Pathologic sideroblasts and siderocytes associated with chloramphenicol therapy in a dog

Siderotic granules were recognized in blood erythrocytes from a male Boxer dog with suppurative prostatitis, cystitis and pyelonephritis that was being given high dosage chloramphenicol therapy. Siderotic inclusions were recognized in the cytoplasm of 96% of the rubricytes and metarubricytes in a bone marrow aspirate. Siderotic inclusions were numerous and in some cases formed a ring around the nucleus. This perinuclear location suggested that pathologic mitochondrial iron accumulation had occurred, resulting in the formation of "ringed" sideroblasts. The occurrence of pathologic sideroblasts was confirmed by electron microscopy. Blood siderocytes and bone marrow sideroblasts disappeared after cessation of chloramphenicol therapy.     

The pharmacokinetics of cytarabine administered at three distinct subcutaneous dosing protocols in dogs with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin

The objective of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of the standard cytarabine (Ara‐C) protocol (50 mg/m² subcutaneously every 12 hr for 2 days) used for dogs with neuroinflammatory disease and compare it to two more practical protocols (a single 200 mg/m² subcutaneous dose and two 100 mg/m² subcutaneous doses every 12 hr). Four client‐owned dogs previously diagnosed with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin were administered three distinct Ara‐C protocols with a 21‐day washout between each protocol. A complete blood count was performed seven days after each dosing protocol to assess for clinically relevant myelosuppression. No adverse events were observed. Plasma Ara‐C concentrations were measured using a validated liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry assay. The mean maximal concentrations in this study were 4,230, 9,293, and 16,675 ng/ml for a single dose of 50, 100, and 200 mg/m², respectively. There was a linear relationship between dose and drug exposure. Drug exposure was similar regardless of the dosing protocol when the total dose was analyzed, with an area under the concentration versus time curve of 37,026, 38,465, and 32,510 ng × hr/ml for 50, 100, and 200 mg/m², respectively.     

Association of Ki67 index with prognosis for intermediate‐grade canine cutaneous mast cell tumours*

Intermediate‐grade mast cell tumours (MCT) represent a heterogeneous population of tumours. The prognosis for the majority of dogs is excellent following surgical excision, but a minority die because of their disease. A previous study identified Ki67 expression as a predictor of prognosis in all three grades of MCT. The purpose of this study was to validate those results in a new group of dogs, with intermediate‐grade MCT only. Ki67 immunohistochemistry was performed on intermediate‐grade MCT from 163 dogs with known outcome. Digital microscopy images were taken from each tumour, and an index calculated of Ki67‐positive cells. Ki67 index as a binary variable with a cut‐off value of 1.8% was confirmed to be associated with prognosis (hazard ratio = 19.1, P < 0.0001) for this cohort of dogs. The 1‐year, 2‐year and 3‐year survival probabilities (with standard errors) of 127 dogs with a Ki67 index ≤1.8% were [0.95 (0.024), similar for all] and for 36 dogs with a Ki67 index >1.8% were 0.54 (0.100), 0.45 (0.101) and 0.33 (0.104), respectively.     

Aquaporin 1 expression in tissues of canines possessing inherited high K+ erythrocytes

We investigated the expression of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) in tissues from canines with an inherited anomaly that causes their erythrocytes to have high K⁺. Northern blot analysis revealed abundant AQP1 expression in lung and kidney, though little expression was found in spleen. Using anti-C-terminus for dog AQP1, abundant expression was shown in kidney, trachea, and eye, but little expression was shown in pancreas and cerebrum, indicating that AQP1 expression in canine tissues is similar to that noted in other mammals.     

Distinctive histopathologic features of canine optic nerve hypoplasia and aplasia: a retrospective review of 13 cases

Canine optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) and aplasia (ONA) are significant neuro-ophthalmologic disorders that have been reported in several species. The purpose of this study was to describe the distinctive histopathologic features of ONH and ONA in canine patients identified from a collection of 20 000 ocular submissions at the comparative ocular pathology laboratory of Wisconsin from 1989 to 2006. The following information about ONH and ONA cases was collected: signalment, and clinical and gross findings, including unilateral vs. bilateral involvement. Microscopic evaluation was performed, with attention to optic nerve malformation, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) and nerve fiber layer (NFL) loss, and retinal disorganization. The distribution of retinal vasculature was recorded and a search for unusual findings of ONH and ONA was performed. Information and histologic documentation was available for 13 cases. Eight cases of ONH and five cases of ONA were identified. The average group age was 20.2 months and 16.1 months, respectively. The most common breed was the Shih Tzu (3/13). ONH usually presented bilaterally (7/8); all ONA cases presented as a unilateral disease (5/5). The morphologic findings in the optic nerve (ON) in ONH included variable degrees of ON hypoplasia and gliosis, as well as ectopic vestigial ON remnants within orbital nerves and connective tissues. The NFL was detected in the majority of the ONH cases; however, RGCs were rare or absent. Mild retinal disorganization was seen occasionally. Most cases of ONH were associated with regional peripheral retinal blood vessel extension into the vitreous, leaving the peripheral retina avascular. In ONA cases the retinal blood vessels, NFL and RGCs were totally absent and retinal disorganization was severe. Distinctive microscopic features encountered in ONA included anterior segment dysgenesis in some cases. The retina in these cases was stretched across the posterior lens capsule, never making contact with the posterior pole of the globe. The current study reviews the human and veterinary literature pertaining to ONH and ONA, compares ONH and ONA in dogs, and presents related ophthalmic histopathologic findings that have not been reported previously.     

