Pre-exposure treatment of cats with anti-FHV-1 and anti-FCV mouse-cat chimeric antibodies

Prior to pre-exposure treatment of cats with two mouse-cat chimeric antibodies, FJH2 and F1D7, having neutralizing activity to feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) and cat calicivirus (FCV), respectively, these chimeric antibodies were labeled with (125)I and administered to cats to examine their blood kinetics. Concentrations of the both administered chimeric antibodies in the blood reached maximum at the 48th hour post-administration, and the level was 34% for FJH2 and 54% for F1D7. Then the concentration levels declined gently, and decreased afterwards to 8.2% for FJH2 and 25% for F1D7 on the 20th day post-administration. The blood half-lives of FJH2 and F1D7 were 8.3 days and 10.7 days, respectively. In order to examine effectiveness in pre-exposure treatment of cats with these chimeric antibodies, cats were administered on the 15th day prior to the challenge infections with FHV-1 and FCV by subcutaneous route with 0.5 ml/kg of an FJH-F1D7 mixture being adjusted to contain each chimeric antibody of 10 mg/ml. The cats that received the pre-exposure treatment with the cocktail, showed obvious reductions in manifestations of symptoms caused by those viral infections. The protective effectiveness of the pre-exposure treatment against these viral challenge infections was almost equal to that of the treatment given at right after these challenge infections.     

Cytokine profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from dogs experimentally sensitized to Japanese cedar pollen

Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica, CJ) pollinosis is mediated by type-I hypersensitivity and induces seasonal rhinitis and conjunctivitis in humans. Previous studies showed that dogs could be experimentally sensitized with CJ pollen. In this study, we carried out quantitative analysis of mRNA levels of various cytokines in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 12 dogs experimentally sensitized to Japanese cedar pollen. Experimental sensitization was carried out by injection of crude CJ pollen extract with aluminium hydroxide gel. The expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, interferon (IFN)-gamma, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha mRNAs in the PBMC were quantified using a real-time sequence detection system. In the PBMC tested without culture, the expression levels of IL-8 and TNF-alpha mRNAs in experimentally sensitized dogs were significantly higher than those in control dogs. The expression level of IFN-gamma mRNA in the sensitized group was significantly lower than that in the control group. When the PBMCs were cultured in the presence of CJ pollen extract, the level of IL-4 mRNA expression was markedly increased in the PBMC from the experimentally sensitized dogs. In the PBMC stimulated with the CJ pollen extract, the expression level of IL-2 mRNA in the sensitized group was also significantly higher than that in the control group. Our data indicated that a Th2 response and proliferation of PBMC occur in response to the sensitizing antigen in dogs experimentally sensitized with CJ pollen, and revealed the presence of antigen-specific Th2 cells in this canine model. In addition, the expression levels of the mRNAs encoding proinflammatory cytokines were shown to be elevated after CJ pollen sensitization, indicating the activation of monocytes and macrophages.     

Contrast-enhanced CT features of pyloric lesions in 17 dogs: Case series

Pyloric outflow obstructions can be caused by several types of lesions. When a thickened gastric wall and pyloric mass are detected, malignant neoplasia must be differentiated from chronic hypertrophic pyloric gastropathy. CT can characterize gastric tumors. However, based on the authors’ review of the literature, there is limited information about the CT findings of pyloric lesions. The purpose of this retrospective case series study was to assess the CT findings of canine pyloric lesions. The following CT parameters were recorded: anatomical area, involved area, lesion shape, growth patterns of wall thickening lesions, enhancement pattern of the lesion in the early and delayed phases, lymphomegaly, and pulmonary metastasis. Seventeen dogs were included in this study and had the following final diagnoses: hyperplasia (five dogs), adenoma (five dogs), adenocarcinoma (three dogs), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST; two dogs), polyposis (one dog), and pyogenic granuloma (one dog). Hyperplasia, adenoma, and polyposis formed mass lesions that involved the mucosal layer. Lymphomegaly was detected in two Jack Russell terriers with hyperplasia; however, the causes were unknown because we did not perform biopsies. All adenocarcinomas formed wall-thickened lesion that involved the outer layer, with lymphomegaly. All GISTs formed mass lesion that involved the outer layer. The pyogenic granulomas formed symmetric wall-thickened lesion that involved the mucosal and outer layers. CT facilitated the characterization of canine pyloric lesions using contrast enhancement, based on the involved area and lesion shape. However, polyposis may require caution in diagnosis based on CT findings alone.     

