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The source and significance of pulmonary silicate crystals in animals and people are poorly understood. To estimate the prevalence and characterize the pulmonary crystalline material in animals from St. Kitts, tissue samples from dogs, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, mongooses, and monkeys were examined by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (SEM/EDXA), and x-ray diffraction. Crystalline material was seen in 201 of 259 (77.6%) lung samples as perivascular and interstitial accumulations of heterogeneous crystalline particulate material, free or within macrophages (silicate-laden macrophages [SLMs]), mostly lacking evidence of chronic inflammation or fibrosis. The crystalline material was birefringent, basophilic on acid-fast, and composed of silicas on SEM/EDXA. Mongooses (100%) and monkeys (98%) had the highest prevalence of SLM, followed by cattle and chickens. Lesions were graded on a 3-point scale based on the histologic location and extent of silicates and SLM and were significantly more severe in mongooses (median = 3) than in monkeys (median = 2), dogs (median = 2), and chickens (median = 1). On EDXA, the crystalline material from lungs, air, and topsoil was composed of silicon, oxygen, aluminum, and iron, with a particulate matter size between 2.5 and 10 µm. We hypothesize Saharan dust, volcanic ash, topsoil, and rock quarry dust are potential sources of siliceous dust inhalation and SLM accumulations lacking chronic inflammation (silicosis); dust generation may be potentiated by road vehicle or wind suspension. Future investigations are warranted on the role of silicate inhalation and respiratory comorbidities in people, with monkeys, mongooses, or chickens serving as possible sentinels for exposure.

The density of mitotic figures within tumor tissue is known to be highly correlated with tumor proliferation and thus is an important marker in tumor grading. Recognition of mitotic figures by pathologists is known to be subject to a strong inter-rater bias, which limits the prognostic value. State-of-the-art deep learning methods can support the expert in this assessment but are known to strongly deteriorate when applied in a different clinical environment than was used for training. One decisive component in the underlying domain shift has been identified as the variability caused by using different whole slide scanners. The goal of the MICCAI MIDOG 2021 challenge has been to propose and evaluate methods that counter this domain shift and derive scanner-agnostic mitosis detection algorithms. The challenge used a training set of 200 cases, split across four scanning systems. As a test set, an additional 100 cases split across four scanning systems, including two previously unseen scanners, were given. The best approaches performed on an expert level, with the winning algorithm yielding an F_1 score of 0.748 (CI95: 0.704-0.781). In this paper, we evaluate and compare the approaches that were submitted to the challenge and identify methodological factors contributing to better performance., Comment: 19 pages, 9 figures, summary paper of the 2021 MICCAI MIDOG challenge

Introduction. In recent years a link between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases has been proposed. Oxidative stress has been found to be involved in their pathophysiology. Objectives. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that a wire ligature placed around the first mandibular molars of the rat causes inflammation in the periodontium and lipid deposits in the aorta, via oxidative stress. Methods. Twenty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into two groups of 10: Control group and Periodontitis group. An orthodontic wire ligature was placed around the cervix of the first mandibular molar and was kept in place for 4 weeks. Clinical attachment loss was determined to assess the gingival recession. Aorta was harvested after 4 weeks and the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the aorta tissue homogenate were determined. Lipid deposits were evaluated using Oil Red staining and immunofluorescence under confocal microscopy. Total lipid deposits in the aorta were assessed using a computer morphometry system. Results. Significant gingival recession was observed in the Periodontitis group in comparison with the Control group. Increased MDA levels were present in the aorta in the ligatured rats in comparison with the Control group. Significant lipid deposits were observed in the aorta of the Periodontitis group as opposed to the Control group. Conclusions. The affixing of an orthodontic wire ligature produces gingival recession, increased oxidative stress and lipid deposits in the rat descending aorta.

Counting mitotic figures (MF) in hematoxylin and eosin–stained histologic sections is an integral part of the diagnostic pathologist’s tumor evaluation. The mitotic count (MC) is used alone or as part of a grading scheme for assessment of prognosis and clinical decisions. Determining MCs is subjective, somewhat laborious, and has interobserver variation. Proposals for standardizing this parameter in the veterinary field are limited to terminology (use of the term MC) and area (MC is counted in an area measuring 2.37 mm2). Digital imaging techniques are now commonplace and widely used among veterinary pathologists, and field of view area can be easily calculated with digital imaging software. In addition to standardizing the methods of counting MF, the morphologic characteristics of MF and distinguishing atypical mitotic figures (AMF) versus mitotic-like figures (MLF) need to be defined. This article provides morphologic criteria for MF identification and for distinguishing normal phases of MF from AMF and MLF. Pertinent features of digital microscopy and application of computational pathology (CPATH) methods are discussed. Correct identification of MF will improve MC consistency, reproducibility, and accuracy obtained from manual (glass slide or whole-slide imaging) and CPATH approaches.

