• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.169-172
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• 2012

A 12-year-old castrated male Shih-tzu dog presented with vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss. The patient's medical history and hematological, radiographic, ultrasonographic, and endoscopic findings were used for diagnosis. The patient's medical history showed that he was being treated for chronic kidney disease since a few weeks. The serum biochemical analysis showed moderate azotemia. However, abdominal radiographic and ultrasonographic findings showed the presence of a mass in the pylorus area of the stomach. On gastrointestinal endoscopic examination, the proliferative mass was found in the pyloric antrum. The histopathological results of the endoscopic biopsy specimen indicated that it was strongly suspected a gastric adenoma; therefore, we surgically excised the pyloric outflow region via a Y-U pyloroplasty. The histopathological examination of the surgically excised specimen also indicated that the mass was a gastric adenoma. After surgical treatment, the patient's condition improved gradually, and the clinical symptoms diminished in approximately 3 weeks after surgery. The patient's condition was well controlled until recently, i.e., 18 months after surgery. This case report describes the clinical findings, imaging characteristics, endoscopic findings, and histopathological features of a gastric adenoma in the pyloric outflow tract of a dog.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2023

Among imaging and treatment devices for small animals, positron emission tomography(PET) causes a change in spatial resolution within a field of view. This is a phenomenon caused by using a small gantry and a thin and long scintillation pixel, and detectors that measure the interaction depth are being developed and researched to solve this problem. In this study, a detector that measures the interaction depth was designed using several scintillator blocks and light guides with different reflector patterns. The scintillator block composed of 4 × 4 arrays of 3 mm × 3 mm × 5 mm scintillation pixels formed four layers, and a light guide was inserted in each layer to configure the entire detector. In order to check whether the interaction depth was measured, a gamma ray interaction was generated at the center of all scintillation pixels to acquire data and then reconstructed into a flood image. The reflector patterns of the light guides inserted between the layers were all different, so the positions of the scintillation pixels for each layer were formed in different locations. It is considered that even spatial resolution can be achieved over all regions of the field of view if all positions of the scintillation pixels thus formed are separated and used for image reconstruction.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.2.1-2.14
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• 2024

Background: Sufficient surgical resection is necessary for effective tumor control, but is usually limited for vertebral tumors, especially in the cervical spine in small animal neurosurgery. Objective: To evaluate the primary stability and safety of customized three-dimensional (3D)-printed implants for cervical spine reconstruction after total vertebrectomy. Methods: Customized guides and implants were designed based on computed tomography (CT) imaging of five beagle cadavers and were 3D-printed. They were used to reconstruct C5 after total vertebrectomy. Postoperative CT images were obtained to evaluate the safety and accuracy of screw positioning. After harvesting 10 vertebral specimens (C3-C7) from intact (group A) and implanted spines (group B), implant stability was analyzed using a 4-point bending test comparing with groups A and C (reconstituted with plate and pins/polymethylmethacrylate after testing in Group A). Results: All customized implants were applied without gross neurovascular damage. In addition, 90% of the screws were in a safe area, with 7.5% in grade 1 (< 1.3 mm) and 2.5% in grade 2 (> 1.3 mm). The mean entry point and angular deviations were 0.81 ± 0.43 mm and 6.50 ± 5.11°, respectively. Groups B and C significantly decreased the range of motion (ROM) in C3-C7 compared with intact spines (p = 0.033, and 0.018). Both groups reduced overall ROM and neutral zone in C4-C6, but only group B showed significance (p = 0.005, and 0.027). Conclusion: Customized 3D-printed implants could safely and accurately replace a cervical vertebra in dog cadavers while providing primary stability.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.781-787
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• 2017

Objective: The early growth response (Egr) family consists of four members (Egr1, Egr2, Egr3, and Egr4) that are zinc finger transcription factors. Among them, Egr3 is involved in transcriptional regulation of target genes during muscle spindle formation and neurite outgrowth. We previously showed that the immunoreactive Egr3 is localized on oocyte spindle and accumulate near the microtubule organizing center during meiosis I in mice. Egr3 was also shown to be localized on spermatocytes. We herein investigated if Egr3 is expressed in mouse gonads and if Egr3 blockade results in any defect in oocyte maturation. Methods: Expression of Egr3 in mouse gonads was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Full-length Egr3 and truncated Egr3 (${\Delta}Egr3$) complementary RNAs (cRNAs) with Xpress tag at N-terminus and DsRed2 at C-terminus, and small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting Egr3 were microinjected into mouse oocytes at germinal vesicle stage. Localization of microinjected Egr3 was examined by confocal live imaging and immunofluorescence staining. Results: Egr3 mRNA was detected in mouse ovaries and testes from 1 to 4 week-old mice. An uncharacterized longer transcript containing 5'untranslated region was also detected in 3 and 4 week-old gonads. Microinjected Xpress-Egr3-DsRed2 or Xpress-${\Delta}Egr3$-DsRed2 localized to nuclei and chromosomes during meiotic progression. Microinjection of these cRNAs or Egr3 siRNA in oocytes did not affect meiotic maturation. Immunofluorescence staining of Egr3 in Xpress-${\Delta}Egr3$-DsRed2-injected oocytes showed a positive signal only on meiotic spindle, suggesting that this antibody does not detect endogenous or exogenous Egr3 in mouse oocytes. Conclusion: The results show that Egr3 localizes to chromosomes during meiotic progression and that certain antibodies may not faithfully represent localization of target proteins in oocytes. Egr3 seems to be dispensable during oocyte maturation in mice.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.529-537
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• 1994

