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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]

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: Neonatal and pediatric diseases are complex and can cause high mortality in kittens, associated with bacterial infections, blood type mismatches, congenital defects, viral and parasitic diseases, and poor care, among others. This study aimed to identify the leading causes of death and prevalence of congenital malformations by performing necropsies on 68 stray kittens under two months old. Results showed that respiratory lesions were the leading cause of death in the youngest kittens, while older kittens primarily suffered from gastrointestinal problems. Infectious diseases were common in all age groups, and 40% of the kittens had congenital malformations, with the most common being megaesophagus, cardiovascular anomalies, and bone and kidney defects. The findings highlight the importance of good hygiene in preventing infections and emphasize the need for better care and preventive measures to enhance kitten survival rates. Neonatal and pediatric mortality in kittens could be associated with bacterial infections, complications from inadequate management, congenital malformations, neonatal isoerythrolysis, parasitic diseases, and viral diseases. The complexity of causes, coupled with kittens' physiological and immunological immaturity, complicates the diagnosis and treatment of disease, highlighting the necessity for preventive measures. This study aimed to identify the leading causes of death and the occurrence of congenital malformations in stray kittens. Necropsies were performed on 68 kittens, all aged under two months. Results indicated that respiratory lesions were the leading cause of death in the youngest group, while gastrointestinal problems were more prevalent in older groups. Infectious causes were predominant across all age groups. Congenital malformations were observed in 40% of the animals, with megaesophagus, cardiovascular anomalies, bone defects, and kidney defects being the most prevalent. The findings underscore the critical importance of hygiene in preventing infections and related complications. Promoting sterilization and sanitary control in stray cats is essential to reduce overpopulation and improve living conditions. [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]

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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]

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]

Simple Summary: Congenital defects have been described in almost every vertebrate group. In crocodiles, teratology alterations have been described in captive animals (pets, zoos, farms) such as Crocodylus niloticus and Gavialis gangeticus. The present study aimed to characterize congenital malformations of C. acutus from a farm in Lomas de Matunilla, Ballestas, Bolívar, Colombia. The analyzed eggs presented macroscopic malformations, with 42 different types of anomalies observed. Limb and tail malformations (29%) were the most common changes observed. The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus, Cuvier, 1807) (Class Reptilia, Family Crocodylidae) is a crocodile species inhabiting the Neotropics. Congenital defects have been described in almost every vertebrate group. In crocodiles, teratology alterations have been described in captive animals (pets, zoos, farms) such as Crocodylus niloticus or Gavialis gangeticus. The present study aimed to characterize congenital malformations of C. acutus from a farm in Lomas de Matunilla, Ballestas, Bolívar, Colombia. A total of 550 unhatched eggs were examined after embryo death. A total of 61 embryos presented malformations, with 42 different types of anomalies observed. Limb and tail malformations (29%) were the most common malformations observed. Several malformations, such as cephalothoracopagus, thoracopagus, sternopagus, xiphopagus twins, campylorrachis scoliosa, and acrania, were documented in crocodiles for the first time. Research in teratology enhances our understanding of crocodile biology. It plays a role in their conservation and management, thus helping to ensure the long-term viability of these species in their natural habitats. [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]

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]

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]