The associations between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases have been intensely studied in recent years. Oxidative stress is involved in the initiation and both progression of periodontitis and atherosclerosis. Antioxidants can reduce the effects of oxidative stress on inflammatory diseases. Our aim was to measure the effects of a grape seed extract (GSE), rich in antioxidants, on atherosclerosis caused by ligature-induced periodontitis in rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of 10: control group, periodontitis group, and periodontitis group treated with GSE (GSE group). Periodontitis was induced by placing an orthodontic wire around the cervix of the first mandibular molar and keeping it in place for 4 weeks. On days 1, 7 and 28, blood samples were taken to assess oxidative stress and inflammation markers (malondialdehyde and glutathione - MDA, reduced glutathione - GSH, C reactive protein) and lipids. After 4 weeks, the animals were euthanized, and aortas were collected for histopathologic examination. MDA was significantly higher in Periodontitis group compared to the other groups only at day 7. GSH was significantly increased in the Control and GSE groups on days 1 and 7, compared to Periodontitis group and on day 28 higher in GSE vs. Periodontitis groups. C reactive protein was significantly increased in the Periodontitis group on days 1 and 7 compared to both groups. Cholesterol was significantly decreased in the aortas of GSE group at day 28 compared to the Periodontitis group. Oral administration of a grape seed extract reduces the oxidative stress, inflammation and atherosclerosis in a rat model of ligature-induced periodontitis.

To date, there is a dearth of information on canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2) from the Caribbean region. During August–October 2020, the veterinary clinic on the Caribbean island of Nevis reported 64 household dogs with CPV-2-like clinical signs (hemorrhagic/non-hemorrhagic diarrhea and vomiting), of which 27 animals died. Rectal swabs/fecal samples were obtained from 43 dogs. A total of 39 of the 43 dogs tested positive for CPV-2 antigen and/or DNA, while 4 samples, negative for CPV-2 antigen, were not available for PCR. Among the 21 untested dogs, 15 had CPV-2 positive littermates. Analysis of the complete VP2 sequences of 32 strains identified new CPV-2a (CPV-2a with Ser297Ala in VP2) as the predominant CPV-2 on Nevis Island. Two nonsynonymous mutations, one rare (Asp373Asn) and the other uncommon (Ala262Thr), were observed in a few VP2 sequences. It was intriguing that new CPV-2a was associated with an outbreak of gastroenteritis on Nevis while found at low frequencies in sporadic cases of diarrhea on the neighboring island of St. Kitts. The nearly complete CPV-2 genomes (4 CPV-2 strains from St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN)) were reported for the first time from the Caribbean region. Eleven substitutions were found among the SKN genomes, which included nine synonymous substitutions, five of which have been rarely reported, and the two nonsynonymous substitutions. Phylogenetically, the SKN CPV-2 sequences formed a distinct cluster, with CPV-2b/USA/1998 strains constituting the nearest cluster. Our findings suggested that new CPV-2a is endemic in the region, with the potential to cause severe outbreaks, warranting further studies across the Caribbean Islands. Analysis of the SKN CPV-2 genomes corroborated the hypothesis that recurrent parallel evolution and reversion might play important roles in the evolution of CPV-2.

Background The authors' aim was to study the dynamics of oxidative stress in experimental exposure to silica dust, to evaluate the histopathological findings in the phase preceding the formation of fibrous/fibrohyaline pulmonary nodules, and to assess the effects of curcumin administration. Material and methods The research was performed on 48 male Wistar rats with an average weight of 320 g. Overall, 38 rats were instilled with a single dose of 0.3 ml suspension containing 30 mg of a SiO2/ml saline solution, and were sacrificed 30, 90 and 120 days after instillation; 14 of those sacrificed on days 90 and 120 also received curcumin. The control group included 10 animals which were instilled with a saline solution. Malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyl proteins (CPs), total thiolic proteins (TPs) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were determined in blood and the lung tissue. The standard technique for pulmonary toxicology developed by Porter was applied to semi-quantitatively assess the histopathological findings. Results It was found that MDA had increased significantly early on in both biological environments and remained elevated, and adding curcumin proved beneficial, while CPs only increased moderately in the lung tissue without a curcumin impact. Moreover, TPs dropped abruptly, significantly and persistently in the lung tissue and blood, and were not influenced by curcumin. Finally, GSH decreased significantly and intensely in the lung tissue and blood, with curcumin lowering the levels towards those found within the control group. The histopathological examination identified nodules of a cellular type, without any fibrosis, but with spots of associated lipoproteinosis. The early lesions in the airways and vessels were suggestive of a remodeling process. Curcumin diminished the occurrence of alveolitis but not the remodeling process. Conclusions The study confirms the early onset of oxidative stress in experimental silicosis. It also simultaneously and dynamically researches markers of oxidative stress in blood and the lung tissue. Curcumin proved beneficial on oxidative stress and lesions in the alveolar epithelia, but ineffective in preventing vascular and airway remodeling. Med Pr. 2021;72(3):239-47.

