Lesion profiles and gliosis in the brainstem of 135 Swiss cows with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)

Lesion profiles are considered to be an important tool for the comparison of the various animal and human spongiform encephalopathies and to obtain information upon prion strain variations. Histological and immunohistochemical reactions (PrPsc, GFAP) in 13 brain areas at 4 levels in the brainstem from 135 BSE-positive and 45 BSE-negative cases were retrospectively evaluated. In this retrospective study a lesion profile based on histological features was worked out on the basis of BSE cases originating from Switzerland over a period of ten years. They were confirmed post mortem by histology and immunohistology. Our findings were reviewed in comparison with lesion profiles published in England. No striking differences comparing type and quality of lesions in the relevant areas between the Swiss and the English cases were evident. Moreover, the lesion profiles and the character of the lesions did not differ between animals born before or after the offal feeding ban, which supports the hypothesis that the Swiss epidemic is sustained by the same single, stable strain of the BSE agent, which is probably the same as in the English epidemic.There was a good correlation between PrPsc accumulation and spongiform changes, in particular in those areas which were morphologically most affected. Astrocytosis in BSE was quantified. A significant rise in GFAP-positive cells could be shown comparing the brain stem nuclei of BSE affected with BSE-unaffected cattle, despite considerable variation between the cases and between the nuclei. The observed astrocytosis did correlate with vacuolation of the neuropil and of perikarya as well as with PrPsc accumulation.     

Anti-oxidative/oxidative status of rat liver after ovariectomy

The lack of protective action of oestrogens which appears during menopausal period may be the reason of serious metabolic disturbances including oxidative stress. The hypothesis was stated that ovariectomy may induce the variations of antioxidant/oxidant status which can be detected in rat liver. A total of 102 healthy Wistar female rats were included in the experiment and divided into control (CON; n = 6), sham-operated (SHO; n = 48) and ovariectomized (OVX; n = 48) groups. Animals from SHO (n = 6) and OVX (n = 6) groups were killed every week during 8 weeks of experiment to detect dynamic changes in examined parameters. Anti-oxidative enzyme activities [glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px); superoxide dismutase (SOD)] as well as total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the intensity of lipid peroxidation, measured by the concentration of N,N,diethyl-p-phenylene diamine (DEPPD) radical, were determined in liver homogenates by the use of spectrophotometric methods. Wave-like patterns of examined parameters within 8 weeks of experiment were detected. GSH-Px activity tended to be higher in OVX animals and was significantly lower at 8th week when compared with 1st week of experiment. SOD activity was higher in SHO animals and showed significant differences between 3rd, 4th, 7th and 1st week. TAC values were significantly higher in OVX when compared with SHO groups in 2nd, 4th, 5th week and significantly lower in 3rd, 6th and 7th week of the experiment. The concentration of DEPPD radicals tended to increase in OVX group. In conclusion, ovariectomy which leads to oestrogen insufficiency is reflected as well in variation of anti-oxidative/oxidative parameters in rat liver homogenates.     

Thrombocytosis in cats: a retrospective study of 51 cases (2000-2005)

Feline haematology profiles of patients presented to the University of Bristol Small Animal Hospital from January 2000 to October 2005 were evaluated for thrombocytosis (defined as a platelets count of >700x10(9)/l and confirmed on smear evaluation). Thrombocytosis was found in 79 cats (4.64% of the hospital feline population), with values ranging from 703 to 1895x10(9)/l. Signalment, clinical presentation, concurrence of other haematological abnormalities, diagnoses and outcome were evaluated in 51 cases in which complete medical records were available. Other variables (feline immunodeficiency virus/feline leukaemia virus status, thyroxine level, haemoplasma PCR, toxoplasma antibody titres) were also evaluated. No association was found between the presence of thrombocytosis and breed or gender. Gastrointestinal signs were the most common clinical presentation. Lymphopenia was the most common concurrent haematological abnormality. Based on final diagnosis reached, cats were grouped both according to the DAMNITV classification and according to the body system affected. Amongst the DAMNITV classification, inflammatory/infectious conditions were most commonly associated with thrombocytosis. According to body systems, gastrointestinal involvement was most represented, followed by endocrine cases. No association was found between the severity of thrombocytosis and outcome.     

