In vitro marginal and internal adaptation of metal-ceramic crowns with cobalt-chrome and titanium framework fabricated with CAD/CAM and casting technique.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare the marginal and internal fit of Co-Cr and titanium ceramic crowns fabricated with 2 different techniques: CAD/CAM milling and traditional casting (TC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten traditional casting of Co-Cr (TCC), 10 CAD/CAM milling of Co-Cr (MC), 10 traditional casting of titanium (TCT), 10 CAD/CAM milling of titanium ceramic crowns (MT) were fabricated. Silicone replicas were obtained to measure internal gap volume, marginal gap and internal adaptation that was evaluated at 3 regions: axial wall, axio-occlusal angle, and occlusal surface. Measurements were made with a X-ray micro computerized tomography (micro-CT) and analyzed with Bonferroni and Dunnet T3 post-hoc tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS: One-way ANOVA revealed no statistically significant differences among the groups for measurements at the marginal gap (P > 0.05). At axial wall region the mean values of TCT group were higher than those of groups but only statistically not significant for TCC group (P < 0.05). TCC group statistically gives better results than MC group in axio-occlusal and occlusal regions (P < 0.05). The mean measurement of internal gap volume were 20.59 ± 0.83 mm3 for TCC, 22.73 ± 0.82 mm3 for MC, 22.83 ± 1.11 mm3 for TCT and 20.51 ± 1.16 mm3 for MT. Mean internal gap volume values MT group were smaller than those of groups but only statistically not significant for TCC group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: All groups performed similar marginal adaptation. The cement film thickness at axio-occlusal angle point and occlusal region were higher for MC crowns.

Effects of sandblasting and silicoating on bond strength between titanium and porcelain.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the different sized alumina particles (50 and 150 µm) and tribochemical silica-modified alumina particles (110 µm) on titanium (Ti) surface to identify the most effective method of increasing the bond strength between porcelain and Ti. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty rectangular plates (15 mm × 50 mm × 1 mm) of commercially pure Ti (Cp Ti) Grade 5 (GC Dental Industrial Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) were divided into three groups for different surface modification procedures (n = 10). Ti bonder porcelain, opaque, and dentin layers were fired separately on Ti plates. All specimens were placed in a bending jig for four-point bending test. The load and crosshead displacement data were collected to calculate the strain energy release rate as a G value. RESULTS: Lowest mean G values in J/m2 were in the group sandblasted with 150 µm Al2O3particles (Group 2) (18.6 ± 5), followed by the group sandblasted with 50 µm Al2O3particles (Group 3) (20.8 ± 6.1) and the group sandblasted with 110 µm silicoated Al2O3particles (Group 1) (24.5 ± 4.1). The one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 (P < 0.05). There were also no statistically significant differences between Group 1 and Group 3 and Group 2 and Group 3 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The size of alumina particles is not a factor that is directly effective in enhancing the bond strength of Ti-porcelain systems. The bond strength of Ti-porcelain systems can be extremely improved by the application of sandblasting with silica-coated alumina particles.

Visceral adiposity is a predictor of parathyroid hormone levels in healthy adults.

PURPOSE: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been shown to correlate positively with fat mass, however there are no studies that have investigated whether this association is a result of, or is modified by, body fat distribution. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of PTH with several body composition indices, namely visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adiposity (SCAT) as well as with lean mass and with serum leptin, which has been reported to increase PTH. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in which PTH was measured by chemiluminescent assay; body fat and lean mass by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and abdominal fat by ultrasonography in 714 healthy adults aged 18-65 years. Serum leptin was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: In a multivariate linear regression model that included height, age, gender, ethnicity, serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D, leptin levels, calcium, magnesium and phosphate concentrations, glomerular filtration rate, smoking status, and calcium and vitamin D supplementation as independent variables and PTH as the dependent variable, VAT (ß = 0.094, p = 0.035) correlated significantly with PTH levels but SCAT (ß = -0.045, p = 0.386) and body fat mass (ß = 0.098, p = 0.126) did not. Leptin did not correlate with PTH (ß = 0.013, p = 0.832) in this regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma PTH is significantly associated with VAT in healthy adults. In view of the association of PTH with increased cardiovascular mortality, it is important to investigate this association further.

Effect of chlorhexidine on bond strength between glass-fiber post and root canal dentine after six month of water storage.

