José M. Vázquez

Sectional anatomic and magnetic resonance imaging features of the head of juvenile loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta)

OBJECTIVEnTo compare anatomic features of cross-sectional specimens with those of MRI images of the heads of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).nnnANIMALSn5 cadavers of juvenile female loggerhead sea turtles.nnnPROCEDURESnSpin-echo T1-weighted and T2-weighted MRI scans were obtained in sagittal, transverse, and dorsal planes with a 0.2-T magnet and head coil. Head specimens were grossly dissected and photographed. Anatomic features of the MRI images were compared with those of gross anatomic sections of the heads from 4 of these turtles.nnnRESULTSnIn the MRI images, anatomic details of the turtles heads were identified by the characteristics of signal intensity of various tissues. Relevant anatomic structures were identified and labeled on the MRI images and corresponding anatomic sections.nnnCONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCEnThe MRI images obtained through this study provided valid information on anatomic characteristics of the head in juvenile loggerhead sea turtles and should be useful for guiding clinical evaluation of this anatomic region in this species.

Evaluation of Wedged Arterial Injection as a New Technique for Delivery of Experimental Therapeutic Sustances into the Porcine Pancreas

Objectives. To prospectively evaluate the technical feasibility and efficacy of wedged arterial injection (WAI) as a potential route for experimental selective therapy to the pancreas of healthy pigs. Materials and Methods. Selective angiographies were completed in ten pigs under general anaesthesia. By superselective angiography, the catheter was inserted and wedged into the major pancreatic artery, blocking the blood flow. In order to evaluate the efficacy of the WAI method, a DNA-specific fluorescent dye (Hoechst 33258) was used. Results. Histological study revealed a uniform distribution of the fluorescent dye within the nuclei of the endocrine and exocrine pancreatic cells. Pancreatic and liver enzymes as well as histopathology of the pancreas were normal. Conclusion. WAI is a highly effective minimally invasive methodology to target the porcine pancreas. The findings suggest that WAI may contribute to developing preclinical assays of pancreas gene or cell-transfer therapies in swine model.

Structural changes in marinated fillets of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) during vacuum storage at refrigerated temperature.

Fillets of Sparus aurata were marinated in a mixture of salt (5.5%) and citric acid (48.9 g/kg) for 1 h, then vacuum packed and refrigerated for 1, 5, 16, and 21 d. Structural and ultrastructural parameters were evaluated in 6 specimens per time period. At day 1, the preservative solution appeared among the muscle fibers, thus increasing the interfibrillar spaces; cytoplasmic organelles were swollen and the sarcolemma-endomysium appeared very altered and electron-dense. At 5 to 10 d, the marinade solution had penetrated into the muscle fibers. The subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar spaces were dilated and granular lines of electron-dense material appeared among the fibers. From 16 d, broad interfibrillar spaces were occupied by granular material derived from denatured sarcolemma-endomysium and denatured myofibrils. Sarcomeres were already altered from initial stages, mainly at the I-band level. The Z-line also appeared disrupted. Such alterations were more severe from 10 d on, such that most of the sarcomeres showed disintegration of myofilaments.

Computed tomography of the brain and associated structures of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius): an anatomic study

The purpose of the study was to provide a description of normal cross-sectional anatomy of the camel brain and associated structures using computed tomography (CT) and macroscopic cross sections. Transverse images of two isolated camel cadaver heads were obtained by an axial CT equipment. CT scans were processed with a detailed algorithm using bone and soft-tissue windows settings, and compared with the corresponding frozen cross sections of the heads, to assist in the accurate identification of brain and associated structures. CT images provided good differentiation between the bones and the soft tissues of the head. These CT images are intended to be a useful anatomic reference in the interpretation for clinical CT imaging studies of the brain and associated structures in dromedary camels.

Magnetic resonance imaging study in a normal Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) stifle joint.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to describe the normal appearance of the bony and soft tissue structures of the stifle joint of a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) by low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the use of gross anatomical dissections performed as anatomical reference. A cadaver of a mature female was imaged by MRI using specific sequences as the Spin-echo (SE) T1-weighting and Gradient-echo (GE) STIR T2-weighting sequences in sagittal, dorsal and transverse planes, with a magnet of 0.2 Tesla. The bony and articular structures were identified and labelled on anatomical dissections, as well as on the magnetic resonance (MR) images.ResultsMR images showed the bone, articular cartilage, menisci and ligaments of the normal tiger stifle. SE T1-weighted sequence provided excellent resolution of the subchondral bones of the femur, tibia and patella compared with the GE STIR T2-weighted MR images. Articular cartilage and synovial fluid were visualised with high signal intensity in GE STIR T2-weighted sequence, compared with SE T1-weighted sequence where they appeared with intermediate intensity signal. Menisci and ligaments of the stifle joint were visible with low signal intensity in both sequences. The infrapatellar fat pad was hyperintense on SE T1-weighted images and showed low signal intensity on GE STIR T2-weighted images.ConclusionsMRI provided adequate information of the bony and soft tissues structures of Bengal tiger stifle joints. This information can be used as initial anatomic reference for interpretation of MR stifle images and to assist in the diagnosis of diseases of this region.

Late onset centronuclear myopathy with severe atrophy in an adult Labrador retriever

A three-year-old male Labrador retriever was presented with five-month history of tetraparesis with severe atrophy in the limbs. Prior to this five-month period, the dog had been healthy. At gross necropsy several muscles were atrophic reflecting decreased muscle mass. Histologically, there were atrophic type I and type II fibres, angulated type IIC fibres and an elevated oxidative activity that showed an altered mitochondrial pattern. The rapid progression of the clinical signs and the age at onset could suggest an atypical myopahty in this dog breed.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the cranial abdomen of the dog.

Abstract Vilar, J.M., Vazquez, J.M., Raillard, M. and Arencibia, A. 2010. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cranial abdomen of the dog. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 38: 81–83. To describe the normal cross sectional anatomy of the cranial abdomen of the dog, using MR images and macroscopic sections with vascular latex repletion one dog was used. Transverse, sagital and dorsal T-l weighted spin echo images provided excellent resolution of the anatomical structures of this region, whilst vascular-filled gross sections contributed important information for identification of MR images. This information could serve for accurate identification and topography of organs and anatomical structures of cranial abdomen of the dog.