An integrated approach to evaluate PAH exposure

Introduction - An integrated evaluation of PAH exposure should consider different routes of absorption, reliability and specificity of biomarkers of dose, and individual susceptibility. Material and Methods - The present study investigated the exposure to PAHs in coke oven workers (n=100), asphalt pavers (n=98) and ground construction workers (n=47), by means of environmental exposure and biological monitoring. Results \u2013 Personal exposure to total airborne PAHs [from naphtalene to indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene] in coke oven workers (median 140 \ub5g/m3), was much higher than in pavers exposed to bitumen fumes (0.6 \ub5g/m3), or in construction workers (0.4 \ub5g/m3),. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HOP) in end-shift samples was significantly higher in cokeoven workers (2.2 \ub5g/l) than in asphalt pavers (0.7 \ub5g/l) and in construction workers (0.4 \ub5g/l). An increasing trend in 1-HOP levels, over the workweek and the workshift was registered. A similar trend was observed for urinary 2-hydroxyfluorene (2-FLE) and 3-hydroxyphenanthrene (3-PHE) as well as for some unmetabolised PAH in urine. In smokers with low exposures an important contribution to biomarkers was given by tobacco smoking. PAH-DNA adducts in peripheral blood lymphocytes were not associated with external exposure. Genetic polymorphisms of metabolic and DNA repairing enzymes (CYP1A1, GSTM1, GSTT1, XPD) did not appear to influence the levels of biomarkers. Total dermal contamination of PAHs in pavers, assessed in a subgroup of workers (n=22), ranged from 23 to 623 \ub5g. Significant correlations between dermal phenanthrene or pyrene and 1-HOP (r = 0.41 and 0.55), suggest that dermal exposure significantly contributes to the internal dose of these compounds. Conclusion \u2013 Our results suggest that urinary biomarkers of PAHs, integrating exposure from all sources and routes, are reliable tools for risk assessment in occupational health

Correlation between the Severity Prediction Index score (SPI-2) and tear production in 100 critically ill dogs admitted to the intensive care unit

urpose: To determine the relationship between the severity of a systemic disease and tear production (TP) in critically ill dogs admitted to the intensive care unit. Methods: One hundred dogs of various breeds and both sexes were enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria were as follows: presence of a severe systemic disease, no anesthesiological procedures within the previous 24 h, and no therapy with drugs that could interfere with TP. Another inclu- sion criterium was the absence of any ocular abnormalities assessed by slit-lamp biomi- croscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, and applanation tonometry preceded by the Schirmer Tear Test type I in both eyes. For each dog the illness severity was calculated by a diagnosis independent score (Severity Prediction Index - SPI-2) which predicts probability of survival based on variation of 7 clinical parameters within 24 h of admission. Data were statistically analyzed and the Spearmann test was used to detect a possible correlation between SPI-2 score and TP. Results: In the 53 male and 47 female dogs no statistical difference in TP was found between left and right eyes. No significant effect of both, age and body weight on TP was detected. A difference related to gender was found, with intact male dogs showing a lower TP. The variables SPI-2 and TP in the critically ill dogs were correlated (P < 0.0001) and a positive correlation was detected (rs 0.957). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that tear production tends to decrease in dogs with lower SPI-2 scores, in other words in the more critically ill dogs

Automated tru-cut imaging-guided core needle biopsy of canine orbital neoplasia. A prospective feasibility study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of imaging-guided core needle biopsy for canine orbital mass diagnosis. A second excisional biopsy obtained during surgery or necropsy was used as the reference standard. A prospective feasibility study was conducted in 23 canine orbital masses at a single centre. A complete ophthalmic examination was always followed by orbital ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) examination of the head. All masses were sampled with the patient still on the CT table using ultrasound (US) guided automatic tru-cut device. The most suitable sampling approach to the orbit was chosen each time based on the CT image analysis. One of the following different approaches was used: trans-orbital, trans-conjunctival or trans-masseteric. In all cases, the imaging-guided biopsy provided a sufficient amount of tissue for the histopathological diagnosis, which concurred with the biopsies obtained using the excisional technique. CT examination was essential for morphological diagnosis and provided detailed topographic information that allowed us to choose the safest orbital approach for the biopsy. US guided automatic tru-cut biopsy based on CT images, performed with patient still on the CT table, resulted in a minimally invasive, relatively easy, and accurate diagnostic procedure in dogs with orbital masses.Keywords: Computed tomography, Core-needle biopsy, Dogs, Orbital mass, Ultrasoun

