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BackgroundHorner syndrome often occurs with cervical myelopathies and might provide insight into the underlying disease and prognosis.ObjectivesTo describe the clinical and imaging features of dogs with cervical myelopathy and concurrent Horner syndrome and to determine association of Horner syndrome with diseases or magnetic resonance images (MRI).AnimalsNinety-three client-owned dogs with cervical myelopathy and concurrent Horner syndrome and 99 randomly selected client-owned dogs with cervical myelopathy without Horner syndrome (control cases).MethodsRetrospective study. Medical records were reviewed to identify Horner and control cases and clinical findings recorded. MRI were reviewed, and lesions characterized and recorded. Descriptive and comparative statistics were performed.ResultsNon-compressive disease occurred more frequently in the Horner group compared with controls (58%; 95% CI: 48-68 vs 9%; 95% CI: 5-16; P

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effects of the chondrodystrophy-associated FGF4L2 retrogene on intervertebral disc (IVD) calcification and vertebral geometry.Animals22 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers (NSDTR) with no FGF4L2 retrogene (n = 7, wild-type dogs), 1 retrogene copy (8, heterozygous dogs), or 2 retrogene copies (7, homozygous dogs).ProceduresComputed tomography (CT) scans of the vertebral column were analyzed using computer-aided design (CAD) software. IVD calcification, vertebral column length, and vertebral geometry of the third cervical (C3), 13th thoracic (T13), and first lumbar (L1) vertebrae were compared.ResultsIVD calcification was not found in wild-type dogs. IVD calcification was more frequent in homozygous dogs than heterozygous (P = .008) or wild-type dogs (P < .001) and in heterozygous dogs compared to wild-type dogs (P < .001). Four IVDs were subclinically herniated in 3 dogs (2 homozygous, 1 heterozygous). Calcified IVD had a greater volume and surface area in heterozygous dogs than homozygous dogs. C3 vertebral canal height-to-width ratio was greater in homozygous dogs than heterozygous dogs (P = .044) and wild-type dogs (P = .010).Clinical relevanceIVD calcification and vertebral geometry can be analyzed using CAD software. The presence of 1 or 2 FGF4L2 copies in the absence of the FGF4L1 retrogene has an additive effect on the number of calcified IVD and a minor effect on vertebral geometry in NSDTR dogs. Data support the use of FGF4L2 phenotyping to reduce clinical disease in segregating breeds and to monitor the introduction of wild-type alleles into fixed breed populations.

The goal of this study was to define the glioma-associated microglia/macrophage (GAM) response and associated molecular landscape in canine oligodendrogliomas. Here, we quantified the intratumoral GAM density of low- and high-grade oligodendrogliomas compared to that of a normal brain, as well as the intratumoral concentration of several known GAM-derived pro-tumorigenic molecules in high-grade oligodendrogliomas compared to that in a normal brain. Our analysis demonstrated marked intra- and intertumoral heterogeneity of GAM infiltration. Correspondingly, we observed significant variability in the intratumoral concentrations of several GAM-associated molecules, unlike what we previously observed in high-grade astrocytomas. However, high-grade oligodendroglioma tumor homogenates (n = 6) exhibited an increase in the pro-tumorigenic molecules hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as we observed in high-grade astrocytomas. Moreover, neoplastic oligodendrocytes displayed robust expression of GAL-3, a chimeric galectin implicated in driving immunosuppression in human glioblastoma. While this work identifies shared putative therapeutic targets across canine glioma subtypes (HGFR, GAL-3), it highlights several key differences in the immune landscape. Therefore, a continued effort to develop a comprehensive understanding of the immune microenvironment within each subtype is necessary to inform therapeutic strategies going forward.

