scholarly journals Changes Associated with the Peri-Ovulatory Period, Age and Pregnancy in ACTH, Cortisol, Glucose and Insulin Concentrations in Mares

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 891
Author(s):  
Gemma R. Hicks ◽  
Natalie S. Fraser ◽  
François-René Bertin
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Pars Intermedia ◽  
Hormonal Changes ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Insulin Dysregulation ◽  
Ovulatory Period ◽  
Effect Of Age

Although there are many hormonal changes associated with reproduction, the effects of ovulation and early pregnancy on adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and insulin concentrations are poorly described. We hypothesise that both ovulation and early pregnancy will alter ACTH and insulin concentrations in healthy mares. Eighteen mares showing no clinical signs suggestive of, or laboratory findings consistent with, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction PPID and insulin dysregulation (ID) are enrolled. ACTH, cortisol, insulin and glucose concentrations are measured over their peri-ovulatory period, as determined via ultrasounds and progesterone concentrations. The mares are grouped by age and gestation status, and a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA is used to determine the effects of age and early pregnancy, along with the peri-ovulatory period, on analyte concentrations. No significant effect of age, ovulation or early pregnancy is detected on the mares’ cortisol, insulin or glucose concentrations; however, there is a significant effect of early pregnancy and ovulation on ACTH concentrations (p = 0.04 and p = 0.04 respectively). ACTH concentrations change around ovulation and with early pregnancy. Therefore, knowledge of a mare’s reproductive status might be beneficial when interpreting ACTH concentrations.

scholarly journals Electrocardiography Abnormalities in Macaques after Infection with Encephalitic Alphaviruses

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Ma ◽  
Jeneveve D. Lundy ◽  
Katherine J. O'Malley ◽  
William B. Klimstra ◽  
Amy Hartman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Spectrum ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Biological Weapons ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Rr Intervals ◽  
Post Exposure ◽  
Fundamental Frequencies ◽  
Qt Intervals

Eastern (EEEV) and Venezuelan (VEEV) equine encephalitis viruses (EEVs) are related, (+)ssRNA arboviruses that can cause severe, sometimes fatal, encephalitis in humans. EEVs are highly infectious when aerosolized, raising concerns for potential use as biological weapons. No licensed medical countermeasures exist; given the severity/rarity of natural EEV infections, efficacy studies require animal models. Cynomolgus macaques exposed to EEV aerosols develop fever, encephalitis, and other clinical signs similar to humans. Fever is nonspecific for encephalitis in macaques. Electrocardiography (ECG) metrics may predict onset, severity, or outcome of EEV-attributable disease. Macaques were implanted with thermometry/ECG radiotransmitters and exposed to aerosolized EEV. Data was collected continuously, and repeated-measures ANOVA and frequency-spectrum analyses identified differences between courses of illness and between pre-exposure and post-exposure states. EEEV-infected macaques manifested widened QRS-intervals in severely ill subjects post-exposure. Moreover, QT-intervals and RR-intervals decreased during the febrile period. VEEV-infected macaques suffered decreased QT-intervals and RR-intervals with fever onset. Frequency-spectrum analyses revealed differences in the fundamental frequencies of multiple metrics in the post-exposure and febrile periods compared to baseline and confirmed circadian dysfunction. Heart rate variability (HRV) analyses revealed diminished variability post-exposure. These analyses support using ECG data alongside fever and clinical laboratory findings for evaluating medical countermeasure efficacy.

scholarly journals Electrocardiography Abnormalities in Macaques after Infection with Encephalitic Alphaviruses

Pathogens ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ma ◽  
Lundy ◽  
O'Malley ◽  
Klimstra ◽  
Hartman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Spectrum ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Biological Weapons ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Rr Intervals ◽  
Post Exposure ◽  
Fundamental Frequencies ◽  
Qt Intervals

