Urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein in two dogs with acquired Fanconi syndrome: A case report.

Background: Fanconi syndrome (FS) is defined as multiple defects of the proximal tubules and is diagnosed by clinical symptoms. However, in dogs with FS, the damage in the proximal tubules that is responsible for the clinical symptoms has not been evaluated. Among FS cases, tubular damage in acquired FS is reversible following the elimination of a causative factor.

Human Muse cells reduce myocardial infarct size and improve cardiac function without causing arrythmias in a swine model of acute myocardial infarction.

Background: We recently reported that multilineage-differentiating stress enduring (Muse) cells intravenously administered after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), selectively engrafted to the infarct area, spontaneously differentiated into cardiomyocytes and vessels, reduced the infarct size, improved the left ventricular (LV) function and remodeling in rabbits. We aimed to clarify the efficiency of Muse cells in a larger animal AMI model of mini-pigs using a semi-clinical grade human Muse cell product.

Method And Result: Mini-pigs underwent 30 min of coronary artery occlusion followed by 2 weeks of reperfusion.

Effect of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors at therapeutic doses on body temperature during anesthesia in healthy dogs administered with amino acids.

In healthy dogs, amino acid infusion significantly attenuates the decrease in body temperature during anesthesia by facilitating insulin secretion, suggesting that such an increase in insulin secretion is related to increased heat production. In dogs, selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, which are used for pain relief in veterinary medicine, possess anti-pyretic action. And, in mice and humans, selective COX-2 inhibitors increase insulin secretion and sensitivity.

A case of prostate B-cell lymphoma recognized in the contents of an irreducible perineal hernia in a dog.

We present a case of an intact 14-year-old male dog with a prostate B-cell lymphoma recognized in the contents of an irreducible perineal hernia. The enlarged prostate was replaced after reducing its size by partial excision, and the perineal hernia was repaired using the tunica vaginalis communis. However, the pelvic cavity was largely occupied by the replaced prostate, and urinary retention developed.

Fluorescein sodium-guided resection of intracranial lesions in 22 dogs.

Objective: To evaluate the safety of an intraoperative fluorescein sodium (FS) injection and elucidate the relationships between the MRI findings, pathological diagnoses, and intraoperative staining characteristics of intracranial lesions in 22 dogs.

Study Design: Prospective case series.

Animals: Twenty-two dogs with intracranial lesions.

Vertebral replacement for the treatment of vertebral osteosarcoma in a cat.

A 7-year-old cat was referred with pelvic limb ataxia. Radiography and CT revealed bone resorption of the L1 vertebral arch, and myelography identified a compressive extradural lesion. The mass was surgically removed and histopathologically diagnosed as giant cell osteosarcoma.

Selection of broad-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli in the feces of healthy dogs after administration of first-generation cephalosporins.

Although antimicrobial products are essential for treating diseases caused by bacteria, antimicrobial treatment selects for antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of administration of first-generation cephalosporins on development of resistant Escherichia coli in dog feces. The proportions of cephalexin (LEX)-resistant E.

Changes in respiratory function in Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs with degenerative myelopathy.

Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) is characterized by progressive degeneration of the spinal cord. Although atrophic changes in the intercostal muscles were previously reported in the late stage of DM in Pembroke Welsh Corgis (PWCs), changes in respiratory function have not yet been examined. In the present study, we performed an arterial blood gas analysis and measured respiratory movements over progressive disease stages to document changes in respiratory function in DM-affected PWCs.

Intravenous infusion of amino acids in dogs attenuates hypothermia during anaesthesia and stimulates insulin secretion.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of intravenous infusion of amino acids on the prevention of hypothermia during anaesthesia in dogs.

Study Design: Randomized experimental trial.

Animals: Seven healthy Beagle dogs.

Molecular cloning of feline resistin and the expression of resistin, leptin and adiponectin in the adipose tissue of normal and obese cats.

Resistin, one of the adipokines that has a cycteine-rich C-terminus, is considered to relate to the development of insulin resistance in rats. However, in cats, there is little knowledge regarding resistin. In this study, we cloned the feline resistin cDNA from adipose tissue by RT-PCR.

Body and major organ sizes of young mature microminipigs determined by computed tomography.

To understand the anatomical characteristics of microminipigs, one of the smallest miniature pigs, as a large animal model, we measured the body and organ sizes of four-, five-, six-, and seven-month-old microminipigs (n = 4, females) using computed tomography. In addition, the results were compared with those of young mature beagles (10 months old, two males and three females), which have been widely used as a large animal model. The microminipigs at 4-6 months of age were much smaller than the beagles.

Gallbladder lymphoma in a miniature dachshund.

A 7-year-old, miniature dachshund was referred for examination and treatment of persistent anorexia, deep yellow-coloured urine and leucocytosis. The clinical sign of jaundice, results from a serum biochemistry profile and ultrasonographic images suggested a biliary tract obstruction. A cholecystectomy was performed to remove the obstruction.

Involvement of nuclear factor of activated T cells in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor production in canine keratinocytes stimulated with a cysteine protease.

Background: A previous study demonstrated that the cysteine protease of Dermatophagoides farinae induced production of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in a canine epidermal keratinocyte progenitor cell line (CPEK); however, the molecular mechanism has not been elucidated.

Hypothesis/objectives: Given that the transcription of GM-CSF mRNA in human lymphocytes is mainly regulated by the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), it is hypothesized that NFAT also contributes to GM-CSF production in canine keratinocytes stimulated with a cysteine protease.

