Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: G. Moran Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Austral University of Chile, Valdivia, Chile Author-Name: H. Folch Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Medicine, Austral University of Chile, Valdivia, Chile Title: Recurrent airway obstruction in horses - an allergic inflammation: a review Abstract: Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), also known as heaves, is a debilitating and incurable disease of the equine airway. Affected horses develop bronchoconstriction and neutrophilic airway inflammation as a result of exposure to specific airborne irritants and allergens such as hay mould and barn dust. Clinical signs of RAO include exercise intolerance, coughing, nostril flare and abdominal push related to respiratory effort. Evidence suggests that both the innate and acquired immune response contribute to the activation of inflammatory cells resulting in type I hypersensitivity and type III hypersensitivity reactions with an increased expression of Th1- and Th2-cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, receptors and release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The regulation of inflammatory gene expression in RAO-affected horses is dependent on the binding of transcription factors such as Nuclear factor-(kappa)B (NF-kB), activator protein-1 (AP-1) and the cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) to the promoter region of target genes. In chronic disease an increased number of mucous-producing cells and increased amounts of stored mucins are observed in conjunction with other characteristics of airway tissue remodelling. In this review the findings related to the inflammatory and immunologic response in RAO-affected horses will be presented, and this information will be integrated into existing concepts of immunopathologic mechanisms. Keywords: RAO, horses, cytokines, immune response, airway inflammation Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 1-13 Volume: 56 Issue: 1 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/1566-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/1566-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201101-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:56:y:2011:i:1:id:1566-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: C.F. Agudelo Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Scheer Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Tomenendalova Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Tomenendalova J: How to approach the QT interval in dogs - the state of the heart: a review Abstract: The QT interval has been the objective of exhaustive attention in the past and also in recent times. A number of conditions, congenital and acquired, can have a direct effect on cardiac repolarization. Also drug regulatory agencies have showed increasing interest in the topic because certain drugs can prolong the QT interval to a level that produces ventricular arrhythmias. The dog is a species that shares some similarities with the human electrical system and has been used in human and veterinary research. We here present the current recommendations for QT measurement in dogs for use in clinical and experimental practice. Keywords: electrocardiography, QT interval, repolarization, dogs Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 14-22 Volume: 56 Issue: 1 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/1569-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/1569-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201101-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:56:y:2011:i:1:id:1569-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: B. Habrun Author-Workplace-Name: Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: I. Racic Author-Workplace-Name: Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: G. Kompes Author-Workplace-Name: Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: S. Spicic Author-Workplace-Name: Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: M. Benic Author-Workplace-Name: Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: Z. Mihaljevic Author-Workplace-Name: Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: Z. Cvetnic Author-Workplace-Name: Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia Title: The antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence factors of Bacillus anthracis strains isolated in Croatia Abstract: Bacillus anthracis can infect both livestock and humans. The importance of the treatment of the disease in humans has been underscored by the bioterrorism events of 2001 in the United States. The presence of PA and B/C genes (pX01 and pX02 plasmids) as well as susceptibility to several antimicrobial substances was determined in 11 strains of Bacillus anthracis isolated during two recent epizooties of anthrax which occurred in Croatia in 2002 among sheep and in 2006/2007 in cattle. The pX01 plasmid was observed in all of the examined strains, including vaccinal Sterne strains. However, the pX02 plasmid was detected in only eight out of eleven examined field strains of Bacillus anthracis while in vaccinal strains it was not detected at. Determination of MIC's revealed susceptibility to amoxicillin, amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and tetracycline. All strains were resistant to sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim and cefotaxime. Keywords: Bacillus anthracis, antimicrobial susceptibility, virulence factors Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 23-28 Volume: 56 Issue: 1 