Interactions ofCandida albicans with bacteria and salivary molecules in oral biofilms

The yeastCandida albicans coaggregates with a variety of streptococcal species, an interaction that may promote oral colonization by yeast cells.C. albicans andCandida tropicalis are the yeasts most frequently isolated from the human oral cavity and our data demonstrate that both these species bind toStreptococcus gordonii NCTC 7869 while two otherCandida species (Candida krusei andCandida kefyr) do not. Adherence ofC. albicans was greatest when the yeast had been grown at 30° C to mid-exponential growth phase. For 21 strains ofC. albicans there was a positive correlation between the ability to adhere toS. gordonii and adherence to experimental salivary pellicle. Whole saliva either stimulated or slightly inhibited adherence ofC. albicans toS. gordonii depending on the streptococcal growth conditions. The results suggest that the major salivary adhesins and coaggregation adhesins ofC. albicans are co-expressed.     

Evaluation of the present breeding programme against copper toxicosis in Danish Bedlington terriers

A breeding programme to eradicate copper toxicosis in Danish Bedlington terriers has been established based on a DNA marker test. Genotyping of both parents is compulsory and after 1 January 2000, only homozygous non-carriers are used for breeding. In this study, two groups of Bedlington terriers were genotyped at 18 microsatellite loci. One group represented the original population of Bedlington terriers before introducing the breeding programme (n = 23); the other represented a group of homozygous non-carriers (n = 24) available for breeding after year 2000. Allele numbers, allele frequencies, observed heterozygosities (Ho), expected heterozygosities (He), locus-specific coefficients of inbreeding (Fl) and Nei's genetic distance (D) was calculated. Individual coefficients of inbreeding (Fi) were calculated from the pedigrees and an assignment test was performed. Four rare alleles were lost in the group of homozygous non-carriers. No significant differences were observed between the mean values of allele numbers, Ho, He, Fl and Fi of the two populations of dogs. Nei's genetic distance between the two populations was 0.06 and 88% of the homozygous non-carriers were assigned correctly in the assignment test. The overall diversity of the breed was low (Ho = 0.41) and the breeders were advised to include the heterozygous carriers again.     

Physiological routes from intra-uterine seminal contents to advancement of ovulation

Whole boar semen or seminal plasma has been demonstrated to advance the time of ovulation in gilts. As a means of clarifying this influence, the contribution of uterine lymphatics and their white cell populations has been examined. After duct visualisation with Evan's blue, lymph was sampled from a mesometrial vessel in eight pre-ovulatory gilts whose uterine lumen was infused simultaneously with whole semen in one ligated horn and saline in the contralateral ligated horn. Lymph was collected from cannulated vessels for periods of up to four hours under general anaesthesia. Thereafter, mesometrial lymph nodes, utero-tubal junction and uterine wall tissues were sampled. The proportion of nucleated cells in the sampled lymph increased towards the end of the collection period, but erythrocytes were found in all instances preventing a meaningful differentiation and identification of leukocytes. Prominent uterine lymph nodes were present in the mesometrium on both sides of the reproductive tract in 7 of 10 gilts. Differences in cellular contents were demonstrated between the side of the tract infused with semen and that infused with saline control. Two of 4 gilts had lower values for CD4 (Cluster Differentiation) and 3 of 6 gilts higher values for MHC II (Major Histocompatibility Complex) markers on the side challenged with semen. In contrast, values remained constant for CD8 but ranged widely for CD18. Immunohistochemical analysis of uterine tissue samples for MHC II+ cells revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) between the control and semen-treated ligated portions of the horns, as well as between the tissue sample of uterine wall and that from the utero-tubal junction, but there were no significant differences for CD4+ cells. It therefore remains plausible that semen-induced cytokines in the uterine lymph undergo counter-current transfer to the ipsilateral ovary and accelerate the final maturation of pre-ovulatory Graafian follicles.     

