Evidence for an interaction of paracingulin with microtubules.

The mechanisms that anchor microtubules to epithelial junctions are poorly understood. Here we show that recombinant purified paracingulin ( CGNL1 , JACOP), a cytoplasmic junctional protein, decorates microtubules by negative staining electron microscopy and co-pellets with microtubules. Co-pelleting experiments using fragments of CGNL1 indicate that this is mediated by a central region of the CGNL1 head domain (residues 250-420).

Evaluation of Liver Parenchyma in Dogs with Hyperlipidemia Using Ultrasound Attenuation Imaging (ATI).

(1) Background: Ultrasound attenuation imaging (ATI) is an innovative technique that allows for the evaluation of the degree of lipid infiltration of the liver parenchyma in a simple and non-invasive way. The objective of this study was to verify the applicability of the ATI method in the evaluation of hyperlipidemia. (2) Methods: This study included 53 dogs between January 2021 and December 2022, of which 21 were healthy (A) and 32 had hyperlipidemia (B).

Tomographic and ultrasound evaluation of the thyroid gland in pet guinea pigs.

There has been increasing interest in the literature on primary thyroid diseases in guinea pigs, which are believed to be underdiagnosed. This study describes the size and characteristics of the thyroid gland on ultrasound (US) and CT examinations in the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) without evidence of thyroid pathology and examines the possible use of US as a routine examination for thyroid diseases. This prospective and anatomical study included 20 guinea pigs that underwent CT for dental pathologies and US for thyroid gland (TG) examination.

Computed tomographic features of pulmonary and extrapulmonary lesions can be useful in prioritizing the diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma metastases in dogs.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the CT features of pulmonary metastases in dogs with hemangiosarcoma (HSA) at various sites. Additionally, the CT characteristics of extrapulmonary metastases in the same population were assessed.

Methods: Retrospective, observational, and descriptive study conducted from April 2013 to January 2024.

Cingulin-nonmuscle myosin interaction plays a role in epithelial morphogenesis and cingulin nanoscale organization.

Cingulin (CGN) tethers nonmuscle myosin 2B (NM2B; heavy chain encoded by MYH10) to tight junctions (TJs) to modulate junctional and apical cortex mechanics. Here, we studied the role of the CGN-nonmuscle myosin 2 (NM2) interaction in epithelial morphogenesis and nanoscale organization of CGN by expressing wild-type and mutant CGN constructs in CGN-knockout Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells. We show that the NM2-binding region of CGN is required to promote normal cyst morphogenesis of MDCK cells grown in three dimensions and to maintain the C-terminus of CGN in a distal position with respect to the ZO-2 (or TJP2)-containing TJ submembrane region, whereas the N-terminus of CGN is localized more proximal to the TJ membrane.

Evaluation of the feasibility of equine in-vivo ultrasound technique for the medial branch of the dorsal ramus of the cervical spinal nerves.

Ultrasound-guided local anaesthesia is commonly used in veterinary orthopaedics for horses. This study aimed to assess an ultrasound technique for the medial branch of the dorsal branch of the cervical spinal nerves (MB-DBCSNs) in horses and compare the performance of clinicians with different experience levels. Ten healthy, skeletally mature horses were examined using radiographic and ultrasound (US) techniques in the cervical area (C3-C7).

Multiple congenital musculoskeletal abnormalities in a mule foal: A case report.

Musculoskeletal abnormalities in neonate equids represent a common condition, which includes angular limb deformities, defective carpal/tarsal bone ossification, contracted limb and mandibular/maxillary prognathism. The present case report described the presentation and surgical management of multiple musculoskeletal abnormalities in a mule foal. A newborn mule foal was presented for several musculoskeletal abnormalities, such as angular deviation from the sagittal plane of both carpal joints, hind limb ligament laxity, and severe mandibular prognathism.

The vertebral right heart index: A new radiographic method to assess right heart enlargement in dogs.

In veterinary medicine, the radiographic assessment of right heart enlargement (RHE) is essentially subjective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vertebral right heart index (VRHi) as a new quantitative radiographic method to detect RHE in dogs. This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational study, including dogs with RHE and control dogs.

Role of CT in the Staging of Colorectal Tumors: A Preliminary Study on 10 Dogs.

This study aimed to define the CT features of colorectal tumors in dogs and assess CT's role in tumor staging. It was a retrospective, multicenter, descriptive study involving dogs with a cyto-histopathological diagnosis of colorectal tumors and high-quality pre- and post-contrast CT scans of the abdomen. CT successfully identified colorectal lesions in all cases, showing variations such as wall thickening, presence of masses, and luminal stenosis.

Ultrasonographic measurements of the normal adrenal glands in guinea pigs (Cavia Porcellus).

Hyperadrenocorticism is an uncommon but important endocrine disease in guinea pigs, but due to its subtle clinical signs and the limited information in veterinary literature, it can be underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Ultrasound of the adrenal glands in patients with suspected hyperadrenocorticism can help in identifying adrenomegaly. The purpose of this prospective study was to identify ultrasonographic adrenal gland dimensions in presumed healthy guinea pigs using the same standardized method described for dogs and cats.

An Association between Pancreatic and Cholestatic Biliary Disorders in Dogs.

Canine chronic biliary tree disease (CBTD) is a suspected risk factor for pancreatic injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and features of pancreatic involvement in canine CBTD, and their relationship with hyperlipemia and its severity. CBTD was defined as the increase in at least two of ALP, GGT, total bilirubin, cholesterol, and a biliary tree abnormal abdominal ultrasound (graded mild to severe).

Computed Tomographic Findings Secondary to Dental Pathologies: Comparison between Rabbits and Guinea Pigs.

