Development. Endothelium--chicken soup for the endoderm

Endothelial cells in blood vessels are known to be important during the later stages of organ development in the embryo. However, their involvement at the induction stage of organ formation has not been previously documented. As Bahary and Zon explain in their Perspective, new work demonstrates that endothelial cells secrete factors early in development that induce embryonic endoderm to become liver or pancreas (Matsumoto et al., Lammert et al.).     

Clinical features of dilated cardiomyopathy in Great Danes and results of a pedigree analysis: 17 cases (1990-2000)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical features of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Great Danes and to determine whether DCM is familial in this breed. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 17 Great Danes with DCM. PROCEDURE: Medical records of Great Danes in which DCM was diagnosed on the basis of results of echocardiography (fractional shortening < 25%, end-systolic volume index > 30 ml/m2 of body surface area) were reviewed. Pedigrees were obtained for affected animals, as well as for other Great Danes in which DCM had been diagnosed. RESULTS: Dilated cardiomyopathy appeared to be familial and was characterized by ventricular dilatation, congestive heart failure (left-sided or biventricular), and atrial fibrillation. Pedigree analysis suggested that DCM was inherited as an X-linked recessive trait, but the mode of inheritance could not be definitively identified. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that DCM may be an X-linked recessive trait in Great Danes. Thus, dogs with DCM probably should not be used for breeding, and female offspring of affected dogs should be used cautiously. Male offspring of affected females are at an increased risk of developing DCM and should be evaluated periodically for early signs of disease. Results of pedigree analysis were preliminary and should be used only as a guide for counseling breeders, rather than as a basis for making breeding decisions.     

Development and evaluation of a highly sensitive and specific blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction assay for diagnosis of bovine leukemia virus infection in cattle

OBJECTIVE: To develop a blocking ELISA for detection of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) antibodies that is comparable to a radioimmunoprecipitation (RIP) assay, to evaluate use of this ELISA for identification of BLV-infected herds, and to develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for direct diagnosis of infection with BLV. SAMPLE POPULATION: Serum samples and pooled bulk-tank milk samples from cattle. PROCEDURE: The blocking ELISA was developed, using BLV gp51 as antigen, captured by a selected bovine polyclonal serum. A nested PCR was conducted with primers specific for a segment of the pol region of the BLV genome. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA were comparable to those of the RIP assay. Use of the ELISA on pooled milk samples allowed identification of herds in which prevalence of BLV infection among lactating cows was as low as 2.5%. Pooled milk samples from BLV-free herds did not react in the ELISA. All cattle that had positive results for the nested PCR had BLV antibodies, but cattle with consistantly low antibody titers required examination of sequential DNA samples to detect viral sequences. None of the 63 antibody-negative cattle had positive results for the PCR. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This ELISA is a highly specific and sensitive assay for the detection of BLV antibodies in serum and milk samples of cattle. Examination of pooled milk samples with the ELISA provides a reliable, practical, and economic procedure for identification of BLV-infected herds. The nested PCR also constitutes a specific procedure for direct diagnosis of infection with BLV.     

Development of a functional scoring system in dogs with acute spinal cord injuries

OBJECTIVES: To develop and compare the reliability of 2 methods of scoring pelvic limb gait in dogs recovering from thoracolumbar spinal cord injuries and to use this scoring system to determine the rate and level of functional recovery of dogs with acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniations. ANIMALS: 46 dogs with spinal cord injuries resulting from intervertebral disk herniations. PROCEDURE: Dogs' gaits were videotaped at different time intervals after injury. In phase 1 of the study, the stages of recovery of pelvic limb function were identified, and a numeric scoring system was devised to reflect that recovery. In phase 2, pelvic limb gait was scored by different observers, using a numeric and a visual analog scale. Intra- and interobserver coefficients of variability of both methods were compared. In phase 3, pelvic limb function was scored, using the numeric scale at various intervals after acute thoracolumbar disk herniations. RESULTS: The numeric scale was significantly more reliable than the visual analog scale when both intra- and interobserver coefficients of variability were evaluated. Dogs that were paraplegic with no deep pain sensation recovered at different rates during the first 3 months, whereas dogs that were paraplegic with deep pain sensation typically recovered within 1 month of injury. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic limb gait of dogs recovering from thoracolumbar spinal cord injuries can be reliably quantified, using a numeric scale. This scale will facilitate the performance of clinical trials aimed at improving the outcome of acute spinal cord injuries.     

