IFN-γ and TNF-α potentiate prostaglandin D2-induced human eosinophil chemotaxis through up-regulation of CRTH2 surface receptor.

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) receptor CRTH2, is a pro-inflammatory molecule involved in eosinophil recruitment to the allergic airway. We investigated the expression of CRTH2 in eosinophil from allergic rhinitis patients (AR) and tested the modulatory role of several TH1 and TH2 cytokines closely related to the allergic immunological response, on the expression of CRTH2 receptor, utilizing human eosinophil cell line (Eol-1).The expression of CRTH2 was tested by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry (FACS). Chemotaxis was performed in micro-chemotaxis chambers. It is shown that the expression of CRTH2 by eosinophils was significantly higher in the nasal tissue and peripheral blood of AR patients, when compared to control subjects. PGD2 exhibited a typical bell shape dose response in attracting eosinophil from AR patients with optimal activity at 10(-7) M. Eol-1 cell surface expression of CRTH2 was significantly up-regulated by 10 ng/ml IFN-γ and TNF-α. The percentage of Eol-1 cells expressing the receptor increased by IFN-γ and TNF-α from 12.74%±2.66 to 55%±8 and 33.8%±9.4, respectively. PGD2-induced Eol-1 chemotaxis was not blocked by SB203580, H-89 Dihydrochloride, Bisindo-lylmaleimide, or Genistein. PGD2-induced Eol-1 chemotaxis was potentiated by IFN-γ and TNF-α without changing the signal transduction pathway. Correlation of our results to peripheral blood eosinophils from allergic rhinitis patients confirmed that 3 hour pretreatment of eosinophils by 10 ng/ml IFN-γ and TNF-α, increased the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CRTH2 from 8.23 to 9.68 and 9.38, respectively, and potentiated PGD2-induced eosinophil chemotaxis. Our results demonstrate a novel synergism between PGD2, IFN-γ and TNF-α, in eosinophil chemotaxis.

Follicular growth monitoring in the female cat during estrus.

Follicular growth in the feline ovary is usually detected indirectly, through behavior observation, vaginal smears, or more invasively, by estradiol assay in blood. This study was designed to describe follicular dynamics by transabdominal ultrasonography. Secondly, the stage of follicular growth was associated to behavioral and vaginal changes. Ovarian ultrasonography was performed during nine anovulatory and 12 ovulatory cycles. Forty-eight follicles were followed during anovulatory cycles: on the first day of estrus behavior, 4.8 ± 0.2 follicles (2 to 7 per female) of 2.3 ± 0.01 mm mean diameter were present. Follicular growth continued at a rate of 0.2 ± 0.04 mm per day. At least one follicle in the cohort reached a diameter greater than 3.0 mm. Maximal follicular growth (when one follicle of the cohort reached the maximal diameter observed for the whole estrus) was reached 3.8 ± 0.3 days after the onset of estrus with the largest follicle reaching a diameter of 3.5 ± 0.04 mm. Growth of the various follicles within a cohort was not exactly synchronous. When no ovulation took place, the follicular diameter decreased by 0.1 ± 0.01 mm per day until the end of estrus. The first day after the end of behavioral estrus, the diameter of the largest follicle in each cohort was 2.7 ± 0.05 mm. No correlation was found between follicular development and either vaginal smear characteristics, or time elapsed since the onset of estrus. When ovulations were mechanically induced after one follicle had reached 3.0 mm in diameter, artificial insemination produced normal pregnancy rate and litter size: four pregnant females out of nine, and 2 to 4 kittens per litter. Ultrasonography proved thus to allow the monitoring of follicular growth in the female cat, with low correlation with behavior and vaginal smear modifications. Further studies are needed to evaluate the interest of an ultrasonographic ovarian follow-up to determine the optimal moment for ovulation induction prior to artificial insemination.

Ultrasonography criteria for differentiating ACTH dependency from ACTH independency in 47 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism and equivocal adrenal asymmetry.

BACKGROUND: Adrenal ultrasonography (US) in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) is commonly used to distinguish adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-independent (AIHAC) and ACTH-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (ADHAC). To date, no cut-off values for defining adrenal atrophy in cases of adrenal asymmetry have been determined. Given that asymmetrical hyperplasia is sometimes observed in ADHAC, adrenal asymmetry without ultrasonographic proof of adrenocortical tumor such as vascular invasion or metastasis can be equivocal. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare adrenal US findings between cases of ADHAC and AIHAC in dogs with equivocal adrenal asymmetry (EAA), and to identify useful criteria for their distinction. ANIMALS: Forty dogs with EAA were included. METHODS: Ultrasound reports of HAC dogs with adrenal asymmetry without obvious vascular invasion or metastases were reviewed. Dogs were classified as cases of ADHAC (n = 28) or AIHAC (n = 19), determined by plasma ACTH concentration. The thickness, shape, and echogenicity of both adrenal glands and presence of adjacent vascular compression were compared between AIHAC and ADHAC groups. RESULTS: The maximal dorsoventral thickness of the smaller gland (SDV) ranged from 2.0 to 5.0 mm in AIHAC and from 5.0 to 15.0 mm in ADHAC. The 95% confidence intervals for estimated sensitivity and specificity of a SDV cut-off set at 5.0 mm in the diagnosis of AIHAC were 82-100 and 82-99%, respectively. Other tested US criteria were found to overlap extensively between the 2 groups, precluding their usefulness for distinction. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: In EAA cases, an SDV ≤5.0 mm is an appropriate cut-off for AIHAC ultrasonographic diagnosis.

