Effects of topical nipradilol and timolol maleate on intraocular pressure, facility of outflow, arterial blood pressure and pulse rate in dogs

Nipradilol is an alpha(1), beta-blocker with milder side effects than other beta-blockers used in humans. In this study the effects of nipradilol were compared with those of timolol maleate in dogs. Twelve clinically normal dogs (nine mongrels, two beagles, and one Akita) were used. We applied 0.25% nipradilol or 0.5% timolol maleate drops for a period of 28 days. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured before and after administration on the 2nd, 4th, 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day. Blood pressure, pulse rate and coefficient of aqueous outflow (C-value) were also measured before and after administration on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day. Both nipradilol and timolol maleate significantly lowered IOP from the 2nd day to the end of the study period. Nipradilol lowered IOP to an equivalent degree to timolol maleate. There was no significant change in blood pressure and pulse rate throughout the study period with administration of nipradilol. C-value showed a significant rise from the 14th day with administration of nipradilol, while it did not show any significant change during the study period with administration of timolol maleate. The reduction of IOP by nipradilol was similar to that by an existing beta-adrenergic antagonist, timolol maleate, but nipradilol was associated with fewer systemic side effects in dogs. Nipradilol appears to be a useful drug for treatment of glaucoma in dogs.     

Anesthetic and cardiovascular effects of balanced anesthesia using constant rate infusion of midazolam-ketamine-medetomidine with inhalation of oxygen-sevoflurane (MKM-OS anesthesia) in horses

The anesthetic sparring and cardiovascular effects produced by midazolam 0.8 mg/ml-ketamine 40 mg/ml-medetomidine 0.05 mg/ml (0.025 ml/kg/hr) drug infusion during sevoflurane in oxygen (MKM-OS) anesthesia was determined in healthy horses. The anesthetic sparring effects of MKM-OS were assessed in 6 healthy thoroughbred horses in which the right carotid artery was surgically relocated to a subcutaneous position. All horses were intubated and ventilated with oxygen using intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV). The end-tidal concentration of sevoflurane (ET(SEV)) required to maintain surgical anesthesia was approximately 1.7%. Heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure averaged 23-41 beats/min and 70-112 mmHg, respectively. All horses stood between 23-44 min after the cessation of all anesthetic drugs. The cardiovascular effects of MKM-OS anesthesia were evaluated in 5 healthy thoroughbred horses ventilated using IPPV. Anesthesia was maintained for 4 hr at an ET(SEV) of 1.7%. Each horse was studied during left lateral (LR) and dorsal recumbency (DR) with a minimum interval between evaluations of 1 month. Cardiac output and cardiac index were maintained between 70-80% of baseline values during LR and 65-70% of baseline values during DR. Stroke volume was maintained between 75-85% of baseline values during LR and 60-70% of baseline values during DR. Systemic vascular resistance was not different from baseline values regardless of position. MKM-OS anesthesia may be useful for prolonged equine surgery because of its minimal cardiovascular depression in both of lateral and dorsal recumbency.     

Axial correction of pes varus by transverse-opening wedge osteotomy and T-plate fixation with beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) transplantation in dachshunds

Axial correction was performed surgically in two miniature dachshunds presenting with lateral patellar dislocation and limping caused by pes varus. Pes varus had resulted from asymmetric closure of the physis of the distal tibia. Prior to surgery, osteotomy was simulated by measuring X-ray films to determine the distance required for the wedge opening. Transverse-opening wedge osteotomy was performed on the medial side of the distal tibia, and beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) was inserted in a wedge shape into the area created by the cuneiform osteotomy. Finally, the tibia was fixed by a veterinary 1.5/2.0-mm T-plate. Both dogs were able to walk a few days after surgery, and the lateral dislocation of the patella normalized almost completely in about one month. At two months, X-ray films showed that the implant had remained in position without any dislocation, and the beta-TCP had fused with the surrounding bone.     

