Journal of Veterinary Medical Science最新文献

The size of the aortic root (ARS) is of clinical relevance particularly in cats with suspected systemic hypertension and in the echocardiographic diagnosis of left atrial (LA) enlargement using the LA dimension to aortic annulus ratio. There are no prospective data on ARS in healthy cats. The study objective was to determine reference values and 95% prediction intervals for two-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic variables of ARS in cats. We hypothesized that ARS in healthy cats is primarily dependent on body weight (BW) and age. Study type was retrospective, cross-sectional, observational, and clinical cohort. 220 apparently healthy client-owned adult cats were enrolled and 2D echocardiograms analyzed. Systolic and diastolic dimensions of the aortic valve, the sinus of Valsalva, the sinotubular junction, the ascending aorta, and sinus height were evaluated. Reference values and 95% prediction intervals were determined using raw data and values after allometric transformation (Y=a x M^b). The effect of BW, sex, breed, and age was determined. Proportionality constants (α) and allometric scaling exponents (b) were computed for all variables and reference values and 95% prediction intervals for the study sample determined. BW and age, but not sex and breed, were independent predictors of ARS. Cats >12 years old had significantly (adjusted P<0.05) larger ARS compared to cats 1-2, >2-6, and >6-12 years old. The effects of BW and age must be considered for decision-making when using echocardiographic ARS variables in clinical practice.

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive inflammatory disorder characterized by pancreatic fibrosis and loss of exocrine function. Interleukin-19 (IL-19) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine, but its role in the pathogenesis of CP remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the protective function of IL-19 using an ethanol/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine CP. CP was induced in wild-type (WT) and IL-19 knockout (KO) mice by administration of ethanol in drinking water combined with repeated intraperitoneal injections of LPS (3 mg/kg) for 10 weeks. Pancreatic injury, inflammation, and fibrosis were assessed histologically and molecularly. IL-19 KO mice developed markedly more severe pancreatitis than WT mice, as evidenced by elevated serum amylase levels, extensive fibrosis, acinar cell necrosis, loss of pancreatic architecture, and prominent inflammatory infiltration. In contrast, WT mice exhibited only mild pancreatic injury with largely preserved acinar structure. mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and transforming growth factor-β in the pancreas were significantly higher in IL-19 KO mice, consistent with enhanced inflammatory and fibrotic responses. Notably, pancreatic IL-19 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in CP, suggesting an endogenous compensatory mechanism. IL-19 deficiency worsens ethanol/LPS-induced chronic pancreatitis, indicating that endogenous IL-19 protects against inflammation and fibrosis and may serve as a therapeutic target.

Canine obesity-related metabolic disorder (ORMD) is a condition derived from human metabolic syndrome. Although there are several indicators shared between both species, such as obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia, the repercussions of canine ORMD are not clearly established. This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of canine ORMD indicators and their association with other paraclinical parameters. Obese dogs (body condition score 7-9, n=39) were included in this study and classified according to the literature in ORMD-positive or negative. Subsequently, they were evaluated for blood pressure, hematological, biochemical, hormonal and urine analysis. Discriminant capacity and cut-off values were determined for systolic blood pressure, glycemia, serum triglycerides and cholesterol. All ORMD-positive dogs showed hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia, with a homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance mean value above the reference interval, which could reflect a certain insulin resistance status. Total cholesterol did not differ between groups, but serum triglycerides, as well as systolic blood pressure, tended to be higher in ORMD-positive dogs. Leukocyte count, lymphocyte count, total proteins and globulins were higher in ORMD-positive dogs, which could suggest an immune-inflammatory disorder in this group of patients. In conclusion, ORMD positive dogs developed insulin resistance and alterations in their hematological and protein profile towards a pro-inflammatory state. Total cholesterol concentration should be revised as a marker for ORMD.

This longitudinal study evaluated whether an introductory laboratory animal science lecture changes first-year veterinary students' compassion toward laboratory animals. A pre- and post-lecture survey revealed a significant increase in total compassion scores. The educational impact varied based on students' backgrounds; for instance, significant score increases were observed in students with prior pet ownership and those without experience in animal protection activities. Improvements were notable in attitudes toward allowing natural behaviors and the importance of legal regulations. A slight decrease in some anti-compassion item scores was also observed, potentially indicating the early formation of a professional utilitarian perspective. These findings suggest that foundational education is effective in enhancing compassion, suggesting that science-based knowledge is crucial for developing the professional ethical framework essential for a "culture of care".

Acceptable euthanasia methods must rapidly induce unconsciousness and death without pain or distress. We evaluated intraperitoneal thiamylal sodium (TM; 150 mg/kg; hereafter TM150) in male Sprague-Dawley, Wistar, and Fischer 344 rats. TM produced immobilization, loss of righting reflex, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest in all strains, with the shortest latencies in Fischer 344. Plasma chemistry showed strain-dependent shifts, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increases and variable alanine aminotransferase (ALT) responses; chloride and calcium showed small, non-uniform changes across strains, and most values remained within commonly cited reference ranges. These findings most likely reflect perimortem physiology and methodological factors superimposed on strain baselines rather than primary organ injury. TM150 is therefore effective for rat euthanasia, although post-TM plasma biochemistry should be interpreted cautiously.