Xanthan gum and locust bean gum substrate improves bovine embryo development

One of the major difference between the in vivo and in vitro embryonic environments is the stiffness of the culture substrate. Xanthan gum (XG) and locust bean gum (LBG) are natural materials that are safe, inexpensive and easy to handle. In this study, we investigated the effects of using a polysaccharide culture substrate made from 1% XG and 1% LBG (XG-LBG gel) on bovine embryonic development. Oocytes collected from bovine ovaries were subjected to maturation, and fertilization to generate embryos at an early developmental stage (>4 cell stage). Cleaved embryos were further cultured in a well of 96-well cell culture plate coated with or without XG-LBG gel for 5 days. While the developmental rate up to the blastocyst stage did not differ between the two culture systems (control, 38.0 vs. gel, 38.6%), blastocysts developed on the XG-LBG gel produced significantly high cell numbers and ATP content. Embryos cultured on XG-LBG gels for 24 hr had high expression levels of F-actin and a highly even distribution of E-cadherin. In addition, embryos developed on XG-LBG gel demonstrated increased translocation of YAP to the nucleus and increased connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) protein levels (downstream of Hippo signalling). These findings suggest that soft culture substrates improve embryonic development by enhancing mechanotransduction, including YAP-CTGF signalling.     

A long‐term study of the effects of SLC12A1 homozygous mutation (g.62382825G>A,p.Pro372Leu) in Japanese Black cattle

Recessive missense mutation in the solute carrier family 12, member 1 (SLC12A1) gene (g.62382825G>A) is associated with hydrallantois, which is the accumulation of fluid in the allantoic cavity of a pregnant animal, and usually causes fetal death in Japanese Black cattle. However, the symptoms of a homozygote with this mutation that do not result in fetal death have not previously been tracked and evaluated. In the present study, we observed a homozygote with the SLC12A1 risk allele over a long‐term period. The calf did not show any obvious clinical symptoms, although it did exhibit a slight growth retardation that accompanied mild calciuria. At 28 months of age, the homozygote showed renal dysfunction, which in turn resulted in hydronephrosis. The time course of the symptoms was consistent with the phenotype of Bartter syndrome in humans. Additionally, the risk heterozygous genotype did not any effects on carcass traits, which indicates that eliminating the risk allele would not have any unfavorable effects. Therefore, we emphasize that both the fetal‐ and late‐stage symptoms associated with the SLC12A1 risk allele compromise animal welfare, and consequently may result in severe economic losses for individual farmers if the SLC12A1 risk allele is not eliminated from the population.     

Assessment of biomarkers influencing treatment success on small intestinal lymphoma in dogs

