Monoclonal antibodies raised to human cells--specificity for pig leukocytes.

A total of 27 monoclonal antibodies raised to human targets were included in the present Pig CD workshop. 14 of these had been tested in previous workshops and had been reported as cross-reactive, a further 13 had been reported as cross-reactive during the Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens Workshop VI (HLDA VI) and/or by the donor (a commercial company submitting these mAb for validation by the workshop community). Of the 27 antibodies, three antibodies with previously reported reactivity for pig cells were eliminated from the workshop following preliminary tests due to lack of reactivity. Nine antibodies, although initially positive, gave inconsistent results during the course of the workshop. We found consistent reactivity for 15 antibodies. However, the cellular distribution of the target molecules on pig and human cells was shown to be different for three of these antibodies. These findings have important implications for the usefulness of these antibodies as research tools in the pig.     

Immune cell populations in the duodenal mucosa of cats with inflammatory bowel disease

The aim of this study was to characterize the phenotype of leukocytes infiltrating the duodenal mucosa of cats with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by using immunohistochemistry and computer-aided morphometry to assess whether immunologic markers would aid in characterization of IBD. Frozen and formalin-fixed duodenal biopsies were collected from cats referred for investigation of chronic vomiting, diarrhea, or both (n = 34). Reference ranges were previously established by using duodenal samples from healthy cats (n = 16). No significant difference was found in the number of immunoglobulin G+ (IgG+) or IgA+ in either the villous lamina propria or the crypt lamina propria between cats with IBD and control cats. T cells (CD3+) increased in number from crypt to the tip of the villi in biopsies from both diseased (mean +/- SD for each group was 18.8 +/- 6.6 and 17.7 +/- 4.2 cells/ 10,000 m2 in cryptal areas to 25.2 +/- 9.5 and 29.1 +/- 13.3 cells/10,000m2 in villous areas) and healthy animals (17.9 +/- 3.9 cells/10,000 microm2 in cryptal areas to 24.1 +/- 9.3 cells/10,000 microm2 in villous areas) and no significant difference was found between diseased and control cats. By contrast, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression by leukocytes with dendritic cell or macrophage morphology in the lamina propria was significantly greater in cats with IBD (13.3 +/- 4.2 cells/10,000 microm2 in cryptal area; P = .016) than in healthy cats (11.9 +/- 3.0 cells/10,000 microm2) and MHC class II expression by enterocytes also was more pronounced in these cats showing an overall intensity of expression of 7.1 +/- 4.0 cells/10,000 microm2 in cats with IBD as opposed to 0.0 +/- 0.0 cells/10,000 microm2 to 0.3 +/- 0.7 cells/10,000 microm2 in healthy cats. These findings suggest that a subtle immunologic dysregulation occurs in spontaneously arising feline IBD.     

Weaning — A challenge to gut physiologists

The aim of this paper is to review the most relevant findings obtained over the last four years on the physiology, microbiology and immunology of the gastrointestinal tract of pigs as influenced by weaning and nutrition in the post-weaning period through the action of feed components or alternative substances to in-feed antibiotics. In recent years, some light has been shed on the physiology of the stomach, including motility, gastric emptying and acid secretion. This organ is important in the control of pathogen entry into the intestines. Recent studies on basic intestinal physiology around weaning have been scarce. Most investigations have been devoted to nutritional approaches on the effects of diet components (e.g. protein, fibre, etc.) and alternative substances (e.g. organic acids, zinc, prebiotics, probiotics, other substances of animal or plant origins) on pig performance and various aspects of gastrointestinal tract physiology, microbiology and immunology. Among these, beneficial effects of some organic acids have been confirmed. Additional data with zinc sources include possible mechanisms of protection. Overall it appears that manipulating carbohydrate (prebiotic) composition of the weaning diet may be the most promising way to improve gut health in weaned piglets. In that respect, consistent results have been obtained with lactose supplementation, and interactions with other feed constituents have been studied. Significant positive results have also been produced with probiotics (bacteria, yeasts) fed to the piglets or to the sows. The major parts of the responses appear to be mediated through changes in gastrointestinal microbiology, including enhanced numbers of favourable bacteria (lactobacilli, bifidobacteria) and/or decreased numbers of potentially pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Clostridia, etc.) together with more favourable profiles of fermentation products along the intestines. In contrast, measurable effects of these dietary factors on intestinal physiology and mucosal immunology have been limited or difficult to interpret in many cases. Finally, investigations have been conducted with varying diet composition (other than carbohydrates: protein source or level, amino acids, etc) or supplementing with different substances of animal or plant origin. However, positive effects on the gut have often been more variable and sometimes inconsistent.     

