Plasma volume and electrolyte changes following intravenous infusion of hypertonic hydroxyethyl starch versus mannitol in healthy dogs

In a prospective cross-over study, the duration and magnitude of effect on the electrolyte and plasma volume changes of intravenous (IV) hypertonic hydroxyethyl starch (hyperHES) (7.5%/6%) and mannitol (20%) were compared. Eight Beagle dogs received an IV infusion of 4mL/kg hyperHES (group H) and 4mL/kg mannitol 20% (group M) on separate occasions. Urine and blood samples were taken in the first (T(60)) and second (T(120)) hour after infusion. Significant increases in plasma volume at each time point in group H and M were noted when compared to baseline (start of infusion=T(0)) level. There was no significant difference between groups. Both fluids resulted in diuresis, although no significant difference between groups was noted. A significant increase in plasma sodium (Na) was demonstrated in group H between T(0) and T(60) with a significant increase in the Na and chloride (Cl) fractional excretion (FE) between T(0), T(60) and T(120). In group M no changes in plasma electrolyte concentrations were detected, although FE of Na, Cl and K was increased significantly between T(0) and T(60). In conclusion, hyperHES and mannitol appear to have a volume expanding effect lasting at least 120 min. The hypernatraemia induced by hyperHES was minimal compared to previous reports of hypertonic saline use, and no clinical side effects were noted. HyperHES showed comparable effects to mannitol in increasing plasma volume and diuresis and could be considered for these applications.     

Evaluation of initial plasma lactate values as a predictor of gastric necrosis and initial and subsequent plasma lactate values as a predictor of survival in dogs with gastric dilatation‐volvulus: 84 dogs (2003–2007)

Objective – To test whether an initial plasma lactate≥6.0 mmol/L is associated with the presence of macroscopic gastric wall necrosis and overall survival in dogs presenting with gastric dilatation‐volvulus (GDV). Additionally, if no association was identified we sought to identify a different predictive initial plasma lactate concentration and to examine whether serial plasma lactate concentrations provide better prediction of survival. Design – Retrospective study over a 5‐year period (2003–2007). Setting – Urban private referral small animal teaching hospital. Animals – Eighty‐four client‐owned dogs with a diagnosis of GDV and plasma lactate measurements. Interventions – None. Measurements and Main Results – There was no statistically significant relationship found between survival and the presence of macroscopic gastric wall necrosis with the initial plasma lactate≥6 mmol/L. There was a significant relationship between the initial plasma lactate >2.9 mmol/L for predicting necrosis and <4.1 mmol/L for predicting survival to discharge. Forty dogs that had an increased initial plasma lactate (>2.5 mmol/L) also had a subsequent plasma lactate measured within 12 hours of presentation, with 37/40 dogs surviving and 70% of these surviving dogs having the subsequent lactate decrease by≥50% within 12 hours. The 3/40 that died failed to decrease their plasma lactate by≥50% from the initial blood lactate. Conclusion – The results of this study indicate that an initial presenting plasma lactate concentration≥6.0 mmol/L is not predictive of macroscopic gastric wall necrosis or survival in dogs presenting with GDV. A decrease in plasma lactate concentrations≥50% within 12 hours may be a good indicator for survival. Limitations to the study include its retrospective nature, the small number of patients, and the number of dogs that were euthanized rather than allowed to progress to a natural outcome.     

Bilateral hydronephrosis secondary to endometriosis managed by endoscopic ureteral stent placement in a captive Guinea baboon (Papio papio)

Spontaneous endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent, progressive and painful disease that affects a variety of nonhuman primates, including several species of baboons (Papio sp.). This case documents multimodal management of severe endometriosis in a captive female baboon within a zoological institution. An 18-yr-old, intact female Guinea baboon (Papio papio) was found to have an enlarged uterus. Fifteen months post ovariohysterctomy, scarring associated with endometrial tissue resulted in ureteral strictures, bilateral hydronephrosis, and azotemia. Cystoscopic placement of bilateral ureteral stents with fluoroscopy was performed and resulted in short-term clinical improvement. The animal's condition declined and euthanasia was elected 4 mo after ureteral stent placement. Severe endometriosis with secondary inflammation resulting in bilateral hydroureter and hydronephrosis, as well as concurrent cystitis, ureteritis, and pyelonephritis were confirmed at necropsy. Despite possible complications, ureteral stents can be considered a useful therapeutic option in patients with ureteral disease.     

Use of pimobendan in 170 cats (2006–2010)

Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo describe the therapeutic use of pimobendan in cats, describe the patient population to which it was administered, document potential side effects and report the clinical course following administration of pimobendan in conjunction with standard heart failure therapy. It is hypothesized that cats with advanced heart disease including congestive heart failure from a variety of causes will tolerate pimobendan with a minimum of side effects when used in treatment in conjunction with a variety of other medications.Animals, materials and methodsOne hundred and seventy client owned cats with naturally occurring heart disease, one hundred and sixty four of which had congestive heart failure. Medical records were reviewed and owners and referring veterinarians were contacted for follow-up data. Data collected included pimobendan dose, other medications administered concurrently, data collected at physical examination, presence or absence of heart failure, adverse effects, classification of heart disease, echocardiographic data and survival time. The data were analyzed for significance between the initial visit and any follow-up visits.ResultsAll cats were treated with pimobendan. The median pimobendan dose was 0.24 mg/kg q 12 h. Pimobendan was used in combination with multiple concurrent medications including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics and anti-thrombotics. Five cats (3.0%) had potential side effects associated with pimobendan. One cat (0.6%) had presumed side effects severe enough to discontinue pimobendan use. Median survival time for 164 cats with congestive heart failure after initiation of pimobendan was 151 days (range 1–870).ConclusionPimobendan appears to be well tolerated in cats with advanced heart disease when used with a variety of concurrent medications. Randomized controlled studies need to be performed to accurately assess whether it is efficacious for treatment of congestive heart failure in cats.     

