A Syndrome Resembling Idiopathic Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension in 4 Young Doberman Pinschers

We describe 4 young male Doberman Pinschers (3 littermates and 1 unrelated dog) with a syndrome resembling idiopathic or noncirrhotic portal hypertension of humans. Each dog was evaluated for a hepatopathy resulting in portal hypertension, development of portosystemic collateral vessels, and hepatic encephalopathy. These dogs differ from previous reports of young dogs with hepatic insufficiency associated with portal hypertension and acquired portal systemic shunting by their lack of intrahepatic arteriovenous fistulae, portal vein atresia, or intrahepatic fibrosis. Clinicopathologic features included erythrocyte microcytosis, normal to mildly increased liver enzyme activities, increased concentrations of serum bile acids, reduced plasma indocyanine green clearance, and normal total bilirubin concentration. Abdominal ultrasonography disclosed a small liver and portosystemic collateral vessels. Radiographic imaging studies confirmed hepatofugal portal circulation and discounted hepatic arteriovenous fistulae. Histopathologic features in liver tissue from each dog were similar and consistent in all sections examined. Common findings included increased cross-sectional views of hepatic arterioles; hepatic lobular atrophy; scanty increase in connective tissue around some large portal triads; and absence of inflammation, disturbed lobular architecture, bile duct proliferation, or intrahepatic cholestasis.     

Effect of salicylate stress on the hypersensitive reaction of asparagus bean to tobacco necrosis virus

Treatments of primary leaves of asparagus bean (Vigna sesquipedalis Fruhw.) with salicylate had different effects on resistance to local lesion development caused by tobacco necrosis virus (TNV), depending upon the concentration used for treatment. At 1 m , salicylate slightly reduced lesion size but not virus accumulation, while at 3 m it significantly decreased lesion size and virus accumulation. Treatments with 5 m solutions appreciably increased both parameters, but also damaged the leaf tissue.The hypersensitive reaction of the leaves to virus inoculation was accompanied by the accumulation of five host-coded protein bands (VS₀to VS₄). However, three (or more) days after treatment with salicylate at any concentration between 1 and 5 m only one band accumulated and this band appeared to correspond to VS₁. This finding clearly questions the role of the VS₁ protein in limiting the spread and multiplication of TNV.The leaves responded rapidly to treatment with salicylate with stomatal closure, increased K⁺ leakage and ethylene production. These responses are generally considered to be general reactions to stress. None of them however, was correlated with any of the observed changes in TNV infection.     

Effects of Temperature on Infection in Capsicum sp. and Nicotiana benthamiana by Impatiens Necrotic Spot Tospovirus

Infection by two isolates of impatiens necrotic spot tospovirus (INSV) under temperature regimes of 25/18°C (day/night) or 33°C (continuous) was studied in Capsicum annuum (systemically susceptible to tomato spotted wilt tospovirus, TSWV), C. chinense PI 152225 and PI 159236 (reacting hypersensitively to TSWV) and Nicotiana benthamiana (systemically susceptible to both tospoviruses). At 25/18°C infection was systemic in all hosts tested. At 33°C infection in N. benthamiana was systemic whereas in C. annuum and C. chinense it was restricted to the inoculated leaves. The result differed from that reported for TSWV, where high temperature made plants more susceptible, or caused no difference. Exchanging temperature regimes 6h to 4 days after inoculation did not affect the final results one month later, with plants being only locally infected at 33°C continuous regime, or systemically infected at 25/18°C alternate regime. The two INSV isolates were biologically and serologically stable for 5 passages in N. benthamiana held continuously at 33°C.     

Comparison of mass spectrometry-based electronic nose and solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique to assess infant formula oxidation

Two headspace techniques based on mass spectrometry detection (MS), electronic nose, and solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) were evaluated for their ability to differentiate various infant formula powders based on changes of their volatiles upon storage. The electronic nose gave unresolved MS fingerprints of the samples gas phases that were further submitted to principal component analysis (PCA). Such direct MS recording combined to multivariate treatment enabled a rapid differentiation of the infant formulas over a 4 week storage test. Although MS-based electronic nose advantages are its easy-to-use aspect and its meaningful data interpretation obtained with a high throughput (100 samples per 24 h), its greatest disadvantage is that the present compounds could not be identified and quantified. For these reasons, a SPME-GC/MS measurement was also investigated. This technique allowed the identification of saturated aldehydes as the main volatiles present in the headspace of infant milk powders. An isotope dilution assay was further developed to quantitate hexanal as a potential indicator of infant milk powder oxidation. Thus, hexanal content was found to vary from roughly 500 and 3500 microg/kg for relatively non-oxidized and oxidized infant formulas, respectively.     

Flash flood simulation and valve behavior of Mytilus galloprovincialis measured with Hall sensors

Mussels close their shell as a protective strategy and the quantification of this behavioral marker may represent an alarm signal when they are exposed to environmental stressors. In the present study, we investigated the ability of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis to recover and then the resilience or inertia of valve activity after a pulsing exposition to diverse levels of salinity (5, 10, 20, and 35 PSU as reference value). The trial simulated an event of drastic and sudden reduction of seawater salinity thus mimicking an event of flash flood from intense rain. Valve gaping and movements were measured in continuous cycle for 10 days using a customized magneto-electric device which uses Hall sensors. Results showed that under normal conditions of salinity (35 PSU), the general pattern of valve movements was a continuously open state with sporadic spikes indicating a closing motion. At salinity of 5, PSU mussels reacted by closing their valves, leading to a 77% mortality on the 4th day. At salinity of 10, PSU animals were observed with closed valves for the entire duration of the exposure and no mortality occurred, they showed a significant reduction in the valve activity once the reference value of salinity was re-established. In contrast, salinity of 20 PSU did not trigger a significant behavioral response. Interestingly, there no define rhythms of valve movements were recorded during salinity challenges.     

Ocular teratoid medulloepithelioma in a northern red-shouldered macaw: case report and literature review

A 4-mo-old northern red-shouldered macaw (Diopsittaca nobilis) was admitted to the veterinary hospital of the Arruda Câmara Zoo, in the State of Paraiba, Brazil, for investigation of an orbital mass. Given rapid progression and lack of response to treatment, the bird was euthanized, and an autopsy was performed. Histologically, the mass consisted of a retrobulbar invasive tumor characterized by tubular and rosette-like structures, with interspersed heteroplastic tissues, such as aggregates of neuroglial cells and islands of hyaline cartilage. The tumor was immunopositive for pancytokeratin, GFAP, NSE, and S100. These findings were compatible with an ocular teratoid medulloepithelioma, a neoplasm best described in humans but also reported rarely in young cockatiels and African Grey parrots.