Eastern (EEEV) and Venezuelan (VEEV) equine encephalitis viruses (EEVs) are related, (+) ssRNA arboviruses that can cause severe, sometimes fatal, encephalitis in humans. EEVs are highly infectious when aerosolized, raising concerns for potential use as biological weapons. No licensed medical countermeasures exist; given the severity/rarity of natural EEV infections, efficacy studies require animal models. Cynomolgus macaques exposed to EEV aerosols develop fever, encephalitis, and other clinical signs similar to humans. Fever is nonspecific for encephalitis in macaques. Electrocardiography (ECG) metrics may predict onset, severity, or outcome of EEV-attributable disease. Macaques were implanted with thermometry/ECG radiotransmitters and exposed to aerosolized EEV. Data was collected continuously, and repeated-measures ANOVA and frequency-spectrum analyses identified differences between courses of illness and between pre-exposure and post-exposure states. EEEV-infected macaques manifested widened QRS-intervals in severely ill subjects post-exposure. Moreover, QT-intervals and RR-intervals decreased during the febrile period. VEEV-infected macaques suffered decreased QT-intervals and RR-intervals with fever onset. Frequency-spectrum analyses revealed differences in the fundamental frequencies of multiple metrics in the post-exposure and febrile periods compared to baseline and confirmed circadian dysfunction. Heart rate variability (HRV) analyses revealed diminished variability post-exposure. These analyses support using ECG data alongside fever and clinical laboratory findings for evaluating medical countermeasure efficacy.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2/DENV co-infection: a series of cases from the Federal District, Midwestern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Luise Schulte ◽  
José Diego Brito-Sousa ◽  
Marcus Vinicius Guimarães Lacerda ◽  
Luciana Ansaneli Naves ◽  
Eliana Teles de Gois ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Federal District ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Since the novel coronavirus disease outbreak, over 179.7 million people have been infected by SARS-CoV-2 worldwide, including the population living in dengue-endemic regions, particularly Latin America and Southeast Asia, raising concern about the impact of possible co-infections. Methods Thirteen SARS-CoV-2/DENV co-infection cases reported in Midwestern Brazil between April and September of 2020 are described. Information was gathered from hospital medical records regarding the most relevant clinical and laboratory findings, diagnostic process, therapeutic interventions, together with clinician-assessed outcomes and follow-up. Results Of the 13 cases, seven patients presented Acute Undifferentiated Febrile Syndrome and six had pre-existing co-morbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension and hypopituitarism. Two patients were pregnant. The most common symptoms and clinical signs reported at first evaluation were myalgia, fever and dyspnea. In six cases, the initial diagnosis was dengue fever, which delayed the diagnosis of concomitant infections. The most frequently applied therapeutic interventions were antibiotics and analgesics. In total, four patients were hospitalized. None of them were transferred to the intensive care unit or died. Clinical improvement was verified in all patients after a maximum of 21 days. Conclusions The cases reported here highlight the challenges in differential diagnosis and the importance of considering concomitant infections, especially to improve clinical management and possible prevention measures. Failure to consider a SARS-CoV-2/DENV co-infection may impact both individual and community levels, especially in endemic areas.

The Role of CO-RADS Scoring System in the Diagnosis of COVID-19 Infection and its Correlation with Clinical Signs

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Şenol Çomoğlu ◽  
Sinan Öztürk ◽  
Ahmet Topçu ◽  
Fatma Kulalı ◽  
Aydın Kant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scoring System ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Ct Findings ◽  
Chronic Pulmonary Diseases ◽  
Ct Evaluation ◽  
The Difference

Background: Computed tomography (CT) evaluation systematics has become necessary to eliminate the difference of opinion among radiologists in evaluating COVID-19 CT findings. Introduction: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficiency of CO-RADS scoring system in our patients with COVID-19 as well as to examine its correlation with clinical and laboratory findings. Method: The CO-RADS category of all patients included in the study was determined by a radiologist who did not know the rtRT-PCR test result of the patients, according to the Covid-19 reporting and data system of Mathias Prokop et al. Results: A total of 1338 patients were included. CT findings were positive in 66.3%, with a mean CO-RADS score of 3,4 ± 1,7. 444 (33.1%) of the patients were in the CO-RADS 1-2, 894 (66.9%) were in the CO-RADS 3-5 group. There were positive correlations between CO-RADS score and age, CMI, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic pulmonary diseases presence of symptoms, symptom duration, presence of cough, shortness of breath, malaise, CRP, and LDH, while CO-RADS score was negatively correlated with lymphocyte count. The results of the ROC analysis suggested that those with age ≥40 years, symptom duration >2 days, CMI score >1 and/or comorbid conditions were more likely to have a CO-RADS score of 3-5. Conclusion: The CO-RADS classification system is a CT findings assessment system that can be used to diagnose COVID-19 in patients with symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, myalgia and fatigue for more than two days.

scholarly journals Histopathological hoof laminar changes in horses with Pituitary Pars Intermedia Adenoma: cases report

