Analysis of Doberman Pinscher and Toy Poodle samples with targeted next-generation sequencing.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have enabled the identification of many causal variants of genetic disorders, the development of parentage tests and the analysis of multiple traits in domestic animals. In this study, we evaluated the performance of a Canine Targeted Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) custom panel (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, Ma, USA) in a cohort of 95 dog DNA samples, comprising 76 Doberman Pinschers and 19 Toy Poodles from Argentina. The used panel included 383 targets (228 parentage SNVs, 137 genetic disorder markers and 18 trait markers). While paternity analysis showed correct duo (97.4%; LOD > 2.98E+13) and trio (100%; LOD > 2.20E+15) parentage assignment, the panel resulted still insufficient for excluding close relatives in inbred populations. In this sense, close relatives were wrongly assigned as parents in 12.6% of duos and 0.3% of trios. We detected 17 polymorphic markers (genetic disorders, n = 4; hair type, n = 3; coat color, n = 10) and estimated their allele frequencies in the studied breeds. The accuracy of targeted GBS results were evaluated for three markers that were associated with Progressive rod-cone degeneration, von Willebrand disease type 1 and dilated cardiomyopathy by pyrosequencing and Sanger sequencing genotyping, showing 94-100% concordance among assays. The targeted GBS custom panel resulted cost-effective strategy to study the prevalence of genetic disorders and traits in a large number of samples and to analyze genetic interactions between previously reported variants. Once assays based on AgriSeq technology were standardized, their uses are a good strategy for large-scale routine genetic evaluation of animal populations.

Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic parameters during the normal postpartum period in toy breeds of dogs.

The aim of this study was to evaluate echocardiographic and electrocardiographic parameters during the normal canine postpartum period. Twenty clinically healthy pregnant bitches of toy breeds (11 Miniature poodles, five Yorkshire terriers, two Maltese terriers and two Bichons Frises) were evaluated on days -3, 3, 10, 17, 24, 38, 52 and 80 relative to parturition (day 0). During the first postpartum week, the width of the interventricular septum in systole, the shortening fraction and the left atrium size decreased, while the left ventricle internal diameter in systole and end systolic stress increased. There were progressive decreases in the velocity of circumferential fibre shortening, stroke volume, cardiac output, and mitral E and A wave values. Systolic blood pressure increased markedly during the first postpartum week to gradually increase thereafter. Heart rate and corrected QT interval progressively decreased, while P wave amplitude increased. QRS complex amplitude decreased in the second week after parturition and then increased during the following weeks. In conclusion, there were changes in systolic function and some structural adaptive changes in the bitch during the first 80days postpartum. In addition, maternal heart rate and corrected QT interval decreased, while P wave and QRS amplitudes increased.

[Recommendations for nutritional assessment and specialized nutritional support of critically ill patients]. / Recomendaciones para la valoración nutricional y el soporte nutricional especializado de los pacientes críticos.

Due to the characteristics of critically ill patients, elaborating recommendations on nutritional support for these patients is difficult. Usually the time of onset of nutritional support or its features are not well established, so that its application is based on experts' opinion. In the present document, recommendations formulated by the Metabolism and Nutrition Working Group of the Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC) are presented. Recommendations are based on the literature analysis and further discussion by the working group members in order to define, consensually, the more relevant issues of metabolic and nutritional support of patients in a critical condition. Several clinical situations have been considered which are developed in the following articles of this publication. The present recommendations aim at providing a guideline for the less experienced clinicians when considering the metabolic and nutritional issues of critically ill patients.

[Artificial nutrition in hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus in critically ill patients]. / Nutrición artificial en la hiperglucemia y diabetes mellitus en pacientes críticos.

The need to strictly control glucose levels, even in nondiabetic patients, has recently emerged following the publication of the results that indicate the possibility of reducing the morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Since hyperglycemia is one of the most frequent metabolic impairments in these patients, insulin therapy is a necessity in most of the cases. In order to prevent hyperglycemia and its associated complications, nutritional support must be adjusted to the patient's requirements, avoiding hyponutrition. Whenever possible, nutrients supply should be done through the digestive route. Parenteral nutrition is more often accompanied by hyperglycemia and requires an increase in insulin dosage to control it. There are two types of enteral diets designed to help controlling hyperglycemic conditions: carbohydrates rich diets, and fat rich diets. In general terms, carbohydrates rich diets may be recommended in type 1 diabetic patients who are in a stable condition, and fat rich diets in type 2 diabetes and in stress hyperglycemia. In both cases, the use of low glycemic index carbohydrates is recommended. Protein intake should be adjusted to the patients' metabolic stress level. In diabetic patients with acute disease, an increase in antioxidants intake is recommended.

[Artificial nutrition in hematopoietic stem cells transplantation]. / Nutrición artificial en el trasplante de células precursoras hematopoyéticas.

Patients submitted to hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (HSCT) have an increased risk for having hyponutrition, both in the phase prior to transplantation and after this one. The indication of specialized nutritional support is common in allogenic HSCT, whereas patients submitted to auto-HSCT need it in the presence of complications that compromise an adequate nutrients intake. Enteral nutrition through a nasogastric tube has difficulties in these patients; the presence of mucositis delays the indication for enteral nutrition, which usually is poorly tolerated. Thus, frequently parenteral nutrition needs to be used as the route for nutritional support. The use of specific substrates, such as glutamine, is a controversial issue.

Prognostic factors in patients with IVDA and bacteremia.

The medical records of all the patients with bacteremia and recent use of illicit intravenous drugs admitted to Hospital Universitario Ramón Ruíz Arnau from January 1, 1988 to June 30, 1989 were reviewed. It consisted of 28 records, 21 of which were male patients and 7 females. The mortality rate among these patients was 46%. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen recovered from blood cultures. All the S. aureus were methicillin sensitive. The presence of clinical sepsis, a low Karnofsky performance status at the time of admission and multiorgan abnormalities were the most important prognostic factors that determined outcome in these patients.