Dynamics of Feline Coronavirus and FIP: A Compartmental Modeling Approach.

The investigation of infectious agents invading human and nonhuman populations represents a rich research domain within the framework of mathematical biology, captivating the interest of scientists across various disciplines. In this work, we examine the endemic equilibrium of feline coronavirus and feline infectious peritonitis by using a modified susceptible-infected-susceptible epidemiological model. We incorporate the concept of mutations from FCoV to FIP to enrich our analysis. We establish that the model, when subjected to reasonable parameter ranges, supports an endemic equilibrium wherein the FCoV group dominates. To demonstrate the stability of the equilibria under typical parameters and initial conditions, we employ the model SCF presented by Dobie in 2022 (Dobie, 2022). We ascertain that the equilibrium values reside within the interior domains of stability. Additionally, we displayed perturbed solutions to enhance our understanding. Remarkably, our findings align qualitatively with existing literature, which reports the prevalence of seropositivity to FCoV among stray cats (Tekelioglu et al. 2015, Oguzoglu et al. 2010, Pratelli 2008, Arshad et al. 2004).

Goat hair as a bioindicator of environmental contaminants and adrenal activation during vertical transhumance.

Autochthonous breeds of livestock are considered a pivotal genetic resource for agriculture, rural development, and food and nutrition security. In the Italian Alps, local livestock breeds are maintained using the traditional alpine farming system based on vertical transhumance, with the use of alpine pastures from late spring to autumn and indoor housing with a hay-based diet for the remaining part of the year. Because of their tight link with the territory of origin, local breeds could be used to biomonitor environmental contaminations. Moreover, animal welfare should also be monitored during transhumance in animals, which are exposed to a sudden farming system change and different types of stressors. For these reasons, this investigation hypothesized that the content of trace elements, heavy metals, and cortisol in the hair of goats changes during vertical transhumance, possibly reflecting different dietary contents and activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This study aimed to assess the response of an Italian local goat breed to the change from indoor housing to alpine pasture in summer in terms of hair concentrations of (i) trace elements and heavy metals and (ii) cortisol. The regrown hair of Frisa goats was monthly collected for 2 consecutive years (n = 10 for heavy metals and trace elements and n = 6 for cortisol in 2021, n = 17 for both analyses in 2022), once before vertical transhumance and twice after that event. Hair was then analyzed for trace elements, heavy metals, and cortisol by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometer (ICP-OES) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA), respectively. Data were analyzed by multilevel models. The results showed an increase in As content during alpine pasture (p < 0.01), probably reflecting the soil and water As contents of the grazing area, while Mg, Zn, and Al (p < 0.01) followed the opposite trend, decreasing in the second month after vertical transhumance. Hair cortisol concentrations increased during 2 months of alpine pasture (p < 0.001), indicating an increase in the activation of the HPA axis, in agreement with previous studies. Future investigations can consider a longer study period and the development of ad hoc animal welfare indicators.

Cardiac Troponin I and Electrocardiographic Evaluation in Hospitalized Cats with Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.

Several studies conducted on humans demonstrate the increase in cardiac troponins and the onset of arrhythmias in the course of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). The aim of the current study was to assess the blood concentration of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and electrocardiographic findings in SIRS-affected cats. Seventeen shorthair cats hospitalized with SIRS were enrolled (Group 1). SIRS diagnosis was performed based on the detection of at least two of the four criteria such as abnormal body temperature, abnormal heart rate (i.e., tachycardia or bradycardia), abnormal respiratory rate (i.e., tachypnea or bradypnea), and alterations of white blood cell number (i.e., leukocytes or band neutrophils). Ten cats screened for elective surgery such as neutering or dental procedures were evaluated as a control population (Group 2). They were considered healthy based on history, physical examination, hematological and biochemical profile, urinalysis, coprological exam, thyroxine assay, blood pressure measurement, and echocardiography. A physical examination, complete blood cell count, biochemistry test (including an electrolyte panel), electrocardiographic examination, and cTnI assay were carried out in each cat enrolled. Traumatic events, gastrointestinal, neoplastic, respiratory, and neurological disorders were identified as causes of SIRS in Group 1. In Group 1, a significantly higher concentration of cTnI than that in Group 2 was recorded (p = 0.004). In 37.5% of cats with SIRS, ventricular premature complexes occurring in couplets with multiform configuration were detected. Similarly, to humans, data herein reported would indicate possible cardiac damage present in cats with SIRS diagnosis.

Amounts of tissue magnesium and some trace elements in cats with mammary tumors related to various clinicopathological parameters.

