PREVALANCE, CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS, POSSIBLE ETIOLOGICALAND DIAGNOSTIC APPROACH IN DOGS WITH ACRAL LICK DERMATITIS

Acral lick dermatitis (ALD) is a chronic irritating skin disease in dogs caused by excessive licking of specified skin areas. The objective of the present study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and diagnostic approach and to classify the possible etiologies of ALD in dogs. Case investigation forALD included a recording of thorough history presenting, clinical signs and signs associated with the lesion, laboratory and orthopedic investigations, cytological examination, and biopsy/histopathology and hematology. Among the dermatological cases, the overall prevalence of ALD was 7.27%. Prevalence of ALD was higher in young (1-3years) age group dogs predominantly in male dogs during winter months with temperature <200C and Labrador retriever was the most commonly affected breed. Possible etiologies in 30 cases diagnosed with ALD were psychogenic triggers (19 cases, 63.33%) followed by only organic triggers (9 cases, 30%) and a combination of primary organic triggers with perpetuating psychogenic triggers (2 cases, 6.66%). The left forelimb (40%) followed by the right forelimb (13.33%) were the most affected limbs with ALD. Lesion characteristics observed were alopecia in 27 dogs (90%), circumscribed lesions in 16 dogs (53.33%), induration and firmness in 15 dogs (50%), ulceration in 14 dogs (46.66%), and moist lesions in 14 dogs (46.66%). The most common clinical signs associated with the disease were licking of paws in both organic and psychogenic triggers and additionally pruritus and erythema. Cytological examination of the lesions revealed chronic active inflammation in 24 cases and purulent inflammation in 6 cases. Histopathological findings of ALD lesion illustrated hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, and dermal fibrosis with vertical streaking. Stress polycythemia was a consistent finding recorded with only psychogenic triggers

Magnetic resonance imaging of bacterial and tuberculous spondylodiscitis with associated complications and non-infectious spinal pathology mimicking infections: a pictorial review

Abstract Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging plays an important role in the evaluation of bacterial and tuberculous spondylodiscitis and associated complications. Owing to its high sensitivity and specificity, it is a powerful diagnostic tool in the early diagnosis of ongoing infections, and thus provides help in prompt initiation of appropriate, therapy which may be medical or surgical, by defining the extent of involvement and detection of complications such as epidural and paraspinal abscesses. More specifically, MR imaging helps in differentiating bacterial from tuberculous infections and enables follow up of progression or resolution after appropriate treatment. However, other non-infectious pathology can demonstrate similar MR imaging appearances and one should be aware of these potential mimickers when interpreting MR images. Radiologists and other clinicians need to be aware of these potential mimics, which include such pathologies as Modic type I degenerative changes, trauma, metastatic disease and amyloidosis. In this pictorial review, we will describe and illustrate imaging findings of bacterial and tuberculous spondylodiscitis, their complications and non-infectious pathologies that mimic these spinal infections

Simultaneous multislice readout-segmented echo planar imaging for accelerated diffusion tensor imaging of the mandibular nerve: A feasibility study

PURPOSE To assess the feasibility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) using simultaneous multislice (SMS) acquisition with blipped controlled aliasing in parallel imaging (CAIPI) for accelerated readout-segmented echo planar imaging (rs-EPI) of the mandibular nerves. DTI of the mandibular nerves using EPI is challenging due to susceptibility artifacts. Rs-EPI is less prone to artifacts but associated with longer scan durations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eight asymptomatic volunteers were imaged at 3T using a 64-channel head/neck coil. Conventional, 2-fold (2xSMS) and 3-fold (3xSMS) slice-accelerated rs-EPI sequences were acquired. Tractography of the mandibular nerves was performed. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and number of tracts were calculated. Artifacts were evaluated qualitatively on Likert scales. Parameters were compared statistically. Clinical feasibility of 2xSMS rs-EPI was tested in four patients. RESULTS SNR was similar for conventional (mean ± SD; 8.55 ± 3.90) and 2xSMS rs-EPI (7.83 ± 3.15) but lower for 3xSMS rs-EPI (5.42 ± 2.93; analysis of variance, P = 0.004). FA was similar for all sequences (rs-EPI, 0.42 ± 0.08; 2xSMS rs-EPI, 0.43 ± 0.08; 3xSMS rs-EPI, 0.44 ± 0.06), while 3xSMS rs-EPI showed lower MD (rs-EPI, 0.0015 ± 0.0003; 2xSMS rs-EPI, 0.0014 ± 0.0001; 3xSMS rs-EPI, 0.0013 ± 0.0003) and lower number of tracts (rs-EPI, 66.56 ± 51.31; 2xSMS rs-EPI, 65.75 ± 55.40; 3xSMS rs-EPI, 37.93 ± 52.42) compared to rs-EPI and 2xSMS rs-EPI. Additionally, 2xSMS rs-EPI was feasible in four clinical patients and provided robust imaging results. CONCLUSION 2xSMS rs-EPI yielded similar SNR, FA, and MD values compared to conventional rs-EPI at reduced scan time and is feasible in clinical patients. These findings suggest the potential clinical applicability of rs-EPI for DTI of the mandibular nerve

Tracking Molecular Interactions in Membranes by Simultaneous ATR-FTIR-AFM

In situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) is an exceedingly powerful and useful technique for characterizing the structure and assembly of proteins in real-time, in situ, and especially at model membrane interfaces, such as supported planar lipid bilayers. There remains, however, a fundamental challenge with AFM-based imaging. Conclusions are inferred based on morphological or topographical features. It is conventionally very difficult to use AFM to confirm specific molecular conformation, especially in the case of protein-membrane interactions. In this case, a protein may undergo subtle conformational changes upon insertion in the membrane that may be critical to its function. AFM lacks the ability to directly measure such conformational changes and can, arguably, only resolve features that are topographically distinct. To address these issues, we have developed a platform that integrates in situ AFM with attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. This combination of tools provides a unique means of tracking, simultaneously, conformational changes, not resolvable by in situ AFM, with topographical details that are not readily identified by conventional spectroscopy. Preliminary studies of thermal transitions in supported lipid bilayers and direct evidence of lipid-induced conformational changes in adsorbed proteins illustrates the potential of this coupled in situ functional imaging strategy