Analyses of monoclonal antibodies reacting with porcine CD3: results from the Second International Swine CD Workshop

Among the 57 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) analyzed within the T-cell group from the Second Swine CD Workshop, six mAb fell within clusters T10 and T11 (No. 088, STH164; No. 148, FY1A3; No. 149, FY2C1; No. 150, FY1H2; No. 151, FY2A11; No. 169, BB23-8E6). The mAb within these two groups gave a similar appearance on flow cytometry and stained all peripheral blood T-cells as defined by CD4 and wCD8 staining. All six mAb precipitated a 24 kDa protein. On the basis of inhibition analyses performed as part of the workshop and from published data, the mAb define at least three epitopes. There is only minimal stimulation of resting peripheral lymphocytes, but four of the mAb produce strong stimulation in the presence of PMA. With the exception of STH164, all have been shown to react with CD3-transfected COS cells. The new mAb, therefore, react with three epitopes on porcine CD3 designated CD3a (BB23-8E6, FY2A11), CD3b (FY1A3, FY2C1), and CD3c (FY1H2). mAb STH164 appears to be reactive with another epitope, however, since its reactivity with CD3 has not been confirmed it is designated as wCD3.     

Directly-prelithiated carbon nanotube film for high-performance flexible lithium-ion battery electrodes

Carbon nanotube (CNT) films are very flexible and serve as active materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Hence, they have high potential as flexible free-standing electrodes for wearable batteries. However, nanocarbon materials such as CNTs and graphene are of limited use as electrodes because they have a large initial irreversible capacity due to the formation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Herein, we prelithiated the CNT films to make them available as electrodes for flexible batteries by reducing their irreversible capacity. The SEI is pre-formed through a direct prelithiation (DP) method that brings lithium metal into direct contact with CNT films in an electrolyte. As a result, the capacity of directly-prelithiated CNT film electrodes continues to increase to 1520 mAh/g until 350th cycle of charge/discharge and their initial irreversible capacity vanishes. The changes in the electrochemical properties of CNT film electrodes by DP treatment and their flexibility are investigated.     

Scalarane-Type Sesterterpenoids from the Marine Sponge Lendenfeldia sp. Alleviate Inflammation in Human Neutrophils

Sponge-derived scalaranes are remarkable sesterterpenoids previously found to exhibit profound inhibitory effects against neutrophilic inflammation. In our current work, we constructed the metabolomic profile of marine sponge Lendenfeldia sp. for the first time using a tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) molecular networking approach. The results highlighted the rich chemical diversity of these scalaranes, motivating us to conduct further research to discover novel scalaranes targeting neutrophilic inflammation. MS- and NMR-assisted isolation and elucidation led to the discovery of seven new homoscalaranes, lendenfeldaranes K–Q (1–7), characterized by methylation at C-24, together with five known derivatives, lendenfeldarane B (8), 25-nor-24-methyl-12,24-dioxoscalar-16-en-22-oic acid (9), 24-methyl-12,24,25-trioxoscalar-16-en-22-oic acid (10), felixin B (11), and 23-hydroxy-20-methyldeoxoscalarin (12). Scalaranes 1–4 and 6–12 were assayed against superoxide anion generation and elastase release, which represented the neutrophilic inflammatory responses of respiratory burst and degranulation, respectively. The results indicated that 1–3 and 6–12 exhibited potential anti-inflammatory activities (IC₅₀ for superoxide anion scavenging: 0.87~6.57 μM; IC₅₀ for elastase release: 1.12~6.97 μM).     

Histochemical detection of glycoconjugates in the male reproductive system of the horse

Lectins are glycoproteins of plant and animal origin that have the ability to bind specific carbohydrate residues of cell glycoconjugates, particularly in terminal positions. In this study, the binding of lectins, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), soybean agglutinin (SBA), Bandeiraea simplicifolia BS-1 (isolectin B4), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I), was studied in the reproductive systems of male thoroughbred horses.DBA was detected in the stereocilia of the caput and corpus epididymis, and in the vas deferens. It was weakly detected in connective tissue of the corpus epididymis. Strong SBA staining was seen in epithelial cells in the testis, stereocilia of the corpus and cauda epididymis, and in the vas deferens. There were intense positive reactions for isolectin B4 in interstitial cells in all tissue and serosa of the vas deferens. PNA staining was seen only in stereocilia in the caput and corpus epididymis, and in the vas deferens. Strong WGA staining was seen throughout the testis, except in Sertoli cells, stereocilia, and connective tissue. UEA-I was detected in secondary spermatids, stereocilia, and epithelial cells of the cauda epididymis. These results show that degenerating cells in the testis, epididymal tubules, and vas deferens have differential affinities for lectins, and suggest that lectins play a role in the reproductive system of the horse. The heterogeneity of the lectin staining pattern in the reproductive tubules of adult horses suggests that the carbohydrate composition of each cell type is region specific.     

