Physical therapy in dogs with osteoarthritis

Osteoartritis je ortopedska bolest koja uzrokuje probleme u kretanju u mnogih pacijenata, često starije dobi. Bolnost i oteknuće zglobova posljedica su propadanja zglobne hrskavice što smanjuje kvalitetu života naših pacijenata. Životinje otežano ustaju, šepaju, pokazuju znakove bola i vidljiva je smanjena pokretljivost zglobova. Iako ovo stanje nije izlječivo, moguće je smanjiti simptome i bolnost te usporiti napredovanje bolesti lijekovima i fizikalnom terapijom.Osteoarthritis is an orthopedic disease that causes movement problems in many patients, who are often elderly. Joint pain and swelling are the result of joint cartilage failure, which leads to a decrease in the quality of life of our patients. Animals have difficulties getting up, are limping, showing signs of pain and showing decreased joint mobility. Although this condition is not curable, it is possible to slow down the progression of the disease and manage pain using medicaments and physical therapy

Concomitant Chemoradiotherapy Using Carboplatin and Etoposide-induced Cutaneous Vasculitis in a Patient with Small Cell Lung Cancer

Drug-induced vasculitis occurs after drug exposure and consequent inflammation of small blood vessels which can lead to damage of affected tissue. Rare cases of drug-induced vasculitis during chemotherapy or concomitant chemo- radiotherapy have been described in the literature. Our patient was diagnosed with stage IIIA (cT4N1M0) small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Four weeks after the application of the second cycle carboplatin and etoposide (CE) chemotherapy, the patient de- veloped cutaneous vasculitis and rash on the lower extremities. CE chemotherapy was discontinued and symptomatic therapy with methylprednisolone was admin- istered. On prescribed corticosteroid therapy, there was an improvement in local finding. After completion of chemoradiotherapy, the patient continued treatment with four cycles of consolidation chemotherapy with cisplatin (six cycles of chemo- therapy in total). Clinical examination verified further regression of the cutaneous vasculitis. Elective radiotherapy of the brain was performed after completion of consolidation chemotherapy treatment. The patient was clinically monitored until disease relapse. Subsequent lines of chemotherapy for platinum-resistant disease were administered. The patient died seventeen months after diagnosis of SCLC. To our knowledge, this is the first described case of a patient who developed vasculitis of lower extremities during concomitant administration of radiotherapy and CE che- motherapy as a part of the primary treatment for SCLC

Comparison of diagnostic imaging methods for intervertebral disc herniation in dogs

Hernijacija intervertebralnog diska jedna je od češćih bolesti međukralježničnog diska. Etiološki gledano, mnogi su uzroci ovoga stanja: degeneracije diska, traume, infekcije ili anatomske/razvojne anomalije. U dijagnostici hernijacije moguće je služiti se raznim metodama slikovne dijagnostike; najčešće nativnom rendgenografijom, mijelografijom, kompjuteriziranom tomografijom ili magnetnom rezonancijom. Prema dostupnim istraživanjima, najpouzdanija metoda pokazala se magnetna rezonancija koja omogućuje sigurnu dijagnostiku i lokalizaciju u 100 % slučajeva dok su za ostale metode postotci uspješnosti detekcije niži. Treba napomenuti da je korištenje određene metode slikovne dijagnostike u lokalizaciji i lateralizaciji mjesta hernijacije intervertebralnog diska u svakodnevnoj praksi najčešće ovisno o financijskim mogućnostima vlasnika, dostupnosti određene metode i hitnosti stanja. Shodno tome, rezultati pretraga variraju, kao i točnost lokalizacije hernijacije. Cilj je ovoga preglednog rada prikazati specifičnosti hernijacije intervertebralnog diska te mogućnosti dijagnostike slikovnim metodama raspoloživima u svakodnevnoj veterinarskoj praksi.Intervertebral disc herniation is a common disorder of the intervertebral disc. There are many causes of this condition: disc degeneration, trauma, infection, or anatomical/developmental abnormalities. In the diagnosis of herniation, various methods of diagnostic imaging can be applied, such as: survey radiography, myelography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. According to the literature, the most reliable method has proven to be magnetic resonance imaging, which allows for a sound diagnosis and localization in 100% of cases, while the success rates of detection for other methods are lower. It should be noted that the use of a particular imaging method in the localization and lateralization of the herniation site of the intervertebral disc in everyday practice is usually guided by the financial capacities of the owner, the availability of a particular method, and the urgency of the procedure. Consequently, the test results vary and thus the accuracy of the herniation localization. The aim of this review article is to show the specifics of intervertebral disc herniation and the methods for the most accurate diagnosis using imaging methods available in everyday veterinary practice

Antitumor mechanisms of amino acid hydroxyurea derivatives in the metastatic colon cancer model

The paper presents a detailed study of the biological effects of two amino acid hydroxyurea derivatives – that showed selective antiproliferative effects in vitro on the growth of human tumor cell line SW620. Tested compounds induced cell cycle perturbations and apoptosis. Proteins were identified by proteomics analyses using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry, which provided a complete insight into the most probable mechanism of action on the protein level. Molecular targets for tested compounds were analyzed by cheminformatics tools. Zinc-dependent histone deacetylases were identified as potential targets responsible for the observed antiproliferative effect