We identified multiple extraintestinal cystacanths during routine postmortem examination of 3 small Indian mongooses and 2 African green monkeys from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. In mongooses, cystacanths were encysted or free in the subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscle, or peritoneal or pericardial cavities, whereas in the monkeys, they were in the cavity and parietal layer of the, tunica vaginalis, skeletal muscle, and peritoneal cavity. Morphological, histological, and molecular characterization identified these cystacanths as Oncicola venezuelensis (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae). There was minimal to mild lymphoplasmacytic inflammation associated with the parasite in the mongooses and moderate inflammation, mineralization, hemorrhage, and fibrosis in the connective tissue between the testis and epididymis in 1 monkey. We identified a mature male O. venezuelensis attached in the aboral jejunum of a feral cat, confirming it as the definitive host. Termites serve as intermediate hosts and lizards as paratenic hosts. This report emphasizes the role of the small Indian mongoose and African green monkey as paratenic hosts for O. venezuelensis.

Standardization of tumor assessment lays the foundation for validation of grading systems, permits reproducibility of oncologic studies among investigators, and increases confidence in the significance of study results. Currently, there is minimal methodological standardization for assessing tumors in veterinary medicine, with few attempts to validate published protocols and grading schemes. The current article attempts to address these shortcomings by providing standard guidelines for tumor assessment parameters and protocols for evaluating specific tumor types. More detailed information is available in the Supplemental Files, the intention of which is 2-fold: publication as part of this commentary, but more importantly, these will be available as “living documents” on a website ( www.vetcancerprotocols.org ), which will be updated as new information is presented in the peer-reviewed literature. Our hope is that veterinary pathologists will agree that this initiative is needed, and will contribute to and utilize this information for routine diagnostic work and oncologic studies. Journal editors and reviewers can utilize checklists to ensure publications include sufficient detail and standardized methods of tumor assessment. To maintain the relevance of the guidelines and protocols, it is critical that the information is periodically updated and revised as new studies are published and validated with the intent of providing a repository of this information. Our hope is that this initiative (a continuation of efforts published in this journal in 2011) will facilitate collaboration and reproducibility between pathologists and institutions, increase case numbers, and strengthen clinical research findings, thus ensuring continued progress in veterinary oncologic pathology and improving patient care.

Equine arytenoid chondritis causes airway obstruction and abnormal upper airway noise due to a space-occupying lesion(s) and decreased abduction. Our objective was to compare clinical scores and ultrasonographic findings with gross and microscopic lesions of naturally occurring arytenoid chondritis, in order to guide surgical treatment. Seventeen naturally affected horses with advanced/severe chronic arytenoid chondritis and 4 control arytenoid cartilages were evaluated after partial arytenoidectomy. Cartilages were sectioned caudal to the corniculate process and the body of each arytenoid was measured. We assessed total gross area (TA), percentage of viable cartilage (VC), percentage of viable cartilage on the lateral wall, and medial expansion. Retrospectively, the gross lesions were used to suggest 2 preferred surgical management (SM) groups: those requiring partial arytenoidectomy and those amendable to focal medial resection (a conservative SM). TA of horses with arytenoid chondritis was significantly larger than controls ( P = .005), due to a layered lesion composed of cavitation, granulation tissue, fibrosis, inflammation, hemorrhage, and edema, with relatively equal medial and lateral expansion that distorted the geometry of the affected cartilage. The increased TA paralleled the presence of immature cartilage with disorganized primitive mesenchymal cells. TA and SM were positively correlated ( P = .01). All cases showed varying degrees of cartilage degeneration or necrosis, more severe medially; those appearing amenable to focal medial resection arytenoid group had significantly more viable cartilage on the lateral wall ( P = .02). The gross and histopathologic findings suggest a new surgical approach—focal medial resection—that may save the lateral wall of the arytenoid.

We report a case of cutaneous epithelioid hemangiosarcoma in a dog in which the majority of the neoplastic cells displayed histologic and ultrastructural features similar to those seen in granular cell tumors (GCTs). This intersection of hemangiosarcoma and granular cell change adds to the argument that GCTs are heterogeneous in histologic origin and underlines the fact that pathologists should not consider all GCTs as a single entity. The combination of histology in typical areas of the tumor with ultrastructural changes and the correct immunohistochemical markers can facilitate the accurate diagnosis of tumors with granular cell differentiation. Besides characteristic intracytoplasmic PAS-positive granules and ultrastructural proteinaceous accumulation within single membrane vesicles (presumably lysosomes and phagolysosomes), we suggest the following combination of markers for the diagnosis of granular cell angiosarcoma and/or hemangiosarcoma: vimentin positive, NSE and/or S100 negative, CD31 positive. We propose that the histologic granular appearance represents a metabolic defect of the neoplastic cells, which supports variability in cell origin for granular cell differentiation.

