Gold nanoparticles approach to detect chondroitin sulphate and hyaluronic acid urothelial coating

This study investigated the location of hyaluronic acid (HA)-and chondroitin sulphate (CS)-coated gold nanoparticles in rabbit bladder and evaluated gene expression of CD44, RHAMM and ICAM-1 receptors involved in HA and CS transport into the cell. Gold nanoparticles were synthesised by reduction of gold salts with HA or CS to form HA-AuNPs and CS-AuNPs. Bladder samples were incubated with CS-AuNPs and HA-AuNPs or without glycosaminoglycans. Transmission electron microscopy, optic microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the location of the synthesised AuNPs. Real-time PCR was used to analyse expression of urothelial cell receptors CD44, RHAMM, ICAM-1, after ex vivo administration of CS-AuNPs and HA-AuNPs. We showed that HA-AuNPs and CS-AuNPs were located in the cytoplasm and tight junctions of urothelial umbrella cells; this appearance was absent in untreated bladders. There were no significant differences in gene expression levels for CD44, RHAMM and ICAM-1 receptors in treated versus control bladder tissues. In conclusion, we clearly showed the presence of exogenous GAGs in the bladder surface and the tight junctions between umbrella cells, which is important in the regeneration pathway of the urothelium. The GAGs-AuNPs offer a promising approach to understanding the biophysical properties and imaging of urothelial tissue

Gammaherpesvirus infections in equids: a review

Maria Luisa Marenzoni,1 Valentina Stefanetti,1 Maria Luisa Danzetta,1 Peter Joseph Timoney21Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy; 2Department of Veterinary Science, Maxwell H Gluck Equine Research Center, Lexington, KY, USAAbstract: Although the first equine gammaherpesvirus was identified over 50 years ago, the isolation and characterization of other members of this virus group has been relatively recent. Even so, numerous clinical syndromes have been identified in equid species in association with these viruses. Equid gammaherpesviruses are a genetically heterogeneous viral subfamily, the function of which in host immune modulation and disease pathogenesis has not yet been elucidated. While they share similarities with gammaherpesviruses in humans, the role they play in their relationship with the host is the subject of continued interest and research. Their widespread presence in horses and other equid species provides a considerable challenge in linking them with particular clinical and pathological conditions and in defining their significance from a diagnostic and therapeutic viewpoint. The present review provides an update on the taxonomy, epidemiology, and clinical syndromes, especially respiratory, reported in association with gammaherpesvirus infection in horses, donkeys, and other equid species.Keywords: equid gammaherpesviruses, horses, donkeys, other equid species, equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosi

Umbilical infections in foals: microbiological investigation and management

This study aims to investigate the bacteria involved in equine omphalitis and their susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs, and consequently to provide guidelines concerning the most suitable treatment protocol in accordance with the clinical, ultrasound and laboratory findings. Forty foals aged between one and 30 days were evaluated in the course of this investigation. An ultrasound examination of all umbilical remnants was carried out carefully in all foals; umbilical swabs were collected for bacteriological examination, and blood samples were collected for blood culture from 19 foals with fever and abnormal blood values. Bacterial omphalitis was observed in 95 per cent of foals and bacterial septicaemia was diagnosed in 11 cases. Enterobacteria and coccoid Gram-positive bacteria were isolated more frequently than Serratia marcescens, Pantoea agglomerans and Trueperella pyogenes. Omphalectomy was performed in 77.5 per cent of the foals examined; the remainder were treated only medically with antimicrobial drugs as recommended by antibiotic susceptibility testing performed for all bacteria isolated. Antibiotic therapy was successful in all foals that only received medical treatment; nevertheless, omphalectomy was performed in most cases particularly in situations of clinical decline despite antibiotic therapy and when involvement of umbilical vein, fever and joint disorders were observed

Ricerca di Coxiella burnetii tramite metodi biomolecolari in allevamenti ovini da latte del territorio umbro: studio pilota

