A case report of the beneficial effect of oclacitinib in a dog with pemphigus vulgaris.

Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare immune-mediated skin disorder of the dog, usually treated with immunosuppressive medications such as oral glucocorticoids, azathioprine or ciclosporin. Herein we report the successful treatment of pemphigus vulgaris in a dog, using oclacitinib and a topical product containing fucidic acid (0.5 % w/w) and betamethasone valerate.

A study into the fatty acid content of selected veterinary diets, supplements and fish oil capsules in Australia.

Background: Dogs with cutaneous diseases often receive supplementation with omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) essential fatty acids (FA), either through their diet or the use of an oral supplement. Labelling on these products is not always clear, especially regarding the total and relative amounts of FA.

Objectives: To provide clinicians with a breakdown of the FA content of selected veterinary diets, supplements and fish oil capsules so that the daily dose of supplementation can be calculated more easily.

Exploring the use of essential fatty acids in veterinary dermatology.

Background: The aim of the study was to discover the extent of use of essential fatty acids (EFAs) in veterinary practice, conditions used in, preparation of EFA supplement used and rationale for their use and to investigate the awareness of the oxidation of some commercial fish oil supplement preparations.

Methods: A web-based questionnaire was distributed via email to a dermatology list server and posted to veterinary Facebook groups with questions relating to the use of EFAs, supplement choice, conditions used in, the level of importance of various factors regarding their use and awareness of their oxidation.

Results: There were 309 responses from 32 countries.

Consequences and Management of Canine Brachycephaly in Veterinary Practice: Perspectives from Australian Veterinarians and Veterinary Specialists.

This article, written by veterinarians whose caseloads include brachycephalic dogs, argues that there is now widespread evidence documenting a link between extreme brachycephalic phenotypes and chronic disease, which compromises canine welfare. This paper is divided into nine sections exploring the breadth of the impact of brachycephaly on the incidence of disease, as indicated by pet insurance claims data from an Australian pet insurance provider, the stabilization of respiratory distress associated with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), challenges associated with sedation and the anaesthesia of patients with BOAS; effects of brachycephaly on the brain and associated neurological conditions, dermatological conditions associated with brachycephalic breeds, and other conditions, including ophthalmic and orthopedic conditions, and behavioural consequences of brachycephaly. In the light of this information, we discuss the ethical challenges that are associated with brachycephalic breeds, and the role of the veterinarian.

Vigilin interacts with signal peptide peptidase.

Background: Signal peptide peptidase (SPP), a member of the presenilin-like intra-membrane cleaving aspartyl protease family, migrates on Blue Native (BN) gels as 100 kDa, 200 kDa and 450 kDa species. SPP has recently been implicated in other non-proteolytic functions such as retro-translocation of MHC Class I molecules and binding of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). These high molecular weight SPP complexes might contain additional proteins that regulate the proteolytic activity of SPP or support its non-catalytic functions.

Probing the orientation of yeast VDAC1 in vivo.

Voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC) is a vital ion channel in mitochondrial outer membranes and its structure was recently shown to be a 19 stranded beta-barrel. However the orientation of VDAC in the membrane remains unclear. We probe here the topology and membrane orientation of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in vivo.