Prevalence of the microbiological causes of canine otitis externa and the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated bacterial strains

Otitis externa is a canine disease of multifactorial etiology in which bacteria plays a significant role. Due to the predominant bacterial etiology otitis is usually treated with antibiotics. However, non-prudent use of antibiotics promotes the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria thus compromising the therapy effectiveness. Currently, the increase of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to global health. For this reason, the aim of the study was to investigate prevalence of the microbiological causes of canine otitis externa and the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated bacterial strains. The research and sampling were conducted at Veterinary Clinics for small pets in Serbia. Samples were sent to laboratory for bacteriological and mycological testing. Additionally, the sensitivity of the isolated bacteria to antibiotics was evaluated using disc diffusion method. Sixty dogs with otitis externa clinical symptoms were included in the study. Out of a total of 53 positive samples for pathogen presence, bacteria were present in 40. The most prevalent bacteria was Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus spp., while Malassezia pachydermatis was the only isolated yeast pathogen occurring in 36 samples. Generally, the lowest resistance against all bacteria showed enrofloxacin. On the contrary, high resistance to penicillin and amoxicillin was a common finding for G+ and G- bacteria. These results indicate the need for laboratory testing in terms of isolation, identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing, not only in the case of otitis externa in dogs, but in all diseases when it is possible, in order to enhance antimicrobial stewardship and consequently to contribute AMR reduction.

Using the Food and Drug Administration´s Sentinel System for surveillance of TB infection

BACKGROUND: We examined patterns in care for individuals treated for latent TB infection (LTBI) in the US Food and Drug Administration´s Sentinel System.METHODS: Using administrative claims data, we identified patients who filled standard LTBI treatment prescriptions during 2008-2019. In these cohorts, we assessed LTBI testing, clinical management, and treatment duration.RESULTS: Among 113,338 patients who filled LTBI prescriptions, 80% (90,377) received isoniazid (INH) only, 19% (21,235) rifampin (RIF) only, and 2% (1,726) INH + rifapentine (RPT). By regimen, the proportion of patients with documented prior testing for TBI was 79%, 54%, and 91%, respectively. Median therapy duration was 84 days (IQR 35-84) for the 3-month once-weekly INH + RPT regimen, 60 days (IQR 30-100) for the 6- to 9-month INH regimen, and 30 days (IQR 2-60) for the 4-month RIF regimen.CONCLUSIONS: Among the cohorts, INH-only was the most commonly prescribed LTBI treatment. Most persons who filled a prescription for LTBI treatment did not have evidence of completing recommended treatment duration. These data further support preferential use of shorter-course regimens such as INH + RPT.

Introducing walkable cities as a Public Health intervention

COVID-19 pandemic yet again showed that health crises and epidemics are introducing urban planning as a public health response. Globally, we saw a renewed interest in urban environment and healthy living and the changes in urban environments which can make for a healthier living. Even before the pandemic, various urban concepts and models that take as basis a health-oriented, holistic approach are being implemented in many cities. To name a few: car-free centres or neighbourhoods, the so-called ‘Superblocks’, neighbourhoods with low-speed traffic, walkable and cyclable cities aiming at all amenities being easy reach so-called ‘15 Minutes city’. COVID-19 crisis only accelerated many of these initiatives and brought them to global level need and attention. Such interventions are being introduced to demotivate the use of polluting cars, to ease up and to promote healthy and active transportation such as walking and cycling. As a consequence, those interventions not only are hoped to lead to an increase in physical activity, but also better air quality, reduction of noise. Cities have accelerated urban transformations of the space for active transportation such as the introduction of more cycling lanes in their networks, transforming ‘car’ streets to mix use streets, etc. Particularly during the pandemic, the streets that were previously dominated by car use, parking lots, parking spaces, and car lanes have shifted their focus to the pedestrians, healthy and active mobility. Though, not so optimistic continuation of the speed of the changes in urban planning are seen at the end of the pandemic. It is still clear that spaces for people, spaces promoting mental health such as green spaces, green islands, green pedestrian streets and healthy mobility, are missing. Lockdown measures of reducing the car traffic and increasing the walkable spaces for citizens were primarily imposed to save public health but had one important co-benefit - improved air quality in many areas.

