Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Ethyl Pyruvate Failed To Reduce Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Release Following In Vitro Stimulation In Dairy Calves' Whole Blood., Vincent Dore

Doctoral Dissertations

Recent developments in sepsis treatment showed that control of the late mediator of inflammation, High Mobility Box group-1 (HMGB1), improves survival in animal models of endotoxemia. Ethyl pyruvate is a small-molecule inhibitor that has been shown to reduce the systemic release of HMGB1 during experimental treatment of systemic inflammation in different species. The objectives of this body of work were 1) to explore ethyl pyruvate's ability to modulate early pro-inflammatory cytokines production and immune effector function in treated calves, 2) to evaluate the safety of an administration of ethyl pyruvate infusion in neonatal calves, and 3) to explore ethyl pyruvate's …

Translational Models For Advancement Of Regenerative Medicine And Tissue Engineering, Kristin Marie Bowers

Doctoral Dissertations

At the root of each regenerative medicine or tissue engineering breakthrough is a simple goal, to improve quality of healing, thus improving a patient’s quality of life. Each tissue presents its own complexities and limitations to healing, whether it is the scarring nature of tendon healing or the mechanical complexity driving bone regeneration. Preclinical, translational models aim to reflect these complexities and limitations, allowing for effective development and refinement of tissue engineered therapeutics for human use. The following body of work explores several of these translational models, both utilizing them for tissue regenerative therapy development and evaluating the benefits and …

Evaluation Of Ocelot And Bobcat General And Reproductive Health In South Texas And Assessment Of Assisted Reproductive Techniques For Wild Felid Conservation, Ashley Reeves

Doctoral Dissertations

Recent studies of wild felid populations in southern Texas have shown loss of genetic variability and inbreeding depression over time, increasing the risk of reduced reproductive and immune fitness leading to an overall decrease in reproductive success, increase in disease susceptibility, and further population demise. Assessment of general health, pathogen exposure, and reproductive health can provide documentation of the possible effects of inbreeding and inform the development of conservation strategies. Assisted reproductive technologies have been used in many other species and can address behavioral or physical incompatibilities among breeding pairs, connect distant populations by transporting frozen gametes, preserve genetic diversity …

Prevalence Of Rats And Rodent Borne Pathogens Across Post-Katrina New Orleans, Bruno Marco Ghersi

Doctoral Dissertations

Disasters are happening at an increasingly higher rate and intensity a trend that is expected to continue as more humans migrate to coastal urban areas. Disasters, and as importantly, disaster recovery can affect how native and pest populations will recover. My aim was to improve understanding of disease risk by evaluating the socioecological conditions that have shaped commensal rat recovery and distribution, as well as the pathogens they carry, across New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. I first estimated relative abundance and distribution of commensal rats from rodent trapping conducted between mid-2014 and early-2017 across 96 sites in 10 areas of …

Description And Practical Application Of The Physiologic Distribution Of 3’-Deoxy-3’-[18f]Fluorothymidine In Companion Animals, Joshua Alan Rowe

Doctoral Dissertations

Access to positron emission tomography (PET), and more recently PET combined with computed tomography (PET/CT), is increasing in veterinary medicine. This molecular imaging technology allows clinicians to map biological functions within patients based on the distribution and selective uptake of specialized positron-emitting radiopharmaceuticals. Although most clinical studies utilize 2-deoxy-2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-Dglucose (¹⁸FDG), a versatile but relatively nonspecific tracer that interrogates the energy metabolism of tissues, there is a growing need to establish reference values for alternative or adjunct tracers in veterinary species. Among these is 3’-deoxy-3’- [¹⁸F]fluorothymidine (¹⁸FLT), a thymidine analog that selectively accumulates …

Health Assessment Of Two Reintroduced Populations Of American Martens (Martes Americana) In Michigan, Maria Catherine Spriggs

Doctoral Dissertations

The American marten (Martes americana) was extirpated from Michigan during the early-20th century due to loss of vast areas of mature conifer forest and unregulated trapping. The species was reintroduced into the Upper Peninsula (UP) and Northern Lower Peninsula (NLP) during the mid-20th century. While the American marten population in the UP has grown and is doing well, the population in the NLP has been less successful. The reasons for the limited success of the NLP population are unknown, but may include lack of suitable habitat, limited reproductive success, poor genetic diversity, disease, or negative environmental impacts. American …

