Observations on the life cycle and prevalence of Eimeria leuckarti in horses in Montana

Of 22 foals from 4 localities in southwestern Montana, 59% were found to be infected with Eimeria leuckarti. Oocysts collected from feces of 4 positive horses were sporulated and subsequently administered to a 5- to 6-month-old foal. The prepatent period was 31 days and the patent period was between 5 and 10 days.     

The survival of inoperable breast cancer treated with radiotherapy and radiotherapy followed by mastectomy

A 6 1/2-day prepatent period and a patent period of at least 22 days followed single oocyst infection of a young coccidia-free hare with Eimeria robertsoni. Size of oocysts increased significantly during patency and was negatively correlated with oocyst output. Oryctolagus cuniculus remained negative after inoculation per os of E. robertsoni of snowshoe hare origin.     

Vasopressin for the treatment of refractory hypotension after cardiopulmonary bypass

Fecal samples from 3 species of Onychomys (Rodentia: Muridae) captured in New Mexico and Arizona were examined for coccidia. Six of the 59 (10%) were infected with a new species of Eimeria. Sporulated oocysts (n = 105) of this new species are subspheroidal, 17.4 x 16.1 (14-21 x 13-19) microm, with ellipsoidal sporocysts 10.4 x 5.7 (9-12 x 5-8) microm. This species occurred in 3 of 24 (13%) Onychomys arenicola, 2 of 31 (6%) Onychomys leucogaster from New Mexico, and 1 of 4 (25%) Onychomys torridus from Arizona. Isolates recovered from O. leucogaster and O. torridus were inoculated into O. leucogaster (n = 5) and produced infections with a prepatent period of 7 days and a patent period of 7-23 days.     

Effect of tuberculosis on milk production in dairy cows

A survey of Isospora suis performed in 177 faecal samples from 30 swine farms detected thin wall type I. suis oocysts in seven samples. This type of oocyst measuring 23.9 by 20.7 microns had a retracted thin wall similar to that of the genus Sarcocystis. This type of oocysts, isolated from four different faecal samples, was inoculated in four-five-days-old piglets free of contamination in order to verify the life cycle and pathogenicity of the species. The pigs were kept in individual metal cages and fed with cow milk. Daily faecal collections and examinations were performed until the 21st day after infection. MacMaster and Sheather's methods were used for oocyst counting and identification. Infected piglets produced yellowish-pasty diarrhoea with slight dehydration. The prepatent and patent periods were respectively from 6 to 9 and 3 to 10 days after infection. Oocyst elimination was interrupted on the 10th and 11th days after infection with biphasic cycles. Thin and thick wall oocysts were detected in the same faecal samples. Thin walls were not observed in unsporulated oocytes. The observations suggest that this type of oocysts could appear in specific strains which occur in the later stages of their development. These oocysts seem to be responsible for clinical and pathogenic signs of neonatal isosporosis in pigs.     

Changes in the rate of hexobarbital detoxication in rats during postnatal ontogenesis

Studies have been made on changes in detoxication rate of hexenal in male and female rats ageing from 1 day to 32 months as revealed by the duration of sleep after the injection of a standard dose (100 mg/g) of the drug. It was shown that in the newborn rats of both sexes, the detoxication rate is the highest, decreasing 3-fold to the age of 45 days. Sexual differences were observed beginning from the 55-60th day, resulting originally from the increase in the duration of sleep in females during their earlier sexual maturation, and being significantly enhanced to the 75th day due to a sharp decrease of the duration of sleep in males. From the 3-4th day up to the 20-32nd month, sexual differences in the duration of sleep increase due to its progressive increase in females. In 3-32-month males, significant changes in the duration of sleep were not noted. Sexual differences in detoxication rate of hexenal persist also in old animals.     

Intestinal motor and transit disturbances associated with experimental coccidiosis (Eimeria magna) in the rabbit

Digestive motility has been analyzed in three rabbits chronically fitted with intraparietal electrodes, during 6 days before and 18 days after infection with 100,000 oocysts of E. magna. The rate of flow and the transit time of digesta in the small intestine were determined during the same period by marker dilution techniques in three other rabbits fitted with an intraluminal catheter and a cannula at respectively 1.2 and 0.4 m from the ileo-caecal valve. The main disturbances of small intestine motility consisted in a disorganization of the motor profile from the 4-5th day after infection and in a strong inhibition on the 8-9th days. Gastric motility was inhibited from the 4th to the 8th day while the frequency of caecal contractions increased on the 8-9th days. An increase of the rate of flow of digesta appeared on the 8-9th days with a concomitant increase of the transit time in two rabbits and a decrease of transit time in the third rabbit. Intestinal hypomotility and the increase of digesta flow seemed to be the two primary disturbances, the consequences of which were the changes in the gastric and caecal motility and in the transit time of digesta.     