Promoting the high-quality development of geriatric education is the value tendency of the national aging policy, and it is the proper meaning of practicing the concept of positive aging and the necessary way to build a lifelong education system. This paper constructs a “three-in-one” geriatric education community from the three dimensions of schooling, teaching and learning and establishes a geriatric education service quality evaluation system with SERVQUAL service quality model. With regard to the relevant factors affecting the development of the quality of geriatric education services, the University of Geriatric Education in Province D is taken as an example, and the data are quantitatively analyzed by using structural equation modeling and robust regression estimation. The results show that the expected value of tangibility in the quality of geriatric education services is the lowest at 4.139, its perceived gap value is only −0.334, and the expectations of older learners under 65 years old are in the range of 4.75 to 5.00. The regression coefficients of government policies and infrastructure on the development of the quality of elderly education services were 0.282 and 0.251, respectively, which decreased significantly after the inclusion of demographic variables. The elderly’s subjective well-being had a direct effect of 0.452 on the quality of geriatric education services, which was also significant indirectly. The development of high-quality geriatric education requires the joint efforts of the government and society at large to provide an effective foundation for the realization of lifelong education.

BackgroundSerum phosphorylated neurofilament-heavy chain (pNF-H) has not been longitudinally evaluated in dogs that develop progressive myelomalacia (PMM) after Type I intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH).ObjectivesTo determine if serum pNF-H concentrations would predict outcome of neuroligical disease in dogs with acute, severe thoracolumbar myelopathy secondary to Type I IVDH.AnimalsThirty-nine client-owned dogs with thoracolumbar myelopathy secondary to IVDH.MethodsProspective controlled cohort study. Serum was collected from dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy at multiple timepoints. Final neurological status was established at 12 months and groups were stratified accordingly. Comparisons between outcome and pNF-H concentration at each timepoint was examined using Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance on ranks and receiver operator characteristics curve analysis.ResultsMedian serum pNF-H concentrations were not significantly different between deep pain negative dogs that did or did not recover at any timepoint (baseline: 0.37 ng/mL [0-0.9 ng/mL] vs 0 ng/mL [0-0.9 ng/mL], P > 1; 24 hours: 1.25 ng/mL [0.35-7.23 ng/mL] vs 1.53 ng/mL [0-11.94 ng/mL], P > 1; 48 hours: 1.22 ng/mL [0.63-6.62 ng/mL] vs 2.12 ng/mL [0-20.72 ng/mL], P >  1; 72 hours: 2.77 ng/mL [1.33-6.62 ng/mL] vs 16.69 ng/mL [4.02-40.12 ng/mL], P >  1). Dogs that developed PMM had significantly higher serum pNF-H concentrations after surgery compared to all other cohorts at 24 hours: 39.88 ng/mL (25.74-50.68 ng/mL); P

BackgroundClinical features, treatment, and outcome of opportunistic infections with Rasamsonia spp., a nonpigmented filamentous mold, are not well documented in dogs.ObjectivesDescribe clinical, radiographic, pathologic features, and outcome of dogs with disseminated Rasamsonia species complex infections.AnimalsEight client-owned dogs.MethodsRetrospective case series. Medical records were reviewed to describe signalment, history, clinicopathologic and imaging findings, microbiologic and immunologic results, cyto- and histopathologic diagnoses, treatment, and outcome.ResultsPresenting complaints were nonspecific with anorexia (n = 5) and back pain (n = 4) most common. Five dogs were German Shepherd dogs. Six dogs had multifocal discospondylitis and 2 had pleural effusion. Six dogs had Rasamsonia piperina and 2 had Rasamsonia argillacea infections with isolates identified using DNA sequencing. Rasamsonia spp. were isolated by urine culture in 5 of 7 dogs. Five of 6 dogs had positive serum Aspergillus galactomannan antigen enzyme immunoassay (EIA) results. Median survival time was 82 days, and 317 days for dogs that survived to discharge. Four died during initial hospitalization (median survival, 6 days). All isolates had low minimum effective concentrations (MECs) to echinocandins with variable minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for azole antifungal drugs.Conclusions and clinical importanceRasamsonia spp. infections in dogs are associated with multisystemic disease involving the vertebral column, central nervous system, kidneys, spleen, lymph nodes, lungs, and heart. The infection shares clinical features with other systemic mold infections and can be misidentified when using phenotypical microbiologic methods. Molecular techniques are required to identify the organism and guide appropriate antifungal treatment.