Characterization Of Hypothalamic Neuropeptides In Mammalian Reproduction, Valeria Tanco

Doctoral Dissertations

Understanding of regulation of reproduction at the level of the brain changed dramatically with the discovery of reproductive neuropeptides. To date there have been no studies to characterize the distribution of reproductive neuropeptides in the bovine hypothalamus at different stages of the estrus cycle or to determine the physiological effects of peripheral administration of Gonadotropin inhibiting hormone (GnIH) in intact female cattle and ovariohysterectomized bitches.

The goal of the first study was to determine distribution and connectivity of kisspeptin, dynorphin, and GnIH in the hypothalami of sexually mature female cattle during the estrous cycle. To this end, hypothalami of female …

Epidemiology Of Select Species Of Filarial Nematodes In Free-Ranging Moose (Alces Alces) Of North America, Caroline Mae Grunenwald

Doctoral Dissertations

North American moose (Alces alces) are a culturally and economically valued species. Recent population declines raise concern for the survivability of this natural resource. The Minnesota population has experienced the most dramatic decline, with a 60% loss in total numbers since 2006. Nematode parasites, particularly some species of filarids, are important pathogens of moose and could be contributing to morbidity and mortality. This study investigates the eco-epidemiology of two filarial parasites of moose: Rumenfilaria andersoni and Elaeophora schneideri. By surveying cervid species from six U.S. states, we discovered R. andersoni was present in moose from all sample locations …

Absorption And Utilization Of Choline And Vitamin B12 In Lactating Dairy Cows Using Different Delivery Methods, Virginia Maria Artegoitia Etcheverry

Doctoral Dissertations

Choline and vitamin B12 are essential nutrients for growth and performances of production animals. However, both nutrients are extensively degraded during digestion in the rumen. This thesis comprised three experiments. First, four cows equipped with a rumen cannula and catheters in the portal vein and a mesenteric artery received a post-ruminal bolus of: 1) cyanocobalamin (CN-CBL) alone (0.1 g) [gram], 2) CN-CBL (0.1 g) + casein (10 g) or 3) CN-CBL (0.1 g) + whey proteins (10 g). After the bolus, blood samples were taken until 24 h [hour] post-bolus. The intestinal absorption of CN-CBL was greater when the vitamin …

Effect Of Small Interfering Rnas On In Vitro Replication And Gene Expression Of Feline Coronavirus, Eman Ahmed Mohamed Anis

Doctoral Dissertations

Feline corononavirus (FCoV) infection is ubiquitous in domestic cat populations worldwide and is usually associated with subclinical or mild enteritis. However, in some cats infection may result in the development of a fatal progressive disease called feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). FIP is considered to be the major cause of infectious-related death in pet cats. Currently, there is no protective vaccine or curative treatment to this highly fatal disease. In this study, we evaluated the ability of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to inhibit the in vitro viral replication and gene expression of FCoV as a potential treatment for FIP.

Five synthetic …

Effect Of A Leucine/Pyridoxine Nutraceutical On Energy Metabolism And Satiety In Lean And Obese Dogs, Maryanne Murphy

Doctoral Dissertations

Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder of pet dogs (prevalence of 23–59%). This 29-week study investigated a nutraceutical containing 1 g leucine and 13 mg pyridoxine designed to maintain lean muscle mass while decreasing adiposity when compared with positive and negative controls. After determining individual maintenance calorie requirements over 3 – 4 weeks, thirty-six healthy adult Beagles were divided into obesification, weight gain prevention, or maintain ideal body weight arms.

