Ultrasonographic Diagnosis of Some Scrotal Swellings in Bulls

Information regarding the use of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of testicular and scrotal affections is scarce in bovine. In the present study, eight bulls suffering with scrotal swellings were examined ultrasonographically. The recorded affections included; ruptured urethra with scrotal swelling, testicular hypoplasia, malignant Sertoli cell neoplasm, hydrocele and scrotal hernia. In case of ruptured urethra, the scrotum appeared as thick hyperechoic skin, the testes showed normal echogenicity and the surrounding tissue showed diffuse anechoic areas separated by hyperechoic threads. The hypoplastic testis was less echogenic, and its rete testis was more echogenic, than the normal one. The neoplastic testis had several anechoic areas, hyperechoic masses and areas of normal testicular echogenicity. In hydrocele, the scrotal skin appeared as clear hyperechoic line with anechoic fluid accumulated in the vaginal cavity of the scrotum and both testes had normal echotexture. In scrotal hernia, a hyperechoic omental loop was seen adjacent to high echogenic testis. In conclusion, ultrasonography is a good tool for differential diagnosis of different scrotal swellings in bulls

Utjecaj osteogeničnih dodataka agregatu mineralnog trioksida na razinu genske ekspresije odontoblastičnih markera nakon zatvaranja pulpe u pasa.

This study investigates the effect of addition of dexamethasone, vitamin D3, or chitosan to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on the gene expression level of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (MEPE) after pulp capping in dogs. Pulp exposure was performed in sixty dogs’ teeth. The teeth were classified into 3 equal groups according to the evaluation period. Group 1:7 days, group 2: 21 days and group 3: 60 days. Each group was further subdivided according to the pulp capping material used, into subgroup A: MTA + dexamethasone, subgroup B: MTA + dexamethasone + vitamin D3, subgroup C: MTA + chitosan and subgroup D: MTA. According to the group, the pulps of the capped teeth were removed for analysis of the relative mRNA expression level of DSPP and MEPE using PCR. Statistical analysis of all data was performed. In subgroup A, significant expression was observed of DSPP (P≤0.05) in group 2 up to 18.8 relative fold change while in subgroup B a significant upregulated gene expression of DSPP (P≤0.05) up to 29.4 relative fold change was seen. Significant upregulated DSPP expression (P≤0.05) was recorded in groups 1 and 2 up to 6.9 and 3.6 relative fold change, respectively in subgroup C. In conclusion, dexamethasone, with or without vitamin D3 and chitosan, are synergistic odontogenic inducers with MTA for differentiation of dental pulp cells in dogs. The upregulation of DSPP is a good marker for this differentiation.Istraživan je utjecaj dodatka deksametazona, vitamina D3 ili hitozana agregatu mineralnog trioksida na razinu ekspresije gena za dentin-sijalofosfoprotein (DSPP) i gena za ekstracelularni matriks fosfoglikoprotein nakon zatvaranja pulpe u pasa. Pulpa je bila otvorena na 60 zuba. Ti su zubi bili razvrstani u tri jednake skupine ovisno o trajanju promatranja. Prva skupina bila je promatrana sedam dana, druga skupina 21 dan, a treća skupina 60 dana. Svaka skupina bila je podijeljena u podskupine ovisno o materijalu rabljenom za zatvaranje pulpe. Podskupini A bio je primijenjen agregat mineralnog trioksida + deksametazon, podskupini B bio je primijenjen agregat mineralnog trioksida + deksametazon + vitamin D3, podskupini C agregat mineralnog trioksida + hitozan, a podskupini D samo agregat mineralnog trioksida. Sukladno skupinama, pulpe zatvorenih zuba bile su uzete za analizu relativne ekspresije mRNA za dentin-sijalofosfoprotein i za ekstracelularni matriks fosfoglikoprotein PCR-om. Svi podatci bili su statistički obrađeni. Značajna ekspresija gena za dentinsijalofosfoprotein (P≤0,05) bila je dokazana u podskupini A druge skupine u relativnoj vrijednosti 18,8, dok je u podskupini B značajna ekspresija gena za dentin-sijalofosfoprotein (P≤0,05) bila 29,4 puta veća. Značajno povećana ekspresija DSPP (P≤0,05) u prvoj i drugoj skupini sve do 6,9 odnosno 3,6 puta ustanovljena je u podskupini C. Može se zaključiti da deksametazon (s vitaminom D3 ili bez njega) i hitozan djeluju sinergistički s agregatom mineralnog trioksida kao odontogenični pokretači za diferencijaciju stanica zubne pulpe u pasa. Povećana razina dentin-sijalofosfoproteina dobar je pokazatelj te diferencijacije

