Potassium and Phosphorus Fertilizer Impacts on Alfalfa Taproot Carbon and Nitrogen Reserve Accumulation and Use During Fall Acclimation and Initial Growth in Spring.

Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) impact alfalfa ( L.) performance, but how these nutrients alter taproot physiology during fall acclimation and subsequent growth in spring is unclear. Our objectives were to: (1) determine seasonal patterns for taproot P and K concentrations during fall acclimation and during initial shoot growth in spring; (2) determine how P and K nutrition impacts accumulation of taproot C and N reserves during fall and their subsequent use when shoot growth resumes in spring; and (3) assess how addition of P and K fertilizer impacts survival and shoot growth in spring.

Mutations in sorghum SBEIIb and SSIIa affect alkali spreading value, starch composition, thermal properties and flour viscosity.

Seven novel alleles of SBEIIb and one allele of SSIIa co-segregated with the ASV phenotype and contributed to distinct starch quality traits important for food-processing applications. Sorghum is an important food crop for millions of people in Africa and Asia. Whole-genome re-sequencing of sorghum EMS mutants exhibiting an alkali spreading value (ASV) phenotype revealed candidate SNPs in Sobic.

Phosphorus and potassium effects on taproot C and N reserve pools and long-term persistence of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.).

Improved P and K nutrition can enhance yield and persistence of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) grown on low fertility soils, but it is unknown if the improved agronomic performance is associated with greater taproot N and C reserves. Our objective was to use cluster analysis to determine how alfalfa plant persistence is altered by P and K fertilization, and determine if changes in specific taproot C and/or N reserves were associated with alfalfa plant death.

Clinical Features of English Bulldogs with Presumed Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: 31 Cases (2001-2013).

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an important cause of sudden death in people and boxer dogs that has recently been described in English bulldogs. The objective of this retrospective study was to describe the clinical characteristics of English bulldogs with presumed ARVC. The medical records were searched for English bulldogs examined between 2001 and 2013 with a clinical diagnosis of ARVC.

Nitrogen Reserve Pools in Two × Genotypes under Contrasting N Managements.

Nitrogen (N) reserves in vegetative tissues contribute N to regrowth of × shoots in spring, but our understanding of how N fertilization and plant genotype affect this process is incomplete. Our specific objectives were to: (1) determine how N fertilizer management impacts accumulation of dry matter and N among aboveground and belowground tissues and organs; (2) understand how changes in N management and tissue N concentration influence seasonal fluctuations in concentrations of buffer-soluble proteins and amino acids in putative storage organs including rhizomes and roots; and (3) characterize genotypic variability and genotype × N interactions for N reserve accumulation and use among × genotypes. Established plots of the IL Clone and Nagara-sib population were fertilized with 0-0, 0-150, 75-75, 150-0, and 150-150 kg N ha where the first numeral denotes the N rate applied in 2011 (Year 1) and the second number denotes the N rate applied in 2012 (Year 2).

Evaluation of echocardiography and cardiac biomarker concentrations in dogs with gastric dilatation volvulus.

Objective: To assess abnormalities in concentrations of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), lactate, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in relation to arrhythmias, echocardiographic measurements, and survival in dogs with gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: University hospital.

Comparison of a computed tomographic pulmonary trunk to aorta diameter ratio with echocardiographic indices of pulmonary hypertension in dogs.

There are limited criteria for the detection of pulmonary hypertension in dogs undergoing computed tomography (CT) for pulmonary disease. This retrospective analytical exploratory study compared a CT pulmonary trunk to aorta ratio with echocardiographic estimates of pulmonary hypertension. Dogs having both a contrast thoracic CT and echocardiogram were selected and maximal pulmonary trunk and descending aorta diameters were measured by two observers on a single transverse CT image.

The use of rivaroxaban for the treatment of thrombotic complications in four dogs.

Objective: To describe the clinical use of rivaroxaban in the treatment of 4 dogs with vascular thrombosis, 2 with pulmonary thromboembolism and 2 with systemic thrombosis.

Case Series Summary: This report describes the use of a direct factor Xa anticoagulant newly approved in human patients for the treatment or prevention of arterial or venous thrombosis. The use of this medication in a clinical setting for canine patients with thromboembolism has not been described before.

Assessment of the responsiveness of the Cats' Assessment Tool for Cardiac Health (CATCH) Questionnaire.

Objectives: To evaluate the responsiveness and optimal timing of a validated health-related quality of life questionnaire, and to assess the relationship between quality of life, severity of disease, and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in cats with acute congestive heart failure (CHF).

Animals: Thirty client-owned cats with acute CHF.

Methods: Echocardiography, International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council (ISACHC) stage, and NT-proBNP were assessed in cats within 36 h of admission.

Pilot study of a myostatin antagonist in dogs with cardiac cachexia.

Objectives: Cardiac cachexia, a loss of lean body mass caused by heart disease, often accompanies congestive heart failure (CHF). Blocking myostatin, which is a protein that inhibits muscle growth, appears to greatly enhance muscle size and strength in rodent models and human clinical trials. The objective of this study was to evaluate a dog-specific myostatin antagonist (CAP-031) in a pilot study to test its safety and efficacy in dogs with CHF and cardiac cachexia.

Congenital cardiac malformation with three-chambered right atrium and a persistent left cranial vena cava in a dog.

