Two is not necessarily better than one: A double lens in a pre-metamorphic adult axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)

An 8-year-old female pre-metamorphic axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) was examined for a suspected anterior lens luxation. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed two lens-like structures in the anterior chamber of the right eye (OD), each with cataractous change. Ultrasound biomicroscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed without sedation, and revealed small lenticular structures each with distinct nuclei and cortices. Although a distinct connection of the two lenticular structures could not be definitively ruled out, the structures appeared separate. Each of the lenticular structures was closely associated with its respective iris leaflet. This report demonstrates application of advanced imaging for diagnostic use in axolotl ophthalmology, showing that imaging of the lens can be performed without sedation, topical anesthetic, nor contact gel with high diagnostic quality. Although two distinct lenses were diagnosed with no historical evidence of trauma, the small sizes of each lenticular structure, with no detectable connection between them, are suggestive of a possible regenerative abnormality. This report opens discussion for the regenerative capabilities of the pre-metamorphic adult axolotl and possible implementations of their use in regenerative medicine research for the development of future therapies.     

Pathological features of ganglioradiculitis (sensory neuropathy) in two dogs

Canine ganglioradiculitis (sensory neuropathy) was examined pathologically in two dogs (dog Nos. 1 and 2). The affected dogs had 1 and 2 years clinical courses from the onset, respectively. As common clinical signs, both cases showed progressive ataxia, difficulty in prehending food, visual deficit, and several sensory abnormalities. Gross observation after tissue fixation revealed whitish discoloration in the dorsal column of the spinal cords. The histological lesions were mainly distributed in the spinal dorsal roots, ganglions, and dorsal columns. In the spinal dorsal roots and ganglions, there were striking myelin loss, mild infiltration of mononuclear cells, and proliferation of small spindle cells. In the dorsal funiculus, there were moderate to severe diffuse myelin-loss and axonal degeneration. Immunohistochemistry for substance P (SP) revealed marked reduction of SP-immunopositive granules in the spinal substantia gelatinosa of affected dogs. By immunohistochemistry, CD3-positive cells were observed in the dorsal roots of dog No. 2, while CD3-positive cells were rare in those of dog No. 1. In the spinal ganglion of dog No. 1 there were many CD3- and MHC class II-positive cells. By indirect immunofluorescence assay using sera from affected dogs, no autoantibodies against canine nerve tissues were detected. The clinicopathological features of the present cases are almost consistent with those in previous reports of canine sensory neuropathies, while the etiology remains unclear.     

Clinical outcomes,ultrastructure and immunohistochemical features of canine high‐grade olfactory neuroblastoma

Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is a rare intranasal neoplasm in both dogs and humans. Similar clinical presentation and overlapping histologic and immunohistochemical features of ONB with other intranasal neoplasms can make diagnosis and treatment of intranasal neoplasia challenging. Furthermore, in part because of their rarity, there is a lack of reporting on therapeutic regimen for these neoplasms. In humans, initial debulking surgery is usually followed by radiation therapy. Here we report on the histologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural characteristics of canine ONB and report on the clinical progression of cases treated with radiation therapy. In all nine canine ONB examined here, neoplastic cells were arranged in a lobular manner amidst a prominent neurofibrillary matrix and had features consistent with Grade III (high grade) ONB. The neoplastic cells demonstrated positive immunohistochemical staining for TuJ‐1, a Class III beta‐tubulin neuronal cytoskeletal protein, and variable staining for other markers, including chromogranin, synaptophysin, AE1/AE3 and MAP2. The longest surviving case was treated with a regimen similar to that used in humans, consisting of debulking surgery followed by definitive radiation therapy. Our study found that TuJ‐1 is a useful marker for ONB and that radiation therapy, even in cases of advanced disease, may result in prolonged survival.     

