Clinical features of early recurrence of type I thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation in Miniature Dachshunds.

Some reports have been published on clinical features in dogs with early recurrence of type I thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation (TL-IVDH), but there is little understanding of the changes involved. This retrospective study describes the clinical features, including radiographic image results at the time of recurrence, of dogs with type I TL-IVDH that had undergone hemilaminectomy but then suffered early recurrence. Our medical records were searched between June 2007 and December 2022.

Experimental probing of dynamic self-organized columnar assemblies in colloidal liquid crystals.

Self-organized supramolecular assemblies are widespread in nature and technology in the form of liquid crystals, colloids, and gels. The reversible nature of non-covalent bonding leads to dynamic functions such as stimuli-responsive switching and self-healing, which are unachievable from an isolated molecule. However, multiple intermolecular interactions generate diverse conformational and configurational molecular motions over various time scales in their self-assembled states, and their specific dynamics remains unclear.

The volume of extruded materials is correlated with neurologic severity in small-breed dogs with type I thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation.

Objective: To assess whether the volume of extruded materials is correlated with neurologic severity in dogs with type I thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation (TL-IVDH).

Animals: 70 client-owned small-breed dogs with type I TL-IVDH diagnosed between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2018.

Procedures: For this retrospective cohort study, the medical records of 70 dogs with surgically confirmed type I TL-IVDH were reviewed.

Biomineral-Inspired Colloidal Liquid Crystals: From Assembly of Hybrids Comprising Inorganic Nanocrystals and Organic Polymer Components to Their Functionalization.

Bioinspired organic/inorganic synthetic composites have been studied as high-performance and functional materials. In nature, biominerals such as pearls, teeth, and bones are self-organized organic/inorganic composites. The inorganic components are composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO) and hydroxyapatite (HAp), while the organic components consist of peptides and polysaccharides.

Bioinspired selective synthesis of liquid-crystalline nanocomposites: formation of calcium carbonate-based composite nanodisks and nanorods.

Here we report new organic/inorganic hybrid colloidal liquid crystals that consist of colloidal calcium carbonate (CaCO)/poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) hybrid nanodisks. We selectively synthesized anisotropic liquid-crystalline CaCO-based nanodisk and nanorod composites in water/methanol mixtures, which formed discotic and calamitic nematic liquid crystals in their colloidal dispersions, respectively. The vaterite nanodisks and calcite nanorods were selectively synthesized in methanol-rich and water-rich solutions, respectively.

Shear-induced liquid-crystalline phase transition behaviour of colloidal solutions of hydroxyapatite nanorod composites.

Liquid-crystalline (LC) bio-inspired materials based on colloidal nanoparticles with anisotropic morphologies such as sheets, plates, rods and fibers were used as functional materials. They show stimuli-responsive behaviour under mechanical force and in electric and magnetic fields. Understanding the effects of external stimuli on the structures of anisotropic colloidal particles is important for the development of highly ordered structures.

Liquid-Crystalline Hydroxyapatite/Polymer Nanorod Hybrids: Potential Bioplatform for Photodynamic Therapy and Cellular Scaffolds.

Recently, we found that self-organization of hydroxyapatite (HAp) with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) leads to the formation of liquid-crystalline (LC) nanorod hybrids that form aligned films and show stimuli-responsive properties. Here, we demonstrate that these biocompatible HAp/PAA hybrid nanorods represent a platform technology as drug nanocarriers for photodynamic cancer therapy and as bioscaffolds for the control of cellular alignment and growth. To use hybrid nanorods as a drug nanocarrier, we introduced methylene blue (MB), a typical photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy, into the PAA nanolayer covering the surface of the HAp nanocrystals through electrostatic interactions.

Static structure and dynamical behavior of colloidal liquid crystals consisting of hydroxyapatite-based nanorod hybrids.

Biominerals such as bones and teeth have elaborate nanostructures composed of aligned anisotropic hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanocrystals, which results in excellent mechanical properties. Construction of such ordered structures of HAp nanocrystals in synthetic materials is challenging. Recently, we reported that HAp-nanorod-based colloidal liquid crystals could be obtained.

Stimuli-responsive hydroxyapatite liquid crystal with macroscopically controllable ordering and magneto-optical functions.

Liquid crystals are mostly formed by self-assembly of organic molecules. In contrast, inorganic materials available as liquid crystals are limited. Here we report the development of liquid-crystalline (LC) hydroxyapatite (HAp), which is an environmentally friendly and biocompatible biomineral.

Methylprednisolone sodium succinate reduces spinal cord swelling but does not affect recovery of dogs with surgically treated thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation.

The effect of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) therapy was studied in 50 dogs with surgically treated Hansen type I thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation (TL-IVDH). Administration of MPSS significantly reduced the swelling of the spinal cord. The sensitivity of localization of disk extrusion using myelography in the MPSS group was 92.

Liquid-crystalline calcium carbonate: biomimetic synthesis and alignment of nanorod calcite.

Liquid-crystalline CaCO has been prepared for the first time. The nanorods of CaCO calcite are obtained by bio-inspired crystallization through aqueous colloidal precursors of amorphous CaCO stabilized by poly(acrylic acid). The synthesized calcite nanocrystals have well-tuned morphologies that are preferable for formation of liquid-crystalline phases in concentrated aqueous colloidal solution.

Evaluation of serum phosphorylated neurofilament subunit NF-H as a prognostic biomarker in dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

Objective: To investigate whether pNF-H is a prognostic biomarker of spinal cord injury (SCI) in paraplegic dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH).

Study Design: Prospective, case-control clinical study

Animals: Dogs (n = 60) with SCI from IVDH and 6 healthy dogs.

