One hundred seventy-six canine lymphomas were classified morphologically using four of the major human lymphoma classification schemes (Rappaport, Lukes-Collins, Kiel, and the Working Formulation). All 176 dogs received the same chemotherapeutic protocol. Sixty-two of these lymphomas had their immunophenotypes established by examination of cell surface markers by automated cytofluorography. Several different morphologic types of canine lymphoma were identified and these were comparable to morphologic categories in human classification schemes. Follicular and low grade lymphomas were rare. The two most common morphologic types were diffuse large cell (centroblastic) and immunoblastic. The Kiel classification appeared to be the most useful human scheme for classifying the canine lymphomas. Cytofluorographic analysis was generally straightforward, and 60 of the 62 lymphomas were placed into one of three immunophenotypic categories: 27 pan-T(LQ1)+SIg+, 21 pan-T(LQ1)-SIg+, and 12 pan-T(LQ1)+SIg-. Two of the lymphomas could not be characterized immunologically because a pre-existing or reactive non-neoplastic population of lymphocytes made interpretation of single cell suspension analysis difficult. The authors identified correlations between morphology and survival and disease-free remission; dogs with high-grade tumors generally survived the longest and had the longest remissions. No correlations were identified between high concentrations of serum lactate dehydrogenase, age, sex, or stage of disease, and morphology, immunophenotype, remission, or survival times. A significant correlation between clinical illness and survival time was documented. The median age of the dogs was nine years, no significant effect of sex on prevalence was observed, and some breeds were significantly overrepresented. Significant morphologic-immunophenotypic correlations included shorter remission and survival times for T-cell tumors than B-cell tumors, and a highly significant correlation between the pan-T(LQ1)+SIg-"T cell" phenotype and hypercalcemia.

Abstract. Seven specific-pathogen-free (SPF) ponies, 1-5 years old, were exposed to Borrelia burgdorferiinfected adult ticks while being treated with dexamethasone over 5 consecutive days. One SPF pony (pony No. 178) was first exposed to laboratory-reared nymphs without B. burgdorferi infection and 3 weeks later was exposed to B. burgdorferi-infected adult ticks with concurrent dexamethasone treatment for 5 consecutive days. Four uninfected ponies treated with dexamethasone, exposed to laboratory-reared ticks without B. burgdorferi infection served as uninfected controls. Clinical signs, bacteriologic culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for bacterial DNA, immunologic responses, and gross lesions and histopathologic changes were investigated during the experiment or at necropsy 9 months after tick exposure. In all of the seven challenged ponies, infection with B. burgdorferi was detected from monthly skin biopsies and various tissues at postmortem examination by culture and by PCR. However, pony No. 178 exposed to laboratory-reared nymphs (without B. burgdorferi infection) and challenged with B. burgdorferi-infected adult ticks 2 months later did not develop a B. burgdorferi infection. All of the infected ponies seroconverted. Control ponies and pony No. 178 were negative by culture, PCR, and serology. Except for skin lesions, we failed to induce any significant histopathologic changes in this study. This is the first report of successful tick-induced experimental infection in ponies by exposure to B. burgdorferi-infected ticks. This Lyme disease model will be very useful to evaluate efficacy of vaccines against the Lyme agent and the effect of antibiotic therapy on horses infected with B. burgdorferi.

