Prostacyclin and Thromboxane Production by Autogenous Femoral Veins Grafted into the Arterial Circulation of the Dog

Vascular prostacyclin (PGI2) production is different in the arteries and veins of the dog. Experiments were performed to determine whether chronic grafting of the femoral vein into the arterial circulation would alter the normal PGI2 and thromboxane (TxA2) synthesis of the “arterialized” veins. Spontaneous and arachidonic acid (AA) stimulated PGI2 and TxA2 production (measured by radioimmunoassay of 6-keto PGF1α and TxB2 respectively) were analysed in full thickness punch biopsies of the middle part of the grafts after 3 and 16 months and compared with unoperated veins and arteries. PGI2 production was significantly higher in arteries than in veins but no significant difference in TxB2 production was found. Middle “arterialized” venous graft produced significantly lower amounts of PGI2 and higher amounts of TxB2 than unoperated vessels. PGI2 production was more reduced in the distal than in the middle or the proximal parts of the venous grafts especially when stimulated with AA. These findings do not support the concept that the venous graft was biochemically adapted or “arterialized” in terms of PGI2 production when implanted for 3 months or longer. Rather the markedly decreased PGI2/TxB2 ratio in the middle of the graft may be a contributory cause of thrombogenicity and may be implicated in the pathogenesis of neointimal hyperplasia.

Seminal Vesiculitis in Three Pet Rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus )

To date, descriptions of pathologic conditions of the seminal vesicle in rabbits are scarce and limited to the laboratory animals in experimental conditions. The present article describes three cases of strangury, abdominal pain, and anorexia associated with seminal vesiculitis in pet rabbits. Three non-neutered male pet rabbits aged 3.6, 1.5, and 2.1 yrs were presented with strangury, abdominal pain, and anorexia. Seminal vesiculitis was diagnosed based on clinical signs and ultrasonography findings. Vesiculectomy was performed in two cases that presented strangury refractory to medical treatment, and diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology. In the third case, the patient received medical treatment, and a sequela in the form of lithiasis of the seminal vesicle was detected 3 yrs later. Plain radiographs were nearly unremarkable, and results from complete blood analysis and urinalysis were not specific in all three cases. Contrast radiography was performed in one case, showing a dilated seminal vesicle. Ultrasound and surgical biopsy seem to be the most sensitive techniques in the diagnosis of this pathology. Seminal vesiculitis must be included in the differential diagnosis of acute or chronic strangury in male pet rabbits.

Congestive Heart Failure in 6 African Grey Parrots (Psittacus e erithacus)

Six African grey parrots ( Psittacus e erithacus) were diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure based on gross and microscopic findings. Ages ranged from 15 days to 8 years, and 5 of 6 parrots were either neonates or juveniles at the time of diagnosis. Two neonates and 2 juveniles came from the same breeding aviary; the 2 juveniles were born to the same breeding pair. The 2 other parrots were kept as pets. Clinical signs included distention of the coelomic cavity (4 of 6), rales (3 of 6), weakness (4 of 6), bradyarrhythmia (1 of 6), growth retardation (1 of 6), crop stasis (1 of 6), and regurgitation (1 of 6). Three parrots were euthanized and 3 died. Gross findings included cardiomegaly due to biventricular, right-, or left-sided cardiomyopathy (6 of 6); coelomic effusion (6 of 6); whitish or yellow foci in the liver (6 of 6); atrophy of the liver (particularly, the left lobe; 5 of 6); reddened or grey lungs (5 of 6); subcutaneous edema (2 of 6); hydropericardium (1 of 6); and bilateral thyroid gland enlargement (1 of 6). Relevant microscopic findings included passive hepatic congestion (6 of 6) and pulmonary congestion (2 of 6), lymphocytic thyroiditis (2 of 6), and diffuse thyroid follicular hyperplasia (2 of 6). Microscopically, the heart was unremarkable (2 of 6) or had mild lymphocytic myocarditis (2 of 6), mild multifocal cytoplasmic vacuolation of cardiomyocytes (2 of 6), mild lymphocytic myocardial (Purkinje cell) ganglioneuritis (1 of 6), and mild multifocal interstitial fibrosis and nuclear hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes (1 of 6). One parrot had concurrent proventricular dilatation disease (systemic ganglioneuritis). The cause of cardiomyopathy in these parrots was not determined.

Clinicopathologic features of a systemic coronavirus-associated disease resembling feline infectious peritonitis in the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius)

From 2002 to 2007, 23 ferrets from Europe and the United States were diagnosed with systemic pyogranulomatous inflammation resembling feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). The average age at the time of diagnosis was 11 months. The disease was progressive in all cases, and average duration of clinical illness was 67 days. Common clinical findings were anorexia, weight loss, diarrhea, and large, palpable intra-abdominal masses; less frequent findings included hind limb paresis, central nervous system signs, vomiting, and dyspnea. Frequent hematologic findings were mild anemia, thrombocytopenia, and hypergammaglobulinemia. Grossly, whitish nodules were found in numerous tissues, most frequently the mesenteric adipose tissue and lymph nodes, visceral peritoneum, liver, kidneys, spleen, and lungs. One ferret had a serous abdominal effusion. Microscopically, pyogranulomatous inflammation involved especially the visceral peritoneum, mesenteric adipose tissue, liver, lungs, kidneys, lymph nodes, spleen, pancreas, adrenal glands, and/or blood vessels. Immunohistochemically, all cases were positive for coronavirus antigen using monoclonal antibody FIPV3-70. Electron microscopic examination of inflammatory lesions identified particles with coronavirus morphology in the cytoplasm of macrophages. Partial sequencing of the coronavirus spike gene obtained from frozen tissue indicates that the virus is related to ferret enteric coronavirus.

