Perioperative desmopressin prolongs survival in surgically treated bitches with mammary gland tumours: a pilot study

Desmopressin (1-deamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin, also known as DDAVP) is a safe haemostatic compound capable of inhibiting lymph node and lung metastasis in a mouse model of mammary tumour manipulation and surgical excision. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy and safety of perioperative DDAVP (1microg/kg) in surgically treated bitches with mammary gland tumours (MGT). Twenty-one, otherwise healthy, intact bitches, with malignant MGT stage III or IV were randomly allocated to DDAVP (n=11) or placebo (n=10) groups. En bloc mastectomy of the affected gland/s was performed. DDAVP had a significant beneficial effect on disease-free period (P<0.01) and overall survival time (P<0.05). No side effects were seen in any of the cases. Whatever the mechanism of action, it seems that DDAVP may have a novel use in cancer surgery to minimise spread or survival of residual malignant cells. Additional, large scale controlled trials are required to fully evaluate this adjuvant pharmacological protocol.     

日粮添加葡萄渣提取物对湖羊外周血液LH、T、E2浓度的影响

为探讨日粮添加葡萄渣提取物对湖羊生殖相关激素促黄体素(LH)、睾酮(T)和雌二醇(E2)分泌的影响。选择24只体重(22.74±0.23) kg相近的3月龄湖羊公羔,随机分为3组,每组8只。对照组饲喂含有4%亚麻籽油的基础日粮,T₁和T₂组日粮分别添加0.36%和0.72%葡萄渣提取物。试验预饲期7 d,过渡期14 d,正式期60 d。结果表明:1)添加葡萄渣提取物对宰前活重影响不显著(P>0.05);2)与对照组相比,初情期前湖羊日粮添加亚麻籽油同时添加0.36%葡萄渣提取物对睾丸重量、睾丸体积、睾丸指数和附睾重量影响不显著(P>0.05),添加0.72%的葡萄渣提取物可显著提高睾丸重量[(233.02±32.67) g vs. (347.82±31.82) g,P<0.05]、睾丸体积[(255.50±40.55) mL vs. (365.63±32.41) mL,P<0.05]、睾丸指数[(0.61±0.10) vs. (0.92±0.09), P<0.05]和附睾重量[(45.53±4.00) g vs. (54.38±4.03) g,P=0.088],且T₁[(182.76±8.26) μm]、T₂[(220.25±6.69) μm]组睾丸曲细精管直径显著高于对照组[(160.02±7.55) μm,P<0.05];3)与对照组相比较,T₂组睾丸组织中促黄体素受体(LHR)、类固醇激素合成急性调节蛋白(StAR)基因表达显著上调(P<0.05),芳香化酶CYP19A1基因表达下调(P<0.05);4)T₂组外周血液T浓度显著高于对照组[(803.22±145.74) pg·mL^-1 vs. (575.09±57.58) pg·mL^-1, P<0.05],但是LH浓度下降[(0.05±0.01) IU·L^-1 vs. (0.11±0.03) IU·L^-1, P<0.05],T₁组各激素浓度与对照组相比,差异不显著(P>0.05)。综上所述,在本试验条件下,初情期前湖羊公羔日粮添加0.72%的葡萄渣提取物有利于羔羊睾丸和附睾发育。     

Alteration of somatostatin receptor 2 expression in canine mammary gland tumor

Somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) is a negative regulator of cell proliferation in human breast cancer. Since there is little information about SSTR2 in canine mammary gland tumor (MGT), we clarified its distribution and expression level in normal mammary gland, benign MGT and malignant MGT. SSTR2 expression determined by immunohistochemical staining was observed in the cytoplasm of luminal epithelial cells. The intensity was negatively correlated with malignancy: normal tissues and some of the benign tumors had the highest levels, while the malignant tumors had little or no SSTR2 expression. As for the Western blotting, SSTR2 protein level in benign tumors was significantly lower than the normal mammary gland. On the other hand, SSTR2 protein levels in two of three malignant tumors were higher than the other groups. These results suggest that SSTR2 expression alters according to the malignancy of canine MGT.     