In our study we induced oral premalignant lesions using 4 nitro-quinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) topically applied on oral mucosa for 24 weeks. We detected an oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly increased (p[0.05) and an antioxidant/detoxifying activity marker, glutathione (GSH), significantly decreased (p[0.05) in the oral induced epithelial dysplasias. We appreciated that issue MDA and GSH could serve as diagnostic, screening and evaluation of response to therapy tools in oral premalignacy.

Objectives. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the role of sildenafil (an antagonist of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5)) and donepezil (a specific and reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (Ach)) in increasing ischemia-induced angiogenesis.Method. Critical limb ischemia was induced by ligation of the common femoral artery followed by ligation of the common iliac artery. The operated animals were divided into 3 groups: receiving sildenafil, receiving donepezil, and surgery alone; the contralateral lower limb was used as a negative control. The results were controlled based on clinical score and Doppler ultrasound. Gastrocnemius muscle samples were taken from all animals, both from the ischemic and nonischemic limb and were used for histopathological and immunohistochemical examination for the evaluation of the number of nuclei/field, endothelial cells (CD31), dividing cells (Ki-67), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFR-3).Results. An increasing tendency of the number of nuclei/field with time was observed both in the case of sildenafil and donepezil treatment. The formation of new capillaries (the angiogenesis process) was more strongly influenced by donepezil treatment compared to sildenafil or no treatment. This treatment significantly influenced the capillary/fiber ratio, which was increased compared to untreated ligated animals. Sildenafil treatment led to a gradual increase in the number of dividing cells, which was significantly compared to the negative control group and compared to the ligation control group. The same effect (increase in the number of Ki-67 positive cells) was more obvious in the case of donepezil treatment.Conclusion. Donepezil treatment has a better effect in ligation-induced ischemia compared to sildenafil, promoting angiogenesis in the first place, and also arteriogenesis.

We identified multiple extraintestinal cystacanths during routine postmortem examination of 3 small Indian mongooses and 2 African green monkeys from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. In mongooses, cystacanths were encysted or free in the subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscle, or peritoneal or pericardial cavities, whereas in the monkeys, they were in the cavity and parietal layer of the, tunica vaginalis, skeletal muscle, and peritoneal cavity. Morphological, histological, and molecular characterization identified these cystacanths as

Hereditary β-mannosidosis causing progressive lysosomal neuropathy and other clinical signs, has been previously described in humans, Nubian goats, and Salers cattle. Here we report the clinicopathological, metabolic, and molecular genetic features of canine beta-mannosidase (MANBA, EC 3.2.1.25) deficiency. A 1-year-old male mix-breed dog from St. Kitts was presented with progressive stumbling, weakness, and regurgitation. Vacuolated lymphocytes were observed on the blood film. Postmortem findings included marked enlargement of nerves, megaesophagus, and internal hydrocephalus. Vacuolated macrophages, neurons, and secretory epithelial cells suggested an oligosaccharide storage disease. Plasma concentration of the β-mannosidosis specific oligosaccharide was approximately 75 fold that of controls. The plasma beta-mannosidase activity was severely reduced to ~5% of controls; five other lysosomal acid hydrolase activities were increased or within their normal reference interval. Genomic sequencing of this dog's MANBA gene identified a homozygous exonic five bp tandem duplication in the penultimate exon of the MANBA gene (c.2377_2381dupTATCA) which results in a reading frame shift, altering the subsequent amino acid sequence and creating a premature stop codon. The truncated beta-mannosidase enzyme is expected to be dysfunctional. This enzyme deficiency causes the accumulation of un-degraded oligosaccharides in cells, which affect the myelination of the peripheral and central nervous systems. This insertion was not encountered in 121 and 80-screened samples from dogs on St. Kitts (all were homozygous for wild-type) and Philadelphia region (wild-type), respectively. In conclusion, canine β-mannosidosis has similar clinicopathological features with some human patients, but milder signs than in ruminants and more severe than in knockout mice. Hence, dogs with β-mannosidosis could become a valuable disease model for the human disease.

The biological activity of Cornus mas fruits (CM) on acute inflammation in relation to the in vitro antioxidant properties was investigated. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and by the 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzthiazino-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) test. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profile of CM extract revealed the presence of 10 main phenolic compounds. The anti-inflammatory effect of CM extract was evaluated by analysing the cytokine levels in the soft paw tissue of Wistar rats after inducing inflammation. CM extract showed potent in vitro antioxidant activity and also led to significant suppression of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-13 production in paw tissue, enhancing the production of IL-10. The histopathological investigation of paw and liver samples revealed that low dose of CM extract attenuated the initial acute inflammatory reaction while high dose inhibited the exudation of inflammatory cells to the inflammation site.