Development of Complete Homozygotes of Tobacco

True homnozygotes of Nicotiana tabacum L., herein referred to as Ky Iso lines, are being developed from haploids. A technique is described whereby seedlings resulting from fertilization are eliminated, leaving only suspect haploids. After confirmation, haploids are treated to double the chromosomes and these result in completely homozygous plants. One complete homnozygote, Ky Iso 1 Ky 16, has been developed and shows extreme uniformity in all characters studied. The Ky Iso lines will be useful in genetic stuidies that require no plant-to-plant genotypic variability. The Ky Iso lines will be made available upon request as they are developed.     

Evidence for vascular and enzymatic events in the pathophysiology of acute laminitis: which pathway is responsible for initiation of this process in horses?

To date, there is a substantial amount of data to support the hypotheses that vascular and enzymatic changes are ongoing in experimental laminitis. Furthermore, there is substantial in vitro evidence that the enzymatic changes weaken the dermo-epidermal attachments leading to mechanical failure of the hoof-bone interface of the equine digit. However, investigators of both the vascular and enzymatic theories have, to date, been unable to substantiate the effects of these pathophysiological changes in vivo on laminar tissues of horses afflicted with experimentally induced or naturally acquired laminitis. In addition, the effects of laminitis-inducing treatment have not been prevented or reversed by treatment with an MMP inhibitor or a vasoactive antagonist. It is possible that there is simultaneous activation of the vascular and enzymatic pathways and/or other inflammatory processes. Moreover, the third theory involving mechanical factors cannot be discounted simply because strong evidence for vascular and enzymatic changes exists. It is common for horses with severe musculoskeletal disease affecting weightbearing on a limb to develop laminitis in the contralateral limb. It remains to be determined what factors are responsible for initiation of laminitis in these individuals. Evidence has not been presented that precludes the possibility of coincident occurrence of vascular and enzymatic changes. In fact, many of the inflammatory mediators (e.g. interleukin-1beta) found in laminitic tissues can concurrently stimulate synthesis of vasoactive substances and activate MMPs. Because enzymatic action on proteins is largely dependent on the concentrations of proteins and enzyme, the enzymatic theory is not dependent upon increased delivery of enzymes via increased capillary flow. Likewise, because vascular changes can alter tissue function via increased capillary flow and oedema formation, the vascular theory is not dependent upon decreased capillary flow. It is true that naturally acquired laminitis is widely variable in severity and predisposing diseases. Therefore, most probably there are multiple mechanisms involved in the initiation and propagation of the pathophysiologic cascade(s) and, therefore, successful intervention will necessitate multiple treatment modalities.     

Overview of historical and paleoecological studies of acidic air pollution and its effects

Historical evidence of acid deposition and its effects which was presented at Muskoka, Ontario in September, 1985 is summarized. This evidence consists of written records of the past chemistry and biology of atmospheric, terrestrial, and aquatic systems; it also includes evidence from archived collections which were “revisited”, from tree rings, and from the chemical and biological “records” in lake sediment and peat from which histories of airborne contaminants and ecosystem responses to these contaminants were inferred.     

Microbial degradation and phytotoxicity of picloram and other substituted pyridines

Attempts have been made to correlate the chemical structure of 38 pyridine derivatives, including two herbicides, picloram (Tordon) and Daxtron and a nitrification inhibitor (N-Serve), with their resistance to attack by soil microorganisms under aerobic and anaerobic conditions and with their herbicidal effect upon lucerne (Medicago sativa L., Hunter River).     

Long-term growth and yield effects of respacing natural regeneration of Sitka spruce in Britain

Stands of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) originating from natural regeneration can be extremely dense with high mortality, poor growth form and low volume production. Although costly, respacing (pre-commercial thinning) can reduce resource competition for the remaining trees, altering the final crop produced. Three experiments were established to examine the effect of respacing 1–2 m tall trees to different target densities. The impact on stand growth and yield was measured 11–17 years after respacing, and the longer-term impact was modelled to year 50. Unrespaced control treatments self-thinned at a similar and constant rate at two sites. At the third, extremely high initial density resulted in a higher rate of self-thinning and lower density after 11 years. Wider respacing treatments resulted in larger mean tree diameter, but there was no significant effect of respacing on stand volume 11–17 years after respacing; greater diameter growth did not compensate for low tree number. Results indicate a volume penalty associated with delaying respacing until trees were 4 m tall, but this treatment was unreplicated. Modelled stand volume in year 50 was higher for the 2.6 m × 2.6 m respacing treatment than for the 1.8 m × 1.8 m, 2.1 m × 2.1 m or 3.3 m × 3.3 m treatments. However, open-grown conditions may reduce timber quality compared to closer spacing treatments. The results are presented using a stand density management diagram for Sitka spruce growing in Canada and support recent suggestions that British stands have a shallower size–density relationship than Canadian stands.