Bile composition of healthy cats and cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease using point-of-care analyzers: A prospective preliminary study.

Although hepatobiliary disease is common in cats, little is known about the bile composition in either these diseased states or in healthy cats. The objectives of this study were to evaluate several analytes from the bile of healthy cats and to investigate the usefulness of measuring these variables to predict bacterial cholangitis. Cats were prospectively enrolled and divided into 3 groups: 21 healthy cats (group 1) and 14 cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease: 9 without bacterial biliary infection (group 2) and 5 with bacterial biliary infection (group 3). Percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis was conducted on each cat. Bile cytology and culture were carried out and bile was analyzed for pH, lactate, and glucose levels using several point-of-care (POC) devices. Reference values for several bile analytes in healthy cats were calculated and are presented in this study. Neither the pH (P = 0.88) nor the lactate concentration (P = 0.85) was significantly different among the 3 groups. Sodium concentration was significantly higher in group 3 than in group 2 (P < 0.05). Bile pH, lactate, and glucose levels were unable to predict the presence of a bacterial infection in the bile.

La composition de la bile est méconnue tant chez les chats sains que chez les chats atteints de maladies hépatobiliaires bien que ces maladies soient fréquentes. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient d'évaluer plusieurs paramètres dans la bile de chats sains et d'investiguer l'utilité de ces derniers comme marqueurs prédictifs de cholangite bactérienne. Les chats ont été recrutés prospectivement et répartis en trois groupes : 21 chats sains (groupe 1); et 14 chats avec maladie hépatobiliaire suspectée : 9 sans infection biliaire (groupe 2) et 5 avec infection bactérienne biliaire (groupe 3). Une cholécystocentèse a été réalisée sur chaque chat. La bile a été utilisée pour cytologie, culture et analyses biochimiques incluant le pH, le lactate et le glucose avec des appareils au chevet du patient. Les valeurs de référence de plusieurs paramètres biliaires chez les chats sains ont été calculées et sont présentées dans cette étude. Le pH (P = 0,88) et la concentration en lactate (P = 0,85) n'étaient pas significativement différents entre les 3 groupes. La concentration en sodium était significativement plus élevée dans le groupe 3 comparée aux groupe 2 (P < 0,05). Les concentrations en lactate et glucose ainsi que le pH ne permettaient pas de prédire une infection bactérienne dans la bile.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Acute, subacute and chronic sequelae of horses accidentally exposed to monensin-contaminated feed.

BACKGROUND: Monensin is highly toxic to horses and inadvertent ingestion can result in cardiac injury and death. OBJECTIVES: To describe sequelae of monensin ingestion and to determine clinical predictors of outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Observational clinical study. METHODS: Physical examination, electrocardiogram and echocardiography were performed on 76 horses accidentally exposed to monensin-contaminated feed. Four horses were examined within 14 days of exposure (acute period), 29 horses were examined between 15 and 45 days post-exposure (subacute period) and 70 horses were examined 4-10 months after exposure (chronic period). Follow-up information was obtained for 56 horses by telephone interviews approximately 16 months after exposure. RESULTS: Cardiac abnormalities were detected in 4/4, 19/29 and 31/70 horses during the acute, subacute and chronic periods, respectively. Sixteen months post-exposure, 34 of the 64 horses (53%) for which the outcome was known had returned to their previous use, 13 (20%) were reported to be exercise intolerant, three (5%) were retired and 14 (22%) were dead (two deaths, 12 euthanasia). Thinning of the myocardium observed at any point in time was associated with a negative outcome. Heterogeneity of the myocardium observed in the acute/subacute period was associated with a negative outcome while subjective contractile intraventricular dyssynchrony, cardiac chamber dilation, decreased fractional shortening and multiple premature ventricular complexes observed in the chronic period were associated with a negative outcome. Some horses with significant changes associated with a negative outcome in the chronic phase still returned to their previous work. MAIN LIMITATIONS: No control group and only 27 horses were examined more than once. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical outcome of horses exposed to sublethal doses of monensin is highly variable. The presence of heterogeneity and thinning of the myocardium shortly after intoxication were associated with a negative outcome.

