DR-70 (fibrinogen-fibrin degradation products) as a prognostic biomarker in dogs with neoplasms.

Fibrinogen-fibrin degradation products (DR-70) are derived from tumor cells or metastases. Our previous study reported the diagnostic values in dogs with tumors, but no research has yet to be conducted to establish DR-70 as a prognostic marker. Herein, we investigated changes in DR-70 concentrations and disease courses in dogs with tumors. Overall survival time (OST) analysis was performed in 195 dogs with tumors, stratified with a recommended cut-off (1.514 µg/mL). Continual DR-70 measurements were performed during the medical interventions of 27 dogs with neoplasms. Clinical conditions and medical records were retrospectively reviewed. According to a cut-off value, dogs with plasma DR-70 concentrations above 1.514 µg/mL had shorter survival rates than those with concentrations below this threshold. In cases with complete or partial remission in response to treatment, the DR-70 concentration was decreased compared with that at the first visit, whereas it was increased in patients with disease progression. Our study suggested that changes in DR-70 concentration can be used as a prognostic biomarker for canine neoplasms. Furthermore, increased plasma DR-70 levels might be associated with shorter survival, and DR-70 concentrations may reflect responses to medical intervention.

Increased plasma DR-70 (fibrinogen-fibrin degradation products) concentrations as a diagnostic biomarker in dogs with neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Tumor biomarkers have used widely in clinical oncology in human medicine. Only a few studies have evaluated the clinical utility of tumor biomarkers for veterinary medicine. A test for fibrinogen and fibrin degradation products (DR-70) has been proposed as an ideal biomarker for tumors in humans. The clinical value of DR-70 for veterinary medicine however has yet to be determined. OBJECTIVES: Investigate the diagnostic value of DR-70 concentrations by comparing them between healthy dogs and dogs with tumors. ANIMALS: Two hundred sixty-three dogs with different types of tumors were included. Sixty healthy dogs also were recruited for comparison. METHODS: The DR-70 concentrations were measured in all recruited individuals by ELISA. Clinical conditions were categorized based on histopathology, cytology, ultrasound examination, radiology, clinical findings, and a combination of these tests. RESULTS: The median concentration of DR-70 was 2.130 ± 0.868 µg/mL in dogs with tumors, which was significantly higher than in healthy dogs (1.202 ± 0.610 µg/mL; P < .0001). With a cut-off of 1.514 µg/mL, the sensitivity and specificity of DR-70 were 84.03% and 78.33%, respectively. The area under curve was 0.883. The DR-70 concentration can be an effective tumor biomarker in veterinary medicine. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Increased DR-70 concentrations were not affected by tumor type, sex, age, or body weight. However, in dogs with metastatic mast cell tumors and oral malignant melanoma, DR-70 concentrations were significantly increased. Additional studies, including more dogs with nonneoplastic diseases, are needed to further evaluate the usefulness of DR-70 as a tumor biomarker.

On the robustness of the Kelvin probe based potentiometric hydrogen electrode method and its application in characterizing effective hydrogen activity in metal: 5 wt. % Ni cold-rolled ferritic steel as an example.

Quantitative detection of hydrogen in metal is important in providing a better basis for fundamental investigations of hydrogen embrittlement and hydrogen-related corrosion phenomena. Thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) has long been used in characterizing different hydrogen traps inside materials. However, in TDS measurements, the diffusible hydrogen (hydrogen at interstitial sites and weakly bound hydrogen) is usually not detected. The Davanathan-Starchurski permeation technique can cover this shortage. However, for such experiments, the stability of the palladium at the exit side, i.e. in aqueous solution under high potential polarization is an important issue. Alternatively, a Kelvin probe-based (KP-based) potentiometric method developed a few years ago has shown to allow quantitative determination of hydrogen in metal. This method is based on measuring the hydrogen electrode potential on the Pd-coated surface. The aim of this work is to check the reliability of this method and to demonstrate its potential applications in determining the hydrogen amount distributed in both shallow and deep traps in steel. The results reveal that different crystallographic orientation, grain shapes and grain sizes of the deposited palladium film (in the range of variation in this work) do not cause relevant effects on the KP-based hydrogen detection. It is shown in this work that the time lag and permeation rate derived from the permeation curves obtained by this method show a very good reliability and the calculated hydrogen amount shows a good agreement with TDS results. 5 wt.% Ni ferritic steel is used as a model material in this work.

Stress analysis of glenoid component in design of reverse shoulder prosthesis using finite element method.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to clarify the effect of various designs of reverse shoulder prosthesis (RSP) on stress variation of its glenoid component using 2-dimensional (2D) finite element analysis (FEA). This FEA study provides future reference for the optimal design of glenoid component of RSP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, a 2D finite element (FE) model of human shoulder with implementation of RSP was developed by commercial FE software. The proper material properties were adopted in our model. Various design factors were simulated and all the mechanical profile data were investigated by FEA. RESULTS: Both distal placement and increased lateral offset of glenosphere induce higher stress over glenoid-baseplate junction. Increased thickness of graft, inferiorly tilting of the baseplate, and adoption of BIO-RSA (bony increased-offset reverse shoulder arthroplasty) incur higher stresses over glenoid screws. The inferior screw attains more stress than superior screw. Maximum stress occurs at the base of inferior screw. CONCLUSION: Increased eccentric offset and lateral offset of glenosphere, although being able to reduce notching, may pay the penalty of significant stress concentration over glenoid and its subsequent loosening. Maximum stress occurs at the base of inferior screw elucidate the direct contact failure mode at the middle of inferior screw. This study provides an alternative tool for the optimal design of glenoid component of RSP in the future.

Misalignment of lung vessels and alveolar capillary dysplasia: a case report with autopsy.

Misalignment of lung vessels (MLV) with or without alveolar capillary dysplasia (ACD) is a rare cause of idiopathic persistent pulmonary hypertension of the neonate. This report describes a full-term infant with severe and intractable pulmonary hypertension. The patient's condition progressively deteriorated despite high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, infusion of magnesium sulfate, dopamine, and dobutamine to control blood pressure, and nitric oxide inhalation therapy. The infant died at 5 days of age. The diagnosis of MLV with ACD was established by autopsy. Histopathologic analysis revealed a failure of formation and an ingrowth of alveolar capillaries, thickening of the alveolar walls, poor contact of capillaries with alveolar epithelium, small intra-acinar muscularized arterioles, and anomalous pulmonary veins within bronchovascular bundles. The low rate of diagnosis of MLV with or without ACD may be because of the early high mortality rate or patchy involvement in some cases. Increasing awareness of this clinical entity may prevent the use of costly, invasive, and probably ineffective procedures. Short-term improvement after inhalation of nitric oxide does not lead to long-term survival but merely provides time for potential lung transplantation.