Canine systemic mycosis associated with Chaetomium globosum in a dog.

BACKGROUND: Disseminated mycoses other than aspergillosis are infrequently reported in dogs. CASE REPORT: A 4-year-old female Labrador retriever was evaluated because of hyperthermia, cough and intermittent lameness. Computed tomography showed a soft tissue mass in the cranioventral mediastinum, severe left and central tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy, and moderate bilateral pleural effusion. Magnetic resonance imaging identified an irregular intra-axial well-defined contrast enhancing mass extending from the right frontal lobe to the right thalamus. Fungal culture yielded growth of Chaetomium globosum. CONCLUSION: In this case, the authors report a systemic mycosis in a Labrador retriever caused by C. globosum. To the best of authors' knowledge, this is the first report of systemic disease by this species in veterinary medicine.

Clinical Features, Imaging Characteristics, and Long-term Outcome of Dogs with Cranial Meningocele or Meningoencephalocele.

BACKGROUND: The term meningoencephalocele (MEC) describes a herniation of cerebral tissue and meninges through a defect in the cranium, whereas a meningocele (MC) is a herniation of the meninges alone. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical features, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics, and outcomes of dogs with cranial MC and MEC. ANIMALS: Twenty-two client-owned dogs diagnosed with cranial MC or MEC. METHODS: Multicentric retrospective descriptive study. Clinical records of 13 institutions were reviewed. Signalment, clinical history, neurologic findings and MRI characteristics as well as treatment and outcome were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: Most affected dogs were presented at a young age (median, 6.5 months; range, 1 month - 8 years). The most common presenting complaints were seizures and behavioral abnormalities. Intranasal MEC was more common than parietal MC. Magnetic resonance imaging identified meningeal enhancement of the protruded tissue in 77% of the cases. Porencephaly was seen in all cases with parietal MC. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis identified mild abnormalities in 4 of 11 cases. Surgery was not performed in any affected dog. Seventeen patients were treated medically, and seizures were adequately controlled with anti-epileptic drugs in 10 dogs. Dogs with intranasal MEC and mild neurologic signs had a fair prognosis with medical treatment. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Although uncommon, MC and MEC should be considered as a differential diagnosis in young dogs presenting with seizures or alterations in behavior. Medical treatment is a valid option with a fair prognosis when the neurologic signs are mild.

Cervicothoracic syringohydromyelia associated with a prosencephalic mass in a dog.

A five-year-old, female, neutered boxer, with neuroanatomical signs consistent with a C1-C5 myelopathy, was diagnosed with a prosencephalic mass and associated severe cervicothoracic syringohydromyelia. After treatment with corticosteroids and lomustine, neurological examination was normal. Imaging repeated three months later showed significant reduction in both the size of the mass and the syringohydromyelia. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of a dog with syringohydromyelia secondary to a rostral brain mass that had clinical signs on presentation solely due to the syrinx, and the first reported case in a dog of partial resolution of syringohydromyelia after treatment solely with chemotherapy.

Myopathy associated with congenital fibre type disproportion in a young dog.

A 4-month-old, female collie-cross dog was presented for evaluation of slowly progressive weakness, exercise intolerance and muscle atrophy. Neurological examination and electrodiagnostic testing were consistent with a generalized myopathy or, less likely, an axonal polyneuropathy. Muscle biopsy samples revealed marked variability in myofibre size with scattered or clustered atrophic or hypotrophic type 1 fibres. Type 1 fibres were 65% smaller than type 2A fibres and the percentage of type 1 fibres exceeded reference values for both limb muscles examined. On the basis of the clinical evaluation, pathological changes and the absence of another defined congenital or acquired myopathy, a diagnosis of a myopathy associated with congenital fibre type disproportion was made. Three months later the animal was humanely euthanized because of worsening clinical signs.

Blood pressure of omnivorous and semi-vegetarian postmenopausal women and their relationship with dietary and hair concentrations of essential and toxic metals / Presión arterial en mujeres omnívoras y semivegetarianas postmenopáusicas y su relación con los metales esenciales y tóxicos en la dieta y en el cabello