Utjecaj osteogeničnih dodataka agregatu mineralnog trioksida na razinu genske ekspresije odontoblastičnih markera nakon zatvaranja pulpe u pasa.

This study investigates the effect of addition of dexamethasone, vitamin D3, or chitosan to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on the gene expression level of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (MEPE) after pulp capping in dogs. Pulp exposure was performed in sixty dogs’ teeth. The teeth were classified into 3 equal groups according to the evaluation period. Group 1:7 days, group 2: 21 days and group 3: 60 days. Each group was further subdivided according to the pulp capping material used, into subgroup A: MTA + dexamethasone, subgroup B: MTA + dexamethasone + vitamin D3, subgroup C: MTA + chitosan and subgroup D: MTA. According to the group, the pulps of the capped teeth were removed for analysis of the relative mRNA expression level of DSPP and MEPE using PCR. Statistical analysis of all data was performed. In subgroup A, significant expression was observed of DSPP (P≤0.05) in group 2 up to 18.8 relative fold change while in subgroup B a significant upregulated gene expression of DSPP (P≤0.05) up to 29.4 relative fold change was seen. Significant upregulated DSPP expression (P≤0.05) was recorded in groups 1 and 2 up to 6.9 and 3.6 relative fold change, respectively in subgroup C. In conclusion, dexamethasone, with or without vitamin D3 and chitosan, are synergistic odontogenic inducers with MTA for differentiation of dental pulp cells in dogs. The upregulation of DSPP is a good marker for this differentiation.Istraživan je utjecaj dodatka deksametazona, vitamina D3 ili hitozana agregatu mineralnog trioksida na razinu ekspresije gena za dentin-sijalofosfoprotein (DSPP) i gena za ekstracelularni matriks fosfoglikoprotein nakon zatvaranja pulpe u pasa. Pulpa je bila otvorena na 60 zuba. Ti su zubi bili razvrstani u tri jednake skupine ovisno o trajanju promatranja. Prva skupina bila je promatrana sedam dana, druga skupina 21 dan, a treća skupina 60 dana. Svaka skupina bila je podijeljena u podskupine ovisno o materijalu rabljenom za zatvaranje pulpe. Podskupini A bio je primijenjen agregat mineralnog trioksida + deksametazon, podskupini B bio je primijenjen agregat mineralnog trioksida + deksametazon + vitamin D3, podskupini C agregat mineralnog trioksida + hitozan, a podskupini D samo agregat mineralnog trioksida. Sukladno skupinama, pulpe zatvorenih zuba bile su uzete za analizu relativne ekspresije mRNA za dentin-sijalofosfoprotein i za ekstracelularni matriks fosfoglikoprotein PCR-om. Svi podatci bili su statistički obrađeni. Značajna ekspresija gena za dentinsijalofosfoprotein (P≤0,05) bila je dokazana u podskupini A druge skupine u relativnoj vrijednosti 18,8, dok je u podskupini B značajna ekspresija gena za dentin-sijalofosfoprotein (P≤0,05) bila 29,4 puta veća. Značajno povećana ekspresija DSPP (P≤0,05) u prvoj i drugoj skupini sve do 6,9 odnosno 3,6 puta ustanovljena je u podskupini C. Može se zaključiti da deksametazon (s vitaminom D3 ili bez njega) i hitozan djeluju sinergistički s agregatom mineralnog trioksida kao odontogenični pokretači za diferencijaciju stanica zubne pulpe u pasa. Povećana razina dentin-sijalofosfoproteina dobar je pokazatelj te diferencijacije