Background: Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) and cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an important role in the development and progression of tumor malignancy in humans and animals, showing that both can influence the tumor microenvironment. However, the impact of these two markers in feline mammary carcinogenesis has not yet been addressed. Materials and Methods: In the present study, the clinicopathological significance of COX-2 immunoexpression and alpha-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA)-positive cancerassociated fibroblasts (CAFs) was determined and correlated with disease-free and overall survival of 50 felines with malignant mammary tumors. Results: COX-2 overexpression was positively associated with mitotic index (p=0.031), degree of malignancy (p=0.001), lymph node metastasis (p=0.001), vascular invasion (p=0.002), disease recurrence (p=0.019) and distant metastasis (p=0.036). a-SMA-positive CAFs were associated with mitotic index (p=0.004), lymph node metastasis (p=0.027), vascular invasion (p=0.05), disease recurrence (p=0.001) and distant metastasis (p=0.001). Additionally, both markers were correlated with disease-free and overall survival, emerging as predictors of poor prognosis. Conclusion: Our results indicate for the first time that the presence of two markers, COX-2 and a-SMA, is associated with carcinogenesis and worse prognosis in feline mammary cancer and that a-SMA-positive CAFs have a role in feline mammary tumorigenesis, cancer development, and clinical outcome. [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: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been associated with melanoma progression in humans and dogs. Its overexpression is related to tumor aggressiveness. Equine melanoma has a different pattern of evolution compared to that in dogs and humans since it is characterized by a slow, expansive growth rather than a high degree of invasiveness and frequent metastasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of COX-2 in equine melanocytic tumors. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate 39 melanocytomas and 38 melanomas. The findings indicated that 42.9% of melanocytic tumors were negative, 41.6% had low COX-2 expression, and 15.5% had high COX-2 expression. Meanwhile, 13.2% of malignant tumors were negative and 63.2% presented low COX-2 expression. COX-2 was significantly higher in melanomas than in melanocytomas. Overall, low COX-2 levels may be one of the molecular differences that may contribute to the different clinical behavior of equine melanocytic tumors compared with those of other species. Equine melanocytic tumors are common and have an unusual benign behavior with low invasiveness and metastatic rates. However, tumoral mass growth is usually a concern that can have life-threatening consequences. COX-2 is related to oncogenesis, promoting neoplastic cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of COX-2 in equine melanocytic tumors. Through extension and intensity of labeling, 39 melanocytomas and 38 melanomas were evaluated. Of the malignant tumors, 13.2% were negative and 63.2% presented a low COX-2 expression. Only 6 malignant tumors presented >50% of labeled cells, 18 malignant and 8 benign had an expression between 21 and 50%, 8 malignant and 3 benign tumors had an expression between 6 and 20%, 1 malignant tumor had an expression between 1 and 5%, and 5 malignant and 28 benign tumors had no expression. Malignant tumors showed higher COX-2 expression than did benign tumors, with statistically significant differences. The low levels of COX-2 may be one of the molecular reasons for the presence of expansive mass growth instead of the invasive pattern of other species, which is related to high COX-2 levels. [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: 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: 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]

Anticoagulant rodenticides are biocides that interfere with normal blood clotting, inhibit the vitamin K cycle in the liver, and cause death by hemorrhages. Even though the main target of these compounds is rodents, they may affect non-target species such as nocturnal birds of prey that feed on those rodents. To study secondary exposure to ARs, select species that specialize in rodent prey, such as nocturnal birds of prey. Besides their specialized diet in rodents, nocturnal birds of prey are one of the most widely distributed birds in Europe and live in rural and non-rural habitats, making them excellent sentinel species for several studies' ecotoxicology studies. There are numerous studies regarding secondary AR exposure in raptor species all around the world, but evidence for population-level effects is still absent. The objective of this review is to show how ARs have influenced wild nocturnal birds of prey in Europe in the last decades, most affected species, and in summary, explain how they act and the main clinical signals/lesions that can be observed in poisoned birds. Overall, a total of 19 works were included in this review, between the years 1983 to 2021 that satisfied all literature criteria. These 19 papers corresponded to 44 observations of different species, regarding eight types of anticoagulant rodenticide. In the future, more caution is needed in the use of anticoagulants for rodent control where avian predators may be exposed to poisoned prey. Some combinations can be highly lethal to the predator, putting it at risk species that are already treated, therefore new eco-friendly alternatives should be found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance is a global concern that affects not only human health but also the health of wildlife and the environment. Wildlife can serve as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and antibiotics in veterinary medicine and agriculture can contribute to the development of resistance in these populations. Several European carnivore species, such as wolves, foxes, otters, and bears, can be exposed to antibiotics by consuming contaminated food, water, or other resources in their habitats. These animals can also be indirectly exposed to antibiotics through interactions with domestic animals and human activities in their environment. Antibiotic resistance in wildlife can harm ecosystem health and also impact human health indirectly through various pathways, including zoonotic disease transmission. Moreover, the spread of resistant bacteria in wildlife can complicate conservation efforts, as it can threaten already endangered species. This review aims to describe the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wild carnivores in Europe. [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]

Sea turtles play a vital role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems and should be considered as environmental sentinels to determine pollution rates in marine environments. Several species of sea turtles are endangered or threatened due to a variety of threats, including habitat loss, hunting, accidental catch, and pollution. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in sea turtles have become a new threat that could affect their health and survival. The spread of antibiotic resistance is a major concern in the 21st century, particularly in aquatic environments. Turtles can be exposed to antibiotics from various sources, such as through contaminated water, food or medical treatment. It is quite common to discover antibiotic-resistant genes in the environment and in animals that have never been exposed to antibiotic treatments. However, data on the worldwide incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wildlife is still very limited, specifically in marine animals such as sea turtles. Sea turtles can transmit bacteria and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes to humans and other animals. Humans can acquire antibiotic-resistant bacteria by handling contaminated animals or water. The present review aims to compile the most recent studies describing the presence of AMR bacteria in sea turtles and determine how they can impact the ecosystem and human health under the One Health concept. [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]