Clinical significance of circulating vascular endothelial growth factor in dogs with mammary gland tumors

Increase in circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is suggested as a prognostic indicator in human patients with malignant tumors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of circulating VEGF in dogs with mammary gland tumors (MGT). Both plasma and serum VEGF were significantly higher in dogs with MGT when compared with those in the healthy dogs. In dogs with MGT, the plasma and serum VEGF of the malignant group increased significantly compared with those of the benign group. Additionally, there was a significant difference between the plasma and serum VEGF in the groups with postoperative metastasis and no metastasis. Circulating VEGF is expected to be clinically available for the determination of prognosis in canine MGT.     

Relationship between NF-κB expression and malignancy of canine mammary gland tumor tissues

In this study, the nuclear expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in 48 tissues specimens from 25 canine spontaneous mammary gland tumor (MGT) patients was assessed by immunohistochemistry to compare their levels with clinical features, histological types, prognostic outcomes and proliferative activities, including the mitotic index (MI) and cylcinD1 expression. Twelve of eighteen (66.7%) malignant tumor tissues showed greater than 10% nuclear staining, while benign tumor and hyperplastic tissues showed less than 10% nuclear staining. Higher nuclear expression of NF-κB was positively correlated with larger tumor size, lymph node metastasis and higher MI; however, no correlation was observed with distant metastasis and cyclin D1 expression. Higher NF-κB nuclear expression correlated with shorter patient survival. These findings suggest that NF-κB is a useful prognostic factor for canine MGT patients.     

Plasma free amino acid profiles of canine mammary gland tumors

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationship between plasma free amino acid (PFAA) levels and the clinical stages of mammary gland tumors (MGT) in dogs. PFAA levels in canines with malignant mammary tumors were decreased compared to those of healthy animals. The levels of aspartate and ornithine, in the dogs with tumor metastasis were significantly decreased when compared to those of dogs that did not have metastases. Results of this study indicate that PFAA levels could be a risk factor or biomarker for canine MGT metastasis.     

Infiltration of local immune cells in the sow reproductive tracts after intra-uterine and deep intra-uterine insemination with a reduced number of spermatozoa is less than conventional artificial insemination

The present study investigated the infiltration of leukocyte subpopulations in the utero-tubal junction (UTJ) and each part of the oviducts at about 24 hr after intra-uterine insemination (IUI) and deep intra-uterine insemination (DIUI) compared to conventional artificial insemination (CAI) in sows. Fifteen crossbred Landrace x Yorkshire multiparous sows were used (CAI, n=5; IUI, n=5; DIUI, n=5). The sperm dose contained 3,000 × 10(6) (100 ml), 1,000 × 10(6) (50 ml) and 150 × 10(6) (5 ml) motile spermatozoa for CAI, IUI and DIUI, respectively. The sows were inseminated with extended fresh semen at 6 to 8 hr prior to the expected time of ovulation. At 25.2 ± 1.6 hr after insemination, the oviducts and the UTJ were collected. The tissue samples of UTJ, caudal isthmus, cranial isthmus and ampulla were transversely cut to a thickness of 5 μm and stained with H&E. The total numbers of lymphocytes, neutrophils, macrophages, eosinophils and plasma cells were determined under light microscope. It was found that the numbers of lymphocytes, eosinophils and macrophages after CAI, IUI and DIUI were not significantly different (P>0.1) in both epithelial and sub-epithelial connective tissue layer of the UTJ, caudal isthmus, cranial isthmus and ampulla. Intra-epithelial neutrophils in the UTJ were higher than cranial isthmus (P<0.05) and ampulla (P<0.05). In the UTJ, the intra-epithelial neutrophil in the CAI group was higher than DIUI group (P<0.01). Plasma cells in sub-epithelial layer of the endosalpinx in the CAI group were higher than DIUI group (P<0.05) and tended to be higher than the IUI group (P=0.08). In conclusion, compared to CAI, IUI and DIUI do not influence the infiltration of lymphocytes, macrophages and eosinophils in the UTJ and the oviduct prior to fertilization. But a lower number of neutrophils in the intra-epithelial layer of the UTJ and plasma cells in the sub-epithelial layers of the oviduct was observed in the DIUI group compared to CAI.     

