Changes in renal parameters and their association with subclinical vector-borne infections in Bernese Mountain dogs.

BACKGROUND: An increased risk for glomerulonephritis and a higher prevalence of antibodies to Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi sensu lato have been reported in Bernese mountain dogs (BMDs). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of laboratory abnormalities suggestive of kidney disease in clinically healthy BMDs compared to a control population and to investigate if there is a correlation with the occurrence of antibodies to B. burgdorferi sensu lato, Ehrlichia canis, and Anaplasma (A.) spp. and with the occurrence of Dirofilaria (D.) immitis antigen. A total of 197 BMDs and 57 control dogs were included in the study. Laboratory evidence of kidney disease was defined as renal azotemia and/or proteinuria with a urine protein creatinine ration of more than 0.5 in an inactive urine sediment. A SNAP®4Dx® ELISA (IDEXX, Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME, USA) was used to detect antibodies to B. burgdorferi sensu lato, E. canis and Anaplasma spp. and antigen of D. immitis. RESULTS: Laboratory evidence of kidney disease was significantly more common in BMDs than in control dogs (17.8% versus 1.8%) (p = 0.005). The proportion of BMDs with anti-B. burgdorferi sensu latu antibodies and anti-A. phagocytophilum antibodies was significantly higher in BMDs (p <  0.001). However, an association between these findings could not be identified. CONCLUSION: BMDs are more often affected by kidney disease and have a higher prevalence of antibodies to bacterial pathogens transmitted by Ixodes ticks than control dogs. However, a causal relationship between these two variables could not be established due to a lack of association between these two findings.

[Outcome of selective mating in the Entlebucher Mountain Dog for reduction of ureteral ectopia]. / Ergebnis der selektiven Verpaarung beim Entlebucher Sennenhund zur Reduktion der ureteralen Ektopie.

INTRODUCTION: The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is predisposed to ureteral ectopia and associated diseases of the urinary tract as well as the kidneys, which can have severe to lethal consequences. Due to the clustered occurrence of clinical signs in 11 % of Entlebucher Mountain dogs in the absence of a genetic test for ureteral ectopia, screening was introduced in 2008 to allow phenotype-based breeding selection. The ureteral orifices of the dogs are visualized by ultrasound and existing urinary retention or urinary incontinence is documented. The diagnostic findings were evaluated centrally with assignment to one of five phenotypes depending on the localization of the ureteral orifices and the renal and ureteral shape. Breeding approval and mating restrictions are the responsibility of the respective breeding associations and predominantly Entlebucher Mountain Dogs with extravesical ectopic ureters and/or clinical signs were excluded from breeding. The effect of phenotype-based selective mating on the incidence of ureteral ectopia and its clinical signs, as well as possible factors influencing the expression of the phenotype, were determined in the birth cohorts after the introduction of screening. Analysis of the data set of 1456 phenotyped Entlebucher Mountain Dogs showed, that at 11 % versus 5 %, males were more frequently assigned to the extravesical phenotype than females. The effect of phenotype-based breeding selection was examined in a subpopulation consisting of phenotyped parents and their offspring (n = 876). The prevalence of the extravesical phenotype decreased from 24 % in the 2005 to 2007 birth cohorts to 1,4 % in the 2015 to 2017 birth cohorts. Since 2015 almost no Entlebucher Mountain Dogs with incontinence, hydroureter or hydronephrosis have been recorded. It was feared that the additional selection measures to control ureteral ectopia in the small Entlebucher Mountain Dog population would intensify the inbreeding increase. However, this has so far remained absent. Therefore, as long as no genetic test is available, it is recommended to continue phenotype-based breeding selection with exclusion of dogs with extravesical ureteral ectopia and/or hydroureter/hydronephrosis/urinary incontinence, while keeping an eye on the development of the inbreeding coefficient.

