Occurrence of human serum-resistant Trypanosoma congolense in goats and sheep in Nigeria

An assessment of the role of dogs, goats and sheep as reservoir hosts of African trypanosomes infective for humans (sleeping sickness) was carried out in Nigeria during a 2-year study period. Twelve stocks of Trypanosoma (Trypanozoon) brucei, 10 stocks of Trypanosoma congolense and 11 stocks of Trypanosoma vivax were isolated from a total of 699 animals, comprising 286 sheep, 221 goats and 192 dogs. The potential infectivity of the isolates for man was tested in vitro using the blood incubation infectivity test. None of the T. brucei group was resistant to the trypanocidal action of human serum; three of the T. congolense group were resistant to human serum. A parallel study of the trypanocidal action of test serum on authenticated T. brucei brucei and T. brucei gambiense showed that the human serum behaved as expected. The possibility is discussed that T. congolense might produce infections in man and should, therefore, be handled carefully both in the laboratory and by veterinarians in the field.     

Interactions between commensal bacteria and the gut-associated immune system of the chicken

The chicken gut-associated lymphoid tissue is made up of a number of tissues and cells that are responsible for generating mucosal immune responses and maintaining intestinal homeostasis. The normal chicken microbiota also contributes to this via the ability to activate both innate defense mechanisms and adaptive immune responses. If left uncontrolled, immune activation in response to the normal microbiota would pose a risk of excessive inflammation and intestinal damage. Therefore, it is important that immune responses to the normal microbiota be under strict regulatory control. Through studies of mammals, it has been established that the mucosal immune system has specialized regulatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms for eliminating or tolerating the normal microbiota. The mechanisms that exist in the chicken to control host responses to the normal microbiota, although assumed to be similar to that of mammals, have not yet been fully described. This review summarizes what is currently known about the host response to the intestinal microbiota, particularly in the chicken.     

Description of a regional anaesthesia technique for the dorsal cranium in the dog: a cadaveric study

Objective

To identify landmarks and to describe a technique for nerve blockade of the dorsal cranium in dogs.

High-pressure balloon valvuloplasty for severe pulmonary valve stenosis: a prospective observational pilot study in 25 dogs

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate safety and efficacy of high-pressure balloon valvuloplasty (HPBVP) for treatment of canine severe pulmonary valve stenosis (PS). A secondary aim was to provide pre-procedure predictors of success.

Surface-modified nanofibrous biomaterial bridge for the enhancement and control of neurite outgrowth

Biomaterial bridges constructed from electrospun fibers offer a promising alternative to traditional nerve tissue regeneration substrates. Aligned and unaligned polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun fibers were prepared and functionalized with the extracellular matrix proteins collagen and laminin using covalent and physical adsorption attachment chemistries. The effect of the protein modified and native PCL nanofiber scaffolds on cell proliferation, neurite outgrowth rate, and orientation was examined with neuronlike PC12 cells. All protein modified scaffolds showed enhanced cellular adhesion and neurite outgrowth compared to unmodified PCL scaffolds. Neurite orientation was found to be in near perfect alignment with the fiber axis for cells grown on aligned fibers, with difference angles of less than 7° from the fiber axis, regardless of the surface chemistry. The bioavailability of PCL fibers with covalently attached laminin was found to be identical to that of PCL fibers with physically adsorbed laminin, indicating that the covalent chemistry did not change the protein conformation into a less active form and the covalent attachment of protein is a suitable method for enhancing the biocompatibility of tissue engineering scaffolds.