BACKGROUND: Mammary tumors are one of the major malignancies seen in cats. Researchers have indicated the similarity between the epidemiological and clinicopathological patterns of feline mammary tumors and human breast cancer (HBC). In recent years, the investigation of trace elements in cancer tissues becomes prevalent in HBC due to the role of these elements in biochemical and physiological processes. This study, it is aimed to evaluate some trace elements in feline mammary tumors according to clinical and pathological findings. METHODS: A total of 60 tumoral masses from 16 female cats with mammary tumors were included in the study. The study groups were formed according to histopathology as malignant epithelial tumor (MET; n = 39) and hyperplasia and dysplasia (H&D; n = 21). Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Selenium (Se) and Zinc (Zn) trace elements in mammary tissues were analyzed by using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The mean age and weight of the cats were 11.75 ± 0.75 years and 3.35 ± 0.21 kg; respectively. Eleven of 16 cats were intact whereas the rest of them had been spayed. Metastases were observed in 10 cats. Tissue Mg level in group MET was significantly higher than in group H&D (P < 0.01) while the other elements had not significant differences between the groups. In group MET, analyzed elements were not statistically significant related to the inflammation, ulceration and invasion to the peripheral muscle (P > 0.05). However, tissue Fe level was significantly higher in T2 than in T3 (P < 0.05). The mean levels of tissue Fe, Mg and Mn had significant differences related to histological grading as P < 0.01, P < 0.05 and P < 0.001; respectively. A mild to severe correlation was found between tissue Zn and Se, Cu, Fe, Mg, and Mn levels. CONCLUSION: Tissue Mg and some trace elements were evaluated in feline mammary tumours in regard to various clinicopathological parameters. Tissue Mg level was sufficient to differentiate the malignant epithelial tumors from hyperplasia and dysplasia. However, Mn and Se tended to distinguish different tumor types. Tissue Fe, Mg and Mn had significant differences related to histological grading. Also, the Fe level was significantly higher in T2 than in T3 and Zn level tended to be higher in T3 than in T1. It was concluded that Mg, Se, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn provided useful information on the pathogenesis of feline mammary tumors. Further research is needed on the tissue and serum concentrations of trace elements which may provide valuable information for the disease prognosis.

Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) Hair as a Bioindicator for the Environmental Presence of Toxic and Trace Elements.

The return to pasture use as an alternative to intensive livestock farming implies some risks with the lack or the excessive presence of potentially toxic elements; in this regard, wild animals have been used as bioindicators for decades. Thus, the purpose of this study is quantifying Cu, Cr, Mn, Zn, Se, As, Cd, Ni, Pb, Al, Fe, and Mg in fur from roe deer and understanding if it is a valid bioindicator tool. Hair was collected from 39 hunted roe deer and divided by age (<36 months old/≥36 months old), sex (male/female), and area of origin (urbanized/rural area). The mean concentrations of Fe, Mg, Mn, Al, Cr, and Pb were higher (p < 0.05) in the urbanized group; the mean levels of Mg and Cr were higher (p < 0.05) in older animals; and Cu, Fe, Mg, Cd, and Cr showed a higher accumulation in females. Our findings showed an age-related variation of elements, with higher concentrations in adult animals and females. In conclusion, our findings prove that hair is a valid matrix for this type of survey, and wild animals are good bioindicators for monitoring the presence of trace elements in pastures.

Relationships Linking the Element, Bioactive, Hydroxymethylfurfural, Color of Kars Honeys: a Chemometric Approach.

Honey is a natural food substance considered among functional foods due to its positive effect on human health. Quality of honey is significantly influenced by environmental conditions and botanical origin. This study aimed to determine the element content in honey from Kars, Turkey, as well as the bioactive compounds and certain physicochemical and biochemical properties such as hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and color in a chemometric approach. In this study, a total of 41 local honey samples were analyzed. The levels of elements Al, As, B, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Zn, and Pb were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometer (ICP-OES). The mean concentrations of the elements in the samples were identified as 3.09, 0.64, 59.07, 0.02, 0.14, 0.17, 1.76, 9.32, 0.78, and 0.33 µg/g for Al, As, B, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Zn, and Pb, respectively. The mean bioactive compounds of the honey samples were determined as phenolic content (19.74 mg GAE/100 g), flavonoid content (4.47 mg CE/100 mg), and DPPH (49.08% inhibition). The HMF levels of all samples conformed to the honey standards of the Codex Alimentarius and Turkish Food Codex. HMF was not negatively correlated with the other color parameters except for the a* (redness or greenness) value. This study showed that clustering analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) are useful for distinguishing the originality of honey samples by using element content, bioactive properties, HMF, and color and were useful in defining the Kars honey type.

