Emphysematous pyometra secondary to Enterococcus avium infection in a dog.

A 5-year-old female intact Mastiff dog was presented with a history of vaginal discharge for 1 day. Physical examination revealed a sanguineo-purulent vaginal discharge and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Abdominal radiographs showed several dilated and gas- filled tubular loops. The differential diagnoses included emphysematous pyometra or small intestinal mechanical ileus. Surgical exploration of the abdomen demonstrated a severely dilated and gas-filled uterus, and emphysematous pyometra was confirmed. The patient's clinical signs resolved after ovariohysterectomy. Histopathology revealed mild endometrial cystic hyperplasia with infiltration of inflammatory cells in the superficial endometrial epithelia. Enterococcus avium, an α-hemolytic gram-positive coccus, was isolated from the uterus. This paper highlights the radiographic features of emphysematous pyometra and a pathogen that has never been reported to be associated with canine pyometra previously.

Interaction of omeprazole and Helicobacter pylori-induced nuclear factor-κB activation and mediators in gastric epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Omeprazole (OMP), a proton pump inhibitor, is a highly effective drug for the management of acid-related disorders. Infections resulting from cytotoxin antigen A (CagA) positive Helicobacter pylori strains have been associated with higher grades of gastric mucosal inflammation. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation has been reported to participate in H. pylori-induced gastritis in humans. The complex interaction of OMP on the H. pylori and NF-κB related molecular mechanisms within the gastric mucosa remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated OMP, specifically its effects on NF-κB activation, and COX-2, IL-6, and IL-8 production in gastric cells (Kato-III cells) treated with CagA positive (CagA(+)) and negative (CagA(-)) H. pylori strains. METHODS: Kato-III cells were stimulated with H. pylori water extracts (HPE) containing ATCC 43504 (CagA(+)) and ATCC 51932 (CagA(-)) strains. NF-κB activation, inhibitory IκB expression and phosphorylation, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 expression were assessed in the absence and presence of OMP. RESULTS: Both CagA(+) and CagA(-) HPE induced NF-κB activation, whereas OMP suppressed NF-κB activation in the CagA(-) strain. HPE demonstrated a similar effect on IκB protein expression in the absence and presence of OMP. OMP alone decreased IκB phosphorylation without promoting NF-κB and IκB expression. Additionally, both CagA(+) and CagA(-) HPE induced COX-2 expression, but no significant effect on IL-6 and IL-8. However, OMP downregulated the transcription of COX-2, IL-6, and IL-8 in CagA(-) HPE treated cells. CONCLUSION: Using the Kato-III cells model, H. pylori induces NF-κB activation in a CagA-independent manner. Both CagA(+) HPE and CagA(-) HPE induced COX-2 gene expression, but not for IL-6 and IL-8 expression. However, OMP suppressed NF-κB activation via a downregulation of IκB phosphorylation in CagA(-) HPE treated condition. OMP also suppressed CagA(-)H. pylori induced-transcription of proinflammatory COX-2, IL-6, and IL-8. OMP may provide different effects on CagA(+) and CagA(-)H. pylori infection conditions.

Clarithromycin modulates Helicobacter pylori-induced activation of nuclear factor-κB through classical and alternative pathways in gastric epithelial cells.

Infection of gastric epithelial cells by Helicobacter pylori stimulates the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and the upregulation of interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression. Activation of NF-κB can occur through classical (p50/p65) and alternative (p52/RelB) pathways. The role of the bacterial cag pathogenicity island (PAI) in these events is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that the CagA protein is required for H. pylori-induced activation of NF-κB and upregulation of IL-8 expression, and for clarithromycin (CAM) to exert its molecular effects. Cultured KATO-III human gastric cancer cells were treated with extracts of H. pylori strains ATCC43504 (cag PAI(+)) and ATCC51932 (cag PAI(-)) for 24 h. NF-κB and phospho-IκB protein expression was then evaluated using western blotting. IL-8 mRNA expression was evaluated using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Following the separation of the proteins using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, proteomes of the two bacterial extracts were compared using nanoflow liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLC-MS/MS) analysis. Although the protein profiles of the two extracts differed, both extracts induced IκBα phosphorylation, upregulation of IL-8 expression, and NF-κB activation through classical and alternative pathways. In cells treated with either of the bacterial extracts, CAM inhibited H. pylori-induced activation of NF-κB and upregulation of IL-8 expression. These results suggested that CagA is not required for H. pylori-induced activation of NF-κB and upregulation of IL-8 expression in gastric epithelial cells. H. pylori-induced NF-κB signaling can occur through classical and alternative activation pathways, and that CAM inhibits these two pathways.

