C-reactive protein concentration in canine idiopathic polyarthritis

To investigate the clinical utility of C-reactive protein (CRP) in idiopathic polyarthritis (IPA), its concentration was measured in dogs with IPA. The CRP concentration was markedly increased in all the IPA dogs at the time of diagnosis and decreased significantly in response to the initial corticosteroid treatment; this indicated that CRP can be used as an index for therapeutic response in IPA cases. Furthermore, at 6 months after the diagnosis, a significant association was observed between the CRP concentration at follow-up (6-13 days after the treatment was started) and the frequency of medication ("no or seldom-medicated (NSM)" groups or "continuing medication (CM)" groups). These results suggest that the initial response of CRP to corticosteroid treatment may be a prognostic factor of canine IPA.     

GeneScan analysis to detect clonality of T-cell receptor γ gene rearrangement in feline lymphoid neoplasms

Lymphoid neoplasms are usually diagnosed on the basis of cytological and histopathological findings. However, in some cases, discrimination of lymphoid neoplasms from reactive lymphoid proliferation is difficult. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the complementarity-determining region (CDR) 3 of the T-cell receptor (TCR) γ gene can be used to assess clonality of T-cell populations as a supportive diagnostic tool for T-cell neoplasms. Because the length variation in the TCRγ CDR3 is relatively small, false positive results may occur in non-neoplastic T-cell populations in the absence of high-resolution analytical methods for PCR products. In the present study, a PCR assay system was developed to detect clonal TCRγ gene rearrangement in feline lymphoid cells using GeneScan analysis. Thirty T-cell neoplasms, 27 B-cell neoplasms, and 34 non-neoplastic tissues were subjected to the newly developed TCRγ gene rearrangement analysis. Clonal TCRγ gene rearrangement was detected in 26 of 30 (87%) T-cell neoplasms, 2 of 27 (7%) B-cell neoplasms, and 1 of 34 (3%) non-neoplastic tissues. To compare GeneScan analysis with conventional PAGE and heteroduplex analysis, 20 clonal and 20 polyclonal samples were subjected to both analyses. Most of the results were concordant between the 2 analyses; however, several clonal peaks (bands) appeared as a single band when analyzed via conventional PAGE with heteroduplex analysis in 4 of the 20 (20%) clonal samples as a result of the difference in resolution. The PCR assay system to detect clonal TCRγ gene rearrangement in feline lymphoid cells, using GeneScan analysis, would be a useful molecular diagnostic tool for feline T-cell neoplasms, with high fidelity.     

Evaluation of the prognostic significance of BCL6 gene expression in canine high-grade B-cell lymphoma

The clinical usefulness of BCL6 gene expression was evaluated as a prognostic indicator in dogs with high-grade B-cell lymphoma. Forty-four dogs were diagnosed with centroblastic or B-cell immunoblastic type lymphoma according to the updated Kiel classification. BCL6 mRNA expression was measured by real-time PCR and its relationship with prognosis was analyzed. Progression-free and overall survival was not significantly different between the high BCL6 expression group (higher than the median) and the low BCL6 expression group (lower than the median) (P=0.99 and P=0.61, respectively). No correlation between BCL6 and prognosis was observed in this study, which is inconsistent with findings reported for human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. BCL6 protein expression was not detected in the 11 dogs evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, BCL6 protein expression was assessed in 13 archived paraffin-embedded high-grade canine lymphoma tissues and all were also negative. The results suggest that most canine high-grade B-cell lymphomas correspond to human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with no immunohistochemical expression of BCL6.     

