Localization of glycoconjugates in the tissue structures of man and animals

By means of concanavalin A (Con A) labelled with fluorescein isotiocyonate in cryostate sections of some human and animal organs (skin, heart, thymus) localization of clycoconjugates containing hexoses and reacting with this lectin has been studied. Glycoconjugates are revealed along the periphery of all cellular elements, in Z-lines and in intercalated disks of the myocardial muscle fibers, in the connective tissue ground substance and also in that of the basal membranes of epithelium, endothelium, muscle fibers (sarcolemma), in cytoplasm of epithelioreticulocytes of the thymus. In fibroblasts of the L-cells culture, glycoconjugates are also localized in cytoplasm. When N-acetylglucosamin is added to the labelled Con A solution, the ability of lectin to react with tissue components is inhibited.     

The variability characteristics of the arterial pressure in man and animals

The development of computer monitoring methods over haemodynamic parameters has made possible on objective quantitative estimation of blood pressure (BP) variability in humans and animals which can have both periodic and aperiodic feachers. The spectral analysis of spontaneous BP fluctuations reveals presence of several power peaks main of which, as well as in heart rate variability, reflect sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. Both in hypertensive patients and animal models of arterial hyper tension BP variability is higher, but its relationship with BP level is not realized in a simple causal scheme. Observations in prehypertensive period demonstrate an opportunity of dissociation between rates of BP level and variability increase. The pharmacological analysis permisses to suggest the sympathetic activation as the main cause of BP destabilization. Despite a leading role of baroreceptor reflex (BR) in damping of evoked BP fluctuations, its role in regulation of spontaneous variability seems to be ambiguous. The studies excluding episodes of locomotor and other activities from the curve analysis do not confirm a correlation between BP variability and BR gain. The spectral analysis of BP lability in animals with denervated mechanoreceptor zones has revealed BR effective control only of a low and superlow frequency areas (less than 0.07 Hz). The study of the regional blood flows in sinoartic denervated rats has concluded that the increase of their autonomy is the main reason of BP lability. The offset of BR efferent limb by ganglionic blocking agents or desympathization leads to analogical BP lability. Thus, BP variability seems to be a reflection of functional efficiency of BP stabilization mechanisms. Considering that on its origin, connections with other haemodynamic parameters, amplitude and frequency characteristics is a complex phenomenon, no one of mechanisms is an universal instrument of its regulation.     

Serological characteristics of coagulase-positive staphylococci isolated from man and animals

A simplified method allowed Staphylococcus aureus, Staph. intermedius and coagulase-positive Staph. hyicus subsp. hyicus isolated from humans, dogs, monkey, sheep, poultry, rabbits, giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus) and other animals to be serotyped. The nine coagulase-positive staphylococcal strains of human origin possessed thermolabile and thermostable agglutinogens. Two strains of Staph. intermedius of human and canine origins examined had agglutinogen K1K2. The three Staph. aureus strains isolated from African giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus) had agglutinogens a5 and P common to them. The Staph. aureus strain isolated from a monkey belonged to serotype b1, c1, o and the caprine strain of Staph. hyicus subsp. hyicus was serotype a5, c1.     

Serological characteristics of coagulase-positive staphylococci isolated from man and animals

A simplified method allowed Staphylococcus aureus, Staph. intermedius and coagulase-positive Staph. hyicus subsp. hyicus isolated from humans, dogs, monkey, sheep, poultry, rabbits, giant rats ( Cricetomys gambianus ) and other animals to be serotyped. The nine coagulase-positive staphylococcal strains of human origin possessed thermolabile and thermostable agglutinogens. Two strains of Staph. intermedius of human and canine origins examined had agglutinogen K₁K₂. The three Staph. aureus strains isolated from African giant rats ( Cricetomys gambianus ) had agglutinogens a₅ and P common to them. The Staph. aureus strain isolated from a monkey belonged to serotype b₁, c₁, o and the caprine strain of Staph. hyicus subsp. hyicus was serotype a₅, c₁.     

Functional characteristics of cysteinyl-leukotriene receptor subtypes

Cysteinyl-leukotrienes, i.e. leukotriene (LT) C4, D4 and E4, are inflammatory mediators and potent airway- and vasoconstrictors. Two different cysteinyl-leukotriene receptors, CysLT1 and CysLT2, have been cloned and functionally characterised using potent CysLT1 receptor antagonists and the dual CysLT1/CysLT2 receptor antagonist BAY u9773. However, the rank order of potency of the cysteinyl-leukotrienes at the CysLT receptors differs between tissues and studies, and a CysLT receptor classification based on agonist selectivity has not been established. In addition, the existence of more than two receptor subtypes for cysteinyl-leukotrienes has been suggested.     

Probiotics in man and animals

There is good evidence that the complex microbial flora present in the gastrointestinal tract of all warm-blooded animals is effective in providing resistance to disease. However, the composition of this protective flora can be altered by dietary and environmental influences, making the host animal susceptible to disease and/or reducing its efficiency of food utilization. What we are doing with the probiotic treatments is re-establishing the natural condition which exists in the wild animal but which has been disrupted by modern trends in conditions used for rearing young animals, including human babies, and in modern approaches to nutrition and disease therapy. These are all areas where the gut flora can be altered for the worse and where, by the administration of probiotics, the natural balance of the gut microflora can be restored and the animal returned to its normal nutrition, growth and health status.     

Leukemia in animals and man

General comparative aspects of leukemia were reviewed. Leukemia in adult cattle occurs frequently within certain multiple case herds. Cattle in these herds often have persistent lymphocytosis and increased numbers of atypical lymphocytes in blood. Attempts are being made to demonstrate the frequency in which this is a "pre-leukemic" or "perileukemic" condition.With the recognition of viral causative agent(s) in chickens, laboratory rodents and cats, there is increased interest in the leukemia of dogs, cattle and other animals, for the disease in these animals may serve as valuable models in the study and isolation of human leukemogenic agents.Epidemiologic and clinicopathologic aspects of animal leukemias share comparative similarities with themselves and with lymphoreticular neoplasms of man. Causative factor(s) probably act on the host, regardless of species, in a similar fashion. It is not likely, but neither improbable, that leukemia in domesticated animals and leukemia in man share common causal relationships.