Coxiella burnetii è un batterio intracellulare obbligato, agente della zoonosi chiamata febbre Q. Il suo rilevamento e l’epidemiologia dell’infezione in una determinata area risultano fondamentali per stimare il rischio di infezione. I ruminanti in genere sono considerati un’importante fonte del germe e in particolare si ritiene che le pecore siano responsabili della sua diffusione per mezzo di prodotti del parto, muco vaginale, latte e feci. C. burnetii è inoltre considerato un agente potenzialmente trasmissibile tramite gli alimenti e, poiché il latte ovino viene utilizzato per ottenere prodotti lattiero-caseari anche a latte crudo, senza trattamento termico e a breve stagionatura, tale via potrebbe essere una causa di trasmissione dell’infezione all’uomo. Campioni di latte di massa e pool fecali sono stati prelevati da 15 allevamenti, siti nel territorio umbro e selezionati in maniera casuale. Sono stati inoltre registrati i processi utilizzati dalle aziende per la lavorazione del latte allo scopo di determinare la presenza di un potenziale rischio di trasmissione dell’infezione all’uomo. Due aziende sono risultate positive sia dal latte di massa che dal pool fecale, mentre una terza azienda ha manifestato positività solo nel latte di massa. Le altre erano tutte negative. Considerando i risultati ottenuti, la prevalenza stimata nel campione latte era pari al 20,0% (Intervallo di Confidenza, IC, 95%: 8,6-38,6), mentre nelle feci era pari al 13,3% (IC 95%: 4,3-30,0) delle aziende esaminate. I risultati hanno mostrato la circolazione di C. burnetii nelle aziende ovine umbre. Associando a questo dato la registrazione dei vari metodi di trattamento del latte impiegati da ciascuna azienda, ognuna di esse potrebbe presentare un diverso potenziale rischio di trasmissione dell’infezione in base al processo di lavorazione del latte utilizzato. Studi più ampi saranno necessari per meglio stimare la prevalenza dell’infezione nel territorio e categorizzare le aziende in base al rischio

Pd-l1/pd-1 and ctla-4 expression in equine penile squamous cell carcinomas

In horses, penile squamous cell carcinomas (epSCCs) are among the most common cutaneous neoplastic lesions. These tumors usually arise in benign lesions such as viral plaques and papillomas frequently induced by Equus caballus papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) infection. In the last decade, the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) for the treatment of human cancers has demonstrated promising results. Among the most commonly targeted pathways, there is PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and CTLA-4 in the tumor microenvironment of epSCCs to assess the feasibility of an immunotherapeutic approach. Twenty equine epithelial tumors were retrospectively selected and submitted to RT-qPCR for PD-1 and PD-L1 genes. After testing antibodies cross-reactivity by western blotting, immunohistochemistry for PD-L1 and CTLA-4 was performed. Results from RT-qPCR demonstrated that 3/20 cases expressed the PD-L1 gene, whereas the PD-1 gene was not detected. Immunohistochemical positivity for PD-L1 was found only in one case. CTLA-4-positive cells were observe in all cases but were few (Mdn = 4.8; IQR = 2.3–7.1 cells/HPF). In this study group, PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 do not appear to be highly expressed and therefore the use of ICI in epSCCs may not have promising rates of response

RECIST 1.1 criteria predict recurrence-free survival in advanced ovarian cancer submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Objective: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus interval debulking surgery is growing treatment strategy for advanced ovarian cancer patients with unresectable disease. Here, we aimed to assess predictors of surgical unresectability and survival of patients submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus interval debulking surgery. Methods: Data of consecutive 193 patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus interval debulking surgery were retrospectively evaluated in four Italian oncologic centers. RECIST 1.1 guidelines were used to assess response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Survival outcomes were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard models. Results: Overall, 155 (80.3%) and 38 (19.7%) patients had optimal and non-optimal cytoreduction at the time of interval debulking surgery. Via multivariate analysis, age (OR: 2.87 (95%CI: 1.29, 6.36) per 10-year increase) and radiological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (OR: 48.1 (95%CI: 6.33, 365.3)) impact on the inability to perform a complete cytoreduction. Patients having complete or partial response experienced a significant better disease-free survival than patients having stable or progressive disease at radiological examination (median disease-free survival 16.8 vs. 11.0 months; HR: 0.42 (95%CI: 0.09, 0.78); p = .001). Radiological response did not predict for overall survival (p = .719). Conclusions: RECIST1.1 response criteria might be helpful to predict surgical resectability and disease-free survival of advanced stage ovarian cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus interval debulking surgery