Melanoma, a cancer derived from melanocytes is very difficult to treat, especially in advanced cases. There are several encouraging studies of the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in melanoma. However, PDT has to overcome the main defense mechanisms like: defects in the apoptotic pathways, pigmentation, sequestration of the photosensitisers (PS) inside melanosomes and increased oxidative stress defense. Two meso-substituted porphyrins, meso-5,10,15,20-tetrakis (4-hydroxyphenyl) porphyrin (THOPP) and meso-5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-10, 15, 20-tris (4-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin (THOMPP) were used as PS to investigate several mechanisms underlining the PDT anti-melanoma effects, on a lightly pigmented melanoma cell line (WM35), in vitro. γH2AX foci formation (a measure of DNA double strand brakes) was used for the assessment of DNA damage by means of immune-fluorescence and western blot. Cytoskeleton alterations were detected by phalloidin staining. Tyrosinase activity and melanin pigment were quantified by spectrophotometry, tyrosinase protein by western blot, total peroxidase activity by resorurfin reaction (Amplex Red). PDT induced high levels of DNA damage, cytoskeleton alterations and enhanced pigmentogenesis. THOPP mediated PDT was the most efficient. The melanogenesis stimulated by PDT was directly correlated to the PDT induced cellular damage and provided no protection against therapy. Thus, PDT induced melanogenesis combined with severe DNA damage was able to overcome the mechanisms of resistance and increased the efficiency of PDT in WM35 melanoma cells. These results are encouraging for a possible use of PDT, as an adjuvant therapy in lightly pigmented melanomas.

Background: Hair loss and hair growth is the subject of tremendous amount of research. Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of three chemical treatments used in humans for hair loss, using a rat model of hair regrowth. The products tested were 2% minoxidil, Hairgrow (Dar-Al-Dawa Pharma), Aminexil, Dercos (Vichy Laboratoires), and Kerium, Anti-chute (La Roche-Posay). Methods: Thirty-two adult female Wistar-Bratislava rats were assigned to 4 groups. Two rectangular areas (2×4 cm) were shaved on either sides of the mid dorsal line (left side - control; right side - test area). Group I was treated topically with 2% minoxidil, group II with Aminexil, and group III with Kerium. Each rat received 0. 3 ml of substance applied topically to the shaved dorsal skin every day for 28 days. Rats in group IV served as sham controls receiving no treatment. Hair regrowth was evaluated by trichoscopy (with a dermatoscope), grown hair weight (from a surface area of 1 cm2), and histopathological examination for skin thickness, follicle count, and percentage of anagen induction (morphometric assessment). Results:Treatment with 2% minoxidil significantly induced hair regrowth as assessed by trichoscopy, hair weight examination, and morphometric evaluation. Hair weight examination and morphometric assessment demonstrated the lowest hair growth effect with Aminexil among the tested products. Treatment with Kerium was found to significantly induce hair regrowth (p＜0. 05 as compared to the control group). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that hair regrowth efficacy of products recommended for human use is not similar when tested on an animal model.

This study was performed to investigate the potential asymptomatic Leptospira reservoir status among African green monkeys (AGMs) in the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts, and whether there is any renal pathology associated with Leptospira exposure. Forty-eight percent of AGMs tested were positive for Leptospira antibodies by the microscopic agglutination test. Leptospira DNA was detected in 4% of kidney samples tested using a lipl32 gene based PCR. We observed minimal to severe microscopic renal lesions in 85% of the AGM kidneys evaluated. The majority of the AGMs (n = 26) had only minimal to mild interstitial nephritis and a few (n = 3) had moderate to severe lesions. The presence of interstitial nephritis was not significantly associated with Leptospira exposure. The presence of infected AGMs in a small surface limited geographic region may pose zoonotic threat to humans and animals. The impact of Leptospira infection in renal pathology in AGMs warrants further investigation. AGMs residing in a natural setting in an insular, surface limited Leptospira endemic geographic region may offer opportunities for comparative studies to advance the field of leptospirosis. Due to their similarity to humans, such studies in AGMs may also provide translational opportunities to advance Leptospira research.

The present study presents a green, cost efficient and easy synthesis method of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using an aqueous extract of Cornus sanguinea L. fruits (CS). The phytosynthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized using various analytical techniques such as UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, which confirmed the formation of AgNPs and FTIR spectroscopy, in order to certify the role of the biomolecules present in the fruit extract as reducing and capping agents of the AgNPs. The UV–Vis absorption spectrum showed a broad band at 407 nm characteristic for colloidal silver. Transmission electron microscopy was conducted to investigate the shape and size of the silver nanoparticles, revealing a spherical shape with an average particle size of 18 nm. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the fruit extract and green synthesized silver nanoparticles were assessed in vivo on experimental inflammation. The obtained results showed that CS and AgNPs reduced oxidative stress in parallel with increasing of antioxidant defense and diminished the COX-2 expressions. CS extract had a dual effect on NFkB activation depending on the time of testing while AgNPs increased NFkB phosphorylation at 48 h. These results suggested that both AgNPs and CS extract exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities but with a different dynamics of action.