Objective: This study aims to ascertain the relationships between mineral consumption, hair mineral content, and blood pressure. Methods: The study involved 26 postmenopausal women from enclosed religious communities, 14 were semi-vegetarians and 12 were omnivores. Mineral dietary assessment was performed using a 14-d precise weight method and Food tables. Hair mineral levels were measured by means Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry(ICP-OES). Multivariable step wise linear regression analyses were performed to find out the variables that affected most blood pressure. Results: In general terms, the omnivorous diet contained a significantly higher mineral content than the semi-vegetarian one. The mineral intake from both diets implied no health risk to the women studied, as their estimated daily intake (EDI) of toxic elements such as Cd and Pb was lower than their respective provisional tolerable weekly intake(PTWI) of these minerals. Hair of the semi-vegetarians contained higher amounts of Al (p < 0.01), Ba (p < 0.01), K (p <0.001), Na (p < 0.001), Pb (p < 0.001) and Mn (p < 0.01) but lower levels of Ca (p < 0.05) and Zn (p < 0.05) than that of their omnivorous counterparts. The omnivores presented significantly higher systolic (p < 0.01) and diastolic (p < 0.05) pressures than the semi-vegetarians. Levels of hair Co (R2 = 0.328;p = 0.032) and hair K (R2 = 0.409; p = 0.014)) were explicative for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively. Conclusion: Several dietary mineral and hair contents were higher in semi-vegetarian women suggesting that the hair is an important mineral excretion via contributing to maintain blood pressure at low levels (AU)

Objetivo: Se pretende establecer una relación entre consumo y niveles de minerales en cabello y tensión sanguínea en mujeres postmenopáusicas. Métodos: El estudio se ha realizado en 26 mujeres postmenopáusicas pertenecientes a dos comunidades religiosas de clausura, siendo 14 semivegetarianas y 12 omnívoras. La determinación de la ingesta de minerales se realizó mediante pesada precisa durante 14 días y las Tablas de Composición de Alimentos. Los niveles de minerales en cabello fueron determinados mediante Espectrometría de Masas con Fuente de Ionización de Plasma de Acoplamiento Inductivo (ICP-MS) y Espectrometría de Emisión Atómica con Fuente de Excitación de Plasma de Acoplamiento Inductivo (ICP-OES). Se realizó un análisis lineal múltiple por pasos para explicar los variables que más influían en la presión arterial. Resultados: En términos generales, la dieta omnívora posee un contenido en minerales significativamente superiora la semivegetariana. La ingesta mineral de ambas dietas no implica riesgo para la salud de las mujeres estudiadas ya que la ingesta diaria de elementos tóxicos como Cd y Pb, estimada (IDA) está por debajo de sus respectivas ingestas semanales tolerables provisionales (ISTP). En las semivegetarianas el cabello contienen cantidades mayores de Al (p <0,01), Ba (p < 0,01), K (p < 0,001), Na (p < 0,001), Pb (p <0,001) y Mn (p < 0,01) y niveles inferiores de Ca (p < 0,05) y (..) (AU)

Blood pressure of omnivorous and semi-vegetarian postmenopausal women and their relationship with dietary and hair concentrations of essential and toxic metals.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to ascertain the relationships between mineral consumption, hair mineral content, and blood pressure. METHODS: The study involved 26 postmenopausal women from enclosed religious communities, 14 were semi-vegetarians and 12 were omnivores. Mineral dietary assessment was performed using a 14-d precise weight method and Food tables. Hair mineral levels were measured by means Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Multivariable stepwise linear regression analyses were performed to find out the variables that affected most blood pressure. RESULTS: In general terms, the omnivorous diet contained a significantly higher mineral content than the semi-vegetarian one. The mineral intake from both diets implied no health risk to the women studied, as their estimated daily intake (EDI) of toxic elements such as Cd and Pb was lower than their respective provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of these minerals. Hair of the semi-vegetarians contained higher amounts of Al (p < 0.01), Ba (p < 0.01), K (p < 0.001), Na (p < 0.001), Pb (p < 0.001) and Mn (p < 0.01) but lower levels of Ca (p < 0.05) and Zn (p < 0.05) than that of their omnivorous counterparts. The omnivores presented significantly higher systolic (p < 0.01) and diastolic (p < 0.05) pressures than the semi-vegetarians. Levels of hair Co (R² = 0.328; p = 0.032) and hair K (R² = 0.409; p = 0.014)) were explicative for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively. CONCLUSION: Several dietary mineral and hair contents were higher in semi-vegetarian women suggesting that the hair is an important mineral excretion via contributing to maintain blood pressure at low levels.

