Microglial lipid phosphatase SHIP1 limits complement-mediated synaptic pruning in the healthy developing hippocampus.

The gene inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatase D (INPP5D), which encodes the lipid phosphatase SH2-containing inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase 1 (SHIP1), is associated with the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). How it influences microglial function and brain physiology is unclear. Here, we showed that SHIP1 was enriched in early stages of healthy brain development.

Vinblastine/prednisolone chemotherapy leads to hematological toxicity in dogs with high-grade or metastatic mast cell tumors.

Objective: To determine the myelosuppressive effects/hematological toxicities, other general toxicities, and when these occur during vinblastine/prednisolone chemotherapy in dogs bearing high-grade or metastatic cutaneous/subcutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs).

Methods: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed between November 1, 2016, and March 1, 2023. Thirty client-owned dogs with histopathologically confirmed cutaneous high-grade MCTs/metastatic subcutaneous MCTs and that subsequently completed a 12-week vinblastine/prednisolone chemotherapy protocol were included.

Serum C-reactive protein concentrations in dogs with structural and idiopathic epilepsy.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein produced by the liver during systemic inflammation. In humans, some epilepsies are associated with increased serum CRP (sCRP) concentrations, but this has yet to be proven in veterinary studies. Dogs with structural epilepsy (SE) and normal interictal neurological examination are hard to distinguish from dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE) without the use of advanced imaging.

Prevalence of neoplasia and concurrent diseases in dogs and cats with hypercobalaminemia: A retrospective case-control study.

Background: Hypercobalaminemia is infrequently reported in companion animals and is considered of low clinical significance. Recent studies have described its association with inflammatory, immune-mediated, endocrine, and neoplastic conditions in dogs and cats.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association between hypercobalaminemia and neoplasia in companion animals and to identify other concurrent diseases or clinicopathologic changes.

Serum amyloid A and other clinicopathological variables in cats with intermediate- and large-cell lymphoma.

Objectives: Serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations are increased in cats with lymphoma vs healthy cats; however, the association between SAA concentrations and prognosis in cats with lymphoma is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate if SAA concentrations were different in cats with nasal vs non-nasal lymphoma, if SAA concentrations are prognostic in patients treated with high-dose chemotherapy and if SAA concentrations are correlated with other clinicopathological variables.

Methods: Cats diagnosed with intermediate- or large-cell lymphoma between 2012 and 2022 with SAA concentration data available were included.

The ultrasonographic appearance of renal medullary striations and their association with renal disease and renal histopathology in domestic cats.

Medullary striations (MS) have been anecdotally observed on ultrasound of feline kidneys; however, their significance is unknown. Aims of this retrospective, case control, pilot study were to describe the appearance, prevalence, and clinicopathological correlates of MS in a referral feline population. Still images from 1247 feline abdominal ultrasound studies performed between 2011 and 2021 were reviewed.

Measuring disability in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease: the WHODAS 2.0-36, WHODAS 2.0-32, and WHODAS 2.0-12.

To investigate whether the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS) can provide interval level measurement of disability in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), allowing parametric analyses. : Data on the WHODAS 12, 32, and 36-item versions, from 1120 patients studied at one or more time points, were fit to the Rasch model and comparisons made against ALSFRS-R, King's staging, and mortality.

Parasitic helminths and the host microbiome - a missing 'extracellular vesicle-sized' link?

Infections by gastrointestinal (GI) helminths have been associated with significant alterations of the structure of microbial communities inhabiting the host gut. However, current understanding of the biological mechanisms that regulate these relationships is still lacking. We propose that helminth-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) likely represent key players in helminth-microbiota crosstalk.

Retrospective analysis of association between hepatopathy and serum DGGR lipase activity in dogs: a pilot study.

1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid-(6'-methylresorufin) ester (DGGR) lipase assays are used to measure lipase activity in the diagnosis of pancreatitis. The effect of hepatic lipases released from damaged hepatocytes on serum DGGR lipase activity has not been reported, to our knowledge. We identified dogs with histologically confirmed liver lesions and concurrent unremarkable pancreatic histology, and dogs with no histologic evidence of hepatic or pancreatic disease.