Rehabilitation of dogs from Acute Idiopathic Polyradiculoneuritis - a case report

Akutni idiopatski poliradikuloneuritis (AIP) je stečena periferna neuropatija koja primarno zahvaća ventralne korijene spinalnih živaca i periferne živce. Bolest je vrlo slična Guillain-Barré sindromu u ljudi, a nema dobne, pasminske ni spolne predispozicije te ne postoji specifična terapija. Oporavak traje 2 - 6 mjeseci. Fizikalna terapija i njega pacijenata preporučuju se kao potporna terapija. Dva psa, križane pasmine u dobi od šest i deset godina zaprimljeni su sa znacima akutne flakcidne tetrapareze/tetraplegije, u bočnom položaju bez mogućnosti da samostalno zauzmu sternalni položaj posljedično generaliziranoj zahvaćenosti nižih motoričkih neurona. Na svim ekstremitetima mišićni tonus je bio veoma slab. Dijagnoza AIP-a je bazirana na anamnezi, kliničkoj manifestaciji, neurološkom pregledu, slikovnoj dijagnostici i laboratorijskim testovima. Rehabilitacijski program je uključivao masažu ekstremiteta i pasivne kretnje zglobova kao važan dio kućnog programa, elektroterapiju, idroterapiju i proprioceptivne vježbe. Nakon dva tjedna fizikalne terapije psi su se mogli samostalno podignuti u sternalni položaj, a na stražnjim nogama pokazivali su i voljne pokrete. Potpomognuto stajanje i voljni pokreti svih ekstemiteta bili su prisutni na kraju trećeg tjedna u jednog psa i krajem petog tjedna u drugog psa. Nakon toga u proces rehabilitacije uključena je hidroterapija. Jedan pas je mogao samostalno hodati dvadeset petog dana od početka fizikalne terapije, dok je drugom psu bilo potrebno pedeset dana. Fizikalna terapija u kombinaciji s adekvatnim kućnim rehabilitacijskim programom može rezultirati skraćenim razdobljem oporavka za pacijente s AIP-om.Acute idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis (AIP) is an acquired peripheral neuropathy that primarily affects the ventral spinal nerve roots and peripheral nerves. The disease is very similar to Guillan Barré syndrome in humans. There is no age, breed, or sex predilection associated with the development of AIP. No proven specific treatment exists. Recovery occurs within 2 - 6 months. Physical therapy and nursing care are recommended as supportive treatment. Two female mix breed dogs, aged 6 and 10 years, were admitted to the physical therapy unit with signs of acute flaccid non-ambulatory tetraparesis/tetraplegia in lateral recumbency, unable to assume the sternal position unassisted as a consequence of generalised lower motor neuron signs. Reduced to absent muscle tone was present in all limbs. A tentative diagnosis of AIP was made based on history, clinical presentation, neurologic examination, diagnostic imaging and routine laboratory tests. The rehabilitation programme included massage, joint passive range of motion (PROM) as an important part of the home programme, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy and proprioceptive exercises. After two weeks, dogs were able to maintain a sternal position without support, and showed voluntary movement of the hind limbs. Assistive standing and voluntary movements of all limbs were present by the end of third week in one patient, and fifth week in the other. At that point, underwater treadmill sessions and active exercises were introduced. Dogs were ambulating without assistance after 25 days in one patient and after 50 days in other. Physical therapy combined with a proper home rehabilitation programme can result in a positive functional outcome in a shorter period of time in dogs with AIP

Treatment With Medicinal Mushroom Extract Mixture Inhibits Translation and Reprograms Metabolism in Advanced Colorectal Cancer Animal Model as Evidenced by Tandem Mass Tags Proteomics Analysis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent cancer type in both males and females, with about 35% of patients being diagnosed in stage IV metastatic disease. Despite advancements in treatment, life expectancy in patients with metastatic disease is still not satisfying. Due to frequent drug resistance during conventional and targeted cancer treatments, the development and testing of multi-target therapies is an important research field. Medicinal mushrooms specific isolated compounds as well as complex extract mixtures have been studied in depth, and many mushroom species have been proven to be non-toxic multi-target inhibitors of specific oncogenic pathways, as well as potent immunomodulators. In this study, we have performed a tandem mass tags qualitative and quantitative proteomic analyses of CT26.WT colon cancer tumor tissues from Balb/c mice treated with the studied medicinal mushroom extract mixture, with or without 5-fluorouracil. Besides significantly improved survival, obtained results reveal that Agarikon.1 alone, and in combination with 5-fluorouracil exert their anticancer effects by affecting several fundamental processes important in CRC progression. Bioinformatic analysis of up- and downregulated proteins revealed that ribosomal biogenesis and translation is downregulated in treatment groups, while the unfolded protein response (UPR), lipid metabolism and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) are upregulated. Moreover, we found that many known clinical biomarkers and protein clusters important in CRC progression and prognosis are affected, which are a good basis for an expanded translational study of the herein presented treatment