This study aimed to determine a reliable therapeutic biomarker for localized small intestinal lymphoma (SIL) in dogs based on clinical and histopathological features. We retrospectively investigated 84 dogs with localized SIL, including 36 dogs receiving surgery and 48 dogs receiving chemotherapy. The dogs receiving surgery were divided into two subgroups: 18 dogs (group 1) with overall survival (OS) <120 days (median OS) and 18 dogs (group 2) with OS ≥120 days. Correspondingly, the dogs receiving chemotherapy were divided into 24 dogs (group 3) with OS <98 days (median OS) and 24 dogs (group 4) with OS ≥98 days. Clinical, haematological, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were comparatively evaluated among the four subgroups. There was no significant difference in OS between the surgery and chemotherapy groups. In dogs receiving surgery, the rate of Ki67‐positive cells was significantly increased in group 1 compared to group 2 and showed no significant difference between groups 3 and 4. In dogs receiving chemotherapy, the rate of O6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) was significantly higher in group 3 than in group 4 and showed no significant difference between groups 1 and 2. Additionally, our data showed that OS in dogs with higher Ki67 expression might be significantly increased by chemotherapy than by surgery, that of those with higher MGMT expression might be significantly increased by surgery than by chemotherapy, and Ki67 and MGMT were independent of each other. Indices of Ki67 and MGMT are suggested therapeutic biomarkers to determine the optimal first‐line treatment for localized SIL in dogs.     

Assessment of reference dietary amino acid pattern for juvenile red sea bream, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pagrus major</Emphasis>

Four semi-purified diets, containing crystalline amino acids (CAAs), were fed to juvenile red sea bream, Pagrus major in order to ascertain the ideal dietary amino acid pattern for this species. A control diet containing 50% casein–gelatin as protein sources, but no CAAs were fed to the fish. The other diets contained 30% casein–gelatin and 20% CAAs. CAAs were added to diets to simulate with amino acid pattern of the red sea bream eggs protein (REP), red sea bream larvae whole body protein (RLP), red sea bream juvenile whole body protein (RJP), and brown fishmeal protein (BFP). The juveniles (average initial body weight, 1.58 ± 0.01 g) were maintained in triplicate tanks and fed twice daily for 30 days. The highest weight gain was observed in juveniles fed the RJP diet. No significant difference was observed in juveniles fed the RLP and BFP diet. Feed efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio and amino acid retention in the whole body were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the simulated dietary amino acid patterns. The essential amino acid profile and A/E ratios of the whole body after the growth trial showed little difference among the dietary treatments. The results suggest that red sea bream juveniles are able to utilize high amounts of CAA in coated form. The amino acid pattern of RJP could be used as an appropriate of reference dietary amino acid for this species.     

Epidermoid cyst of the ileum in a miniature dachshund dog

A 13-year-old castrated male miniature dachshund dog was presented with chronic vomiting and diarrhea. Contrast radiography and surgical exploration revealed an ileal cyst, which was excised. A diagnosis of epidermoid cyst was made from a combination of the clinical findings and histological examination of the surgical specimen.     

Assessment of cholesterol requirements in the prawn, Penaeus japonicus

Two feeding experiments were conducted to assess the quantitative cholesterol requirement of the juvenile prawn, Penaeus japonicus . The prawns were fed casein-based (experiment 1) and casein- or crab protein-based (experiment 2) diets with or without supplemental cholesterol. The daily increases in quantities of body cholesterol (mg kg⁻¹ prawn day⁻¹) at maximum growth and dietary cholesterol intake over a 40-day feeding period were determined. Prawns fed 5 g kg⁻¹ supplemental cholesterol, regardless of protein sources, gave the highest weight gain. Body retention efficiencies of dietary cholesterol (cholesterol retained × 100/cholesterol intake) vary among prawns fed 5 g kg⁻¹ supplemental cholesterol (diets 3, 5 and 7) but dietary cholesterol requirements expressed as mg kg⁻¹ body weight (BW) day⁻¹ were not significantly different (180 to 200 mg kg⁻¹ BW day⁻¹). Based on dietary cholesterol requirement, the optimum dietary cholesterol levels for the juvenile prawns were estimated in relation to feeding levels. When feeding levels were 3%, 5% and 7% of body weight, optimum dietary cholesterol levels were 5.0 to 6.0, 3.6 to 4.0, and 2.6 to 2.9 g kg⁻¹ of dry diet, respectively. The present study showed the advantages of determining daily cholesterol requirement (mg kg⁻¹ BW day⁻¹) at maximum growth through a factorial method in determining optimum dietary cholesterol levels in P. japonicus .