Correlation of Foxp3 positive regulatory T cells with prognostic factors in canine mammary carcinomas

Regulatory T cells (Treg) cells play a crucial role in tumor progression by suppressing anti-tumor immunity, but are not well-documented in veterinary oncology. To identify the characteristics of Treg cells in tumor microenvironments, the numbers of Treg cells were analyzed and compared with histological prognostic factors and molecular biomarkers in canine mammary carcinoma (MC) tissues (n=37). Abundant Treg cells were associated with high histological grade and lymphatic invasion. The numbers of Treg cells infiltrating intratumoral areas markedly increased in tumors with poor prognostic factors, such as high histological grade, lymphatic invasion, and necrosis. These findings suggest that Treg cells play a role in canine MC progression. Furthermore, Treg cell numbers in intratumoral compartments may provide a potential prognostic factor when assessing canine MCs, which may in turn lead to the development of new immunologic therapeutics.     

Epidermal growth factor receptor expression in canine transitional cell carcinoma

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), a urinary bladder tumor with high mortality, is encountered commonly in dogs. Whereas overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is associated with development of human urinary bladder cancer, information on EGFR expression in canine TCC is lacking. In this study, EGFR protein and mRNA expression in canine normal bladder (n=5), polypoid cystitis (n=5) and TCC (n=25) were examined by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction. EGFR protein expression was significantly higher in TCC than that in normal healthy bladder (P<0.001) and polypoid cystitis (P<0.005). High EGFR protein expression was significantly (P<0.01) associated with TCC with a sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 100%. Comparative analysis of protein and mRNA expression levels in TCC showed significant positive correlation (r=0.88, P<0.05) between mRNA and protein expression. These findings suggest that intense expression of EGFR protein could be used as a marker to help canine TCC diagnosis.     

饲粮添加脂肪酸钙对热应激肉牛生长性能和外周血淋巴细胞凋亡的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮添加不同水平脂肪酸钙对热应激肉牛生长性能、生理指标及外周血淋巴细胞凋亡的影响.试验选择30头体重相近[(450±10) kg]的西门塔尔杂交牛随机分为3组,每组10头,对照组(Ⅰ组)饲喂基础饲粮,Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组分别在每头牛每天的基础饲粮中添加100和200 g脂肪酸钙,试验期39 d.结果表明,饲粮中添加脂肪酸钙对热应激肉牛的直肠温度和呼吸频率无显著影响(P＞0.05).与对照组相比,Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组的平均日增重分别提高了37.5％ (P ＜0.05)和20.8％ (P ＞0.05),料重比分别降低了24.38％ (P ＜0.05)和15.79％(P＞0.05).肉牛饲粮中中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维和钙的表观消化率随脂肪酸钙添加量的增加而增加(P＞0.05),磷的表观消化率随脂肪酸钙添加量的增加呈现先升高后降低的趋势(P＞0.05),饲粮中添加脂肪酸钙对粗蛋白质、粗脂肪的表观消化率无显著影响(P＞0.05).肉牛血清中三碘甲腺原氨酸(T3)和甲状腺素(T4)的浓度随着脂肪酸钙添加量的增加呈现为先升高后降低的趋势(P＞0.05),其中Ⅱ组血清T3浓度与对照组相比提高了27.73％ (P ＞0.05),Ⅲ组血清T3浓度与对照组相比降低了4.5％(P＞0.05).肉牛血清中皮质醇的浓度随着脂肪酸钙添加量的增加而极显著升高(P＜0.01).饲粮中添加脂肪酸钙对肉牛血清中葡萄糖、尿素氮、总蛋白含量以及超氧化物歧化酶活性无显著影响(P＞0.05),Ⅲ组丙二醛含量极显著高于对照组(P＜0.01).200 g脂肪酸钙添加量可以极显著降低热应激肉牛外周血淋巴细胞早期凋亡率(P＜0.01)、晚期凋亡率(P＜0.01)和总凋亡率(P＜0.01),但对外周血淋巴细胞周期和淋巴细胞比例(P＞0.05)无明显影响.综合各项指标,在热应激条件下,肉牛饲粮中适宜的脂肪酸钙的添加水平为每天每头100g.     