Intraarterial infusion of anti-cancer agents. (A suitable technic introducing a polyethylene tube, with angiographic visualization, through the deep femoral artery directly into the artery in the abdomen selected for injection, using two kinds of guidewires) (author''s transl)

The authors have infected 127 B. glabrata by 2 miracidia of S. mansoni, either on the Same day, or introducing a second miracidium after 3, 7 and 16 days. 1 All the groups of planorbid snails had a low percentage of positivity (31 to 41 %). 2 The first cercarial emissions, in the 4 groups were scattered in the time, the delay being in correlation with the second infection. 3 In the snails reinfected after 3 and 7 days occured the highest emissions, those with the simultaneous double infection or second infection delayed to 16 days, had the lesser emissions. 4 An interval cycle of about 3 weeks was discovered for the highest emissions. All those phenomena are probably due to competition between the sporocysts born from both miracidia. Moreover, evident reduction of the fecundity in the positive snails were shown only after the beginning of the cercarial emissions, while a normal, or even increased fecundity was established in the prepatent period of the infected snails.     

Changes in the generation cycle of duodenal crypt cells in chickens infected with Eimeria acervulina

Changes in the duration of the progenitor cycle and its four phases were determined for duodenal crypt cells in chickens infected with Eimeria acervulina. Metaphase curves were constructed using percent labelled metaphase nuclei in duodenal crypt cells at short intervals after the injection of [3H]thymidine. The duration of the progenitor cycle and its four phases were calculated using the synthetic index and data obtained from the metaphase curves. The cycle time was reduced from 14 h in control birds to 10.2 h at 2 days and 10.6 h at 4 days postinfection. The change was attributable entirely to a reduction in G1 or the presynthetic phase. In addition, the population of dividing cells within each duodenal crypt was almost doubled in infected birds. These increases in cell production precedes all the histological changes observed earlier in the intestines of E. acervulina infected chickens. At least in this instance, changes in crypt morphology seems, therefore, to result from an induced change in the functional activity of the crypt.     

Changes in the kinetics of the hemoglobin, total protein and DNA content in rat erythroid cells in experimental anemia. I. The peripheral blood

Cytophotometry of rat blood erythroid cells during anaemia, induced by phenylhydrazin (4-8 days from the beginning of injections), revealed that all forms of bone marrow containing haemoglobin were thrown into the blood. On its peak (4th day), the greatest contribution in blood haemoglobinization (50%) is made by microcytes. From the 5th day and up to the end of the restoration period the important role in this process is played by macrocytes. From the 6th day the role of normocytes increases, whose contribution by 8th day reaches 70% of the whole haemoglobin amount in blood. In contrary to anaemizated birds, whose erythroid cells ripen in blood, in rats all the transformations of erythron during anaemia are accomplished in bone marrow.     

Analysis of surgical activity of residents in pediatric surgery

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic blood transfusion is associated with an increased risk of infection and higher cancer recurrence rates. Previous research has shown that blood transfusion results in multiple immune effects, including cytokine alterations. The purpose of this study was to measure the long term kinetics of splenocyte cytokine production in transfused mice. METHODS: Balb/c mice received either syngeneic transfusion (Syn-BT) or allogeneic transfusion (Allo-BT) from C3H-HeN mice. Splenocyte production of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-gamma was quantitated by ELISA on post-transfusion days 5, 10, 21, and 30. RESULTS: Both Allo-BT and Syn-BT produced significant alterations in cytokine production, but Allo-BT produced the most dramatic and enduring effects as summarized: IL-2: Production of IL-2 was suppressed at day 5, (p < 0.0001), but then rose, peaking at day 21, 30% greater than control values (p < 0.05). IL-6: Allo-BT mice showed suppression of IL-6 throughout the study period (p < 0.005 vs controls, each time point). IL-10: A 5-fold increase in IL-10 production was seen at day 5 after Allo-BT (p < 0.0001 vs control). Production of IL-10 was suppressed at days 10 and 21 (p < 0.001), but returned to control levels by day 30, gamma-IFN: At day 5 post Allo-BT, gamma-IFN was 4 x greater than controls (p < 0.0001). Gamma-IFN production was suppressed at day 10, but then rose at days 21 and 30 to nearly 3 x control levels (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Allo-BT produced multiple cytokine alterations that were of prolonged duration. These results provide a theoretic explanation for the multiple, long-term immunomodulating effects seen in patients who have received transfusions.     

