Hepatozoon canis in hunting dogs from Southern Italy: distribution and risk factors.

Hepatozoon canis is a hemoprotozoan organism that infects domestic and wild carnivores throughout much of Europe. The parasite is mainly transmitted through the ingestion of infected ticks containing mature oocysts. The aims of the present survey were to determine the prevalence of H. canis in hunting dogs living in Southern Italy and to assess potential infection risk factors. DNA extracted from whole blood samples, collected from 1433 apparently healthy dogs living in the Napoli, Avellino, and Salerno provinces of Campania region (Southern Italy), was tested by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay to amplify H. canis. Furthermore, the investigated dog population was also screened by qPCR for the presence of Ehrlichia canis, a major tick-borne pathogen in Southern Italy, in order to assess possible co-infections. Two hundred dogs were H. canis PCR-positive, resulting in an overall prevalence of 14.0% (CI 12.2-15.9). Breed category (P < 0.0001), hair coat length (P = 0.015), and province of residence (P < 0.0001) represented significant risk factors for H. canis infection. The presence of H. canis DNA was also significantly associated with E. canis PCR positivity (P < 0.0001). Hunting dogs in Campania region (Southern Italy) are frequently exposed to H. canis, and the infection is potentially associated with close contact with wildlife. Further studies are needed to assess the pathogenic potential of H. canis, as well as the epidemiological relationships between hunting dogs and wild animal populations sharing the same habitats in Southern Italy.

Detecting seasonal variation of antifreeze protein distribution in Rhagium mordax using immunofluorescence and high resolution microscopy.

Larvae of the blackspotted pliers support beetle, Rhagium mordax, were collected monthly, for the duration of 2012 and fixed. The larvae were embedded in paraffin wax and sectioned. Using fluorophore-coupled antibodies specific to the R. mordax antifreeze protein, RmAFP1, sections were visualised with UV reflected light microscopy. An automated software analysis method was developed in order to discard autofluorescence, and quantify fluorescence from bound antibodies. The results show that R. mordax cuticle and gut exhibit a higher degree of fluorophore-bound fluorescence during summer, than in the cold months. It is hypothesised that R. mordax stores RmAFP1 in, or near, the fat body during times when freeze avoidance is not needed.

An open source cryostage and software analysis method for detection of antifreeze activity.

The aim of this study is to provide the reader with a simple setup that can detect antifreeze proteins (AFP) by inhibition of ice recrystallisation in very small sample sizes. This includes an open source cryostage, a method for preparing and loading samples as well as a software analysis method. The entire setup was tested using hyperactive AFP from the cerambycid beetle, Rhagium mordax. Samples containing AFP were compared to buffer samples, and the results are visualised as crystal radius evolution over time and in absolute change over 30 min. Statistical analysis showed that samples containing AFP could reliably be told apart from controls after only two minutes of recrystallisation. The goal of providing a fast, cheap and easy method for detecting antifreeze proteins in solution was met, and further development of the system can be followed at https://github.com/pechano/cryostage.

Measurements of echocardiographic indices and biomarkers of kidney injury in dogs with chronic kidney disease.

Pathophysiological cardiac and renal interactions are termed cardiovascular-renal disorder (CvRD). Cardiovascular disease/dysfunction secondary to kidney disease (CvRDK), is a leading cause of death in human chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The presence and clinical impact of CvRDK in dogs with CKD is unknown. We hypothesized that echocardiographic measurements, and cardiac and renal biomarkers, will be altered in dogs with CKD and associated with survival. Eleven dogs with CKD (n = 6 IRIS stage 2, n = 5 IRIS stage 3) and without primary cardiac disease, plus 12 healthy age-matched control dogs, were recruited to this prospective observational study. Dogs underwent standard echocardiography, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation by iohexol clearance, and measurement of plasma cardiac troponin I and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), plasma and urinary cystatin B, and urinary clusterin and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). Values were compared between groups, and their association with all-cause mortality explored. Dogs with CKD had significantly lower GFR and higher NT-proBNP, urinary cystatin B, clusterin, and NGAL, compared to controls (P < 0.05). Echocardiographic measurements were similar between dogs with CKD and controls. Median follow-up time was 666 days, during which six dogs with CKD died. Risk of death was associated with increasing age, serum total protein, and normalized left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWDN) and decreasing bodyweight and packed cell volume. Although baseline differences in echocardiographic measurements were not evident between dogs with moderate CKD and controls, the presence of CvRDK was suggested by the association between LVPWDN and survival.