This report describes an unusual congenital abnormality in a dog in which multiple distinct membranes were observed within the right atrium, creating obstruction to venous return from both the cranial vena cava and the caudal vena cava. A persistent left cranial vena cava was also identified. In addition to a membrane in the typical location for cor triatriatum dexter, the dog also had a perforated membrane separating the main right atrial body and tricuspid valve from a more cranial right atrial chamber and the right cranial vena cava.

Pulmonary artery dissection in eight dogs with patent ductus arteriosus.

Objectives: To describe a series of dogs with pulmonary artery dissection and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Animals: Eight dogs.

Methods: Retrospective case series.

Multi-centered investigation of a point-of-care NT-proBNP ELISA assay to detect moderate to severe occult (pre-clinical) feline heart disease in cats referred for cardiac evaluation.

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a point-of-care (POC) N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) ELISA to assess the likelihood of moderate to severe occult heart disease (OcHD) in a clinical population of cats suspected to have heart disease.

Animals: One hundred and forty-six asymptomatic client-owned cats with a heart murmur, gallop rhythm, arrhythmia, or cardiomegaly.

Methods: Physical examination, blood pressure measurement and echocardiography were performed prospectively.

Comparison of serum fatty acid concentrations in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and healthy controls.

n-3 fatty acids have some benefits in humans and dogs with cardiac disease, and plasma n-3 fatty acid concentrations have been shown to be decreased in dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF). However, there are no published studies reporting fatty acid concentrations in cats with cardiac disease. Therefore, the goal of this study was to compare serum fatty acid concentrations in normal cats and cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and determine if fatty acid concentrations correlate with left atrial size or the presence of CHF.

Acquired Gerbode defect and third-degree atrioventricular block secondary to vehicular trauma in a dog.

Objective: To describe a case of traumatically acquired left ventricular to right atrial communication (Gerbode defect), atrial septal defect (ASD), and third-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) necessitating permanent pacemaker placement in a dog.

Case Summary: A 1.5-year-old neutered male Newfoundland dog was struck by a car and was referred for further evaluation and treatment of hemoabdomen.

Evaluation of a training course in focused echocardiography for noncardiology house officers.

Objective: To determine whether a training course in focused echocardiography can improve the proficiency of noncardiology house officers in accurately interpreting cardiovascular disease and echocardiography findings in dogs entering the emergency room setting.

Design: Prospective, blinded, educational study.

Setting: University veterinary teaching hospital.

Brain structural abnormalities in Doberman pinschers with canine compulsive disorder.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating condition, the etiology of which is poorly understood, in part because it often remains undiagnosed/untreated for a decade or more. Characterizing the etiology of compulsive disorders in animal models may facilitate earlier diagnosis and intervention. Doberman pinschers have a high prevalence of an analogous behavioral disorder termed canine compulsive disorder (CCD), which in many cases responds to treatments used for OCD.

Septic pericarditis in a cat with pyometra.

Objective: To describe a unique cause of septic pericarditis in a cat and detail the successful case management strategy.

Case Summary: A 6-year-old sexually intact female Ragdoll cat was evaluated for a 7-day history of progressive lethargy, anorexia, and vaginal discharge. Thoracic radiographs revealed a markedly globoid cardiac silhouette and pleural effusion while the initial echocardiogram showed moderate volume pericardial effusion.

Body size and metabolic differences in Maine Coon cats with and without hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

An interplay between growth, glucose regulation and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) may exist, but has not been studied in detail. The purpose of this study was to characterize morphometric features, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and glucose metabolism in Maine Coon cats with HCM. Body weight, body condition score (BCS), head length and width, and abdominal circumference were measured in Maine Coon cats >2 years of age.

Development and evaluation of a questionnaire for assessment of health-related quality of life in cats with cardiac disease.

Objective: To develop, validate, and evaluate a questionnaire (Cats' Assessment Tool for Cardiac Health [CATCH] questionnaire) for assessing health-related quality of life in cats with cardiac disease.

Design: Prospective study.

Animals: 275 cats with cardiac disease.

Use of pimobendan in 170 cats (2006-2010).

Hypothesis/objectives: To describe the therapeutic use of pimobendan in cats, describe the patient population to which it was administered, document potential side effects and report the clinical course following administration of pimobendan in conjunction with standard heart failure therapy. It is hypothesized that cats with advanced heart disease including congestive heart failure from a variety of causes will tolerate pimobendan with a minimum of side effects when used in treatment in conjunction with a variety of other medications.

Animals, Materials And Methods: One hundred and seventy client owned cats with naturally occurring heart disease, one hundred and sixty four of which had congestive heart failure.

Successful treatment of pacemaker-induced stricture and thrombosis of the cranial vena cava in two dogs by use of anticoagulants and balloon venoplasty.

Case Description: 2 castrated male Labrador Retrievers (dogs 1 and 2) were evaluated 3 to 4 years after placement of a permanent pacemaker. Dog 1 was evaluated because of a large volume of chylous pleural effusion. Dog 2 was admitted for elective replacement of a pacemaker.

Transvenous pacemaker placement in a dog with atrioventricular block and persistent left cranial vena cava.

The case reported herein describes the placement of a permanent transvenous pacemaker in an older dog with a previously undiagnosed persistent left cranial vena cava (PLCVC) and recent onset symptomatic third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block. On presentation the dog was found to have atrial flutter and third-degree AV block and echocardiography demonstrated evidence of chronic valvular disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension. The persistent left cranial vena cava was discovered via angiography when difficulties were encountered with pacemaker placement.