Evaluation of right ventricular function using conventional and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography in healthy dogs and dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Introduction/objectives: To compare conventional and three-dimensional (3D) echocardiographic indices of right ventricular (RV) systolic function in dogs with various stages of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), classified according to the 2009 guidelines of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), with those from normal dogs.

Animals: Seventy-eight unsedated dogs (22 healthy controls, 23 ACVIM stage B1 MMVD, 20 ACVIM stage B2 MMVD, and 13 ACVIM stage C MMVD) were included in the study.

Materials And Methods: All dogs underwent conventional and 3D echocardiography.

Safety of TCMCB07, a melanocortin-4 antagonist peptide, in dogs with naturally occurring cachexia.

Background: The melanocortin 4 antagonist TCMCB07 is safe and effective in reversing cachexia caused by sepsis or cancer in rodents. The safety and pharmacokinetics of TCMCB07 are demonstrated in healthy beagle dogs.

Hypothesis/objectives: The objectives of this study were to investigate the safety, peak plasma concentrations, and potential for efficacy of TCMCB07 in pet dogs with naturally occurring cachexia over a 4-week time period.

DETERMINATION OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES FOR CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF GALAPAGOS ( COMPLEX) AND ALDABRA () TORTOISES.

The first objective of this study was to establish clinically relevant techniques for cardiac echocardiography in nonanesthetized Galapagos ( complex) and Aldabra () tortoises. A second objective was to establish guidelines for determining normal echocardiographic anatomy and function in both species. Select echocardiographic reference values were defined for 17 healthy Galapagos tortoises and 27 healthy Aldabra tortoises.

Cardiac Disease and Screening in Breeding Dogs.

Acquired and congenital heart diseases are relatively common in dogs, particularly in certain breeds. Modes of inheritance and genetic causes have been established for several cardiac diseases within various breeds. Breed screening is used to try and reduce the prevalence of certain canine cardiac diseases.

Right axis deviation in the canine electrocardiogram for predicting severity of pulmonic stenosis: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of right axis deviation of the mean electrical axis (MEA) in assessing the severity of pulmonic stenosis (PS) in dogs.

Animals: Records for 218 client-owned dogs diagnosed between 2014 and 2020 with PS as determined by Doppler echocardiography.

Procedures: University of Florida Small Animal Clinic medical records were reviewed, and signalment and clinical risk variables (murmur grade and clinical signs) were extracted.

Accuracy of echocardiographically estimated pulmonary artery pressure in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Introduction: Echocardiographically identified pulmonary hypertension is an independent predictor of poor outcome in dogs affected by myxomatous valvular degeneration (MMVD). Systolic pulmonary arterial pressure is routinely estimated based on its relationship with the Doppler-determined velocity of tricuspid regurgitation as defined by the simplified Bernoulli equation (sPAP_D). Experimental studies suggest that the method is imperfect, but its accuracy in dogs with MMVD is not known.

Effect of type of diet on blood and plasma taurine concentrations, cardiac biomarkers, and echocardiograms in 4 dog breeds.

Background: Associations of diet with dilated cardiomyopathy are under investigation.

Objectives: That cardiac assessment would show abnormalities in healthy dogs eating grain-free (GF) diets or diets with Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-listed ingredients of concern (peas, lentils, or potatoes) as top 10 ingredients (FDA-PLP), but not in dogs eating grain-inclusive (GI) diets or diets without FDA-listed ingredients of concern (PLP) in the top 10 ingredients (NoFDA-PLP).

Animals: One hundred eighty-eight healthy Doberman Pinschers, Golden Retrievers, Miniature Schnauzers, and Whippets.

Comparison of the mitral valve morphologies of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and dogs of other breeds using 3D transthoracic echocardiography.

Background: Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is more prevalent in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCSs) compared to dogs of other breeds at a given age. Abnormal valvular stress is thought to contribute to the development and progression of MMVD, and a relationship exists between mitral valve (MV) morphology and stress acting on the valve.

Objectives: To determine whether the MV morphology of healthy adult CKCSs differs from the morphology of healthy adult dogs of other breeds determined by RT-3DTTE.

Mitral valve repair in dogs using an ePTFE chordal implantation device: a pilot study.

Objective: Mitral valve (MV) regurgitation due to degenerative MV disease is the leading cause of cardiac death in dogs. We carried out preliminary experiments to determine the feasibility and short-term effects of beating-heart MV repair using an expanded polytetrafluorethylene (ePTFE) chordal implantation device (Harpoon TSD-5) in dogs.

Animals: This study involved six healthy purpose-bred Beagles (weight range 8.

Mitral valve morphology assessed by three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography in healthy dogs and dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Objective: To assess differences in morphology of the mitral valve (MV) between healthy dogs and dogs affected by myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) using real-time transthoracic three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE).

Animals: Thirty-four were normal dogs and 79 dogs were affected by MMVD.

Methods: Real-time transthoracic three-dimensional echocardiography mitral datasets were digitally recorded and analyzed using dedicated software.

Assessment of mitral valve morphology using three-dimensional echocardiography. Feasibility and reference values.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of real time transthoracic three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) for evaluation of normal canine mitral valves (MVs), and to provide reference values for this technique.

Animals: Forty-three cardiologically healthy, not sedated dogs.

Methods: Transthoracic RT3DE mitral datasets were acquired during two consecutive 6-month periods.

Hospital to home paediatric enteral nutrition--parents need support.

