Coinage Metal Compounds With 4-Methoxy-Diphenylphosphane Benzoate Ligand Inhibit Female Cancer Cell Growth

In the continuous effort to find new metal-based compounds as alternatives to platinum related anticancer drugs, 11th group metal phosphane compounds have been thoroughly considered. Tris-arylphosphane metal derivatives have been extensively considered heteroleptic metal compounds exhibiting remarkable cytotoxic activities. Functional groups in the aryl moieties modulate the activity reinforcing or eliminating it. Previous works have highlighted that the presence of hydrophilic groups in the phosphane ligands, such as COOH or OH, hampers the anticancer activity of gold azolate/PPh3 compounds. To increase the polarity of the triarylphosphane ligand without affecting the activity, we considered the preparation of esters starting from the 4-diphenylphosphanebenzoic acid. The resulting phosphanes are poorer donators than the PPh3, leading to poly-phosphane M(I) compounds, and they exhibit intense emissive properties. A homologous series of L3MX-type compounds (where M = Au and X = Cl, M = Cu and X = BF4, and M = Ag and X = PF6) were obtained with the 4-methoxy-diphenylphosphane benzoate. The homologous metal compounds have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods and, remarkably, their formation was associated with high frequencies of 31P NMR chemical shift variations (5–35 ppm in CDCl3). The new complexes and the ligand were evaluated on sensitive and cisplatin-resistant human tumor cell lines. The ligand is ineffective on cells while the complexes exert a notable antiproliferative effect. The homologous series of the L3MX complexes were able to significantly reduce the cell viability of human triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDAMB- 231), representing the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, and of ovarian carcinoma (A2780). Among these coinage metal compounds, L3AgPF6 results the most interesting, showing the lowest GI50 values in all cell lines. Interestingly, this silver complex is more cytotoxic than cisplatin, taken as a reference drug. The investigation of the mechanism of action of L3AgPF6 in A2780 cells highlighted the induction of the apoptotic pathway, the depolarization of the mitochondrial inner membrane, and a significant accumulation in cells

Frequency of Blood Types A, B and AB in a Population of Non-Pedigree Domestic Cats from Central Italy

Blood transfusion reactions and neonatal isoerythrolysis are common events in the feline population due to the presence of natural alloantibodies in the AB blood group system. It is known that the frequency of feline blood types varies according to the geographic region and breed. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate the frequency of AB blood groups in non-pedigree domestic cats in Central Italy and estimate the risk of a life-threatening transfusion reaction and neonatal isoerythrolysis, caused by mismatched transfusion or incompatible random mating, respectively. The AB blood group was determined on non-pedigree domestic feline patients and potential blood donors submitted at the Veterinary Teaching Hospitals of the Universities of Teramo (Abruzzo Region, Teramo, Italy) and Perugia (Umbria Region, Teramo, Italy), and visited at veterinary practitioners in Rome (Lazio Region, Teramo, Italy) using commercial immunochromatographic cartridges and commercial agglutination cards. There were four hundred and eighty-three cats included in the study. The frequencies of the blood types were: 89.9% type A, 7.0% type B, and 3.1% type AB. The probability of an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction or a neonatal isoerythrolysis was 6.5%. Although the frequency of type B in non-pedigree domestic cats living in Central Italy was relatively low, to reduce the risk of fatal transfusion reactions, blood group typing is recommended before each transfusion

Invasive pleural malignant mesothelioma with rib destruction and concurrent osteosarcoma in a dog

A 7-year-old Dachshund was clinically examined because of a 10-day history of lameness in the left hind limb. On the basis of radiological and cytological findings, an osteosarcoma of the left acetabular region was suspected. The dog underwent a hemipelvectomy and osteosarcoma was diagnosed by subsequent histopathological examination. An immovable subcutaneous mass was noted on the left chest wall during the physical examination and non-septic neutrophilic inflammation was diagnosed by cytology. Forty days later, the dog showed signs of respiratory distress with an in-diameter increase of the subcutaneous mass up to 4 cm. Thoracic radiography and ultrasonography revealed pleural effusion and a lytic process in the fourth left rib. Furthermore, ultrasound examination revealed a mixed echogenic mobile structure with a diameter of around 2 cm floating within the pleural fluid of the left hemithorax close to the pericardium. The dog underwent surgery for an en bloc resection of the subcutaneous mass together with the fourth rib and the parietal pleura. Moreover, the left altered lung lobe, corresponding to the mobile structure detected by ultrasound, was removed. Based on cytological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical examinations, an invasive epithelioid pleural malignant mesothelioma was diagnosed