Nutritional assessment, health markers and lipoprotein profile in postmenopausal women belonging to a closed community.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the dietary characteristics of a closed community and their relationship with several health markers and lipid and lipoprotein values in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: Energy and nutrient intake, serum lipids, lipoproteins, antioxidants, peroxides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) peroxides in addition to several health markers were measured in a closed, postmenopausal female community consuming a diet without meat, meat products and alcoholic beverages. SETTING: Departamento de Nutrición and Sección Departamental de Química Analítica and Escuela de Especialización de Análisis Clínicos, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain and Lerma, Burgos, Spain. RESULTS: Cereals, vegetables, legumes and fruit, together with milk and eggs, constituted the most important ingredients of the diet consumed. Dietary carbohydrates contributed 42%en and lipids 46.4%en. The SFA/MUFA/PUFA ratio was 1/2/1 and the n-3/n-6 ratio 0.05 (SFA=saturated fatty acids, MUFA=monounsaturated fatty acids, PUFA=polyunsaturated fatty acids). The study community diet was monotonous and made for possible deficiencies of iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin B(6) and vitamin D, in variable proportions. Routine biochemical and haematological normality markers indicate that only one woman presented hyperglycaemia and hyperuricaemia. Two women had haemoglobin levels <12 g/dl, but their mean corpuscular volume or mean corpuscular haemoglobin was normal. The prevalence of high cholesterol values (>6.21 mmol/l) was 42.8%, while that of high LDL-cholesterol levels (>3.88 mmol/l) was 35.7%, but none of the women displayed levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol <1.16 mmol/l, triglycerides >1.2 mmol/l or an LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio>3. Only one woman had apolipoprotein (Apo) B levels >1.5 g/l, while most of the women presented Apo B values <1.2 g/l and an ApoA-1/ApoB ratio &<1.1. Plasma and LDL-peroxide levels, together with the tocopherol and carotene intakes, suggest a good antioxidant status in this population. CONCLUSIONS: The diet of the study group seems compatible with a healthy life-profile and permits a more-than-acceptable degree of cardiovascular disease protection. However, the consumption of certain nutrients should be improved.

Optimización de un método para la determinación de la peroxidación lipídica en suero humano / A optimized method for the analysis of the lipidic peroxidation in human serum

Como consecuencia del metabolismo celular normal, se producen radicales libres que generalmente son eliminados por receptores endógenos pero también pueden interaccionar con los lípidos séricos y tisulares provocando su peroxidación. Dada la naturaleza inestable de los productos de la peroxidación lipídica resulta dificultoso determinar la magnitud de dicha peroxidación. Es, sin embargo, más accesible determinar los productos de su degradación metabólica, constituidos fundamentalmente por aldehídos de alta capacidad reactiva, siendo el más significativo el malondialdehído (MDA).Entre la variedad de métodos analíticos desarrollados para determinar el daño oxidativo de los lípidos, el más comúnmente utilizado se basa en la reacción del malondialdehído con el ácido 2-tiobarbitúrico (TBA) para formar aductos cromógenos y fluorescentes de MDA-TBA muy estables y que se pueden cuantificar por espectrofotometría de absorción visible o por fluorimetría. En el presente trabajo, para la determinación de lipoperóxidos en suero humano se ha empleado una técnica colorimétrica basada en la reacción del TBA descrita por ASAKAWA y MATSUSHITA. Para la optimización de esta técnica fueron cuidadosamente analizadas las condiciones de reacción establecidas por estos autores introduciéndose modificaciones que afectan principalmente al tiempo de reacción y al método de extracción de los lipoperóxidos (AU)

Eicosanoid production, thrombogenic ratio, and serum and LDL peroxides in normo- and hypercholesterolaemic post-menopausal women consuming two oleic acid-rich diets with different content of minor components.

The present paper compares the effects of two monounsaturated oils, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and high-oleic acid sunflower oil (HOSO), on serum and LDL peroxides, eicosanoid production and the thrombogenic ratio (thromboxane (TX) B2:6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha) in fourteen non-obese post-menopausal women. The subjects, mean age 63 (SD 11) years, were assigned to two consecutive oleic acid-rich 28 d dietary periods. EVOO and HOSO represented 62 % of the total lipid intake and were used as the only culinary fat during the first and second dietary periods respectively. Serum peroxides, plasma alpha-tocopherol and TXB2 levels in stimulated platelet-rich plasma (PRP-TXB2) were significantly higher (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, and P < 0.05, respectively) after the HOSO diet than after the EVOO diet. The relationship between the serum cholesterol level (< 6.21 mmol/l or > or = 6.21 mmol/l) and the type of dietary oil on eicosanoids, peroxides and alpha-tocopherol were evaluated by two-way ANOVA. Dietary oil significantly affected (P < 0.05) the PRP-TXB2 level, whereas serum and LDL peroxides were significantly affected (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively) by the serum cholesterol level. The plasma alpha-tocopherol level was significantly affected by the serum cholesterol level and the type of dietary oil (both P < 0.001). No significant relationships were found between serum cholesterol levels, serum peroxide or LDL peroxide levels, plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations or alpha-tocopherol intakes with eicosanoid production or the thrombogenic ratio due to dietary changes. However, in spite of their higher alpha-tocopherol levels, hypercholesterolaemic subjects showed increased peroxidation in serum and LDL in comparison with normocholesterolaemic subjects on the HOSO diet in comparison with the EVOO diet. These findings suggest that differences in the type of minor compounds, as well as in the concentration of linoleic acid, in both these monounsaturated oils may play an important role in modulating eicosanoid production and lipoprotein peroxidation when they constitute a large proportion of the diet of post-menopausal women.

