Genetic characterization of cucumber genetic resources in the NARO Genebank indicates their multiple dispersal trajectories to the East.

KEY MESSAGE: Genotyping-by-sequencing of 723 worldwide cucumber genetic resources revealed that cucumbers were dispersed eastward via at least three distinct routes, one to Southeast Asia and two from different directions to East Asia. The cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is an economically important vegetable crop cultivated and consumed worldwide. Despite its popularity, the manner in which cucumbers were dispersed from their origin in South Asia to the rest of the world, particularly to the east, remains a mystery due to the lack of written records. In this study, we performed genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) on 723 worldwide cucumber accessions, mainly deposited in the Japanese National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) Genebank, to characterize their genetic diversity, relationships, and population structure. Analyses based on over 60,000 genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified by GBS revealed clear genetic differentiation between Southeast and East Asian populations, suggesting that they reached their respective region independently, not progressively. A deeper investigation of the East Asian population identified two subpopulations with different fruit characteristics, supporting the traditional classification of East Asian cucumbers into two types thought to have been introduced by independent routes. Finally, we developed a core collection of 100 accessions representing at least 93.2% of the genetic diversity present in the entire collection. The genetic relationships and population structure, their associations with geographic distribution and phenotypic traits, and the core collection presented in this study are valuable resources for elucidating the dispersal history and promoting the efficient use and management of genetic resources for research and breeding in cucumber.

Clinical features of early recurrence of type I thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation in Miniature Dachshunds.

Some reports have been published on clinical features in dogs with early recurrence of type I thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation (TL-IVDH), but there is little understanding of the changes involved. This retrospective study describes the clinical features, including radiographic image results at the time of recurrence, of dogs with type I TL-IVDH that had undergone hemilaminectomy but then suffered early recurrence. Our medical records were searched between June 2007 and December 2022. Nine dogs showed deterioration in neurological signs within 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. All nine were Miniature Dachshunds. Radiographic images at initial onset showed calcification at the affected intervertebral disk space in all 9 dogs. Disk herniations at the initial onset were located between T11-12 and L1-2. After the first surgery, neurological function improved in all dogs. Recurrence occurred at the same site as at initial onset in all dogs. No calcification was observed at the affected intervertebral disk space on images at the time of recurrence. The extruded disk materials were surgically removed, and neurological function improved after the second surgery. In conclusion, calcification at the affected disk space at the time of initial onset is indicative of residual nucleus materials not yet fully extruded, and is a risk factor for early recurrence of type I TL-IVDH.

A feline spinal dermoid cyst treated with surgical intervention.

A 5-year-old neutered female mixed cat presented with reduced activity and ataxia of the hind limbs. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extradural mass compressing the spinal cord on the dorsal aspects from the 7th to 8th thoracic vertebra. Dorsal laminectomy was performed on the 7-8th thoracic vertebra and the cyst was totally removed, giving full resolution of the clinical signs. The cyst was diagnosed as a dermoid cyst. To our knowledge, this is the first report of feline dermoid cyst compressing the spinal cord that was diagnosed antemortem. The prognosis is favorable when the cyst is completely resected.

Influence of the Hypoxia-Activated Prodrug Evofosfamide (TH-302) on Glycolytic Metabolism of Canine Glioma: A Potential Improvement in Cancer Metabolism.

The transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) drives metabolic reprogramming in gliomas (GLs) under hypoxic conditions, promoting glycolysis for tumor development. Evofosfamide (EVO) releases a DNA-alkylating agent within hypoxic regions, indicating that it may serve as a hypoxia-targeted therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the glycolytic metabolism and antitumor effects of EVO in a canine GL model. Our clinical data showed that overall survival was significantly decreased in GL dog patients with higher HIF-1α expression compared to that of those with lower HIF-1α expression, and there was a positive correlation between HIF-1α and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) expression, suggesting that glycolytic activity under hypoxia conditions may contribute to poor outcomes in canine GL. Our glycolysis assay tests showed that the glycolytic ATP level was higher than the mitochondrial ATP level in three types of canine GL cell lines by activating the HIF-1 signal pathway under hypoxia conditions, resulting in an overall increase in total cellular ATP production. However, treatment with EVO inhibited the glycolytic ATP level in the GL cell lines under hypoxia conditions by targeting HIF-1α-positive cells, leading to decrease in total cellular ATP production. Our in vivo tests showed that EVO significantly reduced tumor development compared to controls and temozolomide in murine GL models. A metabolic analysis demonstrated that EVO effectively suppressed glycolytic metabolism by eliminating HIF-1α-positive cells, suggesting that it may restore metabolism in canine GLs. The evidence presented here supports the favorable preclinical evaluation of EVO as a potential improvement in cancer metabolism.