Effect of Diets Formulated with Native Peruvian Plants on Growth and Feeding Efficiency of Red Pacu (Piaractus brachypomus) Juveniles

We evaluated the effects of casein‐based semipurified diets, alone or supplemented with native Peruvian plants, on growth, feed efficiency, and histology of the digestive tract of red pacu, Piaractus brachypomus, juveniles over an 8‐wk feeding trial. Three tanks were randomly assigned to one of four casein–gelatin (40:8) diets containing a supplement of 15% wheat meal (control) or an identical level of substitution of three South American native plant as follows: camu‐camu fruit (Myrciaria dubia), aguaje fruit (Mauritia flexuosa), or maca tuber meal (Lepidium meyenii). The fish (initial weight, 2.04 ± 0.06 g) were fed experimental diets at decreasing feeding rates from 4 to 2.6% of body weight. After 8 weeks of feeding, fish fed a diet supplemented with maca meal showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio (PER), apparent net protein utilization (NPU), and instantaneous feed intake than fish fed other diets. Feed conversion ratio (FCR), PER, and NPU in fish fed the casein–gelatin diet supplemented with maca meal were among the best ever reported in the scientific literature, 0.64 ± 0.03, 3.13 ± 0.15 and 23.8 ± 2.0, respectively. The camu‐camu meal had a negative impact on diet palatability and utilization, which resulted in slower growth. The stomach, intestine, pancreas, and pyloric caeca at the start and end of the experiment showed normal differentiation and appearance of cells and tissues. The liver parenchyma showed lipid infiltration and pigment accumulation in all samples at the initiation of the experiment and may be attributed to the period of decreased feed intake prior to the study. At the end of the study, similar histopathologies were recorded in all samples from the control and camu‐camu groups. Normal liver histology (polyhedral hepatocytes with centrally located nuclei) was observed in two of three samples from the maca group and all the samples from the group that was fed the aguaje‐supplemented diet.     

Prevalence of feline leukemia virus infection and serum antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus in unowned free-roaming cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of FeLV infection and serum antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in unowned free-roaming cats. DESIGN: Cross-sectional serologic survey. ANIMALS: 733 unowned free-roaming cats in Raleigh, NC, and 1,143 unowned free-roaming cats in Gainesville, Fla. RESULTS: In Raleigh, overall prevalence of FeLV infection was 5.3%, and overall seroprevalence for FIV was 2.3%. In Gainesville, overall prevalence of FeLV infection was 3.7%, and overall seroprevalence for FIV was 4.3%. Overall, FeLV prevalence was 4.3%, and seroprevalence for FIV was 3.5%. Prevalence of FeLV infection was not significantly different between males (4.9%) and females (3.8%), although seroprevalence for FIV was significantly higher in male cats (6.3%) than in female cats (1.5%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Prevalence of FeLV infection and seroprevalence for FIV in unowned free-roaming cats in Raleigh and Gainesville are similar to prevalence rates reported for owned cats in the United States. Male cats are at increased risk for exposure to FIV, compared with female cats.     

CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS IN THREE DOGS

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is the most common congenital cardiovascular disorder in dogs and requires an accurate diagnosis for an appropriate treatment. Cardiac MRI (cMRI) has been reported as a method for characterization of canine thoracic vasculature. However, to the authors’ knowledge, no published studies describe evaluation of canine PDA through cMRI. Three dogs were selected for this exploratory study. Electrocardiogram gating and breath‐hold techniques were performed using a 3T MR scanner. Both black blood imaging and bright blood cine acquisitions were performed. Quantification of stroke volume (SV) and shunting volume were calculated using a stack of short‐axis cine images. Additional 4D (three‐spatial dimensions plus time)‐TRAK (time‐resolved MR angiography with keyhole) sequences were conducted in patient 2 to verify other vasculature abnormality. Black blood images clearly depicted the course of the ductus from the descending aorta to the pulmonary artery in all three dogs. Morphological evaluation of PDA classified patients 1 and 2 as Type 2a and patient 3 as Type 1. Patient 2 was confirmed to have a concurrent persistent left cranial vena cava. Left ventricular SV, right ventricular SV, and left‐to‐right SV ratio were 12.4 ml, 3.36 ml, and 3.704, respectively, in patient 1; 6.85 ml, 1.22 ml, and 5.60 in the patient 2; and 3.67 ml, 2.14 ml, and 1.702 in patient 3. Findings indicated that cMRI is a feasible method for characterizing the morphology of PDA and extracardiac vasculature anomalies in dogs.     