Isolation and characterization of primary canine lens epithelial cells

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the proliferation and differentiation of primary canine lens epithelial cells (LEC) under standard culture conditions. PROCEDURE: Canine LEC were isolated by mechanical dissection of the canine globe and enzymatic digestion of the lens capsule from fresh lenses. Isolated capsules and cell suspensions were seeded in laminin-coated culture flasks. Canine LEC proliferated and formed monolayers, which could be passaged and maintained for approximately 2 weeks. Cells were characterized morphologically and cell lysates examined for expression of protein markers of epithelial origin and differentiation. RESULTS: Canine LEC exhibit morphologic characteristics of epithelial cells when cultured on laminin/lysine coated flasks. Expression of epithelial cell marker, cytokeratin 5, was highest at passage 1 and diminished with increasing passage number. Expression of gamma-crystallin, a protein found only in differentiated lens fiber cells, increased at passage 6. A laminin/lysine-coated surface supported optimal proliferation of canine LEC. Both an initial seeding density of 1 x 10(5) cells/cm(2) and culture in Dulbecco's modified essential media (DMEM) supplemented with 10% FBS supported a doubling time of less than 48 h in canine LEC. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that primary canine LEC retain the characteristics of lens epithelial cells prior to passage 6 under the described culture conditions and represent a suitable in vitro model for investigating lens physiology and cataractogenesis.     

黑水虻幼虫粉对育肥猪营养物质消化率、血清生化指标和氨基酸组成的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加黑水虻幼虫粉对育肥猪营养物质消化率、血清生化指标和氨基酸组成的影响。选取72头初始体重相近且健康的“杜×长×大”三元杂交母猪,随机分成3组,按照等能等氮的原则,在饲粮中分别添加0(对照组)、4%和8%的黑水虻幼虫粉,每组8个重复,每个重复3头猪,进行为期46d的试验(其中预试期4d)。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加4%黑水虻幼虫粉显著提高了有机物的消化率(P<0.05),而添加8%黑水虻幼虫粉显著降低了粗蛋白质的消化率(P<0.05)。2)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加4%黑水虻幼虫粉显著增加血清中总蛋白、白蛋白和葡萄糖的含量(P<0.05),但显著减少了血清中尿素氮的含量(P<0.05)。3)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加4%黑水虻幼虫粉显著增加了血清中缬氨酸、蛋氨酸、苏氨酸和总必需氨基酸的含量(P<0.05)。由此可见,本试验条件下,在饲粮中添加4%黑水虻幼虫粉,可调控机体与氮代谢和糖代谢相关的血清生化指标,促进机体对营养物质的消化吸收,改善机体氨基酸平衡,说明黑水虻幼虫粉可作为新型优质蛋白质原料应用于育肥猪饲粮中。     

包被丁酸钠对断奶仔猪生长性能、血清生化指标、养分表观消化率和粪便微生物菌群的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加包被丁酸钠对断奶仔猪生长性能、血清生化指标、养分表观消化率和粪便微生物菌群的影响。选取128头体重为(6.37±0.11) kg的28日龄健康大白断奶仔猪,随机分为4组,每组4个重复,每个重复8头仔猪。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组分别在基础饲粮中添加500、1 000、1 500 g/t包被丁酸钠。试验期28 d。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加1 000和1 500 g/t包被丁酸钠显著提高断奶仔猪末重和1～28 d平均日增重(P<0.05),并显著降低1～14 d和1～28 d断奶仔猪料重比(P <0.05)。2)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加1 000、1 500 g/t包被丁酸钠显著提高断奶仔猪血清中总蛋白(TP)、葡萄糖(GLU)、免疫球蛋白A(IgA)、免疫球蛋白G(IgG)的含量(P<0.05),显著降低血清中尿素氮(UN)的含量(P<0.05)。3)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加1 000、1 500 g/t包被丁酸钠可显著提高断奶仔猪粗蛋白质(CP)、粗脂肪(EE)表观消化率(P<0.05)。4)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加1 000、1 500 g/t包被丁酸钠显著降低断奶仔猪粪便中大肠杆菌数量(P<0.05),显著提高乳酸杆菌数量(P<0.05)。综上所述,饲粮中添加包被丁酸钠可促进断奶仔猪的生长,提高断奶仔猪的免疫力,提高养分表观消化率,改善肠道菌群平衡状态。在本试验条件下,断奶仔猪饲粮中包被丁酸钠的最适添加量为1 000 g/t。