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An asymptomatic 17-month-old, 18.5-kg, male Staffordshire bull terrier was referred due to a heart murmur. Examination revealed a grade 3/6 left apical systolic and right apical 3/6 heart murmur. Echocardiography showed volume overload of the left ventricle and mild systolic dysfunction with a left-right flow over the interventricular septal region. Cardiac gated computed tomography revealed anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, an extensive network of collateral blood vessels connected the right and left coronary arteries, with bronchial and left intercostal arteries also connected to the network of collateral blood vessels, markedly enlarged right and left coronary arteries and left coronary sinus. With varied presentation, coronary anomalies are difficult to recognise and classify and to the best of our knowledge this is the first case of anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery diagnosis in the dog.

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The aim of this study was to obtain reference values for diastolic cardiac function parameters in healthy dogs and to ascertain if significant differences exist between dogs of various age, weight and sex. The study was performed on 82 healthy dogs of different age and breed. Eleven param- eters were analyzed: peak velocity during early diastolic filling, acceleration time of early diastol- ic filling, deceleration time of early diastolic filling, total time of early diastolic filling, peak veloc- ity during late diastolic filling, acceleration time of late diastolic filling, deceleration time of late diastolic filling, total time of late diastolic filling, total time of early and late diastolic filling, ratio of peak velocities during early and late diastolic filling, isovolumetric relaxation time. The Dop- pler measurements used for general assessment of diastolic function in healthy dogs were signifi- cantly influenced by body weight, heart rate and age. No significant differences were found be- tween males and females. This study described the value of non-invasive echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function in healthy dogs.

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The aim of this study was to establish reference values for 2D and M-mode measurements in Dachshunds. Basic echocardiographic data, including M-mode, 2D and spectral Doppler mea- surements, was collected, analyzed and compared between 41 healthy Dachshunds and 50 other healthy dogs of similar weight. Echocardiographic reference intervals were prepared for Dachs- hunds. Dachshunds had a smaller left ventricular diameter in diastole and systole and a thicker septum than other dog breeds. Male Dachshunds had larger diastolic and systolic left ventricular diameter than females. Reference intervals for 2D and M-mode measurements in healthy Dachs- hunds differ from other dogs of similar weight and should be used for this breed to assess cham- ber enlargement.

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Chronic mitral valve disease, which is frequently diagnosed in Dachshunds, leads to structural, hemodynamic and redox state changes in dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity and lipid metabolism in different disease stages. Standardized PON1 activity (PON1/HDL ratio) was lower in asymptomatic dogs, B1 and B2 Stages when compared to healthy ones and symptomatic Dachshunds in Stage C (ACVIM classfication). PON1 paraoxonase activity was elevated in Stage C dogs, with no changes found in PON1 activity towards phenyl acetate. Dachshunds in Stage B2 and C showed increased triglyceride levels, with no changes in cholesterol and lipoprotein concentration in comparison to healthy ones. Our data suggest that standardized PON1 activity changes could be used in laboratory diagnostics to differentiate the CMVD of affected asymptomatic (Stage B1 and B2) dogs from healthy (Stage A) and clinically affected (Stage C) dogs. Also, a standardized PON1 activity increase might be a prognostic progression signal of the disease to Stage C.

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Cancer immunosuppression that facilitates tumor progression and metastasis evolves by development of an immunosuppressive network. The aim of this study was to assess this network in dogs with benign or malignant tumors with or without confirmed metastasis. The authors showed that the number of various T cell subpopulations was constant during tumor development; however the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs) was significantly higher in tumor-bearing dogs than in healthy individuals. The number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and their p-STAT3 expression (which is a negative regulator of hematopoiesis and regulates VEGF expression) were higher in cancer patients than in control dogs, however their number increased significantly in late-stage cancer patients. Canine mammary carcinomas with confirmed metastases to either lymph nodes or internal organs had greater MDSCs and Treg infiltration than benign mammary tumors or malignant mammary tumors for which metastases had not been detected. Similarly, expression of p-STAT3 and VEGF-C was the highest in tumors with confirmed metastases. This research shows changes occurring in the blood (n = 30 patients) and tumor tissue of patients (n = 100) during canine mammary tumor development. The findings should be considered preliminary because of the small number of samples. Nonetheless, the findings suggest that a high level of Tregs and MDSCs as well as high expression of p-STAT3 and VEGF-C may significantly contribute to mammary tumor progression and metastasis in dogs.

