Malakoplakia with digestive tract involvement in a pig

Malakoplakia is a rare, granulomatous, inflammatory disease that mimics malignant tumors and can affect any organ. Herein is described a case of malakoplakia in a 10-month-old slaughter pig. Diffuse, pleomorphic, round cell infiltrates, mainly histiocytes, with a tumor-like growth pattern at gross examination, infiltrated the stomach, pancreas, omentum, and mesenteric lymph nodes. The histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells had concentric, target-like inclusions known as Michaelis-Gutmann bodies. Microorganisms were not detected by the periodic acid-Schiff reaction, Ziehl-Neelsen, Gram, and Warthin-Starry staining or by electron microscopic and bacteriologic investigations. Porcine circovirus type 2 and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses were not detected by immunohistochemistry in the sections examined.

Glucose-lowering properties of vanadium compounds: comparison of coordination complexes with maltol or kojic acid as ligands

Bis(kojato)oxovanadium(IV) [abbreviated VO(ka)2], a close chemical analog of the insulin-mimetic lead compound bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV)--abbreviated BMOV or VO(ma)2--is reported and its reaction chemistry and insulin-mimetic properties are presented. VO(ka)2 [log K1 = 7.61(10), log K2 = 6.89(6), log beta 2 = 14.50(16)] has a reaction chemistry which directly parallels that of VO(ma)2. In aqueous solution it is more slowly oxidized by molecular oxygen to [VO2(ka)2]- than is VO(ma)2 to [VO2(ma)2]-. Variable pH electrochemistry and variable pH 51V NMR of solutions of VO(ka)2 are presented and contrasted with the corresponding results for VO(ma)2. Time course studies (24 hr) in STZ-diabetic rats following the oral or i.p. administration of VO(ka)2, VO(ma)2, VO2+ (vanadyl) as vanadyl sulfate (VOSO4), and [VO2(ma)2]- as its [NH4]+ salt have been performed, as have chronic oral studies comparing VO(ka)2 and VO(ma)2 over a six week period. In all studies, the most potent form of vanadium was the neutrally charged, water soluble, complex VO(ma)2.