Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Induced Tendinopathy in Horses: Histologic Evaluation

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the treatment of tendinopathy induced in the superficial digital flexor tendon (TFDS) of horses, by using histologic evaluation. Six healthy crossbred geldings aged 8 to 15 years (12 ± 3) were used. The TFDS tendinopathy was provoked in both forelimbs, by intratendinous administration of 2.5 mg collagenase (2.5 mg/mL), and this procedure was considered as the beginning of the experimental phase. At 12 days after induction of the tendinopathy, the animals were subjected to the following treatments: (1) in the lesion caused in the right superficial digital flexor tendon (PRP-treated group), 2.5 mL PRP activated with calcium chloride at 0.0125 mol/L at concentrations from 320,000 to 500,000 platelets/μL, were injected; (2) in the tendinopathy of the left SDFT (control group), 2.5 mL 0.9% saline solution was administrated. Thirty-six days after the treatments, a biopsy of the injured area was performed for histologic evaluation. In both groups, the histologic analysis showed an increase in the fibroblastic density, as well as the presence of neovascularization, lymphocytes, and plasmocytes infiltrate and tissue organization at variable intensity. In the PRP-treated group, the SDFT was more organized, with the collagen fibers and fibroblasts being better arranged on the tendon matrix. The numbers of the fibroblasts and blood vessels did not differ between the groups. Histologic evaluation 36 days after tendinopathy showed that injuries under a single PRP treatment present a more uniform and organized tissue repair when compared with the control group.     

Adenomyosis with severe inflammation in the uterine cervix in a dog

A dog with purulent vulval discharge was found to have many cysts containing purulent mucus in the uterine cervix. The uterine horns did not contain any pus. Histological examination revealed a cervical adenomyosis infiltrated by many neutrophils. After an ovariohysterectomy including the whole cervix, the dog recovered well.     

Clinicopathological survey of 101 canine mammary gland tumors: differences between small-breed dogs and others

Clinicopathological features of mammary gland tumors (MGTs) in 101 dogs were evaluated retrospectively. The incidence of histological malignancy in 60 small- and 41 other-breed dogs were 25% and 58.5%, respectively. In 82 epithelial MGTs, small-sized tumors (< 3 cm) or non-invasive tumors were predominant in small breeds. In multivariate survival analysis, small breed (p=0.048) and lower stage of tumor cell invasion (p=0.006) were significantly associated with longer survival time. These results suggest that the incidence of histological or biological malignancy in MGTs is lower in small-breed dogs than in others.     

Pathogenic profile and cytotoxic activity of Aeromonas spp. isolated from Pectinatella magnifica and surrounding water in the South Bohemian aquaculture region

Pectinatella magnifica is an invasive freshwater bryozoan that has expanded in many localities worldwide, including fishing areas. It contains microbial communities, predominantly consisting of Aeromonas bacteria that are frequently associated with fish infections. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential pathogenicity of Aeromonas spp. associated with P. magnifica and evaluate the health risks for fish. Aeromonas strains were isolated from P. magnifica (101 strains) and from surrounding water (29 strains) in the South Bohemian region and investigated for the presence of 14 virulence-associated genes using PCR. We demonstrated high prevalence of phospholipase GCAT, polar flagellin, enolase, DNAse, aerolysin/cytotoxic enterotoxin, serine protease and heat-stable cytotonic enterotoxin-coding genes. Further, all twelve isolates that were analysed for cytotoxicity against intestinal epithelial cells were found to be cytotoxic. Six of the isolates were also tested as co-cultures composed of pairs. Enhanced cytotoxicity was observed when the pair was composed of strains from different species. In conclusion, P. magnifica is colonized by Aeromonas strains that have a relatively high prevalence of virulence-associated genes and the ability to provoke disease. Results also suggest a possibly increased risk arising from mixed infections.     

The structure of a pH-sensing mycobacterial adenylyl cyclase holoenzyme

Class III adenylyl cyclases contain catalytic and regulatory domains, yet structural insight into their interactions is missing. We show that the mycobacterial adenylyl cyclase Rv1264 is rendered a pH sensor by its N-terminal domain. In the structure of the inhibited state, catalytic and regulatory domains share a large interface involving catalytic residues. In the structure of the active state, the two catalytic domains rotate by 55 degrees to form two catalytic sites at their interface. Two alpha helices serve as molecular switches. Mutagenesis is consistent with a regulatory role of the structural transition, and we suggest that the transition is regulated by pH.     

The Paracatu/Entre-Ribeiros Irrigation Scheme in Southeastern Brazil – Features and Challenges in Performance Assessment

A case study is presented on the irrigation performanceassessment of the Paracatu/ Entre-Ribeirosproject, a privately owned/managedcenter-pivot irrigation scheme inSoutheastern Brazil. Seven indicators werechosen (delivery performance, overallconsumptive ratio, sustainability ofirrigated area, power and energyconsumption, operation and maintenancefraction, unit gross economic return, andglobal revenue/cost ratio) to assess theperformance of the scheme in the periodfrom 1997 through 2000. The values obtainedfor these indicators seem to haveadequately expressed the current situationof the scheme by identifying low values ofoverall consumptive ratio, an indication ofthe need for improvement in the watermanagement strategies of individualfarmers.