The authors used microscopy and synchrotron-based small-angle X-ray scattering analysis (SAXS) to describe lesions macroscopically typical of tropical keratopathy (“Florida spots”) from 6 cats on St Kitts. Microscopically, there were varying degrees of epithelial hyperplasia and thinning of the cornea (by 4% to 18%) due to loss of corneal stroma associated with dense accumulations of collagen in the superficial stroma. The collagen fibrils in lesions were wider and had more variable diameters (39.5 ± 5.0 nm, mean ± SD) than in normal corneas (25.9 ± 3.6 nm; P < .01). There were occasional vacuoles (

Case summary A 6-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat presented with non-regenerative macrocytic anemia of 2 years’ duration and minimally ambulatory paraparesis. Neurologic examination suggested an upper motor neuron paresis or T3–L3 myelopathy. The cat was positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), neutropenic, had polyclonal gammopathy and was euthanized following a hemolytic crisis. At autopsy, multifocal bilateral dark red masses were observed subpleurally around the costochondral junctions, extradurally and paraspinally in the spinal canal, and paravertebrally, on the lateral and ventral subpleural surfaces of the T4–11 vertebrae. Histologic examination of the masses revealed extramedullary hematopoietic tissue composed primarily of erythroid precursors and megakaryocytes, with occasional myeloid precursors and blood-filled sinuses. Bone marrow findings supported ineffective granulopoiesis, and decreased erythropoiesis and megakaryopoiesis, with probable myelodysplasia as the underlying cause of the hematologic abnormalities. Relevance and novel information Thoracic, paraspinal and paravertebral extramedullary hematopoietis presenting as masses has not been described previously in cats with chronic anemia. This is a unique case of a thoracic–spinal–epidural extramedullary hematopoietic masses resulting in possible spinal cord compression and paraparesis in a cat.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T16:53:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-05-21 Five of the 13 known species of Mammomonogamus have been described in members of the family Felidae, including domestic cats, making felids the most frequent hosts of Mammomonogamus. The occurrence of Mammomonogamus in felids is geographically scattered and information on the life cycle and other aspects of infections is lacking. The paucity of data opens the questions on possible conspecificity of some of the described species of Mammomonogamus and on the existence of possible reservoirs for infections in domestic cats in geographically isolated endemic foci of infection. To test such hypotheses, we compared sequences of mitochondrial and nuclear markers obtained from Mammomonogamus adults or eggs collected from domestic cats in three geographically distant localities. Based on morphology, geographic origin and site of infection, the worms examined can be referred to as Mammomonogamus ierei and Mammomonogamus auris. Phylogenetic analyses of both mitochondrial and ribosomal DNA markers showed monophyly of the genus Mammomonogamus and suggested the existence of at least two species in cats. Review of the literature, the existence of several species and the discontinuous geographic distribution of Mammomonogamus infections in domestic cats suggest an historical spillover of infection from wild reservoirs, presumably wild felids. Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 61242, Brno, Czech Republic Central European Institute for Technology (CEITEC), University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65, Brno, Czech Republic Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert Einstein Allee 11, 89069, Ulm, Germany Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, Saint Kitts, West Indies Animal Island Paradise Hospital, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, USA Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias da Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) – Câmpus de Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castelane, S/N – Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal – SP, 14884-900, Brazil Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie, BP 7023–98719 Taravao, Tahiti, Polynésie Française Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) could be an adjuvant therapy in melanoma, an aggressive cancer that arises from melanocytes. Several reports showed encouraging results of the efficacy of PDT in melanoma on experimental models and in clinical trials. Therefore, we studied the efficacy of two derivatives of tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP): meso-5,10,15,20-tetrakis (4-hydroxyphenyl) porphyrin (THOPP) and meso-5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris (4-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin (THOMPP) as photosensitizers for PDT, compared to FDA approved delta aminolevulinic acid (ALA) against a lightly pigmented, melanoma cell line, WM35, in vitro. Both porphyrins were more efficient as photosensitizers, compared to ALA, without dark toxicity. The efficiency depended on the intracellular localization and the molecule structure. THOPP, the most efficient porphyrin localized mainly in mitochondria, while THOMPP accumulated in lysosomes; both showed melanosomal localization. The symmetric THOPP molecule was able to generate increased oxidative stress damage and apoptosis. THOPP also induced a low effect on the defense mechanisms like antioxidant enzyme SOD (superoxide dismutase), NF-kB (nuclear transcription factor kB) activation and MITF (microphthalmia transcription factor). The lower efficiency of the asymmetric molecule, THOMPP was probably due to a diminished photoactivation, which led to a lower ROS induced damage, combined with higher activation of the defense mechanisms.

