Fluoroscopic and endoscopic localization of an esophagobronchial fistula in a dog

A 10-month-old, intact male Chihuahua presented for a 7-month history of regurgitation and coughing. Survey radiographs revealed a soft-tissue opacity within the distal esophagus. A contrast study confirmed the presence of an esophagobronchial fistula. Endoscopic removal of foreign material within the esophagus allowed for visualization of an esophageal diverticulum. Bronchoscopic examination revealed the presence of an abnormal opening in a right caudal tertiary bronchus. Passage of a cardiac guidewire was accomplished, confirming the presence of the fistula and aiding its subsequent surgical removal.     

Diagnosis and treatment of presumptive postobstructive pulmonary edema in a Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi).

A free-ranging, adult male Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) was immobilized and evaluated for hematuria following routine capture. Prior to anesthetic recovery, the panther was fitted with a telemetry collar. After an initially quiet recovery, the panther began thrashing in the transport cage, and was again immobilized. Pink foam was evident from the nostrils, and crackles were ausculted over the chest, indicating pulmonary edema. Postobstructive pulmonary edema was diagnosed based on history, clinical signs, radiographic evaluation, and blood gas analysis. The animal was treated intensively for several hours with diuretics, oxygen, and manual ventilation. The panther responded rapidly to therapy and was released back into the wild 48 hr after presentation. Postobstructive pulmonary edema, also called negative-pressure pulmonary edema, may be underrecognized in veterinary medicine. In this case, the telemetry collar, in conjunction with anesthetic recovery in a small transport crate, may have contributed to tracheal obstruction. Wildlife veterinarians and biologists should be aware of the risk of airway obstruction when placing tracking collars, and animals should be continuously monitored during anesthetic recovery to ensure the presence of a patent airway.     

Single-phase methylene diphosphate bone scintigraphy in the diagnostic evaluation of dogs with osteosarcoma

In this study, 25 dogs each with a histopathologically diagnosed appendicular or axial osteosarcoma were prospectively and consecutively examined by methylene diphosphate nuclear scintigraphy. Scannings that revealed scintigraphically enhanced focal increased activity via bone uptake of the 99mTc methylene diphosphate radionuclide at sites other than the primary tumor site were compared with scintigrams obtained from dogs without osteosarcoma. Secondary scintigraphic sites were evaluated by survey radiography and, if possible, by histologic examination (biopsy or necropsy specimens). On the basis of our findings, scintigraphy seems to be more efficient than physical examination and radiographic bone survey for the diagnosis of multicentric, metachronous, or metastatic canine osteosarcoma.     

ENLARGING BILATERAL FEMORAL CONDYLAR BONE CYSTS WITHOUT SCINTIGRAPHIC UPTAKE IN A YEARLING FOAL

Bilateral subchondral bone cysts of the femoral condyles were diagnosed by conventional radiography in a 14 month old Appaloosa colt. Surgical debridement was performed, and over the next 18 months the appearance of the cysts was evaluated with radiography and bone scintigraphy. On the preoperative scintigrams, increased radiopharmaceutical uptake was associated with the cysts. Despite continued radiographic enlargement, the cysts did not demonstrate increased radiopharmaceutical uptake post-operatively.     

Identification of 4-O-5'-coupled diferulic acid from insoluble cereal fiber

The extracts of saponified cereal fibers of whole grains of corn (Zea mays cv. microsperma KOERN.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), spelt (Triticum spelta L.), and rice (Oryza sativa L.) were investigated for dehydrodimers of ferulic acid using gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) with mass spectrometric detection (GLC-MS) and flame ionization detection (GLC-FID). In addition to the 8,5'-, 8, 8'-, 5,5'-, and 8-O-4'-coupled diferulic acids previously identified from other plant materials the 4-O-5'-coupled diferulic acid (E)-3-[4-[(E)-2-carboxyvinyl]-2-methoxyphenoxy]-4-hydroxy-5-methoxyci nnamic acid (4-O-5'-DFA) was identified in all fibers investigated. This new diferulate was authenticated by comparison of its mass spectrum and its relative GLC retention time with those of the synthesized compound. Semiquantitative determination of 4-O-5'-DFA showed that it is present at 8-30 microg/g, approximately 70-100 times lower concentrations than the sum of 8,5'-coupled diferulic acids, the major diferulic acids in the investigated fibers.     

Critical roles for Rac1 and Rac2 GTPases in B cell development and signaling

The Rac1 guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) has been implicated in multiple cellular functions, including actin dynamics, proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion, and migration resulting from signaling by multiple receptors, including the B cell antigen receptor (BCR). We used conditional gene targeting to generate mice with specific Rac1 deficiency in the B cell lineage. In the absence of both Rac1 and the highly related Rac2, B cell development was almost completely blocked. Both GTPases were required to transduce BCR signals leading to proliferation, survival and up-regulation of BAFF-R, a receptor for BAFF, a key survival molecule required for B cell development and maintenance.     

Sinapate dehydrodimers and sinapate-ferulate heterodimers in cereal dietary fiber

Two 8-8-coupled sinapic acid dehydrodimers and at least three sinapate-ferulate heterodimers have been identified as saponification products from different insoluble and soluble cereal grain dietary fibers. The two 8-8-disinapates were authenticated by comparison of their GC retention times and mass spectra with authentic dehydrodimers synthesized from methyl or ethyl sinapate using two different single-electron metal oxidant systems. The highest amounts (481 microg/g) were found in wild rice insoluble dietary fiber. Model reactions showed that it is unlikely that the dehydrodisinapates detected are artifacts formed from free sinapic acid during the saponification procedure. The dehydrodisinapates presumably derive from radical coupling of sinapate-polymer esters in the cell wall; the radical coupling origin is further confirmed by finding 8-8 and 8-5 (and possibly 8-O-4) sinapate-ferulate cross-products. Sinapates therefore appear to have an analogous role to ferulates in cross-linking polysaccharides in cereal grains and presumably grass cell walls in general.