HPLC-DAD-MS Fingerprint of Andrographis Paniculata (Burn. f.) Nees (Acanthaceae)

An HPLC-UV fingerprint analysis was developed for the quality evaluation of Andrographis paniculata aerial parts. HPLC-DAD-MS experiments allowed the identification of eleven diterpenes and five flavonoids. Plant material of Indian and Chinese origin was evaluated employing the developed method. The chemical fingerprints of the plant material of different origins do not show significant differences

Hematology, plasma biochemistry, and hormonal analysis of captive Louisiana pine snakes (Pituophis ruthveni): effects of intrinsic factors and analytical methodology

Blood analyte data are useful in health assessments and management of reptiles. There is a knowledge gap for blood analyte data of the endangered Louisiana pine snake (LPS; Pituophis ruthveni). The objectives of this study were to provide baseline hematology, plasma biochemical, and hormone data of captive LPS, to compare the data in juvenile and adult snakes and in adult snakes by sex, and to investigate methodological differences in hormone (serum vs. plasma) and protein analyses (total solids versus total protein). Blood samples from apparently healthy captive LPS were analyzed for hematology and plasma biochemistry (n = 11) and plasma and serum hormone analyses (n = 9). Packed cell volume (PCV) and absolute heterophils were significantly higher in adult compared with juvenile LPS, while PCV, white blood cell count, and absolute lymphocytes were higher in adult males compared with adult females. Significantly higher plasma concentrations were found in adults compared with juveniles for calcium, total protein, total solids, albumin, globulins, and bile acids. No significant differences were observed in 17β-estradiol measured in serum and plasma when comparing adults and juveniles and for 17β-estradiol in adult males and females. Plasma concentrations of 17β-estradiol were significantly lower than in serum. Serum testosterone in two adult males was 8.33 and 35.53 nmol/L, respectively, while it was undetectable in females and juveniles (n = 5). This study is the first to provide baseline information on blood analytes in endangered LPS, which will be useful for individual animals in managed care and as baseline for future population-level assessments

The effects of selected sedatives on basal and stimulated serum cortisol concentrations in healthy dogs

Background Hormone assessment is typically recommended for awake, unsedated dogs. However, one of the most commonly asked questions from veterinary practitioners to the endocrinology laboratory is how sedation impacts cortisol concentrations and the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. Butorphanol, dexmedetomidine, and trazodone are common sedatives for dogs, but their impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of butorphanol, dexmedetomidine, and trazodone on serum cortisol concentrations. Methods Twelve healthy beagles were included in a prospective, randomized, four-period crossover design study with a 7-day washout. ACTH stimulation test results were determined after saline (0.5 mL IV), butorphanol (0.3 mg/kg IV), dexmedetomidine (4 µg/kg IV), and trazodone (3–5 mg/kg PO) administration. Results Compared to saline, butorphanol increased basal (median 11.75 µg/dL (range 2.50–23.00) (324.13 nmol/L; range 68.97–634.48) vs 1.27 µg/dL (0.74–2.10) (35.03 nmol/L; 20.41–57.93); P < 0.0001) and post-ACTH cortisol concentrations (17.05 µg/dL (12.40–26.00) (470.34 nmol/L; 342.07–717.24) vs 13.75 µg/dL (10.00–18.90) (379.31 nmol/L; 275.96–521.38); P ≤ 0.0001). Dexmedetomidine and trazodone did not significantly affect basal (1.55 µg/dL (range 0.75–1.55) (42.76 nmol/L; 20.69–42.76); P = 0.33 and 0.79 µg/dL (range 0.69–1.89) (21.79 nmol/L; 19.03–52.14); P = 0.13, respectively, vs saline 1.27 (0.74–2.10) (35.03 nmol/L; 20.41–57.93)) or post-ACTH cortisol concentrations (14.35 µg/dL (range 10.70–18.00) (395.86 nmol/L; 295.17–496.55); (P = 0.98 and 12.90 µg/dL (range 8.94–17.40) (355.86 nmol/L; 246.62–480); P = 0.65), respectively, vs saline 13.75 µg/dL (10.00–18.60) (379.31 nmol/L; 275.86–513.10). Conclusion Butorphanol administration should be avoided prior to ACTH stimulation testing in dogs. Further evaluation of dexmedetomidine and trazodone’s effects on adrenocortical hormone testing in dogs suspected of HPA derangements is warranted to confirm they do not impact clinical diagnosis

