Time-frequency and complexity analyses for differentiation of physiologic murmurs from heart murmurs caused by aortic stenosis in Boxers

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether time-frequency and complexity analyses of heart murmurs can be used to differentiate physiologic murmurs from murmurs caused by aortic stenosis (AS) in Boxers. ANIMALS: 27 Boxers with murmurs. PROCEDURES: Dogs were evaluated via auscultation and echocardiography. Analyses of time-frequency properties (TFPs; ie, maximal murmur frequency and duration of murmur frequency > 200 Hz) and correlation dimension (T(2)) of murmurs were performed on phonocardiographic sound data. Time-frequency property and T(2) analyses of low-intensity murmurs in 16 dogs without AS were performed at 7 weeks and 12 months of age. Additionally, TFP and T(2) analyses were performed on data obtained from 11 adult AS-affected dogs with murmurs. RESULTS: In dogs with low-intensity murmurs, TFP or T(2) values at 7 weeks and 12 months did not differ significantly. For differentiation of physiologic murmurs from murmurs caused by mild AS, duration of murmur frequency > 200 Hz was useful and the combination assessment of duration of frequency > 200 Hz and T(2) of the murmur had a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 82%. Maximal murmur frequency did not differentiate dogs with AS from those without AS. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that assessment of the duration of murmur frequency > 200 Hz can be used to distinguish physiologic heart murmurs from murmurs caused by mild AS in Boxers. Combination of this analysis with T(2) analysis may be a useful complementary method for diagnostic assessment of cardiovascular function in dogs.     

Incidence and effects of West Nile virus infection in vaccinated and unvaccinated horses in California

A prospective cohort study was used to estimate the incidence of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in a group of unvaccinated horses (n = 37) in California and compare the effects of natural WNV infection in these unvaccinated horses to a group of co-mingled vaccinated horses (n = 155). Horses initially were vaccinated with either inactivated whole virus (n = 87) or canarypox recombinant (n = 68) WNV vaccines during 2003 or 2004, prior to emergence of WNV in the region. Unvaccinated horses were serologically tested for antibodies to WNV by microsphere immunoassay incorporating recombinant WNV E protein (rE MIA) in December 2003, December 2004, and every two months thereafter until November 2005. Clinical neurologic disease attributable to WNV infection (West Nile disease (WND)) developed in 2 (5.4%) of 37 unvaccinated horses and in 0 of 155 vaccinated horses. One affected horse died. Twenty one (67.7%) of 31 unvaccinated horses that were seronegative to WNV in December, 2004 seroconverted to WNV before the end of the study in November, 2005. Findings from the study indicate that currently-available commercial vaccines are effective in preventing WND and their use is financially justified because clinical disease only occurred in unvaccinated horses and the mean cost of each clinical case of WND was approximately 45 times the cost of a 2-dose WNV vaccination program.     

Equine anthelmintics: survey of the patterns of use, beliefs and attitudes among horse owners in the UK

An online survey was conducted to establish horse owners' beliefs, attitudes and practices relating to the use of anthelmintic drugs. Out of a total of 574 respondents, 89 per cent described themselves as 'leisure riders', most of whom took part in a variety of activities including eventing, show jumping, dressage, hunter trials, hunting, driving, endurance and showing. Overall, respondents were generally aware and concerned about the issue of anthelmintic resistance. Less than 60 per cent of all respondents were comfortable with their existing anthelmintic programme, and 25 per cent would like to reduce the use of anthelmintics in their horses. Of all the respondents, 47 per cent used livery, and 49 per cent of those reported that the livery imposed a common anthelmintic programme for horses kept on the premises; 45 per cent of these respondents were not entirely happy with the livery yard's programme. Less than 50 per cent of all respondents included 'veterinary surgeon' among their sources of advice on worming.     