In previous experiments using bullfrog hearts, we successfully replicated both the elevation and reciprocal depression of the ST segment observed in electrocardiograms of human ischemic heart disease. In this study, we induced subepicardial burn injuries in the lateral part of the frog heart ventricle, which allowed us to mimic typical electrocardiographic changes associated with human lateral wall myocardial infarction. These changes included a marked ST segment elevation in the high lateral limb leads (I, augmented Voltage Left; aVL) and reciprocal ST segment depression in the opposite limb leads (III, augmented Voltage Foot; aVF). We surmise that the electrical disparity between injured and intact cardiomyocytes generates currents of injury, leading to the observed ST segment alterations.

Bovine mastitis may cause intractable, chronic infection in cases where the causative pathogen forms a biofilm; however, data are lacking on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) biofilm in Japanese dairy herds, and the relative efficacy of antimicrobial agents to treat it. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate the biofilm-forming potential of S. aureus isolates obtained from the milk of Holstein dairy cows with clinical mastitis, and to elucidate the effects of five clinically used antibiotic drugs against S. aureus biofilms. We found that 14/24 S. aureus isolates formed biofilm. All five antibiotic drugs demonstrated an inhibitory effect on S. aureus at the planktonic stage (based on minimum inhibitory concentrations); however, only the three fluoroquinolone antibiotics (orbifloxacin, enrofloxacin, and marbofloxacin) and cefazolin inhibited biofilm formation (based on minimum biofilm inhibitory concentrations). However, none of the five antibiotics proved effective against formed biofilms (based on minimum biofilm-eradicating concentrations). Accordingly, we suggest that systemic fluoroquinolone antibiotic or intra-mammary cefazolin may prevent biofilm formation in mastitic cows infected with S. aureus, if administered at a sufficiently high concentration and a sufficiently early stage of the disease (before biofilms are actually formed), but that antibiotics may have little efficacy once the biofilm is established.

This report describes two dogs with high-grade multicentric B-cell lymphoma that relapsed 3 months after completing a 6-month-long chemotherapy regimen with L-asparaginase, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (L-CHOP). Both were re-treated with L-CHOP, achieving complete remission (CR) before undergoing sequential half-body irradiation (HBI; 6 Gy per fraction to cranial and caudal body, 2 weeks apart). Caudal HBI caused grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity in both dogs and grade 3 thrombocytopenia in one; however, both remain in CR at the time of writing this report (i.e., 483 and 490 days post-relapse). These findings suggest that combining HBI with chemotherapy may offer benefits in relapsed canine lymphoma, especially when dogs are in CR at the time of HBI.

This study investigated the relationship between herd average annual somatic cell count (Herd SCC) and epidemiological indicators of intramammary infection (IMI) in the nonlactating period. We also aimed to establish a predictive model and benchmark based on epidemiological indicators of non-lactating IMI (IMI indicators) for a dairy herd in Hokkaido, Japan. Individual SCC data were extracted from 3 years of dairy herd improvement (DHI) data from 3,173 dairy farms in Hokkaido, and three IMI indicators were calculated: first-calving cow infection rate (FCIR) from first-time DHI results, dry cow cure rate (DCR), and dry cow new infection rate (DNIR) based on pre- and postpartum DHI results. A SCC of ≥200,000 cells/mL in individual cows was defined as IMI, and IMI indicators were then calculated. Dairy farms were classified into five levels based on the Herd SCC shown in the DHI data. Significant correlations were observed between Herd SCC and all IMI indicators ( ρ =0.37-0.44). The correlations suggested significant positive relationships between Herd SCC, and average FCIR and average DNIR, respectively, and a significant negative relationship between Herd SCC and average DCR. Generalized linear model analysis confirmed the significance of the correlation between Herd SCC and IMI indicators, even after adjusting for environmental and management factors, such as housing system (P<0.01). By comparing the benchmarks obtained in this study, dairy farmers can achieve IMI control through appropriate management in the non-lactating period based on target values for improvement, depending on Herd SCC.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a hypersensitivity lung disorder caused by chronic exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus (Af). Existing mouse models do not fully capture the severity of ABPA. This study developed a novel murine model of ABPA using the spontaneously eosinophilic Yama mouse. Female Yama and BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with Asp f1, a major allergen derived from Af. Peripheral eosinophil counts, serum IgE levels, and histopathological changes in the lungs, including goblet cell hyperplasia, mucus plugging, collagen deposition, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and CD117/c-kit expression, were assessed. Cytokine and fibrosis-related gene mRNA expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and Col1a1 was also measured. Compared to BALB/c mice, Asp f1-challenged Yama mice exhibited sustained eosinophilia, increased IgE, pronounced goblet cell hyperplasia with mucus plugging, collagen deposition, and elevated eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) expression. Yama mice also showed more significant peribronchial inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated substantial increases in IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, and Col1a1 transcripts, indicating a Th2-dominant immune profile and enhanced fibrotic activity. The minimal differences in TGF-β expression between Asp f1- and saline-treated mice indicate that fibrosis in Yama mice may proceed via a TGF-β-independent pathway. These findings establish the Yama mouse as a novel model for ABPA research, closely replicating the immunopathological features of severe human ABPA. This model provides a reliable platform to investigate eosinophil-driven lung fibrosis mechanisms and evaluate hypersensitivity responses contributing to human ABPA onset and progression.