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Biomedical subjects

O R Hedstrom

Publications and source records attributed to O R Hedstrom.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Death of serum-free mouse embryo cells caused by epidermal growth factor deprivation.

Serum-free mouse embryo (SFME) cells, derived in medium in which serum is replaced with growth factors and other supplements, are proastroblasts that are acutely dependent on epidermal growth factor (EGF) for survival. Ultrastructurally, an early change found in SFME cells deprived of EGF was a loss of polysomes which sedimentation analysis confirmed to be a shift from polysomes to monosomes. The ribosomal shift was not accompanied by decreased steady-state level of cytoplasmic actin mRNA examined as an indicator of cellular mRNA level. With time the cells became small and severely degenerate and exhibited nuclear morphology characteristic of apoptosis. Genomic DNA isolated from cultures undergoing EGF deprivation-dependent cell death exhibited a pattern of fragmentation resulting from endonuclease activation characteristic of cells undergoing apoptosis or programmed cell death. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that cultures in the absence of EGF contained almost exclusively G1-phase cells. Some of the phenomena associated with EGF deprivation of SFME cells are similar to those observed upon NGF deprivation of nerve cells in culture, suggesting that these neuroectodermal-derived cell types share common mechanisms of proliferative control involving peptide growth factor-dependent survival.

Animals

Efficacy of a vaccine to prevent Chlamydia- or Campylobacter-induced abortions in ewes.

In a sheep flock, Chlamydia psittaci, Campylobacter fetus, Ca jejuni, and Salmonella dublin caused abortions. A vaccine that contained C psittaci type I from 2 sources: a cow with pneumonia and an aborted ovine fetus, Ca fetus, Ca jejuni, and 4 strains of K99 Escherichia coli was given to 240 ewes before they were bred. All fetuses, placentas, and lambs, that died within 36 hours of birth were examined for infectious agents. Of 55 abortions, 30 (55%) were caused by Chlamydia or Campylobacter spp; 25 of the 30 (83%) abortions took place in the nonvaccinated group (n = 240). Forty-five more lambs survived in the vaccinated group than in the nonvaccinated group. Abortion rates for Chlamydia and Campylobacter spp (2.1 vs 10.4% in vaccinated and nonvaccinated groups, respectively) were significantly different (P = 0.003). Abortion rates for S dublin were not significantly different between groups. The Salmonella epizootic was controlled quickly by sanitation and treatment procedures. The vaccine was at least 80% efficacious against Chlamydia and Campylobacter spp and appeared to be protective.

Abortion, Veterinary

Safety and efficacy of two sustained-release intrareticular selenium supplements and the associated placental and colostral transfer of selenium in beef cattle.

One hundred fifty Se-deficient, pregnant, crossbred beef cows were assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: group A, Se-deficient control; group B, 1 Se bolus at 0 and 119 days; group C, 1 Se bolus at 0 days; and group D, 2 Se pellets at 0 days. The Se bolus is an osmotic pump designed to release 3 mg of Se/d into the reticulorumen. The Se pellets weight approximately 30 g and contain 10% elemental Se, which is liberated in the reticulorumen. The Se bolus is designed to provide Se supplementation for 120 days and the Se pellets provide supplementation for up to 18 months. Cattle were maintained on Se-deficient pasture or forages prepared from these pastures for the duration of the experiment. Blood samples were collected from cows prior to treatment (time 0) and at 28, 52, 119, and 220 days thereafter and analyzed for blood Se (BSe) concentration. Body weights were recorded at each sampling time. Blood Se concentration of cows from all supplemented groups were significantly (P less than 0.01) higher than control values at all sample dates after treatments began. By the end of the 220-day study, treatment group-B cattle had significantly (P less than 0.01) higher BSe concentrations than any other group. Body weights of treatment groups fluctuated throughout the study, but did not differ (P greater than 0.05) between groups. One cow and 6 calves born to cows during the experimental period died. Necropsy of 5 calves provided no evidence linking these deaths to treatments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Cytochrome P450 isozyme distribution in normal and tumor-bearing hepatic tissue from rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).