Acid hydrolysis to partition plant material into decomposable and resistant fractions for use in the Rothamsted carbon model

Using various plant materials, we identified two conceptual pools of plant litter, decomposable plant material (DPM) and resistant plant material (RPM), in the Rothamsted Carbon Model (RothC) by comparing the default proportions of DPM and RPM in the RothC and proportions in plant material fractions as determined by two-step acid hydrolysis with H₂SO₄. We collected 37 plant samples from 15 species at six sites on arable land, grassland, or forest in Japan. Carbon in the plant materials was divided into three pools by acid hydrolysis: (a) Labile Pool I (LP I), obtained by hydrolysis with 5 N H₂SO₄ at 105 °C for 30 min; (b) Labile Pool II (LP II), obtained by hydrolysis with 26 N H₂SO₄ at room temperature overnight, and then with 2 N H₂SO₄ at 105 °C for 3 h; and (c) Recalcitrant Pool (RP), the unhydrolyzed residue. The average proportion of LP I in crops and grasses was 59%, which was the same as the proportion of DPM defined in the RothC as the default value for crops and grasses. The remaining 41% (23% LP II+18% RP) was consequently the same as the RPM proportion defined in the RothC. Similarly, the average proportion of LP I in all tree leaves (19%) was very close to the proportion of DPM in the RothC (20%) for trees. These results indicate that DPM in the RothC can be identified as LP I from the acid hydrolysis analysis and RPM as LP II+RP. We conclude that, at least theoretically, the use of an independent DPM:RPM ratio, as determined by acid hydrolysis analysis for each plant material, should enable more reliable modeling of SOM dynamics than the use of default DPM:RPM values provided by the model, even though the practical advantages of this method require further evaluation.     

Establishment of a novel feline leukemia virus (FeLV)-negative B-cell cell line from a cat with B-cell lymphoma

There is significant lack of basic hematologic and immunological data in adult sows. Therefore, aim of this study was to provide respective reference intervals. 32 clinically healthy multiparous Large White sows aged 33.5 ± 9.6 months and all of them two months postpartum were included in this study. Mean erythrocyte count was 5.5 ± 0.7 × 10(6)/μl and total leukocyte count was 12.1 ± 2.1 × 10(3)/μl. Proportion of lymphocytes was 44.7 ± 10.2% and of neutrophils 41.6 ± 11.0%. The ratio of na?ve T helper (Th) cells to memory Th cells was 1:3.1 and the ratio of Th cells to cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) was 1:4.2. Proportions of regulatory T cells, NK cells, and CD21(+) B cells were lower (3.1, 2.6, and 6.0%) than those of memory Th cells ranging from 8.8 to 27.5% depending on the activation status and CTLs with 37.3%. γδ T cells were found at comparably high numbers (19.1%). Flow cytometric measurement of intracellular cytokines in PBMCs revealed marginal levels for IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12p35, but remarkable levels for TNF-α and IFN-γ. Highest mRNA levels were found for IL-1, IL-10, and TNF-α, with TNF-α showing the least inter-individual variation.     

A case of recovery from canine destructive cholangitis in a Miniature Dachshund

A 7-year-old Miniature Dachshund presented with severe chronic jaundice and elevated liver enzymes. Destructive cholangitis was diagnosed according to histopathological findings of remarkable ductopenia with inflammatory infiltrates and fibrosis in the portal areas. Supportive therapy with prednisolone, high-dose ursodeoxycholic acid, human placental extract and antibiotics was tried, and the patient showed recovery of clinical signs 3 months after diagnosis. A second liver biopsy was performed about 1 year after initial diagnosis, and bile duct restoration was confirmed with continuous inflammation around portal areas and inside the lobules. Although we could not determine which treatment was effective in this case, destructive cholangitis in dogs may be recoverable with long-term supportive therapies.     

Prokinetic effect of the 5-HT4R agonist mosapride on canine gastric motility

We assessed prokinetic action of gastroprokinetic agent, mosapride in dogs. Open-label cross-over study. Six healthy beagles were administered single oral mosapride at doses of 0.5, 0.75, 1, and 2 mg/kg 30 min prior to feeding, followed by 1-week interval. The motility index (MI) of gastric contraction was ultrasonographically evaluated by change rate of antral area and contraction number. Significant increases in MI were observed at doses of 0.75 mg/kg (mean ± SEM, 11.11 ± 0.19), 1 mg/kg (11.65 ± 0.34), and 2 mg/kg (12.04 ± 0.34), compared with that of the control (9.37 ± 0.51). Mosapride administration (2.0 mg/kg, BID) for 1 week had no adverse effects on blood tests or health of the animals. In conclusion, 0.75 to 2 mg/kg of mosapride produces gastric prokinetic actions without adverse effects.