Effect of a Pheromone on Stress-Associated Reactivation of Feline Herpesvirus-1 in Experimentally Inoculated Kittens

Background

Stress contributes to reactivation of feline herpesvirus‐1 (FHV‐1). The usage of pheromones to decrease stress in FHV‐1 experimentally inoculated kittens has not previously been investigated.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To determine whether a feline pheromone would lessen stress, resulting in decreased recurrence of FHV‐1‐associated illness in kittens.

Animals

Twelve 5‐month‐old, purpose‐bred kittens.

Methods

Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial. Kittens previously infected with the same dose of FHV‐1 were randomized into 2 separate but identical group rooms. After a 2‐week equilibration period, a diffuser containing either the pheromone or placebo was placed in each of the rooms, and the kittens acclimated for an additional 2 weeks. Every 2 weeks thereafter, for the 8‐week study period, housing was alternated between kennel‐ and group housing. Blinded observers applied a standardized clinical and behavioral scoring rubric daily. After each 2‐week period, serum cortisol concentrations and quantitative PCR for FHV‐1 and glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) ratios were evaluated. Clinical, behavioral, and laboratory test results were compared between groups within individual and combined study periods.

Results

Sneezing occurred more frequently in the placebo group during individual (P = 0.006) and combined study periods (P = 0.001). Sleep at the end of observation periods occurred more frequently in the pheromone group during individual (P = 0.006) and combined study periods (P < 0.001).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The findings suggest that the pheromone decreased stress, and the decrease in stress response may have resulted in decreased sneezing associated with FHV‐1.

Orbitofrontal structural markers of negative affect in alcohol dependence and their associations with heavy relapse-risk at 6 months post-treatment

BACKGROUND

Alcohol relapse is often occurring to regulate negative affect during withdrawal. On the neurobiological level, alcoholism is associated with gray matter (GM) abnormalities in regions that regulate emotional experience such as the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). However, no study to our knowledge has investigated the neurobiological unpinning of affect in alcoholism at early withdrawal and the associations of OFC volume with long-term relapse risk.

METHODS

One hundred and eighty-two participants were included, 95 recently detoxified alcohol dependent patients (ADP) and 87 healthy controls (HC). We measured affective states using the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS). We collected T1-weighted brain structural images and performed Voxel-based morphometry (VBM).

RESULTS

Findings revealed GM volume decrease in alcoholics in the prefrontal cortex (including medial OFC), anterior cingulate gyrus, and insula. GM volume in the medial OFC was positively associated with NA in the ADP group. Cox regression analysis predicted that risk to heavy relapse at 6 months increases with decreased GM volume in the medial OFC.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative affect during alcohol withdrawal was positively associated with OFC volume. What is more, increased GM volume in the OFC also moderated risk to heavy relapse at 6 months. Reduced GM in the OFC poses as risk to recovery from alcohol dependence and provides valuable insights into transient negative affect states during withdrawal that can trigger relapse. Implications exist for therapeutic interventions signifying the OFC as a neurobiological marker to relapse and could explain the inability of ADP to regulate internal negative affective states.

Detection of Combined n/γ Fission Signatures Induced by an Epithermal Neutron Source

In this paper, a method is presented for the detection of special nuclear materials (SNMs) in shielded containers, which is both sensitive and applicable under field conditions. The method uses an external pulsed neutron source to induce fission in SNM and subsequent detection of the fast prompt fission neutrons. The detectors surrounding the container under investigation are liquid scintillation detectors able to distinguish gamma rays from fast neutrons by means of pulse shape discrimination method (PSD). One advantage of these detectors, besides the ability for PSD analysis, is that the analog signal from a detection event is of very short duration (typically few tens of nanoseconds). This allows the use of very short coincidence gates for the detection of the prompt fission neutrons in multiple detectors, while benefiting from a low background coincidence rate, yielding a low detection limit. Another principle advantage of this method derives from the fact that the external neutron source is pulsed. By proper time gating, the interrogation can be conducted by epithermal source neutrons only. These neutrons do not appear in the fast neutron signal following the PSD analysis, thus providing a fundamental method for separating the interrogating source neutrons from the sample response in the form of fast fission neutrons. This paper describes laboratory tests with a configuration of eight detectors in the Pulsed Neutron Interrogation Test Assembly (PUNITA). Both the photon and neutron signature for induced fission is observed, and the methods used to isolate these signatures are described and demonstrated.

Towards single egg toxicity screening using microcoil NMR

Planar NMR microcoils are evaluated, their application to single eggs is demonstrated, and their potential for studying smaller single cells is discussed.