Distribution and risk factors of canine haemotropic mycoplasmas in hunting dogs from southern Italy.

Mycoplasma haemocanis (Mhc) and "Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum" (CMhp) are the main haemoplasma species known to infect dogs. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of haemoplasma species infections in hunting dogs from southern Italy and assess related risk factors. 1,433 hunting dogs living in Campania region were tested by qPCR assay. The prevalence was 19.9 %; 13.1 % for Mhc and 11.4 % for CMhp; 4.6 % showed a coinfection with both haemoplasma species. Statistical analysis revealed living in Salerno province (Mhc: OR 3.72; CMhp: OR 2.74), hound (Mhc: OR 5.26; CMhp: OR 8.46) and mixed breed (Mhc: OR 3.38; CMhp: OR 2.80), rural environment (Mhc: OR 12.58; CMhp: OR 10.38), wild mammal hunting (Mhc: OR 8.73; CMhp: OR 8.32), cohabitation with other animals (Mhc: OR 2.82; CMhp: OR 2.78) and large pack size (Mhc: OR 2.96; CMhp: OR 1.61) as risk factors for haemoplasmas. Male gender (OR 1.44) and tick infestation history (OR 1.40) represented risk factors only for Mhc, while adult age (2-7 years - OR 2.01; > 7 years - OR 1.84) and large body size (OR 1.48) were associated only to CMhp. Mhc infection was significantly associated to Babesia vogeli (p < 0.05) and Hepatozoon canis (p < 0.001), while CMhp with H. canis (p < 0.001). This study adds information on haemoplasma species distribution in hunting dogs in southern Italy. Outdoor lifestyle and contact with wild fauna, through greater exposure to tick infestation, or possibly wounds acquired during hunting or fighting, could be factors contributing to haemoplasma infections.

Infrared spectroscopy and elastic properties of nanocrystalline Mg-Mn ferrites prepared by co-precipitation technique.

Nanoparticles having particle size in the range 25-40 nm for compositions x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.5 of Mg(x)Mn(1-x)Fe2O4 spinel ferrite system have been prepared by chemical co-precipitation route. The microstructure, infrared spectral and elastic properties have been studied by means of energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopic (IR) measurements, before (W) and after high temperature annealing A(w). The force constants for tetrahedral and octahedral sites determined by infrared spectral analysis, lattice constant and X-ray density values by X-ray diffraction pattern analysis; have been used to calculate elastic constants. The magnitude of force constant and elastic moduli for nanocrystalline W-samples are found to be larger as compared to coarse grained A(w)-samples. The results have been explained in the light of redistribution of cations and as a result change in mean ionic charge for such cationic sites, elastic energy and grain size reduction effect of Nanoparticles.

Field evaluation of the efficacy and safety of emodepside/praziquantel spot-on solution against naturally acquired nematode and cestode infections in domestic cats.

Two controlled, blinded and randomized multi-site clinical field studies evaluated the efficacy and safety of emodepside/praziquantel spot-on in the treatment of gastrointestinal nematode and cestode infections in cats. In a study conducted in Europe, faecal egg count reductions of >98% for all nematode eggs and eggs of Toxocara cati, respectively, were observed in cats treated with emodepside/praziquantel spot-on (Profender, Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany). For a positive-control product containing selamectin (Stronghold) reductions of >95% were observed. A 100% reduction of faecal eggs and proglottids was observed in cats treated with emodepside/praziquantel spot-on that were infected with cestodes. In a study conducted in North America, cats were treated with either emodepside/praziquantel spot-on plus a placebo tablet or a combination of two control products containing, respectively, selamectin (Revolution) and epsiprantel (Cestex). Faecal egg count reduction for eggs of T. cati was >99% for both treatments. For faecal eggs and proglottids of Dipylidium caninum reductions of >99 and >97% were recorded for cats treated with emodepside/praziquantel spot-on and the control group, respectively. No adverse reactions were observed in the European study, and only mild ones of short duration in a few cats from both treatment groups of the North American study. The two studies demonstrated that emodepside/praziquantel spot-on is highly efficacious and safe under field conditions.

Evaluation of the efficacy of emodepside plus praziquantel topical solution against ascarid infections (Toxocara cati or Toxascaris leonina) in cats.