Feline aortic thromboembolism: Presentation, diagnosis and treatment outcomes of 15 cats

Background: Feline aortic thromboembolism (FATE) is a fatal disease where a blood clot gets lodged into the aortic trifurcation. Aim: This study describes the diagnosis and treatment outcome of FATE in 15 clinical cases. Methods: Fifteen cats with sudden onset of hindlimb paresis/paralysis, vocalization and pain were admitted to the surgery clinic. A full case history was obtained and clinical, orthopedic, neurologic, radiographic, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examinations were performed for each cat. Treatment protocol included; daily administration of multiple anticoagulant drugs with different mode of actions and meloxicam for 7 successive days. Prophylactic anticoagulant therapy (Clopidogrel and Acetyle salicylic acid) was continued for six months. All data were statistically analyzed and the correlation between time of admission and treatment outcome was tested using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: The case history and clinical, orthopedic, and neurologic examinations revealed sudden onset of hindlimb paralysis (n=12) or paresis (n=3) associated with vocalization and pain, absence of trauma, cold and pale foot paws of hindlimbs (n=13, 86.7%) or cyanosed hind paws (n=2, 13.3 %), absence of femoral pulsation, shallow and rapid open-mouth respiration (61±8 breaths/min), hypothermia (37.9±0.6°C) and tachycardia (155±12 beats/min) with muffled heart sound in four cats (26.7%). Radiography revealed no abnormalities in the hindlimbs, pelvis and spines, cardiomegaly in 5 cats (33.3%), mild pleural effusion and vascular pattern of the lung in six cats (40%) and Valentine’s heart shape in 4 cats (26.7%). Electrocardiography revealed R-wave< 0.9 mV, prolongation of QRS interval in 5 cats (33.3%) and conduction disturbance in 4 cats (26.7%). Echocardiography was consistent with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in 5 cats (33.3%). A statistically significant (P=0.023) strong negative correlation (r=-0.6) was reported between time of admission with subsequent early treatment and recovery from the clinical signs. The treatment was successful in nine cats (60%) while four cats (26.7) were euthanized and two cats (13.3%) were subjected to hindlimb amputation, at the owners' requests. Conclusion: Clinical signs, radiography, electrocardiography and echocardiography are valuable for diagnosis of FATE. The outcome of multiple anticoagulants therapy depends mainly upon early diagnosis and treatment within the first 6 h from the onset of clinical signs

Bioactivity and pH of Nano-White MTA versus NeoMTATM Plus® and MTA Angelus® as root repair materials: An in vitro study

Objective: This study compared the bioactivity and pH of Nano-white mineral trioxide aggregate (NWMTA), Neo-mineral trioxide aggregate plus (NeoMTA Plus), and Mineral trioxide aggregate angelus (MTA-A) as root repair materials. Methods: A total of 60 discs made from the three materials (20 discs each) were prepared according to the manufacturer’s instructions. These discs were packed into plastic molds and allowed to set before testing. For bioactivity study, ten discs of each material were immersed in Hanks\u27 Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) for 28 days, and analyzed with scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX). Ten discs of each material were used to assess the pH changes by the pH meter at 3 h, 24 h, 72 h, and 168 h. All data were statistically analyzed. Results: After 28 days of immersing in HBSS, the crystals of Nano WMTA, NeoMTA Plus and MTA were covered with calcium phosphate precipitates with no statistically significant difference (P=0.908). The three tested materials induced alkalization of the deionized water after 3 h of immersion and started to decrease at 3 days continuing until the last test at 7 days. Conclusion: The Nano WMTA, NeoMTA Plus and MTA have similar bioactivity and strong alkalizing activity

Evaluation of chromocystoscopy in the diagnosis of cystitis in female donkeys.

