Antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli in the reproductive tract microbiota of cows and sows

Escherichia coli is a natural colonizer of the urogenital mucosa of healthy females; however it is one of the pathogens associated to reproductive failures in cows and sows. A better knowledge about the characteristics of native E. coli will allow us to differentiate them from pathogenic strains. Ninety autochthonous isolates from the reproductive tract of sows and cows were characterized to determine the phylogenetic profile, antibiotic resistance and virulence factors; also, comparisons between different breeding systems were performed. Vaginal colonization of E. coli was statistically higher in cows (57.5%) than sows (23.8%), and most isolates belonged to the phylogenetic group A: 79.69 and 80.77%, respectively; moreover phylo-groups B1 (12.5 and 11.54%) and D (7.81 and 7.69%) were significantly lower; however, none was classified as B2. Positive associations between virulence factors and group D were found. Isolates with antimicrobial susceptibility were associated with group A and the MDR (Multiple Drug Resistance) was related to the porcine source. These results contribute to the knowledge of extra-intestinal E. coli populations; which could affect the reproductive performance of females.     

Progenitor mast cells and tryptase in Q fever

Q fever is an infectious disease due to Coxiella burnetii. Following a primary-infection, C. burnetii may persist in some patients, leading to endocarditis and vascular infections. Mast cells (MCs), known for their role in allergic diseases, innate immunity and cardiac function, are produced by bone marrow, circulate as progenitors in the bloodstream and reach tissues for their maturation and activation. The latter may be estimated by measuring serum tryptase levels. We wondered if MC progenitors and tryptase were affected in Q fever. We showed a decrease in MC progenitor count in Q fever patients whereas serum tryptase levels were increased. Taken together, our results show alterations of MC numbers and activity in Q fever patients, suggesting that MC are involved in Q fever pathophysiology.     

Distribution of immune cells in the female reproductive tract in uninfected and FIV infected cats

Cell-free and cell-associated FIV effectively cross the mucosa of the feline female reproductive tract. To identify possible cellular targets of FIV and to characterize changes in mucosal immunity after infection, we examined the types and numbers of immune cells residing in the reproductive tracts of control and intravaginally FIV-infected cats. Sections of the vestibule, vagina, cervix, uterus, and ovaries, were examined by immunohistochemistry for CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, CD22+ B lymphocytes, CD1a+ dendritic cells, and CD14+ macrophages. The reproductive tract of uninfected cats contained substantial numbers of CD8+ T lymphocytes, CD4+ T lymphocytes and macrophages, as well as moderate numbers of CD1a+ dendritic cells, and few B lymphocytes. The most prominent change between FIV- and FIV+ cats was a marked decrease in the concentration of CD4+ T lymphocytes resulting in inverted CD4+:CD8+ ratios throughout the reproductive tract of infected cats. There was also a trend towards increasing numbers of CD1a+ dendritic cells in the intravaginally-infected FIV+ cats, and decreasing numbers of macrophages and CD22+ B lymphocytes. This study indicates that similar to the peripheral immune system, FIV infection is associated with CD4+ cell loss and reduced CD4+:CD8+ ratios in the female reproductive mucosal tissue.     

余干乌骨鸡胃和小肠肥大细胞的分布特点

通过石蜡切片、改良甲苯胺蓝染色的方法对余干乌骨鸡主要胃肠道内的肥大细胞进行鉴定和分布特点分析。结果显示,在余干乌骨鸡的腺胃、肌胃、十二指肠、空肠和回肠管壁内皆有肥大细胞的分布,尤其是腺胃和肌胃内肥大细胞尤为丰富。肥大细胞主要位于胃肠道管壁内的黏膜固有层和肌层中,有些围绕着血管周围分布。黏膜下层极少有肥大细胞分布。外膜内无肥大细胞,但空肠外膜外附有的结缔组织中,脂肪细胞周围有肥大细胞分布。肥大细胞体积较大,多数呈卵圆形,有的细胞形态不规则,甚至有突起。胞质中含有紫红色颗粒。结果表明,余干乌骨鸡胃肠道管壁内具有丰富的肥大细胞,余干乌骨鸡胃肠道具有较强的抗病原微生物和抗寄生虫功能,肠道免疫屏障较为完善。同时,大量的肥大细胞在胃肠道内的分布可能与黑色素的生成具有相关性。     