Detection of cone dysfunction induced by digoxin in dogs by multicolor electroretinography

It is difficult to detect discrete cone function with the present conventional electroretinography (ERG) examination. In this study, we developed contact electrodes with a built-in color (red (644 nm), green (525 nm), or blue (470 nm)) light source (color LED-electrode), and evaluated an experimental model of digoxin in the dog. First, 17 normal Beagle dogs were used to determine which electrode works well for color ERG measurement on dogs. Then, color ERG was performed on seven normal Beagle dogs at various points during a 14-day period of digoxin administration. A single daily dose of 0.0125 mg/kg/day, which is within the recommended oral maintenance dosage range for dogs, was administered orally for 2 weeks. Ophthalmic examination, measurement of plasma concentration of digoxin, and color ERG examination were performed. On first examination, amplitudes of all responses were significantly (P < 0.01) lower with the red, than with the blue and green electrodes during ERG recording. In ERG using the red electrode, the standard deviation was large. According to these preliminary results, the red electrode was not used in the experimental dog model with digoxin. In the digoxin administrated animals, no significant change was observed in the ophthalmic examination findings. The digoxin level increased steadily throughout the dosing period but was always within the therapeutic range for dogs. In rod ERG, no abnormalities were detected with any electrode. In standard combined ERG, decreased amplitude of the a-wave was detected with every electrode. In single flash cone ERG, prolongation of implicit time was detected by color ERG with the blue and green electrodes. In 30-Hz flicker ERG, decreased amplitude was detected only by color ERG with the blue electrode. The decreased amplitude and prolonged implicit time recovered after termination of digoxin administration. Cone dysfunction induced by digoxin in the dog was revealed by multicolor ERG using blue and green LED-electrodes. Multi-color ERG was useful for detecting cone type-specific dysfunction in the dog.     

Efficiency of nitrogen metabolism in beef cattle grazing pasture and supplemented with different protein levels in the rainy season

Supplementation of animals in the rainy season is essential to maximise weight gain. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with low-, medium- and high-protein levels on nutritional parameters of grazing beef cattle in the rainy season. Eight rumen-cannulated Nellore bulls (437 kg body weight) were used in a 4?×?4 double Latin square design with four supplements and four experimental periods. The treatments were mineral supplement (ad libitum) and supplements with low-protein (LPSU), medium-protein (MPS) and high-protein (HPS) levels, providing 106, 408 and 601 g/day of crude protein (CP), respectively. There was no difference (P?>?0.05) between treatments for dry matter and forage intake, ruminal pH, ruminal ammonia nitrogen (RAN) at time 0 (before supplementation) and microbial protein yield. Animals on MPS had a higher (P?>?0.05) intake and digestibility of CP, higher RAN levels (3 and 6 h after supplementation), increased nitrogen intake and a better nitrogen balance than animals on LPSU. The HPS provided higher (P?>?0.05) RAN at time 6 and a better nitrogen balance when compared with MPS. We therefore infer that the high-protein supplement positively impacts nitrogen metabolism and efficiency in grazing beef cattle during the rainy season.     

Interobserver reliability of computed tomographic contouring of canine tonsils in radiation therapy treatment planning

In radiation therapy (RT) treatment planning for canine head and neck cancer, the tonsils may be included as part of the treated volume. Delineation of tonsils on computed tomography (CT) scans is difficult. Error or uncertainty in the volume and location of contoured structures may result in treatment failure. The purpose of this prospective, observer agreement study was to assess the interobserver agreement of tonsillar contouring by two groups of trained observers. Thirty dogs undergoing pre‐ and post‐contrast CT studies of the head were included. After the pre‐ and postcontrast CT scans, the tonsils were identified via direct visualization, barium paste was applied bilaterally to the visible tonsils, and a third CT scan was acquired. Data from each of the three CT scans were registered in an RT treatment planning system. Two groups of observers (one veterinary radiologist and one veterinary radiation oncologist in each group) contoured bilateral tonsils by consensus, obtaining three sets of contours. Tonsil volume and location data were obtained from both groups. The contour volumes and locations were compared between groups using mixed (fixed and random effect) linear models. There was no significant difference between each group's contours in terms of three‐dimensional coordinates. However there was a significant difference between each group's contours in terms of the tonsillar volume (P < 0.0001). Pre‐ and postcontrast CT can be used to identify the location of canine tonsils with reasonable agreement between trained observers. Discrepancy in tonsillar volume between groups of trained observers may affect RT treatment outcome.     

