Cutting balloon catheterization for interventional treatment of cor triatriatum dexter: 2 Cases

Cutting balloon dilatation was performed successfully in two dogs with cor triatriatum dexter and clinical signs of ascites. The cutting balloon catheter uses incisional microtomes embedded in a balloon catheter. During balloon expansion, these microtomes incise the adjacent tissue, decreasing circumferential wall stress. This theoretically reduces both the likelihood of fracturing the adjacent tissues in an uncontrolled manner and the potential neoproliferative response to standard balloon dilatation and the subsequent incidence of re-stenosis. In both cases described, clinical signs resolved completely following cutting balloon dilatation of the anomalous membrane. Based on the outcome of these 2 cases, cutting balloon dilatation appears to be a viable treatment option for dogs affected with cor triatriatum dexter.     

Serial evaluation of neutrophil function in tumour‐bearing dogs undergoing chemotherapy

We hypothesized that neutrophil function in tumour‐bearing dogs is negatively impacted by chemotherapy. Flow cytometric techniques were used to assess neutrophil oxidative burst and phagocytic activities at baseline, 7 and 21 days after induction chemotherapy in 20 dogs with lymphoma. Dogs had a lower percentage of neutrophils exhibiting oxidative burst activity after stimulation with Escherichia coli (day 7; P = 0.009) and phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) (days 7 and 21; P = 0.0003 and P = 0.01, respectively), compared with healthy controls. From day 0 to 7, the percentage of neutrophils exhibiting oxidative burst activity decreased after stimulation with E. coli (P = 0.016) and PMA (P = 0.0006). Induction chemotherapy suppresses the percentage of neutrophils capable of oxidative burst in dogs with lymphoma, with improvement in phagocytic activity over time (P = 0.03). The impact of neutrophil dysfunction on incidence and severity of sepsis in dogs receiving chemotherapy should be investigated.     

A capillary electrophoresis laser-induced fluorescence method for analysis of potato glycoalkaloids based on a solution-phase immunoassay. 2. Performance evaluation

Glycoalkaloids (GAs) occur naturally in potatoes and are toxic to humans and animals. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the performance of a solution-phase immunoassay coupled to capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence (CE-LIF) detection for the determination of total glycoalkaloids in potatoes. The immunoassay was based on a competition between potato glycoalkaloids and fluorescently labeled solanidine. Reaction products were separated in the capillary zone electrophoresis mode. A calibration curve of signal vs log[GA] was linear from 50 to 400 nM. The CV for duplicate and day-to-day analyses averaged 5.7% and 12%, respectively. Spike recoveries ranged from 85 to 97% for spike levels ranging from 43 to 170 microg/g fresh potato. Potato samples with GA concentrations ranging from <40 to >200 microg/g were successfully analyzed, indicating that immuno-CE-LIF is a rapid alternative to traditional ELISA and HPLC methods.     

A rapid test for chemical maturity monitoring of tubers

A rapid procedure for determining tuber maturity and processing quality using a blood glucose monitor is outlined. The procedure is simple to use, inexpensive and gives acceptable percent glucose and sucrose rating (SR) values for commercial applications. The procedure has been used successfully for determining the best time to sell commercial quantities of stored tubers (cvs. Norchip, Niska) for processing as chips in Alberta.     

Population genetic structure of four regional populations of the barley pathogen Pyrenophora teres f. maculata in Iran is characterized by high genetic diversity and sexual recombination

The leaf spot form of the barley disease net blotch, caused by the fungus Pyrenophora teres f. maculata (PTM), is an increasingly important foliar disease of barley. Studies of population genetic structure and reproductive mode are necessary to make predictions of the evolutionary potential of the pathogen. Sources of resistance to PTM have been found in Iranian landraces, which may have the potential to improve plant breeding efforts. However, little is known about the population genetic structure of this fungus in Iran. In this study, we analysed the frequency of the mating type genes to assess the potential for sexual mating of PTM collected from four provinces—Khuzestan, Hamadan, Golestan, and East Azerbaijan—and we investigated the population genetic structure using seven simple sequence repeat markers. High genotype diversity, linkage equilibrium, and equal ratios of mating types frequencies in the PTM populations at Khuzestan and Hamadan support the occurrence of sexual reproduction in these populations, while in Golestan and East Azerbaijan populations, significant gametic disequilibrium and relatively low genotype diversity suggest a higher incidence of clonality or different demographic histories. Unequal mating type frequencies in Golestan confirm a predominance of asexual reproduction. Finally, we found significant evidence for strong population structure with most of the genetic variation represented within regional populations (89%). Overall, our study provides evidence for high genetic variation in Iranian PTM populations, which may be the basis for rapid adaptive evolution in this pathosystem. This highlights the need for integrated efforts to control the disease.