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

Effect of rearing system (free-range vs cage) on gut and muscle histomorphology and microbial loads of Italian White breed rabbits

Objective The growing consumers’ interest on animal welfare has raised the request of products obtained by alternative rearing systems. The present study was conducted to assess the influence of housing system on gut and muscle morphology and on microbial load in rabbits reared under free-range (FR) and cage system (CS). Methods A total of forty weaned (35 days of age) male Italian White breed rabbits were allotted according to the rearing system, and at 91 days of age were randomly selected and slaughtered for the morphological evaluation of tissue from duodenum and longissimus lumborum. Morphometric analysis of the villus height, villus width, crypt depth, villus height/crypt depth ratio, and villus surface was performed. The microbial loads on hind muscle was determined by total mesophilic aerobic count (TMAC), Escherichia coli and Enterobacteriaceae; whereas, total anaerobic bacteria count (TABC) and TMAC, E. coli and Enterobacteriaceae was determined on caecal content. Results Rearing system did not interfere with the duodenum and muscle histomorphology in both rabbit groups. Similarly, microbial load of caecal content showed no significant differences on the TABC and TMAC. Conversely, significant difference was found for E. coli strains in caecal content, with the lower counts in FR compared to CS rabbits (p<0.01). Microbiological assay of muscle revealed significant lower TMAC in FR vs CS rabbits (p< 0.05). All rabbit meat samples were negative for E. Coli and Enterobacteriaceae. Conclusion Free-range could be considered a possible alternative and sustainable rearing system in rabbits to preserve gut environment and muscle quality

Consequences of SUR2[A478V] mutation in skeletal muscle of murine model of Cantu syndrome

(1) Background: Cantu syndrome (CS) arises from gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in th

Consequences of SUR2[A478V] mutation in skeletal muscle of murine model of Cantu syndrome

(1) Background: Cantu syndrome (CS) arises from gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in th

Microvascular Density, Endothelial Area, and Ki-67 Proliferative Index Correlate Each Other in Cat Post-Injection Fibrosarcoma

Soft tissue sarcomas are a large group of different tumor types both in humans and in animals. Among them, fibrosarcoma is the most frequent malignant mesenchymal tumoral form in cats, representing up to 28% of all cat skin tumors, while human fibrosarcoma, fortunately, only represents 5% of all sarcomas and 0.025% of the world-wide burden of tumors. This low incidence in humans leads to consideration of this group of tumoral diseases as rare, so therapeutic options are few due to the difficulty of starting clinical trials. In this context, the identification of research models for fibrosarcomas could be of great interest to deepen knowledge in this field and recognize new or possible biological pathways involved in tumor progression and metastasis. Angiogenesis is considered a fundamental scattering cause of tumor aggressiveness and progression in all forms of cancer, but only a few research parameters were developed and reported to express them quantitatively and qualitatively. The role in angiogenesis of microenvironmental stromal cells, such as fibroblasts, lymphocytes, mast cells, and macrophages, was largely demonstrated since this topic was first approached, while quantification of new vessels and their blood capacity in tumoral area is a relatively recent approach that could be well developed thanks to expertise in immunohistochemistry and image analysis. In this paper, a crossing study evaluating microvascular density (MVD), endothelial area (EA), and Ki-67 proliferative index was reported for a series of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 99 cat patients, affected by cat post-injection fibrosarcoma, by using a till ×400 magnification light microscopy. We aim to demonstrate that cat pets may be considered a useful animal model for better studying the correspondent human diseases and we report, for the first time to our knowledge, experimental data in terms of correlation among MVD, EA, and Ki-67 strictly involved in aggressiveness and tumoral progression

ATP Sensitive Potassium Channels in the Skeletal Muscle Function: Involvement of the KCNJ11(Kir6.2) Gene in the Determination of Mechanical Warner Bratzer Shear Force

The ATP-sensitive K-channels (KATP) are distributed in the tissues coupling metabolism with K ions efflux. KATP subunits are encoded by KCNJ8 (Kir6.1), KCNJ11 (Kir6.2), ABCC8 (SUR1), and ABCC9 (SUR2) genes, alternative RNA splicing give rise to SUR variants that confer distinct physiological properties on the channel. An high expression/activity of the sarco-KATP channel is observed in various rat fast-twitch muscles, characterized by elevated muscle strength, while a low expression/activity is observed in the slow twitch muscles characterized by reduced strength and frailty. Down-regulation of the KATP subunits of fast-twitch fibers is found in conditions characterized by weakness and frailty. KCNJ11 gene knockout mice have reduced glycogen, lean phenotype, lower body fat, and weakness. KATP channel is also a sensor of muscle atrophy. The KCNJ11 gene is located on BTA15, close to a QTL for meat tenderness, it has also a role in glycogen storage, a key mechanism of the postmortem transformation of muscle into meat. The role of KCNJ11 gene in muscle function may underlie an effect of KCNJ11 genotypes on meat tenderness, as recently reported. The fiber phenotype and genotype are important in livestock production science. Quantitative traits including meat production and quality are influenced both by environment and genes. Molecular markers can play an important role in the genetic improvement of animals through breeding strategies. Many factors influence the muscle Warner-Bratzler shear force including breed, age, feeding, the biochemical, and functional parameters. The role of KCNJ11gene and related genes on muscle tenderness will be discussed in the present review