Distribution and ultrastructure of mast cells in the equine respiratory tract

Mast cells in the equine respiratory mucosa were studied at both light--and transmission electron--microscope levels. Mast cells were identified at all levels of the tract, with the greatest cell density in the nasopharynx. The majority (57 to 94 per cent) of this cell population were located within the connective tissue of the lamina propria. Up to 20 per cent of these cells were associated with the mucosal glandular tissue, whilst small numbers were present within the surface epithelium and in association with nodular lymphoid tissue. In the peripheral lung tissue 20 per cent of the mast cell population was associated with the small airways, 25 per cent with the pleura, and 32 per cent with blood vessels. The fine and ultrastructural features of these mast cells resemble those described in other species, and their granules consist of two types which resemble human mast cells.     

Mast cells and canine mast cell tumours. A review

Summary

This article reviews the literature on mast cells and tumours derived from mast cells in the dog. Mast cells play a central role in inflammatory and inunune reactions. Mast cells, normal and neoplastic, contain and release important biologically active substances: heparin, histamine, eosinophilic chemotactic factor and proteolytic enzymes.

Mast cell tumours occur in the dog, particularly in the boxer and related breeds, in the skin and less frequently in the intestines. Cytology usually provides an accurate diagnosis, but histological examination adds further information concerning the histologic grade and the completeness of surgical therapy. Cutaneous mast cell tumours should be regarded as potentially malignant and therefore be removed widely (3 cm. margin). Local recurrence, regional and distant metastases together with paraneoplastic disorders may cause the death of the pet. Histologic grading (2 or 3 grades) and clinical staging together with kinetic parameters and breed (boxers have relatively benign tumours) are important prognostic parameters. Based on prognostic criteria, surgical treatment should be completed with adjuvant radiotherapy, corticosteroids and eventually with combined chemotherapy. A novel, promising therapy is the application of the receptor kinase inhibitor. The study of the pathogenesis of mast cell tumours received new impetus by the finding of mutations, deletions and duplications, in exons 11 and 12 of the C‐kit oncogene. Further study of physiological and oncological aspects of mast cells are favoured by the availability of mast cells isolated from spontaneous mast cell tumours and of cultured cell lines.     

产蛋期母鸡生殖系统中肥大细胞的定位研究

利用改良甲苯胺蓝组织化学方法,观察产蛋期母鸡卵巢和输卵管各段内肥大细胞的形态,并阐述肥大细胞在产蛋期母鸡卵巢和各输卵管中分布定位特点。结果肥大细胞广泛分布于母鸡生殖道中,在固有层和外膜均观察到紫红色的肥大细胞。卵巢中,肥大细胞主要分布于皮质的结缔组织、髓质的基质、正常与闭锁的卵泡膜中;输卵管内,肥大细胞分布于黏膜上皮下的固有层、固有层结缔组织、管状腺间、环行肌与纵行肌肌纤维间和小血管周围。各组织中单位视野下肥大细胞数量从高到低依次为:卵巢、漏斗部、阴道部、膨大部、子宫到峡部。表明卵巢中的肥大细胞的分布有助于自身分泌的组胺等物质迅速作用于卵巢,从而激活卵泡的发育等功能;而在输卵管中的分布及数量差异变化则与输卵管各段在生殖系统中的功能相关。     

