Tunable Photon Statistics Exploiting the Fano Effect in a Waveguide.

A strong optical nonlinearity arises when coherent light is scattered by a semiconductor quantum dot coupled to a nanophotonic waveguide. We exploit the Fano effect in such a waveguide to control the phase of the quantum interference underpinning the nonlinearity, experimentally demonstrating a tunable quantum optical filter which converts a coherent input state into either a bunched or an antibunched nonclassical output state. We show theoretically that the generation of nonclassical light is predicated on the formation of a two-photon bound state due to the interaction of the input coherent state with the quantum dot. Our model demonstrates that the tunable photon statistics arise from the dependence of the sign of two-photon interference (either constructive or destructive) on the detuning of the input relative to the Fano resonance.

Electro-mechanical control of an on-chip optical beam splitter containing an embedded quantum emitter.

We demonstrate electro-mechanical control of an on-chip GaAs optical beam splitter containing a quantum dot single-photon source. The beam splitter consists of two nanobeam waveguides, which form a directional coupler (DC). The splitting ratio of the DC is controlled by varying the out-of-plane separation of the two waveguides using electromechanical actuation. We reversibly tune the beam splitter between an initial state, with emission into both output arms, and a final state with photons emitted into a single output arm. The device represents a compact and scalable tuning approach for use in III-V semiconductor integrated quantum optical circuits.

Tuning Nonlinear Mechanical Mode Coupling in GaAs Nanowires Using Cross-Section Morphology Control.

We investigate the nonlinear mechanical properties of GaAs nanowires with anisotropic cross-section. Fundamental and second order flexural modes are studied using laser interferometry with good agreement found between experiment and theory describing the nonlinear response under mechanical excitation. In particular, we demonstrate that the sign of the nonlinear coupling between orthogonal modes is dependent on the cross-section aspect ratio. The findings are of interest for applications such as amplitude to frequency conversion and vectorial force sensing.

Homogeneous array of nanowire-embedded quantum light emitters.

The potential for scale-up coupled with minimized system size is likely to be a major determining factor in the realization of applicable quantum information systems. Nanofabrication technology utilizing the III-V semiconductor system provides a path to scalable quantum bit (qubit) integration and a materials platform with combined electronic/photonic functionality. Here, we address the key requirement of qubit-site and emission energy control for scale-up by demonstrating uniform arrays of III-V nanowires, where each nanowire contains a single quantum dot. Optical studies of single nanowire quantum dots reveal narrow linewidth exciton and biexciton emission and clear state-filling at higher powers. Individual nanowire quantum dots are shown to emit nonclassically with clear evidence of photon antibunching. A model is developed to explain unexpectedly large excited state separations as revealed by photoluminescence emission spectra. From measurements of more than 40 nanowire quantum dots, we find emission energies with an ensemble broadening of 15 meV. The combination of deterministic site control and the narrow distribution in ensemble emission energy results in a system readily capable of scaling for multiqubit quantum information applications.

Diagnostic exercise: generalized alopecia and mural folliculitis in a goat.

An 18-month-old cross-bred goat was presented with generalized erythema and thinning of the hair coat, as well as localized moderate scaling. Histopathological evaluation of skin biopsies showed hyperplasia and marked disruption of the infundibular epithelium owing to a predominant infiltrate of macrophages with multinucleated histiocytic giant cells and some lymphocytes, plasma cells, and eosinophils. Examination of peripheral blood and skin by polymerase chain reaction gave positive results for ovine herpesvirus type 2 consistent with a diagnosis of malignant catarrhal fever.

Quantitative real-time RT-PCR measurement of cytokine mRNA expression in the skin of normal cats and cats with allergic skin disease.

