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Case Report: A 3‐year‐old female neutered greyhound presented for a dental procedure under general anesthesia. At the time of presentation, the dog was clinically well, with no health concerns from the client except for halitosis. The dog underwent general anesthesia with 13 teeth extracted and was stable until a severe, acute bradycardia was noticed at 2 h and 20 min postinduction. Venous blood analysis revealed a marked hyperkalemia. The dog was treated with calcium gluconate, an intravenous fluid bolus, glucose, and atropine. Serum potassium levels returned to within normal reference range at 60 min posttreatment. The dog developed ventricular tachycardia in recovery which responded to two lignocaine boluses. The dog was discharged from hospital in a stable condition. Conclusions: Unanticipated hyperkalemia during anesthesia was treated in an otherwise healthy greyhound undergoing a dental procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine cutaneous histiocytoma (CCH) represents a significant proportion of dog skin tumours, often manifesting as the most common neoplastic skin condition in young animals. Predominantly affecting dogs under four, these tumours appear primarily as solitary lesions that may regress spontaneously. This study, conducted over five years at the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, involved a detailed histopathological and ultrastructural examination of 93 CCH cases. Histologically, these tumours showed distinct patterns of lymphoid infiltration, which contributed to their classification into four groups based on the inflammatory response and histological architecture. Most tumours displayed signs of epidermal invasion and frequent mitotic figures, with necrosis present in over half of the cases. Ultrastructurally, the neoplastic cells were characterised by pleomorphism, abundant organelles, and adherens-type junctions. This study offers significant insights into the pathophysiology and morphological characteristics of CCH, underscoring the importance of detailed histological and ultrastructural analysis in accurately diagnosing and understanding this common canine tumour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The post mortem exam is important in diagnosing and investigating wildlife diseases. It is even more important to monitor the population of species that are not easily observed in the wild, such as otters. Of the 13 otter species, 11 are endangered due to many factors, such as climate change, pollution, or urbanisation. The authors present a review of the patterns of mortality of free-ranging otters worldwide, aiming to improve the knowledge of otter mortality and the role of mortality studies in their conservation. The main cause of death in aquatic otters is vehicle collision; hence, sea otter deaths are associated with shark attacks and imprisonment in fishing gear. It is possible to conclude that humans and human activity play a significant role in the mortality of these animals. In the future, a more standardised analysis of otter carcasses is necessary to understand their threats and diseases and design significant measures to protect these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Simple Summary: Our research, made possible by recent advancements, has led to more accurate diagnoses of ancient pathologies, despite the rarity of well-preserved specimens, the predominance of bone remains, and the difficulty in distinguishing neoplastic from non-neoplastic lesions in fossils. This study compiles reports of tumours in fossilised animals, highlighting that neoplasms are present in various vertebrates and drawing comparisons to modern instances of similar diseases, thereby providing unique insights into the presence of tumours in ancient animals. Paleo-oncology studies neoplastic diseases in fossilised animals, including human remains. Recent advancements have enabled more accurate diagnoses of ancient pathologies despite the inherent challenges in identifying tumours in fossils—such as the rarity of well-preserved specimens, the predominance of bone remains, and the difficulty in distinguishing neoplastic from non-neoplastic lesions. This study compiles reports of tumours in fossilised animals, highlighting that neoplasms are present in a wide range of vertebrates and drawing comparisons to modern instances of similar diseases. The findings underscore the multifactorial aetiology of tumours, which involves genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, and suggest that tumours have been around for at least 350 million years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Dreams of Flight: The Lives of Chinese Women Students in the West" by Fran Martin explores the experiences of middle-class Chinese female students in Melbourne, Australia, within the context of China's ongoing social, political, and economic transformations. The book examines how transnational educational mobility has allowed these young women to shape new forms of identity and feminine gender roles. It also discusses the connection between market socialism, the emerging Chinese middle class, transnational mobility, and the significance of gender in shaping mobility experiences. The book provides a comprehensive exploration of the experiences of Chinese women studying abroad and their impact on gender dynamics. [Extracted from the article]

Simple Summary: In comparison with other species, a large knowledge gap remains in Equine melanocytic tumors regarding their uncommon benign behavior, since invasion and metastasis are rarely present. Melanocytic tumors invasion and metastization have been associated with Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, where the disruption of cell-adhesion molecules has a crucial role. E-cadherin is one of the most prominent adhesion molecules, and the loss of its expression is observed in malignant tumors being associated with aggressive behavior. This study aimed to evaluate E-cadherin immunostaining in equine melanocytic tumors. There was high immunolabeling of E-cadherin in most tumors, with 70.7% of melanomas remaining with high immunostaining. The typical loss of immunostaining in malignant tumors was not observed, and there were no differences between malignant and benign tumors. The high E-cadherin expression is well correlated with the benign biological behavior of equine melanocytic tumors being in accordance with the genetic development factors associated with this neoplastic disease in horses. Melanocytic tumors are an important neoplastic disease in human and veterinary medicine, presenting large differences regarding tumor behavior between species. In horses, these tumors present a prolonged benign behavior, with rare invasiveness and metastases. In humans and small animals, invasion and metastasis have been associated with an Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, where the loss of E-cadherin expression plays a key role in tumor progression. This process and the role of E-cadherin have not yet been evaluated in equine melanocytic tumors. This study aimed to assess the immunolabeling of E-cadherin in equine melanocytic tumors and relate this with clinicopathological variables. A total of 72 equine melanocytic tumors were classified as benign and malignant and evaluated by immunohistochemistry for E-cadherin expression. A different pattern of immunostaining was found, contrasting with other species. A total of 69.4% of tumors presented raised immunolabeling of E-cadherin, with 70.7% of melanomas remaining with high expression. The typical loss of immunostaining was not seen in malignant melanomas and no differences were found between benign and malignant melanomas regarding E-cadherin immunostaining. The high immunolabeling of E-cadherin may contribute to the low invasiveness of these tumors, and it is in accordance with the benign behavior of equine melanoma and with the genetic factors associated with its development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study aims to investigate the admission causes, outcomes, and mortality of vultures admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation centre and necropsy service in Northern Portugal. The data were obtained from the Rehabilitation of Wild Fauna archives centre of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal. Over 17 years (2005–2022), 84 animals were admitted: 10 A. monachus, 69 G. fulvus, and 5 N. percnopterus. The main causes of admission to the centre were 80% (n = 63) unknown cause, 13% (n = 10) found debilitated, 6% (n = 5) vehicle collision, 4% (n = 3) captivity, 1% (n = 1) gunshot, and 1% (n = 1) electrocution. Most animals were admitted during the summer (45.2%) and autumn (36.9%). Analysis of outcome data showed that 73% (n = 58) of the animals that arrived alive at the centre could be rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Thirteen animals died during treatment and five were found dead. Portugal is the habitat of three species of vultures. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Neophron percnopterus is an Endangered species, Aegypius monachus is nearly Threatened, and Gyps fulvus is of Least Concern. This study aims to investigate the admission causes, morbidity, and outcomes of vultures admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation centre and necropsy service in Northern Portugal. Over 17 years (2005–2022), 84 animals were admitted: 10 A. monachus, 69 G. fulvus, and 5 N. percnopterus. The main causes of admission to the centre were 80% (n = 63) unknown cause, 13% (n = 10) found debilitated, 6 % (n = 5) vehicle collision, 4% (n = 3) captivity, 1% (n = 1) gunshot, and 1% (n = 1) electrocution. Most animals were admitted during the summer (45.2%) and autumn (36.9%). Analysis of outcome data showed that 73% (n = 58) of the animals that arrived alive at the centre could be rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Thirteen animals died during treatment and five were found dead. This is the first time that such a lengthy study of results and mortality has been carried out for these species in Portugal. Although the data are limited, they can already provide some information about these populations, particularly for the endangered species that are so rare to observe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildfires are common occurrences worldwide that can destroy vast forest areas and kill numerous animals in a few hours. Climate change, rising global temperatures, precipitation, the introduction of exotic species of plants (e.g., eucalyptus), intensive agriculture, and deforestation have increased the number of fires and their intensity and destructive power. Nearly 4% of the global land surface (30–46 million/km2) is burned annually. There are many studies regarding the impact of wildfires on ecosystems, flora, domestic animals, and humans. Even though wildfires are a common and recurrent problem around the world, most of the time, they are a neglected issue, especially regarding wildlife. The information available is scarce and dispersed across several bibliographical references, and the veterinarian teams, most of the time, need to be trained to act in these situations. In this brief review, we describe different species' behavior during a wildfire, the effects on the ecosystem, and the socioeconomic impact on the region. From a veterinarian's perspective, we list the major injuries that are expected to be observed and how to proceed. In conclusion, we discuss better prevention and response measures in a wildfire scenario. This information can be used by veterinarians and all the entities involved in the prevention and combat of wildfires, and the general public has an important role in these situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 20th century, wild otter populations declined across the world. This decline was associated with several factors, such as habitat destruction and hunting. Other underlying causes were anthropogenic contaminant loads in their food and water sources. Aquatic mammals such as otters are very susceptible to chemical contamination and, as top predators, can be considered sentinel species for the health of the ecosystem. This brief review aims to show the presence of environmental contaminants in different otter species and how they may have contributed to the population decline of these species. Although many studies have been carried out on the presence of these compounds in otters, in the future, it is important to continue monitoring these populations to understand their impacts under the One Heath concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcocystis is a genus of protozoa with a worldwide distribution infecting a wide range of animals, including humans. Wild boars can harbor at least two species of Sarcocystis, that is, the zoonotic Sarcocystis suihominis, using humans as definitive hosts, and Sarcocystis miescheriana, for which wild and domestic canids serve as definitive hosts. In Portugal, hunting holds significant economic and social importance, and wild boars are among the most appreciated hunted species. As the consumption of wild boar meat can expose humans to several foodborne pathogens, the presence of trained hunters can make a difference in ensuring animal health surveillance and food safety. Herein, we report the detection of macroscopic cystic lesions associated with S. miescheriana in a wild boar hunted for human consumption, resulting in carcass condemnation. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the presence of S. miescheriana in wild boar tissues has never been associated with macroscopic pathological alterations before. Although S. miescheriana cannot infect humans, carcasses affected by grossly visible pathological changes must be declared unfit for consumption. Therefore, our finding points out the potential economic damage associated with carcass rejection due to the presence of gross lesions associated with generalized sarcocystosis. Nonetheless, further studies are required to investigate these alterations that currently appear to be occasional findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Wild mammals are among the most threatened species of the world in large part due to human activity. In this work, we used the method of partial least squares-path modeling associated with a geographic information system to analyze the impact of anthropogenic pressures on the mortality of wild mammals. Materials and Methods: We collected the data related to the cause of death of native wild mammals admitted to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre of Parque Biológico de Gaia in Northern Portugal, during 10 years (2008-2017). Results: A total of 359 animals from 42 municipalities (rural and urban areas) were included in the study. The main cause of death was of traumatic origin. From the anthropogenic pressures included in the study, water reservoirs, small companies, and residential buildings were the ones that contributed the most to increase the mortality of traumatic and nontraumatic origin. This relation of cause-effect (mortality-anthropogenic pressures) was supported by the high coefficients of determination obtained (R2?0.8). Conclusion: The present results allow a general view on the reality of mammal's mortality in Northern Portugal. Furthermore, it could also constitute a valuable tool for the conservation of wild mammals in those areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decades, the use and misuse of pesticides in the agriculture have increased, having a severe impact on ecosystems and their fauna. Although the various effects of pesticides on biodiversity have been already documented in several studies, to our knowledge no consistent overview of the impact of pesticides in vertebrates, both terrestrial and aquatic, is available. In this review, we try to present a concise compilation of the teratogenic effects of pesticides on the different classes of vertebrates – mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study we aim to obtain a holistic view over the consequences of human-induced threats to the wild bird populations in the study area, based on data collected from a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (WRC) through the method of Partial Least Squares-Path Modelling (PLS-PM). The study area comprised 76 rural and urban municipalities located in northern Portugal. Within PLS-PM the threats ("anthropogenic pressures") are termed exogenous latent variables, while the final environmental consequence (wild bird mortality) is termed endogenous latent variable. Latent variables are concepts assessed by numerical parameters. The PLS-PM results identified as most significant pressures, the number of small and medium companies in the municipalities, both in traumatic and non-traumatic deaths. Although the pattern of weights is similar regardless of the general cause of death, traumatic causes seem to play a more prominent role given the larger weights in the relevant specific causes (number of companies). The high coefficients of determination (R2 > 0,8) reveal that the variance of wild bird mortality is largely explained by the variance of the pressures, which indicates a cause-effect relationship between the independent (pressures) and dependent (mortality) variables. The ample coverage of northern Portugal with a huge dataset suggests that this cause-effect relationship is typical from this region. The use of a sophisticated statistical method PLS-PM and its incorporation into a Geographic Information System (GIS) revealed to be an important tool for analysing wildlife impacts of environmental and human factors. The results obtained with this model indicate that there is a substantial negative impact of human activity on wild bird mortality. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Wild birds in northern Portugal are affected by several anthropogenic factors. • Increased number of medium companies contributed to increased mortality of wild birds. • Habitat destruction and fragmentation is linked to wild bird mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Equine melanomas are a common problem in clinical practice. Although a known issue in the equestrian world, there is still some lack of knowledge about various aspects of the disease. Due to the misconception that these tumors do not cause problems, there is a tendency to leave them to be treated at a later date. However, there is still little evidence regarding the effect of time on these tumors. This work aimed to study the clinical and histological differences between tumors excised sooner and later. In this retrospective study, information regarding 34 horses and 42 tumors was analyzed. According to the results, tumors with delayed excision were statistically more likely to acquire larger dimensions (p = 0.038) and be malignant (p = 0.035). Furthermore, delayed excision was also associated with a higher number of tumors (p = 0.011), since horses with a tumor for more than 6 years often had multiple tumors. With this study, we conclude that delayed excision has clinical and histological consequences for equine melanoma, highlighting the importance of surgical removed at an early stage, when excision is easier, preventing future complications. Equine melanomas are a common neoplasm in gray horses. However, scientific knowledge about their progression over time is quite scarce. Some owners and veterinarians still believe that early intervention is not necessary, stating that tumors evolve very slowly and intervention could worsen the animal's condition. This work aims to identify clinical and histological differences that may exist between equine melanomas with different excision intervals (time between tumor detection and surgical excision). A total of 42 tumors (13 benign and 29 malignant) from 34 horses were included in this study. There was a statistically significant association between excision interval and tumor size (p = 0.038), with tumors excised later being significantly larger than the ones excised sooner. The excision interval was also statistically associated with the number of tumors (p = 0.011), since the horses that carried a tumor for longer seemed to be prone to have multiple tumors. Furthermore, there was an association between excision interval and malignancy (p = 0.035), with tumor excised later being fives times more likely to be malignant. This study provides evidence of delayed excision's effect on the progression of equine melanomas. Additionally, it reinforces the importance of the early excision of these tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to put into perspective the current situation of preservation and performability of a certain Portuguese contemporary music, known as Portuguese musical avant-garde, focusing on the preservation of experimental music from 1960 onwards. This strives to problematise this subject by not only presenting the creative context to these specific musical works but also the main priorities around their documentation and preservation. Furthermore, we also set out actual efforts to retrieve as many musical works as possible, specifically by gathering together all the facets of the musical works, including their magnetic tape recordings. In addition, this paper also approaches current composer concerns about the future survival of their own musical works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between subclinical diabetic macular edema (SCME) and the development of central-involved macular edema (CIME) in patients with diabetes mellitus type-2 and mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), from 2 populations of different ethnicities. Methods: Two hundred and five patients with diabetes mellitus type-2 and mild NPDR with no prior laser or intravitreal treatment were followed for 2 years or until the development of CIME. Ophthalmological examinations, including BCVA, fundus photography with RetmarkerDR analysis, and optical coherence tomography were performed at baseline and months 6, 12, and 24. Results: One hundred and fifty eight eyes/patients reached either the study endpoint, CIME (n = 24), or performed the 24-month visit without developing CIME (n = 134). Fifty eyes/patients had SCME at baseline (31.6%). Of these 50 eyes, 16 (32.0%) developed CIME, whereas of the 108 eyes with normal retinal thickness (RT) at baseline, only 8 (7.4%) developed CIME (p < 0.001). Patients with increased RT in the central subfield at baseline showed a 12-fold risk of progression to CIME compared with patients without SCME. Conclusions: In patients with mild NPDR, the presence of SCME is a good predictor of progression to CIME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is expressed by several tumors, promoting tumoral immunosuppression by binding to programmed cell death protein (PD-1). PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in human melanoma has been shown to result in tumor regression and prolonged tumor-free survival. Since there are only a few available treatments for equine melanoma, the search for new therapies is important. This work intended to study the immunolabeling of PD-L1 in equine melanocytic tumors. A total of 77 melanocytic tumors were classified as benign or malignant and evaluated by extension of labeling. A total of 59.7% of the tumors showed >50% of immunolabeled cells. Regarding malignant tumors (n = 38), 24 tumors presented >50% of labeled cells, 13 tumors presented between 25–50% and one tumor presented <10%. Regarding benign tumors (n = 39), 22 tumors presented >50% of labeled cells, nine tumors presented 25–50%, three tumors presented 10–25%, two tumors presented <10% and three tumors did not present expression. The results of this study suggest that PD-L1 may have therapeutic potential for equine melanomas. Currently available treatments for equine melanocytic tumors have limitations, mainly due to mass localization and dimension, or the presence of metastases. Therefore, a search for new therapies is necessary. Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is expressed by several tumors, blocking T cell-mediated elimination of the tumor cells by binding to programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). A novel therapeutic approach using PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in human melanoma resulted in tumor regression and prolonged tumor-free survival. This study aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of PD-L1 in equine melanocytic tumors. A total of 77 melanocytic tumors were classified as benign or malignant and evaluated by extension of labeling. A total of 59.7% of the tumors showed >50% of immunolabeled cells. Regarding malignant tumors, 24/38 tumors presented >50% of labeled cells, 13 tumors presented between 25–50% and one tumor presented <10%. Regarding benign tumors, 22/39 tumors presented >50% of labeled cells, nine tumors presented 25–50%, three tumors presented 10–25%, two tumors presented <10% and three tumors did not present expression. Our results suggest that PD-L1 blockade may be a potential target for immunotherapy in equine melanocytic tumors and that future clinical research trials into the clinical efficacy of the anti-PD-L1 antibody are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The activity of regulatory T cells (Tregs) is closely associated with the expression of FoxP3 transcription factor. FoxP3 regulatory T cells (FoxP3Treg) have immunosuppressive properties and can work for prevention of harmful autoimmune responses, however can also interfere with beneficial anti-tumor immunity. In human breast