Investigation of fellow eye of unilateral retinal detachment in Shih‐Tzu

Objective To investigate disease in the fellow eye, and consider the relation to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in Shih‐Tzus. Animals studied The fellow eyes of 49 Shih‐Tzus (27 male, 22 female; median age: 6.8 years) with unilateral RRD diagnosed by funduscopy or ultrasonography at Rakuno Gakuen University Teaching Animal Hospital were assessed in this study. Procedures Ophthalmic examinations (including menace response, pupillary light reflex, slit‐lamp biomicroscopy, and funduscopy) were performed in the subjects. Electroretinography was performed in 12 eyes that developed retinal degeneration. Maximum follow‐up period was 42 months. Results Cataracts and vitreous opacity were observed in 26 (53%) and 32 eyes (65%), respectively, by slit‐lamp biomicroscopy. Retinal degeneration with various degrees of hyper‐reflectivity of the tapetal fundus and/or attenuation of retinal vessels was observed in 35 eyes (71%) on funduscopy. A reduction of amplitude in rod, standard combined and 30 Hz flicker electroretingram was detected in 5 (42%), 10 (83%), and 6 eyes (50%), respectively. During the follow‐up period, RRD was detected in six eyes. Conclusion Retinal degeneration was frequently detected by funduscopy and electroretingrams in the fellow eye in Shih‐Tzus with RRD. In our subjects, vitreous degeneration was also observed frequently. It has been reported that peripheral retinal degeneration is one of the causes of RRD associated with vitreous degeneration in humans. We assume that primary retinal degeneration with secondary vitreous degeneration is one of the causes of RRD in Shih‐Tzus.     

Infection-inhibition activity of avenacin saponins against the fungal pathogens Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei, Bipolaris oryzae, and Magnaporthe oryzae

Triterpenoid saponins are sugar-modified triterpene derivatives. Cereals and other grasses are generally deficient in these secondary metabolites with the exception of oat. Oat accumulates antimicrobial triterpenoid saponins in its roots. These oat-root-derived compounds, called avenacins, confer broad-spectrum resistance to soil-borne pathogens. Here, we tested the effect of avenacins on the development of infection structures of fungal pathogens Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei and Bipolaris oryzae and Magnaporthe oryzae. We show that avenacins are able to inhibit the infection process of these phytopathogens on plant hosts.     

Effect of Biodegradable Gelatin β-Tri Calcium Phosphate Sponges Containing Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 on Equine Bone Defect

This study evaluated the osteoanagenetic effects of administering biodegradable gelatin β-tri calcium phosphate sponges containing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) on equine bone defect. Six healthy Thoroughbred horses were used in this study. Horses were anesthetized, and skin incisions were made on all the limbs. Splint bones were exposed and a 1-cm bone defect was created in each exposed bone. Gelatin β-tri calcium phosphate sponges containing MSC and BMP-2 (MSC + BMP-2 sponge), MSC only (MSC sponge), BMP-2 only (BMP-2 sponge), or saline (saline sponge) were implanted into each bone defect at random. Defects were monitored for 16 weeks by radiography followed by computed tomography (CT) and histologic analyses. At 16 weeks, radiographic scores of MSC + BMP-2 sponge-treated defects were significantly higher than those of saline-treated defects (P = .027). Moreover, the CT value of the MSC + BMP-2 sponge group was significantly higher than that of the other groups (P = .027; P = .046; and P = .027, respectively), and the histologic score of the MSC + BMP-2 sponge group was significantly greater than that of the saline sponge group (P = .041). We conclude that MSC + BMP-2 sponge administration to bone defects accelerates bone regeneration in equines.