Prevalence of polycystic kidney disease in Persian and Persian related cats in France.

The prevalence of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) has been estimated in the USA, Australia, UK, and Germany, but no data are available to date in France. The purpose of this study was to determine prevalence of PKD in Persian and Persian related breeds of cats in France. Medical records of all healthy cats presented for ultrasonographic screening of PKD between December 2000 and April 2002 were analysed from two centres (ENVL and ENVA). Cats were classified as positive when at least one anechoic cavity was found in at least one kidney. Prevalence of PKD was compared between the two screening centres, between different breeds evaluated, and between male and female using Chi-square test. A total of 310 cats were examined, including 92 at ENVL (57 Persians, 22 Exotic Shorthairs, 7 Chartreux, 4 Norwegian Forest Cats, and 2 Abyssins) and 218 at ENVA (163 Persians, 42 Exotic Shorthairs, 4 Chartreux, 4 British Shorthairs, 2 American Whirehairs, 2 Norwegian Forest Cats, and 1 American Shorthair). Prevalence of PKD was 41.8% in Persian cats and 39.1% in Exotic Shorthair. No PKD was detected in cats from other breeds. There was no significant difference between prevalence of PKD found in ENVL and ENVA, between prevalence of PKD in Persians and in Exotic Shorthairs, and prevalence of PKD in male and in female. Prevalence of PKD in Persians and Exotic Shorthair cats in France is currently high but is similar to prevalence in other parts of the world. Selection based on ultrasonographic detection of cysts should decrease prevalence of PKD in the future.

Emphysematous pyometra in a dog.

An 8-year-old intact female West Highland White Terrier was examined for anorexia, vomiting, abdominal distension, and mild purulent vulvar discharge. The results of physical examination, laboratory testing, and radiography are presented. Emphysematous pyometra was suspected and confirmed at surgery. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from the uterine lumen. A brief discussion of emphysematous pyometra is presented.

Effect of contrast medium dose and image acquisition timing on ureteral opacification in the normal dog as assessed by computed tomography.

Computed tomography (CT) excretory urography was performed in five adult female dogs after intravenous injection of a bolus of four different doses of water-soluble iodinated contrast medium (100, 200, 400, and 800 mgI/kg). CT images centered over the urinary bladder were performed before injection and 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, and 60 minutes after injection. Opacification of both ureters was evaluated by measuring maximum CT number of individual ureters at each time. Time opacification curves were generated for each dose. Best opacification of the ureters was obtained with 400 and 800 mgI/kg, with a constant peak at 3 minutes and durable opacification for 1 hour. Insufficient opacification was obtained with lower dose of 100 and 200 mgI/kg.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the prostate in healthy intact dogs.

Sagittal and transverse ultrasonographic images of the prostate gland were obtained in 100 healthy adult intact male dogs. Prostatic length, width, and height on transverse and sagittal images as well as the presence of prostatic cysts were determined. Linear regression and correlation analysis were performed between prostatic parameters (length, width, height on sagittal and transverse images, and estimated volume) and parameters related to body size (body weight, body height, left kidney length and aortic diameter) and age of the dogs. Significant positive correlations were found between all prostatic parameters and parameters related to body size and age. Maximum predicted values for prostatic parameters for a given body weight and age were determined based on the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval of the mean predicted values. Such values should represent a useful tool for ultrasonographic evaluation of the prostate in the dog. Prostatic cysts were found in 14% of the dogs.

MR imaging of acute spinal cord injury: results of an experimental study in dogs.

A weight-drop model was used to induce 16 acute lesions of varying severity in the spinal cords of eight mongrel dogs. The subsequent 3- to 7-hr postinjury MR images (0.5 T) were assessed. T1-weighted images contributed little information. Injection of gadolinium tetra-azacyclododecane tetraacetic acid did not result in significant enhancement. T2-weighted sequences offered precise detection and delineation of the lesions, displaying fusiform hyperintense signal abnormalities that corresponded to both edema and hemorrhage. In low-impact injuries, abnormalities were small and centrally located, sparing the periphery of the spinal cord. In these cases hemorrhage was minimal and limited to the center of the lesion. In severe-impact injuries, MR showed widespread longitudinal extension with involvement of the periphery of the spinal cord. In the most severe injuries, a central heterogeneous signal component was frequently observed opposite the site of impact because of important hemorrhage within the cord. Overall, hyperintense areas correlated closely with lesion severity, as demonstrated by pathologic findings. T2-weighted MR images obtained at 0.5 T were found to be reliable in the evaluation of acute spinal cord trauma.

Growth, testicular development and sperm output in the dog from birth to post pubertal period.

This study was performed in Fox terrier dogs. Their mean body weight at birth is 315 g; it reaches 12 kg at 1 year of age. The body growth pattern has a sigmoid appearance with a rapid growth phase between 9 weeks and 24 weeks of age. With frequent radiographic examinations, 39 ossification centers were individualized on the long bones; they had all appeared by 25 weeks of age. The fusion of these centers is achieved between 36 and 44 weeks of age. This determination of the bone age has not proved to be a good factor to date the morphologic events of puberty. The testicular width measure is a reliable criteria which is well correlated to the other morphologic and spermatic criteria (volume of ejaculate, spermatozoa concentration). The testicular growth is rapid (width: 0,6 mm/week) between 22 and 36 weeks of age. The first spermatozoa are observed at the end of this period (32 to 34 weeks of age). During the post pubertal period, from 34 weeks to 45 weeks of age, volume of ejaculate, motility, spermatozoa concentration increase and percentage of dead spermatozoa and abnormal forms decrease.