Controversies in the antiphospholipid syndrome: can we ever stop warfarin?

Patients with antiphospholipid syndrome are at increased risk for recurrent arterial and venous thrombosis and therefore benefit from long term warfarin therapy. The optimal duration of warfarin therapy after a first venous thromboembolic event is however a matter of some controversy and many questions remain unanswered. After reviewing and analysing the available evidence, we discuss some common scenarios in everyday clinical practice where treatment decisions are difficult.     

The valves of the cardiac outflow tract of the starry ray,Raja asterias (Chondrichthyes; Rajiformes): Anatomical,histological and evolutionary aspects

The cardiac outflow tract of chondrichthyans is composed of the myocardial conus arteriosus, equipped with valves at its luminal side, and the bulbus arteriosus devoid of myocardium. Knowledge of the histomorphology of the conal valves is scarce despite their importance in preventing blood backflow to the heart. Current information on the subject refers to a single shark species. The present report is the first to describe the structure of the conal valves of a batoid species, namely, Raja asterias. Hearts from seven starry rays were examined using scanning electron microscopy and histochemical techniques for light microscopy. In all hearts, the conus showed four transverse rows of three pocket‐like valves each. Each valve was composed of a leaflet and its supporting sinus. The leaflet had a stout central body, rich in glycosaminoglycans, which contained fibroblasts, collagen and elastin. The central body was surrounded by two thin fibrous layers, outer and inner, formed mainly by collagen. The valves of the anterior row, which were the largest of the valvular system, were attached proximally to the conus arteriosus and distally to the bulbus arteriosus, and not to the ventral aorta as previously reported for chondrichthyans. The arrangement of the anterior valves in the starry ray is an anatomical pattern that apparently has been preserved throughout the evolution of vertebrates.     

Multiple session mesotherapy for management of coxofemoral osteoarthritis pain in 10 working dogs: A case series

The aim of this study was to document the effects of mesotherapy in working dogs diagnosed with hip osteoarthritis (OA) and related pain. Ten police working dogs with hip OA and related pain were treated with a combination of lidocaine, piroxicam, and thiocolchicoside, injected in multiple intradermal points. Seven treatment sessions were conducted. The Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) and the Hudson Visual Analogue Scale (HVAS) were used in the assessment of response to treatment compared to evaluation before treatment (T0), after 15 d, 30 d, 60 d, 90 d, 120 d, 150 d, and 180 d after initial treatment. Results were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Significant differences were experienced in CBPI scores comparing moments with T0: at 15 d (P = 0.03 for Pain Interference Score — PIS) and P = 0.02 for Pain Severity Score — PSS), 30 d (P < 0.05 for PIS and P < 0.05 for PSS), 60 d (P = 0.04 for PIS and P = 0.01 for PSS) and 180 d (P = 0.04 for PSS). Individual treatment results were considered successful in 40% of animals at 15 d and 30 d, 66.7% at 60 d, 44% at 90 d, 37.5% at 120 d, and 25% at 150 d. The HVAS scores showed no significant differences. Mesotherapy may be an option for the treatment of canine musculoskeletal-related pain. Further studies are required.     

Na+/K+-ATPase Activation by cAMP in the Midgut of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912; Diptera: Psychodidae)

Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) females have been intensively studied regarding the regulation of midgut pH. The mechanisms involved in pH regulation are complex, and some aspects remain to be clarified. Here, we investigated the role of the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump as an electrochemical potential generator and its modulation by the second messenger cAMP in the midgut of female L. longipalpis. Our results suggest that not only may Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase be the main generator of an electrochemical potential across membranes in the midgut of female L. longipalpis, but also its activity is positively regulated by cAMP. cAMP-mediated Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump activity might be necessary to maintain the transport of the nutrients produced during blood digestion.     

Muscular and collagenous cerebellar choristoma in a dog

This report aims to describe the first case of muscular and collagenous choristoma in a dog. A 10-yr-old female mixed-breed dog presented with lateral recumbence, vocalization, positional vertical nystagmus, divergent strabismus, anisocoria, and status epilepticus. The clinical condition evolved to stupor and ultimately, death. Necropsy revealed a white mass causing an irregular increase in the volume of the cerebellar vermis. In histological analysis, a well circumscribed, unencapsulated mass was observed in the cerebellum, consisting of fibers of striated skeletal muscle and collagen fibers, mostly mineralized. Based on the histopathological and histochemical findings, a diagnosis of muscular and collagenous cerebellar choristoma was made.     

