Epidemiological Mapping of Canine Angiostrongylosis in Portugal: Findings from a Nationwide Prevalence Survey.

Considering the global health concern and the significant morbidity associated with canine angiostrongylosis, this study aimed to update the epidemiological profile and geographic distribution of the disease in canine populations across all continental and insular districts of Portugal, some of which were never studied before. A total of 1059 dogs were included in the study and tested for antigens using a commercial immunochromatographic assay. The overall prevalence was 1.

Raising Awareness of Canine, Feline and Human Dirofilariosis in Aveiro, Portugal: A One Health Perspective.

Climatic and various socio-geographical variables have significantly influenced the global spread of . The coastal district of Aveiro, Portugal, marked by its unique hydrographic structure, Ria de Aveiro, and a concerning rise in heartworm disease, was the focus of our study. We aimed to update the prevalence of in dogs and the seroprevalence in cats and humans, correlating these data with epidemiological information.

Assessing functional properties of diet protein hydrolysate and oil from fish waste on canine immune parameters, cardiac biomarkers, and fecal microbiota.

Locally produced fish hydrolysate and oil from the agrifood sector comprises a sustainable solution both to the problem of fish waste disposal and to the petfood sector with potential benefits for the animal's health. This study evaluated the effects of the dietary replacement of mainly imported shrimp hydrolysate (5%) and salmon oil (3%; control diet) with locally produced fish hydrolysate (5%) and oil (3.2%) obtained from fish waste (experimental diet) on systemic inflammation markers, adipokines levels, cardiac function and fecal microbiota of adult dogs.

Current State of Canine in Portugal.

The favourable geo-climatic conditions in Portugal have made it highly conducive to the development of in dogs, leading to its identification as an endemic region. This nematode is rapidly spreading across Europe, particularly in northeastern countries. The objective of this study was to provide an updated assessment of the prevalence of this disease in Portuguese dogs, analysing the results in relation to epidemiological and geo-environmental factors, and to identify potential risk factors.

Electrocardiographic Reference Values in Clinically Healthy Lusitano Horses.

The Lusitano horse is gaining popularity in the equestrian world, and as a result, the significance of applied sports medicine for this breed is growing. As cardiology plays a crucial role in this field, numerous studies have been conducted to establish electrocardiographic reference values in various breeds to ensure a more accurate evaluation. However, studies regarding healthy Lusitano horses are lacking.

Blockage of the adenosine A receptor prevents cardiac fibroblasts overgrowth in rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Sustained pressure overload and fibrosis of the right ventricle (RV) are the leading causes of mortality in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Although the role of adenosine in PAH has been attributed to the control of pulmonary vascular tone, cardiac reserve, and inflammatory processes, the involvement of the nucleoside in RV remodelling remains poorly understood. Conflicting results exist on targeting the low-affinity adenosine A receptor (AAR) for the treatment of PAH mostly because it displays dual roles in acute vs.

Emerging Roles of Micrornas in Veterinary Cardiology.

Over the last years, the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) has increasingly been recognised. Each miRNA is a short sequence of non-coding RNA that influences countless genes' expression and, thereby, contributes to several physiological pathways and diseases. It has been demonstrated that miRNAs participate in the development of many cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Maternal Left Ventricular Diastolic and Systolic Function during Normal Pregnancy in Saint Bernard Dogs.

This study aimed to evaluate maternal left ventricular (LV) systo-diastolic function using conventional and TDI echocardiography and included 10 healthy Saint-Bernard pregnant bitches. M-mode, peak transmitral flow velocities during early diastole (E) and atrial contraction (A), aortic and pulmonic flow, myocardial performance index (MPI), TDI studies (peak myocardial velocities during early diastole (E'), atrial contraction (A') and peak systole (S')), and blood pressure were measured at 21 to 28 (T1), 40 (T2) and 60 (T3) days of gestation and four to eight weeks postpartum (T4). Cardiac output and heart rate were 20% and 9% higher at T3, respectively, compared to T4 ( < 0.

Urocortins as biomarkers in cardiovascular disease.

The urocortins (Ucns) belong to the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family of peptides and have multiple effects within the central nervous and the cardiovascular systems. With growing evidence indicating significant cardioprotective properties and cardiovascular actions of these peptides, the question arises as to whether the plasma profiles of the Ucns are altered in pathologic settings. While reports have shown conflicting results and findings have not been corroborated in multiple independent cohorts, it seems likely that plasma Ucn concentrations are elevated in multiple cardiovascular conditions.

Pharmacological Tuning of Adenosine Signal Nuances Underlying Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) roughly represents half of the cardiac failure events in developed countries. The proposed 'systemic microvascular paradigm' has been used to explain HFpHF presentation heterogeneity. The lack of effective treatments with few evidence-based therapeutic recommendations makes HFpEF one of the greatest unmet clinical necessities worldwide.

Diagnosis and management of canine atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common non-physiological arrhythmia in dogs and humans. Its high prevalence in both species and the impact it has on survival time and quality of life of affected patients, makes it a very relevant topic for medical research. In dogs, the diagnosis of AF is usually fairly straightforward, but optimal management can be complicated.