cancer these cells play a crucial role in tumor progression. In canine mammary tumors (CMT) this topic is not well-documented. This study included 80 malignant CMT and studied, by immunohistochemistry, the intratumoral FoxP3 expression together with microvessel density (MVD), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and several clinicopathological characteristics. Abundant FoxP3Treg cells were associated with tumor necrosis (p = 0.001), high mitotic grade (p < 0.001), more marked nuclear polymorphism (p = 0.001), poor differentiation of tumors (p < 0.001), high histological grade of malignancy (HGM) (p < 0.001), presence of neoplastic intravascular emboli (p < 0.001) and presence of lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001). Intratumoral FoxP3 was correlated with MVD (r = 0.827; p < 0.001) and associated with VEGF (p = 0.001). Additionally tumors with abundant FoxP3Treg cells were associated with shorter overall survival (OS) time in univariate and multivariate analysis (p < 0.001 Kaplan–Meier curves and 7.97 hazard ratio, p < 0.001 Cox proportional hazard model). Results suggest that Treg cells play a role in CMT progression and may contribute to increased angiogenesis and aggression in these tumors. The association of intratumoral FoxP3 expression with shorter OS in multivariate analysis suggests the usefulness of Treg cells as an independent prognostic marker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thelazia callipaeda is a zoonotic nematode that affects the eyes of domestic and wild animals, including dogs, cats and red foxes. This parasitic eye worm is transmitted by Phortica variegata, which is a zoophilic fruit fly spread in Europe. Two wild European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) found dead in north-eastern Portugal were submitted to necropsy. Results: Both animals presented gross lesions compatible with haemorrhagic viral disease. Eye examination revealed the presence of six worms (three in each animal, on both eyes). Out of the six nematodes, five females and one male were morphologically and molecularly identified as T. callipaeda. Conclusions: This is the first report of T. callipaeda in wild rabbits from Portugal, which reveals a new host for this parasite in southern Europe and emphasizes the importance of including thelaziosis in the differential diagnosis of ocular alterations in both animals and humans from areas where the eye worm is endemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study 80 malignant CMT were submitted to immunohistochemical detection of CD3, c-kit, VEGF, and CD31, together with clinicopathological parameters of tumor aggressiveness. CD3+ T-cells and c-kit overexpression revealed a positive correlation with VEGF (r = 0.503, P < 0.0001; r = 0.284, P = 0.023 for CD3 and c-kit, resp.) and CD31 (r = 0.654, P < 0.0001; r = 0.365, P = 0.003 for CD3 and c-kit, resp.). A significant association (P = 0.039) and a positive correlation (r = 0.263, P = 0.039) between CD3 and c-kit were also observed. High CD3/VEGF, c-kit/VEGF, and CD3/c-kit tumors were associated with elevated grade of malignancy (P < 0.0001 for all groups), presence of intravascular emboli (P < 0.0001 for CD3/VEGF and CD3/c-kit; P = 0.002 for c-kit/VEGF), and presence of lymph node metastasis (P < 0.0001 for all groups). Tumors with high CD3/VEGF (P = 0.006), c-kit/VEGF (P < 0.0001), and CD3/c-kit (P = 0.002) were associated with poor prognosis. Interestingly high c-kit/VEGF tumors retained their significance by multivariate analysis arising as independent prognostic factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Agonic aspiration of blood should be seen as a critical welfare problem in the slaughter of pigs, as it reflects a moment of pain, distress, and fear for the animal during its time of death. Our survey focused on assessing whether lesions of agonic blood aspiration could be used as a valuable indicator to guide the official veterinarian to immediately apply the necessary measures to ensure good practices of animal welfare at slaughter. Ineffective electrical stunning of pigs has been associated with the incidence of lung lesions suggestive of agonic blood aspiration at postmortem inspection. However, for the first time, the findings from this study indicate that aspiration of blood may be related to factors other than agonic status during slaughter process. One of them being that horizontal bleeding may favour slaughter technopathies. This process should not be neglected, as it may result in lesions resembling those resulting from the agonic lung aspiration of blood—which is not related to an agonic status. Agonic aspiration of blood (AAB) may result from an inadequate exsanguination with accidental trachea severing, that can be favoured by ineffective stunning of pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus). This study aimed to evaluate AAB as an animal-based indicator of electrical stunning ineffectiveness, which could be used by official veterinarians during the post-mortem inspection of pigs. Information on 3584 finishing pigs was collected at a Portuguese abattoir that performs head-to-body electrical stunning with horizontal bleeding. Of them, 15.5% of the pigs presented signs of ineffective stunning. AAB lung lesions were found in 27.8% of lungs. Despite what was predicted, a strong correlation was found between well stunned animals and the presence of blood lesions in lungs (p = 0.006). Statistical significances were found between pigs' lateral recumbency at the conveyor and the presence of blood affecting one lung. Under the conditions of this study, the authors cannot point to AAB lung lesions as an animal-based indicator of electrical stunning ineffectiveness. Further studies should be conducted to establish a better understanding of the causes of aspiration of blood, in particular how horizontal bleeding may affect the occurrence of similar lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic inflammation in the tumor microenvironment has a prominent role in carcinogenesis and benefits the proliferation and survival of malignant cells, promoting angiogenesis and metastasis. Mammary tumors are frequently infiltrated by a heterogeneous population of immune cells where T-lymphocytes have a great importance. Interestingly, similar inflammatory cell infiltrates, cytokine and chemokine expression in humans and canine mammary tumors were recently described. However, in both species, despite all the scientific evidences that appoint for a significant role of T-lymphocytes, a definitive conclusion concerning the effectiveness of T-cell dependent immune mechanisms has not been achieved yet. In the present review, we describe similarities between human breast cancer and canine mammary tumors regarding tumor T-lymphocyte infiltration, such as relationship of TILs and mammary tumors malignancy, association of ratio CD4+/ CD8+ T-cells with low survival rates, promotion of tumor progression by Th2 cells actions, and association of great amounts of Treg cells with poor prognostic factors. This apparent parallelism together with the fact that dogs develop spontaneous tumors in the context of a natural immune system highlight the dog as a possible useful biological model for studies in human breast cancer immunology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the relationship between subclinical diabetic macular edema (DME) and the development of clinically significant macular edema (CSME) in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A prospective, monocenter, observational study was designed to follow patients/eyes with type 2 diabetes and NPDR (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study levels 20 and 35) with no prior laser treatment for 2 years or until development of CSME. Ophthalmologic examinations, including best-corrected visual acuity, fundus photography and optical coherence tomography (OCT), were performed at baseline, 6 months and a final visit. Results: A total of 348 patients completed study follow-up; 26 eyes developed CSME. Six out of 32 eyes/patients presenting subclinical DME at baseline developed CSME (18.7%), while 20 out of 316 eyes without subclinical DME developed CSME (6.3%). Eyes/patients with subclinical DME presented a risk for DME progression 3.686 times higher than that of eyes/patients without subclinical DME (95% confidence interval 1.221-7.988). Conclusions: Subclinical DME in eyes with NPDR identified by center point thickness measured on a Stratus OCT is a good predictor of CSME development. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate macular thickness in eyes with mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), patients with diabetes type 2, NPDR level 20 or 35, and without evidence of clinical macular edema underwent best-corrected visual acuity assessment, color fundus photography and Stratus optical coherence tomography. Mean center point thickness (CPT) and mean central subfield (CSF) thickness were compared with those of a healthy control population. 410 eyes/patients aged 61.2 ± 8.3 years, and with glycosylated hemoglobin of 7.9 ± 1.5% were included. Mean CPT and CSF were 186.6 ± 28.4 and 215.2 ± 25 µm, respectively, significantly increased compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.001). CSF thickness was abnormally increased in 17.6% of the patients, with values within the normal range in 79.5%, and abnormally decreased in 2.9%. CPT and CSF thickness were significantly thicker in men. No systemic factors showed a significant association. A significant increase in the macular thickness was found in eyes/patients with mild NPDR without clinical macular edema; however, only 17.6% of the eyes/patients had abnormally increased values and less than 3% abnormally decreased values. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background and purpose: For patients diagnosed with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), there are few therapeutic options. Radiation therapy is predominantly used to treat metastasis and has not proven effective in the adjuvant setting for renal cancer. Furthermore, RCC is resistant to standard cytotoxic chemotherapies. Targeted anti-angiogenics are the standard of care for RCC but are not curative. Newer agents, such as mTOR inhibitors and others that induce autophagy, have shown great promise for treating RCC. Here, we investigate the potential use of the small molecule STF-62247 to modulate radiation. Materials and methods: Using RCC cell lines, we evaluate sensitivity to radiation in addition to agents that induce autophagic cell death by clonogenic survival assays. Furthermore, these were also tested under physiological oxygen levels. Results: STF-62247 specifically induces autophagic cell death in cells that have lost VHL, an essential mutation in the development of RCC. Treatment with STF-62247 did not alter cell cycle progression but when combined with radiation increased cell killing under oxic and hypoxic/physiological conditions. Conclusions: This study highlights the possibility of combining targeted therapeutics such as STF-62247 or temsirolimus with radiation to reduce the reliance on partial or full nephrectomy and improve patient prognosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study was designed to investigate the possible roles of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in canine mammary cancer angiogenesis. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 70 tumours (28 benign and 42 malignant) in order to detect COX-2 and VEGF expression. Microvessel density (MVD) was determined by CD31 immunolabelling to assess tumour angiogenesis. There was a significantly higher expression of COX-2 (P < 0.001), VEGF (P < 0.001) and MVD (P < 0.001) in malignant compared to benign tumours. In the malignant group, the MVD of COX-2 positive tumours was significantly higher than that of COX-2 negative tumours (P = 0.026). A similar association was observed for VEGF (P < 0.001) positive tumours. The results from this study suggested that over-expression of COX-2 and VEGF may contribute to increased angiogenesis and aggression in malignant tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Immunohistochemical detection of Cyclooxygenase (Cox)-1 and -2 enzymes in canine mammary tumours (CMT) has recently been described. However, the prognostic value of their expression needs to be established. The aim of this study was to investigate Cox (-1 and -2) prognostic value in malignant CMT by evaluating its correlation with clinicopathological parameters (tumour size, histological type, necrosis, lymph node metastasis) and with Disease Free Survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS). Twenty seven female dogs with malignant tumours were included. Cox-2 expression was associated with lymph node metastasis at surgery time, development of distant metastasis during follow-up (p =0.038), DFS (p =0.03) and OS (p =0.04). Multivariate survival analysis showed that Cox-2 did not retain its significance as an independent prognostic factor. For Cox-1 expression, no statistically significant association was observed. Present study suggests the usefulness of testing Cox-2 specific inhibitors as part of an adjuvant therapy in female dogs with malignant mammary neoplasias. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

AbstractPurpose:To examine the relationship between microaneurysm turnover (formation rate), using a new semi-automatic method (MA-Tracker) based on color fundus photographs, and diabetic retinopathy (DR) progression to clinically significant macular edema (CSME). Methods:In total, 113 patients/eyes with nonproliferative DR (NPDR) were followed up every 6 months for 2 years as controls of the DR clinical trials, and by conventional general and ophthalmological care for the next 8 years (over a total of 10 years’ follow-up). Microaneurysm turnover for the 2 first years was computed using the MA-Tracker. Results:The 17 patients that developed CSME over the 10 years of follow-up presented a microaneurysm formation rate of 9.2 ± 18.2 microaneurysms/year (mean ± SD) during the first 2 years, which was statistically higher than the eyes that did not develop CSME (0.5 ± 1.2 microaneurysms/year, p < 0.001). These 17 patients also presented higher HbA1Clevels at baseline (8.5 ± 1.2) compared to the patients who did not develop CSME (7.3 ± 1.2, p = 0.001). Conclusions:A high microaneurysm formation rate on color fundus photographs appears to be a good biomarker for DR progression to CSME in type 2 diabetic patients with NPDR.Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid tumours are complex and heterogeneous systems, which exist in a dynamic biophysical microenvironment. Conventional cancer research methods have long relied on two-dimensional (2D) static cultures which neglect the dynamic, three-dimensional (3D) nature of the biophysical tumour microenvironment (TME), especially the role and impact of interstitial fluid flow (IFF). To address this, we undertook a transcriptome-wide analysis of the impact of IFF-like perfusion flow using a spheroid-on-chip microfluidic platform, which allows 3D cancer spheroids to be integrated into extracellular matrices (ECM)-like hydrogels and exposed to continuous perfusion, to mimic IFF in the TME. Importantly, we have performed these studies both in experimental (normoxia) and pathophysiological (hypoxia) oxygen conditions. Our data indicated that gene expression was altered by flow when compared to static conditions, and for the first time showed that these gene expression patterns differed in different oxygen tensions, reflecting a differential role of spheroid perfusion in IFF-like flow in tumour-relevant hypoxic conditions in the biophysical TME. We were also able to identify factors primarily linked with IFF-like conditions which are linked with prognostic value in cancer patients and therefore could correspond to a potential novel biomarker of IFF in cancer. This study therefore highlights the need to consider relevant oxygen conditions when studying the impact of flow in cancer biology, as well as demonstrating the potential of microfluidic models of flow to identify IFF-relevant tumour biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Advances in pain research challenge the concept that animals lack pain senses, showing that they have similar neural pathways to humans and experience pain similarly. Understanding brain circuits for effective pain control is crucial for adjusting pain control to individual patient responses and conditions. Pain management in oncological patients aims to lessen the impact of tumor cell development and its consequences on the immune system. Researchers have focused on improving algological approaches to better respond to patient needs, which requires a deeper understanding of how analgesics work, interact with other drugs, and affect patients' conditions. Opioids, although linked to tumor progression, remain the mainstay for managing oncologic pain. Advancements in understanding pain physiopathology have historically challenged animals' absence of pain