Clinical Implication of Supra-Normal Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with heart failure displaying supra-normal left ventricular ejection fraction (snLVEF) may exhibit less favorable clinical outcomes in contrast to their counterparts with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (nLVEF). The distinctive characteristics and mid-term prognosis of individuals with severe aortic stenosis and snLVEF following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remain enigmatic. METHODS: Among 7393 patients diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR between 2013 and 2019 and were enlisted in the optimized transcatheter valvular intervention (OCEAN-TAVI) multicenter registry (UMIN000020423), we selected patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 50%. snLVEF was defined as LVEF exceeding 65%. We compared the baseline characteristics and assessed three-year post-TAVR mortality and heart failure readmission rates between the snLVEF (LVEF > 65%) and nLVEF cohorts (LVER 50-65%). RESULTS: Our study cohort comprised 5989 patients (mean age 84.4 ± 5.1 years and 1783 males). Among these, 2819 patients were categorized within the snLVEF cohort, while the remaining 3170 were allocated to the nLVEF group. Individuals within the snLVEF cohort were more likely to be female and displayed lower levels of natriuretic peptides, as well as smaller left ventricular dimensions in comparison to their nLVEF counterparts (p < 0.05 for all). The presence of snLVEF emerged as an independent predictor of the three-year composite endpoint relative to nLVEF, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.16 (95% confidence interval 1.02-1.31, p = 0.023) after accounting for several potential confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: snLVEF was relatively common among candidates for TAVR with preserved ejection fraction. Patients harboring snLVEF appear to manifest a distinctive clinical profile and encounter less favorable clinical outcomes following TAVR in contrast to those characterized by nLVEF.

Elucidation of genetic variation and population structure of melon genetic resources in the NARO Genebank, and construction of the World Melon Core Collection.

Numerous genetic resources of major crops have been introduced from around the world and deposited in Japanese National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) Genebank. Understanding their genetic variation and selecting a representative subset ("core collection") are essential for optimal management and efficient use of genetic resources. In this study, we conducted genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) to characterize the genetic relationships and population structure in 755 accessions of melon genetic resources. The GBS identified 39,324 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are distributed throughout the melon genome with high density (one SNP/10.6 kb). The phylogenetic relationships and population structure inferred using this SNP dataset are highly associated with the cytoplasm type and geographical origin. Our results strongly support the recent hypothesis that cultivated melon was established in Africa and India through multiple independent domestication events. Finally, we constructed a World Melon Core Collection that covers at least 82% of the genetic diversity and has a wide range of geographical origins and fruit morphology. The genome-wide SNP dataset, phylogenetic relationships, population structure, and the core collection provided in this study should largely contribute to genetic research, breeding, and genetic resource preservation in melon.

Clinical findings using echocardiography and plasma cardiac troponin I and pathological findings in dogs with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A retrospective study.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is considered rare in dogs, and there is a lack of clinical data. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a biomarker of cardiomyocyte damage and necrosis and can be used to diagnose cat and human HCM. Aim: We investigated whether the presence of cTnI in clinical data can be used in conjunction with echocardiography to diagnose canine HCM. Methods: This study comprised client-owned dogs with clinical evidence of concentric hypertrophy on echocardiographic images, serum total thyroxine levels of ≤5 µg/dl, systolic blood pressure of ≤180 mmHg, and absence of aortic stenosis. All cases were necropsied. Results: Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (mean diameter, 18.3 ± 1.8 µm), myocardial fiber disarray (70%), interstitial fibrosis (80%), and small vessel disease (100%) were assessed. In dogs with HCM, the left ventricles were concentric, almost symmetrical, and hypertrophied above the aortic diameter. The end-diastolic interventricular septum normalized to body weight [intraventricular septal thickness in diastole (IVSDN)] was 0.788 [interquartile range (IQR), 0.7-0.92], which exceeded the normal range (5%-95%, IQR: 0.33-0.52). In total, 70% of the dogs with HCM had syncope and dyspnea, and all dogs had high cTnI levels (median, 3.94 ng/ml), exceeding the upper limit of normal (0.11 ng/ml) and indicating cardiomyocyte damage. IVSDN and serum cTnI levels were correlated (ρ = 0.839, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Ventricular wall thickening and high serum cTnI levels can provide a presumptive diagnosis of HCM and prompt the initiation of treatment or additional diagnostic investigations.

