Vasovagal tonus index (VVTI) as an indirect assessment of remission status in canine multicentric lymphoma undergoing multi-drug chemotherapy

Vasovagal tonus index (VVTI) is an indirect measure of heart rate variability and may serve as a marker of disease severity. Higher heart rate variability has predicted lower tumour burden and improved survival in humans with various tumour types. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate VVTI as a biomarker of remission status in canine lymphoma. The primary hypothesis was that VVTI would be increased in dogs in remission compared to dogs out of remission. Twenty-seven dogs were prospectively enrolled if they had a diagnosis of intermediate to high-grade lymphoma and underwent multidrug chemotherapy. Serial electrocardiogram data were collected under standard conditions and relationships between VVTI, remission status and other clinical variables were evaluated. VVTI from dogs in remission (partial or complete) did not differ from dogs with fulminant lymphoma (naive or at time of relapse). Dogs in partial remission had higher VVTI than dogs in complete remission (p = 0.021). Higher baseline VVTI was associated with higher subsequent scores (p < 0.001). VVTI also correlated with anxiety level (p = 0.03). Based on this pilot study, VVTI did not hold any obvious promise as a useful clinical biomarker of remission status. Further investigation may better elucidate the clinical and prognostic utility of VVTI in dogs with lymphoma.     

Arrhythmogenicity of dopamine and its effects on hemodynamics in dogs under halothane anesthesia

The arrhythmogenicity of dopamine, its effects on cardiac function, hemodynamics, and diuresis under halothane anesthesia were evaluated in dogs. The induction time of arrhythemias and the effect of arrhythmias on cardiac function, hemodynamics, and diuresis were determined after infusion of dopamine for 30-min period at increasing doses of 3, 5, 7, 10, and 15 micrograms/kg/min. The results were as follows. 1. Arrhythmia induction percentage was 28.6% at 5 micrograms/kg/mn, 42.9% at 7 micrograms/kg/min, 25% at 10 micrograms/kg/min, and 41.7% at 15 micrograms/kg/min. The induction time of arrhythemias (sec) was 459 at 5 micrograms/kg/min, 332 at 7 micrograms/kg/min, 152 at 10 micrograms/kg/min, and 279 at 15 micrograms/kg/min. No arrhythmias were present at 3 micrograms/kg/min. 2. Heart rate and myocardial oxygen consumption was increased in the arrhythmia-induced group compared to the non-arrhythmia-induced group. 3. Myocardial contractility, mean aortic pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and diuresis increased dose-dependently in the non-arrhythmia-induced group; however, these measures were increased in the arrhythmia-induced group without regard to dose.     

Gene expressions of canine angiopoietin-1 and -2 in normal tissues and spontaneous tumours

The angiopoietin (Ang) family of proteins are central to the regulation of angiogenesis. The purposes of this study were to determine cDNA sequences of canine Ang-1 and Ang-2 and investigate their expressions in normal tissues and spontaneous tumours. The cDNA sequences of canine Ang-1 and Ang-2 were 1,494 and 1,488 bp, and the deduced amino acid sequences were 497 and 495 residues, respectively. The cDNA sequences of canine Ang-1 and Ang-2 showed high homology with those of the other mammalian species. Canine Ang-1 and Ang-2 mRNA were detectable in all 22 normal tissues and spontaneous tumours. Higher mRNA expression level of canine Ang-2 was demonstrated in mammary simple carcinomas, haemangiosarcoma and hepatocellular carcinoma in comparison with normal tissues.     

Antiinflammatory effect of Japanese horse chestnut (Aesculus turbinata) seeds

The antiinflammatory effects of Japanese horse chestnut (Aesculus turbinata) seeds were examined in vivo and in vitro. The extract of this seed (HCSE) inhibited croton oil-induced swelling of the mouse concha. HCSE inhibited cyclooxygenase (COX) -1 and -2 activities, but had no effect on 15-lipoxygenase and phospholipase A2 activities. Inhibition of COX-2 occurred at a lower concentration of HCSE than for COX-1. Japanese horse chestnut seeds contain coumarins and saponins, but these chemicals did not inhibit COX activities. These results suggest that the antiinflammatory effect of Japanese horse chestnut seeds is caused, at least partly, by the inhibition of COX. The inhibitor of COX in this seed may be a chemical(s) other than coumarins and saponins.     