Medical and behavioral evaluation of 8 cats presenting with fabric ingestion: An exploratory pilot study.

The aims of this pilot study were to: i) conduct a thorough behavioral and medical evaluation of cats presenting for chronic fabric ingestion; and ii) implement specific treatments for conditions identified and evaluate the outcome of treatment on fabric ingestion. Eight cats which ingested fabric at least weekly were recruited. Cat owners recorded daily baseline frequency of pica and gastrointestinal signs for 1 month prior to the behavioral and medical investigation and again during a follow-up period. Diagnoses were made and response to treatment was monitored and modified as needed. Abnormalities included mild hypercholesterolemia (n = 7), gastric or intestinal eosinophilic infiltrates (n = 6), suspected delayed gastric emptying (n = 4), suspected gastric reflux (n = 1), and Giardia spp. (n = 1). Four of the eight cats responded partially to treatments. Treatment of fabric ingestion in cats remains a challenge and further investigation is needed.

Évaluation médicale et comportementale de huit chats ingérant des tissus: une étude pilote. Les objectifs de cette étude pilote étaient: i) d'entreprendre une évaluation médicale et comportementale chez des chats présentant un comportement chronique d'ingestion de tissus; et ii) de mettre en place des traitements spécifiques pour les conditions identifiées et d'évaluer les résultats sur le comportement d'ingestion de tissus. Huit chats qui ingéraient hebdomadairement du tissu furent recrutés. Les propriétaires compilèrent la fréquence quotidienne de pica et les autres signes digestifs pendant un mois avant le début de l'étude puis de nouveau lors du suivi. À la suite du diagnostic posé, la réponse aux traitements de chaque chat fut suivie et les traitements étaient modifiés au besoin. Les changements observés incluaient une légère hypercholestérolémie (n = 7), une infiltration gastrique ou intestinale éosinophilique (n = 6), une suspicion de retard de vidange gastrique (n = 4), une suspicion de reflux gastrique (n = 1) et la présence de Giardia spp. (n = 1). La moitié des chats ont répondu partiellement aux traitements instaurés. Le traitement d'ingestion de tissus demeure un défi et de la recherche future s'avère nécessaire.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Association of Genetic Variants With Response to Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Importance: Visual acuity (VA) outcomes differ considerably among patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs. Identification of pharmacogenetic associations may help clinicians understand the mechanisms underlying this variability as well as pave the way for personalized treatment in nAMD. Objective: To identify genetic factors associated with variability in the response to anti-VEGF therapy for patients with nAMD. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this multicenter genome-wide association study, 678 patients with nAMD with genome-wide genotyping data were included in the discovery phase; 1380 additional patients with nAMD were genotyped for selected common variants in the replication phase. All participants received 3 monthly injections of bevacizumab or ranibizumab. Clinical data were evaluated for inclusion/exclusion criteria from October 2014 to October 2015, followed by data analysis from October 2015 to February 2016. For replication cohort genotyping, clinical data collection and analysis (including meta-analysis) was performed from March 2016 to April 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures: Change in VA after the loading dose of 3 monthly anti-VEGF injections compared with baseline. Results: Of the 2058 included patients, 1210 (58.8%) were women, and the mean (SD) age across all cohorts was 78 (7.4) years. Patients included in the discovery cohort and most of the patients in the replication cohorts were of European descent. The mean (SD) baseline VA was 51.3 (20.3) Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) score letters, and the mean (SD) change in VA after the loading dose of 3 monthly injections was a gain of 5.1 (13.9) ETDRS score letters (ie, 1-line gain). Genome-wide single-variant analyses of common variants revealed 5 independent loci that reached a P value less than 10 × 10-5. After replication and meta-analysis of the lead variants, rs12138564 located in the CCT3 gene remained nominally associated with a better treatment outcome (ETDRS letter gain, 1.7; ß, 0.034; SE, 0.008; P = 1.38 × 10-5). Genome-wide gene-based optimal unified sequence kernel association test of rare variants showed genome-wide significant associations for the C10orf88 (P = 4.22 × 10-7) and UNC93B1 (P = 6.09 × 10-7) genes, in both cases leading to a worse treatment outcome. Patients carrying rare variants in the C10orf88 and UNC93B1 genes lost a mean (SD) VA of 30.6 (17.4) ETDRS score letters (ie, loss of 6.09 lines) and 26.5 (13.8) ETDRS score letters (ie, loss of 5.29 lines), respectively, after 3 months of anti-VEGF treatment. Conclusions and Relevance: We propose that there is a limited contribution of common genetic variants to variability in nAMD treatment response. Our results suggest that rare protein-altering variants in the C10orf88 and UNC93B1 genes are associated with a worse response to anti-VEGF therapy in patients with nAMD, but these results require further validation in other cohorts.

