Fractional excretion tests: a critical review of methods and applications in domestic animals.

The fractional excretion (FE) of a constituent by the kidney is the fraction of the amount filtered by the glomerulus, which is excreted into urine. It is mostly determined for electrolytes, and is expressed as the ratio of the clearance of a given electrolyte to creatinine clearance. The main physiologic factors affecting FE variation are species, age, and the alimentary supply of electrolytes.

Comparison of a new blood sampling device with the vacuum tube system for plasma and hematological analyses in healthy dogs.

Pediatric devices based on a capillary system may provide an alternative to vacuum tubes for canine blood sampling. The potential advantages are absence of vein collapse, limited blood volume sampled, and improved safety. The aim of this study was to compare routine plasma and hematological variables in seven healthy dogs using both techniques.

Perspectives of adolescents and their parents regarding service needs following a mild traumatic brain injury.

Primary Objective: Various guidelines have been developed to implement coherent and uniform management of persons with a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), but those have typically been developed for adults or children and may not address or meet the specific needs of adolescents. The purpose of this study was to explore the specific service needs of adolescents (12-18 years) after a mTBI.

Study Design: Qualitative phenomenological study.

Expression of vasopressin receptors in ACTH-independent macronodular bilateral adrenal hyperplasia causing Cushing's syndrome: molecular, immunohistochemical and pharmacological correlates.

Cortisol secretion in ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) causing Cushing's syndrome can be controlled by illegitimate receptors. The aim of the present study was to characterize the molecular, immunohistochemical, and pharmacological profiles of vasopressin receptors in cells derived from three patients with AIMAH (H1-H3), in order to evaluate the role of ectopic vasopressin receptors in the physiopathology of hypercortisolism. Expression of mRNAs encoding the vasopressin receptor types (V(1a), V(1b), and V(2)) were analyzed by RT-PCR in adrenal tissues.

Effect of spironolactone on diuresis and urine sodium and potassium excretion in healthy dogs.

Objectives: To document the diuretic effect of different oral doses of spironolactone (SP) in healthy dogs.

Background: SP is currently mentioned as a diuretic agent in the dog. However, the recommended doses were empirically defined and their corresponding diuretic effect has never been documented in dogs.

Aberrant adrenal sensitivity to vasopressin in adrenal tumours associated with subclinical or overt autonomous hypercortisolism: is this explained by an overexpression of vasopressin receptors?

Objective: Abnormal responsiveness to arginine vasopressin (AVP) was previously observed in cortisol-producing adrenocortical tumours but the mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of AVP on cortisol secretion from adrenocortical tumours compared to normal human adrenal gland.

Design: A multicentre study based on pharmacological, molecular and immunohistochemical experiments performed in adenomatous and normal adrenal tissues.

Comparison and reproducibility of plasma clearance of exogenous creatinine, exo-iohexol, endo-iohexol, and 51Cr-EDTA in young adult and aged healthy cats.

Background: Important characteristics determining the usefulness of a method for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measurement are convenience, availability, and reproducibility.

Hypothesis: The use of different plasma clearance methods could lead to different results and differences in reproducibility.

Animals: Twelve healthy cats: 6 young adult cats (age 7-12 months), and 6 aged cats (age 9-12 years) were included in this study.

Azotemia and glomerular filtration rate in dogs with chronic valvular disease.

Background: Little information is available about the prevalence of renal dysfunction in dogs with chronic valvular heart disease (CVD).

Hypothesis: Azotemia and a decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are more severe with increased severity of CVD.

Animals: 124 (study No.

Impact level of dihydrotestosterone on the hypothalamic-pituitary-leydig cell axis in men.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) the physiologically most potent androgen cannot be aromatised into oestrogen. DHT is used as a treatment for idiopathic gynaecomastia. In order to investigate the different sites of action of DHT on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, two groups of adult men were studied.

Identification of potential gene markers and insights into the pathophysiology of pheochromocytoma malignancy.

Context: Pheochromocytomas are catecholamine-producing tumors that are generally benign but that can also present as or develop into malignancy. Occurrence of malignant pheochromocytomas can only be asserted by imaging of metastatic lesions.

Objectives: We conducted a gene expression profiling of benign and malignant tumors to identify a gene signature that would allow us to discriminate benign from malignant pheochromocytomas and to gain a better understanding of tumorigenic pathways associated with malignancy.

Evaluation of a standardized short-time calcium suppression test in healthy subjects: interest for the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Objective: The diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) can be difficult in patients with normal plasma calcium or parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. We perfected a standardized short-time i.v.

Chronic lymphatico-venous bypass: surgical technique and aftercare in a porcine model.

We describe a chronic model of lymphatico-venous bypass in pigs with emphasis to surgical considerations, major per- and postoperative complications. A catheter (silicone or heparin coated polyurethane) was inserted in the thoracic duct of nine pigs via a right intercostal thoracotomy. A second catheter was surgically inserted in the jugular vein and the bypass was secured on the back of the animals.

Comparative adverse cardiac effects of pimobendan and benazepril monotherapy in dogs with mild degenerative mitral valve disease: a prospective, controlled, blinded, and randomized study.

