Exploring the impact of the side-chain length on peptide/RNA binding events.

The impact of the amino-acid side-chain length on peptide-RNA binding events has been investigated using HIV-1 Tat derived peptides as ligands and the HIV-1 TAR RNA element as an RNA model. Our studies demonstrate that increasing the length of all peptide side-chains improves unexpectedly the binding affinity (K) but reduces the degree of compactness of the peptide-RNA complex. Overall, the side-chain length appears to modulate in an unpredictable way the ability of the peptide to compete with the cognate TAR RNA partner.

Clinical assessment and C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (Hp), and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) values of brachycephalic dogs with upper airway obstruction before and after surgery.

Brachycephalic dogs have unique upper respiratory anatomy with abnormal breathing patterns that are similar to those in humans with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The objectives of this multicenter prospective study were to assess the effects of surgical correction on clinical signs in dogs with brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome (BAOS) and to evaluate the levels of several biomarkers [C-reactive protein (CRP); haptoglobin (Hp), and cardiac troponin I (cTnI)] used to determine systemic inflammation and myocardial damage. This study was conducted on 33 dogs with BAOS that were evaluated before and 1 to 2 mo after surgical correction.

Evaluation of C-reactive protein, haptoglobin and cardiac troponin 1 levels in brachycephalic dogs with upper airway obstructive syndrome.

Background: Brachycephalic dogs have unique upper respiratory anatomy with abnormal breathing patterns similar to those in humans with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between anatomical components, clinical signs and several biomarkers, used to determine systemic inflammation and myocardial damage (C-reactive protein, CRP; Haptoglobin, Hp; cardiac troponin I, cTnI), in dogs with brachycephalic upper airway obstructive syndrome (BAOS).

Results: Fifty brachycephalic dogs were included in the study and the following information was studied: signalment, clinical signs, thoracic radiographs, blood work, ECG, components of BAOS, and CRP, Hp and cTnI levels.

Acute paraplegia associated with vasculitis in a dog with leishmaniasis.

A 14-month-old female crossbreed dog with leishmaniasis, receiving allopurinol, was presented with acute paraplegia. A diagnosis of renal failure with pelvic limb lower motor neuron signs was made and the dog was euthanased. Histopathological examination demonstrated leukocytoclastic vasculitis in multiple organs.

Pericardial mesothelioma in a dog: long-term survival after pericardiectomy in combination with chemotherapy.

A six-year-old male crossbred dog was presented with clinical signs of right-sided heart failure. Echocardiography demonstrated a pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade, while pericardiocentesis and cytology did not reveal any evidence of malignancy. Pericardial drainage was performed twice over a period of three months to resolve haemodynamic impairment before a subtotal pericardiectomy was performed.

Traumatic tricuspid insufficiency in a kitten.

A four-month-old, male, common European kitten developed pleural effusion and ascites after falling from a fourth-floor flat. Radiographic, bidimensional echocardiography and color-flow Doppler findings were compatible with right-sided atrioventricular valve insufficiency. Necropsy confirmed the diagnosis that tricuspid insufficiency resulted from the rupture of the chordae tendineae of the nonseptal cusp of the valve at the level of the cranial papillary muscle insertion in the right ventricle.

Ultrasonographic localization of a caudal vena cava thrombus in a dog with leishmaniasis.

A dog with visceral leishmaniasis developed rear limb edema, and distension of the caudal epigastric veins. Glomerular disease with nephrotic syndrome and hypercoagulable state was diagnosed. Sonographically there was massive thrombosis of the caudal vena cava.

Canine mucosal leishmaniasis.

Four dogs infected with Leishmania had proliferative lesions on the mucosae of the penis, tongue, oral cavity, prepuce, or nose. These mucosal, nodular lesions produced by parasites of the genus Leishmania have not been described previously in the dog. Leishmaniasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumor-like lesions of mucous membranes.

Acute intrinsic renal failure and blood coagulation disorders after a snakebite in a dog.

Acute intrinsic renal failure was diagnosed in a two-year-old, male, German shepherd dog following a Vipera aspis bite. Clinical signs included depression, hypersalivation, vomiting, tachypnoea, abdominal pain, splenomegaly, oliguria with haematuria and haemolysed serum. Leucocytosis with a shift to the left, thrombocytopenia, prolonged coagulation times (activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time and thrombin time), hypofibrinogenaemia, azotaemia and hyposthenuria were the most prominent laboratory abnormalities.

Monoclonal gammopathy in a dog with visceral leishmaniasis.

One dog with visceral leishmaniasis associated with monoclonal gammopathy is described. Most dogs with visceral leishmaniasis present with hyperproteinemia due to a polyclonal gammopathy, but the possibility of monoclonal gammopathy must be considered. Because dogs accompany their owners when they travel, the diagnosis of leishmaniasis should be considered if an animal with monoclonal gammopathy has visited an area where the disease is endemic.

Visceral leishmaniasis and disseminated intravascular coagulation in a dog.

A dog being treated with meglumine antimonate for leishmaniasis was examined because of anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and signs of abdominal discomfort. The history, physical examination findings, clinicopathologic abnormalities, and results of coagulation testing were compatible with a diagnosis of renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The signs of abdominal pain were most likely a result of microcirculatory obstruction.