Plethysmographic comparison of breathing pattern in heaves (recurrent airway obstruction) versus experimental bronchoconstriction or hyperpnea in horses

BACKGROUND: Horses with recurrent airway obstruction (heaves) are described as exhibiting "increased abdominal effort," but it is unknown whether this translates to an effective contribution to ventilation. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that heaves is characterized by asynchrony between rib cage and abdominal motions, and that the abdominal component is the major contributor to ventilation. ANIMALS: The rib cage versus abdominal motion in naturally occurring heaves (n = 15) was compared to controls at rest (n = 7) and during hyperpnea because of lobeline treatment, and the effects of histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in controls (n = 10). METHODS: Flow patterns, phase angle (theta) between the rib and abdominal compartments, abdominal (Vabd) contribution to tidal volume (VT), and lung mechanics were measured. RESULTS: Findings unique to the heaves group included the loss of biphasic expiratory flow, severely increased theta with the abdomen consistently lagging behind the rib cage, and a reduced contribution of the abdomen to ventilation. A subgroup of heaves (n = 5) with abdominal paradox showed a significant (P < .05) reduction in tidal volume, and increased respiratory rate. Bronchodilation reduced theta in heaves (P = .06), but theta remained significantly higher after bronchodilation than found in controls. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: We conclude that breathing pattern in horses with heaves is characterized by severe rib cage/abdominal asynchrony, with the rib cage motion in synchrony with flow, therefore dominating ventilation. In a subset of heaves, the abdominal compartment (diaphragm, abdominal muscles) was completely out of synchrony with flow ("abdominal paradox") despite the clinical appearance of "increased abdominal effort."     

Infertility in goats related to testicular atrophy

Summary Testicular atrophy in the goat is described as a principal factor in goat infertility. The clinical features of the condition are apparent in reduced testicular size and altered testicular shape. The semen picture is markedly affected: there are reduced numbers of sperms and an associated high incidence of abnormal sperm forms.

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Sumario Se describe a la atrofia testicular en cabras como un factor principal en la infertilidad de los caprinos. Las características clínicas de la condición son aparentes por el tama?o testicular reducido y por la alteración de la forma testicular. El cuadro del semen esta marcadamente afectado, habiendo un número reducido de espermatozoides, con una alta incidencia de formas de espermatozoides anormales.

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Résumé L'atrophie testiculaire est, chez le bouc, la cause majeure de son infertilité. Cliniquement elle se traduit par la diminution sensible du volume des testicules et l'altération de leur forme. L'image du sperme est caractérisée par la pauvreté en spermatozoides avec un nombre élevé de formes anormales.

     

Development of a computerized systems model for health management decision support in growing hogs

A study was designed to provide decision support for health management in growing hogs. A dynamic, stochastic systems model for a confinement, continuous production hog growing enterprise (including nursery, grower and finisher phases) was developed to simulate the economic effects of disease, available floor space and feed additives using farm- specific data. Modeling techniques included: discrete and distributed (continuous) delays; triangular probability density functions; autocorrelation; table look-up functions; an alpha-beta tracker; non-linear, constrained optimization. The model was designed to be initialized with the system's current status, using an accompanying production/financial database to achieve individual-farm specificity. Initialization of rate variables required ‘reverse optimization’ of historical system performance. Model predictions are based on an adjustment approach, where changes in current performance are dictated by changes in disease rates, available floor space and feed additive use. These effects vary randomly, but are autocorrelated between production phases, between similar diseases and over time.     

Fatal extraintestinal toxoplasmosis in a young male cat with enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes

A 22-month-old indoor/outdoor neutered male domestic short-haired cat had a history of progressive lethargy, vomiting, and decreased appetite. Abdominal ultrasound revealed an irregular hyperechoic mass in the mid-abdomen. He was unresponsive to symptomatic medical management and was euthanized after 3 days of hospitalization. A diagnosis of disseminated extraintestinal toxoplasmosis was made based on the finding of intracytoplasmic protozoan parasites on histopathological examination of mesenteric lymph nodes, hepatic and intestinal samples, and on immunohistochemistry.     

Detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi using a triplex qPCR assay

Genome sequencing data for Streptococcus equi subspecies equi and zooepidemicus were used to develop a novel diagnostic triplex quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay targeting two genes specific to S. equi (eqbE and SEQ2190) and a unique 100 base pair control DNA sequence (SZIC) inserted into the SZO07770 pseudogene of S. zooepidemicus strain H70. This triplex strangles qPCR assay can provide results within 2 h of sample receipt, has an overall sensitivity of 93.9% and specificity of 96.6% relative to the eqbE singlex assay and detects S. equi at levels below the threshold of the culture assay, even in the presence of contaminating bacteria.     

Tilmicosin-induced bovine neutrophil apoptosis is cell-specific and downregulates spontaneous LTB4 synthesis without increasing Fas expression

The pathology of bacterial pneumonia, such as seen in the bovine lung infected with Mannheimia haemolytica, is due to pathogen virulence factors and to inflammation initiated by the host. Tilmicosin is a macrolide effective in treating bacterial pneumonia and recent findings suggest that this antibiotic may provide anti-inflammatory benefits by inducing polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocyte (PMN) apoptosis. Using an in vitro bovine system, we examined the cell-specificity of tilmicosin, characterized the changes in spontaneous leukotriene B4 (LTB4) synthesis by PMN exposed to the macrolide, and assessed its effects on PMN Fas expression. Previous findings demonstrated that tilmicosin is able to induce PMN apoptosis. These results were confirmed in this study by the Annexin-V staining of externalized phosphatidylserine and the analysis with flow cytometry. The cell-specificity of tilmicosin was assessed by quantification of apoptosis in bovine PMN, mononuclear leukocytes, monocyte-derived macrophages, endothelial cells, epithelial cells, and fibroblasts cultured with the macrolide. The effect of tilmicosin on spontaneous LTB4 production by PMN was evaluated via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, the mechanisms of tilmicosin-induced PMN apoptosis were examined by assessing the effects of tilmicosin on surface Fas expression on PMN. Tilmicosin-induced apoptosis was found to be at least partially cell-specific, as PMN were the only cell type tested to die via apoptosis in response to incubation with tilmicosin. PMN incubated with tilmicosin under conditions that induce apoptosis spontaneously produced less LTB4, but did not exhibit altered Fas expression. In conclusion, tilmicosin-induced apoptosis is specific to PMN, inhibits spontaneous LTB4 production, and occurs through a pathway independent of Fas upregulation.     

Evaluation of ameroid ring constrictors for the management of single extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in cats: 23 cases (1996-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To document the signalment; history; clinical signs; clinicopathologic, diagnostic imaging, and surgical findings; perioperative complications; and long-term clinical results of ameroid ring constrictor (ARC) placement on single extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (PSS) in cats. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 23 cats treated with an ARC on a single extrahepatic PSS. PROCEDURE: An ARC was placed surgically around the PSS. Portal pressure was measured prior to ARC placement, with complete temporary PSS occlusion, and after ARC placement. Cats were scheduled for recheck transcolonic portal scintigraphy 8 to 10 weeks after surgery. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone interview with the owners. RESULTS: An ARC was successfully placed in 22 of 23 cats. Intraoperative complications, consisting of PSS hemorrhage, occurred in 2 cats. Mean (+/- SD) portal pressure (n = 15) was 6.7+/-2.9 mm Hg before PSS manipulation, 18.6+/-7.7 mm Hg with complete temporary PSS occlusion, and 6.9+/-2.7 mm Hg after ARC placement. Postoperative complications developed in 77% (17 of 22) of cats after ARC placement, and included central blindness, hyperthermia, frantic behavior, and generalized motor seizures. Perioperative mortality rate was 4.3% (1 of 23). Persistent shunting was identified in 8 of 14 cats. Overall, 75% (15 of 20) of cats had an excellent long-term outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Placement of an ARC on single extrahepatic PSS in cats resulted in low surgical complication and perioperative mortality rates, but most cats did have substantial postoperative complications. Persistent shunting was common, although many cats with persistent shunting were clinically normal.