Ocular fundus abnormalities in cats affected by systemic hypertension: Prevalence, characterization, and outcome of treatment

none4noObjectives: To determine the prevalence of ocular fundus abnormalities in cats with a diagnosis of systemic hypertension, to characterize the abnormalities observed, and to evaluate ophthalmoscopic evolution during treatment with amlodipine besylate. Animals studied: Cats diagnosed as affected by SHP in a 2-year period. Procedures: Systemic hypertension was assessed by oscillometric blood pressure measurement, and its etiology was also established. All the cats received an ophthalmic examination, and ocular lesions were classified with a score from 0 (no abnormalities) to 4 (severe abnormalities). All cats received amlodipine besylate by mouth, and those that showed fundus abnormalities were regularly rechecked from 7 to 365 days after diagnosis. Data were statistically analyzed to compare Psys and Pdia with all the variables and to correlate Psys and Pdia with the fundus score. Results: A total of 225 cats were enrolled in the study, and the prevalence of fundus abnormalities was 58.6% (21.2%: grade 1; 18.2%: grade 2; 36.4%: grade 3; and 24.2%: grade 4). Systemic hypertension was diagnosed concurrently with chronic renal failure (60.4%), hyperthyroidism (28.9%), both chronic renal failure and hyperthyroidism (7.6%), and hypertrophic myocardiopathy (3.1%). A significant effect of Psys values on the fundus score was detected. Amlodipine therapy improved fundus abnormalities in 50% of cases at the 21-day follow-up. Conclusions: This study showed that fundus abnormalities are common in hypertensive cats at the time of the systemic diagnosis, and most of the abnormalities are moderate to severe. Treatment with amlodipine appeared to improve ophthalmic lesions over time.noneCirla A.; Drigo M.; Andreani V.; Barsotti G.Cirla, A.; Drigo, M.; Andreani, V.; Barsotti, G

UNILATERAL PERSISTENT HYPERPLASTIC TUNICA VASCULOSA LENTIS/PERSISTENT HYPERPLASTIC PRIMARY VITREOUS (PHTVL/PHPV) IN TWO WIREHAIRED DACHSHUNDS FROM THE SAME LITTER.

To describe unilateral PHTVL/PHPV associated with retinal dysplasia and cataract formation in the contralateral eye in two 1-year-old female Wirehaired Dachshunds from the same litter

Tear production and intraocular pressure values in captive lizards Pogona Vitticeps

Purpose: To determine reference values for tear production and intraocular pressure (IOP) in Pogona vitticeps. Methods: Eighteen healthy, captive Pogona vitticeps of both sexes, average age of 30.6 months (range 20–49 months) were enrolled in the study. All animals underwent a physical examination. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy with 78-diopter lens were performed in both eyes. Tear production was measured by the Phenol Red Thread test (PRTt) OU. IOP was bilaterally assessed by rebound tonometry (Tonovet"). Ophthalmic parameters were evaluated immediately after each animal was pulled out of the terrarium. Snout-to-vent length (SVL) was measured for each animal. To test for differences between sexes, and left and right eye, a Mann-Whitney test and a two-sample t-test were used in PRTt and IOP, respectively. A Spearman test was used to verify correlations between SVL and PRTt, and Pearson test to verify IOP. Data were expressed as mean+/-SEM. Results: no ocular abnormalities were observed. SVL was 19.75 +/- 0.44 cm (range 16–24 cm). PRTt values in the left and right eyes were 5.61 +/- 0.52 mm/15 s (range 3–10 mm/15 s) and 5.50 +/- 0.51 mm/15 s (range 2–10 mm/15 s), respectively. IOP values in the left and right eyes were 3.29 mmHg +/-0.15 mmHg (range 2–4.33 mmHg) and 3.50 +/- 0.14 mmHg (range 2.66– 4.66 mmHg), respectively. No significant differences were detected between sexes, left and right eyes for both intraocular pressure and tear production. No correlation was found between SVL and the two ocular parameters measured. Conclusions: This study provides reference values for tear production and IOP in the Pogona Vitticeps

Corneal mineralization as a presenting sign of primary hyperparathyroidism due to a parathyroid adenoma