Obesity was induced and during a weight loss phase, excess calories were removed, and obesification dogs were given nutraceutical with CAD (ObN), placebo with CAD (ObP), or a therapeutic …

Cd4 Silencing In Thymocytes Is Opposed By The Enforced Association Of P300 Hat, Hdac1 Or Suv39h1 With Runx Transcription Factors, Christyne Ayne Kane

Doctoral Dissertations

The transcription factors Runx1 and Runx3 are required for permanent silencing of CD4 in maturing CD8+ thymocytes. Runx binding to consensus sites within the CD4 silencer region is required for CD4 silencing post-positive selection. The Runx nuclear matrix targeting sequence (NMTS) is required for CD4 silencing and is implicated in binding to the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) p300, histone deacetylases (HDAC), and histone methyltransferase (HMT) SUV39H1 proteins. Epigenetic modifications of chromatin or post-translational modifications of Runx itself as a result of Runx association with these enzymes may be important for establishment of long-term CD4 silencing. In this study, we show that …

Safety And Immunoreactivity Of A Xenogeneic Dna Plasmid Vaccine Expressing Human Tyrosinase In Tumor-Bearing Horses, Luis Miguel Lembcke Perez Prieto

Doctoral Dissertations

Melanomas are among the most common skin tumors in horses (second only to sarcoids), with prevalence rates reaching as high as 80% in adult gray horses. Despite the wide availability of measures of local control, there are currently no systemic therapies that can effectively prevent spread, or treat metastatic or locally advanced/non-resectable melanoma in horses. A form of gene immunotherapy based on a plasmid DNA construct containing a xenogeneic form of the antigen tyrosinase have been developed and optimized for targeting cancer in both humans and dogs; and have demonstrated significant immunoreactivity and clinical benefit in the treatment of melanocytic …

Kinetic And Kinematic Evaluation Of Compensatory Movements Of The Head, Pelvis And Thoraco-Lumbar Spine Associated With Asymmetrical Weight Bearing Of The Pelvic Limbs In Dogs, David Alan Hicks

Doctoral Dissertations

The purposes of this dissertation were to 1) determine ground reaction forces of dogs with mild asymmetrical weight-bearing of the pelvic limbs while trotting and 2) use three-dimensional motion analysis to identify compensatory vertical motion of the head and pelvis, and lateral motion of the thoraco-lumbar spine in dogs with mild asymmetrical weight-bearing of the pelvic limbs while trotting, and 3) use this information to introduce a subjective grading system for the pelvic limbs in dogs. Our hypotheses were that dogs with asymmetric weight bearing demonstrate compensatory motions of the head, pelvis and thoraco-lumbar spine while trotting, and that these …

A Description Of The Movement Of The Canine Pelvic Limb In Three Dimensions Using An Inverse Dynamics Method, And A Comparison Of Two Techniques To Surgically Repair A Cranial Cruciate Ligament Deficient Stifle, Jason Headrick

Doctoral Dissertations

The purposes of the dissertation were: 1) to describe three-dimensional (3D) motion of the canine pelvic limb using an inverse dynamics method, and 2) to compare these motion patterns between normal, healthy dogs and those that have had their stifles stabilized by one of two surgical methods approximately five years earlier.

Twenty-five dogs were allocated to three groups; healthy control dogs, dogs that had received the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO), and dogs that had received the lateral fabellar suture (LFS) stabilization technique. Both surgical techniques were performed approximately five years prior on stifles with surgically induced cranial cruciate ligament …

The Role Of Systemic Inflammation In The Development Of Equine Laminitis, Elizabeth Maryrose Tadros

Doctoral Dissertations

Laminitis is a crippling disease of horses that can result in chronic lameness and debilitation, and sometimes warrants euthanasia. It is a complication of inflammatory conditions such as gastrointestinal disease, and also occurs in obese, insulin-resistant horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). Inflammation and insulin resistance are risk factors for laminitis, and these mechanisms might converge to induce laminitis in susceptible animals.

Systemic inflammation is often attributed to endotoxemia, although circulating endotoxin concentrations are not commonly measured in the clinical setting. Although a theoretic basis exists for endotoxemia in the pathogenesis of laminitis, administration of endotoxin alone does …

Role Of Il-17 And Th17 Cells In Hsv Induced Ocular Immunopathology, Amol Sahebrao Suryawanshi

Doctoral Dissertations

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection of the cornea leads to a blinding immuno-inflammatory condition of the eye also called stromal keratitis (SK). SK immunopathology is characterized by the infiltration of CD4⁺ T cells of Th1 phenotype as well as the development of new blood vessels into the normally avascular cornea. Studies in mouse models of SK have firmly established the role of CD4⁺ T cells, and particularly of Th1 phenotype, as the principal mediators of SK immunopathology. However, with the recent discovery of IL-17A and Th17 cells, the role of this cytokine as well as Th17 cells remains …