Activation of GABA(A) receptors in the accessory olfactory bulb does not prevent the formation of an olfactory memory in mice

When female mice are mated, they form a memory to the pheromonal signal of their male partner. The neural mechanisms underlying this memory involve changes at the reciprocal dendrodendritic synapses between glutamatergic mitral cells and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic granule cells in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). Blockade of GABA(A) receptors in the AOB leads to the formation of an olfactory memory. In an attempt to disrupt memory formation at mating, we used local infusions of the GABA(A) receptor agonist muscimol into the AOB during the critical period for memory formation. Muscimol across a wide range of doses (1-1000 pmol) did not prevent memory formation. The resistance of this memory to GABA(A) receptor activation may reflect the complexity of synaptic microcircuits in the AOB.     

几种常见冠状病毒感染疾病的病理学特征

冠状病毒(coronavirus)属于单股正链RNA病毒,在自然界中广泛存在,根据血清型特点和基因序列可分为α、β、γ和δ4个种属.目前发现,冠状病毒仅感染脊椎动物,且容易引起人畜共患病的发生,对公共卫生安全具有重大隐患.然而,不同种属的冠状病毒对动物的感染性存在差异,导致患病动物出现不同的病理学特征.现综述几种常见冠...     

Pathological features of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in middle-aged dogs

The hearts of four dogs (a 4-year-old Shetland sheepdog, a 4-year-old Labrador retriever, a 5-year-old English Bulldog, and a 6-year-old Dalmatian; three males and one female), that had died suddenly and had been clinically diagnosed as having arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), were studied post mortem. At the cut surface, all four hearts showed mild to moderate hypertrophy of the left and right ventricular free walls and ventricular septum, with grayish-white tissue replacement of the myocardium to various degrees. Histologically, all had typical right ventricular features of ARVC and morphological evidence of left ventricular and ventricular septal involvement. Two main histological patterns were identified: a fatty type (two cases) and a fibrofatty type (two cases). With either type, myocardial replacement by fatty or fibrofatty tissue were detected in both ventricles, but were more severe in the right ventricle, where they usually became transmural. Furthermore, this myocardial replacement was more severely seen in the epimyocardium and midmyocardium; the endomyocardium was less severely affected. On the basis of the present observation, it is evident that, in dogs, the disease process of ARVC affects both the right and left ventricles, although the striking pathological feature is right ventricular involvement. The pathological evidence of biventricular involvement in these canine cases of ARVC may represent a wider spectrum of the disease than has previously been recognized, suggesting that, in dogs, this disease should no longer be considered as limited to the right ventricle.     

Pathological features of hepatic portal venous gas in a cat

An 8-year 8-month-old castrated male Munchkin presented with vomiting, anorexia and hypoactivity. Computed tomography revealed excessive gas accumulation within the intestinal lumen and gas bubbles in the liver, spleen, and portal venous system, indicating hepatic portal venous gas. The cat died without any significant improvement, and mild splenomegaly was found at necropsy. Histologically, multiple gas vacuoles were diffusely observed in the liver and spleen. In the stomach, multiple gas vacuoles and scattered focal ulcers were detected within the mucosa. Multifocal hemorrhage was noted in the small and large intestines, whereas gas vacuoles were not present. Based on these findings, a gastric ulcer under high gas pressure may have provided an entry point for gas into the portal venous system.     

Pathological features of multiple bone infection in the foal.

The gross and histological features of multiple bone infection in two foals are described. In both cases the lesions were confined to the region of the growth plate. Bone and, in some cases, growth plate cartilage destruction has occurred associated with an extensive inflammatory cell infiltration. The significance of the pathological observation is discussed in relation to the pathogenesis of bone infection in the foal.     

Pathological findings in a captive colony of maras (Dolichotis patagonum)

This paper describes the causes of death of 54 maras (Dolichotis patagonum) in a captive colony in Mexico over a period of seven years. There were 35 adults, 11 juveniles, five neonates, two fetuses and one stillbirth--27 males, 21 females and six whose sex was not determined. Trauma was the cause of 25 deaths, and there were eight cases of fatal bacterial infection. Besnoitiosis was the only parasitic disease found frequently (13 cases), and was associated with fatal interstitial pneumonia in three juveniles. Right-sided hypertrophic cardiomyopathy attributed to high altitude was observed in 26 maras, and in three cases death was attributed to acute cardiac dysfunction. Two maras died of disseminated histoplasmosis and two of hyperthermia. Additional causes of death included one case each of uterine torsion, intestinal intussusception, aspiration pneumonia and hydranencephaly. Gastric erosions with luminal haemorrhage were found in 27 of the maras and splenic lymphoid depletion in 20, changes that were attributed to stress.     

