Prediction of vascular invasion using a 7‐point scale computed tomography grading system in adrenal tumors in dogs

BackgroundPrevious studies evaluating the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in detecting caudal vena cava (CVC) invasion by adrenal tumors (AT) used a binary system and did not evaluate for other vessels.ObjectiveTest a 7‐point scale CT grading system for accuracy in predicting vascular invasion and for repeatability among radiologists. Build a decision tree based on CT criteria to predict tumor type.MethodsRetrospective observational cross‐sectional case study. Abdominal CT studies were analyzed by 3 radiologists using a 7‐point CT grading scale for vascular invasion and by 1 radiologist for CT features of AT.AnimalsDogs with AT that underwent adrenalectomy and had pre‐ and postcontrast CT.ResultsNinety‐one dogs; 45 adrenocortical carcinomas (50%), 36 pheochromocytomas (40%), 9 adrenocortical adenomas (10%) and 1 unknown tumor. Carcinoma and pheochromocytoma differed in pre‐ and postcontrast attenuation, contralateral adrenal size, tumor thrombus short‐ and long‐axis, and tumor and thrombus mineralization. A decision tree was built based on these differences. Adenoma and malignant tumors differed in contour irregularity. Probability of vascular invasion was dependent on CT grading scale, and a large equivocal zone existed between 3 and 6 scores, lowering CT accuracy to detect vascular invasion. Radiologists'' agreement for detecting abnormalities (evaluated by chance‐corrected weighted kappa statistics) was excellent for CVC and good to moderate for other vessels. The quality of postcontrast CT study had a negative impact on radiologists'' performance and agreement.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceFeatures of CT may help radiologists predict AT type and provide probabilistic information on vascular invasion.     

Supercritical CO2 extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum: chemical characterization and antityrosinase activity

The volatile oil of the bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum was extracted by means of supercritical CO2 fluid extraction in different conditions of pressure and temperature. Its chemical composition was characterized by GC-MS analysis. Nineteen compounds, which in the supercritical extract represented >95% of the oil, were identified. (E)-Cinnamaldehyde (77.1%), (E)-beta-caryophyllene (6.0%), alpha-terpineol (4.4%), and eugenol (3.0%) were found to be the major constituents. The SFE oil of cinnamon was screened for its biological activity about the formation of melanin in vitro. The extract showed antityrosinase activity and was able to reduce the formation of insoluble flakes of melanin from tyrosine. The oil also delayed the browning effect in apple homogenate. (E)-Cinnamaldehyde and eugenol were found to be mainly responsible of this inhibition effect.     

A potential early clinical phenotype of necrotizing meningoencephalitis in genetically at‐risk pug dogs

BackgroundNecrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) in the pug dogs is a fatal neuroinflammatory disease associated with rapid progression and poor response to conventional immunosuppressive therapy. Diagnosis is typically made after severe neurological abnormalities have manifested.Hypothesis/ObjectivePug dogs at genetic risk for NME might manifest neurological abnormalities before developing pathognomonic clinical signs of NME.AnimalsThirty‐six pug dogs less than 4 years of age asymptomatic for NME.MethodsProspective observational cohort study with germline genome‐wide genotyping. Neurological examinations were performed 4 weeks apart to document reproducible findings of central nervous system disease. Magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and testing for infectious diseases were performed in all pugs with reproducible abnormalities detected on neurological examination.ResultsThe overall risk allele frequency in this cohort was 40%; 5 (14%) dogs were high risk, 19 (53%) dogs were medium risk, and 12 (33%) dogs were low genetic risk for NME. Reproducible abnormalities detected on neurological examination were identified in 8/24 (33%) genetically at‐risk dogs and 0/12 (0%) low risk dogs. Clinical abnormalities included multifocal spinal pain in 8/8, reduced menace response in 5/8, and lateralizing postural reaction deficits in 5/8 pugs. There was a strong association between genotype risk and the presence of this clinical phenotype (P = .03).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceOur findings suggest the presence of a novel early clinical phenotype of NME in apparently asymptomatic genetically at‐risk pugs which might be used to plan early diagnostic and therapeutic clinical trials.     

New Populations of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum from Lettuce in California and Peas and Lentils in Washington

ABSTRACT Four populations of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in North America were inferred previously, based on analyses of both rapidly evolving markers (DNA fingerprint and mycelial compatiblity), and multilocus DNA sequence spanning the range between fast and slow evolution. Each population was defined as an interbreeding unit of conspecific individuals sharing a common recent ancestor and arising in a unique evolutionary event. The present study applies this standard to extend characterization of S. sclerotiorum populations to the Western United States. Isolates of S. sclerotiorum (N = 294) were determined to represent three genetically differentiated populations: California (CA, lettuce), Washington (WA, pea/lentil), and Ontario (ON, lettuce). CA was the most diverse population yet sampled in North America. Clonality was detected in ON and WA. No DNA fingerprints were common among the populations. The index of association (I(A)), based on fingerprint, was closer to zero (0) for CA than it was for the other populations. High diversity and lack of association of markers in California are consistent either with genetic exchange and recombination, or with large population size and high standing genetic variation. Intra- and interlocus conflict among three DNA sequence loci was consistent with recombination. The coalescent IGS genealogy confirmed subdivision and showed CA to be older than WA or ON. The Nearest Neighbor statistic on combined data confirmed subdivision among all present and previously defined populations. All isolates had both MAT1-1 and MAT1-2, consistent with uniform homothallism.     

1H NMR metabolite fingerprint and pattern recognition of mullet (Mugil cephalus) bottarga

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy combined with multivariate data analysis (MVA) was used to investigate the molecular components of the aqueous extract of samples of bottarga, that is, salted and dried mullet (Mugil cephalus) roe, manufactured in Sardinia (Italy) from mullets of known and unknown geographical provenience. Principal component analysis (PCA) applied to the processed (1)H NMR spectra indicated that samples tend to cluster according to their geographical origin and also on the basis of storage and manufacturing procedures. The most important metabolites that characterized grouping of samples are the free amino acids methionine (Met), glutamate (Glu), histidine (His), phenylalanine (Phe), tyrosine (Tyr), and isoleucine (Ile); trimethylamine (TMA) and dimethylamine (DMA), both biomarkers of degradation; nucleotides and derivatives; choline (Cho) and phosphorylcholine (P-cho); and lactate (Lac).