Peritoneal carcinomatosis with desmoplasia and osseous metaplasia mimicking encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis in a cat: case report.

A 13-year-old neutered male Korean short-hair cat presented with anorexia, lethargy, and a severely distended abdomen, suggestive of ascites. Abdominocentesis yielded serosanguineous fluid. A subsequent diagnostic workup, including blood tests, ascitic fluid analysis, imaging studies [radiography, ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT)], and histopathological examination, was performed to identify the underlying cause. Imaging studies revealed characteristics of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) such as peritoneal thickening, fat stranding, and calcification. During laparotomy, fibrous membranes encapsulating the abdominal organs and ascites were observed, and multiple calcified regions were detected on the abdominal wall. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of poorly differentiated invasive malignant neoplasms, which were further classified as carcinomatosis based on positive cytokeratin and negative vimentin immunohistochemistry results. To our knowledge, this is the first report of sclerosing peritoneal carcinomatosis with osseous metaplasia in a cat.

Enhanced Bioavailability and Efficacy of Silymarin Solid Dispersion in Rats with Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity.

We evaluated the bioavailability, liver distribution, and efficacy of silymarin-D-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) solid dispersion (silymarin-SD) in rats with acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity (APAP) compared with silymarin alone. The solubility of silybin, the major and active component of silymarin, in the silymarin-SD group increased 23-fold compared with the silymarin group. The absorptive permeability of silybin increased by 4.6-fold and its efflux ratio decreased from 5.5 to 0.6 in the presence of TPGS. The results suggested that TPGS functioned as a solubilizing agent and permeation enhancer by inhibiting efflux pump. Thus, silybin concentrations in plasma and liver were increased in the silymarin-SD group and liver distribution increased 3.4-fold after repeated oral administration of silymarin-SD (20 mg/kg as silybin) for five consecutive days compared with that of silymarin alone (20 mg/kg as silybin). Based on higher liver silybin concentrations in the silymarin-SD group, the therapeutic effects of silymarin-SD in hepatotoxic rats were evaluated and compared with silymarin administration only. Elevated alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly decreased by silymarin-SD, silymarin, and TPGS treatments, but these decreases were much higher in silymarin-SD animals than in those treated with silymarin or TPGS. In conclusion, silymarin-SD (20 mg/kg as silybin, three times per day for 5 days) exhibited hepatoprotective properties toward hepatotoxic rats and these properties were superior to silymarin alone, which may be attributed to increased solubility, enhanced intestinal permeability, and increased liver distribution of the silymarin-SD formulation.

Interaction between lead and noradrenergic genotypes affects neurocognitive functions in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Lead is known to be associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) even at low concentrations. We aimed to evaluate neurocognitive functions associated with lead in the blood and the interactions between lead and dopaminergic or noradrenergic pathway-related genotypes in youths with ADHD. METHODS: A total of 259 youths with ADHD and 96 healthy controls (aged 5-18 years) enrolled in this study. The Korean Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime version was conducted for psychiatric diagnostic evaluation. Blood lead levels were measured, and their interaction with dopaminergic or noradrenergic genotypes for ADHD; namely, the dopamine transporter (DAT1), dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4), and alpha-2A-adrenergic receptor (ADRA2A) genotypes were investigated. All participants were assessed using the ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS). Participants also completed the continuous performance test (CPT) and Stroop Color-Word Test (SCWT). Analysis of covariance was used for comparison of blood lead levels between ADHD and control groups. A multivariable linear regression model was used to evaluate the associations of blood lead levels with the results of ADHD-RS, CPT, and SCWT; adjusted for intelligence quotient (IQ), age, and sex. A path analysis model was used to identify the mediating effects of neurocognitive functions on the effects of blood lead on ADHD symptoms. To evaluate the effect of the interaction between blood lead and genes on neuropsychological functions, hierarchical regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in blood lead levels between the ADHD and control groups (1.4 ± 0.5 vs. 1.3 ± 0.5 µg/dL, p = .005). Blood lead levels showed a positive correlation with scores on omission errors(r = .158, p = .003) and response time variability (r = .136, p = .010) of CPT. In the multivariable linear regression model, blood lead levels were associated with omission errors (B = 3.748, p = .045). Regarding the effects of lead on ADHD symptoms, hyperactivity-impulsivity was mediated by omission errors. An interaction effect was detected between ADRA2A DraI genotype and lead levels on omission errors (B = 5.066, p = .041). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that neurocognitive functions at least partly mediate the association between blood lead levels and ADHD symptoms, and that neurocognitive functions are affected by the interaction between blood lead levels and noradrenergic genotype.

Unusual case of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome showing clinical manifestations in a companion dog.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus is an emerging zoonotic virus in East Asia. However, SFTS virus (SFTSV) has not been reported to cause clinical infection in companion dogs to date. We report the case of a 4-year-old companion dog that presented with fever, vomiting, leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia at a veterinary hospital in the Republic of Korea. It was diagnosed with SFTS, which was confirmed using real-time reverse transcription PCR, sequencing and an indirect immunofluorescence assay, and recovered after supportive care. Further studies are required to investigate SFTSV infection in companion animals, living in close contact with humans, as well as animal-to-human transmission.

Psychometric Properties and Factor Structures of the Korean Version of Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised.

