A rare case of cecal malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in a dog.

A 12-year-old mixed-breed dog presented with a 2-month history of abdominal distension. Radiographic examination, abdominal ultrasonography, and computed tomography revealed a mass in the cecum (15.0 × 11.9 × 4.5 cm). The cecal mass was surgically removed and examined histopathologically. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells expressed S-100 and neuron specific enolase but not α-smooth muscle actin and CD117 (c-kit). These histologic and immunohistochemical features indicated that the mass was consistent with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST). In dogs, most MPNSTs arise from the brachial plexus, spinal nerve root, and skin of the extremities. However, gastrointestinal MPNSTs in dogs have not been described previously. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to describe cecal MPNST in a dog.

Heparin monitoring in sheep by activated partial thromboplastin time.

Heparin anticoagulation is utilized during and after vascular surgery in animals to reduce the risk of acute or chronic thromboembolic problems. In this study, we examined variation of activated partial thromboplastin time APTT) after the intravenous bolus IV bolus) and subcutaneous SC) heparin injection in order to monitor heparin therapy in sheep. Nine healthy sheep were assigned to 3 groups A, B, and C) according to their body weights: less than 40 kg, 40 to 80 kg, and more than 80 kg, respectively. All animals were treated with heparin 300 IU/kg body weight) through two routes, and the APTT, fibrinogen, and platelet count were measured before and every hour after treatment. This showed that the APTT was increased significantly between 1 to 4 hours after IV bolus injection and between 2 to 6 hours after SC injection P < 0.05). The APTT was returned to baseline values 6 and 10 hours after the respective treatments. The APTT in Group C was consistently higher than in Group A and B after heparin treatment by the two routes. The APTT ratio entered the subtherapeutic range 5 and 8 hours after IV bolus and SC injection, respectively. The APTT ratio was maintained in the therapeutic range for about 1 and 4 hours after IV bolus and SC injection, respectively. The highest APTT ratio in Group C after SC injection of heparin was significantly higher than that in Groups A and B P < 0.05). The mean platelet counts in Groups A, B, and C before the injection were 3197 +/- 365.6, 2886 +/- 78.2, and 1861 +/- 298.0 102/microL, respectively. The mean platelet count gradually decreased without significant variation after IV bolus and SC injection. These results produced elementary data for monitoring in sheep using APTT, and suggested that heparin should be administrated by the SC route at 4-hour intervals in order to remain in the therapeutic range, after an initial IV bolus dose.

Upregulation of phospholipase D1 in the spinal cords of rats with clip compression injury.

This study examined phospholipase D 1 (PLD1) expression in the central nervous system following clip compression spinal cord injury (SCI) in Sprague-Dawley rats. After inducing SCI with a vascular clip, the expression of PLD1 in the affected spinal cord was analyzed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Western blot analysis showed that the expression of PLD1 gradually increased in the spinal cord on days 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 post injury. Immunohistochemistry showed that some cells, including neurons, astrocytes, and some inflammatory cells, were positive for PLD1 in the lesions at days 1 and 2 post injury. At day 4, the number of PLD1-positive cells in SCI lesions increased, largely matching the increases in ED1-positive macrophages and glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive astrocytes. At this time, macrophages expressed proliferating cell nuclear antigen in addition to PLD1. These results suggest that PLD1 expression is increased in injured spinal cords, and might be involved in the activation and proliferation of macrophages and astrocytes in SCI.