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]

This report aimed to present a case of ectrodactyly in a free-living adult female Erinaceus europaeus. At radiography and post-mortem dissection, the right hind limb developed 2 digits and aplasia of 3 digits. No other abnormality was found in this case. Various teratogens may be responsible for occurring skeletal anomalies. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first report of ectrodactyly in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Tensins are a family of focal adhesion proteins that connect the extracellular matrix (ECM) to the cytoskeletal networks, mainly through integrin receptors and their associated protein complexes. To investigate, for the first time in canine species, the expression of CTEN was evaluated in oral and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma samples from several dog breeds and submitted to immunohistochemistry technique. The results reveal a higher level of expression associated with the highest grades of the tumor, evidencing that this protein is more expressed in the highest grades of squamous cell carcinoma, probably due to its involvement in tumor progression. In the present study, we demonstrated, for the first time, CTEN clinical significance in a canine squamous cell carcinoma, and, to our knowledge, this is also the first time that the CTEN expression pattern is linked to the canine species. C-terminal tensin-like (tensin-4/TNS4/CTEN) is the fourth member of the tensin family, frequently described as displaying oncological functions, including cellular migration, invasion, adhesion, growth, metastasis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and apoptosis, in several different types of cancer. To investigate, for the first time, the clinical significance of CTEN in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of dogs, we studied a total of 45 SCC sections from various dog breeds. The mean age of the affected dogs was 8.9 ± 3.6 years. Immunohistochemistry confirmed strong cytoplasmatic CTEN expression in the basal layer of the epidermis next to the tumor. We detected high CTEN expression associated with the highest grade of the tumor (grade III) and observed 100% of immunopositivity for this tumor grading (p < 0.0001). These data suggest that CTEN is an oncogene in SCC of dogs and a promising biomarker and a therapeutic target for dogs affected by SCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Portuguese Journal of Mental Health Nursing / Revista Portuguesa de Enfermagem de Saúde Mental is the property of Portuguese Society of Mental Health Nursing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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]

A local drug delivery system that attempts to find a suitable balance between antimicrobial and regenerative actions was developed for osteomyelitis treatment (OM). This system combines the angiogenic and immunomodulatory peptide LLKKK18 (LL18) and vancomycin hydrochloride (VH), loaded into an injectable oxidized dextrin (ODEX)‐based hydrogel (HG). In vitro cytotoxicity was analyzed in MC3T3‐E1 pre‐osteoblasts and erythrocytes. The kinetics of LL18 release was studied. Antimicrobial activity was assessed in vitro against a clinical Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain. A rat model of acute OM was developed by direct inoculation into a tibia defect, concomitantly with the implantation of the drug‐loaded HG. The local bioburden was quantified and damage in surrounding tissues was examined histologically. In vitro, ODEX‐based HG displayed a safe hemolytic profile. Half of LL18 (53%) is released during the swelling phase at physiological pH, then being gradually released until complete HG degradation. LL18‐loaded HG at 300 μM was the most effective peptide formulation in decreasing in vivo infection among concentrations ranging from 86 to 429 μM. The histopathological scores observed in vivo varied with the LL18 concentration in a dose‐dependent manner. VH at 28 mM completely eradicated bacteria, although with substantial tissue injury. We have found that sub‐millimolar doses of VH combined with LL18 at 300 μM may suffice to eradicate the infection, with reduced tissue damage. We propose an easy‐to‐handle, shape‐fitting HG formulation with the potential to treat MRSA‐infected bone with low VH doses associated with LL18. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Veterinarska Stanica is the property of Croatian Veterinary Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Simple Summary: An overview analysis of tumors in dogs and cats, dividing them into malignant and benign, may provide previously unknown information about the biological behavior of tumors in these species and may serve many veterinarians as a support for clinical decision making. Based on a sample of 16,272 cancer records, including 3266 cats and 13,006 dogs, the analysis found that cats have a fourfold risk of malignant tumors, as in some topographies. Sex appears to play a role in the malignancy only in dogs. Some dog breeds (Pit bull and Boxer) have a higher risk of malignant tumors as opposed to Shih tzu and Yorkshire terrier. District of residence was not relevant in predicting malignancy risk. Most importantly, the risk of malignant tumors increases by 20% every three years. Analysis of canine and feline tumor malignancy data can help clinicians identify high-risk patients and make more accurate decisions. Based on a sample of 16,272 cancer records, including 3266 cats and 13,006 dogs, collected from January 2019 to December 2021 in the Vet-OncoNet Network database, this study aimed to compare the tumor malignancy profile between cats and dogs, considering animal-related factors (sex, age, and breed), topography, and geographic location using a mixed-effects logistic regression model. Cats had a higher proportion of malignant tumors (78.7%) than dogs (46.2%), and the malignancy profile was very different regarding tumors' topographies. The mean age of malignant tumors occurred eight months later than benign ones (9.1, SD = 3.4; 9.8, SD = 3.2), in general. Species (OR = 3.96, 95%CI 3.57: 4.39) and topography (MOR = 4.10) were the two most important determinants of malignancy risk. Female dogs had a higher risk than male dogs (OR = 1.19, 95%CI 1.08: 1.31), which does not appear to be the case in cats (OR = 0.98, 95%CI 0.77: 1.23). Breed contributed significantly to differences in malignancy risk in dogs (MOR = 1.56), particularly in pit bulls and boxers. District of residence was not so relevant in predicting malignancy risk (MOR = 1.14). In both species, the risk of malignancy increased by approximately 20% every three years. It could be hypothesized that species differences in genetic structure may contribute to tumor malignancy. [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]