Genome-wide association study in Dachshund: identification of a major locus affecting intervertebral disc calcification

Intervertebral disc calcification and herniation commonly affects Dachshund where the predisposition is caused by an early onset degenerative process resulting in disc calcification. A continuous spectrum of disc degeneration is seen within and among dog breeds, suggesting a multifactorial etiology. The number of calcified discs at 2 years of age determined by a radiographic evaluation is a good indicator of the severity of disc degeneration and thus serves as a measure for the risk of developing intervertebral disc herniation. The aim of the study was to identify genetic variants associated with intervertebral disc calcification in Dachshund through a genome-wide association (GWA) study. Based on thorough radiographic examinations, 48 cases with ≥ 6 disc calcifications or surgically treated for disc herniation and 46 controls with 0-1 disc calcifications were identified. GWA using the Illumina CanineHD BeadChip identified a locus on chromosome 12 from 36.8 to 38.6 Mb with 36 markers reaching genome-wide significance (P(genome) = 0.00001-0.026). This study suggests that a major locus on chromosome 12 harbors genetic variations affecting the development of intervertebral disc calcification in Dachshund.     

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in the Eurasian dog breed--inheritance and exclusion of two candidate genes

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is considered an inherited disease in several dog breeds. Affected dogs show polyphagia, weight loss and voluminous faeces of light colour due to the lack of pancreatic enzymes. In the study described herein, we performed a segregation analysis using the singles method for three families of the Eurasian dog breed. Our data were consistent with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. In addition, we performed a linkage analysis in these families using four microsatellite markers on CFA3 and two microsatellites on CFA23. Based on our results, we excluded the canine orthologs of the human cholecystokinin (CCK) and the cholecystokinin A receptor (CCKAR) genes as candidates for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.     

Identification of 2 loci associated with development of myxomatous mitral valve disease in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common heart disease in dogs. It is characterized by chronic progressive degenerative lesions of the mitral valve. The valve leaflets become thickened and prolapse into the left atrium resulting in mitral regurgitation (MR). MMVD is most prevalent in small to medium sized dog breeds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) in particular. The onset of MMVD is highly age dependent, and at the age of 10 years, nearly all CKCS are affected. The incidence of a similar disease in humans-mitral valve prolapse-is 1-5%. By defining CKCSs with an early onset of MMVD as cases and old dogs with no or mild signs of MMVD as controls, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify loci associated with development of MMVD. We have identified a 1.58 Mb region on CFA13 (P(genome) = 4.0 × 10(-5)) and a 1.68 Mb region on CFA14 (P(genome) = 7.9 × 10(-4)) associated with development of MMVD. This confirms the power of using the dog as a model to uncover potential candidate regions involved in the molecular mechanisms behind complex traits.     

Proteomic profile of culture filtrate from the Brazilian vaccine strain <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium bovis</Emphasis> BCG Moreau compared to <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. bovis</Emphasis> BCG Pasteur

Background  

Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is currently the only available vaccine against tuberculosis (TB) and comprises a heterogeneous family of sub-strains with genotypic and phenotypic differences. The World Health Organization (WHO) affirms that the characterization of BCG sub-strains, both on genomic and proteomic levels, is crucial for a better comprehension of the vaccine. In addition, these studies can contribute in the development of a more efficient vaccine against TB. Here, we combine two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) and mass spectrometry to analyse the proteomic profile of culture filtrate proteins (CFPs) from M. bovis BCG Moreau, the Brazilian vaccine strain, comparing it to that of BCG Pasteur. CFPs are considered of great importance given their dominant immunogenicity and role in pathogenesis, being available for interaction with host cells since early infection.     

Randomised controlled trial of gabapentin in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type 1 [ISRCTN84121379]

Background  

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type one (CRPS I) or formerly Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) is a disabling syndrome, in which a painful limb is accompanied by varying symptoms. Neuropathic pain is a prominent feature of CRPS I, and is often refractory to treatment. Since gabapentin is an anticonvulsant with a proven analgesic effect in various neuropathic pain syndromes, we sought to study the efficacy of the anticonvulsant gabapentin as treatment for pain in patients with CRPS I.