INTRODUCTION: Le Bouvier de l'Entlebuch est prédisposé à l'ectopie urétérale et aux maladies associées des voies urinaires ainsi que des reins, ce qui peut entraîner des conséquences fatales. En raison de l'apparition de signes cliniques chez 11 % des chiens et en l'absence d'un test génétique pour l'ectopie urétérale, un dépistage a été introduit en 2008 pour permettre une sélection d'élevage basée sur le phénotype. Les orifices urétraux des chiens ont été visualisés par échographie et la rétention ou l'incontinence urinaire existante documentée. Les résultats du diagnostic ont été évalués de manière centralisée avec attribution à l'un des cinq phénotypes en fonction de la localisation des orifices urétéraux ainsi que de la forme des reins et des uretères. L'approbation pour la reproduction et les restrictions d'accouplement relèvent de la responsabilité des associations d'élevage respectives et les bouviers de l'Entlebuch présentant des uretères ectopiques extravésicaux et/ou des signes cliniques ont majoritairement été exclus de la reproduction. L'effet de cet accouplement sélectif basé sur le phénotype sur l'incidence de l'ectopie urétérale et de ses signes cliniques ainsi que les facteurs possibles influençant l'expression du phénotype ont été déterminés dans les cohortes de naissance après l'introduction du dépistage. L'analyse de l'ensemble des données de 1456 Bouviers de l'Entlebuch phénotypés a montré que, à 11 % contre 5 %, les mâles étaient plus fréquemment affectés au phénotype extravésical que les femelles. L'effet de la sélection d'élevage basée sur le phénotype a été examiné dans une sous-population composée de parents phénotypés et de leur progéniture (n = 876). La prévalence du phénotype extravésical est passée de 24 % dans les cohortes de naissance de 2005 à 2007 à 1,4 % dans les cohortes de naissance de 2015 à 2017. Depuis 2015, presque aucun bouvier d'Entlebuch présentant une incontinence, un hydrouretère ou une hydronéphrose n'a été enregistré. Une possible augmentation de la consanguinité due aux mesures de sélection supplémentaires visant à contrôler l'ectopie urétérale ne s'est pas produite. Par conséquent, tant qu'aucun test génétique n'est disponible, il est recommandé de poursuivre la sélection d'élevage basée sur le phénotype avec exclusion des chiens présentant une ectopie urétérale extravésicale et/ou une hydrouretère/hydronéphrose/incontinence urinaire, tout en surveillant l'évolution du coefficient de consanguinité.

Diffusion tensor imaging in acquired blind humans.

Retinal implants as a future possible therapy of blindness rely on an intact neural transmission from the retina to the primary visual cortex. By now it remains unknown, in how far the absence of afferent input in blindness affects also the organization of the optic radiation. Using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), the non-invasive evaluation of large fiber tracts including the optic radiation has become possible. This method is sensitive to changes of the axonal state such as wallerian degeneration. We have compared DTI data from 6 acquired blind patients with those of a group of 11 healthy control subjects. Neither the relative anisotropy quotient of the visual fiber tract and the pyramidal tract showed a statistically significant difference between the blind patients and the control group nor did the absolute values of the relative anisotropy in the pyramidal tract and the visual fiber tract. There was no axonal degeneration of the optic radiation in late onset acquired blindness. With the optic pathways remaining intact, transmitting electric signals of retinal implants to the visual regions of the human brain seems to be possible even after decades of acquired blindness.

Urinary cytologic changes after radiotherapy of renal transplants.

Significant changes in the urinary cellular pattern can be attributed to renal allograft radiation, as distinct from those associated with immunologic rejection of the transplated kidney. These changes consist of nuclear multiplicity, wrinkling of the nuclear membrane, a "coffee bean" appearance of the nucleus, and increase in nuclear size, areas of decreased density and vacuolation of the cytoplasm, and perinuclear halos. The severity of the changes was categorized as "mild", "moderate", or "marked", according to the number of the above changes which were present, and was more evident in cells of transitional epithelial origin than of tubular origin. Some correlation was found between the severity of the cellular radiation changes and the survival time of the kidney.

Exfoliative cytology in the diagnosis of immunologic rejection in the transplanted kidney.

Urinary cytology was used in the study of 57 patients who received renal allografts. In general, there was close correlation between the cytologic and clinical evidence of rejection and, at least in some instances, rejection was detected cytologically prior to the onset of clinical signs and symptoms. A cytologic profile associated with rejection was established. This had as its main feature an increased number of tubular cells, particularly those that were small and degenerating. An associated background of cellular debris and casts was found to be of major significance. Intranuclear inclusions suggestive of viral infections were present in 15 patients. Cellular atypias caused by factors other than immunologic rejection were seen but none were of a malignant nature. It was considered of importance that the method described in this study could be carried out in a routine diagnostic cytopathology laboratory by cytotechnologists and cytopathologists who had received only a brief period of special training in the field of transplant cytology.

[Acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea as a presenting sign in a dog with primary hypoadrenocorticism]. / Akuter blutiger Durchfall als Vorstellungsgrund bei einem Hund mit primärem Hypoadrenokortizismus.

A 7-year-old male castrated mixed breed dog was presented because of acute haemorrhagic vomiting and watery haemorrhagic diarrhoea. According to clinical signs, nonspecific clinicopathological abnormalities, normal electrolytes and a rapid improvement with fluid therapy, haemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) was suspected. One month later the dog was represented with weakness and electrolyte changes characteristic for typical hypoadrenocorticism (hyperkalaemia and hyponatraemia) were found. The tentative diagnosis was confirmed using an ACTH stimulation test. This case report highlights that dogs with hypoadrenocorticism may be presented with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea. Electrolyte changes characteristic for hypoadrenocorticism may not be present in case of gastrointestinal potassium loss because of vomiting and diarrhoea. To rule out hypoadrenocorticism, a basal cortisol measurement should be performed in every dog with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea of unknown cause.

