Neurological Manifestations of Niemann-Pick Disease Type C in Cats

Seven Domestic shorthair cats with a lysosomal storage disorder analogous to human Niemann-Pick disease type C, from a breeding colony were studied to characterize the neurological manifestations of this disorder. Affected cats were identified by means of liver biopsies at 4 to 6 weeks of age. Neurological examinations were performed at 2 week intervals from the onset of clinical signs. All cats displayed signs referrable to the cerebellum, with a subtle intention tremor noticed initially at 8 to 12 weeks of age; the disease was rapidly progressive. The tremor became more pronounced, menace response was lost, and severe dysmetria and ataxia developed. Three cats also had signs referrable to other areas of the central nervous system. Cats died or were euthanized between 12 and 43 weeks of age. Pathological findings included accumulation of substrate within neurons throughout the central nervous system, and axonal spheroid formation. The clinical and pathological findings in these cats are comparable to those in the human form of the disease.     

Influence of various feeding conditions, the migrating myoelectric complex and cholinergic drugs on antral slow waves in sheep.

The presented study was designed to elucidate whether the cholinergic mechanisms control ovine antral slow waves in various physiological conditions, including feeding and various phases of migrating myoelectric complex (MMC). The investigations were carried out on six adult sheep of Polish Merino breed with seven bipolar electrodes surgically implanted onto the antral and small intestinal wall. In the course of chronic experiments, the myoelectric activity was recorded from these regions using the multichannel electroencephalograph. Experiments were performed on 48 h fasted and non-fasted animals. During some of these experiments, sheep were fed with standard fodder. During control experiments 0.15 M NaCl was slowly administered i.v. through the indwelling catheter and during other experiment, hexamethonium bromide (2.0 and 5.0 mg/kg). atropine sulfate (0.02; 0.1; 0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg) and pirenzepine dihydrochloride (0.02; 0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg) were administered i.v. during phase 1-2a or 2b MMC. The drugs were also given in combinations. The recordings were analysed and the antral slow wave amplitudes and frequencies were calculated. Unlike the slow wave amplitude, either feeding or the anticholinergic drugs significantly increased slow wave frequency, especially when the given procedure was started during phase 2b MMC. The most pronounced effects were observed after hexamethonium given alone or in combinations. Thus, the cholinergic system modulates antral slow wave frequency in sheep.     

A simple field method for spinal cord removal demonstrated in the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus).

Removal of the spinal cord is considered time consuming and difficult. A delay in the necropsy procedure, especially in the central nervous system, can result in significant tissue autolysis and subsequent diagnostic difficulties. In the field, where many necropsies are performed, suitable electric saws are mostly unavailable. A technically simple and rapid method for spinal cord removal, requiring only a straightforward tool, has been devised. No necropsy-induced structural damage has been noted on histopathologic examination.     

Differential effects of heparin on NO and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production in bovine blood mononuclear cells stimulated with Salmonella typhimurium lipopolisaccharide.

We investigated the influence of heparin, one of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components, on nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production by bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and monocytes left to adhere for 2 (freshly adherent monocytes) and 48 h (resting monocytes), activated with Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After 24-h stimulation with LPS, heparin (100 microg/ml) increased (by about 40%) NO production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and by freshly adherent monocytes. However, it did not change NO synthesis by the resting monocytes. Unlike its influence on NO level, heparin diminished TNF-alpha production by PBMC and monocytes stimulated with LPS. Microscopical examination of PBMC stained with biotin-labeled heparin, showed that both lymphocytes and monocytes were able to bind this glycosaminoglycan. We suggest that heparin, as a component of ECM, modulates the early response of monocytes to exogenous stimuli.     

Use of space by bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) in a polish farm landscape

Movements of bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) were studied in a farmland mosaic in Poland. Distances crossed by animals in short-time periods are significantly longer in heterogenous than in homogenous habitats. In long-time and large-spatial scales, a significant portion of the animals in a population travel among habitat elements of the mosaic, reducing the degree of isolation of patch populations and decreasing the probability of local extinction.     

Effect of 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid and 2,4-dimethylphenol on human erythrocytes

The effects of exposure of human erythrocytes to different concentrations of 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) and its metabolite—2,4-dimethylphenol (2,4-DMP) were studied. The investigations concerned mainly the content of glutathione (GSH and GSSG), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione transferase (GST), and the level of adenine energy charge (AEC). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide are produced during normal processes in the cell. Under normal conditions, antioxidant systems of the cell minimize damage caused by ROS. When ROS generation increases to an extent that it overcomes the cellular antioxidant systems, the result is oxidative stress. We observed that MCPA and 2,4-DMP decreased the level of GSH in erythrocytes in comparison with control. MCPA did not affect glutathione peroxidase and glutathione transferase activity, while 2,4-DMP increased their activity. 2,4-DMP decreased the level of ATP and increased the content of ADP and AMP, leading to the fall of the level of AEC. MCPA and 2,4-DMP transform hemoglobin into methemoglobin, thus preventing oxygen transport. Comparison of the toxicity of MCPA and 2,4-DMP revealed that the most prominent changes occurred in human erythrocytes incubated with 2,4-DMP.     

Management of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinically important arrhythmia in veterinary medicine. Electrical cardioversion of AF to sinus rhythm is feasible, but pharmacologic rate control is an effective and achievable treatment strategy for most veterinary patients. Recent human trials suggest that rate control and rhythm control are almost equally beneficial. Nevertheless, AF can be a challenging arrhythmia to manage, because most affected animal shave numerous other concurring problems associated with the underlying heart disease that dictate or influence the clinician's choice of treatment and monitoring strategy for each patient.