Cytokine mRNA profiles in pigs exposed prenatally and postnatally to Schistosoma japonicum

The pig is a natural host for Schistosoma japonicum and a useful animal model of human infection. The aim of the present study was to assess the differences between the cytokine profiles in prenatally or postnatally S. japonicum exposed pigs. Seven prenatally exposed pigs, 7 postnatally exposed pigs and 4 uninfected control pigs were compared 27 weeks post exposure. Variables included worm burdens, tissue egg counts, liver pathology and mRNA levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta1 and IFN-gamma in the liver and the caecum, assessed by RT-PCR. Infection intensity and level of septal fibrosis were significantly higher in the postnatal group compared to the prenatal group (P < 0.05). A significant increase of IL-4 (P < 0.01), IL-10 (P < 0.01), IL-12 (P < 0.01) and TNF-alpha (P < 0.05) mRNA level was also observed in the caecum of prenatally infected animals compared to the control group (P < 0.01). The prenatal group showed higher levels of TGF-beta1 in the liver compared with the postnatally infected group (P< 0.05) and the control group (P< 0.01). This suppressive immune response correlated with previously reported low hepatic pathogenesis in prenatally exposed pigs.     

Phylogenetic characterization of rabies virus isolates from Carnivora in Brazil

The incidence of canine rabies has been widely reported in Brazil, and new rabies virus (RV) variants, genetically similar to canine RV, have recently been isolated from foxes. In order to derive the epidemiological characteristics of Brazilian Carnivora RV, Brazilian RVs isolated from dogs, cats, and foxes were genetically analyzed. Brazilian Carnivora RV isolates were divided into 2 main lineages. The predominant lineage was found in dogs and cats, which included the Argentinean and Bolivian Carnivora RV isolates, and was extensively distributed throughout Brazil and surrounding countries. The other lineage consisted of three sublineages containing Brazilian dog and fox RV isolates, with the dog sublineages located on an internal branch of 2 fox sublineages, suggesting that RV transmission events might have occurred between foxes and dogs in the past. These results suggest that contact between dogs and wildlife has the potential to generate new rabies variants and that it is important to control RV infection cycles in both dogs and wildlife to prevent spread of rabies infection.     

Gibberellin-Induced Inhibition of Bud Development in Some Species of Prunus

Development of both floral and vegetative buds was inhibited by application of gibberellin to branches of Prunus species. The development of the lateral meristem was blocked, in general, through inhibition of mitosis, while, concurrently, the growth of certain other plant organs was stimulated in some cases. That higher dosages were required to block vegetattive than floral bud growth suggests that gibberellin also exerts the more specific effect of inhibiting floral initiation.     

Evaluation of iohexol clearance used to estimate glomerular filtration rate in clinically normal foals

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether pharmacokinetic analysis of data derived from a single i.v. dose of iohexol could be used to predict creatinine clearance and evaluate simplified methods for predicting serum clearance of iohexol with data derived from 2 or 3 blood samples in clinically normal foals. ANIMALS: 10 healthy foals. PROCEDURE: Serum disposition of iohexol and exogenous creatinine clearance was determined simultaneously in each foal (5 males and 5 females). A 3-compartment model of iohexol serum disposition was selected via standard methods. Iohexol clearance calculated from the model was compared with creatinine clearance. Separate limited-sample models were created with various combinations of sample times from the terminal slope of the plasma versus time profile for iohexol. Correction factors were determined for the limited-sample models, and iohexol clearance calculated via each method was compared with exogenous creatinine clearance by use of method comparison techniques. RESULTS: Mean exogenous creatinine clearance was 2.17 mL/min/kg. The disposition of iohexol was best described by a 3-compartment open model. Mean clearance value for iohexol was 2.15 mL/min/kg and was not significantly different from mean creatinine clearance. A method for predicting serum iohexol clearance based on a 2-sample protocol (3- and 4-hour samples) was developed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Iohexol clearance can be used to predict exogenous creatinine clearance and can be determined from 2 blood samples taken after i.v. injection of iohexol. Appropriate correction factors for adult horses and horses with abnormal glomerular filtration rate need to be determined.     

Finasteride-induced prostatic involution by apoptosis in dogs with benign prostatic hypertrophy

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of finasteride on programmed cell death (apoptosis) of prostatic cells during prostatic involution in dogs with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). ANIMALS: 9 dogs with BPH. PROCEDURE: Dogs were randomly assigned to treatment or control groups. Treatment dogs (n = 5) were administered finasteride (0.1 to 0.5 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h) for 16 weeks, whereas the 4 control dogs were administered an inert compound. Prostatic cells from the prostatic fluid portion of the ejaculate of treatment and control dogs were obtained before and 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 16 weeks after initiation of treatment. Cells were concentrated by use of centrifugation. Prostatic cells were examined for indications of apoptosis by use of a terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuracil triphosphate nick-end labeling technique. After receiving the inert compound for 16 weeks, the 4 control dogs were administered finasteride for 16 weeks, and evaluations were repeated. RESULTS: Percentage of apoptotic prostatic cells in ejaculated prostatic fluid of treatment dogs increased significantly (from 9% before treatment to 33, 31, 26, and 27% after 1, 2, 3, and 8 weeks of treatment, respectively). There was no significant change in percentage of apoptotic prostatic cells in the ejaculated prostatic fluid of control dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Finasteride-induced prostatic involution appears to be via apoptosis in dogs with BPH. Finasteride treatment of dogs with BPH causes prostatic involution by apoptosis rather than necrosis.