Effects of endogenous photosensitizers on the laser-induced priming of leucocytes

The influence of He-Ne (lambda = 632.8 nm) laser irradiation on the functional activity of leucocytes was investigated. The functional activity of leucocytes irradiated in the presence of plasma with phthalocyanine raised. Irradiation of leucocytes without plasma had no influence on the chemiluminescent response of the blood cells. An increase in the concentration of phthalocyanine in plasma first led to an increase and then a decrease in the functional activity of the leucocytes. Similar results were obtained for the case of endogenous porphyrins in plasma. These results make it possible to consider the influence of laser irradiation on the leucocytes' functional activity as the priming. The basic concepts of the free-radical mechanism of laser therapy were formulated.     

Postbacterial sepsis and disseminated candidiasis.

The effect of gram-negative sepsis (Escherichia coli) on the capacity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) to phagocytize and kill Candida albicans was assessed. The PMN's from septic dogs phagocytized C. albicans as well as PMN's from non-septic dogs. The PMN's from septic dogs that phagocytized C. albicans underwent a spontaneous lysis at a much higher rate than PMN's from non-septic dogs. A functional difference in PMN's from normal and septic dogs is indicated.     

Early prediction of adult behaviour in potential guide dogs

Between 4 weeks and 6 months of age, dogs were subjected to a battery of behavioural tests. The ability of these tests to predict fearfulness, activity and learning ability of the dogs when adult was assessed. Consistent individual differences in fearfulness were apparent at about 8 weeks of age, and the ability to predict adult fearfulness increased with age. The most useful tests involved responses to a strange person, a strange dog, a strange place and certain unusual objects. There appears to be genetic variation between dogs in fearfulness when young, but genetic selection against fearfulness would be more accurate if carried out in adult dogs rather than in young dogs. Consistent individual differences in activity from 4 weeks of age were found, but this behaviour correlated poorly with the activity of the dogs when adult. Puppies responded to fear by inhibiting movement. None of the tests used predicted the dogs' performance on specific learning tasks.     

Ultrastructural localization of glucose-6-phosphatase in renal glomerulus of the adult dog

The ultrastructural distribution of glucose-6-phosphatase activity was investigated in renal glomeruli of adult dogs by electron-microscopic cytochemistry. The enzymatic activity was found mainly in the parietal epithelial cells of Bowman's capsule. Weaker activity occurred in visceral epithelial cells. No activity was found in either the endothelial or the mesangial cells. Strong activity of glucose-6-phosphatase was commonly found in the nuclear envelope, and occasionally in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The distribution of the enzyme and its functional significance are discussed in relation to previously reported data.     

Degree of Behavioral Neoteny Differentiates Canid Polymorphs

As with juvenile wolves or coyotes, adult livestock conducting dogs displayed the first-half segment of a functional predatory system of motor patterns and did not express play or social bonding toward sheep; whereas, like wolf or coyote pups, adult livestock protecting dogs displayed sequences of mixed social, submissive, play and investigatory motor patterns and rarely expressed during ontogeny (even when fully adult) predatory behaviors. The most parsimonious explanation of our findings is that behavioral differences in the two types of livestock dogs are a case of selected differential retardation (neoteny) of ancestral motor pattern development.     

The effect of nitric oxide on glucose metabolism

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important bioactive signaling molecule that mediates a variety of normal physiological functions, which, if altered, could contribute to the genesis of many pathological conditions, including diabetes. In this study, we examined the possible diabetogenicity of NO by noting differences in the cellular binding of insulin in dogs treated with the NO donor, S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) compared to captopril-treated controls. GSNO administration resulted in an abnormality in glucose metabolism which was attributed to decreased binding of insulin to its receptor on the cell membrane of mononuclear leucocytes, 11.60 +/- 0.60% in GSNO-treated dogs compared with 18.10 +/- 1.90% in captopril-treated control (p < 0.05). The decreased insulin binding was attributed to decreased insulin receptor sites per cell, 21.43 +/- 2.51 x 10(4) in GSNO-treated dogs compared with 26.60 +/- 1.57 x 10(4) in captopril-treated controls (p < 0.05). Average affinity analysis of the binding data demonstrated that this decrease in insulin binding was also due to a decrease in average affinity of the receptor on mononuclear leucocytes for insulin. This was evident by a decrease in empty and filled site affinities in GSNO-treated dogs compared with that of captopril-treated dogs (p < 0.05). It appears that GSNO is exerting its effect by decreasing the number of insulin receptor sites and/or decreasing the average receptor affinity. These results provide evidence for a novel role of NO as a modulator of insulin binding and the involvement of NO in the aetiology of diabetes mellitus.     

