Simple ectopic kidney with renal artery originating from internal iliac bifurcation in a dog.

An ectopic left kidney together with an aberrant vascular structure were identified during a routine sterilization procedure in an eighteen-month-old female Akita Inu. Subsequently, ultrasound and computed tomography were performed to evaluate the clinical relevance. Based on these examinations' findings, a simple unilateral left-sided ectopic kidney with an abnormal course of the left renal artery as well as an earlier division of the right-sided renal artery were diagnosed. An ectopic kidney is clinically relevant differential diagnosis of secondary renal displacement or abdominal mass.

Nanofiber Fractionalization Stimulates Healing of Large Intestine Anastomoses in Rabbits.

Background: A current topic of ma jor interest in regenerative medicine is the development of novel materials for accelerated healing of sutures, and nanofibers seem to be suitable materials for this purpose. As various studies have shown, nanofibers are able to partially substitute missing extracellular matrix and to stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation in sutures. Therefore, we tested nanofibrous membranes and cryogenically fractionalized nanofibers as potential materials for support of the healing of intestinal anastomoses in a rabbit model. Materials and Methods: We compared cryogenically fractionalized chitosan and PVA nanofibers with chitosan and PVA nanofiber membranes designed for intestine anastomosis healing in a rabbit animal model. The anastomoses were biomechanically and histologically tested. Results: In strong contrast to nanofibrous membranes, the fractionalized nanofibers did show positive effects on the healing of intestinal anastomoses in rabbits. The fractionalized nanofibers were able to reach deep layers that are key to increased mechanical strength of the intestine. Moreover, fractionalized nanofibers led to the formation of collagen-rich 3D tissue significantly exceeding the healing effects of the 2D flat nanofiber membranes. In addition, the fractionalized chitosan nanofibers eliminated peritonitis, significantly stimulated anastomosis healing and led to a higher density of microvessels, in addition to a larger fraction of myofibroblasts and collagen type I and III. Biomechanical tests supported these histological findings. Conclusion: We concluded that the fractionalized chitosan nanofibers led to accelerated healing for rabbit colorectal anastomoses by the targeted stimulation of collagen-producing cells in the intestine, the smooth muscle cells and the fibroblasts. We believe that the collagen-producing cells were stimulated both directly due to the presence of a biocompatible scaffold providing cell adhesion, and indirectly, by a proper stimulation of immunocytes in the suture.

Congenital subcutaneous arteriovenous malformation in a puppy: diagnosis with CT angiography.

A 4-month-old, 20 kg, intact male, cane corso dog was presented with a slowly growing subcutaneous lesion on the left caudoventral abdominal wall. Ultrasound and computed tomography angiography revealed a subcutaneous plexus of aberrant tortuous vessels directly connected with the superficial branch of the deep circumflex iliac artery and vein. The arteriovenous malformation (AVM) was successfully surgically removed. Early recognition and surgical removal of AVM can have excellent cosmetic results and prevents potential cardiovascular complications.

Allogeneic and autogenous transplantations of MSCs in treatment of the physeal bone bridge in rabbits.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this experimental study on New Zealand's white rabbits was to find differences in the results of treating the distal physeal femoral defect by the transplantation of autologous or allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). After the excision of a created bone bridge in the distal physis of the right femur, modified composite scaffold with MSCs was transplanted into the defect. In animal Group A (n = 11) autogenous MSCs were implanted; in animal Group B (n = 15) allogeneic MSCs were implanted. An iatrogenic physeal defect of the left femur of each animal not treated by MSCs transplantation served as control. The rabbits were euthanized four months after the transplantation. The treatment results were evaluated morphometrically (femoral length and valgus deformity measurement) and histologically (character and quality of the new cartilage). RESULTS: Four months after the transplantation, the right femurs of the animals in Group A were on average longer by 0.50 +/- 0.04 cm (p = 0.018) than their left femurs, the right femurs of rabbits in Group B were on average longer by 0.43 +/- 0.01 cm (p = 0.028) than their left femurs.4 months after the therapeutic transplantation of MSCs valgus deformity of the distal part of the right femur of animals in Group A was significantly lower (by 4.45 +/- 1.86 degrees ) than that of their left femur (p = 0.028), in Group B as well (by 3.66 +/- 0.95 degrees than that of their left femur p = 0.001). However, no significant difference was found between rabbits with transplanted autogenous MSCs (Group A) and rabbits with transplanted allogeneic MSCs (Group B) either in the femur length (p = 0.495), or in its valgus deformity (p = 0.1597). After the MSCs transplantation the presence of a newly formed hyaline cartilage was demonstrated histologically in all the animals (both groups). The ability of transplanted MSCs to survive in the damaged physis was demonstrated in vivo by magnetic resonance, in vitro by Perls reaction and immunofluorescence. CONCLUSION: The transplantation of both autogenous and allogeneic MSCs into a defect of the growth plate appears as an effective method of surgical treatment of physeal cartilage injury. However, the Findings point to the conclusion that there is no clear difference in the final effect of the transplantation procedure used.