Effects of feeding management and time of day on the occurrence of self-suckling in dairy goats

The occurrence of self-suckling was recorded in 21 dairy goats during periods of 20 minutes at three different times per day (immediately after milking and the first feed, immediately after the second feed and in the afternoon) for 27 days (divided into three experimental periods of nine days). As expected, negative associations between milk yield and the frequency of self-suckling were observed (P<0.05). Goats suckled on their own right teat more frequently than on the left teat. The width of the right teat (measured at the middle of the teat) was positively associated with the frequency of self-suckling after controlling for the width of the left teat. A higher self-suckling frequency was observed immediately after milking than in the other two periods of the day. The frequency of self-suckling by each goat was reduced when animals were supplemented ad libitum with wheat straw in addition to their ordinary feed.     

Candidate gene expression and intramuscular fat content in pigs

Seventy-two pigs of three genetic groups (Brazilian indigenous breed Piau, Commercial line and Crossbred) of both sexes were slaughtered at four live weights (30, 60, 90 and 120 kg). Intramuscular fat (IMF) content in Longissimus dorsi muscle of each animal was extracted and correlated with candidate gene mRNA expression (ATN1, EEF1A2, FABP3, LDLR, MGP, OBSCN, PDHB, TRDN and RYR1). Within slaughter weight of 120 kg, Piau and Crossbred pigs showed higher IMF content (p < 0.05) than commercial animals, with 2.48, 2.08 and 1.00% respectively. Barrows presented higher values of IMF (p < 0.05) than gilts (1.54 and 1.30% respectively). Gene expression of EEF1A2, FABP3, LDLR, OBSCN, PDHB, TRDN and RYR1 were correlated with IMF (p < 0.05) using the whole dataset. For Piau data only, expression of FABP3, LDLR, MGP, OBSCN, PDHB, TRDN and RYR1 showed correlation with IMF (p < 0.05). Genes that have important roles in lipid transportation inside the cell (FABP3) and tissues (LDLR) showed correlation with IMF of, respectively, 0.68 and 0.63 using the whole data set, and 0.90 and 0.91 using data from Piau animals. The highly positive correlation of the LDLR and FAPB3 expression with IMF content may confirm that these genes are important for fat deposition in the porcine L. dorsi muscle.     

Protostrongylid infection in meat sheep from Northwestern Spain: prevalence and risk factors

2093 Faecal samples from 74 commercial meat ovine flocks were collected and examined by the Baermann-Wetzel method for protostrongylid infection. The risk of being infected by lungworms was evaluated with a data mining classification tree (CHAID), and the intensity of infection with a general linear model (GLM). 242 out of 2093 faecal samples examined were positive for protostrongylid infection (11.6%; 95% CI 10.2-12.9). Only two species were found, Muellerius capillaris (97.9%) and Neostrongylus linearis (5.4%). 50 out of 74 farms presented at least one animal shedding protostrongylid larvae in faeces. All of them held animals infected by M. capillaris and seven presented mixed infections with N. linearis. Average larval output in infected sheep was 11.9 (SD 30.91). This study showed that protostrongylid prevalence in sheep for meat production was determined mainly by a positive interaction with Dictyocaulus filaria infection; other factors that have influenced over protostrongylid infection were age, introducing external animals in the flocks, mixed management with goats and animal density in pastures. Treatment effects on prevalence were only observed in flocks that did not introduce ewes. The lowest protostrongylid prevalence has been reported in flocks without D. filaria infection and without contact with goats.     

Treatment of cattle with DNA-encoded Flt3L and GM-CSF prior to immunization with Theileria parva candidate vaccine antigens induces CD4 and CD8 T cell IFN-γ responses but not CTL responses

Theileria parva antigens recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are prime vaccine candidates against East Coast fever in cattle. A strategy for enhancing induction of parasite-specific T cell responses by increasing recruitment and activation of dendritic cells (DCs) at the immunization site by administration of bovine Flt3L and GM-CSF prior to inoculation with DNA vaccine constructs and MVA boost was evaluated. Analysis of immune responses showed induction of significant T. parva-specific proliferation, and IFN-γ-secreting CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses in immunized cattle. However, antigen-specific CTLs were not detected. Following lethal challenge, 5/12 immunized cattle survived by day 21, whereas all the negative controls had to be euthanized due to severe disease, indicating a protective effect of the vaccine (p<0.05). The study demonstrated the potential of this technology to elicit significant MHC class II and class I restricted IFN-γ-secreting CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells to defined vaccine candidate antigens in a natural host, but also underscores the need to improve strategies for eliciting protective CTL responses.     

