Evaluation of QT interval prolongation in dogs with heart failure

Comparison of the QT interval and corrected QT interval values that were calculated by the methods of Bazett (QTc1) and Fridericia (QTc2) were made between dogs with or without cardiac diseases to determine the influence of the QT interval on canine heart failure. Upon comparison of the measured values on ECG between the cardiac disease and non-cardiac disease groups, it was observed that the heart rate(HR) was significantly higher in the cardiac disease group than in the non-cardiac disease group, although the QT interval was similar in the two groups. The QTc1 and QTc2 were significantly longer in the cardiac disease group than in the non-cardiac disease group. With the progression of the New York Heart Association Class, the HR tended to increase. The QTc1 and QTc2 became significantly prolonged with the progression of heart failure. Nevertheless, because Bazett's correction formula is known to overcorrect when the HR is high, it was considered that the QTc1 was actually overcorrected by high HR with the progression of heart failure. The QTc2, on the other hand, was only slightly influenced by HR, suggesting that the prolongation was due to the progression of heart failure. These results suggest that the prolongation of QTc2 in cardiac disease reflects the substantial prolongation of the QT interval without the influence of HR. It is suggested that the QTc2 could be a useful parameter for assessing the degree of heart failure in dogs with cardiac disease.     

Characterization of a point mutation in the parC gene of Mycoplasma bovirhinis associated with fluoroquinolone resistance

Quinolone-resistant (QR) mutants of Mycoplasma bovirhinis strain PG43 (type strain) were generated by stepwise selection in increasing concentrations of enrofloxacin (ENR). An alteration was found in the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) of the parC gene coding for the ParC subunit of topoisomerase IV from these mutants, but not in the gyrA, gyrB, and parE gene coding for the GyrA and GyrB subunits of DNA gyrase and the ParE subunit of topoisomerase IV. Similarly, such an alteration in QRDR of parC was found in the field isolates of M. bovirhinis, which possessed various levels of QR. The substitution of leucine (Leu) by serine (Ser) at position 80 of QRDR of ParC was observed in both QR-mutants and QR-isolates. This is the first report of QR based on a point mutation of the parC gene in M. bovirhinis.     

Experimental and serologic observations on avian pneumovirus (APV/turkey/Colorado/97) infection in turkeys

An avian pneumovirus (APV) was isolated from commercial turkeys in Colorado (APV/Colorado) showing clinical signs of a respiratory disease. The results of virus neutralization and indirect fluorescent antibody tests showed that the APV/Colorado was partially related to APV subgroup A but was unrelated to APV subgroup B. Turkeys experimentally inoculated with the APV/Colorado were observed for signs, lesions, seroconversion, and virus shedding. Thirty-six 7-wk-old turkeys were distributed into three groups. Eighteen turkeys were inoculated oculonasally with APV/Colorado, six were placed in contact at 1 day postinoculation (DPI), and 12 served as noninoculated controls. Tracheal swabs and blood samples were collected at 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21 DPI. Tissues were collected from three inoculated and two control turkeys on aforementioned days for pathologic examination and APV isolation. Inoculated turkeys developed respiratory disease, yielded APV at 3, 5, and 7 DPI, and seroconverted at 10 DPI. Contact turkeys yielded APV at 7 and 10 DPI. No gross lesions were observed in the turbinates, infraorbital sinuses, and trachea. However, microscopic examination revealed acute rhinitis, sinusitis, and tracheitis manifested by congestion, edema, lymphocytic and heterophilic infiltration, and loss of ciliated epithelia. The inflammatory lesions were seen at 3 DPI and became extensive at 5 and 7 DPI. Active regenerative changes in the epithelia were seen at 10 and 14 DPI. Serologic survey for the presence of antibodies in commercial turkeys (24,504 sera from 18 states) and chickens (3,517 sera from 12 states) to APV/Colorado showed seropositive turkeys in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota and no seropositive chickens. This report is the first on the isolation of an APV and APV infection in the United States.     

A case of spontaneous Zymbal’s gland carcinoma with lung metastasis in an aged Fischer 344 rat

Zymbal’s gland neoplasms are induced in rats through the administration of various carcinogens, but spontaneous neoplasia is rare. This report describes a spontaneous Zymbal’s gland carcinoma with lung metastasis found in an aged male Fischer 344 rat. Macroscopically, the dome-like tumor nodule, approximately 30 mm in diameter with ulceration, was located near the ear canal of the rat. No healthy tissue or structure of Zymbal’s gland was identified on the corresponding side, while the normal salivary glands and a lacrimal gland were observed. Histologically, a large part of the tumor mass was occupied by poorly differentiated neoplastic cells, the shapes of which were oval to polygonal or fusiform. Additionally, clusters of sebaceous-like foamy cells and squamous metaplasia with prominent keratinization were observed. Tumor cells were found to metastasize to the lung; these cells displayed histological similarities, including a sebaceous gland-like pattern, to those in the primary site. The tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for cytokeratin AE1/AE3 or vimentin but negative for CD68, S100, α-smooth muscle actin, von Willebrand factor, and desmin. Our results indicate that the tumor was a poorly differentiated Zymbal’s gland carcinoma with lung metastasis.     