Immunohistochemical, pharmacovigilance, and omics analyses reveal the involvement of ATP-sensitive K+ channel subunits in cancers: role in drug–disease interactions

Background: ATP-sensitive-K+ channels (KATP) are involved in diseases, but their role in cancer is poorly described. Pituitary macroadenoma has been observed in Cantu’ syndrome (C.S.), which is associated with the gain-of-function mutations of the ABCC9 and KCNJ8 genes. We tested the role of the ABCC8/Sur1, ABCC9/Sur2A/B, KCNJ11/Kir6.2, and KCNJ8/Kir6.1 genes experimentally in a minoxidil-induced renal tumor in male rats and in the female canine breast cancer, a spontaneous animal model of disease, and in the pharmacovigilance and omics databases.Methods: We performed biopsies from renal tissues of male rats (N = 5) following a sub-chronic high dosing topical administration of minoxidil (0.777–77.7 mg/kg/day) and from breast tissues of female dogs for diagnosis (N = 23) that were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Pharmacovigilance and omics data were extracted from EudraVigilance and omics databases, respectively.Results: An elevated immunohistochemical reactivity to Sur2A-mAb was detected in the cytosol of the Ki67+/G3 cells other than in the surface membrane in the minoxidil-induced renal tumor and the breast tumor samples. KCNJ11, KCNJ8, and ABCC9 genes are upregulated in cancers but ABCC8 is downregulated. The Kir6.2-Sur2A/B-channel opener minoxidil showed 23 case reports of breast cancer and one case of ovarian cancer in line with omics data reporting, respectively, and the negative and positive prognostic roles of the ABCC9 gene in these cancers. Sulfonylureas and glinides blocking the pancreatic Kir6.2-Sur1 subunits showed a higher risk for pancreatic cancer in line with the positive prognostic role of the ABCC8 gene but low risks for common cancers. Glibenclamide, repaglinide, and glimepiride show a lower cancer risk within the KATP channel blockers. The Kir6.2-Sur1 opener diazoxide shows no cancer reactions.Conclusion: An elevated expression of the Sur2A subunit was found in proliferating cells in two animal models of cancer. Immunohistochemistry/omics/pharmacovigilance data reveal the role of the Kir6.1/2-Sur2A/B subunits as a drug target in breast/renal cancers and in C.S

Effect of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) seed powder on growth, carcass traits, blood parameters, immune system and selected ileal microorganisms of broilers

Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) is a plant species belong to Anacardiaceous family that is worldwide diffused. The sumac seed power (SSP), produced by grinding dried fruits, is recognized to have defensive and beneficial effects on numerous health‑related problems. In this study, SSP was included in broilers basal‑diet to investigate the comparative effects of different levels of SSP on performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters, immune system and ileal microorganisms. A total of 225, one day‑old male broilers (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to the five dietary treatments with three replicates per treatment. The experimental diets were: basal‑diet (BD); and BD including 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20% SSP, respectively. During the whole feeding period (42 days), birds fed corn‑based grower (1‑21 days) and finisher (22‑42 days) diets, respectively. Results indicated that supplementing SSP had no effect on broiler body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion as well as carcass characteristics (P > 0.05). Similarly, blood total protein, albumin, glucose and triglyceride were not influenced by dietary SSP. Conversely, serum total cholesterol and LDL‑cholesterol levels were decreased, while HDL‑cholesterol increased in all SSP fed groups compared to control (P < 0.05). In this study the addition of SSP in broilers diets did not show any effect on blood heterophils and lymphocyte. Moreover, the lactobacillus count remained unaffected by dietary treatments, while E. coli count in broiler ileal content was lower when fed 0.10% SSP than the other groups (P < 0.05). Thus, the present findings indicated a positive effect of feeding SSP (especially at 0.10% diet) on blood cholesterol levels and E. coli count in broiler chickens

Progressive right ventricular dysfunction and exercise impairment in patients with heart failure and diabetes mellitus: insights from the T.O.S.CA. Registry

Findings from the T.O.S.CA. Registry recently reported that patients with concomitant chronic heart failure (CHF) and impairment of insulin axis (either insulin resistance-IR or diabetes mellitus-T2D) display increased morbidity and mortality. However, little information is available on the relative impact of IR and T2D on cardiac structure and function, cardiopulmonary performance, and their longitudinal changes in CHF