bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Age and Heart Rate on Tricuspid Annular Motion Velocities in Healthy Nonsedated Cats
Authors: Disatian Sirilak , Bright Janice M. , Boon June 
Published: March 2010

Background: Age and heart rate have effects on myocardial velocities as assessed by color tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in people. A similar phenomenon has been identified when left ventricular velocities are assessed in cats. To date, the effects of age and heart rate on tricuspid annular velocities of cats have not been assessed.Objectives: This study was designed to determine the relationships between age and heart rate and tricuspid annular velocities in cats as assessed by 2‐dimensional (2D) color TDI.Animals: Fifty healthy nonsedated cats with age range from 3 months to 19 years old were studied.Methods: Tricuspid annular velocities were obtained with 2D color TDI. Effects of age and heart rate on tricuspid annular velocities were evaluated by simple linear regression. The strength of the linear relationship was determined by using coefficient of determination (R2).Results: A significant weak negative relationship was found between age and peak early diastolic annular velocity (E';R2= 0.135,P= .018). No significant relationships between age and right ventricular (RV) systolic TDI values were found. Diastolic and systolic TDI parameters were not affected by heart rate with the exception of deceleration rate of early diastolic motion (DR;R2= 0.100,P= .025).Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Age and heart rate have minimal effects on tricuspid annular velocities. The present study provides reference ranges for tricuspid annular velocities in healthy cats and information for assessing the clinical utility of color TDI for evaluation of RV function in cats.
Papillary Muscle Measurements in Cats with Normal Echocardiograms and Cats with Concentric Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
Authors: Adin Darcy B. , Diley‐Poston Lindsey 
Published: March 2010

Background: Papillary muscle hypertrophy can occur in conjunction with, or as the only indication of, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or other diseases that result in left ventricular concentric hypertrophy (LVCH). Assessment of papillary muscle size is usually subjective because objective measures have not been reported.Hypothesis: The study hypothesis was that papillary muscle dimensions are different between normal cats and cats with LVCH.Animals: Echocardiograms from 44 normal cats and 40 cats with LVCH were included in the study.Methods: All measurements were taken from the right parasternal short‐axis view at the level of the papillary muscles at end‐diastole. Three methods were used to assess papillary muscle size: the area subtraction method, the direct area trace method, and the diameter method. Measurements were compared between cat groups and method comparisons were made among methods for area determination.Results: Cats with LVCH were older and had significantly greater left ventricular septal and free wall thicknesses and larger left atrial measurements than normal cats (P< .0006). Papillary muscle measurements were significantly greater by all measurement methods in cats with LVCH than in cats with normal echocardiograms (P< .0001). The area subtraction method and direct area trace method showed moderate agreement.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Papillary muscle measurements were larger for LVCH cats than normal cats; however, some overlap was present. The establishment of these objective measures adds to the echocardiographic examination of cats.
Effects of L‐Asparaginase on Plasma Amino Acid Profiles and Tumor Burden in Cats with Lymphoma
Authors: LeBlanc A.K. , Cox S.K. , Kirk C.A. , Newman S.J. , Bartges J.W. , Legendre A.M. 
Published: March 2010

Background: L‐Asparaginase (Elspara), is anEscherichia coli‐derived enzyme that depletes lymphoma cells of asparagine, inhibiting protein synthesis and resulting in cell death. The single agent response rate in cats with lymphoma and impact of L‐asparaginase on plasma amino acid concentrations is unknown.Hypotheses: L‐Asparaginase significantly reduces plasma asparagine concentrations and has demonstrable efficacy against untreated lymphoma in cats.Animals: Thirteen cats with confirmed lymphoma (LSA) of any anatomic site were given 1 dose 400 IU/kg IM) of L‐asparaginase for initial LSA treatment.Methods: Plasma collected at 0, 2, and 7 days after L‐asparaginase therapy was assayed for ammonia, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamine, and glutamic acid concentrations. Cats were restaged 7 days later to assess tumor response.Results: Eight cats had T‐cell LSA, 4 cats had B‐cell LSA, and 1 cat's immunophenotype was unknown. Two complete and 2 partial responses to L‐asparaginase were seen. Four cats had stable disease, and 5 cats had progressive disease. Ammonia and aspartic acid concentrations were increased from baseline at 2 and 7 days posttreatment. Asparagine concentrations were decreased from baseline at 2 days but not 7 days posttreatment. Glutamic acid concentrations were increased at day 2 compared to day 7 posttreatment but not compared to baseline. Glutamine concentrations were unchanged.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: L‐Asparaginase significantly reduced asparagine concentrations within 2 days of treatment, but this effect was lost within 7 days. The apparent overall response rate of feline LSA to L‐asparaginase in this study was 30%.
Photodynamic Therapy of Feline Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using a Newly Developed Liposomal Photosensitizer: Preliminary Results Concerning Drug Safety and Efficacy
Authors: Buchholz Julia , Wergin Melanie , Walt Heinrich , Gräfe Susanna , Bley Carla Rohrer , Kaser‐Hotz Barbara 
Published: March 2010