Background: Pimobendan (PIMO) is an inodilator that may have some beneficial effects in canine degenerative mitral valve disease (MVD). However, little information is available about its cardiac effects in dogs without systolic myocardial dysfunction.

Hypothesis: Compared to benazepril (BNZ), an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, PIMO may worsen valve regurgitation in early canine MVD.

Quantification of mitral valve regurgitation in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease by use of the proximal isovelocity surface area method.

Objective: To determine the within-day and between-day variability of regurgitant fraction (RF) assessed by use of the proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) method in awake dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (MVD), measure RF in dogs with MVD, and assess the correlation between RF and several clinical and Doppler echocardiographic variables.

Design: Prospective study.

Animals: 6 MVD-affected dogs with no clinical signs and 67 dogs with MVD of differing severity (International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council [ISACHC] classification).

Interdisciplinary family intervention program: a partnership among health professionals, traumatic brain injury patients, and caregiving relatives.

Throughout the delivery of care after traumatic brain injury, the type of relationship that develops between the family and the professionals has a major effect on the day-by-day adjustment of traumatic brain injury individuals and their relatives. Seventeen health professionals from different disciplines working with the traumatic brain injury clientele at different stages of the continuum of trauma care underwent training in the form of e-learning to apply the Interdisciplinary Family Intervention Program, or PRIFAM. The study methodology was mixed: participants' evaluation of the PRIFAM training was assessed through a quantitative questionnaire, whereas their experience and learning were documented in semiguided, qualitative interviews conducted before and after training.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in veterinary medicine.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors represent one of the most commonly used categories of drugs in canine and feline medicine. ACE inhibitors currently approved for use in veterinary medicine are benazepril, enalapril, imidapril and ramipril. They are all pro-drugs administered by oral route.

Comparison of a new device for blood sampling in cats with a vacuum tube collection system - plasma biochemistry, haematology and practical usage assessment.

Using paediatric devices to collect venous blood from a cephalic vein in cats offers numerous practical advantages over traditional jugular venepuncture and vacuum closed systems: minimal restraint is required; there is minimal risk of serious injury to the cat; the discomfort associated with venepuncture is reduced by the use of small diameter (25 gauge) needles; very small volumes (200 microl) of blood are extracted; and the risk of vein collapse or haematoma is low. The aim of this study was to compare the haematological and plasma chemistry results obtained from six healthy cats using the two sampling techniques. Five plasma biochemical analytes were measured and a complete haematological examination was performed on each specimen.

Gender differences and similarities in the experience of parenting a child with a health problem: current state of knowledge.

The birth of a child is a transitional situation that triggers stress in the family and each person has to use adjustment strategies allowing them to reposition gradually in relation to themselves and other members of the family, and to make space for the new arrival. When the child has a health problem, the stress on the parents is correspondingly greater. Research shows that fathers and mothers of a child with a health problem experience this ordeal differently.

Longitudinal analysis of gene expression in porcine skeletal muscle after post-injection local injury.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the time course of gene expression in a skeletal muscle local injury induced by an intramuscular (IM) injection, and to compare the dynamics of gene expression with pathological events.

Materials And Methods: Ten piglets received 4 IM injections of propylene glycol in the longissimus dorsi muscles 6 h, 2, 7, and 21 days before euthanasia, where control and injected muscle sites were sampled for RNA isolation and microscopic examination. The hybridization of nylon cDNA microarrays was carried out with radioactive probes obtained from the muscle RNA.

Familial adrenocorticotropin-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with aberrant serotonin and vasopressin adrenal receptors.

ACTH-independent macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia (AIMAH) is rare and generally presents as a sporadic disease. We describe a familial case of AIMAH with in vivo and in vitro demonstration of aberrant 5-HT4 and vasopressin adrenal receptors. Two sisters presented with clinical and biological features of mild Cushing's syndrome with bilateral macronodular adrenal enlargement on computerized tomography (CT)-scan evaluation.

Development of novel tools for the diagnosis and prognosis of pheochromocytoma using peptide marker immunoassay and gene expression profiling approaches.

Pheochromocytomas (PHEOs) are rare catecholamine-producing neoplasias that arise from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla or from extra-adrenal locations. These neuroendocrine tumors are usually benign, but may also present as or develop into a malignancy. There are currently no means to predict or to cure malignant tumors which have a poor prognosis.

Expression and processing of the neuroendocrine protein secretogranin II in benign and malignant pheochromocytomas.

The aim of the present study was to compare the expression levels of secretogranin II (SgII), prohormone convertases (PC)1 and PC2, and the proteolytic processing of SgII in benign versus malignant pheochromocytomas. Quantitative (Q)-PCR experiments indicated that SgII, PC1, and PC2 mRNAs were overexpressed in pheochromocytoma compared to non-tumoral chromaffin cells (P<0.001) and in benign compared to malignant tumors (P<0.

Disposition of plasma creatinine in non-azotaemic and moderately azotaemic cats.

The objectives of this study were to compare assay methods for plasma creatinine (Pl-creat) in cats and to describe the disposition of creatinine and iohexol in 12 healthy and moderately azotaemic cats. Exogenous creatinine and iohexol were injected simultaneously by intravenous bolus, and repeated blood samples were taken to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of each marker. Pl-creat was assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Jaffé and enzymatic methods.