Effects of the calcium channel antagonist amlodipine in cats with surgically induced hypertensive renal insufficiency

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether amlodipine besylate decreases systemic arterial blood pressure (BP) and reduces the prevalence of complications in cats with induced hypertensive renal insufficiency. ANIMALS: 20 cats with partial nephrectomy. PROCEDURE: Following reduction in renal mass, 10 cats were administered 0.25 mg of amlodipine/kg, PO, q 24 h (group A). Ten cats served as a control group (group C). Systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and mean BP (MBP), physical activity, and pulse rate were measured continuously for 36 days by use of radiotelemetric devices. RESULTS: Compared with values for clinically normal cats, SBP, DBP, and MBP were significantly increased in cats of group C. Cats in group A had significant reductions in SBP, DBP, and MBP, compared with values for cats in group C. Albuminuria but not urine protein-to-creatinine ratio was significantly correlated (R2 = 0.317) with SBP in hypertensive cats. Prevalence of ocular lesions attributable to systemic hypertension in group C (7 cats) was greater than that observed in group A (2). Two cats in group C were euthanatized on day 16 because of nuerologic complications attributed to systemic hypertension. One normotensive cat in group A was euthanatized because of purulent enteritis of unknown cause on day 27. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Amlodipine had an antihypertensive effect in cats with coexistent systemic hypertension and renal insufficiency. Its use may improve the prognosis for cats with systemic hypertension by decreasing the risk of ocular injury or neurologic complications induced by high BP.     

Use of a condylar screw plate for repair of a Salter-Harris type-III fracture of the femur in a 2-year-old horse

A 2-year-old sexually intact male Paint horse weighing 427 kg (940 lb) was admitted for examination and treatment of intermittent non-weight-bearing lameness of the right hind limb of 1 week's duration. Radiography revealed a displaced Salter-Harris type-III fracture of the right femoral condyle with the sagittal component of the fracture line located in the intercondylar space and the transverse component exiting on the medial aspect of the femur. The fracture was repaired with a condylar screw plate designed for repair of femoral condylar fractures in humans. The owner reported by telephone 9 months after surgery that the horse was sound. To our knowledge, use of this particular implant system for fixation of a Salter-Harris type-III fracture on the medial side of the femur in a horse has not been described. Results in this horse suggest that this implant can be successfully used for repair of femoral condylar fractures in selected adult horses.     

Genetic parameter estimates of yearling live animal ultrasonic measurements in Brangus cattle

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for real-time ultrasound measurements of longissimus muscle area (LMA), 12th rib backfat thickness (FT), percent intramuscular fat (IMF), and yearling weight (YW) for 1,299 yearling Brangus bulls and heifers. A single ultrasound technician performed all measurements. The number of observations was 1,298, 1,298, 1,215, and 1,170 for LMA, FT, IMF, and YW, respectively. Genetic parameters were estimated for each trait using single- and multiple-trait derivative-free restricted maximal likelihood. Fixed effects were contemporary group (defined as same sex, same age within six months, and same environment), and days of age as a covariate. Correlations were estimated from two-trait models. Heritabilities for LMA, FT, IMF, and YW were 0.31, 0.26, 0.16, and 0.53, respectively. Genetic correlations between LMA and FT, LMA and IMF, LMA and YW, FT and IMF, FT and YW, and IMF and YW were 0.09, 0.25, 0.44, 0.36, 0.42, and 0.31, respectively. Yearling live animal ultrasonic measurements can be used as a selection tool in breeding cattle for the improvement of carcass traits.     

Genotype x environmental interaction for mature size and rate of maturing for Angus,Brahman, and reciprocal-cross cows grazing bermudagrass or endophyte infected fescue

Mature weight and rate of maturing were estimated in 177 Angus, Brahman, and reciprocal-cross cows grazing bermudagrass or endophyte-infected tall fescue over a 4-yr period to evaluate genotype x environment interactions. Data were collected every 28 d until cows were approximately 18 mo of age and then at prebreeding, postcalving, and weaning of calf. All cows with weight data to at least 42 mo of age were included in the analysis. Mature weight and rate of maturing were estimated using the three-parameter growth curve model described by Brody (1945). Data were pooled over year and analyzed by the general linear model procedure of SAS. Included in the models for mature weight and rate of maturing were the independent variables of genotype, environment, and genotype x environment interaction. There was a genotype x environment interaction (P < 0.01) for mature body weight (BW) but not for rate of maturing. Angus cows grazing fescue pastures had greater (P < 0.01) mean mature BW than Angus x Brahman cows grazing bermudagrass (611 +/- 17 vs 546 +/- 16 kg). Angus x Brahman cows grazing bermudagrass had lower (P < 0.05) mean mature BW than Brahman x Angus cows grazing bermudagrass or endophyte-infected fescue and Brahman cows grazing bermudagrass (546 +/- 16 vs 624 +/- 19, 614 +/- 22 and 598 +/- 20 kg, respectively). Brahman cows grazing endophyte-infected fescue had smaller (P < 0.05) mean mature BW than all genotype x forage combinations except for Angus x Brahman cows grazing bermudagrass. Angus cows had a smaller (P < 0.05) mean rate of maturing than Angus x Brahman and Brahman x Angus cows (0.039 +/- 0.002 vs 0.054 +/- 0.002 and 0.049 +/- 0.002%/mo, respectively), respectively, and Angus x Brahman cows had a larger (P < 0.05) mean rate of maturing than Brahman x Angus and Brahman cows (0.054 +/- 0.002 vs 0.049 +/- 0.002 and 0.041 +/- 0.002 %/mo, respectively). There was a direct breed x forage interaction (P < 0.05) for mature BW. These data suggest that the choice of breed type is important in maintaining a crossbreeding program, in that mature BW and rate of maturing are critical to the matching of animal requirements to available production resources.     