Early Renal Involvement in Cats with Natural Feline Morbillivirus Infection

Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) is a newly discovered paramyxovirus infecting domestic cats and its role in the pathogenesis of feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been suggested, however not confirmed. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the renal damage associated with FeMV infection in cats. In this retrospective study, clinical and clinicopathological data were compared among 14 FeMV naturally infected, 21 CKD and 22 healthy cats. FeMV positive cats had serum chemistry analytes and main urine chemistry results similar to the healthy subjects. FeMV positive cats had significantly decreased urine specific gravity (median 1054, range 1022-1065) and urine creatinine (median 227.23 mg/dL, range 83.02-489.75) when compared with healthy cats (median 1067, range 1040-1080, P < 0.001; median 406.50 mg/dL, range 195.32-575.58; P < 0.001, respectively). Urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC) results of FeMV and CKD were not different (median 0.20, range 0.08-1.03; median 0.23, range 0.10-0.80, respectively), however UPC results were significantly increased in both groups, if compared with healthy cats (median 0.1, range 0.04-0.250, P < 0.01). Based on clinical data, serum creatinine concentration, urine specific gravity and UPC results, CKD was suspected by clinicians in 3/14 FeMV cats. Urine protein sodium-dodecyl-sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in 10/13 (77%) FeMV cats indicated a tubular pattern, with a decrease of uromodulin and an increase in the number and intensity of low molecular weight proteins. FeMV infection can be associated with different grades of renal dysfunction ranging from mild tubular proteinuria with less concentrated urine to azotemia in cats younger than those typically affected by CKD

Evaluation of Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Findings in Cats With Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in Comparison to Cats With Feline Bronchial Disease

The cat lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is a cause of lower respiratory tract disease worldwide. Bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are important tools for diagnosing respiratory diseases in cats. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the usefulness of bronchoscopy and BAL in the diagnosis of A. abstrusus. Findings from bronchoscopic examination and BAL of 24 naturally infected cats were evaluated and compared with those of 12 cats with idiopathic Feline Bronchial Diseases (FBDs). Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney or Fisher's exact tests. No significant bronchoscopic differences were detected between cats with aelurostrongylosis and FBDs in bronchial mucus, nodular lesions, and airway collapse. On the other hand, airway hyperemia, epithelial irregularities, and bronchial stenosis were observed more frequently in cats affected by FBDs than aelurostrongylosis, while bronchiectasis was found only in cats infected by A. abstrusus. Neutrophilic, eosinophilic, lymphocytic, and mixed inflammation were recorded in both groups. Bacteria or bacterial DNA was identified regardless of the presence or absence of A. abstrusus with no significant differences between groups. Larvae of A. abstrusus were cytologically detected in 5 of the 24 cats (20.8%) with aelurostrongylosis. These results indicate that, although some findings on bronchoscopic examination (i.e., bronchiectasis) can be described more frequently in cats infected by A. abstrusus, bronchial alterations and cytological findings in aelurostrongylosis are not specific unless larvae are observed and overlap with those of other feline airway diseases

CMR T2* Technique for Segmental and Global Quantification of Myocardial Iron: Multicentre Transferability and Healthcare Impact Evaluation

The multislice multiecho T2* technique is transferable among scanners with good reproducibility. The network seems to be a robust and scalable system in which T2* CMR based cardiac iron overload assessment is available, accessible and reachable for a significant and increasing number of thalassemia patients, reducing the mean distance from the patients\u27 locations to the CMR sites

Determining the pH in canine urine: comparing visual and automated reading variability of urine dipstick analysis within a small animal teaching hospital

