Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in a cow

In a 5-year-old Holstein cow, a neoplasm composed of a large intramuscular mass and multiple metastases in the lungs and lymph nodes was diagnosed as a pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma. This neoplasm was characterized by marked variation in tumor cell size and giant cells with single bizarre nuclei. Although the presence of cross striations and myoglobin could be confirmed, expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) was also recognized in a few cells. Neoplastic cells showing intense staining for desmin, vimentin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen irrespective of their size differed from those in an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma that exhibited a wide spectrum of differentiation, reminiscent of normal skeletal myogenesis. The cellular pleomorphism and SMA expression seemed to be characteristic of deviation from normal muscle cells or satellite cells in adult muscle.     

Molecular cloning of canine thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) gene and its expression in various tissues

Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) is known as a functional ligand for CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4), which is selectively expressed on Th2 lymphocytes and induces selective migration of the cells to allergic lesions. In this study, we cloned canine TARC cDNA from canine thymus by RT-PCR with rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method. The canine TARC clone contained a full-length open reading frame encoding 99 amino acids and included four cysteine residues characteristic to CC chemokine family. The canine TARC cDNA showed 77.5%, 67.4%, and 68.5% amino acid sequence similarity with human, mouse and rat homologues, respectively. Expression of TARC mRNA was detected not only in thymus but also in spleen, lymph node, lung and heart of the various normal dog tissues examined. TARC cDNA clone obtained in this study will be useful for further investigation on allergic diseases in dogs.     

Production of HanWoo (Bos taurus coreanae) fetuses following interbreed somatic cell nuclear transfer

The possibility of producing HanWoo (Bos taurus coreanae) calves from transferable bovine embryos, obtained by interbreed nuclear transfer using Holstein cytoplasts and surrogates, was investigated. As donor nuclei, HanWoo fetal fibroblasts were used. Cells were induced into quiescence by serum deprivation for 4-7 days before nuclear transfer. In vitro matured Holstein oocytes were enucleated, and single donor cell was placed into the perivitelline space of enucleated oocyte. After reconstruction, the embryos were fused. activated and cultured. On day 7, the embryos that developed to the blastocyst stages were transferred into Holstein recipient cows on day 6 to 7 of estrous cycle (estrus=0). The reconstructed embryos were successfully fused (58.8%; 47/80), cleaved (91.5%; 43/47), and developed to blastocysts (29.8%; 14/47). Eleven blastocysts were transferred into 5 Holstein recipient cows. Two recipients were pregnant, confirmed by ultrasonography at day 60 of gestation. But, one of them was opened between on day 80 to 100 of pregnancy, and the other had a stillbirth on day 255. The stillborn calf was physically normal, and we couldn't find any evidence of anomaly. These results show that cells derived from HanWoo somatic cell lines can be reprogrammed by interbreed nuclear transfer and develop subsequently in vivo as well as in vitro.     

Immunogenicity and efficacy of the oral rabies vaccine SAD B19 in foxes

Studies on the immunogenicity and efficacy of SAD B19 attenuated rabies virus vaccine in foxes under laboratory conditions were conducted. Twenty-seven foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were offered a vaccine bait containing 10(6.3) FFU/ml SAD B19. Blood samples were collected 60, 110 and 190 days post-vaccination. On day 190 post vaccination the animals and 14 controls were challenged with a canid street rabies virus. Twenty-four of the 26 vaccinated foxes (92.3%) survived the challenge, whereas all the controls died from rabies. The two vaccinated foxes that did not survive the challenge did not show any detectable level of rabies neutralizing antibodies at any time after vaccination. The geometric mean titres (GMT) of foxes that seroconverted after vaccination were 43.5, 33.9 and 43.5 IU/ml 60, 110 and 190 days post-vaccination, respectively. Furthermore, to test the vaccine virus under sub-optimal conditions five naive and nine previously vaccinated vixens received 2 ml SAD B19 (10(6.7) FFU/ml) by direct administration of the vaccine virus into the oral cavity shortly before or during pregnancy. All vixens seroconverted above the threshold of 0.5 IU/ml. No booster effect was observed in the immune response of the previously vaccinated animals.     

An investigation of heavy metal exposure and risks to wildlife in the Kafue flats of Zambia

Exposure and ecological risks to heavy metals (copper, zinc, manganese, iron) at Lochnivar and Blue Lagoon National Parks in wildlife dependent on the Kafue river contaminated with mining waste was evaluated. Samples included water, fish, grasses and Kafue Lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) liver. At both parks copper ranged from 0.03-0.04 mg/l; 3.0-6.0 mg/kg; 11.0-44.0 mg/kg; trace -199.0 mg/kg; while zinc was 0.01 mg/l; 32.0-82.0 mg/kg; 15.0-21.0 mg/kg; and 52.0-138.0 mg/kg; in water, fish, grasses and lechwe, respectively. Manganese ranges were 0.15-0.16 mg/l; 7.0-18.0 mg/kg; 51.0-145.0 mg/kg; and 40.0-53.0 mg/kg while iron ranges were 0.13-0.14 mg/l; 26.0-134.0 mg/kg; 1766.0-1797.0 mg/kg; and 131.0-856.0 mg/kg; in water, fish, grasses and lechwe, respectively. Levels in all samples except water were high indicating potential for adverse effects.     

Effect of supplementation of dry cat food with D,L-methionine and ammonium chloride on struvite activity product and sediment in urine

Feeding dry foods supplemented with urine acidifier (D,L-methionine (Met) or ammonium chloride) decreased urinary pH and struvite activity product in clinically normal cats. As a result, the number of struvite crystals in urine was greatly reduced. Supplementation with 3% Met but not 1% Met caused decrease in the urinary concentration of sediment, which resulted from a reduction in the HCl-soluble fraction. The concentration of HCl-insoluble sediment was not affected by supplementation with the urine acidifier.     

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was diagnosed by postmortem examination of a one-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with four-week history of dyspnea. Cytologic and histologic examination of lung tissues revealed numerous P. carinii trophozoites and cysts, and P. carinii specific DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction. The dog showed hypogammagloblinemia and extremely low levels of serum IgG. It was considered that P. carinii pneumonia in this case was associated with an immunodeficient condition which has already been reported in Miniature Dachshunds.     

Protective effects of clostridium sordellii LT and HT toxoids against challenge with spores in guinea pigs

The protective effects of Clostridium sordellii lethal toxin (LT) and hemorrhagic toxin (HT) toxoids against challenge with spores in guinea pigs were investigated. Purified LT and partially purified HT were obtained from the culture supernatant of C. sordellii strain 3703, and then were treated with formalin to make toxoids. LT. HT and combined LT and HT (LT/HT) toxoid vaccines were prepared by mixing each toxoid with an aluminum phosphate gel as adjuvant. Guinea pigs immunized twice with the respective toxoid vaccines were challenged with spores of strains 3703 or KZ1047. The latter strain does not produce HT. LT toxoid vaccine conferred protection against challenge with strain KZ1047, but not strain 3703, in guinea pigs. All guinea pigs immunized with HT toxoid vaccine died after challenge with spores of either strain. LT/HT toxoid vaccine gave complete protection against challenge with spores of strains 3703 and KZ1047 to guinea pigs. These results suggest that not only LT toxoid, but also HT toxoid, are essential protective antigens of C. sordellii.