绵羊自然感染贝氏莫尼茨绦虫对小肠黏膜免疫相关细胞的数量变化

运用组织学和组织化学染色法,分别对自然感染贝氏莫尼茨绦虫的成年绵羊（感染组）与正常成年绵羊（对照组）的小肠各肠段的上皮内淋巴细胞、浆细胞、杯状细胞和嗜酸粒细胞的分布和数量变化进行了比较研究。结果显示：感染组小肠各段上皮内淋巴细胞、浆细胞、杯状细胞和嗜酸粒细胞数量均显著高于对照组,其中感染组十二指肠、空肠和回肠的上皮内淋巴细胞数量分别比对照组增加了169.11%、230.38%和233.42%（P〈0.01）;嗜酸粒细胞数量分别比对照组增加了116.78%、123.87%和164.51%（P〈0.01）;浆细胞数量分别比对照组增加了127.34%、72.97%和328.26%（P〈0.01）;杯状细胞数量分别比对照组增加了33.40%、41.42%和133.17%。对照组和感染组上皮内淋巴细胞和杯状细胞从十二指肠到回肠均逐渐减少,相反,对照组和感染组嗜酸粒细胞数量从十二指肠到回肠均逐渐增多,对照组小肠固有层浆细胞数量从十二指肠到空肠增加,空肠到回肠减少,感染组小肠固有层浆细胞数量从十二指肠到回肠均逐渐增多;对照组十二指肠、空肠、回肠的上皮内淋巴细胞、上皮内杯状细胞、浆细胞和嗜酸粒细胞均差异极显著（P〈0.01）;感染组十二指肠、空肠、回肠的上皮内杯状细胞、浆细胞和嗜酸粒细胞均差异极显著（P〈0.01）,感染组上皮内淋巴细胞空肠与回肠差异极显著（P〈0.01）,但十二指肠与空肠差异不显著（P〉0.05）。研究结果表明,贝氏莫尼茨绦虫感染成年绵羊后,成年绵羊通过特异性黏膜免疫细胞上皮内淋巴细胞增生加强细胞免疫水平,浆细胞增生加强体液免疫水平,同时还通过非特异性黏膜免疫细胞,嗜酸粒细胞和杯状细胞的增生进一步加强黏膜免疫水平以抵抗贝氏莫尼茨绦虫对绵羊的感染。可见绵羊可以通过黏膜免疫相关细胞增生加强局部免疫力以监视虫体免疫逃逸来抵抗寄生虫的感染。     

Ultrasonography of the urinary tract in 29 female Saanen goats

The left and right kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra of 29 female clinically healthy Saanen goats were examined via transcutaneous and transrectal ultrasonography. In order to establish reference values the examinations were performed using a 5.0 MHz linear transducer to scan the right caudal costal part of the abdominal wall, right and left dorsal flanks and right and left inguinal regions of standing goats. A 5.0 MHz intracavity probe was used for transrectal ultrasonographic examination of the urinary bladder and urethra. The kidneys were examined in longitudinal and cross section and assessed subjectively. They could usually be seen from the 12th intercostal space on the right side and dorsal right flank. The right kidney was 8.0 ± 0.67 cm long and the left was 8.4 ± 0.64 cm long. The ureters could not be visualized in any of the goats. The length of the urinary bladder was 5.1 ± 1.38 cm, and its largest cross-sectional diameter was 2.6 ± 1.01 cm. The urethra was seen in 23 goats and appeared as echogenic lines with no visible lumen. The transition from the neck of the bladder to the internal urethral orifice extended beyond the brim of the pelvis in only one goat.     

Plasma melatonin in domestic female Mediterranean sheep (Comisana breed) and goats (Maltese and Red Syrian)

The plasma melatonin nychtemeral profiles in Mediterranean ewes and goats were evaluated six times throughout the year. Melatonin levels were high throughout the night and generally below the assay detection limit during daytime. However, during long days, 30% of the last daytime samples had high melatonin concentrations. Plasma melatonin levels were higher in Comisana sheep than in goats, and higher in Maltese than in Red Syrian goats, with highly significant effect of the individual animal and high repeatability. Plasma melatonin was higher in April than in August. When there was a large difference between the duration of day and night, the plasma melatonin pattern and the light/dark cycle did not always match exactly, suggesting some form of superimposition and/or the prevalence of an endogenous rhythm. The difference found at similar scotoperiods with increasing or decreasing day length may be involved in the perception of the photoperiodic changes.     

植物甾醇对KM雌性小鼠生长及生殖激素的影响

本试验旨在研究植物甾醇对雌性小鼠生长及生殖激素的影响。选用50只35日龄雌性小鼠,适应1周后随机分为5组,分别为：对照组、植物油组（给予0.1 mL植物油）及植物甾醇低、中、高三个剂量组（每日灌胃20、80和320 mg/kg植物甾醇）。连续灌胃3周,第1天和第22天称取小鼠体重,然后眼球采血,制备血清,对小鼠血清中的雌二醇、孕酮、催乳素水平进行检测,研究不同添加量的植物甾醇对小鼠生长及生殖激素的影响。结果显示：与对照组相比,植物油组小鼠体增重差异显著（P＜0.05）。与植物油组相比,植物甾醇处理组小鼠体增重先升高后降低,但差异不显著（P＞0.05）。植物甾醇对小鼠血清E2水平有不同程度的提高,其中中剂量组小鼠的雌二醇水平最高（270.52＆#177;18.10 pmol/L）;随着植物甾醇灌胃剂量的增加,小鼠孕酮水平都有不同程度的下降,其中植物甾醇中剂量组小鼠血清孕酮水平显著低于对照组（P＜0.05）。植物甾醇灌胃组小鼠催乳素水平与对照组相比,差异不显著（P＞0.05）。表明低剂量植物甾醇可提高KM雌性小鼠的体增重;植物甾醇能提高KM雌性小鼠血清雌二醇水平,但对孕酮和催乳素的作用不显著。     

