452 research outputs found
Changes in serum amyloid A (SAA), Haptoglobin (Hp) and immunoglobulin concentration in feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) affected cats and in FIP-exposed cats
No full textCHANGES IN SERUM AMYLOID A (SAA), HAPTOGLOBIN (HP) AND IMMUNOGLOBULINS CONCENTRATION IN FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS (FIP) AFFECTED CATS AND IN FIP-EXPOSED CATS
Alessia Giordano, Saverio Paltrinieri, Alessia Colombo, Stefano Comazzi
Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Igiene e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, Milano, Italy
The present study was designed in order to identify the proteins responsible of the increase of the 2 and -globulins during FIP and to investigate any possible difference between serum protein profiles of FIP-affected (FA) and FIP-exposed (FE) cats.
The study group was composed by 24 controls, 32 cats with FIP (FA), confirmed by post-mortem examinations, and 11 healthy cats (FE) coming from three catteries with high prevalence of FIP. Blood serum was used to perform an electrophoresis on cellulose acetate strips and to detect Serum Amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp), using specific ELISA kits, and IgG and IgM, using immunoradial diffusion kits. All these tests were repeated during the development of the disease in two FA cats and monthly in the group of FE cats.
Both FA and FE cats showed higher 2 and -globulins than controls. FA cats had the highest values of SAA and Hp while these proteins were higher in FE cats than controls. IgG and IgM were higher in FA cats than controls. However, the total amounts of 2-, -, and -globulins were higher than those SAA+Hp, IgM and IgG, respectively. Repeated samplings suggest that SAA increases during the development of the disease until a plateau, while 2-globulins and Hp increase at the beginning of the disease, then decrease. In contrast FE cats had a strong but transient increase of SAA just after the onset of FIP and an increase of 2-globulins lasting for more than two months.
These results confirm the presence of changes in protein fractions and in some specific proteins during FIP: SAA and Hp contribute to the increase of 2-gobulins, and IgM and IgG to the increase of - and -globulins, respectively. Other proteins with 2 and motility are involved in the pathogenesis of FIP. Both FA and FE cats show an acute phase response: 2-globulins decrease in FA cats, in part due to a decrease of Hp, but increase in FE cats, most likely due to proteins other than those here investigated. The identification of these proteins may help to understand the mechanisms by which some cats do not develop FIP and to early diagnose the carriers of the virus among FE cats
Observations on the protein profiles of colony cats and their role in the diagnosis of FIP.
No full textOBSERVATIONS ON THE PROTEIN PROFILES OF COLONY CATS AND THEIR ROLE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF FIP
Saverio Paltrinieri, DVM, PhD; Stefano Comazzi, DVM; Cristina Crosta, DVM; Emiliana Monzani, DVM; Alessia Giordano
Istituto di Patologia Generale Veterinaria, 20133, Milano Italy
Changes in total proteins and/or in 2 or -globulins are often the only findings in cats with Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). Unfortunately, the reference limits for these protein fractions are very variable and higher total proteins and -globulins levels have been reported in colony compared to pet cats, with the risk of false positive results. In the present work, we examined the protein profiles of colony cats with different clinical histories in order to define their role in the diagnosis of FIP.
A sample of clinically healthy cats from six colonies with different breeding conditions and with different histories of FIP was tested monthly for three months. Blood from four cats with FIP from 3 of these catteries was also tested. Serum proteins were measured by a discrete autoanalyzer using the colorimetric biuret method. Serum protein electrophoresis was carried out by the semimicro-method, using cellulose polyacetate strips. The data were compared by analysis of variance followed by Tukey honest significant test, and sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were calculated.
No differences in globulin fractions were detectable among catteries with different FIP prevalences. The number of cats with false positive results in at least one test session was higher when compared to the standard reference values than to the internal range of each group. A decrease in sensitivity of most of the parameters, but an increase of their specificity and of PPV, with minor changes in the NPV were also detectable using an internal reference range (table 1).
In conclusion the use of an internal range of normality, achieved by repeated tests on healthy animals, decreases the possibility of false positive results in the diagnosis of FIP.