(1) Background: dental pathologies are the most frequent reason for requesting a CT scan of the head in rabbits and guinea pigs. The study aimed to review head CT exams of both species to identify and characterize lesions secondary to dental disease. (2) Methods: head CT studies of 48 rabbits and 52 guinea pigs with dental pathologies were reviewed.

Procalcitonin and carbonylated protein concentrations in equine synovial fluid.

Early diagnosis of joint diseases is fundamental for prompt and appropriate management, particularly in septic arthritis. Procalcitonin (PCT) and protein carbonylated content (PCC) have been investigated in both human and veterinary medicine. An increase in PCT has been shown in infectious bacterial diseases, while higher levels of PCC have been shown in inflammatory pathologies characterized by oxidative damage.

Sonography of the pituitary gland in pet rats.

Pituitary gland (PG) tumors are common in rats over the age of 2. CT and MRI can be difficult to apply in this species, whereas ultrasound is more feasible and useful. To our knowledge, there are no studies on PG ultrasound in rats.

Diagnostic utility of two-dimensional shear wave elastography in nephropathic dogs and its correlation with renal contrast-enhanced ultrasound in course of acute kidney injury.

Aims of our study were to evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic value of two-dimensional shear wave elastography in dogs with acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and acute on chronic kidney disease, its correlation with renal functional (creatinine, urea), and prognostic parameters (serum calcium-phosphorus product, urinary output), and with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (qualitative and quantitative evaluation). The study was prospective. A group of healthy (Group A) and a group of nephropathic dogs (Group B) were included.

Incidental Findings in Computed Tomography Examination of the Head in Rabbits and Guinea Pigs.

(1) Background: Rabbits and guinea pigs are popular pet animals and often undergo computed tomography (CT) examination for assessment of pathologies of the head. The goal of the study was to review CT examinations of the heads of rabbits and guinea pigs to identify and classify incidental findings. (2) Methods: 60 CT studies of the heads of rabbits and 65 of guinea pigs presented at 2 Institutions were reviewed and the indications for the study recorded.

Radiographic Appearance of the Fore Digit and Carpal Joint in the Mule Foal from Birth to 3 Months of Age.

Few studies have established the normal radiographic anatomical development of the donkey foal and, to date, no data are available for mules. Our aim was thus to evaluate the radiographic development of the fore digit and carpal joint in the mule foal from 0 to 3 months of age. Ten forelimbs of five healthy full-term mule foals were included.

Knock Out of CGN and CGNL1 in MDCK Cells Affects Claudin-2 but Has a Minor Impact on Tight Junction Barrier Function.

Cingulin (CGN) and paracingulin (CGNL1) are cytoplasmic proteins of tight junctions (TJs), where they play a role in tethering ZO-1 to the actomyosin and microtubule cytoskeletons. The role of CGN and CGNL1 in the barrier function of epithelia is not completely understood. Here, we analyzed the effect of the knock out (KO) of either CGN or CGNL1 or both on the paracellular permeability of monolayers of kidney epithelial (MDCK) cells.

Ultrasonographic appearance and possible clinical relevance of hyperechoic foci of mineralization in the canine intrahepatic biliary tree.

Background: The evidence of mineralizations in the canine liver is usually considered an incidental finding of unclear clinical significance, frequently observed in small-size old dogs.

Aim: To describe the ultrasound features of intrahepatic biliary tree foci of mineralization, to assess their clinical relevance and their possible relationship with other gastrointestinal pathological disorders.

Methods: A retrospective analysis evaluating the database of canine patients admitted to two referral veterinary centers we carried out.

Cingulin and paracingulin tether myosins-2 to junctions to mechanoregulate the plasma membrane.

The mechanisms that regulate the spatial sorting of nonmuscle myosins-2 (NM2) isoforms and couple them mechanically to the plasma membrane are unclear. Here we show that the cytoplasmic junctional proteins cingulin (CGN) and paracingulin (CGNL1) interact directly with NM2s through their C-terminal coiled-coil sequences. CGN binds strongly to NM2B, and CGNL1 to NM2A and NM2B.

Paracingulin recruits CAMSAP3 to tight junctions and regulates microtubule and polarized epithelial cell organization.

Paracingulin (CGNL1) is recruited to tight junctions (TJs) by ZO-1 and to adherens junctions (AJs) by PLEKHA7. PLEKHA7 has been reported to bind to the microtubule minus-end-binding protein CAMSAP3, to tether microtubules to the AJs. Here, we show that knockout (KO) of CGNL1, but not of PLEKHA7, results in the loss of junctional CAMSAP3 and its redistribution into a cytoplasmic pool both in cultured epithelial cells in vitro and mouse intestinal epithelium in vivo.

CT features of divisional bile ducts in healthy Labrador Retrievers.

Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly being used for the study of gallbladder and bile duct diseases. The first step in interpreting CT findings is understanding the cross-sectional anatomy of the structures involved, but there are no published studies describing the CT features of the divisional bile ducts. In dogs, anatomic studies report two common patterns including three or four divisional bile ducts.

Ultrasonography of the Metacarpal/Tarsal-Phalangeal Joints in Healthy Racehorses: Normal Appearance, Breed-Related and Age-Related Features.

In adult horses, specific ultrasound (US) features and reference values have been reported for the appearance of the joint cartilage and thickness according to the type of joint, such as femoropatellar and tarsocrural. The US appearance of the fetlock has been described in several diseases. The present research evaluates the US features of the metacarpal/tarsal-phalangeal joints in healthy racehorses according to age and breed, since no information is available in the literature.

Ultrasonographic Findings of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in Dogs.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a syndrome characterized by insufficient synthesis of pancreatic enzymes leading to clinical symptoms of malabsorption and maldigestion. There are no studies about ultrasonographic appearance of the pancreas with EPI in dogs. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe ultrasound features of the pancreas during EPI in this species.