Expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin in canine atopic dermatitis

Background – In humans, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays a central role in the development of allergic inflammation, such as atopic dermatitis (AD), but it is unknown whether it is involved in the pathogenesis of canine AD (CAD). Hypothesis/Objectives – Our aim was to characterize canine TSLP and to assess its expression in CAD. Methods – Canine TSLP was identified based on sequence homology with human TSLP and the complementary DNA (cDNA) cloned by RT‐PCR. Real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR was established to assess the expression of canine TSLP in cultured canine keratinocytes and in skin biopsy specimens from lesional and nonlesional skin of 12 dogs with CAD and eight healthy control dogs. Results – Partial canine TSLP cDNA was cloned and characterized. It contained four exons that shared 70 and 73% nucleotide identity with human and equine TSLP, respectively, encoding the signal peptide and full‐length secreted protein. We found significantly increased TSLP expression in lesional and nonlesional skin of dogs with CAD compared with healthy control dogs (P < 0.05), whereas no difference was measured between lesional and nonlesional samples. In cultured primary canine keratinocytes, we found increased TSLP expression after stimulation with house dust mite allergen extract or Toll‐like receptor ligands lipopolysaccharide and poly I:C. Conclusions and clinical importance – Increased TSLP expression in the skin of dogs with CAD supports an involvement of TSLP in the pathogenesis of CAD similar to that in humans. Further studies should elucidate the function and therapeutic potential of TSLP in CAD.     

Meningioangiomatosis in a dog: magnetic resonance imaging and neuropathological studies

A case of a dog with a long-standing history of seizures is reported. Neurological examination suggested an intracranial focal lesion, while magnetic resonance imaging disclosed a right cerebral mass with ventricular involvement. Pathological analysis of the resected specimen revealed characteristics of meningioangiomatosis.     

Psychomotor epilepsy associated with metastatic thymoma in a dog

A seven-year-old female German shepherd dog was presented with a history of anorexia, weight loss and fever of three months' duration. On general examination she showed a marked behavioural change represented by episodic excitement and 'fly snapping. A general blood screening showed neutrophilia with left shift and hyperalbuminaemia. Survey radiographs were taken and a mass was identified in the cranial mediastinum. Cytological examination of fine needle aspiration smears of the mass yielded a presumptive diagnosis of lymphoma. The dog was euthanased and necropsy findings concluded that the primary tumour was a thymoma; metastases were found in the choroid plexus, leptomeninges, cerebral cortex and hippocampus.     

Comparison of mean bone densities of three preparations of the distal portion of the equine third metacarpal bone measured by use of quantitative computed tomography

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether cutting equine subchondral bone to demarcate specific regions of interest (ROIs) influences the mean density for that bone as measured via quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Sample population-2 metacarpophalangeal joints from equine cadavers. PROCEDURES: The distal portion of the third metacarpal bone of each intact metacarpophalangeal joint was scanned via CT to simulate in vivo conditions. Each joint was subsequently disarticulated and dissected, and the distal portion of the dissected third metacarpal bone in air was scanned. Then, six 1-cm(2) areas representing ROIs were cut into the distal condylar surfaces to depths of approximately 1 cm, and the bone was scanned again. Three-dimensional CT models of the 3 bone preparations were generated for each third metacarpal bone on the basis of data from each set of scan images, and densities of the 6 ROIs were measured. Mean bone densities for the 6 ROIs were compared among models of intact, dissected, and cut third metacarpal bone scans. RESULTS: Mean bone density was significantly lower in cut bone preparations, compared with that in intact or dissected bone. Differences between mean bone densities for intact and dissected bone preparations were not significant. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cutting subchondral bone to demarcate specific ROIs prior to CT imaging significantly lowered mean bone density as measured via QCT and thus introduced substantial artifacts. These findings have direct implications on techniques for CT modeling of equine subchondral bone in the characterization of joint diseases in horses.     

The genetic basis of equine allergic diseases. 1. Chronic hypersensitivity bronchitis.

The genetic influence on chronic hypersensitivity bronchitis (CB) was investigated in families at two studs and among half-siblings of three affected and three non-affected sires at several farms. The family members at the two studs were born and raised under the same conditions, whereas the half-siblings were kept individually under very different conditions and were exposed to various environmental factors. The diagnosis was based on long-term observations and multiple clinical examinations at each of the two studs. In the half-sibling group, the diagnosis was based on the individual history and on a thorough clinical examination. The history of all horses suggested the disease was caused by allergies (symptoms provoked by hay). Statistical analysis of the data in the first study showed that a greater percentage of off-spring of two affected parents developed CB (9 of 13) than those with only one affected parent (23 of 48) and those with two healthy parents (5 of 29). The distributions of the affected offspring in these three categories (none, one or both parents affected) differed significantly (P less than 0.005) from what would have been expected without a genetic effect. The tendency to develop the disease was inherited equally from dams or sires. In the second stud fewer animals (n = 42) were included in the study, but the results were similar. Parents without a history of CB produced off-spring with a low incidence of disease (1 of 16) compared with a higher incidence among descendants of one or two affected parents (10 of 26; P = 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Endoscopic scoring of mucus quantity and quality: observer and horse variance and relationship to inflammation, mucus viscoelasticity and volume