Thermal Transport in Straw Insulation

An evacuable guarded hot plate for thermal conductivity measurements between 200 and 800 C was used to investigate the heat transfer in barley straw. The different thermal transfer mechanisms (solid, gaseous conduction and infrared-radiative heat transfer) as well as coupling effects were separated. The measured thermal conductivities (λ = 0.041 W m−1 K−1) are similar to those of conventional insulation materials such as foams, glass or mineral fibres which are widely used as building insulation materials. Straw from barley or wheat, which is a low-cost, renewable material readily available world-wide, is therefore an interesting alternative to conventional insulation materials.

Prolonged insulin treatment sensitizes apoptosis pathways in pancreatic β cells

Insulin resistance results from impaired insulin signaling in target tissues that leads to increased levels of insulin required to control plasma glucose levels. The cycle of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia eventually leads to pancreatic cell deterioration and death by a mechanism that is yet unclear. Insulin induces ROS formation in several cell types. Furthermore, death of pancreatic cells induced by oxidative stress could be potentiated by insulin. Here, we investigated the mechanism underlying this phenomenon. Experiments were done on pancreatic cell lines (Min-6, RINm, INS-1), isolated mouse and human islets, and on cell lines derived from nonpancreatic sources. Insulin (100nM) for 24h selectively increased the production of ROS in pancreatic cells and isolated pancreatic islets, but only slightly affected the expression of antioxidant enzymes. This was accompanied by a time- and dose-dependent decrease in cellular reducing power of pancreatic cells induced by insulin and altered expression of several ER stress response elements including a significant increase in Trb3 and a slight increase in iNos The effect on iNos did not increase NO levels. Insulin also potentiated the decrease in cellular reducing power induced by H2O2 but not cytokines. Insulin decreased the expression of MCL-1, an antiapoptotic protein of the BCL family, and induced a modest yet significant increase in caspase 3/7 activity. In accord with these findings, inhibition of caspase activity eliminated the ability of insulin to increase cell death. We conclude that prolonged elevated levels of insulin may prime apoptosis and cell death-inducing mechanisms as a result of oxidative stress in pancreatic cells.

Inverse relationship between body mass index and mortality in older nursing home residents: a meta-analysis of 19,538 elderly subjects

Body mass index (BMI) and mortality in old adults from the general population have been related in a U-shaped or J-shaped curve. However, limited information is available for elderly nursing home populations, particularly about specific cause of death. A systematic PubMed/EMBASE/CINAHL/SCOPUS search until 31 May 2014 without language restrictions was conducted. As no published study reported mortality in standard BMI groups (<18.5, 18.5-24.9, 25-29.9, ≥30 kg/m(2)), the most adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) according to a pre-defined list of covariates were obtained from authors and pooled by random-effect model across each BMI category. Out of 342 hits, 20 studies including 19,538 older nursing home residents with 5,223 deaths during a median of 2 years of follow-up were meta-analysed. Compared with normal weight, all-cause mortality HRs were 1.41 (95% CI = 1.26-1.58) for underweight, 0.85 (95% CI = 0.73-0.99) for overweight and 0.74 (95% CI = 0.57-0.96) for obesity. Underweight was a risk factor for higher mortality caused by infections (HR = 1.65 [95% CI = 1.13-2.40]). RR results corroborated primary HR results, with additionally lower infection-related mortality in overweight and obese than in normal-weight individuals. Like in the general population, underweight is a risk factor for mortality in old nursing home residents. However, uniquely, not only overweight but also obesity is protective, which has relevant nutritional goal implications in this population/setting.

A novel and selective sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, tofogliflozin, improves glycaemic control and lowers body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIM

To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of different doses of tofogliflozin, a novel, highly selective sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

In a 12-week, multicentre, multinational, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study, patients with inadequate glycaemic control from diet and exercise alone, or from diet and exercise plus a stable dose of metformin, were randomized to one of five doses of tofogliflozin (2.5, 5, 10, 20, or 40 mg) or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was absolute change at week 12 from baseline in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), minus the change in the placebo group.

RESULTS

Statistically significant dose-dependent reductions in HbA1c were shown in all treated groups except the 2.5-mg dose group, with a maximum reduction of 0.56% (placebo-subtracted) at the 40-mg dose, along with increased urinary glucose excretion. Metformin treatment had no substantial influence on tofogliflozin efficacy. Dose-dependent reductions in fasting plasma glucose and body weight were observed, and glucose intolerance was improved, with a trend towards blood pressure reduction. Slight increases were observed for mean ketone bodies with no abnormal change in ketone body ratio. No deaths or treatment-related serious adverse events were reported. The incidence of adverse events was similar in the placebo (37.9%) to that in the tofogliflozin group (35.9-46.3%). Withdrawal because of adverse events was rare (≤2 patients per treatment group), with similar rates of withdrawal in the placebo and tofogliflozin groups.

