Development and characterization of mouse monoclonal antibodies reactive with chicken CD83

This study was carried out to develop and characterize mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against chicken CD83 (chCD83), a membrane-bound glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily that is primarily expressed on mature dendritic cells (DCs). A recombinant chCD83/IgG4 fusion protein containing the extracellular region of chCD83 was expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells and isolated from the spent cell culture medium by protein G affinity chromatography. The extracellular region of the chCD83 protein was purified and used to immunize mice. A cell fusion was performed, from which 342 hybridomas were screened for mAbs to chCD83. Two mAbs, chCD83-159 and chCD83-227, stained the greatest percentage of chCD83-transfected CHO cells and were selected for further characterization. By flow cytometry, both mAbs reacted with a chicken macrophage cell line, HD11. Both mAbs also recognized a single 53 kDa protein on Western blots of lysates from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated spleen mononuclear cells or unstimulated HD11 cells. Immunostaining of chicken secondary lymphoid organs identified chCD83(+) cells with morphologic and subtissue localization properties comparable to mammalian DCs. In vitro stimulation of spleen mononuclear cells with concanavalin A (Con A) decreased the percentage of chCD83(+) cells compared with cells treated with medium alone. Interestingly, spleen cells treated with Con A in the presence of chCD83-227 mAb exhibited decreased percentage of MHCII(+) cells compared with cells treated with an isotype-matched negative control mAb. These chCD83 mAbs may be useful for future investigations of chicken immune cell maturation and mechanisms of action.     

Effects of X-rays on Tuta absoluta for use in inherited sterility programmes

Tuta absoluta is a key pest of tomato crops originating from South America. The consequences of X-radiation on this species were studied under laboratory controlled conditions. The effect of radiation on adult emergence was evaluated exposing male and female pupae to increasing X-rays. Adult emergence decreased as doses of X-radiation increased, with the appearance of deformities such as malformed wings and bent legs at doses ≥350?Gy. Besides, males and females obtained from irradiated pupae were out crossed with untreated counterparts to explore the effects of X-radiation on inherited sterility. (a) Irradiated male?×?untreated female crosses. Both fecundity and fertility of the untreated females were reduced by radiation, and the effect was stronger as the doses increased. Neither the longevity of parental males and F1 adults nor the sex ratios of the F1 and F2 generations were affected by X-radiation (F1 and F2: first and second generation of descendants of irradiated adults). Inherited sterility effects were manifested by a significant reduction in the F1 fecundity, F1 fertility, and the amount of larvae and pupae produced. Doses of 200–250?Gy could be used to induce inherited sterility in T. absoluta males. (b) Untreated male?×?irradiated female crosses. The minimum dose at which irradiated females were completely sterile was 200?Gy. The present study is the first study in T. absoluta that provides the starting point for implementing the inherited sterility in this species.     

Effects of temperature and handling conditions on lipid emulsion stability in veterinary parenteral nutrition admixtures during simulated intravenous administration

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether lipid particle coalescence develops in veterinary parenteral nutrition (PN) admixture preparations that are kept at room temperature (23 degrees C) for > 48 hours and whether that coalescence is prevented by admixture filtration, refrigeration, or agitation. SAMPLE POPULATION: 15 bags of veterinary PN solutions. PROCEDURES: Bags of a PN admixture preparation containing a lipid emulsion were suspended and maintained under different experimental conditions (3 bags/group) for 96 hours while admixtures were dispensed to simulate IV fluid administration (rate, 16 mL/h). Bags were kept static at 4 degrees C (refrigeration); kept at 23 degrees C (room temperature) and continuously agitated; kept at room temperature and agitated for 5 minutes every 4 hours; kept static at room temperature and filtered during delivery; or kept static at room temperature (control conditions). Admixture samples were collected at 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours and examined via transmission electron microscopy to determine lipid particle diameters. At 96 hours, 2 samples were collected at a location distal to the filter from each bag in that group for bacterial culture. RESULTS: Distribution of lipid particle size in the control preparations and experimentally treated preparations did not differ significantly. A visible oil layer developed in continuously agitated preparations by 72 hours. Bacterial cultures of filtered samples yielded no growth. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Data indicated that the veterinary PN admixtures kept static at 23 degrees C are suitable for use for at least 48 hours. Manipulations of PN admixtures appear unnecessary to prolong lipid particle stability, and continuous agitation may hasten lipid breakdown.     

