Fluorescein sodium-guided resection of intracranial lesions in 22 dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety of an intraoperative fluorescein sodium (FS) injection and elucidate the relationships between the MRI findings, pathological diagnoses, and intraoperative staining characteristics of intracranial lesions in 22 dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series. ANIMALS: Twenty-two dogs with intracranial lesions. METHODS: FS was intravenously administered to 22 dogs undergoing craniotomy for suspected intracranial tumors to evaluate perioperative and postoperative adverse effects. The intensities and patterns of gadolinium (Gd) enhancement on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and intraoperative FS staining were graded, and their relationship was evaluated. Intraoperative FS staining characteristics and pathological diagnoses were compared. RESULTS: The only adverse effect noted was repetitive vomiting in 2 dogs. The intensities and patterns between preoperative Gd enhancement and intraoperative FS staining appeared to agree. High-grade glioma and histiocytic sarcoma had more intense FS staining. Lesions with strong Gd enhancement, including meningiomas and choroid plexus tumors, also had intense FS staining. CONCLUSION: The intraoperative use of FS is a simple and safe technique to guide the resection of intracranial lesions in dogs. The findings on Gd enhancement, FS staining, and histopathology appeared to agree but require validation in a larger set of cases. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The intraoperative use of FS may improve the prognosis of dogs with brain tumors by guiding the resection of lesions.

Selection of broad-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli in the feces of healthy dogs after administration of first-generation cephalosporins.

Although antimicrobial products are essential for treating diseases caused by bacteria, antimicrobial treatment selects for antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of administration of first-generation cephalosporins on development of resistant Escherichia coli in dog feces. The proportions of cephalexin (LEX)-resistant E. coli in fecal samples of three healthy dogs treated i.v. with cefazolin before castration and then orally with LEX for 3 days post-operation (PO) were examined using DHL agar with or without LEX (50 µg/mL). LEX-resistant E. coli were found within 3 days PO, accounted for 100% of all identified E. coli 3-5 days PO in all dogs, and were predominantly found until 12 days PO. LEX-resistant E. coli isolates on DHL agar containing LEX were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) genotyping, ß-lactamase typing and plasmid profiling. All isolates tested exhibited cefotaxime (CTX) resistance (CTX minimal inhibitory concentration ≥4 µg/mL). Seven PFGE profiles were classified into five groups and three ß-lactamase combinations (blaCMY-4 -blaTEM-1 , blaTEM-1 -blaCTX-M-15 and blaTEM-1 -blaCTX-M-15 -blaCMY-4 ). All isolates exhibited identical PFGE profiles in all dogs on four days PO and subsequently showed divergent PFGE profiles. Our results indicate there are two selection periods for AMR bacteria resulting from the use of antimicrobials. Thus, continuing hygiene practices are necessary to prevent AMR bacteria transfer via dog feces after antimicrobial administration.

Intravenous infusion of amino acids in dogs attenuates hypothermia during anaesthesia and stimulates insulin secretion.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of intravenous infusion of amino acids on the prevention of hypothermia during anaesthesia in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized experimental trial. ANIMALS: Seven healthy Beagle dogs. METHODS: Four concentrations of amino acids were prepared with a 10% amino acid solution and an acetated Ringer's solution, and dogs were infused with each of the solutions at 1 week intervals. Dogs were infused with amino acid solution at 12 mL kg(-1)  hour(-1) for 60 minutes before and for 60 minutes after induction of anaesthesia. Acetated Ringer's solution was infused at the same rate for the remaining 60 minutes of anaesthesia. The infusion treatments were: 1) A0, nutrient-free acetated Ringer's solution; 2) A6, 0.6 g kg(-1)  hour(-1) ; 3) A9, 0.9 g kg(-1)  hour(-1) ; and 4) A12, 1.2 g kg(-1) hour(-1) . Rectal temperature (RT), heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), blood insulin, glucose, urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine concentrations, and time to extubation were measured. RESULTS: Before anaesthesia, RT was not affected by amino acid infusion. RT decreased progressively during anaesthesia and the absolute values of RT from 30 to 120 minutes were significantly higher in A12 than in A0 (p < 0.05). Reductions in HR and MAP during anaesthesia were attenuated by amino acid infusion in a dose-dependent manner. Plasma insulin concentration was significantly higher in A12 than in A0 during amino acid infusion and the increase in insulin concentration was greater during than before anaesthesia. BUN increased during amino acid infusion in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Time until extubation was shorter in A12 than in A0. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Amino acids infused at 1.2 g kg(-1)  hour(-1) in dogs attenuated the decrease in RT, HR, and MAP during anaesthesia, and induced a significant increase in plasma insulin concentration.

