Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in a Border Collie: a case report

A 2-year-old spayed female Border Collie presented with visual deficits and behavioral changes. Neurological examination revealed bilateral menace response deficit with a normal pupil light reflex. Cerebral cortical thinning, cerebral sulci and cerebellar fissure widening, ventriculomegaly, and cerebral atrophy were observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Histopathology revealed fluorescent lipopigment accumulation in the cerebrum, and the dog was diagnosed with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. This is the first case report describing the changes in clinical signs, MRI findings, and histopathologic changes in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in Korea.

Primary copper-associated chronic hepatitis without copper metabolism domain containing 1 mutation in a Dalmatian: a case report

A 12-year-old intact male Dalmatian dog presented hyporexia and vomiting for 1 week. Blood analysis revealed increased liver enzyme activity. Histopathological examination of the liver confirmed chronic hepatitis with fibrosis and necrosis. Copper staining revealed marked copper accumulation (2,770 ppm; normal range, 200 to 400 ppm), prominent in the centrilobular region, and compatible with copper-associated chronic hepatitis. However, copper metabolism domain containing 1 (COMMD1) mutation predisposing to copper accumulation in the liver tissue was not identified. The dog received medications but died 1 month after first visit. This is the first case of primary copper-associated hepatitis without COMMD1 mutation in a Dalmatian dog in South Korea.

Cutaneous angiomatosis in a dog: a case report

A 1-year-old, castrated male mixed-breed dog presented with diffuse, purple lesions arranged in an irregular patchy pattern, with a slight elevation on the right hindlimb extending from the tarsus joint to the upper region of the thigh. Dermatological examinations and fungal and bacterial cultures revealed no infectious agents. The therapeutic response to antibiotics and antifungal agents was negative. A histopathology examination of the lesion revealed vascular proliferation with vasodilation and numerous varying-sized vessels. Mast-cell-dominated perivascular cuffing was also noted. The dog was diagnosed with cutaneous angiomatosis due to diffuse lesions and the histopathology findings of hemangioma.

Clinical application of insect-based diet in canine allergic dermatitis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of the short-term application of insect-based diet in canine allergic dermatitis. Total 19 atopic dogs with concurrent cutaneous adverse food reactions were enrolled and classified into 3 groups. The treatment group (n = 7) was fed insect-based diet, the positive control group (n = 6) was fed salmon-based diet, and the negative control group (n = 6) was fed commercial or homemade diet for 12 weeks. The degree of skin lesions was evaluated based on canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (CADESI-4). Additionally, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and pruritus visual analog scale were evaluated. All indices were evaluated every 4 weeks after the initial administration of hypoallergenic diets. In the treatment group, significant decrease in the CADESI-4 score was observed at 8 weeks compared to the baseline score (p = 0.031). There were significant differences in the CADESI-4 score between the groups at 8 weeks (p = 0.008), 12 weeks (p = 0.012), and TEWL at 12 weeks (p = 0.022). This preliminary result demonstrates the potential hypoallergenicity of an insect-based diet through features that diminish cutaneous lesions and skin barrier dysfunction.

Transdifferentiation of lens epithelial cells induced by oxidative stress

PURPOSE: To analyze the transdifferentiation of cultured human lens epithelial cells(LECs) by oxidative stress using fibronectin and to evaluate the efficacy of the antioxidant for suppression of this process. METHODS: Human B-3 LECs, a line of immortalized human LECs, were exposed to different concentrations of H2O2 and the maximum concentration of H2O2 without significant toxicity to cells was determined by MTT assay. LECs exposed to H2O2 at the concentration determined by the previous procedure were analyzed by RT-PCR for the expression of mRNAs encoding fibronectin(FN) and by western blot analysis for the proteins encoded by these mRNAs. We examined the inhibiting effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine(NAC) as an antioxidant on the transdifferentiation. RESULTS: Transdifferentiation of human B-3 LECs occurred at the maximum concentration of 100microM of H2O2 without significant cell toxicity. Although there was no significant change in the expression of mRNAs for FN, the protein expression of FN was increased after exposure to H2O2. NAC showed inhibiting effect on the transdifferentiation. CONCLUSIONS: Transdifferentiation of cultured human LECs is induced by oxidative stress and the expression of FN may be regulated at post-transcriptional level in transdifferentiated LECs. NCA is effective in inhibiting the oxidative stress.