Eleven controlled studies were conducted in the United States and Europe to evaluate the efficacy of a topical solution of emodepside (3 mg/kg)+praziquantel (12 mg/kg) (Profender, Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany) against infection with various stages of the ascarid nematodes Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina. Infections were induced by administration of larvated ascarid eggs, and stage-specific efficacy was evaluated by treating cats at scheduled intervals post-inoculation. All studies featured random allocation to treatment groups, placebo-treated control animals and assessment of outcome measures by masked personnel. The product (emodepside+praziquantel topical solution) was 100% effective against mature adults and immature adult T. cati. In addition, it was 96.8% effective against third stage larvae and at least 99.4% effective against fourth stage larvae of T. cati, respectively. Efficacy against mature, immature adult and L4 stages of T. leonina exceeded 93.4%, but regulatory "adequacy of infection" criteria were not met in some studies. No adverse reactions to treatment were noted in cats treated with the emodepside+praziquantel topical solution.

Efficacy of a topically administered combination of emodepside and praziquantel against mature and immature Ancylostoma tubaeforme in domestic cats.

This paper reports the efficacy of emodepside/praziquantel spot-on (Profender), Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany), a novel broad-spectrum anthelmintic for dermal application, against L4 larvae and immature adult and adult stages of Ancylostoma tubaeforme in cats. The formulation contains 2.14% (w/w) emodepside and 8.58% (w/v) praziquantel, with emodepside being active against gastrointestinal nematodes and praziquantel against cestodes. Five randomized, blinded and controlled laboratory studies demonstrated 100% efficacy of emodepside/praziquantel spot-on against mature A. tubaeforme and an efficacy of >95% and >97%, respectively, against L4 larvae and immature adults (based on worm counts after necropsy) at approximately the minimum proposed dose rate in cats of 3.0 mg emodepside and 12.0 mg praziquantel/kg body weight. No adverse reactions to the treatment were observed. It is concluded that emodepside/praziquantel spot-on is an effective and safe treatment against infections with mature and immature A. tubaeforme. Emodepside/praziquantel spot-on will considerably facilitate the treatment of cats against nematodes and cestodes compared with orally administered preparations.

Evaluation of the efficacy of emodepside+praziquantel topical solution against cestode (Dipylidium caninum, Taenia taeniaeformis, and Echinococcus multilocularis) infections in cats.

Emodepside+praziquantel topical solution was developed to provide broad-spectrum anthelmintic activity against gastrointestinal parasites in cats. Eight controlled studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a topical solution of emodepside (3 mg/kg) and praziquantel (12 mg/kg) (Profender, BayerAG, Leverkusen, Germany) against feline infections with three species of cestodes. Studies featured naturally acquired infections of Dipylidium caninum or Taenia taeniaeformis, or experimental infections with Echinococcus multilocularis that were placebo-controlled, randomized and blinded. Cats were euthanatized and necropsied between 2 and 11 days after treatment, depending on the target parasite. The efficacy of emodepside+praziquantel topical solution was 100% against D. caninum and T. taeniaeformis, and 98.5- 100% against E. multilocularis. No significant systemic or local adverse reactions to treatment were noted in cats that received the combination. Topical treatment of cats with emodepside+praziquantel topical solution was safe and highly effective against cestode infections.

Serum digoxin and empiric methods in identification of digitoxicity.

A prospective study of consecutive patients admitted to a medical service was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of cardiac digitalis toxicity and the relative diagnostic values of serum digoxin versus an empiric method, based on calculations of digoxin dose in relation to kidney function and body weight. Of 711 patients admitted, 109 were treated with digitalis on admission. Sixteen of the patients developed cardiac arrhythmias consistent with digitalis intoxication. Five of these, none with serum digoxin above 1.6 ng/ml, were not toxic. The remaining eleven patients, all with serum digoxin levels above 1.6 ng/ml, were either definitely or possibly toxic. A similar borderline between intoxicated and nonintoxicated patients could not be established on the basis of calculations based on body weight and renal function. In all cases in which suspicion of digitalis intoxication was raised, serum digoxin measurements could discriminate between the toxic and the nontoxic patients.

Interactions between digoxin and potassium-sparing diuretics.

