RADIOGRAPHIC CHARACTERIZATION OF PRIMARY LUNG TUMORS IN 74 DOGS

Primary pulmonary neoplasia is well recognized in dogs and prognosis depends upon the tumor type. The purpose of this retrospective study was to characterize the radiographic appearance of different primary lung tumors with the goal of establishing imaging criteria to separate the different types. Three‐view thoracic radiographs of 74 dogs with histologically confirmed pulmonary anaplastic carcinoma (n = 2), adenocarcinoma (n = 31), bronchioalveolar carcinoma (n = 19), histiocytic sarcoma (n = 21), and squamous cell carcinoma (n = 1) were evaluated. Radiographs were assessed for tumor volume, affected lobe, location within lobe, overall pulmonary pattern, presence of cavitation, mineralization, air bronchograms, lymphadenomegaly, and pleural fluid. Histiocytic sarcomas were significantly larger than other tumor types (271 cm³; P = 0.009) and most likely to be found in the left cranial (38%; 8/21) and right middle (43%; 9/21) lung lobes, whereas adenocarcinomas were most likely to be found in the left caudal (29%; 9/31) lung lobe. Fifty‐seven percent (12/21) of histiocytic sarcomas had an internal air bronchogram. Findings indicate that a large mass in the periphery or affecting the whole lobe of the right middle or left cranial lung lobe with an internal air bronchogram is likely to be an histiocytic sarcoma.     

INTER‐ AND INTRAFRACTION MOTION FOR STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY IN DOGS AND CATS USING A MODIFIED BRAINLAB FRAMELESS STEREOTACTIC MASK SYSTEM

Precise and accurate patient positioning is necessary when doing stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to ensure adequate dosing to the tumor and sparing of normal tissues. This prospective cross‐sectional study aimed to assess feasibility of a commercially available modified frameless SRS positioning system for use in veterinary radiotherapy patients with brain tumors. Fifty‐one dogs and 12 cats were enrolled. Baseline and verification CT images were acquired. The verification CT images from 32 dogs and five cats had sufficient images for fusion to baseline CT images. A rigid box‐based fusion was performed to determine interfraction motion. Forty‐eight dogs and 11 cats were assessed for intrafraction motion by cine CT. Seventy percent of dogs and 60% of cats had interfraction 3D vector translational shifts >1 mm, with mean values of 1.9 mm in dogs, and 1.8 mm in cats. In dogs muscle wasting was weakly correlated with translational shifts. The maximum angular interfraction motion observed was 6.3° (roll), 3.5° (pitch), and 3.3° (yaw). There was no correlation between angular interfraction motion and weight, brachycephaly, or muscle wasting. Fifty‐seven percent of dogs and 50% of cats had respiration‐related intrafraction motion. Of these, 4.5% of dogs and 10% of cats had intrafraction motion >1 mm. This study demonstrates the modified Brainlab system is feasible for SRS in dogs and cats. The smaller cranial size and difference in anatomy increases setup uncertainty in some animals beyond limits usually accepted in SRS. Image‐guided positioning is recommended to achieve clinically acceptable setup accuracy (<1 mm) for SRS.     

Relation between age, body weight, and medial retropharyngeal lymph node size in apparently healthy dogs.

The aims of this study were to determine the size of the medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes in apparently healthy dogs using ultrasonography and to investigate relationships between body weight (1.8-59 kg), age (1.0-15 years), and medial retropharyngeal lymph node sizes (width, height, and length). The sample population consisted of 100 apparently healthy, volunteered, adult dogs. The data were normally distributed, thus mean, SD, and Pearson's correlation were used. Repeatability of ultrasound measures was assessed as the percentage of differences between duplicate measures that were within 2 SDs of the differences: all measures were at least 93% repeatable (differences typically were < or = 0.25 cm and always < 1 cm). No difference between sexes was observed. The medial retropharyngeal lymph node increased in size with increased body weight (r = 0.46 to 0.59) and decreased in size with increased age (r = -0.30 to -0.50). Although statistically significant, the actual variation is not likely clinically important due to the small range of sizes, measurement error, and various combinations of age and body weight. Therefore, regardless of body weight or age, the average width is 1.0 cm, height is 0.5 cm, and length is 2.5 cm and maximum width is 2 cm, height is 1 cm, and length is 5 cm. Based on the maximal difference between duplicate measures (with some exception), any change > or = 0.4 cm with width or height, or > or = 1.0 cm in length, in a follow up measurement probably represents a true biological change rather than measurement error.     

