Elevated endothelin-1 expression in dogs with heartworm disease

We explored the involvement of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the pathophysiology of dog dirofilariasis (heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis) by analyzing mRNA levels of preproendothelin-1 (PPET-1), the precursor form of ET-1, in cardiopulmonary organs as well as ET-1 peptide levels in plasma. To determine the cDNA sequence and primary protein structure of dog PPET-1, we performed molecular cloning of the full-length cDNA. Based on the determined sequence information, comparative expression analysis of PPET-1 mRNA was carried out by real-time polymerase chain reaction on cardiopulmonary organs from healthy (n=5) and filarial (n=5) dogs. Filarial dogs showed a significantly (p<0.05) higher mRNA expression level in the heart (about one hundred times) and lung (about ten times) than healthy dogs. Analysis of plasma ET-1 levels in healthy (n=10) and filarial (n=10) dogs showed that filarial dogs (6.9+/-2.7 pg/ml) have significantly (p<0.01) increased plasma ET-1 levels compared with healthy dogs (1.4+/-0.3 pg/ml). To assess the pathophysiological significance of ET-1 in dirofilariasis relative to other cardiopulmonary disorders, plasma ET-1 levels determined in dogs diagnosed with mitral regurgitation (n=10), tricuspid regurgitation (n=5), ventricular septal defect (n=5), and patent ductus arteriosus (n=5) were compared to plasma ET-1 levels in filarial dogs. Filarial dogs, which commonly develop serious pulmonary hypertension, exhibited by far the highest ET-1 levels of the disease states examined. Based on the fact that ET-1 is a potent bioactive mediator that induces vasoconstriction and promotes vascular remodeling, these findings suggest that ET-1 plays an important role in the pathophysiology of dog dirofilariasis as an aggravating factor by inducing pulmonary hypertension.     

Efficacy of open patch-grafting under cardiopulmonary bypass for pulmonic stenosis in small dogs

Objective   To assess the efficacy of an open patch-graft technique under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in small dogs.
Design and methods   A retrospective analysis of 10 dogs with pulmonic stenosis. Records between 1992 and 2002 were reviewed. The effect of surgical correction was evaluated and perioperative parameters were compared between survivors and non-survivors.
Results   The postoperative pulmonary pressure gradient was reduced in all seven surviving patients. Mean ± SE was 21.5 ± 7.4 mmHg (range 3.0–54.2 mmHg) and 6/7 dogs were < 40 mmHg at 3 months postoperatively. Comparing the data between those patients that survived and those that did not, the preoperative pressure gradient (P = 0.04) and volume of the Glucose-Insulin-Kalium solution used (P = 0.001) were significantly higher in those that did not survive.
Conclusion   Open patch-grafting can be performed in small-breed dogs and decreased the pulmonary pressure gradient in survivors at 3 months postoperatively. However, this technique is more invasive than balloon valvuloplasty and should be used cautiously in severely stenosed patients.     

Phenolic Compounds and Vitamin Antioxidants of Caper (Capparis spinosa)

Capparis spinosa shows strong resistance to the adverse Mediterranean conditions and it has nutritional and medicinal value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contents of total phenolic compounds, rutin, tocopherols, carotenoids and vitamin C in leaves and flower buds of C. spinosa from different locations in Tunisia. Results showed the richness of caper with these compounds, especially phenolic compounds. Interestingly, it was also found the presence of both α- and γ-tocopherol in buds. Moreover, C. spinosa contained an appreciable level of vitamin C. The significant amounts of these antioxidants confirm the nutritional and medicinal value of caper.     

Effects of long term irrigation with treated wastewater on leaf mineral element contents and oil quality in Olive cv. Chemlali

Water is one of the most limiting factors in agriculture, particularly in arid areas such as Tunisia. Olives are the most important tree fruit in the country and are cultivated over 1.6 million hectares. An olive grove of cv. Chemlali was irrigated either by using treated wastewater (TWW) or fresh water (FW) from 2002 to 2012. The aim of this 10-year study was to investigate the effects of irrigation with TWW on both quality parameters (i.e. K₂₃₂, total phenols, free fatty acids, etc.) and content of mineral elements in the leaves. Data obtained indicated no effects of the irrigation on parameters such as oil content and K₂₇₀, either by using TWW or FW, and significant effects only after 10 years on free acidity and K₂₃₂. Instead, palmitoleic and stearic acid contents significantly decreased after 10 years of irrigation with TWW with respect to FW irrigation. TWW irrigation also increased the content of total phenols, chlorophyll, and minor and major nutrients in the leaves.     

Daily Rhythms of Left Atrial Pressure in Beagle Dogs with Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Background: Mitral valve regurgitation (MR) causes increased left atrial pressure (LAP) and is associated with occurrence of clinical signs. It will be useful to understand diurnal variations of LAP for the management of MR.
Hypothesis: Circulatory parameters and diurnal rhythm are linked to clinical signs in cardiac diseases. LAP also exhibits a diurnal rhythm in dogs with MR.
Animals: Five healthy Beagle dogs weighing 9.8–12.8 kg (3 males and 2 females; aged 2 years) were used.
Methods: A radiotelemetry system for continuous measurement of LAP was used in this study. Rupture of the chordae tendineae was experimentally induced via left atriotomy, and a transmitter catheter was inserted into the left atrium. The body of the transmitter was implanted SC. After clinical condition was stabilized, the severity of MR was evaluated by echocardiography, and LAP was recorded for 72 consecutive hours for the analysis of diurnal variation.
Results: Abrupt increases in LAP, which averaged 16.7 mmHg, were observed at feeding periods. In contrast, strong diurnal LAP variations were found, with a significant but slight increase in daytime LAP compared with nighttime LAP.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Diurnal LAP is characterized by a slight but significant nocturnal decrease and abrupt increases in response to excitation. The latter seemed to be more important considering the relationship with clinical manifestations. The clinical relevance of exercise restriction in the management of MR was acknowledged.     

Complete cDNA sequence and mRNA expression of dog preproendothelin-3

The full-length cDNA of dog preproendothelin-3 (PPET3) was cloned from lung tissue using RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Aside from the poly (A) tail, the full-length cDNA was 1976 bp. A polyadenylation signal sequence and one copy of a consensus sequence, ATTTA, which is related to mRNA turnover, was found in the 3' noncoding region. The cDNA had a 594-bp open reading frame encoding a 198-amino acid polypeptide. Regions corresponding to a bioactive mature ET3 peptide, an intermediate form known as big-ET3, and an ET3-like peptide were observed in dog PPET3. Expression of PPET3 mRNA was detected throughout the organs examined, which included heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, stomach, pancreas, duodenum, colon, uterus, ovary and testis.     

Evaluation of thermal, pneumatic and biological methods for controlling Colorado potato beetles (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say)

Summary The efficacies of four methods (hot water steam (HS), open flame (OF), pneumatic collector (PC), bio-insecticide NOVODOR (BT)) for controlling Colorado potato beetles (CPB) in potatoes were compared under field conditions. HS, OF and PC were tested at various driving speeds, and all methods were tested on CPB that were at three life stages. The results suggest that the best time to control CPB is at L_1–2 stage using BT (86% effectiveness). When averaged across driving speeds, OF performed better than HS and PC with 56% efficacy on L_1–2, and 45–50% on L_3–4 and Adult life stages. PC worked relatively better on L_3–4 than on L_1–2 and Adult life stages. HS gave excellent efficacy (63% on L_1–2, 52–54% on L_3–4 and Adult) at 1.0 km/h speed. This research demonstrated the potential of alternative CPB control methods, and identified the optimum life stage and driving speed for best results.