Evaluation of gradual occlusion of the caudal vena cava in clinically normal dogs

OBJECTIVES: To devise a technique for gradual occlusion of the caudal vena cava in dogs and determine effects of complete occlusion of the caudal vena cava. ANIMALS: 8 mixed-breed hounds that weighed between 25 and 30 kg. PROCEDURE: Baseline evaluation of dogs included serum biochemical analyses and determination of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) with dynamic renal scintigraphy and plasma clearance analysis. An occluder was placed around the vena cava in the region cranial to the renal veins. The occluder was attached to a vascular access port. The vena cava was gradually occluded over 2 weeks. The GFR was measured every 2 weeks after surgery, and venograms were performed every 3 weeks after surgery. Blood samples were collected every 48 hours for the first week and then weekly thereafter to measure BUN and creatinine concentrations and activities of alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and creatinine kinase. Dogs were euthanatized 6 weeks after surgery, and tissues were submitted for histologic examination. The GFR and biochemical data were compared with baseline values. RESULTS: Gradual occlusion of the caudal vena cava was easily and consistently performed with this method, and adverse clinical signs were not detected. Formation of collateral vessels allowed overall GFR to remain constant despite a decrease in function of the left kidney. Measured biochemical values did not deviate from reference ranges. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Gradual occlusion of the caudal vena cava may allow removal of adrenal gland tumors with vascular invasion that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to resect.     

Lymphedema: Clinical Signs, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Medical management of lymphedema is warranted in all dogs with suspected congenital lymphedema, before surgical intervention. Although pharmaceutical agents, such as the benzo-pyrones, have not been investigated for clinical use in dogs, such studies appear to be justified. None of the surgical techniques discussed will cure lymphedema. The only technique reported with any frequency in the dog has been excision of affected tissues, and although some successes have been reported with this procedure, others have found it to be of no benefit or severe complications have occurred. Excisional techniques require meticulous attention to prevent infection intraoperatively and postoperatively. Staging the procedure may decrease problems associated with devascularization of remaining tissues. Evaluation of other techniques may be warranted in dogs; however, no technique has proven to be consistently beneficial in human beings with lymphedema.     

Mycoflora and fumonisin mycotoxins associated with cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] seeds

Cowpea seed samples from South Africa and Benin were analyzed for seed mycoflora. Fusariumspecies detected were F. equiseti, F. chlamydosporum, F. graminearum, F. proliferatum, F. sambucinum, F. semitectum, and F. subglutinans. Cowpea seed from South Africa and Benin and F. proliferatum isolates from Benin, inoculated onto maize patty medium, were analyzed for fumonisin production. Samples were extracted with methanol/water and cleaned up on strong anion exchange solid phase extraction cartridges. HPLC with precolumn derivatization using o-phthaldialdehyde was used for the detection and quantification of fumonisins. Cowpea cultivars from South Africa showed the presence of fumonisin B(1) at concentrations ranging between 0.12 and 0.61 microg/g, whereas those from Benin showed no fumonisins. This is believed to be the first report of the natural occurrence of FB(1) on cowpea seed. Fumonisin B(1), B(2), and B(3) were produced by all F. proliferatum isolates. Total fumonisin concentrations were between 0.8 and 25.30 microg/g, and the highest level of FB(1) detected was 16.86 microg/g.     

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis in humans with inborn errors of interleukin-17 immunity

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis disease (CMCD) is characterized by recurrent or persistent infections of the skin, nails, and oral and genital mucosae caused by Candida albicans and, to a lesser extent, Staphylococcus aureus, in patients with no other infectious or autoimmune manifestations. We report two genetic etiologies of CMCD: autosomal recessive deficiency in the cytokine receptor, interleukin-17 receptor A (IL-17RA), and autosomal dominant deficiency of the cytokine interleukin-17F (IL-17F). IL-17RA deficiency is complete, abolishing cellular responses to IL-17A and IL-17F homo- and heterodimers. By contrast, IL-17F deficiency is partial, with mutant IL-17F-containing homo- and heterodimers displaying impaired, but not abolished, activity. These experiments of nature indicate that human IL-17A and IL-17F are essential for mucocutaneous immunity against C. albicans, but otherwise largely redundant.     

The impact of environmental factors on early stage Andosol development south of Vatnajökull,Iceland

Icelandic soils develop in a dynamic environment affected by both natural processes and anthropogenic impacts. We present an extensive investigation of soil mineralogy and pedogenesis in a disturbed (i.e., by solifluction) pedon under such conditions. The study focuses on two distinct tephra layers, a rhyolitic tephra from the Öræfajökull eruption in 1362 CE (Ö1362) and a basaltic Veiðivötn tephra from 1477 CE (V1477). Both tephra layers form an important parent material in the study area south of Vatnajökull, Iceland. The Andosol developed from tephra and aeolian material, rich in volcanic glass. The pH (H₂O) values were between 5.5 and 6.6 and clay mineralogy displayed a predominance of allophanic material in both soil and tephra. The pedon can be seen in its early stage of chemical weathering and soil development. Despite the overall predominance of non- and poorly-crystalline short-range order secondary materials and Fe (hydr)oxides in the clay-size fraction, we found indication of smectite. High exchangeable Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ concentrations reflect enhanced aeolian input of volcanic material, while elevated exchangeable-Na⁺ concentrations are most likely caused by the oceanic composition of precipitation. The impact of erosion and aeolian processes on pedogenesis seemed to be higher between the deposition of Ö1362 and V1477, than in the soils above. Both, soil and tephra layers appeared disturbed by erosion–deposition processes over time. Characterised by a significantly coarser particle size composition, low soil organic carbon (SOC) content, and a more diverse mineralogy, a distinct fluvial sediment layer at 10–30 cm depth appeared sharply contrasting to the other soil layers in the profile. This possibly reflects the diverse composition of glaciofluvial material from a landslide originating from a Kvíárjökull moraine in the north. Changed weathering patterns and properties in the soils above the Ö1362 tephra indicated soil degradation following the deposition of the rhyolitic tephra.