Feline allergic skin disease is thought to be associated with dermal infiltration of Th(2) lymphocytes and synthesis of associated cytokines. In this study, real-time RT-PCR assays were developed to measure feline interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL12 (p35 and p40), IL-18, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA in the skin of healthy control cats, and in the lesional and non-lesional skin of cats with allergic skin disease. Total RNA was extracted from skin biopsies using the RNeasy Mini Kit with on-column and in-solution DNase digestion steps. cDNA was synthesised using Improm-II reverse transcriptase and random hexamers. Real-time PCR was carried out using an iCycler IQ system (Bio-Rad), and gene-specific primers were designed to span an exon/exon junction of each cytokine gene. Taq-man probes were used to add specificity to the system. Messenger RNA from the housekeeping gene GAPDH was used for normalisation of the cytokine threshold cycle. The eleven cytokine mRNA transcripts quantified were present at varying levels, but there was no apparent difference in expression between normal, non-lesional and lesional skin. TGF-beta represented the most abundant transcript while IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18 and TNF-alpha were present at levels approximately 1000-fold less. IL-2 and INF-gamma represented the least abundant templates with no detectable copies in most RNA samples. This quantitative analysis of cytokine mRNA expression in feline skin biopsies has suggested that there is not a simple Th(2) bias in lesional skin of cats with allergic dermatopathies.

Ulcerative vulvitis and balanitis in sheep flocks.

Outbreaks of ulcerative vulvitis and balanitis occurred in three commercial sheep flocks in England and Wales. Between 29 and 44 per cent of the ewes were affected; most of the lesions resolved in three weeks. Pathogens such as mycoplasmas, which have previously been associated with these conditions, were not detected despite using improved laboratory techniques. In one of the flocks, ovine herpesvirus type 2 was detected by pcr in the blood of two acutely affected ewes, from the vulval ulcers of one of them, and from the penis of an affected ram.

Characterization of inflammatory cell infiltration in feline allergic skin disease.

Sixteen cats with allergic dermatitis and six control cats with no skin disease were examined. Lymphoid and histiocytic cells in skin sections were examined immunohistochemically and mast cells were identified by toluidine blue staining. The 16 allergic cats showed one or more of several features (alopecia, eosinophilic plaques or granulomas, papulocrusting lesions), and histopathological findings were diverse. In control cats there were no cells that expressed IgM or MAC387, a few that were immunolabelled for IgG, IgA or CD3, and moderate numbers of mast cells. In allergic cats, positively labelled inflammatory cells were generally more numerous in lesional than in non-lesional skin sections, and were particularly associated with the superficial dermis and perifollicular areas. There were low numbers of plasma cells expressing cytoplasmic immunoglobulin; moderate numbers of MHC II-, MAC387- and CD3-positive cells; and moderate to numerous mast cells. MHC class II expression was associated with inflammatory cells morphologically consistent with dermal dendritic cells and macrophages, and epidermal Langerhans cells. Dendritic cells expressing MHC class II were usually associated with an infiltrate of CD3 lymphocytes, suggesting that these cells participate in maintenance of the local immune response by presenting antigen to T lymphocytes. These findings confirm that feline allergic skin disease is characterized by infiltration of activated antigen-presenting cells and T lymphocytes in addition to increased numbers of dermal mast cells. This pattern mimics the dermal inflammation that occurs in the chronic phase of both canine and human atopic dermatitis.

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus infection of alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in the UK.

Three alpacas (Vicugna pacos) aged two to 22 months with a history of illthrift and diarrhoea were examined postmortem, and tissues were collected for histology, including immunohistochemical labelling for pestivirus antigen, virus isolation and TaqMan reverse transcriptase-pcr assay. Blood samples from two clinical cases and the remaining herd members were tested for bovine viral diarrhoea virus (bvdv) antibody by serum neutralisation, antigen detection and pcr assay. The three affected alpacas were positive for bvdv by pcr of splenic tissue and/or heparinised blood. Non-cytopathic bvdv was isolated from several tissues and plasma of two of the alpacas. dna sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the viral genome from the pcr product showed that the bvdv was of subgenotype 1b. Immunohistochemical examination of brain tissue was positive in two cases, consistent with a persistent infection. bvdv antibodies were detected in 16 of 25 clinically unaffected alpacas. There was no evidence of persistent infection in the in-contact animals. The source of the infection was not determined.

The changing face of fractures of the hip in Northern Ireland: a 15-year review.

