Validation of a model of feline ureteral obstruction as a tool for teaching microsurgery to veterinary surgeons.

Objective: To assess the content and face validity of a model of an obstructed feline ureter as a tool for teaching ureteral microsurgery.

Study Design: Prospective, experimental study.

Sample Population: Seven expert and 11 novice microsurgeons.

The Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel KCa3.1 as a potential new target for the prevention of allograft vasculopathy.

Allograft vasculopathy (AV) remains one of the major challenges to the long-term functioning of solid organ transplants. Although its exact pathogenesis remains unclear, AV is characterized by both fibromuscular proliferation and infiltration of CD4(+) memory T cells. We here tested whether two experimental immunosuppressants targeting K(+) channels might be useful for preventing AV.

Outcome after renal transplantation in 26 dogs.

Objectives: To evaluate clinical outcome in dogs after renal transplantation and determine predictors of outcome.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: Dogs (n = 26) that had renal allograft transplantation.

Hypophosphatemia in cats after renal transplantation.

Objective: To report the prevalence of hypophosphatemia after renal transplantation in a historical cohort of cats.

Design: Case series.

Animals: Cats (n=86) that received a renal allograft.

Outcome of permanent tracheostomy for treatment of upper airway obstruction in cats: 21 cases (1990-2007).

Objective: To determine clinical outcome of permanent tracheostomy in cats with upper airway obstruction.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 21 cats.

Outcome of laryngeal web resection with mucosal apposition for treatment of airway obstruction in dogs: 15 cases (1992--2006).

Objective: To evaluate long-term clinical outcome in dogs with upper airway obstruction treated with laryngeal web resection and mucosal apposition.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 15 client-owned dogs with laryngeal web formation.

In vitro effects of the active metabolite of leflunomide, A77 1726, on feline herpesvirus-1.

Objective: To determine whether the active metabolite of leflunomide, A77 1726 (A77), inhibits replication of feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) in cell culture.

Study Population: Crandell Rees feline kidney (CRFK) cell cultures.

Procedures: Cell cultures were inoculated with FHV-1 and treated simultaneously with concentrations of A77 ranging from 0 to 200microM.

Incidence of and risk factors for diabetes mellitus in cats that have undergone renal transplantation: 187 cases (1986-2005).

Objective: To compare incidence of diabetes mellitus in cats that had undergone renal transplantation with incidence in cats with chronic renal failure, compare mortality rates in cats that underwent renal transplantation and did or did not develop diabetes mellitus, and identify potential risk factors for development of posttransplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) in cats.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 187 cats that underwent renal transplantation.

Surgical management of left-divisional intrahepatic portosystemic shunts: outcome after partial ligation of, or ameroid ring constrictor placement on, the left hepatic vein in twenty-eight dogs (1995-2005).

Objectives: To evaluate outcome in dogs with left divisional intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (PSS) treated by partial ligation (PL) or ameroid ring constrictor (ARC) placement on the left hepatic vein.

Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: Dogs (n=28) with left divisional intrahepatic PSS.

Evaluation of the effects of ischemic injury and ureteral obstruction on delayed graft function in cats after renal autotransplantation.

Objective: To determine the relative importance of ischemic injury to delayed graft function (DGF) in cats.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Animals: Six intact female cats.

In vitro evaluation of the effect of a novel immunosuppressive agent, FTY720, on the function of feline neutrophils.

Objective: To use in vitro assays to evaluate the effects of a novel immunosuppressive agent, FTY720, on biological functions (migration, phagocytosis, and production of reactive-oxygen species [ROS]) of feline peripheral neutrophils and determine the cytotoxic effects of FTY720 on feline peripheral neutrophils.

Sample Population: Peripheral neutrophils obtained from 8 healthy cats.

Procedure: Peripheral neutrophils were isolated from blood samples obtained from the 8 cats and exposed to the phosphorylated form of FTY720 (FTY720-P).

Similarities in the immunoglobulin response and VH gene usage in rhesus monkeys and humans exposed to porcine hepatocytes.

