Echocardiographic and radiographic changes associated with systemic hypertension in cats

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of systemic hypertension (SHT) on echocardiographic and radiographic cardiovascular variables in affected cats compared with healthy geriatric cats. Secondary objectives were to determine whether there were any relationships between these findings and age or systolic blood pressure (SBP). Fifteen healthy cats (>8 years of age with normal SBP) and 15 hypertensive cats (SBP > 180 mm Hg) were studied. Each cat was evaluated for standard echocardiographic parameters and 4 different aortic root dimensions. Seventeen variables were measured from right lateral and dorsoventral radiographic views. Left ventricle wall thickness was greater in the SHT group (5.1 +/- 0.9 mm) than in the healthy cats (4.2 +/- 0.5 mm). Left ventricular hypertrophy in the SHT cats often was not severe, and mean measures were considered normal. Some cats had asymmetrical septal hypertrophy (ASH) in the basilar portion of the septum as determined from the 2-dimensional view of the left ventricular outflow tract. ASH was greater in cats with SHT. Comparisons of the proximal ascending aorta indicated the presence of dilatation in the SHT cats, and comparison of the ascending aorta to the aortic annulus was helpful in differentiating between the 2 groups. The distal aortic root measurements and ratios evaluated by echocardiography were significantly different between the 2 groups of cats (P = .0001) and were significantly correlated with SBP (P = .0001) but not age (P > .3).     

科学构建国家兽医药品公共信息平台促进产业发展

文章探讨了兽医药品信息对政府、企业、消费者以及产业发展的重要意义，国家如何科学地构建行业专业的信息平台，实施兽医药品产业、政务、公共信息数字化网络化，通过信息化建设推进产业发展。     

Molecular mechanisms influencing efficiency of RNA interference in insects

RNA interference (RNAi) is an endogenous, sequence‐specific gene‐silencing mechanism elicited by small RNA molecules. RNAi is a powerful reverse genetic tool, and is currently being utilized for managing insects and viruses. Widespread implementation of RNAi‐based pest management strategies is currently hindered by inefficient and highly variable results when different insect species, strains, developmental stages, tissues, and genes are targeted. Mechanistic studies have shown that double‐stranded ribonucleases (dsRNases), endosomal entrapment, deficient function of the core machinery, and inadequate immune stimulation contribute to limited RNAi efficiency. However, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms limiting RNAi efficiency remains elusive. Recent advances in dsRNA stability in physiological tissues, dsRNA internalization into cells, the composition and function of the core RNAi machinery, as well as small‐interfering RNA/double‐stranded RNA amplification and spreading mechanisms are reviewed to establish a global understanding of the obstacles impeding wider understanding of RNAi mechanisms in insects. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Twenty-Four-Hour Ambulatory Electrocardiography in Normal Cats

Twenty-four-hour ambulatory electrocardiograms were recorded in two age groups of 10 normal cats each: group 1 (1 to 4 years) and group 2 (8 to 14 years), with equal numbers of males and females in each group. Average heart rates over the 24-hour recording period ranged from 114 to 202 beats/minute (bpm). The mean 24-hour average rate did not differ between group 1 and group 2 (157.6 vs. 156.3+/-5.3 bpm, respectively); however, females (both groups combined) had higher average heart rates than males (166.8 vs. 147.1+/-5.3 bpm, respectively). Females also had a higher mean minimum heart rate than males (116.9 vs. 96.5+/-4.2 bpm, respectively); but there were no gender or age group differences in maximum heart rate. Results of hourly analyses of average, minimum, and maximum heart rates were similar. Mean heart rates rose from mid-afternoon to about 9:00 PM and were lowest just after midnight. Although regular sinus rhythm predominated, periods of sinus arrhythmia were evident in most cats, especially in early morning hours. Supraventricular extrasystoles were uncommon. Isolated ventricular extrasystoles occurred more frequently in group 2 cats; multiform configuration was observed in both groups. Repetitive ventricular extrasystoles, which usually consisted of occasional couplets, occurred more frequently in group 2 cats. One older cat had 2 short runs of ventricular tachycardia. Another older cat appeared to have a recurrent accelerated idioventricular rhythm.     

Sectional notes

American Journal of Potato Research -