Aim of this study was to assess the influence of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) application on bond strength of glass fibre reinforced composite (FRC) posts to root dentine using adhesive luting systems. Forty extracted human mandibular premolars were endodontically treated and root canals were prepared. Teeth were divided into 2 groups according to luting system as SuperBond C&B (etch-and-rinse/chemical cure) and FuturaBond DC (self-etch/ dual cure). Each group was further divided in 2 subgroups (n=10) according to whether CHX was applied or not. Group Futura/CHX: FuturaBond DC + CHX; group Futura: FuturaBond DC; group Super/CHX: Super Bond C&B + CHX; group Super: SuperBond C&B + CHX. Mean and standard deviation (in parenthesis) values of bond strength in MPa were: group Futura/CHX: 8.86 (1.96), group Futura: 7.65 (1.01), group Super/CHX: 17.47(2.93), group Super: 12.41 (3.83). Bond strength values were affected by the type of luting agent and CHX irrigation (p=0.001, two-way ANOVA). There were statistically significant differences among the groups according to one-way ANOVA (p<0.001). Significant differences were observed in bond strength between groups Super/CHX and Super (p=0.023), between groups Futura/CHX and Super/CHX (p<0.001). Application of CHX before luting procedure with etch-and-rinse/chemical cure luting agent of glass FRC post improved long-term bond strength between glass FRC and root dentine.

Longitudinal changes in vitamin D and its metabolites in pregnant South Africans.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) has been associated with adverse maternal and foetal outcomes and is determined by measuring 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). The 25(OH)D is catabolized to 24, 25-(OH) 2D and the ratio of 25(OH) D to 24, 25-(OH)2D, the vitamin D metabolite ratio (VMR), is thought to be a superior marker of VDD, being elevated in such states. The aims of this study were to assess the longitudinal vitamin D status of pregnant women by measuring cholecalciferol, 25(OH)D, 24, 25-(OH)2D and VMR at two time points and also to determine any association of vitamin D and metabolites with gestational age at birth, birth length and weight. METHODS: We recruited 400 pregnant black African women in their first trimester (V1) and measured weights and heights. Ultrasound scans were performed for gestational age. Blood was drawn at V1 and at about 26 weeks (V2) of gestation for cholecalciferol, 25(OH)D, 24, 25-(OH)2D, VMR and parathyroid hormone (PTH). An OGTT was performed at V2 where fasting glucose, insulin and 30-minute glucose were measured. At birth, we measured birth weight, length and gestational age. Maternal insulin, PTH and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) were measured by immunoassay. Maternal albumin was measured colorimetrically. Maternal cholecalciferol, 25(OH)D and 24, 25-(OH)2D, were measured by mass spectrometry and free and bioavailable vitamin D were calculated. Initial gestation was determined by ultrasound. We compared analytes by visit as well as by 25(OH)D status. Vitamin D deficiency (<30 nmol/L) was defined according to the National Academy of Medicine guidelines. Linear regression analysis was used to determine associations of vitamin D molecules with maternal blood pressure, fasting and 30-minute insulin and blood glucose and neonatal parameters. RESULTS: Results are presented for participants for whom we had complete data (n = 330-346 depending on variable). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) was 35.8 % at V1 and 32.4 % at V2. Levels of 25(OH)D did not change significantly between visits. Levels of 24, 25(OH)2D dropped from the first to the second visit (17.64 ± 12.64 to 9.39 ± 9.07 nmol/L; p < 0.0001) while VMR increased ((3.15 (1.31; 7.67) to 7.90 (2.44; 25.98); p < 0.0001). The proportion of women with the lowest cholecalciferol concentrations increased at V2 compared to the V1 (36.1-42.8 %; p = 0.02). In multivariable regression models 25(OH)D was negatively associated with 30-minute glucose concentrations (p = 0.038) whilst 24, 25-(OH)2D was positively associated with fasting insulin (p = 0.017) and HOM A-I R (p = 0.023). There was no correlation of 25(OH)D or metabolites with infant birth weight, birth length or gestational age. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal VDD is common in pregnant black South African women. Decreased VMR suggest that catabolism of 25(OH)D is reduced in pregnancy to maintain adequate free vitamin D levels.

Understanding nonrenewable resource supply behavior.

Decisions concerned with finding, developing, and extracting nonrenewable resources are dynamically interrelated in complex ways. Economic theory provides a description of this process that yields useful insights, but there are gaps between theory and empirical applications that hinder our understanding of how supply responds to changes in economic incentives. Consequently, many questions concerning market efficiency as opposed to government intervention remain open.

