Computed tomography-guided fine-needle aspiration and tissue-core biopsy of bone lesions in small animals

In humans, free-hand computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy is an accurate method to obtain a tissue sample. There are only a few reports of this technique in veterinary medicine. In the present study, 21 dogs and two cats underwent a free-hand CT-guided tissue-core biopsy (17 animals) or fine-needle aspiration (six animals) of a bone lesion. Two out of 17 tissue-core samples were also cultured. All 17 tissue-core biopsy samples were diagnostic (accuracy of 100%). Five out of six aspirates were diagnostic (accuracy of 83.3%). The overall accuracy was 95.7%. In one aspirate, cytologic quality was insufficient containing only blood. No major complications were encountered. Fourteen neoplastic, two infectious and six benign lesions were diagnosed. CT examination after intravenous contrast medium added useful information to avoid large vessels and to biopsy-viable tissue. Free-hand CT-guided tissue-core biopsy and aspiration appears to be a safe and very accurate procedure for use in the diagnosis of bone-associated diseases in small animals.     

Fatal necrotizing fasciitis and myositis in a captive common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) associated with Streptococcus agalactiae.

A common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was presented for necropsy after acute onset of gastrointestinal signs and cutaneous lesions that rapidly progressed to death. Gross and microscopic findings were characterized by locally extensive severe necrohemorrhagic fasciitis and cellulitis, and severe necrotizing myositis in the head and dorsocranial thorax, with numerous disseminated gram-positive cocci. Streptococcus agalactiae was isolated from the lesions and from visceral organs (liver and lung), and it was identified by standard microbiology techniques. This communication is the first report of necrotizing fasciitis in a marine mammal associated with S. agalactiae.     

Effects of compost and defatted oilseed meals as sustainable organic fertilisers on cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) production in the Mediterranean basin

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) is considered as one of the most suitable energy crops for Southern Europe. The aim of this work was to outline the effects of organic fertilisers on the productivity and the global warming potential (GWP) on cardoon production. Six fertilisers (N 100 kg ha^?1, N 50 kg ha^?1, Compost 30 t ha^?1, Compost 15 t ha^?1 + N 25 kg ha^?1, 3 t ha^?1 of defatted oilseed meals of sunflower, 3 t ha^?1 of defatted oilseed meals of Brassica carinata), and unfertilised control, were evaluated on two cultivars (‘Gobbo di Nizza’ and ‘Altilis 41’) in a split-plot experiment. Defatted oilseed meal of sunflower recorded higher total dry weight (+10%), seed yield (+17%), nitrogen use efficiency (+14%) and better GWP (?66%) compared to the other organic fertilisers and performing as well as N 100 kg ha^?1. Altilis 41 cultivar showed the highest aboveground total dry weight (10 t ha^?1 y^?1), seed yield (1.7 t ha^?1 y^?1), stalk dry weight (7 t ha^?1 y^?1) and head dry weight (3 t ha^?1 y^?1). Our results highlighted that by combining suitable cultivar and fertilisation strategies, it could be possible to increase the production sustainability of C. cardunculus.     

SPINAL SUBARACHNOID CYST IN A CAT

A 7-year-old neutered female domestic short hair cat was presented with hind limb ataxia. A subarachnoid cyst in the T10-T11 spinal cord region was identified by myelography as a collection of contrast medium in the subarachnoid space.     

HPLC analysis of flavonoids and secoiridoids in leaves of Ligustrum vulgare L. (Oleaceae)

Identification and quantification of flavonol glycosides and secoiridoids was carried out on leaves of Ligustrum vulgare L. (Oleaceae) by means of HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS analysis. In addition to previously reported secoiridoids (oleuropein, ligustaloside A, ligustaloside B, and ligstroside) four kaempferol glycosides (kaempferol 3-O-glucoside 7-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3, 7-O-dirhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-rhamnoside, and kaempferol 3-O-glucoside) and two quercetin glycosides (quercetin 3-O-glucoside 7-O-rhamnoside and quercetin 3,7-O-dirhamnoside) were present in leaves of L. vulgare L. Although secoiridoids accounted for nearly the 76% of the total leaf polyphenols content (with ligustaloside A as the main component), kaempferol glycosides were also accumulated in the leaves of L. vulgare L. to a relatively high extent (23%). Contribution of quercetin derivatives was minor under our experimental conditions. Our findings suggest that flavonol glycosides may have a central role in both the ecology and the biology of L. vulgare L.     

