Fecal Bile Acids in Canine Chronic Liver Disease: Results from 46 Dogs.

The concentrations of fecal and serum bile acids (BAs) are known to be altered in human patients with chronic liver diseases (CLDs), especially those with biliary tract involvement (BTD). Scarce literature is available regarding fecal BA modifications during canine CLDs. This study aimed to evaluate fecal BAs in canine CLDs according to different clinical and clinicopathological variables.

Evaluation of Liver Parenchyma in Dogs with Hyperlipidemia Using Ultrasound Attenuation Imaging (ATI).

(1) Background: Ultrasound attenuation imaging (ATI) is an innovative technique that allows for the evaluation of the degree of lipid infiltration of the liver parenchyma in a simple and non-invasive way. The objective of this study was to verify the applicability of the ATI method in the evaluation of hyperlipidemia. (2) Methods: This study included 53 dogs between January 2021 and December 2022, of which 21 were healthy (A) and 32 had hyperlipidemia (B).

Effects of Synbiotic Administration on Gut Microbiome and Fecal Bile Acids in Dogs with Chronic Hepatobiliary Disease: A Randomized Case-Control Study.

Alteration in the gut microbiome in human patients with chronic liver disease is a well-known pathophysiological mechanism. Therefore, it represents both a diagnostic and therapeutical target. Intestinal dysbiosis has also been identified in dogs with chronic liver disease, but clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of synbiotic administration are lacking.

Graphene oxide electrodes enable electrical stimulation of distinct calcium signalling in brain astrocytes.

Astrocytes are responsible for maintaining homoeostasis and cognitive functions through calcium signalling, a process that is altered in brain diseases. Current bioelectronic tools are designed to study neurons and are not suitable for controlling calcium signals in astrocytes. Here, we show that electrical stimulation of astrocytes using electrodes coated with graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide induces respectively a slow response to calcium, mediated by external calcium influx, and a sharp one, exclusively due to calcium release from intracellular stores.

Efficacy of different in-office treatments for dentin hypersensitivity: randomized and parallel clinical trial.

The aim of this clinical, prospective, randomized, and parallel study was to evaluate different in-office treatments for dentin hypersensitivity (DH). One hundred ninety-two teeth with non-cavitated root exposures were treated using different desensitizers: fluoride varnish (Duraphat - FLU); bioactive ceramic solution (Biosilicate - BIOS); universal self-etching adhesive (Single Bond Universal - SBU); bioactive photoactivated varnish (PRG filler - SPRG). The degree of DH was analyzed using a visual analog scale (VAS) and computerized visual scale (CoVAS), before treatments and after 7, 15, and 30 days from the first session.

Prospective Application of the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) as a Possible Inflammatory Marker in Feline Patients.

The application of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in feline medicine is currently unavailable, while in canine medicine it has been rediscovered due to the introduction of an automated ESR device. Our aims were to (1) define the reference interval (RI) of the ESR in healthy cats, (2) evaluate the ESR values between healthy and ill cats, (3) evaluate relationships between the ESR and some inflammatory markers, and (4) assess ESR changes in different durations of illness (acute, chronic, or acute-on-chronic). A prospective multicentric cohort study on 200 client-owned cats: 57 healthy cats and 143 ill cats for the other aims.

Anemia in Dogs with Acute Kidney Injury.

Anemia is a well-known complication in CKD dogs, but its frequency in AKI dogs has been poorly investigated. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate frequency, degree of severity, and regeneration rate of anemia in relation to IRIS grade, etiology, therapy, and outcome. Medical records of dogs (2017-2023) with historical, laboratory, and ultrasound findings consistent with AKI were retrospectively reviewed.

Trait emotional intelligence and ecological outcomes: the role of connectedness to nature.

Background: Global climate change is recognized as a major and irreversible challenge for humanity, requiring people's responsible and sustainable behaviors toward the environment. So far, the literature has widely investigated the role of cognitive determinants of ecological outcomes (e.g.

An Association between Pancreatic and Cholestatic Biliary Disorders in Dogs.

Canine chronic biliary tree disease (CBTD) is a suspected risk factor for pancreatic injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and features of pancreatic involvement in canine CBTD, and their relationship with hyperlipemia and its severity. CBTD was defined as the increase in at least two of ALP, GGT, total bilirubin, cholesterol, and a biliary tree abnormal abdominal ultrasound (graded mild to severe).

Six-Year Prescription Pattern of Antimicrobial Use in Cats at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Pisa.

The use of antimicrobials has greatly contributed to improving animal health. However, their inappropriate use reduces their effectiveness in treating bacterial infections and contributes to the selection of resistance. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the six-year pattern (2017-2022) of antimicrobial use in cats visiting the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of the University of Pisa (Italy).

A case series of urinary bladder rhabdomyosarcoma in seven dogs.

Background: Juvenile urinary bladder rhabdomyosarcoma (ubRMS) is a known entity; however, literature regarding its clinical behavior and endoscopic features is scarce. The aim of this study was to describe clinical and endoscopic features, and outcomes of ubRMS in dogs.

Case Description: Dogs undergoing transurethral endoscopy and with a histological diagnosis of ubRMS were retrospectively collected.

Intestinal Microbiome in Dogs with Chronic Hepatobiliary Disease: Can We Talk about the Gut-Liver Axis?

The gut-liver axis represents a current topic in human medicine. Extensive research investigates the gut microbiome (GM) modifications in relation to various kinds of chronic hepatobiliary diseases (CHD), with many mechanisms and therapeutical implications recognized. Those aspects in veterinary medicine are still quite unexplored.

