A case report of canine protothecosis

A 10-year-old spayed mongrel dog was referred with repeated intercurrent hematochezia and anal bleeding. The dog was vigorous and had a normal appetite, and the fecal test showed no abnormal signs. Despite treatment primarily with sulfasalazine, the condition did not improve and unilateral blindness developed. A Prototheca zopfii infection was identified by further examination with bowel culture on Sabouraud's agar without cyclohexane and antibiotics. Subsequent to a vision loss in the other eye, the dog died showing signs of neurological disorder.     

Glucose uptake activity in murine red blood cells infected with Babesia microti and Babesia rodhaini

The glucose uptake activity in Babesia rodhaini and B. microti - infected red blood cell (IRBC) was investigated in mice using 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DOG) and L-glucose (L-Glc), a non-metabolizable analogue of D-glucose and non-incorporative glucose to non-infected RBC (NRBC), respectively. The uptake activities of both DOG and L-Glc were higher in IRBCs than those in NRBC. The concentration dependent uptake of 2DOG and L-Glc in both IRBC revealed a linear curve, indicating non-transporter mediated uptake. In addition, B. microti IRBC showed higher 2DOG uptake than B. rodhaini IRBC, whereas no difference was observed in L-Glc uptake. These results indicated that some new glucose uptake system, at least two systems, developed in both IRBC. The new systems were sodium independent, non-competitive to L-Glc, and sensitive to temperature. One of two systems had no kinetical difference between B. rodhaini and B. microti IRBC, however another one might have higher uptake activity in B. microti IRBC compared to that in B. rodhaini IRBC.     

A comparative study of the effects of glycerol and hydroxyethyl starch in canine red blood cell cryopreservation

Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is a nonpenetrating extracellular cryoprotectant. In contrast to glycerol, it does not require labor-intensive removal from thawed red blood cells (RBCs) prior to transfusion. In this study, we compared glycerol and HES, and assessed HES as a substitute for glycerol in cryopreserved canine RBCs. The RBCs were preserved for 2 months in liquid nitrogen using a 20% (w/v) glycerol solution, and variable concentrations of HES solution. We evaluated the two cryoprotectants by the percentage of post-thaw hemolysis from the total free hemoglobin, saline stability, osmotic fragility, and by observing the erythrocyte morphology using a scanning electron microscope after thawing. The optimal concentration of HES was 12.5% (w/v) for the cryopreservation of canine RBCs. The thaw hemolysis, saline stability, and osmotic fragility index were 25.6 +/- 4.7%, 87.8 +/- 6.9%, and 0.445 +/- 0.024% NaCl respectively. These parameters resemble the results of RBCs frozen in a 20% (w/v) glycerol solution, which are 24.7 +/- 5.2%, 99.2 +/- 0.1%, and 0.485 +/- 0.023% NaCl respectively. From a morphological point of view, 12.5% (w/v) HES showed the best cryoprotection of RBCs compared to the other concentrations of HES. These results suggest that HES could be a possible substitute for glycerol for the cryopreservation of canine RBCs.     

Cathepsin gene expression in mouse placenta during the latter half of pregnancy

Gene expressions and their interaction are complex and have not been definitely clarified in the placenta. To identify interactions of gene products previously not studied, we applied cDNA subtraction analyses to the placenta between days 12 and 16, days 12 and 14, days 14 and 16 of pregnancy. Among subtracted cDNAs cathepsin M, Q and R in PECs were specifically identified on days 14 and 16 pregnancy. All of these gene expressions exhibited a similar pattern to the mPL-II gene expression determined by northern blot and RT-PCR analyses. By means of in situ hybridization, these mRNAs were localized in the basal and labyrinth zones of the placenta on day 16 of pregnancy. Double staining studies of cathepsin Q or cathepsin R mRNA by in situ hybridization followed by immunohistochemical staining of mPL-II in the same section revealed that signals for cathepsin Q and cathepsin R mRNAs were colocalized in mPL-II immunopositive trophoblast cells in the basal and labyrinth zones of the placenta on day 16 of pregnancy. Possible association of cathepsins with mPL-II may play important roles in placental functions during the latter half of pregnancy in mice.     