Carbonate apatite nephrolithiasis associated with Corynebacterium urealyticum urinary tract infection in a dog.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections caused by Corynebacterium urealyticum are uncommon in veterinary medicine. Encrusted cystitis, encrusted pyelitis and uroliths have been described as complications in humans, but only encrusted cystitis and cystoliths have been reported in dogs so far. Because C. urealyticum is usually resistant to all standard antibacterial drugs, antimicrobial treatment and elimination of this microorganism are challenging. CASE REPORT: An 11-month-old female spayed mixed-breed dog was evaluated because of a C. urealyticum urinary tract infection, mineralisation within both renal pelvises and failure of antimicrobial treatment. Physical examination, haematology and biochemistry were unremarkable. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations confirmed bilateral nephrolithiasis. Voided uroliths were composed of 100% carbonate apatite. Urinalysis was indicative of bacterial infection. Aerobic culture of the urine and 16S rRNA sequencing identified significant growth of C. urealyticum and susceptibility testing revealed sensitivity to only vancomycin and linezolid. CONCLUSION: Treatment with the oxazolidinone antibacterial, linezolid, in combination with a urine-acidifying diet resulted in elimination of this multiresistant microorganism and complete resolution of nephrolithiasis.

Feline lower urinary tract disease in a German cat population. A retrospective analysis of demographic data, causes and clinical signs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate epidemiologic data, clinical signs, results of urinalysis and causes of lower urinary tract disease in a German veterinary hospital population of cats and to determine if the demographic data, history, clinical signs and urinalysis results correlate with a particular etiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cats presented with signs of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) with a documented history and physical examination, a complete urinalysis (urine specific gravity, urine dipstick and sediment, urine culture) of urine obtained by cystocentesis or catheterization, and diagnostic imaging of the urinary tract were included into the study. Cats that had received a previous treatment during the same episode of FLUTD were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 302 cats were included into the study. Cats with FLUTD presented throughout the seasons with similar frequency. The most common diagnosis was feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) (55.0%), followed by bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) (18.9%), urethral plug (10.3%) and urolithiasis (7.0%). Urethral obstruction was significantly more frequent in cats with FIC than in cats with UTI. Cats with FIC and urethral plugs were significantly younger and had significantly higher body weights than cats with UTI and neoplasia. FIC and urethral plugs were significantly more common causes of FLUTD in cats younger than 10 years compared to cats that were 10 years or older (65.2% versus [vs.] 35.8% and 13.3% vs. 3.0%), while the incidences of UTI and neoplasia increased with age (12.9% vs. 41.8% and 1.0% vs. 13.4%). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: FIC and UTI are the most common diagnoses in cats with FLUTD, with a significant age-related difference in incidence.

Follow-up protein profiles in urine samples during the course of obstructive feline idiopathic cystitis.

Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is a common lower urinary tract disorder in cats, which often recurs. Published reports document increased urine fibronectin and thioredoxin concentrations in cats with FIC compared with healthy control cats. Therefore, these proteins might be of interest in the pathophysiology of FIC. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate variations in these urine proteins throughout the course of FIC by assessing their concentrations in urine specimens from cats with a history of obstructive FIC. Urine total protein (TP) was measured using the Bradford assay, while urine fibronectin and thioredoxin concentrations were determined by Western blot analysis. Urine TP was significantly higher in cats with obstructive FIC at presentation (day 0) than in healthy control cats (P<0.01). There were significant decreases in urine TP in cats with obstructive FIC after 3 months (P<0.01). Significantly higher urine fibronectin (P<0.01) and thioredoxin (P<0.05) concentrations were demonstrated in cats with FIC at day 0 compared to control cats, but there was no significant change over time (P>0.05). Increased concentrations of these proteins over time might reflect ongoing structural and pathological alterations to functional processes in the urinary bladders of cats with obstructive FIC.

Fractional Fourier transformer of variable order based on a modular lens system.

The fractional Fourier transform is a new topic in optics. To make use of the fractional Fourier transform as an experimental tool, I design a fractional Fourier transformer of variable order: I introduce a lens system that is able to perform equidistant fractional Fourier transforms that cover the whole range of orders and that consist of a minimum number of modules. By module, I mean an elementary fractional Fourier transform of certain order that consists of a lens between two free-space lengths. Because of the commutative additivity of the transform, various fractional orders can be achieved by means of different constellations of the modules. It is possible to perform a large variety of fractional Fourier transforms with a small number of modules.