Sensitivity Specificity PPV NPV
Parameters out of the upper limit 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
Total proteins 50 0 76 98 15 0 94 92
Globulins 75 50 91 98 43 67 97 96
2-globulins 50 25 87 98 25 50 95 94
-globulins 50 25 69 98 12 50 94 94
Total proteins + 2-globulins 0 0 93 98 0 0 91 92
Total proteins + -globulins 50 25 84 98 22 50 95 94
Total proteins + 2- + -globulins 0 0 96 100 0 ne 91 92
ne=not evaluable
Table 1: percentages of sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV in comparison with the reference values (1) and the internal range (2
“In vitro” effects of recombinant human interleukin 8 (rh-IL8) on chemotaxis of neutrophils: Differences between sheep and cattle
No full text"IN VITRO" EFFECTS OF RECOMBINANT HUMAN INTERLEUKIN 8 (rh-IL8) ON CHEMOTAXIS OF NEUTROPHILS: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SHEEP AND CATTLE.
Comazzi S., Paltrinieri S., Sartorelli P., Istituto di Patologia Generale Veterinaria, via Celoria 10, Milan, Italy.
Many infectious diseases in ruminants involve alterations in neutrophil (PMN) functions. In previous works we studied different steps of sheep neutrophil phagocytosis in basal conditions and after stimulation, in presence of pathological concentration of ketone bodies1 or in stress conditions2. "In vitro" investigation of chemotaxis is particularly interesting in some acute diseases that lead to PMNs' diapedesis and extravasation (abscesses, mastitis, rumenitis, etc). In human and in dog recombinant-human Interleukin-8 (rh-IL8) is a good activator of neutrophils chemotaxis. In this work "in vitro" neutrophils chemotaxis in sheep and in cattle was compared in basal conditions and after stimulation with omologous zymosan-activated serum (ZAS) and with rh-IL8.
PMN were isolated as described by Carlson and Kaneko3 from blood samples from cattle and sheep. Chemotaxis assays were performed in a modified Boyden chamber and the distance run by the cells in a cellulose nitrate filter in basal condition (chemokinesis) and after stimulation with ZAS (50%) and of rh-IL8 (25 ng/ml) were evaluated by the leading front method. Ovine neutrophils showed higher levels of chemokinesis than those from cattle (p<0.001). ZAS stimulation greatly increased chemotaxis both in sheep and in cattle (p<0.05) while rh-IL8 activated chemotaxis only in ovine neutrophils (p<0.05).
Rh-IL8 strongly activates neutrophil chemotaxis in many species. In cattle, concentrations of 75 ng/ml of rh-IL8 are reported to activate greater neonatal PMNs' transendothelial migration compared to adults4. The leading front method at our concentration has not been reported. The difference in response to ZAS and rh-IL8 is probably related to the different receptor involved in activation and our results suggest a lower expression of IL8-receptors in cattle than in sheep and indicate the use of ZAS as a good stimulator for the bovine neutrophils chemotaxis assay. The use of recombinant bovine interleukin-8 or of a higher concentration of rh-IL8 could better explain the role of this cytokine in inducing bovine neutrophils chemotaxis.
References:
1 – Paltrinieri S, Sartorelli P, Agnes F. (1996) Eur. J. Haematol. 57 (Suppl. 59):18
2 – Sartorelli P, Paltrinieri S. (1993) Atti S.I.S.Vet, 47:1105
3 – Carlson GP, Kaneko JJ. (1973) Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 142:853
4 – Bochsler PN, Neilsen NR, Slauson DO (1994) J. Leukocyte Biol. 53:27
La Morale Des Princes Remarquee. Dans L'Histoire De Tous Les Empereurs, Qui ont Regné à Rome
No full textPar Monsieur Le Comte Jean Baptiste Comazzi. Traduite de l'Italien en Franc̜ois. par Mr. D***Autopsie nach Ex. der ULB Sachsen-AnhaltVorlageform des Erscheinungsvermerks: A Vienne En Autriche, 1707. Se Vend chés Adam Damer. Im Zwettl-Hoff
SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND RIG TESTS OF SUPPORTED FE AND CO-BASED NANOSTRUCTURED CATALYSTS ACTIVE IN THE THERMOCHEMICAL BTL/CTL/GTL-FT PROCESSES
No full textDuring this PhD project different Fe and Co-based catalysts active in the FT reaction have been synthesized, characterized and tested, in particular:
1- An impregnated synthesized Fe-based catalyst supported on SiO2 and promoted with K and Cu (30 %wt of Fe, 2 %wt of K and 3.75 %wt of Cu) named Fe30K2Cu3.75. In particular, potassium improves CO ad-sorption while Cu promotes the reduction of the iron oxides species. The loading of active metal and promoters have been already determined elsewhere in recent studies.
