Evaluation of coagulation profile in dogs with ACTH-dependent hyperadrenocorticism compared to healthy dogs by rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM).

Despite their low morbidity, thromboembolic events in hyperadrenocorticism are associated with high mortality. Identifying the main hemostatic abnormalities will improve the prophylactic approach of these canine patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate hemostatic alterations related with ACTH-dependent HAC and its association with hypercoagulable state. For this purpose, 25 dogs diagnosed with ACTH-dependent HAC were compared with 28 healthy dogs as a control group. The hemostatic variables included platelet count, antithrombin, fibrinogen, D-dimer, PT, aPTT, rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) and platelet aggregation. Results showed a hypercoagulable state in 32% (8/25) dogs by ROTEM, which had at least 2 of the next features: decreased coagulation time (CT) or clot formation time (CFT) on INTEM (5/25) or EXTEM (4/25); increased maximum clot firmness (MCF) on INTEM (9/25), EXTEM (6/25) and FIBTEM (9/25). These same variables had a significant difference (P≤ 0.05) compared with the control group, as well as the parameters of α-angle and CT. Median fibrinogen levels (310 vs.178mg/dL), mean platelet aggregation (11.1 vs. 7.9 Ohms), median platelet count (360 vs. 225 ×103/µL) and mean antithrombin activity (140 vs. 119%) were increased in ACTH-dependent HAC dogs compared to control group. PT (7.1 vs. 8.0seconds) and aPTT (11.6 vs. 15.2seconds) were also shortened in ACTH-dependent HAC dogs. Our findings confirm the presence of a hypercoagulable tendency in dogs with HAC. Although multifactorial, fibrinogen concentration and MCF FIBTEM showed the relevance of this protein for hypercoagulability in HAC.

Study of autonomic modulation by non-linear analysis of heart rate variability in different age groups and analysis of health status, disease and risk of death in dogs.

The symbolic analysis of heart rate variability (biomarker of cardiac autonomic homeostasis) is a nonlinear and effective tool for pattern extraction and classification in a series analysis, which implies the transformation of an original time series into symbols, represented by numbers. Autonomic heart rate control is influenced by different factors, and better indicators of heart rate variability are found in healthy young individuals than in older and sicker individuals. The aim of this study was to compare the indicators of heart rate variability among healthy dogs in different age groups and in health status using the nonlinear method of symbolic analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of this method for the risk of death in dogs. An increase in cardiac sympathetic modulation was observed in puppies and dogs at risk of death, which was evidenced by a marked increase of 0 V% (without variation - associated with sympathetic modulation) and a decrease in patterns of 2 V% (two variations - associated with parasympathetic modulation), while the opposite was observed in young adult dogs with increased parasympathetic modulation. Elderly dogs showed a gradual decrease in parasympathetic activity, which tended to worsen with loss of health. It is concluded that the variables of symbolic analysis may be useful to evaluate autonomic modulation in dogs and assist in the differentiation between health states, advanced disease and death throughout the life cycle and have been shown to be indices with high specificity, sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy to help identify dogs at risk of death.

The Brain Metabolic Signature in Superagers Using In Vivo 1H-MRS: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Youthful memory performance in older adults may reflect an underlying resilience to the conventional pathways of aging. Subjects having this unusual characteristic have been recently termed "superagers." This study aimed to explore the significance of imaging biomarkers acquired by 1H-MRS to characterize superagers and to differentiate them from their normal-aging peers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients older than 80 years of age were screened using a detailed neuropsychological protocol, and 25 participants, comprising 12 superagers and 13 age-matched controls, were statistically analyzed. We used state-of-the-art 3T 1H-MR spectroscopy to quantify 18 neurochemicals in the posterior cingulate cortex of our subjects. All 1H-MR spectroscopy data were analyzed using LCModel. Results were further processed using 2 approaches to investigate the technique accuracy: 1) comparison of the average concentration of metabolites estimated with Cramer-Rao lower bounds <20%; and 2) calculation and comparison of the weighted means of metabolites' concentrations. RESULTS: The main finding observed was a higher total N-acetyl aspartate concentration in superagers than in age-matched controls using both approaches (P = .02 and P = .03 for the weighted means), reflecting a positive association of total N-acetyl aspartate with higher cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS: 1H-MR spectroscopy emerges as a promising technique to unravel neurochemical mechanisms related to cognitive aging in vivo and providing a brain metabolic signature in superagers. This may contribute to monitoring future interventional therapies to avoid or postpone the pathologic processes of aging.