Off label use of human approved drugs in treatment of dogs in the Republic of Serbia

Since drug companies are driven by the need to produce profit they are unwilling to make large investments in the development of new drugs if there is no market large enough to justify such investment. For this reason, veterinarians face a major obstacle - the veterinary drug market is not very profitable, which sometimes leads to not having a licensed drug available for treatment in veterinary practice. In this case, the cascade procedure allows veterinarians to, under certain circumstances, prescribe human approved drugs. The aim of our study was to analyze the pattern of human approved drugs prescription for 150 medical records of dogs participating in the survey. The results show that antimicrobial agents were the most commonly prescribed drugs for animals (50%) of all human approved drugs, and beta-lactams (38.6%) were the most widely used antibiotic classes. The most common general conditions for therapeutic use of antimicrobials in this study were digestive, skin and respiratory disorders. Our study shows that the frequency of bacterial culture, susceptibility testing and cytology was very low. Even though the off-label use of human approved drugs in animal practice is regulated by law, the results of this study indicate the need for more specific strategies and guidelines for such use. This may represent a potential for improvement by raising veterinarians' awareness toward more prudent use of human drugs.

Can an introduced predator select for adaptive sex allocation?

Most species produce equal numbers of sons and daughters, and sex differences in survival after parental care do not usually affect this pattern. Temporary overproduction of the scarcer sex can be adaptive when generations overlap, the sexes differ in life-history expectations, and parents can anticipate future mating opportunities. However, an alternative strategy of maximizing the competitiveness of the more abundant sex in these circumstances remains unexplored. We develop theory showing how mothers can maximize reproductive value when future mate competition will be high by producing more sons in the advantageous early hatching positions within their broods. Our model for optimal birth order was supported by long-term data of offspring sex in a parrot facing catastrophic female mortality caused by introduced predators. Swift parrots (Lathamus discolor) suffer high female mortality due to introduced sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) creating fluctuating male-biased adult sex ratios. Offspring hatched early within broods fledged in better condition, and in support of our model were more likely to be male in years with higher adult female mortality. We found a highly significant rank-order correlation between observed and predicted birth sex ratios. Our study shows the potential for mothers to maximize reproductive value via strategic biases in offspring sex depending on the advantages conferred by birth order and the predictability of future mate competition. Our long-term data support the predictions and appear to suggest that sex allocation strategies may evolve surprisingly quickly when anthropogenic pressures on populations are severe.

Effect of postpartum administration of ketoprofen on proinflammatory cytokine concentration and their correlation with lipogenesis and ketogenesis in Holstein dairy cows

Early lactation period in dairy cows could be harmful to their health since it is challenging and demanding. Proinflammatory cytokine concentrations are increased in the early phase of the inflammatory response and during the early lactation period in cows. The aim of this study was to determine if ketoprofen treatment in the first days following parturition would decrease proinflammatory cytokine concentration and their correlation between lipid mobilization, ketogenesis and metabolic parameters in cows. The study was conducted on 30 cows divided into two groups of 15 cows each. The experimental group was treated with 3 mg × kg.bw.-1 ketoprofen for three consecutive days after parturition. The blood samples were collected on the first day of treatment and in the first and second week postpartum and they were analyzed for biochemical parameters such as non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), glucose, cholesterol and total bilirubine and inflammatory parameters such as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). The results suggested that ketoprofen- treated cows had a significantly lower concentration of TNF-α, IL-1α, IFN-γ, NEFA and BHBA in the first and second postpartum week compared to the control group. Ketoprofen administration increased glucose levels (the first week, p⟨0.05), increased cholesterol levels (the second week, p⟨0.01) and decreased serum total bilirubin levels (second week, p⟨0.01) compared to the control group of cows. A positive correlation was found between TNF-α and NEFA and total bilirubin, significantly more expressed in the control than in experimental group of cows (p⟨0.01) and it was also found between IL-1α and NEFA (p⟨0.01). A negative correlation was found between TNF-α and glucose and cholesterol, significantly more expressed in the control than in experimental group of cows (p⟨0.01). A positive correlation was also found between IL-1α and glucose (p⟨0.01). Ketoprofen given parenterally to Holstein cows immediately after calving could reduce inflammation and decrease the relation between inflammatory response and lipogenesis and ketogenesis in postpartum cows.

