Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid from cattle with central nervous system disorders after storage for 24 hours with autologous serum

BACKGROUND: We compared the changes in cell morphology, total and differential cell counts between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples analyzed within an hour of collection (fresh sample) and after the addition of autologous serum and storage for 24 h (stored sample) in 27 cattle with central nervous system disorders. RESULTS: There was a positive linear correlation between total and differential cell counts in the fresh and the stored samples. Cell morphology was preserved in all stored samples, except for increased vacuolization of mononuclear cells and cleaved nuclei of some small mononuclear cells. In the stored CSF samples, the total nucleated cell count and monocyte percentage were decreased (P = 0.01; P = 0.03), while the lymphocyte percentage was increased (P = 0.04). Mononuclear pleocytosis diagnosed in 20 fresh samples was cytologically confirmed in 12 of the 20 stored samples. In the remaining eight stored samples, the number of total nucleated cells was within the normal range. Neutrophilic pleocytosis was confirmed in all seven stored samples. The overall agreement rate between cytologic interpretation of the fresh and the stored CSF samples was 70 % (100 % for neutrophilic pleocytosis and 60 % for mononuclear pleocytosis). CONCLUSIONS: Adding 11 % of autologous serum to CSF samples might allow delayed analysis with a good agreement rate for CSF cytological interpretation. Caution is nonetheless warranted, as animal age, anamnesis, and neurological presentation need to be considered when interpreting stored CSF without pleocytosis. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-015-0502-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Autism With and Without Regression : A Two-Year Prospective Longitudinal Study in Two Population-Derived Swedish Cohorts

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Planck early results I : The Planck mission

Peer reviewe

Effects of competition on acute phase proteins and lymphocyte subpopulations - oxidative stress markers in eventing horses

The aim of the study was to evaluate markers of the acute phase response (APR) in eventing horses by measuring acute phase proteins (APP) (haptoglobin, Hp, and serum amyloid A, SAA), lysozyme, protein adducts such as pentosidine‐like adducts (PENT), malondialdehyde adducts (MDA), hydroxynonenal adducts (HNE) and total advanced glycation/glycoxidation end products (AGEs), complete blood count and lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4+, CD8+ and CD21+) both at rest and at the end of an eventing competition. Blood samples were collected from eight Warmblood horses (medium age 10 ± 3) during an official national 2‐day event competition at rest (R) and 10 min after the arrival of the cross‐country test on the second day. Exercise caused a significant increase in red blood cell number, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, neutrophils, white blood cell and lymphocyte number; however, these values remained within the normal range. The CD4+ and CD8+ cells significantly increased, whereas the CD21+ lymphocytes decreased; a significant increase in serum SAA, lysozyme and protein carbonyl derivates was also observed. Two‐day event causes significant changes in APR markers such as lysozyme, protein carbonyl derivates (HNE, AGEs, PENT) and lymphocyte subpopulations. The data support the hypothesis that 2‐day event may alter significantly APR markers. Limitations of the study were the relatively small sample size and sampling time conditioned by the official regulations of the event. Therefore, further studies are needed to investigate the time required for recovery to basal values in order to define the possible effects on the immune function of the athlete horse

Flow Cytometric Characterization of S-phase Fraction and Ploidy in Lymph Node Aspirates from Dogs with Lymphoma

Canine lymphoma is a multifaceted disease encompassing numerous entities with different prognosis. Objective assessment of the proliferation rate is of importance from the pathological and clinical perspectives. Different methods have been described in the literature to assess proliferation rate, including evaluation of Ki67 expression in fresh lymph node (LN) aspirates measured by flow cytometry (FC). This test has a high accuracy in discriminating between low- and high-grade lymphomas, and provides prognostic information among highgrade B-cell lymphomas. DNA content analysis is less expensive and suitable for well-preserved samples. We describe DNA-content analysis using LN aspirates from 112 dogs with lymphoma. S-phase fraction (SPF) accurately discriminated between low- and high-grade lymphomas, with 3.15% being the best discriminating cut-off value. SPF values strongly correlated with Ki67 expression as assessed by FC. Survival analyses were restricted to 33 dogs with high-grade B-cell lymphoma receiving standardized multi-agent chemotherapy, but no significant result was obtained for SPF. We also describe a subset of aneuploid cases and their respective follow-up. We conclude that DNA content analysis may be combined with morphological examination of LN aspirates to improve the objectivity in lymphoma subtype classification in dogs. Further studies are needed to assess the possible prognostic role of SPF and ploidy status within specific lymphoma subtypes in dogs

Altered Erythropoiesis in Mouse Models of Type 3 Hemochromatosis

Type 3 haemochromatosis (HFE3) is a rare genetic iron overload disease which ultimately lead to compromised organs functioning. HFE3 is caused by mutations in transferrin receptor 2 (TFR2) gene that codes for two main isoforms (Tfr2α and Tfr2β). Tfr2α is one of the hepatic regulators of iron inhibitor hepcidin. Tfr2β is an intracellular isoform of the protein involved in the regulation of iron levels in reticuloendothelial cells. It has been recently demonstrated that Tfr2 is also involved in erythropoiesis. This study aims to further investigate Tfr2 erythropoietic role by evaluating the erythropoiesis of two Tfr2 murine models wherein either one or both of Tfr2 isoforms have been selectively silenced (Tfr2 KI and Tfr2 KO). The evaluations were performed in bone marrow and spleen, in 14 days’ and 10 weeks’ old mice, to assess erythropoiesis in young versus adult animals. The lack of Tfr2α leads to macrocytosis with low reticulocyte number and increased hemoglobin values, together with an anticipation of adult BM erythropoiesis and an increased splenic erythropoiesis. On the other hand, lack of Tfr2β (Tfr2 KI mice) causes an increased and immature splenic erythropoiesis. Taken together, these data confirm the role of Tfr2α in modulation of erythropoiesis and of Tfr2β in favoring iron availability for erythropoiesis

Medicinal importance of grapefruit juice and its interaction with various drugs

Grapefruit juice is consumed widely in today's health conscious world as a protector against cardiovascular diseases and cancers. It has however, been found to be an inhibitor of the intestinal cytochrome P – 450 3A4 system, which is responsible for the first pass metabolism of many drugs. The P – glycoprotein pump, found in the brush border of the intestinal wall which transports many of these cytochrome P – 450 3A4 substrates, has also been implicated to be inhibited by grapefruit juice. By inhibiting these enzyme systems, grapefruit juice alters the pharmacokinetics of a variety of medications, leading to elevation of their serum concentrations. Most notable are its effects on the calcium channel antagonist and the statin group of drugs. In the case of many drugs, the increased serum concentration has been found to be associated with increased frequency of dose dependent adverse effects. In this review, we have discussed the phytochemistry of grapefruit juice, the various drugs involved in the drug – grapefruit juice eraction with their mechanisms of action and have presented the clinical implications of these interactions