2015 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 1226-1230
Author(s):  
L. M. Laskoski ◽  
R. Locatelli Dittrich ◽  
C. A. A Valadão ◽  
M. L. Castro ◽  
F. F. Araujo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Development Stage ◽  
Pars Intermedia ◽  
Endocrine Disorders ◽  
Basal Cells ◽  
Tissue Proliferation

ABSTRACTLaminitis in horses is often associated with endocrine disorders, especially the pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in older animals. Morphologic exams of the laminar tissue of the hoof were performed in two horses with suspected PPID, with no clinical signs of laminitis. Changes compatible with laminitis of endocrine origin were observed, such as rounding of the nuclei of the basal cells, thinning and stretching of the secondary epidermal laminae and tissue proliferation. PPID horses with no clinical signs of laminitis may be affected by lesions of the laminar tissue of the hoof that compromise the integrity of the dermal-epidermal junction and may develop clinical symptoms of the disease. It has been suggested that the development stage of endocrine laminitis is longer, but further studies should be conducted to confirm it.

scholarly journals Brucellosis, Unravelling an Enigma: Eight Years of Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Central Kerala, India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Ardra ◽  
Chithra Valsan ◽  
KA Sathiavathy
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care Hospital ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Unknown Origin ◽  
Personal Contact ◽  
Human Brucellosis ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Middle East Countries

Introduction: Various emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases have made the existence of mankind in this world a great challenge. In the midst of these havocs, some important diseases has undermined in the dark. Brucellosis is an endemic zoonotic disease in most of the developing world and it has far-reaching and deleterious effects on humans and animals alike. In humans, brucellosis shows a variety of non-specific clinical signs. To recognise and diagnose this neglected but debilitating disease, the awareness and alertness of medical personnel has to be enhanced. Aim: To determine the prevalence of brucellosis in Tertiary Care Hospital. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from June 2011 to May 2019, all culture proven cases of human brucellosis admitted in a Tertiary Care Hospital in central Kerala, India were reviewed. Demographic data, clinical presentations, laboratory parameters, treatment and outcomes of the same were analysed in Microsoft excel sheets as percentages. Results: Of the 12 culture proven Brucella cases, 11 presented as Pyrexia of Unknown Origin (PUO) cases and one was a soft tissue infection. Eleven patients had history of either consumption of unpasteurised milk products or had contact with animals before the symptoms developed. A 75% cases were imported cases from middle-east countries. In one case the route of entry was by close personal contact probably sexual transmission. All the patients complained of fever and malaise (100%), while low backache and arthralgia was noted in 83%. Most common clinical and laboratory findings associated with brucellosis were hepatosplenomegaly (41.7%) and anaemia (66.6%). Oral doxycycline for six weeks combined with either aminoglycoside or rifampicin was used for treatment. There was no death or relapses noted. Conclusion: This study emphasises the close collaboration of an alert clinician and an experienced microbiologist to correctly diagnose and treat an infection with multiple presentations as brucellosis, in endemic areas also.

Physical Activity Patterns of Free Living Dogs Diagnosed with Osteoarthritis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne H Lee ◽  
Katelyn B Detweiler ◽  
Tisha A Harper ◽  
Kim E Knap ◽  
Maria R C de Godoy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Total Activity ◽  
Activity Count ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Activity Monitors ◽  
Average Activity

