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This report describes a case of hind limb lameness associated with intra-abdominal torsion of a neoplastic testicle in a dog. An 11-year-old, male, bilaterally cryptorchid dog was referred for third degree lameness in the left hind limb. An orthopaedic and radiographic examination did not reveal any alteration in the limb, whereas transabdominal palpation and ultrasonography showed the presence of retained gonads. The surgical procedure revealed a left testicular torsion adherent to the viscera and peritoneum in the ventral-caudal part of the abdomen. A few days after a bilateral orchiectomy, the lameness was completely resolved. Histopathological investigations allowed diagnosis of intestitial (Sertoli) cell tumours in both testicles. One of the two testes was twisted. Sertolioma often affects undescended testicles and causes additional clinical changes, due to estrogenic steroidogenesis. The hyper-oestrogenism is characterised by alopecia, feminisation, prostatic alteration and haematological disorders. However, in this case these clinical signs were not present. The aim of this case report is to highlight the correlation of the disease and the onset of limp, which is similar to what has been reported in human medicine in patients affected by meralgia paresthetica.

The grey squirrel, an invasive species, threatens the Eurasian red squirrel’s conservation, particularly in Umbria, Italy. Understanding its reproductive biology is essential to limiting its reproductive success. This study investigates the NGF system and its receptors (NTRK1 and p75NTR) in the testes of male grey squirrels, following prior research on female reproductive biology. NGF plays a role in testicular morphogenesis and spermiogenesis in animals and humans. As part of the LIFE Project U-SAVEREDS, eighteen squirrels were captured and classified into three morphotypes (immature, pubertal, and active spermatogenesis). NGF and its receptors were analyzed using real-time PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and plasma levels measured via ELISA. NGF qPCR expression levels were significantly higher during puberty compared to the immature and spermatogenesis stages (p < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry revealed NGF in Leydig cells, with stronger staining in pubertal and mature squirrels, while NTRK1 was found in Leydig cells in immature squirrels and germ cells in pubertal and mature ones. NGF receptors were observed in Sertoli cells in pubertal and mature squirrels. Plasma NGF levels showed a significant upregulation in pubertal squirrels (135.80 ± 12 pg/mL) compared to those in the immature (25.60 ± 9.32 pg/mL) and spermatogenesis stages (34.20 ± 6.06 pg/mL), with a p value < 0.01. The co-localization of NGF and its receptors suggests that NGF, produced by Leydig cells, regulates testis development and reproductive success through autocrine or paracrine mechanisms, potentially involving an unidentified pathway.