Melon diversity on the Silk Road by molecular phylogenetic analysis in Kazakhstan melons.

To uncover population structure, phylogenetic relationship, and diversity in melons along the famous Silk Road, a seed size measurement and a phylogenetic analysis using five chloroplast genome markers, 17 RAPD markers and 11 SSR markers were conducted for 87 Kazakh melon accessions with reference accessions. Kazakh melon accessions had large seed with exception of two accessions of weedy melon, Group Agrestis, and consisted of three cytoplasm types, of which Ib-1/-2 and Ib-3 were dominant in Kazakhstan and nearby areas such as northwestern China, Central Asia and Russia. Molecular phylogeny showed that two unique genetic groups, STIa-2 with Ib-1/-2 cytoplasm and STIa-1 with Ib-3 cytoplasm, and one admixed group, STIAD combined with STIa and STIb, were prevalent across all Kazakh melon groups. STIAD melons that phylogenetically overlapped with STIa-1 and STIa-2 melons were frequent in the eastern Silk Road region, including Kazakhstan. Evidently, a small population contributed to melon development and variation in the eastern Silk Road. Conscious preservation of fruit traits specific to Kazakh melon groups is thought to play a role in the conservation of Kazakh melon genetic variation during melon production, where hybrid progenies were generated through open pollination.

Diameter of the shunt vessel in dogs with incidental extrahepatic portosystemic shunts.

Clinical signs of extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (EHPSS) depend on the amount of blood shunted. In this study, dogs with EHPSS without noticeable clinical signs including 34 left gastro-phrenic, 3 left gastro-azygos and 2 left spleno-gonadal shunts were evaluated. In dogs with EHPSS without noticeable clinical signs, the median maximum diameter of the shunt vessel was significantly smaller compared to PV (p < 0.005). Whenever the diameter of the EHPSS is small in relation to the diameter of the PV, it seems likely that no obvious clinical signs of EHPSS are observed by the owners.

The volume of extruded materials is correlated with neurologic severity in small-breed dogs with type I thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the volume of extruded materials is correlated with neurologic severity in dogs with type I thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation (TL-IVDH). ANIMALS: 70 client-owned small-breed dogs with type I TL-IVDH diagnosed between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2018. PROCEDURES: For this retrospective cohort study, the medical records of 70 dogs with surgically confirmed type I TL-IVDH were reviewed. The volume and height of the intervertebral disk and the area of the maximal transverse compressed spinal cord were measured using CT myelographic images. For each dog, the volume of the disk immediately cranial to the herniated disk was an internal control. Dogs were grouped on the basis of grade of neurologic severity. RESULTS: Preoperative grades of neurologic severity were grade 2 in 7 (10%) dogs, grade 3 in 16 (23%) dogs, grade 4 in 28 (40%) dogs, and grade 5 in 19 (27%) dogs. The total volume of the affected intervertebral disks was significantly larger than the internal control. Weak positive correlation was found between the volume of the extruded materials into the vertebral canal and the grade of neurologic severity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our findings indicated that the total volume of the affected intervertebral disks is larger in dogs with type I TL-IVDH, and the volume of the extruded materials into the vertebral canal is weakly correlated with the neurologic severity.

Contrast-enhanced CT features of pyloric lesions in 17 dogs: Case series.

