Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Imaging Using a Phospholipase A2 Activatable Fluorophore.

Lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States, requires advanced intraoperative detection methods to improve evaluation of surgical margins. In this study we employed DDAO-arachidonate (DDAO-A), a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activatable fluorophore, designed for the specific optical identification of lung cancers in real-time during surgery. The in vitro fluorescence activation of DDAO-A by porcine sPLA2 was tested in various liposomal formulations, with 100 nm extruded EggPC showing the best overall characteristics. Extruded EggPC liposomes containing DDAO-A were tested for their stability under various storage conditions, demonstrating excellent stability for up to 4 weeks when stored at -20 °C or below. Cell studies using KLN 205 and LLC1 lung cancer cell lines showed DDAO-A activation was proportional to cell number. DDAO-A showed preferential activation by human recombinant cPLA2, an isoform highly specific to arachidonic acid-containing lipids, when compared to a control probe, DDAO palmitate (DDAO-P). In vivo studies with DBA/2 mice bearing KLN 205 lung tumors recapitulated these results, with preferential activation of DDAO-A relative to DDAO-P following intratumoral injection. Topical application of DDAO-A-containing liposomes to human (n = 10) and canine (n = 3) lung cancers ex vivo demonstrated the preferential activation of DDAO-A in tumor tissue relative to adjacent normal lung tissue, with fluorescent tumor-to-normal ratios (TNR) of up to 5.2:1. The combined results highlight DDAO-A as a promising candidate for clinical applications, showcasing its potential utility in intraoperative and back-table imaging and topical administration during lung cancer surgeries. By addressing the challenge of residual microscopic disease at resection margins and offering stability in liposomal formulations, DDAO-A emerges as a potentially valuable tool for advancing precision lung cancer surgery and improving curative resection rates.

Rare diagnosis of intraosseous lipoma in the scapula of a 15-year-old domestic shorthair cat.

Case summary: A 15-year-old male castrated domestic shorthair cat originally presented to its primary care veterinarian with a chief complaint of a multi-month history of decreased appetite, weight loss and mild weight-bearing lameness. On physical examination, over the right scapula there was mild-to-moderate muscle wasting and a palpable firm, bony mass measuring approximately 3.5 cm × 3 cm. A complete blood count, chemistry panel, urinalysis, urine culture and baseline thyroxine were clinically unremarkable. Further diagnostics included CT, which revealed a large, expansile, irregularly mineralized mass centered over the caudoventral scapula at the site of attachment of the infraspinatus muscle. Following wide surgical excision by means of complete scapulectomy the patient regained function of the limb and has been free of disease since. The clinical institution's pathology service examined the resected scapula with associated mass and diagnosed an intraosseous lipoma. Relevance and novel information: Intraosseous lipoma is a rare form of bone neoplasia that has only been reported once in the small animal veterinary literature. Histopathology, clinical signs and radiographic changes were consistent with what is described in human literature. It is hypothesized that these tumors occur because of invasively growing adipose tissue within the medullary canal following trauma. Considering the rarity of primary bone tumors in cats, intraosseous lipomas should be considered as a differential diagnosis in future cases with similar signs and history.

Rape myth acceptance of students: The influence of social groups.

Objective The purpose of the study was two-fold. The first objective was to determine the level of rape myth acceptance of college students. The second objective was to determine the impact of social group membership on rape myth. Participants: 316 undergraduate students were recruited in spring of 2016. Methods: Surveys distributed to students to gauge rape myth acceptance using McMahon and Farmer's Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance scale along with social group belongingness of sports, Greek life, and other student organizations. Results: Data analysis indicated students do not accept rape myths. Data specified no statistical significance, unlike past research, in social group membership such as Greek life and athletics in predicting rape myth acceptance. Conclusion: There is a need to further explore social group membership in its various forms to explain rape myths and why patterns of agreement still exist in this population.