Lipoprotein profiles and serum peroxide levels of aged women consuming palmolein or oleic acid-rich sunflower oil diets.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hypercholesterolemic effects of a dietary exchange between 16:0 and 18:1 while 18:2 was at relatively lower level (approximately 4%) in aged women with initially high total serum cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) values and with high intakes of dietary cholesterol. DESIGN: Subjects were assigned to two consecutive 28 d periods. In the first period all subjects followed an oleic acid-rich diet in the form of oleic acid-rich sunflower oil. This was followed by a second period rich in palmitic acid in the form of palmolein. Nutrient intakes, serum lipids, lipoproteins, antioxidant vitamins, peroxides and LDL-peroxides were measured at two dietary periods. SETTING: Instituto de Nutrición y Bromatología (CSIC), Departamento de Nutrición y Bromatología I (Nutrición) and Sección Departamental de Quimica Analítica, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain. RESULTS: The palmolein period led to an increase in TC (P < 0.001; 17.7%) and serum apolipoprotein (Apo) B levels (P < 0.001; 18.0%). LDL-C and LDL-Apo B concentrations were higher (P < 0.001, 4.33+/-0.94 mmol/L and P < 0.01, 1.08+/-0.20 g/L, respectively) following this period than following the oleic acid-rich sunflower oil diet (3.56+/-0.85 mmol/L, 0.93+/-0.16g/L, respectively). No significant differences were observed in the TC/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) ratio between the two dietary periods. Serum and LDL-peroxides were lower (P < 0.01, 49.5%, and P < 0.001, 69.0%, respectively) after the palmolein diet than after the oleic acid-rich sunflower oil diet. The palmolein diet significantly increased TC, LDL-C, Apo B, VLDL-ApoB, LDL-ApoB in women with TC > or = 6.21 mmol/L or with TC < 6.21 mmol/L, but the increase in Apo B, LDL-C and LDL-Apo B was greater among the women with high TC. The palmolein diet increased HDL-C in women with high or with low TC but this rise was on the borderline of statistical significance (P = 0.06) only in normocholesterolemics. Serum and LDL-peroxides tended to be higher in women with TC > 6.21 mmol/L than in women with TC < 6.21 mmol/L, but palmolein decreased serum and LDL-peroxide in hypercholesterolemics more than in the normocholesterolemics, resulting in serum and LDL-peroxide levels which theoretically are more adequate. CONCLUSIONS: Though palmolein increased LDL-C concentrations, it better protected LDL particles, mainly in women with high TC, against peroxidation than did oleic acid-rich sunflower oil.

Relation of abnormal composition of lipoproteins to HbA1c levels in non-insulin dependent diabetes.

Plasma lipids and VLDL and HDL composition were studied in a control group of 20 non diabetic subjects and in 31 male middle-age patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes treated by oral hypoglycemic agent glibenclamide and a weight maintaining diet. Data for the diabetics were separated based on haemoglobin A1c of less or greater than 7%. VLDL composition abnormalities were more frequent in the diabetic patients with HbA1c of > 7%. VLDL-cholesterol, VLDL-triglycerides and VLDL-phospholipids were high in all diabetics whereas VLDL-apo B increased only in diabetics with HbA1c > 7%. Apo CII and apo CIII levels and also apo CII/apo CIII ratio were also reduced in the diabetic patients with HbA1c levels of more than 7%. Increases in the apo E and apo E/apo C ratio were also seen in the more hyperglycemic diabetics with HbA1c levels > 7%. In contrast apo CII and apo CIII levels and also Apo CII/Apo CIII ratio remained unaltered in diabetic patients with less than 7% HbA1c levels. In these patients increases in the apo E levels were found while the apo E/apo C ratio remained unaltered. All diabetic patients showed increases in HDL-triglycerides and triglyceride/total cholesterol ratio with respect to control. Decreases in HDL-apo AI were also seen in both groups of diabetics, but the HDL-apo AI/HDL-apo AII ratio did not differ from control.

