Body composition and grip strength are improved in transgenic sickle mice fed a high-protein diet.

Key pathophysiology of sickle cell anaemia includes compensatory erythropoiesis, vascular injury and chronic inflammation, which divert amino acids from tissue deposition for growth/weight gain and muscle formation. We hypothesised that sickle mice maintained on an isoenergetic diet with a high percentage of energy derived from protein (35 %), as opposed to a standard diet with 20 % of energy derived from protein, would improve body composition, bone mass and grip strength. Male Berkeley transgenic sickle mice (S; n 8-12) were fed either 20 % (S20) or 35 % (S35) diets for 3 months.

Measurement of prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time in citrated whole blood samples from clinically ill dogs following storage.

Objectives: To assess the reliability of prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time results generated from citrated whole blood samples following short-term storage at room temperature.

Methods: Clotting times were measured in blood samples from 40 dogs that showed a variety of clinical signs. Before measurement of prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time in citrated plasma, whole blood samples were split in three aliquots; one was processed within 30 minutes of collection (fresh) while the remaining two were stored unseparated at room temperature for 24 (24RT) or 48 (48RT) hours.

Description of outcomes of experimental infection with feline haemoplasmas: copy numbers, haematology, Coombs' testing and blood glucose concentrations.

The aim of this study was to compare blood copy, haematological and glucose values between cats experimentally infected with either Mycoplasma haemofelis (Group HF: 10 cats), 'Candidatus M. haemominutum' (Group HM: 3 cats) or 'Candidatus M. turicensis' (Group TU: 3 cats).

A retrospective study of canine D-dimer concentrations measured using an immunometric "Point-of-Care" test.

Objectives: To measure the D-dimer concentrations in both healthy dogs and dogs with and without evidence of thromboembolic disease/disseminated intravascular coagulation using a "Point-of-Care" test.

Methods: Sixty-seven clinical cases and 26 healthy dogs were included in this retrospective study. D-dimer was measured using the NycoCard D-dimer test.

Measurement of prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) on canine citrated plasma samples following different storage conditions.

Samples from 75 clinically ill dogs were utilised in the study. APTT and PT tests were performed immediately on fresh citrated plasma samples (Fresh). The remaining plasma was stored at -20 degrees C for less than 4 months (n=36 samples) or between 4 and 7 months (n=39 samples).