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Biomedical subjects

N R Cox

Publications and source records attributed to N R Cox.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Electrophoretic determination of albumin and gamma globulin concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of dogs with encephalomyelitis attributable to canine distemper virus infection: 13 cases (1980-1987).

Thirteen dogs with encephalomyelitis attributable to canine distemper virus infection were classified into 3 groups on the basis of histopathologic evidence of virus-induced lesions in CNS tissue. Analysis of data indicated a similarity within groups when arranged by age, clinical neurologic signs, and alterations in the CSF electrophoretic protein values. Comparison with results in dogs with experimentally induced canine distemper encephalomyelitis suggested that when grouped by age, CSF electrophoretic values are helpful in predicting the CNS histopathologic changes in dogs with naturally acquired canine distemper encephalomyelitis.

Albumins↗

Analysis of cat retina for dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, 3-methoxytyramine and homovanillic acid.

Twenty retinas from 10 cats were evaluated for dopamine (DA) and its metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT) and homovanillic acid (HVA) by high pressure liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection. Dopamine was present in all 20 retinas at a mean concentration of 3.00 +/- 0.54 ng/mg protein. Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, 3-MT and HVA were detected in 16, 14 and 9 retinas respectively. In retinas in which these metabolites were detectable, they were present in the following mean concentrations: DOPAC, 1.07 +/- 0.21 ng/mg protein; 3-MT, 3.44 +/- 0.97 ng/mg protein and HVA, 4.54 +/- 1.05 ng/mg protein. Significantly higher concentrations of 3-MT (p = 0.0108, paired t test) and HVA (p = 0.0166, paired t test) than DOPAC were present in cat retina. Linear correlation analysis between DA and its metabolites indicated that the 3-MT and DOPAC concentrations correlated well with each other and with the amount of DA in cat retina. The concentrations of the end product metabolite, HVA, had poor correlations with the concentrations of 3-MT, DOPAC or DA. These data indicated that once DA is released in cat retina it can be metabolized to 3-MT, DOPAC and HVA.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

Evaluation of immunity to feline infectious peritonitis in cats with cutaneous viral-induced delayed hypersensitivity.

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH)-like reactions to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) virus (FIPV) were induced in the skin of nine cats that were asymptomatic after a previous challenge-exposure with FIPV. Four of the nine previously challenge-exposed cats were negative for virus-neutralizing antibodies against FIPV at the time of intradermal (ID) testing for DTH. Two other cats tested for DTH when acutely ill with clinical FIP did not have cutaneous DTH responses to FIPV. Gross skin reactions to FIPV injected ID were observed in six of nine asymptomatic cats (67%) at postintradermal inoculation hours (PIH) 24, 48, and/or 72. The reactions consisted of focal, 1-5-mm to 2.5-cm diameter indurated or semi-firm, nonerythematous, slightly raised nodules. Microscopically, DTH-like reactions were observed in biopsies taken from the FIPV-inoculated skin of asymptomatic cats at PIH 24 to 72. The lesions consisted of perivascular and diffuse dermal infiltrations by macrophages, lymphocytes, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). The dermal infiltrates, which were maximal at PIH 48 or 72, were predominantly mixed inflammatory cells (five of nine cats) or PMN (four of nine cats) at PIH 24, but later were predominantly mononuclear cells (six of nine cats) or mixed inflammatory cells (two of nine cats) at PIH 72. Five of nine cats (56%) with positive DTH skin responses had increased survival times after lethal ID challenge-exposure with FIPV compared to mean survival times in FIPV-naive, non-immune control cats that were DTH-negative when ID challenge-exposed. Four of nine DTH-positive cats (44%) resisted an ID challenge-exposure dose of FIPV that was fatal in both control cats, and two of the four remaining DTH-positive cats survived a third challenge-exposure with highly lethal doses of FIPV given intraperitoneally. Four of the six DTH-positive cats (67%) that died after re-challenge and were necropsied had lesions of noneffusive FIP, suggesting that cellular immunity may also be involved in the pathogenesis of noneffusive disease, whereas both control cats and both DTH-negative cats with clinical disease succumbed to effusive FIP. Seemingly, DTH responses to FIPV can be associated with an increased level of resistance to disease; however, this state of immunity is variable and apparently can be lost with time in some cats.