Sector scanner which has a conical end is used to image through the intercostal space because heart is protected by the ribs. Cardiac data published all around the world were also obtained by sector scanner. Although scanners being used in every small animal practice and animal hospital at college in Korea include convex ape and linear type, linear type is not appropriate f3r cardiac scan because of a wide contact surface. The purpose of this study is to establish ultrasonographic images of normal cardiac structures by measuring shape, size of reflectable cardiac structure according to restraint position in scanning normal heart of the puppies with 6.5 MHz convex scanner(SonoAce 4500, Medison, Korea) used in our veterinary teaching hospital, Seoul national university. Seventeen male and female puppies considered having healthy hear by X-ray and clinical examination are used feom April to July 1994. Scanning point selection of probe head and the distinction of imaged cardiac structures were accomplished by necropsy and cardiac scanning performed through thoracotomy under general anesthesia. At 10 o'clock position of transducer(at an angle of 30$^{\circ}$ between imaginary line from elbow joint to 3rd sternum and probe head, 60$^{\circ}$ from body surface, 4th intercostal space of right thorax) with the marker of scanner toward the head of dogs right atrium, left atrium and left ventricle were observed in 2, 3, 4, 5 intercostal space(2cm from the sternum) of experimental dog positioned ventrodorsally under general anesthesia. Under these conditions, the numerical values of imaged diastolic hear are as follows : the distance from skin to apex(mean$\pm$S.D) 47.53$\pm$6.94mm, thickness of left ventricular wall 6.00$\pm$1.60mm, length of left ventricle 16.27$\pm$5.31mm, width of left ventricle 15,33$\pm$4.25mm, length of left atrium 12.33$\pm$3.82mm, width of left atrium 11. 33$\pm$3.94mm, length of right atrium 1.00$\pm$2.41mm, width of right atrium 11.21$\pm$2.76mm and the area of left ventricle 270.92$\pm$109.81mm$^2$, area of left atrium 98.00$\pm$41.08mm$^2$, area of right atrium 62.75$\pm$21.04mm$^2$.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.469-477
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• 2008

Purpose: The goal of this paper is to present the design and performance of a position encoding circuit for $16{\times}16$ array of position sensitive multi-anode photomultiplier tube for small animal PET scanners. This circuit which reduces the number of readout channels from 256 to 4 channels is based on a charge division method utilizing a resistor array. Materials and Methods: The position encoding circuit was simulated with PSpice before fabrication. The position encoding circuit reads out the signals from H9500 flat panel PMTs (Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Japan) on which $1.5{\times}1.5{\times}7.0\;mm^3$ $L_{0.9}GSO$ ($Lu_{1.8}Gd_{0.2}SiO_{5}:Ce$) crystals were mounted. For coincidence detection, two different PET modules were used. One PET module consisted of a $29{\times}29\;L_{0.9}GSO$ crystal layer, and the other PET module two $28{\times}28$ and $29{\times}29\;L_{0.9}GSO$ crystal layers which have relative offsets by half a crystal pitch in x- and y-directions. The crystal mapping algorithm was also developed to identify crystals. Results: Each crystal was clearly visible in flood images. The crystal identification capability was enhanced further by changing the values of resistors near the edge of the resistor array. Energy resolutions of individual crystal were about 11.6%(SD 1.6). The flood images were segmented well with the proposed crystal mapping algorithm. Conclusion: The position encoding circuit resulted in a clear separation of crystals and sufficient energy resolutions with H9500 flat-panel PMT and $L_{0.9}GSO$ crystals. This circuit is good enough for use in small animal PET scanners.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.528-531
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• 2004

Purpose: PET has some disadvantage in the imaging of small animal due to poor resolution. With the advent of microPET scanner, it is possible to image small animals. However, the image quality was not good enough as human image. Due to larger brain, cat brain imaging was superior to mouse or rat. In this study, we established the cat brain infarction model and evaluate it and its temporal charge using microPET scanner. Materials and Methods: Two adult male cats were used. Anesthesia was done with xylazine and ketamine HCl. A burr hole was made at 1cm right lateral to the bregma. Collagenase type IV 10 ${\mu}l$ was injected using 30 G needle for 5 minutes to establish the infarction model. $^{18}F$-FDG microPET (Concorde Microsystems Inc., Knoxville, TN) scans were performed 1, 11 and 32 days after the infarction. In addition, $^{18}F$-FDG PET scans were performed using human PET scanner (Gemini, Philips medical systems, CA, USA) 13 and 47 days after the infarction. Results: Two cat brain infarction models were established. The glucose metabolism of an infarction lesion improved with time. An infarction lesion was also distinguishable in the human PET scan. Conclusion: We successfully established the cat brain infarction model and evaluated the infarcted lesion and its temporal change using $^{18}F$-FDG microPET scanner.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.154-161
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• 1997