Abstract Osteoarthritis (OA) affects about 90% of dogs > 5 yr of age in the US, resulting in reduced range of motion, difficulty climbing and jumping, reduced physical activity, and lower quality of life. Our objective was to use activity monitors to measure physical activity and identify how activity counts correlate with age, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), serum inflammatory markers, veterinarian pain assessment, and owner perception of pain in free-living dogs with OA. The University of Illinois Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approved the study and owner consent was received prior to experimentation. Fifty-six client-owned dogs (mean age = 7.8 yr; mean BCS = 6.1) with clinical signs and veterinary diagnosis of OA wore HeyRex activity collars continuously over a 49-d period. Blood samples were collected on d 0 and 49, and dog owners completed canine brief pain inventory (CBPI) and Liverpool osteoarthritis in dogs (LOAD) surveys on d 0, 21, 35, and 49. All data were analyzed using SAS 9.3 using repeated measures and R Studio 1.0.136 was used to generate Pearson correlation coefficients between data outcomes. Average activity throughout the study demonstrated greater activity levels on weekends. It also showed that 24-h activity spiked twice daily, once in the morning and another in the afternoon. Serum C-reactive protein concentration was lower (P < 0.01) at d 49 compared to d 0. Survey data indicated lower (P < 0.05) overall pain intensity and severity score on d 21, 35 and 49 compared to d 0. BW was correlated with average activity counts (p=0.02; r=-0.12) and run activity (p=0.10; r=-0.24). Weekend average activity counts were correlated with owner pain intensity scores (p=0.0813; r=-0.2311), but weekday average activity count was not. Age was not correlated with total activity count, sleep activity, or run activity, but it was correlated with scratch (p=0.03; r=-0.10), alert (p=0.03; r=-0.13) and walk (p=0.09; r=-0.23) activities. Total activity counts and activity type (sleep, scratch, alert, walk, run) were not correlated with pain scored by veterinarians, pain intensity or severity scored by owners, or baseline BCS. Even though the lack of controls and/or information on the individual living conditions of dogs resulted in a high level of variability in this study, our data suggest that the use of activity monitors have the potential to aid in the management of OA and other conditions affecting activity (e.g., allergy; anxiety).

scholarly journals Effects of Advanced Age, Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction and Insulin Dysregulation on Serum Antioxidant Markers in Horses

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 444
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Żak ◽  
Natalia Siwińska ◽  
Elżbieta Chełmecka ◽  
Barbara Bażanów ◽  
Ewa Romuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Sulfhydryl Group ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Total Serum ◽  
Pars Intermedia ◽  
Oxidative Stress Markers ◽  
Sod Activity ◽  
Stress Markers ◽  
Insulin Dysregulation ◽  
The Impact

The study aims to assess the impact of age, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and insulin dysregulation (ID) in horses on selected oxidative stress markers. The study includes 32 horses, divided into three groups: “young” adult group (aged 8–16 years old) “geriatric” group (aged 18–24 years old) and the “PPID” group (aged 15–31 years old). The PPID group was further divided into two subgroups: PPID ID+ and PPID ID− based on presence or absence of ID. We measured serum antioxidant stress markers in all horses: total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), ceruloplasmin (CER), lipofuscin (LPS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and thiols concentrations (containing sulfhydryl group -SH) as well as enzymatic systems: total superoxide dismutase (SOD), cytoplasmic SOD (CuZnSOD), mitochondrial SOD activity (MnSOD). Total serum thiols were significantly lower in the geriatric group and in the PPID group compared to the young group. The MnSOD concentration was higher in the PPID ID+ group compared to the PPID ID−. LPS and MDA concentrations were lower in the PPID ID+ group compared to the PPID ID− group. In the selected study groups of horses, older age, the presence of PPID and ID in the case of PPID had no effect on the studied oxidative stress markers.

Clinical and Laboratory Findings in Border Collies with Presumed Hereditary Juvenile Cobalamin Deficiency

2013 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabina Lutz ◽  
Adrian C. Sewell ◽  
Claudia E. Reusch ◽  
Peter H. Kook
Keyword(s):  
Detection Limit ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Methylmalonic Aciduria ◽  
Clinical Suspicion ◽  
Cobalamin Deficiency ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Clinical Recovery ◽  
High Level

Juvenile cobalamin deficiency is a rare disease in border collies and its diagnosis requires a high level of clinical suspicion. The goal of this study was to increase awareness of this disease by describing the clinical and laboratory findings in four young border collies with inherited cobalamin deficiency. The median age of the dogs was 11.5 mo (range, 8–42 mo), and two of the four dogs were full siblings. Clinical signs included intermittent lethargy (n = 4), poor body condition (n = 4), odynophagia (n = 2), glossitis (n = 1), and bradyarrhythmia (n = 1). Pertinent laboratory abnormalities were mild to moderate normocytic nonregenerative anemia (n = 3), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity (n = 3), and mild proteinuria (n = 3). All of the dogs had serum cobalamin levels below the detection limit of the assay, marked methylmalonic aciduria, and hyperhomocysteinemia. Full clinical recovery was achieved in all dogs with regular parenteral cobalamin supplementation, and laboratory abnormalities resolved, except the proteinuria and elevated AST activity persisted. This case series demonstrates the diverse clinical picture of primary cobalamin deficiency in border collies. Young border collies presenting with ambiguous clinical signs should be screened for cobalamin deficiency.

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