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is present in approximately 70-80% of dogs with left-sided congestive heart failure (L-CHF) and contributes to clinical signs and outcome. Anecdotal evidence suggests that PH in cats with L-CHF is much less frequent. However, data on the prevalence of PH in cats with L-CHF is not available. This study addresses the general hypothesis that PH secondary to L-CHF is uncommon in cats and that echocardiographic findings in cats with PH are different compared to dogs. This retrospective observational study included 56 healthy cats and 131 cats with L-CHF imaged between 2004 and 2016 at the Ohio State University, Veterinary Medical Center. Key diagnostic variables included tricuspid regurgitation (TR) peak velocity, right atrial (RA) size, right ventricular (RV) size and function, RV wall thickness, pulmonary artery (PA) size, Doppler-derived systolic time intervals of PA flow (STIs), presence of septal flattening, and variables characterizing left atrial size and left ventricular size and function. PH was identified if TR peak velocity was >2.7 m/s (estimated systolic PA pressure >35 mmHg). Parametric and non-parametric statistical test procedures were used to compare normal cats to cats with L-CHF, and cats with and without PH. Tricuspid regurgitation was present in 57/131 (44%) of cats with L-CHF. Pulmonary hypertension was present in 22/131 of cats with L-CHF (17%). In 15/22 cases PH was associated with cardiomyopathy, in 5/22 cases with congenital heart disease, and in 2/22 cases to other causes. All cats with PH (22/22, 100%) had subjectively-assessed right-sided enlargement, with larger RA and RV diameters (P21.5 mm; Sensitivity [Sn] 0.82, Specificity [Sp] 0.42) and RV ventricular diameter (>7.8 mm; Sn 0.91, Sp 0.64) had the most accurate cutoff to predict PH compared to other variables. Method reproducibility (measurement variability) was good, with most coefficients of variation <15%. Compared to dogs, PH is not a common finding in cats with L-CHF. Right-sided enlargement is the main finding in cats with PH, and right-heart dimensions should be used to suspect PH if TR is absent or difficult to measure. Further studies are needed to identify reasons and mechanisms for the obvious differences between dogs and cats

CARATTERIZZAZIONE DEL MICROBIOTA ORALE E DI BIOPSIE DI TESSUTO VALVOLARE PATOLOGICO IN UN CAMPIONE DI PAZIENTI PARODONTALI E NON PARODONTALI

Aim. To assess the prevalence of periodontal disease among patients presenting severe heart valve impairment and requiring coronary by-pass surgery. To investigate the presence of periodontal pathogens in cardiovascular specimens and to analyse the relationship between oral and cardiovascular patterns of the microorganisms detected. Materials and Methods. An observational study was conducted at the Cardiovascular Surgery Division, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy. The Ethical approval was previously obtained in order to enroll subjects referring to the Hospital for heart valves replacement and coronary bypass surgery. Patients were scheduled to be visited by a dentist, together with a dental hygienist, the day before the surgery: periodontal conditions were accurately registered through clinical and radiographic examinations and dental plaque or salivary samples were collected. Cardiovascular specimens were collected during surgical heart valve replacement for the scheduled microbiological 16 rRNA gene sequencing. Plaque samples and cardiovascular specimens were analyzed according to periodontal status. A qualitative comparison between oral and cardiovascular profiles of the microorganisms detected was also performed. Results. 26 patients (15 men and 11 women) attended the study. The overall number of patients examined for the conditions of soft tissues were 19, as 7 patients were edentulous and reported to had lost dentition for history of periodontal disease. 46.15% and 11.54% individuals respectively presented moderate periodontitis and severe periodontitis. A statistically significant difference (p=0.04) was found for PPD between healthy patients, patients with moderate periodontitis and patients with severe periodontitis. Regarding plaque samples and cardiovascular specimens, no statistically significant differences were found in both cases between healthy patients, patients with moderate periodontitis, patients with severe periodontitis and edentulous patients. Nine valves were found to be positive at the presence of oral and periodontophatic bacterial DNA. The principal species detected were Streptococcus periodonticum, Streptococcus mutans, Fusobacterium nucleatum-periodonticum, Aggregatibacter segnis and Porphyromonas pasteri. Conclusions. The significant number of oral and periodontopathic bacterial DNA species found in valve tissue samples, in patients with periodontitis, suggests that the presence of these microrganisms in valve tissue seems to be not coincidental, and that they may have a role in the development of vascular diseases