Ketamine inhibits LPS-induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in an equine macrophage cell line

Ketamine is widely used in equine anaesthesia. Beside its anaesthetic and analgesic properties, ketamine possesses a cytokine-modulating activity. However, to date, no data are available regarding the inhibitory effect of ketamine on the cytokine response in horses. In horses, cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of equine endotoxaemia following gastrointestinal disorders. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the influence of ketamine on LPS-induced TNF-alpha and IL-6 formation in an equine macrophage cell line (eCAS cells). The results demonstrate a cytokine-modulating activity of ketamine in an equine cell line, suggesting a beneficial role for ketamine in the treatment of equine endotoxaemia.     

Gelation of Waxy Barley Starch Hydrolysates

Thealpha-amylolysis of gelatinized waxy barley starch and the gelation of the hydrolysates was studied. The progress of the hydrolysis was monitored with gel permeation and ion exchange chromatography. Initial attack occurred mainly between the clusters, without significant hydrolysis of the external chains. The stiffness of 20% gels prepared from the polymeric products decreased with increasing hydrolysis of the amylopectin. A linear relationship between the shear modulus and the original high-molecular weight amylopectin content was observed. Although the branched degradation products of amylopectin (average DP <6×10⁴) were not involved in network formation, they retained their ability to recrystallize as analysed by differential scanning colorimetry. For more extensively hydrolysed products (average DP <5000) no recrystallization or gel formation was observed under the conditions tested. Information on the gel structure was obtained with acid hydrolysis and ion exchange chromatography. The structure of the acid-resistant gel residues was complicated, showing a five-peak distribution when analysed with ion exchange chromatography. No differences between the original and hydrolysate gels was observed. The gel residues were resistant to isoamylase.     

氮肥施用时间和植物生长调节剂对小麦氮吸收和利用的影响

研究了氮肥施用时间和植物生长调节剂对小麦氮吸收和利用的影响。结果表明,氮肥施用时间和植物生长调节剂对小麦植株氮含量、积累和利用有显著影响。烯效唑 (S₃₃₀₇)和GA₃处理均能增加植株的氮含量,二者又以GA₃处理的效果更为明显。S₃₃₀₇和GA₃混合使用能明显提高各生育期的氮含量。植株氮含量在基因型之间差异显著,孕穗期叶片和茎杆扬麦5号显著高于浙农大941,而成熟期则以浙农大941较高。S₃₃₀₇由于抑制干物质合成而减少了氮的积累,而GA₃则增加氮的积累并减轻S₃₃₀₇的抑制作用。氮利用效率(NUE)和氮效率比(NER)在基因型和不同植物生长剂处理之间存在着显著差异。扬麦5号的NUE和NER高于浙农大941。与S₃₃₀₇或GA₃单独使用相比,两种生长调节剂混合应用显著增加了NUE和NER。     

Generation and characterisation of an equine macrophage cell line (e-CAS cells) derived from equine bone marrow cells

Macrophages play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of many diseases by mediating the host immune response to infections and intoxications. The species-specific activation of macrophages and the differential response in cytokine production impedes the extrapolation of results between species. Therefore, the aim of this study was to isolate and immortalise macrophages from equine bone marrow (BM) cells in order to study equine-specific signalling pathways. The isolated BM-derived macrophages (referred to as e-CAS cells) showed proliferation kinetics similar to that of standardised cell lines and were maintained in culture for >76 passages. To characterise the cells, a number of typical parameters of macrophages were tested. Morphological evaluation (May-Grünwald Giemsa staining) and non-specific esterase activity indicated the e-CAS cells to be macrophages. The presence of CD14 and their ability to phagocytose Escherichia coli bioparticles further confirmed their identity, as did their ability to produce cytokines, reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates in response to LPS. These data show that the established cell line (e-CAS) shows the characteristics of equine macrophages and may, therefore, prove to be a unique in vitro model for studying the cellular biology of equine inflammation.     

Evaluation of cytokine production by equine alveolar macrophages exposed to lipopolysaccharide, Aspergillus fumigatus, and a suspension of hay dust

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cytokine production by equine alveolar macrophages after exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Aspergillus fumigatus, and hay dust, and determine the effect of clenbuterol on the cytokine response. ANIMALS: 6 horses. PROCEDURE: Alveolar macrophages were exposed to PBS solution (negative control), LPS, hyphae and conidia of Aspergillus fumigatus (AF), or a suspension of hay dust (HDS) and incubated for 24 hours at 37 degrees C. Concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta were measured in the supernatant. The procedure was repeated with cells that were concurrently incubated with 0.5 microM clenbuterol. RESULTS: Exposure to HDS and AF significantly increased production of TNF-alpha by equine alveolar macrophages. The increase in TNF-alpha produced in response to HDS and AF was 5 and 7 times as great, respectively, as the increase measured in response to LPS. The concentration of IL-1beta in the supernatant was significantly increased after exposure of cells to AF. Clenbuterol was effective at inhibiting TNF-alpha production by cells exposed to LPS, HDS, or AF. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increased production of TNF-alpha and IL-1 indicated that the pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by alveolar macrophages in response to allergens may play a role in recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) in horses. Equine alveolar macrophages are not only a primary pulmonary defense mechanism but may also influence the pathogenesis of equine RAO. The beta2-adrenoceptor agonist clenbuterol, a drug that is commonly used for treatment of equine RAO, promotes immediate bronchodilation and may also contribute to downward modulation of the inflammatory response.     

A comparison of different ranking schemes for assessing the effect of large point sources of pollution in the UK

The availability of national maps of critical loads for soils, vegetation and freshwaters helpsenable the assessment of the effects of large point sources of pollution in the UK. The deposition footprint of most major sources has been modelled and combined in a GIS with a national critical loads database. As part of an integrated pollution control strategy (IPC) it may be helpful to rank point sources in order of their effects on the environment. A comparison of the discriminating power and effectiveness of several ranking schemes has been carried out. A variety of ranking schemes were investigated, such as; total area where sulphur deposition exceeds the critical load or average mass deposited on areas where the critical load is exceeded. Their relative merits were compared for several current and future scenarios, such as, actual 1993 emissions or predicted emissions for 2001. Rankings for the unit emissions provided a measure of the pollution potential of each source and were a complex function of the location of sensitive areas and meteorological conditions. Rankings under other scenarios tended to be dominated by the relative magnitude of the emissions. Comparison between the ranking schemes was made using non-parametric statistics. The comparisons reveal complex interactions between different schemes. The approach is providing practical solutions to a pollution control strategy based on maximising environmental benefits.