Indicators of spontaneous and stimulated nitroblue tetrazole test of polymorphous-nuclear leucocytes in acute dysentery patients

140 healthy individuals and 93 sick with acute dysentery were subjected to an examination by spontaneous and by bacterial preparations stimulated reaction with nitroblue tetrazole (NBT test). Indicators in healthy persons were normal in the spontaneous, and increased in the NBT test, stimulated by bacterial preparations. Indicators of the spontaneous NBT test in patients with acute dysentery were raised with a maximum in the period of early convalescence. Stimulation by a live shigella culture--the dysentery vaccine--revealed by means of Sonne diagnostic high, and when endotoxin from Serratia marcescens and dysenterin was used as an inductor, mild indicators of NBT test activity. When a polyvalent agglutinating dysentery serum was used as a stimulator, the activity increased considerably, and a simultaneous use of serum and vaccine had an inhibiting effect on the indicators of the stimulated NBT test. The obtained results testify the sufficient high reserve possibilities of leucocytes towards complete phagocytosis and the efficiency of the NBT test, stimulated by bacterial preparations for the study of functional and metabolic activity of leucocytes in the process of acute bacterial dysentery.     

Immunotoxicity of carbaryl in chicken

Effect of methyl carbonate pesticide, carbonyl, was studied on macrophage functions, lymphocyte proliferation and delayed type hypersensitivity response. Sixteen adult chicken, vaccinated against Newcaslte disease, were procured and randomly divided in two experimental groups. Chicken of group I served as control, while group II birds were given carbaryl at 20 ppm (No observable effect level, NOEL) in feed for 3 months. To measure the functional activity of phagocytic cells, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test was performed on peripheral blood leucocytes. Concanvalin A (Con-A) and lipopolysaccharide stimulated proliferation of T and B lymphocytes was assessed using MTT dye method. At the end of experiment, the phagocytic capacities of macrophages were significantly reduced in carbaryl treated group. Lymphocyte proliferation responses to Con-A and LPS were (23 and 28%, respectively lower) in chicken fed with carbaryl. Delayed hypersensitivity reaction to tuberculin was reduced to 77% of control values indicating inhibition of cell mediated immune response. The present study suggested of immunosuppressive effect of (NOEL dose carbaryl) in chicken.     

A Comparison of Tethering and Pen Confinement of Dogs

This study compared general activity and specific behaviors of 30 adult Alaskan sled dogs, 19 male and 11 female dogs, on 3.5 m tethers and in 5.9 m2 pens. The investigators used activity level and steriotypies as indicators of welfare. The dogs spent most of their time inactive, either lying or sitting both on the tether and in the pen. They had more opportunity for interaction with one another but less space in the pen (5.9 m2 in the pen vs. 38.5 m2 on the tether). Standing on the hind legs (p < .05) occurred more frequently in the pens; circling was more frequent on the tethers (p < .05). The U.S. Department of Agriculture approves penning but not tethering of dogs; however, the behavior of the dogs in this study did not indicate an improvement in welfare in pens.     

Differential effect of extracellular calcium on the Na(+)-K+ pump activity in intact polymorphonuclear leucocytes and erythrocytes

The effect of extracellular calcium on the Na(+)-K+ pump activity in human polymorphonuclear leucocytes and erythrocytes was studied and compared with the activity in mixed peritoneal leucocytes from rats. While there was maximal decrease in the pump activity (25-30%) of leucocytes from both rat and human by calcium 0.6 mM, a concentration of 0.1 mM caused a substantial decrease indicating a high sensitivity for extracellular calcium. In contrast, calcium had no effect on the pump activity in erythrocytes. The effect of calcium on the pump activity in leucocytes may be due to regulation of the influx of sodium across the plasma membrane, since in human leucocytes calcium had no effect on the pump activity if the cells were loaded with sodium.     

A comparative study of the effects of laser and light-emitting diode irradiation on the wound healing and functional activity of wound exudate leukocytes

The effects of coherent He-Ne laser and non-coherent light-emitting diode radiation on rat skin wound healing and functional activity of wound excudate leukocytes were compared. A comparative pathomorphological analysis showed that the He-Ne laser and light-emitting diode irradiation stimulated the transition of the inflammatory phase of the wound healing into the reparative (proliferative) and scarring phases sequentially. It was also detected that the functional activity of leucocytes changed in a dose-dependent manner. The leukocyte activity was found to be similar in the groups with laser and light-emitting diode irradiation. Thus, we can conclude that coherent laser and non-coherent light-emitting diode radiation have very close effects on wound healing and activity of wound exudate leukocytes, and coherence is not required for this activity.     

