Applicazione della classificazione National Health Service Breast Screening Pathology (NHSBSP) nella comparazione cito-istologica dei tumori mammari della cagna = NHSBSP classification use in the correlation of canine mammary tumour cytology and histopathology

Canine mammary tumours (CMT) are the most common neoplasia in bitches. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a fast and inexpensive technique well-tolerated by animals. Few reports have shown how difficult cytological diagnosis of CMT is and how difficult benign or malignant tumours are to classify using FNAC. Cytological diagnosis has often been inconclusive in veterinary pathology. In the diagnosis of human breast cancer, FNAC efficacy is beyond doubt due to its high specificity. In this preliminary study, our aim is to evaluate the efficacy of NHSBSP classification, applied to CMT. Secondly, we wish to test the usefulness of H&H stain in FNAC for CMT diagnosis. 75 FNAC specimens, from 41 dogs with mammary tumours were examined. 72/75 underwent the NHSBSP classification Histological examination of the tumours was performed in each case for comparison purposes. All the CMTs fell under the five categories: C1 (3 cases), C2 (7 cases), C3 (38 cases), C4 (15 cases), C5 (9 cases). As regards H&H staining in our view it was more efficacious than M.G.G. staining in distinguishing morphological cell details. Our results showed that the NHSBSP classification gave a 94.4% correspondence level between cytological and histological findings

Education and training among Italian postgraduate medical schools in public health: a comparative analysis

Analisi comparativa dei percorsi formativi offerti dalle Scuole di specializzazione di Igiene e Medicina Preventiva in Italia Background: Il percorso formativo dello specialista in Igiene e Medicina Preventiva dovrebbe garantire adeguate conoscenze tecnico-scientifiche e professionali nei campi della medicina preventiva, della promozione della salute e della programmazione dei servizi sanitari secondo quanto indicato anche dal DM 285/2005. La Consulta degli Specializzandi, da sempre coinvolta in attività di monitoraggio della formazione a livello nazionale, si prefigge l’obiettivo di valutare l’omogeneità delle proposte formative tra le diverse sedi italiane, non solo per segnalare le criticità, ma anche per evidenziarne le opportunità. Metodi: Lo studio, di tipo cross-sectional, è stato condotto mediante la somministrazione di un questionario semi-strutturato inviato per la compilazione ai rappresentanti delle 32 le Scuole di Igiene e Medicina Preventiva italiane. Lo strumento di valutazione è costituito da quattro sezioni: informazioni generali, attività formativa universitaria, attività formativa extra-universitaria, attività formativa intersettoriale. L’indagine è stata svolta nel periodo tra marzo e maggio 2013 ed è stata prodotta un’analisi descrittiva dei dati ottenuti. Risultati: Il questionario è stato compilato da 28 Scuole su 32 (tasso di risposta 88%), distribuite su tutto il territorio nazionale. Il numero di medici in formazione varia tra 7 e 31 e il rapporto tra docenti del settore scientifico-disciplinare di interesse e i discenti è compreso tra 0,2 e 2. Per quanto riguarda la didattica, solo in 4 Scuole si effettuano tutti i corsi previsti dal DM. La maggior parte delle sedi svolge almeno il 75% dei corsi previsti, ma esistono sedi in cui il numero di corsi è inferiore al 50%. La maggior parte delle Scuole svolge più del 60% delle attività professionalizzanti essenziali secondo il decreto, ma 2 Scuole non arrivano al 50%. Tutte le Scuole prevedono un tirocinio di 6-12 mesi in ASL, affiancando principalmente attività del Dipartimento di Prevenzione. Ovunque è previsto un periodo in Direzione Medica Ospedaliera, mentre le Strutture Riabilitative rientrano raramente nella rete formativa. Nella maggioranza delle Scuole è possibile frequentare aziende con rischio biologico oppure seguire simili attività nei Servizi dedicati della ASL. Molte Scuole, infine, consentono di frequentare diverse strutture territoriali (Agenzia di Controllo delle Acque), regionali (Assessorati) o nazionali (Ministero, Istituto Superiore di Sanità); in alcuni casi si tratta di Università gemellate e Istituti di Ricerca. Conclusioni: Nonostante il DM 285/2005 indichi quali siano le fondamenta della sanità pubblica, la flessibilità nella scelta formativa è vista come requisito essenziale per ottimizzare le risorse e contestualizzare l’adeguata formazione del medico in formazione specialistica in Igiene e Medicina Preventiva. La maggior parte delle Scuole di Specializzazione italiane dovrebbe però prevedere lo svolgimento della quasi totalità delle attività formative previste, al fine di non creare disuguaglianze formative tra gli specializzandi. Infine, considerato che la sanità pubblica è una disciplina in continuo divenire, il DM del 2005 andrebbe rivisitato tenendo in considerazione la flessibilità della formazione ed i continui cambiamenti dei bisogni di salute essenziali della popolazione. Inoltre, nel processo di rivisitazione dei bisogni formativi dei medici in formazione specialistica, dovrebbero essere coinvolti anche i discenti al fine di rafforzare il potere e l’efficacia dell’insegnamento.Background The postgraduate medical Schools in Public Health (locally known as School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine) should ensure adequate scientific and technical knowledge and professional skills in preventive medicine, health promotion and healthcare planning as provided by Ministerial Decree 285/2005. The Italian Committee of Medical Residents in Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Public Health and Preventive Medicine - S.It.I. (Consulta Nazionale dei medici in formazione specialistica S.It.I.) has always been engaged in monitoring activities on public health teaching, guaranteeing the homogeneity of educational proposals among all national Schools in Public Health. The purpose of this study is to provide a 'snapshot' of public health education and training in Italy and to identify the improvement actions needed for implementing an innovative and homogeneous public health training. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out over a period of three months (March to May 2013). A self-administered questionnaire was e-mailed to local Committee’s delegates of all 32 postgraduate medical Schools in Public Health in Italy. The questionnaire was structured in four sections: general information, University education and training, extra-University training, interdisciplinary activities. The majority of local Committee’s delegates have agreed to be enrolled in the survey. Results: A total of 28 questionnaires were returned (88% response rate). The number of residents in each Italian School in Public Health ranged from 7 to 31. The distribution of professors in relation to residents is not similar for each University Schools. The ratio professors/residents spanning from 0.2 to 2. About teaching, only 4 University Schools offered all courses requested by Ministerial Decree 285/2005. Most of them offered at least 75% of the requested courses, but there were Schools in which the courses were less than 50%. The vast majority of schools held more than 60% of the qualifying activities considered essential according to the Decree, while 2 Schools were below 50%. All Schools required an internship of 6-12 months in local health authority offices (ASL), mainly concerning the Department of Prevention activities. In all Schools a period of stay in a Hospital Medical Direction was scheduled, while professional activities at Residential care homes were very rarely included in training programmes. Many Schools allowed residents to attend companies with biological hazard or to follow similar activities in dedicated services of ASL. Finally, in the majority of Schools, a training period in various local (Service for Water Control), regional (Departments) or national (Ministry, National Institute of Health) health facilities was contemplated and, in some cases, also in other Universities or Research Institutes. Conclusions: Although the Ministerial Decree indicates the essential milestones of the public health education, flexibility is seen as an important element in order to optimize resources and contextualize the adequate education of residents. In any case, at least regarding public health courses, the majority of University education and extra-University training activities should be carried out by all Schools. In order to obtain shared knowledge and skills, the Ministerial Decree should be revised taking into account flexibility and changing as intrinsic characteristics of public health profession and learners should be involved in the reform to strengthening the role of public health teachin