Background: Squamous cell carcinomas are common skin tumors in cats. We investigated photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a new liposomal photosensitizer as a minimally invasive, effective treatment that can be easily performed while achieving good cosmetic results.Aim: The goal of this study was to assess and describe possible toxicities using a liposomal formulation of the photosensitizermeta‐(Tetrahydroxyphenyl)Chlorin (m‐THPC) and investigate if favorable pharmacokinetics translate into favorable tumor response and control.Animals: Eighteen client‐owned cats with 20 spontaneous cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas were included in the study.Methods: PDT was performed using a new, liposomal formulation of the photosensitizer. Toxicity, tumor response, and tumor control were evaluated retrospectively.Results: No general adverse effects were observed in cats treated with the new liposomal formulation. Mild local toxicity such as erythema and edema were seen in 15% of the patients. All cats responded to therapy, with a complete response rate of 100%. The overall 1‐year control rate was 75%. The tumor recurrence rate was 20% with a median time to recurrence of 172.25 (±87.1) days.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: A new liposomal photosensitizer was successfully used for squamous cell carcinoma in cats and was well tolerated. There were no systemic adverse effects observed with the liposomal formulation. The favorable pharmacokinetics of the liposomal drug resulted in a favorable tumor response.
Regulation of COX‐2 Expression in Canine Prostate Carcinoma: Increased COX‐2 Expression is Not Related to Inflammation
Authors: L'Eplattenier Henry F. , Lai Chen Li , van den Ham René , Mol Jan , van Sluijs Frederick , Teske Erik 
Published: March 2010

Background: Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression has been documented in human and canine prostate carcinoma (PCA). Canine PCA is a histologically heterogeneous tumor, sometimes including inflammatory infiltrates. However, it is unknown whether COX‐2 expression in canine PCA is related to the histologic type of tumor, to the presence of inflammation, or to both. Moreover, little is known about the mechanisms regulating COX‐2 expression in neoplastic tissue. Hypothesis: COX‐2 expression is related to the presence of inflammation in canine PCA and correlates with the degree of tumor differentiation. Methods: The expression of COX‐2 was examined in 28 cases of canine PCA by immunohistochemistry. In addition, a neoplastic and a nonneoplastic canine prostatic cell line were used to investigate the effects of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor‐ç (TNF‐ç), phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA), epithelial growth factor (EGF), and specific signal transduction pathway inhibitors on COX‐2 expression. Results: Twenty‐four of the 28 prostate tumors showed COX‐2 expression. The presence of inflammatory infiltrates in tumor tissue was associated with lower COX‐2 expression scores. In vitro, TNF‐ç, IL‐6, and EGF increased COX‐2 expression in nonneoplastic cells but not in PCA cells, where baseline expression was high. COX‐2 expression in PCA cells could be suppressed by means of specific phosphatidyl inositol‐3 kinase (PI3K), protein kinase C (PKC), or inhibitor of extracellular signal‐related kinase (ERK/MAPK) inhibitors. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: COX‐2 is expressed in canine PCA; however, expression is not related to the presence of inflammatory infiltrates. This conclusion is further supported by the finding that the cytokines TNF‐ç and IL‐6 and their involved signaling pathways do not stimulate COX‐2 expression in malignant canine prostate cells.
Serum Opsonization Capacity, Phagocytosis, and Oxidative Burst Activity in Neonatal Foals in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Gardner Rachel B. , Nydam Daryl V. , Luna Jennifer A. , Bicalho Marcela L.S. , Matychak Mary Beth , Flaminio M. Julia B.F. 
Published: March 2010