Methods: Nuclear translocation of NFAT was evaluated in CPEK cells in the absence or presence of the cysteine protease papain.

Efficacy of fosfomycin on Escherichia coli isolated from bitches with pyometra.

The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from the uteri of bitches with pyometra, and 38 E. coli isolates were used. The antimicrobials used were ampicillin (ABPC), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, gentamicin, minocycline, cefazolin, levofloxacin (LVFX), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (ST) and fosfomycin (FOM).

Portal vein aneurysm in a dog.

Portal vein aneurysm (PVA) is a rare abnormal dilatation of the portal vein, which has not been reported in dogs. We describe the findings of ultrasound and computed tomography in a case of PVA in a young male toy poodle, with the final diagnosis established by explorative surgical observation. The dog had an aneurysmal fusiform dilatation in the extrahepatic portal vein with portal hypertension and multiple portsystemic shunts.

Production of GM-CSF mediated by cysteine protease of Der f in canine keratinocytes.

House dust mite (HDM) allergens are the most common allergens for induction of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity. Recently, epicutaneous sensitization with HDM allergens has been emphasized in the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) by producing various soluble factors in keratinocytes. Among the soluble factors, GM-CSF is a key molecule that activates Langerhans cells, antigen-presenting cells in the epidermis.

Gene transcription analysis in lesional skin of canine epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma using quantitative real-time RT-PCR.

Canine epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma (cECL) is characterized by infiltration of neoplastic lymphocytes in the skin with a specific tropism for the epidermis. Migration of lymphocytes is strictly controlled by interactions between chemokines and chemokine receptors, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of cECL. In this study, we investigated mRNA transcription levels of several chemokines (CCL17, CCL19, CCL21, CCL22, CCL27, CCL28 and CXCL10) and chemokine receptors (CCR4, CCR7, CCR10 and CXCR3) in lesional skin of cECL by quantitative real-time RT-PCR.

Suitable reference genes for quantitative real-time rt-pcr in total RNA extracted from canine whole blood using the PAXgene™ system.

Since blood cells produce various soluble factors like cytokines or chemokines, gene expression analysis in whole blood could be important to investigate disease pathogenesis. In gene expression analysis with quantitative real-time RT-PCR, accurate determination of relative mRNA transcription levels requires appropriate reference genes. To identify the optimal reference gene in canine whole blood, we compared transcription levels of twelve candidate reference genes in total RNA extracted using the PAXgene system.

Effect of recombinant canine interferon-γ on granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, transforming growth factor-β and CC chemokine ligand 17 mRNA transcription in a canine keratinocyte cell line (CPEK).

Recombinant canine interferon-γ (rCaIFN-γ) produced by a baculovirus expression system has therapeutic efficacy against atopic dermatitis in dogs. Although the mechanism of action of rCaIFN-γ is not completely understood, rCaIFN-γ is thought to downregulate the activity of interleukin-4- and interleukin-5-producing T helper 2 cells. However, rCaIFN-γ may also act directly on canine keratinocytes by inhibiting the release of inflammatory mediators.

Identification of the signaling pathway of TNF-α-induced CCL17/TARC transcription in a canine keratinocyte cell line.

A CC chemokine, CCL17/TARC, has been shown to be a factor in the immunopathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). In canine keratinocytes, the transcription of CCL17 mRNA is preferentially induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α); however, its regulatory mechanism has not been elucidated. The aim of the present study is to clarify the regulatory mechanism of TNF-α-induced CCL17 mRNA transcription in canine keratinocytes leading to the development of a chemokine-targeted therapy for cAD.

Antimicrobial susceptibility and methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. coagulans isolated from dogs with pyoderma in Japan.

To understand species distribution, trends of antimicrobial susceptibility and prevalence of methicillin resistance in canine staphylococci in Japan, 190 coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS) were isolated from dogs with pyoderma in 2 Japanese veterinary referral hospitals. Using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) method, two CoPS species were identified: 170 Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (89.5%) and 20 S.

Efficacy of a surgical scrub including 2% chlorhexidine acetate for canine superficial pyoderma.

The clinical efficacy of a surgical scrub containing 2% chlorhexidine acetate (2CA; Nolvasan® Surgical Scrub; Fort Dodge Animal Health, USA) was evaluated for the topical management of canine superficial pyoderma. The first study was a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. The control was a shampoo containing 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (4CG; Skin Clinic Shampoo; CHD MEDICS, Goyang, Korea).

Factors influencing the processing of visual information from non-verbal communications.

Aims: This paper examines the relationship between observational behavior and the observers' result assumptions, using a contained diagram that includes significant non-verbal information, such as gestures. The ability of care workers to assess a patient's mental status on the basis of non-verbal information would be considered an important skill necessary to understanding patient condition.

Methods: One hundred and eleven subjects were asked to take a test exploring two types of psychological status, and their eye movements were monitored during testing.

Augmentation of CCL17 and CCL28 gene expression by TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, or IFN-gamma in cultured canine keratinocytes.

Keratinocytes produce inflammatory mediators that are involved in the pathogenesis of skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis (AD). In particular, the CC chemokines, thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC)/CCL17 and mucosae-associated epithelial chemokine (MEC)/CCL28 are considered to play an important role in the lesional infiltration of lymphocytes in canine AD. However, there have been no reports on the regulatory mechanisms of CCL17 and CCL28 transcription in canine keratinocytes.