Measurement of serum haptoglobin in neonatal farm-raised and bob veal calves using two immunoassay methods

Two immunoassays using an anti-bovine haptoglobin monoclonal antibody, Hap 1, were used to measure serum haptoglobin levels in neonatal farm-raised and bob veal calves. Bob veal calves were grouped into condemned, normal, and icteric groups based on the appearance of the carcass and viscera at postmortem examination. The competitive inhibition assay was more sensitive than the direct hemoglobin binding assay in detecting low levels of haptoglobin in all groups of calves. A significant number of bob veal calves with gross postmortem lesions other than icterus had detectable haptoglobin levels. The low levels of haptoglobin that were detected were not useful in distinguishing the relative severity of the inflammatory or degenerative process; however, the predictive values of a positive and negative test suggest haptoglobin measurement may be useful as a supplemental tool in evaluating the health status of the neonatal calf.     

Serum immunoglobulin G concentration in Southern elephant seal, Mirounga leonina (Linnaeus, 1758), from Elephant Island (Antarctica): sexual and adrenal steroid hormones effects

Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG; indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), as well as sexual and adrenal steroid hormones' concentrations (radioimmunoassay) were determined in 63 (male and female) Southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonine) at different developmental stages (weaned pups, juveniles and adults). In females, IgG values (mean+/-S.D.) were higher (P<0.05) in adults (15.9+/-6.5mg ml(-1)) than in juveniles (7.9+/-4.0mg ml(-1)), but similar to weaned pups (12.0+/-5.0mg ml(-1)). Estrogen concentration was higher (P<0.05) in adults than in the weaned pups. In females, a significant (P<0.05) correlation (R=0.4) between serum IgG level and progesterone concentration was observed. In males, testosterone concentration was higher (P<0.05) in adults than in the juveniles and weaned pups. Aldosterone and cortisol concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in weaned pups (1056.0+/-643.1pmol 1(-1) and 272.7+/-110.0 nmol 1(-1), respectively) than in the juveniles (638.6+/-579.7pmol1(-1) and 152.9+/-97.3nmol 1(-1), respectively) and adults (386.5+/-209.1pmol (-1) and 145.7+/-67.3nmol 1(-1), respectively). These findings indicate that weaned pups are subjected to a higher natural stressful condition in the field. Despite this, humoral immunity, measured through IgG concentration, is not impaired in weaned pups.     

Characterization and quantification of blood cells from the umbilical cord of dogs

BACKGROUND: Models for the study of hematopoietic stem cells in dogs provide important information for bone marrow transplantation in humans. Recent studies have reported the importance of human umbilical cord blood (UCB) as an alternative to allogenic bone marrow for hematopoietic reconstitution. However, there are no studies on the UCB cells of dogs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this experiment was to characterize and quantify the blood cells of the umbilical cord of dogs. METHODS: The blood of the umbilical cord of 20 neonatal dogs, delivered at term, with a median gestation time of 58 days, was collected with a 5-mL syringe containing EDTA. Total RBC, WBC, and platelet counts, HCT, hemoglobin (Hgb) concentration, and RBC indices were determined using an automatic cell counter. The differential leukocyte count was determined manually in blood smears stained with May-Grünwald-Giemsa. Reticulocyte percentages were determined on blood smears stained with brilliant cresyl blue and counterstained with May-Grünwald Giemsa. RESULTS: The MCHC and numbers of RBCs, WBCs, neutrophils, and eosinophils in UCB were lower as compared with reference values for the peripheral blood of healthy neonatal and adult dogs; whereas, the MCV and reticulocyte percentages were higher. CONCLUSION: Erythrocyte macrocytosis and hypochromasia in UCB were consistent with marked reticulocytosis and indicative of high erythropoietic activity. The results of this study are an important first step in the characterization of UCB from neonatal dogs.