Partnering With Churches to Address COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Uptake in Trustworthy Contexts.

The Black church has long been seen as a crucial partner in addressing public health issues. This paper describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a community-engaged church intervention addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in underserved Black communities in Jefferson County, Alabama. We partnered with churches to implement and evaluate the intervention between March and June of 2022 and found that our church partners were capable of significant messaging reach, particularly through electronic means.

Evaluation of right ventricular diastolic function, systolic function, and circulating galectin-3 concentrations in dogs with pulmonary stenosis.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases with increased right ventricular (RV) afterload induce RV diastolic and systolic dysfunction, and myocardial fibrosis in humans. Studies in dogs with pulmonary stenosis (PS) evaluating RV diastolic function and markers of myocardial fibrosis are lacking.

Hypothesis/objectives: Dogs with PS have echocardiographic evidence of RV diastolic and systolic dysfunction and increased serum concentrations of galectin-3 (Gal-3), a surrogate biomarker for myocardial fibrosis.

Possible development and resolution of dilated cardiomyopathy phenotype secondary to atypical hypoadrenocorticism in a dog.

Objective: To report the possible occurrence of dilated cardiomyopathy phenotype associated with atypical hypoadrenocorticism and subsequent marked improvement with treatment in a mixed breed dog.

Case Summary: A 4.5-year-old, neutered male mixed breed dog was evaluated for a history and clinicopathological changes consistent with atypical hypoadrenocorticism.

The Impacts of Supplemental Protein during Development on Amino Acid Concentrations in the Uterus and Pregnancy Outcomes of Angus Heifers.

Replacement heifer development is one of the most critical components in beef production. The composition of the ideal uterine environment could maximize fertility and reproductive efficiency. Our hypothesis was that protein supplementation would affect the uterine environment of beef heifers without inhibiting development or reproduction.

Impact Performance of 3D Printed Spatially Varying Elastomeric Lattices.

Additive manufacturing is catalyzing a new class of volumetrically varying lattice structures in which the dynamic mechanical response can be tailored for a specific application. Simultaneously, a diversity of materials is now available as feedstock including elastomers, which provide high viscoelasticity and increased durability. The combined benefits of complex lattices coupled with elastomers is particularly appealing for anatomy-specific wearable applications such as in athletic or safety equipment.

Integrative echocardiographic assessment of post-operative obstruction severity and restenosis after balloon valvuloplasty in 81 dogs with pulmonary stenosis.

Introduction/objectives: Pulmonary stenosis (PS) is a congenital defect in the dog that is managed with balloon valvuloplasty (BV). Obstruction severity is routinely assessed using transthoracic echocardiography. The objectives of this study were to describe the short-term changes and long-term restenosis by retrospectively evaluating flow-dependent and flow-independent echocardiographic variables for dogs with PS after BV.

Hybrid balloon valvuloplasty for management of severe mitral stenosis in four symptomatic, adult dogs.

Four adult dogs weighing <10 kg presented for the evaluation of severe mitral valve stenosis with clinical signs. Owing to the size of the dogs, a hybrid surgical and interventional approach was utilized for balloon valvuloplasty. A left lateral thoracotomy was performed to allow direct entry through the left atrial wall.

Positive relationship of rectal temperature at fixed timed artificial insemination on pregnancy outcomes in beef cattle.

The overarching aim was to examine the relationship of rectal temperature at fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI) on pregnancy outcomes in a typical breeding season with expected pregnancy rates approaching 50% using Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle. This represents a continuum of steps to test the hypothesis that elevated body temperature at or around insemination is functionally important to maximize pregnancy outcomes. Rectal temperature of Bos indicus cattle at FTAI ranged from 37.

Preovulatory follicular fluid and serum metabolome profiles in lactating beef cows with thin, moderate, and obese body condition.

Extremes in body condition reduce fertility and overall productivity in beef cattle herds, due in part to altered systemic metabolic conditions that influence the intrafollicular and uterine environment. Follicular fluid and serum metabolome profiles are influenced by body composition in women and dairy cattle; however, such information is lacking in beef cattle. We hypothesized that body condition score (BCS)-related alterations in the metabolome of preovulatory follicular fluid and serum may influence oocyte maturation while impacting the oviductal or uterine environment.

Preovulatory serum estradiol concentration is positively associated with oocyte ATP and follicular fluid metabolite abundance in lactating beef cattle.

Cattle induced to ovulate a small, physiologically immature preovulatory follicle had reduced oocyte developmental competence that resulted in decreased embryo cleavage and day 7 embryo quality compared with animals induced to ovulate a more advanced follicle. RNA-sequencing was performed on oocytes and their corresponding cumulus cells approximately 23 h after gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administration to induce the preovulatory gonadotropin surge suggested reduced capacity for glucose metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation in the cumulus cells and oocytes from follicles ≤11.7 mm, respectively.

Transient high-grade second-degree atrioventricular block secondary to transvenous atrial septal defect occlusion in a dog.

A 1.2-year-old male-intact Standard Poodle underwent transvenous placement of an Amplazter™ atrial septal occluder for correction of a large secundum atrial septal defect. Thirty-six hours post-operatively, the dog developed high-grade Mobitz type II second-degree atrioventricular block, which resolved with time and corticosteroid administration by 12 days after the procedure.

Correlation between Pre-Ovulatory Follicle Diameter and Follicular Fluid Metabolome Profiles in Lactating Beef Cows.