[Application of 2 electrophoresis techniques to the analysis of erythrocyte membrane proteins in hereditary spherocytosis]. / Aplicación de dos técnicas electroforéticas en el análisis de las proteínas de la membrana eritrocitaria en esferocitosis hereditaria.

Seven patients with hereditary spherocytosis have been studied using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with sodium dodecylsulfate (PAGE-SDS) and cytopherometry, in order to obtain information about possible alterations in the erythrocyte membrane proteins and in the electrophoretic mobility of whole erythrocytes. In four patients, a decrease in Band 4.2 protein was found. Histogram plotters proved of interest in showing two subpopulations in two patients. In all the cases, the electrophoretic mobility was normal. In two patients a spectrin deficiency was found. The study of histograms showed the presence of two subpopulations in this group of patients, in which the electrophoretic mobility was normal. Finally, one patient showed no deficiencies in membrane proteins. This fact can be due to an abnormality of spectrin that we could not detect with our techniques.

Plasma lipids and VLDL composition in male non-insulin dependent diabetic patients: relation with HbA1c levels.

In this study, plasma lipids and VLDL composition were measured in 22 middle aged male patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes and compared with 15 non-diabetic controls. Data for the diabetics were differentiated on the basis of hemoglobin A1c levels of less than or greater than 7%. Compositional abnormalities of VLDL were more frequent in the diabetic patients with HbA1c of > 7%. VLDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids were elevated in all diabetics whereas VLDL-Apo B was increased only in diabetics with HbA1c > 7%. Apo CII and Apo CIII levels and also apo CII/apo CIII ratio were also reduced with HbA1c levels of more than 7%. Increases in the apo E and apo E/apo C ratio were also seen in the more hyperglycemic diabetics with HbA1c levels of > 7%. In contrast apo CII and apo CIII levels and also apo CII/apo CIII ratio remained unaltered in diabetic patients with less than 7% HbA1c levels. In these patients increases in the apo E levels were found while the apo E/apo C ratio remained unaltered.

[Correlations of the levels of HbA1c with plasma apoproteins and plasma lipoproteins in type II diabetic patients]. / Correlación de los niveles de HbA1c con las apoproteínas del plasma y de las lipoproteínas plasmáticas en pacientes diabéticos tipo II.

Plasma apolipoproteins from VLDL, LDL and HDL lipoproteins were measured in 56 male patients with age range 50-60 years and noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type II) and 81 normal volunteers. Diabetic patients were further divided into two subgroups according to the HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) concentrations, lower than 7% and higher than 7% respectively, after considering that HbA1c levels may be an appropriate index to monitor long-term blood glucose level. The studied groups, control and diabetic patients, were well matched with regard to age, % of smokers, % drinkers and % hypertensive and physical activity. The relationships between glucose, fructosamine and % HbA1c levels were investigated. In addition, the relationships between glucose, fructosamine, HbA1c levels and apolipoproteins from the lipoproteins were also studied. A significant correlation (p < 0.05) between glucose/fructosamine, glucose/HbA1c and fructosamine/HbA1c was found in both groups of diabetic patients with HbA1c lower than 7% and higher than 7% respectively. However HbA1c levels were positive and significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with the Apo-B and Apo-E and negative but significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with Apo-CII and Apo-CIII from VLDL particle in both groups of diabetic patients.

[Lipemia and apolipoproteinemia B in overweight, smoking men aged 30 to 55 years]. / Lipidémie et apolipoprotéinémie B chez des hommes âgés de 30 à 55 ans fumeurs ou présentant un excès de poids.

Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein B were studied in male subjects with no known risk factor for coronary heart disease. Overweight in this study was associated with higher serum cholesterol concentrations and lower HDL-cholesterol levels. The effects of cigarette smoking on the concentrations of HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol appear to be prominent in the heavy smoking subjects (p less than 0.010 and p less than 0.050 respectively). A positive association between cigarette smoking and serum triglycerides was found. This work suggests that HDL-cholesterol is the best indicator to discriminate both cigarette smokers or subjects having overweight at risk of developing atherosclerosis or coronary heart disease.