Biochemical reference intervals for koi (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis>)

Various biochemical parameters of koi were measured to construct biochemical reference intervals. Very low serum concentrations of creatinine, total bilirubin, uric acid and -glutamyl transferase activity were observed. Increased activities of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase were observed due to venepuncture through the skeletal muscle of the caudal peduncle; however, these changes were not statistically significant. Alanine aminotransferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities were affected the least, and these enzymes may be considered relatively liver specific in koi. Cellulose acetate serum protein electrophoresis also was performed to confirm the presence of a serum albumin-like protein in koi. However, the resultant protein fractions were highly variable and the albumin protein-like fraction did not correlate well with that determined by the BCG dye binding assay. AcknowledgmentsThe authors thank Blue Ridge Hatcheries of Kernersville, North Carolina, for their generosity and support during the completion of this clinical research study.     

Comparative study of some haematological parameters of two wild Chaetophractus villosus (mammalia, dasypodidae) populations

The study of haematological parameters of a species is of great interest both for the comprehension of its biological characteristics in general and its physiological adaptations in particular. In this work, we studied haematological parameters of two wild populations of armadilloChaetophractus villosus (population I,n=25 and population II,n=30). The animals came from a range of 150 km to the north west of Bahía Blanca, Argentina. Blood samples were obtained from anaesthetised animals by cardiac puncture, between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Blood was collected in EDTA and processed for haematological screen by routine techniques. Erythrocyte parameters (total erythrocytes, haematocrit, haemoglobin, erythrocyte indices and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and leucocyte parameters (total leucocytes and percentage composition) were studied. Population I had higher values for erythrocytes, haematocrit and haemoglobin than population II. With the exception of eosinophils (p>0.05), no differences were found between populations of erythrocyte indices, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, total leucocytes and leucocyte percentage composition. The sample of population II featured a greater number of young animals than population I, age may therefore partially account for the differences. These results may also be influenced by a higher loading of parasites observed in population II.     

Haematological characteristics of wild quokka (Setonix brachyurus)

Blood was collected from quokkas (Setonix brachyurus), from a mainland and an island population, and analysed as part of an assessment of animal health. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration was the only analyte that was significantly different between the mainland and island populations. Quokkas from both the wild populations had lesser erythrocytic values than the captive animals. The wild quokkas also possessed three types of haemoparasites that were not recognised in the captive animals. This study illustrates the differences in the haematological characteristics between wild and captive animals.     

Identification of a human brain-specific gene, calneuron 1, a new member of the calmodulin superfamily

The calmodulin superfamily includes the calmodulins, calcium-binding proteins, and related genes. Herein, we describe the cloning and characterization of human calneuron 1 (CALN1). CALN1 encodes a novel neuron-specific protein that maps to chromosome 7q11. CALN1 spans a large genomic region (>360 kb). Sequence comparison shows significant similarity with the calmodulin superfamily of genes, especially in the two conserved EF-hand motifs. The mouse orthologous gene (Caln1) shows little prenatal expression, with highest expression at Postnatal Day 21. In situ hybridization to adult mouse brain shows high expression in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and cortex. The high expression of this gene exclusively in brain, the developmental changes in expression levels, the high homology with calmodulin which indicates a potential role in signal transduction, and the cellular localization of the mRNA suggest that CALN1 has a significant role in the physiology of neurons and is potentially important in memory and learning.     

Removal of Cardiac Beat Artifact in Esophageal Pressure Measurement via a Modified Adaptive Noise Cancellation Scheme

Information on volume–pressure relationships of human lungs is usually based on indirect determination of intrapleural pressure (P_ip) obtained from the esophagus. Unfortunately, cardiac beat artifact frequently corrupts measurement of esophageal pressure (P_es). In this study, we presented a modified adaptive noise cancellation (MANC) scheme for removing the cardiac beat artifact in the P_es signal. The proposed methodology used an airflow signal as the reference signal with least-mean-square method as the adaptive algorithm. The results of six experiments on two Brown–Norway rats showed a significant reduction of the apparent cardiac pulsation with minimal distortion of the P_es signal. The MANC filter also showed evidence of peak suppression at integer multiples of heart rate in the fast Fourier transform of the P_es signal while leaving the remaining spectrum largely unperturbed. A t-test method and the ratio of standard deviation to mean (std/mean) statistics of airway resistance (R_aw) values were used to evaluate the performance of the MANC filter. In all six experiments, a reduction of std/mean of R_aw by 12.5%–68% was obtained, indicating the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. © 2001 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC01: 8780-y, 8719Hh, 8719Uv     

Thermodynamic properties of hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) in a subgroup of primary sensory neurons