Air‐liquid interface cell culture: From airway epithelium to the female reproductive tract

The air‐liquid interface (ALI) approach is primarily used to mimic respiratory tract epithelia in vitro. It is also known to support excellent differentiation of 3D multilayered skin models. To establish an ALI culture, epithelial cells are seeded into compartmentalized culture systems on porous filter supports or gel substrata. After an initial propagation period, the culture medium is removed from the apical side of the epithelium, exposing the cells to the surrounding air. Therefore, nutritive supply to the cells is warranted only by the basolateral cell pole. Under these conditions, the epithelial cells differentiate and regain full baso‐apical polarity. Some types of epithelia even generate in vivo‐like apical fluid or mucus. Interestingly, the ALI culture approach has also been shown to support morphological and functional differentiation of epithelial cells that are not normally exposed to ambient air in vivo. This review aims at giving a brief overview on the characteristics of ALI cultures in general and ALI models of female reproductive tract epithelia in particular. We discuss the applicability of ALI models for the investigation of the early embryonic microenvironment and for its implications in assisted reproductive technologies.     

Quantifying differences in total tract nutrient digestibilities between goats and sheep

Conclusions from narrative qualitative reviews on differences in total tract digestibilities between goats and sheep did not account for variability among studies. Therefore meta‐analytic techniques were used to describe the magnitude of these differences with numerical values. A unitless effect size (Hedges’ g) was applied within studies to measure differences in digestibilities of dry matter (DM; 104 comparisons), organic matter (OM; 93 comparisons), crude protein (CP; 85 comparisons), neutral detergent fibre (NDF; 74 comparisons), acid detergent fibre (ADF; 59 comparisons), cellulose (24 comparisons), hemicellulose (18 comparisons) and gross energy (GE; 29 comparisons). The absence and inability to describe independent factors which contributed to variation among studies necessitated the use of frequentist random effects and hierarchical Bayesian models in the calculation of summary statistics across studies. Digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF and hemicellulose were higher (p < 0.05) in goats than sheep when all‐forage diets were fed. When concentrates were included in the diets, there were no such differences. Differences between goats and sheep in DM intake were found to be non‐significant. Differences in nutrient digestibilities of forages as sole feed implies that species‐specific values have to be used in feed formulation and feeding strategies. However, caution is needed when extrapolating results from stall‐feeding, which is how digestibility data are usually measured, to grazing conditions.     

Distribution and ultrastructure of mast cells in the duck

The distribution and ultrastructure of mast cells in the duck were studied. Carnoy's fluid was found to be the best fixative, and Padawer's method was found to be useful in demonstrating the metachromasia. Mast cells were seen in many of the organs and were most numerous in the proventriculus. Perivascular location was frequently seen. The ultrastructure resembled that of the chicken mast cell. The cell contained different types of membrane-bound granules, some of which were electron-dense and mottled.     

鸡消化道上皮细胞中乳酸杆菌黏附受体蛋白含量变化

利用兔抗鸡消化道上皮细胞上乳酸杆菌受体蛋白血清,以琼脂扩散试验、不连续活性-PAGE电泳技术和间接ELISA方法,对1～40日龄、健康和患球虫病鸡消化道不同部位乳酸杆菌黏附受体蛋白含量进行了检测。结果表明,1日龄鸡嗉囊与小肠部位产生乳酸杆菌黏附受体蛋白成分,D450nm值分别为0.236和0.176,4～5日龄乳酸杆菌黏附受体蛋白成分达到稳定,D450nm值分别为0.231和0.166。健康鸡体内嗉囊与小肠部位上皮细胞上乳酸杆菌黏附受体蛋白含量比患球虫病鸡明显增多,D450nm值分别为：嗉囊,0.181和0.164;小肠,0.180和0.161。     

