Secondary Intracranial Neoplasia in the Dog: 177 Cases (1986–2003)

Background: This study investigates the frequency, location, and clinical findings associated with 177 secondary brain tumors in dogs.
Hypothesis: Secondary intracranial neoplasia is more common than primary intracranial neoplasia in dogs during the time period studied, and hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is the most common secondary intracranial tumor.
Animals: One hundred and seventy-seven client-owned dogs presented to the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital between 1986 and 2003.
Methods: Medical records were searched for a diagnosis of intracranial neoplasia in dogs who underwent complete postmortem examination. Of these dogs, those with a diagnosis of primary intracranial neoplasia were excluded.
Results: Of the 177 secondary brain tumors, 51 (29%) were HSAs, 44 (25%) were pituitary tumors, 21 (12%) were lymphosarcomas, and 21 (12%) were metastatic carcinomas. The average age at diagnosis was 9.6 ± 3.0 years. Most tumors were located in the cerebrum, and a mentation change was the most common presenting clinical sign. On postmortem examination, the same tumor that was in the brain was also present in the lung in 84 cases (47%), in the kidney in 62 cases (35%), and in the heart in 55 cases (31%).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Secondary intracranial neoplasia in dogs was more common than primary intracranial neoplasia during the time period studied. Many of these dogs had related disease in other body systems that was apparent on diagnostic tests such as thoracic radiography.     

High‐level exogenous trans10, cis12 conjugated linoleic acid plays an anti‐lipogenesis role in bovine mammary epithelial cells

Primary bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) were treated by 0, 37.5, 75, 112.5, 150 μmol/L trans10, cis12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to evaluate the effects of different level trans10, cis12 CLA on lipogenesis in BMEC. Addition of 75–150 μmol/L trans10, cis12 CLA reduced significantly the triacylglycerol (TAG) content (P < 0.05), but did not have inhibiting action on cell proliferation (P > 0.05). Treatment with 150 μmol/L trans10, cis12 CLA for 48 h resulted in a 17.1% reduction (P < 0.0001) of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA, C14 < C < C16), a 26.5% reduction (P < 0.0001) of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and a corresponding reduction of the mRNA abundance of acetyl coenzyme A (acetylCoA) carboxylase (ACC) (P = 0.046), fatty acid synthase (FAS) (P = 0.017) and stearoylCoA desaturase1 (SCD1) (P = 0.002). Another finding was that trans10, cis12 CLA elevated expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase2 (DGAT2) (P = 0.020) and long chain acylCoA synthetases (ACSL) (P = 0.032). In conclusion, higher trans10, cis12 CLA, not low trans10, cis12 CLA, inhibited milk fat synthesis and changed fatty acid composition by regulating the expression of FAS, ACC, SCD1, DGAT2 and ACSL.     

The detection of subclinical mastitis in the bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) by somatic cell count and California mastitis test

Milk samples (n=160) from 7 clinically healthy bactrian camels were cultured to detect subclinical udder infection. The samples were assessed by the Californian mastitis test (CMT) and somatic cell count (SCC). Bacteria were recovered from 36 (22.5%) of the milk samples. Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were the main organisms found.Infected quarters had significantly higher mean values for the SCC (p<0.01) and CMT (p<0.001) than non-infected quarters. All 7 camels were infected with CNS but only 4 with S. aureus. CMT values for S. aureus-infected camels were significantly higher than for those only infected with CNS. The values for SCC and CMT were significantly influenced by the stage of lactation (p<0.05). No significant difference was found from the effect of the quarters. Both SCC and CMT were of value in predicting the infection status of the udder.Abbreviations CMT California mastitis test - SCC somatic cell count - CNS coagulase-negative staphylococci     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—MALIGNANT PERIPHERAL NERVE SHEATH TUMOR PRESENTING AS AN INTRA‐AXIAL BRAIN MASS IN A YOUNG DOG

A 3‐year‐old Labrador retriever was presented with acute onset seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an intra‐axial mass affecting the right temporal lobe of the brain. Surgical resection and histopathological findings were most consistent with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. After initial recovery, deterioration 3 months post surgery prompted euthanasia. Post‐mortem revealed a mass protruding from the ventral surface of the temporal lobe, encroaching upon the optic chiasm and invading the brain. Histopathology findings were again consistent with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Although rare, this tumor should be included as a possible differential diagnosis for intra‐axial brain masses in dogs.     

