<div><strong>Background: </strong>Heart is the principal organ of circulatory system that pumps blood into the blood vessels and performs many vital functions. Its development before birth must be studied to safeguard the animal from the occurrence and consequences of various developmental anomalies. The detailed morphometry of different external parameters of heart especially in pre-natal sheep has not yet been reported.<br />
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<strong>Methods: </strong>The foeti of sheep were divided into three age groups <em>viz</em>. early prenatal (up to 50 days), mid prenatal (51-100 days) and late prenatal (101 to 150 days) with fifteen animals in each age group. The various external parameters were recorded by using digital weighing machine, graduated measuring cylinder, digital Vernier&rsquo;s calliper, non-stretchable nylon thread and graduated scale. The data recorded was statistically analysed by one way ANOVA with IBM SPSS 25.0 version software.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result: </strong>It was revealed that the average width of heart at its base was 4.82&plusmn;0.22mm, 10.52&plusmn;0.72mm and 21.57&plusmn;1.03mm in early prenatal, mid prenatal and late prenatal stages respectively. The average dorso-ventral length of left ventricle of heart was measured as 4.82&plusmn;0.14mm, 12.07&plusmn;1.16mm and 25.58&plusmn;0.88mm in early prenatal, mid prenatal and late prenatal stages respectively. The average distance between the left longitudinal groove and cranial border of heart at base was measured as 2.93&plusmn;0.11mm, 6.38&plusmn;0.39mm and 9.78&plusmn;0.41mm in early prenatal, mid prenatal and late prenatal stages respectively. Similarly, the average distance between the right longitudinal groove and cranial border of heart at middle was measured as 1.96&plusmn;0.09mm, 5.01&plusmn;0.34mm and 8.31&plusmn;0.50mm in early prenatal, mid prenatal and late prenatal stages respectively. All these parameters recorded showed significant (p &le; 0.01) differences among the ages.</div>


<div>Morphometrical Studies on the Exterior of the Heart of Pre-natal Non-descript Sheep</div>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Heart failure that is caused by various cardiac diseases like valvular disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and pericardial diseases are progressive and chronic in nature, but occur as acute form wherein the clinician has to respond quickly both in its diagnosis and treatment.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Methods: </strong>The present study that was carried out to assess the prevalence of heart failure has included 309 dogs of various breed, gender and age. Clinical evaluation was followed by electrocardiography using smart phone-based ECG, thoracic radiography and 2d-echocardiography to diagnose the various causes of heart failure.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result: </strong>All of these cases were exhibiting similar manifestations like generalized weakness, poor physical activity, respiratory distress, dyspnoea at rest, cough and lack of sleep, that were suggestive of heart failure. ECG, thoracic radiography and echocardiographic evaluation revealed 146/309 cases as suffering with various cardiac diseases <em>viz.</em>, valvular diseases, dilated cardiomyopathy and pericardial diseases that resulted in heart failure. However, the remaining 163/309 dogs were diagnosed with respiratory disorders (69), renal insufficiency (57), hepatic insufficiency (26), pyometra (07) and anemia (04). The overall prevalence of heart failure was observed to be 1.55% (146) among the total dogs (9369) presented with systemic diseases, while it was 47.25% (146) among dogs (309) which were exhibiting clinical manifestations suggestive of heart failure. Similarly, the heart failure was recorded as highest prevalent among Labrador and lowest among Daschund. Dogs aged between 10-14 years are more vulnerable for these cardiac diseases when compared to various other age group individuals and males are more at risk.</div>


<p>Prevalence Study (2017-2020) of Heart Failure among Dogs of Hyderabad, Telangana State</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Heart is the central organ of circulatory system that pumps blood into the blood vessels and performs many vital functions. Its development before birth must be studied to safeguard the animal from the occurrence and consequences of various developmental anomalies. The detailed morphometry of different internal parameters of heart especially in pre-natal sheep has not yet been reported. &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> The foeti of sheep were divided into two age groups <em>viz</em>. mid prenatal (51-100 days) and late prenatal (101 to 150 days) with fifteen animals in each age group. The various internal parameters were recorded by using digital weighing machine, graduated measuring cylinder, digital Vernier&rsquo;s calliper, non-stretchable nylon thread and graduated scale. The data recorded was statistically analysed by independent t test with IBM SPSS 25.0 version software.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result: </strong>The average thickness of left ventricular wall of heart was measured as 2.85&plusmn;0.15 mm and 4.28&plusmn;0.07 mm in mid prenatal and late prenatal stages respectively with significant (p&le;0.01) differences between the ages. Similarly, the average diameter of left atrio-ventricular opening of heart was measured as 2.06&plusmn;0.27 mm and 6.08&plusmn;0.36 mm in mid prenatal and late prenatal stages respectively with significant (p&le;0.01) differences between the ages. The average length of septal papillary muscle in right ventricle was measured as 1.12&plusmn;0.10 mm and 3.29&plusmn;0.21 mm in mid prenatal and late prenatal stages respectively with significant (p&le;0.01) differences between the ages. Further, the average length of moderator band in heart was measured as 1.45&plusmn;0.11 mm and 4.34&plusmn;0.23 mm in mid prenatal and late prenatal stages respectively with significant (p&le;0.01) differences between the ages. Similarly, the average length of chordae tendinae in right ventricle of heart was measured as 0.97&plusmn;0.09 mm and 3.50&plusmn;0.34 mm in mid prenatal and late prenatal stages respectively with significant (p&le;0.01) differences between the ages.&nbsp;</div>