The evaluation of displacement resistance of glass FRC posts to root dentine using a thin slice push-out test.

AIM: To investigate and compare the displacement resistance of glass fibre reinforced composite (FRC) posts to root dentine after luting with different adhesive systems. METHODOLOGY: A total of 32 noncarious extracted human mandibular premolars were prepared for post-cementation using the FRC Postec system (Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) and divided into four groups (n = 8). The posts in each group were luted with one or other of the following materials. Group 1: Variolink II/Excite DSC (etch-and-rinse, dual-curing), group 2: Clearfil Esthetic Cement/ED Primer II (self-etch, dual-curing), group 3: Multilink/Multilink Primer (self-etch, chemical-curing) and group 4: Multilink Sprint (self-adhesive, dual-curing). Specimens were sectioned to obtain slices with the post in the centre and with the root dentine overlaid by the autopolymerizing acrylic resin on each side. The displacement resistance was measured using a Universal Testing Machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm min(-1). The displacement resistance of the specimens were calculated and expressed in MPa. Data were analysed with one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Mean (SD) values of displacement resistance data in MPa are as follows: group 1, 12.08 (2.13); group 2, 12.39 (2); group 3, 11.3 (1.23); group 4, 14.29 (1.84). There were statistically significant differences amongst the groups (P = 0.021). A statistically significant difference was observed for the displacement resistance values between groups 3 and 4 (P = 0.015), that is between Multilink/Multilink Primer and Multilink Sprint. CONCLUSIONS: Glass FRC posts luted with self-adhesive luting system exhibited higher displacement resistance than when luted with chemical-curing self-etch luting system.

Lymphatic organ development in dogs: major lymphocyte subsets and activity.

In the present study, we have characterized lymphocyte subsets and activity in peripheral blood, spleen, mesenteric and popliteal lymph nodes in pups from birth till the age of one month and compared the results with the situation in the group of three adult dogs. In neonatal pups, lower numbers of CD3(+) T-cells were detected in both the spleen and peripheral blood than in lymph nodes. In contrast to the other compartments, CD21(+) B-cells prevailed in the spleen, which resulted in low values (<1) of the CD3(+)/CD21(+) ratio. Low numbers of CD8(+) lymphocytes were characteristic in all compartments immediately after birth; consequently a high CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio has been calculated. Postnatal development was characterized by an increasing frequency of CD8(+) lymphocytes in all organs studied. Another typical feature of the early period of life was a relative decrease of B-cell numbers, which was compensated by an increasing proportion of T-lymphocytes, particularly in the peripheral blood and spleen. DNA synthesis in newborn pups' cells as measured by in vitro thymidine incorporation was surprisingly high in non-stimulated control samples, notably in the spleen. Further development of lymphocyte activity was characterized by the decline in spontaneous activity in all organs. Stimulation indices upon mitogen-induced proliferation increased proportionally to the decrease in spontaneous activity. Based on our experimental data, we have concluded that pups are born with a relatively competent immune system the structure of which, however, markedly develops during a few postnatal weeks.

Experimental Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infection in piglets with different types and levels of specific protection: immunophenotypic analysis of lymphocyte subsets in the circulation and respiratory mucosal lymphoid tissue.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) infection in piglets results in severe and fatal fibrinous hemorrhagic necrotizing pneumoniae. The aim of our study was to analyze changes in lymphocyte subset distribution in peripheral blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and tracheobronchal lymph nodes (TLN) in non-immune piglets upon a challenge with a high dose of APP and to compare the quality of such changes in unprotected piglets with counterparts exhibiting specific immunity mediated by high titers of colostrum-derived APP-specific antibodies and/or a low dose APP infection in the early postnatal period. Challenge with APP resulted in a massive increase in CD8-negative gammadelta T-cells in parallel with a reduction in numbers of CD3-CD8low cells in BALF independent of the type and level of immunity and this seems to be a general phenomenon associated with experimental infection. An increase in B-lymphocyte numbers in TLN was another characteristic feature accompanying APP infection in all experimental groups. In piglets with colostrum-derived APP-specific antibodies, this was associated with higher relative numbers of IgM+CD2+ lymphocytes in TLN, while B-cells with the CD2- surface phenotype apparently expanded in the absence of passive humoral immunity.

The intrauterine environment is a strong determinant of glucose tolerance during the neonatal period, even in prematurity.