Induced ovulation of small pre-ovulatory follicles reduced pregnancy rates, embryo survival, day seven embryo quality, and successful embryo cleavage in beef cows undergoing fixed-time artificial insemination. RNA-sequencing of oocytes and associated cumulus cells collected from pre-ovulatory follicles 23 h after gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administration to induce the pre-ovulatory gonadotropin surge suggested reduced capacity for glucose metabolism in cumulus cells of follicles ≤11.7 mm.

Long-term relief of obstruction in a dog with double-chambered right ventricle using combined cutting balloon and high-pressure balloon dilation.

A 4-month-old intact female Golden Retriever dog was diagnosed with double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) without infundibular stenosis, tricuspid valve dysplasia, and subsequent severe right atrial enlargement and was referred for combined cutting balloon and high-pressure balloon dilation. On presentation, these diagnoses were confirmed, and the peak systolic pressure gradient across the DCRV obstructive lesion assessed by continuous wave Doppler interrogation was 80 mm Hg. The obstructive lesion within the mid-right ventricle had a diameter of 6 mm through which blood flowed from the proximal right ventricular (RV) chamber to the distal RV chamber.

The effects of protein level on cytokines and chemokines in the uterine environment of beef heifers during development.

The development of replacement heifers is crucial for breeding success and herd efficiency. Nutritional management can affect not only reproductive development but also the inflammatory status of the uterine environment, which may impact reproductive functions such as pregnancy establishment and development. The study herein evaluated the concentration of cytokines and chemokines in the uterus of heifers supplemented with different levels of protein.

Repeat balloon valvuloplasty for dogs with recurrent or persistent pulmonary stenosis.

Introduction/objectives: Pulmonary stenosis (PS) is a common congenital defect in the dog. Severe valvar PS can be treated with balloon valvuloplasty (BV) to reduce obstruction severity and improve clinical signs. Repeat BV is often unnecessary, as restenosis is uncommon.

Effects of pimobendan on left atrial transport function in cats.

Background: Arterial thromboembolism is a sequela of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats related to left atrial (LA) enlargement and dysfunction.

Hypothesis: Pimobendan improves LA transport function in cats.

Animals: Twenty-two client-owned cats with HCM and 11 healthy cats.

Acquired left-to-right shunting through a valve-incompetent foramen ovale in a cat with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.

Case Summary: An 8-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was presented for a recheck evaluation of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and chronic kidney disease. Three years prior to presentation, the patient was diagnosed with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and started on atenolol. The left ventricular outflow tract obstruction subsequently resolved.

Sire contribution to pregnancy loss in different periods of embryonic and fetal development of beef cows.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of service sire on pregnancy results during different periods of embryonic and fetal development. Angus cows (n = 658) were timed artificially inseminated (TAI) on day 0 after synchronization of estrus using one of eight Angus sires. Estrus expression prior to TAI was evaluated using estrus breeding indicators.

Detection of congestive heart failure by Doppler echocardiography in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Left-sided congestive heart failure (CHF) is characterized by increased filling pressures and related Doppler echocardiographic (DE) filling patterns.

Hypothesis: Doppler echocardiographic variables of left ventricular filling derived from transmitral flow, pulmonary vein flow, and tissue Doppler can be used to detect CHF in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Animals: Forty-seven client-owned cats.

Feasibility and comparative analysis of Dirofilaria immitis microfilaria freezing and fixation for student instruction and assessment of clinical parasitology skills.

Background: Detection of D. immitis microfilaria (mf) is an important diagnostic skill in veterinary medicine and is critical to Day 1 veterinarians and technicians. Finding a supply of blood containing mf to teach the technique and formalin's adverse environmental effects used in the diagnostic microscopic tests present a challenge.

Using pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAG) for pregnancy detection at day 24 of gestation in beef cattle.

The objective of this experiment was to determine if circulating concentrations of pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAG) on day 24 of gestation can be utilized to diagnose pregnancy and embryo viability in beef cattle. Postpartum beef cows (n = 677) and heifers (n = 127) were exposed to a 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR estrus synchronization protocol followed by fixed-time AI (FTAI) on day 0. Blood samples were collected at day 24 after TAI to assess circulating concentrations of PAG utilizing an in-house ELISA.

Treatment of caudal cavoatrial junction obstruction in a dog with a balloon-expandable biliary stent.

A 2-year-old intact female mixed breed dog was presented for ascites. Echocardiography demonstrated severe obstruction at the level of the caudal right atrium. Initially, a variant of cor triatriatum dexter was diagnosed, and balloon catheter dilation was performed.

Bidirectional flow across a perforate cor triatriatum dexter in a dog with concurrent pulmonary, tricuspid, and mitral valve dysplasia.

A 10-week-old male intact mixed breed dog presented for evaluation of suspected right-sided congestive heart failure. Echocardiographic imaging revealed a perforate cor triatriatum dexter (CTD), along with pulmonary valve stenosis and tricuspid and mitral valve dysplasia. In typical CTD cases, there is unidirectional blood flow across the dividing membrane, from the caudal into the cranial right atrial chambers.

Electrocardiography-gated cardiac CT angiography can differentiate brachycephalic dogs with and without pulmonary valve stenosis and findings differ from transthoracic echocardiography.

Pulmonary valve stenosis (PS) is one of the most commonly diagnosed congenital heart defects in dogs. Currently, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the standard modality used to evaluate PS. Image acquisition by TTE can be challenging in some brachycephalic breeds of dogs.