Background: Phagocytic activity of neonatal foals has been reported to be similar to that of adult horses, but serum opsonization capacity develops with age and may be further altered when opsonins are consumed during infection.Hypothesis: Phagocytosis, oxidative burst activity, and serum opsonization capacity in neonatal foals admitted to an intensive care unit are reduced in comparison with control foals.Animals: Blood samples were collected from hospitalized neonatal foals and from control foals. Hospitalized foals were characterized as sick or septic on the basis of a sepsis score and received intravenous plasma transfusion.Methods: Phagocytosis, oxidative burst activity, and serum opsonization capacity were tested with flow cytometric analysis. Serum immunoglobulin and complement component 3 concentrations were determined with radial immunodiffusion. Serum amyloid A concentration was assayed with a commercially available solid‐phase Sandwich ELISA Kit. Data were analyzed with nonparametric and regression methods. Alpha was set atP= .05.Results: Phagocytic functions of septic and sick foals were lower than control foals in the initial phase of the study (P= .01). Opsonization capacity was significantly higher when bacteria were opsonized with serum from septic (P= .029) and sick (P= .006) foals than from control foals on day 1. Opsonization capacity in septic foals was comparable with control foals on days 2 and 5. This effect was not accompanied by an increase in serum complement C3 or immunoglobulin G concentrations independently.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Our results suggest that phagocytic function could be decreased in hospitalized foals. The synergistic effect of opsonic elements provided by plasma transfusion may sustain opsonization capacity during sepsis.
Confirmed and Presumptive Cervical Vertebral Compressive Myelopathy in Older Horses: A Retrospective Study (1992–2004)
Authors: Levine Jonathan M. , Adam Emma , MacKay Robert J. , Walker Michael A. , Frederick Jeremy D. , Cohen Noah D. 
Published: March 2010

Background: Cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM) is a common cause of myelopathy in horses aged 6 months to 4 years. Little information is available regarding the types of lesions, treatment, and outcomes in horses with CVCM that are ≥4 years old.Animals: Twenty‐two affected horses (10 with a confirmed diagnosis of CVCM and 12 presumptive cases) and 210 contemporaneous control horses.Methods: Horses ≤4 years old that were diagnosed with CVCM between January 1992 and January 2004 were identified from medical records at Texas A&M University and the University of Florida. Data analyzed included history, signalment, neurologic examination findings, lesion location, treatment, and outcome. Signalment was also recorded in a population of contemporaneous controls.Results: Horses identified had a median age of 8.4 years, and there was a greater percentage of male horses among the cases than among the controls. The most common breeds represented were warmblood (n = 6) and quarter horse (n = 5) types; warmbloods were significantly (P< .05) overrepresented relative to control horses. The caudal cervical vertebral column was the most common site of CVCM lesions, and the C5‐C6 (4/9) and C6‐C7 (3/9) articulations were most often identified as abnormal via myelography. The most common lesions seen with radiography and myelography were articular process osteophytes. Of the 22 affected horses, 8 were euthanized and a diagnosis of CVCM was confirmed by necropsy for all; 5 of 8 of these horses had spinal cord compression caused, entirely or in part, by articular process osteophytes. Medical management was the therapy chosen in all horses, and administration of corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs resulted in improvement in the greatest number of horses.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: CVCM should be a differential diagnosis in older horses with cervical myelopathy. Articular process osteophytes are the most frequently identified cause of spinal cord compression in this group. Male horses and horses of warmblood or Tennessee Walking Horse breeds may be predisposed to this condition.
Echocardiographic Evidence of Left Atrial Mechanical Dysfunction after Conversion of Atrial Fibrillation to Sinus Rhythm in 5 Horses
Authors: Schwarzwald Colin C. , Schober Karsten E. , Bonagura John D. 
Published: March 2010

