A multimodal approach to diagnosis of neuromuscular neosporosis in dogs.

Background: Early diagnosis of neosporosis in dogs is challenging.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of a compound multimodal testing approach for diagnosing in dogs neuromuscular and combined forms of neosporosis.

Animals: A total of 16 dogs diagnosed with solely neuromuscular neosporosis or with a combination of neuromuscular and central nervous system neosporosis.

Relationship between magnetic resonance imaging findings and histological grade in spinal peripheral nerve sheath tumors in dogs.

Background: Peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) are a group of neoplasms originating from Schwann cells or pluripotent cell of the neural crest. Therapeutic options and prognosis are influenced by their degree of malignancy and location.

Hypothesis/objectives: Identify magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features predictive of PNST histologic grade.

Novel association of gluten sensitivity with immune-mediated neuromuscular syndrome in a dog.

Gluten-related disorders in humans comprise different entities, including coeliac disease. Patients typically have measurable titers of anti-gliadin IgG or IgA (AGAs) and anti-transglutaminase-2 IgA (TG2). In addition to intestinal symptoms, human patients often show various neurological complications.

Biopsy Characteristics, Subtypes, and Prognostic Features in 107 Cases of Feline Presumed Immune-Mediated Polyneuropathy.

Inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy (IMPN) is one of the causes of sudden onset of neuromuscular signs such as para-/tetraparesis in young cats. Even though most cases have a favorable outcome, persistent deficits, relapses, and progressive courses are occasionally seen. As clinical presentation does not always appear to predict outcome and risk of recurrence, this study was initiated to screen for prognostic biopsy findings in a large cohort of histologically confirmed IMPN cases with clinical follow-up.

Clinical Course and Diagnostic Findings of Biopsy Controlled Presumed Immune-Mediated Polyneuropathy in 70 European Cats.

There is a paucity of information on the clinical course and outcome of young cats with polyneuropathy. The aim of the study was to describe the clinical features, diagnostic investigations, and outcome of a large cohort of cats with inflammatory polyneuropathy from several European countries. Seventy cats with inflammatory infiltrates in intramuscular nerves and/or peripheral nerve biopsies were retrospectively included.

Surgical techniques used in the management of intra-arachnoid diverticula in dogs across four referral centres and their immediate outcome.

Objectives: To report the surgical techniques being used to treat single focal spinal intra-arachnoid diverticula in dogs, their complications and immediate postoperative outcomes.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective multi-centre case series across four referral centres.

Results: Fifty-seven dogs were included in the study.

Investigation of the Thermomechanical Response of Cyclically Loaded NiTi Alloys by Means of Temperature Frequency Domain Analyses.

Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloys subjected to cyclic loading exhibit reversible temperature changes whose modulation is correlated with the applied load. This reveals the presence of reversible thermomechanical heat sources activated by the applied stresses. One such source is the elastocaloric effect, accounting for the latent heat of Austenite-Martensite phase transformation.

Primary orthostatic tremor and orthostatic tremor-plus in dogs: 60 cases (2003-2020).

Background: Orthostatic tremor (OT) is a rare movement disorder characterized by high-frequency (>12 Hz) involuntary, rhythmic, sinusoidal movements affecting predominantly the limbs while standing.

Objective: To describe the signalment, presenting complaints, phenotype, diagnostic findings, treatment, and outcome of a large sample of dogs with OT.

Animals: Sixty dogs diagnosed with OT based on conscious electromyography.

Comparison of intranasal versus intravenous midazolam for management of status epilepticus in dogs: A multi-center randomized parallel group clinical study.

Background: The intranasal (IN) route for rapid drug administration in patients with brain disorders, including status epilepticus, has been investigated. Status epilepticus is an emergency, and the IN route offers a valuable alternative to other routes, especially when these fail.

Objectives: To compare IN versus IV midazolam (MDZ) at the same dosage (0.

Comparison of signalment and computed tomography findings in French Bulldogs, Pugs, and English Bulldogs with and without clinical signs associated with thoracic hemivertebra.

Background: Although thoracic hemivertebra can cause neurological signs, they occur commonly in neurologically normal dogs.

Objectives: To evaluate whether computed tomography (CT) findings and factors associated with signalment can be used to differentiate between dogs with and without neurological signs associated with hemivertebra.

Animals: One hundred sixty dogs with ≥1 hemivertebrae were retrospectively studied.

Ventral stabilization of thoracic kyphosis through bilateral intercostal thoracotomies using SOP (String of Pearls) plates contoured after a 3-dimensional print of the spine.

Objective: To describe a novel vertebral body stabilization and report its outcome in dogs with thoracic kyphosis and secondary myelopathy.

Study Design: Case series.

Animals: Six pugs with thoracic kyphosis and secondary myelopathy.

Ventral Slot Surgery to Manage Cervical Intervertebral Disc Disease in Three Cats.

Objective:  This case series describes the clinical presentation, management and outcome of three cats diagnosed with cervical intervertebral disc disease that underwent decompressive ventral slot surgery.

Methods:  This is a retrospective case series evaluating client-owned cats undergoing a ventral slot surgical procedure to manage cervical intervertebral disc disease ( = 3).

Results:  A routine ventral slot surgery was performed in each case without complication, resulting in postoperative neurological improvement in all three cases.

