Measles virus infection induces interleukin-8 release in human pulmonary epithelial cells

Measles virus (MV) infection primarily targets epithelial cells of the respiratory tract, which have the potential to synthesize a variety of cytokines. In this report, we studied the effect of MV infection on the production of interleukin (IL)-8 by the pulmonary epithelial cells. A549 cells, a lower airway epithelial cell line, produced IL-8 after MV inoculation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The IL-8 production was little affected by UV-inactivation of MV and scarcely suppressed by cycloheximide treatment. These results indicated that MV particle binding to and/or incorporation into cells stimulated IL-8 expression in A549 cells.     

The effect of pretreatment with different doses of GnRH to synchronize follicular wave on superstimulation of follicular growth in dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and GnRH doses in synchronizing follicular wave emergence as a pretreatment for superovulation in cattle. Fourteen Holstein-Friesian cows 6 days from estrus were randomly assigned to receive 100 microg (n=4), 50 microg (n=5), or 25 microg (n=5) of GnRH. Superovulation was induced with injections of porcine FSH (pFSH) twice daily, decreasing the dose (total 42 AU) over 5 days beginning 2.5 days after receiving GnRH. On the 7th and 8th injections of pFSH, 750 microg of PGF(2alpha) was also given. With the exception of one cow that was given 50 microg of GnRH, ovulation was induced in all cows from the three groups and the new follicular wave emergence was observed. The total number of follicles for the 25 microg GnRH group was less than that observed for the 100 microg GnRH group (P<0.05), although there were no differences between the 100 microg, 50 microg and 25 microg GnRH groups with respect to the number of preovulatory follicles (>or=10 mm) and CL. The numbers of normal embryos were greater for the 25 microg GnRH group than the 100 or 50 microg GnRH groups (P<0.01); however, the numbers of ova/embryos did not differ significantly between the three groups. These results suggest that 25 microg of GnRH was sufficient to induce ovulation and follicular wave emergence. On day 6 of the estrous cycle, a reduction of the dose of GnRH to synchronize follicular wave emergence as a pretreatment for superstimulation promotes transferable embryos.     

Detection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in lung and nasal swab samples from pigs by nested PCR and culture methods

We examined nasal swab and lung homogenate samples collected from pigs experimentally and naturally infected with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae for the detection of M. hyopneumoniae by the nested PCR (nPCR) and culture methods. In the 23 experimentally infected pigs, M. hyopneumoniae was commonly detected in nasal swabs by the nPCR and culture methods at 4 weeks after inoculation, and there was a significant correlation (P<0.01) between the titers of viable organisms in nasal swabs and in lung homogenates in the experimentally inoculated pigs. In the naturally infected pigs, on the other hand, discrepancies in detection were found between nasal swab and lung homogenate samples in 17 of 36 cases, although the presence of gross lung lesions correlated relatively well with the detection of organisms from the samples. Our results indicated that the diagnosis of mycoplasmal pneumonia by nPCR in individual pigs with nasal swabs is reliable under these experimental conditions. At present, nPCR with nasal swabs should only be used for monitoring the disease status at the herd level under field conditions.     

Acceleration of follicular development by administration of vascular endothelial growth factor in cycling female rats

To address the role of follicular angiogenesis in the determination of ovulatory follicles and the effects of different vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) isoforms on follicular angiogenesis and development, mature female rats were treated with an angiogenic inhibitor (TNP-470), and also with VEGF 120 or 164 at different dosages (0.4, 0.8, 4.0 or 8.0 microg/kg body weight) for 3 days during the estrous cycle. Ovarian follicular angiogenesis, the population of large follicles and ovulation were examined. VEGF 120 (0.8 microg/kg) and 164 (8.0 microg/kg) treatments stimulated follicular angiogenesis in the theca interna layer, while TNP-470 treatment showed severe depression of follicular angiogenesis, and completely inhibited ovulation. After administration of VEGF 120 or 164, the number of healthy preovulatory follicles and ovulated oocytes increased significantly, concomitantly with a decrease in the number of atretic preovulatory follicles. The oocytes ovulated had normal fertilizability and developed to term with the same litter size as in the control rats. Our findings suggest that follicular angiogenesis may be a determinant of follicular development during the periovulatory phase, and that VEGF isoforms may play different important roles in regulating follicular angiogenesis.     

A case of anaplastic meningioma in a dog

A tumor sized in 2.0x2.0x2.5 cm developed in the cerebellum of a female Beagle was pathologically investigated. Histopathologically, the tumor grew by compression and partially by infiltration into the adjacent cerebellar parenchyma. There were a large number of necrotic lesions and proliferation of collagen fibers. The tumor cells had oval nucleus showing cellular atypia and a high mitotic index. The tumor cells were reacted with vimentin antibody on immunostain. Electron microscopic examination revealed the tumor cells interdigitated with cytoplasmic processus where the desmosomes developed on cell junction. This tumor was diagnosed as anaplastic meningioma, which is rarely observed in dogs.     

