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A systems-level understanding of cytokine-mediated, intertissue signaling is one of the keys to developing fundamental insight into the links between aging and inflammation. Here, we employed Drosophila, a routine model for analysis of cytokine signaling pathways in higher animals, to identify a receptor for the growth-blocking peptide (GBP) cytokine. Having previously established that the phospholipase C/Ca2+ signaling pathway mediates innate immune responses to GBP, we conducted a dsRNA library screen for genes that modulate Ca2+ mobilization in Drosophila S3 cells. A hitherto orphan G protein coupled receptor, Methuselah-like receptor-10 (Mthl10), was a significant hit. Secondary screening confirmed specific binding of fluorophore-tagged GBP to both S3 cells and recombinant Mthl10-ectodomain. We discovered that the metabolic, immunological, and stress-protecting roles of GBP all interconnect through Mthl10. This we established by Mthl10 knockdown in three fly model systems: in hemocyte-like Drosophila S2 cells, Mthl10 knockdown decreases GBP-mediated innate immune responses; in larvae, Mthl10 knockdown decreases expression of antimicrobial peptides in response to low temperature; in adult flies, Mthl10 knockdown increases mortality rate following infection with Micrococcus luteus and reduces GBP-mediated secretion of insulin-like peptides. We further report that organismal fitness pays a price for the utilization of Mthl10 to integrate all of these various homeostatic attributes of GBP: We found that elevated GBP expression reduces lifespan. Conversely, Mthl10 knockdown extended lifespan. We describe how our data offer opportunities for further molecular interrogation of yin and yang between homeostasis and longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To determine the incidence, etiology, and concurrent ophthalmic findings in small breed dogs that presented with cataracts. Animal studied Five hundred and sixty-one small breed dogs (942 eyes) were presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Seoul National University between July 2002 and December 2007 with cataract. Procedure The medical records of small breed dogs with cataract were reviewed. The reason for presentation, cataract duration, bilaterality, breed, gender, age, vision, etiology, stage of cataract development, concurrent ophthalmic findings, IOP, ocular ultrasonography findings, and scotopic electroretinography (ERG) findings were investigated. Results The most frequently presented breeds were the Miniature/Toy Poodle ( n = 112, 20.0%), Yorkshire Terrier ( n = 110, 19.6%), and Shih Tzu ( n = 95, 16.9%). The Miniature/Toy Poodle showed a significantly higher odds ratio for cataract formation (2.6). The proportion of female cataract patients was significantly higher than that of male cataract patients in the overall population ( P < 0.05). The Miniature/Toy Poodles had significantly higher numbers of females affected with cataract ( P < 0.01). The mean age for cataract formation was 8.3 ± 3.9 years. The mean age at onset in the Miniature/Toy Poodle and Yorkshire Terrier was significantly higher, whereas that in the Miniature Schnauzer group was significantly lower ( P < 0.0001). Clinical signs related to lens induced uveitis had a tendency to increase with cataract progression ( P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the b-wave amplitude for mixed rod cone response by stage ( P = 0.137). Conclusions Small breed dogs with cataracts had characteristics with regard to age of onset and gender distribution, depending on the breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate motility of silicone orbital implants and corneoscleral prostheses, with and without use of a motility coupling post (MCP) in dogs. Animals studied Eighteen mixed-breed dogs. Procedures The motility of an orbital silicone implant and corneoscleral prosthesis after enucleation ( n = 6), evisceration ( n = 6), or use of a MCP with evisceration ( n = 6) in dogs were compared. One eye from each dog had surgery whereas the opposite eye was used as a control. Clinical evaluations were performed three times a week. Histopathology of the orbital tissues was performed 8 and 12 weeks after surgery. Results Implant motility in dogs with evisceration (vertical movement [VM] 8.04 ± 2.13; horizontal movement [HM] 11 ± 3.05) and evisceration with MCP (VM 9.61 ± 1.59); HM was significantly greater than the enucleation group (VM 0.51 ± 0.5; HM 1.22 ± 0.68) ( P < 0.01). Prosthetic motility in dogs with evisceration with MCP was significantly greater than in dogs with evisceration; dogs with evisceration had significantly greater motility than dogs with enucleation ( P < 0.01). No postoperative complications were observed in any of the groups. No significant abnormalities were noted on histopathology. Conclusions MCP placement in silicone orbital implants significantly enhanced the prosthetic motility in dogs. This study supports the use of MCP in silicone orbital implants to enhance corneoscleral prosthesis motility and cosmetics in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine the feasibility and accuracy of a handheld rebound tonometer, TonoVet®, and to compare the intraocular pressure (IOP) readings of the TonoVet® with those of an applanation tonometer, TonoPen XL®, in normal Eurasian Eagle owls. Animals studied Ten clinically normal Eurasian Eagle owls (20 eyes). Procedures Complete ocular examinations, using slit-lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy, were conducted on each raptor. The IOP was measured bilaterally using a rebound tonometer followed by a topical anesthetic agent after 1 min. The TonoPen XL® tonometer was applied in both eyes 30 s following topical anesthesia. Results The mean ± SD IOP obtained by rebound tonometer was 10.45 ± 1.64 mmHg (range 7–14 mmHg), and by applanation tonometer was 9.35 ± 1.81 mmHg (range 6–12 mmHg). There was a significant difference ( P = 0.001) in the IOP obtained from both tonometers. The linear regression equation describing the relationship between both devices was y = 0.669 x + 4.194 ( x = TonoPen XL® and y = TonoVet®). The determination coefficient ( r2) was r2 = 0.550. Conclusions The results suggest that readings from the rebound tonometer significantly overestimated those from the applanation tonometer and that the rebound tonometer was tolerated well because of the rapid and minimal stress-inducing method of tonometry in the Eurasian Eagle owls, even without topical anesthesia. Further studies comparing TonoVet® with manometric measurements may be necessary to employ rebound tonometer for routine clinical use in Eurasian Eagle owls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]