Incidence and Heritability of Gastric Carcinoma in the Belgian Shepherd Dog Population in The Netherlands.

Background: Gastric carcinoma in the Tervueren and Groenendael varieties of the Belgian Shepherd dog is commonly recognized and carries a grave prognosis. Information on incidence and heritability is necessary to design an effective selection strategy against this disease.

Methods: A database of cases and controls was built including cases with Tier 1 (confirmed via endoscopy or post-mortem) and Tier 2 evidence of gastric carcinoma.

Application of Deep Sequencing in Phage Display.

This chapter describes the workflow to implement deep sequencing into standard phage display experiments on protein libraries. By harvesting the power of high throughput of these techniques, it allows for comprehensive analysis of the naïve library and library evolution in response to selection by ligand binding. The mutagenized target region of the protein variants encoded by the phage pool is analyzed by Illumina paired-end sequencing.

Assessment of misdiagnosis in small animal intensive care patients using the Modified Goldman criteria.

The postmortem examination can be used as a means of quality control for clinical diagnoses. A retrospective study on 300 dogs and cats that had been admitted to a small animal intensive care unit was performed comparing the clinical and postmortem findings, using the Modified Goldman criteria. All patient files were reevaluated for clinical diagnoses and all postmortem material was reevaluated for pathological diagnoses.

Detection of visual field defects using Eye Movement Pediatric Perimetry in children with intracranial lesions: feasibility and applicability.

The study aimed at evaluating the feasibility of Eye Movement Pediatric Perimetry (EMPP) among children in detecting Visual Field Defects (VFDs) associated with Intracranial Lesions (IL). Healthy controls (n = 35) and patients diagnosed with IL (n = 19) underwent a comprehensive clinical evaluation followed by a Goldmann Visual Field (GVF) and a customised EMPP protocol. During EMPP, all the participants were encouraged to fixate on a central target and initiate Saccadic Eye Movement (SEM) responses towards randomly appearing peripheral stimuli.

Evidence of a sudden increase in α-chloralose poisoning in dogs and cats in the Netherlands between 2018 and 2021.

Background: After changes in European Union biocide legislation, the Dutch Poisons Information Center observed a strong increase in information requests concerning dogs and cats exposed to α-chloralose. To investigate whether α-chloralose-based rodenticides are safe for non-professional use, additional information regarding poisoning scenarios and clinical course was collected.

Methods: Veterinarians reporting α-chloralose exposure over a 2.

Radiopharmaceutical Quality Control Considerations for Accelerator-Produced Actinium Therapies.

Alpha-particle-emitting radiotherapies are of great interest for the treatment of disseminated cancer. Actinium-225 (Ac) produces four α-particles through its decay and is among the most attractive radionuclides for use in targeted radiotherapy applications. However, supply issues for this isotope have limited availability and increased cost for research and translation.

Incidence of Vitis fruit-induced clinical signs and acute kidney injury in dogs and cats.

Objectives: To determine the incidence of clinical signs and Vitis fruit-induced acute kidney injury in dogs and cats with a Vitis fruit ingestion reported to the Dutch Poisons Information Center, and a description of the therapies instituted by the veterinarians.

Materials And Methods: All cases of Vitis fruit ingestions in dogs and cats reported to the center between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 were included in this study. Veterinarians and pet owners were contacted by phone or email to obtain follow-up information.

The Effect of the Preoperative Fasting Regimen on the Incidence of Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux in 90 Dogs.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of three different preoperative fasting regimens on the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) in dogs under general anaesthesia. Ninety dogs undergoing non-abdominal and non-thoracic elective surgery were included in the study and equally allocated to three groups. Dogs received canned food providing half the daily resting energy requirements (RER) 3 h prior to premedication (group 3H), a quarter of the daily RER 3 h before premedication (group 3Q), and half the daily RER 12 h before premedication (group 12H).

A haploscope based binocular pupillometer system to quantify the dynamics of direct and consensual Pupillary Light Reflex.

This study described the development of a haploscope-based pupillometer for the parametrization of the Pupillary Light Reflex (PLR), and its feasibility in a set of 30 healthy subjects (light or dark-colored irides) and five patients diagnosed with Relative Afferent Pupillary Defect (RAPD). Our supplementary aim focused on evaluating the influence of iris colour on the PLR to decide whether a difference in PLR parameters should be anticipated when this system is used across ethnicities. All the participants underwent a customized pupillometry protocol and the generated pupil traces, captured by an eye tracker, were analyzed using exponential fits to derive PLR parameters.

Rotational Isomerism of an Amide Substituted Squaraine Dye: A Combined Spectroscopic and Computational Study.

The conformational analysis of a 2,4-bis(4-dialkylamino-2-amido)phenyl squaraine dye revealed the presence of two rotational isomers at room temperature. Combination of spectroscopic and computational techniques showed that the rotational barrier is influenced by hydrogen bonds between the amido substituents and the oxygen atoms at the quadratic core. Even small amounts of trifluoroacetic acid interfered with the intramolecular hydrogen bond formation and accelerated the interconversion of the conformers.

High-Throughput Sequencing of Phage Display Libraries Reveals Parasitic Enrichment of Indel Mutants Caused by Amplification Bias.

The combination of phage display technology with high-throughput sequencing enables in-depth analysis of library diversity and selection-driven dynamics. We applied short-read sequencing of the mutagenized region on focused display libraries of two homologous nucleic acid modification eraser proteins-AlkB and FTO-biopanned against methylated DNA. This revealed enriched genotypes with small indels and concomitant doubtful amino acid motifs within the FTO library.

A Novel Treatment for Neurotrophic Corneal Ulcer Using Topical Cenegermin (OXERVATE™) Containing Recombinant Human Nerve Growth Factor.