Abstract Background Horner syndrome often occurs with cervical myelopathies and might provide insight into the underlying disease and prognosis. Objectives To describe the clinical and imaging features of dogs with cervical myelopathy and concurrent Horner syndrome and to determine association of Horner syndrome with diseases or magnetic resonance images (MRI). Animals Ninety‐three client‐owned dogs with cervical myelopathy and concurrent Horner syndrome and 99 randomly selected client‐owned dogs with cervical myelopathy without Horner syndrome (control cases). Methods Retrospective study. Medical records were reviewed to identify Horner and control cases and clinical findings recorded. MRI were reviewed, and lesions characterized and recorded. Descriptive and comparative statistics were performed. Results Non‐compressive disease occurred more frequently in the Horner group compared with controls (58%; 95% CI: 48‐68 vs 9%; 95% CI: 5‐16; P

Objective To investigate the expression level of serum ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 2C (UBE2C) and tripartite motif-containing protein 27 (TRIM27) in patients with endometrial cancer (EC) and their correlation with pathological parameters. Methods A total of 96 EC patients from March 2020 to March 2023 were selected as EC group; 65 patients with endometrial atypical hyperplasia (EAH) as EAH group, and 80 healthy subjects as the control group. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was applied to analyze the expression level of serum UBE2C and TRIM27. The relationship between serum UBE2C, TRIM27, and pathological data was analyzed; receiver operating characteristic was applied to evaluate the predictive value of serum UBE2C and TRIM27 level for EC. Results The level of serum UBE2C and TRIM27 of EC patients was obviously higher than that in healthy subjects (P < 0.05), and was correlated with tumor diameter, tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, FIGO stage, muscle layer invasion depth, cervical involvement, estrogen receptor expression, and progestogen receptor expression (P < 0.05). There was positive correlation between serum UBE2C and TRIM27 (r = 0.475, P < 0.001); and the level of serum UBE2C and TRIM27 was positively correlated with tumor diameter, lymph node metastasis, FIGO stage, and depth of musclular invasion, but negatively with tumor differentiation, estrogen receptor expression, and progestogen receptor expression (P < 0.05). The combination of UBE2C and TRIM27 had obviously higher AUC in evaluating EC than single detection (ZUBE2C-combination=3.406, P < 0.001, ZTRIM27-combination = 3.285, P = 0.001). Conclusion The expression level of UBE2C and TRIM27 in serum of EC patients is up-regulated, which is closely related to pathological parameters. The level of serum UBE2C and TRIM27 can provide reference for early diagnosis of EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Clinical features, treatment, and outcome of opportunistic infections with Rasamsonia spp., a nonpigmented filamentous mold, are not well documented in dogs. Objectives Describe clinical, radiographic, pathologic features, and outcome of dogs with disseminated Rasamsonia species complex infections. Animals Eight client‐owned dogs. Methods Retrospective case series. Medical records were reviewed to describe signalment, history, clinicopathologic and imaging findings, microbiologic and immunologic results, cyto‐ and histopathologic diagnoses, treatment, and outcome. Results Presenting complaints were nonspecific with anorexia (n = 5) and back pain (n = 4) most common. Five dogs were German Shepherd dogs. Six dogs had multifocal discospondylitis and 2 had pleural effusion. Six dogs had Rasamsonia piperina and 2 had Rasamsonia argillacea infections with isolates identified using DNA sequencing. Rasamsonia spp. were isolated by urine culture in 5 of 7 dogs. Five of 6 dogs had positive serum Aspergillus galactomannan antigen enzyme immunoassay (EIA) results. Median survival time was 82 days, and 317 days for dogs that survived to discharge. Four died during initial hospitalization (median survival, 6 days). All isolates had low minimum effective concentrations (MECs) to echinocandins with variable minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for azole antifungal drugs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Rasamsonia spp. infections in dogs are associated with multisystemic disease involving the vertebral column, central nervous system, kidneys, spleen, lymph nodes, lungs, and heart. The infection shares clinical features with other systemic mold infections and can be misidentified when using phenotypical microbiologic methods. Molecular techniques are required to identify the organism and guide appropriate antifungal treatment.