Pyloric outflow obstructions can be caused by several types of lesions. When a thickened gastric wall and pyloric mass are detected, malignant neoplasia must be differentiated from chronic hypertrophic pyloric gastropathy. CT can characterize gastric tumors. However, based on the authors' review of the literature, there is limited information about the CT findings of pyloric lesions. The purpose of this retrospective case series study was to assess the CT findings of canine pyloric lesions. The following CT parameters were recorded: anatomical area, involved area, lesion shape, growth patterns of wall thickening lesions, enhancement pattern of the lesion in the early and delayed phases, lymphomegaly, and pulmonary metastasis. Seventeen dogs were included in this study and had the following final diagnoses: hyperplasia (five dogs), adenoma (five dogs), adenocarcinoma (three dogs), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST; two dogs), polyposis (one dog), and pyogenic granuloma (one dog). Hyperplasia, adenoma, and polyposis formed mass lesions that involved the mucosal layer. Lymphomegaly was detected in two Jack Russell terriers with hyperplasia; however, the causes were unknown because we did not perform biopsies. All adenocarcinomas formed wall-thickened lesion that involved the outer layer, with lymphomegaly. All GISTs formed mass lesion that involved the outer layer. The pyogenic granulomas formed symmetric wall-thickened lesion that involved the mucosal and outer layers. CT facilitated the characterization of canine pyloric lesions using contrast enhancement, based on the involved area and lesion shape. However, polyposis may require caution in diagnosis based on CT findings alone.

Controlled release of canine MSC-derived extracellular vesicles by cationized gelatin hydrogels.

Introduction: Canine mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as a promising form of regenerative therapy. Therapeutic application of EVs remains difficult due to the short half-life of EVs in vivo and their rapid clearance from the body. We have developed cationized gelatin hydrogels that prolong the retention of EVs to overcome this problem. Methods: Canine MSCs were isolated from bone marrow. MSC-derived EVs were isolated from the culture supernatant by ultracentrifugation. Gelatin was mixed with ethylene diamine anhydrate to cationized. Distinct cross-linked cationized gelatin hydrogels were created by thermal dehydration. Hydrogels were implanted into the back subcutis of mice in order to evaluate the degradation profiles. Hydrogels with collagenase were incubated at 37 °C in vitro to quantize the release of EVs from hydrogels. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells were used to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of EVs after release from the hydrogels. Results: The cationized gelatin hydrogels suppressed EV release in PBS. More than 60% of immobilized EVs are not released from the hydrogels. The cationized hydrogels released EVs in a sustainable manner and prolonged the retention time of EVs depending on the intensity of cross-linking after degradation by collagenase. The expression of IL-1ß in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells was lower in EVs released from the hydrogels than in controls. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the controlled release of EVs can be achieved by cationized gelatin hydrogels. The released EVs experimentally confirmed to be effective in reducing proinflammatory response. The cationized gelatin hydrogels appear to be useful biomaterials for releasing canine MSC-derived EVs for regenerative therapy.

Assessment of hypoxia-targeting therapy for gastrointestinal lymphoma in dogs: Preclinical test using murine models.

The transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) is expressed in several cancers under intratumoral hypoxic stress that arises during pathogenic processes, resulting in malignant progression. We previously reported that hypoxic stimulation enhances the growth potential of canine lymphoma cells by activating the HIF-1α signaling pathway. In contrast, evofosfamide (Evo) releases a DNA-alkylating moiety within hypoxic tumor regions, suggesting that Evo could serve as a hypoxia-targeting drug in canine lymphoma. This study aimed to use Evo to evaluate hypoxia-targeted therapy in dogs with gastrointestinal lymphoma (GIL) and investigate how Evo affects antitumor efficacy and adverse events in three type of murine xenograft models using T-cell GIL cells. In vitro tests, the sensitivity to Evo of three T-cell GIL cell lines under hypoxic culture was significantly higher than that under normoxic culture. Our metabolic analysis suggested that the three murine models might have high reproducibility as clinical cases in canine GIL. Our data showed that Evo showed significantly higher tumor growth potential and fewer adverse events in three type of murine models compared to lomustine; CeeNu (CCNU). Additionally, Evo suppressed the expression of HIF-1α protein in tumor tissues, suggesting that it may preferentially target and inhibit tumor cells in a hypoxic region. The evidence presented here supports the favorable preclinical evaluation that Evo may be effective for GIL in dogs.

Hypoxia-targeting therapy for intestinal T-cell lymphoma in dogs: Preclinical study using 3D in vitro models.

The transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) is activated in response to oxygen deficiency, and is expressed in several cancers under intratumoral hypoxic stress that arises during pathogenic processes. Hypoxic stimulation enhanced the growth potential of canine lymphoma cells by activating the HIF-1α signalling pathway in a previously reported study. The aim of this study was to establish a molecular design strategy for a novel hypoxia-targeting therapy for intestinal T-cell lymphoma (ITL) in dogs. We assessed the relationship between immunohistochemistry-based HIF-1α expression and clinical information, including signalment, tumour area, clinical signs, systemic diseases, treatment protocol, follow-up information, chemotherapy response and overall survivals (OS), using 48 tissue samples from dogs with ITL. We investigated the effects of hypoxic stimulation on the biological behaviour of cell lines from three different types of canine ITL. We assessed the effects of evofosfamide (Evo; hypoxia-activated prodrug) on cell lines cultured under hypoxic conditions. Our data showed that treatment response and overall survival might be significantly decreased in dogs with higher HIF-1α expression than in those with lower HIF-1α expression. Hypoxic culture (1% O2 , 72 h) enhanced the invasiveness of cell lines and decreased their sensitivity to CCNU, resulting in hypoxia-dependent aggressive behaviour. Sensitivity to Evo significantly increased in cell lines cultured under hypoxia compared with those cultured under normoxia, which exhibited hypoxia-dependent apoptosis. Additionally, Evo downregulated HIF-1α expression in cell lines cultured under hypoxia, suggesting that Evo might inhibit cell growth by inactivating HIF-1α-dependent cell signalling. Our results revealed the preclinical antitumor activity of Evo and provide a rationale for treatment strategies for dogs with ITL.

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings in dogs with vaginal leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: In humans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is preferred over computed tomography (CT) for the assessment of pelvic lesions. Although CT findings of several pelvic tumours have been reported in veterinary medicine, MRI findings are limited. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively compare the CT and MRI findings in dogs with vaginal leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma. METHODS: This retrospective study of five dogs compared the CT and MRI findings of intrapelvic lesions, including vaginal leiomyoma (n = 4) and leiomyosarcoma (n = 1). No invasion of the surrounding tissue was detected on histopathological examination. In this retrospective study, the following parameters of CT and MRI were recorded for each dog: the border between the lesion and the adjacent pelvic organs, including the prostate, rectum or urethra; signal intensity (SI) of the lesion; enhancement pattern; presence of haemorrhage; necrosis or cystic areas and lymphadenopathy. Because SI on MRI is affected by cell density, tumour cell density was analysed using a microscope slide. RESULTS: In vaginal leiomyoma, the border between the lesion and the surrounding pelvic organ tends to be clearer on MRI than on CT. In vaginal leiomyosarcoma, the border was comparable between MRI and CT. Each lesion showed heterogeneous enhancement on CT and MRI scans. In each lesion, the assessment of haemorrhage, necrosis, cystic areas and lymphadenopathy was comparable between MRI and CT. The SI of the lesion on T2WI of the vaginal leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma were hyperintense in four cases (4/4; 100%) and mixed intense in one case (1/1; 100%), respectively. The cell density of leiomyosarcoma is higher than that of leiomyomas. CONCLUSIONS: The SI on T2WI may be useful for differentiating leiomyoma from leiomyosarcoma. MRI may be useful to differentiate vaginal leiomyomas from leiomyosarcomas and evaluate margins.

Spinal epidural empyema concurrent with sequestrum in a cat: a case report.

A 5-month-old intact female mixed cat presented with repetitive paraplegia and drainage of pus from the back despite continuous antibiotic medication. Neurologic examination was consistent with below T3-L3 myelopathy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a contrast-enhanced mass in the L1-3 spinal canal, and bone fragments in the T13 and L1 spinal canal. Spinal epidural empyema was suspected, and hemilaminectomy was performed for T12-L2 on the right side and T11-12 on the left side. Bone fragments were diagnosed as sequestrum infected with Bacteroides sp. The cat recovered enough to ambulate next day. One month after surgery, there was no deficit in neurological function. This is the first report of spinal epidural empyema concurrent with sequestrum in a cat.

Case Report: Detection of Transferrin in a Dog Suspected of Having Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea.

A 12-year-old Yorkshire terrier was referred for epileptic seizures and nasal discharge. The fluid was clear and serous. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea was suspected, based on clinical signs and MRI findings. In humans, analysis of nasal secretions to determine the concentration of glucose and brain-type transferrin has been widely used clinically in order to confirm the presence of CSF rhinorrhea. The glucose concentration in the nasal discharge was 74 mg/dL. Serum-type and brain-type isoforms of transferrin were detectable in the nasal sample. The concentration of glucose and brain-type transferrin could be useful for diagnosing CSF rhinorrhea.