The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of birth weight and gestational age to glucose tolerance in premature neonates. The study group consisted of 100 premature and/or small-for-gestational age infants. Anthropometric measurements were performed both at birth and at the time of a standardized milk feed carried out at 19.6 +/- 12.1 d (range, 1-65 d) after birth. Fasting and postprandial glucose and insulin levels were measured. Birth weight, as a proxy mirror of the intrauterine environment, was found to influence the glucose concentration following a standardized milk feed (beta = -0.46; P = 0.01 for birth weight z-score with 60-min glucose level), whereas gestational age did not. Small-for-gestational age neonates had higher 60-min insulin levels than appropriate-for-gestational age neonates (115.4 +/- 9.5 vs. 68.4 +/- 14.2; P < 0.05) despite similar glucose levels. Neonates born of mothers who were on antihypertensive treatment were smaller and had a higher insulin secretory response than neonates from normotensive mothers. Postnatal growth velocity (kilograms per day) correlated with birth weight (beta = -0.65; P < 0.0001) and insulin resistance (beta = -0.31; P = 0.0004), independently of each other. This study shows that glucose tolerance of the neonate is determined by weight attained at birth irrespective of gestational age and that maternal blood pressure may influence insulin sensitivity of the newborn. Furthermore, catch-up growth in neonates is determined by birth weight and insulin sensitivity.

Adjuvant effect of liposomes and adamantylamide dipeptide on antigenicity of entrapped synthetic peptide derived from HIV-1 transmembrane region glycoprotein gp41.

The synthetic peptide antigen (Ag) (the primary structure Tyr-Leu-Lys-Asp-Gln-Gln-Leu-Leu-Gly-Ile-Trp-Gly-Cys-Ser-Gly-Lys-Leu-Ile- Cys-Thr derived from the envelope glycoprotein gp41 of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and exerting specificity with all HIV-1-positive sera available in the Czech Republic (and also in a panel of 10,000 sera from WHO)) was conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and encapsulated into liposomes. Adjuvant activities of liposomes with various lipid compositions were compared with Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) and with aluminium hydroxide (AL). The immune response to BSA-Ag liposomes with coentrapped adamantylamide dipeptide (AdDP) was comparable with that of FCA in terms of longevity and levels of specific antibodies in mouse sera.

The evaluation of waste, surface and ground water quality using the Allium test procedure.

The bulbs of Allium cepa were grown in test liquids of various pollution levels as follows: undiluted industrial and municipal waste water; biological treatment plant output water; water from the Drava river upstream and downstream of the city of Maribor; and non-chlorinated drinking water as a negative control test. The paper presents the response of the Allium cepa genetic material to the presence of potential cytotoxic and genotoxic substances in test liquids and the suitability of the Allium cepa testing procedure as a method for short-term determination of water pollution level. The suitability of the Allium test procedure as a system for environmental monitoring is presented. The influence of water pollution on macroscopic and cytologic parameters of the common onion by application of the biological testing method was examined. The macroscopic parameter was inhibition of root growth. The cytological parameters were: aberrant cells in metaphase and anaphase, index of micronuclei appearance and inhibition of cell division. The possibility of categorization the different polluted test liquids into quality classes is presented according to the influence of the test liquids on macroscopic and cytologic parameters. Test liquids are divided into 8 quality classes: the first class is the least polluted surface waters, the second and the third classes are more polluted surface water, the fourth and the fifth classes are biological treatment plant output waters, the sixth till the eighth quality classes are untreated waste waters. The most polluted test liquids (untreated industrial and municipal waste waters) caused sublethal and even lethal effects. The most polluted tested liquids cause the inhibition of root growth over 50% (even up to 74%), decrease of mitotic index over 36% (even up to 66%), increase of presence of interphase cells with micronuclei over 3% and increase of presence of aberrant cells for more than 10 times in comparison to control test.

Lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of dogs--a flow cytometric study.