An immunohistochemical technique was used to localize the major constitutive cytochrome P450 isozyme, P450 LM2, and the major beta-naphthoflavone-inducible isozyme, P450 LM4b, in the livers of untreated and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-initiated, tumor-bearing rainbow trout. In hepatic tissue sections from untreated trout, no regular anatomical pattern within the hepatic parenchymal cells could be discerned for either isozyme. Immunostaining was observed for P450 LM2 along the sinusoidal border of some of the parenchymal cells, there was moderate staining within the cytoplasm of most cells, and there were focal areas of increased staining. There was intense, uniform immunostaining for P450 LM2 within the cytoplasm of the bile duct cells, in the endothelial lining of arterioles, and along the epithelial surface of the gall bladder. Staining for P450 LM4b in livers from untreated trout was barely detectable. In liver tissue sections from AFB1-treated tumor-bearing fish, P450 LM2 appeared to be reduced and P450 LM4b was absent in the hepatocellular carcinoma nodules. An apparent increase in immunostaining for P450 LM4b was observed in nonneoplastic cells juxtaposed next to neoplastic cells as well as in areas distant to the tumors. These results may indicate that the pattern of P450 isozymes is altered in nonneoplastic cells of tumor-bearing trout livers.

Animals

Effect of CI-949 and CI-959 on immune function and lymphoid organs in rats.

The immunotoxic properties of two experimental antiallergic drugs, CI-949 and CI-959, were investigated. Wistar rats were gavaged once (CI-949) or twice (CI-959) daily for 21 days with the drugs. Immunotoxicity was assessed using the enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA) for humoral immunity, a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) procedure for cell-mediated immunity, and natural killer cell (NKC) activity to evaluate spontaneous cytotoxicity. Ratios of body weight to spleen, thymus, liver and kidney weights were determined. Routine histopathology was performed on lymphoid tissue and other body organs. Although 100 mg/kg/day of CI-949 had some stimulating effect on antibody production and NKC cytotoxicity, no consistent immunomodulation was apparent. Except for a significant increase in liver weight at the 100 mg/kg dose of CI-949, no other toxic effects were observed. In contrast to CI-949, CI-959 significantly (P less than 0.05) suppressed antibody production at the 100 mg/kg dose and impaired the DTH reaction, although not significantly. Natural killer cell cytotoxicity was unaffected by 100 mg/kg CI-959. Decreased body weight and histopathological lesions were observed in the thymus and spleen of rats administered 100 mg/kg CI-959. These lesions ranged from mild to severe lymphoid depletion which was also reflected in significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced spleen and thymus organ weight to body weight ratios. Since 100 mg/kg of CI-959 produced toxicological and pathological alterations in the exposed rats, these data suggest that CI-959 is not highly or specifically immunotoxic at dosages lower than those that alter conventional toxicological parameters used in new drug testing programs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Helminth parasites of northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) from Oregon.

Helminth parasites are reported for the first time from northern spotted owls. Seventy-one percent of a sample of Strix occidentalis caurina from western Oregon was infected. Nematodes (Porrocaecum depressum, Capillaria falconis, Microtetrameres sp. and Synhimantus hamatus) were the most prevalent parasites although cestodes (Paruterina rauschi) and acanthocephalans (Centrorhynchus conspectus) were also represented. There was an association between components of this helminth fauna and the diet of spotted owls which is dominated by small rodents. The occurrence of P. rauschi rather than P. candelabraria in this geographic region and host-species may provide additional support for recognition of a parapatric distribution in the ranges of Paruterina spp. among strigiforms in the Nearctic.

Acanthocephala

Localization of cytochrome P-450 in the head and trunk kidney of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).

