Unilateral ocular subalbinism in a laboratory Beagle dog

Blue discoloration of the iris was found in the left eye of a male laboratory Beagle dog, which had a normal tricolor coat and clinically showed no visual impairment. Ophthalmoscopically, the affected eye revealed red-colored tigroid fundus, in which no tapetum was present. The retinal vasculature and the optic disc showed no noticeable changes. Histopathologically, in the left eye melanocytes had extremely few melanin granules in the anterior segment, including the anterior border layer, in the stroma and sphincter muscle of the iris and in the stroma of the ciliary body and choroid. However, the posterior pigment epithelium of the iris, the pigment epithelium of the ciliary body and the retinal pigment epithelium showed normal pigmentation. The tapetal elements were completely absent. Number and distribution of the S-100 protein-positive melanocytes with or without melanin granules in the iris, ciliary body and choroid of the left eye were similar to those of the normal right eye. Ultrastructurally, melanocytes in the anterior segment of the affected iris possessed no or few melanosomes which were incompletely melanized. In the right eye, no abnormal features were observed. Based on these results, the present case was diagnosed as unilateral ocular subalbinism with tapetal aplasia in a Beagle dog.     

Intraocular peripheral nerve sheath tumor in a dog

A tumor within the right globe in a 9-year-old Shetland sheepdog was examined pathologically. The tumor was composed of spindle or oval cells arranged in interwoven bundles with intervening collagenous or mucinous matrices. Immunohistochemically, the tumor bound antibody directed to S-100 protein and vimentin, but not to desmin, actin smooth muscle, or neurofilament. Electron microscopy revealed that the tumor cells had poorly developed cytoplasmic processes, desmosomes between closely contiguous cells, and a discontinuous basement membrane-like material. Based on these findings, the tumor was diagnosed as a peripheral nerve sheath tumor (PNST) histologically. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of intraocular PNST in dogs.     

Histopathological characterization of the skeletal myopathy in rasH2 mice carrying human prototype c-Ha-ras gene

A skeletal myopathy is found in approximately 100% of rasH2 mice. To confirm detailed features of the rasH2 skeletal myopathy, the biceps femoris, diaphragm, triceps brachii, gastrocnemial (types I and II fiber-mixed muscles) and soleus muscle (type I fiber-dominant muscle) obtained from male rasH2 and non-transgenic littermates aged 10-13 and 34 weeks were examined. Variations in the muscle fiber size, early-scattered degeneration/necrosis and regeneration of muscle fibers were detected in 10-13-week-old rasH2 mice. The severity of the above muscular lesions was more prominent in older rasH2 mice. These lesions were noted in the type II myofiber dominant muscles (biceps femoris, triceps brachii and gastrocnemial). NADH-TR stain clearly demonstrated a disorganized intermyofibrillar network and necrotic change in muscle fibers. No specific morphological changes, like rod structure or tubular aggregation seen in some types of myopathy, were noted in Gomori trichrome and NADH-TR stains in the rasH2 mouse like in many types of muscular dystrophy. Electronmicroscopically, occasional muscle fiber degeneration/regeneration, invaded phagocytic cells, indistinct Z-band suggesting excessive contraction and dilatation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum were observed. In summary, the skeletal myopathy occurring in rasH2 mice is consistent with muscular dystrophy characterized morphologically by progressive degeneration and regeneration of myofibers. The myopathy is confined to the type II myofiber predominant muscles and is not associated with any pathognomonic lesions. These characteristics will provide us with a useful model for research in muscular dystrophy of diverse myofibers.     

Increase of antibody titer against Leucocytozoon caulleryi by oral administration of recombinant R7 antigen

In this study, we examined oral administration with recombinant R7 (rR7) antigen expressed in Escherichia coli using chicken leucocytozoonosis subunit vaccine (LV)-vaccinated and unvaccinated chickens. Only LV-vaccinated chickens showed re-induction of anti-second-generation schizont (2GS) antibody. Also, LV-vaccinated chickens whose anti-2GS antibody titer was middle-level showed increases of the antibody titer compared to vaccinated-control chickens (P>0.01, >0.05) after oral administration with rR7 antigen.     