Slight differences in the results of papers describing lymphocyte subsets distribution in the peripheral blood of healthy dogs may be explained by differences in monoclonal antibody clones and sources, breed and age of animals examined, methods of sample treatment, or methods of result analysis. In this paper, we described the effect of sample processing and of sample storage as well as the effect of age, breed, and gender of dogs on lymphocyte subset distribution. No significant differences were found between samples processed following a whole-blood lysis method and samples processed after density gradient separation. Furthermore, no significant differences were found between samples processed within 2h after collection and those stored at 4 degrees C for 12-16 h before processing. Age-related changes were evident in lymphocyte subset distribution in the peripheral blood of 38 Beagles divided according to their age into the six groups: (1) 5-6 days; (2) 2 months; (3) 6 months; (4) 1-2 years; (5) 3-5 years; and (6) >5 years. The percentage of B-lymphocytes (CD21-like positive cells) in the peripheral blood of newborn pups was 39.5+/-5.7 and decreased with advancing age. The percentage of CD8+ lymphocytes was 7.7+/-3.4 after birth and increased with advancing age. No age-related changes were observed in the percentages of CD4+ lymphocytes. The CD4+:CD8+ ratio decreased with advancing age. No significant age-related change was observed for lymphocytes bearing the gammadelta-TCR. Some breed differences were evident. Adult (1-5-year-old) Beagles, German Shepherds, Dalmatians, and Dachshunds were examined. The percentages of lymphocytes were higher in Beagles and Dachshunds than in Dalmatians and German Shepherds. The highest and the lowest absolute lymphocyte counts were found in Beagles and German Shepherds, respectively. As a consequence, German Shepherds showed the lowest absolute counts of the individual lymphocyte subpopulations and the widest neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio. Dalmatians showed the lowest percentage of CD3+ cells, the highest percentage of CD21+ cells, and the lowest CD4+:CD8+ ratio. German Shepherds showed the lowest percentage of CD21+ cells and the highest CD4+:CD8+ ratio. Females in Beagles and Dachshuns had nonsignificantly higher percentages of total lymphocytes, CD3+, CD4+, and nonsignificantly lower percentages of CD21+ lymphocytes. We concluded that there are age-, breed-, and perhaps also gender-related differences in lymphocyte subset distribution in the peripheral blood of dogs. Therefore, there is need to use appropriate control group in the experimental protocols. Among-breed differences could explain, at least partly, breed predisposition for some diseases.

Postnatal development of leukocyte subset composition and activity in dogs.

The aim of the presentation is to summarise our data on the counts and activity of circulating canine leukocytes at birth and on their changes in the first 3 months of life. On day 1, neutrophil counts were almost three times higher than lymphocyte counts. During the first week of life, a decrease of neutrophil and an increase of lymphocyte counts, resulting in a predominance of lymphocytes, were observed. Neutrophil counts reached values comparable with those in adults in 1 month. Lymphocyte counts were higher than those in adults during the first 3 months. From birth to the age of 3 months, the phagocytic activity of neutrophils was nonsignificantly higher than in young adults. When compared with adults, the peripheral blood of new-born pups contained a lower proportion of T lymphocytes (detected by CD3 and CD5 markers), with a very low percentage of CD8(+) cells and a higher proportion of CD21(+) B lymphocytes. The counts of individual subsets levelled out during the first 3 months of life, although the proportion of CD21(+) B cells remained higher all the time. Lymphocytes of new-born pups were able to respond to nonspecific mitogen stimulation. Spontaneous proliferation in vitro was higher during the first week of life. Although in vitro stimulation of lymphocytes with Concanavalin A in some pups was comparable with that of adult dogs, mean activity was weaker. Pups with zero or very low levels of maternal antibodies were able to develop specific immune responses to a parvovirus antigen as early as at 2 weeks of age. On the basis of these data, we assume that pups are born with an immune system that can respond to external stimuli. Nevertheless its development continues in the postnatal period and some parameters differ from adult values for at least 3 months after birth.

Fatal toxoplasmosis in brown hares (Lepus europaeus): possible reasons of their high susceptibility to the infection.

