Aortic rupture causing cardiac tamponade in a 24‐day‐old Friesian colt with concurrent colonic Chlamydiosis and Balantidiasis

A 24‐day‐old Friesian colt died suddenly and a physical examination the morning the foal died showed no abnormalities and serum IgG levels >8.0 g/l. Necropsy examination revealed haemopericardium and a 2 cm transverse tear at the root of the aorta. The foal was also found to have Chlamydophila spp. in the epithelium and Balantidium coli on the mucosal surface of the large colon. An aortic rupture is a novel finding in a foal, colonic Chlamydiosis has not been previously reported in horses and Balantidium coli has not been reported in equids in North America.     

多层螺旋CT与核磁共振血管成像、数字减影对主动脉夹层诊断的比较研究

目的：比较多层螺旋CT(multi-slice spiral CT，MSCT)与核磁共振血管成像(MRA)、数字减影(DSA)对主动脉夹层(aortic dissection，AD)的诊断价值。方法：对17例AD患者行MSCT检查，并与MRA、DSA的检查结果进行比较。结果：对17例AD患者用MSCT、MRA、DSA都能作出诊断(按DeBakey分型，Ⅰ型有4例，Ⅱ型有1例，Ⅲ型有12例)，但只有MSCT能明确显示夹层的范围和分支的受累情况，以及剥离内膜瓣、裂口及主动脉的周围情况。而MRA对裂口的检出率只有21．74％，DSA可达87．0％。结论：MSCT对AD的分型以及破裂口的定位诊断更具准确性，对动脉分支显示更清晰。     

MicroRNA-142-3p modulates atherosclerosis-associated endothelial cell apoptosis via targeting Rictor

AIM To investigate the role of microRNA-142-3p （miR-142-3p） in endothelial cell apoptosis during atherosclerosis （AS） and the underlying mechanism. METHODS Human aortic endothelial cells （HAECs） were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein （ox-LDL）. The expression level of miR-142-3p was detected by RT-qPCR. Apoptosis was determined via flow cytometry （FCM） and caspase-3 activity assay. Prediction of the binding site between miR-142-3p and 3’-UTR of Rictor mRNA was performed by bioinformatics analysis and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS The expression of miR-142-3p was substantially up-regulated during the ox-LDL-elicited apoptosis in HAECs （P<0.05,P<0.01）. Forced expression of miR-142-3p exacerbated apoptosis in HAECs whereas inhibition of miR-142-3p partly alleviated apoptotic cell death mediated by ox-LDL. Further analysis identified Rictor as a direct target gene of miR-142-3p, and Rictor knock-down abolished the anti-apoptotic effect of miR-142-3p inhibitor. Moreover, the Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS） signaling pathway was found to mediate the beneficial effect of miR-142-3p inhibitor on endothelial cells apoptosis. CONCLUSION Down-regulation of miR-142-3p inhibits endothelial cell apoptosis and atherosclerotic development by up-regulating the expression of Rictor and activating the Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.     

Thrombolytic Therapy in Dogs and Cats

Objective: To review the thrombolytic agents most commonly used in humans, their mechanisms of action, potential uses, adverse effects, and reports of their use in dogs and cats.
Human data synthesis: Thrombolytic agents avaliable in human medicine include streptokinase, urokinase, tissueplasminogen activator (t-PA), single-chain urokinase plasma activator (scu-PA) and anisoylated plasminogen-strep-tokinase activator complex (APSAC). These agents were originally used for the management of proximal deep vein thrombosis and severe pulmonary embolism but more recently, use of these drugs has been extended to include the treatment of acute peripheral arterial disease, cerebrovascular disease (stroke) and acute coronary thrombosis. The most predictable side effect associated with the use of thrombolytic therapy is hemorrhage.
Veterinary data synthesis: Clinical experience with thrombolytic agents in small animals is limited to streptokinase and t-PA. It is possible, that as in humans, canine and feline patients with PTE and right ventricular dysfunction may benefit from thrombolytic therapy but there are no veterinary studies to support this theory to date. Successful use of streptokinase has been documented in a small number of canine patients with systemic thromboembolism. ⁶³ Thrombolytic therapy is relatively efficacious in cats with aortic thromboemboli but is associated with a high mortality rate. ^59,60,64 With regard to use of t-PA in veterinary medicine, the small number of animals treated with varying protocols makes it impossible to provide safe and effective dose recommendations at this time.
Conclusions: Future goals for thrombolytic therapy in veterinary medicine include determination of more specific clinical indications, as well as design of effective protocols that minimize mortality and morbidity.     