Nodo-paranodopathy, internodopathy and cleftopathy: Target-based reclassification of Guillain-Barré-like immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathies in dogs and cats.

Recent views on Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) question the accuracy of classification into axonal and demyelinating subtypes that represent convergent neurophysiological phenotypes rather than immunological targets. Instead it has been proposed to clarify the primarily affected fibre subunit in nerve biopsies. As nerve biopsies rarely are part of routine work-up in human patients we evaluated tissues taken from companion animals affected by GBS-like polyradiculoneuropathy to screen for distribution of immune cells, targeted fibre components and segregating non-inflammatory lesions.

A novel idiopathic superficial neocortical degeneration and atrophy in young adult dogs.

A diffuse, chronic, superficial neocortical degeneration that resulted in atrophy was detected in five 1 to 2-year-old-dogs. Presenting neurologic signs included ataxia, dysphagia, blindness, and mentation changes. Magnetic resonance imaging on brains from 2 dogs demonstrated severe bilateral cerebrocortical atrophy and enlarged lateral and third ventricles.

DNA methylation is altered in maternal blood vessels of women with preeclampsia.

We analyzed 27,578 CpG sites that map to 14,495 genes in omental arteries of normal pregnant and preeclamptic women for DNA methylation status using the Illumina platform. We found 1685 genes with a significant difference in DNA methylation at a false discovery rate of <10% with many inflammatory genes having reduced methylation. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering revealed natural clustering by diagnosis and methylation status.

Preeclampsia is associated with alterations in DNA methylation of genes involved in collagen metabolism.

Maternal vascular dysfunction is a hallmark of preeclampsia. A recently described vascular phenotype of preeclampsia involves increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle, and infiltrating neutrophils. In contrast, the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) and collagen type Iα 1 is either reduced or not changed in the vessels, suggesting an imbalance in vessel collagen degradation and synthesis in preeclampsia.

PP134. l-Arginine supplementation induces the expression of genes related to antioxidant defense in cultures of human vascular endothelial cells: Protective role for preeclampsia.

Introduction: Recently, it has been proposed that supplementation with l-Arginine reduces the incidence of preeclampsia in high risk women, but the molecular mechanisms involved in the protective effect need to be determined. In addition, a critical role of l-Arginine in endothelial cell survival during oxidative stress, and the participation of neutrophils in the induction of oxidative stress during preeclampsia have been suggested.

Objectives: To address if supplementation with l-arginine provides antioxidant defense in human vascular endothelial cells.

Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in systemic vessels of preeclamptic women: a critical mediator of vascular dysfunction.

This study was conducted to determine the following: (1) whether matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) is increased in systemic vessels of preeclamptic women, (2) whether this increase might be mediated by neutrophils, and (3) whether MMP-1 could be responsible for vascular dysfunction. Omental arteries and plasma were collected from healthy pregnant and preeclamptic women. Omental arteries were evaluated for gene and protein expression of MMP-1, collagen type 1α, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and vascular reactivity to MMP-1.

Effects of the plasmid-encoded toxin of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli on focal adhesion complexes.

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) is an emerging diarrheal pathogen. Many EAEC strains produce the plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet), which exerts cytotoxic effects on human intestinal tissue. Pet-intoxicated HEp-2 cells exhibit rounding and detachment from the substratum, accompanied by loss of F-actin stress fibers and condensation of the spectrin-containing membrane cytoskeleton.

Neurological, imaging and pathological features of a meningeal inflammatory pseudotumour in a Maltese terrier.

A five-year eight-month-old Maltese terrier was presented with a 3-week history of progressive paraparesis and pelvic limb ataxia. Neurological examination was consistent with a lesion involving the T3-L3 spinal cord segments. Myelogram and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a spherical, intradural-extramedullary mass lesion at T13/L1.

Comparison of cerebral cranium volumes between cavalier King Charles spaniels with Chiari-like malformation, small breed dogs and Labradors.

Objectives: To ascertain whether cavalier King Charles spaniels (CKCSs) have a proportionately smaller caudal fossa compared with other small dogs and with Labradors. To evaluate if cerebellar herniation in CKCS correlates with caudal fossa volume.

Methods: In this retrospective study, three-dimensional images were created from magnetic resonance imaging brain series of 117 dogs (split into three groups: CKCS, Labradors and small breeds) from which the volumes of the fossae and brain parenchyma were calculated.

'As long as the doctors know what they are doing': trust or ambivalence about patient information among elderly men with prostate cancer?

In recent years prostate cancer has become a significant health problem worldwide with considerable social and economic consequences. Prostate cancer tends to affect older men, and by the time they reach the age of 80, about half of all men will have a form of prostate cancer. This study explored the information and support needs of men aged 75 and over with a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Imaging diagnosis--degenerative intraspinal cyst associated with an intervertebral disc.

A 6-year-old neutered male Rottweiler had chronic episodic signs of thoracolumbar pain and inability to stand that did not improve after rest and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medication. In magnetic resonance images, an extradural mass was identified between the spinal cord and the T13/L1 intervertebral disc; the mass was compressing the cord in a dorsoventral direction. The lesion had a low signal intensity rim that enhanced slightly after gadolinium administration, and contents with similar signal intensity to cerebrospinal fluid.