A Diagnostic Algorithm for Posterior Fossa Tumors in Children: A Validation Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Primary posterior fossa tumors comprise a large group of neoplasias with variable aggressiveness and short and long-term outcomes. This study aimed to validate the clinical usefulness of a radiologic decision flow chart based on previously published neuroradiologic knowledge for the diagnosis of posterior fossa tumors in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted (from January 2013 to October 2019) at 2 pediatric referral centers, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, United States, and Great Ormond Street Hospital, United Kingdom. Inclusion criteria were younger than 18 years of age and histologically and molecularly confirmed posterior fossa tumors. Subjects with no available preoperative MR imaging and tumors located primarily in the brain stem were excluded. Imaging characteristics of the tumors were evaluated following a predesigned, step-by-step flow chart. Agreement between readers was tested with the Cohen κ, and each diagnosis was analyzed for accuracy. RESULTS: A total of 148 cases were included, with a median age of 3.4 years (interquartile range, 2.1-6.1 years), and a male/female ratio of 1.24. The predesigned flow chart facilitated identification of pilocytic astrocytoma, ependymoma, and medulloblastoma sonic hedgehog tumors with high sensitivity and specificity. On the basis of the results, the flow chart was adjusted so that it would also be able to better discriminate atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors and medulloblastoma groups 3 or 4 (sensitivity = 75%-79%; specificity = 92%-99%). Moreover, our adjusted flow chart was useful in ruling out ependymoma, pilocytic astrocytomas, and medulloblastoma sonic hedgehog tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The modified flow chart offers a structured tool to aid in the adjunct diagnosis of pediatric posterior fossa tumors. Our results also establish a useful starting point for prospective clinical studies and for the development of automated algorithms, which may provide precise and adequate diagnostic tools for these tumors in clinical practice.

Molecular and cellular effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 and LongR3-IGF-1 on in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes: comparative study.

Addition effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and its synthetic analogue insulin-like growth factor-1 recombinant-3 (LongR3-IGF-1) after in vitro maturation (IVM) of cattle cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were compared and evaluated on meiotic progression, apoptosis and profile genes of oocyte competence (GDF9, BMP15, BAX, BCL2, OOSP1, IGFBP2, IGBFP4 and IGFBP5), and their respective cumulus cells (AREG, EGFR, FSHR, COX2, BAX, BCL2, IGFBP2, IGFBP4 and IGFBP5). The 739 COCs (n = 10 pools) of bovine ovaries were collected, selected and matured with IGF-1 (100 ng/mL), LongR3-IGF-1 (100 ng/mL), and in two control groups with 0.1% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), for 22-24 h. The statistical analysis was performed by a linear mixed effects model, ANOVA and Tukey tests. There was no statistical difference between experimental groups taken into account the meiotic progression and apoptosis (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, there were statistical differences (P ≤ 0.05) among FBS, IGF-1 and LongR3-IGF-1 groups for IGFBP4 gene expression, and among PVA, IGF-1 and LongR3-IGF-1 for COX2 gene expression in cumulus cells. Moreover, statistical difference was found for BCL2 gene expression between IGF-1, FBS and PVA groups and for IGFBP4 gene expression between LongR3-IGF-1, PVA and FBS in oocytes. There was no statistical difference between experimental groups for other genes evaluated. These results showed a good performance of IVM of bovine oocytes in the presence of LongR3-IGF-1 and the possibility of replacement of IGF-1 and FBS.

Radiological and osteological study of the pelvic limbs in free-ranging capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris).

This study aimed to describe the radiographic anatomy and osteology and to evaluate angular radiographic measurements-Norberg angle, inclination angle and anteversion angle-of the pelvic limbs in free-ranging capybaras. Twenty cadavers of free-ranging capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), including five adults and 15 subadults, were studied. Ventrodorsal, craniocaudal, dorsoplantar and mediolateral radiographic views of the pelvic limbs were obtained. The radiographic features were described together with bone samples. The hip bone (os coxae), shaped like an isosceles trapezoid, was elongated and narrow with the presence of an oblong obturator foramen, sagittal ilial wing and rectilinear ilial body. The femoral shaft was relatively straight, while the greater trochanter was projected above the femoral head. No sesamoid bones of the gastrocnemius and popliteus muscles were observed radiographically or for those animals used in gross macroscopy. The fibula was located lateral and parallel to the tibia. Eight tarsal bones, four metatarsal bones and three digits were identified. The mean radiographic measurements included Norberg angle of 125.9°; respective angles of femoral inclination by the Hauptman B and Tomlinson methods of 139.9 and 141°; anteversion angle of the femoral head and neck of 29.80°. The bones of the pelvic limbs in capybaras have several anatomical characters and radiological features that are shared with members of the caviomorph superfamily Cavioidea. The radiographic angles measured in this study help characterize the functional morphology of this species.