Association of metabolic and inflammatory markers with milk yield in postpartum dairy cows treated with ketoprofen

Inflammation together with lipolysis and ketogenesis in early lactation can cause low productivity and may be harmful to the cow health. The objective of the study was to determine if ketoprofen treatment in the first days following parturition would positively affect the milk production and whether it was associated with the metabolic and inflammatory response. The study was conducted on 30 cows divided into two groups of 15 cows each. The experimental group was treated with 3 mg × kg. bw. -1 ketoprofen for three consecutive days after parturition. The blood samples were collected on the first day of treatment and in the first and second week postpartum and they were analyzed for non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), tumour necrosis factor-a(TNF-a) and haptoglobin. The results suggested that ketoprofen-treated cows with a higher milk production had a significantly lower concentration of NEFA, BHB, TNF-a and haptoglobin in the first and second week postpartum. No differences were found in the control group in metabolic status regardless of the achieved level of milk production. Ketoprofen administration in postpartum cows can enhance the milk yield. The higher milk yield in the experimental group might be associated with a lower degree of lipolysis, ketogenesis and reduced inflammatory response in the first two weeks postpartum.

Crosstalk between possible cytostatic and antiinflammatory potential of ketoprofen in the treatment of culture of colon and cervix cancer cell lines

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to test the cytostatic potential of ketoprofen in the in vitro treatment of cells derived from colon and cervix cancer.

BACKGROUND

NF-κB and cyclooxygenase can have a role in different stages of the development and progression of cancer. In recent years, special attention has been paid to the possible cytostatic potential of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. There are no published data on the use of ketoprofen in pharmacotherapy of the colon and cervical carcinoma.

METHODS

We examined the effect of ketoprofen alone or in combination with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil on proliferation of the two cell lines, HeLa (human cervical carcinoma cells) and Caco-2 (human colon cancer cells) by MTT test. Measurement of the level of NF-κB was also performed in the cells of both cell lines.

RESULTS

The results of present study have shown that at least one of the mechanisms of antiproliferating and/or cytostatic effects of different concentrations of ketoprofen on Caco-2 and HeLa cells could include the transcription factor NF-κB.

CONCLUSIONS

Since this transcription factor is controlled by the altered expression of COX-2, the inhibition of this enzyme by ketoprofen may represent a significant step in synergistic cascade of the therapy and prevention of colon and cervical cancer (Tab. 4, Ref. 31).

Chemopreventive potential of alpha lipoic acid in the treatment of colon and cervix cancer cell lines

OBJECTIVES

The nuclear factor κB regulates the expression of genes involved in many processes that play a key role in the development and progression of cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the alpha lipoic acid in the chemoprevention of colon and cervix carcinoma in vitro.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, special attention has been paid to the potential chemopreventive properties of antioxidants. There are no published data on the impact of alpha lipoc acid of chemoprevention of cervix and colon cancer.

METHODS

We examined the effect of alpha lipoic acid alone or in combination with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil on proliferation of the two cell lines, HeLa (human cervical carcinoma cells) and Caco-2 (human colon cancer cells) by MTT test. The measurement of the level of transcription factor NF-κB was also performed in the cells of both cell lines.

RESULTS

At least one of the mechanisms of the antiproliferative and/or cytotoxic effect of alpha lipoic acid on Caco-2 and HeLa cells at high concentrations, the transcription factor NF-κB, may be involved, as well as the products of transcription of genes that are under its control.

CONCLUSION

The alpha lipoic acid has proven to be a promising candidate in the combat arena against cancer (Tab. 4, Ref. 31).

The feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy for gastric cancer: the experience from Serbia

PURPOSE

The prediction of outcome for patients with gastric cancer is determined largely by the presence of lymph node metastases, which could be detected by sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy (SLNB). The purpose of this work was to determine the feasibility of SLNB in patients with gastric cancer for the assessment of regional lymph node status, including performing immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of SLN tissue.

METHODS

We reviewed 137 consecutive patients with operable gastric cancer over a 10-year period using a retrospective (to examine skip metastases) and prospective (to evaluate successful mapping) study design. SLNs were mapped, biopsied and subsequently explored by routine hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining and by IHC staining using a cytokeratin 8/18 antibody.

RESULTS

The retrospective study showed a low incidence of skip metastases (3.7%). Mapping of SLNs in the prospective study was highly successful (98.2%). During the prospective study, IHC examination of SLNs from 56 patients showed statistically significant change in disease stage.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated highly successful mapping and biopsy of SLNs (98.2%), as well as highest specificity (100%), sensitivity (100%) and accuracy (100%) to predict metastasis in the surrounding lymph nodes of gastric carcinoma. In addition, we believe that IHC study might enable "ultra staging" and additional selection of patients for further cancer treatment.

