Isolation and characterization of pediatric canine bone marrow CD34+ cells

Historically, the dog has been a valuable model for bone marrow transplantation studies, with many of the advances achieved in the dog being directly transferable to human clinical bone marrow transplantation protocols. In addition, dogs are also a source of many well-characterized homologues of human genetic diseases, making them an ideal large animal model in which to evaluate gene therapy protocols. It is generally accepted that progenitor cells for many human hematopoietic cell lineages reside in the CD34+ fraction of cells from bone marrow, cord blood, or peripheral blood. In addition, CD34+ cells are the current targets for human gene therapy of diseases involving the hematopoietic system. In this study, we have isolated and characterized highly enriched populations of canine CD34+ cells isolated from dogs 1 week to 3 months of age. Bone marrow isolated from 2- to 3-week-old dogs contained up to 18% CD34+ cells and this high percentage dropped sharply with age. In in vitro 6-day liquid suspension cultures, CD34+ cells harvested from 3-week-old dogs expanded almost two times more than those from 3-month-old dogs and the cells from younger dogs were also more responsive to human Flt-3 ligand (Flt3L). In culture, the percent and number of CD34+ cells from both ages of dogs dropped sharply between 2 and 4 days, although the number of CD34+ cells at day 6 of culture was higher for cells harvested from the younger dogs. CD34+ cells harvested from both ages of dogs had similar enrichment and depletion values in CFU-GM methylcellulose assays. Canine CD34+/Rho123lo cells expressed c-kit mRNA while the CD34+/Rhohi cells did not. When transplanted to a sub-lethally irradiated recipient, CD34+ cells from 1- to 3-week-old dogs gave rise to both myeloid and lymphoid lineages in the periphery. This study demonstrates that canine CD34+ bone marrow cells have similar in vitro and in vivo characteristics as human CD34+ cells. In addition, ontogeny-related functional differences reported for human CD34+ cells appear to exist in the dog as well, suggesting pediatric CD34+ cells may be better targets for gene transfer than adult bone marrow. The demonstration of similarities between canine and human CD34+ cells enhances the dog as a large, preclinical model to evaluate strategies for improving bone marrow transplantation protocols, for gene therapy protocols that target CD34+ cells, and to study the engraftment potential of various cell populations that may contain hematopoietic progenitor cell activity.     

Human recombinant interferonalpha-2b for management of idiopathic recurrent superficial pyoderma in dogs: a pilot study

The oral use of human recombinant interferonalpha-2b at 1,000 IU/ml/day appeared to provide only a transient benefit as compared with placebo for management of idiopathic recurrent superficial pyoderma in dogs. Further investigation using a larger population of dogs is needed to determine whether interferon is effective for long-term treatment of this condition.     

Comparison of radiographic osteoarthritis scores in dogs less than 24 months or greater than 24 months following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy

Radiographic osteoarthritis scores were determined in 60 dogs up to 3 years following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. Radiographs taken immediately following surgery and at long-term follow-up 1 to 3 years later were evaluated by 2 certified radiologists using a modified 32-point osteoarthritis scale. Changes in osteoarthritis scores were evaluated by paired t-tests and regression analysis. Sub-groups of dogs were formed to evaluate if osteoarthritis scores changed differently for follow-up periods of < 24 months compared with those > 24 months. There was a significant increase in osteoarthritis score from post-operative to follow-up evaluations for all dogs studied. Regression analysis of the relationship of months after surgery to change in osteoarthritis score was not significant. These results indicate that osteoarthritis did progress following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy, but not in a linear fashion over time.     

Agroforestry for Livelihood Security in Agrarian Landscapes of the Padma Floodplain in Bangladesh

In the Padma floodplain of Bangladesh, the traditional system of agriculture has become unsustainable due to high population growth. Mango-based agroforestry which has been practiced by the farmers since the 1990s, is a promising alternative and is considered as one of the few options to lift farmers out of poverty and improve livelihood security. This paper examines the potential of mango-based agroforestry to improve livelihoods, using data collected by rapid rural appraisal, farmer participatory research, stakeholder analysis and a farm household survey in six representative villages in the floodplain. Farmers with the least land were found to allocate a higher percentage of their land to agroforestry, and the increased income from agroforestry compared to other agricultural systems helps reduce relative poverty. This income maintains basic household needs, providing food security and fuelwood, and contributes to healthcare, housing and sanitation conditions, and meeting educational expenses.     

Comparison of Efficacy of Two Dose Rates of Histrelin to Human Chorionic Gonadotropin for Inducing Ovulation in Broodmares

Between February 15 and May 17, 2011, a total of 88 broodmares (10 maiden, 10 barren, and 68 foaling) maintained on pasture in southeast Texas were examined three times weekly (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) by transrectal palpation and ultrasonography. On Tuesday or Thursday, mares in estrus with uterine edema, a relaxed cervix, and a dominant follicle ≥34 mm in diameter were alternately assigned to treatment with the following: group (1) 2,500-unit human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), intravenous; group (2) 1.0-mg BioRelease Histrelin (Biorelease Technologies, Lexington, KY), intramuscular; or group (3) 0.5-mg BioRelease Histrelin, intramuscular. Ovulation was confirmed by ultrasonographic examination. The percentage of mares ovulating within 2 days appeared to be similar between maiden, barren, and foaling mares, so responses for all mares were totaled for analysis. A nonsignificant trend for higher ovulation rates within 2 days was noted for both dose rates of histrelin compared with hCG treatment (31/37, 84%; 34/37, 92%; and 33/36, 92% for groups 1-3, respectively) (P = .45). Ovulatory responses appeared to improve for both products as the season progressed, yet no differences were detected between response rates to histrelin or hCG for any month (P ≥ .50). The use of 1.0- or 0.5-mg BioRelease Histrelin was found to be at least equally effective as hCG treatment for inducing ovulation within 2 days of treatment throughout the breeding season.