Skvamocelularni karcinom oka u goveda: prikaz slučajeva u okolici grada Caltagirone u Italiji.

Twelve cases of ocular squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are reported in the bovine red-pied breed (Simmental), kept in a farm in south Sicily. Lesions showed different clinical aspects (caulifl ower-shape masses and/or papilloma-like growths), protruding through the palpebral fissure, and placed at the level of the nictitating membrane or the sclera-conjunctival junction, or by a cutaneous swelling with a central crateriform area and ulcerations on the periorbital region, involving also the eyelids. Histopathological examination revealed a dermic neoplastic growth characterized by the proliferation of invasive squamous cells arranged with a pseudocord appearance. The possible relationships were analysed between the high prevalence of the condition and the poorly pigmented skin of this breed, the farming system employed and the exposure of the animals to ultraviolet radiation. Finally, issues related to animal welfare are also considered.Prikazano je 12 slučajeva skvamocelularnog karcinoma u goveda simentalske pasmine držanih na jednoj farmi na jugu Sicilije. Oštećenja su se klinički očitovala u obliku cvjetače i/ili rasta nalik na papilom, izbočujući se kroz naprslinu na vjeđi sa smještajem u području treće vjeđe ili na spoju bjeloočnice i spojnice, ili oteklinom kože sa središnjim uvrnućem i ulceracijama u periorbitalnom području zahvaćajući i vjeđe. Patohistološkom pretragom ustanovljena je kožna novotvorina koja se očitovala proliferacijom invazivnih skvamoznih užolikih stanica. Analizirani su mogući odnosi između visoke prevalencije karcinoma te slabe pigmentiranosti kože simentalske pasmine, načina držanja i izloženosti goveda ultraljubičastom zračenju. Razmatrani su i neki čimbenici dobrobiti životinja

Buying a Dog with Pulmonary Stenosis: some medico-legal considerations

Pulmonic stenosis (PS) is a malformation of pulmonary valve, involving the right ventricular outflow tract or the pulmonary artery. German shepherd, Bulldog, Labrador retriever, Collie and Boxer are breeds predisposed. Clinical signs are aspecific and include stunting, exercise intolerance, dyspnoea, syncope and ascites. Often PS may determine audible cardiac murmur and when audible is a high frequency, crescendo-decrescendo murmur during systole, loudest over the left side of the thorax, near the sternal cardiac border. The veterinarian should be able to assess PS such as heart defects because they may be object of legal disputes. In this study, the Authors report some cases of PS in dogs to clarify whether or not it may be considered a redhibitory defect

The galectin-3/RAGE dyad modulates vascular osteogenesis in atherosclerosis

Vascular calcification correlates with inflammation and plaque instability in a dual manner, depending on the spotty/granular (micro) or sheet-like/lamellated (macro) pattern of calcification. Modified lipoproteins trigger both inflammation and calcification via receptors for advanced lipoxidation/glycation endproducts (ALEs/AGEs). This study compared the roles of galectin-3 and receptor for AGEs (RAGE), two ALEs/AGEs-receptors with diverging effects on inflammation and bone metabolism, in the process of vascular calcification. We evaluated galectin-3 and RAGE expression/localization in 62 human carotid plaques and its relation to calcification pattern, plaque phenotype, and markers of inflammation and vascular osteogenesis; and the effect of galectin-3 ablation and/or exposure to an ALE/AGE on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) osteogenic differentiation. While RAGE co-localized with inflammatory cells in unstable regions with microcalcification, galectin-3 was expressed also by VSMCs, especially in macrocalcified areas, where it co-localized with alkaline phosphatase. Expression of galectin-3 and osteogenic markers was higher in macrocalcified plaques, whereas the opposite occurred for RAGE and inflammatory markers. Galectin-3-deficient VSMCs exhibited defective osteogenic differentiation, as shown by altered expression of osteogenic transcription factors and proteins, blunted activation of pro-osteoblastogenic Wnt/β-catenin signalling and proliferation, enhanced apoptosis, and disorganized mineralization. These abnormalities were associated with RAGE up-regulation, but were only in part prevented by RAGE silencing, and were partially mimicked or exacerbated by treatment with an AGE/ALE. These data indicate a novel molecular mechanism by which galectin-3 and RAGE modulate in divergent ways, not only inflammation, but also vascular osteogenesis, by modulating Wnt/β-catenin signalling, and independently of ALEs/AGEs

Corneal dystrophy in a cocker spaniel dog: a case report

A 1-year-old female Cocker Spaniel dog was examined at the ophthalmology service of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital - University of Messina (Italy) for evaluation of symmetrical white spots in both corneas and “red eyes”. Dog was clinically healthy, haematological and biochemical examination were unremarkable, Leishmania PCR was negative. After a complete ophthalmic examination, the clinical diagnosis was corneal stromal dystrophy with uveitis-induced. In dogs, corneal stromal dystrophy is a primary, inherited, bilateral opacity of the corneanot associated with ocular inflammation or systemic disease. Detailed description of corneal dystrophy are available only for few breeds. This lesion is not progressive and treatment is not usually recommended unless vision is impaired or the deposits become irritating