L-arginine intake effect on adenine nucleotide metabolism in rat parenchymal and reproductive tissues

L-arginine is conditionally essetcial amino acid, required for normal cell growth, protein synthesis, ammonia detoxification, tissue growth and general performance, proposed in the treatment of men sterility and prevention of male impotence. The aim of the present paper was to estimate the activity of the enzymes of adenine nucleotide metabolism: 5'-nucleotidase (5'-NU), adenosine deaminase (ADA), AMP deaminase, and xanthine oxidase (XO), during dietary intake of L-arginine for a period of four weeks of male Wistar rats. Adenosine concentration in tissues is maintained by the relative activities of the adenosine-producing enzyme, 5'-NU and the adenosine-degrading enzyme-ADA adenosine deaminase. Dietary L-arginine intake directed adenine nucleotide metabolism in liver, kidney, and testis tissue toward the activation of adenosine production, by increased 5'-NU activity and decreased ADA activity. Stimulation of adenosine accumulation could be of importance in mediating arginine antiatherosclerotic, vasoactive, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant effects. Assuming that the XO activity reflects the rate of purine catabolism in the cell, while the activity of AMP deaminase is of importance in ATP regeneration, reduced activity of XO, together with the increased AMP-deaminase activity, may suggest that adenine nucleotides are presumably directed to the ATP regenerating process during dietary L-arginine intake.

The effect of depurinized milk draught diet on rat serum uric acid, lipid status and haematological parameters

Hyperuricaemia and gout are closely related, but hyperuricaemia is an independent risk factor for endothelial damage, autoinflammation and haemodynamic abnormalities. Milk, generally known as a 'purine-free diet', is an essential protein source for patients suffering from hyperuricaemia and gout. As milk still contains different purine ribonucleotides, the new product, depurinized milk, almost free of purine nucleotides and uric acid, was produced. The potential effect of depurinized milk diet on serum uric acid (SUA) level, lipid parameters and blood haematological parameters was explored in rats after 72 h and 15 days, in relation to standard laboratory chow or the untreated milk diet. The beneficial effect on SUA was achieved when depurinized milk draught was given instead of standard chow for 72 h [28.39 ± 4.76 μm; p < 0.001 vs. standard diet (STD) 47.6 ± 6.12, vs. untreated milk diet 31.55 ± 8.50; p < 0.05] or as a supplement for STD for 15 days experiment (35.38 ± 6.40 μm; p < 0.05 vs. STD only 48.05 ± 4.32; vs. untreated milk + STD 46.02 ± 9.48). Depurinized milk diet significantly decreased the low density lipoproteins/high density lipoproteins (LDL/HDL) ratio (p < 0.001), triglycerides (p < 0.05) and leucocyte count (p < 0.001), while both milk draughts enhanced haemoglobin concentration (p < 0.01). In conclusion, considering the detrimental effect of persisting hyperuricaemia, the depurinized milk draught may meet the demand of healthy dairy product for population under hyperuricaemic risk.

Hyperglycemia, oxidative and nitrosative stress affect antiviral, inflammatory and apoptotic signaling of cultured thymocytes

A high prevalence of various infectious diseases is reported in diabetic patients, which may suggest impaired innate immunity against different pathogen-associated molecular patterns. This study investigated the effects of hyperglycemia, oxidative stress (H(2)O(2)), nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) on the modulation of antiviral (MDA-5, IRF-3 and phospho-IRF-3), inflammatory (NF-kappaB) and pro/anti-apoptotic molecules (Bax and Bcl-2) in BALB/c mice thymocytes. Each of the experimental conditions, except the weakest NO concentration, resulted in down-regulation of MDA-5, IRF-3 and phospho-IRF-3. In contrast, each of the experimental conditions elicited up-regulation of NF-kappaB, Bcl-2 and Bax. These results suggest that hyperglycemia, oxidative and nitrosative stress may contribute to the reduced immunity of the host by altering the MDA-5/IRF-3/phosphoIRF-3 axis, as well as contributing to the mechanisms of inflammatory reaction via increased NF-kappaB, and to augmented turnover rate of thymocyte cells via Bcl2/Bax up-regulation.