Animals↗

Effects of perinatal high dose dexamethasone on skeletal muscle development in rats.

Five litters of suckling rats were given either dexamethasone (DEX), 1 mg/kg, subcutaneously, three times daily (n = 4/litter) or vehicle control (n = 4/litter) from day 3 through day 7 after birth. Rats were weighed weekly and were weaned on day 30. On day 60, rats were killed and the soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) were removed for the following analyses: 1) wet weight, 2) light microscopic examination of hematoxylin and eosin stained transverse sections, 3) quantitative morphometric analysis of myosin ATPase stained transverse sections (fiber numbers, fiber type percentages and mean fiber diameters), and 4) DNA (total and mg/g wet weight). The following parameters were significantly reduced in treated rats: 1) body weight, 2) wet weight of SOL and EDL, and 3) mean diameter of SOL type I fibers. There was a trend for total DNA of SOL and EDL to be decreased in treated rats but this was not statistically significant. In a second experiment, pregnant rats (n = 4) were given DEX, 1 mg/kg, subcutaneously, twice daily, on days 17 and 18 of gestation. Two rats served as vehicle controls. The prenatally DEX-exposed rats weighed significantly less on weeks 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8. There were significant reductions in the following parameters for treated rats: 1) SOL wet weight, and 2) total number of SOL type I fibers. There was a trend for SOL DNA to be reduced but this was not statistically significant.

Animals↗

Increased plasma levels of leukotriene B4 and prostaglandin E2 in cats experimentally inoculated with feline infectious peritonitis virus.

Specific-pathogen-free kittens experimentally infected with feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) subsequently demonstrated increased plasma levels of the arachidonic acid metabolites, leukotriene (LT) B4 and prostaglandin (PG) E2. Significant increases (P less than 0.025) in LTB4 plasma levels occurred in all (5/5) FIPV-inoculated kittens on postchallenge-exposure days (PCD) 7 and 14 vs PCD 0. Significant increases (P less than 0.05) in PGE2 plasma levels occurred in 80% (4/5) of FIPV-infected kittens on PCD 7 and 14. Maximal mean plasma levels of LTB4 and PGE2 occurred on PCD 7 (502.5 +/- 45.6 pg/ml and 1108.0 +/- 247.9 pg/ml, respectively). A positive correlation was found between LTB4 plasma levels and body temperature (r = 0.609, P less than 0.01). Mean survival time in FIPV-inoculated kittens was 19.4 +/- 3.2 days. Gross lesions, including peritoneal or pleural effusions (or both) and connective tissue edema, indicated an increased vascular permeability in the FIPV-infected kittens. Histologically, lesions were characterized by vasculitis or perivasculitis, vasodilatation, perivascular edema, and fibrinonecrotizing and pyogranulomatous inflammation. Immunofluorescent studies of tissues from FIPV-infected kittens demonstrated foci of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and FIPV-positive macrophages oriented around dilated blood vessels. Seemingly, arachidonic acid metabolites, including LTB4 or PGE2 released from macrophages, neutrophils or other cells, may be involved in the pathogenesis of FIP vascular and inflammatory lesions and in some of the clinical disease manifestations.

Animals↗

Delayed-type hypersensitivity skin responses associated with feline infectious peritonitis in two cats.