Finding appropriate experimental designs and analysis methods in order to gain insight into the mechanisms of efficiency and toxicity of nanomaterials is a major focus in today’s research in nanomedicine. In this paper, we demonstrate the ability of scanning confocal Raman spectroscopy to emphasize the molecular changes in terms of inflammation resolution after administration of a single dose of metal nanoparticles functionalized with natural extracts, in experimental inflammation. Five experimental groups of Wistar rats were used, treated with one dose of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs–CM), one dose of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs–CM), Cornus mas (CM) extract, and vehicle, before intraplantar injection of 100 μL 1% carrageenan, and one group of untreated animals. The paw tissues were harvested and used for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and evaluation of the metal content 4 and 24 hours after the induction of inflammation and, after 24 hours, Raman spectroscopy, histopathology and prostaglandin (PG) E2 level assessment were performed. TEM revealed varying degrees of alterations in dermo-epidermal junctions and capillaries, especially in tissues treated with AgNPs–CM and vehicle, in parallel with the increase in PGE2 levels. Besides ultrastructural changes highlighted by TEM, meaningful information about the molecular changes is provided by multivariate Raman spectral images. Indeed, thorough Raman spectral analysis shows that AuNPs–CM and CM restored the normal composition of unsaturated fatty acids while the specimens treated with AgNPs–CM were dominated by the protein component. Our results suggest that the Raman spectral analysis has real potential to be used in tandem with standard methods for monitoring the subtle molecular effects induced by the administration of nanoparticles.

In view of the relatively recent introduction of the chinchilla as an experimental model in human neurological research, there rises a need for a precise knowledge of the anatomy and structure of the different segments composing this species’ encephalon. Our study aimed to enrich the current data pool, by providing a macroscopical and histogical description of the chinchilla's cerebellum. 10 samples were harvested from commercially slaughtered young adults of both sexes. 5 samples were macroscopically examined and 5 samples were serially cut and stained (both Hematoxylin-Eosin and a modified Luxol-Cresyl protocol). The external features and the structure of the cerebellum were assessed and compared to literature data on other similar species (such as the rat and the rabbit). The macroscopic examination revealed that the chinchilla's cerebellum is well developed in size (average width of 2 cm) relative to the size of the encephalon (average width of 2.4 cm). The cerebellar hemispheres are globulous, with a prominent paraflocculus and the vermis is very thick. The ratio between these segments resembles that of the rabbit's. Histological samples revealed that the cerebellar cortex presents the main layers common for cerebellar cytoarchitectonics. The segmentation of the vermis is similar to that o the rat, but there are variations in lobular size, lobular orientation and placement of the primary and secondary fissures. Our results indicate that, although the structure of the chinchilla's cerebellum generally complies to rodent literature descriptions, experiments demanding stereotaxic location of lobules and foliae cannot completely rely on the existing neuroanatomic maps of other species (such as the rat), benefiting from the present description.

International audience; Equines in the West Indies are used for recreational purposes, tourism industry, racing and agriculture or can be found in feral populations. Little is known in the Caribbean basin about the prevalence of some major equine infectious diseases, some with zoonotic potential, listed as reportable by the OIE. Our objective was to study the prevalence of antibodies for West Nile Virus (WNV), Equine Herpes Virus-1 and 4 (EHV-1 and EHV-4), Equine Influenza (EI), Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) and Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV) using a retrospective serological convenience study. We used 180 equine serum samples, 140 from horses and 40 from donkeys in St. Kitts, Nevis, and Sint Eustatius, collected between 2006 and 2015 that were tested with ELISA kits and virus neutralization (for WNV and EVA). Combining ELISA with virus neutralization testing, 25 (13.8%) equine sera were WNV positive (a mixture of indigenous and imported equines) and 3 sera (1.6%) showed doubtful results. For EHV-1, 41 equines (23.7%), mean age 6.7 years, were seropositive. For EHV-4, 138 equines were found seropositive (82.8%), mean age 6.3 years. For El, 49 equines (27.2%), mean age 7.5 years, were seropositive on ELISA, some previously vaccinated horses. No antibodies against EAV were found on virus neutralization testing, although one animal (0.6%), was EAV positive on ELISA. All samples were EIAV negative. The seroprevalence for EHV-1 and EHV-4 is similar to other parts of the world. For the first time in the study location serologic evidence of antibodies against WNV and EI is reported. This was found in both indigenous and imported animals, highlighting the need for developing proper surveillance plans based on complementary methods of virus detection. Further studies will be needed to define the prevalence, rates of transmission, characterize local virus strains, and study their impact on these populations.

The aim of our study was to assess the effect of the combined treatment of Metformin (Metf) and 5, 10, 15, 20-tetra-sulfophenyl-porphyrin (TSPP)–mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) on an in vivo tumour model. Wistar male rats were divided in 6 groups: group 1, treated with TSPP; groups 2 and 4 treated with TSPP and Metf, respectively, and irradiated 24 h thereafter; group 3 was treated with Metf and the last two groups received the combined treatment, Metf administered prior (group 5) or after (group 6) irradiation. 72 h from the start of the treatment, tumour tissue was sampled for the investigation of oxidative and nitrosative stress. The apoptotic rate, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expressions and matrix metalloproteinases activities were also quantified. Malondialdehyde and glutathione levels were significantly elevated in the groups treated with combined therapy (p < 0.05). Metf associated with TSPP–PDT reduced iNOS and COX-2 expressions and enhanced nitrotyrosine levels in both therapeutic regimens. Peroxynitrate formation and its cytotoxic effect on tumour cells were related to an elevated index of apoptosis and necrosis. Moreover, MMP-2 activity reached a minimum in the groups which received combined therapy. Our results confirmed that the association of Metf with PDT might prove a new and promising oncological approach.

