Preliminary evaluation of serial (18) FDG-PET/CT to assess response to toceranib phosphate therapy in canine cancer

Palladia(TM) (toceranib phosphate-Pfizer Animal Health) is a novel orally administered receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) approved for treatment of canine mast cell tumors. Receptor tyrosine kinase dysregulation leads to tumor growth, progression, and metastasis. Toceranib's targets include vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR-2/Flk-1/KDR), platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and kit. Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) is used commonly to diagnose, prognosticate, and monitor response to antineoplastic therapy in human patients. In this study, serial PET/CT imaging with (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18) FDG) was used to assess response to toceranib therapy in dogs with measurable solid malignancies. Six tumor-bearing dogs underwent tumor assessment using both standard RECIST criteria and PET/CT prior to and at a median of 5 weeks postinitiation of toceranib treatment. Toceranib was prescribed initially at a target dose 3.25 mg/kg PO q48 h, with subsequent modifications based on observed toxicity. Treatment was continued in patients achieving stable disease with acceptable drug tolerance. One dog was maintained on drug despite dose modification due to toxicity; measurable clinical and image-based responses were seen after 10 weeks of therapy. All others had stable or progressive disease based on clinical restaging and PET/CT at first recheck. . Due to discordance with anatomic and metabolic imaging, further studies are needed to investigate the role of molecular imaging in assessment of drug response and identify other potential molecular targets of toceranib.     

Comparison of abdominal computed tomography and abdominal ultrasound in sedated dogs

Abdominal ultrasound (US) is used frequently as a first-line screening tool for abdominal disease. Although computed tomography (CT) is superior to US in the diagnosis of some abdominal diseases, a major impediment is the requirement of general anesthesia to prevent motion and for safe restraint. With multidetector helical CT, faster examinations allow general anesthesia to be avoided, while producing diagnostic-quality images. Abdominal US and CT were compared for lesion detection in 27 sedated dogs, divided into three even groups based on body weight. Lesions were categorized further as to subjective clinical relevance. In dogs less than 25 kg, there is no significant difference in lesion detection between CT and US. In dogs weighing greater than 25 kg, more lesions were detected with CT than with US (P = 0.0001), including clinically relevant lesions (P = 0.0277). From these results, it appears that CT has an advantage in lesion detection in dogs greater than 25 kg, making it a better screening test for abdominal disease in these patients.     

微生态营养素对鱼苗池浮游生物的影响

通过在鱼苗培育过程中使用微生态营养素和传统养殖模式进行对比,分析测定养殖环境中的浮游生物种类、数量和生物量以及透明度等理化因子,研究微生态营养素在苗种培育中的使用效果。研究结果表明:微生态营养素能有效促进浮游生物的生长,施放微生态营养素的水体中鱼类喜食且易消化的浮游植物及浮游动物的种类和数量显著增加,总生物量提高了20%~58%,水体透明度降低了30%～52%,培育出来的苗种,较常规培育的个体更大、成活率更高。     

秸秆还田方式对砂姜黑土有机碳组分和孔隙结构的影响

砂姜黑土容重高、土壤有机碳(soil organic carbon,SOC)含量低是限制作物产量的关键因子,秸秆还田能有效改善土壤结构,提高土壤有机碳含量。为探明砂姜黑土区适宜的秸秆还田方式,进一步培肥改良耕地地力,该研究利用砂姜黑土连续6 a耕作与秸秆还田定位试验,探究不同秸秆还田方式(免耕还田、旋耕还田、深翻还田)对砂姜黑土不同土层(0～10、>10～20、>20～40 cm)有机碳及其组分颗粒有机碳(particulate organic carbon,POC)、矿物结合态有机碳(mineral-associated organic carbon,MAOC)和孔隙结构的影响。研究结果表明:在0～10 cm土层内,3种还田方式下SOC及其组分、土壤总孔隙度和大孔隙度(>50 μm)均无显著性差异(P>0.05)。与旋耕还田相比,免耕还田使>10～20和>20～40 cm土层SOC含量分别降低了14.1%、23.7%(P<0.05),对>10～40 cm土层内孔隙结构特征参数无显著影响(P>0.05);与旋耕还田相比,深翻还田使&...     

