Gastric and colonic zinc transporter ZIP11 (Slc39a11) in mice responds to dietary zinc and exhibits nuclear localization.

Zinc transporters have been characterized to further understand the absorption and metabolism of dietary zinc. Our goal was to characterize zinc transporter Slc39a11 (ZIP11) expression and its subcellular localization within cells of the murine gastrointestinal tract of mice and to determine if dietary zinc regulates ZIP11. The greatest ZIP11 expression was in the stomach, cecum, and colon.

Anatomic features of the cetacean globe.

Objective: To provide measurements of globe dimensions and describe morphological characteristics of the cetacean globe with an emphasis on Bowman's layer and encapsulated sensory corpuscles (ESC) for available cetacean species.

Animal Studied: Cetacean globes housed at the Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin from various odontocete and two mysticete species.

Procedure: Measurements were taken from formalin fixed globes and images of formalin fixed globes with embedded rulers.

Periocular anterior adnexal anatomy and clinical adnexal examination of the adult Asian elephant (Elephas maximus).

Formalin preserved ocular-associated anterior adnexa tissues from five necropsied Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) were dissected with attention to the palpebrae, conjunctiva, nictitating membranes, nasolacrimal ducts, and periocular glandular tissues. Gross and histologic examination revealed that lacrimal and tarsal glands were not present. Evidence of the lacrimal drainage apparatus, including lacrimal punctae or any remnant of lacrimal sacs, was also absent.

Light microscopic evaluation and scanning electron microscopic analysis of horse eyes following deep anterior lamellar keratectomy.

OBJECTIVE  To describe the technique of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) with Descemet's membrane (DM) exposure in horse eyes. Also, to compare the efficacy and safety of viscodissection and big-bubble techniques for DALK. ANIMALS STUDIED  Thirty-four ex vivo horse eyes.

Comparison of single versus multiple injections of the protein saratin for prolonging bleb survival in a rabbit model.

Purpose: We compared the anti-fibrotic effects of single versus multiple postoperative injections of saratin following glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS) in the rabbit model.

Methods: The experiment was in two parts. To determine the optimal frequency for postoperative therapy, seven New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits received an injection of saratin under the superior conjunctiva bilaterally, and ocular tissue concentration was determined using Western blot and bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay.

Prevention of ocular scarring post glaucoma filtration surgery using the inflammatory cell and platelet binding modulator saratin in a rabbit model.

Clinical Relevance: Late complications can occur with use of current antimetabolites to prevent scarring following glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS). Safer, more targeted, anti-fibrosis agents are sought.

Objectives: The protein saratin has been shown to exhibit anti-fibrotic and anti-thrombotic properties in response to injury, but had not been used for glaucoma surgery.

Examination of the anterior uveoscleral pathway in domestic species.

Objective: To investigate the uveoscleral (US) pathway in the normal eyes of four domestic spp.: the cat, pig, cow and horse by examining the comparative anatomical structure of anterior US pathway.

Animals Studied: Four cats, ten pigs, four cows, eight horses.

Microanatomy of the anterior uveoscleral outflow pathway in normal and primary open-angle glaucomatous dogs.

Objective: To compare the morphology of the uveoscleral (US) outflow pathway in normal and glaucomatous canines.

Animals Studied: 10 normal beagles, 10 beagles with inherited primary open-angle glaucoma, 4 cocker spaniels with spontaneous glaucoma.

Procedures: Formalin-preserved globes were sectioned tangentially and sagittally and treated with H&E, Masson's trichrome, or elastin stains or analyzed by immunohistochemistry to visualize smooth muscle actin.

Prevention of ocular scarring after glaucoma filtering surgery using the monoclonal antibody LT1009 (Sonepcizumab) in a rabbit model.

Purpose: Excessive scarring leading to failure of the filtering bleb continues to be a major problem after glaucoma filtration surgery. This study examines the antifibrotic effects of the anti-S1P monoclonal antibody LT1009 (Sonepcizumab) in prolonging bleb survival in a rabbit model of glaucoma filtering surgery.

