Use of bispectral index to monitor depth of anesthesia in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between the bispectral index (BIS) and end-tidal isoflurane (ET(ISO)) concentration and compare the use of 3 BIS sensor positions in dogs. ANIMALS: 6 adult dogs. PROCEDURES: Mechanically ventilated dogs received pancuronium, and depth of anesthesia was altered by increasing ET(ISO) concentration from 1.5% to 2.3% and 3.0%. The BIS, suppression ratio (relative percentage of isoelectric electroencephalographic waveforms), and signal quality index (SQI) were recorded at each ET(ISO) concentration for each of 3 BIS sensor positions (frontal-occipital, bifrontal, and frontal-temporal positions). RESULTS: The BIS and ET(ISO) concentration were poorly correlated; regardless of sensor positioning, mean BIS values did not change significantly as ET(ISO) was increased. At 3% isoflurane, regardless of sensor positioning, there was an increase in suppression ratio coincident with BIS < 40 in some dogs, whereas paradoxic increases in BIS (> 60) were recorded in others. Furthermore, at 3.0% isoflurane, the SQI was significantly lower for the bifrontal sensor position (compared with values for the other positions), but low SQI values prevented recording of BIS values from the frontal-occipital sensor position in 2 dogs. Overall, BIS values derived from the 3 sensor positions did not differ. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In dogs, BIS values may not reflect changes in depth of isoflurane anesthesia in the absence of noxious stimulation. Of the 3 sensor positions, frontal-temporal positioning provided better correlation with changes in depth of anesthesia induced via changes in isoflurane concentrations. However, the sensor placements yielded similar results at SQI values > 50.     

Comprehensive prediction of plant cytoplasmic and apoplastic effectors underlying Erwinia psidii pathogenicity

Erwinia psidii (Eps) is the causal agent of emerging diseases of eucalypt and guava; however, the mechanisms underlying its pathogenicity are not fully understood. Here, we predicted factors involved in the ability of Eps to cause disease on its host plants. For that, the genomes of four Eps strains exhibiting different virulence on eucalypt were sequenced, and hrp/hrc genes coding for the type III secretion system (T3SS), effectors injected into the plant cell cytoplasm through the T3SS (T3SEs) and their plant subcellular localizations, as well as proteins deployed to the host apoplast, were predicted. It was found that Eps possesses a complete hrp/hrc gene cluster based on comparison with Erwinia amylovora. A total of 18 T3SEs were predicted, 11 of which were shared among all strains, none were exclusive to any strain and seven were absent in at least one strain. No sequence variation among strains was found for five T3SE candidates whereas extensive variation was found for six, suggesting the latter may be determinants of virulence differences. The T3SE candidates are predicted to target the plant cell nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondrion, chloroplast and peroxisome. The predicted apoplastic effector repertoire common to all four strains was over-represented in proteins of unknown functions or predicted to possess enzymatic activities, among which the most abundant were oxidoreductases and peptidases. Proteins with lytic transglycosylase activity were predicted in strain-specific apoplastic effector repertoires. These results provide an important framework for future research aimed at uncovering the factors underlying Eps pathogenicity.     

Cytologic analysis of the mammary papillar discharge in a canine micropapillary carcinoma

This is a report on the cytologic analysis of the mammary papillar discharge in a 7‐year‐old female Doberman dog with an invasive micropapillary carcinoma. Cytologic evaluation of nipple discharge is a well‐known method for the rapid diagnosis of breast cancer in women. However, there is no previous report regarding the use of this technique for assessing mammary tumors in dogs. The aim of this study was to describe the use of mammary papillar discharge cytology for diagnosing a micropapillary carcinoma in a dog. Cytologically, evaluation of the papillar discharge revealed cells arranged in clusters in a papillary pattern or in a morula‐like arrangement, suggesting the diagnosis of a micropapillary carcinoma, which was subsequently confirmed by histopathology. Thus, mammary papillar discharge cytology should be considered as an ancillary method for evaluating mammary diseases in dogs.     

METABOLIC CHANGE,TILLERING AND ROOT SYSTEM OF BRACHIARIA BRIZANTHA IN RESPONSE TO PHOSPHORUS AND ZINC NUTRITION

Phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) availabilities are important to the nutrition of tropical forage grasses. In this manner, this study aimed to identify and quantify changes in metabolism, tillering, and root system of Brachiaria brizantha cv. ‘Marandu’ related to P and Zn availabilities. Plants of B. brizantha cv. ‘Marandu’ were grown in nutrient solution under five rates of P (0.1, 0.6, 1.1, 1.6, and 2.1 mmol L^?1) and five rates of Zn (0.00, 0.75, 1.5, 2.25, and 3.00 μmol L^?1), in a fractionated factorial. The interaction P x Zn rates and the Zn supply were not significant for the activity of acid phosphatase enzyme, P-use index, number of tillers, and root parameters. P-use index and enzyme activity decreased as P availability increased. The high efficiency in P use was a result of high acid phosphatase activity and P supply was essential to the development of ‘Marandu’ palisadegrass root system.     

