Enhancement of lymphocyte blastogenesis and neutrophil function by avridine in dexamethasone-treated and nontreated cattle

The lipoidal amine, N,N-dioctadecyl-N',N'-bis (2-hydroxyethyl) propanediamine (avridine or CP 20,961), formulated in liposomes, was evaluated for its effect on leukocyte kinetics, lymphocyte blastogenesis, and polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function in dexamethasone-treated and nontreated cattle. In the 1st experiment, cattle were given avridine in a single IM injection of 0.1, 1.0, or 10 mg/kg of body weight. All doses induced swelling at the injection site, a febrile response, and a leukocytosis due to a neutrophilia. Mononuclear cell numbers were normal. All 3 groups of avridine-treated animals had a higher mean lymphocyte blastogenic response to mitogens on the 4 days after administration than did the control nontreated animals. Avridine administration was associated with an enhanced ability of PMN to ingest Staphylococcus aureus and to mediate antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). The highest dose (10 mg/kg) was associated with a depression of the ability of PMN to iodinate protein. An effect of avridine on PMN random migration under agarose or nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction was not observed. In a 2nd experiment, cattle were given no treatment, 0.04 mg of dexamethasone/kg IM, or 10 mg of avridine/kg IM followed 24 hours later by 0.04 mg of dexamethasone/kg. Dexamethasone administration caused a leukocytosis due to a neutrophilia with normal mononuclear cell numbers, an enhancement of PMN random migration under agarose, and an inhibition of NBT reduction, iodination, and ADCC activity of PMN. Dexamethasone did not have a detectable effect on lymphocyte blastogenesis or on ingestion of S aureus by PMN.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Risk factors influencing death prior to discharge in 302 dogs undergoing unilateral adrenalectomy for treatment of primary adrenal gland tumours

Adrenalectomies for canine adrenal tumours are associated with peri-operative morbidity and mortality. Objectives of this study included assessing the prognostic value of tumour- or surgery-related variables in predicting peri-operative mortality and overall survival in dogs undergoing adrenalectomies for primary adrenal tumours as well as pre-treatment with phenoxybenzamine on survival to discharge with pheochromocytomas specifically. A multi-institutional retrospective cohort study was performed across nine institutions. Electronic medical record searches identified 302 dogs which met the inclusion criteria. Data collected included dog-related, tumour-related, treatment-related, surgery-related, and outcome variables. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression and cox proportional hazards models were used to identify variables associated with death prior to discharge and tumour-related survival. Overall, 87% of dogs survived to discharge with a tumour-related survival time of 3.96 years. Post-operative complications were reported in 25%. Increased surgical time (p = 0.002) and pre-surgical medical treatment other than phenoxybenzamine (p = 0.024) were significantly associated with increased peri-operative mortality while ureteronephrectomy (p = 0.021), post-operative pancreatitis (p = 0.025), and post-operative aspiration pneumonia (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with decreased overall survival. Phenoxybenzamine pretreatment had no effect on peri-operative mortality. Thirty-seven of 45 (82%) dogs with pheochromocytomas not pretreated survived to discharge, and 50 of 59 (85%) dogs with pheochromocytomas pretreated with phenoxybenzamine survived to discharge (p = 0.730). This study provides information on risk factors for death prior to discharge and tumour-related survival that may help guide clinical management and owner expectations. In addition, the study findings challenge the previously reported benefit of phenoxybenzamine for pretreatment of dogs undergoing adrenalectomies for pheochromocytomas.     

Depression of polymorphonuclear leukocyte function associated with experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis in sows

In a study of susceptibilities of sows from 2 herds to experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis, a marked difference was seen. The "susceptible" sows were from a conventional herd and "resistant" sows were from a specific-pathogen-free herd. The purpose of the study was to determine whether deficient neutrophil function was associated with increased susceptibility to E coli-induced mastitis. Four in vitro procedures were used to evaluate polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function: (i) random migration under agarose, (ii) ingestion of 125I-iododeoxyuridine-labeled Staphylococcus aureus, (iii) quantitative nitroblue tetrazolium reduction, and (iv) iodination. After parturition and intramammary inoculation with E coli, sows from the susceptible herd were neutropenic and the neutrophils which were present in the peripheral blood had reduced function. Specifically, there were depressed random migration under agarose, S aureus ingestion, and iodination when compared with PMN function in resistant sows. These data indicate that susceptibility to E coli mastitis was associated with deficiencies in PMN numbers and function. Potential causes of the neutrophil dysfunction are discussed and include possible systemic hormonal aberrations or the presence of an inapparent viral or bacterial infection.     

Das wissenschaftliche Werk Victor Dieterichs

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Molecular marker-based genetic linkage map of a diploid banana population (Musa acuminata Colla)

A well-saturated genetic linkage map is valuable for fundamental and applied genetic research. Genetic linkage maps of two half-sib diploid banana populations were constructed using allele-specific-polymerase chain reactions (AS-PCRs), diversity array technology (DArT), and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Molecular maps were produced for each parent using the pseudo-testcross mapping strategy. The first maternal map (6142-1, 81 individuals) consisted of 231 markers divided as followed: 121 DArT, 106 SSR and 4 AS-PCR markers in 15 linkage groups (LGs) covering 670?cM. The second maternal map (6142-1-S, 58 individuals) contained a total of 152 markers including 71 DArTs, 79 SSRs, and 2 AS-PCRs mapped to 16 LGs that spanned 698?cM. The combined paternal map (139 individuals) comprised 316 markers (196 DArTs, 117 SSRs and 3 AS-PCRs) distributed over 15 LGs with a total map length of 1,004?cM. While distorted segregation of some markers was observed in all maps, this was much more frequent for the male parent. Homology between maps was assessed using common markers. While there was generally good congruity with regard to marker order across maps, incongruity in other cases may reflect chromosomal rearrangement events such as inversions, translocations, or deletions. The new banana map can provide a better understanding of the Musa genome and could be used for the identification of economically important traits and improvement of breeding strategies.     

Effects of planting density on the productivity and water use of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) clones: I. Measurement of water use in young tea using sap flow meters with a stem heat balance method

Sap flow meters based on the stem heat balance method were used to measure the mass flow rates or water use in young potted tea (Camellia sinensis L.) plants of clones AHP S15/10 and BBK35. The meters were constructed on site and installed onto the stem or branch sections of field growing plants in an experiment originally designed to study the effects of plant population density and drought on the productivity and water use of young tea clones. The objective of the study was to use the SHB method as a first attempt to use sap flow meters for determining the water use of young tea growing in the field under well watered conditions in Tanzania. The results are reported and recommendation made for further work on using the technique.