Background and Aim: Canine filariasis is caused by several species of filarial worms. The pathophysiological response to infection is mainly due to the filaria lifecycle. Laboratory detection methods to assess the pathological alterations characteristic of filariasis are needed urgently. Serum protein profiles and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are used widely to diagnose several animal diseases. This study aimed to determine the serum protein profiles and CRP levels in dogs infected with Dirofilaria immitis or Brugia pahangi or both parasites. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 980 dogs presenting at animal hospitals and veterinary clinics in Bangkok and its vicinity. The presence of microfilaria in samples was determined using a buffy coat smear and staining with Wright–Giemsa. The sheathed and unsheathed microfilaria species were identified by acid phosphatase staining. Forty positive samples were tested. The serum protein profiles were identified by agarose gel electrophoresis. The CRP concentration was measured using a fluorescent immunoassay. Results: Albumin levels and albumin-to-globulin ratios were significantly lower, and total protein, β2 globulin, and γ globulin levels were significantly elevated in dogs infected with D. immitis and B. pahangi compared with reference values in normal dogs. The average CRP concentrations in dogs infected with D. immitis or B. pahangi were 69.9 and 12.9 mg/L, respectively. Conclusion: The total protein and γ globulin levels increased in canine filariasis compared with the normal reference range. The CRP concentration in dogs infected with D. immitis was extremely high, whereas that in dog infected with B. pahangi was normal.

Seminal plasma is the semen components that maintain sperm metabolism, pH and osmolality. Fibronectin (FN1) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX5) are the seminal plasma proteins that play an important role on the boar sperm functions. The purpose of the present study was to determine the differences in GPX5 and FN1 contents in the boar semen having good, moderate, and poor freezability. A total of 38 ejaculates from 25 boars with proven fertility were included in the experiment. All the ejaculates included in the study had >70% subjective motility, >75% normal morphology, >75% sperm viability, and volume >100 mL per ejaculate. The semen was collected through semen collection bag with filter and split into 2 portions. The first portion was prepared for the evaluation of seminal plasma proteins (i.e. GPX5 and FN1) and the second portion was cryopreserved and evaluated for post-thaw semen qualities. The seminal plasma samples were collected in cryotube and plug into liquid nitrogen. The samples was stored at –80°C before protein extraction. After thawing, the ejaculates were classified into 3 groups according to their post-thawed sperm motility: poor (14.6 ± 3.9%), modersate (28.5 ± 4.1%), and good (64.0 ± 8.7%) freezability. The amounts of GPX5 and FN1 proteins were evaluated through Western blot analysis. The normalized quantity of proteins was compared among groups by one-way ANOVA. The normalized level of FN1 in seminal plasma was higher in good- than in poor-freezability groups (8.0 ± 0.8% v. 5.7 ± 0.7%, respectively; P < 0.05), but did not differ significantly compared with that of the moderate-freezability group (7.5 ± 0.8%; P > 0.05). The levels of GPX5 in good-, moderate-, and poor-freezability groups were 14.7 ± 3.0%, 16.8 ± 3.2%, and 10.9 ± 3.0%, respectively (P > 0.05). The level of FN1 in seminal plasma was significantly correlated with the post-thaw sperm progressive motility (r = 0.38, P = 0.01), total motility (r = 0.37, P = 0.02), and the proportion of bent tail sperm (r = –0.33, P = 0.04). The level of GPX5 was not correlated with any of the post-thaw sperm qualities (P > 0.05). However, the levels of GPX5 was positively correlated with FN1 (r = 0.40, P = 0.01, n = 38). It can be concluded that FN1 in seminal plasma can be used as a marker of sperm freezability in boar.

Objectives The objective was to compare urine protein, urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPC) and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) index between cats with idiopathic cystitis and clinically normal cats. Methods Urine and blood samples were collected from 19 clinically normal cats and 19 cats with idiopathic cystitis without azotaemia at the time of first presentation. Urine protein, urine creatinine and UPC were measured. Additionally, the urinary NAG concentration was measured using the colorimetric method, and the NAG index was calculated by dividing the urinary NAG concentration by the urine creatinine ratio. Results Urine protein concentration (mean ± SEM) was four times higher in cats with idiopathic cystitis (218.29 ± 58.95) than in clinically normal cats (56.13 ± 9.95) (P <0.05). The UPC (mean ± SEM) of cats with idiopathic cystitis (0.70 ± 0.19) was also five times higher than that of clinically normal cats (0.14 ± 0.02) (P <0.05). The mean ± SEM NAG index in cats with idiopathic cystitis (4.79 ± 1.53 U/g) was two times higher than that in clinically normal cats (2.14 ± 0.48 U/g). The log UPC was positively correlated with the log NAG index in cats with idiopathic cystitis at moderate levels (r = 0.512; P <0.05). Conclusions and relevance Cats with idiopathic cystitis had increased amounts of urine protein and an increased UPC. Further study is needed to address the role of urinary NAG and its relationship with glycosaminoglycan levels in cats with idiopathic cystitis.

Upregulation of the PI3K pathway has often been reported in androgen-independent prostate cancer and is implicated in cancer cell survival and proliferation in the absence of androgen. Inhibition of PI3K by LY294002 suppressed cell invasion and motility of the highly metastatic androgen-independent Dunning rat prostate cancer MLL cell line with similar IC50 values and inhibition profile. Moreover, LY294002 attenuated expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) without any significant effect on that of matrix metalloproteinase 2. These results indicated that the role of PI3K in MLL cell invasion is by regulating cell motility and uPA expression.

Background and Aim: Canine tick-borne diseases are important diseases with a worldwide distribution. In Thailand, the most important canine tick-borne diseases are ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and hepatozoonosis. This study aimed to determine the serum protein electrophoresis patterns (SPEPs) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels associated with Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis, or Hepatozoon canis single infections. Materials and Methods: A total of 650 canine blood samples were collected from animal hospitals and clinics in Bangkok and its vicinity to examine health status and blood parasite infection. Suspected blood parasite infections were examined by buffy coat thin blood smear and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Normal dog and positive E. canis, B. canis, and H. canis single infections and serum protein profiles were determined by agarose gel electrophoresis. CRP concentration was measured by fluorescent immunoassay. Results: In dogs infected with E. canis, B. canis, and H. canis single infections, albumin levels and A/G ratios significantly decreased, whereas β2-globulin levels increased (p<0.05). The γ-globulin level significantly increased in E. canis and H. canis infections (p<0.05). A monoclonal gammopathy pattern was observed in E. canis and B. canis single infections, whereas β-γ bridging patterns and increased β- and γ-globulin fractions were found in H. canis single infections. The CRP level increased in dogs with blood parasite single infections and may be related to the pathogenesis of the infection. Conclusion: SPEPs and CRP levels can be used to monitor health status and blood parasite problems in infected dogs.