Liquid chromatography incorporating ultraviolet and electrochemical analyses for dual detection of zeranol and zearalenone metabolites in mouldy grains.

BACKGROUND: Zeranol (Z) is a semi-synthetic mycotoxin that is used in some countries as a growth-promoting agent in livestock. In view of the known oestrogenic actions by Z and certain Z analogues, significant concerns exist with regard to the presence of Z residues in human foods and the potential for untoward effects, including carcinogenicity within the reproductive system. In order to confirm that foods are free from harmful Z residues, regulators need a quick and reliable analytical method that can be used for routine confirmation of Z-positive samples identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screening. In this study the authors have developed and validated a simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography method incorporating ultraviolet (UV) absorbance (wavelength 274 nm) and electrochemical (EC) dual-mode detection for simultaneous determination of Z-related mycotoxins produced from mouldy grain matrices, including rice, soybean and corn flakes. RESULTS: Recoveries for all analytes were around 80% and the limits of detection ranged from 10 to 25 ng mL(-1) for UV and from 50 to 90 ng mL(-1) for EC detection with good accuracy and reproducibility. Differential profiles and occurrence rates of Z, ß-zearalenol, ß-zearalanol and α-zearalenol in naturally moulded grain matrices were observed, indicating different metabolite patterns and possibly grain-specific effects of mycotoxin exposure for humans and animals. The strength of this dual detection method lies in its selectivity characterised by a carbon screen-printed electrode such that aflatoxin interference is precluded. CONCLUSION: The combined dual detection technique affords quick and reliable semi-confirmative and quantitative information on multiple types of Z analogues in mouldy grains without the necessity of using expensive mass spectrometry. The method is considered a superior supplement to ELISA, which only screens total Z immunoreactivity.

Structural and biological characterization of mastoparans in the venom of Vespa species in Taiwan.

Mastoparans, a family of small peptides, are isolated from the wasp venom. In this study, six mastoparans were identified in the venom of six Vespa species in Taiwan. The precursors of these mastoparans are composed of N-terminal signal sequence, prosequence, mature mastoparan, and appendix glycine at C-terminus. These mature mastoparans all have characteristic features of linear cationic peptides rich in hydrophobic and basic amino acids without disulfide bond. Therefore, these peptides could be predicted to adopt an amphipathic α-helical secondary structure. In fact, the CD (circular dichroism) spectra of these peptides show a high content α-helical conformation in the presence of 8 mM SDS or 40% 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE). All mastoparans exhibit mast cell degranulation activity, antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria tested, various degree of hemolytic activity on chicken, human, and sheep erythrocytes as well as membrane permeabilization on Escherichia coli BL21. Our results also show that the hemolytic activity of mastoparans is correlated to mean hydrophobicity and mean hydrophobic moment.

Dermatophytic pseudomycetomas in four cats.

The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the clinical characteristics and treatment of four cats with dermatophytic pseudomycetoma. Four Persian cats, one female and three males, with age ranging from 1.4 to 5 years, were diagnosed with dermatophytic pseudomycetoma by histological examination and fungal culture. Wood's lamp examination revealed positive fluorescence of hairs in all four cats. Characteristic skin lesions consisted of multifocal, raised, firm and nodular to dome-shaped lesions varying in size from 1 to 8 cm in diameter, with ulcers or fistulas in some of the lesions. One cat was treated and cured with 3 months of oral itraconazole; lesions completely regressed, and at the time of writing there has been no recurrence. One cat was treated with surgical excision alone, and recurrence of lesions occurred after a disease-free interval of 15 months. Two cats were treated with surgical excision and systemic itraconazole therapy. Itraconazole therapy was started 1-2 months before surgery and continued for 3 months after surgery. Surgical margins were wide in both cats, and underlying adipose tissue and/or deeper fascia was removed. One cat relapsed, but had a disease-free interval of 18 months. The other cat has been disease free for 32 months. This case series suggests that aggressive, wide surgical excision and concurrent oral itraconazole are highly beneficial in treating dermatophytic pseudomycetoma in cats.