Electrocardiographic Findings and Cardiac Troponin I Assay in Dogs with SIRS Diagnosis.

Several studies performed in humans have demonstrated that the onset of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) represents a high risk condition to develop myocardial damage and arrhythmias. Therefore, we also hypothesized cardiac involment for dogs affected by SIRS. To assess this hypothesis, 24 dogs with a diagnosis of SIRS (13 entire males, 7 entire females, and 4 spayed females) with an age ranging from 4 to 11 years (mean 5.6 years) and an average weight of 24 kg (range from 5 to 47 kg) were enrolled. The dogs were divided into two groups according to their prognosis: Survivors (G1) and not survivors (G2), composed by 13 and 11 dogs, respectively. Moreover, healthy dogs were included as the control group (CTR). All the dogs with a history of cardiac or renal disease were excluded. At the inclusion, each patient underwent a physical examination and a complete cell count, and a biochemistry panel (including electrolyte profile) was performed; moreover, the blood cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) was measured. For each clinical variable indicative of SIRS, a score between 0 (absence) and 1 (presence) was applied. Furthermore, an electrocardiographic examination was recorded. Seventeen out of 24 (70.8%) dogs with SIRS showed arrhythmias, of which n. 6 belonged to the G1, while n. 11 belonged to the G2. Most represented findings were sinus tachycardia (7/17; 41.1%), followed by monomorphic premature ventricular beats (6/17; 35.3%), less common were first-degree atrioventricular block (2/17; 11.7%) and sinus bradycardia 1/17; 5.8%). Notably, in G1 dogs, only sinus tachycardia and premature ventricular beats were observed. G2 dogs presented a number of total and banded leukocytes significantly higher than those of G1 (p = 0.002 and 0.049), in the same manner, the clinical score suggestive of SIRS (3 vs. 2.1) was significantly higher in G2 than in G1 dogs (p = 0.01). Moreover, a significantly higher value of cTnI was observed in the G2 group compared to the G1 group (p = 0.006). Data presented here suggested a cardiac involvement in dogs with SIRS, analogously to humans, that may significantly influence the patient's prognosis.

Antioxidant Status, and Blood Zinc and Copper Concentrations in Dogs with Uncomplicated Babesiosis due to Babesia Canis Infections.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to demonstrate a link between uncomplicated Babesia canis infection in dogs and blood concentrations of zinc and copper and erythrocytic antioxidant defence - activities of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was based on 15 naturally occurring cases of canine babesiosis with anorexia, pyrexia, depression, pale mucous membrane, splenomegaly and dark red urine. Microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smears and the results of PCR confirmed B. canis infection. Seven apparently healthy dogs brought in for either a check-up or vaccination were used for comparison. RESULTS: The levels of the erythrocytic antioxidant enzymes - SOD and CAT - were significantly higher in the infected dogs than in cytologically negative dogs. The levels of blood micronutrients were significantly lower in the infected dogs (0.478 µg of zinc per mL vs 1.241 µg/mL and 0.722 µg of copper per mL vs 1.392 µg/mL). CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress can be posited as one of the mechanisms leading to anaemia in dogs with babesiosis, and therefore antioxidant biomarker and copper and zinc concentrations could be used as indicators of disease severity and prognostic markers.