Msx1-Positive Progenitors in the Retinal Ciliary Margin Give Rise to Both Neural and Non-neural Progenies in Mammals.

In lower vertebrates, stem/progenitor cells located in a peripheral domain of the retina, called the ciliary margin zone (CMZ), cooperate with retinal domain progenitors to build the mature neural retina. In mammals, it is believed that the CMZ lacks neurogenic potential and that the retina develops from one pool of multipotent retinal progenitor cells (RPCs). Here we identify a population of Msx1-expressing progenitors in the mouse CMZ that is both molecularly and functionally distinct from RPCs. Using genetic lineage tracing, we report that Msx1 progenitors have unique developmental properties compared with RPCs. Msx1 lineages contain both neural retina and non-neural ciliary epithelial progenies and overall generate fewer photoreceptors than classical RPC lineages. Furthermore, we show that the endocytic adaptor protein Numb regulates the balance between neural and non-neural fates in Msx1 progenitors. These results uncover a population of CMZ progenitors, distinct from classical RPCs, that also contributes to mammalian retinogenesis.

Characterization of pica and chewing behaviors in privately owned cats: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to characterize pica behavior in cats. METHODS: Cat owners were recruited to participate in a questionnaire survey on pica behavior exhibited by their cats. Emphasis was put on the type of item ingested. Questions on early history and environment, as well as general health and gastrointestinal signs, were asked. Owners of healthy cats not showing pica were also recruited into a control group. Associations between variables and groups were statistically tested. RESULTS: Pica was directed most commonly at shoelaces or threads, followed by plastic, fabric, other items, rubber, paper or cardboard and wood. Some cats ingested specific items but only chewed others. A significant positive association was found between sucking and ingesting fabric (P = 0.002). Ad libitum feeding was significantly lower in the pica group than the control group (P = 0.01). Prevalence of self-sucking behavior was significantly higher in the pica group than the control group (P = 0.001). Cats with pica vomited significantly more often than control cats (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Pica, the ingestion of inedible items, does not seem to be the consequence of a suboptimal environment or early weaning. Cats with pica were less commonly fed ad libitum than healthy cats. As frequently reported, pica and vomiting were related, but the causative association is not well established and thus warrants further investigation.

Effect of cardiac and respiratory cycles on vertebral heart score measured on fluoroscopic images of healthy dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the variability in vertebral heart score (VHS) measurement induced by cardiac and respiratory cycles in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. ANIMALS: 14 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURES: Dogs underwent fluoroscopic examination by 4 observers, and VHS was measured at end-tidal inspiration and end-tidal expiration during end systole and end diastole in left and right lateral recumbency. Mean VHS was compared within and among cardiac and respiratory phases and recumbency type, and correlation between VHS and heart rate was investigated. Interobserver variability was assessed. RESULTS: Mean VHS for each combination of respiratory and cardiac cycle was larger on images obtained in right lateral versus left lateral recumbency. The greatest differences were observed between VHS measured in the diastolic inspiratory phase (mean ± SD, 10.59 ± 0.49 vertebral units [VU] and 10.35 ± 0.50 VU for right and left lateral recumbency, respectively) and the systolic expiratory phase (10.11 ± 0.37 VU and 9.92 ± 0.50 VU for right and left lateral recumbency, respectively). The combination of respiratory and cardiac cycles induced a maximal difference in VHS of up to 0.97 VU and 1.11 VU in the inspiratory and expiratory phases, respectively. Heart rate was not correlated with the difference between VHS in systolic and diastolic phases. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinicians should be aware of the potential influence of these factors when assessing VHS in dogs; in addition to allowing optimal pulmonary assessment, consistently taking radiographs at end-inspiratory tidal volume may help to limit VHS variability attributable to the respiratory cycle. Further research is needed to assess the effects of cardiac and respiratory phases on VHS in dogs with cardiac or respiratory disease.