Diagnosis And Management Of Horses With Equine Metabolic Syndrome (Ems), Kelly Ann Chameroy

Doctoral Dissertations

In horses, a painful and often debilitating disease known as laminitis can result in impaired function and, in severe cases, euthanasia. Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a syndrome in horses that results in development of laminitis and is characterized by the presence of general and/or regional adiposity (“cresty neck”), aberrations in blood lipid concentrations, insulin resistance (IR) and/ or hyperinsulinemia. Therapies have focused on improving the state of obesity and insulin resistance with the goal of diminishing the likelihood of laminitis development. A definitive cause for laminitis has not been established, but hyperinsulinemia and IR are likely candidates as experimental …

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Viruses In Tennessee Ruminants, Robin Lynn Cissell

Doctoral Dissertations

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a lymphoproliferative and inflammatory syndrome affecting primarily ruminant species. The disease, which is often fatal, is most often described as affecting bovids and cervids. No vaccines are available for prevention of MCFV infection. The primary method to control spread of disease is to prevent contact between carriers and clinically susceptible species. There is no known method to control infection of malignant catarrhal fever virus-white-tailed deer variant (MCFV-WTD), as the carrier animal of this virus is unknown.

To determine the prevalence of malignant catarrhal fever viruses in Tennessee ruminant populations, blood and/or lymph node samples were …

Methicillin Resistance In Staphylococcus Pseudintermedius, Chad Christopher Black

Doctoral Dissertations

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius affecting dogs is analogous to S. aureus on humans, acting as both normal flora and opportunistic pathogen. Methicillin resistance in S. pseudintermedius is recent, with the first documented occurrence of an isolate bearing the methicillin resistance gene, mecA, in 1999. This gene encodes penicillin binding protein 2a, which renders all beta-lactam drugs ineffective and functions as a “gateway” antibiotic resistance determinant. In the presence of ineffective antibiotics, opportunities for mutational events and acquisition of mobile genetic elements increase as microbial densities increase, often leading to multi-drug resistance. Methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) infections have become increasingly common. For …

Comparison Of Fecal Escherichia Coli From Dogs And Their Owners, Katherine Anne Stenske

Doctoral Dissertations

Contact between human beings and dogs may allow sharing of antimicrobial resistant and virulent bacteria. Objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of cross-species sharing of fecal E. coli based on pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profile similarity, to compare antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and virulence factor patterns between dog-owner pairs, and to analyze the epidemiology of cross-species sharing using a questionnaire.

A cross-sectional study comparing fecal E. coli isolates from dogs and their owners was conducted. A questionnaire and fecal sample was collected from 61 dogowner pairs and 30 controls. Three E. coli colonies were isolated from each …

Growth Stimulation Of Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma And Their Cells Of Origin By "Chemopreventive" Agents That Increase Intracellular Camp, Hussein Abdulhadi Nasser Al-Wadei

Doctoral Dissertations

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality for men and women in the United States, with a high mortality rate and a five-year survival rate of less than 15%. Cancer ranks second as a cause of death for Americans after cardiovascular disease. The American Cancer Society (ACS) reported 171,900 new cases of lung cancer for 2003 (ACS, 2003). Peripheral adenocarcinoma (PAC) of the lung has increased dramatically over the last 20 years and is the leading histological type of lung cancer in smokers and nonsmokers in industrialized countries, including the United States. Among the four main histological lung …

Canine Hypoadrenocorticism (Canine Addison's Disease): History, Contemporary Diagnosis By Practicing Veterinarians, And Epidemiology, William James Kelch

Doctoral Dissertations

This study of canine hypoadrenocorticism (canine Addison's disease; adrenal insufficiency) used several techniques to determine the incidence and prevalence of the disease and to identify factors associated with its occurrence. These techniques were historical; statistical, including meta-analysis and logistic regression; and epidemiologic, including both case series and case control data. Data were gathered by: extracting the details of cases reported in the veterinary literature, a rudimentary meta-anaylsis; using data obtained by Ciba Animal Health in the clinical trial of the drug microcrystalline desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP); using data obtained from the Veterinary Medical Data Base (VMDB), a data repository of clinical …