A kinetic and hemodynamic study of digoxin was performed in six healthy subjects and similar studies were performed during digoxin with spironolactone and with triamterene. Spironolactone reduced renal tubular secretion of digoxin and attenuated its positive inotropic effect (evaluated by systolic time intervals and echocardiography) and triamterene reduced the extrarenal elimination of digoxin, but induced no changes in digoxin-elicited inotrophy. It is suggested that the renal handling of digoxin is influenced by the intracellular potassium concentration in the renal tubular cell. The results indicate a drug-receptor interaction between spironolactone metabolites and digoxin at the hypothetical inotropic digitalis receptor. Amiloride has been reported to suppress digoxin inotropism, whereas spironolactone induces minor inhibition and triamterene does not affect digoxin inotropism.

Reduction of digoxin-induced inotropism during quinidine administration.

A kinetic and dynamic study of digoxin was performed in 6 healthy subjects, and repeated in the same subjects after administration of quinidine for 1 wk. Myocardial performance evaluated by systolic time intervals increased in parallel with plasma digoxin concentration, whereas left ventricular end-diastolic diameter on echocardiography and arterial blood pressure remained constant. The positive inotropic effect of digoxin was abolished during concomitant treatment with quinidine. Quinidine has been reported to increase the risk of digitoxicity, and therefore the treatment with digoxin and quinidine in combination should be reconsidered.

Amiloride-induced changes in digoxin dynamics and kinetics: abolition of digoxin-induced inotropism with amiloride.

Digoxin dynamics and kinetics were studied in six healthy subjects with and without amiloride. Amiloride increased mean renal digoxin clearance from 1.3 to 2.4 ml . kg-1 . min-1 (p less than 0.001) due to increased tubular secretion of digoxin, while the glomerular filtration rate was unchanged. This might be caused by an increase in intracellular potassium concentration in the tubular cells provoked by amiloride. In contrast, the extrarenal clearance of digoxin was almost blocked by amiloride; it fell from a mean of 2.1 to 0.2 ml . kg-1 . min-1 (p less than 0.025). Total body clearance tended to fall, but the decrease was not statistically significant. EValuation of myocardial contractility by systolic time intervals revealed a concentration-response relationship between digoxin and changes in preejection period index when digoxin was given alone (rs = 0.750, p less than 0.001). Pretreatment with amiloride abolished this relationship (rs = 0.307, p = NS). Blood pressure and echocardiographically determined left ventricular end-diastolic diameter measurements indicated no changes in the left ventricular post- and preload. It is concluded that amiloride suppressed digoxin-induced inotropism.

Can superoxide organic chemistry be observed within the liposomal bilayer?

--2-(Dimethylamino) fluorene (1a) and 5-benzoyloxy-2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethylporphyrin (4) react with superoxide anion radical (generated from KO2/18-crown-6 polyether) in aprotic media. Yet, when incorporated into the lipid bilayer of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine liposomes, these two substrates are inert to superoxide, generated enzymatically (xanthine oxidase/acetaldehyde) or radiolytically (60Co or 137Cs source/formate solution). On the other hand, 7-acetoxy-4-methylcoumarin (6), which reacts with superoxide in aprotic media yielding the corresponding 4-methylumbelliferone (7), also gives the same product when incorporated within the liposomal bilayer and reacted with radiolytically or enzymatically generated superoxide. In the latter case, the reaction is inhibited by SOD. NMR studies indicate that in contradistinction to the highly lipophilic 1a and 4, which presumably lie well within the lipid bilayer, 7 lies in a highly polar region of the bilayer. These results suggest that superoxide anion does not penetrate deep into the liposomal bilayer; nevertheless, superoxide reactions can, indeed, be observed, provided the active site of the substrate lies at or near the lipid-water interface.

Cost-benefit analysis of pharmacologic erection program (PEP) versus penile prosthesis.

We compared the current dollar inclusive costs of the two most commonly implanted penile prostheses with our pharmacologic erection program (PEP). The inclusive cost of implantation for the inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) is $9,000 and for the malleable penile prosthesis (MPP) $3,150. The inclusive cost of PEP at maximal dose and maximal frequency of use over a five-year period is $3,450. Penile prosthesis was found to be more cost-effective for the long-term treatment of younger impotent men, whereas in the elderly group the use of PEP over a limited time span may be equally or more cost-effective.

