Evaluation of two scopolamine and physostigmine pretreatment regimens against nerve agent poisoning in the dog.

Currently, there is no viable protection against chemical warfare agents for the working dog. Physostigmine (PHY) and scopolamine (SCO) have been shown to protect dogs against nerve agents with minimal side effects. The goal of this study was to investigate whether reported protective SCO/PHY plasma concentrations of 0.

Tonic protein kinase A activity maintains inactive beta2 integrins in unstimulated neutrophils by reducing myosin light-chain phosphorylation: role of myosin light-chain kinase and Rho kinase.

Activation of beta2 integrins is necessary for neutrophil adhesion and full activation of neutrophil effector functions. We demonstrated previously that inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) activity in quiescent neutrophils is sufficient to increase beta2-integrin cell surface expression, affinity, and adhesion. Thus, a tonic level of PKA activity prevents inappropriate activation of beta2 integrins in unstimulated neutrophils.

Randomized, controlled study of inhaled fluticasone propionate, oral administration of prednisone, and environmental management of horses with recurrent airway obstruction.

Objective: To determine whether administration of glucocorticoids provides additional benefits to environmental management of horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO).

Animals: 28 horses with RAO.

Procedure: Horses were classified as having mild, moderate, or severe RAO.

Gross and microscopic lesions of polioencephalomalacia in a llama (Lama glama).

A 14-wk-old female llama (Lama glama) developed progressive neurologic disease characterized by stiff gait, circling, decreased mentation, and seizures. At necropsy, lesions were limited to the brain and consisted of bilateral necrosis of the cortical gray matter of the occipital lobes of the cerebral cortex. The primary microscopic alteration was bilateral laminar cerebrocortical necrosis, affecting mainly the deep laminae.

The effects of cAMP modulation upon the adhesion and respiratory burst activity of immune complex-stimulated equine neutrophils.

Toxic products such as reactive oxygen intermediates released by activated polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) have an important role in the pathophysiology of diseases associated with the deposition of immune complexes (IC) in tissues. IC-induced activation of PMN requires adhesion mediated by integrin adhesion receptors. Of the integrins expressed on PMN, the beta(2) family has been found to be of particular importance for activation of PMN by IC.

Signaling mechanism for equine neutrophil activation by immune complexes.

Neutrophils (PMN) are critical host defense cells that have a role in the pathophysiology of a variety of inflammatory diseases, particularly those diseases associated with antigen-antibody immune complexes (IC) deposited in tissues. Activation of PMN by IC is most efficient if the IC are presented immobilized on a surface. Adhesion to the immobilized IC is important for subsequent activation of PMN effector functions, such as generation of reactive oxygen metabolites.

Clinical signs, evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and assessment of pulmonary function in horses with inflammatory respiratory disease.

Objective: To evaluate the association among clinical signs, results of cytologic evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and measures of pulmonary function in horses with inflammatory respiratory disease.

Animals: 9 healthy horses, 5 horses with inflammatory airway disease (IAD), and 9 horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Procedures: Clinical examination, lung function tests, and BAL were performed on each horse.

Treatment of granular cell tumor via complete right lung resection in a horse.

A 7-year-old warmblood mare was referred because of a respiratory tract disorder; pulmonary granular cell tumor was diagnosed. Pulmonary granular cell tumor is a locally invasive but rare type of tumor with low metastatic potential. The entire right lung was resected to ensure removal of all neoplastic tissue.

Functional characterization of equine neutrophils in response to calcium ionophore A23187 and phorbol myristate acetate ex vivo.

Equine neutrophils (PMN) play a critical role in inflammatory processes in horses. The objective of this study was to characterize equine PMN function ex vivo following stimulation with calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). These stimulants trigger different branches of the PMN activation process that occurs in vivo.

The gingival biopsy in the diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Gingival biopsy specimens from five patients with a clinical diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) were reviewed. All biopsy specimens demonstrated the characteristic histologic lesion associated with TTP. Review of the literature showed an average diagnostic yield of 37% (30/81) for this procedure.