Tick-Encoded serine proteinase inhibitors (serpins); potential target antigens for tick vaccine development.

Immunological protection of hosts against tick infestation is at present the most practically sustainable alternative tick control method to the current use of acaricides that is riddled with serious limitations. The current focus of tick vaccine research is the identification, cloning and in vitro production of recombinant tick vaccine candidate antigens. We have examined a selected number of reports on the roles of parasite-encoded members of the serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) superfamily in modulation of mammalian anti-parasite defense and developed some food for thought commentaries on the possibility of targeting this class of proteins for anti-tick vaccine development.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of llama cytokines related to cell-mediated immunity

In order to characterize the T helper 1 (Th1) cytokines of llama, we have cloned several llama cytokine genes and compared them to those of other mammalian species. The cDNAs encoding for interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)gamma, IL-12p35 and IL-12p40 were amplified using specific primers designed from reported sequences of bovine cytokine genes. The cDNAs for llama IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-12 p35 and IL-12p40 were found to be 465, 501, 669 or 993 bp in length, with open reading frames encoding 154, 166, 222 or 330 amino acids, respectively. Homology analyses of nucleotide and deduced amino sequences of llama IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-12p35 and IL-12p40 and phylogenetic analysis based on their nucleotide sequences indicated the close relationship in these cytokine genes between llama and eutherian mammalian order Artiodactyla, which includes pig and cattle.     

Self-assembled hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene graphitic nanotube

An amphiphilic hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene self-assembles to form a pi-electronic, discrete nanotubular object. The object is characterized by an aspect ratio greater than 1000 and has a uniform, 14-nanometer-wide, open-ended hollow space, which is an order of magnitude larger than those of carbon nanotubes. The wall is 3 nanometers thick and consists of helical arrays of the pi-stacked graphene molecule, whose exterior and interior surfaces are covered by hydrophilic triethylene glycol chains. The graphitic nanotube is redox active, and a single piece of the nanotube across 180-nanometer-gap electrodes shows, upon oxidation, an electrical resistance of 2.5 megohms at 285 kelvin [corrected]. This family of molecularly engineered graphite with a one-dimensional tubular shape and a chemically accessible surface constitutes an important step toward molecular electronics.     

Surgical repair of a depressed fracture in a green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas

Sea turtles are considered to be endangered species. A depressed fracture of a 35 kg green sea turtle was treated surgically. Isoflurane was used for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Slow induction of and slow recovery from anesthesia was remarkable. After the operation, there was an improvement of general status, but head tilt and weakness of the left limbs persisted. As the turtle did not eat, force feeding using stomach tube was performed. The turtle died at about 6 months after the surgery.     

Blood meal acquisition by ticks; molecular advances and implications for vaccine development

In their quest for a blood meal, hematophagous arthropods must first defeat the host's hemostatic defense. Following injury as it occurs when hematophagous arthropods insert their proboscis into host skin to feed, the host will attempt to stop excessive blood loss through its hemostatic defense mechanism involving platelet aggregation, blood clotting and vasoconstriction. To acquire a full blood meal hematophagous arthropods inject an arsenal of bioactive enzymes which ultimately overpower the host's hemostatic defense. We have looked at a selected number of studies on the molecular biology of arthropod anti-hemostatic proteins and developed commentaries on the suitability of these molecules as target tick vaccine antigens.     

Acute vascular and interstitial rejection following renal allograft transplantation in dogs

Renal allograft transplantation was performed in four beagles. Immunosuppressive treatment using cyclosporine, mizoribin and prednisolone was continued from Day 5 pre- until Day 20 post-transplantation. Between Days 28 and 32 post-transplantation, an abrupt elevation of the serum creatinine values followed by the development of uremia was seen in all recipients. Histopathology of the allografts examined between Days 28 and 37 revealed edema, necrosis, hemorrhage and severe diffuse interstitial cellular infiltration as well as tubulitis. Glomerular changes notably included swelling of the tufts due to hypercellularity, which was consistent with transplant glomerulitis. The intrarenal arteries exhibited fibrinoid necrosis of the walls and intimal or transmural cellular infiltration. These renal lesions were consistent with those of acute vascular and interstitial rejection in humans.