Evaluating the Clinical and Cardiopulmonary Effects of Clove Oil and Propofol in Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum)

Our understanding of clinical anesthesia for amphibians is limited. This study represents the first attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of clove oil and propofol as anesthetic agents for tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum). Twelve apparently healthy adult tiger salamanders were anesthetized in a water bath containing clove oil (450 mg/L of water). After a 2-week wash-out period, 11 of the salamanders were used to evaluate the effectiveness of propofol as an anesthetic agent. Propofol was administered intracoelomically at a dose of 25 mg/kg (n = 5) or 35 mg/kg (n = 6). Heart and respiratory rates were monitored at 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 30-, 40-, 50-, 60-, 70-, 80-, 90-, 100-, 120-, 150-, and 180-minute intervals after exposure to the anesthetics. Righting, escape, corneal, superficial pain, and deep pain reflexes were also monitored at these time intervals and ranked as (1) normal, (2) slow, or (3) absent. Surgical anesthesia was determined to be when all of the reflexes were lost. Clove oil produced a surgical level of anesthesia in 67% (8/12) of the salamanders. Propofol administered at 25 mg/kg produced surgical anesthesia in 40% (2/5) of the salamanders, whereas propofol at 35 mg/kg produced surgical anesthesia in 83% (5/6) of the animals. Clove oil did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect respiratory rate at any time, but did decrease heart rate significantly (P < 0.05) after 30 minutes. Propofol produced a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the respiratory rate at both doses. Heart rate was also found to decrease significantly (P < 0.05) for propofol at 25 mg/kg after 90 minutes and for propofol at 35 mg/kg at 60 minutes and after 80 minutes. Both clove oil and propofol were found to provide a surgical plane of anesthesia for tiger salamanders. However, clove oil provided more rapid onset of the desired level of anesthesia with a longer duration. Although the intracoelomic route for propofol was effective, the time to surgical anesthesia was prolonged. These anesthetics show promise and may prove useful to veterinarians or field biologists working with urodelans.     

Cerebral neuroblastoma and pituitary adenocarcinoma in two budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Case 1: A tumor mass involving the rostral part of left cerebrum was found in a two-year-old female budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) at necropsy. Histologically, the neoplastic cells were arranged in sheets or cords and occasionally showed nest growth patterns. These uniform tumor cells had a little cytoplasm and ovoid or round basophilic nuclei with clearly distinct cytoplasmic membranes. The tumor cells were strong diffusely immunostained with both neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and neurofilament protein and partially for synaptophysin. They lacked chromogranin A, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin, S-100, and cytokeratin antigen expression. Moreover, they had no reaction to antibodies against pituitary hormones, such as adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone, and prolactin. The histological and immunohistochemical examination determined the tumor as neuroblastoma. Case 2: An extremely enlarged pituitary mass was found above the sella turcica of a male budgerigar. It was soft and well delineated from the adjacent structures. On histological examination, this tumor consisted of a sheet of large closely packed polyhedral cells that had scant to a large amount of pale to strongly eosinophilic cytoplasm. The pleomorphic nuclei were apparently variable in shape, from small round hyperchromatic to very large vesicular forms. The cell boundaries were not clearly distinct. The multifocal immunolabelling of neoplastic cells for NSE, synaptophysin, GFAP, and ACTH appeared, whereas a few cells reacted with vimentin and S-100 and stained negative for other markers, which were also utilized for case 1. Histological and immunohistochemical findings led to identification of corticotroph adenocarcinoma in the pituitary gland.