Effect of dietary α -tocopherol concentration on performance and some immune responses in broiler chickens fed on diets containing oils from different sources

1. An investigation was carried out into the effects of dietary α-tocopherol (α-T) concentration and source of supplemental oil on performance, activity of anti-oxidative enzymes and some immune responses in broilers from day-old to 41 d of age. 2. Three dietary concentrations of α-T (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg) with three sources of supplemental oil (sunflower - SFO, palm - PMO and safflower - SAO) were provided using a 3 × 3 experimental design. 3. Body weight gain and food conversion efficiency were not affected by either interaction or concentrations of α-T and sources of oil in diet. 4. Concentrations of total protein, globulin, triglycerides and cholesterol in sera increased significantly with dietary α-T concentration irrespective of the source of oil. Significantly higher concentration of serum albumin was evident in broilers fed on the SFO-based diet and the concentration of globulin was higher in groups fed on those diets containing PMO and SAO. 5. The lipid peroxidation (LP), measured as MDA release, decreased with the concentration of α-T in a dose-related manner with SFO- and SAO-based diets, although not with the PMO-based diet. With different oil sources, LP was significantly lower with the PMO-based diet compared to the others. Activities of glutathione peroxidase and RBC catalase increased and heterophil: lymphocyte ratio was reduced with concentration of α-T for each source of oil tested. 6. Assays for humoral and cell-mediated immune responses indicated no effect of the source of dietary supplemental oil or interaction, although an increasing concentration of dietary α-T improved cell-mediated immune responses. 7. It is concluded that sunflower oil, palm oil and safflower oil can be used as sources of oil for broiler diets without having any effect on performance, immune responses or the activity of anti-oxidizing enzymes. Higher concentrations of dietary α-tocopherol (50 or 100 mg/kg) reduced lipid peroxidation activity and enhanced activities of anti-oxidative enzymes, they also improved the cell-mediated immune responses in commercial broilers.     

Single-agent gemcitabine chemotherapy in dogs with hepatocellular carcinomas

The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy and tolerability of gemcitabine in dogs diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Eighteen dogs were examined retrospectively (4 massive HCC, 10 nodular HCC and 4 diffuse HCC). All dogs received gemcitabine at 350-400 mg m(-2) weekly for 5 weeks. Toxicity was graded using VCOG-CTCAE guidelines and response was monitored with serial abdominal ultrasounds. Fifteen dogs completed all five cycles. Toxicity was minimal and consisted of grade I/II vomiting, anorexia and diarrhoea and two episodes of grade III neutropenia. Median survival time for all dogs was 983 days. Median progression free interval was 971 days. Based on the results of this study, surgery remains the best treatment for HCC, despite incomplete resection. There was no improvement in the survival of those diagnosed with nonresectable HCC treated with gemcitabine chemotherapy.     

Surgical amputation of a digit and vacuum-assisted-closure (V.A.C.) management in a case of osteomyelitis and wound care in an eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli)

A 14-yr-old female eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) presented with progressive suppurative osteomyelitis in her left hind lateral toe. beta-Hemolytic Streptococcus sp. was isolated. The animal was treated with multiple systemic antibiotics, and topical wound cleansing. Repeated debridements and nail trimmings were performed for 5 mo prior to electing amputation. The toe was surgically amputated under general anesthesia between the first and second phalanges. Analgesia was diffused into the wound topically via a catheter and elastomeric pump. The open amputation site was covered with adherent drapes and a negative-pressure wound therapy device provided vacuum-assisted closure (V.A.C.) for 72 hr. Three months later this animal developed a deep dermal ulcer on the lateral aspect of the right hind limb, at the level of the stifle. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated. The wound was managed by initial daily lavage, followed by 1 mo of V.A.C. therapy, with 72 hr between dressing changes. Clinically, this therapy expedited the formation of healthy granulation tissue and overall healing was accelerated. The animal tolerated the machine and bandage changes well via operant conditioning. The use of negative-pressure wound therapy appeared to shorten time to resolution of slow-healing wounds in black rhinoceros.