Safety and palatability of polyethylene glycol 3350 as an oral laxative in cats

Recurrent constipation is a common problem in cats. Laxatives often are the cornerstone for management of recurrent constipation; however, there is a paucity of published research on laxative use in cats. This study investigated the safety and palatability of polyethylene glycol (PEG3350) in normal cats. All cats consumed the PEG3350 laxative for 4 weeks without changes in weight or food intake. In all cats soft stools were achieved. Effective doses varied widely in experimental cats, so individualized dosing is important. Mild, non-clinical hyperkalemia was noted although the cause is unknown.     

Antagonists induce a conformational change in cIAP1 that promotes autoubiquitination

Inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins are negative regulators of cell death. IAP family members contain RING domains that impart E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. Binding of endogenous or small-molecule antagonists to select baculovirus IAP repeat (BIR) domains within cellular IAP (cIAP) proteins promotes autoubiquitination and proteasomal degradation and so releases inhibition of apoptosis mediated by cIAP. Although the molecular details of antagonist-BIR domain interactions are well understood, it is not clear how this binding event influences the activity of the RING domain. Here biochemical and structural studies reveal that the unliganded, multidomain cIAP1 sequesters the RING domain within a compact, monomeric structure that prevents RING dimerization. Antagonist binding induces conformational rearrangements that enable RING dimerization and formation of the active E3 ligase.     

A survey of intestinal parasites in dogs from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Fresh fecal samples from 124 apparently healthy dogs and 333 random source canine fecal samples from dog walking areas were analyzed by centrifuged flotation in Sheather's solution to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in dogs from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Fecal flotation was positive in 4.4% of samples. Roundworm species were found in 1.5% of samples, hookworm species were found in 0.4% of samples, whipworm species were found in 0.7%, Strongyloides spp. were found in 0.6%, Giardia spp., Cystoisospora spp., and Alaria spp. were found in 0.4% of samples.     

Epidemic curve and hazard function for occurrence of clinical equine influenza in a closed population of horses at a 3-day event in southern Queensland, Australia, 2007

The risk of individuals becoming infected during an epidemic of infectious disease can vary as the disease progresses. Monitoring this risk may provide information about the dynamics of transmission. This study describes the epidemic curve for an epidemic of equine influenza (EI) in a closed population of horses predominantly immunologically na?ve to EI at a 3-day event at Morgan Park in southern Queensland, Australia. The hazard function suggested that a subset of horses were at reduced risk of becoming infected. This highlights the importance, when modelling infectious disease in populations, of considering possible differences in the risk of infection among subgroups in the population.     

Clinical impression of equine influenza at Morgan Park and the western region of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

The clinical signs of horses infected with equine influenza in two Queensland locations, Morgan Park Recreational Grounds at Warwick, and the western region of Brisbane, are described and compared. Clinical signs were observed to be more severe, and treatment more intensive, in horses in stressful settings.