<div>Age Wise Internal Morphometrical Studies on the Heart of Pre-natal Non-descript Sheep</div>


<div style="text-align: justify;">Myxomatous mitral valve degeneration is the most acquired heart disease in dogs. To reduce the clinical progression of mitral valve degeneration and achieve the hemodynamic outcomes, many medical or surgical treatments have been motivated. The objectives of this study is to investigate the suitability of puppy deciduous teeth stem cells as a cell source for tissue engineered heart valves in dog with degenerative valve disease. Puppy deciduous teeth stem cells (pDSCs) were seeded on the scaffolds which made from polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PLC) and silicone. The mechanical properties of the tissue engineered heart valves leaflets were characterized by biaxial tensile tests. Results showed that, deciduous teeth stem cells capable of differentiating into a variety of cell types. However, the ability of puppy deciduous teeth stem cells to differentiate declined with increasing passage number which correspond to the number of protein surface marker detection have been shown to decrease substantially by the fifth passage. PLA scaffold is significantly higher tensile strength than other materials. However, silicone showed the highest flaccidity. The results from this study may provide high regenerative capability and the essential information for future directions of heart valve tissue engineering.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Dental Pulp Stem Cells for Tissue Engineered Heart Valve</div>

<p><strong>Background:</strong> In recent years, relevant studies had shown that a large number of adipokines were involved in energy homeostasis in the body, regulating the balance of glucose and lipid metabolism. Resistin was a special type of adipose factor and its discovery and related studies had shown a close relationship between resistin and heart disease. However, there was relatively little research on the structure of heart tissue, so we conducted this present study.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> In order to study the effect of resistin on the heart structure of mice, 20 healthy C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into experimental and control groups(n=10). The mice of the experimental group were injected with 20 &igrave;l/d of resistin solution through the tail vein. The mice of the control group were injected with the same volume of double distilled water. HandE staining, Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA) staining, Masson&rsquo;s trichrome staining and electron microscopy were used to observe the changes of microscopic structure and ultrastructure of mouse cardiomyocytes.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> The results of HandE staining showed that the myocardial cells in the experimental group were disordered, the cytoplasm was loosely distributed and the gap between adjacent cells increased. WGA staining showed that the fluorescence green intensity of the mice in the experimental group was higherthan that of the control group. The myocardial cell membrane thickened, the average cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes was larger than that of the control group. The results of the Masson staining showed that the staining of the cytoplasm of myocardial cells in the experimental group was significantly shallow and the blue structure was significantly increased. The electron microscopy showed that the number of mitochondria decreased and the mitochondria lightly dissolved or disappear. This study confirmed that resistin could change the content of collagen fibers and myofibrils in myocardial cells, induce cardiac hypertrophy and cause certain damage to mitochondria of cardiomyocytes. It was speculated that it could affect the physiological function of cardiomyocytes to some extent.</p>


<p>Effect of Resistin on the Heart Structure of Mouse</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Radiography is widely used for diagnosis of congestive heart failure as it enables non-invasive assessment of cardiac size, shape and pulmonary vasculature. So, the present study was conducted to record the radiographic changes in dogs with congestive heart failure.<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> Fifty-one dogs with cardiac insufficiency brought to Teaching Veterinary Hospital of GADVASU, showing one of the clinical signs of chronic cough, dyspnea, exercise intolerance, abdominal distension, syncope and cyanosis were selected and were subjected to Lateral and Ventro-dorsal chest radiography.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> Dilated cardiomyopathy was present in 24 dogs. Radiographically, pulmonary edema, cardiomegaly, vessel congestion were more common in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Valvular diseases were present in 16 dogs and radiographically left atrial (LA) dilatation was present in dogs with valvular diseases. Pericardial effusions were present in 11 dogs showing enlarged globoid heart radiographically.</div>


<div>Radiographic Assessment of Dogs with Congestive Heart Failure</div>


<div style="text-align: justify;">Chronic mitral valve insufficiency (CMVI) is the most common acquired heart disease in dogs. In heart failure, the cellular oxygenation and metabolism are affected, which leads to the production of free radicals. Free radicals damage DNA, lipid and protein molecules in cells. In the present experiment, blood samples were collected from CMVI dogs with heart failure and were compared with the results obtained from healthy dogs. A significant increase in the levels of xanthine oxidase, AST, LDH and CK and decrease in the activity of catalase were noticed in CMVI dogs when compared to healthy dogs, which revealed overall cardiac and skeletal muscle damage in CMVI dogs. Results of biochemical parameters revealed an increase in urea level and decrease in sodium, potassium, and calcium levels in CMVI dogs as compared to control dogs, all of which indicate cardiac damage in dogs. Study on hematological parameters revealed a significant decrease in Hb, PCV, RBC and platelet counts and an increase in total WBC counts and percentage of neutrophils, decrease in percentage of the lymphocyte and monocyte in CMVI dogs than control. These results indicate secondary phenomenon to heart failure. The present research data indicates the usefulness of these biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of CMVI with heart failure in dogs.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Analysis of certain blood biochemical parameters in relation to oxidative stress in chronic mitral valve insufficiency of dogs with heart failure</div>