The Predictive Value of Early Behavioural Assessments in Pet Dogs – A Longitudinal Study from Neonates to Adults

Studies on behavioural development in domestic dogs are of relevance for matching puppies with the right families, identifying predispositions for behavioural problems at an early stage, and predicting suitability for service dog work, police or military service. The literature is, however, inconsistent regarding the predictive value of tests performed during the socialisation period. Additionally, some practitioners use tests with neonates to complement later assessments for selecting puppies as working dogs, but these have not been validated. We here present longitudinal data on a cohort of Border collies, followed up from neonate age until adulthood. A neonate test was conducted with 99 Border collie puppies aged 2–10 days to assess activity, vocalisations when isolated and sucking force. At the age of 40–50 days, 134 puppies (including 93 tested as neonates) were tested in a puppy test at their breeders'' homes. All dogs were adopted as pet dogs and 50 of them participated in a behavioural test at the age of 1.5 to 2 years with their owners. Linear mixed models found little correspondence between individuals'' behaviour in the neonate, puppy and adult test. Exploratory activity was the only behaviour that was significantly correlated between the puppy and the adult test. We conclude that the predictive validity of early tests for predicting specific behavioural traits in adult pet dogs is limited.     

Isolation and chemical composition of the leucocytes from donkey, horse, mule and pig.

1. Leucocytes from the blood of adult and young donkeys (Equus asinus L.), adult horses (Equus caballus L.), adult mules (Equus asinus x Equus caballus) and adult pigs (Sus scrofa L.) were obtained in a high degree of purity (99.9%) using Na2-EDTA-dextrans mixtures. 2. Sialic acids were released, purified, identified and determined from both non-delipided and delipided leucocytes. 3. N-glycolylneuraminic was the predominant sialic acid. N-acetylneuraminic acid and N,O-diacetyl-neuraminic acid were also found in all materials. Except in pig, other unidentified sialic acid(s) were also detected. 4. The concentration of total sialic acids (microgram/mg protein) is different according to the species, and in donkey species according to the age. 5. Galactose, glucose, mannose, fucose and (in a less amount) ribose were determined. Their total content is about 2-3-fold that of hexosamines. 6. There is a higher cholesterol content in adult donkey leucocytes than in those of young ones. 7. Total lipids, cholesterol or phospholipid contents are similar among the leucocytes of the above-mentioned species. 8. The similarities are marked in the electrophoresis patterns of proteins and glycoproteins for the donkey, mule and horse samples. 9. The molecular weights for leucocytes proteins were estimated as ranging between 230,000 and 20,000; and for the main protein bands, between 120,000 and 22,000.     

Ontogenic changes in cardiac rhythm during acute hypoxia in dogs and rabbits]

Newborn dogs and rabbits exhibit unequal reactivity of cardiac activity to acute hypoxia as compared to adult ones, being lesser in the newborn. In dogs, during postnatal life as well as during adaptation to hypoxia, tachycardic effect of atropine increases indicating the increase in vagal tone. In growing rabbits, cardiac rhythm decreases, the decrease being presumably due to changes in the tone of the sympathetic nervous system, since no significant changes were observed in cardiac activity during atropine administration.     

Immunocyte adherence and leukocyte migration inhibition tests in dogs infested with Leishmania donovani. Importance of lymphocyte conservation in liquid nitrogen]

A method of canine lymphocytes isolation and storage in liquid azote with DMSO is described. It was possible to use these lymphocytes in the immunocytoadherence and leucocytes migration inhibition tests in dogs infected with Leishmania donovani. The sensitisation was made with a soluble antigen from promastigotes of L. donovani braid by ultrasounds. The dogs with Leishmaniasis gave positive results. The controls without Leishmaniasis were negative. The tests with conserved lymphocytes were as satisfactory as the same tests with fresh lymphocytes.     

Suppressor cell activity of intestinal mucosal leucocytes from buffalo (Bubalus bubalis arni)

Suppressor activity of buffalo intestinal intraepithelial leucocytes and lamina propria leucocytes was induced by Concanavalin A, and was assayed against the mitogenic response of autologous and allogenic leucocytes to mitogens. Appreciable suppression was observed with 25 micrograms ConA/ml on the proliferative activity of the responder cells cocultured at a ratio of < 2:1 (suppressor:responder cell). Mitomycin C treatment of intestinal leucocytes did not totally vanish the viability and functionality of leucocytes.     