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Endoscopic scoring of airway mucus quantity and quality has not been critically assessed. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate mucus scores for 1) observer- and horse-related variance and 2) association with inflammation, mucus viscoelasticity and measured volume. METHODS: Variance of scoring within and between observers and over time within horses were determined for airway mucus accumulation, apparent viscosity, localisation and colour, and correlations of mucus accumulation scores with neutrophil ratios in secretions. The relationship of accumulation score to measured volumes of 'artificial mucus' was investigated. Correlations of mucus accumulation, apparent viscosity and colour scores with measured viscoelasticity were tested. Viscoelasticity was compared between tracheal secretion samples collected ventrally and dorsally. RESULTS: Mucus accumulation scoring showed excellent interobserver agreement and moderate horse-related variance, was related to measured volumes of 'artificial mucus', and correlated well with neutrophilic airway inflammation. Scores of mucus viscosity, colour and localisation showed high observer-related variance. Mucus accumulation, apparent viscosity and colour scores did not correlate with measured tracheal mucus viscoelasticity, but dorsally-localised mucus showed 2-fold higher measured viscoelasticity than ventrally-localised samples. CONCLUSIONS: Mucus accumulation scores are a reproducible measure of mucus volumes in the trachea. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Endoscopic scoring of mucus accumulation is a reliable clinical and research tool. In contrast, apparent viscosity, localisation and colour scores should be interpreted with caution.     

Characteristics of Perennial Wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) and Refined Wheat Flour Blends: Impact on Rheological Properties

Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) (Thinopyrum intermedium) is a perennial grass with desirable agronomic traits and positive effects on the environment. It has high fiber and protein contents, which increase the interest in using IWG for human consumption. In this study, IWG flour was blended with refined wheat at four IWG‐to‐wheat ratios (0:100, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0). Samples were analyzed for proximate composition, microstructure features, pasting properties (Micro Visco‐Amylo‐Graph device), protein solubility, and total and accessible thiols. Gluten aggregation properties (GlutoPeak tester) and mixing profile (Farinograph‐AT device) were also evaluated. IWG flour enrichment increased the pasting temperature and decreased the peak viscosity of blended flours. IWG proteins exhibited higher solubility than wheat, with a high amount of accessible and total thiols. The GlutoPeak tester highlighted the ability of IWG proteins to aggregate and generate torque. Higher IWG flour enrichment resulted in faster gluten aggregation with lower peak torque, suggesting weakening of wheat gluten strength. Finally, the addition of IWG to refined wheat flour resulted in a decrease in dough development time and an increase in consistency, likely because of the higher levels of fiber in IWG. The 50% IWG flour enrichment represents a good compromise between nutritional improvement and maintenance of the pasting properties, protein characteristics, and gluten aggregation kinetics.     

Oligodendroglial gliomatosis cerebri in a poodle

Gliomatosis cerebri (GC) is a rare, diffusely infiltrating, glial cell tumour of neuroepithelial origin. This report describes a case of oligodendroglial GC in a 6-year-old male Poodle with central nervous system symptoms. Computed tomography revealed anomalous parenchyma density and ventricular asymmetry. Cerebrospinal fluid showed elevated protein (30 mg dL(-1)) and nucleated cell count (20 μL(-1)). Presumptive diagnosis of necrotizing meningoencephalitis was made. Because of rapid deterioration of the general condition of the animal, the dog was euthanized. Histologically there was an infiltration of round or ovoid neoplastic cells in the white matter of the left cerebral hemisphere and in leptomeninges. Immunohistochemistry showed that 80% of the neoplastic cells expressed Olig2 and some 50% expressed glial fibrilary acidic protein. On the basis of clinical, histological and immunohistochemical features, a diagnosis of oligodendoglial GC was done. This case represents the first report of a case of oligodendroglial GC in the canid.     

Targeting malaria virulence and remodeling proteins to the host erythrocyte

To establish infection in the host, malaria parasites export remodeling and virulence proteins into the erythrocyte. These proteins can traverse a series of membranes, including the parasite membrane, the parasitophorous vacuole membrane, and the erythrocyte membrane. We show that a conserved pentameric sequence plays a central role in protein export into the host cell and predict the exported proteome in Plasmodium falciparum. We identified 400 putative erythrocyte-targeted proteins corresponding to approximately 8% of all predicted genes, with 225 virulence proteins and a further 160 proteins likely to be involved in remodeling of the host erythrocyte. The conservation of this signal across Plasmodium species has implications for the development of new antimalarials.