Hepatic caveolin-1 is enhanced in Cyp27a1/ApoE double knockout mice

Sterol 27‐hydroxylase (CYP27A1) is involved in bile acid synthesis and cholesterol homoeostasis. Cyp27a1^(−/−)/Apolipoprotein E^(−/−) double knockout mice (DKO) fed a western diet failed to develop atherosclerosis. Caveolin‐1 (CAV‐1), the main component of caveolae, is associated with lipid homoeostasis and has regulatory roles in vascular diseases. We hypothesized that liver CAV‐1 would contribute to the athero‐protective mechanism in DKO mice. Cyp27a1^(+/+)/ApoE^(−/−) (ApoE KO), Cyp27a1^(+/−)/ApoE^(−/−) (het), and DKO mice were fed a western diet for 2 months. Atherosclerotic plaque and CAV‐1 protein were quantified in aortas. Hepatic Cav‐1 mRNA was assessed using qPCR, CAV‐1 protein by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Total hepatic and plasma cholesterol was measured using chemiluminescence. Cholesterol efflux was performed in RAW264.7 cells, using mice plasma as acceptor. CAV‐1 protein expression in aortas was increased in endothelial cells of DKO mice and negatively correlated with plaque surface (P < 0.05). In the liver, both CAV‐1 protein and mRNA expression doubled in DKO, compared to ApoE KO and het mice (P < 0.001 for both) and was negatively correlated with total hepatic cholesterol (P < 0.05). Plasma from DKO, ApoE KO and het mice had the same efflux capacity. In the absence of CYP27A1, CAV‐1 overexpression might have an additional athero‐protective role by partly overcoming the defect in CYP27A1‐mediated cholesterol efflux.

The importance of climatic factors and outliers in predicting regional monthly campylobacteriosis risk in Georgia, USA

Incidence of Campylobacter infection exhibits a strong seasonal component and regional variations in temperate climate zones. Forecasting the risk of infection regionally may provide clues to identify sources of transmission affected by temperature and precipitation. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess temporal patterns and differences in campylobacteriosis risk among nine climatic divisions of Georgia, USA, (2) compare univariate forecasting models that analyze campylobacteriosis risk over time with those that incorporate temperature and/or precipitation, and (3) investigate alternatives to supposedly random walk series and non-random occurrences that could be outliers. Temporal patterns of campylobacteriosis risk in Georgia were visually and statistically assessed. Univariate and multivariable forecasting models were used to predict the risk of campylobacteriosis and the coefficient of determination (R(2)) was used for evaluating training (1999-2007) and holdout (2008) samples. Statistical control charting and rolling holdout periods were investigated to better understand the effect of outliers and improve forecasts. State and division level campylobacteriosis risk exhibited seasonal patterns with peaks occurring between June and August, and there were significant associations between campylobacteriosis risk, precipitation, and temperature. State and combined division forecasts were better than divisions alone, and models that included climate variables were comparable to univariate models. While rolling holdout techniques did not improve predictive ability, control charting identified high-risk time periods that require further investigation. These findings are important in (1) determining how climatic factors affect environmental sources and reservoirs of Campylobacter spp. and (2) identifying regional spikes in the risk of human Campylobacter infection and their underlying causes.

hShroom1 links a membrane bound protein to the actin cytoskeleton

hShroom1 (hShrm1) is a member of the Apx/Shroom (Shrm) protein family and was identified from a yeast two-hybrid screen as a protein that interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM). The characteristic signature of the Shrm family is the presence of a unique domain, ASD2 (Apx/Shroom domain 2). mRNA analysis suggests that hShrm1 is expressed in brain, heart, skeletal muscle, colon, small intestine, kidney, placenta and lung tissue, as well a variety of melanoma and other cell lines. Co-immunoprecipitation and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) experiments indicate that hShrm1 and MCAM interact in vivo and by immunofluorescence microscopy some co-localization of these proteins is observed. hShrm1 partly co-localises with beta-actin and is found in the Triton X-100 insoluble fraction of melanoma cell extracts. We propose that hShrm1 is involved in linking MCAM to the cytoskeleton.