The aim of this study was to identify 58 Candida sp. strains isolated from animals using the Chromatic Candida test, the API 20 C AUX system, and polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The Chromatic Candida test was able to identify only C. albicans and C. krusei. The API 20 C AUX system and PCR-RFLP had similar specificity for the identification of Candida strains. In case of both methods, Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species - 22 (37.93%) strains, followed by Candida krusei - 17 (29.31%) strains, Candida famata - 10 (17.24%) strains, Candida parapsilosis - five (8.62%) strains, and Candida kefyr - four (6.89%) strains. PCR-RFLP represents a reliable, quick and relatively inexpensive genotyping method, recommended for rapid identification of Candida spp.

We aimed at investigating the antioxidant, antiinflamatory, antiapoptotic and antigenotoxic effects of a Romanian Propolis (RP) extract in two concentrations (RP1 3 mg, respectively RP2 1.5 mg polyphenols/cm(2)), topically administered, either prior to or after UVB exposure, in a Swiss mouse model. Our results showed that both concentrations of RP extract, independent of the time of administration, significantly attenuated the malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and restored glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. However, the 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy-guanosine (8-oxo-dG), nitric oxide (NO) and glutathione (GSH) levels were not influenced by UVB exposure and RP treatment. Interleukin (IL)-6 levels were significantly decreased by RP treatment, both before and after UVB-exposure. RP2 extract, in both regimens, significantly reduced the epidermal hyperplasia and dermal inflammation, whereas RP1 pre-treatment diminished only the dermal inflammation. The effect of our RP extract in terms of reduction of sunburn cell formation and of activated caspase-3 and TUNEL-positive cells was observed in both subsets of the experiment, RP2 having a slightly better protective effect as compared to RP1. The antigenotoxic effect of RP was demonstrated by significantly reduced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) formation. Our results suggest that RP extract might be a potential chemopreventive candidate by modulation of multiple UVB-induced signaling pathways in skin.

Molecular mechanisms concerning the modulation of nitrosative stress, signal transduction and proliferation/apoptosis by a grape seed extract, Burgund Mare variety (BM), in SKH-1 mice exposed to UVB, were investigated. The animals were irradiated with single and multiple doses of UVB in 10 consecutive days. In each experiment were used five groups of animals: control, vehicle, UVB irradiated, vehicle+UVB, BM+UVB. The extract was applied topically, 30 min before each UVB exposure, in a dose of 4 mg total polyphenols/cm(2). BM remarkably inhibited UVB-induced activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and therefore generation of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrotyrosine, in a UVB single dose regimen. BM also suppressed NF-kB activation by UVB but did not affect the activity of total ERK 1/2. In multiple UVB irradiations, BM increased NO formation and total ERK 1/2 activity and reduced iNOS activity and nitrotyrosine levels, inhibited cell proliferation, diminished p53 and caspase-3 immunoreactivities and increased the percentage of Bcl-2 positive cells. We concluded that BM modulates the apoptotic response of SKH-1 mice skin in UVB irradiation by the inhibition of p53, caspase-3, Bax/Bcl-2 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expressions, as well as by reducing the activation of iNOS and NF-kB.

Background In veterinary medicine congenital abnormalities of the diaphragm and pericardium are rare, idiopathic malformations, being reported mainly in dogs. This report documents an unusual case of developmental defects in a foal consisting of diaphragmatic hernia concurrent with pericardial aplasia. Case presentation Following a normal delivery, a full term, female Friesian stillborn foal with the placenta was presented for necropsy. External morphological examination indicated a normally developed foal. At necropsy, a large oval defect (approximately 20 × 15 cm in size) was observed in the left-dorsal side of the diaphragm (left lumbocostal triangle). This defect allowed the intestinal loops, spleen and partially the liver to translocate into the thorax. The loops of the left ascending colon, including the pelvic flexure and partially the small intestine covered the cranial and dorsal posterior parts of the heart due to the complete absence of the left pericardium. The remaining pericardium presented as a white, semi-transparent strip, partially covering the right side of the heart. The left lung and the main bronchus were severely hypoplastic to approximately one-fifth the size of their right homologue. The intermediate part of the liver, containing mainly the enlarged quadrate lobe was translocated in the thorax, severely enlarged and showed marked fibrosis. Histologically in the herniated lobes we diagnosed hepatic chronic passive congestion, telangiectasia and medial hypertrophy of blood vessels. Conclusion Concomitant malformation involving diaphragmatic hernia and pericardial aplasia in horses have not been previously reported. Moreover, this is the first case describing pericardial aplasia in horse.