Amino acid content in the blood serum of sheep given methionine perorally and intravenously

A trial was conducted with 4 groups equated after the anologues principle. In the course of 10 days (preparatory period) the sheep were fed the same ration as to composition and quantity (meadow hay and feed mixture of maize, barley and wheat bran). The trial continued for 10 days, 3 g DL methionine being added daily to the feed mixture of group I sheep throughout this period. Group II sheep were injected each 2 g DL methionine, dissolved in 20 cc physiologic soline on days 1st, 4th, 8th of trial initiation. Jugular vein blood was taken from all sheep prior to the experiment, on days 4th and 10th of the trial, 4 h prior to offering the feed mixture. Total protein content and that of free and bound amino acids was determined for the separated serum. It was found that the content of total protein and bound amino acids in the blood serum goes up by day 4 (more marked on intravenous application) and especially by day 10. Methionine intravenous administration enhances the content of methionine and arginine bound forms whereas its peroral administration--that of methionine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, valine and tyrosine. Both modes of application augment the total content of free amino acids and of methionine, leucine, isoleucine and phenylalanine in particular. It is inferred that methionine peroral administration is suitable for mass application while intravenous administration is suitable for single cases and when quick effect is desired.     

Immunocytochemical studies on endocrine cells of alimentary tract of the pig in the embryonic and fetal period of life

The study aimed at immunocytochemical analysis of alimentary tract endocrine cells between 20th day of embryonal life and 105th day of fetal life of domestic pig. In the pancreas, presence of endocrine cells was detected already in 20th day and, at the time, the cells comprised around 3/4 all cells in primordia of the organ. Starting at that time, numerous endocrine cells produced insulin and glucagon and individual cells synthesized somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide. In the 20th day, stomach and duodenum contained single endocrine cells but hormone production was not detected until days 27 and 30. Beginning from this days, both organs manifested rapid increase in the number of gastrin-producing cells. In each of the three organs, the number of somatostatin-producing cells exhibited most extensive changes.     

A reevaluation of the refractory period following the estrogen-induced luteinizing hormone surge in the rhesus monkey

A refractory period of 6-8 days following the estrogen-induced luteinizing hormone (LH) surge in the rhesus monkey has been reported, the estrogen having been applied as injections of estradiol benzoate. This was reinvestigated using Silastic capsules filled with estradiol-17-beta. Mature intact female rhesus monkeys were given two successive exposures to estrogen, each of 48 h duration. In one experiment the second exposure started 4 days after the capsules were first implanted (2 days after removal), in the second experiment, 3 days after implantation (1 day after removal). LH surges were seen in response to both estrogen treatments in both experiments. The results suggests that a period of exposure to relatively low estrogen levels is required before a second LH surge can be elicited. This period of time can be as short as 24 h.     

Differences of the effects of testosterone propionate on the production of LH and FSH

The effects of testosterone propionate (1 mg/day) on the synthesis and circulating levels of FSH and LH were studied in normal adult male rats. The pituitary and serum gonadotrophins were measured by double antibody radioimmunoassay. The de novo synthesis of gonadotrophins was assessed by the rate of in vitro incorporation of [3H]leucine into the immunoprecipitable FSH and LH. After 4 days of treatment with testosterone propionate the circulating LH levels dropped significantly, while FSH remained unchanged. Pituitary LH content and concentration declined significantly after 1 day, and incorporation of [3H]leucine into the immunoprecipitable LH became undetectable 4 days after initiation of treatment. Pituitary FSH content and concentration showed a significant increase after the 4th day of treatment. A slight tendency towards increased incorporation of [3H]leucine into FSH was observed throughout the treatment period, although it was statistically not significant. The data provide direct evidence for a differential effect of TP on FSH and LH production by the pituitary and show that the decrease in the pituitary and plasma levels of LH in testosterone treated rats is due to the decrease in LH synthesis.     