Accuracy of cytology in distinguishing adrenocortical tumors from pheochromocytoma in companion animals

Background: The distinction between adrenocortical tumors and pheochromocytoma can be challenging using clinical findings, diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests. Cytology might be a simple, minimally invasive method to reach a correct diagnosis. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of cytology in differentiating cortical from medullary tumors of the adrenal glands in dogs and cats. Methods: Cytologic key features of adrenocortical tumors and pheochromocytoma were defined by one reference author. Cytologic specimens from primary adrenal tumors were submitted to 4 cytopathologists who were asked to classify the tumors based on the previously defined key features without knowledge of previous classification. Results: Twenty specimens from histologically confirmed adrenal tumors (Group 1) and 4 specimens from adrenal tumors causing adrenal-dependent Cushing's syndrome (Group 2) were evaluated by the 4 cytopathologists. Accuracy in differentiating cortical from medullary origin ranged from 90% to 100%, with a Kappa coefficient of agreement between cytopathologists of 0.95. Conclusions: The origin of an adrenal tumor can be easily determined by cytology alone in many cases. However, cytology was not reliable in distinguishing benign from malignant neoplasia. Additional studies are needed to assess possible risks and complications associated with fine-needle biopsy of adrenal tumors in dogs and cats

ASVCP guidelines : principles of quality assurance and standards for veterinary clinical pathology (version 3.0) : developed by the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology's (ASVCP) Quality Assurance and Laboratory Standards (QALS) Committee

This guideline is a revision of the previous (finalized 2009) document of the same name, American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology's Principles of Quality Assurance and Standards for Veterinary Clinical Pathology, developed by the Quality Assurance and Laboratory Standards (QALS) committee (and colloquially known as the “general guideline”), archived on the ASVCP website (www.asvcp.org/page/QALS_Guidelines), on a newly established Wiley freeware page (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/1939165x/homepage/Qals) as published in Veterinary Clinical Pathology in three sectional special reports. This guideline's intended audiences are professional veterinary laboratorians (pathologists, technologists/technicians, research scientists, and pathology residents), operators/users of in‐clinic instruments/in‐clinic laboratories, and more broadly, all producers and consumers of clinical veterinary laboratory data, namely the veterinarians/training veterinarians who have the responsibility of ordering appropriate tests and properly interpreting results that inform further diagnostic and treatment decisions.Supplement material 1: Section 10S Supplemental Information on Immunoassay TechniquesSupplement material 2: Checklist for ASVCP Quality AssuranceGuideline Section 2, Total QualityManagement System (TQMS)(v.3, 2019)Supplement material 3: Checklist for Checklist for ASVCP Quality Assurance Guideline Section 3, Preanalytical Factors Important in Veterinary Clinical Pathology (v.3, 2019)Supplement material 4: Checklist for ASVCP Quality Assurance Guideline Section 4, Analytical factors Important in Veterinary Clinical Pathology (v.3, 2019)Supplement material 5: Checklist for ASVCP Quality Assurance Guideline Section 5, Hematology (v.3, 2019)Supplement material 6: Checklist for ASVCP Quality Assurance Guideline Section 6, HemostasisTesting (v.3, 2019)Supplement material 7: Checklist for Guideline Section 7, CrossmatchingSupplement material 8: Checklist for ASVCP Quality Assurance Guideline Section 8, Urinalysis (v.3, 2019)Supplement material 9: Checklist for ASVCP Quality Assurance Guideline Section 9, Cytology, Fluid Analysis, and Immunocytochemistry (v.3, 2019)Supplement material 10: Checklist for ASVCP Quality Assurance Guideline Section 10, Endocrinology and Immunoassays (v.3, 2019)Supplement material 11: Checklist for ASVCP Quality Assurance Guideline Section 11, Protein electrophoresis and Electrophoresis-based Immunotyping (v.3, 2019)Supplement material 12: Checklist for ASVCP Quality Assurance Guideline Section 12, Postanalytical Factors Important in Veterinary Clinical Pathology(v.3, 2019)http://wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/vcphj2020Companion Animal Clinical Studie