Spontaneous mammary intraepithelial lesions in dogs: a model for breast cancer

Noninvasive mammary intraepithelial lesions (IELs) in humans are detected with increasing frequency because of routine mammographic screening. The presence of IELs may herald increased risk of developing invasive breast carcinoma in women. An animal model is needed to study breast cancer and spontaneous IELS. This study describes the histologic and immunohistochemical similarity between human and canine IELs

Prima segnalazione di un caso di tumore misto mulleriano dell’ovaio in un cane = First report of canine malignant mixed mullerian tumor of the ovary

Adenocarcinoma is the most represented histotype of primary ovarian neoplasms in aged bitch. In woman, adenocarcinomas are quite common, whereas mixed forms as carcinosarcomas, or malignant mixed mullerian tumors [MMMTs] are rarely reported. The aim of the present study is to describe light and immunohistochemical findings of canine heterologous ovarian MMMT

Mycobacterium chelonae associated with tumor-like skin and oral masses in farmed Russian sturgeons (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)

Peer reviewe

<i>Mycobacterium chelonae</i> associated with tumor-like skin and oral masses in farmed Russian sturgeons (<i>Acipenser gueldenstaedtii</i>)

Background: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria responsible for piscine mycobacteriosis usually produce visceral granulomas in both freshwater and marine species. In this study, the first occurrence of Mycobacterium chelonae associated with tumor-like lesions in the Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) is reported. Fifteen sturgeons from an Italian fish farm showing skin and oral cauliflower-like masses were investigated by histopathology, bacterial culture and molecular analyses. Results: A total of 20 masses different in size located in the mouth and in pectoral and caudal fins (characterized by abundant calcium deposits and by mild to moderate granulomatous inflammation) were observed with a significant different degree of histological severity. All internal organs of the fish were negative for mycobacteria, Ziehl-Neelsen was positive in only one of the oral masses, whereas bacterial and PCR analyses detected the presence of M. chelonae for almost all the skin and oral masses. Based on these results, a calcinosis of dystrophic origin associated with a chronic granulomatous inflammation was considered as a primary diagnosis consequent to tissue injury in areas susceptible to trauma. Conclusions: We hypothesized that the occurrence of M. chelonae in farmed sturgeons was only a secondary event related to its presence in a stressful rearing environment and subsequent to a dystrophic calcinosis occurred in previously damaged tissues