<div><strong>Background:</strong>&nbsp;Betamethasone treatment is widely used and recommended worldwide. Although, there are no enough studies to look for the risk or potential alterations due to accumulation of this drug before fertilization. In addition, previous studies payed attention to intramuscular injection during pregnancy neglecting the long-term impact of the use of topical solutions. So, the aim of the present study was to determine this side effect.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong>&nbsp;We used two doses of betamethasone: 0.02 and 0.2 mg/Kg b.w. were and at the end of the experimental period (after 3 weeks of delivery), six new-born rabbits of both sexes (1 new born rabbit per mother) were dissected under light anesthesia and heart samples were collected. All the measurements were performed in one assay.<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong>&nbsp;The results of this study revealed maternal exposure to betamethasone prior to fertilization, induced oxidative stress, alterations in levels of enzymes. Furthermore, these biochemical alterations were supported by histopathological and ultrastructural observations. So, this study suggested that females; desiring to be pregnant, should stop treatment of psoriasis with betamethasone before fertilization to avoid heart toxicity of their offspring.</div>


<p>Betamethasone Toxicity Induced by Topical Maternal Exposure Prior to Fertilization in Heart of Newborn Rabbits</p>


<div><strong>Background: </strong>Although cortriatriatumsinister (CTs) represents a well-known and widely described cardiac malformation in humans, its description in the canine population is rare. The aim of this ten-year study is to place on record about the most unusual congenital cardiac malformation, cortriatriatum sinister that was sporadically reported among veterinary patients.<br />
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<strong>Methods: </strong>The dogs were examined clinically, physically and later subjected for chest radiograph and echocardiography to confirm CTs. All were showing regular femoral pulse that was strong and synchronous to the heart beat, pale mucosa, mean systolic arterial blood pressure of 145 mm Hg and with normal hemato-biochemical parameters. Cardiomegaly with increased sternal contact, elevated trachea, pulmonary congestion and engorged caudal vena cava were radiographic findings. 2d-echocardiography revealed a left atrium that was subdivided by a transverse membrane into two distinct compartments, one proximal and one distal, thus confirming the cortriatriatum sinister.<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> Cor triatriatum sinister (CTs) was diagnosed in 4 dogs with a prevalence of 4.59% amongst those suffering from congenital heart anomalies, that were aged between 5y-7y and the breeds include Boxer, Doberman and Cocker spaniel. All these dogs were presented with similar signs suggestive of heart failure <em>viz</em>., exercise intolerance, dyspnoea at rest, cough that was dry nocturnal type, generalised weakness and syncope. All of these patients were successfully managed with frusemide, benazapril and pimobendan. Hence, it may be concluded that the CTS, a rare congenital cardiac anomaly in dogs should also be included in the differential diagnosis of heart failure, particularly if presented at early life, which also helps to prevent further breeding from such stock.</div>


<p>A Ten Year Retrospective Study on Cor Triatriatum Sinister Associated Heart Failure in Dogs</p>


<p><strong>Background: </strong>Being the vital organ of circulatory system, the development of the heart before birth must be studied to safeguard the animal from the incidence of various developmental anomalies. The histochemical and biochemical details of cardiac architecture especially in pre-natal sheep have not yet been reported.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> The collected foeti of sheep were divided into three age groups <em>viz</em>. early prenatal (up to 50 days), mid prenatal (51-100 days) and late prenatal (101 to 150 days). The samples of heart were processed by routine paraffin technique and cryo technique and after section cutting, the slides were stained by various histochemical staining methods. Further, fresh pieces of the heart samples were also processed for getting tissue extracts for the biochemical analysis.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> It was revealed that the PAS activity was observed in the cardiac wall, interatrial septum and interventricular septum in the sheep foeti at all stages of gestation. A variable degree of acid phosphatase activity was noted in the myocardium of heart wall in the sheep foeti at all stages of gestation. The lipid deposition also increased with advancing age in the myocardium of cardiac wall, interatrial septum and interventricular septum in the heart of sheep foeti. The activities of various enzymes like creatine kinase, alkaline phosphatase, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase were high in left ventricle than the right ventricle in the heart of sheep foeti. Certain protein bands of specific molecular weight appeared in the ventricular tissue at specific age of gestation in addition to a group of common proteins which appeared in ventricular tissue of sheep foeti in all age groups under study.</p>