OBJECTIVE: The Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) is a valid instrument for the assessment of depressive symptoms in youth, but this measure is yet to be validated in Korea. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the validity of the Korean version of the CDRS-R and to determine its factor structures. METHODS: This study included 66 youths between 12 and 17 years of age who participated as part of an ongoing study investigating biomarkers of the antidepressant response and suicidal events in depressed youth. At baseline, the participants were assessed using the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime version (K-SADS-PL), CDRS-R, Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S), Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS), and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Based on their diagnosis, each participant was assessed either five (major depressive disorder [MDD], n = 36) or two (non-MDD, n = 30) more times with the CDRS-R, CDI, BDI, CGI-S, and CGAS; thus, 306 assessments were included in the final analyses of the present study. Pearson's r and Cronbach's α values were used to determine validity and internal consistency, and exploratory factor analysis was performed to determine the factor structures of the Korean version of the CDRS-R. RESULTS: The CDRS-R score was significantly correlated with scores on the K-SADS-PL depression subscale (r = 0.93, p < 0.01), CDI (r = 0.86, p < 0.01), BDI (r = 0.85, p < 0.01), CGI-S (r = 0.84, p < 0.01), and CGAS (r = -0.86, p < 0.01), indicating that this measure has strong criterion validity. In addition, the high correlation of the CDRS-R with the depression subscale of the CBCL (r = 0.67, p < 0.01) and lower correlations with the subscales of the CBCL that assess delinquent behavior, aggressive behavior, and externalizing problem support the discriminant validity of this instrument (rs ≤ 0.50, p < 0.01). Internal consistency was high, as evidenced by a Cronbach's α of 0.91, and the exploratory factor analysis revealed that the Korean version of the CDRS-R comprised three factors as follows: subjective depressed mood, daily functional impairment, and observed depressive affect. These factors differed from those used in previous studies, which were performed with the English version of the CDRS-R. CONCLUSIONS: This study of the Korean version of the CDRS-R provides initial promising data regarding its criterion validity, discriminant validity, internal consistency, and factor structures. These properties were significantly strong, which suggests that the Korean version of the CDRS-R is a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of depressive symptoms in youth.

Differences in Resting-state Quantitative Electroencephalography Patterns in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder with or without Comorbid Symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of comorbid psychiatric symptoms on quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) activities in boys with the attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: All participants were male students in the second, third or fourth grade in elementary school. Therefore, there were no significant differences in age or sex. Participants with ADHD were assigned to one of three groups: pure ADHD (n=22), ADHD with depressive symptoms (n=11), or ADHD with problematic internet use (n=19). The Korean version of the Children's Depression Inventory and the Korean Internet Addiction Self-scale were used to assess depressive symptoms and problematic internet use, respectively. Resting-state EEG during eyes closed was recorded, and the absolute power of five frequency bands was analyzed: delta (1-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-12 Hz), beta (12-30 Hz), and gamma (30-50 Hz). RESULTS: The ADHD with problematic internet use group showed decreased absolute theta power at the central and posterior region compared with the pure ADHD group. However, The ADHD with depressive symptoms group showed no significant differences compared with the other groups. CONCLUSION: These findings will contribute to a better understanding of brain-based electrophysiological changes in children with ADHD in accordance with comorbid psychiatric symptoms.

Psychopathological, temperamental, and characteristic factors in adults with remaining childhood attention-deficit hyperactivity symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate differences in psychopathological, temperamental and characteristic factors between young adults with and without persistent Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. METHODS: A total of 429 university students were divided into three groups: persistent adult ADHD (n = 53), only childhood ADHD (n = 56) and healthy controls (n = 320). The Korean Adult ADHD Scale, Korean Wender-Utah Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Korean Young Internet Addiction Scale, and Temperament Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R; based on Cloninger's seven factor model of temperament and character) were used to evaluate psychopathological factors. RESULTS: Participants with persistent adult ADHD symptoms had significantly higher levels of childhood ADHD, depression, anxiety and the Internet addiction symptoms than did the only-childhood ADHD and control groups. The adult ADHD group also had significantly higher tendencies toward novelty seeking, harm avoidance, and self-transcendence, as well as low self-directedness and cooperativeness. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that persistent ADHD is associated with several unfavourable psychopathological, temperamental and characteristic factors. Therefore, thorough evaluation of these factors for childhood ADHD could help predict prognoses and provide treatment plans for preventing persistent ADHD into adulthood.

The optimal size and placement of transdermal electrodes are critical for the efficacy of a transcutaneous pacemaker in dogs.

Transcutaneous cardiac pacing (TCP) can be used in dogs with a high risk for bradyarrhythmias prior to anesthesia, either in an emergency room or intensive care unit setting. Furthermore, TCP can also be used on patients diagnosed with bradyarrhythmias that require temporary pacing at the induction of anesthesia for the implantation of a permanent pacemaker. Despite the importance of TCP in emergency medicine, no studies have evaluated the optimal size and placement of the transdermal electrodes crucial for the efficacy of TCP in dogs. This study evaluated four different sizes of electrodes (10.5, 20, 30 and 40 cm2), and four different anatomical sites (anterior-posterior, left-right, apex-base, modified left-right) in order to optimize the efficacy of TCP in dogs. Electrodes with a surface area of 20 cm2 and a modified left-right placement minimized the pacing current and involuntary skeletal muscular contraction (muscular twitching) and so achieved the most optimal effect of TCP in dogs.