Involvement of nuclear factor of activated T cells in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor production in canine keratinocytes stimulated with a cysteine protease.

BACKGROUND: A previous study demonstrated that the cysteine protease of Dermatophagoides farinae induced production of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in a canine epidermal keratinocyte progenitor cell line (CPEK); however, the molecular mechanism has not been elucidated. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Given that the transcription of GM-CSF mRNA in human lymphocytes is mainly regulated by the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), it is hypothesized that NFAT also contributes to GM-CSF production in canine keratinocytes stimulated with a cysteine protease. METHODS: Nuclear translocation of NFAT was evaluated in CPEK cells in the absence or presence of the cysteine protease papain. We also investigated whether blockade of NFAT could inhibit GM-CSF production. RESULTS: Papain-induced nuclear translocation of NFAT, producing GM-CSF, was partly inhibited by ciclosporin. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The results suggest that GM-CSF production mediated by the cysteine protease is regulated not only by NFAT but also by unknown signalling pathways in canine keratinocytes.

Urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein in two dogs with acquired Fanconi syndrome: A case report.

Background: Fanconi syndrome (FS) is defined as multiple defects of the proximal tubules and is diagnosed by clinical symptoms. However, in dogs with FS, the damage in the proximal tubules that is responsible for the clinical symptoms has not been evaluated. Among FS cases, tubular damage in acquired FS is reversible following the elimination of a causative factor. Liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) is a biomarker of tubular damage in various animals including dogs. Urinary L-FABP measurement may be useful for the diagnosis and follow-up evaluation in canine FS. Case Description: At the first visit, two Toy Poodles that had no remarkable findings on physical examination presented with glycosuria without hyperglycemia, hypokalemia, hyperchloremia, increased levels of plasma alkaline phosphatase, and metabolic acidosis. Considering all the factors involved, the dogs were clinically diagnosed with acquired FS. The owner reported that they routinely fed the dog with chicken jerky, a recently considered cause of acquired FS. Following the withdrawal of the jerky, abnormalities including glycosuria improved in both dogs. Moreover, urinary L-FABP levels, which were high at diagnosis, presented a decreasing trend during the follow-up. However, in one dog, the elevated urinary L-FABP level did not return to normal. Conclusion: Although the clinical symptoms of acquired FS in dogs could be improved by the elimination of a causative factor, the severity of tubular damage described by urinary L-FABP may not be necessarily linked to the degree of functional deterioration. Therefore, the evaluation of proximal tubular damage by L-FABP may be of clinical value during the follow-up of acquired FS in canines.

Human Muse cells reduce myocardial infarct size and improve cardiac function without causing arrythmias in a swine model of acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: We recently reported that multilineage-differentiating stress enduring (Muse) cells intravenously administered after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), selectively engrafted to the infarct area, spontaneously differentiated into cardiomyocytes and vessels, reduced the infarct size, improved the left ventricular (LV) function and remodeling in rabbits. We aimed to clarify the efficiency of Muse cells in a larger animal AMI model of mini-pigs using a semi-clinical grade human Muse cell product. METHOD AND RESULT: Mini-pigs underwent 30 min of coronary artery occlusion followed by 2 weeks of reperfusion. Semi-clinical grade human Muse cell product (1x107, Muse group, n = 5) or saline (Vehicle group, n = 7) were intravenously administered at 24 h after reperfusion. The infarct size, LV function and remodeling were evaluated by echocardiography. Arrhythmias were evaluated by an implantable loop recorder. The infarct size was significantly smaller in the Muse group (10.5±3.3%) than in the Vehicle group (21.0±2.0%). Both the LV ejection fraction and fractional shortening were significantly greater in the Muse group than in the Vehicle group. The LV end-systolic and end-diastolic dimensions were significantly smaller in the Muse group than in the Vehicle group. Human Muse cells homed into the infarct border area and expressed cardiac troponin I and vascular endothelial CD31. No arrhythmias and no blood test abnormality were observed. CONCLUSION: Muse cell product might be promising for AMI therapy based on the efficiency and safety in a mini-pig AMI.

Effect of recombinant canine interferon-γ on granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, transforming growth factor-ß and CC chemokine ligand 17 mRNA transcription in a canine keratinocyte cell line (CPEK).