Angioarchitecture of collateral arteries of the aortic arch of Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus Linnaeus, 1758)

The aortic arrangement is an important structure associated with the maintenance of homeostasis. Based on this information, this study was conducted to describe the collateral arteries of the aortic arch of Antillean manatee and define the standard model for the species. Three specimens, an adult male, adult female and a male neonate, all strandings on the coast of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, were used. The study was performed in the Laboratory of Morphophysiology of Vertebrates of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, where in situ photographs were taken to demonstrate their topography. Subsequently, their hearts were removed and fixed in 10% formaldehyde and after 72 hr were dissected and analysed, obtaining schematic drawings and photographs of the vascular arrangement. The aortic arch was represented by three collateral arteries identified as the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery. This arrangement was similar to that found for other sirenians, and yet, for other mammals like hooded seal, murine, margarita island capuchin, black-handed tamarin, Mongolian gerbil and human. The morphological similarity presented in this study with different species of mammals, including humans, may contribute valuable information from an evolutionary point of view.     

Massive pulmonary thromboembolism in six horses

This report involves 6 cases in which medical records and post mortem findings were reviewed leading to the diagnosis of massive pulmonary thromboembolism (MPTE). All horses were mature and MPTE has not been recognised previously as a sequel to generalised systemic illness in mature horses. The clinical data and pathological findings of the cases are reported and the authors conclude that MPTE is an uncommon but important complication of medical and surgical disorders in mature horses. In 3 of the cases, the condition was nonfatal suggesting that some horses having developed PTE survive and the condition may not be recognised in such cases. The incidence of the condition might be higher than supposed.     

RADIOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF AORTIC BULB/VALVE MINERALIZATION IN 20 DOGS

The radiographic features of aortic bulb/valve mineralization in 20 dogs were reviewed. Extent, shape, number, and location of mineralization were recorded. Five of the dogs had additional alternate imaging examinations, including bone scintigraphy, echocardiography, and thoracic computed tomography. A necropsy was done on one dog, and the area of mineralization was evaluated using routine histology. The median age was 10 (mean 9.7; SD +/- 2.7) years. There were five males, seven neutered males, one female, and seven neutered females. The breeds were: Irish setter (6); rottweiler (7); chow-chow (1); miniature dachshund (1); borzoi (1); English setter (1); English springer spaniel (1); great Dane (1); and greyhound (1). Dogs with both right and left lateral radiographs (n = 17) had mineralization visible on both views, more conspicuously on the right lateral radiograph (n = 12). Aortic bulb mineralization was identified on the ventrodorsal radiograph of only one dog. On lateral radiographs, the aortic bulb mineralization was localized within the 4th intercostal space and in the craniodorsal quadrant of the cardiac silhouette. In nine of the dogs, there were complex or multiple mineralizations and in 11 dogs, there was a single curvilinear mineral opacity oriented in a caudoventral to craniodorsal direction. In all radiographs, the mineralization was in the expected position of the aortic bulb, and echocardiography (n = 4), spiral computed tomography (n = 2), and necropsy (n = 1) confirmed that the mineralization was within the aortic bulb. Clinical pathologic data of the dogs suggested no reason for metastatic mineralization. Exact etiopathogenesis of the lesions were not determined in this study. Based on the histologic findings in one dog, the mineralization seen in the aortic root is similar to a form of dystrophic mineralization called Monckeberg's calcific arteriosclerosis in humans. No clinical signs attributable to the mineralization were observed.     

DIAGNOSIS OF AORTIC THROMBOEMBOLISM IN TWO DOGS WITH RADIONUCLIDE ANGIOGRAPHY

Radionuclide angiography was used to document occlusion of the distal aorta by thromboemboli in two dogs. Findings were confirmed by necropsy. The location of the thrombus corresponded with the scintigraphic lesion. Information obtained by the radionuclide angiogram was instrumental in patient management. We suggest the use of radionuclide angiography as a quick, non-invasive alternative to contrast angiography in animals suspected of having aortic thromboembolism.