The role of the Federal government in financing health and medical services

A detailed examination on a group of oxen naturally infested with Parafilaria bovicola suggested a prepatent period varying from 238 to 250 days. In these animals 54% of all lesions bled only once, 22% a second time and 24% more than twice. Of all active lesions 42% occurred in the shoulder region and decreased from this area both cranially and caudally. The same tendency was noticeable on carcasses after slaughter. During the observation period May 1974 to February 1975 the number of positive animals increased, reaching peak values during September - October 1974, after which a decline was noticed. The filaricidal effects of nine compounds were tested. These were suramin (used in combination with diethylcarbamazine citrate), thiacetarsamide sodium, fenchlorphos, phosmet, mebendazole, fenbendazole, levamisole hydrochloride and trichlorphon.     

Characteristics of gene 28 product, the constituent of the central part of bacteriophage T4 baseplate

This study investigated the effects of indomethacin at clinically relevant doses and its chronic usage on intestinal pathology, survival time and intestinal tissue 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha and leukotriene B4 level in rats during various periods with different doses. Indomethacin was administered ranging from 0.625 to 5 mg/kg. When used in doses of 0.625 and 1.25 mg/kg, indomethacin caused no apparent intestinal lesions or death during a treatment period of 30 days. On the other hand, all rats died in 7 days when 5 mg/kg of indomethacin was given. Mortality rate reached 53.3% in seven days in the group where 3.75 mg/kg indomethacin was given. The minimal dose of indomethacin, which induced intestinal ulcer and death, was 2.5 mg/kg. The main pathological findings were intestinal ulcers, but no macroscopic and microscopic changes were observed in the stomach. Intestinal tissue 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha and leukotriene B4 levels were quantified by enzyme immunoassay after homogenisation and extraction of tissue. In dose-dependent studies, only the dose of indomethacin, 3.75 mg/kg, significantly inhibited intestinal tissue 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha levels during seven days application period (197.39 +/- 24.26 vs 383.66 +/- 46.68 ng/g tissue, treatment vs control). 2.5 mg/kg of indomethacin caused no intestinal ulceration on 4th day, however, it significantly inhibited intestinal tissue 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha levels on 4th day in time-dependent studies (190.3 +/- 26.62 vs 383.66 +/- 46.68 ng/g tissue, treatment vs control). Neither dose-dependent nor time-dependent indomethacin administration changed intestinal tissue leukotriene B4 level. The results of this study indicated that indomethacin produced enteropathy rather than gastropathy when used chronically in clinically relevant doses in rats. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, which was estimated by quantification of intestinal tissue 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha level, seemed not to be a prerequisite for its enteropathic effect.     

Comparative susceptibility of Pyrenean and Brown Swiss calves to gastrointestinal nematodes in subclinical naturally acquired infections

The susceptibility of two common breeds of cattle in the Pyrenees, Brown Swiss and Pyrenean breed, to parasitism by gastrointestinal nematodes was studied. Twenty-two female calves (13 Brown Swiss and 9 Pyrenean), 3 months old with a mean weight of 112.8 +/- 18.33 and 103.3 +/- 17.11 kg respectively at the start of the study, were used. The calves began their first grazing season grazing with 200 cattle following the traditional grazing system for mountainous areas: Stabling during winter (December-April), grazing on harvesting meadows at an elevation of 900 m in the spring (May-June) and autumn (October-November), and grazing areas between 1200-2100 m during the summer (July-September). Faeces, blood samples and calves growth rate were taken at 2-week intervals throughout the grazing season. Faecal egg counts of gastrointestinal nematodes, level of serum pepsinogen, total serum protein and blood parameters were measured. The worm egg counts and Cooperia sp. counts were significantly smaller in the calves of Pyrenean breed than in Brown Swiss throughout the experiment. Numbers of eggs of the other genera of parasites found were smaller in the calves of Pyrenean breed than in calves of Brown Swiss breed, but no statistical differences were found. Blood was compared during two periods: the prepatent and patent periods. During the first period, no differences were found between the breeds for any parameter studied. However, during the patent period, Pyrenean animals had significantly greater numbers of erythrocytes, haemoglobin values and packed cell volume (PCV) values, and smaller numbers of eosinophils than animals of the Brown Swiss breed. No differences were found in the level of serum pepsinogen, total serum protein and live weight gains between the two breeds.     