Potential risks,prognostic indicators,and diagnostic and treatment modalities affecting survival in dogs with presumptive aspiration pneumonia: 125 cases (2005–2008)

Objective – To evaluate a clinical population of dogs diagnosed with presumptive aspiration pneumonia (AP) and determine diagnostic and treatment modalities contributing to survival. Design – Retrospective study. Setting – A university veterinary teaching hospital in an urban setting. Animals – One hundred and twenty‐five dogs with presumed AP treated from 2005 to 2008. Interventions – None. Measurements and Main Results – Dogs with presumptive AP identified by a review of medical records had an overall survival of 81.6% (102/125). Male large‐breed dogs (mean 24.9 kg; 82/125) were overrepresented and were more likely to develop AP in this study population. Recent anesthesia had been performed in 16% (20/125), and vomiting was reported in 64% (80/125). The most common radiographic findings were a predominantly alveolar pattern (187/272, [68.8%] total lung lobes) in the right middle lung lobe (80/115, [69.6%]). A mean of 2 lung lobes were involved radiographically, and the relationship between survival and the number of lung lobes affected was statistically significant (P=0.04). Neutrophilia with a left shift was common with no significant change on consecutive daily evaluations. The mean PaO₂ was 77.7 mm Hg (SD, 17.5 mm Hg) (range, 40.7–100 mm Hg) with a median alveolar‐arterial gradient of 41.1 mm Hg (range, 8.1–81.8 mm Hg). In this study population, 37.6% (47/125) of dogs had microbial cultures performed and of these, 76.6% (36/47) were positive for growth; Escherichia coli (38.8%), Mycoplasma spp. (21.3%), Pasturella spp. (19.1%), and Staphylococcus spp. (17%) were the most common isolates in either single or multiagent infections. No treatment modality was statistically associated with increased survival. Colloid therapy was a negative prognostic indicator. Conclusions – In this study the overall prognosis for AP was good. Patients with only 1 affected lung lobe appeared more likely to survive. Supportive treatment modalities are warranted for the hospitalized patient, although no individual treatment method was found to be clearly superior to others.     

Phytoplasmas infecting sour cherry and lilac represent two distinct lineages having close evolutionary affinities with clover phyllody phytoplasma

Phytoplasmas infecting sour cherry and lilac in Lithuania were found to represent two lineages related to clover phyllody phytoplasma (CPh), a subgroup 16SrI-(R/S)C (formerly 16SrI-C) strain exhibiting rRNA interoperon sequence heterogeneity. 16S rDNAs amplified from the cherry bunchy leaf (ChBL) and lilac little leaf (LcLL) phytoplasmas were identical or nearly identical to those of operon rrnA and operon rrnB, respectively, of CPh. There was no evidence of 16S rRNA interoperon sequence heterogeneity in either LcLL or ChBL phytoplasma. Based on collective RFLP patterns of 16S rDNA, ChBL was classified in subgroup 16SrI-R, and LcLL was classified in new subgroup 16SrI-S. The ribosomal protein (rp) gene sequences from LcLL phytoplasma were identical to those of CPh, and strain LcLL was classified in rp subgroup rpI-C. By contrast, rp gene sequences from ChBL phytoplasma differed from those of subgroup rpI-C; based on RFLP patterns of rp gene sequences, ChBL was classified in new rp subgroup rpI-O. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), designated here by a new SNP convention, marked members of rp subgroup rpI-C, and distinguished LcLL and CPh from ChBL and other non-rpI-C phytoplasmas in group 16SrI. The results raise questions concerning phytoplasma biodiversity assessment based on rRNA genes alone and encourage the supplemental use of a single copy gene in phytoplasma identification and classification, while drawing attention to a possible role of horizontal gene transfer in the evolutionary history of these lineages.