MRI-guided, transrectal, intraprostatic steam application as potential focal therapeutic modality for prostatic diseases in a large animal translational model: A feasibility follow-up study

Parallel to establishment of diagnostic surveillance protocols for detection of prostatic diseases, novel treatment strategies should be developed. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the feasibility and possible side effects of transrectal, MRI-targeted intraprostatic steam application in dogs as an established large animal translational model for prostatic diseases in humans. Twelve healthy experimental, intact, male beagle dogs without evidence of prostatic pathology were recruited. An initial MRI examination was performed, and MRI-targeted steam was applied intraprostatically immediately thereafter. Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), clinical and ultrasonographic examinations were performed periodically following the procedure to assess treatment effect. Four weeks after treatment, all dogs underwent follow-up MRI examinations and three needle-core biopsies were obtained from each prostatic lobe. Descriptive statistics were performed. MRI-guided intraprostatic steam application was successfully performed in the study population. The first day after steam application, 7/12 dogs had minimal signs of discomfort (grade 1/24 evaluated with the short-form Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale) and no dogs showed any sign of discomfort by day 6. CRP elevations were detected in 9/12 dogs during the first week post steam application. Mild to moderate T2 hyperintense intraparenchymal lesions were identified during follow-up MRI in 11/12 dogs four weeks post procedure. Ten of these lesions enhanced mild to moderately after contrast administration. Coagulative necrosis or associated chronic inflammatory response was detected in 80.6% (58/72) of the samples obtained. MRI-targeted intraprostatic steam application is a feasible technique and displays minimal side effects in healthy dogs as translational model for human prostatic diseases. This opens the possibility of minimally invasive novel treatment strategies for intraprostatic lesions

Lipidome determinants of maximal lifespan in mammals

Maximal lifespan of mammalian species, even if closely related, may differ more than 10-fold, however the nature of the mechanisms that determine this variability is unresolved. Here, we assess the relationship between maximal lifespan duration and concentrations of more than 20,000 lipid compounds, measured in 669 tissue samples from 6 tissues of 35 species representing three mammalian clades: primates, rodents and bats. We identify lipids associated with species’ longevity across the three clades, uncoupled from other parameters, such as basal metabolic rate, body size, or body temperature. These lipids clustered in specific lipid classes and pathways, and enzymes linked to them display signatures of greater stabilizing selection in long-living species, and cluster in functional groups related to signaling and protein-modification processes. These findings point towards the existence of defined molecular mechanisms underlying variation in maximal lifespan among mammals.The National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant 31420103920), Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (grant XDB13010200), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant 91331203), the National One Thousand Foreign Experts Plan (grant WQ20123100078), the Bureau of International Cooperation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (grant GJHZ201313) and the Federal Targeted Program for Research and Development in Priority Areas of Advancement of the Russian Scientific and Technological Complex for 2014–2020 (the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation), grant № 14.615.21.0002, the Unique identifier of the agreement: RFMEFI61515×0002. Additional support was obtained from the European Research Council (advanced grant 294678 to GRL).http://www.nature.com/scientificreportsam2017Zoology and Entomolog

Unaltered sequence of dental, skeletal, and sexual maturity in domestic dogs compared to the wolf

BACKGROUND: It has been hypothesised that domestication altered the sequence of dental, skeletal, and sexual maturity of dogs when compared to their wolf ancestor. To test this we investigated a comprehensive sample of domestic dogs. METHODS: We documented the timing of completed eruption of permanent dentition into occlusion (dental maturity) and the timing of growth plate closure at the proximal humerus (skeletal maturity) in ontogenetic series of wolves and 15 domestic dog breeds. Data for 137 domestic dog and 64 wolf individuals were collected based on radiographs and examination of macerated bones. RESULTS: Our analyses show that domestic dogs exhibit a similar sequence of dental and skeletal maturity as the ancestral wolf. Although the absolute change of the age at attainment of sexual maturity is great in domestic dogs as compared to the wolf, the sequence of dental, skeletal, and sexual maturity is not altered as extensively, contradicting one previous hypothesis. Moreover, our data suggest that the chondrodystrophic dachshund attains skeletal maturity earlier than the non-chondrodystrophic breeds examined here. CONCLUSIONS: Domestic dogs are more wolf-like in terms of the sequence of dental, skeletal, and sexual maturation than previously hypothesised. This implies that the domestication process and/or breed formation did not have a major impact on this sequence, although the absolute values of life history variables do have a greater range of variation than in the wild wolf