Salmonella in pork cuttings in supermarkets and butchers' shops in Denmark in 2002 and 2006

The prevalence of Salmonella in fresh pork cuttings in Denmark in the years 2002 and 2006 was investigated at retail and compared with the retail supply pattern. A total of 1025 and 3473 samples were taken in 2002 from butcher's shops and supermarkets, respectively. The corresponding numbers in 2006 were 259 from butchers' shops and 628 from supermarkets. In 2002, 1.2% of all samples were positive for Salmonella; butchers' shops and supermarkets had 1.8% and 1.0% positive samples, respectively. The overall prevalence in 2006 was 4.2%, with prevalence of 8.1% and 2.6% for butchers' shops and supermarkets, respectively. Hence, increases around 3- to 5-fold were found. There was neither observed any parallel increase in Salmonella positive carcasses in Danish slaughterhouses during the study period, nor were any changes in supply routes towards slaughterhouses with higher prevalence observed, which could explain the apparent increase. We hypothesize that hygiene levels and ability to avoid cross-contamination and prevent growth of the organism, in the meat processing chain after slaughter were the most likely responsible factors. Results from this study indicate that the hygiene performance, particularly at retail, has a significant impact on the occurrence of Salmonella. This implies that there is no direct link between slaughterhouse Salmonella surveillance data and the level of Salmonella contamination at retail. To improve risk assessment of Salmonella in fresh pork meat, this study underlines the need for comprehensive retail data.     

Feline caries in two cats from a 13th century archeological excavation

Mandibles of two cats containing carious lesions were discovered among the previously published findings of feline dental resorptive lesions from materials examined at an archaeological museum. These lesions were too small to be noted on radiographs, and consisted of two inconspicuous enamel lesions in a mandibular left first molar tooth (309), a clinically visible white spot area containing an enamel lesion in a mandibular left fourth premolar tooth (308), and a root surface caries in the 308 of a different specimen. Histologic examination using special stains and polarized light revealed both initial and early initial stage enamel caries, as well as root surface caries. Knoop hardness measurements confirmed these findings, considered the first documented cases of feline caries.     

Slaughter findings feedback systems--its use for farms of origin?

Over a period of 22 months 13 official meat inspection authorities examined a number of 152 520 swine at an Austrian slaughterhouse for pathologic-anatomic changes (five parameters). Of those veterinarians whose reliability in the recording of findings was a given, the results were analysed by employing a mathematical model which assessed whether the activities of 25 attending veterinarians and 223 farmers actually lead to an improvement of animal health in their livestock. Mild pneumonia was registered in 14.5% of swine; no attending veterinarians had any influence whatsoever on the occurrence of this parameter. Farmers' activities improved animal health on two farms (0.9%), six farms of origin (2.69%) showed significantly lower findings than the average of all farms. Pleurisy was ascertained in 22% of all slaughter pigs. Through measures taken, four attending veterinarians (16%) caused a reduction of incidents, two works managers (0.9%) made worse, six farmers (2.69%) improved animal health of their live stock. Seven farmers (3.14%) showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher, 28 farms (12.6%) lower prevalence. Pericarditis affected 4.5% of the animals in question. On all farms of origin the condition of health remained unchanged by measures taken by veterinarians. On two farms (0.9%) the influence exercised by farmers led to a deterioration of the health of swine, six businesses (2.69%) showed higher, one (0.45%) lower prevalence than on average. 6.2% of swine showed white spots. Attending veterinarians did not influence this parameter at all. With preventive measures taken five farms (2.24%) showed less, three farms (1.35%) higher prevalence by the end of the 22 month term. Mange concerned 2.2% of all slaughter pigs. The activities of one veterinarian (4%) caused the number of incidents to double; on six farms (2.69%) a significantly higher prevalence was registered. Whatever influence exercised, the status of health of slaughter pigs remained unchanged throughout the duration of the study.     

Aroma quality differentiation of pyrazine derivatives using self-organizing molecular field analysis and artificial neural network

The encoding of various aroma impressions and the distinction between different aroma qualities are unsolved problems, as differences between aroma impressions can be described only in a qualitative but not in a quantitative manner. As a consequence, classifications of various aroma qualities cannot easily be performed by standard QSAR methods. To find a proper way to encode aroma impressions for SAR studies, a total of 50 pyrazine-based aroma compounds showing the aroma quality of earthy, green-earthy, or green are analyzed. Special attention is thereby turned on the mixed aroma impression green-earthy. Classifications on the whole data set as well as on smaller subsets are calculated using self-organizing molecular field analysis (SOMFA) and artificial neural networks (ANNs). SOMFA classifies between two or three aroma impressions, leading to models satisfying in predictive power. ANN analysis using multilayer perceptron network architecture with one hidden layer and nominal output as well as genetic regression neural network) with two hidden layers and numerical output both lead to a rather good performance rate of 94%.