To describe a bilateral corneal calcification presumed to be associated with primary hyperparathyroidism in a dog. Methods: An 8-year-old, male mongrel dog with bilateral corneal opacities was evaluated. Complete physical and ophthalmologic examination and laboratory work-up were performed. Results: Irregular, symmetrical corneal opacities in the central corneas were observed bilaterally. A small mass was detected on the left side of the neck, at the level of the thyroid gland. Serum ionic calcium concentration was 2.19 mmol/L (reference interval: 1.29-1.40 mmol/L),serum parathormone concentration was 12 pg/ml (reference interval: 10-44 pg/ml). This value was considered inappropriately high according to calcium concentration. Complete blood count, serum protein electrophoresis, coagulation test and urinalysis were normal. A computed tomography (CT) was performed to further characterize the mass of the neck and staging the patient. CT showed an enlargement with irregular shape of the left cranial parathyroid gland that was surgically removed. Histopathology revealed a rim of compressed parenchyma by an encapsulated, non-infiltrative neoplasm composed of packed cubical cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm. Neoplastic cells expressed chromogranin A and synaptophysin and they were negative for calcitonin and thyreoglobulin. An ophthalmologic diagnosis of a corneal calcification presumably caused by primary hyperparathyroidism due to a parathyroid adenoma was made. Postoperatively the serum calcium levels returned to normal. However, after observation for 1.5 years the corneal opacities, although not increased, were unchanged. Conclusions: Calcific keratopathy has been associated with systemic hypercalcemia. In our case this keratopathy was the presenting sign that allowed to diagnose the underlying endocrine disease

Effects of pupil dilation with topical 0.5% tropicamide on retinal vascular parameters assessed by VAMPIRE® software in healthy cats

Our study investigates the effects of mydriasis obtained with topical 0.5% tropicamide on retinal vascular parameters evaluated in cats using the retinal imaging software: Vascular Assessment and Measurement Platform for Images of the Retina (VAMPIRE®). Forty client-owned healthy adult cats were included in the study. Topical 0.5% tropicamide was applied to dilate only the right pupil. The left eye was used as a control. Before dilation (T0), infrared pupillometry of both pupils was performed and fundus oculi images were taken from both eyes. Right eye fundus images were then captured 30 min after topical application of tropicamide (T30), when mydriasis was achieved. The retinal vessel widths (3 arteries and 3 veins) were measured with VAMPIRE® in four standard measurement areas (SMA) identified with the letters A, B, C, D. Average value of the 3 vessel widths was used. After normality assessment, the t-test was used to analyse the mean difference in vascular parameters of the left and right eyes at T0 and T30, with p set <0.05. The two eyes showed no statistical differences in pupil and vascular parameter measurements at T0. At T30, only one artery measurement of the right eye (SMA A-peripapillary area) showed a small but statistically significant mean vasoconstriction of approximately 4%. The results indicate that local application of 0.5% tropicamide seems to be associated with a small retinal arteriolar vasoconstriction as assessed by VAMPIRE® in cats. However, this change is minimal, and should not affect the interpretation of the results when VAMPIRE® is used

EFFECTS OF PUPIL DILATION WITH TOPICAL 0.5% TROPICAMIDE ON RETINAL VASCULAR PARAMETERS ASSESSED BY VAMPIRE® (VASCULAR ASSAY AND MEASUREMENT PLATFORM FOR IMAGES OF THE RETINA) SOFTWARE IN HEALTHY CATS

Purpose. To investigate the effects of mydriasis obtained with topical 0.5% tropicamide (Visumidriatic 0.5%, Visufarma s.p.a., Rome, Italy) on retinal vascular parameters evaluated by the retinal imaging software VAMPIRE® in cats. Methods. A longitudinal study on 40 clinically normal adult cats of both sexes was performed. Topical 0.5% tropicamide was instilled to dilate the right pupil only. The left eye was used as a control. Before pharmacological dilation (T0), infrared pupillometry of both pupil was performed and fundus images were taken from both eyes. Right eye fundus images were then captured 30 minutes after topical instillation of tropicamide (T1), when mydriasis was achieved. The vessel diameters (4 veins and 4 arteries) were measured with Vampire® annotation tool adapted for measuring the feline fundus. After normality assessment, t-test was use to analyze mean difference for vascular parameters of left and right eye; paired sample t-test was used to test the mean difference for the same vascular parameters at T0 and T1. Statistical significance level was set at alpha=0.05 with Bonferroni correction accounting for multiple comparisons. Results. Right and left eye showed no statistical differences for pupil and vascular parameters measurements at T0. At T1, only one artery measurement showed a significant difference with a mild mean vasoconstriction of about 4% (6.28±0.84 vs 6.04±0.59); none of the other vascular parameters resulted significantly different at this timepoint. Conclusions: Topical 0.5% tropicamide seems not to affect the results of retinal vascular analysis using the retinal imaging software VAMPIRE®