Creating a Selective Nanobody Against 3-Nitrotyrosine Containing Proteins.

A critical step in developing therapeutics for oxidative stress-related pathologies is the ability to determine which specific modified protein species are innocuous by-products of pathology and which are causative agents. To achieve this goal, technologies are needed that can identify, characterize and quantify oxidative post translational modifications (oxPTMs). Nanobodies (Nbs) represent exquisite tools for intracellular tracking of molecules due to their small size, stability and engineerability.

Plasma pharmacokinetics, pulmonary disposition, and safety of subcutaneous gamithromycin in alpacas.

The study objective was to determine the disposition of gamithromycin in plasma, peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs), pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF), and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells in alpacas. A single subcutaneous injection of gamithromycin (6.6 mg/kg) was administered to six healthy adult alpacas.

New World camelids are sentinels for the presence of Borna disease virus.

Borna disease (BD), a frequently fatal neurologic disorder caused by Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1), has been observed for decades in horses, sheep, and other mammals in certain regions of Europe. The bicoloured white-toothed shrew (Crocidura leucodon) was identified as a persistently infected species involved in virus transmission. Recently, BoDV-1 attracted attention as a cause of fatal encephalitis in humans.

Pharmacokinetic evaluation and safety of topical 1% morphine sulfate application on the healthy equine eye.

Objective: To determine if corneal epithelial cell integrity is detrimentally affected by short-term administration of 1.0% morphine sulfate. Additionally, we sought to determine if topical 1.

Esthesiometric evaluation of corneal analgesia after topical application of 1% morphine sulfate in normal horses.

Objective: To evaluate whether topical ocular application of 1% morphine sulfate would change corneal sensitivity and to identify the duration of action.

Animal Studied: Eight healthy adult horses.

Procedure: Corneal touch threshold (CTT) was measured in the center of one randomly selected eye of each horse by Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer (Luneau Cochet-Bonnet Esthesiometer; Western Ophthalmics, Lynnwood, WA, USA).

Morphine Synovial Fluid Concentrations After Intravenous Regional Limb Perfusion in Standing Horses.

Objective: To determine synovial concentrations of morphine after intravenous regional limb perfusion (IVRLP) with morphine or morphine in combination with gentamicin in clinically healthy, standing sedated horses.

Study Design: Experimental.

Animals: Adult horses (n = 6).

Acquired urethral obstruction in New World camelids: 34 cases (1995-2008).

Objective: Document the clinical features, short- and long-term outcomes and prognostic factors in New World camelids with acquired urethral obstruction.

Design: Retrospective case study.

Methods: Case data from medical records of 34 New World camelids presenting with acquired urethral obstruction were collected and follow-up information on discharged patients was obtained.

Exenatide dosing in alpacas.

In order to investigate whether exenatide could be used to stimulate glucose clearance and insulin secretion in alpacas without causing colic signs, six healthy adult alpacas were injected once a day with increasing subcutaneous doses. A follow-up intravenous glucose injection was given to induce hyperglycemia, and serial blood samples were collected to measure plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, triglycerides, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and nonesterified fatty acids. The exenatide doses used were saline control (no drug), and 0.

Comparison of transverse facial venous sinus and jugular blood values in healthy and critically ill horses.

Reasons For Performing Study: The transverse facial venous sinus (TFVS) can be used for blood collection in horses, but information on the validity of blood values from this site is limited.

Objectives: To determine if packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS) and blood lactate concentrations in blood drawn simultaneously from a TFVS and jugular vein of critically ill horses are correlated and determine the effect of serial TFVS sampling on the same parameters in healthy horses.

Study Design: Prospective observational study.

Anti-glucagon-like peptide-1 immunoreactivity in samples of blood and ileum obtained from neonatal and adult alpacas.

Objective: To compare numbers of L cells in intestinal samples and blood concentrations of glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 between neonatal and mature alpacas.

Sample: Intestinal samples from carcasses of 4 suckling crias and 4 postweaning alpacas for immunohistochemical analysis and blood samples from 32 suckling crias and 19 healthy adult alpacas for an ELISA.

Procedures: Immunohistochemical staining was conducted in accordance with Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory standard procedures with a rabbit polyclonal anti-GLP-1 primary antibody.

Prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis fecal shedding in alpacas presented to veterinary hospitals in the United States.

Background: The prevalence of Johne's disease in alpacas in the United States is unknown. The limits of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in alpaca feces have not been determined.

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the gastrointestinal tract in clinically normal alpacas and llamas.

