Comparison of morphology, viability, and function between blood and milk neutrophils from peak lactating goats

The morphological features of blood and milk neutrophils from peak lactating goats were compared using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and flow cytometry in order to investigate the cytological changes of neutrophils after migration into the mammary gland. The kinetics of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) generation and gelatinase release of blood and milk neutrophils, with or without stimulation of phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate ester (PMA), were used to characterize their responses to inflammatory stimuli. Neutrophils isolated from goat milk were highly segmented and contained multi-lobed nuclei. Ultrastructurally, milk neutrophils were more ruffled on the surface compared to blood neutrophils. Approximately 30% of milk neutrophils were undergoing cell death, either necrosis or apoptosis, in contrast to 8% of blood neutrophils. The ROI production of activated milk neutrophils peaked earlier than blood neutrophils, but the duration and the intensity were much less. Neutrophils from both sources augmented the release of gelatinase in response to PMA (1 ng/mL). However, the amount of gelatinase released from milk neutrophils was lower (P < 0.05) than that of blood neutrophils. In summary, more neutrophils become apoptotic and necrotic in the mammary gland, presumably due to spontaneous aging, the process of diapedesis, and the interaction with milk components. Milk neutrophils have impaired functionalities in comparison with blood neutrophils. The information is relevant when studying mammary gland immunity and related diseases, such as mastitis.     

Hypertrophic osteopathy associated with disseminated metastases of renal cell carcinoma in the dog: a case report

A 6-year-old, mixed breed, intact male dog showed signs of left carpal joint swelling and weakness of the forelimbs one month before presentation. The symptoms gradually progressed to bilateral carpal and tarsal joint swelling and tetraparalysis. There were a number of radiographically identified lytic-proliferative bone lesions noted on the axial skeleton. Hypertrophic osteopathy of the metacarpi and all distal long bones was also evident. Because of the deteriorating quality of life and guarded prognosis, the patient was euthanized and a complete necropsy was performed. Renal cell carcinoma, with metastasis to the lung, thoracic vertebrae, ribs, and the right adrenal gland, was diagnosed. To our knowledge, renal cell carcinoma with bone metastases and hypertrophic osteopathy has not been reported in dogs.     

Novel Caryophyllane-Related Sesquiterpenoids with Anti-Inflammatory Activity from Rumphella antipathes (Linnaeus, 1758)

Two previously undescribed caryophyllane-related sesquiterpenoids, antipacids A (1) and B (2), with a novel bicyclo[5.2.0] core skeleton, and known compound clovane-2β,9α-diol (3), along with rumphellolide L (4), an esterified product of 1 and 3, were isolated from the organic extract of octocoral Rumphella antipathes. Their structures, including the absolute configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical experiments. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity analysis indicated that antipacid B (2) inhibited the generation of superoxide anions and the release of elastase by human neutrophils, with IC₅₀ values of 11.22 and 23.53 μM, respectively, while rumphellolide L (4) suppressed the release of elastase with an IC₅₀ value of 7.63 μM.     

Towards an integrative biology research: a case study on adaptive and evolutionary trends of Miscanthus populations in Taiwan

A program of research named Towards an Integrative Biology (TAIB) has recently been promoted by the International Union of Biological Sciences, involving multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research. Studies of Miscanthus plants which emphasized the TAIB theme were undertaken. Miscanthus species are the most widely distributed and dominant species in Taiwan, growing everywhere from the coastal to mountainous areas, and from agricultural to polluted land. Particularly, the grasses grow well in habitats under environmental stresses. Physiological and genetic adaptations are fundamental mechanisms for these grasses' survival in stressful environments. Findings based on field measurements and laboratory analyses were able to elucidate some of the mechanisms of grasses adapted to stressful environments. Adaptive radiation occurred when most niches were open during the postglacial periods. Particularly, population discontinuity of the grasses was found on the Orchid and Green islets of Taiwan. Likewise, Miscanthus sinensis var. glaber and var. formosanus occupied lands from low to middle elevations of Taiwan, while Miscanthus transmorrisonensis appeared in the highlands above 2400 m. Phylogenetically, Miscanthus has evolved into various ecotypes, varieties and species in Taiwan as well as in other parts of Asia. The grass then evolved into Miscanthus floridulus , M. sinensis var. formosanus , Miscanthus flavidus , then to M. transmorrisonensis . Furthermore, the phylogeny of the Miscanthus sinensis complex of Taiwan was reconstructed by cladistic analysis on nucleotide sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers (nrDNA ITS) region and atpB - rbc L non-coding spacer of the chloroplast DNA. Rooted at M . floridulus the monophyly of M . sineneis was significantly supported by molecular evidence. The origin of this complex could be dated to the last glacial withdrawal about 20 000 years ago.     

Genetic analysis of an attenuated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Papaya ringspot virus</Emphasis> strain applied for cross-protection

Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) HA 5-1, a nitrous acid-induced mild mutant of severe strain HA, widely applied for control of PRSV by cross-protection, was used to study the genetic basis of attenuation. Using infectious clones, a series of recombinants was generated between HA 5-1 and HA and their infectivity was analyzed on the systemic host papaya and the local lesion host Chenopodium quinoa. The recombinants that contained mutations in P1 and HC-Pro genes caused attenuated infection on papaya without conspicuous symptoms, similar to HA 5-1. The recombination and sequence analyses strongly implicated two amino acid changes in the C-terminal region of P1 and two in HC-Pro of HA 5-1 involved in the attenuated infection on papaya. The recombinants that infected C. quinoa plants without local lesions contained the same mutations in the C-terminal region of HC-Pro for attenuated infection on papaya. We conclude that both P1 and HC-Pro bear important pathogenicity determinants for the infection on the systemic host papaya and that the mutations in HC-Pro affecting pathogenicity on papaya are also responsible for the inability to induce hypersensitive reaction on C. quinoa.     

Efficacy of avermectin B1 given orally against equine intestinal strongyles and Onchocera microfilaria

Three groups of horses and ponies (N = 13, 13 and 12) were treated with ivermectin paste (0.2 mg/kg p.o.), avermectin B1 solution (0.2 mg/kg p.o.), or fenbendazole suspension (10 mg/kg via nasogastric tube). The avermectin B1 was a 1% solution in a propylene glycolglycerol formal base. Faecal strongyle egg counts were performed before, and 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70 d, after treatment. Full-thickness skin biopsies from the neck, pectoral and umbilical regions were examined for Onchocera microfilaria before treatment, and again 14 and 70 d later. Ivermectin therapy produced a significant (P less than 0.01) decrease in mean strongyle egg counts 14, 28, 42 and 56 d after treatment. Avermectin B1 therapy resulted in significant (P less than 0.01) decreases in mean strongyle egg counts 14, 28 and 42 d after treatment. All horses given ivermectin or avermectin B1 had zero strongyle egg counts 14 and 28 d after treatment. Fenbendazole failed to significantly decrease strongyle egg counts. Both ivermectin and avermectin B1 resulted in zero microfilaria counts in all horses 14 d after treatment. On day 70 the percentage decrease in microfilaria counts were 100% and 99.6% respectively. Fenbendazole failed to significantly decrease microfilaria counts. The oral administration of this formulation of avermectin B1 appeared to be highly efficacious against intestinal strongyles and Onchocera microfilaria. The duration of anti-strongyle activity was, however, significantly (P less than 0.01) shorter than that of ivermectin paste.