Brown hares (Lepus europaeus) trapped in the countryside and domestic rabbits were experimentally infected with Toxoplasma gondii (K7 strain) oocysts. Hares (n=12) were divided into groups of 4 and infected with 10, 10(3) and 10(5) oocysts. Rabbits (n=12) were infected in the same way. The experimentally infected animals were monitored for 33 days after infection (p.i.). Most of the infected hares demonstrated behavioural changes, and all of them died between 8 and 19 days p.i. Three of the rabbits demonstrated only clinical changes related to the concurrent pasteurellosis. The typical pathological finding in the hares were haemorrhagic enteritis, enlargement and hyperaemia of mesenteric lymph nodes, splenomegaly and multiple miliary necrotic lesions in the parenchyma of the liver and other organs. Pathological changes in the rabbits were less pronounced than in the hares. In rabbit brains, tissue cysts of the T. gondii were found. The incidence of T. gondii antibodies both in the hares and the rabbits was first ascertained on day 7 p.i. On day 12 p.i., antibodies were already found in all the animals infected. Antibody titres in indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) using the anti-rabbit conjugate were markedly higher in rabbits than in hares. In all hares, T. gondii was isolated post mortem from the liver, brain, spleen, kidney, lung, heart and skeletal muscles. Although T. gondii was also isolated in all rabbits, it was not always isolated in all their organs. In all hares, parasitemia was demonstrated on days 7 and 12 p.i. The percentage of rabbits with detected parasitemia was lower. In hares, a decrease in the numbers of leukocytes during the infection was observed. No such decrease was observed in the rabbits. The lymphocyte activity after the stimulation with non-specific mitogens showed significant differences between the hares and the rabbits even before the infection. After the infection, the hares infected with 10(3) and 10(5) doses and in rabbits infected with a 10(5) dose showed a decrease of lymphocyte activity. Rabbits infected with a 10(3) dose showed an increase of the lymphocyte activity. While in hares toxoplasmosis was an acute and fatal disease, the infection in rabbits had subclinical manifestations only and easily passed to a latent stage. The different courses of toxoplasmosis in the hare and the rabbit may be due to the differences in the natural sensitivity of the two species to the T. gondii infection or a negative impact of stress to the immune status of hares.

[Test of phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes in calves]. / Test fagocytární aktivity krevních leukocytu telat.

The 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate-particle (HEMA) phagocytosis method in whole blood was adapted to the evaluation of the phagocytic activity of the leucocytes of calves. Several test variants were compared and the best procedure was determined, based on the following principles: keeping the heparin concentration at 10 i. u. in 1 ml of blood at the maximum, using fresh samples, incubating at 37 degrees C for 0.5 to 1 hour, thoroughly agitating the sample after incubation, with possible addition of EDTA. The phagocytic activity of nine calves, 2.5 to 3 months old, was examined by the proposed procedure and 18.6% phagocytic leucocytes were found, the phagocytic index being 7.07%.

[Phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes in calves from birth to 3 months of age]. / Fagocytární aktivita krevních leukocytu telat od narození do veku tri mesíce.

Forty-three calves of various age from the day of birth to the age of three months were subjected to the 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) particle phagocytosis test. Significant differences in the phagocytic activity of blood leucocytes were recorded, all depending on age. New-born calves had very low phagocytic activity: only 16.5% of the leucocytes were found to be phagocytic, the phagocytic index being 0.39. A rapid increase in phagocytic activity was recorded during the subsequent days. At the age of three days 43% of the leucocytes of the calves were phagocytic. A decrease in phagocytic activity was found on the sixth to seventh day, and another increase was recorded only from the age of three to four weeks of age. No such changes in the development of phagocytic activity were observed in the calves reared without colostrum administration. Low values were maintained for a longer time after birth without the typical increase on the third to fifth day. Phagocytic activity increased in the zero-colostrum calves experimentally infected with rotavirus.

Immunosuppression in bitches with pyometra.

The function of the immune system was studied in 34 bitches affected by pyometra. The mean age of the animals was 8.1 +/- 2.8 years. Samples of peripheral blood were examined using a battery of immunological tests. Data obtained from four sets of animals, grouped according to the severity of their disease, were compared. Leucocytosis (neutrophilia and partial monocytosis) and lymphopenia were detected in 62 per cent and 35 per cent of the bitches, respectively. The increase in the number of leucocytes was higher in the severely affected bitches. Inhibition of mitogen-driven lymphocyte proliferation was the characteristic feature of the immunological profile in bitches affected by pyometra, and this corresponded with the impairment of the general state of health. Sera from bitches showing functional inhibition of lymphocytes suppressed the activity of lymphocytes isolated from normal dogs. Sera from bitches affected by pyometra also had higher levels of immunoglobulins, lysozyme and circulating immune complexes. It can be concluded that pyometra is associated with an inflammatory response, but also with a marked suppression of immune system activity.

Enhancement of antibody response to bovine herpesvirus 1 with non-specific immunostimulants.

Stimulatory effects of aluminium hydroxide, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), muramyldipeptide (MDP), and empty liposomes on the antigenicity of inactivated bovine herpesvirus 1 were tested in mice. Compared with the standard effect of aluminium hydroxide, stronger antibody responses were observed in mice treated with empty liposomes or LPS alone, or a combination thereof. The strongest antibody response was recorded in mice treated with a combination of inactivated BHV-1, MDP and empty liposomes.