Dystrophin-deficient muscular dystrophy in a Toy Poodle with a single base pair insertion in exon 45 of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene.

A 10-month-old, intact male Toy Poodle was referred for a postural abnormality. Blood biochemical tests revealed a marked increase in plasma creatine phosphokinase (CPK) concentration. The isoenzyme test showed that 99% of serum CPK consisted of CPK-MM. Histopathological evaluation of muscle biopsy samples confirmed scattered degeneration and necrosis of myofibers. Immunohistochemistry for dystrophin showed an absence of staining in muscle cells. Based on these findings, the dog was diagnosed with dystrophin-deficient muscular dystrophy. Whole genome sequencing using genomic DNA extracted from blood revealed a single base pair insertion in exon 45 of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene. This is the first report on muscular dystrophy in Toy Poodles and identified a novel mutation in the DMD gene.

Comparing the CT and MRI findings for canine primary hepatocellular lesions.

BACKGROUND: Triple-phase CT and gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) MRI have been used to differentiate hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in dogs. METHODS: This retrospective case series aimed to compare the CT findings with MRI findings of 20 canine hepatocellular lesions, including eight poorly/moderately-differentiated HCCs, eight well-differentiated HCCs and four hyperplasias. CT data were analysed, and the following parameters were noted: vessel enhancement, enhancement pattern in the equilibrium phase, maximal transverse diameter, the lowest enhancement, and the attenuation values of each hepatocellular lesion in the precontrast and triple-phase series, including the arterial phase, portal phase and equilibrium phase. MRI data were analysed, and the following parameters were noted: signal intensities of each hepatocellular lesion on T2-weighted images and T1-weighted images, and signal intensity ratio of the hepatocellular lesions in the hepatobiliary phase. RESULTS: In 62.5% of poorly/moderately-differentiated HCC and 75% of well-differentiated HCC, presumptive necrosis was detected on CT and MRI. In the hepatobiliary phase on MRI, the median signal intensity ratio of poorly/moderately-differentiated HCC (0.54 [range: 0.3-0.71]) was significantly lower than that of well-differentiated HCC (0.75 [range: 0.6-0.96]) and hyperplasia (0.79 [range: 071-0.98]; p = 0.02 and p = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI may be a superior modality for differentiating hepatocellular origin lesions.

Preliminary study of CT features of intermediate- and high-grade alimentary lymphoma and adenocarcinoma in cats.

CASE SERIES SUMMARY: The ultrasonographic findings of many feline intestinal tumours are similar. This study evaluated the CT features of intermediate- and high-grade alimentary lymphoma and adenocarcinoma in cats. CT was performed on six cats with adenocarcinoma and 14 cats with lymphoma. Comparisons between tumour types were conducted, focusing on CT features, including obstruction (present or absent), growth patterns of lesions (symmetry or asymmetry), layering enhancement (present or absent), location of the lesion, number of lesions (solitary or multiple), lymphadenopathy (present or absent), location of lymphadenopathy, pulmonary metastasis (present or absent) and maximum thickness (mm) of the lesion. The cats with adenocarcinoma (n = 5/6 [83%]) experienced intestinal obstruction significantly more often than cats with lymphoma (n = 0/14 [0%]; P = 0.0004). Layering enhancement was observed significantly more often in cats with adenocarcinoma (n = 6/6 [100%]) than in cats with lymphoma (n = 1/14 [7%]; P = 0.0002). Lymphadenopathy was detected significantly more often in cats with lymphoma (n = 14/14 [100%]) than in cats with adenocarcinoma (n = 2/6 [33%]) (P = 0.003). In cats with lymphoma, the intestine (12.1 ± 3.9 mm) was significantly thicker than that in cats with adenocarcinoma (6.4 ± 2.3 mm; P = 0.005). RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: To the best of our knowledge, no reports have described the characteristics of feline intestinal tumours using CT. Layering enhancement was observed in cats with intestinal adenocarcinomas. No layering enhancement was observed in alimentary lymphoma in cats, but enlarged regional nodes were noted. Lesions with lymphoma were thicker than those with adenocarcinoma. These findings may help differentiate between adenocarcinomas and lymphomas.