Characterization of canine platelet activation induced by platelet activating factor (PAF).

Characteristics of the signal transduction in Platelet activating factor (PAF)-activated platelets and effects of anti-platelet agents on this response were investigated in vitro for potential therapeutic applications in canine endotoxemia. Blockade of the PAF receptor by a specific blocker has the strongest inhibitive effect on the PAF-induced platelet reactions. The response was also inhibited by either Ca(2+) channel blockers or prostaglandin E(1).

One-step immunochromatography assay for detection of high-level canine serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity.

We developed a one-step immunochromatography assay kit to measure high levels of canine trypsin-like immunoreactivity (cTLI) for bedside estimation of canine pancreatitis. The serum cTLI level can be determined within 10 min by visual comparison of color strengths in the test and reference zones. The serum cTLI levels determined by this method correlate well with canine TLI-ELISA and can be classified into 3 categories: cTLI levels higher than 60 ng/ml were considered positive; 20-60 ng/ml, weakly positive; and less than 20 ng/ml, negative.

Alpha-fetoprotein in serum and tumor tissues in dogs with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations were measured before and after surgical removal of tumor masses in four dogs with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Localization of AFP was also examined immunohistochemically in tumor tissues. In three cases, the serum AFP concentration was 10 to 20 times higher than that of normal dogs.

Establishment and characterization of primary canine hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines producing alpha-fetoprotein.

A primary cultured cell line named CHKS was established from a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of a dog showing a high level of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). CHKS secreted a 66 KDD AFP into the growth medium regardless of the presence or absence of fetal bovine serum (FBS). Cloning CHKS with limiting dilution produced 4 clones, CHKS-1, -2, -3, and -4, which secreted 826, 471, 70, and less than 10 ng/ml, respectively, of AFP into the culture medium.

Molecular cloning of the canine c-Met/HGF receptor and its expression in normal and regenerated liver.

The c-Met proto-oncogene is the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which is a member of the tyrosine kinase family. Activation of the HGF/c-Met signal pathway leads to cell proliferation, motility, regeneration, and morphogenesis. In this study, the complete nucleotide sequence of complementary DNA (cDNA) of canine c-Met was cloned, and its distribution was determined in tissues.

Molecular detection and characterization of Haemobartonella felis in domestic cats in Japan employing sequence-specific polymerase chain reaction (SS-PCR).

A novel PCR assay was developed in order to examine the prevalence of Haemobartonella felis (H. felis) in Japanese domestic cats and which was able to differentiate of the Ohio strain and the California strain of H. felis.

Aggregability and post-transfusion survival of canine platelets in stored whole blood.

The effects of whole blood storage time on platelet aggregation and on post-transfusion platelet survival time were assessed in dogs. Citrate phosphate dextrose adenine-1 (CPDA-1) was used as a blood cell preservative. Storage time dependent decay of platelet aggregability was assessed.