Gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the equine cecum

Ten cecal tumors were identified during the postmortem examination of seven horse carcasses at slaughter (one horse had three tumors). The multinodular and hemorrhagic tumors ranged from 1 to 10 cm in diameter and consisted of spindle cells arranged in thin, interconnected trabeculae that were often separated by sinuses filled with mucinous fluid, erythrocytes, and siderophages. Spindle cells of all tumors were immunopositive for vimentin, neuron-specific enolase, and c-kit protein but lacked reactivity with antibodies to glial fibrillary acidic protein, S100 protein, and desmin. In one tumor, spindle cells diffusely bound antibodies to synaptophysin. Most tumors contained focal reactivity to smooth muscle actin antibodies; one tumor reacted diffusely. Ultrastructurally, tumor cells were connected by desmosome-like structures and exhibited extended cell processes; some contained dense core neurosecretory granules. These equine stromal tumors appeared to share some characteristics with human gastrointestinal stromal tumors.     

EVALUATION OF CANINE PROSTATE INTRAFRACTIONAL MOTION USING SERIAL CONE BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IMAGING

This study used kilovoltage (kV) cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging to characterize canine intrafractional prostate motion during hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy treatment. Serial CBCT images taken just prior to initiating treatment, and at several times during the treatment session, were acquired throughout the course of treatment for canine patients. All patients were immobilized in dorsal recumbency while using an air‐inflated rectal balloon. For each treatment session, rigid registration of intrafraction CBCT images with the interfraction CBCT used for setup verification was performed. Contours of the prostate and urethra were drawn on each CBCT image set and the center of mass for each structure was evaluated as a function of time. A total of seven canine patients was included in the study, resulting in 41 CBCT images collected during a total of 12 treatment sessions. Over 70% of our data were collected for CBCTs taken between 20 and 51 min after final patient setup was complete. The mean intrafraction movement in a single direction for the prostate and urethra was ≤0.14 mm and ≤0.22 mm, respectively. The maximum intrafraction movement for the prostate and urethra was ≤ 1.60 mm and ≤ 2.00 mm, respectively. The maximum variability in intrafraction movement for the prostate and urethra, as defined by two standard deviations, was ≤1.40 mm and ≤1.50 mm, respectively. Minimal intrafraction variability using appropriate patient positioning and rectal balloon, combined with kV CBCT image‐guided radiation therapy tools to account for interfraction changes, permit accurate and precise targeting of structures of interest.     

Growth and salinity tolerance in hybrids within Salmo sp. and Salvelinus sp.

Attempts were made to complete all possible interspecific hybrid crosses between Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), and Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus). Survival was appreciable only in (giving female first) lake × brook, salmon × char, brook × char and char × brook hybrids. Growth rates over a weight increment of 3–30 g averaged 2.14% wet weight/day for all species and hybrids (14.5–17.0°C — excess rations). The highest growth rate, 2.74%, was obtained with the brook (female) × char (male) hybrid and the lowest, 1.63%, in lake trout. Salmon (female) × char (male) hybrids grew faster than salmon; brook trout (female) × char (male) hybrids grew faster than brook trout. Salmo species grew no faster than Salvelinus species but became silvery and had greater salinity tolerance at a smaller size and earlier age. Intergeneric hybrids between female Salmo spp. and male Salvelinus spp. more closely resembled the female parent in processes related to smoltification (silvering and salinity tolerance).     

Hindbrain GABA receptors influence parasympathetic outflow to the stomach

Blockade of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor function by direct microinjection of bicuculline into the nucleus ambiguous in cats produced a marked increase in gastric motility which was mediated by the vagus nerve. This effect was reversed by muscimol. These data indicate that the nucleus ambiguous may be an important brain site influencing gastric function and that the neurotransmitter controlling parasympathetic overflow from this nucleus to the stomach is gamma-aminobutyric acid.     

Bacterial septicemias in two psittacine birds

Pasteurellosis was diagnosed in a red-fronted conure (Aratinga wagleri) that had been bitten on its breast by a cat 2 weeks before death. The wound spread rapidly, involving the skin over the entire breast and the underlying musculature. Septicemia that followed dermatitis and myositis was the cause of death. Pasteurella multocida was isolated in pure culture from the heart blood and liver. Diagnosis of Escherichia coli septicemia and enteritis in a hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) was based on lesions such as generalized hyperemia and hemorrhages in visceral organs, fibrinonecrotic lesions in the intestine, and isolation of E coli in pure culture from the heart blood, liver, and intestine.