PML regulates apoptosis at endoplasmic reticulum by modulating calcium release

The promyelocytic leukemia (PML) tumor suppressor is a pleiotropic modulator of apoptosis. However, the molecular basis for such a diverse proapoptotic role is currently unknown. We show that extranuclear Pml was specifically enriched at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and at the mitochondria-associated membranes, signaling domains involved in ER-to-mitochondria calcium ion (Ca(2+)) transport and in induction of apoptosis. We found Pml in complexes of large molecular size with the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP(3)R), protein kinase Akt, and protein phosphatase 2a (PP2a). Pml was essential for Akt- and PP2a-dependent modulation of IP(3)R phosphorylation and in turn for IP(3)R-mediated Ca(2+) release from ER. Our findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the pleiotropic role of Pml in apoptosis and identify a pharmacological target for the modulation of Ca(2+) signals.     

Iron content in vegetative and reproductive organs of nectarine trees in calcareous soils during the development of chlorosis

We investigated for 2 years (1995–1996) the time course development of chlorosis and the variation of iron (Fe) content in vegetative and reproductive organs in two nectarine orchards planted with cv Spring Red and cv Stark Redgold on calcareous soils of the Po valley (Italy) with the final aim to evaluate possible tools for the early prognosis of Fe chlorosis and a more efficient fertilization management. Due to the withdrawal of Fe supply, floral Fe concentration significantly decreased in 1996 as compared with 1995 in cv Spring Red, but not in Stark Redgold. Correlation coefficients between Fe and chlorophyll (Chl) from the same leaves were always higher when Fe was considered as amount present per leaf or per unit of leaf area than as leaf dry weight. The fact that chlorotic and green leaves had similar Fe concentration could be explained by an overestimate of Fe in the chlorotic leaf as a consequence of a reduction of its size. However, the decrease of Chl concentration between 60 and 120 days after full bloom (DAFB) occurred while leaf Fe content generally increased, indicating that even during chlorosis development leaves were supplied with some iron. We therefore suggest that the development of chlorosis was associated with an inactivation of Fe in the leaf apoplast. In 1995, regardless the cultivar, floral Fe concentration and leaf Chl were never correlated. In 1996 floral Fe concentration was linearly related to leaf Chl recorded 60 and 120 DAFB in cv Spring Red only. Floral Fe concentration at full bloom 1996, regardless the variety, was linearly related to leaf Chl determined in spring of the previous year, suggesting that flower Fe concentration might be used for assessing the storage of iron during the previous season.     

Characterization of the in vitro core surface proteome of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides, the causative agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (Mmm) is a severe cattle disease, present in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The development of improved diagnostic tests and vaccines for CBPP control remains a research priority. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were used to characterize the Triton X-114 soluble proteome of nine Mmm strains isolated from Europe or Africa. Of a total of 250 proteins detected, 67 were present in all strains investigated. Of these, 44 were predicted to be lipoproteins or cytoplasmic membrane-associated proteins and are thus likely to be members of the core in vitro surface membrane-associated proteome of Mmm. Moreover, the presence of all identified proteins in other ruminant Mycoplasma pathogens were investigated. Two proteins of the core proteome were identified only in other cattle pathogens of the genus Mycoplasma pointing towards a role in host–pathogen interactions. The data generated will facilitate the identification and prioritization of candidate Mycoplasma antigens for improved control measures, as it is likely that surface-exposed membrane proteins will include those that are involved in host–pathogen interactions.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF EOSINOPHILIC PULMONARY GRANULOMATOSIS IN FIVE DOGS

Canine pulmonary eosinophilic granulomatosis is a rare inflammatory pulmonary disease characterized by formation of eosinophilic granulomas that tend to obliterate the normal pulmonary architecture. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the CT characteristics of confirmed idiopathic pulmonary eosinophilic granulomatosis in a group of dogs. Five dogs met inclusion criteria. All patients were young adult dogs of variable breeds. No dog had concurrent occult heartworm disease. Computed tomographic characteristics most commonly included pulmonary masses and nodules of variable size, and lesions were most commonly located in the caudal lung lobes. Four dogs had large pulmonary masses with or without additional nodules and one dog had nodular lesions disseminated throughout the entire lung parenchyma. All large eosinophilic granulomas were smoothly margined, heterogeneous pulmonary masses displaying heterogeneous contrast enhancement. A honeycomb‐like enhancement pattern was observed in all but one mass and consisted of multiple hyperattenuating rims delineating central hypoattenuating areas, suggestive of bronchiectatic lung with peripheral enhancing airway walls and fluid‐filled, necrotic bronchial lumen. One dog had evidence of tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy. Findings indicated that canine eosinophilic pulmonary granulomatosis should be included as a differential diagnosis for dogs with CT characteristics of multiple pulmonary masses and/or nodules in caudal lung lobes, and a honeycomb‐like enhancement pattern in masses after intravenous administration of iodinated contrast medium.