Two cats previously challenge-exposed and seropositive to feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) were evaluated for delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin responses to intradermal FIPV. Before testing, cat 1 (FIP-resistant) had survived a severe experimental FIPV challenge-exposure and had remained asymptomatic, whereas cat 2 (FIP-susceptible) developed acute fulminant FIP after a considerably smaller virus challenge-exposure. Cat 1 developed a focal thickened plaque at the FIPV-injected skin site at 48 hours after injection. Histological examinations of serial punch biopsies from virus-inoculated skin revealed perivascular and diffuse dermal infiltrations of macrophages, lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leucocytes which were maximal at 48 to 72 hours after injection. In contrast, cat 2 did not react grossly and showed only very mild dermal infiltrates at 72 hours after injection. The present findings of strong DTH responses to FIPV in a resistant cat and minimal responses in a cat with acute fulminant FIP suggest that certain in vivo cellular immune reactions may be associated with disease resistance.

Animals↗

Natural mycoplasmal infections in isolator-maintained LEW/Tru rats.

For 4 years a colony of cesarean-derived, isolator-maintained LEW/Tru rats was evaluated for mycoplasmal infection by serology, culture and histopathology. Anti-mycoplasmal antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the colony eventually was found to have inapparent infections of Mycoplasma pulmonis and Mycoplasma arthritidis. Rats, naturally infected with M. pulmonis, remained consistently positive in the M. pulmonis ELISA after their initial seroconversion, and eventually developed clinical signs and lesions of respiratory and genital mycoplasmosis. M. pulmonis was apparently eliminated by serological testing and removal of infected rats. Rats naturally infected with M. arthritidis did not develop clinical or histologic evidence of mycoplasmal disease and their sera gave inconsistent results in the M. pulmonis ELISA, but eventually developed positive M. arthritidis ELISA responses. M. arthritidis was isolated from the genital tract, the intestinal tract, and Harderian gland. In contrast to M. pulmonis, removal of serologically positive animals was not sufficient for elimination of M. arthritidis from the colony.

Animals↗

Myeloencephalopathy with eosinophilic refractile bodies (Rosenthal fibers) in a Scottish terrier.

Myeloencephalopathy with diffuse Rosenthal fiber formation (Alexander's disease) was detected in a 9-month-old Scottish Terrier with progressive tetraparesis. Additional abnormalities included an electroencephalogram characteristic of an encephalopathy and a narrowed intervertebral disk space at C2-3. The diagnosis of Alexander's disease is uncommon in human and veterinary medicine. Results from this case and previous reports suggest that this disease in the dog may have a congenital or genetic basis.

Animals↗

Protein variability among strains of Mycoplasma pulmonis.

The proteins of Mycoplasma pulmonis were examined by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Comparison of profiles from silver-stained two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of 18 strains of M. pulmonis allowed identification of five proteins that were strain variable. These variable proteins were not dependent on the medium used to grow the organisms and were shown by reaction with serum samples from naturally infected rats and mice to be produced in vivo and not to be medium components. Identification of strain-variable proteins may lead to an explanation of the differences in properties found among M. pulmonis strains.

Bacterial Proteins↗

The role of Klebsiella oxytoca in utero-ovarian infection of B6C3F1 mice.

A disease consisting of suppurative endometritis, salpingitis, perioophoritis and/or peritonitis has been an important problem in aging B6C3F1 mice on some chronic chemical carcinogenicity studies. Klebsiella oxytoca was identified as the most likely causative agent based on cultural isolations from lesions. A study was done to determine prevalence of K. oxytoca in the "normal" flora of mice from different breeding facilities. In a survey of 684 retired female breeder mice from 10 National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) production facilities, K. oxytoca was isolated from only 1% of nasopharynxes, vaginas and ceca in mice from 7 of 10 facilities. Epizootiology of the natural infection was investigated using the capsular and biochemical typing methods on 97 isolates of K. oxytoca from mice of 11 NIEHS and NCI production facilities and sentinel mice from three National Toxicology Program testing facilities. A few capsular types were associated with either lesions, nonlesion isolation sites, or certain facilities but the capsular typing method was not reproducible. No associations were found for any biotypes. A K. oxytoca isolate (capsular type 20, biotype A) from a typical case of perioophoritis was used in attempts to reproduce the natural disease in Klebsiella-free B6C3F1 female mice. Mice were inoculated at 6 months of age by the intravaginal, intrauterine or intraperitoneal route with one of four doses of K. oxytoca and killed at 4, 7 or 10 months post-infection. Some mice given high doses (10(6) or 10(8) colony forming units) of K. +oxytoca died of septicemia and a few developed mild inflammatory lesions in the uterus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Mycoplasma pulmonis proteins common to murine mycoplasmas.