Evaluation of platelet indices and complete blood count in canine mammary tumors

Malignant mammary tumors in humans and bitches cause hematological disorders such as anemia, erythrocytosis, thrombocytosis, hyperproteinemia, and leucopenia. Novel studies have been conducted on the predictive and prognostic values of platelet (PLT) indices in human breast cancer (HBC). However, there is little information about the alterations in hematological parameters in canine mammary tumors (CMTs). The aims of this study were to evaluate the platelet indices and complete blood count (CBC) parameters in bitches with and without mammary tumor and to assess the above mentioned parameters with regard to histological tumor types and grades. A total of 71 bitches were enrolled in this study. The bitches in the study group were divided into 2 groups which consisted of malignant epithelial mammary tumors (group EMT; n = 43) and malignant mixed mammary tumors (group MMT; n = 12). Control group (group C) consisted of clinically and gynaecologically healthy 16 bitches. Blood samples were obtained to perform the CBC and PLT indices analysis. Histopathological examinations were carried out under a light microscope. Histological tumor types and malignancy grades were classified. The bitches with mammary tumor showed significantly increased PLT values and decreased hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HGB) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) values versus the healthy ones, regardless of the tumor type. However, in comparisons with the group C, mean platelet volume (MPV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values were different only in the group MMT, while plateletcrit (PCT) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) values were different only in the group EMT. Also white blood cell (WBC), PLT and PCT values were higher than the referenced laboratory ranges in grade 3 tumors. In the presented study, MPV was considerably correlated with PLT, platelet distribution width (PDW) and PCT. Also, PCT and PLT had high sensitivity and specificity to distinct EMT and MMT from the healthy bitches. Microcytic and hypochromic anemia occurs due to the decrease in the amount of HGB. Levels of MCV, MCH, and MCHC in the HBC group were reported to be significantly lower than in humans without breast cancer. Although anemia did not occur in EMT and MMT groups, obtained significances in the HCT, HGB, MCV, MCH, and MCHC levels between the bitches with and without mammary tumor were in line with the previous reports. In this study, WBC levels in grade 3 tumors were significantly higher than grade1 tumors (P < 0.05). Whereas levels of WBC in grade 1 and grade 2 tumors were in referenced laboratory ranges, it was higher in grade 3. Increased level of WBC in grade 3 was supposed to be due to the rise in malignancy as previously reported. Thrombocytosis was detected in 48.83% and 41.66% of the bitches in EMT and MMT groups, respectively. The higher percentage of CMTs with thrombocytosis in this study might be due to the difference in referenced upper limit of PLT in previous studies. The elapsed time between tumor formation and clinical presentation could be another influencing factor. Although PLT and PCT values were not significant according to the histological grading in this study, both parameters were found to be higher in grade 3 than the normal reference values. Further studies conducted with higher populations may lead the differences in these parameters to significance. With the support of further studies, alterations in the above mentioned parameters in bitches may contribute in the diagnosis process, management of treatment and may constitute an easy way to have an idea about the prognosis of mammary tumors.(AU)

Measurement of M-mode echocardiographic parameters in healthy adult Van cats.

Cardiomyopathies are the most common type of cardiac diseases in cats. Although some normal echocardiographic values for cats have been published, there are variations based on breeds and gender. The objective of this study is to determine normal reference values for M-mode echocardiographic parameters in nonsedated healthy adult Van cats and to compare those values with data reported for nonsedated healthy cats of other breeds. A total of 40 clinically healthy Van cats of both sexes belonging to the Van Cat Research and Application Center of Yuzuncu Yil University were used. Body weight (BW) and 16 M-mode echocardiographic variables were measured in 40 healthy Van cats. The effect of gender and age on each echocardiographic parameter was analyzed and the relationship between BW and each parameter investigated. There was a significant relationship between gender and left atrial dimension during ventricular systole (LAD) and aortic root dimension at end-diastole (AOD) as well as between BW and interventricular septal thickness at end-diastole (IVSd) and end-systole (IVSs), left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole (LVIDd), left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastole (LVPWd), LAD, AOD, the left ventricular end diastolic volume (EDV) and the stroke volume (SV). A relationship between age and the SV parameter alone was also established. This present study is the first work on cardiac reference values for Van cats highlighting the differences in some M-mode echocardiographic parameters of healthy adult Van cats and other cat breeds, which should be considered when interpreting echocardiographic findings, in order to draw the correct conclusions regarding cardiac health.

M-mode echocardiographic parameters and indices in the normal German shepherd dog.

M-mode echocardiographic measurements were made from 50 healthy German Shepherd dogs (30 males and 20 females). The dogs were awake and unsedated, in right lateral recumbent position. The following parameters were measured on the echocardiographic images: interventricular septal thickness at end-diastole (IVSd), interventricular septal thickness at end-systole (IVSs), left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole (LVIDd), left ventricular internal dimension at end-systole (LVIDs), left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastole (LVPWd), left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-systole (LVPWs), left atrial dimension (LAD), aortic root dimension (AOD), left atrial to aortic root ratio (LAD/AOD), right ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole (RVID), amplitude of mitral valve excursion (DE amplitude), velocity of mitral valve opening (D-E slope), and velocity of mitral valve closure (E-F slope). Fractional shortening (FS) was also calculated. The effect of gender and age on each echocardiographic parameter was analyzed and the relationship between body weight (BW) and each parameter was also investigated. There was a significant relationship between gender and LVPW in systole and diastole and FS. Significant association was also found between BW and IVS, LVID, and LVPW in systole and diastole, FS, LAD, AOD, RVID, DE amplitude, and D-E slope of the mitral valve.