Evaluation of outcomes following subtotal colectomy for the treatment of idiopathic megacolon in cats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes in cats undergoing subtotal colectomy for the treatment of idiopathic megacolon and to determine whether removal versus nonremoval of the ileocecocolic junction (ICJ) was associated with differences in outcome. ANIMALS: 166 client-owned cats. PROCEDURES: For this retrospective cohort study, medical records databases of 18 participating veterinary hospitals were searched to identify records of cats with idiopathic megacolon treated by subtotal colectomy from January 2000 to December 2018. Data collection included perioperative and surgical variables, complications, outcome, and owner perception of the procedure. Data were analyzed for associations with outcomes of interest, and Kaplan-Meier survival time analysis was performed. RESULTS: Major perioperative complications occurred in 9.9% (15/151) of cats, and 14% (12/87) of cats died as a direct result of treatment or complications of megacolon. The median survival time was not reached. Cats with (vs without) a body condition score < 4/9 (hazard ratio [HR], 5.97), preexisting heart disease (HR, 3.21), major perioperative complications (HR, 27.8), or long-term postoperative liquid feces (HR, 10.4) had greater hazard of shorter survival time. Constipation recurrence occurred in 32% (24/74) of cats at a median time of 344 days and was not associated with retention versus removal of the ICJ; however, ICJ removal was associated with long-term liquid feces (OR, 3.45), and a fair or poor outcome on owner assessment (OR, 3.6). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that subtotal colectomy was associated with long survival times and a high rate of owner satisfaction. Removal of the ICJ was associated with less favorable outcomes in cats of the present study.

Effects of osteoarthritis on radiographic measures of laxity and congruence in hip joints of Labrador Retrievers.

OBJECTIVE- To determine effects of hip joint osteoarthritis on radiographic measures of hip joint laxity and congruence. DESIGN- Longitudinal study. ANIMALS- 40 Labrador Retrievers. PROCEDURES- Dogs were assigned to 2 groups based on radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis. Dogs in the osteoarthritis group were free of osteoarthritis at initial radiographic evaluation (t(1)) and developed osteoarthritis by a subsequent radiographic evaluation (t(2)). Dogs in the nonosteoarthritis group had no radiographic osteoarthritis at either evaluation. Hip joint laxity was quantified by use of the distraction index (DI) from a distraction radiographic view and use of the Norberg angle (NA) from a ventrodorsal hip-extended radiographic view. The compression index (CI) from a compression radiographic view was used as a measure of joint congruence (concentricity). RESULTS- Hip joint laxity (NA or DI) did not change over time in the nonosteoarthritis group. Mean hip joint laxity (NA and DI) for the osteoarthritis group was greater at t(1) than for the nonosteoarthritis group. With the onset of osteoarthritis, mean NA decreased significantly and mean CI increased significantly, but mean DI remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE- No radiographic evidence for compensatory hip joint tightening associated with osteoarthritis was detected. Hip-extended radiography revealed that hip joints got looser with osteoarthritis and NA decreased. Hip joint laxity (DI) on distraction radiographs was unchanged by the onset of osteoarthritis and remained constant in the osteoarthritis and nonosteoarthritis groups at both evaluations. However, the CI increased with osteoarthritis, as reflected in nonzero indices (incongruence). The CI may be a valid marker for early hip joint osteoarthritis.

A longitudinal study of the influence of lifetime food restriction on development of osteoarthritis in the canine elbow.

OBJECTIVE: To report the effects of age and lifetime calorie restriction on development and progression of osteoarthritis (OA) in elbow joints of Labrador retrievers. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. ANIMALS: Labrador retriever dogs (n=48). METHODS: Puppies from 7 litters were allotted to 2 groups of 24 dogs each. Diet-restricted (DR) dogs received 25% fewer calories than control-fed (CF) pair mates. Elbow radiographs were taken at 6 and 8 years of age and end of life (EOL). Gross and histopathologic evaluations for OA occurred at EOL. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in radiographic OA frequency between groups at any of the time points. Radiographic OA severity was greater for CF dogs at 6 years only (P<.05). There was no significant difference between feeding groups for histopathologic prevalence or severity of OA. Similarly, there were no differences in gross OA lesions between the groups (P>.05). Fragmented medial coronoid process, un-united anconeal process, and osteochondrosis were not present in any elbow. CONCLUSION: No differences in prevalence or severity of radiographic and histopathologic elbow OA were found between feeding groups. Diet restriction resulted in a 1.8-year extension in median lifespan but no additional incremental worsening of elbow disease. Evaluation at time points <6 years may have revealed larger differences in OA prevalence and severity between the dietary groups. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings support calorie restriction as a clinical tool to slow progression of elbow OA.

Technique and outcome of nares amputation (Trader's technique) in immature shih tzus.

Dogs with brachycephalic conformation frequently suffer from stenotic nares. This study investigated the clinical effects of stenotic nares resection in shih tzu puppies using an amputation technique first described in 1949. The authors hypothesized that surgical correction of the stenotic nares would result in improvement of nasal discharge/noise, breathing difficulty (dyspnea), and exercise limitations (exercise intolerance), and that the technique would provide a cosmetic result. Based on the results of this study, the authors recommend early surgical correction (amputation) of stenotic nares in shih tzu puppies as an effective and cosmetic technique.