Kisspeptin fiber and receptor distribution analysis suggests its potential role in central sensorial processing and behavioral state control.

Background: Kisspeptin (KP) signaling in the brain is defined by the anatomical distribution of KP-producing neurons, their fibers, receptors, and connectivity. Technological advances have prompted a re-evaluation of these chemoanatomical aspects, originally studied in the early years after the discovery of KP and its receptor We have previously characterized(1) seven KP neuronal populations in the mouse brain at the mRNA level, including two novel populations, and examined their short-term response to gonadectomy.

Methods: In this study, we mapped KP fiber distribution in rats and mice using immunohistochemistry under intact and short- and long-term post-gonadectomy conditions.

Comprehensive chemotyping, and the gonadal regulation, of seven kisspeptinergic neuronal populations in the mouse brain.

Background: Kisspeptinergic signaling is well-established as crucial for regulation of reproduction, but its potential broader role in brain function is less understood. This study investigates the distribution and chemotyping of kisspeptin-expressing neurons within the mouse brain.

Methods: RNAscope singleplex, duplex and multiplex in situ hybridization methods were used to assess kisspeptin mRNA (Kiss1) expression and its co-expression with other neuropeptides, excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter markers, and sex steroid receptors in intact and gonadectomized young adult mice.

Prolactin levels correlate with abnormal B cell maturation in MRL and MRL/lpr mouse models of systemic lupus erythematosus-like disease.

Prolactin (PRL) plays an important role in modulating the immune response. In B cells, PRL enhances antibody production, including antibodies with self-specificity. In this study, our aims were to determine the level of PRL receptor expression during bone-marrow B-cell development and to assess whether the presence of high PRL serum concentrations influences absolute numbers of developing populations and disease outcome in lupus-prone murine models.

Increased levels of prolactin receptor expression correlate with the early onset of lupus symptoms and increased numbers of transitional-1 B cells after prolactin treatment.

Background: Prolactin is secreted from the pituitary gland and other organs, as well as by cells such as lymphocytes. Prolactin has an immunostimulatory effect and is associated with autoimmune diseases that are characterised by abnormal B cell activation, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our aim was to determine if different splenic B cell subsets express the prolactin receptor and if the presence of prolactin influences these B cell subsets and correlates with development of lupus.

Intranasal anti-rabies DNA immunization promotes a Th1-related cytokine stimulation associated with plasmid survival time.

Background And Aims: DNA vaccination has a great potential to decrease infectious diseases worldwide, such as rabies. Here we showed the effects of a single anti-rabies DNA vaccination applied intranasally (IN) on plasmid survival time, neutralizing antibody (NA) titers, G-protein expression and Th1/Th2-related cytokines.

Methods: Only one 50-μg dose of an anti-rabies DNA vaccine was IN administered to 160 Balb/c mice.

Effects of administration of caffeine on metabolic variables in neonatal pigs with peripartum asphyxia.

Objective: To determine effects of 2 doses of caffeine on metabolic variables in neonatal pigs with peripartum asphyxia.

Animals: 180 neonatal pigs.

Procedures: Neonatal pigs were assigned to 2 groups (groups P and F) on the basis of results for a vitality scale (passed or failed, respectively).

Obstetric and fetal outcomes in dystocic and eutocic sows to an injection of exogenous oxytocin during farrowing.

Sixty hybrid Yorkshire-Landrace penned sows, 30 with eutocic farrowing and 30 experiencing a dystocic parturition, were studied to evaluate the obstetric and neonatal outcomes to low doses of oxytocin administered at advanced stages of parturition. Animals in each group were randomly subdivided into 2 subgroups: 15 eutocic and 15 dystocic sows received oxytocin 0.083 IU/kg (equivalent to 1 IU/12 kg body weight), administered intramuscularly after the delivery of the 5th piglet; the other 15 eutocic and 15 dystocic sows received saline solution intramuscularly at the same time.

Frequency of the serological reactivity against the caprine arthritis encephalitis lentivirus gp135 in children who consume goat milk.

Background: Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) is a retrovirus belonging to the lentivirus genus that also includes the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). CAEV may be transmitted to humans by goat milk consumption. It has been suggested that CAEV may also be involved in the immunological protection process against HIV, but this has not been demonstrated.

Efficient post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies by applying a four-dose DNA vaccine intranasally.

We tested two post-exposure prophylaxes (PEPs) for rabies in laboratory animals; one was a traditional antirabies vaccine for humans via intramuscular route (IM), and the other was a DNA vaccine administered by intranasal route (IN). In contrast to The World Health Organization's recommended five-dose PEP, we gave only four doses without hyper-immune antirabies sera, making the PEP more rigorous. All animals were challenged with challenge virus strain (CVS); 16h later, PEP was applied.

Intradermal DNA vaccination in ear pinnae is an efficient route to protect cats against rabies virus.

A DNA vaccine against rabies (pGQH) was administrated to cats in order to examine different administration routes. Four groups of three cats each were inoculated with pGQH as follows: group A, intramuscularly (IM), 100 microg; group B, intranasally (IN), 100 microg; group C, intradermally into ear pinnae (ID-EP), 100 microg, and group D, IM, 200 microL of phosphate buffer solution (PBS) alone (control group). Blood was drawn on days 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180.

Obstetric and neonatal outcomes to recombinant porcine somatotropin administered in the last third of pregnancy to primiparous sows.

This study aimed to investigate whether the administration of recombinant porcine somatotropin (rpST) late in gestation is associated with increased rates of obstetric and neonatal complications in primiparous sows. From days 80 to 114 of gestational age, 20 primiparous sows were randomly assigned to receive an intramuscular injection of either saline or 6 mg rpST/day. Throughout pregnancy, sows were fed 2.

Cross-reactivity between caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus and type 1 human immunodeficiency virus.

Background: Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) is caused by the lentivirus caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV), a member of the Retroviridae family that also includes the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Serum of CAEV-infected goats cross-reacts with HIV-1 antigens in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests. We attempted to identify the proteins responsible for this cross-reactivity.