Background: Liver lobe torsion (LLT) in rabbits can be under-recognised and potentially fatal. The clinical features of cases presented to an exotic animal veterinary service in Australia were retrospectively reviewed. Method: Medical records of confirmed rabbit LLT cases between 2016 and 2021 were reviewed for signalment, clinical signs and findings, diagnostic imaging results, management strategies and outcomes. Variables of interest were analysed for statistical association with outcome. Results: A total of 40 rabbits were included. The mean presenting age was 56.2 months (SD 30.5). Neutered males (23/40, 57.5%) were over-represented. Common clinical signs and findings included reduced appetite (40/40, 100%), lethargy (32/40, 80.0%), reduced faecal production (16/40, 40.0%), a doughy distended stomach (20/40, 50.0%), pale mucous membranes (19/40, 47.5%) and hypothermia (17/40, 42.5%). Anaemia and elevated plasma alanine aminotransferase and blood urea nitrogen were common clinicopathologic findings. Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 34 of 40 rabbits, confirming the presence and position of LLT (34/34, 100%), stenosis of the caudal vena cava or portal system (28/34, 82.4%) and increased free peritoneal fluid (29/34, 85.3%). Fifteen (15/40, 37.5%) rabbits were medically managed, and surgical intervention was performed in 23 of 40 (57.5%) rabbits. Overall, 30 of 40 (75.0%) rabbits survived. Surgical intervention did not confer a significant difference in outcome compared to medical management (odds ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval 0.15-4.10, p = 0.761). Conclusion:CT can be an invaluable diagnostic modality for rabbit LLT. Favourable outcomes can be achieved in selected cases with medical management alone.

Studies using animal models have shed light into the molecular and cellular basis for the neuropathology observed in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In particular, the role of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) plays a crucial role in the formation of senile plaques and aging-dependent degeneration. Here, we focus our review on recent findings using the Drosophila AD model to expand our understanding of APP molecular function and interactions, including insights gained from the fly homolog APP-like (APPL). Finally, as there is still no cure for AD, we review some approaches that have shown promising results in ameliorating AD-associated phenotypes, with special attention on the use of nutraceuticals and their molecular effects, as well as interactions with the gut microbiome. Overall, the phenomena described here are of fundamental significance for understanding network development and degeneration. Given the highly conserved nature of fundamental signaling pathways, the insight gained from animal models such as Drosophila melanogaster will likely advance the understanding of the mammalian brain, and thus be relevant to human health.

Background The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of underlying conditions causing pleural effusion in cats and to calculate the positive predictive values, negative predictive values, sensitivity and specificity of radiographic signs to predict aetiology of the pleural fluid. Methods Data from 148 cats with pleural effusion and diagnosed with known aetiologies were retrospectively analysed. Sixty one cats had thoracic radiographs evaluated by consensus through pre-defined radiographic signs by two radiologists blinded to the diagnoses. Results Congestive heart failure (53.4%) was the most common diagnosis, followed by neoplasia (20.3%), pyothorax (10.8%), idiopathic chylous effusion (5.4%), feline infectious peritonitis (1.4%) and "other" or cats with multiple diagnoses (total 8.8%). Cats with an enlarged cardiac silhouette had a high positive predictive value of congestive heart failure (90%). Mediastinal masses (100%)and pulmonary masses (100%) were highly predictive of neoplastic disease. Pulmonary nodules (50%) were poorly predictive of neoplastic disease. The remainder of the radiographic variables were not informative predictors of underlying disease. Conclusions In our sample of cats, congestive heart failure was the most common cause of pleural effusion. Radiographically enlarged cardiac silhouette and presence of a mediastinal mass may be useful predictors of aetiology, however there are limitations to the use of radiography alone as a diagnostic tool.

Background:The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of underlying conditions causing pleural effusion in cats and to calculate the positive predictive values, negative predictive values, sensitivity and specificity of radiographic signs.Methods:Data from 151 cats diagnosed with pleural effusion with known aetiologies were retrospectively analysed. Seventy-one patients’ thoracic radiographs were available for a prospective, blinded evaluation by two radiologists. Results:Congestive heart failure (52.3%) was the most common diagnosis, followed by neoplasia (21.9%), pyothorax (10.6%), idiopathic chylous effusion (5.3%), feline infectious peritonitis (1.3%) and Other or cats with multiple diagnoses (total 9.3%). Cats with an enlarged cardiac silhouette had a high positive predictive value of congestive heart failure (73% and 81% for radiologist 1 and 2 respectively). The presence of unilateral effusion was highly predictive of pyothorax (75%) for radiologist 1 and poorly predictive (20%) for radiologist 2. Mediastinal masses (100%, 83% for radiologist 1 and 2 respectively), pulmonary nodules (50%, 50%) and pulmonary masses (50%, 67%) had moderate probabilities of neoplasia. The remainder of the radiographic variables were not informative predictors of underlying disease. Conclusions:In our population of cats, congestive heart failure was the most common cause of pleural effusion. Radiographically enlarged cardiac silhouette, presence of a mediastinal mass and unilateral effusion may be useful predictors of aetiology. Limitations of radiography alone as a diagnostic tool are discussed.