Changes in mechanical properties of bone within the mandibular condyle with age

The purpose of the study was to compare indentation modulus (IM) and hardness of condylar bone in young and adult dogs. In addition we desired to examine histologic sections for bone formation activity in the two groups. Mandibular condyles were obtained from adult (1- to 2-year-old) and young (approximately 5-m old) dogs. Two sections/condyle were obtained and one was processed for histomorphometry and the other for mechanical analyses. Indents were made on moist condylar trabecular bone to a depth of 500 nm at a loading rate of 10 nm/s using a custom-made hydration system to obtain IM and hardness. Histomorphometric analyses measured the bone volume/total volume (BV/TV%) and ratio of labeled to unlabeled bone within the condyle. Data were analyzed using a repeated-measures factorial analysis of variance and Tukey-Kramer method. Overall, the IM of the adult condyles (10.0+/-3.4 GPa, Mean+/-SD) were significantly (P<0.0001) higher than in young dogs (5.6+/-2.6 GPa). There was a greater bone mass in the young (60.2%) versus the adult condyles (42%). Also, significantly more labeled bone in the young (66.1%) condylar bone suggested higher bone forming activity than in adult condyles (27.5%). With age there is a change in mass and material properties in the trabecular bone of the mandibular condyle in dogs.     

The generation of active microbicidal forms of oxygen by leukocytes transiting the vascular bed of the lungs

In experiments on dogs using the chemiluminescent method and nitroblue-tetrazole reaction the authors found out that leucocytes while passing through the pulmonary vessels bed, in contrast to the spleen increase the generation of active microbicidal forms of oxygen. Due to this fact we suppose that the lungs may take part in the formation of free radical status and phagocytic antiinfectious defence of the organism.     

Age-dependent changes in uptake and recycling of ascorbic acid in erythrocytes of Beagle dogs

Uptake and recycling of ascorbic acid (AA) were studied in erythrocytes of 1- to 12-month-old Beagle dogs. At 1 month, both AA uptake and recycling capacity were high. Ascorbic acid entered erythrocytes mainly in the oxidized form with elevated activity of Glut 1 glucose transporter. However, this trait of erythrocytes was rapidly lost in the course of postnatal growth. At 3 months, ascorbic acid uptake and recycling capacity decreased to almost adult levels. Thereafter, AA was transported mainly in the reduced form, and its uptake and recycling capacity became one-third the levels of 1-month-old dogs. Postnatal anemia and recovery were indicated by changes in hemoglobin and packed cell volume levels at 1 and 3 months. Glutathione reductase (GR) activity was twice as high as in adults in 1-month-old dogs, allowing efficient reduction of oxidized ascorbic acid, which enters cells in large amounts due to elevated activity of the Glut 1 glucose transporter. One-month-old dogs need high levels of AA for antioxidant protection and skeletal development. The high AA recycling capacity of erythrocytes is considered to balance the expenditure of AA in young Beagle dogs.     

Immuno-Histochemical Analysis of Rod and Cone Reaction to RPE65 Deficiency in the Inferior and Superior Canine Retina

Mutations in the RPE65 gene are associated with autosomal recessive early onset severe retinal dystrophy. Morphological and functional studies indicate early and dramatic loss of rod photoreceptors and early loss of S-cone function, while L and M cones remain initially functional. The Swedish Briard dog is a naturally occurring animal model for this disease. Detailed information about rod and cone reaction to RPE65 deficiency in this model with regard to their location within the retina remains limited. The aim of this study was to analyze morphological parameters of cone and rod viability in young adult RPE65 deficient dogs in different parts of the retina in order to shed light on local disparities in this disease. In retinae of affected dogs, sprouting of rod bipolar cell dendrites and horizontal cell processes was dramatically increased in the inferior peripheral part of affected retinae, while central inferior and both superior parts did not display significantly increased sprouting. This observation was correlated with photoreceptor cell layer thickness. Interestingly, while L/M cone opsin expression was uniformly reduced both in the superior and inferior part of the retina, S-cone opsin expression loss was less severe in the inferior part of the retina. In summary, in retinae of young adult RPE65 deficient dogs, the degree of rod bipolar and horizontal cell sprouting as well as of S-cone opsin expression depends on the location. As the human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is pigmented similar to the RPE in the inferior part of the canine retina, and the kinetics of photoreceptor degeneration in humans seems to be similar to what has been observed in the inferior peripheral retina in dogs, this area should be studied in future gene therapy experiments in this model.