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/1570-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/1570-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201101-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:56:y:2011:i:1:id:1570-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Gabinaitiene Author-Workplace-Name: Lithuanian Health Science University, Veterinary Academy, Kaunas, Lithuania Author-Name: J. Siugzdaite Author-Workplace-Name: Lithuanian Health Science University, Veterinary Academy, Kaunas, Lithuania Author-Name: H. Zilinskas Author-Workplace-Name: Lithuanian Health Science University, Veterinary Academy, Kaunas, Lithuania Author-Name: R. Siugzda Author-Workplace-Name: Lithuanian Health Science University, Medical Academy, Kaunas, Lithuania Author-Name: S. Petkevicius Author-Workplace-Name: Lithuanian Health Science University, Veterinary Academy, Kaunas, Lithuania Title: Mycoplasma bovis and bacterial pathogens in the bovine respiratory tract Abstract: Bovine respiratory disease caused by Mycoplasma bovis is a major health problem of cattle worldwide. It inflicts considerable financial losses on beef herds and is the most common cause of mortality in dairy cattle. Bacteriological examination of 35 nasal cavity samples from calves younger than three months of age identified Mycoplasma bovis in eight (22.9%) samples. These cattle were followed until 17 months of age, and repeated examination of nasal cavity samples before necropsy identified Mycoplasma bovis in four (11.4%) samples. At necropsy and lung samples for bacteriological and histological examination were collected. To identify microorganisms from the Mollicutes class isolated from the nasal cavities of cattle we used the PCR method. Furthermore, Mycoplasma bovis was identified on the grounds of biochemical characteristics and by the disk growth inhibition test. The organism was found in 5.7% of calves younger than three months of age in combination with Pasteurella spp. Mycoplasma bovis in combination with Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica was isolated from 5.7% and 2.9% of cattle at 17 months. However, Pasteurella multocida was common in cattle at 17 months and Mannheimia haemolytica was isolated from both age groups of cattle. Histopathological examination of lung samples revealed broncho-interstitial pneumonia in 14.3% of samples. Mycoplasma bovis was isolated from 60.0% of broncho-insterstitial pneumonia cases. The organism was isolated more frequently from the group of calves rather than from the cattle group (P < 0.05). The most common bacterial agents were Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica. Keywords: cattle, bacteria, mycoplasma, respiratory tract Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 29-35 Volume: 56 Issue: 1 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/1572-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/1572-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201101-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:56:y:2011:i:1:id:1572-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Kuzinski Author-Workplace-Name: Research Unit Nutritional Physiology "Oskar Kellner", Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany Author-Name: R. Zitnan Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Production Research Centre Nitra, Institute of Nutrition, Division Kosice, Slovak Republic Author-Name: T. Viergutz Author-Workplace-Name: Research Unit Reproductive Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany Author-Name: J. Legath Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovak Republic Author-Name: M. Schweigel Author-Workplace-Name: Research Unit Nutritional Physiology "Oskar Kellner", Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany Title: Altered Na+/K+-ATPase expression plays a role in rumen epithelium adaptation in sheep fed hay ad libitum or a mixed hay/concentrate diet Abstract: In this study we investigated rumen papillae morphology and the localization and expression of theNa+/K+-ATPase in eight sheep fed hay ad libitum (h) or hay ad libitum plus additional concentrate (h/c). Four sheep were provided with the ad libitum h-diet for the complete three-week experimental period. The second group of four sheep received the h-diet for only one week and was fed the mixed hay/concentrate (h/c) diet for another two weeks. The amount of concentrate supplement was stepwise increased from 150 to 1000 g/day and given in two meals. Following slaughter rumen papillae from the atrium ruminis (AR), the rumen ventralis (RV) and the ventral blind sac (BSV) were fixed and examined for morphological changes and Na+/K+-ATPase localization by morphometric methods and immunohistochemistry. Ruminal epithelial cells (REC) originating from the strata basale to granulosum were also isolated. Cellular Na+/K+-ATPase expression (mRNA and protein) and differentiation state were determined by RT-PCR, Western blot, and flow cytometry. Compared with data from h-fed sheep, morphometric analysis revealed an increased length and width of rumen papillae in h/c-fed sheep, resulting in a marked 41% and 62% increase in rumen papillae surface in AR and RV, respectively. The rumen mucosa of h/c-fed sheep was characterized by a predominant stratum corneum (42 ± 0.7 µm vs. 28 ± 0.5 µm), but the thickness of the metabolically active cell layers remained unchanged. REC suspensions from sheep fed the h/c diet generally contained more cells (7.30 ± 0.83 vs. 3.49 ± 0.52 × 107/ml; P < 0.001) and an increased proportion of REC positive for basal cytokeratin and for the differentiation marker cytokeratin 10 (P < 0.05). Cellular (cell membrane) and epithelial (stratum basale to stratum granulosum) Na+/K+-ATPase localization was similar between rumen regions and was not changed by concentrate feeding. After two weeks on the h/c-diet, a 96% increase in the absolute number of Na+/K+-ATPase-positive REC (6.56 ± 0.84 vs. 3.35 ± 0.51 × 107/ml; P = 0.003) and a 61% elevation (P = 0.043) in Na+/K+-ATPase protein expression in REC from the upper third of the suprabasal cell layers were found. Moreover, a two-fold (P = 0.001) elevation in cell membrane surface area accompanied by a reduction (1.19 × 10-7 ± 1.72 × 10-9 arbitrary units (AU)/cm2 vs. 1.73 × 10-7 ± 8.16 × 10-9 AU/cm2 in the h-group; P < 0.001) in specific Na+/K+-ATPase fluorescence per cm2 of cell membrane surface area was observed after h/c-feeding. Na+/K+-ATPase α subunit mRNA expression was also reduced (P < 0.0001) from 0.154 ± 0.013 to 0.057 ± 0.004 pg per pg S18 mRNA control in the h/c-compared with the h-group. Thus, the h/c-diet led to a rapid increase in REC number and total cell membrane surface area in metabolically active and resorptive cell layers and was accompanied by a reduction in Na+/K+-ATPase mRNA expression and abundance per cell membrane surface area. Keywords: sheep, rumen epithelial cells, transport protein, ruminal mucosa morphology, metabolizable energy Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 36-48 Volume: 56 Issue: 1 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/1571-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/1571-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201101-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:56:y:2011:i:1:id:1571-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: C.M. Santos Author-Workplace-Name: Rio de Janeiro Federal Rural University (UFRRJ), Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Author-Name: M. Abidu-Figueiredo Author-Workplace-Name: Rio de Janeiro Federal Rural University (UFRRJ), Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Author-Name: M.J. Teixeira Author-Workplace-Name: Rio de Janeiro Federal Rural University (UFRRJ), Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Author-Name: A.A. Nascimento Author-Workplace-Name: Rio de Janeiro Federal Rural University (UFRRJ), Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Author-Name: A. Sales Author-Workplace-Name: Rio de Janeiro Federal Rural University (UFRRJ), Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Title: Light microscopic and immunohistochemical study of the trachea of the broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the tracheal structure of the crocodile Caiman latirostris using light microscopy, histochemical and immunocytochemical techniques. The tracheal epithelium of C. latirostris consists of a ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with goblet cells. The respiratory epithelium also includes endocrine cells immunoreactive to serotonin. The histochemical techniques demonstrated the presence of neutral and sulphated mucins secreted by goblet cells. The lamina propria consists of connective tissue with many reticular fibres. The elastic fibres are interspersed among collagen bundles, forming the border between the mucosa and the submucosa. The submucosal layer consists of connective tissue similar to that found in the lamina propria. Serous or mucous glands were not observed. The predominant characteristic in the adventitia is the presence of an incomplete hyaline cartilage ring, in the form of a circle. Dense connective tissue fills the space between the extremities of each cartilage ring. Serotonin-immunoreactive cells frequently had an apical cytoplasmic process directed towards the lumen, and were therefore classified as open type. The α-actin immunohistochemistry revealed smooth muscle cells only in blood vessel walls, confirming the absence of a tracheal muscle. Keywords: reptiles, morphology, respiratory tract Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 49-54 Volume: 56 Issue: 1 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/1568-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/1568-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201101-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:56:y:2011:i:1:id:1568-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Domoslawska Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: A. Jurczak Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: T. Janowski Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland Title: A one-foetus pregnancy monitored by ultrasonography and progesterone blood levels in a German Shepherd bitch: a case report Abstract: This case study describes the pregnancy of a German Shepherd bitch with a singleton (one puppy) litter as a result of early embryo resorption. Resorption was confirmed by ultrasonography and the pregnancy was regularly monitored by USG and measurements of progesterone levels until parturition. These levels stayed within the physiological range. One healthy puppy was delivered within the timeframe of a physiological pregnancy although the inner chorionic cavity diameter (ICCD) protocol used for predicting the time of parturition showed divergence from the real time of whelping. Keywords: singleton litter, ultrasonography, pregnancy, hypoluteoidism, dog Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 55-57 Volume: 56 Issue: 1 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/1567-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/1567-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201101-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:56:y:2011:i:1:id:1567-VETMED