Survival of 4 dogs with persistent atrial standstill treated by pacemaker implantation

Pacemakers were implanted in 4 client-owned female dogs which had persistent atrial standstill. Three dogs were alive after 14 to 39 months and 1 dog was euthanized after 10.5 years. This report demonstrates that some dogs with persistent atrial standstill can survive for extended time periods.     

Outcome of and complications associated with prophylactic percutaneous laser disk ablation in dogs with thoracolumbar disk disease: 277 cases (1992-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To determine outcome of and complications associated with prophylactic percutaneous laser disk ablation in dogs with thoracolumbar disk disease. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 277 dogs. PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs with a history of thoracolumbar disk disease in which the 7 intervertebral disks from T10-11 through L3-4 were ablated with a holmium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser inserted through percutaneously placed needles were reviewed. Complications and episodes of a recurrence of neurologic signs (eg, paresis or paralysis) were recorded. Owners were contacted by telephone for follow-up information. RESULTS: Nine of 262 (3.4%) dogs for which follow-up information was available had a recurrence of paresis or paralysis. Follow-up time ranged from 1 to 85 months (mean, 15 months); signs recurred between 3 and 52 months (mean, 15.1 months) after laser disk ablation. Acute complications occurred in 5 dogs and included mild pneumothorax in 1 dog, an abscess at a needle insertion site in 1 dog, and proprioceptive deficits in 3 dogs, 1 of which required hemilaminectomy within 1 week because of progression and severity of neurologic signs. One dog developed diskospondylitis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that prophylactic percutaneous laser disk ablation is associated with few complications and may reduce the risk of recurrence of signs of intervertebral disk disease in dogs.     

Influence of dietary cobalt source and concentration on performance, vitamin B12 status, and ruminal and plasma metabolites in growing and finishing steers

Sixty Angus steers, averaging 274 kg, were used to evaluate the effects of Co source and concentration on performance, vitamin B12 status, and metabolic characteristics of steers. Treatments consisted of 0 (control, analyzed 0.04 mg Co/kg), 0.05, 0.10, and 1.0 mg of supplemental Co/kg of DM from CoCO3 or 0.05 and 0.10 mg of supplemental Co/kg of DM from Co propionate. Steers were individually fed a growing diet for 56 d followed by a high-concentrate finishing diet. Performance was not affected by Co supplementation during the growing phase. During the finishing phase, ADFI (DM basis) and ADG were higher (P < 0.05) for the entire finishing phase, and gain:feed was higher (P < 0.10) over the first 56 d for Co-supplemented steers. Steers supplemented with 0.10 mg Co/kg as Co propionate had higher (P < 0.05) ruminal propionate and lower (P < 0.05) acetate molar proportions than steers receiving 0.10 Co/kg as CoCO3 during the growing phase. Supplemental Co increased (P < 0.10) molar proportion of propionate during the finishing phase. Plasma vitamin B12 was higher (P < 0.05) in Co-supplemented steers by d 56 of the growing phase and remained higher (P < 0.10) throughout the study. Control steers had higher (P < 0.05) plasma methylmalonic acid on d 56 of the growing phase and on d 28, 56, and 112 of the finishing phase than steers receiving supplemental Co. Steers supplemented with Co had higher plasma glucose at d 56 (P < 0.01), 84 (P < 0.10), and 112 (P < 0.01) of the finishing phase. Steers supplemented with 0.10 mg Co/kg as Co propionate had higher plasma glucose than those receiving 0.10 mg Co/kg as CoCO3 at d 28 of the growing phase (P < 0.05) and d 28 of the finishing phase (P < 0.10). Final body weight and hot carcass weight were lower (P < 0.10) in steers receiving the control diet, whereas other carcass characteristics were not affected by dietary Co. Average daily gain and feed efficiency for the entire finishing phase did not differ among Co-supplemented steers. However, increasing supplemental Co above 0.05 mg/kg DM (total diet Co = 0.09 mg/kg) resulted in increased (P < 0.01) plasma (linear) and liver (quadratic) vitamin B12 concentrations and decreased (quadratic, P < 0.10) plasma methylmalonic acid concentrations toward the end of the finishing phase. These results suggest that finishing steers require approximately 0.15 mg Co/kg of DM. Vitamin B12 status was not affected by Co source; however, the two Co sources seemed to affect certain metabolites differently.     

Reducing endogenous tau ameliorates amyloid beta-induced deficits in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model

Many potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease target amyloid-beta peptides (Abeta), which are widely presumed to cause the disease. The microtubule-associated protein tau is also involved in the disease, but it is unclear whether treatments aimed at tau could block Abeta-induced cognitive impairments. Here, we found that reducing endogenous tau levels prevented behavioral deficits in transgenic mice expressing human amyloid precursor protein, without altering their high Abeta levels. Tau reduction also protected both transgenic and nontransgenic mice against excitotoxicity. Thus, tau reduction can block Abeta- and excitotoxin-induced neuronal dysfunction and may represent an effective strategy for treating Alzheimer's disease and related conditions.     