Radiographically breedspecific morphology and calcifying tendinopathy in the Iliopsoas muscle at the lesser trochanter in Rottweilers, German Shepherd dogs and Bavarian Mountain hounds

The purpose of this retrospective study is to describe the radiographic morphology of the lesser trochanter as well as possible enthesiopathies of the iliopsoas muscle in Rottweilers, German Shepherd Dogs and Bavarian Mountain Hounds. The normal shape of the lesser trochanter appeared radiological triangular in German Shepherd Dogs and blunt or bump like in Rottweilers and Bavarian Mountain Hounds. Changes indicating an enthesiopathy presented as periosteal blurrings, variation in shape or in isolated bone opacity proximomedial to the lesser trochanter and were categorized into four groups. Three aspects were of special interest: general frequency of radiographic signs of enthesiopathy and potential correlation to sex or to hip dysplasia. In total 736 radiographic studies from Rottweilers (n=311), German Shepherd Dogs (n=133) and Bavarian Mountain Hounds (n=292) have been evaluated. Changes of the lesser trochanter are present in 105 (14.2%) of the radiographic studies. In Rottweilers and Bavarian Mountain Hounds enthesiopathy is significantly correlated to hip dysplasia as dogs classified as “C”, “D” and “E” were merged as one group. Regarding gender disposition no correlation was found. Computed tomography (CT) was additionally available in nine dogs and confirmed radiographic findings. The results of this study could be of major interest in the selection process of service, working and sports dogs as enthesiopathies of the iliopsoas muscle occurring in adolescent dogs might act as a life-long weak points, but additional data is needed to evaluate clinical relevanc

Dispersal pattern of injectate following ct-guided perineural infiltration in the canine thoracolumbar spine: a cadaver study

An increasing proportion of canine patients are presented with chronic thoracolumbar back pain and without compressive spinal lesions. In humans, spinal perineural infiltrations have been reported to have a favorable effect on pain control. The purpose of this prospective cadaver study was to describe the dispersal pattern of injectate following CT-guided spinal perineural infiltration in the canine thoracolumbar region. Seven fresh canine cadavers were first scanned using multislice CT and then CT-guided spinal perineural infiltration was performed at 42 sites from T13/L1 to L6/L7. The injectate for each site was a mixture of new methylene blue and iodinated contrast medium. Immediately following CT-guided injection, cadavers were frozen, cut, and dissected macro- and mesoscopically (using a magnifying glass) to identify anatomic structures that were infiltrated. In the majority of sites (64.3%), complete epidural and hypaxial staining of spinal nerve components (including the spinal ganglion, trunk, and ventral branch) was successfully achieved. However, no (11.9%) or unpredictable staining (9.5%) of nervous tissue occurred in some sites despite careful CT guidance and the application of relatively large volumes of injectate. Optimal results were achieved when the needle tip was positioned periforaminally ventral to the cranial contour of the cranial articular process. Findings from this ex vivo study indicated that CT-guided spinal perineural infiltration is feasible for testing in the canine thoracolumbar region and that successful nerve tissue infiltration would likely occur in the majority of sites. Future in vivo studies are needed to determine the safety and efficacy of this technique

Evaluation of a novel, patient-mounted system for CT-guided needle navigation—an ex vivo study

Purpose: To describe the features of a novel patient-mounted system for CT-guided needle navigation, the Puncture Cube System (PCS), and to evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of the PCS by (a) applying numerical simulations and (b) by conducting punctures using the system in comparison to punctures using the free-hand method (FHM). Methods: The PCS consists of a self-adhesive cube that is attached to the patient, with multiple through-holes in the upper and lower template plate and dedicated software that, using a computer vision algorithm, recognizes the cube in a planning scan. The target in the image dataset is connected by a line, here “virtual needle,” which passes through the cube. For any chosen path of the virtual needle, the entry points for the needle into the cube are displayed by the software for the upper and lower template on-the-fly. The possible exactness of the system was investigated by using numerical simulations. Next, 72 punctures were performed by 6 interventionists using a phantom to compare for accuracy, time requirement, and number of CT scans for punctures with the system to the FHM ex vivo (phantom study). Results: The theoretical precision to arrive at targets increased with the distance of the target but remained low. The mean error for targets up to 20 cm below the lower plate was computed to be well below 0.5 mm, and the worst-case error stayed below 1.3 mm. Compared to a conventional free-hand procedure, the use of the navigation system resulted in a statistically significantly improved accuracy (3.4 mm ± 2.3 mm versus FHM 4.9 mm ± 3.2 mm) and overall lower intervention time (168 s ± 28.5 s versus FHM 200 s ± 44.8 s). Furthermore, the number of CT scans was reduced to 2.3 versus FHM 2.8). Conclusion: The PCS is a promising technique to improve accuracy and reduce intervention time in CT-guided needle navigations compared to the FHM

