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Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Objective: COMP (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein) is abundantly expressed in the cardiovascular system, cartilage, and atherosclerotic plaques. We investigated if the total COMP (COMPtotal) and COMP neoepitope (COMPneo) with other cardiovascular markers and clinical parameters could identify symptomatic carotid stenosis. Approach and Results: Blood samples were collected from patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis (stenosis, n=50), patients with stroke without carotid stenosis but small plaques (plaque, n=50), and control subjects (n=50). COMPtotal and COMPneo were measured using an ELISA. Ninety-two cardiovascular disease markers were measured by the Olink CVD kit. The presence of native COMP and COMPneo was determined by immunohistochemistry. The concentration of COMPneo was higher and COMPtotal was lower in the stenosis group. When the concentration was compared between the stenosis and control groups, IL-1ra (interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein), IL6 (interleukin-6), REN (Renin), MMP1 (matrix metalloproteinase-1), TRAIL-R2 (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2), ITGB1BP2 (integrin beta 1 binding protein 2), and COMPneo were predictive of stenosis. Conversely, KLK6 (kallikrein-6), COMPtotal, NEMO (nuclear factor-kappa-B essential modulator), SRC (Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src), SIRT2 (SIR2-like protein), CD40 (cluster of differentiation 40), TF (tissue factor), MP (myoglobin), and RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end-products) were predictive of the control group. Model reproducibility was good with the receiver operating characteristic plot area under the curve being 0.86. When comparing the plaque group and stenosis group, COMPneo, GAL (galanin), and PTX3 (pentraxin-related protein PTX3) were predictive of stenosis. Model reproducibility was excellent (receiver operating characteristic plot area under the curve 0.92). COMPneo was detected in smooth muscle-, endothelial-, and foam-cells in carotid stenosis. Conclusions: Degradation of COMP may be associated with atherosclerosis progression and generation of a specific COMP fragment—COMPneo. This may represent a novel biomarker that together with COMPtotal and other risk-markers could be used to identify symptomatic carotid stenosis.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of preputial cytology in oestrogen producing testicular tumours in dogs. Methods Forty-five dogs with palpable testicular masses and 30 healthy control dogs were included. Dogs were evaluated for signs of alopecia and/or feminisation. Analyses of preputial cytology, haematology and serum oestradiol were performed. Dogs with testicular masses were neutered and the testes were submitted for histopathological examination. The dogs were divided into three groups (1) control dogs (n=30), (2) dogs with a testicular mass and serum oestradiol concentration 40 pmol/L (n=10). Results More than 20% superficial cells in preputial smear was significantly associated with serum oestradiol concentration >40 pmol/L (P

Highlights ► BRSV-ISCOMs induce strong clinical and virological protection in young conventional calves with BRSV-specific maternal antibodies. ► Protection is associated with local and systemic humoral responses as well as T cell responses dominated by IFNγ production. ► Animals that did not shed virus detectable by PCR or cell culture following challenge possessed particularly high levels of pulmonary IgA., Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is a major cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in cattle and causes yearly outbreaks with high morbidity in Europe. Commercial vaccines against this virus needs improvement of efficacy, especially in calves with BRSV-specific maternally derived antibodies (MDA). We previously reported that an experimental BRSV-ISCOM vaccine, but not a commercial vaccine, induced strong clinical and virological protection in calves with MDA, immunized at 7–15 weeks of age. The aim of the present study was to characterize the immune responses, as well as to investigate the efficacy and safety in younger animals, representing the target population for vaccination. Four groups of five 3–8 week old calves with variable levels of BRSV-specific MDA were immunized s.c. twice at a 3 weeks interval with (i) BRSV immunostimulating complexes (BRSV-ISCOMs), (ii) BRSV-protein, (iii) adjuvant, or (iv) PBS. All calves were challenged with virulent BRSV by aerosol 2 weeks later and euthanized on day 6 after infection. The cellular and humoral responses were monitored as well as the clinical signs, the viral excretion and the pathology following challenge. Despite presence of MDA at the time of the immunization, only a minimum of clinical signs were observed in the BRSV-ISCOM group after challenge. In contrast, in all control groups, clinical signs of disease were observed in most of the animals (respiratory rates up to 76 min−1 and rectal temperatures up to 41 °C). The clinical protection was associated to a highly significant reduction of virus replication in the upper and lower respiratory tract of calves, rapid systemic and local antibody responses and T helper cell responses dominated by IFNγ production. Animals that did not shed virus detectable by PCR or cell culture following challenge possessed particularly high levels of pulmonary IgA. The protective immunological responses to BRSV proteins and the ability to overcome the inhibiting effect of MDA were dependent on ISCOM borne antigen presentation.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of preputial cytology in oestrogen producing testicular tumours in dogs. Methods Forty-five dogs with palpable testicular masses and 30 healthy control dogs were included. Dogs were evaluated for signs of alopecia and/or feminisation. Analyses of preputial cytology, haematology and serum oestradiol were performed. Dogs with testicular masses were neutered and the testes were submitted for histopathological examination. The dogs were divided into three groups (1) control dogs (n=30), (2) dogs with a testicular mass and serum oestradiol concentration 40 pmol/L (n=10). Results More than 20% superficial cells in preputial smear was significantly associated with serum oestradiol concentration >40 pmol/L (P