Prevalence of obesity among children aged 6-7 years in South-East Serbia

A cross-sectional study of the prevalence of obesity in urban and rural areas of South-East Serbia was performed on 541 children (273 boys and 268 girls), aged 6-7 years. Prevalence of obesity in urban boys and girls was 6.3% and 3.8% respectively (P > 0.05). Prevalence of obesity in rural boys and girls was 1.1% and 3.3% respectively (P > 0.05). The difference in the prevalence of obesity between urban boys and rural boys was statistically significant (P < 0.05), while the difference between urban and rural girls was insignificant (P > 0.05). Urban boys consumed more sweets and fast food compared with rural boys (P < 0.05). Urban children spent more time in watching TV compared with rural children (P < 0.05).

Transmission of the L-Zagreb mumps vaccine virus, Croatia, 2005-2008

We report on three cases of symptomatic transmission of the L-Zagreb mumps vaccine virus from three vaccinated children to five adult contacts. The five contact cases were parents of the vaccinated children and presented with parotitis and in one case also with aseptic meningitis. The etiology of the contacts' illness was determined by viral culture, genomic sequencing, serology and epidemiological linking. Two of the vaccinated children developed vaccine associated parotitis as an adverse event three weeks following immunization. Symptoms in contact cases developed five to seven weeks after the vaccination of the children. The five contact cases, as well as the three children with adverse events recovered completely. The children had been vaccinated with MMR vaccine produced by the Institute of Immunology Zagreb, each of them with a different lot. One of the possible explanations for these adverse events is that the very low levels of wild mumps virus circulation in the last decade, combined with waning immunity in those who received one dose of vaccine or suffered from mumps in childhood, resulted in susceptible young adults and that this unique epidemiological situation allows us to detect horizontal transmission of mumps vaccine virus.

Transmission of the L-Zagreb mumps vaccine virus, Croatia, 2005-2008

We report on three cases of symptomatic transmission of the L-Zagreb mumps vaccine virus from three vaccinated children to five adult contacts. The five contact cases were parents of the vaccinated children and presented with parotitis and in one case also with aseptic meningitis. The etiology of the contacts' illness was determined by viral culture, genomic sequencing, serology and epidemiological linking. Two of the vaccinated children developed vaccine associated parotitis as an adverse event three weeks following immunization. Symptoms in contact cases developed five to seven weeks after the vaccination of the children. The five contact cases, as well as the three children with adverse events recovered completely. The children had been vaccinated with MMR vaccine produced by the Institute of Immunology Zagreb, each of them with a different lot. One of the possible explanations for these adverse events is that the very low levels of wild mumps virus circulation in the last decade, combined with waning immunity in those who received one dose of vaccine or suffered from mumps in childhood, resulted in susceptible young adults and that this unique epidemiological situation allows us to detect horizontal transmission of mumps vaccine virus.

Retroperitoneal "Triton" tumor

Malignant Triton tumor is a malignant peripheral nerve sheat tumor with rhabdomioblastic differentiation. These tumors are frequently associated with Neurofibromatosis type 1, sporadic cases being exteremly rare. Retroperitoneal localization have the most unfavorable prognois due to delayed diagnosis but also due to relation to adjacant organs. Preoperative diagnosis is inaccurate, but core needle biopsy gives more promising results. Aggressive surgical management remains the most effective modality since adjuvant forms of treatment like irradiation or chemotherapy do not have reproducible results. We present a 60-year-old female patient in whom a retroperitoneal presacral mass was postoperatively diagnosed as Triton tumor. At time of diagnosis, no visible metastases were present. The posterior pelvic exenteresis was performed. Intended chemotherapy was never started since multiple pulmonary, hepatic and splenic metastases were diagnosed only a month after surgery, with rapid lethal outcome. This case demonstrates the bad prognosis of malignant retroperitoneal tumors. Diagnostic tools such as refined biopsy techniques or cytogenetic analysis might help in differentiating patients who will benefit from radical surgery.

New longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from Serbia

The most recent data (Ilic, 2005) indicate the presence of 245 longhorn beetle species (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Serbia. Not included in the mentioned publication, the following five species should be added to the list: Cortodera discolor Fairmaire, 1866; Stenopterus similatus Holzschuh 1979; Chlorophorus aegyptiacus (Fabricius, 1775); Agapanthia osmanlis (Reiche, 1858); Agapanthia maculicornis (Gyllenhal, 1817) (Pil and Stojanovic in press). A total number of 250 species are presently known for the Serbian longhorn beetle fauna.

