome Y are enabling researchers to identify paternal lineages, which are informative for introgressions and migrations. In this study, the male‐specific region markers, sex‐determining region‐Y (SRY), amelogenin (AMELY) and zinc finger (ZFY) were analysed in seven Turkish native goat breeds, Angora, Kilis, Hair, Honaml?, Norduz, Gürcü and Abaza. A SNP in the ZFY gene defined a new haplotype Y2C. All domestic haplogroups originate from Capra aegagrus, while the finding of Y1A, Y1B, Y2A and Y2C in 32, 4, 126 and 2 Turkish domestic goats, respectively, appears to indicate a predomestic origin of the major haplotypes. The occurrence of four haplotypes in the Hair goat and, in contrast, a frequency of 96% of Y1A in the Kilis breed illustrate that Y‐chromosomal variants have a more breed‐dependent distribution than mitochondrial or autosomal DNA. This probably reflects male founder effects, but a role in adaptation cannot be excluded.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Feline intracranial neoplasia: retrospective review of 160 cases (1985-2001)

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of different tumor types within a large cohort of cats with intracranial neoplasia and to attempt to correlate signalment, tumor size and location, and survival time for each tumor. Medical records of 160 cats with confirmed intracranial neoplasia evaluated between 1985 and 2001 were reviewed. Parameters evaluated included age, sex, breed, FeLV/FIV status, clinical signs, duration of signs, number of tumors, tumor location(s), imaging results, treatment, survival times, and histopathologic diagnosis. Most of the cats were older (11.3 +/- 3.8 years). Primary tumors accounted for 70.6% of cases. Metastasis and direct extension of secondary tumors accounted for only 5.6 and 3.8% of cases, respectively. Twelve cats (7.5%) had 2 or more discrete tumors of the same type, whereas 16 cats (10.0%) had 2 different types of intracranial tumors. The most common tumor types were meningioma (n = 93, 58.1%), lymphoma (n = 23, 14.4%), pituitary tumors (n = 14, 8.8%), and gliomas (n = 12, 7.5%). The most common neurological signs were altered consciousness (n = 42, 26.2%), circling (n = 36, 22.5%), and seizures (n = 36, 22.5%). Cats without specific neurological signs were common (n = 34, 21.2%). The tumor was considered an incidental finding in 30 (18.8%) cats. In addition to expected relationships (eg, meninges and meningioma, pituitary and pituitary tumors), we found that lesion location was predictive of tumor type with diffuse cerebral or brainstem involvement predictive of lymphoma and third ventricle involvement predictive of meningioma.     

A brief history of the prevention of infectious diseases by immunisations

Infectious diseases have always been a terrible scourge for humans. The appearance of these plagues, as they were called without distinction, was generally connected to various conditions: asters, climatic changes or religious reasons. The concept of contagious, and then infectious, diseases came slowly. Variolation, i.e. transmission of ‘virulent’ matter to induce a natural disease and the immunity against it, was brought from Constantinople to England by Lady Montague, in 1721. This ‘variolation’ technique was also often performed in veterinary medicine against diseases like sheep-pox or pleuropneumonia. As ‘vaccination’ is the term generally accepted for ‘immunisation’, variolation can be the word designating such a technique. The second period of the history of immunisation began, in 1880, with the studies of Pasteur and his collaborators. A great number of bacterial vaccines were developed: dead, live but attenuated or only parts of pathogens. The viruses were produced in animals, then in eggs and at last, in tissue cultures. Second generation vaccines appeared with genetic engineering: recombinant vaccines, vector vaccines, nucleic acids vaccines, and markers vaccines, among others. These novel technologies can permit the development of new ones and improve the quality of the vaccines already existing.