Simple Summary: The grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is an invasive species threatening the Eurasian red squirrel in Umbria, Italy. Understanding its reproductive biology is crucial for managing its population. Based on previous research on female grey squirrels, this study investigates the nerve growth factor (NGF) system and its receptors in the testes of male grey squirrels. Eighteen squirrels were classified into immature, pubertal, and active spermatogenesis. Results showed an increased NGF level in pubertal squirrels. Immunohistochemistry identified NGF in Leydig cells, with stronger staining in pubertal and mature subjects. NTRK1 was found in the Leydig cells of immature squirrels and the germ cells of pubertal and mature ones. NGF receptors were also observed in Sertoli cells. These findings suggest that NGF plays a key role in testis development and reproductive success through autocrine or paracrine mechanisms, highlighting its importance in managing this invasive species. The grey squirrel, an invasive species, threatens the Eurasian red squirrel's conservation, particularly in Umbria, Italy. Understanding its reproductive biology is essential to limiting its reproductive success. This study investigates the NGF system and its receptors (NTRK1 and p75NTR) in the testes of male grey squirrels, following prior research on female reproductive biology. NGF plays a role in testicular morphogenesis and spermiogenesis in animals and humans. As part of the LIFE Project U-SAVEREDS, eighteen squirrels were captured and classified into three morphotypes (immature, pubertal, and active spermatogenesis). NGF and its receptors were analyzed using real-time PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and plasma levels measured via ELISA. NGF qPCR expression levels were significantly higher during puberty compared to the immature and spermatogenesis stages (p < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry revealed NGF in Leydig cells, with stronger staining in pubertal and mature squirrels, while NTRK1 was found in Leydig cells in immature squirrels and germ cells in pubertal and mature ones. NGF receptors were observed in Sertoli cells in pubertal and mature squirrels. Plasma NGF levels showed a significant upregulation in pubertal squirrels (135.80 ± 12 pg/mL) compared to those in the immature (25.60 ± 9.32 pg/mL) and spermatogenesis stages (34.20 ± 6.06 pg/mL), with a p value < 0.01. The co-localization of NGF and its receptors suggests that NGF, produced by Leydig cells, regulates testis development and reproductive success through autocrine or paracrine mechanisms, potentially involving an unidentified pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several seminal plasma components, besides NGF, are implicated as ovulation-inducing factors in mammals. This study investigated the IL1B and its receptor IL1R1 in the testis (T), male accessory glands, prostate (P) and seminal vesicles (SV), and uterus (U) of adult rabbits using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). We also assessed the presence of IL1B in seminal plasma through Western blotting (WB) and examined the interaction between IL1B and NGF in vitro by measuring their production with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the presence of NGF and IL1B alone or with their respective receptor antagonists. IHC revealed IL1B system expression in all reproductive organs studied, with IL1B and IL1R1 localized to the germinative epithelium of the T and the epithelial cells of the accessory glands and U. IL1B gene transcript levels were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the P and SV compared to the T, while IL1R1 levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the P compared to the other tissues, while IL1R1 levels were three times higher (p < 0.001) in the P. WB confirmed the presence of IL1B in seminal plasma with a 30–35 kDa band. The in vitro study demonstrated that IL1B increased (p < 0.05) basal NGF production in the U, whereas NGF had no effect on IL1B production. These findings provide evidence of the expression of the IL1B/IL1R1 system in both male and female rabbit reproductive tracts and suggest that IL1B in seminal plasma may influence uterine endocrine activity. The results propose a potential role for IL1B in ovulation, in conjunction with NGF, supporting that ovulation may involve inflammatory-like processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Acute or chronic irreversible respiratory failure may occur in patients undergoing pneumonectomy. Aim of this study was to determine transcriptome expression changes after experimental pneumonectomy in swine model. Experimental left pneumonectomy was performed in five pigs under general anaesthesia. Both the resected and the remaining lung, after 60 post-operative completely uneventful days, underwent genome-wide bulk RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq). Results Histological analysis showed dilation of air spaces and rupture of interalveolar septa. In addition, mild inflammation, no fibrosis, radial stretch of the bronchus, strong enlargement of airspaces and thinning of the blood supply were observed. Bioinformatic analyses of bulk RNA-Seq data identified 553 Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) at adjusted P-value below 0.001, between pre- and post-pneumonectomy. The top 10 up-regulated DEGs were Edn1, Areg, Havcr2, Gadd45g, Depp1, Cldn4, Atf3, Myc, Gadd45b, Socs3; the top 10 down-regulated DEGs were Obscn, Cdkn2b, ENSSSCG00000015738, Prrt2, Amer1, Flrt3, Efnb2, Tox3, Znf793, Znf365. Leveraging digital cytometry tools, no difference in cellular abundance was found between the two experimental groups, while the analysis of cell type-specific gene expression patterns highlighted a striking predominance of macrophage-specific genes among the DEGs. DAVID-based gene ontology analysis showed a significant enrichment of “Extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway” (FDR q = 7.60 × 10− 3) and “Response to insulin” (FDR q = 7.60 × 10− 3) genes, along with an enrichment of genes involved as “Negative regulators of DDX58/IFIH1 signaling” (FDR q = 7.50 × 10− 4) found by querying the REACTOME pathway database. Gene network analyses indicated a general dysregulation of gene inter-connections. Conclusion This translational genomics study highlighted the existence both of individual genes, mostly dysregulated in certain cellular populations (e.g., macrophages), and gene-networks involved in pulmonary reaction after left pneumonectomy. Their involvement in lung homeostasis is largely supported by previous studies, carried out both in humans and in other animal models (under homeostatic or disease-related conditions), that adopted candidate-gene approaches. Overall, the present findings represent a preliminary assessment for future, more focused, studies on compensatory lung adaptation, pulmonary regeneration and functional reload.

