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The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of spontaneous tumours in guinea pigs in biopsy and necropsy samples in the monitored period (2016--2022) on a representative number of cases and to determine their occurrence in relation to age and sex of the animals. A total of 204 samples from various pathological lesions were examined, while 153 cases (75.00%) were true tumours and 51 cases (25.00%) were pseudotumorous non-neoplastic lesions. The distribution of the incidence of true neoplasms in relation to sex was uneven. In the examined group, more neoplasms were diagnosed in males (n = 88, 57.52%) compared to females (n = 65, 42.48%). The mean age of guinea pigs with diagnosed tumour in our group was 4.2 years. Thyroid adenocarcinoma was the most frequent tumour. The majority of thyroid tumours (67.86%) were diagnosed in animals aged 4--5 years, as a significant result in terms of incidence in this age range, as well as a predisposition to tumour formation in males (78.57%). Mammary gland tumours occurred in the age range of 2--7 years, with a mean age of incidence of 4.7 years. In all cases, these were malignant variants and showing a significant higher incidence in males, in the age range of 4--5 years. The processing of a representative number of samples and epidemiological data on the incidence of spontaneous tumours in guinea pigs can contribute to the overall expansion of knowledge about this topic in veterinary medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equine melanocytic tumours are of great concern for horse owners, especially those who own grey horses. These tumours can be initially benign but data from literature suggest that all equine melanocytic tumours have a potential to undergo a malignant transformation and even develop distant metastases. This study aimed to diagnose and classify equine melanocytic tumours, assess their prevalence in relation to the horse's coat colour, sex, and age, and evaluate their occurrence sites. Over the period of four years (2020--2023), biopsies and necropsies of 203 horses were performed; melanocytic tumours were diagnosed in 34 cases (16.75%). Based on the morphological features of the neoplastic cells and presence of distant metastases, 3 horses (8.82%) were diagnosed with early-stage melanocytic lesions, 10 (29.41%) with melanocytomas, 4 (11.76%) with low-grade melanoma, 8 (23.53%) with intermediate-grade melanoma, 6 (17.65%) with metastatic melanoma and 3 (8.82%) with high-grade anaplastic melanoma. There was a significantly higher prevalence of the most malignant types of melanocytic tumours (metastatic melanoma, high-grade anaplastic melanoma) in horses over the age of 15 years (70%, P < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diethylnitrosamine is well known for its toxic and carcinogenic properties affecting mainly liver and kidneys. Capsaicin has been proven in previous years as a promising protective agent against many health problems affecting modern people. In this study we used diethylnitrosamine induced mouse experimental model of liver and kidney damage to assess the potential chemopreventive effect of capsaicin in vivo. Fifty female ICR mice were randomly divided into five groups intraperitoneally administered 1% ethanol solution in controls, capsaicin to assess its toxicity, diethylnitrosamine alone, and diethylnitrosamine and capsaicin in combination in different manners in two groups. After 14 weeks all mice were sacrificed, complete necropsy was performed and liver and kidneys were used for further examination. Slides of both organs stained with haematoxylin and eosin were histologically evaluated and immunohistochemical detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and glutamine synthetase in the liver tissue was performed. Histological evaluation of the liver and kidneys revealed toxic damage of diethylnitrosamine treated animals, whereas mice that received the combination of the substances showed milder lesions. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression was lower in diethylnitrosamine treated animals compared to the control and capsaicin groups, pointing to a disruption of the proliferative activity of hepatocytes in the juvenile liver. Glutamine synthetase expression did not differ between the groups, indicating that no tumours were induced by any of the substances used in our study. In conclusion, our experiment demonstrated the toxic properties of diethylnitrosamine in mice liver and kidneys, with the promising beneficial effect of capsaicin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In humans, Helicobacter pylori and some other members of Helicobacteraceae are known to be implicated in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders. So far, conclusive evidence regarding the potential involvement of helicobacters in development of chronic inflammatory lesions of canine stomach and intestine is missing. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter-like organisms in endoscopic biopsy samples of different parts of the gastrointestinal tract of dogs with chronic inflammation and to reveal their potential relationship to the presence and severity of morphological and inflammatory changes. A total of 183 samples of inflammatory lesions were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. Helicobacter-like organisms were found in 64.1% of samples of gastritis, 5.3% of cases of duodenitis, 47.6% of cases of ileitis and 48% of cases of colitis. The most frequent gastric morphological change was surface epithelial injury. In duodenum epithelial injury together with villous stunting, and in ileum villous stunting were the most commonly observed morphological changes. Crypt dilation/ distortion was the most frequent morphological abnormality among colonic samples and was significantly more often a feature of colitis than duodenitis and ileitis. Our data show no effect of colonization with Helicobacter-like organisms on the presence of gastric pit epithelial injury and gastric mucosal fibrosis. No association was found between the presence/density of Helicobacter-like organisms and the presence or severity of morphological and inflammatory lesions of duodenal, ileal, and colonic mucosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case report presents a one-year old pet female smooth-coated guinea pig with a diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma of the left ovary with locally aggressive behaviour. The animal had been showing lethargy and alopetic dermatosis for a few weeks. The mass in the area of the left ovary was suspected based on palpation, x-ray, ultrasonography of the abdominal cavity and the presence of the mass in the abdomen was confirmed by probatory laparotomy. Since the lesion was inoperable due to its size and infiltrative growth, the animal was euthanized. Leiomyosarcoma of the ovary with infiltrative growth into spleen and pancreas was diagnosed based on histopathological examination and the diagnosis was proved by immunohistochemical staining for the presence of smooth muscle actin. This is the first described case of this type of tumour in young intact female guinea pig. The case report could contribute to better understanding and knowledge of the occurrence of neoplastic changes of the ovary in guinea pigs especially for better treatment management and prevention of reproductive tract diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many types of tumorous and tumour-like lesions occur in the oral cavity of dogs. Even benign neoplasia often represents great inconvenience due to potential restrictions of therapeutic surgical approach in this area. Whereas in human medicine, there are statistical data describing areas of the oral cavity, that are more prevalent for development of particular neoplasia, in veterinary medicine, these data are not yet available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of tumours in dogs with oral neoplasia, the occurrence site of the most common neoplastic lesions in the canine oral cavity, as well as the effect of age and sex on the prevalence of these lesions. In this study we investigated oral tumorous lesions from 659 dogs, out of which 352 lesions were diagnosed as tumours and 307 as tumour-like lesions. The most common tumours encountered were melanoma (42%, n = 148), squamous cell carcinoma (16%, n = 57) and canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma (10%, n = 35). The median age of dogs with oral neoplasia was 9.9 years, with the range of 0.2 to 17.5 years. There was no significant association between sex and the type of oral lesion (tumorous and tumour-like). Melanoma was most commonly present in the caudal maxillary region, squamous cell carcinoma on the mouth floor, canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma in the area of the rostral mandible, plasmacytoma on the tongue, osteosarcoma was most often diagnosed in the caudal parts of oral cavity and fibrosarcoma did not have a specific site of occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted as an in vivo experiment in adult miniature pigs with the aim to test two new biomaterials. An iatrogenic defect was made into the central femoral diaphysis in the experimental animals and subsequently fixated by bridging plate osteosynthesis. Into the defect we implanted a cancellous autograft (control group), a pasty injectable scaffold (EXP A), and a porous 3D cylinder (EXP B). Radiological examination was performed in all animals at 0, 10, 20, 30 weeks after surgical procedure and histological assessment was performed. In the newly formed bone the osteoblastic activity was monitored. In terms of radiology, the most effective method was observed in the control group (completely healed 100%) compared to experimental groups EXP A (70.0%) and EXP B (62.5%). Histological assessment showed a higher cell count in the place of bone defect in the control group compared to experimental groups. Between the experimental groups, a higher count of bone marrow cells was found in group EXP B. Both newly developed biomaterials seem to be suitable as replacements for large bone defects, having good workability and applicability. However, compared to the control group treated with a cancellous autograft, the newly formed bone did not reach the same number of cells settling in and in some cases, full radiological healing was not reached. Nevertheless, the material was found to be grown into the original bone in all cases within the experimental groups. The new biomaterials have a great potential as a substitute in the treatment of large bone defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing research attention has focused on the use of stem cells (SCs) in regenerative and reparative medicine. Adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) are a relatively cheap and ethical source of SCs. Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) have been reported with rising incidence over recent decades. The main aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of ADRCs application on the healing of both soft and hard temporomandibular joint (TMJ) tissues, and to assess the possible utilization of ADRCs in TMD treatment. We investigated the effects of human ADRCs on the healing of TMJ defects in immunodeficient rabbits. With no prior cultivation, ADRCs were applied to a surgically created defect in the cartilage of a rabbit TMJ. The healing process and inflammatory response were examined. Our results indicated that ADRCs supported repair processes in soft tissues. However, ADRC treatment induced a significant immune response in both soft and hard tissues, with hard tissues showing a higher level of bone remodelling. Non-differentiated ADRCs can be a promising tool for regenerative medicine of TMJ; however, deeper understanding of their effect on the cellular level is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to assess serum hyaluronic acid (HA) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) concentrations: 1) to differentiate hepatic fibrosis from other forms of liver disease, and 2) for the non-invasive staging of canine liver fibrosis. We also evaluated the association between serum HA concentration and the size of the shunt vessel as an indirect marker of decreased liver clearance in patients with single congenital vascular anomaly. Forty-one healthy client-owned dogs and forty dogs diagnosed with hepatobiliary disease were enrolled in the prospective study. Patients were divided into 4 subgroups: 1) congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS); 2) parenchymal diseases (a. mild and moderate fibrosis, b. advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis); 3) hepatic neoplasia; 4) biliary tract disorders based on thorough clinical, ultrasound and histopathological examination. Serum HA and TGF-β1 concentrations were measured using ELISA. The HA concentration was significantly increased in patients with advanced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis (P < 0.001) and CPSS (P < 0.001) compared to healthy dogs. Using a cut-off HA concentration of 135.94 ng/ml, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis for advanced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis was 100% (95% CI, 50.6-100) and 90.8% (95% CI, 81.6-95.7), respectively. The TGF-β1 levels did not significantly differ among groups (P = 0.180). Negligible correlation was found between serum HA concentration and the size of portosystemic shunt vessel (rs = 0.07; P = 0.831). These findings suggest that serum HA concentration is a potential noninvasive biomarker for advanced liver fibrosis and/or cirrhosis in dogs. The utility of measuring serum concentration of TGF-β1 for diagnosing canine liver fibrosis was not supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this experimental study was to verify a new semi-spherical surgical tool for bipolar radiofrequency liver ablation, which can solve some of the disadvantages of the commonly used device, such as the long duration of ablation. A total of 12 pigs which were randomly divided into two groups were used. Each pig underwent resection of the two liver lobes. In group 1, pigs were treated with the commonly used device; in group 2 the newly developed semi-spherical device was used. During surgery and the post-surgical period, many categories were observed and later analyzed. The blood count and biochemistry were monitored on days 0, 14 and 30 from the operation. On day 14 since the liver resection, pigs underwent diagnostic laparoscopy to evaluate their condition focusing on the site of the liver lobe resection. On day 30 after operation, all pigs were euthanized and subjected to histopathological examination. Histopathological evaluation of thermal changes at the resection margin showed strong thermal alteration in both groups. Statistical analysis of the collected indicators, such as the blood loss, nutritional status of pigs, histopathological and blood examination did not prove any significant (P < 0.05) differences between the commonly used device and the newly designed surgical tool. Compared to the standard device, the advantage was the shortening of the ablation and operation time while maintaining the same effect of ablation. This study showed promising results for semi-spherical liver resection, however, further studies need to be performed before this device can be used in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed at the aetiological diagnosis of skin tumours of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in the Czech Republic. A total of 33 roe deer specimens showing skin masses were sampled for histopathology, virus detection and identification using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and deoxyribonucleic acid sequence (DNA) analysis, and to investigate fibropapilloma-associated levels of metallothionein, zinc and oxidative stress in 2012 and 2013. Ticks (Ixodes ricinus) and deer keds (Lipoptena cervi) were also collected and pooled from sampled game specimens. Ticks found on dogs in hunting grounds under study were pooled into another sample. Skin tumours, ranging from 2 to 10 per inspected specimen and 2 to 5 cm in size, were classified as fibropapillomas by histopathology. All 33 viral-infection-suspected skin samples from roe deer in South Moravia and South Bohemia were PCR positive. The nucleotide sequences of PCR products were 100% homologous to the Western roe deer papillomavirus 1 isolate CcPV-1. Ticks and deer keds from positive roe deer and ticks from dogs were PCR and DNA sequence positive for the roe deer papillomavirus. Viral DNA was also demonstrated in one blood sample from a roe deer female. Differences in metallothionein, zinc, taurine and electrochemical index among samples from lesions and normal skin of affected roe deer and negative controls from papillomavirus-non-infected animals were non-significant. While we have demonstrated circulation of specific roe deer papillomavirus in the Czech Republic that results in multiple fibropapillomatous skin tumours, many ecological and epidemiological issues of this wildlife disease still remain unanswered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]