Anti-Müllerian hormone profiles as a novel biomarker to diagnose granulosa-theca cell tumors in cattle

This study was carried out to evaluate the blood profile and tissue expression of Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) as a biomarker for granulosa-theca cell tumors (GTCTs) in cattle. Five cases with unilateral ovarian GTCTs (GTCT group) were investigated in comparison to other groups of Japanese Black cows, which had either cystic ovarian disease (COD group, n=5), a functional corpus luteum on Days 9 to 11 of the estrous cycle (Day 0=estrus; CL group, n=13) or received superovulation treatment (SOT group, n=13). We used transrectal ultrasonography and measured plasma AMH, estradiol-17β (E(2)), progesterone (P(4)) and testosterone (T) levels. Moreover, GTCT tissues were collected and examined by immunohistochemical staining (IHC) for AMH. In the GTCT group, ultrasound images of GTCTs were variable and not definitive. However, the AMH level in the GTCT group (n=3, 58.1 ± 66.3 ng/ml) was significantly higher than in the COD, CL and SOT groups (0.1 ± 0.1 ng/ml for GTCT vs. COD, P<0.05; 0.2 ± 0.1 and 0.3 ± 0.2 ng/ml, respectively for GTCT vs. CL and SOT, P<0.01). The other hormonal levels in the GTCT group had no significant differences compared with the COD or SOT group. Neoplastic granulosa cells labeled with AMH antibody clearly demonstrated a variety of tissue patterns in all cases by IHC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the blood profile and IHC of AMH in bovine GTCTs. Our findings indicate that AMH may be a novel biomarker to diagnose GTCTs in cattle.     

Molecular cloning of canine nm23 cDNAs and their expression in normal and tumor tissues

Two canine nm-23 cDNAs, designated as nm23-C1 and -C2, were isolated and characterized. Both have a putative open reading frame consisting of 459-bp encoding 152 amino acids and are highly similar to human, mouse and rat homologues. To understand the potential role of nm23-C1 and -C2 in the development of mammary gland tumors (MGT), we analyzed the mRNA expression in 14 MGT samples by RT-PCR. The samples were divided into categories according to their histopathology (benign/malignant) and metastasis. No significant difference in the mRNA expression levels of either nm23-C1 or -C2 were observed between the benign and malignant groups or the metastatic and non-metastatic groups. These results suggest that nm23-C1 and -C2 are not related to the establishment of malignancy and metastatic lesions in canine MGT cases.     

Computerized morphometry of mean nuclear diameter and nuclear roundness in canine mammary gland tumors on cytologic smears

