Assessment of contaminants of emerging concern in European apex predators and their prey by LC-QToF MS wide-scope target analysis.

Apex predators are good indicators of environmental pollution since they are relatively long-lived and their high trophic position and spatiotemporal exposure to chemicals provides insights into the persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) properties of chemicals. Although monitoring data from apex predators can considerably support chemicals' management, there is a lack of pan-European studies, and longer-term monitoring of chemicals in organisms from higher trophic levels. The present study investigated the occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in 67 freshwater, marine and terrestrial apex predators and in freshwater and marine prey, gathered from four European countries.

Comparison of high-field MRI and multidetector CT for grading Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Chiari-like malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM) are common illnesses that can cause debilitating neuropathic pain in Cavalier King Charles spaniels (CKCS). The current imaging modality to screen CKCS for CM/SM is MRI of the brain and cervical spine. Magnetic resonance imaging provides good soft tissue detail and contrast of the cerebellum and cervical spinal cord.

Hemorrhagic Myelomalacia in a Bichon Frise Following Lumbar Spinal Tap-A Case Report.

A 10-year-old spayed female Bichon Frise presented to the neurology service for back pain and pelvic limb weakness for approximately 2 months duration. Neurologic examination revealed T3-L3 and L4-S3 myelopathies with multifocal spinal pain. Magnetic resonance imaging of the vertebral column revealed multiple mild disc protrusions but no obvious cause for the neurologic deficits.

Two-dimensional, long-axis echocardiographic ratios for assessment of left atrial and ventricular size in dogs.

Introduction: Left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) enlargement affect management and outcome of dogs with cardiac disease. Short-axis, two-dimensional echocardiographic (2DE) images, indexed to the aorta (Ao), are frequently used to identify cardiomegaly. Long-axis images offer complementary views of the left heart.

Development of an orthotopic canine prostate cancer model expressing human GRPr.

Background: Ace-1 canine prostate cancer cells grow orthotopically in cyclosporine immunosuppressed laboratory beagles. We previously transfected (human Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor, huGRPr) into Ace-1 cells and demonstrated receptor-targeted NIRF imaging with IR800-G-Abz4-t-BBN, an agonist to huGRPr. Herein, we used the new cell line to develop the first canine prostate cancer model expressing a human growth factor receptor.

Canine urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma tumor volume is dependent on imaging modality and measurement technique.

Transitional cell carcinoma is the most common cancer of the canine urinary tract. The inconsistent appearance of transitional cell carcinoma in patients introduces error if applying mathematic models for extrapolating total tumor volume from linear measurements. Reliable techniques to assess tumor size are important for monitoring treatment response.

MRI Findings of Suprasellar Germ Cell Tumors in Two Dogs.

A 4 yr old border collie presenting for mydriasis and decreased mentation and a 7 yr old Boston terrier presenting for obtundation, head tilt, and paraparesis were both evaluated using MRI. Findings in both included mass lesions of the thalamus and brainstem that were hypo- to isointense on T1-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images with regions of hypointensity, and robust contrast enhancement and displacement of adjacent structures. Postmortem histopathology findings, tumor location, and a mixed pattern of epithelial cell differentiation were consistent with germ cell tumor in both cases.

Bilateral patellar fractures and increased cortical bone thickness associated with long-term oral alendronate treatment in a cat.

Case Summary: A 14-year-old cat presented with bilateral patellar fractures and radiographically thickened tibial cortices. This cat had been treated with alendronate for 8 years prior to presentation. To remove the subjectivity of the radiographic evaluation, tibial radiographs from 35 apparently healthy geriatric cats were used for comparison.

Repeated oral administration of a cathepsin K inhibitor significantly suppresses bone resorption in exercising horses with evidence of increased bone formation and maintained bone turnover.

Our investigations evaluated the effect of VEL-0230, a highly specific irreversible inhibitor of cathepsin K (CatK). The objectives of our study were to determine whether repeated dosing of a CatK inhibitor (CatKI) produced a desired inhibition of the bone resorption biomarker (CTX-1), and document the effect of repeated dosing on bone homeostasis, structure, and dynamics of bone resorption and formation in horses. Twelve young exercising horses were randomized in a prospective, controlled clinical trial and received 4 weekly doses of a CatKI or vehicle.