Polyomavirus infection in hamsters and trichoepitheliomas/cutaneous adnexal tumours

Multiple skin nodules, with histological features of adnexal tumours consistent with trichoepithelioma, were observed on the head and trunk of Syrian hamsters. Skin biopsies from 20 hamsters from five different colonies were affected, and two of the affected hamsters also had lymphoma. Two owners reported that 16 of 70 hamsters and 50 of 100 hamsters in their colonies had similar skin lesions. These tumours have previously been associated in laboratory colonies with hamster polyomavirus (HaPV) infection. Examination of skin tissues by electron microscopy failed to reveal intranuclear virus particles. Using recombinant major capsid protein VP1 of HaPV, VP1-specific antibodies were detected in sera from 12 of 12 affected hamsters and in four of four unaffected in-contact hamsters, by ELISA. The ELISA data were verified by immunoblot analysis. Eleven of 13 serum samples contained antibodies which reacted with at least one recombinant structural HaPV protein (VP2), including samples from three in-contact unaffected hamsters. Nine of the 11 anti-VP2-positive samples also reacted with recombinant VP3 of HaPV, and six reacted with VP1. Amplification by PCR and sequencing detected VP1 -encoding sequences showing a high degree of homology with HaPV. The findings suggest a possible infection by HaPV or a HaPV-like virus and it is likely that such an infection was enzootic within the affected colonies.     

Activation of bovine peripheral blood gammadelta T cells for cell division and IFN-gamma production

Bovine peripheral blood gammadelta T cells have been evaluated for effector function (IFN-gamma production) and clonal expansion in a variety of systems including following activation by mitogens, IL-12, and stimulation, through the T cell receptor (TCR) with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb), a cell-bound molecule and a soluble antigenic extract. To evaluate cell division, carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) loading of cells and flow cytometric analysis were used, while IFN-gamma production was evaluated by intracytoplasmic staining. It was found that bovine gammadelta T cells produced IFN-gamma and clonally expanded when stimulated through the TCR/CD3 complex by a cell-associated autologous molecule on monocyte, by bacterial components following in vivo sensitization of gammadelta T cells with a leptospira vaccine or by anti-CD3 mAb. In addition, gammadelta T cells were activated efficiently for effector function but not clonal expansion by culturing with IL-12. In contrast, stimulation by Con A or PMA/ionomycin induced efficient replication but only low level IFN-gamma production which was not enhanced by the presence of IL-12. In several systems the amount of IFN-gamma produced per cell by gammadelta T cells was less than that produced by CD4 T cells in the same cultures.     

Comparison of the effects of buprenorphine,oxymorphone hydrochloride,and ketoprofen for postoperative analgesia after onychectomy or onychectomy and sterilization in cats

In this prospective, randomized, blinded study, 68 clinically healthy cats that had onychectomy (n = 20), onychectomy and castration (n = 20), or onychectomy and ovariohysterectomy (n = 28) were randomly assigned to one of four postoperative analgesic treatment groups: buprenorphine (0.01 mg/kg body weight, intramuscularly [IM]), oxymorphone hydrochloride (0.05 mg/kg body weight, IM), ketoprofen (2 mg/kg body weight, IM), and placebo (physiological saline). Sedation scores, visual analog pain scores, cumulative pain scores, serum cortisol concentration, and appetite were used to assess postoperative analgesic effect. Buprenorphine demonstrated the highest efficacy with the lowest cumulative pain scores and serum cortisol levels.     

Identification of unique or elevated levels of kernel proteins in aflatoxin-resistant maize genotypes through proteome analysis

ABSTRACT Aflatoxins are carcinogens produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus during infection of susceptible crops such as maize (Zea mays L.). Resistant maize genotypes have been identified, but the incorporation of resistance into commercial lines has been slow due to the lack of selectable markers. Here we report the identification of potential markers in resistant maize lines using a proteomics approach. Kernel embryo proteins from each of two resistant genotypes have been compared with those from a composite of five susceptible genotypes using large format two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Through these comparisons, both quantitative and qualitative differences have been identified. Protein spots have been sequenced, and based on peptide sequence homology analysis, are categorized as follows: storage proteins (globulin 1 and globulin 2), late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins related to drought or desiccation (LEA3 and LEA14), water- or osmo-stress related proteins (WSI18 and aldose reductase), and heat-stress related proteins (HSP16.9). Aldose reductase activity measured in resistant and susceptible genotypes before and after infection suggests the importance of constitutive levels of this enzyme to resistance. Results of this study point to a correlation between host resistance and stress tolerance. The putative function of each identified protein is discussed.