Diffusion tensor imaging for detecting biomarkers of idiopathic epilepsy in dogs.

Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) is the most common neurological disease in dogs. Approximately 1/3 of dogs with IE are resistant to anti-seizure medications (ASMs). Because the diagnosis of IE is largely based on the exclusion of other diseases, it would be beneficial to indicate an IE biomarker to better understand, diagnose, and treat this disease.

Taking a Swing at TIMP1-Armed Immunosuppressive Astrocytes Unleashes T cell Immunity against Brain Metastases.

Priego and colleagues identify a secreted glycoprotein TIMP1, expressed downstream of the transcription factor STAT3, in a subpopulation of STAT3+ reactive astrocytes as a mediator of immunosuppression in late-stage brain metastases. The STAT3 inhibitor silibinin enhances the preclinical efficacy of the combined PD-1/CTLA4 immune checkpoint blockade, providing a rationale to translate the combination therapy into clinical use for this underserved patient group with poor prognosis. See related article by Priego et al.

Antemortem diagnostic tests and treatment outcomes using ivermectin in 13 cases of presumptive feline neurocuterebriasis.

Background: Limited reports exist on the antemortem presumptive diagnosis and treatment of feline neurocuterebriasis. A 3-day treatment protocol reported for 3 cats had no adverse effects. This protocol comprised ivermectin (0.

Exploring cytokine outputs for diagnostics in drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).

Background: In an exploratory study to assess the potential to individualize T-cell diagnostics in antibiotic-associated severe T-cell mediated hypersensitivity, we focused on drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and the related cytokine outputs IL-4 and IL-5.

Methods: Patients with well-phenotyped RegiSCAR ≥4 DRESS, positive intradermal skin testing, and a previous negative IFN-γ Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSpot (ELISpot) assay were prospectively recruited. We specifically performed an ELISpot assay with IL-4 and IL-5 cytokine outputs.

Gross target volume contouring in canine extra-axial brain tumors: Effects of magnetic resonance image slice thickness and time between subsequent image sets.

Accurate determination of the gross target volume (GTV) is critical in radiation treatment planning, as errors could result in underdosing of the tumor or overdosing of nearby organs at risk. This multicenter retrospective observational serial measurement study evaluated the effects of variations in MRI slice thickness and a time delay between the diagnostic (MRI-1) and RT planning (MRI-2) MRIs GTV contouring in dogs with presumed meningiomas. The hypothesis was that the GTV would increase in size with time on T1-weighted sequences with contrast.