Un Caso di linfoma a grandi linfociti granulosi (LGL) in un cavallo: caratterizzazione istochimica ed immunofenotipica = Large granular lymphoma (LGL) in a horse: histochemical and immunophenotype characterization

The aim of this study is to confirm lymphoma diagnosis, characterize the neoplasia immunophenotype and observe cell typologies by histochemical staining

Metodi di screening, conferma e separazione enantiomerica di nuovi designer drugs amfetamino-simili

Amphetamine designer drugs are central nervous system stimulants widely diffused worldwide in illegal markets. Their identification is often difficult, because of the high structural variety of new compounds. Monitoring of drugs of abuse in biological fluids is successfully used for clinical and forensic applications.In this work a method for identify and quantify 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-isopropylamphetamine (MDIP), 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-cyclopropylmethylamphetamine (MDCPM), 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-benzylamphetamine (MDBZ) and 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (MDE) in urine, and a method for identify and quantify 4-bromo-2,5,beta-trimethoxyphenethylamine (BOB), 4-methyl-2,5,beta-trimethoxyphenethylamine (BOD), 3,4-methylenedioxy-beta-methoxyphenethylamine (BOH) and 4-methyl-2,5-dimethoxy-beta-hydroxyphenethylamine (BOHD) in plasma are described.In addition, the cross-reactivity profiles of 41 new amphetamines to 6 commonly used screening tests for urine and oral fluid are reported.Furthermore an easy-to-prepare chiral CE method for the enantiomeric separation of 13 new amphetamine-like designer drugs using cyclodextrins as chiral selectors has been developed

Metodi di screening, conferma e separazione enantiomerica di nuovi designer drugs amfetamino-simili

Amphetamine designer drugs are central nervous system stimulants widely diffused worldwide in illegal markets. Their identification is often difficult, because of the high structural variety of new compounds. Monitoring of drugs of abuse in biological fluids is successfully used for clinical and forensic applications. In this work a method for identify and quantify 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-isopropylamphetamine (MDIP), 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-cyclopropylmethylamphetamine (MDCPM), 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-benzylamphetamine (MDBZ) and 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (MDE) in urine, and a method for identify and quantify 4-bromo-2,5,beta-trimethoxyphenethylamine (BOB), 4-methyl-2,5,beta-trimethoxyphenethylamine (BOD), 3,4-methylenedioxy-beta-methoxyphenethylamine (BOH) and 4-methyl-2,5-dimethoxy-beta-hydroxyphenethylamine (BOHD) in plasma are described. In addition, the cross-reactivity profiles of 41 new amphetamines to 6 commonly used screening tests for urine and oral fluid are reported. Furthermore an easy-to-prepare chiral CE method for the enantiomeric separation of 13 new amphetamine-like designer drugs using cyclodextrins as chiral selectors has been developed.</br

Identificazione di nuovi marcatori tumorali nelle neoplasie mammarie del cane: applicazione di tecnologie molecolari innovative

Canine mammary tumors (CMT) are the most common neoplasms in female dogs and the discovery of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic markers is essential for improving the disease outcomes and the animal welfare. The aims of this study were to investigate the role of the Receptor tyrosine-kinase ErbB-2 (HER2) and to discover new potential tumor markers in CMT using innovative proteomic approaches. HER2 protein and RNA expressions were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) with an antibody extensively used in veterinary medicine and by real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) as well as by Western Immunoblotting (WB) and Reverse-Phase Protein Arrays (RPPA). An orthogonal validation of HER2 protein expression was carried out using high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS). A diffuse cytoplasmic staining related to antibody lack of specificity was observed by IHC and further confirmed by WB. No differences between benign and malignant neoplasms were noted at mRNA level and the MS technique failed to detect HER2 peptides in the CMT. These results indicate a minor role of HER2 in CMT. Further, 40 proteins were found to be differentially expressed in normal mammary gland and in CMT by MS. Proteins related to glucose and to mitochondrial function as Transketolase, Transketolase like 1, and Prohibitin 2 were also investigate by IHC. The differences observed in hyperplasic and neoplastic lesions compared to normal mammary gland suggest these proteins as new potential markers for CMT