Role of DLA-DRB1 amino acids outside the shared epitope in dachshund susceptibility to immune-mediated polyarthritis.

Canine immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) is an idiopathic disorder encompassing both erosive and non-erosive forms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with a clinical picture similar to human RA. Resemblance in major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-associated risk between the two was first noted within the specific amino acid motif known as the shared epitope (SE) on human leukocyte antigen DRB1. Following further identification of amino acids conferring risk for human RA outside the SE, this study was designed to examine amino acids both within and outside the classic SE in dachshunds, a breed with reported susceptibility to IMPA in Japan.

Changes in renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system during cardiac remodeling after mitral valvuloplasty in dogs.

Background: Information regarding changes in renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) during cardiac remodeling after mitral valvuloplasty (MVP) in dogs remains lacking.

Hypothesis/objectives: To assess the longitudinal effects of MVP on circulating RAAS activity.

Animals: Eight client-owned dogs receiving MVP for myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD).

Dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) class II genotypes associated with chronic enteropathy in French bulldogs and miniature dachshunds.

Canine chronic enteropathy (CE) is a group of immunogenetic disorders of unclear etiology characterized by chronic or recurrent gastrointestinal signs and inflammation. Diagnosis of CE subtypes by treatment response is a lengthy and challenging process, particularly in refractory cases of the disease. Given known association of dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) class II genotype and various immunogenetic disorders between and across breeds, this study was designed to examine the potential of determining susceptibility to refractory CE through identification of risk and protective genotypes in French bulldogs and miniature dachshunds-two popular dog breeds in Japan.

Effect of modified ultrafiltration on cytokines and hemoconcentration in dogs undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

Cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) generates severe inflammatory reactions secondary to hemodilution and surgical stress. This study was conducted to evaluate whether modified ultrafiltration (MUF) could be performed safely and to clarify its effects during mitral valve repair in dogs in terms of hemodilution and the status of inflammatory cytokines. We retrospectively studied 38 dogs with mitral valve disease who underwent MUF immediately after mitral valve repair under CPB.

Diagnostic utility of computed tomographic angiography in dogs with portal vein thrombosis.

Computed tomographic (CT) angiography, the gold standard for diagnosing portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in humans, is poorly documented in dogs. Therefore, we retrospectively reviewed dogs with PVT diagnosed by CT angiography. Medical records of 13 client-owned dogs diagnosed with PVT by CT angiography were reviewed.

Plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentration in dogs with acquired portosystemic collaterals.

Background: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is activated in humans with portal hypertension (PH) associated with liver disease. However, involvement of RAAS in dogs with intrahepatic PH is not clear.

Objective: To measure plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) in dogs with PH (chronic hepatitis [CH] and primary hypoplasia of the portal vein [PHPV]), dogs with extrahepatic congenital portosystemic shunt (EH-CPSS), and healthy dogs and to determine whether the RAAS is activated in dogs with PH.

Comparison of conventional magnetic resonance imaging and nonenhanced three dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography findings between dogs with meningioma and dogs with intracranial histiocytic sarcoma: 19 cases (2010-2014).

OBJECTIVE To compare conventional MRI and nonenhanced 3-D time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) findings between dogs with meningioma and dogs with intracranial histiocytic sarcoma (IHS). DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 14 dogs with meningioma and 5 dogs with IHS.

Methylation of free-floating deoxyribonucleic acid fragments in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of dogs with chronic bronchitis exposed to environmental tobacco smoke.

Background: The etiology of canine chronic bronchitis (CB) is not completely understood, although exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) affects the airway inflammatory responses in some dogs with CB. The mechanism by which this occurs is unknown.

Findings: We investigated the concentrations and methylation rates of free-floating DNA fragments in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from dogs with chronic bronchitis.

Increased proportions of CCR4(+) cells among peripheral blood CD4(+) cells and serum levels of allergen-specific IgE antibody in canine chronic rhinitis and bronchitis.

Canine chronic rhinitis (CR) and bronchitis (CB) are suspected to be allergic diseases. The present study tested whether dogs diagnosed with CR or CB present an atopic predisposition based on the ratio of CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4)-positive cells among peripheral blood CD4-positive cells (CCR4/CD4) and the serum levels of allergen-specific IgE antibodies. We found that most dogs with CR and CB have a possibility of atopic predisposition, and macrolide therapy constitutes an alternative to corticosteroid therapy in controlling the clinical signs.

Expression of selectins and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 in dogs with lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis.

Lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis (LPE) is the most common form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affecting the canine small intestine; however, the molecular pathogenesis of this disease remains unclear. Although selectins and their ligands play a critical role as cell adhesion molecules during inflammation, there is very little information about their involvement in canine LPE. The aim of this study was to evaluate transcript expression of selectins (E-, L-, and P- selectin) and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) in the duodenal mucosa of 21 dogs with LPE and 10 healthy laboratory beagles.

Evaluation of a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 repeat motifs 13 (ADAMTS13) activity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measuring plasma ADAMTS13 activity in dogs.

A disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 repeat motifs 13 (ADAMTS13) is a von Willebrand factor (vWF)-cleaving protease. Deficiencies in ADAMTS13 activity are known to cause thrombotic diseases in human beings. The present study evaluated whether the human ADAMTS13 activity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit containing human vWF73 (a minimal substrate) and anti-N10 antibody (which specifically recognizes the decapeptide of the C-terminal edge of cleaved vWF by human ADAMTS13) is applicable to the measurement of canine plasma ADAMTS13 activity.