Background: Atrial contractile dysfunction occurs in some species after conversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) to normal sinus rhythm (NSR) but has not been reported in horses with naturally occurring AF.Hypothesis: Transthoracic echocardiography allows detection of left atrial (LA) mechanical dysfunction in horses after conversion of AF to NSR.Animals: Five Standardbreds with AF and 6 healthy Standardbreds of similar age, weight, and athletic condition were included in this study.Methods: Four horses were treated pharmacologically (quinidine), and 1 horse was treated by means of transvenous electrical cardioversion. Echocardiographic examinations were performed in normal horses (once) and in AF horses (24 hours and 72 hours after conversion to NSR) by means of 2‐dimensional echocardiography (2DE), transmitral flow Doppler, and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) techniques. Echocardiographic indices of LA mechanical function were compared between normal horses and AF horses.Results: Two‐dimensional echocardiography and TDI indices of LA mechanical function revealed significant decreases in LA contractile function and LA reservoir function 24 hours after cardioversion. This decrease was no longer statistically significant 72 hours after cardioversion, but changes in echocardiographic variables between 24 and 72 hours varied among horses.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: LA contractile dysfunction can be evaluated in horses by use of 2DE, transmitral Doppler flow velocity profiles, and analyses of LA wall motion by TDI. The results of this study are consistent with AF‐induced atrial remodeling, although residual treatment effects or influence of underlying primary myopathy cannot be excluded.
Clinicopathologic Evaluation of Hepatic Lipidosis in Periparturient Dairy Cattle
Authors: Kalaitzakis Emmanouil , Roubies Nikolaos , Panousis Nikolaos , Pourliotis Konstantinos , Kaldrymidou Eleni , Karatzias Harilaos 
Published: March 2010

Background: Fatty change of the liver (FCL) is very common in dairy cattle periparturiently. Many laboratory methods have been implicated in order to assist the diagnosis.Hypothesis: To investigate whether FCL in dairy cattle could be evaluated by assessment of ornithine carbamoyl transferase (OCT) by means of an assay modified for bovine serum, other enzyme activity, serum bile acids (SBA) concentration, or other biochemical constituents.Animals: A total of 187 dairy cattle were included: 106 were suspected to have liver dysfunction and were examined after referral by veterinarians; 70 were clinically healthy with mild FCL; and 11 were clinically healthy without FCL.Methods: Blood and liver biopsy samples were obtained after clinical examination. Histologic examination by light microscopy and classification of samples according to the severity of FCL was done, and total lipid and triglyceride concentration was measured. In serum, OCT, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and γ‐glutamyltransferase (γ‐GT) activity as well as SBA, glucose, ketones, total bilirubin (tBIL), and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration were measured.Results: OCT and AST activity and tBIL concentration correlate well with the degree of FCL. SBA concentration does not contribute well to FCL diagnosis. The majority of FCL cases appeared within the first 21 days‐in‐milk (DIM). The majority of moderate‐to‐severe and severe FCL cases arose in the first 7 DIM.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Except for OCT, AST, and tBIL, none of the biochemical tests used, including SBA, had sufficient discriminatory power to differentiate reliably between mild and severe FCL because of poor sensitivity. A weak correlation between clinical signs and the extent of FCL was evident.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis in 9 South American Camelids
Authors: Nolen‐Walston Rose , Bedenice Daniela , Rodriguez Carlos , Rushton Steven , Bright Amy , Fecteau Marie‐Eve , Short Diana , Majdalany Ron , Tewari Deepanker , Pedersen Douglas , Kiupel Matti , Maes Roger , Del Piero Fabio 
Published: March 2010