Clinical,cytologic, and histologic features of a mammary micropapillary carcinoma in a dog

Mammary invasive micropapillary carcinoma is a rare variant of mammary carcinoma that was recently recognized in dogs. The cytologic features and biologic behavior of such neoplasms in dogs have not yet been widely discussed in the veterinary literature. We report the clinical, cytologic, and histologic features of a canine micropapillary carcinoma in a 13‐year‐old female mongrel dog. The mammary region presented with extreme local pain, severe edema and erythema, and multifocal epidermal ulceration, which is typical for an inflammatory mammary carcinoma. Fine‐needle aspirates were highly cellular and consisted of individual cells and papillary cell clusters with characteristics of malignant epithelial cells. Histologic examination revealed neoplastic cells arranged in small papillae without fibrovascular cores, sometimes inside clear lymphatic spaces, indicating lymphovascular invasion. Regional lymph node evaluation revealed metastatic cells. Due to deteriorating clinical condition the dog was euthanatized 5 months after mastectomy. At necropsy, metastatic neoplastic mammary cells were found in popliteal and mediastinal lymph nodes, the right femoral biceps muscle, liver, heart, lungs, and urinary bladder.     

Effects of 8 hemodynamic conditions on direct blood pressure values obtained simultaneously from the carotid,femoral and dorsal pedal arteries in dogs

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of 8 hemodynamic conditions on blood pressure measurements taken from the carotid, femoral and dorsal pedal arteries of dogs.AnimalsSix healthy dogs.MethodsDuring isoflurane anesthesia, catheters were introduced into the carotid, femoral and dorsal pedal arteries of dogs to allow simultaneous monitoring of direct blood pressure in each artery. The dogs were submitted to 8 hemodynamic conditions induced by combining changes in heart rate (bradycardia, normocardia, tachycardia) with changes in blood pressure (hypotension, normotension, hypertension). Values obtained from each arterial catheter were compared and agreement between central (carotid) and peripheral (femoral and dorsal pedal) values were analyzed by the Bland–Altman method.ResultsDuring hypotensive conditions, systolic arterial pressure (SAP) was lower in the femoral and dorsal pedal arteries compared to the carotid artery whereas during normotensive and hypertensive conditions, SAP was higher in peripheral arteries. During hypotensive states, increases in heart rate resulted in greater bias between central and peripheral SAP whereas during normotensive states, the bias decreased as heart rate increased. Mean and diastolic arterial pressures were lower in the femoral and dorsal pedal arteries than in the carotid artery during most hemodynamic conditions.ConclusionsIn healthy anesthetized dogs, invasive blood pressure measurements in peripheral arteries may differ significantly from measurements in a central artery. The greatest differences were observed in SAP and the magnitude of differences between central and peripheral blood pressure measurements varied according to the dog's hemodynamic condition.     

Effects of tramadol alone,in combination with meloxicam or dipyrone,on postoperative pain and the analgesic requirement in dogs undergoing unilateral mastectomy with or without ovariohysterectomy

ObjectiveTo compare the effects of tramadol alone, or in combination with dipyrone or meloxicam, on postoperative pain and analgesia requirement after unilateral mastectomy with or without ovariohysterectomy in dogs.Study designProspective, randomized, clinical study.AnimalsTwenty seven bitches undergoing unilateral mastectomy with or without ovariohysterectomy.MethodsAnesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane and a constant rate infusion of morphine. Before the end of surgery, dogs were randomly assigned to receive intravenous tramadol alone (3 mg kg^?1, group T), combined with dipyrone (30 mg kg^?1, group TD) or meloxicam (0.2 mg kg^?1, group TM). Dogs received additional doses of tramadol (groups T and TM) or tramadol with dipyrone (group TD) at 8 and 16 hours after extubation. Postoperative pain was assessed by a blinded observer before anesthesia (baseline) and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 and 24 hours after extubation using a visual analog scale (VAS) and a modified Glasgow scale. Rescue analgesia (morphine, 0.5 mg kg^?1) was administered if the Glasgow pain score was >3.5.ResultsThere were no significant differences among groups in pain scores evaluated by the VAS or the Glasgow scale. In groups T, TD and TM, pain scores were significantly higher than at baseline for 6, 8 and 2 hours, respectively. Rescue analgesia was administered to 3/9, 2/9 and 1/9 dogs in groups T, TD and TM, respectively (p > 0.05) [Correction added on 15 August 2013, after first online publication: ‘T, TM and TD’ was changed to ‘T, TD and TM’.].Conclusions and clinical relevanceUnder the conditions of this study, tramadol alone or in combination with dypyrone or meloxicam provided effective analgesia for 24 hours in most dogs after unilateral mastectomy with or without ovariohysterectomy. Further evaluation of combination therapies is needed in larger groups of dogs.     

VCG and AFLP analyses identify the same groups in the causal agents of mango malformation in Brazil

The causal agents of mango malformation disease in Brazil are a new Fusarium lineage in the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex and Fusarium sterilihyphosum; however information on the genetic and geographical diversity of these pathogens in Brazil is missing. Vegetative compatibility group (VCG) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analyses were used to measure the genetic diversity within these populations. Both techniques identified the same genetic groups. Six VCG and AFLP groups were identified amongst isolates of the new lineage from Brazil. FB-VCG 1/AFLP I was the most widespread group, found in seven of the 13 sites sampled. The second most frequent group was recovered from three sites. The remaining four groups were recovered from single-sites. We think that this lineage represents a genetically and geographically diverse indigenous population that reproduces clonally. In F. sterilihyphosum, group FS-VCG 1/AFLP VII was found at three sites in the southeast region of Brazil. FS-VCG 2/AFLP VIII contained isolates from South Africa but not from Brazil. Fusarium mangiferae isolates from India and South Africa formed one group, while isolates from Egypt and the USA formed a second group. F. sterilihyphosum at present is represented by a small population that might have been introduced only once into a restricted area. The clonal nature of the observed populations suggests that these fungi either occur naturally on indigenous hosts and have jumped to the introduced mango host (introduced in Brazil) or that they originated with mango and went through a severe population bottleneck when they were introduced to Brazil from India or Southeast Asia.