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a highly developed treatment for many solid tumours that provides good local control in 80% of neoplasms in dogs. ECT can be used to treat different types of tumours, particularly as an innovative approach for non-resectable masses. As reported in the literature, electroporation-based treatments are safe, simple, fast and cost-effective treatment alternatives for selected oral and maxillofacial tumours not involving the bone in dogs (e.g., small squamous cell carcinoma or malignant melanoma). In this descriptive retrospective paper, the authors describe the outcome of various types of oral tumours treated with ECT as a palliative first line treatment or as a rescue treatment in dogs with local tumour recurrence. Nineteen dogs were included and treated with at least one session of three electroporations coupled with intravenous administration of bleomycin every 21 days. Tumour size, localization, histotype, stage, recurrence, solid tumour response evaluation criteria (RECIST), local toxicity, progression free survival (PFS) and median survival time (MST) were evaluated. The small population did not allow the analysis of the ECT response by comparing different tumour types; further studies with a larger caseload are needed. However, all dogs, despite the low MST, showed a good local response to treatment with a rapid improvement in quality of life from the first ECT application; no side effects attributable to chemotherapy have been detected and toxicity due to the electroporation was minimal and well tolerated in all dogs.

This editorial provides a comprehensive review of canine soft tissue sarcomas, discussing their classification, clinical characteristics, and treatment options. It highlights recent research on new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, such as dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound and microbrachytherapy. The article also presents findings on electroporation-based treatments for oral tumors, which have shown to be safe and effective but require further standardization. Additionally, the text explores canine extraskeletal osteosarcoma and suggests potential diagnostic markers for osteosarcoma. The editorial concludes by emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the need for further research in veterinary oncology. [Extracted from the article]

Using different evaluation targets (i.e., politicians’ pictures, ideological words, items referring to features attributed to political ingroup/outgroup) we characterized the intergroup bias among political groups in the Italian context (Study 1-2-3) and tested a model that may account for the bias itself (Study 3). For all evaluation targets, left-wing participants - compared to right-wing participants – showed a greater intergroup bias, expressing more negative emotions toward the outgroup. The process was influenced by a greater perceived threat of the outgroup. Conversely, right-wing participants expressed the bias only when presented with ideological words. Our results provide a detailed description of how intergroup bias in Italy is differently expressed by the two ideological groups depending on the targets used to represent the political counterpart. Moreover, the results show that the stronger bias expressed by left-wing participants is driven by perceived threat of the outgroup.

A 13-year-old male mixed-breed dog was examined because of hematuria and pyrexia. Ultrasonographic examination of the genitourinary tract showed the presence of a migrating grass awn in the right prostatic lobe. Laparotomy allowed, under ultrasonographic guidance, to remove entirely the migrating grass awn from the prostatic parenchyma. The recovery was uneventful and four months after the surgery the owner reported that the dog showed the complete resolution of the clinical signs and full return to normal activity. To our knowledge, this case report describes for the first time the clinical presentation, imaging findings, management and outcome for a dog with prostatic localization of a migrating grass awn.

The grey squirrel is an invasive alien species that seriously threatens the conservation of the native red squirrel species. With the aim of characterizing the reproductive physiology of this species due to its great reproductive success, the function of the ovarian nerve growth factor (NGF) system was analyzed in a grey squirrel population living in central Italy. During the breeding and nonbreeding seasons, the ovarian presence, distribution, and gene expression of NGF, neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor 1 (NTRK1), and nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR), as well as NGF plasma concentrations, were evaluated in female grey squirrels. NGF was found in the luteal cells and in the thecal and granulosa cells of follicles, while NTRK1 and NGFR were only observed in follicular thecal and granulosa cells. NGF and NGFR transcripts were almost two-fold greater during the breeding season, while no seasonal differences were observed in NTRK1 gene expression. During the breeding season, NGFR was more expressed than NTRK1. Moreover, no changes were observed in NGF plasma levels during the reproductive cycle. The NGF system seems to be involved in regulating the ovarian cycle mainly via local modulation of NGF/NGFR, thus playing a role in the reproductive physiology of this grey squirrel population.