Ih is a poorly selective cation current that activates upon hyperpolarization, present in various types of neurons. Our aim was to perform a detailed thermodynamic analysis of Ih gating kinetics, in order to assess putative structural changes associated with its activation and deactivation. To select dorsal root ganglia neurons that exhibit large Ih, we applied a current signature method by Petruska et al. (J Neurophysiol 84:2365–2379, 2000) and found appropriate neurons in cluster 4. Currents elicited by 3,000-ms hyperpolarizing pulses at 25 and 33°C were fitted with double exponential functions, yielding time constants similar to those of HCN1. The fast activation and deactivation rates showed temperature coefficients (Q ₁₀) of 2.9 and 3.1, respectively, while Q ₁₀ of the absolute conductance was 1.3. Using the Arrhenius–Eyring formalism we computed heights of voltage-independent Gibbs free energy and entropy barriers for each rate. The free energy barriers of the fast rates were just ∼2RT units lower than those of the corresponding slow rates (31.3 vs. 33.2RT for activation, and 24.7 vs. 25.8RT for deactivation, at 25°C). Interestingly, the entropy barriers of the slow rates were negative: −15.2R units for activation and −11.9R units for deactivation, compared to 4.6 and 1.3R units, respectively, for the fast component. The equivalent gating charge (z _g) (3.75 ± 0.32, mean ± SEM, at 25°C) and half-activation potential (V _1/2) (−70.0 ± 1.3 mV at 25°C) did not vary significantly with temperature.     

Change in normal haematological values of camels (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Camelus dromedarius</Emphasis>): influence of age and sex

This study was conducted to determine the longitudinal variations in normal values of haematological parameters in camels (Camelus dromedarius) of different age and sex. Three hundred and two camels of either sex were used to estimate the changes from 1 to 5 and above years of age. The haematological variables estimated were white blood cell counts, red blood cell counts, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of different variables have been calculated and results are discussed in relation to previous reports. Significant variation for white blood cell counts, red blood cell counts, haemoglobin, packed cell volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin was observed for males with age, while difference in white blood cell counts, red blood cell counts, haemoglobin, packed cell volume and mean corpuscular volume was observed for females.     

Histotopography of some metabolic processes in the heart

The localization of the principal metabolic processes in the heart of untrained, trained, and overtrained rats in a state of relative rest and in untrained rats exposed to single and repeated physical exertion was investigated histochemically. Processes of glycogenolysis and glycolysis in the myocardium were found to be more active in the subendocardial layers, whereas oxidation of fatty acids and ketone bodies was more active in the subepicardial layers. The reverse relationships were found in the myocardium of trained and overtrained rats. The role of the subepicardial layers of the myocardium in the maintenance of cardiac function in response to a sharp increase in the intensity of its activity is demonstrated.Laboratory of Functional Morphology, All-Union Research Institute of Physical Culture, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. P. Avtsyn.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 86, No. 11, pp. 607–610, November, 1978.     

Serum biochemistry of ostrich (Striothio camelus) in Iran

Serum biochemistry (Striothio camelus), was determined in 75 clinically normal ostrich (42 females and 33 males, 39 under 2 years of age and 36 over 2 years). The following results were obtained: total protein 3.35±0.61 g/dl; prealbumin 0.1±0.01 g/dl; albumin 1.49±0.25 g/dl; α1 globulin 0.24±0.08 g/dl; α2 globulin 0.71±0.19 g/dl; β globulin 0.42±0.18 g/dl; γ globulin 0.63±0.21 g/dl; glucose 163±17 mg/dl; cholesterol 65±15 mg/dl; creatinin 0.26±0.05 mg/dl; triglyceride 151±56 mg/dl; urea 8.68±0.77 mg/dl; uric acid 11.87±3.56 mg/dl; aspartate amino transferase 357±95 U/l; alanin amino transferase activity 14.24±2.7 U/l; alkaline phosphatase 490±241 U/l; and lactate dehydrogenase 1124±31 0U/l.     

Pleomorphic adenoma (benign mixed tumor) of the breast: a case report and review of the literature

We report a case of pleomorphic adenoma (benign mixed tumor) of the breast, which is an extremely rare location for this tumor. Examination of a 55-year-old woman unexpectedly revealed a mass measuring 0.8 cm in diameter in the subareolar region of the right breast. Excisional biopsy was performed, and the tumor histologically showed pleomorphic adenoma composed of duct epithelial cells, myoepithelial cells, and a myxochondroid matrix. Immunohistochemically, duct epithelial cells were positive for the estrogen receptor, but negative for the progesterone receptor. The nuclei of the spindle and myoepithelial cells were immunoreactive for HMGI-C and HMGI(Y) proteins, indicating a histogenesis similar to pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary glands. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization performed on paraffin-embedded tissue sections with 12q15 probes and a 6p21 probe demonstrated no chromosomal rearrangement. Sixty-nine cases of this type of tumor arising in the breast have been described previously. Using imaging procedures, the tumor has occasionally been misdiagnosed as malignant clinically and even pathologically in frozen section diagnosis. Careful diagnosis based on paraffin sections is required to avoid unnecessary aggressive surgery, and pathologists should include pleomorphic adenoma in the differential diagnosis of a demarcated, juxtaareolar, small hard mass.     