Imunoistoquímica de útero e cérvice de cadelas com diagnóstico de piometra / Immunohistochemical of the cervix and uterus of bitches diagnosed with pyometra

Analisou-se a piometra de 31 cadelas, de raças e idades variadas, sendo 25 cadelas com piometra de cérvice aberta e seis de cérvice fechada. Após ovariossalpingo-histerectomia, foram coletados fragmentos da cérvice e do útero para a avaliação imunoistoquímica. Foram analisados os receptores de estrógenos α e β, progesterona e colágenos I e III. Foram realizadas imunomarcações em diferentes regiões da cérvice, como o epitélio glandular, o epitélio luminal e o estroma glandular, assim como em diferentes regiões do útero, como o epitélio glandular e o estroma glandular. As imunomarcações de colágenos I e III foram realizadas nas regiões glandular e muscular da cérvice e do útero. Concentrações de receptores de progesterona foram maiores em cadelas com piometra fechada.

The pyometra in 31 bitches of different breeds and ages, 25 with pyometra cervix open and 6 closed cervix was analyzed. After the ovariohysterectomy procedure, samples were collected from the cervix and uterus to evaluate immunohistochemistry. For immunohistochemical evaluation estrogen receptors α and β, progesterone and collagen I and III were analyzed. Immunostainings were performed in different regions of the cervix such as glandular epithelium, luminal epithelium and glandular stroma, as well as in different regions of the uterus, such as glandular epithelium and glandular stroma. The immunostainings for collagen I and III were performed in muscular and glandular regions of the cervix and uterus. The concentration the progesterone receptors were elevated in bitches from the closed pyometra.

Goniometric measurements of the forelimb and hindlimb joints in sheep.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate angle-of-motion values for the forelimb and hindlimb in clinically healthy adult Santa Ines sheep by means of a standard goniometer. METHODS: Twenty female Santa Ines sheep, ranging in age between three- to six-years-old, and weighing 32-45 kg (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 30.4 ± 3.7) were used. A standard transparent plastic goniometer was used to measure passive maximum flexion, maximum extension, and range-of-motion (ROM) of the shoulder, elbow, carpal, hip, stifle, and tarsal joints in the right and left limbs. The goniometric measurements were done with the sheep awake and in a standing position. The measurements were made in triplicate by two independent investigators. RESULTS: In all evaluated joints, there was no significant difference either between the means of the two sides or between measurements performed by the two investigators. The mean ± SD values of the measurements (degrees) were as follows: 20 ± 1 (flexion), 170 ± 2 (extension), and 150 ± 2 (ROM) for the carpal joint; 34 ± 4 (flexion), 145 ± 6 (extension), and 110 ± 4 (ROM) for the elbow joint; 88 ± 2 (flexion), 144 ± 6 (extension), and 56 ± 5 (ROM) for shoulder joint; 35 ± 4 (flexion), 163 ± 3 (extension), and 129 ± 4 (ROM) for tarsal joint; 46 ± 4 (flexion), 146 ± 6 (extension), and 100 ± 4 (ROM) for the stifle joint; 54 ± 3 (flexion), 143 ± 7 (extension), and 89 ± 5 (ROM) for the hip joint. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The data obtained provide useful and objective information on the joints. More studies are necessary using other sheep breeds.

Immune response and performance of growing Santa Ines lambs to artificial Trichostrongylus colubriformis infections.

This study was carried out to evaluate the immune response and the impact of Trichostrongylus colubriformis infections on the performance of growing Santa Ines lambs. Thirty male lambs, 3-4 months of age, were maintained in individual pens and restrictively randomised by weight into 3 treatment groups: (1) infected group, artificially infected with 2500 T. colubriformis larvae, three times a week, for 13 weeks, and fed ad libitum; (2) Pair-Fed Group, non-infected and fed with the same amount of food consumed by the infected animal of the same class on the previous day; and (3) control group, non-infected and fed ad libitum. Refused feed was weighed daily to assess the food intake of each lamb. Animals were weighed weekly and blood and fecal samples were collected. At the end of the trial, all lambs were euthanized to determine worm burden and collect intestinal tissues and mucus samples for histological and immunological analysis. The infected group presented eosinophilia, increased number of inflammatory cells in the mucosa, in addition to an increased production of specific immunoglobulins against T. colubriformis, which partially prevented the establishment of infective larvae. As a consequence of parasitism, the infected lambs presented reduced serum albumin concentrations and demonstrated severe small intestine lesions, such as villous atrophy and epithelial erosion, which impaired the digestion and absorption of nutrients, causing a significant loss in performance. The infected group presented a 37% reduction in daily weight gain (107.26 ± 10.8 g/day), when compared with the control group (171.07 ± 7.15 g/day). The infected lambs also demonstrated the worst food conversion, i.e., each animal needed to consume on average 10.05 ± 0.52 kg of food to gain 1 kg live weight. The voluntary hay intake depression in infected animals was small, and statistical difference (P<0.01) was seen only on two occasions (ninth and 12th weeks), in comparison with the control group. In conclusion, Santa Ines lambs infected with T. colubriformis demonstrated a reduction in performance, caused by the damages produced by the adult nematodes in intestinal mucosa, and also by the immunopathological changes associated with the infection.