(Pentastomida: Linguatulidae) infection in a paucisymptomatic greyhound imported from Romania to Italy: A case report and literature overview.

Background: is a pentastomid zoonotic parasite with worldwide distribution. Although some cases of infection have been reported in dogs, the epidemiology of this parasite remains largely unknown in developed countries. In recent years, canine linguatulosis has been repeatedly linked to cases of imported infections.

Retrospective Evaluation of Gastrointestinal Signs in Hypothyroid Dogs.

Few observations about gastrointestinal (GI) signs in hypothyroid dogs (hypo-T dogs) are available. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of concurrent GI signs in hypo-T dogs, describe clinicopathological, hepato-intestinal ultrasound findings in hypo-T dogs, investigate changes in GI signs after thyroid replacement therapy (THRT). Medical records of suspected hypo-T dogs from two hospitals were retrospectively reviewed.

Fecal Proteome Profile in Dogs Suffering from Different Hepatobiliary Disorders and Comparison with Controls.

In the present study, the fecal proteomes of clinically healthy dogs (HD = n. 10), of dogs showing clinical, ultrasonographic, and/or laboratory evidence of different hepatobiliary dysfunction (DHD = n. 10), and of dogs suffering from chronic hepatitis (CHD = n.

Ultrasonographic appearance and possible clinical relevance of hyperechoic foci of mineralization in the canine intrahepatic biliary tree.

Background: The evidence of mineralizations in the canine liver is usually considered an incidental finding of unclear clinical significance, frequently observed in small-size old dogs.

Aim: To describe the ultrasound features of intrahepatic biliary tree foci of mineralization, to assess their clinical relevance and their possible relationship with other gastrointestinal pathological disorders.

Methods: A retrospective analysis evaluating the database of canine patients admitted to two referral veterinary centers we carried out.

Serum Bicarbonate Deficiency in Dogs with Acute and Chronic Kidney Disease.

Serum bicarbonate deficiency is a disorder frequently found in human patients with acute (AKI) and chronic (CKD) kidney disease, due to abnormalities in kidney generation and reabsorption of bicarbonate. Although alkali supplementation is usually performed in both humans and veterinary CKD patients, data regarding the frequency of bicarbonate disorders in AKI and CKD dogs are scarce. The aim of the present study is to assess the frequency and the severity of bicarbonate deficiency of dogs affected by AKI, acute chronic kidney disease (ACKD), and CKD, and to investigate its possible association with the IRIS grade/stage as well as with disorders of calcium phosphate metabolism.

Fractional excretion of electrolytes and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as early biomarkers of acute kidney injury in dogs with acute pancreatitis.

Objectives: To determine if fractional excretion of urinary electrolytes and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin could detect different degrees of kidney injury in dogs with naturally occurring acute pancreatitis.

Materials And Methods: We included dogs with acute pancreatitis. Dogs with a history of kidney disease, urinary tract infection, dogs which received potentially nephrotoxic drugs and dogs managed with haemodialysis were excluded.

Astrocytic TRPV4 Channels and Their Role in Brain Ischemia.

Transient receptor potential cation channels subfamily V member 4 (TRPV4) are non-selective cation channels expressed in different cell types of the central nervous system. These channels can be activated by diverse physical and chemical stimuli, including heat and mechanical stress. In astrocytes, they are involved in the modulation of neuronal excitability, control of blood flow, and brain edema formation.

Comparative Evaluation of Peripheral Blood Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio, Serum Albumin to Globulin Ratio and Serum C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio in Dogs with Inflammatory Protein-Losing Enteropathy and Healthy Dogs.

Few routinely available biomarkers are clinically useful in assessing dogs with inflammatory protein-losing enteropathy caused by immunosuppressive-responsive enteropathy (IRE-PLE). Only the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been studied, while no information exists on the use of the albumin to globulin ratio (AGR) and C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CRP/ALB). We aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of the NLR, AGR and CRP/ALB in a population of dogs with IRE-PLE.

Implication of different replicons in the spread of the VIM-1-encoding integron, In110, in Enterobacterales from Czech hospitals.

Background: VIM metallo-β-lactamases are enzymes characterized by the ability to hydrolyze all β-lactams. Usually, -like genes are carried by class 1 integrons. In the Czech Republic, only sporadic cases of VIM-producing Enterobacterales have been reported in which those isolates carried the VIM-1 carbapenemase-encoding integron In110.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in canine inflammation.

The clinical application of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) assay is challenging due to its long processing time. However, in 2020 a new automated instrument for veterinary ESR was released and validated. This study sought: (1) to refine the proposed reference range (reference interval, RI) for canine ESR; (2) to compare the ESR values of healthy and sick dogs; and (3) to correlate ESR with other inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, albumin:globulin ratio (A/G), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR); and also (4) to study ESR behavior across illnesses of varying durations.

The absence of AQP4/TRPV4 complex substantially reduces acute cytotoxic edema following ischemic injury.

Introduction: Astrocytic Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) and Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channels form a functional complex that likely influences cell volume regulation, the development of brain edema, and the severity of the ischemic injury. However, it remains to be fully elucidated whether blocking these channels can serve as a therapeutic approach to alleviate the consequences of having a stroke.

Methods And Results: In this study, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantify the extent of brain lesions one day (D1) and seven days (D7) after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) in AQP4 or TRPV4 knockouts and mice with simultaneous deletion of both channels.