Background: Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus is a mosquito‐borne togavirus (alphavirus) that causes severe (often fatal) encephalitis in many mammalian species, but it has not been reported previously in South American camelids.Hypothesis: South American camelids can become naturally infected with EEE virus and show encephalitic signs similar to those observed in other affected species.Animals: Nine cases (8 alpacas and 1 llama, aged 3.5 weeks to 12 years) were identified; 4 of 9 were ≤10 weeks old. All cases were from the East Coast of the United States and presented in late summer and fall.Methods: A retrospective study was performed to include confirmed cases of EEE in camelids in North America before 2006.Results: Eight of nine (89%) camelids died or were euthanized in extremis, with the mean time to death of 2 days. Clinical signs were consistent with encephalitis and included fever, lethargy, ataxia, seizures, recumbency, torticollis, opisthotonus, and vestibular signs. No consistent hematologic abnormalities were identified, and cerebrospinal fluid contained an increased protein concentration in the single camelid analyzed. No successful therapy was identified. EEE was confirmed by alphavirus detection by using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the central nervous system (CNS) and by serology. Findings included polioencephalitis with lymphocytic perivascular cuffing; neutrophil infiltration; gliosis; neuron satellitosis; necrosis; and edema, with intracytoplasmic alphavirus within neurons and glial cells. No virus was detected in extraneural tissues.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: In endemic areas, EEE should be considered a differential diagnosis for young and adult camelids with CNS disease. Brain histopathology with indirect IHC or PCR is diagnostic.
Feline Acromegaly: An Underdiagnosed Endocrinopathy?
Authors: Niessen S.J.M. , Petrie G. , Gaudiano F. , Khalid M. , Smyth J.B.A. , Mahoney P. , Church D.B. 
Published: March 2010

Background: Feline acromegaly has been reported infrequently in the veterinary literature and current knowledge of this endocrinopathy is based on limited numbers of animals with relatively advanced clinical signs.Hypothesis: This study was undertaken to screen diabetic cats for the presence of acromegaly.Animals: Diabetic cats with variable control examined by general practitioners in the United Kingdom.Methods: Blood samples were screened for the possible presence of acromegaly with basal serum concentrations of insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) and, when available, feline growth hormone (fGH). In patients with markedly increased IGF‐1 concentrations intracranial computed tomography (CT) was offered, and in selected cats additional imaging was performed.Results: IGF‐1 was determined in 184 variably controlled diabetic cats; 59 cats had markedly increased IGF‐1 concentrations (.1,000 ng/mL; reference interval, 208–443 ng/mL). Eighteen cats subsequently were examined, and acromegaly was confirmed in 17 cats. Notable findings included absence of a detectable pituitary mass lesion in some affected cats regardless of whether CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used. Hypertension was not found to be a complication in the evaluated cats and respiratory stridor was more prevalent than previously reported.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Measurement of IGF‐1, growth hormone (GH), or both is useful in the diagnosis of acromegaly in cats.
Prognostic Factors in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: King Jonathan N. , Tasker Séverine , Gunn‐Moore Danielle A. , Strehlau Günther 
Published: March 2010

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in cats.Hypothesis: Some baseline variables are associated with shorter survival times in cats with CKD.Animals: Client‐owned cats.Methods: Cats with CKD with initial plasma creatinine concentration ≤2.0 mg/dL and urine specific gravity (USG) ≤1.025 were recruited into a prospective clinical trial that compared benazepril with a placebo. We describe baseline variables in 190 cats and their influence on renal survival time in the placebo group (95 cats), which was followed for up to 1,097 days. Renal survival time was defined as the time from initiation of therapy to the need for parenteral fluid therapy, euthanasia, or death related to renal failure.Results: Of the 95 cats treated with a placebo, 58 were censored and 37 reached the renal survival end point (died, n = 0; euthanized, n = 17; parenteral fluids, n = 12; parenteral fluids followed by euthanasia, n = 8). Increased plasma creatinine concentration, increased urine protein‐to‐creatinine ratio (UPC), and increased blood leukocyte count were significantly (P< .01) associated with a shorter renal survival time and were independent risk factors. Increased concentrations of plasma phosphate or urea, and lower blood hemoglobin concentration or hematocrit were significantly (P< .01) associated with a shorter renal survival time and were dependent risk factors, because they also were significantly (P< .01) correlated with plasma creatinine concentration at baseline.Clinical Importance: Several variables were significantly associated with a shorter renal survival time in cats with CKD.