Venom immunotherapy for Hymenoptera allergy in a dog.

A 1.5-year-old male castrated dog was presented in anaphylactic shock after suffering an apparent bee sting. Immunotherapy with bee venom was initiated based upon history, skin testing and serological testing for allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E.

A three-dimensional computed tomographic volume rendering methodology to measure the tibial torsion angle in dogs.

Objective: To describe a three-dimensional (3D) computed tomographic (CT) methodology to measure the tibial torsion angle (TTa) and to evaluate intrarater and interrater agreements and accuracy through comparison with anatomic measurements.

Study Design: Ex vivo cadaveric study.

Sample Population: Thirty-six tibiae from 18 dogs.

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF1alpha) inhibition modulates cumulus cell function and affects bovine oocyte maturation in vitro†.

Various metabolic and hormonal factors expressed in cumulus cells are positively correlated with the in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes. However, the role of hypoxia sensing both during maturation of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) as well as during the resumption of meiosis remains uncertain. HIF1alpha plays major roles in cellular responses to hypoxia, and here we investigated its role during bovine COC maturation by assessing the expression of related genes in cumulus cells.

Closure of an unusual morphology patent ductus arteriosus with a covered stent in a dog.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with unusual morphology was diagnosed in a 3-year-old German shepherd presented for exercise intolerance. Two interventional PDA closure procedures with various Amplatzer devices and one surgical ligation were attempted to close the PDA. However, PDA closure failed with both methods due to the unusual morphology and the severe enlarged ductus ampulla.

Biomechanical comparison of ex vivo lumbar vertebral fracture luxations stabilized with tension band or polymethylmethacrylate in cats.

Objective: To evaluate spinal stabilization with tension band stabilization (TS) in cats compared to screw and polymethylmethacrylate fixation (SP).

Study Design: Ex vivo study.

Sample Population: Sixteen feline thoracolumbar spinal specimens.

Use of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography for the Characterization of Tumor Thrombi in Seven Dogs.

Tumors of adrenal and thyroid glands have been associated with vascular invasions-so-called tumor thrombi, both in humans and dogs. The detection and characterization of venous thrombi is an important diagnostic step in patients with primary tumors for both surgical planning and prognosis. The aim of this study was to describe the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for the characterization of tumor thrombi.

Preclinical evaluation of liposome-supported peritoneal dialysis for the treatment of hyperammonemic crises.

Liposome-supported peritoneal dialysis (LSPD) with transmembrane pH-gradient liposomes was previously shown to enhance ammonia removal in cirrhotic rats and holds promise for the treatment of hyperammonemic crises-associated disorders. The main objective of this work was to conduct the preclinical evaluation of LSPD in terms of pharmacokinetics, ammonia uptake, and toxicology to seek regulatory approval for a first-in-human study. The formulation containing citric acid-loaded liposomes was administered intraperitoneally at two different doses once daily for ten days to healthy minipigs.

DNA microarray-based characterization and antimicrobial resistance phenotypes of clinical MRSA strains from animal hosts.

Background: Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) is a leading cause of severe infections in humans and animals worldwide. Studies elucidating the population structure, staphylococcal cassette chromosome types, resistance phenotypes, and virulence gene profiles of animal-associated MRSA are needed to understand spread and transmission.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine 1) clonal complexes and types, 2) resistance phenotypes, and 3) virulence/resistance gene profiles of MRSA isolated from animals in Switzerland.

Role of HSP70 in response to (thermo)radiotherapy: analysis of gene expression in canine osteosarcoma cells by RNA-seq.

Pre-treatment of tumors with hyperthermia is often used to increase the efficacy of radiotherapy. One of the main proteins induced in response to hyperthermia is heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). The aim of our study was to investigate up- and down-regulated genes in response to (thermo)radiotherapy in HSP70 proficient and deficient canine osteosarcoma cell line (Abrams), and functional role of HSP70 in the mechanism of thermoradiosensitization.

Coping with hypoxemia: Could erythropoietin (EPO) be an adjuvant treatment of COVID-19?

A very recent epidemiological study provides preliminary evidence that living in habitats located at 2500 m above sea level (masl) might protect from the development of severe respiratory symptoms following infection with the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus. This epidemiological finding raises the question of whether physiological mechanisms underlying the acclimatization to high altitude identifies therapeutic targets for the effective treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome pivotal to the reduction of global mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article compares the symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) with those of SARS-CoV-2 infection and explores overlapping patho-physiological mechanisms of the respiratory system including impaired oxygen transport, pulmonary gas exchange and brainstem circuits controlling respiration.

Effects of hypothermia and hypothermia combined with hypocapnia on cerebral tissue oxygenation in piglets.

Background: Hypothermia and its combination with hypocapnia are frequently associated with anesthesia.

Aims: The goal was to investigate the effects of hypothermia and hypothermia combined with hypocapnia (hypothermia-hypocapnia) on cerebral tissue oxygenation in anesthetized piglets.

Methods: Twenty anesthetized piglets were randomly allocated to hypothermia (n = 10) or hypothermia-hypocapnia (n = 10).

A pilot clinical phase II trial MemSID: Acute and durable changes of red blood cells of sickle cell disease patients on memantine treatment.

An increase in abundance and activity of N-methyl D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) was previously reported for red blood cells (RBCs) of sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. Increased Ca uptake through the receptor supported dehydration and RBC damage. In a pilot phase IIa-b clinical trial MemSID, memantine, a blocker of NMDAR, was used for treatment of four patients for 12 months.