Abstract. Bovine mastitis phases induced by Staphylococcus aureus were assessed in 6 lactating cows before challenge and at 1, 4-8, and 9-14 days postinoculation (dpi). Milk lymphocytes, macrophages, and polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) were counted by conventional (manual) cytology, identified by CD3ϩ and CD11bϩ immunofluorescence and counted by flow cytometry (based on leukocyte forward and side light scatter values). Somatic cell counts (SCC) and recovery of bacteria were recorded at the same times. Preinoculation samples showed a lymphocyte-dominated composition. At 1 dpi, the percentage of PMN increased and that of lymphocytes decreased. At 4-8 dpi, PMN were predominant, but the percentage of mononuclear cells increased above that at 1 dpi and further increased by 9-14 dpi (when lymphocytes approached prechallenge values). Based on leukocyte percentages, 3 indices were created from the data: 1) the PMN/lymphocyte percentage ratio (PMN/L), 2) the PMN/macrophage percentage ratio (PMN/M), and 3) the phagocyte (PMN and macrophage)/ lymphocyte percentage ratio (Phago/L). Significant correlations were found between cytologic and flow cytometric data in all of these indicators (all with P Յ 0.01). These indices identified nonmastitic, early inflammatory (1-8 dpi), and late inflammatory (9-14 dpi) animals. In contrast, SCC and bacteriology did not. Although sensitivity of the SCC was similar to that of Phago/L, the specificity of SCC was almost half that of the Phago/ L index. Based on flow cytometry indicators, an algorithm for presumptive diagnosis of bovine mastitis was developed. Flow cytometry provides results as valid as those obtained by conventional (manual) cytology, shows greater ability to identify mastitic cases than does SCC, and may identify 3 mammary gland healthrelated conditions.Infectious bovine mastitis is a major health problem of dairy cattle that results in decreased milk production and decreased milk quality. Staphylococcus aureus is a major bacterial pathogen associated with this disease. 18 Identification of bovine mastitis has historically been based on counting of all cells present in milk (leukocytes and epithelial cells), i.e., somatic cell counts (SCC). Counts Ͼ500,000 cells/ml are usually associated with bovine mastitis, which results in reduced milk production and reduced shelf life of dairy products. 8,32 The reduction of bovine mastitis prevalence is a major goal of the dairy industry throughout the world. To achieve this goal, most countries ban from the market milk with SCC Ͼ 500,000 cells/ml or charge fees for milk deliveries that approach that figure (Booth JM: 1996, Annu Meet Natl Mastitis Counc).In spite of these policies, it is questionable whether measures based on lower SCC will result in decreased prevalence of bovine mastitis. Although high SCC (Ͼ1 ϫ 10 6 cells/ml) is regarded as an accurate indicator of bovine mastitis, both mastitic and healthy cows can yield SCC below that figure. 25 Low SCC may also be associated with milk of poor industrial value. 8 The SCC is a quanti...

A Western-style diet (WD), defined by high-fat, low-calcium, and vitamin D content, is associated with increased risk of human colorectal cancer. Understanding molecular mechanisms altered by the WD is crucial to develop preventive and therapeutic strategies. Effects of a WD on the colonic transcriptome of C57Bl/6J mice, a model for sporadic colon cancer, were studied at endpoints before tumors occur. To assess whether a WD induces inflammatory changes, expression profiles of a broad spectrum of inflammatory proteins were performed and numbers of lamina propria macrophages were determined with semiquantitative morphometry. Transcriptome changes were translated into molecular interaction network maps and pathways. Pathways related to oxidative stress response; lipid, glutathione, and xenobiotic metabolism; and the immune response were perturbed by the WD. Several nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2- and aryl hydrocarbon receptor-dependent genes, including those coding for enzymes involved in phase 1 and 2 drug metabolism and oxidative stress responses, were induced. Oxidative stress was demonstrated by measurements of endogenous colonic redox-sensitive compound concentrations. Perturbations in immune response-related pathways, expression of inflammatory proteins, and increased numbers of lamina propria macrophages showed that the WD significantly alters the local colonic immune response. Collectively, these data suggest that consumption of a WD interferes with networks of related biological response pathways involving colonic lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and the immune response. These new findings impact our understanding of links between consumption of WD and colon carcinogenesis, providing additional information for developing preventive means for decreasing colorectal cancer risk.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Incomplete masculinization of the external genitalia occurred in male Sprague-Dawley rats treated with a potent inhibitor of enzyme 5 alpha-reductase at the critical period of sexual differentiation in utero. The studies were performed using the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, 4-methyl-4-aza-5-pregnan-3-one-20[s] carboxylate, one of a series of aza steroids known to competitively inhibit the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase. The degree of inhibition of male external genital development was dependent upon the dose of the inhibitor, and at a dose of 36 mg/kg X day, there was complete feminization of the external genitalia of the male animal with a urogenital sinus and a pseudovagina. These studies provide conclusive evidence for the hypothesis that 5 alpha-reductase activity and dihydrotestosterone (17 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-3-one) formation are essential for normal differentiation of male external genitalia. Epididymidis, vasa deferentia, and seminal vesicles were present at all doses of the inhibitor, suggesting testosterone dependency. However, confirmation of the testosterone dependency of Wolffian ductal differentiation awaits further studies, particularly comparison studies with the rabbit and dog, since Wolffian ductal differentiation in the rat, unlike the rabbit and dog, is not abolished with the antiandrogen, cyproterone acetate. The presence of prostatic buds, despite complete external genital feminization, was unexpected and suggests that these structures may have different thresholds of response for dihydrotestosterone. Prostatic differentiation may have a much lower threshold, requiring less dihydrotestosterone for differentiation.