Methods: The frequency of LT1009 dosage was determined initially using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay assay measuring LT1009 eye tissue retention in 6 New Zealand White rabbits.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of filaggrin polyclonal antibody in atopic and normal beagles.

In human atopic dermatitis (AD), impairments in skin barrier function are emphasized and hypothesized to increase risk of allergic sensitization. Filaggrins, crucial proteins for keratinization, are decreased in lesional and nonlesional human atopic skin. As canine AD shares numerous similarities with the human counterpart, this study aimed to evaluate a polyclonal antibody against human filaggrin in atopic beagles sensitized to house dust mites (HDM) and normal healthy dogs.

Unravelling the skin barrier: a new paradigm for atopic dermatitis and house dust mites.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease caused by complex interactions between genetics and environmental factors. In human beings, impairment of the skin barrier is demonstrated and thought to be responsible for enhanced penetration of allergens and increased risk for allergic sensitization. Once inflammation is triggered, further impairment of the skin barrier occurs, leading to self-perpetuating cycles of sensitizations.

Transmission electron microscopy studies in an experimental model of canine atopic dermatitis.

Impairment of skin barrier function has been hypothesized in canine atopic dermatitis (AD). In this prospective, controlled study, the ultrastructure of the upper epidermal layers was investigated using an experimental model of canine AD. Seven atopic Beagles sensitized to Dermatophagoides farinae and four healthy Beagles were used as controls.

Light and electron microscopic evaluation of canine corneal endothelium following CO2 photokeratotomy.

Objective: To determine using light and scanning electron microscopy if treatment with CO2 photokeratotomy alters the corneal endothelium in healthy dogs.

Procedure: Eight surgery laboratory dogs were determined to be free of ocular abnormalities. Under general anesthesia, the left eye of each dog was treated in a quadrant from 12 to 3 o'clock with the CO(2) laser in a defocused mode.

Immunocytochemical localization of smooth muscle actin-containing cells in the trabecular meshwork of glaucomatous and nonglaucomatous dogs.

Purpose: It has been recently demonstrated that trabecular meshwork (TM) cells within the canine iridocorneal angle (ICA) contain smooth muscle actin (smA) and possess contractile abilities that probably alter aqueous outflow. As the number of trabecular meshwork cells in glaucomatous canine eyes have been found to be less than those in age-matched nonglaucomatous eyes, we hypothesize that the sub-population of TM cells that contain smooth muscle actin will also decline with age. We also hypothesize that a greater loss of these cells will be observed in glaucomatous eyes than in nonglaucomatous eyes of the same age.

Corneal avascularity is due to soluble VEGF receptor-1.

Corneal avascularity-the absence of blood vessels in the cornea-is required for optical clarity and optimal vision, and has led to the cornea being widely used for validating pro- and anti-angiogenic therapeutic strategies for many disorders. But the molecular underpinnings of the avascular phenotype have until now remained obscure and are all the more remarkable given the presence in the cornea of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, a potent stimulator of angiogenesis, and the proximity of the cornea to vascularized tissues. Here we show that the cornea expresses soluble VEGF receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1; also known as sflt-1) and that suppression of this endogenous VEGF-A trap by neutralizing antibodies, RNA interference or Cre-lox-mediated gene disruption abolishes corneal avascularity in mice.

Comparative anatomy of the ciliary body of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) and selected species.

Objective: To examine the anatomy of the ciliary body in the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), paying close attention to its vascularization and to compare to those of its distant relative, the African elephant (Loxodonta africana), the amphibious hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) and the aquatic short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus).

Procedure: Specimens from each species were preserved in 10% buffered formalin, and observed stereomicroscopically before being embedded in paraffin, sectioned and stained by Masson trichrome, hematoxylin and eosin, and periodic acid-Schiff for light microscopic evaluation.