AIMS: We reviewed all patients who sustained a fracture of the hip and were treated in Northern Ireland over a period of 15 years to identify trends in incidence, the demographics of the patients, the rates of mortality, the configuration of the fracture and the choice of implant. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Since 01 January 2001 data about every fracture of the hip sustained in an adult have been collected centrally in Northern Ireland. All adults with such a fracture between 2000 and 2015 were included in the study. Temporal changes in their demographics, the mode of treatment, and outcomes including mortality were analysed. RESULTS: The incidence of fractures of the hip, in Northern Ireland, rose from 54 in 100 000 in 2000 to 86 in 100 000 in 2015. If these trends continue, we predict this rising to 128 in 100 000 in 2030. We found that these patients are becoming older and increasingly frail, as assessed by the American Association of Anesthesiology grade. Complex extracapsular fractures have become more common since 2009, which may explain the increased use of cephalomedullary nails. Despite increasing frailty, the 30-day and 12-month rates of mortality fell significantly (p = 0.002 and 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Fractures of the hip are becoming more common and more complex in an aging, increasingly frail population. We expect these trends to continue. This will place an increasing economic and clinical strain on healthcare systems. Forward planning is essential to put systems in place that can deal with the increasing demand. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1223-31.

Postal survey of the population of South American camelids in the United Kingdom in 2000/01.

The members of the two leading British camelid breeders associations were surveyed by means of a postal questionnaire between December 2000 and January 2001; 696 questionnaires were posted and 218 usable responses were returned. A total of 3520 camelids were recorded, of which 2719 (77.2 per cent) were alpacas (Lama pacos) and 726 (20.6 per cent) were llamas (Lama glama). Ninety-four per cent of the camelid herds were of one species, and 70 per cent of the animals were kept for more than one purpose. Camelids imported from South America were present on 45 per cent of the units surveyed. Husbandry procedures and preventive health measures were uniform; 92.2 per cent of the animals were kept on pasture all year round, 99 per cent were supplemented with hay and 97.7 per cent with concentrate feed; 88.1 per cent were vaccinated against clostridial disease with a multivalent vaccine licensed for sheep, and 96.3 per cent were treated periodically with anthelmintic drugs. During 2000, ill health, other than dermatological conditions, was reported by 24.3 of respondents, and 32 different conditions were described. Skin disease was reported by 51 per cent of breeders. Zinc deficiency was diagnosed presumptively as the cause of skin disease by 31.9 per cent of the respondents, and ectoparasitism by 26.4 per cent. Of those who treated a skin condition, 71.9 per cent reported an improvement, but less than half of them considered the improvement to have been permanent.

Measurement of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) specific for house dust mite antigens in normal cats and cats with allergic skin disease.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether cats with allergic skin disease have significant concentrations of serum Immunoglobulin E (IgE) specific for antigens derived from the house dust mites (HDM) Dermatophagoides farinae (DF) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were developed for this purpose. Binding of serum allergen-specific IgE was detected via the use of biotinylated Fc-epsilon receptor alpha chain protein (FcvarepsilonRIalpha). Following optimisation of the assay, serum samples from 59 cats with allergic skin disease and 54 clinically normal cats were screened. Results were expressed as ELISA units per ml (EU/ml) compared to a standard curve. Serological findings were correlated with the clinical presentation of affected cats. Cats with symptoms of feline allergic skin disease were grouped as follows: self-induced alopecia without lesions (group 1), papulocrusting dermatitis (group 2), eosinophilic granuloma complex (group 3), papular/ulcerative dermatitis of head and neck/facial dermatitis (group 4), and a combination of symptoms (group 5). Control normal cats comprised the final group (group 6). The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analysis. There was no significant difference between groups for DF- and DP-specific IgE concentrations with a p-value of 0.875 and 0.705, respectively. Although the FcvarepsilonRIalpha-based ELISA was able to detect house dust mite-specific feline IgE, the presence of this allergen-specific IgE correlates poorly with the presence of clinical manifestations of allergic skin disease. The results of this study question the clinical relevance of house dust mite-specific IgE in feline allergic skin disease.

Comparative study of the efficacy of eprinomectin versus ivermectin, and field efficacy of eprinomectin only, for the treatment of chorioptic mange in alpacas.