Characterization of mast cell numbers and subtypes in biopsies from the gastrointestinal tract of dogs with lymphocytic-plasmacytic or eosinophilic gastroenterocolitis

It has been suggested but not proven that hypersensitivity type I reactions are involved in the pathogenesis of canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The main effector cells in type I hypersensitivity reactions are mast cells (MCs). Canine MCs, as human MCs, can be subdivided into three subtypes according to their content of mast cell-specific proteases: tryptase (MC_T), chymase (MC_C), or tryptase and chymase bearing MCs (MC_TC). In this study, numbers and subsets of mast cells were investigated in biopsies from the gastrointestinal tract of dogs with histopathologically confirmed lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis (LPE) (n = 4), lymphocytic-plasmacytic colitis (LPC) (n = 1) and eosinophilic gastroenterocolitis (EGE) (n = 11). Paraffin sections of formalin-fixed samples from the stomach, small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) and colon were stained by using a metachromatic staining method (kresylecht-violet; KEV) and a combined enzyme histochemical and immunohistochemical technique for chymase and tryptase. Additionally, immunohistochemistry with antibodies against T cells (CD3), macrophages (myeloid/histiocyte antigen) and IgA, IgG and IgM bearing cells was conducted. Quantitative evaluation of mast cells and semiquantitative scoring of immunohistochemically stained cells were performed. Between the two histopathologically defined groups clear differences concerning mast cell numbers were detected. In most affected intestinal tissue locations of dogs with LPE/LPC a decrease in metachromatically (kresylecht-violet) stained granule-containing MCs and immunohistochemically stained MC_T,C,TC was found. This reduction could be due to mast cell degranulation, a T helper cell 1 dominated reaction pattern or a “thinning out” due to increasing T cells, IgA and IgG bearing cells. Dogs with EGE displayed higher variability in mast cell numbers but most of the affected large and small intestinal locations had increased numbers of MCs. In these cases, T cells, IgA bearing cells and macrophages also increased. Increased numbers of MCs and eosinophils seen in the intestinal mucosa of dogs with EGE could indicate the presence of a type I hypersensitivity reaction (T helper cell 2 pattern) in response to dietary antigens. Changes in cell numbers occurred also in unaffected locations of dogs with LPE/LPC and EGE which showed reduced MC_T,C,TC, increased KEV positive cells and partially increased leucocytes and macrophages.     

A Study of the Number and Distribution of Cutaneous Mast Cells in Cats with Disease not Affecting the Skin

Resumen— El propósito de este estudio era investigar el número de mastocitos dérmicos en diferentes partes de la piel de gatos con enfermedad que no afecta a la piel. Se hizo un recuento de el número de mastocitos en 10 partes diferentes de la piel de 12 gatos sin evidencia de enfermedad de la piel. Se fijaron muestras de biopsia de piel en fijador Carnoy y formalina neutral atenuada, y se tiñeron con azul touluidina. Se realizaron recuentos de celulas de 6 campos de alto poder (400), de cada parte. Los recuentos de mastocitos combinados para todos los gatos, todas las partes y ambos fijadores variaban de 0–60 con un promedio de 12.5 por campo de alto poder y eran mas altos en el aspecto caudal del pabellón auricular y en la barbilla. El tipo de fijador usado no pareció influir en el recuento de mastocitos. [Foster, A. P. A study of the number and distribution of cutaneous mast cells in cats with diseases not affecting the skin (Un estudio de el número y distribución de mastocitos cutaneos en gatos con enfermedad que no afecta a la piel).
Abstract— The purpose of this study was to investigate the number of dermal mast cells in different skin sites from cats with disease not affecting the skin. The number of mast cells in the skin of 12 cats without evidence of skin disease was counted from 10 different skin sites. Skin biopsy samples were fixed in Carnoy's fixative and neutral buffered formalin and stained with toluidine blue. Cell counts from 6 high power fields (400) were made for each site. Mast cell counts combined for all cats, all sites and both fixatives ranged from 0 to 60 with a mean of 12.5 per high power field and were highest from the caudal aspect of the pinna and the chin. The type of fixative used did not appear to influence mast cell counts.