Canine nail bed keratoacanthoma diagnosed by immunohistochemical analysis.

A 10-year-old, Shih Tzu dog was presented with an enlarged, curled 2nd nail in the left forelimb. Digital amputation was performed and the mass was diagnosed as a nail bed keratoacanthoma (infundibular keratinizing acanthoma) histopathologically. There was no recurrence postoperatively. This is the first case report of a canine nail bed keratoacanthoma diagnosed by histologic and immunohistochemical examination including Ki-67 and p53 expression.

Kératocanthome d'un lit d'ongle canin diagnostiqué à l'aide d'une analyse immunohistochimique. Un chien Shih Tzu âgé de 10 ans a été présenté avec un deuxième ongle recourbé et hypertrophié sur la jambe avant gauche. Une amputation du doigt a été réalisée et la masse a été diagnostiquée en histopathologie comme un kératocanthome de lit d'ongle (acanthome kératinisant infundibulaire). Il n'y a pas eu de récurrence après l'opération. Il s'agit du premier rapport de kératocanthome de lit d'ongle canin diagnostiqué à l'aide d'un examen histologique et immunohistochimique incluant l'expression Ki-67 et p53.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Abnormal changes in both mandibular salivary glands in a dog: Non-mineral radiopaque sialoliths.

A 10-year-old Maltese dog was presented with a firm mass on the left side of his neck. Physical examination confirmed a firm mass in the left and a submandibular swelling in the right cervical region. Sialolithiasis and associated sialocele in both mandibular salivary glands were suspected and bilateral sialoadenectomy was performed. The stones were identified as non-mineral sialoliths.

Changements anormaux dans les deux glandes salivaires mandibulaires chez un chien : sialolithes radiopaques non minéraux. Un chien Maltais âgé de 10 ans a été présenté avec une masse ferme du côté droit du cou. L'examen physique a confirmé une masse ferme dans l'enflure gauche et sous-mandibulaire dans la région cervicale droite. La sialolithiase et une sialocèle connexe dans les deux glandes salivaires mandibulaires ont été suspectées et une sialoadénectomie bilatérale a été réalisée. Les pierres ont été identifiées comme des sialolithes non minéraux.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Expression of neurotrophic factors in injured spinal cord after transplantation of human-umbilical cord blood stem cells in rats.

We induced percutaneous spinal cord injuries (SCI) using a balloon catheter in 45 rats and transplanted human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) at the injury site. Locomotor function was significantly improved in hUCB-MSCs transplanted groups. Quantitative ELISA of extract from entire injured spinal cord showed increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3). Our results show that treatment of SCI with hUCB-MSCs can improve locomotor functions, and suggest that increased levels of BDNF, NGF and NT-3 in the injured spinal cord were the main therapeutic effect.

Improved rat spinal cord injury model using spinal cord compression by percutaneous method.

Here, percutaneous spinal cord injury (SCI) methods using a balloon catheter in adult rats are described. A balloon catheter was inserted into the epidural space through the lumbosacral junction and then inflated between T9-T10 for 10 min under fluoroscopic guidance. Animals were divided into three groups with respect to inflation volume: 20 µL (n = 18), 50 µL (n = 18) and control (Fogarty catheter inserted but not inflated; n = 10). Neurological assessments were then made based on BBB score, magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology. Both inflation volumes produced complete paralysis. Gradual recovery of motor function occurred when 20 µL was used, but not after 50 µL was applied. In the 50 µL group, all gray and white matter was lost from the center of the lesion. In addition, supramaximal damage was noted, which likely prevented spontaneous recovery. This percutaneous spinal cord compression injury model is simple, rapid with high reproducibility and the potential to serve as a useful tool for investigation of pathophysiology and possible protective treatments of SCI in vivo.

Use of canine small intestinal submucosa allograft for treating perineal hernias in two dogs.

Here, we describe two dogs in which canine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) was implanted as a biomaterial scaffold during perineal herniorrhaphy. Both dogs had developed severe muscle weakness, unilaterally herniated rectal protrusions, and heart problems with potential anesthetic risks. Areas affected by the perineal hernia (PH) located between the internal obturator and external anal sphincter muscles were reconstructed with naïve canine SIS sheets. In 12 months, post-operative complications such as wound infections, sciatic paralysis, rectal prolapse, or recurrence of the hernia were not observed. Symptoms of defecatory tenesmus also improved. Neither case showed any signs of rejection or specific immune responses as determined by complete and differential cell counts. Our findings demonstrate that canine SIS can be used as a biomaterial scaffold for PH repair in dogs.