Investigation of the association between gall bladder wall thickness and hypoalbuminaemia in dogs.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the correlation between gallbladder wall thickness and serum/plasma albumin concentrations in dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective searches of digital medical record databases were conducted to identify dogs that had either severely low serum/plasma albumin concentration (<1.5 g/dL) or ultrasonographic evidence of gallbladder wall thickening (>2 mm). Analysis of covariance models were used to analyze gallbladder wall thickness with sample type (serum vs plasma), age, etiology, albumin, and albumin ' etiology as the covariates. RESULTS: A total of 216 dogs met inclusion criteria. One-hundred and forty-six dogs had a thickened gallbladder wall (Group 1). Median serum/plasma albumin concentration for dogs in this group was 2.2 g/dL (1 to 5 g/dL), and 84 dogs (57.5%) had hypoalbuminemia (<2.5 g/dL). The search for dogs with severe hypoalbuminemia (< 1.5 g/dL) identified 70 dogs (Group 2). In this group, median gallbladder wall thickness was 1.3 mm (0.2 to 6.1 mm) and 17 dogs (24.3%) had a thickened gallbladder wall. Serum/plasma albumin concentration and gallbladder wall thickness were not significantly correlated for Group 1 (r = 0.0044, p = 0.9580) or Group 2 (r = -0.1137, p = 0.3487). A moderate negative correlation (-0.64) was identified between gallbladder wall thickness and albumin concentration in dogs with immune-mediated diseases (p = 0.03). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Gallbladder wall thickness and serum/plasma albumin concentration are independent variables in dogs.

Computed tomography imaging characteristics of canine nasal chondrosarcoma.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the CT appearance of canine nasal chondrosarcoma and compare calcification patterns with those described in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT examinations of dogs with biopsy-confirmed nasal chondrosarcoma were retrospectively reviewed and evaluated, including description of calcification patterns. RESULTS: Major findings are consistent with the previously described CT appearance of canine nasal tumours. Additionally, calcification patterns described as features of human nasal chondrosarcomas were also identified. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Findings may help prioritise differential lists of destructive nasal masses seen on CT in dogs.

NOMA-GAP/ARHGAP33 regulates synapse development and autistic-like behavior in the mouse.

Neuropsychiatric developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and schizophrenia, are typically characterized by alterations in social behavior and have been linked to aberrant dendritic spine and synapse development. Here we show, using genetically engineered mice, that the Cdc42 GTPase-activating multiadaptor protein, NOMA-GAP, regulates autism-like social behavior in the mouse, as well as dendritic spine and synapse development. Surprisingly, we were unable to restore spine morphology or autism-associated social behavior in NOMA-GAP-deficient animals by Cre-mediated deletion of Cdc42 alone. Spine morphology can be restored in vivo by re-expression of wild-type NOMA-GAP or a mutant of NOMA-GAP that lacks the RhoGAP domain, suggesting that other signaling functions are involved. Indeed, we show that NOMA-GAP directly interacts with several MAGUK (membrane-associated guanylate kinase) proteins, and that this modulates NOMA-GAP activity toward Cdc42. Moreover, we demonstrate that NOMA-GAP is a major regulator of PSD-95 in the neocortex. Loss of NOMA-GAP leads to strong upregulation of serine 295 phosphorylation of PSD-95 and moreover to its subcellular mislocalization. This is associated with marked loss of surface α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor and defective synaptic transmission, thereby providing a molecular basis for autism-like social behavior in the absence of NOMA-GAP.

Contrast-enhanced power and color Doppler ultrasonography of the pancreas in healthy and diseased cats.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of feline pancreatic disease is difficult, because clinical abnormalities and routine noninvasive diagnostic tests are unreliable. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate by Doppler ultrasonography if vascularity and blood volume differs in the otherwise ultrasonographically normal and diseased feline pancreas. ANIMALS: Thirty-six client owned cats. METHODS: The pancreas was examined with B-mode and contrast-enhanced color and power Doppler ultrasonography. Doppler images were analyzed with a computer program: parameter fractional area represents a vascularity index and color-weighted fractional area assesses blood volume. RESULTS: Based on the B-mode findings, the pancreas was considered normal in 11 clinically healthy cats and diseased in 25 cats of which 4 were clinically healthy and 21 had clinical signs consistent with pancreatic disease. Histologic or cytologic samples were taken in all diseased pancreata. Fifteen samples were of diagnostic quality: purulent or mixed cellular inflammation (8), nodular hyperplasia (4), and neoplasia (3) were identified. Vascularity and blood volume for all Doppler methods was significantly higher in cats with pancreatic disease. Significantly higher Doppler values were detected with power Doppler than with color Doppler, and with postcontrast color and power Doppler than with precontrast Doppler technologies. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced Doppler ultrasonography appears feasible in the feline pancreas. Significant differences were found between normal cats and those with evidence of pancreatic pathology. Further studies are needed to evaluate its use for the differentiation of pancreatic disorders and in cats suspected to have pancreatic disease but without B-mode ultrasonographic changes of the pancreas.

[Imported coenurosis in sheep]. / Importierte Coenurose beim Schaf.

Thirteen sheep from a milk producing farm in the Canton of Grisons that presented chronic coenurosis were examined and subjected to treatment trials at the veterinary hospital in Zurich. Symptoms were first observed around two months after the import of two dogs from Italy (Abruzza) of which one was infected with Taenia multiceps and Echinococcus granulosus. The most frequently observed clinical symptoms of the sheep were reduced general condition, circling, reduced menace reflex, apathy, unsteady gait and head tilt. Analyses of cerebrospinal fluid revealed an increased leucocyte count in 3 sheep and eosinophilia in 4 sheep. In 4 animals that underwent computertomography, one or more hypodense, definable lesions were found in the brain. In 2 sheep surgical treatment and in 10 animals medical treatment with either Praziquantel (n=8) or Oxfendazol (n=2) was attempted. Only one animal treated with Praziquantel needed not to be euthanized. At necropsy, one or two coenurus cysts could be found either in a side ventricle (n=2), in the cerebellum (n=3) or in the cerebrum (n=7). The locations corresponded with the clinical findings. Despite Praziquantel or Oxfendazol treatment, living protoscoleces could be found in the parasite cysts.

Doppler sonography of the medial arterial blood supply to the coxofemoral joints of 36 medium to large breed dogs and its relationship with radiographic signs of joint disease.

The medial arterial supply to 68 of the 72 coxofemoral joints of 36 medium to large breed dogs was examined ultrasonographically. The medial circumflex femoral artery and three branches were identified; the artery and its transverse branch were identified in all 68 joints, and the deep branch was identified in 61 joints, and the ascending branch was identified in 63. However, the acetabular and obturator branches were not identified. The pulsatility index, the mean velocity and the peak systolic velocity of the medial circumflex femoral artery were determined and associated with a radiographic score of degenerative coxofemoral joint disease and a lath distraction index (LDI). In joints with a LDI greater than 0.35, the pulsatility index was significantly lower (P=0.023) and its mean velocity was higher (P=0.005). However, no significant associations were observed in individual dogs when the measurements in both joints were taken into account.