Recombinant canine interferon-γ (rCaIFN-γ) produced by a baculovirus expression system has therapeutic efficacy against atopic dermatitis in dogs. Although the mechanism of action of rCaIFN-γ is not completely understood, rCaIFN-γ is thought to downregulate the activity of interleukin-4- and interleukin-5-producing T helper 2 cells. However, rCaIFN-γ may also act directly on canine keratinocytes by inhibiting the release of inflammatory mediators. In this study, we investigated the effects of rCaIFN-γ on cytokine and chemokine mRNA transcription in a canine keratinocyte cell line, CPEK. It was found that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) mRNA transcription was significantly inhibited after treatment with rCaIFN-γ (P<0.001), whereas transforming growth factor-ß and CC chemokine ligand 17 mRNA levels were unchanged. This study suggests that rCaIFN-γ may suppress GM-CSF production from canine keratinocytes, although further studies are required to confirm this.

Factors influencing the processing of visual information from non-verbal communications.

AIMS: This paper examines the relationship between observational behavior and the observers' result assumptions, using a contained diagram that includes significant non-verbal information, such as gestures. The ability of care workers to assess a patient's mental status on the basis of non-verbal information would be considered an important skill necessary to understanding patient condition. METHODS: One hundred and eleven subjects were asked to take a test exploring two types of psychological status, and their eye movements were monitored during testing. Path analysis was used to examine the relationships among eye movements, individual personalities, and test results. RESULTS: In stimulus 1, the neuroticism of the personality was determined. In stimulus 2, openness was determined in the range of eye movement. There is a relationship between the total length of eye fixation time and the answer time at the eye fixation point. Although there was no significant influence found in stimulus 1, the openness still tended to influence the eye fixation point. CONCLUSIONS: The eye fixation point increased among those people with high openness scores. It was theorized that they attempted to obtain information from the stimulus being provided.

Antimicrobial susceptibility and methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. coagulans isolated from dogs with pyoderma in Japan.

To understand species distribution, trends of antimicrobial susceptibility and prevalence of methicillin resistance in canine staphylococci in Japan, 190 coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS) were isolated from dogs with pyoderma in 2 Japanese veterinary referral hospitals. Using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) method, two CoPS species were identified: 170 Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (89.5%) and 20 S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans isolates (10.5%). In these isolates, susceptibility to 7 antimicrobial agents was determined. Overall, the levels of susceptibility to cefalexin (CEX), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (CVA/AMPC), minocycline (MINO), ofloxacin (OFLX), norfloxacin (NFLX), lincomycin (LCM) and clindamycin (CLDM) in S. pseudintermedius isolates were 38.2, 52.4, 34.7, 31.2, 34.1, 1.2 and 11.2%, respectively. In S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans isolates, 55% demonstrated susceptibility to CEX, 80% to CVA/AMPC, 70% to MINO, 45% to OFLX or NFLX and 30% to CLDM. None of S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans isolates was susceptible to LCM. To determine the prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains, we used a PCR method, which enabled detection of the fragment of mecA gene in 66.5% (113 of 170) in S. pseudintermedius and 30.0% (6 of 20) in S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans isolates. The frequencies of susceptibility to CEX, CVA/AMPC, OFLX, NFLX and CLDM were significantly lower in methicillin-resistant CoPS than in methicillin-susceptible CoPS isolates. These data suggest a high level of methicillin resistance in staphylococci isolated from dogs with pyoderma in Japan.

Efficacy of a surgical scrub including 2% chlorhexidine acetate for canine superficial pyoderma.

The clinical efficacy of a surgical scrub containing 2% chlorhexidine acetate (2CA; Nolvasan® Surgical Scrub; Fort Dodge Animal Health, USA) was evaluated for the topical management of canine superficial pyoderma. The first study was a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. The control was a shampoo containing 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (4CG; Skin Clinic Shampoo; CHD MEDICS, Goyang, Korea). Ten dogs with symmetrical lesions of canine superficial pyoderma were allocated to receive either 2CA or the control shampoo applied to either side of the body twice weekly for 1 week. Both the owners and the investigators subjectively scored skin lesions including pruritus, erythema, crusted papules and scales on a scale of 0-3. The 2CA and 4CG resulted in almost the same degree of improvement of skin lesions, and there were no significant differences between the two groups. The second study was an open trial of 2CA monotherapy in eight dogs with cefalexin-resistant Staphylococcus intermedius group-associated superficial pyoderma. The 2CA monotherapy was applied every 2 days for 2 weeks. Five dogs improved with 2CA monotherapy, one partially improved and two did not. No adverse reactions were seen in either trial. This suggests that a 2CA surgical scrub could be a useful and safe topical adjunct therapy for dogs with superficial pyoderma involving cefalexin-resistant Staphylococcus intermedius group.

Molecular cloning of canine protease-activated receptor-2 and its expression in normal dog tissues and atopic skin lesions.

Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) belongs to a new G protein-coupled receptor subfamily and is activated by serine proteases. PAR-2 has been demonstrated to play an important role in inflammation and immune response in allergic diseases. In this study, we cloned canine PAR-2 cDNA from the canine kidney by RT-PCR. The canine PAR-2 clone contained a full-length open reading frame encoding 397 amino acids that had 84% and 80% homology with human and mouse homologues, respectively. Canine PAR-2 mRNA was detected in the heart, lung, liver, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, colon, kidney, adrenal gland, spleen, thyroid gland, thymus, skeletal muscle, lymph node, fat and skin of three healthy dogs. The expression pattern of PAR-2 mRNA in canine tissues was similar to that in humans. The expression level of PAR-2 mRNA in skin was not different between the atopic dermatitis (AD) and healthy dogs, suggesting that the level of PAR-2 mRNA transcription may not be associated with development of canine AD. The canine PAR-2 cDNA clone obtained in this study will be useful for further investigation of the immunopathogenesis of canine allergic diseases.

Effect of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors at therapeutic doses on body temperature during anesthesia in healthy dogs administered with amino acids.

In healthy dogs, amino acid infusion significantly attenuates the decrease in body temperature during anesthesia by facilitating insulin secretion, suggesting that such an increase in insulin secretion is related to increased heat production. In dogs, selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, which are used for pain relief in veterinary medicine, possess anti-pyretic action. And, in mice and humans, selective COX-2 inhibitors increase insulin secretion and sensitivity. Therefore, treatment with COX-2 inhibitors may negate or accelerate the attenuating effect on decreased body temperature during anesthesia by amino acid infusion. In the present study, influences on insulin secretion and body temperature by treatment with meloxicam or robenacoxib at therapeutic dose were evaluated in healthy dogs. Treatment with meloxicam or robenacoxib did not affect insulin secretion in the unanesthetized and anesthetized dogs, and did not affect body temperature and heart rate under the anesthetized condition with amino acid infusion. In conclusion, COX-2 inhibitors at therapeutic doses did not affect body temperature during anesthesia in dogs administered amino acids.

Phenotypic analysis for a cell line of canine epidermal keratinocytes.

Epidermal keratinocytes have the potential to produce inflammatory mediators that are considered to play an important role in skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD). Thus, cell lines of canine epidermal keratinocytes are useful for studying the biological reactivity of keratinocytes in vitro. However, there has been no report on properly analyzing the phenotype of canine keratinocyte cell lines. In this work, we performed phenotypic analysis of CPEK, which was derived from the epidermis of an adult dog in order to examine the phenotypic similarity with epidermal keratinocytes. The present findings indicated that CPEK cells expressed markers for epidermal keratinocytes including cytokeratin 14, alpha6 integrin and PCNA. Our findings demonstrated that CPEK could be a useful cell line for investigating the central role of epidermal keratinocytes in the pathogenesis of AD in vitro.

Expression analysis of CCL27 and CCL28 mRNA in lesional and non-lesional skin of dogs with atopic dermatitis.

Chemokines are important regulators of the selective recruitment of inflammatory cells into sites of allergic inflammation. Since canine atopic dermatitis (AD) shares many clinical features of human AD, patterns of chemokine production in dogs may also be similar with those in humans. The aim of this study was to examine mRNA expression of CCL27 and CCL28 in lesional skin of dogs with AD to demonstrate similarity of chemokine production with human counterparts. RNA was extracted from skin biopsy specimens of 12 dogs with AD. The mRNA expression of CC chemokines (CCL4, CCL19, CCL20, CCL21, CCL24, CCL27 and CCL28) was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and was compared between lesional and non-lesional skin. Seven types of chemokines examined were constitutively expressed in both lesional and non-lesional skin. It was found that mRNA expression levels of CCL27 and CCL28 among the chemokines were significantly different between lesional and non-lesional skin (P<0.05). Expression level of CCL27 mRNA in lesional skin was significantly lower than that in non-lesional skin. On the other hand, CCL28 mRNA expression in lesional skin was found to be higher than that in non-lesional skin. These results suggest that CCL28 but not CCL27 may play important roles in immunopathogenesis of canine AD, indicating that experimental canine study may provide additional information that can be extrapolated to human AD.

A case of prostate B-cell lymphoma recognized in the contents of an irreducible perineal hernia in a dog.

We present a case of an intact 14-year-old male dog with a prostate B-cell lymphoma recognized in the contents of an irreducible perineal hernia. The enlarged prostate was replaced after reducing its size by partial excision, and the perineal hernia was repaired using the tunica vaginalis communis. However, the pelvic cavity was largely occupied by the replaced prostate, and urinary retention developed. The prostate was resected on the next day via abdominal median incision, and a bladder-urethra anastomosis was performed. Lymphoma has rarely been demonstrated to develop in the prostate, with the lesion comprising the hernia contents. The present study suggests the necessity of early treatment for perineal hernias and the possibility that lymphoma may be present in the hernia contents.

