OBJECTIVE To acquire MRI diffusion data (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC] and fractional anisotropy [FA] values, including separate measures for gray and white matter) at 3.0 T for multiple locations of the brain of neurologically normal dogs. ANIMALS: 13 neurologically normal dogs recruited from a group of patients undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. PROCEDURES: MRI duration ranged from 20 to 30 minutes, including obtaining preliminary images to exclude pathological changes (T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery transverse and dorsal images) and diffusion-weighted images., RESULTS: Globally, there were significant differences between mean values for gray and white matter in the cerebral lobes and cerebellum for ADC (range of means for gray matter, 0.8349 × 10(−3) s/mm2 to 0.9273 × 10(−3) s/mm2; range of means for white matter, 0.6897 × 10(−3) s/mm2 to 0.7332 × 10(−3) s/mm2) and FA (range of means for gray matter, 0.1978 to 0.2364; range of means for white matter, 0.5136 to 0.6144). These values also differed among cerebral lobes. In most areas, a positive correlation was detected between ADC values and patient age but not between FA values and patient age. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cerebral interlobar and cerebellar diffusion values differed significantly, especially in the gray matter. Information about diffusion values in neurologically normal dogs may be used to diagnose and monitor abnormalities and was the first step in determining the clinical use of diffusion imaging. This information provided an important starting point for the clinical application of diffusion imaging of the canine brain.

Periodontal disease is the most common oral disease in cats. The objectives of this study were to determine the relationships between gingivitis and dental calculus thickness (DCT), or dental calculus coverage (DCC); determine the association of gingivitis scores and types of oral bacteria; and to evaluate bacterial co-infection in cats with periodontal disease. Twelve cats that were not infected with feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency viruses were enrolled in the study. Gingivitis, DCT, and DCC were scored and recorded. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare scores among canine, 2nd premolar, 3rd premolar, 4th premolar, and 1st molar teeth. The relationship between gingivitis and DCT or DCC scores was determined using the Spearman rank sum test (ρ). Subgingival bacteria were cultured and the association between bacterial species and gingivitis score was evaluated using a Fisher's exact test. The average gingivitis, DCT, and DCC scores for the caudal maxillary teeth were higher for the caudal mandibular teeth and more severe for the 3rd premolar, 4th premolar, and 1st molar teeth than for the canine teeth. A strong relationship between average DCT or DCC score and average gingivitis score was found (ρ = 0.96 and 1, respectively). Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial infections were identified in a large number of cats with periodontal disease (71.1% and 28.9%, respectively). In conclusion, severe gingivitis scores were associated with anaerobic bacterial infection. The caudal teeth are affected with more severe gingivitis, DCT, and DCC than the other teeth. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be prescribed in cats with periodontal disease.

Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), a costimulatory molecule of the CD28 family, has 2 ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2. Our previous studies showed that the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 is up-regulated during viral infection in pigs. Extensive studies have shown that blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathways by anti-PD-L1 antibody or soluble PD-1 restores exhausted T-cells in humans and mice. In the present study the extracellular domains of PD-1 and PD-L1 were used to evaluate the binding of PD-1 and PD-L1 with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We amplified the cDNA encoding the extracellular domains of PD-1 and PD-L1 to construct recombinant expression plasmids and obtain soluble recombinant proteins, which were then labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). The His-ExPD-1 and His-ExPD-L1 recombinant proteins were expressed in the form of inclusion bodies with a relative molecular weight of 33.0 and 45.0 kDa, respectively. We then prepared polyclonal antibodies against the proteins with a multi-antiserum titer of 1:102 400. Binding of the proteins with PBMCs was evaluated by flow cytometry. The fluorescence signals of His-ExPD-1-FITC and His-ExPD-L1-FITC were greater than those for the FITC control. These results suggest that the soluble recombinant proteins may be used to prepare monoclonal antibodies to block the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway.

Infection with small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV) causes a variety of chronic inflammatory conditions that limit production. Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is also a major production-limiting disease of sheep and goats, which causes severe inflammation of the small intestine. Previous studies have indicated that both SRLV and MAP are widespread in small ruminants in Ontario. This study estimated the prevalence of SRLV and MAP co-infection. Serum samples that were previously tested for MAP infection were re-tested for SRLV. The apparent prevalence of co-infection was low, with 3.4% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9 to 5.9] and 14.3% (95% CI: 11.6 to 17.5) of sheep and goats respectively, positive for both infections. However, co-infection is widespread with 36.8% (95% CI: 19.1 to 59.1) and 71.4% (95% CI: 52.8 to 84.9) of sheep and goat farms with 1 or more co-infected animals. A significant association was found between SRLV seropositivity and MAP fecal culture (P = 0.021), suggesting that co-infected goats may be more likely to shed MAP in their feces.