Rice bran fermented with saccharomyces boulardii generates novel metabolite profiles with bioactivity

Emerging evidence supporting chronic disease fighting properties of rice bran has advanced the development of stabilized rice bran for human use as a functional food and dietary supplement. A global and targeted metabolomic investigation of stabilized rice bran fermented with Saccharomyces boulardii was performed in three rice varieties. Metabolites from S. boulardii-fermented rice bran were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and assessed for bioactivity compared to nonfermented rice bran in normal and malignant lymphocytes. Global metabolite profiling revealed significant differences in the metabolome that led to discovery of candidate compounds modulated by S. boulardii fermentation. Fermented rice bran extracts from three rice varieties reduced growth of human B lymphomas compared to each variety's nonfermented control and revealed that fermentation differentially altered bioactive compounds. These data support that integration of global and targeted metabolite analysis can be utilized for assessing health properties of rice bran phytochemicals that are enhanced by yeast fermentation and that differ across rice varieties.     

Evaluation of initial plasma lactate values as a predictor of gastric necrosis and initial and subsequent plasma lactate values as a predictor of survival in dogs with gastric dilatation‐volvulus: 84 dogs (2003–2007)

Objective – To test whether an initial plasma lactate≥6.0 mmol/L is associated with the presence of macroscopic gastric wall necrosis and overall survival in dogs presenting with gastric dilatation‐volvulus (GDV). Additionally, if no association was identified we sought to identify a different predictive initial plasma lactate concentration and to examine whether serial plasma lactate concentrations provide better prediction of survival. Design – Retrospective study over a 5‐year period (2003–2007). Setting – Urban private referral small animal teaching hospital. Animals – Eighty‐four client‐owned dogs with a diagnosis of GDV and plasma lactate measurements. Interventions – None. Measurements and Main Results – There was no statistically significant relationship found between survival and the presence of macroscopic gastric wall necrosis with the initial plasma lactate≥6 mmol/L. There was a significant relationship between the initial plasma lactate >2.9 mmol/L for predicting necrosis and <4.1 mmol/L for predicting survival to discharge. Forty dogs that had an increased initial plasma lactate (>2.5 mmol/L) also had a subsequent plasma lactate measured within 12 hours of presentation, with 37/40 dogs surviving and 70% of these surviving dogs having the subsequent lactate decrease by≥50% within 12 hours. The 3/40 that died failed to decrease their plasma lactate by≥50% from the initial blood lactate. Conclusion – The results of this study indicate that an initial presenting plasma lactate concentration≥6.0 mmol/L is not predictive of macroscopic gastric wall necrosis or survival in dogs presenting with GDV. A decrease in plasma lactate concentrations≥50% within 12 hours may be a good indicator for survival. Limitations to the study include its retrospective nature, the small number of patients, and the number of dogs that were euthanized rather than allowed to progress to a natural outcome.     

Feline periocular peripheral nerve sheath tumor: a case series

The objective of this retrospective study was to describe signalment, clinical presentation, surgical treatment, outcome, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical characteristics of periocular peripheral nerve sheath tumor in a series of cats. Six cats with a histologic diagnosis of peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the eyelid and/or conjunctiva were identified from 3997 feline ocular histopathologic submissions to the Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin between 1976 and 2002. Medical records were reviewed and data were collected for signalment, eye affected, location, duration, and history of tumor recurrence. Ancillary diagnostic tests, surgical approach, and histopathology were also described. Special stains and immunohistochemistry panels were performed on the tissue. Follow-up information was obtained through telecommunications with the owner and local veterinarian. The mean age of the cats was 8 years (range: 5-15 years). There was an equal distribution of males and females. Breeds represented were two Domestic Long-haired (DLH) cats, three Domestic Short-haired (DSH) cats, and one Manx. The right eye was affected in four cats and the left eye in two cats. The superior eyelid was affected in four cats, the superior conjunctiva in two cats, and the inferior eyelid in one cat. All of the cats that underwent surgical excision, cryoablation, or laser ablation had an average of three recurrences of the tumor. Four of six cats undergoing wide excision with enucleation, exenteration or rhomboid flap had no recurrence of the tumor. Histomorphologically, all of the tumors were of spindle cell type with five of six tumors showing histologic features of Antoni type B tissue. All six tumors stained positive for vimentin. Five of six tumors stained positive for S-100 and laminin. All six tumors were negative for smooth muscle actin. Definitive histologic diagnoses of spindle cell tumors can be difficult. The presence of Antoni A and B histologic patterns as well as immunohistochemical reactivity for vimentin, S-100, and laminin suggest a diagnosis of peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Our findings suggest that local aggressive recurrence is common and that wide surgical excision combined with enucleation or exenteration may be indicated.