Early detection of cystitis in equine is essential to improve the prognosis and outcome of therapy. However, the conventional white light endoscopy is not sufficiently accurate for this purpose. Hence, this study evaluated chromoendoscopy as a recent diagnostic tool for cystitis in female donkeys. For this purpose, 5 apparently normal donkeys (control group) and 5 female donkeys with cystitis (diseased group) were used. Physical and rectal examinations, urine analysis, white light cystoscopy, methylene blue-based chromoendoscopy and histopathology were performed in all animals. Turbid urine exhibiting an alkaline pH and a significant (P = .02) increase in the numbers of RBCs and WBCs was observed in the diseased group compared to the control one. In the control group, white light cystoscopy showed a smooth pale pink glistening mucosa with two openings of the ureters and visible submucosal blood vessels. During chromocystoscopy, faint bluish discoloration of the mucosal surface with clearly visible submucosal blood vessels was detectable. These findings were correlated with the histopathological findings of the biopsies collected from the urinary bladder. In the diseased group, white-light cystoscopy showed clearly visible blood vessels, mildly hyperaemic mucosa in focal or diffuse forms and small vesicle formation. Chromocystoscopy revealed dark bluish oedematous and irregular mucosa either in a focal form or a diffuse form (marbled appearance) with deeply stained submucosal blood vessels. Histopathologically, the urothelium was hyperplastic with squamous metaplasia and the lamina propria was infiltrated with few leukocytes and congested blood vessels. Small bluish dots representing the absorbed methylene blue dye were seen in the inflamed areas against the lightly stained mucosa of the bladder. Severe diffuse necrotic cystitis was also seen with bacterial aggregations on the surface. Gram's staining revealed both gram positive bacilli and Gram positive coccobacilli. In conclusion, chromoendoscopy is a helpful tool for early diagnosis of cystitis in female donkeys and enables targeted biopsies, which improves the prognosis and outcome of therapy

Differential diagnosis of bovine intestinal diseases and their sequelae regarding ultrasonography and other diagnostic tools

Background and Aim: Intestinal disorders represented a large proportion of abdominal emergencies in bovine practice, and their definite diagnosis was a big challenge. The study described different intestinal disorders in cattle either in the small intestine (SI) or large intestine with their sequelae and peritonitis between SI loops. Materials and Methods: This study involved healthy (n=20) and diseased (n=40) cattle with intestinal disorders. All animals were undergoing clinical examination, laboratory analyses, and ultrasonographic examination. Results: Diseased cattle had monocytic leukocytosis as well as hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia. The SI ileus of either proximal (n=12) or distal (n=15), intussusception (n=3), cecal, and/or colonal dilatation (n=10) were diagnosed by ultrasound and other diagnostic tools. Duodenum intussusception was imaged in cross-section as bull's eyes lesions. Animals with SI obstructions showed complete cessation (ileus with complete obstruction) or partial reduction of the peristaltic SI movement (ileus with partial obstruction), dilated duodenum (6.5-9.9 cm), and dilated jejunum and/or ileum (4.4-6.8 cm). Ultrasonography diagnosed SI ileus, due to either intestinal obstruction or peritonitis, and detected the ileus site, either proximal or distal. Cecal/colonal dilatation was detected using ultrasonography in which SI was not imaged and the peristaltic movements were completely reduced. The recorded intestinal disorders were associated with other disorders (e.g., liver cirrhosis or peritonitis). Conclusion: Ultrasonography played an important role in the differential diagnosis of intestinal disorders in cattle. Peritonitis between SI loops and cecal and/or colonal dilatation was also diagnosed