Background: The use of porcine cells and organs as a source of xenografts for human patients would vastly increase the donor pool; however, both humans and Old World primates vigorously reject pig tissues due to xenoantibodies that react with the polysaccharide galactose alpha (1,3) galactose (alphaGal) present on the surface of many porcine cells. We previously examined the xenoantibody response in patients exposed to porcine hepatocytes via treatment(s) with bioartficial liver devices (BALs), composed of porcine cells in a support matrix. We determined that xenoantibodies in BAL-treated patients are predominantly directed at porcine alphaGal carbohydrate epitopes, and are encoded by a small number of germline heavy chain variable region (VH) immunoglobulin genes.

Renal transplantation in cats with calcium oxalate urolithiasis: 19 cases (1997-2004).

Objective: To determine outcome of renal transplantation in cats with renal failure associated with calcium oxalate urolithiasis.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 19 cats.

Human tissue-engineered blood vessels for adult arterial revascularization.

There is a crucial need for alternatives to native vein or artery for vascular surgery. The clinical efficacy of synthetic, allogeneic or xenogeneic vessels has been limited by thrombosis, rejection, chronic inflammation and poor mechanical properties. Using adult human fibroblasts extracted from skin biopsies harvested from individuals with advanced cardiovascular disease, we constructed tissue-engineered blood vessels (TEBVs) that serve as arterial bypass grafts in long-term animal models.

Results of clinical renal transplantation in 15 dogs using triple drug immunosuppressive therapy.

Objective: To evaluate outcome of renal transplantation in dogs administered cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisolone immunosuppression.

Study Design: Prospective clinical study.

Animals: Fifteen dogs with chronic renal failure.

Use of nonpenetrating vascular closure staples in feline renal transplantation.

Renal transplantation is a potential treatment for irreversible renal failure in pet cats. Our aim is to reduce warm ischemic time by using nonpenetrating vascular closure staples (VCS), thereby improving graft survival. Experimental cats were divided into the VCS group (n = 4; autotransplantation) or suture group (n = 6; allotransplantation).

Evaluation of the prevalence of infections in cats after renal transplantation: 169 cases (1987-2003).

Objective: To determine the prevalence of infections developing postoperatively, document the contribution of infection to increased risk of death, and identify risk factors associated with the development of infectious complications in cats after renal transplantation.

Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: 169 cats that received renal allograft transplants.

Identification of the V genes encoding xenoantibodies in non-immunosuppressed rhesus monkeys.

The major immunological barrier that prevents the use of wild-type pig xenografts as an alternative source of organs for human xenotransplantation is antibody-mediated rejection. In this study, we identify the immunoglobulin variable region heavy (IgV(H)) chain genes encoding xenoantibodies to porcine heart and fetal porcine islet xenografts in non-immunosuppressed rhesus monkeys. We sought to compare the IgV(H) genes encoding xenoantibodies to porcine islets and solid organ xenografts.

Evaluation of ameroid ring constrictors for treatment for single extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in dogs: 168 cases (1995-2001).

Objectives: To evaluate use of an ameroid ring constrictor (ARC) for treatment for single extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (PSSs) and identify factors associated with postoperative death, continued portosystemic shunting, and long-term outcome in dogs.

Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: 168 dogs with a single extrahepatic PSS.

Comparison of 3 techniques for ureteroneocystostomy in cats.

Objective: To compare 3 techniques for ureteroneocystostomy in cats.

Study Design: Experimental surgical study.

Animals: Fifteen adult cats.

Management and outcome of cats with ureteral calculi: 153 cases (1984-2002).

Objective: To determine outcome of medical and surgical treatment in cats with ureteral calculi.

Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: 153 cats.

Clinical, clinicopathologic, radiographic, and ultrasonographic abnormalities in cats with ureteral calculi: 163 cases (1984-2002).

Objective: To determine clinical, clinicopathologic, radiographic, and ultrasonographic abnormalities in cats with ureteral calculi.

Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: 163 client-owned cats.

Re-evaluation of a portocaval venograft without an ameroid constrictor as a method for controlling portal hypertension after occlusion of intrahepatic portocaval shunts in dogs.

Objective: To evaluate the use of a portocaval venograft without an ameroid constrictor in the surgical management of intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (PSS).

Study Design: Prospective clinical study.

Animals: Seven dogs with intrahepatic PSS.

Evaluation of the characteristics of venous occlusion after placement of an ameroid constrictor in dogs.

Objectives: To evaluate the mechanism of vascular occlusion after placement of an ameroid constrictor (AC) on a large intra-abdominal vein and document changes in blood flow.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Animals: Six adult dogs.