Treatment of dogs infected with Hepatozoon americanum: 53 cases (1989-1998)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical and pathologic findings before and after short-term (group 1) and long-term (group 2) treatment in dogs with Hepatozoon americanum infection. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 53 dogs with H. americanum infection. PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs that were treated for hepatozoonosis diagnosed on the basis of meront or merozoite stages in skeletal muscle were reviewed. RESULTS: Circulating gametocytes of H. americanum were identified in 12 of 53 dogs. Dogs were treated with various drugs, including toltrazuril, trimethoprim-sulfadiazine, clindamycin, pyrimethamine, and decoquinate. Mean WBC counts prior to treatment were 85,700 and 75,200 cells/microl in groups 1 and 2, respectively, and 1 month after initiation of treatment were 12,600 and 14,600 cells/microl, respectively. Initial response to treatment was excellent in all dogs. Twenty-three of 26 dogs in group 1 relapsed at least once and died within 2 years; mean (+/- SD) survival time was 12.6+/-2.2 months. Twenty-two of 27 group-2 dogs survived; 11 dogs had no clinical signs and were still receiving decoquinate (mean duration of treatment, 21 months), 11 dogs had no clinical signs after treatment for 14 months (range, 3 to 33 months; mean survival time, 39 months [range, 26 to 53 months]), 2 dogs were lost to follow-up, and 3 dogs were euthanatized because of severe disease. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although no treatment effectively eliminated the tissue stages of H. americanum, treatment with trimethoprim-sulfadiazine, clindamycin, and pyrimethamine followed by long-term administration of decoquinate resulted in extended survival times and excellent quality of life.     

Subchondral cystic lesions of the proximal extremity of the tibia in horses: 12 cases (1983-2000)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical and radiographic features of subchondral cystic lesions (SCL) of the proximal extremity of the tibia in horses that could be used to classify these lesions as being related to osteochondrosis or osteoarthritis and to evaluate results of surgical debridement. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 12 horses with 14 SCL. PROCEDURE: Medical records and radiographs obtained before and after treatment were reviewed. RESULTS: In 6 young horses (8 lesions), SCL were considered to be related to osteochondrosis; all involved the lateral tibial condyle. The remaining 6 horses were mature and had radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in addition to SCL. Arthroscopic debridement was performed in 4 horses in which lesions were considered to be a result of osteochondrosis and in 3 horses with osteoarthritis. Three horses in which SCL were considered to be a result of osteochondrosis performed athletically after debridement. Two horses with moderate osteoarthritis returned to work after arthroscopic debridement but at a lower level of athletic performance. One horse with SCL related to osteochondrosis responded to medical treatment and went on to race. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that arthroscopic debridement of SCL is feasible in horses in which lesions involve the cranial portion of the lateral or medial tibial condyle, and that treated horses may be able to perform athletically.     

Telomere length and telomerase activity in canine mammary gland tumors

OBJECTIVE: To measure telomere length and telomerase activity in naturally occurring canine mammary gland tumors. SAMPLE POPULATION: 27 mammary gland tumor specimens obtained during resection or necropsy and 12 mammary gland tissue specimens obtained from healthy (control) dogs. PROCEDURE: Telomere length in tissue specimens was measured by use of restriction endonuclease digestion and Southern blot analysis. Telomerase activity was measured by use of a telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay. RESULTS: Telomere length in mammary gland tumors ranged from 11.0 to 21.6 kilobase pairs (kbp; mean +/- SEM, 14.5+/-0.5 kbp) but did not differ among tumor types. Telomeres in mammary gland tumors were slightly shorter than in normal tissue specimens, but telomere length could not be directly compared between groups, because mean age of dogs was significantly different between groups. Age was negatively correlated with telomere length in control dogs but was not significantly correlated with length in affected dogs. Telomerase activity was detected in 26 of 27 mammary gland tumors and in 4 of 12 normal tissue specimens. However, telomerase activity and telomere length were not correlated in tumor specimens. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Telomere length is maintained in canine mammary gland tumors regardless of the age of the affected dog. Measurement of telomere length may be a useful tool for monitoring the in vivo effects of telomerase inhibitors in dogs with tumors.     

Use of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry for noninvasive body composition measurements in clinically normal dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine quantitative values for components of body composition in clinically normal dogs of various breeds by use of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and validate the precision and accuracy of DEXA technology in dogs. ANIMALS: 103 clinically normal sexually intact adult dogs. PROCEDURE: In a cross-sectional study, Beagles, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, Pointers, Rottweilers, and nonpurebred dogs received total body DEXA scans. For the validation portion of the study, the results of DEXA scans of 6 dogs were compared with values obtained by chemical analyses of tissues from euthanatized dogs to determine the accuracy of this modality in dogs. RESULTS: Results (coefficient of variation) of the precision tests ranged from 0.10% for lean tissue to 5.19% for fat tissue, whereas accuracy tests revealed a difference between percentage bone mineral content and ash values. Body composition differed by sex, such as higher lean tissue and bone mineral content in males within some breeds, and among breeds. Regardless of body size or weight, the percentage of body weight that was bone mineral ranged from 3 to 4.0% [corrected]. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of this cross-sectional study provide valuable body composition data for clinically normal adult dogs, which may have research and clinical applications.