Better mechanistic understanding of disease through mapping of the human and mouse genomes enables rethinking of human infirmity. In the case of cancer, e.g., we may begin to associate disease states with their underlying genetic defects rather than with the organ system involved. That will enable more selective, nontoxic therapies in patients who are genetically predisposed to respond to them....

X-ray computed tomography (CT) systems with high resolution (also known as micro-CT systems) have been developed over the last two decades and have been used with great success in small animal studies. A micro-CT scanner is based on the same underlying physical principle as a clinical CT scanner, but it is designed for higher-resolution imaging. It produces three-dimensional (3D) tomographic da...

The remarkable efforts that are made on molecular imaging technologies demonstrate its potential importance and range of applications. The generation of disease-specific animal models, and the developments of target-specific probes and genetically encoded reporters are another important component. Continued improvements in the instrumentation, the identification of novel targets and genes, and ...

Attenuation correction is one of the important corrections required for quantitative positron emission tomography (PET). This work will compare the quantitative accuracy of attenuation correction using a simple global scale factor with traditional transmission-based methods acquired either with a small animal PET or a small animal x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner. Two phantoms (one mouse-...

JAVMA, Vol 230, No. 4, February 15, 2007 T terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the anthrax scares later that fall heralded a new era of public health concerns in the United States. Bioterrorism (the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other agents used to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants) and agroterrorism (intentional attack on agriculture infrastructures w...

Vocal tract resonances, known as formants, are important perceptual cues for the identification of human speech and animal calls. A recent study shows that monkeys can also use formants to determine the age and size of the monkey producing a call.

A review of the theory, technology, and practice of RF coils for small-animal MRI is presented that includes a brief overview of MR S/N analysis and discussions of the various coils commonly used in small-animal MR – surface coils, linear volume coils, birdcages, and their derivatives. The scope is limited to mid-range coils – coils where the product (fd) of the frequency f and the coil diamete...

Earlier this year, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) established a One Health committee with the remit of positioning small companion animals in the global One Health framework. Here, Michael Day, the chairman of that committee, explains how companion animals fit within the One Health concept.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a significant source of morbidity, mortality, and cost associated with small animal surgery. The most well-established strategies to reduce the impact of SSI are preventive, focusing on bolstering host immunity while decreasing wound contamination during surgery. When SSI is identified, the use of consistent definitions and culture-based therapy help to facil...