Cardiac-gated, phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography is a reliable and reproducible technique for quantifying blood flow in canine major cranial abdominal vessels

Blood flow changes in cranial abdominal vessels are important contributing factors for canine hepatic disease. This prospective, experimental, pilot study aimed to evaluate cardiac-gated, phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography (PCMRA) as a method for characterizing blood flow in canine major cranial abdominal vessels. Eleven, healthy, adult beagle dogs were sampled. Cardiac-gated, phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography of the cranial abdomen was performed in each dog and blood flow was independently measured in each of the major cranial abdominal vessels by three observers, with two observers recording blood flow values once and one observer recording blood flow values three times. Each dog then underwent ultrasonographic examination of the liver with fine needle aspirations and biopsies submitted to cytologic and histologic examination. The mean absolute stroke volume and velocity were respectively 9.6 ± 1.9 ml and -11.1 ± 1.1 cm/s for the cranial abdominal aorta, 2.1 ± 0.6 ml and -6.6 ± 1.9 cm/s for the celiac artery, and 2.3 ± 1.0 ml and -7.9 ± 3.1 cm/s for the cranial mesenteric artery. The mean absolute stroke volume and velocity were respectively 6.7 ± 1.3 ml and 3.9 ± 0.9 cm/s for the caudal vena cava and 2.6 ± 0.9 ml and 3.2 ± 1.2 cm/s for the portal vein. Intraobserver reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.9). Interobserver reproducibility was also excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.89-0.99). Results of liver ultrasonography, cytology, and histopathology were unremarkable. Findings indicated that cardiac-gated, phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography is a feasible technique for quantifying blood blow in canine major cranial abdominal vessels. Blood flow values from this sample of healthy beagles can be used as background for future studies on canine hepatic disease

Additional file 1: of Unaltered sequence of dental, skeletal, and sexual maturity in domestic dogs compared to the wolf

Tooth eruption and growth plate closure stages in the wolves and domestic dogs examined in this study. (XLSX 34 kb

Osteomyelitis of the hyoid bones in two calves

Two calves were referred because of ptyalism and difficulty opening the mouth (Calf 1) and for elective umbilical hernia surgery under inhalation anaesthesia (Calf 2). Additional clinical signs were increased breath sounds and swelling in the region of the mandibular angle in Calf 1. Ultrasonography and endoscopy revealed oral inflammation and abscessation in the area of the base of the tongue in both calves. Infection of the hyoid apparatus was suspected based on ultrasonographic findings and confirmed by means of computed tomography. In Calf 1, there was no response to treatment with systemic antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and local lavage, and Calf 2 was not treated. Both calves were euthanized because of a poor prognosis and the diagnoses confirmed during postmortem examination. In Calf 1, the abscess was associated with complete destruction of the left epihyoid bone and partial destruction of the left stylohyoid and ceratohyoid bones. In Calf 2, the abscess was located at the distal end of the right stylohyoid bone near the epihyoid bone. Stomatitis or laryngeal and pharyngeal abscessation caused by sharp feed particles are common in cattle and infection of the hyoid apparatus should be included in the differential diagnosis

37,X/38,XY Mosaicism in a Cryptorchid Bengal Cat with Müllerian Duct Remnants

A 23-month-old tomcat was referred to our clinic because of male behavioral problems, cryptorchidism, and an undefined intra-abdominal organ resembling a uterus. Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed 2 fluid-filled tubular structures dorsolaterally to the bladder and connected to the pelvic urethra. The cat was castrated, and the tubular structures were surgically removed. Histology identified them as Müllerian duct remnants. The testes were hypoplastic, the epididymes and deferent ducts were normal. Cytogenetic analyses revealed the presence of a mosaic 37,X/38,XY karyotype which explains the clinical findings