Hematological, protein electrophoresis and cholinesterase values of free-living nestling peregrine falcons in Spain

Protein electrophoresis, hematological and cholinesterase values were determined in 32 nestling free-living peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) (15- to 27-days-old) in order to establish normal reference values for this population. The following values (mean +/- SD) were observed: prealbumin 0.31 +/- 0.04 g/dl, albumin 1.25 +/- 0.06 g/dl, alpha1 and alpha2-globulin 0.23 +/- 0.02 and 0.16 +/- 0.02 g/dl respectively, beta-globulin 1.02 +/- 0.05 g/dl, gamma-globulin 0.060 +/- 0.08 g/dl, total protein 3.79 +/- 0.18 g/dl, 21.26 +/- 1.30 white blood cells/microl (1 x 10(3)), 2.17 +/- 0.07 red blood cells/microl (1 x 10(6)), packed cell volume 37.58 +/- 0.82%, hemoglobin 20.96 +/- 0.29 g/dl, heterophils 61.14 +/- 2.50% and cholinesterase 1,184 +/- 75 IU/L. There were no difference in any of these parameters among males and females. The hematological values obtained could be considered as representative values in free-living nestling peregrine falcons.

A new efficient method for 3D registration using human brain atlases

In this article a new efficient method in deformable brain atlases is proposed. To achieve this goal we use the composition of two applications, an affine transformation and other one. In this second application we have used three different approaches. One approach that has been used and two new approaches. We use a set of points to be identified both in brain atlas and in patient's brain for registration. The three approach present an advantage: the mathematical solution obtained makes it to be very fast, almost immediate. Several results have been obtained and they have been classified as very satisfactory by the neurosurgeons that have tested our system.

[Ask-Upmark kidney: description of a case and review of the literature]

We present a 15-year-old male patient diagnosed histopathologically as suffering from Ask-Upmark kidney, in the absence of vesicoureteral reflux and with hypertension. The first clinical manifestation was completely atypical: right loin pain, with so many agudisation treated at our emergency serve that justified a thorough study. The pathogenesis of the Ask-Upmark kidney is still unknown; some authors defend the congenital malformation hypothesis, as it was first described in 1929, but there are groups who support the Ask-Upmark kidney as a form of reflux nephropathy. After our description we present a review of the literature.

Premenstrual symptoms in Mexican women with different educational levels

Most women present some premenstrual symptoms, which may be influenced by diverse sociocultural factors. The authors studied the premenstrual symptoms of 89 healthy Mexican women living in rural areas and whose education ranged from no schooling to middle school attendance, and 182 women living in urban areas whose education ranged from elementary school to professional studies. The Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (R. H. Moos, 1968) was completed by all the women during the premenstrual and postmenstrual phases of one menstrual cycle. The percentage of women who reported mild symptoms was 87% on somatic scales and 86% on psychological scales. Premenstrual symptoms were more severe among women engaged in professional studies. Urban women reported more severe psychological symptoms than rural women. When women who were engaged in professional studies were excluded from the data analyses, no differences between the groups were found. Thus, it appears that the women's level of education affected premenstrual symptoms more than their rural or urban backgrounds did.

Hematological and plasma biochemical reference intervals in young white storks

Hematological and plasma chemistry parameters were measured in 129 juvenile white storks (Ciconia ciconia), either wild or captive bred, April to June 1994. Wild storks were members of a colony in the Lozoya River Valley, Madrid, Spain. Red blood cells count, packed cell volume and hemoglobin increased significantly with age. White blood cells count, lymphocytes count and platelets decreased with age. Total solids, total proteins, fibrinogen, albumin, alpha, beta, gamma-globulins and urea increased with age. Differences between captive and wild birds were not notable.

Prostacyclin and thromboxane production by autogenous femoral veins grafted into the arterial circulation of the dog

Vascular prostacyclin (PGI2) production is different in the arteries and veins of the dog. Experiments were performed to determine whether chronic grafting of the femoral vein into the arterial circulation would alter the normal PGI2 and thromboxane (TxA2) synthesis of the "arterialized" veins. Spontaneous and arachidonic acid (AA) stimulated PGI2 and TxA2 production (measured by radioimmunoassay of 6-keto PGF1 alpha and TxB2 respectively) were analysed in full thickness punch biopsies of the middle part of the grafts after 3 and 16 months and compared with unoperated veins and arteries. PGI2 production was significantly higher in arteries than in veins but no significant difference in TxB2 production was found. Middle "arterialized" venous graft produced significantly lower amounts of PGI2 and higher amounts of TxB2 than unoperated vessels. PGI2 production was more reduced in the distal than in the middle or the proximal parts of the venous grafts especially when stimulated with AA. These findings do not support the concept that the venous graft was biochemically adapted or "arterialized" in terms of PGI2 production when implanted for 3 months or longer. Rather, the markedly decreased PGI2/TxB2 ratio in the middle of the graft may be a contributory cause of thrombogenicity and may be implicated in the pathogenesis of neointimal hyperplasia.