Characterization of antibiosis to the silverleaf whitefly Bemisia tabaci biotype B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in cowpea entries

The silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is considered one of the most important pests of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.), limiting the productivity of this crop worldwide. Chemical control is still the main strategy for the management of populations of this insect. However, due to the harmful effects of pesticides on the environment and to humans, less injurious alternatives have been investigated. Along this line, the use of resistant genotypes can be a valuable tool for the control of the silverleaf whitefly. In this paper, we investigate some biological aspects of B. tabaci biotype B confined on 14 genotypes of cowpea. We evaluated the incubation period, egg viability, duration of nymphal stages, total duration of the juvenile phase, instar mortality and total mortality of the immature stage. The genotype MNC 99-541 F21 exhibited antibiosis against the whitefly, prolonging the lifecycle of the insect. The genotypes Canapu, BRS-Urubuquara and TE97-304 G-4 also exhibited antibiosis, causing high nymphal mortality. These results may help in breeding programmes to develop cowpea lines with resistance to B. tabaci biotype B.     

Antiproliferative effect of Canavalia brasiliensis lectin on B16F10 cells

Lectins are proteins or glycoproteins with the ability to link to carbohydrates at the cell surface in a specific and reversible manner. Studies have showed that lectins are demonstrate immunomodulatory and antitumor agents. This study aims to evaluate the effect of lectin extracted from the seeds of Canavalia brasiliensis (ConBr) on murine melanoma B16F10 cells by analyzing cell viability, apoptosis index, cell migration, production of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO). Results showed that ConBr was able to reduce cell viability and thwart apoptosis, which could be observed by decrease in cell migration. ConBr also induced NO and IL-12 synthesis. Altogether, these data demonstrate the potential of ConBr as a therapeutic agent for melanoma.     

Phase transition of FeO and stratification in Earth's outer core

Light elements such as oxygen in Earth's core influence the physical properties of the iron alloys that exist in this region. Describing the high-pressure behavior of these materials at core conditions constrains models of core structure and dynamics. From x-ray diffraction measurements of iron monoxide (FeO) at high pressure and temperature, we show that sodium chloride (NaCl)-type (B1) FeO transforms to a cesium chloride (CsCl)-type (B2) phase above 240 gigapascals at 4000 kelvin with 2% density increase. The oxygen-bearing liquid in the middle of the outer core therefore has a modified Fe-O bonding environment that, according to our numerical simulations, suppresses convection. The phase-induced stratification is seismologically invisible but strongly affects the geodynamo.     

Self-recognition in social amoebae is mediated by allelic pairs of tiger genes

Free-living cells of the social amoebae Dictyostelium discoideum can aggregate and develop into multicellular fruiting bodies in which many die altruistically as they become stalk cells that support the surviving spores. Dictyostelium cells exhibit kin discrimination--a potential defense against cheaters, which sporulate without contributing to the stalk. Kin discrimination depends on strain relatedness, and the polymorphic genes tgrB1 and tgrC1 are potential components of that mechanism. Here, we demonstrate a direct role for these genes in kin discrimination. We show that a matching pair of tgrB1 and tgrC1 alleles is necessary and sufficient for attractive self-recognition, which is mediated by differential cell-cell adhesion. We propose that TgrB1 and TgrC1 proteins mediate this adhesion through direct binding. This system is a genetically tractable ancient model of eukaryotic self-recognition.     

Testicular shape,scrotal skin thickness and testicular artery blood flow changes in bulls of different ages

The aim of this study was to compare the biometric testicular characteristics, skin thickness and haemodynamics of the testicular artery of 12- and 24-month-old bulls using Doppler ultrasonography, the study was conducted using 48 indicus-taurus animals. The scrotal circumference (SC) and biometry characteristics of the bulls were measured to calculate the testicular volume. Doppler ultrasonography was used to obtain the haemodynamic values of the testicular artery. The skin thickness and volume were lower (p<.01) in the younger bulls (12 months:4.68 ± 0.68 mm; 168.76 ± 47.96 cm³) versus 24 months (5.05 ± 0.89; 499.73 ± 129.24 cm³) animals (p<.01). During diastole, mean velocity was lower in the 12 months (7.98 ± 3.83) than in the 24 months (11.37 ± 4.15) animals (p <.05). The 12-month-old animals had higher pulsatility and resistivity indices (0.49 ± 0.02; 0.51 ± 0.20) compared to the 24-month-old animals (0.32 ± 0.16; 0.40 ± 0.15) (p < .05). The final testicular end velocity was lower in animals with long/moderate-shaped (L/M) (7.31 ± 2.91) than in those moderate/oval-shaped (M/O) (11.48 ± 3.88) testicles (p < .05). Animals with L/M testes presented higher pulsatility values and resistivity indices (0.51 ± 0.05; 0.55 ± 0.04) compared to animals with M/O shape (0.29 ± 0.20; 0.36 ± 0.15). We showed that the blood flow of the supra testicular artery between the two evaluated ages differed, and that 24-month-old bulls presented better thermoregulation capacity. Animals with a long/moderate testicular format presented a greater vascular resistance, which was imposed on the blood flow due to the anatomical differences in the testicular artery, resulting in lower velocity, and indicating better heat dissipation in this format.