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Research Update CHF 02643-A Final: Examination of the Effects of Cannabidiol on Canine Neoplastic Cell Apoptosis/Autophagy and Potential for Chemotherapy Resistance or Sensitivity

The objective of the project was to examine the effects of CBD on canine cancer cell growth proliferation with aims towards understanding the signaling pathways involved and the apoptotic response related to CBD. A second aim was to understand the influence of CBD co-treatment with chemotherapeutics such as doxorubicin and vincristine. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02643-A Final: Examination of the Effects of Cannabidiol on Canine Neoplastic Cell Apoptosis/Autophagy and Potential for Chemotherapy Resistance or Sensitivity”

Research Update CHF 02692-A Final: Diagnostic Accuracy of Point of Care Analysis of Canine Urine and Plasma in Marijuana Toxicosis

Between February 2019 and March 2020, 56 dogs were enrolled in the study. The amount of Δ9- tetrohydrocannabinol (THC) ingested was available for eight dogs (14%). The average dose ingested for those dogs was 175 mg (range 35-4,400). Types of sources reported included both commercial and homemade edible products (15), marijuana plant material (3), and commercial THC concentrate (1). Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02692-A Final: Diagnostic Accuracy of Point of Care Analysis of Canine Urine and Plasma in Marijuana Toxicosis”

Research Update CHF 02528 EY3: Developing a Next Generation Sequencing Diagnostic Platform for Tick-Borne Diseases

Diagnostic tests based on the detection of DNA from harmful organisms in clinical samples have revolutionized veterinary medicine in the last decades. Currently, diagnostic panels for several vectorborne diseases (VBDs) are available through universities and private labs in the USA and abroad. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02528 EY3: Developing a Next Generation Sequencing Diagnostic Platform for Tick-Borne Diseases”

Research Update CHF 02723 EY1: Scientific and Clinical Assessment of Fecal Microbiota Transplant in Obese Dogs: SLIM Study

To date, we have screened 31 dogs for the SLIM study. Of these, 23 have met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled. Of these enrolled dogs, six dogs have completed at least 12 weeks of the 24-week clinical trial. We are averaging 1-2 dogs screening for the study per week. Therefore, we are currently on track to have all dogs enrolled by Fall 2021. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02723 EY1: Scientific and Clinical Assessment of Fecal Microbiota Transplant in Obese Dogs: SLIM Study”

Research Update CHF 02624 EY2: Embracing Polygenicity of Common Complex Disease in Dogs: Genome-wide Association of Cruciate Ligament Rupture

We have met our Labrador Retriever recruitment for this study over the past six months. We will continue to complete DNA isolation and marker genotyping of the remaining dogs needed for the study as long as the genotyping service remains open under the Covid-19 pandemic. Public engagement with the project continues to be good.

Over the next 6 months, we will focus on finalizing the marker data set for the study for which we do not yet have SNP genotypes. We will then undertake the computing needed to robustly estimate the heritability of cruciate ligament rupture in the Labrador Retriever and further advance prediction of risk of disease using the genomic marker data.

Our final data set is expected to include more than 1,000 Labrador Retriever dogs as promised under the award. We are extremely grateful for the outstanding engagement with this project by the community of Labrador Retriever owners and breeders that we work with.

End-Year-2 Research Update Dr. Muir for polygenicity of cruciate rupture.

Research Update CHF 02783 EY1: Transcriptional Profiling of Canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) encompasses a number of neoplasms that are derived from mesenchymal cells including fibrosarcoma, myxosarcoma, hemangiopericytoma, and undifferentiated sarcoma. In the dog, STSs arise frequently in the dermis/subcutis and represent up to 15% of the neoplasms in this location. Our primary aim of this grant was to collect cases of canine STS for histologic and gene expression analysis. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02783 EY1: Transcriptional Profiling of Canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma”

Research Update CHF 02780 EY1: Bladder Carcinogen Exposures in Pet Dogs

Right after our AKC Canine Health Foundation grant funding started in March 2020, our lab was closed for 3 months due to COVD-19 and has since been limited to 50% occupancy. In addition, our teaching hospital has had limited appointments since March 2020.

We finished a few validation experiments on our DNA damage assays that were needed before recruitment, and we have started recruiting dogs with bladder cancer and matched controls. We enrolled our first two new cases and two controls this month. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02780 EY1: Bladder Carcinogen Exposures in Pet Dogs”

Research Update CHF 02758 EY1: Optical Coherence Tomography for Margin Evaluation of Canine Skin and Subcutaneous Neoplasms

Thank you for supporting our project titled “Optical coherence tomography for margin evaluation of skin and subcutaneous neoplasms”. This project is investigating an emerging diagnostic imaging tool, optical coherence tomography that uses light waves to generate real time high-resolution images of tissues for detection of residual cancer cells immediately following surgical removal. Our team involves collaboration between veterinary medicine and pathology at the Ohio State University. We have had excellent progress in our patient enrollment, we completed enrollment of the 80 cases planned already! Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02758 EY1: Optical Coherence Tomography for Margin Evaluation of Canine Skin and Subcutaneous Neoplasms”