Effect of some lectins on the cholinergic structures of the frog heart

The effect of lectins (phytohemagglutinin — PHA, concanavalin A — ConA,Pisum sativum lectin — PSL,Ricinus communis lectin — RCL, and pokeweed mitogen — PWM) on the cardiac cholinoceptors is studied in experiments on isolated hearts of maleRana temporaria frogs. The test lectins in concentrations from 10⁻²³ to 10⁻³ are shown to exhibit cholinomimetic properties. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 9, pp. 252–255, September, 1994 Presented by A. D. Ado, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Comparison of laser speckle and laser Doppler perfusion imaging: Measurement in human skin and rabbit articular tissue

Laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDI) is currently used in a variety of clinical applications, however, LDI instruments produce images of low resolution and have long scan times. A new optical perfusion imager using a laser speckle measurement technique and its use for in vivo blood flow measurements are described. Measurements of human skin and surgically exposed rabbit tissue made using this instrument were compared with a commercial laser Doppler perfusion imaging instrument. Results from blood flow measurements showed that the laser speckle imager measured an 11–67% decrease in blood flow under arterial occlusion. Under similar conditions, the laser Doppler imager measured blood flow decreases of 21–63%. In comparison with LDI, it was observed that the higher temporal resolution of the laser speckle imager was more sensitive to measuring the hyperaemic response immediately following occlusion. This in vivo study demonstrated some of the several advantages laser speckle imaging has over conventional LDI, making the new instrument more versatile in a clinical environment.     

An analysis of haematological findings on a feral population of aldabra giant tortoises (Geochelone gigantea)

In order to obtain haematological reference values for health assessment in captivity, blood samples were obtained from 143 feral Geochelone gigantea in a natural environment on Curieuse Island, Republic of the Seychelles. Tests were carried out by specially adapted field techniques. Because difficulty was experienced with obtaining a suitable blood sample, a method involving in vivo mixing was developed. Using this method it was found that values for haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and red (RBC) and white cell count (WBC) of healthy adult G. gigantea were low and the red cells were hypochromic and macrocytic compared with those of mammals and birds. Females had significantly lower Hb, RBC, PCV values and smaller red cells than males. Blood parasites were not found.     

Role of alimentary hyperglycemia in the pathogenesis of some disturbances of lipid metabolism

Alimentary hyperglycemia in rabbits is accompanied by elevation of the serum cholesterol and triglyceride level and also by a progressive rise in the serum concentration of pre--lipoproteins, carriers of endogenous triglycerides. Feeding hyperglycemic animals with cholesterol for a short time leads to earlier and more marked atherogenic changes in the body than similar feeding of normoglycemic animals.Laboratory of Pathological Physiology, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Hormone Chemistry, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR N. A. Yudaev.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 81, No. 3, pp. 281–283, March, 1976.     

Detection of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins in the nuclear matrix of some tumors

Tyrosine-containing proteins were detected by the immunoperoxidase method in the nuclear matrix of the liver and some tumors of mice. Two strips with molecular weights of about 180 and 170 kD are characteristic of hepatoma 22a and Ehrlich's ascitic carcinoma. Immunoelectron study with colloid gold showed that tyrosine-containing proteins and fibronectin are commonly present in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 9, pp. 279–281, September, 1995     

A method for modifying the adhesive phenotype of wild isolates ofEscherichia coli in coli-bacterin producer strains

Use of the suicidal vector pCH103 permitted the creation of recombinant strain with the chromosome DNA site coding for adhesin (FimH) replaced by the kanamycin resistance gene (npt). The resultant chimeras transformed by vectors containingfimH genes of different origin express type I piles of the relevant phenotype. This method was used to modifyE. coli M17 producer strain with an unfavorable adhesive phenotype. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 9, pp. 334–338, September, 1997     

An interleukin-1 receptor antagonist decreases fibrosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine in rat liver

The main pathological feature of liver fibrosis is the accumulation of extracellular matrix associated with hyperplasia and activation of perisinusoidal (Ito) cells (PSC) to myofibroblast-like cells. Interleukin-1 enhances collagen synthesis by increasing the proliferative activity of cultured PSC and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis.Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) can block the binding of IL-1 to its receptors and act as a natural inhibitor of IL-1. We have examined whether the administration of IL-1ra can interfere with the development of experimental cirrhosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN). Rats were divided in three groups and received respectively DMN, DMN+IL-1ra and IL-1ra. For each group the collagen content of the hepatic tissue and the volume density of the inflammatory infiltrate were measured. Immunostaining for laminin and alpha-smooth muscle actin were also performed.In animals given DMN+IL-1ra we observed a decreased deposition of laminin and collagen, and a decreased number of laminin-positive PSC and of alpha-smooth muscle actin reactive cells, compared with animals receiving DMN alone. The present findings suggest that the early activation of PSC in vivo is at least in part mediated by IL-1 and confirm that the administration of IL-1ra may be of interest in modifying the biological effects of IL-1.