The efficacy of eprinomectin versus ivermectin (Study 1: a single-centre, randomised, treatment-controlled, blinded field trial), and the field efficacy of eprinomectin (Study 2: a single-centre, open, un-controlled field trial) for the treatment of chorioptic infestation in naturally infested alpacas were assessed in two studies. Thirty alpacas, all positive for Chorioptes sp. mite, were randomly allocated to two treatment groups in Study 1. Group A received a single topical administration of a 0.5% formulation of eprinomectin at the dose rate of 500mug/kg. Group B received three subcutaneous administrations at 14 days interval of a 1% formulation of ivermectin at the dose rate of 400mug/kg. Response to treatment was assessed by periodic mite count, and skin lesions scored. In Study 2, one group of 19 alpacas received four administrations at weekly interval of topical eprinomectin at the dose rate of 500mug/kg, and response to treatment was monitored by mite counts. No localised or systemic side effects were observed in either trial. There was a statistically significant decrease in mite counts on day 7 (P<0.001) within treatment Groups A and B of Study 1, but mite counts increased again on day 14 and remained high for the duration of the trial in both treatment groups. On day 14 of Study 2, there was a statistically significant reduction in mite counts (P<0.008) and the mite counts remained very low throughout the remainder of the study. The eprinomectin protocol employed in Study 2, consisting of four weekly topical administrations at the dose rate of 500mug/kg of body weight, proved highly effective at reducing the Chorioptes mite burden in alpacas.

Rupture of the tibialis posterior tendon: an important differential in the assessment of ankle injuries.

Rupture of the tibialis posterior tendon can be missed. We report a case of posterior tibialis tendon rupture that, owing to misdiagnosis, resulted in a significant foot deformity requiring arthrodesis for chronic pain.

Differential superoxide anion generation by equine eosinophils and neutrophils.

Equine eosinophils and neutrophils are believed to play an important part in the protection of horses against parasitic and bacterial invasion. Eosinophils may also play a key role in the pathogenesis of equine inflammatory conditions such as the allergic skin disease, insect hypersensitivity. The factors which stimulate the respiratory burst of equine eosinophils and neutrophils are poorly understood. The first aim of the present study was to determine the effects of the phorbol ester, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), which is believed to activate intracellular protein kinase C, and opsonised particles of serum-treated zymosan (STZ), on the production of superoxide anions by equine eosinophils and neutrophils. Since histamine has been detected after antigen challenge in the skin of horses with insect hypersensitivity, the second aim was to establish the effects of this mediator on superoxide anion production by equine eosinophils and the receptor sub-type(s) that mediate histamine-induced responses. For comparison, responses of neutrophils from the same horses were also examined. PMA and STZ induced significant increases in superoxide anion generation by equine eosinophils and neutrophils. The estimated maximum (EMAX) superoxide anion production by eosinophils in the presence of PMA was significantly greater than that of neutrophils; the estimated concentration of PMA inducing 50% of the maximum response (EC50) by eosinophils was significantly less. The EMAX values for superoxide anion production by neutrophils in the presence of STZ were significantly greater than those for eosinophils. Histamine induced superoxide anion generation by equine eosinophils which was inhibited by the histamine-1 receptor antagonists chlorpheniramine and mepyramine, but not the histamine-2 and histamine-3 receptor antagonists, cimetidine and thioperamide, respectively. Histamine did not cause superoxide anion production by equine neutrophils. These studies demonstrate that equine granulocytes vary in their ability to produce a respiratory burst in the presence of different stimuli, with eosinophils being more responsive to protein kinase C activators and neutrophils to opsonised particles. They also show that histamine selectively induced the generation of superoxide anions by equine eosinophils via histamine-1 receptor activation. Thus, in horses with insect hypersensitivity, histamine released from cutaneous mast cells after antigen challenge could activate eosinophils which have migrated into the dermis.

Platelet activating factor mimics antigen-induced cutaneous inflammatory responses in sweet itch horses.