Neurotrophic keratitis represents a complex degeneration of the cornea that can result in debilitating symptoms and serious sight-threatening complications. Patients with neurotrophic keratitis (NK) usually present with a history of corneal injury or past surgical intervention involving damage to the corneal nerves; as well as, chronic ocular surface disease. This nerve damage results in sensory loss and poor healing to the corneal tissues.

Structural determinants of nucleobase modification recognition in the AlkB family of dioxygenases.

Iron-dependent dioxygenases of the AlkB protein family found in most organisms throughout the tree of life play a major role in oxidative dealkylation processes. Many of these enzymes have attracted the attention of researchers across different fields and have been subjected to thorough biochemical characterization because of their link to human health and disease. For example, several mammalian AlkB homologues are involved in the direct reversal of alkylation damage in DNA, while others have been shown to play a regulatory role in epigenetic or epitranscriptomic nucleic acid methylation or in post-translational modifications such as acetylation of actin filaments.

A novel insertion technique for urinary catheters in female dogs with the use of a guidewire.

Background: Complicated transurethral urinary bladder catheterization in female dogs is a commonly encountered urologic problem, often causing inadvertent trauma to the lower urinary tract and breach in aseptic technique.

Key Concepts: A novel method for transurethral insertion of urinary catheters in female dogs is described. The main variation from current procedures involves the application of the Seldinger technique with the use of an introduction catheter that is specifically designed to feed into the urethra, and the use of a guidewire to replace the introducer with an indwelling balloon catheter.

Helicity Control in the Aggregation of Achiral Squaraine Dyes in Solution and Thin Films.

Squaraine dyes are well known for their strong absorption in the visible regime. Reports on chiral squaraine dyes are, however, scarce. To address this gap, we here report two novel chiral squaraine dyes and their achiral counterparts.

Genes Involved in Energy Metabolism Are Differentially Expressed During the Day-Night Cycle in Murine Retinal Pigment Epithelium.

Purpose: The functional interaction between photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells is essential for vision. Phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments (POSs) by the RPE follows a circadian pattern; however, it remains unknown whether other RPE processes follow a daily rhythm. Therefore, our aim was to identify RPE processes following a daily rhythm.

Innovative application of an implantable venous access system in the portal vein: technique, results and complications in three dogs.

Background: Vascular access port (VAP) systems are widely used in human medicine to provide long-term venous access. However, in veterinary medicine the use of VAP systems is not common practice and publications on their potential applications have been limited. A VAP system was used as part of an experimental study on liver regeneration and implanted in the canine portal vein to create direct access to the portal venous circulation of the liver.

A Single Amino Acid Substitution in Therminator DNA Polymerase Increases Incorporation Efficiency of Deoxyxylonucleotides.

Deoxyxylonucleic acid (dxNA) is a synthetic polymer that might have potential for heredity and evolution. Because of dxNA's unusual backbone geometry, sequence information stored in it is presumed to be inaccessible to natural nucleic acids or proteins. Despite a large structural similarity with natural nucleotides, incorporation of 2'-deoxyxylonucleotides (dxNTs) through the action of polymerases is limited.

Immunohistochemical characterisation of the hepatic stem cell niche in feline hepatic lipidosis: a preliminary morphological study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the cellular and stromal components of the hepatic progenitor cell niche in feline hepatic lipidosis (FHL).

Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for the progenitor/bile duct marker (K19), activated Kupffer cells (MAC387), myofibroblasts (alpha-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA]) and the extracellular matrix component laminin were used on seven liver biopsies of cats with FHL and three healthy cats. Double immunofluorescence stainings were performed to investigate co-localisation of different cell types in the hepatic progenitor cell (HPC) niche.

Suitability and accuracy of CBCT model scan: an in vitro study.

Plaster casts can be digitized with desktop scanners, intraoral scanners, and recently also with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of five different CBCT devices digitizing a plaster cast. A study cast serving as a patient was made using the double mix impression technique, and the impression was poured out with plaster.

Negative pressure therapy versus passive open abdominal drainage for the treatment of septic peritonitis in dogs: A randomized, prospective study.

Objective: To compare passive open abdominal drainage (POAD) and negative-pressure abdominal drainage (NPAD) using the ABThera™ system in the treatment of septic peritonitis.

Study Design: Randomized prospective clinical trial.

Animals: Dogs (n = 16) with septic peritonitis.

Sex specific differences in hepatic and plasma lipid profiles in healthy cats pre and post spaying and neutering: relationship with feline hepatic lipidosis.

Background: A link between lipid metabolism and disease has been recognized in cats. Since hepatic lipidosis is a frequent disorder in cats, the aim of the current study was to evaluate liver and plasma lipid dimorphism in healthy cats and the effects of gonadectomy on lipid profiling. From six female and six male cats plasma and liver lipid profiles before and after spaying/neutering were assessed and compared to five cats (three neutered male and two spayed female) diagnosed with hepatic lipidosis.

An in-vitro study comparing the accuracy of ?full-arch casts digitized with desktop scanners.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of full-arch scans using 11 different cast scanners.

Method And Materials: Dental arch length (AL), intermolar width (IMW), and intercanine width (ICW) of the reference plaster casts were measured using a coordinate measuring machine (Zeiss O-Inspect 422). The master cast was subsequently scanned 37 times using 11 desktop scanners (3Shape R500, 3Shape R700, 3Shape R1000, 3Shape R2000, Medianetx grande, Medianetx colori, DentaCore CS ULTRA, Dentaurum OrthoX, Maestro 3D, Imetric IScan D104i, GC Aadva Lab Scan).