In the eye of the beholder: the effect of rater variability and different rating scales on QTL mapping

The agronomic importance of developing durably resistant cultivars has led to substantial research in the field of quantitative disease resistance (QDR) and, in particular, mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) for disease resistance. The assessment of QDR is typically conducted by visual estimation of disease severity, which raises concern over the accuracy and precision of visual estimates. Although previous studies have examined the factors affecting the accuracy and precision of visual disease assessment in relation to the true value of disease severity, the impact of this variability on the identification of disease resistance QTL has not been assessed. In this study, the effects of rater variability and rating scales on mapping QTL for northern leaf blight resistance in maize were evaluated in a recombinant inbred line population grown under field conditions. The population of 191 lines was evaluated by 22 different raters using a direct percentage estimate, a 0-to-9 ordinal rating scale, or both. It was found that more experienced raters had higher precision and that using a direct percentage estimation of diseased leaf area produced higher precision than using an ordinal scale. QTL mapping was then conducted using the disease estimates from each rater using stepwise general linear model selection (GLM) and inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM). For GLM, the same QTL were largely found across raters, though some QTL were only identified by a subset of raters. The magnitudes of estimated allele effects at identified QTL varied drastically, sometimes by as much as threefold. ICIM produced highly consistent results across raters and for the different rating scales in identifying the location of QTL. We conclude that, despite variability between raters, the identification of QTL was largely consistent among raters, particularly when using ICIM. However, care should be taken in estimating QTL allele effects, because this was highly variable and rater dependent.     

Authenticity of the traditional cypriot spirit "zivania" on the basis of metal content using a combination of coupled plasma spectroscopy and statistical analysis

Sixty-eight alcoholic beverages ranging in alcoholic degree between 40 and 55 from different countries were analyzed for their 16 most abundant metal elements using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy. The results were analyzed statistically using two different types of analytical methods: canonical discriminant analysis and classification binary trees. The aim of this study was to investigate which of the metals analyzed constitute diagnostic parameters that establish authenticity of the traditional Cypriot spirit zivania. The two statistical methods revealed that Mg, Zn, and Cu are promising distinctive parameters capable of differentiating zivania from other spirits similar in alcoholic degree. It is believed that this differentiation in metals between the alcoholic beverages examined is related to the unique geological and climatic conditions existing on the island of Cyprus.     

Phenolic acids in foods: an overview of analytical methodology

Phenolic acids are aromatic secondary plant metabolites, widely spread throughout the plant kingdom. Existing analytical methods for phenolic acids originated from interest in their biological roles as secondary metabolites and from their roles in food quality and their organoleptic properties. Recent interest in phenolic acids stems from their potential protective role, through ingestion of fruits and vegetables, against oxidative damage diseases (coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancers). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as well as gas chromatography (GC) are the two separation techniques reviewed. Extraction from plant matrixes and cleavage reactions through hydrolysis (acidic, basic, and enzymatic) are discussed as are the derivatization reagents used in sample preparation for GC. Detection systems discussed include UV-Vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, electrochemical, and fluorometric detection. The most common tandem techniques are HPLC/UV and GC/MS, yet LC/MS is becoming more common. The masses and MS fragmentation patterns of phenolic acids are discussed and tabulated as are the UV absorption maxima.     

Determination of hydrolyzable tannins (gallotannins and ellagitannins) after reaction with potassium iodate

A widely used method for analyzing hydrolyzable tannins afer reaction with KIO(3) has been modified to include a methanolysis step followed by oxidation with KIO(3). In the new method, hydrolyzable tannins (gallotannins and ellagitannins) are reacted at 85 degrees C for 20 h in methanol/sulfuric acid to quantitatively release methyl gallate. Dried plant samples can be methanolyzed under the same conditions to convert hydrolyzable tannins to methyl gallate. Oxidation of the methyl gallate by KIO(3) at pH 5.5, 30 degrees C, forms a chromophore with lambda(max) 525 nm, which is determined spectrophotometrically. The detection limit of the method is 1.5 microg of methyl gallate, and with plant samples, relative standard deviations of less than 3% were obtained.     

Interaction of flavonoids with bovine serum albumin: a fluorescence quenching study

The interaction between four flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin, rutin, and quercetin) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated using tryptophan fluorescence quenching. Quenching constants were determined using the Stern-Volmer equation to provide a measure of the binding affinity between the flavonoids and BSA. The binding affinity was strongest for quercetin and ranked in the order quercetin > rutin > epicatechin = catechin. The pH in the range of 5-7.4 does not affect significantly (p < 0.05) the association of rutin, epicatechin, and catechin with BSA, but quercetin exhibited a stronger affinity at pH 7.4 than at lower pH (p < 0.05). Quercetin has a total quenching effect on BSA tryptophan fluorescence at a molar ratio of 10:1 and rutin at approximately 25:1. However, epicatechin and catechin did not fully quench tryptophan fluorescence over the concentration range studied. Furthermore, the data suggested that the association between flavonoids and BSA did not change molecular conformation of BSA and that hydrogen bonding, ionic, and hydrophobic interaction are equally important driving forces for protein-flavonoid association.