Evaluation of response to combination therapy with enalapril and torasemide in dogs with mitral valve disease

The present study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the response to a combination therapy of enalapril and torasemide in dogs with mitral valve disease (MVD). Dogs diagnosed with stage C of MVD as per the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine guidelines were included in the study. Treatment was initiated with enalapril at 0.5 mg/kg BID and torasemide at 0.2 mg/kg OD orally on 0th day. Detailed clinical examination with special reference to the cardiovascular system including measurement of blood pressure, radiographic, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters of the animals were performed on 0th and 30th day of treatment. The treatment was well tolerated by all the animals. Amelioration of clinical signs with a noticeable reduction in cough was noticed in all the animals. On 30th day of treatment, a significant decrease was noticed in the vertebral heart score and left ventricular internal diameter during diastole and a non-significant decrease was noticed in left atrium to aortic root ratio, left ventricular internal diameter during systole, with a considerable reduction in severity of mitral regurgitation. Post- treatment clearing of lung fields was noticed in dogs with radiographic evidence of pulmonary oedema on 0th day. In addition to this, ventricular premature complexes noticed in three animals pre- treatment was not noticed post treatment

Haemato-biochemical and trichographic studies on mucocutaneous lesions in dogs

The present study was carried out with the objective of assessment of haematobiochemical and trichographic features of mucocutaneous lesions in dogs. Dogs presented with mucocutaneous lesions associated with various dermatological conditions were included in the study. Mange, atopic dermatitis, dermatophytosis, juvenile cellulitis, pyoderma and hypothyroidism with secondary Malassezia dermatitis were presented with mucocutaneous lesions in the perioral, periorbital and in the nostrils with least involvement of anogenital region. Haemato-biochemical analysis revealed anaemia, non-significant increase in total leucocyte count, neutrophilia, eosinophilia, elevated platelet count, hyperproteinaemia and hypoalbuminaemia. Elevated serum C-reactive protein was evident in all cases. Trichographic features revealed that highest number of hairs were included in the telogen phase of hair cycle with greater number of primary hairs. Hair fractures were evident in 20.8 per cent of hairs and trichoptilosis of hair tip was observed in 50.8 per cent of hairs studied. Demodex mites could be detected by hair pluck examination in all cases of demodicosis

Evaluation of oxidative stress and efficacy of antioxidant therapy in dogs with haemorrhagic gastroenteritis

The present study was conducted to evaluate the alterations in oxidative stress parameters in dogs suffering from haemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE). Dogs presented with vomiting and diarrhoea were screened and fifteen animals with signs suggestive of HGE were included in the study. The oxidative stress parameters, serummalondialdehyde (MDA) level, total antioxidant status (TAS) and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were studied. The values were compared with the values from six apparently healthy dogs. A significant increase was noticed in the mean values of serum MDA and TAS of diseased animals at the time of presentation when compared to healthy animals whereas the activity of plasma GSH-Px was found to be lower than in healthy dogs. Supplementation with N-acetyl cysteine @ 70 mg/kg or five days was found effective in managing the oxidative injury in the affected animals

Evaluation of electrocardiographic and serum biochemical changes in arrhythmias associated with renal diseases of dogs

The present study was conducted to investigate electrocardiographical (ECG) and haemato-biochemical changes in arrhythmia associated with renal diseases in dogs. The dogs with renal affections confirmed through appropriate diagnostic methods were selected and screened for arrhythmia. The ECG and haemato-biochemical parameters of twenty dogs with arrhythmia were compared with that of the control group and ECG parameters were statistically correlated with the haemato-biochemical parameters for correlation studies. It was found that the occurrence of arrhythmia was 51.2 per cent in renal diseases. Arrhythmia was more predominant in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD) followed by acute kidney injury (AKI). Sinus arrhythmia followed by first-degree AV block and wandering pacemaker were the common types of arrhythmias observed. A significant increase in R-R interval and a decrease in heart rate was noticed in comparison. The haemato-biochemical analysis revealed anaemia, leukocytosis with neutrophilia, elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and magnesium level. A significant positive correlation was noticed between haemoglobin, volume of packed red cells (VPRC) and red blood cell count (RBC) with T amplitude and, creatinine and BUN levels with corrected Q-T interval. A significant negative correlation was noticed between VPRC, RBC and haemoglobin with the corrected QT interval. The present study revealed ECG and haemato-biochemical parameters had a significant role in renal diseases in dogs which might help in the early diagnosis and proper management of arrhythmia associated with renal diseases

Trends in marine crab fishery of India

The overall production of marine crabs in India during 1975-2020 was around 1.61 million tonnes, accounting an average of 9.6% in the total crustacean landings. The overall trend of the fishery indicated an increase at the national level, recording a maximum landing of 57354 tonnes (t) during 2018 and the lowest record of 14202 t during 1978. Bulk of the estimated landings (59%) were from Tamil Nadu and Gujarat with the three portunid crabs Portunus sanguinolentus, Portunus pelagicus and Charybdis feriata dominating in the fishery during 2007-2020

Post-translational Modifications of OLIG2 Regulate Glioma Invasion through the TGF-β Pathway

In glioblastoma, invasion and proliferation are presumed to be mutually exclusive events; however, the molecular mechanisms that mediate this switch at the cellular level remain elusive. Previously, we have shown that phospho-OLIG2, a central-nervous-system-specific transcription factor, is essential for tumor growth and proliferation. Here, we show that the modulation of OLIG2 phosphorylation can trigger a switch between proliferation and invasion. Glioma cells with unphosphorylated OLIG2S10, S13, S14 are highly migratory and invasive, both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, unphosphorylated OLIG2 induces TGF-β2 expression and promotes invasive mesenchymal properties in glioma cells. Inhibition of the TGF-β2 pathway blocks this OLIG2-dependent invasion. Furthermore, ectopic expression of phosphomimetic Olig2 is sufficient to block TGF-β2-mediated invasion and reduce expression of invasion genes (ZEB1 and CD44). Our results not only provide a mechanistic insight into how cells switch from proliferation to invasion but also offer therapeutic opportunities for inhibiting dissemination of gliomas