Computed tomographic features of canine prostatic carcinoma.

Canine prostatic carcinoma (PC) has incompletely defined CT features. The purpose of this multicenter retrospective case series was to assess prostatic, regional, and distant findings of PC. Thirty dogs were enrolled. Consistent prostatic features included postcontrast heterogeneity with hypoattenuating, nonenhancing areas (30/30), capsular distortion (29/30), prostatic urethral effacement, displacement, or invasion (28/30), precontrast heterogeneity (27/30), and mineralization (24/30) which was always within or at the margin of the hypoattenuating areas. Consistent extraprostatic features included medial iliac lymph node enlargement (20/30), internal iliac lymph node enlargement (15/30), and periprostatic fat streaking or fluid (15/29). In a minority of dogs, there was lymph node mineralization, bladder trigone invasion, ureteral dilation, ductus deferens invasion, and bony changes consistent with hypertrophic osteopathy. Strongly suspected and potential bony metastases were noted infrequently (8/26), all in vertebrae regional to the prostate. In conclusion, these findings provide guidance on the expected CT features of canine PC.

What Is Your Diagnosis?

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Radiology.

Context-dependent regulation of endothelial cell metabolism: differential effects of the PPARß/δ agonist GW0742 and VEGF-A.

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor ß/δ (PPARß/δ) has pro-angiogenic functions, but whether PPARß/δ modulates endothelial cell metabolism to support the dynamic phenotype remains to be established. This study characterised the metabolic response of HUVEC to the PPARß/δ agonist, GW0742, and compared these effects with those induced by VEGF-A. In HUVEC monolayers, flux analysis revealed that VEGF-A promoted glycolysis at the expense of fatty acid oxidation (FAO), whereas GW0742 reduced both glycolysis and FAO. Only VEGF-A stimulated HUVEC migration and proliferation whereas both GW0742 and VEGF-A promoted tubulogenesis. Studies using inhibitors of PPARß/δ or sirtuin-1 showed that the tubulogenic effect of GW0742, but not VEGF-A, was PPARß/δ- and sirtuin-1-dependent. HUVEC were reliant on glycolysis and FAO, and inhibition of either pathway disrupted cell growth and proliferation. VEGF-A was a potent inducer of glycolysis in tubulogenic HUVEC, while FAO was maintained. In contrast, GW0742-induced tubulogenesis was associated with enhanced FAO and a modest increase in glycolysis. These novel data reveal a context-dependent regulation of endothelial metabolism by GW0742, where metabolic activity is reduced in monolayers but enhanced during tubulogenesis. These findings expand our understanding of PPARß/δ in the endothelium and support the targeting of PPARß/δ in regulating EC behaviour and boosting tissue maintenance and repair.

Indications, complications, and outcomes associated with subdermal plexus skin flap procedures in dogs and cats: 92 cases (2000-2017).

OBJECTIVE: To describe indications, complications, and outcomes associated with subdermal plexus skin flap (SPSF) procedures in dogs and cats. ANIMALS: 53 dogs and 20 cats that received SPSFs for reconstruction of skin defects from 2000 to 2017. PROCEDURES: Medical record data were collected and summarized regarding patient signalment, indication for the SPSF procedure, type and location of SPSF, complications, and outcome. RESULTS: 92 SPSF procedures (64 in dogs and 28 in cats) were included. Indications for the procedures included tumor excision (n = 37 [40%]), acute wound (14 [15%]) or chronic wound (28 [30%]) reconstruction, surgical scar revision (7 [8%]), and other reasons (6 [7%]). Types of SPSFs included advancement (31 [34%]), axillary fold (20 [22%]), inguinal fold (20 [22%]), rotation (16 [17%]), transposition (3 [3%]), and distant direct (2 [2%]). Complications were noted for 47 (51%) procedures at a mean ± SD of 6.9 ± 4.0 days after surgery and were classified as minor (34 [37%]) or major (13 [14%]). Outcome was considered excellent for 44 (48%) procedures, good for 33 (36%), fair for 13 (14%), and poor for 2 (2%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that approximately half of SPSF procedures in dogs and cats can be expected to be followed by a complication, occurring at a mean of 1 week after surgery, and yet with appropriate management of these complications, a good to excellent outcome was possible. Owners should be counseled about the likely need for additional visits and costs associated with treatment of postoperative complications.