Fungal dermatitis in captive pinnipeds

Fungal dermatitis was diagnosed in two captive gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) and four harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) between 1992 and 1994. Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Malassezia spp., and Yarrowia (Candida) lipolytica were isolated. Erythematous, thickened, alopecic skin lesions were present on the face and on the flippers, particularly around the nail bed. The two most important environmental factors associated with development of fungal dermatitis appeared to be excessive chlorination of pool water and warm water temperature.

Fecal shedding of feline coronavirus in adult cats and kittens in an Abyssinian cattery

OBJECTIVE

To determine patterns of fecal shedding of feline coronavirus (FCV) by cats, age at which kittens first began to shed FCV in their feces, and whether there was any relationship between fecal shedding of FCV and serum antibody titers in adult cats or kittens.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

ANIMALS

15 adult cats and 18 kittens from a single cattery.

PROCEDURE

Blood and fecal samples were collected from adult cats every other month for 13 months. Serum FCV antibody titers were measured by use of an indirect immunofluorescence assay. A reverse-transcriptase, nested polymerase chain reaction assay was used to detect FCV in feces. Blood and fecal samples were collected from kittens at approximately 2-week intervals from 3 weeks to 15 weeks of age.

RESULTS

Adult cats shed FCV intermittently. All adult cats shed virus in their feces at least once during the year, and 4 of 15 shed virus > 75% of the time. Serum antibody titer was not significantly associated with shedding of FCV. For the kittens, median age at the time FCV was first detected in feces was 67 days (range, 33 to 78 days). All except 1 of the kittens was found to be shedding virus in their feces before or at the time of seroconversion.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results suggest that serum FCV antibody titers are not a good indicator of shedding of FCV in the feces. Kittens may shed FCV in their feces before they seroconvert, and all kittens in a cattery in which FCV infection is endemic may be infected before 12 weeks of age.

Gradual occlusion of extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in dogs and cats using the ameroid constrictor

Gradual occlusion of the splenic vein, using a specialized device (ameroid constrictor), was evaluated experimentally in three normal beagle dogs. Splenoportograms were used to verify that total occlusion of the splenic vein had occurred in all dogs within 4 to 5 weeks after application of the device. The ameroid constrictor (AC) was also evaluated as a method of gradual vascular occlusion in 12 dogs and two cats with single, extrahepatic, portosystemic shunts (PSS). Serum bile acid (SBA) concentrations were measured and portal scintigraphy (PS) was performed on all 14 animals preoperatively and 10, 20, 30, and 60 days postoperatively. Two dogs (14%) died from portal hypertension in the early postoperative period. One dog and one cat developed multiple acquired PSS, confirmed by mesenteric portography 90 days after the operation. Portal scintigraphy confirmed total occlusion of the primary shunt in the other 10 animals. Shunt fractions (SF), as measured by PS on postoperative days 30 and 60, declined significantly from preoperative values. Significant decreases were noted between preoperative and postoperative values for preprandial SBA on postoperative day 60 and for postprandial SBA on postoperative day 30. SBA concentrations did not correlate with SF. Based on this study, gradual vascular occlusion using the AC is recommended as a method for treatment of single, extrahepatic, PSS.

Comparison of the efficacy of three commercial feline leukemia virus vaccines in a natural challenge exposure