Occurrence of swine salmonellosis in postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) affected pigs concurrently infected with porcine reproduction and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)

Fourteen diseased pigs from four farms in which there had been an outbreak of salmonellosis were investigated. Granulomatous inflammation with depletion of lymphocytes was observed in the swollen lymph nodes in these pigs. Antigens to porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) were immunolabeled in the lesions along with detection of viral DNA as PCV2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, antigens to porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) were immunodetected in the lungs and Salmonella Choleraesuis was isolated from the affected pigs. The nine salmonellosis affected pigs, five (55.6%) with salmonellosis and PMWS concurrently infected with PRRSV were much higher than those infected with salmonellosis and PMWS (22.2%) or with salmonellosis and PPPRV (22.2%).     

The influence of age and body mass index on relative accuracy of energy intake among Japanese adults

OBJECTIVE: To examine relationships between the ratio of energy intake to basal metabolic rate (EI/BMR) and age and body mass index (BMI) among Japanese adults. DESIGN: Energy intake was assessed by 4-day semi-weighed diet records in each of four seasons (16 days in total). The EI/BMR ratio was calculated from reported energy intake and estimated basal metabolic rate as an indicator of reporting accuracy. SETTING: Residents in three areas in Japan, namely Osaka (urban), Nagano (rural inland) and Tottori (rural coastal). SUBJECTS: One hundred and eighty-three healthy Japanese men and women aged > or =30 years. RESULTS: The oldest age group (> or =60 years) had higher EI/BMR values than the youngest age group (30-39 years) in both sexes (1.74 vs. 1.37 for men; 1.65 vs. 1.43 for women). In multiple regression analyses, age correlated positively (partial correlation coefficient, beta = 0.012, P < 0.001 for men; beta = 0.011, P < 0.001 for women) and BMI correlated negatively (beta = -0.031, P < 0.001 for men; beta = -0.025, P < 0.01 for women) with EI/BMR. CONCLUSION: Age and BMI may influence the relative accuracy of energy intake among Japanese adults.     

Risk factors for iron-deficiency anaemia among pregnant women living in rural Vietnam

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of anaemia in rural Vietnam and to determine its risk factors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Vietnam, Nghe An Province. STUDY POPULATION: The total number of participants was 439. Of these participants, one was excluded from the study due to a mental disorder. Forty-seven did not participate in the test for parasites and 68 did not complete at least one of the questions. RESULTS: The prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin (Hb) <11.0 g dl(-1)) was 43.2% and of severe anaemia (Hb <8.0 g dl(-1)) was 0.5%. Taking iron tablets, the consumption of eggs and the preference for Western medicine significantly and positively correlated with Hb concentration in the pregnant women in a multiple regression analysis. Pregnancy duration and hookworm infestation significantly and negatively correlated with Hb concentration in the pregnant women. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anaemia in rural Vietnam has remained as high as that found in the national anaemia survey in 2000. The results of the present study could aid in the development of an iron-deficiency anaemia programme among pregnant women in rural Vietnam that emphasises iron supplementation, parasite control and improved diet, including the consumption of eggs. The programme's focus should be on women who prefer traditional medicine to Western medicine.     

No straight path: roaming in both ground- and excited-state photolytic channels of NO3 → NO + O2

Roaming mechanisms have recently been observed in several chemical reactions alongside trajectories that pass through a traditional transition state. Here, we demonstrate that the visible light-induced reaction NO(3) → NO + O(2) proceeds exclusively by roaming. High-level ab initio calculations predict specific NO Λ doublet propensities (orientations of the unpaired electron with respect to the molecular rotation plane) for this mechanism, which we discern experimentally by ion imaging. The data provide direct evidence for roaming pathways in two different electronic states, corresponding to both previously documented photolysis channels that produce NO + O(2). More broadly, the results raise intriguing questions about the overall prevalence of this unusual reaction mechanism.     

A newly established bovine intestinal epithelial cell line is effective for in vitro screening of potential antiviral immunobiotic microorganisms for cattle

We evaluated whether a bovine intestinal epithelial (BIE) cell line could serve as a useful in vitro model system for studying antiviral immune responses in bovine intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and for the primary screening of immunobiotic microorganisms with antiviral protective capabilities. Immunofluorescent analyses revealed that toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) was expressed in BIE cells, and the results of real-time quantitative PCR showed that these cells respond to stimulation with poly(I:C) by up-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and type I interferons. In addition, we demonstrated that BIE cells are useful for the primary screening of immunobiotic lactic acid bacteria strains which are able to beneficially modulate antiviral immune responses triggered by TLR3 activation in bovine IECs. The characterization of BIE cells performed in the present study represents an important step towards the establishment of a valuable bovine in vitro system that could be used for the development of immunomodulatory feed for bovine hosts.