2- Three different Co-based catalysts synthesized by flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) and supported on SiO2, and eventually promoted with Ru (5 %wt of Co; 10 %wt of Co; 10 %wt of Co and 0.4 %wt of Ru). The catalysts are named as 5Co, 10Co and 10Co-0.4Ru. FSP technique allows to obtain single or mixed metal oxides characterized by a high surface area and high thermal stability due to the instantaneous dispersion, vaporization and flame-decomposition (pyrolysis) of an organic solution composed by the precursors of the catalyst.
3- Three different Fe-based samples supported on SiO2 and promoted with K and Cu, prepared with the use of ultrasound (US) (10 %wt of Fe; 30 %wt of Fe; 30 %wt of Fe, 2 %wt of K and 3.75 %wt of Cu). Cata-lysts are named as Fe10US, Fe30US and Fe30K2Cu3.75US. In particular US allows to synthesize materials with better morphological properties with respect to traditional impregnated samples.
Fe30K2Cu3.75 (1) sample is active for the FT conversion even if syngas with a H2/CO ratio similar to the ratio of bio-syngas (H2/CO= 1) is fed to the reactor. The catalyst presents a satisfactory stability as a function of TOS and selec-tivity toward the reaction products remains essentially unchanged at different syngas ratios at the same temperature tested. The developed kinetic model is in fully agreement with the ones fundable in the recent literature for iron-based catalysts tested in fixed bed FT reactor. 10Co and 10Co-0.4Ru (2) samples are active in the FT synthesis in the range of temperatures tested with a H2/CO= 2 syngas fed to the reactor. 5Co did not show any activity to FT reaction in the experimental condi-tion tested. 10Co sample showed a great stability in function of TOS at T= 250 °C, reactants conversion and selectivity towards the reaction products were stable for the whole duration of the durability test (TOS= 200 h). The addition of 0.4 %wt of Ru improved significantly catalyst activity in terms of reactant conversion. All the US synthesized samples (3) are suitable catalysts for the FT reaction at the different tested conditions and with a H2/CO ratio equal to 2. Both Fe10US and Fe30US catalysts showed excellent stability as a function of TOS at all the tested reaction temperatures.