BACKGROUND: The use of computer-based image analysis systems in veterinary oncology has increased. Computerized morphometry is a part of image analysis that describes geometric figures of cellular structures in any dimension. Most investigators have performed morphometric analysis on histologic specimens. Computer-assisted nuclear cytomorphometry can provide important preoperative information on neoplastic lesions in animals. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to define whether the morphometric parameters of mean nuclear diameter and nuclear roundness could be used to differentiate benign from malignant canine mammary gland tumors on cytologic specimens. METHODS: Mean nuclear diameter and nuclear roundness were determined by computer-assisted morphometry of epithelial cells in Hemacolor-stained cytologic smears from normal canine mammary gland (n = 7) and from canine mammary adenomas (n = 8), tubulopapillary carcinomas (n = 9), and solid carcinomas (n = 6). Data were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Significant differences (P <.001) were found in mean nuclear diameter and nuclear roundness among all tumor types and in comparison with normal canine mammary gland epithelial cells (except for nuclear roundness between tubulopapillary carcinomas and solid carcinomas). CONCLUSIONS: The morphometric parameters of mean nuclear diameter and nuclear roundness can be used in the preoperative differentiation of benign from malignant canine mammary gland tumors.     

Infiltrating Foxp3+ Regulatory T cells and Histopathological Features in Canine Classical and Spermatocytic Seminomas

In humans, regulatory T (T reg) cells are known to play a critical role in both the regulation of immune homoeostasis and the progression of cancer. However, there is little information about the identification, characterization and the function of T reg cells in canine tumours. We identified T reg cells in 28 canine seminoma samples using a Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) antibody and investigated the relationship between T reg cell infiltration and histopathological features of classical and spermatocytic seminomas (SE and SS, respectively). The Foxp3 protein showed nuclear immunostaining in infiltrating lymphocytes, and Foxp3+ cells were diffused or focally distributed in seminoma tissues. Foxp3+ cells were frequently present in the SS histotype, in seminomas that showed no evidence of tumour cell invasion into the vessels and in seminomas showing a diffuse growth pattern with three cell types. Neither the SE/SS histotype nor the histopathological features of the tumour correlated with Foxp3+ cell counts. These results indicate that Foxp3+ T reg cells may be associated with a less malignant histological phenotype or may not play a critical role in the immune response of canine seminomas. Moreover, Foxp3+ T reg cells may be associated with SS seminoma, but further studies, involving a larger number of samples, are required to better understand whether these cells play a critical role in the immune response in canine seminomas. This is the first report to demonstrate the characteristics of T reg cell infiltration in canine seminoma.     

Apoptosis in T lymphocytes from spleen tissue and peripheral blood of L. (L.) chagasi naturally infected dogs

Dogs are the main domestic reservoirs of L. (L.) chagasi. Once in the vertebrate host, the parasite may cause visceral leishmaniasis, which can also be transmitted to humans. Infected symptomatic dogs show disorganization in the white pulp in spleen tissue and a reduction in T lymphocytes in peripheral blood. To investigate whether apoptosis is involved in white pulp disorganization and diminished T cell counts in peripheral blood, apoptotic T cells from the spleen and peripheral blood of dogs naturally infected with L. (L.) chagasi and presenting clinical manifestations were quantified and compared with healthy dogs. Thirteen symptomatic adult dogs infected by L. (L.) chagasi and six healthy dogs from a nonendemic area (controls) were included in the study. Samples from spleen and peripheral blood were used to quantify apoptosis in CD3 lymphocytes by flow cytometry using Anexin V and Multicaspase kits; the results were compared using the Mann Whitney test. The percentage of total T cells was lower in Leishmania infected dogs compared to healthy controls (P<0.05). Apoptosis levels in T cells from PBMC and spleen were higher in infected dogs than in controls (P<0.05). The least squares method test was used to determine the effect between the degree of structural organization of spleen white pulp and the percentage of apoptosis in the spleen. A significant effect on the level of white pulp morphological disorganization and percentage of apoptosis in spleen T cells was observed (F=20.45; P=0.0014). These data suggest that apoptosis is an important for the immunopathogenesis of canine visceral leishmaniasis.     