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In this article, we highlight the benefits coming from the application of amorphous protic ionic systems as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Using the case of the sumatriptan (STR) drug, we show that the conversion of nonionic API to partially ionized amorphous protic succinate salt (STR SUCC) brings a substantial improvement in apparent solubility. Since in general the disordered systems reveal a tendency to self-arrangement during storage, the dominant part of this article is dedicated to the physical stability issue of sumatriptan and its ionic counterpart. To recognize the crystallization tendency of the studied systems, the calorimetric measurements were performed. Additionally, the role of ion dynamics in spontaneous nucleation of amorphous sumatriptan succinate is discussed. The differential scanning calorimetry analysis of ionic and nonionic sumatriptan reveals many similarities in thermal properties of these APIs as well as distinct differences in their resistance against crystallization in the supercooled liquid state. To determine the long-term physical stability of STR SUCC at room temperature conditions, the time scale of structural relaxation below their glass transition temperatures is estimated. We show that in contrast to nonionic materials, τα predictions of STR SUCC are much more complex and require aging experiments.

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The aim of this study was to determine if atrial natriuretic peptide can be used as an early screening tool for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Maine coon cats. ANIMALS: The study was performed in 43 Maine coon cats of both sexes, aged 11 to 92 months. Clinical and echocardiographic examinations were done and proANP serum concentrations were measured every three months over a period of one year (each cat had a total of five examinations). Cats were divided into 3 groups based on echocardiographic results: group 1 - healthy cats, group 2 - cats with unequivocal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy results, group 3 - cats with HCM. The study showed that the concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide correlates with the severity of HCM. A significant increase in serum concentration of this peptide was observed in cats from group 3, but it did not differ significantly between cats from group 2 and the healthy animals (p>0.05). A correlation was also found between proANP and age of the cats (p<0.01, r=0.5578) as well as between the ejection fraction (p=0.0285, r=0.5305) and end-systolic left ventricular diameter (p=0.05, r=0.48) in the affected animals. Atrial natriuretic peptide may be used to help in the diagnosis of advanced stages of HCM in Maine coon cats. Cats with high levels of proANP should be assigned to echocardiographic studies to confirm the disease.

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Studies identifying specific pathologically expressed genes have been performed on diseased myocardial tissue samples, however less invasive studies on gene expression of peripheral blood mononucleated cells give promising results. This study assessed transcriptomic data that may be used to evaluate Dachshunds with chronic mitral valve disease. Dachshunds with different stages of heart disease were compared to a control, healthy group. Microarray data analysis revealed clusters of patients with similar expression profiles. The clusters were compared to the clinical classification scheme. Unsupervised classification of the studied groups showed three clusters. Clinical and laboratory parameters of patients from the cluster 1 were in accordance with those found in patients without heart disease. Data obtained from patients from the cluster 3 were typical of advanced heart failure patients. Comparison of the cluster 1 and 3 groups revealed 1133 differentially expressed probes, 7 significantly regulated process pathways and 2 significantly regulated Ariadne Metabolic Pathways. This study may serve as a guideline for directing future research on gene expression in chronic mitral valve disease.

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PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of GC Tooth Mousse in the treatment of patients with dentin hypersensitivity caused by various factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The evaluation was carried out on 101 teeth with dentin hypersensitivity in 13 patients. Patients with gingival recession and exposed dental necks and those with non-carious lesions at the initial stage were selected. The initial examination was to evaluate the intensity of pain inducted by a stream of the air syringe and by probing the tooth surface. It was repeated directly after the preparation application, after 15 minutes, after 1 and 4 weeks. RESULTS: After the medicine application, the number of teeth reacting with strong or extremely strong pain decreased (from almost 80% to 37.62%). The percentage of teeth reacting with mild pain increased by 15% and the number of teeth which did not react to the cold air stream also increased by 27.72%. The values after 15 minutes were similar. A week later, the percentage of teeth with very strong pain was elevated and so was the percentage of medium pain. On the other hand, the number of teeth without pain and with mild pain decreased twice. After one month the percentage distribution was close to the results obtained after 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: 1. GC Tooth Mousse preparation, based on Recaldent technology reveals insufficient effectiveness and short-term therapeutic effect in treating hypersensitivity of dentine. 2. It seems that soothing the pain by GC Tooth Mousse should be regarded rather as an additional remineralizing effect of the medicine.

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The case of a soft tissue myoepithelioma is presented including clinicopathologic, ultrastructural, and genetic findings. A 30-year-old male patient suffered from a soft tissue tumor within the deep soft tissues of the right lower leg measuring 13.2 x 8.2 x 9 cm. Histologically, the lesion was diagnosed as a myoepithelioma displaying a lobulated architecture with cords and nests of epithelioid and spindle cells without cytologic atypia lying within a fibromyxoid and partly chondroid matrix; immunohistochemistry was positive for pancytokeratin, S100-protein, calponin and partly for GFAP and EMA. Ultrastructural analysis revealed glycogen deposits and cell-membrane-associated plaque structures, whereas true myofilaments could not be identified (with immunohistochemistry being negative for actin). Using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), a gain of chromosome Y was detected. A loss on 17p could not be detected unambiguously. However, based on the low resolution of CGH a small loss cannot be excluded. The patient was free of disease 25 months following complete tumor resection. Myoepitheliomas/mixed tumors of deep soft tissue represent rare soft tissue lesions that may reach a considerable size and may mimic other soft tissue tumors or sarcomas. Based on a local relapse rate of approximately 20% according to the literature, a complete resection with thorough follow-up should be recommended.