The sonochemically prepared catalysts showed good results in terms of selectivity toward the reaction products
Quadro ematologico in vitelli e vitelloni sottoposti a differenti condizioni di trasporto
No full textA new efficient method for the preparation of 99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals containing the TcN multiple bond
No full textAn improved method for the preparation of 99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals containing the TcN multiple bond, in sterile and apyrogen conditions, is described. This method is based on the reaction of [99mTc]pertechnetate with ligands derived from S-methyl dithiocarbazate [H2NN(R)C(S)SCH3 [R = H, CH3], in the presence of HCl and tertiary phosphines. It was found that these derivatives can behave both as sources of nitride nitrogen ions (N3-) and as coordinating ligands. The reaction leads to the formation of intermediate technetium-nitrido complexes in high yield. These intermediate species can be used as suitable prereduced substrates for the preparation of technetium-nitrido radiopharmaceuticals through simple substitution reactions with appropriate exchanging ligands. © 1992
Canine small clear cell/T-zone lymphoma: Clinical presentation and outcome in a retrospective case series
No full textPublished studies, taken together, suggest the existence of a single canine lymphoma entity, with a small clear cell appearance by cytological evaluation, a histopathological T-zone pattern and an aberrant CD45-negative T-cell phenotype, mostly characterized by long-term survival. We describe clinical presentation and outcome in a retrospective case series of canine small clear cell/T-zone lymphoma. Despite the reported predisposition of Golden retriever, this breed was not represented in our case series. Most dogs presented with stage V disease, whereas only few had clinical signs or peripheral cytopenias. Blood was almost always more infiltrated than bone marrow. Median survival confirmed the favourable prognosis described in literature, but a few dogs died within a short time. Also, a subgroup of dogs developed second malignancies, eventually leading to death. We did not investigate possible prognostic factors because of the wide variety in treatments, and further studies are needed to identify high-risk animals
Religion Subdued: The Political Figure of Christ in the Work of Giovanni Battista Comazzi (1654–1711)
No full textThis article focuses on the work Politica e religione nella persona, parole ed azioni di Giesù Cristo by Giovanni Battista Comazzi, an emissary of the last duke of Mantua at the court of Vienna. Comazzi examined the actions and teachings of Christ described in the Gospel of John as a source for political guidance. The research reveals an attempt to establish an exegetical basis for challenging ecclesiastical interference, asserting the primacy of politics and advocating a poor and exemplary Church. Censored by the Holy Office, the work was ultimately framed within the clash between the papacy and the Empire
Haematological and parasitological findings in early stages of acute canine babesiosis
No full textHAEMATOLOGICAL AND PARASITOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN EARLY STAGES OF ACUTE CANINE BABESIOSIS
Paltrinieri S., Manfredi M.T., Comazzi S.
Istituto di Patologia Generale Veterinaria, Milano
In Italy the acute form caused by B.canis is the most frequent clinical finding of canine babesiosis. It is charachterized by fever, anorexia, haemoglobinura and icterus. A mild to severe hemolytic and rigenerative anaemia is considered as one of the most relevant features of the disease. However, the clincal diagnosis is based on the detection of infected erythrocytes in blood smears. However, anaemia may appear later than other signs and very few infected cells could be found. The aim of this study was to charachterize the anaemia and the parasitaemia to drawn useful informations about patophysiology and diagnosis of the acute stage of the disease.
Blood samples were collected over the last two years from 31 dogs by practicioners in the area of Milan at the first appearance of clinical signs of spontaneous acute canine babesiosis. As a control 24 healthy dogs were sampled from the same study area and throughout the same study period. Complete haemograms with an automatic cell counter and differential leucocyte counts on May Grünwald-Giemsa stained blood smears were carried out. The degree of anaemia was evaluated by reticulocyte counts on brillant-cresyl blue stained smears. The reticulocyte production index (RPI) was also calculated. Blood films were observed in the center and at the periphery to calculate the percentage of infected erythrocytes. The Percoll discontinuous gradient sedimentation (=1.085; =1.102) was performed in 15 cases to concentrate infected blood cells.
When compared to controls, 19 out of the 31 Babesia infected dogs (64.6%) had eosinopenia (P<0.001) and lymphopenia (P<0.05). No abnormalities on erythrogram were found though reyculocyte parameters tended to increase. The remaining 11 dogs (35.4%) had a normochromic normocytic anaemia (P<0.001) with erythroblastosis (P<0.001) and an increased percentage of both reticulocytes (P<0.05) and RPI (P<0.05). In none of the 31 cases, however, the RPI was greater than 1 as it should be in responsive anaemia. The percentage of infected cells was higher at the peryphery than in the center of blood films (P<0.001), where 8 samples (25.8%) were found negative. The isolation with Percoll furtherly increased the percentage of detectable infected erythrocytes (P<0.001). The percentage of infected cells at the center of the smears was higher in anaemic than in non anaemic dogs (P<0.05). No correlation was found between anaemia and parasitaemia, suggesting that immune-mediated haemolysis could play an important role in the pathogenesis. In conclusion, in the early stage of canine babesiosis anaemia can be unconstant and parasitaemia very variable. However, some signs of bone marrow activity such as increased reticulocyte counts and RPI, and the isolation of infected erytrocytes with Percoll could improve the early diagnosis
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