Objective: To assess the feasibility and usefulness of CT enterography to evaluate the gastrointestinal tract in clinically normal llamas and alpacas.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Animals: 7 clinically normal alpacas and 8 clinically normal llamas.

Evaluation of insulin secretion and action in New World camelids.

Objective: To measure and compare insulin secretion and sensitivity in healthy alpacas and llamas via glucose clamping techniques.

Animals: 8 llamas and 8 alpacas.

Procedures: Hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamping (HEC) and hyperglycemic clamping (HGC) were performed on each camelid in a crossover design with a minimum 48-hour washout period between clamping procedures.

Fatal Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus-like infection in 4 Rocky Mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus).

Over a 3.5-year period, 4 Rocky Mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus), housed at a single facility, developed clinical disease attributed to infection by Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV). Ages ranged from 1 to 10 years.

Computed tomographic features of the osseous structures of the external acoustic meatus, tympanic cavity, and tympanic bulla of llamas (Lama glama).

Objective: To evaluate the osseous structures of the external acoustic meatus, tympanic cavity, and tympanic bulla of llamas (Lama glama) by use of computed tomography (CT) and establish measurement values for use in detection of abnormalities associated with the external or middle ear in llamas.

Animals: 10 adult llama heads without any evidence of ear disease.

Procedures: Heads of 10 healthy llamas euthanized by use of a captive bolt striking the dorsal aspect of the skull were collected.

Development of a nested polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of Eimeria macusaniensis in camelid feces.

Objective: To test the ability of a nested PCR assay to detect Eimeria macusaniensis at various stages of infection in alpacas.

Animals: 4 healthy adult alpacas with no detectable E. macusaniensis.

Direct colloid osmometry in healthy New World camelids.

Background: Direct colloid osmometry provides an objective assessment of the oncotic effects of crystalloid or colloidal fluid therapy, which is especially useful in monitoring fluid therapy of critically ill camelids due to their tendency toward nonspecific hypoproteinemia with increased risk of developing edema and ascites.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to measure colloid osmotic pressure (COP) of alpacas and llamas, determine its correlation with concentrations of total protein (TP) and total solids (TS), as well as both albumin (A) and globulin (G) concentrations in the same model (A+G), and evaluate the effects of sample type and storage conditions on COP.

Methods: Blood was collected from clinically healthy alpacas (n=23) and llamas (n=22) into heparin tubes.

Clinical, ultrasonographic, and laboratory findings in 12 llamas and 12 alpacas with malignant round cell tumors.

Clinical signs, duration of illness, clinicopathologic findings, and ultrasonographic findings were evaluated in 12 llamas and 12 alpacas with malignant round cell tumors (MRCT). All but 1 animal died or was euthanized. Common clinical findings were anorexia, recumbency or weakness, and weight loss or poor growth.

Esophageal dysfunction in four alpaca crias and a llama cria with vascular ring anomalies.

Case Description: 3 alpaca crias and cadavers of an alpaca cria and a llama cria were evaluated for evidence of esophageal dysfunction.

Clinical Findings: All 5 crias were between 3 and 5 months of age when clinical signs developed, and all had a thin body condition when examined. Clinical signs included coughing, regurgitation, and grossly visible esophageal peristaltic waves.

Use of a polymerase chain reaction assay to study response to oxytetracycline treatment in experimental Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae infection in alpacas.

Objective: To develop a PCR assay for Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae (CMhl) infection in alpacas and use it to study the efficacy of oxytetracycline treatment and development of a subclinical carrier state.

Animals: 8 healthy adult alpacas.

Procedures: Alpacas initially had negative results for CMhl in blood samples via PCR assay and were experimentally infected with CMhl; 4 were treated with oxytetracycline, and 4 were not treated.

Effects of exenatide on plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in alpacas.

Background: Exenatide is a degradation-resistant glucagon-like peptide 1 agonist used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. It enhances the insulin response to hyperglycemia. Because of a poor insulin response, adult camelids are susceptible to hyperglycemia from stress, glucose administration, or energy metabolism disorders.

Disorders of carbohydrate or lipid metabolism in camelids.

Camelids develop a number of disturbances related to energy metabolism. Some are similar to disorders seen in other species, but most relate to camelids' unusual characteristics of poor glucose tolerance, partial insulin resistance, and low concentrations of circulating insulin. Camelids are especially prone to abnormalities related to stimuli that inhibit insulin release or activity, or that promote activities normally antagonized by insulin.