Obesity,expression of adipocytokines,and macrophage infiltration in canine mammary tumors

Obesity influences the development, progression and prognosis of human breast cancer and canine mammary cancer (MC) but the precise underlying mechanism is not well-documented in the fields of either human or veterinary oncology. In the present study, the expression of major adipocytokines, including leptin, adiponectin, and leptin receptor (ObR) in benign (n = 28) and malignant (n = 70) canine mammary tumors was investigated by immunohistochemistry and on the basis of the subject's body condition score (BCS). To evaluate the relationship between obesity and chronic inflammation of the mammary gland, macrophages infiltrating within and around tumoral areas were counted.The mean age of MC development was lower in overweight or obese dogs (9.0 ± 1.8 years) than in lean dogs or optimal bodyweight (10.2 ± 2.9 years), and the evidence of lymphatic invasion of carcinoma cells was found more frequently in overweight or obese group than in lean or optimal groups. Decreased adiponectin expression and increased macrophage numbers in overweight or obese subjects were significantly correlated with factors related to a poor prognosis, such as high histological grade and lymphatic invasion. Leptin expression was correlated with progesterone receptor status, and ObR expression was correlated with estrogen receptor status of MCs, regardless of BCS. Macrophage infiltration within and around the tumor may play an important role in tumor progression and metastasis in obese female dogs and may represent a prognostic factor for canine MCs.     

不同生殖周期阶段对犬卵巢卵母细胞体外发育的影响

试验以屠宰场犬卵巢为材料,研究了不同生殖周期阶段(卵泡期、黄体期和乏情期)对犬卵母细胞体外发育的影响。结果表明,从卵泡期卵巢采集A类COCs的数量为22.67±11.02个,显著高于黄体期10.67±5.51个和乏情期7.25±4.92个(P＜0.05);体外培养48 h时,卵泡期、黄体期和乏情期卵母细胞达到MⅠ-MⅡ期比率分别为19.2%±15.3%、26.8%±21.1%、9.8%±10.4%,卵泡期与黄体期之间差异不显著(P＞0.05),但两者均显著高于乏情期(P＜0.05);体外培养72 h时,卵泡期、黄体期和乏情期卵母细胞达到MⅠ-MⅡ期比率分别为25.2%±13.5%、6.6%±6.7%、9.2%±5.5%,卵泡期显著高于黄体期和乏情期(P＜0.05)。同时,随体外培养时间延长,不同生殖周期阶段犬卵母细胞达到MⅠ-MⅡ期比率存在不同变化。说明不同生殖周期阶段对犬卵巢卵母细胞体外发育有一定影响,且与培养时间有关。     

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin as a chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of canine transmissible venereal tumor in murine models

The effectiveness of Doxil as a new chemotherapeutic agent against canine transmissible venereal tumor was evaluated, using NOD/ SCID and CD1-nu xenograft mouse models and the response between the two mouse strains was compared. Samples of xenografted venereal tumor were inoculated SC into 20 six week-old NOD/SCID mice and 20 six week-old CD1-nu mice. Seven weeks later, tumor-bearing mice were divided into treatment and control groups. Treatment group was injected with Doxil (6 mg/kg, IP, as a single injection). Control group was injected with buffered saline (0.75cc, IP). Tumor size was determined by caliper measurements and tumor response was assessed according to standard criteria. In both strains there was a significant decrease in tumor size in response to Doxil treatment (P<0.0001). In CD1-nu eight out of nine tumors (88%) responded to the treatment, and in 2 cases complete remission was observed. In NOD/SCID group response to the treatment was seen in eight out of ten tumors (80%) but none regressed fully. Response to the treatment was statistically equal in both strains even though the apoptotic rate, confirmed by TUNEL staining, was higher in NOD/SCID than in CD-1-nu (8.65% and 0.7%, respectively) and tumor infiltrating cells were different: eosinophils in NOD/SCID and CD45R-positive B lymphocytes, and plasma cells in CD-1-nu. In untreated CD1-nu mice, tumor progress was slower than in NOD/SCID. Our results indicate that Doxil is effective against CTVT in mouse xenograft models.