Forty-seven kittens were exposed for 31 weeks to 12 FeLV-positive carrier cats. The carrier cats were infected with 2 laboratory strains of FeLV and at least 2 strains of street virus. Eleven nonvaccinated control kittens and 12 vaccinated kittens were allotted to 3 groups. After 31 weeks of exposure, the following kittens were persistently blood FeLV positive by ELISA and immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) testing: 7 of the 11 control kittens, 0 of 12 kittens inoculated with vaccine A, 5 of 12 kittens inoculated with vaccine B, and 6 of 12 kittens inoculated with vaccine C. Only the kittens inoculated with vaccine A were significantly (P less than 0.05) different from the control group. After 23 weeks of exposure, culture was done to identify FeLV in the bone marrow of the kittens. Feline leukemia virus was isolated from the bone marrow of 9 of 11 control kittens. Virus was isolated from the bone marrow of 5 of 12 kittens inoculated with vaccine A, 11 of 12 kittens inoculated with vaccine B, and 10 of 12 kittens inoculated with vaccine C. Of the 17 cats that had FeLV isolated only from culture of bone marrow (negative results of blood virus isolation, ELISA, and IFA testing), 13 eliminated the virus from the bone marrow by week 31 of exposure. After 31 weeks of exposure, FeLV was isolated from the bone marrow of 8 of 11 control kittens, 0 of 12 kittens inoculated with vaccine A, 7 of 12 kittens inoculated with vaccine B, and 7 of 12 kittens inoculated with vaccine C.

[Immunomodulation with symptomatically effective antirheumatic agents]

As antigen-presenting and/or monokine-secreting cells, macrophages play a major role in immunoregulation. Proteases of macrophage origin (cathepsin G, elestase , thrypsin and pronase) act on cell surfaces of different cell lines, inducing cell activation, e.g. of B-lymphocytes. T-lymphocytes might be stimulated by the activating factor LAF. Other macrophage products (CSF, FIM ) control monocyte production in bone marrow. While lymphocytes are the target cell lines for classical immunosuppressive agents, mononuclear phagocytes are kept for the major cell population affected by antiinflammatory drugs. The presented study outlines the significance of the mononuclear-phagocyte-system in antiinflammatory drug research. The inhibiting potency of antiinflammatory drugs on the monocyte-macrophage cell line as an additional immunoregulatory principle should be discussed.

[Immunomodulation by symptomaticly active antirheumatic agents]

As antigen-presenting and/or monokine-secreting cells, macrophages play a major role in immunoregulation. Proteases of macrophage origin (cathepsin G, elestase, thrypsin and pronase) act on cell surfaces of different cell lines, inducing cell activation, e.g. of B-lymphocytes. T-lymphocytes might be stimulated by the activating factor LAF. Other macrophage products (CSF, FIM) control monocyte production in bone marrow. While lymphocytes are the target cell lines for classical immunosuppressive agents, mononuclear phagocytes are kept for the major cell population affected by antiinflammatory drugs. The presented study outlines the significance of the mononuclear-phagocytesystem in antiinflammatory drug research. The inhibiting potency of antiinflammatory drugs on the monocyte-macrophage cell line as an additional immunoregulatory principle should be discussed.

[Histological classification of rheumatoid synovitis compared with cell-kinetics and morphology of experimental immune synovitis (author's transl)]

During the course of the experimental immune arthritis of the guinea pig four phases can be distinguished: I=fibrinopurulent, partly ulcerative synovitis, II=granulocytic activee granulomatous synovitis, III=lymphocytic activ granulomatous synovitis, IV=synovitic sequelae with subintimal fibrosis. On the basis of cell-kinetic studies with initial and systemic labelling with 3H-thymidine of the synovial membrane and of the bone marrow it could be demonstrated that in this model the infiltrating cells as well as the structural cells belong to the monocyte-macrophage system. The typical multilayer of the lining cells of this immune synovitis therefore seems to be mainly as a type A cell hyperplasia of bone marrow derived cells instead of a local proliferation of the lining cells. Clinical cases of various joint diseases are described including symptoms, X-ray findings and histopathological studies. Depending on the stage of the clinical course and the number, localization and activity of the macrophages within the synovial membrane the reaction pattern can be classified in a new way using the categories mentioned above in the experimental model. Thus the classical picture of rheumatoid arthritis corresponds to the synovitis of the subintimal type. The polyarthritic syndrome which mostly is pathogenetically unclear in contrast is designated as synovitis of the intimal type. The same holds true for the activated arthrosis.