The proteins of Mycoplasma pulmonis were examined by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and immunoblots using the following sera: antimedium, anti-M. arthritidis, anti-M. collis, anti-M. neurolyticum, and anti-M. muris. Fifteen proteins identified as genus-common were shared by M. pulmonis and at least one other mycoplasmal species. These proteins were shown not to be medium components, based on their reaction with antimedium serum.

Animals↗

Myeloencephalopathy resembling Alexander's disease in a Scottish terrier dog.

Diffuse degenerative myeloencephalopathy resembling Alexander's disease in a tetraparetic 9-month-old Scottish terrier dog is described. There were widespread deposits of Rosenthal fibers throughout brain and spinal cord in subpial, subependymal, perivascular and white matter regions. A diffuse proliferation of pleomorphic astrocytes in the white matter and subependymal areas was also seen. Demyelination was not a salient feature of the disease.

Animals↗

Strain differences in susceptibility to murine respiratory mycoplasmosis in C57BL/6 and C3H/HeN mice.

Not only is murine respiratory mycoplasmosis, due to Mycoplasma pulmonis, a complication of biomedical research, it provides excellent animal models to study the development of a naturally occurring respiratory disease induced by an infectious agent. The understanding of pathogenic mechanisms of disease can be greatly facilitated by studying genetic differences in susceptibility. Five strains of mice with various H-2K haplotypes were examined for their susceptibility to murine respiratory mycoplasmosis; of these, C57BL/6 and C3H/HeN mice were chosen for additional study. There were no significant differences in the incidence of infection in either the upper or lower respiratory tract or in the severity of upper respiratory tract lesions in the two strains as determined at 14 days postinfection. In striking contrast, the C57BL/6 mice were significantly more resistant to the development of gross and microscopic lung lesions and to death due to pneumonia as shown by an almost 100-fold difference in the 50% lethal dose, 50% gross pneumonia dose, and 50% microscopic lesion dose. The most apparent differences in lung lesions between the two strains were in the severity of acute lesions of the bronchial epithelium, the amount of mixed inflammatory response in the alveoli, and the amount of lymphoid infiltrates. All were significantly more severe in C3H/HeN mice. In addition, more C3H/HeN mice developed antibody responses to M. pulmonis. The amount of antibody correlated with lesion severity in both strains.

Animals↗

Mycoplasma pulmonis detection in rodents: lessons for diagnosis in other species.

Evaluation is made of cultural and serological tests used in the diagnosis of mycoplasma infections in normal and barrier-maintained colonies of rats and mice. Special emphasis is put on the significance of positive ELISA tests for immunoglobulin M and G (IgM and IgG) and on the difficulty resulting from the presence of cross-reactive antigens in Mycoplasma pulmonis and M. arthritidis. Recommendations are made as to the diagnostic tests most adequate for monitoring laboratory animal colonies for mycoplasma infections.

Animals↗

The gangliosidoses: comparative features and research applications.

Ganglioside storage diseases are inherited defects of lysosomal hydrolases that result in intralysosomal accumulation of gangliosides and other complex metabolites. Gangliosidoses occur in man, cats, cattle, dogs and swine. In all species, these diseases are characterized clinically by relentlessly progressive neurological deterioration. Lysosomal hypertrophy with characteristic ultrastructural inclusions occur in neurons, endothelial and other cells. Definitive diagnosis requires biochemical identification of the storage product and enzyme deficiency. Gangliosidoses in animals are important models of human lysosomal diseases and may be a significant complication in the maintenance of certain purebred stocks of domestic animals.

Animals↗