Cytology And Cytochemistry Of Hemocytes Of Mytilus-Edulis And Their Responses To Experimentally Injected Carbon Particles

Hemocytes of Mytilus edulis were examined cytologically and cytochemically. On the basis of structure, staining reactions, and phagocytic behavior, they were divided into two main groups: basophilic hemocytes and eosinophilic granular hemocytes (granulocytes). The basophilic cells were further divided into small lymphocytes and larger phagocytic macrophages reactive for lysosomal hydrolases. Mitosis was observed in granulocytes and in small lymphoid cells, believed to be the stem cells for the basophilic cell line. A few cells appeared to be intermediate between lymphocytes and small granulocytes. Macrophages were the main cell type involved in the clearance of injected carbon particles. However, granulocytes did show some phagocytic activity. Brown cells displaying apparent amoebocytic behavior were found to contain Fe3+ and Pb2+ in cytoplasmic inclusions, some of which were also reactive for β-glucuronidase and glucosaminidase. These cells appear to have a separate origin from the hemocytes.

Comparative validation of c-kit exon 11 mutation analysis on cytology samples and corresponding surgical resections of gastrointestinal stromal tumours

Objective:

Nematode neuropeptide modulation of the vagina vera of Ascaris suum: in vitro effects of PF1, PF2, PF4, AF3 and AF4

Ascaris suum possesses a large number of FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) of which KNEFIRFamide (AF1), KHEYLRFamide (AF2) and KSAYMRFamide (AF8/PF3) have been shown to modulate the intrinsic, rhythmic activity of the vagina vera of A. suum in vitro. In the present study, the effects of the nematode FaRPs, SDPNFLRFamide (PF1), SADPNFLREamide (PF2) and KPNFIRFamide (PF4) (from Panagrellus redivivus) and AVPGVLRFamide (AF3) and GDVPGVLRFamide (AF4) (from A. suum) on the in vitro activity of the vagina vera were examined. The effects of each of the peptides were qualitatively and quantitatively distinct. All 3 FaRPs from P. redivivus were inhibitory, causing a cessation of contractions. PF2 was 3 times more potent than PF1, with a threshold of 1 nM. Although PF4 was the least potent (threshold, 10 nM), its effects at greater than or equal to 10 nM were quantitatively the greatest. Both AF3 and AF4 (1 mu M) induced complex, multiphasic responses consisting of an initial contraction and spastic paralysis followed by a return of contractile activity of increased amplitude. AF3 was 3 times more potent than AF4. The effects of these peptides had some similarities to those observed on A. suum somatic body wall muscle in vitro, with PF1, PF2 and PF4 being inhibitory and AF3 and AF4 being excitatory.

Modulation of the motility of the vagina vera of Ascaris suum in vitro by FMRFamide-related peptides

Ascaris suum contains a large number of FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) of which KNEFIRFamide (AF1), KHEYLRFamide (AF2) and KSAYMRFamide (AF8, also called PF3) have been extensively studied and are known to exert actions on somatic muscle strips of the worm. In the present study, the effects of AF1, AF2 and AF8 on the activity of the vagina vera of female A. suum have been examined in vitro. The vagina vera is a muscular tube connecting the uterus and vagina uteri to the gonopore and is probably involved in regulating egg output. The tissue exhibited spontaneous, rhythmic contractions in vitro, which were modulated by each of the FaRPs tested. The effects of each of the peptides were qualitatively and quantitatively different, and in each case were reversible. AF1 (1 mu M) caused a biphasic response in the form of a transient lengthening of the preparation, followed by a shortening; contractions were initially inhibited but resumed 5 min post-addition of the peptide. Lower concentrations (less than or equal to 0.1 mu M) induced a less marked effect, with rhythmic contractions returning 5 min post-addition. AF2 and AF8 reduced contraction frequency at concentrations greater than or equal to 0.1 mu M. Both peptides also caused the tissue to shorten, although the effects of AF8 on baseline tension were inconsistent. The apparent potencies of AF1 and AF8 on contraction frequency of the vagina vera were 10-fold greater than AF2 and, unlike their actions on A. suum somatic body wall muscles, the actions of AF1 and AF2 were qualitatively different. Indeed, the effects of each of these FaRPs on the vagina vera were markedly different from those observed on the somatic muscle.

Comparison of a leukocyte esterase test with endometrial cytology for the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis and correlation with first service pregnancy rate in postpartum Holstein cows

L’objectif de la présente étude était d’évaluer un test d’estérase leucocytaire (LE) pour le diagnostic de l’endométrite subclinique chez les vaches Holstein en période postpartum. Les tests effectués à partir d’échantillons provenant soit de l’endomètre (UtLE) ou du col utérin (CxLE) ont été comparés à la cytologie endométriale (CE). Par ailleurs, deux méthodes d’évaluation des lames ont été comparées. Deux cent quatre vingt-cinq vaches Holstein de 5 troupeaux laitiers commerciaux ont été évaluées entre 21 et 47 jours en lait (JEL). Soixante sept vaches ont été diagnostiquées avec une endométrite clinique suite à un examen transrectal et vaginoscopique et ont été exclues de l’étude. Deux cent dix-huit vaches ont eu des prélèvements pour la CE et le test LE. La fonction ovarienne a été déterminée à la palpation transrectale. La banque de données utilisée pour chacune des vaches a été effectuée à partir du logiciel DSA (Dossier de Santé Animale) laitier. Le pourcentage de neutrophiles était significativement corrélé avec les scores de LE utérin et cervical. L’activité de CxLE et UtLE diminuait significativement avec les JEL, mais n’était pas associée au risque de gestation à 90 JEL (n= 186). Le pourcentage de neutrophiles mesuré à la CE entre 32 et 47 JEL était associé significativement au risque de gestation à 90 JEL (n=94, P=0.04). Pour la même période, selon une analyse de survie, les vaches avec >2,6% de neutrophiles à la CE étaient définies comme étant atteintes d’une endométrite subclinique avec une prévalence de 56%. Les résultats indiquent que le test d’estérase utérin ou cervical a une bonne concordance avec le pourcentage de neutrophiles à la CE. Une endométrite subclinique diagnostiquée par cytologie endometriale entre 32 et 47 JEL est associée à une réduction du risque de gestation au premier service.

Actinomyces coleocanis sp. nov., from the vagina of a dog

A hitherto undescribed Actinomyces-like bacterium was isolated from the vagina of a dog. Biochemical testing and PAGE analysis of whole-cell proteins indicated that the isolate was phenotypically different from previously described Actinomyces species and related taxa. Sequencing of 165 rRNA showed that the unknown bacterium was distinct from all currently known Actinomyces species. Phylogenetically, the unidentified organism displayed a specific association with Actinomyces europaeus, but a sequence divergence of > 5% demonstrated that it represents a distinct species. Based on both phenotypic and 165 rRNA sequence considerations, it is proposed that the unknown strain from a dog be classified as a novel species, Actinomyces coleocanis sp. nov. The type strain is CCUG 41708T (= CIP 106873T).