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We report a rare case of a neuroendocrine carcinoma located in the esophagus of a 62-year-old male patient. The initial diagnosis of a "small-cell tumor" was based on biopsy. Our diagnosis was based on the histomorphological examination of the resected material. Diagnostic criteria were the characteristic solid or clustered growth patterns, monomorphic cell nuclei, lack of necrosis, immunohistochemical detection of neuroendocrine markers like chromogranin, synaptophysin and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) as well as detection of cytoplasmic neuroendocrine granules by electron microscopy. In addition, we found an increased prolific activity by staining with Ki67 antigen. 30% of the cell nuclei displayed a positive reaction. Focal invasion of blood vessels was also detected. With 17 different chromosomal imbalances, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) revealed a malignant tumor stage that was not visible at the microscopic level. According to the new WHO classification of neuroendocrine tumors the described tumor was identified as an intermediate between a well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma and a low-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma.

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According to the 1999 World Health Organisation classification of lung tumors, the classification of neuroendocrine (NE) tumors is solely based on light-microscopic features. Typical and atypical carcinoid tumors are distinguished from large cell (LCNEC) and small cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (SCLC). We used comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) on 50 samples to investigate the cytogenetic relationships between NE tumors. On average, carcinoid tumors showed markedly fewer chromosomal imbalances (1.8/case, 23 cases) than LCNEC (13.3/case, 17 cases) or SCLC (17/case, 10 cases). The frequency of amplicons increased accordingly. Typical carcinoid tumors exhibited significant defects on chromosomes 11 and 13 only. Interestingly, only the frequency of losses on chromosome arm 11q was very similar for all three tumor entities (about 30%). In conclusion, the CGH results support the classification of typical carcinoid tumors as a separate entity in clear distinction from the NE carcinomas.

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Chitosan, a derivative of chitin, is a natural component of some fungus cell walls. It is formed by the complex action of chitin synthase and chitin deacetylase. The in vitro activity of these two enzymes is known to be influenced by several factors. We investigated the influence of ferrous ions, manganese ions, cobalt ions, trypsin, and chitin, as individual supplements to the nutrient medium, on the in vivo activity of chitin synthase and chitin deacetylase to form chitosan in the fungus Absidia orchidis. Manganese and ferrous ions gave the most significant results. These ions increase chitosan yields through an increase in biomass production rather than an increase of chitosan content in cell walls. Manganese and ferrous ions lowered the activity of chitin deacetylase; however, their influence on the activity of chitin synthase was more complex. The effects of trypsin and chitin on biomass and cell wall chitosan content were negligible, while cobalt ions completely inhibited the growth of fungi.

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Solitary fibrous tumours (SFTs) of the pleura, in contrast to malignant mesothelioma, occur independently of previous asbestos exposure. They are benign tumours, but may recur if the stalk to the adjacent pleural or lung tissue remains in situ during surgical removal. The molecular pathology of SFTs is largely unknown. We used comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) to characterise 12 localised SFTs and 12 predominantly sarcomatoid mesotheliomas. Fifty-eight percent of the investigated SFTs did not show any chromosomal imbalances. The most frequent defects were losses on chromosome arms 13q (33%), 4q and 21q (17% each). Significant gains were seen at chromosome 8 and at 15q in two cases each. There was no correlation between tumour size and molecular pathology findings. In contrast, 75% of the mesotheliomas carried chromosomal defects. On average, the mesotheliomas showed over three times as many defects per tumour as the SFTs. Localisation of several frequent losses and gains were similar to those of the SFTs. Therefore, in individual cases, a clear distinction between SFTs and sarcomatoid mesotheliomas is not possible based on CGH analysis alone. Further molecular characterisation of this rare tumour entity will be necessary to elucidate possible genes involved in early tumorigenesis.