The primary objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv) and Tritrichomonas foetus in breeding bulls from a sentinel cohort of cow-calf herds in western Canada and to estimate the association between positive test status and non-pregnancy. The final objective was to evaluate the application of these tests when: i) screening bulls in the absence of a recognized problem with reproductive performance, and ii) testing for diagnosis of poor pregnancy rates. The crude apparent bull prevalence for Cfv was 1.1% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.5% to 2.1%; 8/735] and herd prevalence was 2.6% (95% CI: 0.3% to 9.0%; 2/78). The crude apparent bull prevalence for T. foetus was < 0.001% (95% CI: 0.0% to 0.5%; 0/735) and herd prevalence was < 0.001% (95% CI: 0.0% to 4.6%; 0/78). Cows from herds where at least 1 bull was test positive for Cfv were 2.35 times more likely (95% CI: 1.01% to 5.48%; P = 0.047) to not be pregnant than those with no positive bulls. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of preputial material collected into phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was recommended for screening for T. foetus when the pre-test probability of infection was > 1%. The same test for Cfv was not recommended for screening moderate- and low-risk herds due to the high risk of false positives. Tests for both T. foetus and Cfv can be used to investigate herds with reproductive problems when also ruling out other risk factors. Regardless of the type of test used, however, 3 negative tests are required to rule out infection in high-risk situations.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of cold storage (CS) on immediate posttransplantation function of renal autografts in cats. ANIMALS 15 healthy 1-year-old cats. PROCEDURES Cats were assigned to 2 groups and underwent autotransplantation of the left kidney followed by nephrectomy of the right kidney. The left kidney was autotransplanted either immediately (IT group; n = 6) or after being flushed with a cold sucrose phosphate solution and stored on ice while the implant site was prepared (CS group; 9). Serum creatinine and BUN concentrations were monitored daily and autografts were ultrasonographically examined intermittently for 14 days after surgery. RESULTS Mean duration of CS was 24 minutes for the CS group. Posttransplantation serum creatinine and BUN concentrations for the CS group had lower peak values, returned to the respective reference ranges quicker, and were generally significantly lower than those for the IT group. Mean posttransplantation autograft size for the CS group was smaller than that for the IT group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that immediate posttransplantation function of renal autografts following a short period of CS was better than that of renal autografts that did not undergo CS, which suggested CS protected grafts from ischemic injury and may decrease perioperative complications, speed recovery, and improve the long-term outcome for cats with renal transplants. IMPACT FOR HUMAN MEDICINE Cats metabolize immunosuppressive drugs in a manner similar to humans; therefore, renal transplantation in cats may serve as a desirable model for investigating the effects of renal transplantation in human patients.

The present study was conducted to identify the prevalence of brucellosis among buffaloes in Basra governorate, via examination of serum samples from 250 she buffaloes reared in different Basra reigns. Sera were examined firstly by rose Bengal test (RBT) followed by indirect enzyme linked immunsorbent assay (Elisa). The result of RBT indicated that from 250 buffaloes serum samples there were 27(10.8%) positive against Brucella abortus antigen. Elisa test was performed on 88 sera samples that included a 27 RBT positive sera and other 61 negative sera, and the result revealed that 21( 23.8%) seropositive sera for Brucella abortus. According to the regions of Basra Governorate the percentage rate of brucellosis were indicated in: Al Hartha 6(5,28%) then Al Qurna 5(4,4%), Al Dear 4(3.5), Al Zubair 3(2.6%), Al Medaina 2(1.76%) and Al Tanooma 1(0.88%). More over, infection in older animals found more significant ( P < 0.05) than in youngness, beside that infection rate were high in pregnant buffaloes in compared with non pregnant animals. Conclusion: the brucellosis of buffaloes in Basra governorate were caused by B. abortus and were more prominent in pregnant animals, therefore animals screening of suspected animals was advised,

The study was conducted to determine the effect of the 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) drug is a medication used to treat cancer or the knowledge of 5-FU drug(anticancer) effect might help to attribute these side on physiological and biochemical parameters in human by injection into a vein it is used for colon cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer. 80 blood samples were obtained adult human divided into two groups for each group (n = 40), the first group (control) and the second group treatment with drug 5-fluorouracil. There are a significant decrease (P

The role of gallic acid was studied to alleviating some biochemical parameters alterations in hyper cholesterolemia in rats. For this purpose 24 sexually adult male rats were divided randomly in to 4 groups (6 rats each). The experiment was conducted at the animal house of the Veterinary Medicine College–University of Basrah, the control group, rats were injected intraperitoneally ( I.P.) with 0.9 % normal saline (N.S)and were supply with the stander ration. The first treated group were injected intraperitoneally ( I.P.) with 100 mg/ kg gallic acid dissolve in 0.5 ml distilled water daily and were supply with the stander ration. The second treated group were supplied with the stander ration in addition to 1.5% cholesterol of the stander ration . The third treated group were supplied with standard ration in addition to 1.5% cholesterol, and injected intraperitoneally ( I.P.) after one hour with 100 mg/kg gallic acid dissolved in 0.5 ml distilled water The obtained results indicated that the administration gallic acid as protective agent on high cholesterol diet tend to alleviated and improved lipid profile by a significant reduction in the serum total cholesterol (TC),LDL-C and VLDL compared with animals fed cholesterol 1,5% diet, hepatic enzymes activates of AST &ALT in the protective group almost were at the range of normal values and the protective urea blood value reach almost as the normal level as control group.

The study was conducted to investigate the success of inducted estrus and to track the hormonal levels during the estrus cycle, pregnancy and post-parturition in dogs. Ten females, aged 2-3 years and weighted 18-22 kg, were kept in cages at the College of Veterinary Medicine-University of Baghdad. Dogs were mated and tracked till they become conceive. Then, after one month of parturition, they treated with Bromocriptine (Parlodel) a dose of (0.05mg/kg/dog) twice daily to induce estrus. Eight dogs showed estrus and mated again with the same mature dogs. Blood serum was taken once a week from cephalic vein. Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), Estrogen and Prolactin were measured by using canine Gamma counter kits. In both, normal and induced estrus periods, FSH and LH hormone levels started to elevate in proestrus and estrus phases then they declined in pregnancy months and post-parturition. Estrogen and prolactin hormones had significant differences during the second month in the other non-responsive dogs. Estrogen levels indicated that the proestrus, estrus and treatment period showed higher significant differences (P