[Occurrence of carcinoma in solitary thyroid nodules]

Find of malignancies in solitary thyroid gland nodes represent an entity in itself in thyroid surgery and endocrinology because of frequency in occurrence and differential diagnosis of thyroid diseases. Similarities in clinical characteristics and differences in the histological structure and development of the disease, request quick and adequate application of all available diagnostic procedures in evaluation of disease. After all clinic methods of examination, surgery includes necessary range of extraction of tissue at benign changes while at malignant changes radical intervention on the gland is suggested and if it is necessary on the surrounding structures of the neck. "Biopsio ex tempore" still represents vital method in histological diagnosis and help in making decision about radically of operative procedure. Because of that, surgery represents at last diagnostic and therapy procedure. Data analysis shows the presence of carcinoma in solitary thyroid gland nodes in 15% of all cases.

Predictors of homelessness among families in New York City: from shelter request to housing stability

OBJECTIVES

This study examined predictors of entry into shelter and subsequent housing stability for a cohort of families receiving public assistance in New York City.

METHODS

Interviews were conducted with 266 families as they requested shelter and with a comparison sample of 298 families selected at random from the welfare caseload. Respondents were reinterviewed 5 years later. Families with prior history of shelter use were excluded from the follow-up study.

RESULTS

Demographic characteristics and housing conditions were the most important risk factors for shelter entry; enduring poverty and disruptive social experiences also contributed. Five years later, four fifths of sheltered families had their own apartment. Receipt of subsidized housing was the primary predictor of housing stability among formerly homeless families (odds ratio [OR] = 20.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 9.9, 42.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Housing subsidies are critical to ending homelessness among families.

The localization of a lectin-like component on the Leishmania cell surface

The binding between macrophage-like cells J774G8 and Leishmania braziliensis (NR) promastigotes was studied 'in vitro' by a radioisotopic assay under various conditions in the absence of serum. Different sugars, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, D-glucose, D-mannose, D-galactose, and chitin, diminished the binding of the parasite, whereas other sugars, D-arabinose, D-fucose and D-xylose, did not affect the binding. The presence of a lectin-like ligand specific for N-acetyl-D-glucosamine has been detected on the cell surface of the Leishmania braziliensis (NR) by fluorescence microscopy. These data suggest that the binding of the parasite to the host's cell is a ligand-receptor interaction which involves the participation of a lectin-like component on the parasite cell surface.

Glycosyl transferases of baby hamster kidney cells and ricin-resistant mutants. O-glycan biosynthesis

Extracts of baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells catalyzed the incorporation of N-acetylgalactosamine from UDP-N-acetyl[14C]galactosamine into myelin basic protein and an acylated tetrapeptide, N-acetylthreonyl-triproline, based on the threonine residue 98, glycosylated in myelin basic protein. The incorporated N-acetylgalactosamine residues were shown to be in alpha linkage to the peptide moieties. Several ricin-resistant BHK cell lines contained enhanced (approximately twofold) levels of the transferase activity. Apomucins obtained from bovine submaxillary gland mucin by chemical or enzymic degradation were relatively poor acceptors. Using asialomucin as acceptor, galactosyl, transferase activities and a weak sialyl transferase activity were detected in BHK cell extracts. Galactose transfer occurred at two sites: to peptide-linked N-acetylgalactosamine residues to form the linkage, galactosyl-(beta 1 leads to 3)-N-acetylgalactosamine and to terminally linked N-acetylglucosamine residues that exist as a minor constituent in bovine submaxillary mucin O-glycans, to form a galactosyl N-acetylglucosamine linkage. This reaction was not inhibited by ovalbumin, an efficient acceptor of the beta 1 leads to 4 galactosyl transferase involved in N-glycan assembly. Incorporation of galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine into endogenous proteins of BHK cell extracts was also detected. Sialic acid, fucose and N-acetylglucosamine residues were not incorporated. The incorporated N-acetylgalactosamine residues were shown to be in alpha linkage to polypeptide, and galactose incorporation represented synthesis of the galactosyl-(beta 1 leads to 3)-N-acetylgalactosamine sequence linked to polypeptide. The major endogenous protein labelled by either sugar had a molecular weight of approximately 80 000. A BHK-cell-associated glycoprotein, analogous to the urinary Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein of molecular weight similar to the major endogenous acceptor of glycosylation, was not glycosylated in the experiments in vitro.