Disposition of plasma creatinine in non-azotaemic and moderately azotaemic cats

The objectives of this study were to compare assay methods for plasma creatinine (Pl-creat) in cats and to describe the disposition of creatinine and iohexol in 12 healthy and moderately azotaemic cats. Exogenous creatinine and iohexol were injected simultaneously by intravenous bolus, and repeated blood samples were taken to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of each marker. Pl-creat was assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Jaffé and enzymatic methods. The enzymatic method was shown to be more reliable than the Jaffé method. Two stereoisomers, exo- and endo-iohexol were identified. The plasma clearance of creatinine (2.3+/-0.66 ml/min/kg) was significantly higher (P<0.001) than that of exo-iohexol (1.7+/-0.40 ml/min/kg). The volume of distribution (447+/-97 ml/kg) and elimination half-life (181+/-77 min) of creatinine were also higher (P<0.001) than those of exo- and endo-iohexol. The estimated daily endogenous production of creatinine was 65+/-23 mg/kg. None of the pharmacokinetic parameters was changed by the azotaemic status of the animals.     

Evaluation of transformation growth factor beta1, interleukin-10, and interferon-gamma in male symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs naturally infected by Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi

The aims of this study were to evaluate the immunomodulatory role of TGF-β₁, IL-10, and INF-γ in spleen and liver extracts and supernatant cultures of white spleen cells from male symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs, naturally infected by Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi. Thirty dogs from Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil, an endemic leishmaniosis area, were selected by positive ELISA serological reaction for Leishmania sp. and divided into two groups: asymptomatic (n = 15) and symptomatic (n = 15) consisting of animals with at least three characteristic signs (fever, dermatitis, lymphoadenopathy, onychogryphosis, weight loss, cachexia, locomotion problems, conjunctivitis, epistaxis, hepatosplenomegaly, edema, and apathy). After euthanasia, spleen and liver fragments were collected for ex vivo quantification of TGF-β₁, IL-10, and INF-γ. Naturally active in vitro produced TGF-β₁ was also evaluated in spleen cell culture supernatant. Spleen and liver extract of asymptomatic dogs had higher mean TGF-β₁ levels than symptomatic dogs. High concentrations of IL-10 were found in spleen, and mainly in liver extract of both groups. Higher INF-γ concentrations were found in spleen extracts of symptomatic dogs, and in liver extracts of asymptomatic dogs. Extract of this cytokine was lower in spleen extract. Although INF-γ is being produced in canine infection, mean levels of TGF-β₁ and IL-10 from spleen and liver extracts were quantitatively much higher; suggesting that immune response in both asymptomatic and symptomatic dogs was predominantly type Th2.     

Identification of polymorphisms and association analysis with meat quality traits in the porcine KIAA1717 and HUMMLC2B genes

Skeletal muscle genes are potential candidates for production and meat quality. Screening a subtracted cDNA library constructed with mRNA obtained from longissimus dorsi muscles of F1 hybrids Landrace × Yorkshire and their female parents Yorkshire, we isolated two partial sequences coding for the H3-K4-specific methyltransferase (KIAA1717) and skeletal muscle myosin regulatory light chain (HUMMLC2B) genes. Database search revealed KIAA1717 and HUMMLC2B encoded proteins with SET domain and EF-hand calcium binding motif, respectively. In the present work we identified their partial polymorphisms and two SNPs, one (C1354T) at the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of KIAA1717 and one (A345G) at the SINE (PRE-1) element of HUMMLC2B, both created/disrupted a restriction site for endonuclease Msp I. The selected pigs were genotyped at the KIAA1717 C1354T and HUMMLC2B A345G sites by means of a PCR-RFLP protocol. Significant associations were observed for the KIAA1717 C1354T polymorphic site with meat marbling (longissimus doris (p < 0.05), biceps femoris (p < 0.01)) and intramuscular fat (p < 0.01). HUMMLC2B A345G were significantly associated with meat pH (longissimus doris (p < 0.05), biceps femoris (p < 0.01)), drip loss (p < 0.01), water holding capacity (p < 0.01) and meat color value (longissimus doris (p < 0.01), biceps femoris (p < 0.05)). Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.