Mature, untreated rainbow trout display a marked sex difference in the level and activity of the P-450-dependent mixed-function oxidase system with males demonstrating higher levels than females. This difference is accentuated in the trunk kidney, is specific for endogenous substrates such as lauric acid and sex steroids, and is correlated with greater levels of the constitutive cytochrome P-450 isozyme, LM2. Using an immunohistochemical technique, the cellular localization of P-450 LM2 and P-450 LM4b, the major beta-naphthoflavone inducible isozyme, in the head and trunk kidney of male, female, and juvenile trout has been demonstrated. Immunostaining for P-450 LM2 was observed in the cytoplasm of cells in the second portion (P2) of the proximal tubules of both male and female trout. In male fish, staining appeared to be more intense and involved most of the P2 segments in a tissue section. In female fish, P2 staining was moderate and involved fewer segments. Low staining intensity for P-450 LM4b was observed in the cytoplasm of cells both in the first portion of the proximal tubules and in P2 of male and female fish. Sexual dimorphism was not apparent. The finding of greater amounts of P-450 LM2 in males and low levels of P-450 LM4b in untreated male and female trout confirms previous biochemical studies. Localization of P-450 isozymes in the proximal tubules is consistent with findings in mammalian species. Moderate immunostaining by anti-P-450 LM4b IgG also was observed in the interrenal cells of the head kidney of male, female, and juvenile trout.

Animals

Pathology of Campylobacter jejuni abortion in sheep.

Campylobacter jejuni was inoculated intravenously into pregnant ewes on gestation days 114 and 123 to reproduce ovine abortion. All ewes aborted 7-12 days post-inoculation. High numbers of C. jejuni were isolated from ewe tissues (caruncle, bile, cecal feces), fetal tissues, and placenta. C. jejuni colonies were identified in caruncles and placenta by light microscopy and immunoperoxidase techniques. Histologically, inoculated ewes had a severe purulent endometritis with vasculitis. Placentas from inoculated ewes and field cases showed necrosis and purulent inflammation; however, placentas from inoculated ewes had large numbers of bacterial colonies compared to few bacteria found in field cases. Histologically, only one fetus from the inoculated ewes showed lesions (purulent bronchopneumonia), whereas all fetuses from field cases had a distinct bronchopneumonia, and one fetus showed multifocal hepatic necrosis. These results suggest that C. jejuni (serotypes Penner 1 and Lior 2) is an important abortifacient organism for sheep.

Abortion, Veterinary

Pleuritis and pneumonia attributed to a conifer twig in a bronchus of a horse.

A conifer twig was responsible for severe fibrinopyogranulomatous adhesive pleuritis and pneumonia in a horse. At necropsy, the twig was found in a terminal bronchus and extended into the lung parenchyma, through the pleura, and into the accumulated exudate. Inhalation of plant material may be a more common cause of pleuritis than previously recognized. Meticulous examination at necropsy would be necessary to make the diagnosis.

Animals

Hemorrhagic enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens type C in a foal.

A 4-day-old foal died with bloody diarrhea. Using a mouse neutralization test, Clostridium perfringens type C was isolated from intestinal contents, and alpha and beta toxins were identified. About 4 m of the jejunum had severe necrohemorrhagic enteritis. Microscopically, large, rod-shaped, gram-positive bacteria were seen on necrotic intestinal villi by use of Brown and Hopp's stains.

Animals

Pathology of vitamin D deficiency in growing turkeys.

Turkey poults were fed a vitamin D-deficient diet and examined for clinical signs and structural changes of bone and parathyroid glands. Vitamin D-deficient poults developed ricketic changes during days 10 to 14. Control poults (deficient diet plus vitamin D) did not develop rickets. In deficient poults, lengths of proliferating-prehypertrophied zones of growth plates increased significantly in the proximal tibiotarsus but were only slightly elongated in the distal tibiotarsus. Unmineralized hypertrophic chondrocyte zones increased in length rapidly in conjunction with a decrease in the length of mineralized hypertrophic degenerative zones; this occurred more rapidly in proximal than in distal tibiotarsus. Other ricketic changes included decreases in bone ash, total femoral bone ash (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium), bone length, and body weight. Plasma alkaline phosphatase was increased, calcium was normal, and phosphorus was normal or elevated. Parathyroids were hyperplastic and had foci of degeneration. Vitamin D3 metabolites 25OHD3, 1,25(OH)2D3, and 24,25(OH)2D3 were rapidly depleted. Increase in bone ash Ca/P ratios in deficient poults suggests that phosphorus may be selectively released from ricketic bone. Low 25OHD3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 of control poults early in the experiment suggests that 1,400 IU of vitamin D3/kg of feed may not be an adequate level of vitamin D3 for growing turkey poults.

Alkaline Phosphatase