This study assessed the provision of education and support to parents of children on home enteral nutrition (HEN), current dietetic support available and perceived challenges facing parents and carers. From the 39 responses (13%), 29 (83%, n = 35) parents suggested services for HEN need improvement. 29 (74%, n = 39) parents wanted more structured follow up and 22 (56%) would like one person to co-ordinate HEN, education and discharge.

Crystal structure of the integral membrane diacylglycerol kinase.

Diacylglycerol kinase catalyses the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of diacylglycerol to phosphatidic acid for use in shuttling water-soluble components to membrane-derived oligosaccharide and lipopolysaccharide in the cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria. For half a century, this 121-residue kinase has served as a model for investigating membrane protein enzymology, folding, assembly and stability. Here we present crystal structures for three functional forms of this unique and paradigmatic kinase, one of which is wild type.

A fast, simple and robust protocol for growing crystals in the lipidic cubic phase.

A simple and inexpensive protocol for producing crystals in the sticky and viscous mesophase used for membrane protein crystallization by the in meso method is described. It provides crystals that appear within 15-30 min of setup at 293 K. The protocol gives the experimenter a convenient way of gaining familiarity and a level of comfort with the lipidic cubic mesophase, which can be daunting as a material when first encountered.

The competencies required by professional hospice palliative care spiritual care providers.

The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (2002) identifies spiritual care of the dying and their families as a core service for Hospice Palliative Care programs. Yet, until the Spiritual Care Development Initiative of the Canadian Pallium Project, there was no published literature indicating systematic profiling of occupationally relevant core competencies or competency-based training programs specific to this specialized field of practice. This article describes a Canadian Community of Practice process to develop an occupational analysis-based competency profile for the Professional Hospice Palliative Care Spiritual Care Provider utilizing a modified Developing a Curriculum (DACUM) methodology.

Development of an immunosensor for the detection of testosterone in bovine urine.

In the presented work, a disposable immunosensor for the detection of testosterone, an endogenous steroid hormone, in bovine urine has been developed using screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). Due to concerns over the use of steroid hormones as growth promoters, the EU prohibits their use in food producing animals. Consequently, rigorous screening procedures have been implemented in all member states to detect the illegal administration of such compounds.

A survey of PDA use by palliative medicine practitioners.

This paper describes the results of a Web survey on the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) by physicians across Canada involved with the delivery of palliative medicine in different settings. Seventy-two physicians responded to the survey from April to July 2005. The survey revealed 58.

A generative response to palliative service capacity in Canada.

Purpose: This paper situates a large-scale learning and service development capacity-building initiative for hospice palliative care services within the current Canadian policy context for use by international readers.

Design/methodology/approach: In 2000 a national initiative using action research as its design was crafted to support continuing professional development and knowledge management in primary-health care environments.

Findings: The Canadian health policy context is complex and requires innovative solutions to achieve desired changes in response to emerging population health demands for quality end-of-life care.

Prion protein (PrP) gene polymorphisms associated with natural scrapie cases and their flock-mates in Ireland.

The PrP genotypes associated with natural scrapie in Ireland were determined and a comparison was made between genotypes found in scrapie-infected sheep and those found in healthy animals from scrapie-infected flocks. Seven PrP genotypes were identified in scrapie-infected animals: VV(136)RR(154)QQ(171),VA(136)RR(154)QQ(171),VA(136)RR(154)QR(171),VA(136)RR(154)QH(171),AA(136)RR(154)QQ(171),AA(136)RR(154)QH(171) and AA(136)RR(154)HH(171). Of 11 scrapie-infected flocks, 15 genotypes were identified in the healthy flock-mates.

Continuing medical education, needs assessment, and program development: theoretical constructs.

Continuing medical education (CME) program development and needs assessment have historically been practiced within the tradition of Ralph Tyler's education model. In light of transformational social, political, economic, and technical forces that demand greater account-ability and responsiveness from physicians, CME units are challenged to transform their cultures and structures from models that deliver education to models that support the facilitation of learning for enhanced competence and performance. This article describes key change forces for physicians and brings program development and needs assessment into focus for the discussion.

Prion protein gene polymorphisms in pedigree sheep in Ireland.

The development of clinical signs of scrapie in sheep has been linked to polymorphisms in the prion protein (PrP) gene. The most important polymorphisms appear to be at codons 136, 154 and 171. The objective of this study was to investigate polymorphisms at these codons in five native (Belclare, Galway, Wicklow Cheviot, Donegal Blackface Mountain and Mayo Blackface Mountain) and five imported (Texel, Bleu du Maine, Rouge de l'Ouest, Vendéen and Charollais) sheep breeds in Ireland.

Detection of polymorphisms in the prion protein gene in a population of Irish Suffolk sheep.

Natural scrapie is associated with polymorphisms in the prion protein (PrP) gene. In Suffolks, codon 171 is the codon at which most variation is found; RR171 is thought to be associated with resistance to developing the clinical signs of the disease and QQ171 is associated with susceptibility to the disease. The objectives of this study were first to determine the PrP genotypes of Suffolk stock rams in Ireland, and secondly to compare the genotype profiles of ram lambs from flocks where a breeding programme based on the genotype AA136RR154RR171 had been initiated and from flocks where there was no breeding programme based on PrP genotype.

Immunohistochemical findings in rheumatoid nodules.

Eighteen nodules from patients with rheumatoid disease were studied histologically and immunohistochemically. A continuum of microscopic changes was observed with varying degrees of fibrinoid necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration and healing by fibrous scarring. In two cases there was focal evidence of arteritis.