Cutaneous lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with systemic metastasis in a cat

A lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma was diagnosed in a 12- year-old domestic cat that had a primary cutaneous mass involving the stomach, liver, kidneys, heart, abdominal wall, diaphragm, bone marrow and several lymph nodes. Histopathologically, the most characteristic feature of this tumor was the heterogeneity of cell components, such as small lymphocytes, well-differentiated plasma cells and plasmacytoid transformed lymphocytes. Amyloid was deposited in the skin, stomach, and several lymph nodes. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic small lymphocytes were positive for CD20, and well-differentiated plasma cells and plasmacytoid transformed lymphocytes were positive for λ-Ig light chains and MUM1/IRF-4. These results emphasize the importance of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma as a differential diagnosis of extramedullary cutaneous plasmacytoma in cats.     

Mycobacterium ulcerans infection in an Indian flap-shelled turtle (Lissemys punctata punctata)

We report an atypical mycobacterial infection in an Indian flap-shelled turtle, Lissemys punctata punctata, that died in an aquarium in Japan. At necropsy, the turtle showed multiple white nodules on the capsular surface and parenchyma of various organs such as the liver, spleen, intestine, and lung. Histologically, granulomatous inflammation surrounding a central zone of necrosis was observed. Sections stained by the Ziehl-Neelsen method revealed numerous acid-fast bacilli in the cytoplasm of macrophages and in the central area of necrosis. The organisms were identified as a mycobacterial species by PCR and nucleotide sequence analysis and revealed 98-100% homology to M. ulcerans. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of mycobacteriosis due to M. ulcerans in a turtle.     

Radiographic and immunohistochemical analysis of leukocyte adhesion deficiency in Holstein heifers.

Radiographic and immunohistochemical analyses were performed in two Holstein heifers with leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD). Severe bone resorption, osteolysis and severe progressive periodontitis in submandibula due to dysfunction of leukocytes in heifers affected with BLAD were demonstrated by radiographic examination. Immunohistochemical analysis of lymph nodes using anti-CD18 monoclonal antibody demonstrated that CD18-positive cells were not found on those from a heifer affected with BLAD, whereas CD18-positive cells were clearly present in lymph nodes from a clinically normal heifer. These characteristic findings support the importance of adherence-dependent leukocyte functions in host defense.     

Expression of monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) in the dog intestine

In this study, the expression and distribution of monocarboxyolate transporter 1 (MCT1) along the intestines (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon and rectum) of dogs were investigated at both the mRNA and protein levels. The expression of MCT1 protein and its distribution were confirmed by Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining using the antibody for MCT1. We identified mRNA coding for MCT1 and a 43-kDa band of MCT1 protein in all regions from the duodenum to the rectum. Immunoreactive staining for MCT1 was also observed in epithelial cells throughout the intestines. MCT1 immunoreactivity was greater in the large intestine than in the small intestine. MCT1 protein was predominantly expressed on the basolateral membranes along intestinal epithelial cells, suggesting that MCT1 may play an important role in lactate efflux and transport of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) to the bloodstream across the basolateral membranes of the dog intestine.     

Changes in the pericellular connective tissue and breaking strength of the three types of muscles of the cultured carp Cyprinus carpio during storage in ice

To elucidate the structural changes in pink (P), white (W), and red (R) muscles during storage in ice, we measured the breaking strength and changes in pericellular connective tissues of cultured carp. The breaking strength just after killing was highest in R muscle (1.00 ± 0.20 N), lowest in W muscle (0.37 ± 0.07 N), and intermediate (0.84 ± 0.12 N) in P muscle. During the storage period, the breaking strength decreased first in R muscle, then in P muscle, followed by W muscle. The diameter of muscle fibers was greater in W muscle (113 ± 15 μm) than in P muscle (72 ± 3 μm) and R muscle (48 ± 2 μm). Destruction of the honeycomb structure of the pericellular connective tissue occurred most rapidly in W muscle and most slowly in R muscle. These results suggest that the interposing of P muscle fibers in the dorsal ordinary muscle contributes to the acceleration of post-mortem tenderization in fish.     

Thyroid C-cell carcinoma with amyloid in a red fox (Vulpes vulpes schrenchki).

An amyloid-producing medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in a red fox (Vulpes vulpes schrenchki) bred in a zoo was examined using histopathologic and immunohistochemical techniques. The neoplastic cells had an ill-defined cytoplasmic membrane and abundant, finely granular eosinophilic cytoplasm, containing numerous argyrophilic granules. The neoplastic tissues were divided into various sizes by a vascular connective stroma, which was partly fibrovascular with broad areas of hyalinization containing varied amounts of amyloid. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic cells showed reactivity to anti-calcitonin, neuron-specific enolase, somatostatin, and keratin antibodies. However, amyloid in the stroma did not show immunoreactivity to the antibodies used. Histologic and immunohistochemical features of MTC in the present animal were analogous to those of the C-cell carcinoma derived from thyroid C cells (parafollicular cells) reported in humans and dogs.     

The effect of blood deposition on the degradation of the connective tissue of the yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata during storage

Fisheries Science - Blood is deposited in fish muscle during storage, and this deposition accelerates the deterioration of flesh quality. We have examined the effect of blood deposition on the...