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OBJECTIVE: adhesion of leukocytes to vascular endothelium and their invasion into local tissues are important steps in inflammation. L-selectin plays a crucial role in leukocyte rolling and adhesion on endothelial cell surface. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a potent chemotactic substance toward neutrophils and lymphocytes-T and mediate their migration to local inflammation. The levels of soluble L-selectin (sL-selectin) and IL-8 were measured in middle ear effusions (MEE) from children with otitis media (OM) to estimate their role in pathogenesis of inflammation in middle ear. METHODS: MEE were collected from 113 ears of 62 children during routine myringotomy. The entire specimen was diluted with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) to 2 ml and centrifugated at 1500 rpm for 15 min to separate cellular components. Supernatants of MEE were stored frozen at -20 degrees C for sL-selectin and at -80 degrees C for IL-8 assessment. The concentration of sL-selectin and IL-8 were estimated with ELISA and compared with total protein concentration measured by Bradford assay. RESULTS: MEEs from children with chronic mucous otitis media contained significantly higher mean concentrations of IL-8 559.4 pg/mg total protein (TP) (+/-535.6) in comparison with normal serum 17.79 pg/mg TP (+/-10.9), serous OM 40.3 pg/mg TP (+/-28.1) and purulent OM 104.4 pg/mg TP (+/-128.6). High concentration of IL-8 was found in MEE from the children with early recurrence of OMS. The levels of sL-selectin were higher in purulent effusions 77.2 ng/mg TP (+/-67.4) than those of chronic mucoid 27.6 ng/mg TP (+/-36.7) and serous OM 26.3 ng/mg TP (+/-27.1). CONCLUSION: the results support a hypothesis that IL-8 can be responsible for prolongation of inflammatory process in middle ear, therefore long-term treatment and observation of children with the high levels of IL-8 in MEE may be necessary. Elevated level of sL-selectin in acute OM suggests the involvement of L-selectin in the acute phase of OM.

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Solitary fibrous tumours (SFTs) are rare and usually benign neoplasms of mesenchymal origin that are often found in the visceral pleura (fibrous pleural tumour, FPT) or other serosal surfaces. They have also been found in soft tissues. We report the case of an SFT localised in the thigh of an 86-year-old woman. The tumour specimen was examined morphologically, immunohistochemically and molecular genetically, using comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH). The latter detects unbalanced chromosomal alterations in human neoplasms by competitive nucleic acid hybridisation and consecutive computer image analysis. The tumour consists of fibroblast-like cells, arranged in a typical "patternless pattern". Immunohistochemically, the tumour stained positively for vimentin, CD34, CD99, and focally for actin and desmin. No reaction occurred with keratin or S100 protein antibodies. CGH detected a single loss on chromosome 13q.

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Malignant mesotheliomas are tumors known for their extensive heterogeneity. Apart from the three classical patterns, predominantly epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic, some rare variants do exist. In some cases, one can find uncommon additional mesodermal tumor components. These tumors have previously been called "mesodermomas" and, like regular mesotheliomas, are usually associated with a previous asbestos exposure. We examined eight cases of mesodermomas by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Besides biphasic and epithelioid areas, unusual epithelial, chondroid, osseous, or even angioblastic elements may be found to varying degrees. Immunohistochemical analysis shows similar staining results as with regular mesotheliomas. CGH reveals a high number of chromosomal imbalances (16.5 per case; range, 11-27). In 10 classical biphasic mesotheliomas that served as a control, defects of comparable number and severity could not be detected (8 per case; range, 2-16). The most frequent defects of mesodermomas (losses on 1p, 4pq, 9p, 13q, 14q, and gains on 1q and 15q), however, could also be found in mesotheliomas of the classical type. Thus, our results support the classification of the so-called mesodermomas as a separate tumor subgroup while maintaining the relationship to the classical mesotheliomas. Therefore, we propose to use the term mesodermoma for this subgroup.

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The authors describe a case of poststeroid balance disorder in a 20-year-old athlete. Previous information of such a doping pathology among sportsmen taking anabolics was not found. That anabolic steroids had a harm to central activities and could be suspected especially on the basis of reported psychiatric sequels and cerebrovascular disorders. The case described is of a patient who had been given metandienone, oxymetholone, and nandrolone phenyloproprionate in two courses. Vertigo appeared twice just after introducing doping and persisted in spite of a 1.5 year break in taking anabolics. In the electronystagmography a positional nystagmus was detected, the eye-tracking test was distempered, and abnormal responses in the caloric tests were obtained. In the computed dynamic posturography the number and length of body sway were increased and, consequently, the field of the outspread area was enlarged. The moment of appearance and long-lasting vertigo as well as the results of laboratory examinations indicate a poststeroid permanent disorder of the central part of the equilibrium organ. Such a diagnosis seems to be most probable here.

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Capillary electrophoresis has been applied to separate and determine N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and related impurities. Determination conditions were found to be optimum with 100 mmol/l borate as the buffer, pH 8.40. The limit of detection was established for each substance examined. The method has been validated by examining linearity ranges, precision and repeatability. The method was used to determine the content of NAC in, and purity of, pharmaceutical preparations. The major impurities (N,N-diacetylcystine, N,S-diacetylcysteine and cystine) were determined at levels of 0.1%.

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Under laboratory conditions, the treatment of Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora entomopathogenic nematodes with either Mg or Mn(II) ions produced an increase in their productivity and pathogenicity against Sitona lineatus weevil, pupae, and larvae. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.