The gray squirrel is one of the most common invasive species in Europe, whose presence is dangerous for the survival of the European red squirrel. To cope with this biological invasion and to safeguard biodiversity, the LIFE+U-SAVEREDS project aims to protect the red squirrel, by limiting the growth of the current population of gray squirrels and simultaneously promoting their eradication with surgical sterilization. This study compares two different anesthetic protocols, including dexmedetomidine (40 µg/kg) and midazolam (0.3 mg/kg) associated with ketamine (15 mg/kg; n = 25 squirrels) or alfaxalone (5 mg/kg; n = 22 squirrels). A blinded investigator evaluated the quality and onset of sedation, intraoperative anesthesia, and recovery, as well as the physiologic parameters for each animal. Alfaxalone provided a good quality of anesthesia with limited cardiovascular effects (p < 0.05) and good intraoperative myorelaxation. Ketamine induced complete relaxation in a shorter time (p < 0.05) and a rapid (p < 0.001) and excellent (p < 0.05) recovery. Despite the overall superiority of ketamine, alfaxalone appeared to be an adequate alternative anesthetic drug that can be administered without requiring intravascular access. It should be rapidly metabolized and excreted; however, it requires the combination of longer acting sedatives/myorelaxants to prevent a poor recovery quality.

The reproductive cycle of an invasive alien Italian grey squirrel population was studied to understand its adaptation and limit its spread, in order to conserve the autochthonous red squirrel. Female and male genital traits were evaluated throughout the reproductive cycle, including the ovary, uterus, testicle, epididymis, seminiferous tubule morphometry, and germinative epithelium histology. Moreover, individual female fecundity was determined by counting uterine scars. Ovary width and uterus weight, length, and width reached their highest values in the luteal and pregnancy phases. On conducting a histological evaluation of the testicular germinal epithelium, four morphotypes related to the different reproductive phases of the male squirrels were identified: immature, pubertal, spermatogenesis, and regressive. Testicle and epididymis weights and seminiferous tubule diameters reached their largest values during spermatogenesis. Uterine scar analysis showed that 69% of the females had given birth to one or two litters, while 31% had no uterine scars. Litters were larger in the first breeding period than in the second; annual fecundity was 4.52 ± 1.88 uterine scars/female. Umbrian grey squirrels have adapted to their non-native range, showing two annual mating periods at times similar to those in their native range, and high reproductive success.

We report data about the effects of intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of specific pathogen-free (SPF) porcine Sertoli cells (SeC) encapsulated into clinical grade alginate-based microcapsules (SeC-MC) on muscles of chronic and presymptomatic dystrophic, mdx mice. Mdx mouse is the best characterized animal model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), an X-linked lethal myopathy due to mutation in the gene of dystrophin, which is crucial for myofiber integrity during muscle contraction. Our data show that three weeks after i.p. injection of SeC-MC significantly reduced adipose and fibrous tissue deposition, reduced macrophage infiltrate, and reduced numbers of damaged myofibers are found in muscles of 12-month-old mdx mice, which reproduce chronic DMD conditions. Compared with muscles of mock-treated mdx mice muscles of SeC-MC-treated mice show upregulation of the dystrophin paralogue, utrophin which is localized to the periphery of myofibers. Moreover, our data show that i.p. injection of SeC-MC into presymptomatic, 2-week-old mdx mice, although not fully preventing myofiber degeneration, results in protection against myofiber necrosis and muscle inflammation. Extensive discussion of these data can be found in Ref. [1].