A pilot study of toceranib/vinblastine therapy for canine transitional cell carcinoma.

Background: Effective therapies for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) are limited, with objective response rates to most chemotherapeutic regimens below 20%. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biologic activity of combined toceranib phosphate and vinblastine chemotherapy for treatment of TCC. A secondary objective was to compare the utility of Computed Tomography (CT) and abdominal ultrasound (AUS) in tumor response assessments.

Evaluation of acute-to-chronic ratios of fish and to predict acceptable no-effect levels.

Background: Acute-to-chronic extrapolation is an important approach to predict acceptable no-effect levels from acute data which has some uncertainties, but is valuable for risk assessment of chemical substances. With regard to the still limited and heterogenic data of chronic fish tests, conclusions on aquatic hazard estimation need to be checked and the question arises whether the chronic toxicity to fish can be adequately derived from acute data. A comprehensive dataset including ecotoxicological studies of 203 substances was used to investigate acute-to-chronic ratios (ACR) for both fish and .

Evaluation of the integrated testing strategy for PNEC derivation under REACH.

Species sensitivity evaluation represents an approach to avoid chronic toxicity testing of aquatic vertebrates in accordance with the animal welfare concept of the EU chemicals regulation. In this study a data set of chemicals is analysed for relative species sensitivity between Daphnia and fish in chronic testing to evaluate under what condition chronic fish tests can be waived without underestimating the environmental hazard. Chronic fish toxicity is covered in 84% of the evaluated substances by the chronic invertebrate test and an assessment factor of 50.

COMPARISON OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY AND ABDOMINAL RADIOGRAPHY FOR DETECTION OF CANINE MECHANICAL INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION.

Vomiting, often caused by mechanical intestinal obstruction, is common in dogs. Equivocal radiographic signs often necessitate repeat radiographs or additional imaging procedures. For our prospective, case-controlled, accuracy study, we hypothesized the following: (1) using computed tomography (CT), radiologists will be more sensitive and specific for detecting mechanical intestinal obstruction and recommending surgery compared to using radiographs; and (2) using measurements, radiologists will be more sensitive and specific using radiographs or CT for detecting mechanical intestinal obstruction and recommending surgery.

The Dessau workshop on bioaccumulation: state of the art, challenges and regulatory implications.

Bioaccumulation plays a vital role in understanding the fate of a substance in the environment and is key to the regulation of chemicals in several jurisdictions. The current assessment approaches commonly use the octanol-water partition coefficient (log ) as an indicator for bioaccumulation and the bioconcentration factor (BCF) as a standard criterion to identify bioaccumulative substances show limitations. The log does not take into account active transport phenomena or special structural properties (e.

Correlation between histopathologic, arthroscopic, and magnetic resonance imaging findings in dogs with medial coronoid disease.

Objective: To describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), arthroscopic, and histopathologic changes in dogs with medial coronoid disease and to identify potential relationships between these findings.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Sample Population: Twenty-five diseased medial coronoid processes (MCP) were collected from 19 dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of medial coronoid disease that were surgically treated by subtotal coronoid ostectomy.

Quantitative assessment of the equine hoof using digital radiography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Reasons For Performing Study: Evaluation of laminitis cases relies on radiographic measurements of the equine foot. Reference values have not been established for all layers of the foot.

Objectives: To establish normal hoof wall and sole measurements using digital radiography (DR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to document tissue components present in the dorsal hoof wall and solar layers seen on DR.

Comparison of noncontrast computed tomography and high-field magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of Great Danes with cervical spondylomyelopathy.

Computed tomography (CT) provides excellent bony detail, whereas magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is superior in evaluating the neural structures. The purpose of this prospective study was to assess interobserver and intermethod agreement in the evaluation of cervical vertebral column morphology and lesion severity in Great Danes with cervical spondylomyelopathy by use of noncontrast CT and high-field MR imaging. Fifteen client-owned affected Great Danes were enrolled.