Comparison of peak flow velocity through the left ventricular outflow tract and effective orifice area indexed to body surface area in Golden Retriever puppies to predict development of subaortic stenosis in adult dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of Doppler-derived peak flow velocity through the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT Vmax) and effective orifice area indexed to body surface area (EOAi) in puppies to predict development of subaortic stenosis (SAS) in the same dogs as adults. DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal, observational study. ANIMALS: 38 Golden Retrievers. PROCEDURES: Cardiac auscultation and echocardiography were performed on 2- to 6-month-old puppies, then repeated at 12 to 18 months. Subaortic stenosis was diagnosed when LVOT Vmax was ≥ 2.3 m/s in adult dogs with left basilar systolic murmurs. RESULTS: All puppies with EOAi < 1.46 cm(2)/m(2) had SAS as adults. All adults with EOAi < 1.29 cm(2)/m(2) had SAS. An LVOT Vmax > 2.3 m/s in puppyhood was 63% sensitive and 100% specific for SAS in adulthood. In puppies, LVOT Vmax was more strongly associated with a future diagnosis of SAS (area under the curve [AUC], 0.89) than was EOAi (AUC, 0.80). In puppies, the combination of LVOT Vmax and EOAi yielded slightly higher sensitivity (69%) and specificity (100%) for adult SAS than did LVOT Vmax alone. In unaffected and affected dogs, LVOT Vmax increased significantly from puppyhood to adulthood but EOAi did not. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In Golden Retriever puppies, LVOT Vmax > 2.3 m/s and EOAi < 1.46 cm(2)/m(2) were both associated with a diagnosis of SAS at adulthood. The combination of these 2 criteria may result in higher sensitivity for SAS screening. Unlike LVOT Vmax, EOAi did not change during growth in either unaffected Golden Retrievers or those with SAS.

Star gazing in a dog: atypical manifestation of upper gastrointestinal disease.

A Yorkshire terrier dog was presented for episodes of "star gazing" behavior expressed as upward raising of the head and neck extension with subsequent staring at the ceiling or sky. Erosive gastritis with reflux esophagitis was diagnosed. Treatment of these conditions was associated with resolution of the behavior, suggesting a causal link.

Présentation atypique d'une douleur gastro-intestinale haute chez un chien. Un Yorkshire terrier a été présenté pour des épisodes fréquents de 'star gazing,' notés comme une extension du cou et une élévation de la tête vers le plafond ou le ciel. Une gastrite érosive ainsi qu'une oesophagite de reflux ont été diagnostiquées. Suite au traitement de ces deux conditions, une résolution clinique du comportement de 'star gazing' a été notée, suggérant que ce comportement représente une manifestation clinique des pathologies gastrointestinales identifiées.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Sensory experience differentially modulates the mRNA expression of the polysialyltransferases ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV in postnatal mouse visual cortex.

Polysialic acid (PSA) is a unique carbohydrate composed of a linear homopolymer of α-2,8 linked sialic acid, and is mainly attached to the fifth immunoglobulin-like domain of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in vertebrate neural system. In the brain, PSA is exclusively synthesized by the two polysialyltransferases ST8SiaII (also known as STX) and ST8SiaIV (also known as PST). By modulating adhesive property of NCAM, PSA plays a critical role in several neural development processes such as cell migration, neurite outgrowth, axon pathfinding, synaptogenesis and activity-dependent plasticity. The expression of PSA is temporally and spatially regulated during neural development and a tight regulation of PSA expression is essential to its biological function. In mouse visual cortex, PSA is downregulated following eye opening and its decrease allows the maturation of GABAergic synapses and the opening of the critical period for ocular dominance plasticity. Relatively little is known about how PSA levels are regulated by sensory experience and neuronal activity. Here, we demonstrate that while both ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV mRNA levels decrease around the time of eye opening in mouse visual cortex, only ST8SiaII mRNA level reduction is regulated by sensory experience. Using an organotypic culture system from mouse visual cortex, we further show that ST8SiaII gene expression is regulated by spiking activity and NMDA-mediated excitation. Further, we show that both ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV mRNA levels are positively regulated by PKC-mediated signaling. Therefore, sensory experience-dependent ST8SiaII gene expression regulates PSA levels in postnatal visual cortex, thus acting as molecular link between visual activity and PSA expression.