Hypersensitivity responses to biting flies such as Culicoides are believed to be the cause of sweet itch, a seasonal intensely pruritic skin condition of horses. Little is known about the mediators released by antigen in the skin of affected horses. In the present study the cutaneous vascular and cellular responses to intradermally injected platelet activating factor (PAF) have been characterised in sweet itch cases during the active phase of the disease and compared with those of Culicoides antigen extract. Histamine was used as a positive control in vascular permeability studies. Responses were also examined in 4 of the 5 sweet itch cases during the inactive phase of the disease. Normal ponies were used as controls. PAF-induced increases in vascular permeability that were dose-related (0.001-1 micrograms per site) and of a similar magnitude in sweet itch and normal animals. Antigen (0.5-50 micrograms per site) also caused dose-related wheal formation in sweet itch cases during the active, but not the inactive, phase of the disease. This effect was biphasic, with maximal responses occurring at 1 and 8 h. An increase in vascular permeability occurred in normal ponies only after administration of the highest dose of antigen tested. Interestingly, histamine (0.02 micrograms per site) induced wheals were significantly smaller in the affected, compared with the normal, group, both during the active and inactive phases. PAF and antigen caused neutrophil accumulation in the skin of sweet itch and normal animals during both the active and inactive phases of the disease. Eosinophil recruitment was also observed but only in the affected group and, in the case of PAF, during the active, but not the inactive, phase. Antigen additionally caused the accumulation of mononuclear cells in the skin of sweet itch cases during the active phase, PAF induced a small increase in mononuclear cell numbers in these animals but the increase was not statistically significant. These findings demonstrate that PAF mimics the effects of Culicoides antigen during the active phase of the disease. Hence, PAF, like histamine, may play a role in the pathogenesis of antigen-induced responses in the skin of sweet itch horses.

Agonist-induced adherence of equine eosinophils to fibronectin.

Eosinophils are believed to play an important part in the pathogenesis of equine diseases such as helminth infestation and the allergic skin disease, sweet itch. It has been shown that adherence of human eosinophils to the connective tissue matrix protein fibronectin enhances cell activation and survival time. If adherence causes similar changes in the properties of equine eosinophils, cell-induced tissue damage at a site of parasitic infestation or allergic response would be exacerbated. However, investigation of this hypothesis requires identification of mediators that cause equine eosinophil adherence. Since the equivalent recombinant equine proteins were not available, the present study reports the effects of recombinant human (rh) C5a and IL-5 on the adherence of equine peripheral blood eosinophils (EPBEs) to fibronectin in vitro. The effects of LTB4 and PAF on EPBE adherence to fibronectin were also examined and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) was used as a positive control. PMA caused a dose-related increase in EPBE adherence to fibronectin-coated plastic. In comparison, rh C5a produced a much smaller response which was only evident at the highest dose tested. On the other hand, rhIL-5 induced a small, but significant dose-related increase in EPBE adherence. Moreover, this response was in part dependent on the beta 1 integrin Very Late Antigen-4 (VLA4). Since adherence to serum-coated plastic was also increased by IL-5, beta 2 integrins may be activated and/or up-regulated on EPBEs by the cytokine. Neither LTB4 nor PAF caused EPBE adherence to fibronectin but prior incubation with these mediators increased the response of cells to IL-5. There were no differences between the responses of EPBEs isolated from horses with clinical signs of sweet itch and normal animals. Thus, whilst up-regulation of IL-5-induced adherence may occur locally in tissues in vivo, it does not appear to take place in the circulation. Finally, C5a, PAF and LTB4, but not IL-5, caused equine neutrophil adherence to fibronectin demonstrating the different responses of granulocytes to these mediators. The results obtained in the present study have shown that mediators which may be released at sites of inflammatory or allergic reactions can induce or enhance eosinophil adherence to tissue matrix protein. Thus, these mediators can now be used in future studies to determine if cell adherence may alter eosinophil activation or survival time.

Comparison of intradermal and serum testing for allergen-specific IgE using a Fcepsilon RIalpha-based assay in atopic dogs in the UK.

