Cellulose acetate electrophoresis of canine plasma after fibrinogen precipitation by ethanol

Background: In routine canine medicine, anticoagulated blood is often the only sample sent to laboratories for diagnostic purposes. This hampers the interpretation of protein electrophoretic tracings because plasma contains fibrinogen, which migrates in the β–γ region. In human medicine, fibrinogen can be precipitated from plasma using ethanol. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess ethanol precipitation as a method for removing fibrinogen from canine plasma so as to facilitate the interpretation of electorphoresis results. Methods: Blood samples collected from 40 dogs were divided into plain tubes and tubes containing EDTA (n=20) or lithium–heparin (n=20). An aliquot of plasma from each sample was incubated with ethanol at a final concentration of 100 mL/L. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis was then performed on serum, plasma, and plasma treated with ethanol. To verify the efficiency of ethanol treatment, fibrinogen was added to 5 canine serum samples at final concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 g/L, and electrophoresis was performed before and after ethanol treatment. Results: Visual analysis of electrophoretograms from ethanol‐treated samples confirmed the disappearance of the fibrinogen peak from the β₂‐globulin region. Treatment with ethanol caused a significant decrease in the percentage of β₂‐globulins and a significant increase in the percentage of α₂‐globulins. Absolute values of most electrophoretic fractions were significantly decreased in ethanol‐treated plasma compared with serum. Conclusions: Ethanol treatment successfully removed fibrinogen from canine plasma and normalized electrophoretic profiles, but probably also precipitated proteins other than fibrinogen. Ethanol treatment is recommended to facilitate visual identification of abnormal monoclonal peaks, but not for determining absolute protein concentrations in electrophoretic fractions.     

Atmospheric Stability and Meteorological Scenarios as Inputs to Air Pollution Transport Modeling

Meteorological scenarios concerning the data required for engineering applications of pollutant transport modeling in the low layers of troposphere are defined through a simple methodology. This involves only data at soil surface and substantially relies on the determination of atmospheric stability carried out through fictitious vertical profiles of air temperature considered as representative of the actual vertical profiles in a study area. This assumption is supported by comparisons of fictitious vertical profiles, obtained by measurements of air temperature at soil surface but at different heights above sea level, and the temperature vertical profiles observed by the radio-sounding station closer to the study area. The fictitious profiles are first used to derive the usual classes of atmospheric stability as unstable atmosphere, neutral atmosphere, stable atmosphere, thermal inversion at the surface and thermal inversion in the upper layers. Then, each scenario is determined through the classes of atmospheric stability observed at 06.00 GMT and 15.00 GMT together with the experimental data of air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and cloud cover, all averaged in the period of investigation of a few years. An area of Central Italy, where the meteorological measurements for a period of 7 years were available, has been selected for this study.     

Successful use of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog for the treatment of tertiary hypogonadism (GnRH deficiency) in a 5-year-old Belgian Blue bull

A bull was referred for a progressive oligoasthenotheratozoospermia that resulted in a unsuitable seminal quality for the cryopreservation. Breeding soundness evaluation results suggested gonadal dysfunction. Because of the lack of normal ranges for these hormones in the bull, in this study, the hypogonadism and the site of the dysfunction (hypothalamus) were diagnosed by the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test. The evaluation of pituitary and testicular responsiveness by a GnRH stimulating test revealed a responsiveness of the pituitary and testis, thus a secondary hypogonadism (hypothalamic hypogonadism) was postulated and a therapeutic approach based on the subcutaneous administration of GnRH analog was attempted. An increase in semen volume, concentration and sperm characteristics were detected 9 weeks after the start of the treatment, corroborating the hypothalamic origin of the disease and the useful of the GnRH therapy.     

Digital Agenesia in Martina Franca Donkey Foal: A Case Report

A 4-day-old male Martina Franca donkey foal was evaluated for a forelimb alteration. Clinical examination and radiographs revealed the agenesia of the distal digit. Biochemical parameters were normal, and ultrasonographic evaluation did not identify any relievable organ alteration. Karyotype study revealed an abnormality on chromosome 1. The foal was discharged with a distal limb bandage in which a palmar splint was applied. A poor prognosis for the functionality of the limb was given. In endangered species, such as the Martina Franca donkey, the excessive inbreeding could result in an increase in genetic disorders. These findings shed new light on the possible pathogenesis of the digital dysgenesia. The study of the karyotype could be a useful approach to detect genetic alterations that could or could not be expressed in the animal, especially in endangered species in which a risk of an excessive inbreeding is considerable. These defects should be considered in the choice and selection of the breeders.     

Canine circovirus and Canine adenovirus type 1 and 2 in dogs with parvoviral enteritis

Veterinary Research Communications - Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is one of the most relevant pathogens associated with enteritis in dogs and is frequently reported in association with the...     

Orthodromic atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia conducted with intraventricular conduction disturbance mimicking ventricular tachycardia in an English Bulldog

Electrocardiographic tracings of an English Bulldog referred for cardiogenic shock due to an orthodromic atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia conducted with intraventricular conduction disturbance and mimicking ventricular tachycardia (VT) are presented. At admission the surface ECG showed a wide QRS complex tachycardia (WCT) that was converted to sinus rhythm using manual cardioversion (chest thump). This change revealed pre-existing right bundle branch block, and a final diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with intraventricular conduction disturbance was made. Electrophysiologic study defined the SVT mechanism as an atrioventricular macroreentrant tachycardia mediated by a single mid-septal accessory pathway. The differentiation between various types of WCT is essential when antiarrhythmic therapy is considered. The surface ECG should be systematically evaluated in order to recognize the characteristic features of SVT and VT. Moreover chest thump procedure can be very helpful in the attempt to convert the rhythm to sinus rhythm and to correctly recognize the underlying arrhythmia.