A new synbiotic consisting of Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei and dextran improves milk production in Holstein dairy cows.

To evaluate the effects of a new synbiotic consisting of Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei (Lcc) and dextran (Dex) on milk production, a total of 58 Holstein dairy cows, which became pregnant and gave birth to calves at regular intervals and lactated steadily and continuously, were selected. The study had a completely randomized design, and the animals were divided into two groups. Group A was fed with a basic diet only, and Group B was fed with a basic diet supplemented with the synbiotic consisting of freeze-dried Lcc and mixed feed containing Dex for one year from August 2004. After supplementation with the synbiotic, milk yields and components of Group B were compared with those of Group A in the August, December of 2004, April and August of 2005. Milk yields of Group B were greater than those of Group A. There were significant differences (p<0.01 or 0.05) between these groups for all values. Furthermore, total amounts of fat, protein and solid non-fat in Group B significantly increased in comparison with those of Group A. In addition, the somatic cell counts of Group A significantly increased in August of 2004 and 2005 in comparison with those of Group B. Thus, the new synbiotic consisting of Lcc and Dex can increase the milk production of Holstein dairy cows throughout the year.

Vertebral replacement for the treatment of vertebral osteosarcoma in a cat.

A 7-year-old cat was referred with pelvic limb ataxia. Radiography and CT revealed bone resorption of the L1 vertebral arch, and myelography identified a compressive extradural lesion. The mass was surgically removed and histopathologically diagnosed as giant cell osteosarcoma. Three years later, the recurrent tumor resection and vertebral fixation were performed. Six months later, vertebrectomy was performed to radically excise the recurrent mass and a titanium spinal cage was placed. The cat is alive approximately 5 years after the first surgery. This case report describes vertebrectomy and vertebral body replacement as a radical treatment for feline vertebral osteosarcoma.

Molecular cloning of feline resistin and the expression of resistin, leptin and adiponectin in the adipose tissue of normal and obese cats.

Resistin, one of the adipokines that has a cycteine-rich C-terminus, is considered to relate to the development of insulin resistance in rats. However, in cats, there is little knowledge regarding resistin. In this study, we cloned the feline resistin cDNA from adipose tissue by RT-PCR. The feline resistin clone contained an entire open reading frame encoding 107 amino acids that had 72.8%, 75.4%, 50.9% and 51.8% homology with bovine, human, mouse and rat homologues, respectively. In both subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues, the transcription levels of feline resistin mRNA were significantly higher in obese cats than normal cats, and those of feline adiponectin mRNA were significantly lower in obese cats than normal cats. However, there was no difference in the expression of feline leptin between normal and obese cats. On the other hand, in both normal and obese cats, there were no significant differences in resistin, leptin and adiponectin mRNA levels between subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues. In cats, the altered expression of resistin and adiponectin mRNA with obesity may contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and subsequent diabetes mellitus. In addition to feline adiponectin, the feline resistin cDNA clone obtained in this study will be useful for further investigation of the pathogenesis of obesity in cats.

Changes in respiratory function in Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs with degenerative myelopathy.

Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) is characterized by progressive degeneration of the spinal cord. Although atrophic changes in the intercostal muscles were previously reported in the late stage of DM in Pembroke Welsh Corgis (PWCs), changes in respiratory function have not yet been examined. In the present study, we performed an arterial blood gas analysis and measured respiratory movements over progressive disease stages to document changes in respiratory function in DM-affected PWCs. We found that respiratory dysfunction progressed during the later stages of DM and correlated with a change in respiratory movement to the abdominal breathing pattern. These results suggested that hypoventilation occurred due to dysfunctional changes in the intercostal muscles and resulted in hypoxemia in the later stages of DM.

Gallbladder lymphoma in a miniature dachshund.

A 7-year-old, miniature dachshund was referred for examination and treatment of persistent anorexia, deep yellow-coloured urine and leucocytosis. The clinical sign of jaundice, results from a serum biochemistry profile and ultrasonographic images suggested a biliary tract obstruction. A cholecystectomy was performed to remove the obstruction. Histopathological assessment of the resected gallbladder and partial common bile duct indicated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Twelve days after the initial operation, a second procedure was performed due to bile leakage into the abdominal cavity. Chemotherapy was administered twice after the second operation but discontinued, because the dog showed adverse effects. The dog is still alive 24 months after the surgery. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of canine gallbladder lymphoma.