Atopic dermatitis in dogs is a common allergic skin disease that affects substantial numbers of dogs in the UK. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of an intradermal test (IDT) and an in vitro test in a large cohort of dogs. Dogs were intradermal tested with Greer allergens (Greer Labs Inc, Lenoir, NC, USA) using standard techniques. At the same time blood samples were drawn and submitted for evaluation by ELISA using the ALLERCEPT Definitive Allergen Panels for allergen-specific IgE, a commercial assay that uses a biotinylated recombinant extracellular domain of the high affinity Fc-epsilon receptor alpha chain protein (Fcepsilon RIalpha). The allergens used in the two tests included grass, tree and weed pollens, moulds, flea saliva/whole flea extract and house dust mite species. The optical density readings from the ELISA for each allergen were compared with the results of the IDT for 265 dogs. The prevalence of positive reactions in the ELISA was equal to or greater than the results of the IDT in the case of almost all of the allergens, but two notable exceptions were the house dust mites Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. These two allergens were the most common positive reactions by IDT (prevalence D. farinae 78.9%, D. pteronyssinus 66.4%). The results of the two tests were significantly different (McNemar's test, P<0.05) for 16 of the 22 allergens. The sensitivities of the ELISA compared to the IDT (where there were more than 3 dogs with positive reactions in both tests) varied between 19.3 and 77.1% (D. pteronyssinus 19.3% and D. farinae 67.9%) and the specificities varied between 64.2 and 96.6% (D. pteronyssinus 96.6% and D. farinae 89.3%).

Serum IgE and IgG responses to food antigens in normal and atopic dogs, and dogs with gastrointestinal disease.

In human food allergy, with or without concurrent atopy, there may be significant increases in serum allergen-specific IgE. Serological methods have been tried but are not currently recommended for diagnosis of suspected food allergy in dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate humoral immune responses to food antigens in dogs. Serum IgG and IgE antibodies specific for food antigens were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using polyclonal anti-dog IgG and IgE reagents. Antigens tested were beef, chicken, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, white fish, whole egg, wheat, soybean, barley, rice, maize corn, potato, yeast and cow's milk. Three groups were examined: normal dogs, dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD); and dogs with one of four types of gastrointestinal (GI) disease: small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), food-responsive disease, and infectious diarrhoea. Statistically significant differences in food-specific antibodies were not detected between the GI subgroups. There were statistically significant differences in the IgE concentration between the normal dogs, and dogs with atopic or GI disease, for all of the antigens tested. There were statistically significant differences in the average IgG concentrations between the normal dogs, and dogs with atopic or GI disease, for all of the antigens tested, except egg and yeast. The relationship of antigen responses for pooled data was analysed using principle component analysis and cluster plots. Some clustering of variables was apparent for both IgE and IgG. For example, all dogs (normal and diseased) made a similar IgG antibody response to chicken and turkey. Compared with other groups, atopic dogs had more food allergen-specific IgE and this would be consistent with a Th(2) humoral response to food antigens. Dogs with GI disease had more food allergen-specific IgG compared with the other groups. This may reflect increased antigen exposure due to increased mucosal permeability which is a recognised feature of canine intestinal disease.

Molecular cloning and phylogenetic analysis of a cDNA encoding the cat (Felis domesticus) Ig epsilon constant region.

A feline splenic cDNA library was screened with a (32)P-labelled cDNA probe encoding the canine IgE epsilon heavy chain subunit. A cDNA sequence of 1614 nucleotides encoding the complete feline IgE heavy chain, as well as a portion of a variable region, was identified. A search of the GenBank database revealed an identity of 82% at the nucleotide level and 76% at the amino acid level between the feline epsilon heavy chain sequence and the canine homologue. In a separate study, feline genomic DNA, isolated from whole feline embryo cells, was subjected to PCR amplification using primers based on known partial genomic DNA sequences for the feline C epsilon gene. Following removal of an intron from the 683 bp PCR product, the coding sequence yielded an ORF of 506 bp. The DNA sequence of this PCR clone differed by a single nucleotide from the cDNA clone. This difference is silent, and therefore the proteins encoded by the two sequences are identical over the regions cloned and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the constant regions of nine immunoglobulin epsilon genes revealed that the feline cDNA is most similar to the canine homologue.