RADIATION PNEUMONITIS IN THREE DOGS

Radiation pneumonitis developed within the radiation treatment field in three dogs with soft tissue sarcomas located on or adjacent to the thoracic wall. Radiographic signs compatible with a diagnosis of radiation pneumonitis developed from one (n = 2 dogs) to two (n = 1 dog) months after completion of therapy. The initial radiographic sign was an alveolar infiltrate in all three dogs. At subsequent examinations at variable time periods after treatment, radiographic findings included: bronchiectasis (n = 3 dogs), alveolar infiltrate (n = 2 dogs), decreased lung volume (n = 2 dogs), and unstructured interstitial opacification (n = 1 dog). Necropsy examination of one dog at fourteen months after the completion of radiotherapy showed evidence of pulmonary fibrosis within the irradiated lung. Necropsy examination of the second dog did not show any evidence of radiation induced changes. It is possible that histopathologic examination did not include irradiated lung. No clinical signs that could be attributed to the radiation pneumonitis were observed in any dog. It appears that approximately 25% of the lung can be safely irradiated to high doses, if indicated, in order to deliver an adequate dose of radiation to a primary tumor site.     

Adult neural function requires MeCP2

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a postnatal neurological disorder caused by mutations in MECP2, encoding the epigenetic regulator methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). The onset of RTT symptoms during early life together with findings suggesting neurodevelopmental abnormalities in RTT and mouse models of RTT raised the question of whether maintaining MeCP2 function exclusively during early life might protect against disease. We show by using an inducible model of RTT that deletion of Mecp2 in adult mice recapitulates the germline knock-out phenotype, underscoring the ongoing role of MeCP2 in adult neurological function. Moreover, unlike the effects of other epigenetic instructions programmed during early life, the effects of early MeCP2 function are lost soon after its deletion. These findings suggest that therapies for RTT must be maintained throughout life.     

Carbon-based supercapacitors produced by activation of graphene

Supercapacitors, also called ultracapacitors or electrochemical capacitors, store electrical charge on high-surface-area conducting materials. Their widespread use is limited by their low energy storage density and relatively high effective series resistance. Using chemical activation of exfoliated graphite oxide, we synthesized a porous carbon with a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of up to 3100 square meters per gram, a high electrical conductivity, and a low oxygen and hydrogen content. This sp(2)-bonded carbon has a continuous three-dimensional network of highly curved, atom-thick walls that form primarily 0.6- to 5-nanometer-width pores. Two-electrode supercapacitor cells constructed with this carbon yielded high values of gravimetric capacitance and energy density with organic and ionic liquid electrolytes. The processes used to make this carbon are readily scalable to industrial levels.     

Acanthocolpidae (Digenea) of marine fishes off New Caledonia, with the descriptions of two new species

The following acanthocolpid species are reported from New Caledonia. Acaenodera nautili sp. n. from Conger cinereus Rüppel differs from other Acaenodera species in details of the body-spination, the sucker-ratio and the bipartite seminal vesicle; Stephanostomum murielae sp. n. from Carangoides hedlandensis (Whitley) differs from most species of Stephanostomum in the average of 36 circum-oral spines, the circum-oral spine rows with a ventral hiatus and the anterior extent of the vitellarium being > 10% of the hindbody length from ventral sucker. The species is distinguished from the three other species with these characters in a detailed review. The other species reported are: Stephanostomum aaravi Bray et Cribb, 2003 from Lethrinus miniatus and L. rubrioperculatus; Stephanostomum ditrematis (Yamaguti, 1939) from Gnathanodon speciosus; Stephanostomum japonocasum Durio et Manter, 1969 from Cephalopholis urodeta, Epinephelus areolatus, E. chlorostigma, E. maculatus, E. retouti, Lethrinus miniatus and Variola louti; Stephanostomum uku Yamaguti, 1970 and Pleorchis uku Yamaguti, 1970 from Aprion virescens.     

CEREBRAL SINUS VENOGRAPHY IN THE DOG: A NEW TECHNIQUE

A new of performing cerebral sinus venography was developed that opacivies both the ventral and most of the dorsal venous sinus systems. A pediatric angiographic catheter was introduced into the external jugular vein and advanced to the level of the temporal sinus. Iodinated contrast medium was injected manually and radiographs were made. Subtraction radiography was used to visualize vessels field wit contast medium. Venography was simple and relatively non-invasive and was considered safe. The technique was used to confirm occlusion of the transverse venous sinus in healthy dogs that had undergone radical craniectomies.     

Efficacy and Toxicity of Doxorubicin/Cyclophosphamide Maintenance Therapy in Dogs with Multicentric Lymphosarcoma

Doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide were evaluated as maintenance drugs for dogs with multicentric lymphosarcoma (n = 28). Median remission time of all dogs was 173 days. Remission duration was shorter, however, in dogs with stage IV/V disease, in dogs with pretreatment hypoalbuminemia, and in dogs that had received glucocorticoids before initiation of chemotherapy (P less than 0.04). Nineteen dogs were evaluable for toxicity. Dose-limiting gastrointestinal toxicosis was observed in three dogs, neutropenia was observed in three dogs, and cardiomyopathy was observed in three dogs. The doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide protocol described in this report is safe and effective in treating canine multicentric lymphosarcoma. Clinical stage, pretreatment steroid therapy, and hypoalbuminemia are prognostic factors for response to this protocol.     

Fecal incontinence and spinal cord abnormalities in seven dogs

Seven dogs with fecal incontinence and abnormal gaits were evaluated. Fecal incontinence was characterized as defecation of normal stools without posturing. Duration of clinical signs prior to evaluation ranged from 5 months to 3 years. Five dogs had upper motor neuron (UMN) paraparesis, and 2 dogs had UMN tetraparesis. With magnetic resonance imaging, spinal cord abnormalities primarily involving the dorsal aspect of the spinal cord were identified in all dogs. Five dogs had focal abnormalities, and 2 dogs had diffuse abnormalities of the spinal cord. Of the dogs with focal spinal cord lesions, 4 had cystic spinal cord abnormalities and 1 had a meningioma. Surgery was performed on all dogs with focal lesions; 4 of the 5 dogs had resolution of fecal incontinence after surgery. Results in these dogs suggest that fecal incontinence can be associated with spinal cord abnormalities and, depending on the characteristics of the lesion, can resolve after surgical treatment of the abnormality.