Abstract Background Serum phosphorylated neurofilament‐heavy chain (pNF‐H) has not been longitudinally evaluated in dogs that develop progressive myelomalacia (PMM) after Type I intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH). Objectives To determine if serum pNF‐H concentrations would predict outcome of neuroligical disease in dogs with acute, severe thoracolumbar myelopathy secondary to Type I IVDH. Animals Thirty‐nine client‐owned dogs with thoracolumbar myelopathy secondary to IVDH. Methods Prospective controlled cohort study. Serum was collected from dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy at multiple timepoints. Final neurological status was established at 12 months and groups were stratified accordingly. Comparisons between outcome and pNF‐H concentration at each timepoint was examined using Kruskal‐Wallis analysis of variance on ranks and receiver operator characteristics curve analysis. Results Median serum pNF‐H concentrations were not significantly different between deep pain negative dogs that did or did not recover at any timepoint (baseline: 0.37 ng/mL [0‐0.9 ng/mL] vs 0 ng/mL [0‐0.9 ng/mL], P > 1; 24 hours: 1.25 ng/mL [0.35‐7.23 ng/mL] vs 1.53 ng/mL [0‐11.94 ng/mL], P > 1; 48 hours: 1.22 ng/mL [0.63‐6.62 ng/mL] vs 2.12 ng/mL [0‐20.72 ng/mL], P > 1; 72 hours: 2.77 ng/mL [1.33‐6.62 ng/mL] vs 16.69 ng/mL [4.02‐40.12 ng/mL], P > 1). Dogs that developed PMM had significantly higher serum pNF‐H concentrations after surgery compared to all other cohorts at 24 hours: 39.88 ng/mL (25.74‐50.68 ng/mL); P

The goal of this study was to define the glioma-associated microglia/macrophage (GAM) response and associated molecular landscape in canine oligodendrogliomas. Here, we quantified the intratumoral GAM density of low- and high-grade oligodendrogliomas compared to that of a normal brain, as well as the intratumoral concentration of several known GAM-derived pro-tumorigenic molecules in high-grade oligodendrogliomas compared to that in a normal brain. Our analysis demonstrated marked intra- and intertumoral heterogeneity of GAM infiltration. Correspondingly, we observed significant variability in the intratumoral concentrations of several GAM-associated molecules, unlike what we previously observed in high-grade astrocytomas. However, high-grade oligodendroglioma tumor homogenates (n = 6) exhibited an increase in the pro-tumorigenic molecules hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as we observed in high-grade astrocytomas. Moreover, neoplastic oligodendrocytes displayed robust expression of GAL-3, a chimeric galectin implicated in driving immunosuppression in human glioblastoma. While this work identifies shared putative therapeutic targets across canine glioma subtypes (HGFR, GAL-3), it highlights several key differences in the immune landscape. Therefore, a continued effort to develop a comprehensive understanding of the immune microenvironment within each subtype is necessary to inform therapeutic strategies going forward.

BackgroundBoron carbide (B4C) aluminum matrix composite has a wide application prospect in the field of nuclear power plant spent fuel storage shielding neutron due to the large neutron absorption cross section of B isotope 10B in B4C.PurposeThis study aims to investigate the response mechanism of current effect on the internal microstructure and mechanical properties of neutron absorbing materials.MethodsThe 30wt.% B4C/6061Al neutron absorbing material was prepared by multi-pass rolling after vacuum hot pressing. Electropulsing treatment (EPT) was applied to the heat treatment of prepared materials, and the skin effect and joule effect of current were made use of eliminating the defects and residual stresses at the particle/matrix interface. Finally, energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS), electron backscatter diffractometer (EBSD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were employed to observe the microstructure morphology and particle / matrix interface of the samples under different process parameters.ResultsThe results show that the EPT can promote the degree of recrystallization of the matrix alloy, healing heterogeneous particle/matrix interface of micro defects, improve the bonding strength of interface, inhibit grain growth of the matrix alloy, and reduce the interfacial residual stress. With the extension of time of applying pulse current, the tensile strength and elongation of the composite material showed a trend of increase, up to 245.2 MPa and 9.02%, the load transfer effect of B4C particles is enhanced, and the non-thermal effect of current play a leading role.ConclusionsEPT can improve the mechanical properties of B4C aluminum base neutron absorbing material.