Electrodiagnostic findings in facial onset sensory motor neuronopathy (FOSMN).

Objective: To determine the electrodiagnostic characteristics of facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy (FOSMN).

Methods: Electrophysiological data from 10 FOSMN patients in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Sydney were reviewed. Relevant literature was reviewed.

Can the neutrophil count from hepatic fine-needle aspirate cytology be used to diagnose hepatitis in dogs? A pilot study.

Background: The cytologic diagnosis of inflammation on canine hepatic aspirates can be confounded by neutrophilic infiltrates in the liver of dogs with nodular regeneration, by extramedullary hematopoiesis, and by marked blood contamination.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the association between neutrophil counts on hepatic cytology and the histopathologic diagnosis in dogs with hepatitis and non-inflammatory hepatopathy. We also sought to determine a cut-off value for the cytologic diagnosis of hepatitis.

Stomatocytosis in a Beagle and Australian Cattle Dog.

Background: Canine stomatocytosis is a well-recognized rare erythrocyte disorder characterized by nonsyndromic forms with selective erythroid involvement, syndromic forms with extra-hematologic disease, and acquired forms.

Objectives: We describe serial clinicopathologic changes in two dogs with stomatocytosis of breeds that are different from those previously reported.

Methods: Blood samples were obtained from a 12-year-old female neutered Australian Cattle Dog and a 12-year-old male neutered Beagle for hematologic and biochemical analyses, including a morphologic examination of peripheral blood films.

Size-Exclusion Chromatography Separation Reveals That Vesicular and Non-Vesicular Small RNA Profiles Differ in Cell Free Urine.

Urinary extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their RNA cargo are a novel source of biomarkers for various diseases. We aimed to identify the optimal method for isolating small (<200 nm) EVs from human urine prior to small RNA analysis. EVs from filtered healthy volunteer urine were concentrated using three methods: ultracentrifugation (UC); a precipitation-based kit (PR); and ultrafiltration (UF).

Resting and postprandial serum bile acid concentrations in dogs with liver disease.

Background: Serum bile acids (SBAs) are frequently measured in dogs. However, there is limited data comparing SBAs in different liver diseases diagnosed according to standardized histological criteria.

Objectives: To compare resting and postprandial SBAs, and determine their sensitivity and specificity, for various liver diseases in dogs.

Correlation between cytologic features and histologic grades in cutaneous and subcutaneous soft tissue sarcomas in dogs-A pilot study.

Currently, canine soft tissue sarcoma (STS) grading is based on histopathology. In humans, several studies have demonstrated concordance between cytologic grading systems for STS and histologic grade. The aim of this study was to correlate several cytologic parameters (smear cellularity, anisokaryosis, nucleolar malignancy score, multinucleation, and the number of mitotic figures per 200 cells) that form part of a human STS cytologic grading system, with histologic grades of canine cutaneous and subcutaneous STS.

Preliminary evaluation of a salivary urea test strip method for use in dogs.

Background: Salivary urea concentrations correlate with serum urea concentrations in dogs and humans. Salivary urea concentrations can now be determined semi-quantitatively using a salivary urea test strip method that has been validated for use in humans.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the repeatability of the salivary urea test strip score, and the correlation between the salivary urea test strip scores and serum urea concentrations in dogs.

Hepatocyte expression and prognostic importance of senescence marker p21 in liver histopathology samples from dogs with chronic hepatitis.

Background: Chronic hepatitis (CH) occurs commonly in dogs but is associated with a variable and largely unpredictable prognosis. p21, a cell-cycle inhibitor and marker of cellular senescence, is upregulated in human liver disease and is a better prognostic marker than histological or clinical scoring systems.

Objective: To quantify hepatocyte p21 immunopositivity in histopathology samples from dogs with CH and determine its association with outcome.