Integrated approach for improving small scale market oriented dairy systems in Pakistan: participatory rural appraisal and economic opportunity survey

Livestock production is an integral part of the rain-fed and irrigated agriculture system in Pakistan. Animal production is closely interlinked with the cropping systems and play a crucial role in the rural economy. Participatory rural appraisals and economic opportunity surveys were conducted in two ecological zones (irrigated and rain-fed) and two dairy production systems (peri-urban and mixed livestock). Major constraints in animal health, nutrition and reproduction were identified and interventions were suggested to overcome these difficulties. The economic opportunity survey revealed that maximum opportunity to enhance farmers’ income is to increase milk production per day per animal, which can be accomplished through coordinated improvements in nutrition, reproduction and genetics.     

Isolation and purification of a protective protein antigen of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

The rapid growth and high survival rate of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was determined using a culture of the bacterium in tryptic soy broth supplemented with 0.3% Tris-hydroxymethyl aminomethane and 0.1% Tween 80 (TT-TS broth). High concentrations of 64, 66 and 43 kDa proteins, which are associated with protection against E. rhusiopathiae infection in mice, were obtained by alkaline treatment of whole cells using 0.05-1 N NaOH. The supernatant of alkaline treated cells (alkaline extract; AE) was stable at alkaline or neutral pH. However, aggregates appeared at neutral pH in the absence of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). A high yield of 64, 66 and 43 kDa proteins was obtained from strain Agata (serovar 5). The proteins were eluted from gel bands following SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of the AE from strain Agata and designated P64 and P43. The amounts of P64 and P43 isolated were 0.7 and 0.3 mg/16 g of wet bacteria, respectively. In a mouse protection test, 50% protective doses (PD50) of P64 and P43 were 0.58 and 0.63 microgram, respectively. Upon Western blotting of the AE, both anti-P64 and anti-P43 antibodies reacted with the 64 and 43 kDa proteins. From these results, it is suggested that P64 is the most effective protective antigen and that P43 (43 kDa protein) is a degradation product of P64. Therefore, the 64 kDa structural proteins are associated with the induction of a protective activity against E. rhusiopathiae infection in mice.     

A case of anaplastic meningioma in a dog

A tumor sized in 2.0x2.0x2.5 cm developed in the cerebellum of a female Beagle was pathologically investigated. Histopathologically, the tumor grew by compression and partially by infiltration into the adjacent cerebellar parenchyma. There were a large number of necrotic lesions and proliferation of collagen fibers. The tumor cells had oval nucleus showing cellular atypia and a high mitotic index. The tumor cells were reacted with vimentin antibody on immunostain. Electron microscopic examination revealed the tumor cells interdigitated with cytoplasmic processus where the desmosomes developed on cell junction. This tumor was diagnosed as anaplastic meningioma, which is rarely observed in dogs.     

The effect of pretreatment with different doses of GnRH to synchronize follicular wave on superstimulation of follicular growth in dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and GnRH doses in synchronizing follicular wave emergence as a pretreatment for superovulation in cattle. Fourteen Holstein-Friesian cows 6 days from estrus were randomly assigned to receive 100 microg (n=4), 50 microg (n=5), or 25 microg (n=5) of GnRH. Superovulation was induced with injections of porcine FSH (pFSH) twice daily, decreasing the dose (total 42 AU) over 5 days beginning 2.5 days after receiving GnRH. On the 7th and 8th injections of pFSH, 750 microg of PGF(2alpha) was also given. With the exception of one cow that was given 50 microg of GnRH, ovulation was induced in all cows from the three groups and the new follicular wave emergence was observed. The total number of follicles for the 25 microg GnRH group was less than that observed for the 100 microg GnRH group (P<0.05), although there were no differences between the 100 microg, 50 microg and 25 microg GnRH groups with respect to the number of preovulatory follicles (>or=10 mm) and CL. The numbers of normal embryos were greater for the 25 microg GnRH group than the 100 or 50 microg GnRH groups (P<0.01); however, the numbers of ova/embryos did not differ significantly between the three groups. These results suggest that 25 microg of GnRH was sufficient to induce ovulation and follicular wave emergence. On day 6 of the estrous cycle, a reduction of the dose of GnRH to synchronize follicular wave emergence as a pretreatment for superstimulation promotes transferable embryos.