Profilometry by phase-shifted Talbot images.

We introduce a profilometry sensor that combines phase shifting with a Talbot self-image of a sinusoidal grating as the illumination part of the sensor. Contrast of the Talbot diffraction pattern produced with a sinusoidal grating in a diverging beam is theoretically discussed and verified experimentally. The mathematical relationship that is used to convert the phase measured with this sensor to the corresponding relief of an object is derived in the Appendix. A ceramic former used in the production of lenses was profiled with this sensor, and measurement results are presented.

Fractional Fourier transform used for a lens-design problem.

The fractional Fourier transform has been used in optics so far for wave propagation and for signal processing. Now we show that this new transform can also be helpful for lens design, especially for specifying a lens cascade.

Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm applied in the fractional Fourier or the Fresnel domain.

The Gerchberg-Saxton (G-S) algorithm is a well-known procedure used in various optical implementations. One of its most common applications is beam shaping of an input plane. In that application the desired beam shape is obtained in the Fourier plane. We propose an algorithm in which the desired shape is obtained in the fractional Fourier or the Fresnel domain. Computer simulations illustrate that the newly defined algorithm can reduce the error between the theoretically desired shape and the actual output by 30 times over the conventional G-S algorithm.

Fractional correlation operation: performance analysis.

The fractional correlation is a new tool related to the fractional Fourier transform. It is useful for comparison and recognition, especially for shift-variant cases. The performances of such a correlator are analyzed according to the standard criteria of signal-to-noise ratio, correlation sharpness (peak-to-correlation energy), and Horner efficiency. The conclusions are that the performance is object dependent and that for nonwhite noise, compared with the conventional correlator, improved performances are possible. In addition we show that for a white-noise spectrum the fractional correlation has performances similar to the conventional correlator.

Fractional-Fourier-transform calculation through the fast-Fourier-transform algorithm.

A method for the calculation of the fractional Fourier transform (FRT) by means of the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm is presented. The process involves mainly two FFT's in cascade; thus the process has the same complexity as this algorithm. The method is valid for fractional orders varying from -1 to 1. Scaling factors for the FRT and Fresnel diffraction when calculated through the FFT are discussed.

Fresnel ping-pong algorithm for two-plane computer-generated hologram display.

Image formation of three-dimensional objects suffers from out-of-focus noise if the light is coherent. Nevertheless, it is possible to generate two noiseless image intensities (I(A)and I(B)) at two depth locations by means of a single computer hologram. The phases related to I(A) and I(B) provide design freedom. To accomplish this goal, we use a ping-pong algorithm that bounces back and fourth between the two planes. Our ping-pong algorithm is the fourth member of a family of algorithms. The first member is known as the Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm. Basic considerations and experimental results are presented. Details of the algorithm are explained in Appendix A.

Laser triangulation: fundamental uncertainty in distance measurement.

We discuss the uncertainty limit in distance sensing by laser triangulation. The uncertainty in distance measurement of laser triangulation sensors and other coherent sensors is limited by speckle noise. Speckle arises because of the coherent illumination in combination with rough surfaces. A minimum limit on the distance uncertainty is derived through speckle statistics. This uncertainty is a function of wavelength, observation aperture, and speckle contrast in the spot image. Surprisingly, it is the same distance uncertainty that we obtained from a single-photon experiment and from Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. Experiments confirm the theory. An uncertainty principle connecting lateral resolution and distance uncertainty is introduced. Design criteria for a sensor with minimum distanc uncertainty are determined: small temporal coherence, small spatial coherence, a large observation aperture.

Optical illustration of a varied fractional Fourier-transform order and the Radon-Wigner display.

Based on an all-optical system, a display of a fractional Fourier transform with many fractional orders is proposed. Because digital image-processing terminology is used, this display is known as the Radon-Wigner transform. It enables new aspects for signal analysis that are related to time- and spatial-frequency analyses. The given approach for producing this display starts with a one-dimensional input signal although the output signal contains two dimensions. The optical setup for obtaining the fractional Fourier transform was adapted to include only fixed free-space propagation distances and variable lenses. With a set of two multifacet composite holograms, the Radon-Wigner display has been demonstrated experimentally.

Chirp filtering in the fractional Fourier domain.

In the Wigner domain of a one-dimensional function, a certain chirp term represents a rotated line delta function. On the other hand, a fractional Fourier transform (FRT) can be associated with a rotation of the Wigner-distribution function by an angle connected with the FRT order. Thus with the FRT tool a chirp and a delta function can be transformed one into the other. Taking the chirp as additive noise, the FRT is used for filtering the line delta function in the appropriate fractional Fourier domain. Experimental filtering results for a Gaussian input function, which is modulated by an additive chirp noise, are shown. Excellent agreement between experiments and computer simulations is achieved.