senses. Studies have demonstrated that animals have comparable neural pain pathways, suggesting that cats and dogs likely experience pain similarly to humans. Understanding brain circuits for effective pain control has been crucial to adjusting pain management to the patient's individual responses and current condition. The refinement of analgesic strategies is necessary to better cater to the patient's demands. Cancer pain management searches to ascertain analgesic protocols that enhance patient well-being by minimizing or abolishing pain and reducing its impact on the immune system and cancer cells. Due to their ability to reduce nerve sensitivity, opioids are the mainstay for managing moderate and severe acute pain; however, despite their association with tumor progression, specific opioid agents have immune-protective properties and are considered safe alternatives to analgesia for cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immobilisation and anaesthesia of wild felids may be complex and potentially dangerous events, making it difficult to implement more advanced anaesthetic techniques such as neuraxial anaesthesia. A Eurasian lynx was referred for femur fracture repair after it was seen with lameness of the left pelvic limb sustained in its natural environment. The animal was remotely darted using a combination of ketamine (5 mg/kg) and xylazine (5 mg/kg) intramuscularly. Once immobilised, the lynx was transported to the veterinary hospital in a restraining cage. After induction and endotracheal intubation, pelvic limb radiographs confirmed a closed, comminuted fracture of the left femur that required open reduction and internal stabilisation. A sacrococcygeal epidural was performed before surgery using lidocaine (2 mg/kg) and morphine (0.1 mg/kg) to complement the ketamine–xylazine–isoflurane anaesthesia, which allows a low‐end‐tidal isoflurane concentration. Clinical signs were continuously monitored and remained stable during the entire procedure, with the exception of a temperature that decreased to 35.8°C. No intraoperative analgesic rescues were necessary. Recovery was smooth and uneventful. The lynx showed no signs of motor weakness after surgery or other side effects related to the anaesthetic procedure. The successful management of this surgical case suggests that the described anaesthetic protocol could be recommended in orthopaedic procedures of the pelvic limbs in wild Felidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms‐1 and ‐2 have been extensively investigated in cancer. Although COX‐2 is the isoform most studied and has been described in several malignancies associated with histologic criteria of malignancy and worse prognosis, COX‐1 has also been linked to some forms of cancer. With the present review our aim was to summarize the current state of knowledge and clarify if and in which type of tumours COX‐1 and/or COX‐2 expression have real prognostic implications. We searched PubMed database for prognostic studies using predefined inclusion criteria in order to ascertain the prognostic value of COX‐1 and COX‐2 in malignant neoplasia in dogs and cats. Eighteen studies were analysed. COX‐2 was shown to be a negative prognostic factor in canine and feline mammary tumours, canine mast cell tumour, canine melanoma, canine osteosarcoma and canine renal cell carcinoma. COX‐1 showed a negative prognostic value in feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We found high heterogeneity among studies regarding COX immunohistochemical evaluation methodology even in the same type of neoplasia pointing out the need for its standardization at least by tumour type. The available data support the use of COX‐2 as a prognostic factor in canine (mammary carcinoma, mast cell tumour, melanoma, osteosarcoma and renal carcinoma) and feline (mammary carcinoma) cancers. For COX‐1, its use is advised in feline oral SCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Respiratory diseases, including the multifactorial "swine respiratory disease complex," have a significant impact on swine production. Recently, a condition manifesting primarily in the trachea, known as hemorrhagic tracheitis syndrome (HTS), has been described in pigs. HTS is characterized by severe coughing and high mortality in finishing pigs. Case Description: This report presents the first case of HTS in an adult male pig from a Portuguese farm. The animal died without any previous clinical signs. Necropsy revealed significant thickening of the trachea. Fibrinous necrotic hemorrhagic tracheitis was identified through histopathological analysis, but no bacterial infectious agents were detected during microbiological examination. Conclusion: This case underscores the need for comprehensive research, including systematic necropsies and histopathological assessments, to understand the actual prevalence of the disease, elucidate the etiology, and develop effective interventions for HTS in swine productions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have described Spirocerca lupi-like nematodes in the stomach of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Europe. A phylogenetic analysis of those specimens using mitochondrial DNA and their morphological reexamination allowed their characterization as a different species, Spirocerca vulpis. Between the years of 2010 and 2017, roundworms were collected from seven red foxes of northeastern Portugal found at necropsy with nodular lesions on their stomach wall. Histopathological analysis of four foxes revealed granulomatous lesions of the gastric nodules. On morphological assessment, by light microscopy, nematodes revealed the presence of six triangular teeth-like buccal capsule structures, which are absent in S. lupi. Polymerase chain reaction was run to amplify a 551 bp partial fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene. Sequences were 99% similar to S. vulpis (85% coverage) of red foxes from Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina, 99% similar (99% coverage) to sequences of Spirocerca sp. of red foxes from Denmark and 93% similar (99% coverage) to S. lupi from South Africa. This is the first report of S. vulpis in foxes or any other host from Portugal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder in dogs is a severe type of cancer with difficult treatment and recovery. These dog cancers are quite similar to bladder cancers in humans, making them a good comparison for study. This research looked into how certain types of immune cells, specifically eosinophils (referred to as tumor-associated tissue eosinophils) and macrophages (tumor-associated macrophages), affect the development and severity of these cancers. This study examined 34 cases of dog bladder cancer and used specific staining techniques to identify eosinophils and macrophages. The tumors were divided into two groups based on their aggressiveness (low- and high-grade). It was found that the less severe cancers had more eosinophils, while the more severe ones had more macrophages. This suggests that the presence of these immune cells is linked to how aggressive the cancer is. This study proposes that targeting these cells could be a new way to treat this type of cancer in dogs, which might also provide insights into human cancer treatment. Transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is a significant neoplasm in dogs, characterized by a poor prognosis and a high metastatic potential. These canine spontaneous tumors share many characteristics with human transitional cell carcinoma, making them an excellent comparative model. The role of inflammatory infiltration in tumor development and progression is frequently contradictory, especially concerning tumor-associated tissue eosinophils (TATE) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). This study aims to analyze TATE and TAMs in canine transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Congo Red staining was used to identify TATE, and immunohistochemistry was performed to detect TAMs in 34 cases of canine transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder carcinomas, categorized into low and high grades. Statistically significant differences were observed between the number of eosinophils and macrophages in the two groups of tumors. The number of TATE was higher in low-grade malignant tumors, but the number of TAMs was higher in high-grade tumors. Our findings suggest the importance of TATEs and TAMs in the aggressiveness of canine transitional cell carcinoma and propose their potential use as therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: While most research on claw diseases focuses on dairy cattle, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of claw disorders in beef cattle in northeast Portugal. The investigation was an observational study carried out at two slaughterhouses, in which claw lesions were assessed according to the ICAR Claw Health Atlas. The influence of sex and age and the potential economic impact on hot carcass weight, carcass classification, and fat coverage were investigated. The results revealed a high animal prevalence of claw lesions (65.8%), with the primary lesions being of a non-infectious mechanical nature, including heel horn erosion, double sole, and asymmetric claws. The lesions found are consistent with the production method in the area under study, where beef cattle are raised in small, rustic premises with uneven floors and beds made of a mix of manure and plant material. Also, the impact of claw lesions on carcass characteristics (weight, classification, and fat deposition) was not evident. Thus, the presence of claw lesions in beef cattle raised under the conditions of this geographical area does not seem to cause a negative impact on both animal health and the farm economy. Claw diseases have a profound impact on cattle welfare, affecting behaviors such as grazing, rumination, rest, decubitus, and water consumption. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of claw lesions and classify them according to the ICAR Claw Health Atlas (International Committee of Animal Recording) in two slaughterhouses. The influence of claw lesions on carcass weight, classification, and fat deposition was also examined. Involving 343 crossbreed cattle from 103 different extensive or semi-intensive farms, this study found an animal prevalence of claw disorders at 65.8%, with a higher incidence in females (n = 207, 60.35%) compared to males (n = 136, 39.65%). Despite the observed prevalence, claw lesions were not influenced by age or sex (p > 0.05). The main claw lesions identified, including heel horn erosion, double sole, and asymmetric claw, were consistent with the cattle management practices in the study area. These cattle were raised in small, rustic premises with uneven floors, utilizing a mix of manure and plant material as bedding and lacking access to pasture. Also, no negative economic impact was detected concerning carcass weight, classification, or fat deposition. Consequently, it was concluded that the presence of claw lesions in beef cattle raised under the characteristic management of this geographical area does not adversely affect animal health or farm economics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Anaesthesia plays an important role in diagnosis procedures and the treatment and pain management of oncological patients. However, studies suggest that anaesthetic drugs may increase the risk of tumour dissemination in the perioperative period by directly and indirectly suppressing the immune system, which is primarily responsible for controlling tumour growth. Science faces the challenge of understanding their influence on the immune system to develop anaesthetic strategies that assure greater immune stability in patients with cancer or other immune-compromising diseases. Throughout the course of oncological disease, the majority of patients require surgical, anaesthetic and analgesic intervention. However, during the perioperative period, anaesthetic agents and techniques, surgical tissue trauma, adjuvant drugs for local pain and inflammation and other non-pharmacological factors, such as blood transfusions, hydration, temperature and nutrition, may influence the prognosis of the disease. These factors significantly impact the oncologic patient's immune response, which is the primary barrier to tumour progress, promoting a window of vulnerability for its dissemination and recurrence. More research is required to ascertain which anaesthetics and techniques have immunoprotective and anti-tumour effects, which will contribute to developing novel anaesthetic strategies in veterinary medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, commonly known as bracken fern, is a cosmopolitan plant species absent only from polar and desert regions. Worldwide, Pteridium aquilinum has been rapidly spreading due to the neglect of agricultural fields and the growing wave of forest fires. This plant has several toxic components such as thiaminases, brains, active glucosides, beta-glucopyranosides and ptaquloside in its constitution that can be lethal to animals. The animals do not normally choose it as food, except in situations of food shortage, in periods of drought, when the ferns are still green or when the animals graze in places with large amounts of the plant in question. In order to revisit the major syndromes caused by P. aquilinum's major toxins, the authors present several cases of acute and chronic ruminant poisoning associated with ingesting P. aquilinum in Portugal in sheep and cattle. The primary associated syndromes observed in animals that consume this plant were thiamine deficiency, blindness in sheep, acute or subacute poisoning with bone marrow depression, and consequently, leucopenia and bladder tumors in cattle. Given the economic impact of the diseases caused by the toxins of this plant, and the possible public health implications, it is imperative to minimize these syndromes in animals and establish measures for their prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Portugal, there are four venomous species, the horned viper (Vipera latastei), seoane (Vipera seoanei), rat snake (Malpolon monspessulanus), and the hooded snake (Macroprotodon brevis ibericus), and in the UK, there is one: the common European adder (Vipera berus). Snake venom is a complex mixture of toxins whose composition varies depending on the family, genera, species, and even subspecies. In Europe, particularly Portugal, there are no published data on the frequency of these types of incidents, but it is estimated to be high, mainly in dogs. Thus, to characterize the injuries caused by the bite of venomous snakes in domestic animals, the authors describe cases in dogs, cats, and goats with a suspected snakebite. Animals presented wounds compatible with snakebites, with two points 1 to 1.8 cm apart that could be noted on the head or limbs. The main clinical signs observed included pain, oedema, and necrosis. From the animals that died, a post-mortem examination revealed subcutaneous and muscular necrosis and hemorrhages of surrounding tissues, including muscles and organic hemorrhages. The severity of envenomation depends on the quantity of inoculated venom; the species, age, size, and previous state of health of the bitten animal; the bite location; and post-bite excitability. With this study, the authors hope to help improve the knowledge regarding snakebites in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infiltrating cells of the immune system are widely accepted to be generic constituents of tumor microenvironment. It has been well established that the development of mammary cancer, both in humans and in dogs, is associated with alterations in numbers and functions of immune cells at the sites of tumor progression. These tumor infiltrating immune cells seem to exhibit exclusive phenotypic and functional characteristics and mammary cancer cells can take advantage of signaling molecules released by them. Cancer related inflammation has an important role in mammary carcinogenesis, contributing to the acquisition of core hallmark capabilities that allow cancer cells to survive, proliferate, and disseminate. Indeed, recent studies in human breast cancer and in canine mammary tumors have identified a growing list of signaling molecules released by inflammatory cells that serve as effectors of their tumor-promoting actions. These include the COX-2, the tumor EGF, the angiogenic VEGF, other proangiogenic factors, and a large variety of chemokines and cytokines that amplify the inflammatory state. This review describes the intertwined signaling pathways shared by T-lymphocytic/macrophage infiltrates and important tissue biomarkers in both human and dog mammary carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Client satisfaction gained great importance in health care as a measurement of service quality. One of the most popular methods to evaluate client satisfaction is the SERVQUAL inquiry which measures service quality by evaluating client expectations and services towards a service in five dimensions: Tangibles, Empathy, Assurance, Reliability and Responsiveness. Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate if owners of pets with cancer constitute a distinctive group from the general pet owner population and if these differences were perceived by the hospital staff we applied a SERVQUAL questionnaire to 51 owners of pet with cancer, 68 owners from the general pet population and 14 staff members. Results: Owners of oncologic pets had different expectations of an ideal service granting importance to Assurance questions (6.75 vs 6.5, p= 0.045) while showing unmet needs in Reliability and Empathy dimensions. Veterinarians failed to understand these specificities and over evaluated characteristics of Tangible dimension (6.75 vs 6.25, p=0.027). Conclusion: Owners of pet with cancer seem to constitute a specific subpopulation with special needs and veterinary staff should invest resources towards Assurance instead of privileging tangible aspects of veterinary services. By aligning professionals expectations with those of pet owners veterinarians can achieve better client satisfaction, improved compliance and stronger doctor-owner relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reflects on the continuity ofSalt Itinerary, a born-digital musical work that crosses boundaries between music, theatre, and the visual arts, created by Portuguese poet, performer, and composer Miguel Azguime (b. 1960). Several composers and interpreters have pointed out the importance of documentation in the preservation of contemporary music when they experience difficulties while performing the prescribed actions in the score without a description of the results to be achieved along with the composer's intentions. Therefore, a methodological approach was developed which combinesprescriptiveanddescriptivedocumentation as a main component in the preservation strategy for contemporary musical works. This paper analyses and discusses whether and how this methodology can be applied to the field of contemporary art preservation. It also raises the question of who is responsible for producing and storing this documentation for works of art that exist only outside the museum realm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) includes several proteins that can be dysregulated contributing to oral carcinogenesis. We have investigated the role of some SAC components (BUBR1, BUB3 and SPINDLY proteins) in canine oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by immunohistochemical analysis of 60 canine OSCCs. We observed that all proteins were detected in almost all cases and with a high expression rate in some cases. Furthermore, we found an independent prognostic value for BUBR1, where high BUBR1 expression was associated with a lower survival rate of these canine patients. These results suggest a potential role of BUBR1 as a prognostic biomarker in canine OSCC and should motivate further studies aimed at the role of these SAC proteins not only as biomarkers but also as pharmacological targets in canine OSCC. Chromosomal instability (CIN) plays a key role in the carcinogenesis of several human cancers and can be related to the deregulation of core components of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) including BUBR1 protein kinase. These proteins have been related to tumor development and poor survival rates in human patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). To investigate the expression of the SAC proteins BUBR1, BUB3 and SPINDLY and also Ki-67 in canine OSCC, we performed an immunohistochemical evaluation in 60 canine OSCCs and compared them with clinical and pathological variables. BUBR1, Ki-67, BUB3 and SPINDLY protein expressions were detected in all cases and classified as with a high-expression extent score in 31 (51.7%) cases for BUBR1, 33 (58.9%) cases for BUB3 and 28 (50.9%) cases for SPINDLY. Ki-67 high expression was observed in 14 (25%) cases. An independent prognostic value for BUBR1 was found, where high BUBR1 expression was associated with lower survival (p = 0.012). These results indicate that BUBR1 expression is an independent prognostic factor in these tumors, suggesting the potential use for clinical applications as a prognostic biomarker and also as a pharmacological target in canine OSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scarce information exists on the role of mTOR pathway proteins and their association to aggressiveness and prognosis of patients with canine oral cancers. We aimed to investigate the activated form of mTOR and its downstream S6 protein in canine oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and to evaluate potential associations between protein expression and clinic-pathologic variables and survival. For that we analysed p-mTOR and p-S6 protein expression by immunohistochemistry in 61 canine OSCCs. Multivariate analysis was conducted to examine their role in patients' cancer-specific survival (CSS). p-mTOR and p-S6 expression were present in almost all cases. High-expression of p-mTOR was observed in 44 (72.1%) cases using extent score and 52 (85.2%) cases using intensity score. For p-S6, high expression was observed in 53 (86.9%) cases using extent score and in 54 (88.5%) cases using intensity score. An independent prognostic value for p-S6 extension (p = 0.027), tumour stage (p = 0.013) and treatment (p = 0.0009) was found in patients' CSS analysis. Our data suggest that p-mTOR and p-S6 proteins are commonly expressed in canine OSCC and p-S6 expression is correlated with poor CSS in dogs with OSCC. More studies should be performed to identify possible therapeutic targets related with mTOR pathway for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell secretome has been explored as a cell-free technique with high scientific and medical interest for Regenerative Medicine. In this work, the secretome produced and collected from Olfactory Mucosa Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Olfactory Ensheating Cells was analyzed and therapeutically applied to promote peripheral nerve regeneration. The analysis of the conditioned medium revealed the production and secretion of several factors with immunomodulatory functions, capable of intervening beneficially in the phases of nerve regeneration. Subsequently, the conditioned medium was applied to sciatic nerves of rats after neurotmesis, using Reaxon® as tube-guides. Over 20 weeks, the animals were subjected to periodic functional assessments, and after this period, the sciatic nerves and cranial tibial muscles were evaluated stereologically and histomorphometrically, respectively. The results obtained allowed to confirm the beneficial effects resulting from the application of this therapeutic combination. The administration of conditioned medium from Olfactory Mucosal Mesenchymal Stem Cells led to the best results in motor performance, sensory recovery, and gait patterns. Stereological and histomorphometric evaluation also revealed the ability of this therapeutic combination to promote nervous and muscular histologic reorganization during the regenerative process. The therapeutic combination discussed in this work shows promising results and should be further explored to clarify irregularities found in the outcomes and to allow establishing the use of cell secretome as a new therapeutic field applied in the treatment of peripheral nerves after injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genomic instability is a key hallmark of cancer leading to tumour heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance. BRCA2 has a fundamental role in error-free DNA repair but also sustains genome integrity by promoting RAD51 nucleofilament formation at stalled replication forks. CDK2 phosphorylates BRCA2 (pS3291-BRCA2) to limit stabilizing contacts with polymerized RAD51; however, how replication stress modulates CDK2 activity and whether loss of pS3291-BRCA2 regulation results in genomic instability of tumours are not known. Here we demonstrate that the Hippo pathway kinase LATS1 interacts with CDK2 in response to genotoxic stress to constrain pS3291-BRCA2 and support RAD51 nucleofilaments, thereby maintaining genomic fidelity during replication stalling. We also show that LATS1 forms part of an ATR-mediated response to replication stress that requires the tumour suppressor RASSF1A. Importantly, perturbation of the ATR-RASSF1A-LATS1 signalling axis leads to genomic defects associated with loss of BRCA2 function and contributes to genomic instability and 'BRCA-ness' in lung cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]