Clinical significance of roms, oxy, shp and hmgb‐1 in canine leishmaniosis

This study aimed to investigate the role of oxidative stress parameters (ROMs, OXY, SHp), the Oxidative Stress index (OSi), and High Mobility Group Box-1 protein (HMGB-1) in canine leishmaniosis (CanL). For this study, thirty dogs, naturally infected with Leishmania spp. (Leishmania Group, LEISH) and ten healthy adult dogs (control group, CTR) were included. The diagnosis of CanL was performed by a cytological examination of lymph nodes, real time polymerase chain reaction on biological tissues (lymph nodes and whole blood), and an immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) for the detection of anti-Leishmania antibodies associated with clinical signs such as dermatitis, lymphadenopathy, onychogryphosis, weight loss, cachexia, lameness, conjunctivitis, epistaxis, and hepatosplenomegaly. The HMGB-1 and oxidative stress parameters of the LEISH Group were compared with the values recorded in the CTR group (Mann Whitney Test, p < 0.05). Spearman rank correlation was applied to evaluate the correlation between the HMGB-1, oxidative stress biomarkers, hematological and biochemical parameters in the LEISH Group. Results showed statistically significant higher values of SHp in the LEISH Group. Specific correlation between the ROMs and the number of red blood cells, and between HGMB-1 and SHp were recorded. These preliminary data may suggest the potential role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of CanL. Further studies are undoubtedly required to evaluate the direct correlation between inflammation parameters with the different stages of CanL. Similarly, further research should investigate the role of ROMs in the onset of anemia

COVID-19 pneumonia and pulmonary microembolism in a patient with B-thalassemia major

We think that thalassemia is not necessarily a cause of aggravation of the clinical course in COVID-19; however, certain key factors must be considered, such as the anemic condition, the likely pathogenic role of the virus on hemoglobin, and the hypercoagulable state to prevent any complications

Seroprevalencija virusa hepatitisa E u krava s ruralnih područja južne Italije

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is considered to be an emerging zoonotic disease, which causes numerous cases of hepatitis and deaths worldwide each year. Pigs are a host reservoir of HEV, but numerous other wild and domestic species can be infected. The aim of this study was to carry out serological screening of anti-HEV antibodies in cattle in the Sicily region (Southern Italy). Between April and December 2018, 231 serum samples were collected from cows and analysed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), for detection of HEV antibodies (IgG). The overall prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies was 36.36% (84/231; 95% CI 30-43). There were statistically significant differences in the HEV seroprevalence in animals of different ages (12 months: 39.30%; >24 months: 54.10%) (P0.05). This study shows that further investigation of HEV in cattle is required to understand better the epidemiology in farm animals and the potential zoonotic risks for humans. This is the first report of HEV seroprevalence for cows in Italy, which provides baseline data for further studies and for control of HEV infection in cattle.Virus hepatitisa E (HEV) smatra se emergentnom zoonozom koja uzrokuje brojne slučajeve hepatitisa i uginuća širom svijeta svake godine. Svinja je rezervoar HEV-a, no mogu se zaraziti i brojne druge divlje i domaće vrste. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je provesti serološki probir anti-HEV protutijela u goveda na Siciliji (južna Italija). Od travnja do prosinca 2018. prikupljen je ukupno 231 uzorak seruma krava i analiziran testom ELISA za detekciju protutijela na HEV (IgG). Prevalencija anti-HEV protutijela bila je 36,36 % (84/231; 95 % CI 30 – 43). Pronađena je statistički znakovita razlika (P 12 mjeseci: 39,30 %; > 24 mjeseci: 54,10 %). Nije zabilježena statistički znakovita razlika (P> 0,05) s obzirom na spol (31,37 % u mužjaka i 37,38 % u ženki). Rezultati ukazuju na potrebu daljnjih istraživanja HEV-a u goveda kako bi se bolje razumjela epidemiologija u farmskih životinja i potencijalan zoonotski rizik za ljude. Ovo je prvo izvješće o seroprevalenciji HEV-a u krava u Italiji, kojim se pružaju referentni podaci za daljnja istraživanja i kontrolu infekcije HEV-om u goveda

Critical analysis of the value of the rabbit median nerve model for biomedical research on peripheral nerve grafts.

The rabbit has been proposed to represent an animal model that allows studying peripheral nerve regeneration across extended gap lengths. We describe here our experiences with the rabbit median nerve model and the obstacles it comes along with. This short communication is meant to inform the community and to prevent other researcher from investing time and animal lives in a model with low translational power

Retrograde Positive Contrast Urethrocystography of the Fish Urogenital System

The radiological differences between the urinary tract of  Dicentrarchus labrax, Sparus aurata, Tinca tinca, and Cyprinus carpio are shown. In fresh water teleosts the urinary bladder is sigmoid and a short urethra leads to the urinary pore. Genital and anal pores are present. In Sparus aurata the urinary bladder has a globoid shape. In Dicentrarchus labrax the urinary bladder is smaller and elongate. In both marine teleosts a single urogenital pore is visible. Positive contrast was used to survey the urogenital system and evaluate shape and size of the bladder, urethra, ureter, and gonadal ducts. Results demonstrate the morphological variability of the urinary bladder and the craniodorsal entry of the ureters into the bladder. It is envisaged that this work will provide baseline information for further imaging studies for investigating the urogenital morphology and can be applied to identify disorders in fishes. Furthermore, the main interest of this study is that it demonstrates the morphological variability of the lower urinary system that exists between different species of fishes