Canine atrial fibrillation: Pathophysiology, epidemiology and classification.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common non-physiological arrhythmia in dogs and humans. Its high prevalence in both species and the impact it has on survival time and quality of life of affected patients, makes it a very relevant topic of medical research. Significant developments in understanding the mechanisms underlying this arrhythmia in humans has occurred over the last decades and some of this knowledge is being applied to veterinary medicine, despite the many differences between species.

The Ionotropic P2X4 Receptor has Unique Properties in the Heart by Mediating the Negative Chronotropic Effect of ATP While Increasing the Ventricular Inotropy.

Mounting evidence indicate that reducing the sinoatrial node (SAN) activity may be a useful therapeutic strategy to control of heart failure. Purines, like ATP and its metabolite adenosine, consistently reduce the SAN spontaneous activity leading to negative cardiac chronotropy, with variable effects on the force of myocardial contraction (inotropy). Apart from adenosine A receptors, the human SAN expresses high levels of ATP-sensitive ionotropic P2X4 receptors (P2X4R), yet their cardiac role is unexplored.

Novel insights into the role of urotensin II in cardiovascular disease.

Urotensin II (UII) is a vasoactive peptide that interacts with a specific receptor called the UT receptor. UII has been implicated in cardiovascular regulation, with promising therapeutic applications based on UT receptor antagonism. The endogenous ligands of the UT receptor: UII and urotensin-related peptide (URP), differentially bind and activate this receptor.

Is the adenosine A 'biased' receptor a valuable target for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension?

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a maladaptive disorder characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance leading to right ventricular failure and death. Adenosine released by injured tissues, such as the lung and heart, influences tissue remodeling through the activation of adenosine receptors. Evidence regarding activation of the low-affinity AAR by adenosine points towards pivotal roles of this receptor in processes associated with both acute and chronic lung diseases.

[Neuregulin1/ErbB system: importance in the control of cardiovascular function].

The family of Neuregulins (NRG), growth factors like epidermal growth factor, is known to induce growth and differentiation of epithelial, glial, neuronal, and skeletal muscle cells. This family comprises four members, being NRG1 the most largely studied, particularly at the cardiovascular level. The biological effects of NRG1 in the adult heart are mediated by the tyrosine kinase receptors ErbB.

Agreement between echocardiographic techniques in assessment of the left ventricular myocardial performance index in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE-To report reference values and examine the agreement in the myocardial performance (Tei) index of the left ventricle (LVTI) as measured by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), pulsed-wave Doppler imaging (PWD), and M-mode echocardiography in clinically normal rabbits. ANIMALS-26 clinically normal male New Zealand White rabbits. PROCEDURES-Echocardiographic examinations that included TDI, PWD, and M-mode echocardiography were performed.

Effects of adrenomedullin on systolic and diastolic myocardial function.

Adrenomedullin (AM) effects were studied in rabbit papillary muscles by adding increasing concentrations (10(-10) to 10(-6)M) either alone or after pre-treatment with l-NNA, indomethacin, AM22-52 (AM receptor antagonist), CGRP(8-37) (CGRP receptors antagonist), KT5720 (PKA inhibitor), as well as after endocardial endothelium (EE) removal. Passive length-tension relations were constructed before and after a single concentration of AM (10(-6)M). AM concentration-dependently induced negative inotropic and lusitropic effects, and increased resting muscle length (RL).

Echocardiographic evaluation including tissue Doppler imaging in New Zealand white rabbits sedated with ketamine and midazolam.

Limited data are available on the use of more recent echocardiographic parameters in the rabbit. Echocardiographic examination, including conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), was performed on 26 male New Zealand white rabbits under ketamine-midazolam sedation. Particular emphasis was placed on the more recent systolic and diastolic parameters, such as myocardial performance index (Tei index) and mitral annular motion (from septal and lateral sides of the left ventricle) obtained using pulsed TDI.

Urotensin II acutely increases myocardial length and distensibility: potential implications for diastolic function and ventricular remodeling.

Urotensin II (U-II) is a cyclic peptide that may be involved in cardiovascular dysfunction. In the present study, the acute effects of U-II on diastolic properties of the myocardium were investigated. Increasing concentrations of U-II (10(-8) to 10(-6) M) were added to rabbit papillary muscles in the absence (n = 15) or presence of: (1) damaged endocardial endothelium (EE; n = 9); (2) U-II receptor antagonist, urantide (10(-5) M; n = 7); (3) nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, N(G)-Nitro-L-Arginine (10(-5) M; n = 9); (4) cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (10(-5) M; n = 8); (5) NO synthase and cyclooxygenase inhibitors, N(G)-Nitro-L-Arginine (10(-5) M) and indomethacin (10(-5) M), respectively, (n = 8); or (6) protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, chelerythrine (10(-5) M; n = 9).

Impaired response to ET(B) receptor stimulation in heart failure: functional evidence of endocardial endothelial dysfunction?

Inotropic effects of selective ET(B) receptor stimulation depend on the functional integrity of the endocardial endothelium (EE), which is negative when it is intact and positive when it is damaged. These results have been attributed to the existence of two subtypes of ET(B) receptors in the heart: (i) ET(B1), located on the EE, decreases inotropy; (ii) ET(B2), located on myocardial cells, increases inotropy. In the present study we investigated the functional integrity of the EE in a heart failure (HF) model (doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy) by evaluating the contractile response to ET(B1) receptor stimulation.