Methods: Serum from 60 thoracolumbar IVDH dogs (Grade 4: 22 dogs; Grade 5: 38 dogs) collected 1-3 days after injury, and 6 control dogs, was analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against a phosphorylated form of the high-molecular-weight neurofilament subunit NF-H (pNF-H).

A spayed female cat with squamous cell carcinoma in the uterine remnant.

A 7-year-old spayed female domestic short-haired cat presented with dysuria and hematuria that had been unresponsive to medical therapy. Imaging tests such as ultrasonography, urethrocystography and computed tomography revealed a pelvic mass compressing the urethra. Based on histological examination of the mass following surgical resection, the cat was diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) derived from the uterine remnant.

Evaluation of methods for cell harvesting and the biological properties at successive passages of canine bone marrow stromal cells.

Objective: To compare methods for harvesting canine bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and determine the biological properties of canine BMSCs at successive passages in vitro.

Sample: BMSCs collected from the femurs of 9 Beagles.

Procedures: A fibroblast assay was performed to compare 2 methods for harvesting BMSCs: the aspiration and perfusion method.

Safety of autologous bone marrow stromal cell transplantation in dogs with acute spinal cord injury.

Objective: To assess the feasibility and safety of transplantation of autologous bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) in dogs with acute spinal cord injury (SCI).

Study Design: An open-label single-arm trial.

Animals: Dogs (n = 7) with severe SCI from T6 to L5, caused by vertebral fracture and luxation.

Three cases of idiopathic sterile pyogranulomatous inflammation of epidural fat in Miniature Dachshunds.

Progressive ataxia and paralysis in three Miniature Dachshunds were found to be caused by idiopathic sterile pyogranulomatous inflammation of epidural fat between T5 and L4. All dogs were managed by hemilaminectomy and removal of epidural compressive material. Surgical findings and histopathological evaluation were necessary to diagnose epidural pyogranulomatous inflammation.

Evaluation of transplantation of autologous bone marrow stromal cells into the cerebrospinal fluid for treatment of chronic spinal cord injury in dogs.

Objective: To evaluate effects of transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) into the CSF for the treatment of chronic spinal cord injury in dogs that had not responded by 1 month after decompressive surgery.

Animals: 23 dogs.

Procedures: Dogs with paraplegia and loss of nociception in the pelvic limbs for at least 1 month after decompressive surgery were assigned to transplantation or control groups.

Acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AML-M4) in a dog with the extradural lesion.

A two-year-old dog having presented with neurological signs showed marked leukocytosis and appearance of blast cells in the peripheral blood. Hematological and bone marrow examination showed an increase in blasts having both myeloid and monocytic cells characteristics. The dog was diagnosed with acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AML-M4) on the basis of bone marrow findings.

Rectification of width and area of the ciliary cleft in dogs.

The width and area of the ciliary cleft (CCW and CCA) according to ultrasound biomicroscopy was rectified to compare dogs of different body sizes/weights, including toy breed (TBG), small breed (SBG), medium breed (MBG) and large/giant breed groups (LGBG). A linear correlation was detected between the natural log of body weight and the ocular axial length (OAL) reflecting the ocular size (OS; r=0.81, p<0.

Inflammatory reaction in the herniated degenerative disc materials in miniature dachshunds.

Histological and immunohistochemical studies were conducted using herniated intervertebral disc materials obtained surgically from 39 miniature dachshunds. Infiltration of inflammatory cells, such as macrophages, neutrophils, T or B lymphocytes, and multinucleated giant cells, were identified in intervertebral disc materials in 23 cases. Furthermore, proliferations of connective tissue, including neovascularization, were also observed in 17 cases.

Intraoperative spinal ultrasonography in two dogs with spinal disease.

Ultrasonography was performed during spinal surgery on two dogs that were suspected of having intramedullary lesions by myelography and magnetic resonance imaging. Ultrasonographically, the pathologic conditions of the spinal canal or cord were adequately imaged during surgery in both dogs. On the basis of ultrasonographic findings, a biopsy was obtained in Patient 1 and removal of the lesion was accomplished in Patient 2.

Usefulness of intraoperative ultrasonography for two dogs with spinal disease.

Intraoperative ultrasonography was performed during spinal surgery in two dogs. An extradural lesion was demonstrated by myelography in case 1, and an extradural tumor was found during surgery. Case 2 was diagnosed with a spinal subarachnoid cyst by myelography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Usefulness of hemilaminectomy for cervical intervertebral disk disease in small dogs.

Hemilaminectomy was performed to treat cervical disc disease in 18 small dogs. Cervical spinal cord compression was characterized by ventral and/or lateral compression on myelograms. The duration of follow-up examinations ranged from 2 to 72 months.

Usefulness of myelography with multiple views in diagnosis of circumferential location of disc material in dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

The usefulness of myelography with multiple views (lateral, ventrodorsal, left and right oblique view) in the diagnosis of the exact circumferential location of herniated disc material around the spinal cord in 80 dogs diagnosed with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation at surgery was assessed by comparison of clinical and surgical findings. The circumferential location of the compressing mass was diagnosed in 94% of dogs on myelography. The oblique view was of more benefit than the ventrodorsal view in diagnosing the circumferential distribution of the compressing mass.

Histiocytic ulcerative colitis in a French bulldog.

A 9-month-old French bulldog was referred for signs of chronic large bowel diarrhea. The dog had an increased frequency of defecation, tenesmus and hematochezia. Flexible colonoscopy showed hyperemia, irregularities and ulcerations with multifocal hemorrhages in the mucosa from the descending colon to the proximal rectum.