The Effects of Captopril(Capril(R)) on Early Diastolic Time Intervals in Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Time intervals and indices of left ventricular diastolic filling were studied by M-mode and pulsed Doppler Echocardiography in 18 dilated cardiomyopathy patients. After one two hours captopril(capril(R)) 25mg medication. 1)Systolic blood pressure, Diastolic blood pressure, Heart rate were significantly decreased. 2) Dimensions of LVSD, LVDD, LA, Aorta and EF were not changed measured by M-mode echocardiography. 3) IRT measured by M-mode and Pulsed Doppler echocardiography were significantly increased(45+/-33msec VS 74+/-35msec. 84+/-32msec VS 100+/-22msec P<0.05). 4) A2-E measured by M-mode and Pulsed Doppler echocardiography were significantly increased(114+/-45msec VS 134+/-46msec, 156+/-46msec VS 194+/-48msec, P<0.05). 5) Deceleration time was significantly increased(137+/-36msec VS 205+/-40msec P<0.05). 6) Transmitral peak flow velocities were not changed significantly. In summary captopril influences early diastolic time intervals with dilated cardiomyopathy patients and we interpreted these effects be beneficial on diastolic filling pattern.

Mitral Ring Motion and Transmitral Blood Flow Velocity in Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Mitral ring motion and indices of left ventricular diastolic filling were measured by M-mode and Doppler echocardiography in apical 4 chamber view in 11 dilated cardiomyopathy patients and 9 normal subjects without clinical evidence of heart disease. The mean age of patients was 52 years and average heart rate was 76 beats/min. The parameters of mitral annulus motion include earley relaxation amplitude(ER), late atrial contraction amplitude(AC) and A2-peak excursion(A2-PE). Transmitral flow velocity parameters include peak flow velocity of early diastolic flow velocity(PFVE), peak flow velocity of late atrial contraction(PFVA), the ratio between early and late peak flow velocity(PFVE/PFVA), Acceleration rate of early diastolic peak flow(AR), deceleration rate of early diastolic peak flow(DR), time velocity integral of early diastolic flow velocity(TVIE), time velocity integral of late atrial contraction flow velocity(TVIA) and ratio between early diastolic and late atrial flow velocity integral(TVIE/TVIA). In patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, ER(4.5+/-2.3mm) and AC(2.3+/-1.6mm) were significantly decreased than normal(10.7+/-2.6mm, 6.6+/-1.6mm, p<0.01, p<0.01, respectively), whereas ER/AC(1.7+/-0.7) was not significantly different than normal subjects(1.6+/-0.5). A2-PE(100+/-80 msec) was significantly delayed in dilated cardiomyopathy patients than normal subjects(35+/-25 msec, p<0.01). In analysis of transmitral flow velocities, PFVE, PFVA and PFVE/PFVA, etc were not significantly different compared to normal subjects in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Mitral ring motion amplitude was decreased and A2-peak excursion time interval(A2-PE) was delayed in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, but transmitral flow velocities were not significantly different from normal subjects in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. These results reflect the facts that early diastolic relaxation amplitude is decreased by the change of compliance of LV and late atrial contractin amplitude is decreased by decrease of atrial contractility and increased stiffness of LA and LV. Despite of decreased mitral ring motion, transmitral flow velocity is not significantly different compared to normal subjects in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. From these evidences, not only transmitral flow velocity affected by multiple factors but also mitral ring motion affected by LA and LV function are considered in assessment of LV diastolic dysfuction.

A Clinical Study of Antihypertensive Effects of Doxazocin(Cardura(R)) in Essential Hypertension

The antihypertensive effect of Doxazocin were evaluated in 20 patients with essential hypertension. Two to eight mg of Doxazocin per day were administered continuously for two or eight weeks. The results were as follows : 1) Doxazocin were effective in 18 out of 20 patients(90%) at the end of 8 weeks treatment. 2) The systolic blood pressure was signigicantly decreased(173+/-20mmHg VS 144+/-33mmHg, P+/-0.001), and the diastolic blood pressure was also decreased(110+/-10mmHg VS 93+/-19mmHg, P<0.01) after treatment. 3) Triglyceride showed a decreasing tendency but statistically significance was not observed. Total cholesteral, HDL-cholesterol, BUN, creatinine, and uric acid did not change significantly before and after treatment with Doxazocin. 4) The side effects were headache in one case and dizziness in to cases. These results suggest that Doxazocin is an effective antihypertensive agent and concerning lipid profile, further long term observation is needed.

A Case of Myotonic Dystrophy with Prolonged Atrial Flutter

Myotonic dystrophy is a multisystemic disorder inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. The characteristic clinical features include the presence of myotonia, atrophy of the muscles of the face and the sternocleidomastoids and numerous nonmusclar manifestations such as cataracts, frontal baldness, gonadal dysfunctions and cardiac abnormalities. We experienced one case of myotonic dystrophy with prolonged atrial flutter in 30-year-old male who was admitted because of palpitation. We present this case with reviewing literatures.