Copyright of Veterinarska Stanica is the property of Croatian Veterinary Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The animal cancer burden is essential for the translational value of companion animals in comparative oncology. The present work aims to describe, analyze, and compare frequencies and associations of tumors in dogs and cats based on the Animal Cancer Registry created by Vet-OncoNet. With 9079 registries, regarding 2019 and 2020, 81% (n = 7355) belonged to dogs. In comparison, cats have a general one-year right advance in the mean age of cancer diagnosis compared to dogs. The multivariate topography group analysis shows a distinct pattern between the two species: dogs have higher odds of cancer in the genito-urinary system, spleen, soft tissue tumors and skin, while cats show higher odds for tumors in the eyes, digestive organs, nasal cavity, lymph nodes, bones and mammary glands. Regarding morphologies, dogs are overrepresented in mast cell tumors (MCT), melanomas, and hemangiosarcomas. While cats are overrepresented in fibrosarcomas, lymphomas (T and B-cell), in malignant mammary tumors, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Females have greater odds only in the mammary gland, with males having greater odds in six of twelve topographies. This study is the first outcome of continuous animal cancer registration studies in Portugal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The development of a widely accepted and comparable animal cancer registration system lacks standardized animal cancer coding. The GIVCS group have developed a comparative coding system for canine neoplasms—Vet-ICD-O-canine-1—compatible with the human ICD-O-3.2 and consistent with the currently recognized classification schemes for canine tumors. This system comprises 335 topography codes and 534 morphology codes allowing the collection of consistent epidemiologic canine cancer data and offering a robust framework for comparative oncology studies. Cancer registries are fundamental tools for collecting epidemiological cancer data and developing cancer prevention and control strategies. While cancer registration is common in the human medical field, many attempts to develop animal cancer registries have been launched over time, but most have been discontinued. A pivotal aspect of cancer registration is the availability of cancer coding systems, as provided by the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O). Within the Global Initiative for Veterinary Cancer Surveillance (GIVCS), established to foster and coordinate animal cancer registration worldwide, a group of veterinary pathologists and epidemiologists developed a comparative coding system for canine neoplasms. Vet-ICD-O-canine-1 is compatible with the human ICD-O-3.2 and is consistent with the currently recognized classification schemes for canine tumors. It comprises 335 topography codes and 534 morphology codes. The same code as in ICD-O-3.2 was used for the majority of canine tumors showing a high level of similarity to their human counterparts (n = 408). De novo codes (n = 152) were created for specific canine tumor entities (n = 126) and topographic sites (n = 26). The Vet-ICD-O-canine-1 coding system represents a user-friendly, easily accessible, and comprehensive resource for developing a canine cancer registration system that will enable studies within the One Health space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is far less common and studied in a Caucasian population than in an Asian population, and the optimal treatment approach remains to be confirmed. Methods: A 52-week, double-masked, sham-controlled, phase 4, investigator-initiated randomized clinical trial (RCT) in naive symptomatic Caucasian patients with PCV treated with aflibercept in a treat-and-extend regimen (T&E) (intravitreal aflibercept injection [IVAI] T&E). Patients were randomized at week 16 to receive IVAI T&E plus either sham photodynamic therapy (PDT) or standard fluence PDT with verteporfin. The main outcome measures were changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to 52 weeks and polyp occlusion at week 52. Data are presented as median (interquartile range [IQR]) for BCVA, number of IVAI, and change in central retinal thickness (CRT). Results: Of the 50 patients included in the study, 48 patients completed the 52 weeks of follow-up. During this period, a significant median (IQR) BCVA gain of 6 [2–12] Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters was observed for all patients (p < 0.001), after 8 (7–9) injections, with a significant reduction of −93.0 [−154.0, −44.0] µm in central macular thickness (p < 0.001). Using indocyanine green angiography, a complete occlusion of polypoidal lesions was documented in 72% of the cases. Still, no significant difference was detected between the sham PDT and the aflibercept PDT arms, at week 52, for BCVA change (6.5 [2–11] vs. 5 [2–13] letters (p = 0.98)), number of IVAIs (8.5 [7–9] vs. 8 [7–9] (p = 0.21)), change in CRT (−143 [−184; −47] vs. −89 [−123; −41.5] µm [p = 0.23]), and rates of complete polyp occlusion: 77 versus 68% (p = 0.53) or presence of fluid: 68 versus 57% (p = 0.56). No serious ocular adverse events were registered in the 2 arms. Conclusions and Relevance: To our knowledge, this is the first RCT to compare aflibercept T&E monotherapy with aflibercept T&E plus verteporfin PDT in a Caucasian population with PCV. Aflibercept monotherapy in a T&E showed to be effective and safe with a significant median BCVA improvement of 6 letters and a complete occlusion of polypoidal lesions in near 3 quarters of the eyes, at 1 year. As only 22% of the eyes underwent PDT treatment, the benefit of combined treatment for PCV in Caucasian patients could not be definitively elucidated from this study. Trial Registration: The clinical trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02495181 and the European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database EudraCT No. 2015-001368-20. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionising radiotherapy is a well-established, effective cancer treatment modality, whose efficacy has improved with the application of newer technological modalities. However, patient outcomes are governed and potentially limited by aspects of tumour biology that are associated with radioresistance. Patients also still endure treatment-associated toxicities owed to the action of ionising radiation in normoxic tissue adjacent to the tumour mass. Tumour hypoxia is recognised as a key component of the tumour microenvironment and is well established as leading to therapy resistance and poor prognosis. In this review, we outline the current understanding of hypoxia-mediated radiotherapy resistance, before exploring targeting tumour hypoxia for radiotherapy sensitisation to improve treatment outcomes and increase the therapeutic window. This includes increasing oxygen availability in solid tumours, the use of hypoxia-activated prodrugs, targeting of hypoxia-regulated or associated signalling pathways, as well as the use of high-LET radiotherapy modalities. Ultimately, targeting hypoxic radiobiology combined with precise radiotherapy delivery modalities and modelling should be associated with improvement to patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of low dose cyclophosphamide chemotherapy plus meloxicam as an adjuvant treatment, compared with high dose doxorubicin or surgery alone in cats with mammary carcinoma. Medical records of 228 female cats treated for mammary carcinoma between 2008 and 2018, were reviewed in eight veterinary institutions. Only cats with complete tumour staging and radical mastectomy were included in the study. One hundred and thirty-seven cats were divided into three treatment groups: group 1 (n = 80) cats treated with surgery, group 2 (n = 34) cats that had surgery and adjuvant treatment with doxorubicin, and group 3 (n = 23) cats with surgery and adjuvant treatment with low dose metronomic cyclophosphamide and meloxicam. The study endpoints were disease free interval (DFI) and overall survival (OS). Toxicity was evaluated according to the VCOGCTCAE criteria. The median DFI was 270, 226 and 372 days in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The median OS was 338 (group 1), 421 (group 2) and 430 (group 3) days. The differences between groups were not significant (DFI P = .280 and OS P = .186). Toxicity was observed in 52.9% (n = 18) of cats in group 2 and 39.1% (n = 9) of cats in group 3, with mild to moderate intensity. Differences were not significant (P = .306). In conclusion, adjuvant chemotherapy treatment did not improve survival and the overall benefit remains unproven. Randomized prospective trials are necessary to clarify the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy treatment for feline mammary carcinomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Europe, bird populations have been threatened for several decades. The authors consulted the indices available to the public from the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (PECBMS), a project that collects data on European common bird species from national monitoring schemes and calculates European common bird indices and indicators to help demonstrate that common birds are decreasing in Europe. According to the PECBMS, between 1980 and 2019, common bird species declined by 18%, agricultural birds by 59%, and forest birds by 7%. Although some bird species have recovered in number and even came back from the break of extinction (e.g., Red Kite, Milvus milvus), not the species that were considered common in the last decades. Many factors are associated with this decline as pesticides or the destruction of habitats. Measures are being taken in many countries to reduce this decline. However, information and education of the public could be crucial to saving the decline of common birds [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]