Microcracking and Chloride Penetration of Concrete under Uniaxial Compression

A non-destructive method of evaluation of specific crack area was used to characterise microcracking in concrete prisms during uniaxial compression loading and unloading. Chloride profiles were also measured after the same concretes were exposed to chloride environment. The relation among microcracking, stress-strength ratio and chloride penetration of concrete were analysed based on the experimental results. Under compressive load, the apparent chloride diffusion coefficient decreases until about one third of the ultimate load. Further increase of compressive load improves the chloride diffusion coefficient again. There is a close link between microcracking and stress-strength ratio. The index of specific crack area can be used to indicate the microcracking and study chloride transport behaviour into concrete under the influence of microcracking.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC AND RADIOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF AORTIC LESIONS IN 42 DOGS WITH SPIROCERCOSIS

Spirocerca lupi is a common cause of vomiting, regurgitation, and sudden death in dogs that live in tropical or subtropical regions. Sudden death due to aortic rupture may occur with no preceding clinical signs. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) characteristics of aortic lesions in a cohort of 42 dogs with endoscopically confirmed spirocercosis. Dorsoventral and right lateral recumbent thoracic radiographic findings were compared with pre‐ and postcontrast thoracic CT findings. Aortic mineralization was detected using CT in 18/42 dogs (43%). Three dogs had faint diffuse aortic wall mineralization. Using CT as the reference standard, radiographs had a sensitivity and specificity of 6% and 96%, respectively, for detecting aortic mineralization. A total of 20 aortic aneurysms were detected using CT in 15/42 dogs (36%). Using CT as the reference standard, radiographs had a sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 56%, respectively, for detecting aortic aneurysms. Respiratory motion, aortic displacement by esophageal masses and Spirocerca nodules adjacent to the aorta mimicked aneurysm formation on radiographs. Aortic thrombi were seen in two dogs in postcontrast CT images. Findings from this study indicated that aortic mineralization and aneurysm formation are common in dogs with spirocercosis. Findings also supported the use of pre‐ and postcontrast CT as effective methods for detecting and characterizing these lesions.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—BILATERAL ABNORMAL OSSIFICATION OF THE SUPRAGLENOID TUBERCLE AND CRANIAL GLENOID CAVITY IN AN ENGLISH SETTER

An 8‐month‐old intact male English Setter was presented with bilateral shoulder lameness. Radiographic and CT examinations demonstrated bilateral irregular margination and separation of the supraglenoid tubercle from the scapula, with involvement of the cranial articular surface of the glenoid cavity. After 30 days of cage rest, complete fusion of proximal portions of both supraglenoid tubercles and persistent un‐united cranial portions of both glenoid cavities were evident. Histopathologic findings from biopsies of glenoid cavity defects were consistent with osteochondrosis or focal chondrodysplasia.     

IMAGING FINDINGS IN 14 DOMESTIC FERRETS (MUSTELA PUTORIUS FURO) WITH LYMPHOMA

Lymphoma is the most common malignant neoplasia in domestic ferrets, Mustela putorius furo. However, imaging findings in ferrets with lymphoma have primarily been described in single case reports. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe imaging findings in a group of ferrets with confirmed lymphoma. Medical records were searched between 2002 and 2012. A total of 14 ferrets were included. Radiographs (n = 12), ultrasound (n = 14), computed tomography (CT; n = 1), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; n = 1) images were available for review. Median age at the time of diagnosis was 5.2 years (range 3.25–7.6 years). Clinical signs were predominantly nonspecific (8/14). The time between the first imaging study and lymphoma diagnosis was 1 day or less in most ferrets (12). Imaging lesions were predominantly detected in the abdomen, and most frequently included intra‐abdominal lymphadenopathy (12/14), splenomegaly (8/14), and peritoneal effusion (11/14). Lymphadenopathy and mass lesions were typically hypoechoic on ultrasound. Mild peritoneal effusion was the only detected abnormality in two ferrets. Mild pleural effusion was the most common thoracic abnormality (3/12). Expansile lytic lesions were present in the vertebrae of two ferrets with T3‐L3 myelopathy and the femur in a ferret with lameness. Hyperattenuating, enhancing masses with secondary spinal cord compression were associated with vertebral lysis in CT images of one ferret. The MRI study in one ferret with myelopathy was inconclusive. Findings indicated that imaging characteristics of lymphoma in ferrets are similar to those previously reported in dogs, cats, and humans.