Recovery of the everted cystacanth of seven acanthocephalan species of birds from feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Japan

Acanthocephalan everted cystacanths were detected in the intestines of 61 out of 555 feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) trapped between May 2003 and April 2005 in the western region of mainland Japan (Honshu). All collected specimens were identified as the species of birds including 3 Centrorhynchus species (C. bazaleticus, C. elongatus, and C. teres), Sphaerirostris lanceoides, Plagiorhynchus ogatai, Porrorchis oti, and Southwelina hispida. Three species, C. bazaleticus, C. teres, and S. lanceoides, were new to distribution records in Japan and the Far East. Recovery rates of these acanthocephalans were higher from the raccoons trapped in spring and early summer (range 8.3-36.8%, average 21.5%) than during the remainder of the year (range 0-20.0%, average 6.3%). The reason for this seasonal change is unknown. There is little information on the acanthocephalan fauna of wild birds in Japan, however, recovery of the cystacanths from the feral raccoons captured through the year might provide useful information on the fauna and geographical distribution of avian acanthocephalans.     

Melanocytic matricoma in a dog

We report a tumor that developed at the root of the tail in a male, 2-year-old Shih Tzu dog. Histologically, the tumor consisted of basaloid epithelial cells, with shadow cells and neoplastic melanocyte proliferation. Immunohistochemically, epithelial components were positive for keratin/cytokeratin but basaloid cells were negative. Mononuclear or multinuclear melanocytes were positive for vimentin, S-100 protein, and HMB-45. In conclusion, this dog was diagnosed with canine melanocytic matricoma on the basis of the similarity of the histologic and immunohistochemical features in humans, and it may be the first case in an animal.     

Influence of medetomidine on stress-related neurohormonal and metabolic effects caused by butorphanol, fentanyl, and ketamine administration in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To examine stress-related neurohormonal and metabolic effects of butorphanol, fentanyl, and ketamine administration alone and in combination with medetomidine in dogs. ANIMALS: 10 Beagles. PROCEDURE: 5 dogs received either butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg), fentanyl (0.01 mg/kg), or ketamine (10 mg/kg) IM in a crossover design. Another 5 dogs received either medetomidine (0.02 mg/kg) and butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg), medetomidine and fentanyl (0.01 mg/kg), medetomidine and ketamine (10 mg/kg), or medetomidine and saline (0.9% NaCI) solution (0.1 mL/kg) in a similar design. Blood samples were obtained for 6 hours following the treatments. Norepinephrine, epinephrine, cortisol, glucose, insulin, and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were determined in plasma. RESULTS: Administration of butorphanol, fentanyl, and ketamine caused neurohormonal and metabolic changes similar to stress, including increased plasma epinephrine, cortisol, and glucose concentrations. The hyperglycemic effect of butorphanol was not significant. Ketamine caused increased norepinephrine concentration. Epinephrine concentration was correlated with glucose concentration in the butorphanol and fentanyl groups but not in the ketamine groups, suggesting an important difference between the mechanisms of the hyperglycemic effects of these drugs. Medetomidine prevented most of these effects except for hyperglycemia. Plasma glucose concentrations were lower in the combined sedation groups than in the medetomidine-saline solution group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Opioids or ketamine used alone may cause changes in stress-related biochemical variables in plasma. Medetomidine prevented or blunted these changes. Combined sedation provided better hormonal and metabolic stability than either component alone. We recommend using medetomidine-butorphanol or medetomidine-ketamine combinations for sedation or anesthesia of systemically healthy dogs.     

Properties of a coronavirus isolated from a cow with epizootic diarrhea

A coronavirus (Kakegawa isolate) isolated from a cow with epizootic diarrhea was grown in BEK-1 cells and examined for biophysical and biochemical properties. The Kakegawa isolate was able to replicate in the presence or absence of 5-iodo-2′-deoxy-uridine, indicating that its viral nucleic acid was RNA. It was highly sensitive to ether and chloroform, and moderately sensitive to trypsin and heat. It was, however, readily stabilized by treatment with cation at 50°C for 1 h. Its infectivity was slightly reduced at pH 3.0. The virus passed through a membrane filter of 200 nm pore size, but not through one of 100 nm pore size. The buoyant density of the virus was determined in a sucrose density gradient. The peak of infectivity and hemagglutinin activity was found at a density of 1.182. Neutralization and hemagglutination inhibition tests showed a close serological relationship between the Kakegawa isolate and the American strain of calf diarrhea coronavirus.     

Physico-chemical properties of calf-diarrhea coronavirus

Replication of calf diarrhea coronavirus was not inhibited by 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine, indicating that the virus is an RNA virus. Sensitivity to ether and chloroform indicated that the virus is enveloped, and this was confirmed by electron microscopic observation of the virion. The virus was readily inactivated by trypsin and sodium deoxycholate. The virus was labile at 50°C in diluted medium, but readily stabilized in the presence of MgCl₂. It was stable at pH 5 and 7, while a slight loss of infectivity was observed at pH 3. The virus was readily filtered through membrane filters of 200 and 100-nm pore sizes, but not through 50-nm filters. The buoyant density of the virion in CsCl was estimated to be 1.25 g/ml.