Purpose: Traumatic rupture of the diaphragm is not easy to diagnose and often delayed. Delayed diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture accompanied by higher chances of strangulation of herniated viscera which may result in higher morbility and mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of spiral CT, MRI and US for the diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture in an animal model. Materials and Methods: Small, medium, and large sized transabdominal diaphragmatic ruptures were surgically made in experimental rabbits and then followed up with spiral CT, MR!, and US at 1 day, 3 day, and 1 week after operation. Results: US was superior to MR! or spiral CT in diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture(P(0.05). The sensitivity and specificity were 94.4% and 92.9% for US, 54.0% and 85.7% for MRI, and 46.0% and 78.6% for spiral CT, respectively. The size of laceration was not related to diagnostic sensitivity in US. Sensitivity of MRI and spiral CT increased as the size of laceration were larger, but no statistical significance was present(P>0.05). All experimental animals developed pleural effusion or hemothorax one day after operation. In acute phase, US and MRI were more sensitive than spiral CT in detecting diaphragmatic rupture. Spiral CT was more sensitive than US and MRI in delayed phase but without statistical significance(P>0.05). In the experimental rabbits with accompanying visceral hernia through the diaphragmatic defect, diagnostic accuracy was found equally high among three image modalities(P>0.05). Conclusion: This study indicates that US is the most accurate diagnostic method in detecting injury to the diaphragm in a rabbit model. The findings obtained in this experimental study can be applied to the diaphragmatic rupture of human being.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.214-217
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• 2016

A 10-year-old, 24.1 kg, intact female Siberian husky dog (case 1) and 11-year-old, 5.0 kg, intact male Shihtzu dog (case 2) presented with chief complaints of polydipsia, anorexia, vomiting and exercise intolerance (case 1) and stranguria (case 2). Splenic nodule (case 1) and mass (case 2) were identified in these patients through ultrasonographic examination. Laparoscopic splenectomy was conducted for the histopathologic evaluation. In addition, laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy, liver biopsy (case 1) and castration (case 2) were performed for treatment or diagnosis of primary symptoms. Under general anesthesia, 5 mm three-portal access laparoscopic splenectomy was performed using the Sonicision$^{TM}$ equipment. The dogs were rotated onto right lateral recumbency. The spleen was elevated using a fan or goldfinger retractor, which revealed the ventral aspect of the spleen. Resection of vessels was started at the caudal aspect of the spleen using the Sonicision$^{TM}$. The excised spleen was removed from the abdominal cavity using a 12 mm endo-bag via the enlarged instrument portal. There were no post-operative complications in either patient. Histopathologic diagnoses were splenic lymphoid hyperplasia (case 1) and splenic nodular hyperplasia (case 2). Based on our experience, laparoscopic splenectomy is sufficient to replace traditional splenectomy in small animal surgery. The use of the Sonicision$^{TM}$ could be a novel surgical technique for three-portal laparoscopic splenectomy, regardless of patient size.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.973-990
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• 1996

To investigate diagnostic imaging of cystitis and to apply it to the small animal practice, ultrasonogram of urinary bladder with moderate distension(4ml/kg) and with complete distension(9ml/kg) to evaluate the irregularity and thickness of bladder, radiography and histopathological examination were performed after experimental cystitis induction. On double contrast cystography, mucosal membrane of the urinary bladder was smooth and thickening urinary bladder wall was not found before cystitis induction. At 3rd day post induction(PI), mucosal irregularity was noted at the cranioventral region of the urinary bladder. Thickening of the urinary bladder wall and filling defect was observed as well. Cystographic findings of 7, 10, 15, 21 day PI were similar to that of 3rd day PI. On ultrasonographic findings of the mural thickness in induction group, it was ascertain that the mural thickness with moderate distention was more thickened than with complete distention at transverse scan. Ultrasonographic findings at longitudinal scan were similar to those of transverse scan. On ultrasonographic findings of mucosal irregularity in induction group, from PI to 7 day PI, mucosal irregularity with moderate distention was more irregular than mucosal irregularity with complete distention. At 10 day PI, there was similarity between moderate distention and complete distention. On histopathologic examination of a section of urinary bladder taken 3 day PI, the mucosal and submucosa were infiltrated by a mixture of thick inflammatory exudate which was composed of neutrophil, plasma protein, bacterial colony and necrotic cells. Congestion, hemorrhage and edema were also observed in the submucosa. At 7th day PI, the mucosal change was similar to that of 3rd day PI, but neovascularization and fibroplasia were observed in the submucosa. At 15th and 21th day PI, mild hyperplasia of mucosal epithelium was observed in the mucosa. Deposition of collagen, neovascularization and severe diffuse infiltration of lymphocyte were observed. These results suggest that ultrasonographic examination with moderate distention is considered to be a more simple, rapid, noninvasive, sensitive and useful diagnostic method than other diagnostic methods for the diagnosis of the cystitis and the differential diagnosis of urinary tract infection.