Results: The network of blood vessels in the ciliary processes of the West Indian manatee appear to have an intricate pattern, especially with regard to venous outflow.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of the angioarchitecture of the ciliary body of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus).

Objective: To examine the angioarchitecture of the ciliary body in the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), through the use of three-dimensional reconstruction.

Procedure: Specimens from West Indian manatee were preserved in 10% buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin, serial sectioned and stained by Masson trichrome for light microscopic three-dimensional reconstruction and evaluation.

Results: The network of blood vessels in the ciliary processes of the West Indian manatee is fed by the major arterial circle that lies mostly near the base of the iris.

Corneal vascularization in the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) and three-dimensional reconstruction of vessels.

The cornea of the Florida manatee is unique and unusual in its anatomy in that blood vessels have been found throughout. In all other animal species, this is considered a pathological condition impeding vision, and is usually caused by injury or trauma. The purpose of this study was to more clearly describe corneal vascularization by examining the architecture through three-dimensional reconstruction in order to find possible patterns in size, distribution, and location of blood vessels relative to gender, age, location, and season.

Glutamine regulates Caco-2 cell tight junction proteins.

Intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) barrier dysfunction may lead to inflammation and mucosal injury. Glutamine (GLN) plays a role in maintenance of intestinal barrier function in various animal models and critically ill humans. Recent evidence from intestinal cell monolayers indicates that GLN maintains transepithelial resistance and decreases permeability.

Glutamine decreases lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal inflammation in infant rats.

Using a gastrostomy-fed (GF) rat infant "pup-in-a-cup" model, the effects of protein deprivation and supplemental glutamine (Gln) and glutamate (Glu) were examined to test the hypothesis that Gln decreases the proinflammatory response induced by LPS in the developing infant rat small intestine. Four groups of 6- to 7-day-old pups were fed a rat milk substitute (RMS), one providing 100% and three providing 25% of normal protein intake for another 6 days. Two of the 25% protein-fed groups received supplemental Gln or Glu.

An outbreak of fungal dermatitis and stomatitis in a free-ranging population of pigmy rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri) in Florida.

Between September 1997 and March 1998, a severe skin, eye, and mouth disease was observed in a population of dusky pigmy rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri), at the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge in Volusia County, Florida (USA). Three affected pigmy rattlesnakes were submitted for necropsy. All snakes had severe necrotizing and predominantly granulomatous dermatitis, stomatitis, and ophthalmitis, with involvement of the subadjacent musculature and other soft tissues.

Long-term effect of retinal ganglion cell axotomy on the histomorphometry of other cells in the porcine retina.

Purpose: To determine the effect of retinal ganglion cell axotomy on the thickness of inner plexiform, inner nuclear, and outer plexiform layers, as well as the densities of short- and middle-to-long-wavelength cones, in the porcine retina.

Methods: Unilateral retinal ganglion cell axotomy was performed in seven domestic pigs by either surgical optic nerve section or peripapillary argon laser photocoagulation. Damage to the retinal vasculature was ruled out with fluorescein angiography.

Structure and presumptive function of the iridocorneal angle of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), and African elephant (Loxodonta africana).

The iridocorneal angles of prepared eyes from the West Indian manatee, short-finned pilot whale, hippopotamus and African elephant were examined and compared using light microscopy. The manatee and pilot whale demonstrated capacity for a large amount of aqueous outflow, probably as part of a system compensating for lack of ciliary musculature, and possibly also related to environmental changes associated with life at varying depths. The elephant angle displayed many characteristics of large herbivores, but was found to have relatively low capacity for aqueous outflow via both primary and secondary routes.

Cataracts in the Bichon Frise.

Purpose: To determine the clinical characteristics of possible inherited cataract in the Bichon Frise breed. These characteristics include the relative frequency, gender effects, site of first cataract formation, age of onset, relationship of age to cataract maturity, and other concurrent pre- and postoperative ophthalmic diseases.

Methods: Four different populations of Bichon Frise were examined.