Computed tomographic characteristics of frontal sinus ossifying fibroma in a dog.

A 10-year-old female spayed Kelpie cross was presented to The Austin Vet Specialists for further investigation of a mineralized, lobulated frontal sinus mass that had previously been detected radiographically. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a large, expansile, well-defined, heterogeneously mineral attenuating mass invading both frontal sinuses. The mass was surgically debulked via a frontal sinusotomy approach.

Endothelial SK3 channel-associated Ca2+ microdomains modulate blood pressure.

Activation of vascular endothelial small- (KCa2.3, SK3) or intermediate- (KCa3.1, IK1) conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium channels induces vasorelaxation via an endothelium-derived hyperpolarization (EDH) pathway.

Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor of the Vagus Nerve in a Dog.

A peripheral nerve sheath tumor was diagnosed in a female, neutered Labrador retriever with a 6 mo history of coughing, retching, ptyalism, and left-sided Horner's syndrome. Computed tomography scan of the neck revealed a mass lesion between the carotid artery and esophagus in the mid-cervical region. Exploratory surgery was performed and an 18 cm section of thickened vagus nerve was excised.

Functional coupling of TRPV4, IK, and SK channels contributes to Ca(2+)-dependent endothelial injury in rodent lung.

Our previous work has shown that the increased lung endothelial permeability response to 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (14,15-EET) in rat lung requires Ca(2+) entry via vanilloid type-4 transient receptor potential (TRPV4) channels. Recent studies suggest that activation of TRPV4 channels in systemic vascular endothelium prolongs agonist-induced hyperpolarization and amplifies Ca(2+) entry by activating Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (KCa) channels, resulting in vessel relaxation. Activation of endothelial KCa channels thus has potential to increase the electrochemical driving force for Ca(2+) influx via TRPV4 channels and to amplify permeability responses to TRPV4 activation in lung.

Femoral head and neck excision in cats: medium- to long-term functional outcome in 18 cats.

Objective: To assess the medium- to long-term functional outcome of cats after femoral head and neck excision (FHNE) using an owner-completed questionnaire.

Methods: Cats that had FHNE and were free of other orthopaedic or medical conditions that could affect their mobility, other than the studied coxofemoral joint(s), were included. A specific owner-completed questionnaire was used at a minimum of 4 months postoperatively.

Ovariectomy-induced reductions in endothelial SK3 channel activity and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in murine mesenteric arteries.

Mesenteric artery endothelium expresses both small (SK3)- and intermediate (IK1)-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (KCa) channels whose activity modulates vascular tone via endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH). Two other major endothelium-dependent vasodilation pathways utilize nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2). To examine how ovariectomy (ovx) affects the basal activity and acetylcholine (ACh)-induced activity of each of these three pathways to vasorelaxation, we used wire myograph and electrophysiological recordings.

Trans-iliac pin/bolt/screw internal fixation for sacroiliac luxation or separation in cats: six cases.

Trans-iliac pin, bolt or screw stabilisation was performed on six cats with sacroiliac (SI) luxation and separation. For the purpose of this study, SI luxation is defined as the separation of the iliac wing from the sacrum without fracture of the sacral or iliac wing; SI separation is defined as the separation of the iliac wing from the sacrum secondary to fracture of the sacrum and/or the iliac wing. Complications, surgical time and medium-to-long-term outcome were assessed by a retrospective review of the clinical records and owner questionnaires.