A clinicopathologic and ultrastructural study of undifferentiated malignant tumors of the oral cavity in dogs

Undifferentiated malignant tumors of the oral cavity were diagnosed in six dogs under 2 years of age. The dogs were examined because of pain and swelling of the upper molar or premolar areas. In all six dogs, the tumors were initially misdiagnosed as infections or carnasal abscesses. The differential diagnosis included malignant lymphoma, osteosarcoma, mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, and malignant melanoma. Electron microscopy of three neoplasms showed that there were no specific features characteristic of carcinoma or sarcoma. Immunoperoxidase studies for cytokeratins, epithelial membrane antigen, actin, myosin, desmin, and vimentin were also negative. We conclude that these tumors be designated undifferentiated malignant tumors of the oral cavity until histogenesis is established.     

The pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline following intravenous administration in healthy and diseased pigs

Pijpers, A., Schoevers, E.J., van Gogh, H., van Leengoed, L.A.M.G., Visser, I.J.R., van Miert, A.S.J.P.A.M. & Verheijden, J.H.M. The pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline following intravenous administration in healthy and diseased pigs. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 13, 320–326.
The pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline (OTC) were studied in healthy pigs and in pigs endobronchially inoculated with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae toxins. In two groups of seven pigs OTC was administered intravenously in a single dose of 10 or 50 mg/kg, respectively. OTC was administered to clinically healthy pigs and 7 days later at 3 h after a challenge with A. pleuropneumoniae toxins. Pneumonia developed in toxin-treated pigs. In the challenged pigs there was a decreased distribution-rate constant (α) and a significantly increased elimination-rate constant (ß) ( P <0.05). Moreover, the apparent volume of distribution (V_dß) was decreased. The elimination half-lives (t_1/2ß) were approximately 6 h in the healthy pigs and 5 h in the diseased animals. There was no difference in the pharmacokinetic profile of OTC following administration of 50 mg/kg compared to 10 mg/kg.
A. Pijpers, Department of Herd Health and Reproduction, PO Box 80.151, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands.     

The effects of beta agonists on muscle cells in culture

Increases in protein synthesis of 12% were found with two myogenic cell lines (L6 and G8-1) on treatment for 6 hr with the beta-adrenergic agonist cimaterol. In L6 cells, propranolol blocked the effect. Protein breakdown measured over 18–24 hr was unchanged. The K_d for cimaterol binding to the L6 beta-receptor was 26 nM which was compatible with its EC₅₀ for the stimulation of protein synthesis (approx 5 nM). Evidence provided with muscle cell lines indicatesa direct effect of cimaterol on protein synthesis, which may contribute to muscle accretion in cimaterol-fed animals.     

Lactogenic immunity to transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) of swine induced by the attenuated Nouzilly strain of TGE virus: passive protection of piglets and detection of serum and milk antibody classes by ELISA

Piglets of eight sows vaccinated by different routes with the attenuated TGE mutant coronavirus, Nouzilly (N) strain, and piglets from two field seropositive sows were challenged with a virulent TGE strain. On the day of challenge and 10 days after challenge, milk and serum samples from sows were analysed for their level of neutralizing antibodies, total immunoglobulin classes and TGE antibody classes by an ELISA. No direct relationship was seen between the level of protection of the litters and the titres of the different antibody classes on the day of challenge. However, an inverse correlation was seen 10 days after challenge between protection and the level of TGE antibodies.