Case report: First confirmed case of canine peritoneal larval cestodiasis caused by Mesocestoides vogae (syn. M. corti) in Japan.

Canine peritoneal larval cestodiasis (CPLC) is an unusual parasitic disease in dogs that is caused by asexual proliferation of larval Mesocestoides. A 12 year-old spayed Shetland sheepdog with abdominal distension was referred to the Animal Medical Center at Nihon University, Japan. The presence of ascites was confirmed by abdominal ultrasonography and X-ray imaging.

Regional variations and age-related changes detected with magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the brain of healthy dogs.

Objective: To investigate age-related and regional differences in estimated metabolite concentrations in the brain of healthy dogs by means of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

Animals: 15 healthy Beagles.

Procedures: Dogs were grouped according to age as young (n = 5; all dogs were 2 months old), adult (5; mean age, 4.

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum canine surfactant protein A concentrations in dogs with chronic cough by bronchial and interstitial lung diseases.

We measured bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum canine surfactant protein (cSP)-A concentrations in dogs with chronic cough. There were no significant differences between bronchial and interstitial lung diseases in BALF cSP-A concentrations. However, serum cSP-A concentrations in dogs with the interstitial lung disease as diffuse panbronchiolitis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were significantly higher than those in dogs with the bronchial disease as chronic bronchitis.

Gene expression of growth factors and growth factor receptors for potential targeted therapy of canine hepatocellular carcinoma.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the gene expression of growth factors and growth factor receptors of primary hepatic masses, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and nodular hyperplasia (NH), in dogs. Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure the expression of 18 genes in 18 HCCs, 10 NHs, 11 surrounding non-cancerous liver tissues and 4 healthy control liver tissues. Platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B), transforming growth factor-α, epidermal growth factor receptor, epidermal growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor were found to be differentially expressed in HCC compared with NH and the surrounding non-cancerous and healthy control liver tissues.

Successful resolution of esophageal granulomas in a dog infected with Spirocerca lupi.

A 13-year-old female Labrador Retriever presented with chronic regurgitation. Radiography and computed tomography (CT) revealed nodules in the caudal esophagus. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy followed by histopathological examination revealed esophageal granulomas caused by Spirocerca lupi.

Activation of nuclear factor-kappa B and cell adhesion molecule mRNA expression in duodenal mucosa of dogs with lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis.

Lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis (LPE) is the most common form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affecting the canine small intestine; however, the molecular basis of the pathogenesis remains unclear. It has recently been hypothesized that the primary defect is impaired innate immune function, as is the case for human IBD. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NFkappaB) plays a central role in innate immunity, and is a major transcriptional regulator of several proinflammatory cytokines, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as toll-like receptors (TLRs), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs).

The characteristics of short- and long-term surviving Shiba dogs with chronic enteropathies and the risk factors for poor outcome.

Background: The objectives of this study were to investigate the differences in the characteristics of short- and long-term surviving dogs, and the factors that predict poor outcome in Shiba dogs with chronic enteropathies (CE).

Methods: A total of 25 Shiba dogs were included in this study, and classified as either short-term (≤6 months) survivors (Ss; n=16) or long-term (>6 months) survivors (Ls; n=9). The clinical and clinicopathological variables, histopathology, response to therapy, and outcomes were investigated between groups.

Echinostoma hortense infection with enteritis diagnosed by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in a dog.

An 8-year-old male Shiba dog presented with chronic vomiting and diarrhea. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed severe enteritis and infection of the duodenal mucosa with Echinostoma hortense. We performed therapy for parasites and enteritis.

The role of endoscopic ultrasound in the evaluation of rectal polypoid lesions in 25 dogs.

We investigated the role of endoscopic ultrasound in the evaluation of rectal polypoid lesions in 25 dogs. Twenty-five cases of rectal polypoid lesions in dogs who underwent surgery after endoscopic and EUS assessment were studied. The invasion depth of the polypoid lesion was classified as M stage (lesions in the mucosa only), SM stage (lesions in the mucosa and submucosa), and MP stage (lesions extending to the muscularis propria).

Evaluation of transcervical insemination using frozen semen by flexible endoscope in dogs.

We evaluated transcervical insemination (TCI) using frozen semen by flexible endoscopy in dogs. Eight female and eight male beagles were used in this study. A flexible endoscope and a washing tube were used for TCI.

Three minimally invasive methods of measuring of portal vein pressure in healthy dogs.

We compared wedged hepatic venous pressure (WHVP), splenic pulp pressure (SPP) and trans-splenic portal vein pressure (TSPVP) in healthy dogs. We found that portal blood pressure could be measured in dogs using any of these techniques. The WHVP, SPP and TSPVP were 7.

En block resection of a large hepatocellular carcinoma involving the caudal vena cava in a dog.

A 13-year-old neutered female Shih Tzu was referred for investigation of a cranial abdominal mass. Investigations including conventional radiography, abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography confirmed the mass in the caudate lobe of the liver. As a collateral vein originating from the caudal vena cava (CVC) communicated with the azygos vein, the CVC was ligated and transected cranial to the right renal vein and cranial to the mass under temporary occlusion of the thoracic descending aorta and posthepatic CVC.