Closure of the ductus venosus in premature infants: findings on real-time gray-scale, color-flow Doppler, and duplex Doppler sonography

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to use gray-scale, color-flow, and duplex Doppler sonography to study the anatomy, flow pattern, and time of closure of the ductus venosus in healthy premature infants. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We prospectively examined the ductus venosus in 130 premature infants whom we divided into two groups: Group I comprised 27 neonates of gestational age 28-32 weeks, and group II comprised 103 neonates of gestational age 33-36 weeks. Neonates who had undergone umbilical vessel manipulation were excluded from the study. All examinations included gray-scale, color-flow, and duplex Doppler sonography. Patency, length, color flow, and Doppler characteristics of the ductus venosus were recorded. Neonates were examined 1-2 days after birth, 6-7 days after birth, and subsequently every 3-4 days until ductus closure was observed. The time of closure of the ductus for the two groups was compared using the chi-square test. RESULTS: The ductus venosus was patent during the initial examination in 128 of the 130 neonates. Doppler waveform was venous with little variation in velocity. Ductus length slightly exceeded 1 cm in both groups. We found a statistically significant difference in the percentage of infants having a patent ductus venosus after the initial examination: At 1 week after birth, ductus patency was shown in 85% of the infants in group I and in 56% of the infants in group II; at 2 weeks, the respective percentages were 42% and 14%; and at 3 weeks, 27% and 0%. CONCLUSION: The ductus venosus is patent 1-2 days after birth in virtually all premature infants. From 6 days after birth and onward, a significantly greater percentage of smaller premature infants (i.e., 28-32 weeks' gestational age) have a patent ductus venosus than do larger premature infants (i.e., 33-36 weeks' gestational age).     

Experimental infection with Babesia divergens in cattle persistently infected with bovine virus diarrhoea virus

Nine Norwegian Red cattle, aged 7-14 months, persistently infected with bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) were inoculated with a Swedish strain of Babesia divergens. Six persistently infected cattle of the same age and breed were kept as controls. Blood and serum samples were collected regularly during the observation period. Rectal temperatures were recorded every morning for 25 days post infection, and the animals were examined clinically on a daily basis. Sera were examined for antibodies to B. divergens by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Eight of the infected animals developed fever of 2-5 days duration. Babesia divergens organisms appeared in the erythrocytes of all infected animals on the day after inoculation. The parasitaemia lasted for 4-11 days. One animal had a transient haemoglobinuria. Compared with the control group, there was a 20% decrease in the haematocrit. There was a transient lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia during the period of fever. There were no differences in mean numbers of neutrophils between the two persistently infected groups. Compared with cattle free of BVDV, the persistently infected cattle had consistently lower total leucocyte count that was mainly due to decreased mean numbers of neutrophils and monocytes. All infected animals develop antibodies > or = 1:1280 between day 7 and 10 post infection. The magnitude of the antibody response was considerably lower than that of BVDV-free animals inoculated with the same strain and dosage of B.divergens.     

Indirect maternal effects of oxacillin administered to pregnant mice on the postnatal immune response of the offspring

Effects of oxacillin administered to pregnant or nursing randombred NMRI mice on the humoral immune response of their offspring were studied. The primary humoral response of male offspring to immunization by sheep red blood cells (SRBC) on the 24th postnatal day was assayed. Spectrophotometric determination of SRBC lysis by anti-SRBC IgM antibodies produced by spleen cells was used. Treatment of pregnant mice with oxacillin (70 mg/kg body weight) from the 12th to 16th day of pregnancy resulted in an enhancement of the spleen IgM antibody response in their offspring. The same treatment of nursing mothers, either on postnatal days 1-4 or 13-16, depressed the humoral response of the offspring. When the litters of control mothers and mothers treated with oxacillin from the 11th to 15th day of pregnancy were cross-fostered at birth, the offspring born of saline-treated mothers and nursed by oxacillin-treated mothers as well as the offspring born to oxacillin-treated mothers and nursed by control mothers produced significantly higher amounts of spleen anti-SRBC IgM than the control offspring. The results suggest that the alteration of the immune response in offspring of mice treated by oxacillin during pregnancy was induced not only in the prenatal period, but also postnatally by factors originating from effects of oxacillin on the maternal organism.