Simultaneous microsurgical vasal reconstruction and varicocele ligation: safety profile and outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Simultaneous varicocele ligation and vasal reconstruction has previously been avoided because of concern regarding testicular devascularization. This study sought to investigate the safety of a simultaneous combined approach in the hands of an experienced microsurgeon. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of the records of 47 men who underwent vasal reconstruction, 10 (21%) of whom had simultaneous ligation of a clinically palpable varicocele. Specific attention was focused on the development of postoperative testicular atrophy and hydrocele and the analysis of postoperative semen parameters. RESULTS: No patient developed postoperative testicular atrophy or hydrocele. No statistically significant difference existed in postoperative seminal parameters between those patients who had vasal reconstruction alone and those who had a combined procedure. CONCLUSIONS: In the hands of an experienced microsurgeon, simultaneous vasal reconstruction and varicocele ligation is a management strategy that has an excellent safety profile. This approach is not recommended for the occasional microsurgeon.

Effect of level of anastomosis and quality of intraepididymal sperm on the outcome of end-to-side epididymovasostomy.

OBJECTIVES: Epididymovasostomy is commonly performed at the most distal site of the epididymis where whole sperm are present within the lumen, regardless of their motility status. Although more fresh and motile sperm can be found more proximally within the epididymis, it is believed that the outcome of epididymovasostomy is better more distally. Because the current results of epididymovasostomy are far from perfect, it would be ideal to be able to harvest motile sperm for cryopreservation at the time of surgery in case the patient remains azoospermic postoperatively. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the level of epididymal anastomosis and quality of sperm on the outcome of surgery. METHODS: An end-to-side epididymovasostomy was performed on 131 azoospermic men with a mean age of 39 years and a mean obstructive interval of 18 years. The etiology of obstruction was vasectomy in 48%, infectious in 19%, congenital in 20%, and unknown in 13%. The average duration of follow-up was 32 months. The overall patency rate was 67% and pregnancy rate was 27%. Subgroups of patients with an anastomosis to the same level of the epididymis on all functional sides were identified as follows: caput (56), corpus (28), and cauda (13). These groups were compared in regard to the presence of motile sperm within the epididymal lumen at the time of surgery, patency rates, postoperative semen quality, and pregnancy rates. RESULTS: Motile sperm were present more often in both the caput (54%) and corpus (61%) than in the cauda epididymis (25%) (P < 0.05). The patency rates for the three subgroups were not significantly different. The postoperative total motile sperm count and pregnancy rate for the corpus epididymis (13 x 10(6) and 45%) was significantly (P < 0.05) better than for the caput (4.4 x 10(6) and 22%) but no different than that of the cauda (10 x 10(6) and 23%). The patency and pregnancy rates for anastomoses performed at levels demonstrating motile sperm were not significantly better than at sites with nonmotile sperm, but the postoperative total motile sperm count was better (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the outcomes of epididymovasostomy to the corpus and cauda epididymis are roughly equivalent and superior to the caput. Therefore, it may be reasonable to move more proximally from the cauda to corpus in the search for motile sperm for cryopreservation during an end-to-side epididymovasostomy. In contrast, moving from the corpus to the caput epididymis has a significant adverse effect upon outcome; it is, therefore, not worthwhile to search for viable sperm for cryopreservation in this clinical setting.

Variation in sperm penetration assay related to viral illness.

Semen specimens from a single pregnancy-proven fertile donor were evaluated in the SPA on a weekly basis over a 4-month period that included a febrile viral illness. This report documents the time course for recovery of decreased sperm density and decreased egg-penetrating ability of human sperm after a febrile viral illness. Observations from these data suggest that egg penetration ability monitored in the SPA is acquired in the testicle during early to midspermiogenesis. This finding contrasts with the more commonly held belief that fertilization capabilities are acquired during epididymal transit.

Retroperitoneal mobilization of the vas deferens in the complex vasovasostomy.

Anatomic distances along retroperitoneal, inguinal, and infrainguinal segments of the vas deferens were measured in 14 formalin fixed cadavers and in 15 recently postmortem males. There were no significant differences in segment lengths between the two groups nor between the right and left vasa. Data from the recent postmortem group reveals a mean length of 5.83 +/- .65 cm to be gained from retroperitoneal mobilization of the vas deferens. This information is important to surgical decisions in cases of microsurgical repair of obstructive azoospermia resulting from damage to the inguinal segment of the vas deferens. Data on other vasal segment lengths is beneficial for planning repair in other complex cases of obstructive azoospermia as well.