Cardiac leiomyoma associated with advanced atrioventricular block in a young dog.

A 1 year old intact female Labrador retriever dog presented for evaluation of syncope caused by severe bradycardia. Advanced atrioventricular block was diagnosed. A mass infiltrating the interventricular septum and the tricuspid annulus was identified with echocardiography. Histopathological evaluation of the mass was consistent with cardiac leiomyoma, and immunohistochemical staining for smooth muscle actin confirmed the diagnosis. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of cardiac leiomyoma in the canine species.

Left coronary aneurysmal dilation and subaortic stenosis in a dog.

A 6-month-old German shepherd dog was referred for evaluation of a cardiac murmur. Upon physical examination, the auscultated heart rate was 120 beats/min, and a grade IV/VI systolic heart murmur with a point of maximal intensity over the left heart base radiating up the neck was heard. The standard echocardiographic examination showed subaortic stenosis and an anechoic tubular structure extending from the sinus of Valsalva to the left ventricular posterior wall. Aneurysmal left coronary artery (CA) was confirmed by angiography. The dog was euthanized and post-mortem examination showed severe dilatation of the proximal left CA and confirmed the subaortic stenosis. Histopathology did not demonstrate abnormalities in the walls of the CA, aorta or pulmonary artery. The exact cause of the CA aneurysmal dilation remains unknown. Subaortic stenosis, elevated coronary vascular resistance or a congenital anomaly may have contributed to the dilation. To our knowledge, coronary aneurysmal dilation has never been described in dogs. Standard echocardiography provides reliable information on coronary anatomy.

Activity-dependent PSA expression regulates inhibitory maturation and onset of critical period plasticity.

Functional maturation of GABAergic innervation in the developing visual cortex is regulated by neural activity and sensory inputs and in turn influences the critical period of ocular dominance plasticity. Here we show that polysialic acid (PSA), presented by the neural cell adhesion molecule, has a role in the maturation of GABAergic innervation and ocular dominance plasticity. Concentrations of PSA significantly decline shortly after eye opening in the adolescent mouse visual cortex; this decline is hindered by visual deprivation. The developmental and activity-dependent regulation of PSA expression is inversely correlated with the maturation of GABAergic innervation. Premature removal of PSA in visual cortex results in precocious maturation of perisomatic innervation by basket interneurons, enhanced inhibitory synaptic transmission, and earlier onset of ocular dominance plasticity. The developmental and activity-dependent decline of PSA expression therefore regulates the timing of the maturation of GABAergic inhibition and the onset of ocular dominance plasticity.

[Periconceptional intake of a folic acid supplement: evaluation of a promotional program]. / Consommation d'un supplément d'acide folique en période périconceptionnelle: évaluation d'une campagne de promotion.

This study evaluates the efficacy of a regional program promoting periconceptional folic acid intake. Data were collected through a self-administrated questionnaire among 721 (405 for phase I; 316 for phase II) primiparous women. For phase I, 26.1% (CI [Confidence Interval] 95%: 21.9%-30.4%) of respondents took an adequate periconceptional folic acid supplement, whereas this proportion was 31.6% (CI 95%: 26.5%-36.7%) for phase II (p>0.05). For phase I, 62.0% (CI 95%: 57.3%-66.7%) of women recognized the role of folic acid. For phase II, this proportion significantly rose to 70.9% (CI 95%: 65.9%-75.9%). Regional activities promoting periconceptional folic acid intake, if maintained, should be modified to significantly increase the proportion of women taking an adequate amount of folic acid.