Sertoli cell tumors associated with feminizing syndrome and spermatic cord torsion in two cryptorchid dogs

The association of cryptorchidism, functional Sertoli cell tumors, and spermatic cord torsion has been rarely reported in the literature. Two dogs were admitted for bilateral skin alopecia and weight loss. Both animals were cryptorchid and displayed a pendulous preputial sheath, prostate hypertrophy, and increased levels of circulating oestrogen. Transabdominal palpation and ultrasonography revealed the presence of neoplastic retained gonads. During surgery, spermatic cord torsion was also detected in the enlarged neoplastic testes of both dogs. Histologic examination confirmed the presence of Sertoli cell tumors that were primarily responsible for the feminizing syndrome. Complete remission of all symptoms occurred within 3 months after orchiectomy.     

ADNEXAL CYSTADENOMA IN A BEARDED DRAGON (POGONA VITTICEPS)

An adult female bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) presented to the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital for an area of swelling affecting the left eye of approximately 3 years’ duration. Upon examination, the left eye could not be evaluated due to an extensive periorbital mass effect. Hematologic and advanced diagnostic testing were recommended, but due to financial concerns the owner declined. Ultimately, the patient was humanely euthanized and was submitted for necropsy. The mass was diagnosed via histopathology as a cystadenoma of the eyelid. Phthisis bulbi of the left eye with granulomatous inflammation was also observed.     

Effects of Energy,Protein and Amino Acids Levels on the Development of Mammary Gland and the Growth of Fetus in Sows at Late Gestation

Late gestation is an important period for rapid development of the sow's mammary gland and fetus. It is becoming more and more important to provide a suitable nutrient level in late gestation period for improve the reproductive efficiency of sow. Demand of energy, protein and amino acids for mammary gland and fetus in sows at late gestation are different. To provide reasonable nutrition for fetus, at the same time for the needs of mammary gland are still seldom reported. In this paper, the effects of dietary energy, protein and amino acids levels on the development of mammary gland and the growth of fetus were reviewed,the authors propose the requirement of energy, protein amino acid and reasonable proportion in sows at late gestation, in order to give some guidance for pig farmers.     

Magnetic resonance imaging features of feline intracranial neoplasia: retrospective analysis of 46 cats

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of feline brain tumors and to determine whether these characteristics can be used to accurately predict the histologic diagnosis. MRI scans of 46 cats with histologically confirmed brain tumors were reviewed, including 33 meningiomas, 6 lymphomas, 4 gliomas, 2 olfactory neuroblastomas, and 1 pituitary tumor. MRI features including axial origin, shape, location, signal intensity, contrast enhancement, peritumoral edema, and mass effect were reviewed and characterized for each tumor type. Tumor shape, axial origin, contrast enhancement, and degree of peritumoral edema aided in the identification of tumor type. Meningiomas were always extra-axial and were most often ovoid with marked contrast enhancement and mild peritumoral edema. Gliomas were always intra-axial with ring enhancement and generally caused more peritumoral edema than other tumors. The brain tumor was detected on MRI in 45 (98%) cats. Two blinded independent reviewers correctly identified 82% of all of the tumor types on the basis of MRI appearance alone. Thus, MRI is an excellent diagnostic tool for the detection of brain tumors in cats, and it provides important information to aid in the diagnosis of tumor type.     

鸟氨酸脱羧酶抗酶1基因的结构和功能

鸟氨酸脱羧酶抗酶1(OAZ1)基因可通过特殊的+1移码机制翻译全长的功能蛋白.研究发现,OAZ1能与鸟氨酸脱羧酶(ODC)结合并降解ODC,负调控细胞内多胺的水平;OAZ1还能降解Cyclin D1、Cyclin E1和Smad1周期蛋白,阻滞细胞周期;此外,近年来研究表明,OAZI还具有抗肿瘤效应和调控动物繁殖的功能.抗酶抑制因子能竞争性结合ODC-OAZ1复合体中的OAZ1,从而阻止ODC降解;天门冬酰胺也能通过抑制OAZ1的翻译来调节ODC的活性.本文就OAZ1基因结构和功能的研究现状作一综述.