Computed tomographic localization of the deepest portion of the femoral trochlear groove in healthy dogs.

Objective: To validate a computed tomographic (CT) method to measure the femoral trochlear groove depth (FTGD).

Study Design: Cadaveric study.

Sample Population: Fifteen dogs, 26 femoral trochleae.

Does the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 virus decrease at high-altitude?

In the present study we analyze the epidemiological data of COVID-19 of Tibet and high-altitude regions of Bolivia and Ecuador, and compare to lowland data, to test the hypothesis that high-altitude inhabitants (+2,500 m above sea-level) are less susceptible to develop severe adverse effects in acute SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. Analysis of available epidemiological data suggest that physiological acclimatization/adaptation that counterbalance the hypoxic environment in high-altitude may protect from severe impact of acute SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. Potential underlying mechanisms such as: (i) a compromised half-live of the virus caused by the high-altitude environment, and (ii) a hypoxia mediated down regulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is the main binding target of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the pulmonary epithelium are discussed.

Randomized controlled trial of pregabalin for analgesia after surgical treatment of intervertebral disc disease in dogs.

Objective: To assess the effect of perioperative pregabalin on pain behavior in dogs after intervertebral disc surgery.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial with a blinded observer.

Animals: Forty-six client-owned dogs undergoing intervertebral disc surgery.

Methadone does not potentiate the effect of doxorubicin in canine tumour cell lines.

Opioid receptor activation was shown to enhance the efficacy of anti-neoplastic drugs in several human cancer cell lines. In these cell lines, doxorubicin increased the number of opioid receptors and methadone concurrently enhanced cellular doxorubicin uptake. Triggered through lay press and media, animal owners started to challenge veterinary oncologists with questions about methadone use in anti-cancer therapy.

Corneal cross-linking as a treatment for corneal dystrophy with secondary bacterial infection in a Friesian horse.

Corneal cross-linking should be considered as treatment option in Friesian horses with infectious keratitis and corneal dystrophy. Optical coherence tomography, giving information of corneal structure, can help for diagnosis and monitoring.

Influence of a customized three-dimensionally printed drill guide on the accuracy of pedicle screw placement in lumbosacral vertebrae: An ex vivo study.

Objective: To compare the accuracy of pedicle screw insertion (PSI) into canine lumbosacral vertebrae with custom-made three-dimensionally (3D)-printed drill guides or freehand insertion.

Study Design: Ex vivo study.

Sample Population: Nineteen canine lumbosacral specimens.

The Influence of Anaesthetic Drugs on the Laryngeal Motion in Dogs: A Systematic Review.

Anaesthetic drugs are commonly used during the evaluation of laryngeal function in dogs. The aim of this review was to systematically analyse the literature describing the effects of anaesthetic drugs and doxapram on laryngeal motion in dogs and to determine which drug regime provides the best conditions for laryngeal examination. PubMed, Google Scholar, and EMBASE databases were used for the literature search up to November 2019.

Antimicrobial prescriptions and adherence to prudent use guidelines for selected canine diseases in Switzerland in 2016.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing problem in human and veterinary medicine and is closely linked to the use of antimicrobials. The objective of this study was to describe antimicrobial prescriptions for selected canine diseases in Switzerland during 2016.

Methods: Dogs presented to two university hospitals and 14 private practices for acute diarrhoea (AD; n=371), suspected or confirmed urinary tract infections (UTIs; n=245), respiratory tract infections (RTIs; n=274) or wound infections (WIs; n=175) were included.

An Overview of Rodent Models of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes.

Many animal models that are currently used in appetite and obesity research share at least some main features of human obesity and its comorbidities. Hence, even though no animal model replicates all aspects of "common" human obesity, animal models are imperative in studying the control of energy balance and reasons for its imbalance that may eventually lead to overt obesity. The most frequently used animal models are small rodents that may be based on mutations or manipulations of individual or several genes and on the exposure to obesogenic diets or other manipulations that predispose the animals to gaining or maintaining excessive weight.

Complications and short-to-midterm results in a case series of 52 CUE procedures using a modified caudo-medial approach.

Background: Medial coronoid process disease is the most common manifestation of canine developmental elbow disease which can progress to a more severe medial compartment disease (MCompD) characterized by full-thickness cartilage loss of the medial coronoid process and the medial humeral condyle. Among others, the "Canine Unicompartmental Elbow" (CUE) has been reported to be an effective treatment strategy for MCompD, with full in 47.6% and acceptable function in 43.

Seasonal changes in ROS concentrations and sperm quality in unfrozen and frozen-thawed stallion semen.

Oxidative stress is regarded as an important cause of sperm damage during cryopreservation. However, seasonal changes in oxidative status in unfrozen and frozen-thawed stallion sperm have not been well established. We tested the hypothesis that sperm ROS concentrations and lipid peroxidation change between breeding and non-breeding seasons and influence quality of unfrozen and frozen-thawed sperm.

Biomechanical comparison of knotted and knotless stabilization techniques of the tarsal medial collateral ligament in cats: A cadaveric study.

Objective: To compare mechanical properties of intact feline medial collateral ligaments and three techniques for treatment of feline medial tarsal instability.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Sample Population: Forty-eight normal, adult feline tarsi.

Raw meat-based diets for companion animals: a potential source of transmission of pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacteriaceae.

Feeding pets raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) has become increasingly popular but may constitute a risk due to the contamination with pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate commercially available RMBDs with regard to microbiological quality and occurrence of AMR Enterobacteriaceae. Of 51 RMBD samples, 72.