CONCLUSIONS

A once-daily dose of tofogliflozin for 12 weeks was an effective, safe and well-tolerated treatment for T2DM.

Dog-appeasing pheromone collars reduce sound-induced fear and anxiety in beagle dogs: a placebo-controlled study

The objective of the study was to assess the effects of a dog-appeasing pheromone (DAP) collar in reducing sound-induced fear and anxiety in a laboratory model of thunderstorm simulation. Twenty-four beagle dogs naïve to the current test were divided into two treatment groups (DAP and placebo) balanced on their fear score in response to a thunderstorm recording. Each group was then exposed to two additional thunderstorm simulation tests on consecutive days. Dogs were video-assessed by a trained observer on a 6-point scale for active, passive and global fear and anxiety (combined). Both global and active fear and anxiety scores were significantly improved during and following thunder compared with placebo on both test days. DAP significantly decreased global fear and anxiety across ‘during’ and ‘post’ thunder times when compared with baseline. There was no significant improvement in the placebo group from baseline on the test days. In addition, the DAP group showed significantly greater use of the hide box at any time with increased exposure compared with the placebo group. The DAP collar reduced the scores of fear and anxiety, and increased hide use in response to a thunder recording, possibly by counteracting noise-related increased reactivity.

Mucocutaneous Inflammatory Pseudotumours in Simultaneous Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium and Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis Infection in a Cat

Mycobacterial spindle cell 'pseudotumour' has been described only once in cats. This unique proliferation of spindle-shaped histiocytes containing Mycobacterium avium is associated with extensive subcutaneous lesions. We report mycobacterial pseudotumour with invasion of muscular and subcutaneous tissues in a 1-year-old female domestic longhair cat. Lesions involved the facial muscles and nasal cavity, making surgical excision impossible. Necropsy examination revealed additional nodules in the subcutis and muscles of the trunk and submandibular lymph nodes. Genotyping of organisms within these lesions revealed simultaneous infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium and Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis. The microscopical appearance of the granulomas was identical, regardless of the strain of bacterium or anatomical location.

83 STAGE-SPECIFIC PROTEOME SIGNATURES IN EARLY BOVINE EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT

Development of early embryonic stages before activation of the embryonic genome depends on sufficiently stored products of the maternal genome and adequate activation, deactivation, and relocation of proteins. To establish protein function, several posttranslational events (e.g. proteolytic activation, phosphorylation, or secretion) are frequently essential and thereby prevent prediction of protein abundance from transcript abundance. Consequently, proteomic studies are indispensable to characterise the molecular processes governing early embryonic development and to establish corresponding regulatory networks. Here, we present a quantitative proteome analysis of bovine zygotes and embryos at the 2-cell and 4-cell stage. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were prepared from bovine ovaries obtained from a local abattoir and selected for a compact layer of cumulus cells. In vitro maturation, fertilization, and embryo production were performed according to standard procedures. For quantitative isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, protein from batches of 50 MII oocytes (serving as a reference), zygotes, 2-cell and 4-cell stage embryos, respectively, was extracted. Quantitative proteome analysis of iTRAQ-labelled tryptic peptides was performed on an Orbitrap XL instrument (Thermo Fisher, Waltham, MA, USA) coupled to an Eksigent nano-liquid chromatography system (AB Sciex, Framingham, MA, USA). The tandem MS data were analysed by MASCOT and filtered for a false discovery rate (FDR) of <1%. Quantification of iTRAQ signals was accomplished with the Q+ module of the Scaffold software (Proteome Software Inc., Portland, OR, USA). t-Tests, ANOVA and principal component analysis (PCA) analysis were performed using R (R Core Development Team, Vienna, Austria). From 4 biological replicates, 1072 proteins were identified and quantified. Eighty-seven differed significantly in abundance between the 4 stages (log2 fold change ≥ |0.6|, P ≤ 0.05). The proteomes of 2-cell and 4-cell embryos differed most from the reference MII oocyte, and a considerable fraction of proteins continuously increases in abundance during the stages analysed. Bioinformatic analysis of abundance altered proteins provided evidence that the proteins RPS14 and HNRNPK involved in the p53 pathway play a major role during early development, as well as proteins of the lipid metabolism, in particular APOA1. Furthermore, a group of proteins (e.g. SPTBN1, PPP1CC, RABGAP1, STMN1, and WEE2) is engaged in mitosis. In addition, we detected relevant differences between transcript and protein abundance levels; for example, for WEE2. In conclusion, this study identified and quantified numerous proteins important for early embryogenesis so far not described in the mammalian system, and contributed protein profiles for key players previously described. Our results highlight the importance of innovative proteomic tools and workflows to complement transcriptome data of early embryogenesis.