猫白介素-18基因的克隆、序列分析及其表达

用猫白介素18(interleukin,IL-18)基因特异性引物对刀豆蛋白(ConA)刺激后猫外周血单核细胞(PBMCf)总RNA进行了RT-PCR扩增,并将扩增产物纯化后克隆入pMD18-T中进行核苷酸序列测定。结果该基因全长579bp,编码192个氨基酸(GenBank登录号:DQ100372)。在推导的猫IL-18氨基酸序列中,无信号肽序列和潜在的N-联糖基化位点,但存在4个Cys残基。与不同物种IL-18相比,猫IL-18与犬、羊、牛和猪IL-18核苷酸序列有较高的同源性,分别为89.8%、88.6%、88.4%和88.1%,但与小鼠和鸡IL-18有明显的种属差异。将目的基因片段进一步亚克隆到大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)表达载体pET28a中构建了重组质粒pETIL-18,转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),并用IPTG诱导。结果重组菌菌体裂解物经SDS-PAGE电泳可检测到分子量为27.5kD的重组目的蛋白。经凝胶薄层扫描,目的蛋白表达量可占菌体蛋白的13.6%。     

VERTEBRAL OSTEOSCLEROSIS IN A CAT SECONDARY TO RHABDOMYOSARCOMA

A 5–year–old cat was presented for pelvic limb weakness. Sclerosis of the vertebral body of T–10 was visible on thoracic radiographs. A compressive lesion at this area was noted on myelography. A tumor was partially removed at surgery, but the cat was killed because of poor postoperative response. Rhabdomyosarcoma was diagnosed at necropsy, with bone marrow necrosis and myelofibrosis, and new bone proliferation of the body of T–10. Causes of bone necrosis are discussed.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE CANINE, FELINE AND EQUINE TONGUE: NORMAL FINDINGS AND CASE HISTORY REPORTS

A submental approach using a 5, 7.5 and 10 MHz mechanical sectorial transducers was used to evaluate the ultrasonographic appearance of the normal and abnormal canine, feline and equine tongue. Seven normal animals were used to characterize the in vivo normal ultrasonographic appearance of the oropharynx. Consistently seen anatomical landmarks included the lingual parenchyma, lingual artery, soft and hard palate interfaces, mandible, basihyoid bone and sublingual musculature. Seven fresh canine, feline and equine cadavers were dissected to confirm the ultrasonographic findings. Seven animals with signs of ptyalism, dysphagia, halitosis and visible lingual lesions were also studied. A foreign body and abscesses secondary to a penetrating wound were detected in a horse. Ultrasound guidance aided surgical dissection, removal of the foreign body and intraoperative drainage of the abscesses. Ultrasound provided valuable non-invasive documentation of the architecture, size and margins of six lingual neoplasms. Ultrasonographic monitoring of the response to the treatment of lingual lesions may be beneficial in the management of patients.     

MINERALIZED ARTERIOSCLEROSIS IN A CAT

In radiographs of a domestic short haired cat of unknown age, mineralization was identified in the pulmonary parenchyma, peripheral pulmonary vessels, the aortic outflow tract, aortic valve, celiac artery, cranial mesenteric artery, and the internal and external iliac arteries. The diffuse arterial mineralization was characterized histopathologically as arteriosclerosis. This is the first report of mineralized arteriosclerosis in a cat with corresponding radiographic signs. The arteriosclerosis is thought to be due to systemic hypertension but a definitive cause for the profound mineralization was not found. Causes of soft tissue mineralization are reviewed.     

Phacoemulsification in a clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)

Phacoemulsification and prophylactic retinopexy were performed on a 3‐month‐old hand‐raised clouded leopard with a unilateral mature cataract. The same procedures were repeated 3 months later when a cataract developed in the fellow eye. Examination procedures, anesthetic protocols, and surgical techniques were similar to those utilized in domestic cats. The patient retains highly functional aphakic vision at the present age of 2.5 years. An inherited basis for the cataracts is proposed. Although the cub was hand raised, the cataracts were unlike nutritional cataracts reported previously in domestic cats and dogs. To the author’s knowledge this is the first report of cataract formation and phacoemulsification in a clouded leopard.     

Les vaccins dans la prevention de la rhinotracheite infectieuse du chat adjuvant BCG gel d''alumine (preparation, controle, immunite)

Immunogenicity of different vaccines against the main viral diseases was compared: feline infectious rhinotracheitis, feline panleucopenia virus and calicivirus. These inactivated vaccines developed higher protective activity when adjuvants such as BCG or aluminium hydroxide were used. Animals vaccinated and boostered with an identical dose of these vaccines resisted the viral challenges. Neutralizing antibodies titers obtained with BCG adjuvated vaccines were twofold higher than those containing aluminium hydroxide.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN ETHYLENE GLYCOL (ANTIFREEZE) POISONING IN A PREGNANT QUEEN AND 4 FETAL KITTENS

A one year old female Siamese-Persian mixed breed cat in late third trimester of pregnancy was presented for anorexia and lethargy. Abdominal radiographs were normal. Abdominal ultrasound revealed markedly increased cortical and moderately increased medullary echogenicity of the maternal kidneys. Cortical echogenicity of all fetal kidneys were similarly increased in echogenicity. Premortem clinicopathologic and postmortem histopathologic findings were indicative of ethylene glycol nephrosis presumably secondary to antifreeze ingestion.     

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE THYROID IMAGING IN FELINE HYPERTHYROIDISM USING TECHNETIUM-99M AS PERTECHNETATE

Thyroid imaging using technetium-99m as pertechnetate (^99mTcO₄) was carried out in five healthy, euthyroid and 37 hyperthyroid cats using both pinhole and parallel-hole collimators. Images of greater resolution, necessary to distinguish bilateral lobe involvement, were obtained using the pinhole collimator. Per cent thyriod ^99mTcO₄ - uptake was calculated in each cat and was significanly (P < 0.001) higher in hyperthyroid compared with euthyroid cats. In the hyperthyroid cats, per cent thyroid uptake was significantly correlated with serum total thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) Concentrations. Per cent thyroid ^99mTcO₄ - uptake is increased in feline hyperthyrodism and may be calculated using a pinhole collimator alone at the time of qalitative assessment of the extent of thyroid tissue involvement.     

A survey of FIV antibodies and FeLV antigens in free-roaming cats in the capital area of Finland.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was first isolated and identified in 1986. Since then it has been shown to have a worldwide distribution, and the infection generally appears to have reached a state of endemicity. This is the 1st study of FIV-prevalence in Finland. Serum samples of 196 free-roaming cats were tested for antibodies to FIV and FeLV antigens (Feline leukemia virus). With a combined enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), 13 of the cats (6.6%) turned out to be positive for FIV and 2 for FeLV (1.0%). Adult male cats in the capital area of Finland had a FIV prevalence of 24%, a relative proportion 4.7 times higher than that for females.     

The use of porcine small intestinal submucosa in ten cases of feline corneal disease

Porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) was used as a novel graft material in the management of 10 cases of feline corneal disease. Five cases had stromal ulceration associated with trauma, ocular foreign body and/or suspected infection and required a grafting procedure. Five cases had feline sequestra that were managed by a keratectomy prior to placement of SIS as a graft material. Eight eyes healed with minimal corneal scarring with a very good cosmetic and visual result. One eye with continued aqueous leakage in the immediate postoperative period required a conjunctival pedicle graft to reinforce the SIS graft site. One eye required enucleation 48 h following grafting due to progressive keratomalacia but the SIS material remained intact.