Aseptic suppurative meningitis in juvenile boxer dogs: retrospective study of 12 cases

Immune-mediated central nervous system inflammation is described in a series of 12 juvenile boxer dogs. A diagnosis of steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis was made based on the clinical presentation and on diagnostic findings. The boxer breed was at a higher risk for this inflammatory condition than other breeds. Long-term follow-up (>2 years) confirmed a better prognosis in this breed than in the beagle and the Bernese mountain dog. Complete resolution of clinical signs without significant deficits or recurrences was obtained in all cases. Early clinical recognition and immunosuppressive treatment resulted in a better response and complete resolution of the disorder.     

The Xist RNA gene evolved in eutherians by pseudogenization of a protein-coding gene

The Xist noncoding RNA is the key initiator of the process of X chromosome inactivation in eutherian mammals, but its precise function and origin remain unknown. Although Xist is well conserved among eutherians, until now, no homolog has been identified in other mammals. We show here that Xist evolved, at least partly, from a protein-coding gene and that the loss of protein-coding function of the proto-Xist coincides with the four flanking protein genes becoming pseudogenes. This event occurred after the divergence between eutherians and marsupials, which suggests that mechanisms of dosage compensation have evolved independently in both lineages.     

Glucocorticoids can induce PTSD-like memory impairments in mice

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by a hypermnesia of the trauma and by a memory impairment that decreases the ability to restrict fear to the appropriate context. Infusion of glucocorticoids in the hippocampus after fear conditioning induces PTSD-like memory impairments and an altered pattern of neural activation in the hippocampal-amygdalar circuit. Mice become unable to identify the context as the correct predictor of the threat and show fear responses to a discrete cue not predicting the threat in normal conditions. These data demonstrate PTSD-like memory impairments in rodents and identify a potential pathophysiological mechanism of this condition.     

Computed tomographic evaluation of a bronchogenic cyst in a German shepherd dog

A German shepherd dog was referred for further evaluation of a cavitary pulmonary lesion. Computed tomography identified a well-defined rounded radiolucent area in the left cranial lung lobe in continuity with the bronchial lumen. These findings were consistent with a bronchogenic cyst.     

Effect of acquisition time and chemical fat suppression on meningeal enhancement on MR imaging in dogs

Our purpose was to characterize meningeal gadolinium enhancement on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in dogs with inflammatory and neoplastic diseases, and to assess interobserver variability and the impact of delayed acquisition and chemical fat saturation on its conspicuity. Transverse T1-weighted FLAIR images were acquired prior to, and immediately following gadolinium injection (T0), and at 5 (T5) and 15-20 min delay (TD), with and without fat suppression, in 155 consecutive dogs imaged for suspected brain disease. The agreement on meningeal enhancement was globally substantial (kappa = 0.61) and the likelihood of obtaining a definite diagnosis was significantly increased with the use of fat suppression (P < or = 0.004). Meningeal enhancement was judged definitively present by consensus in 46 of 155 (30%) dogs. Of these, meningeal enhancement was characterized qualitatively and quantitatively in 30 dogs with a clinical diagnosis (18 inflammatory, 11 neoplastic, 1 infarct), and image sequences were compared. Meningeal enhancement was more often diffuse and leptomeningeal in animals with inflammation versus neoplasia (50% vs. 42%, and 69% vs. 48%, respectively), but significant associations were not found. Meningeal thickness and contrast ratio were higher with neoplasia (P < or = 0.02), but results did not vary significantly between series for either group. Yet, images with fat suppression were most useful 50% of the time for definite diagnosis and/or characterization of meningeal enhancement. While delayed image acquisition following gadolinium injection does not improve characterization of meningeal enhancement in dogs, fat suppression is beneficial qualitatively.