Hyperkeratotic erythema multiforme variant in 17 dogs.

Background: A new canine subgroup defined as 'old-dog' or 'hyperkeratotic' erythema multiforme (HKEM) with marked hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis has been proposed without any detailed description of larger case series.

Objectives: We report herein the signalment, clinical signs, treatment outcome, and histopathological and immunological findings in 17 dogs with HKEM.

Animals: Inclusion criteria were the presence of (i) scaly skin lesions with or without crusting; and (ii) microscopic lesions typical of EM (i.

Abnormal sebaceous gland differentiation in 10 kittens ('sebaceous gland dysplasia') associated with generalized hypotrichosis and scaling.

A rare congenital dermatosis, characterized by progressive hypotrichosis with variable scaling and crusting, occurred in 10 short-haired kittens in North America and Europe. Lesions appeared at between 4 and 12 weeks of age, commencing on the head and becoming generalized. The tail was spared in two kittens.

Discovery of potent, cyclic calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a potent dilator of cerebral and dural vasculature, is known to be elevated in plasma and cerebral spinal fluid during migraine attacks. Selective blockade of the CGRP receptor offers the promise of controlling migraine headache more effectively and without the side-effects associated with the use of triptans. Our efforts to develop a novel, peptide-based CGRP antagonist focused on the C-terminal portion of the peptide which is known to bind the receptor but lack agonist properties.

The visceral pericardium: macromolecular structure and contribution to passive mechanical properties of the left ventricle.

Much attention has been focused on the passive mechanical properties of the myocardium, which determines left ventricular (LV) diastolic mechanics, but the significance of the visceral pericardium (VP) has not been extensively studied. A unique en face three-dimensional volumetric view of the porcine VP was obtained using two-photon excitation fluorescence to detect elastin and backscattered second harmonic generation to detect collagen, in addition to standard light microscopy with histological staining. Below a layer of mesothelial cells, collagen and elastin fibers, extending several millimeters, form several distinct layers.

Limited utility of acetoxymethyl (AM)-based intracellular delivery systems, in vivo: interference by extracellular esterases.

The use of acetoxymethyl (AM) groups to deliver and trap exogenous optical probes inside cells is an established tool in cell biology/physiology, however, these probes have not been used extensively in vivo. In this study, the use of the acetoxymethyl delivery system for optical probes was evaluated, in vivo. Initial studies revealed very little trapped probe in intact tissues even when near saturating levels of probe were injected in living animals.

Left ventricular eccentric remodeling and matrix loss are mediated by bradykinin and precede cardiomyocyte elongation in rats with volume overload.

Objectives: We hypothesized that left ventricular (LV) remodeling and matrix loss in volume overload (VO) are mediated by bradykinin (BK) and exacerbated by chronic angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition.

Background: Chronic ACE inhibition increases anti-fibrotic BK and does not attenuate LV remodeling in pure VO. The relative contribution of changes in extracellular matrix versus cardiomyocyte elongation in acute and chronic LV chamber remodeling during VO is unknown.

Multi-photon excitation microscopy in intact animals.

Two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy and backscattered-second harmonic generation microscopy permit the investigation of the subcellular events within living animals but numerous aspects of these experiments need to be optimized to overcome the traditional microscope geometry, motion and optical coupling to the subject. This report describes a stable system for supporting a living instrumented mouse or rabbit during endogenous reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and exogenous dye two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy measurements, and backscattered-second harmonic generation microscopy measurements. The system was a modified inverted LSM510 microscope (Carl Zeiss, Inc.

Skeletal muscle NAD(P)H two-photon fluorescence microscopy in vivo: topology and optical inner filters.

Two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy (TPEFM) permits the investigation of the topology of intercellular events within living animals. TPEFM was used to monitor the distribution of mitochondrial reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(P)H) in murine skeletal muscle in vivo. NAD(P)H fluorescence emission was monitored ( approximately 460 nm) using 710-720 nm excitation.

H(2)O(2)-induced Ca(2+) overload in NRVM involves ERK1/2 MAP kinases: role for an NHE-1-dependent pathway.

Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intracellular Ca(2+) overload are key mechanisms involved in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced myocardial injury. The relationship between I/R injury and Ca(2+) overload has not been fully characterized. The increase in Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE-1) activity observed during I/R injury is an attractive candidate to link increased ROS production with Ca(2+) overload.