Validation of a commercial 1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero glutaric acid-(6'-methylresorufin) ester lipase assay for diagnosis of canine pancreatitis.

The objectives of this study were fourfold: technical validation of a commercial canine 1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero glutaric acid-(6'-methylresorufin) ester (DGGR) lipase assay, to calculate a reference interval for DGGR lipase by the indirect a posteriori method, to establish biological validity of the assay, and to assess agreement between DGGR lipase and specific canine pancreatic lipase (Spec cPL) assays. Dogs with histologically confirmed acute pancreatitis (n=3), chronic pancreatitis (n=8) and normal pancreatic tissue (n=7) with stored (-80°C) serum samples were identified. Relevant controls were selected.

Detection and seroprevalence of morbillivirus and other paramyxoviruses in geriatric cats with and without evidence of azotemic chronic kidney disease.

Background: Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) is associated with the presence of tubulo-interstitial nephritis (TIN) in cats, however the seroprevalence of FeMV in the UK and the association between the presence of FeMV and renal azotemia is unknown HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To identify whether paramyxoviruses are present in urine samples of geriatric cats and to develop an assay to assess FeMV seroprevalence. To investigate the relationship between both urinary paramyxovirus (including FeMV) excretion and FeMV seroprevalence and azotemic chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Animals: Seventy-nine cats (40 for FeMV detection; 72 for seroprevalence).

Investigation of the association between serum protein concentrations and concurrent chronic kidney disease in hyperthyroid cats.

Our objective was to identify if changes in serum protein concentrations occur in hyperthyroidism and to assess their association with the development of azotaemia following treatment. Initially non-azotaemic hyperthyroid cats and healthy older cats were included. Serum concentrations of protein fractions were determined by agarose gel electrophoresis and compared between; hyperthyroid and control cats, initially non-azotaemic hyperthyroid cats which developed azotaemia in a 4month follow up period (masked-azotaemic) and those which remained non-azotaemic, and hyperthyroid cats before and at the time of restoration of euthyroidism.

Effect of prewarming EDTA blood samples to 37°C on platelet count measured by Sysmex XT-2000iV in dogs, cats, and horses.

Background: Pseudothrombocytopenia secondary to platelet clumping is a common cause of preanalytic error for platelet counts in dogs, cats, and horses. In human beings, it is suggested that prewarming blood samples to 37°C prior to hematology analysis will reduce platelet clumping.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of prewarming EDTA blood samples to 37°C on measured platelet counts and other hematologic variables.

Validation of an automated enzyme immunoassay for the measurement of serum total thyroxine in cats.

Background: Hyperthyroidism is common in older cats, which necessitates frequent screening of serum total thyroxine (TT4) concentrations. Fast, cheap, and reliable methods to measure TT4 in cats are needed.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was the validation of a human TT4 enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for use with feline serum, and derivation of a TT4 reference interval (RI) for cats aged 9 years and older.

Facial Onset Sensory and Motor Neuronopathy: Further Evidence for a TDP-43 Proteinopathy.

Three patients with the clinical and investigation features of facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy (FOSMN) syndrome are presented, one of whom came to a post-mortem examination. This showed TDP-43-positive inclusions in the bulbar and spinal motor neurones as well as in the trigeminal nerve nuclei, consistent with a neurodegenerative pathogenesis. These data support the idea that at least some FOSMN cases fall within the spectrum of the TDP-43 proteinopathies, and represent a focal form of this pathology.

Thromboelastography in healthy dairy cows.

Thromboelastography is a whole blood-based coagulation assay that can be used to investigate hypocoagulability and hypercoagulability, as seen with thromboembolic diseases and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Numerous coagulopathies due to different causes are reported in cows. The objective was to establish reference intervals for thromboelastography using the TEG 5000 (Haemonetics GmbH, Munich, Germany) with citrated whole blood samples and kaolin activation in dairy cows and to investigate possible thromboelastographic changes between cows in different lactation periods.