A possible canine tick-bite reaction to Ixodes muris

An Airedale terrier became acutely ill following attachment of an Ixodes muris tick. Clinical signs waned within hours of tick removal, similar to a pattern previously documented in animals harboring I. muris. This supports the theory that I. muris can induce a noninfectious, severe inflammatory reaction in domestic animals.     

Fluid therapy in vomiting and diarrhea.

Fluid therapy in the patient with vomiting and diarrhea is essential to correct hypovolemia, dehydration, acid-base imbalance, and serum electrolyte abnormalities. Prediction of acid-base or electrolyte disturbances is difficult; therefore, point of care testing is beneficial to optimize therapy. This article focuses on the pathophysiology and treatment of hypovolemia, dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, and acid-base derangements resulting from and associated with vomiting and diarrhea.     

Postoperative ultrasonographic appearance of uncomplicated enterotomy or enterectomy sites in dogs

The ultrasonographic findings in 20 dogs with 25 healing enterotomy and enterectomy sites resulting from the removal of foreign material or correction of intussusceptions are presented. In this prospective study, dogs had preoperative abdominal ultrasound examinations followed by sequential sonographic examinations on the first, third, sixth, and 10th days postenterotomy or enterectomy with an additional sonographic examination after 20 days postoperatively. Documented sonographic features included length and maximal intestinal wall thickness of the enterotomy or enterectomy sites, echogenicity of omental/mesenteric fat, amount of free gas and abdominal effusion, and gastrointestinal motility. Sonographically, 57% of enterotomies and 100% of enterectomies were visualized. Pneumoperitoneum, hyperechoic omental/mesenteric fat, and abdominal effusion did not appreciably hamper evaluation of the intestinal surgical site. Absent wall layering at the surgical site was noted in 96% of dogs at day 1 postoperatively. At the final sonographic examination, wall layering remained altered to absent in 100% of dogs and normal thickness was noted in only 20% of dogs. The median maximal wall thickness was 7 and 8 mm for enterotomies and enterectomies respectively, which occurred between days 1 and 3 and days 3 and 6 postoperatively. Effusion and increased echogenicity of omental/mesenteric fat localized to the surgical site were noted in 42% and 60% of dogs respectively at day 1 postoperatively, with resolution noted between days 3 and 10 postoperatively in 92% and 80% of dogs. Generalized abdominal effusion and pneumoperitoneum were seen in 100% of dogs immediately postoperatively and resolved in 80% by day 10.     

Bilateral nasolacrimal duct atresia in a cria

A 2-month-old, male alpaca had a 1-month history of mucoid ocular discharge from the left eye. Signalment, history and clinical findings were suggestive of a congenital nasolacrimal outflow obstruction. A dacryocystorhinogram confirmed bilateral nasolacrimal duct atresia, which involved the distal half of both nasolacrimal ducts. In order to establish alternative outflow, a conjunctivomaxillosinusotomy and conjunctivorhinostomy were performed on the right and left eye, respectively. The surgical openings remain patent after 11 months, and there have been no clinical signs of nasolacrimal disease.     

Effect of butorphanol administration on cardiovascular parameters in isoflurane-anesthetized horses - a retrospective clinical evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine cardiovascular responses to administration of butorphanol in isoflurane-anesthetized horses. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective evaluation of anesthetic records. ANIMALS: Seventy-six horses anesthetized for a variety of clinical surgical procedures. METHODS: Anesthetic records of clinical equine patients anesthetized between January 1999 and December 2003 were searched. The records were reviewed for horses in which anesthesia was induced with ketamine and a benzodiazepine and maintained with isoflurane, and horses that received butorphanol intraoperatively. Exclusion criteria included horses in which the rate of infusion of an inotrope or end-tidal isoflurane concentration was changed 10 minutes before or after the butorphanol bolus. The horses were separated into two groups: group 1 horses received butorphanol at intervals as part of a balanced protocol, group 2 horses had > or = 10% increase in heart rate (HR) or blood pressure within 10 minutes prior to butorphanol administration. RESULTS: Eighty-nine butorphanol administration events matched the criteria for inclusion, 49 in group 1 and 40 in group 2. There were no significant changes after butorphanol administration in systolic arterial pressure (SAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), and heart rate (HR) in group 1, or in end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration or hemoglobin oxygen saturation in either group. There were significant decreases in SAP (p < 0.0001), MAP (p < 0.0005), and DAP (p < 0.0008) after butorphanol administration in group 2. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results presented here confirm that butorphanol can be administered to horses during isoflurane anesthesia without adverse effects on HR and arterial blood pressure. The results imply that butorphanol can deepen the plane of anesthesia and obtund sympathetic stimulation from a surgical procedure.