CHOP chemotherapy for the treatment of canine multicentric T-cell lymphoma

Dogs with multicentric T-cell lymphoma are commonly treated with CHOP chemotherapy protocols that include cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of CHOP chemotherapy for dogs with multicentric T-cell lymphoma. Identification of prognostic factors in this specific subset of dogs was of secondary interest. Twenty-three out of 24 dogs responded to CHOP chemotherapy and these dogs remained on the protocol for a median of 146 days. No variable was associated with progression free survival (PFS) including stage, substage, hypercalcemia or radiographic evidence of a cranial mediastinal mass. The median overall survival time (OST) for all dogs was 235 days. Dogs that were thrombocytopenic at presentation experienced a significantly longer OST (323 versus 212 days, P=0.01).     

Bacterial Urinary Tract Infections Associated with Transitional Cell Carcinoma in Dogs

Background

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are believed to be common in dogs with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), but incidence and contributing factors have not been reported.

Objectives

To determine the frequency and bacterial agents associated with UTI in dogs with TCC and define contributing factors.

Animals

Eighty‐five dogs with a history of urogenital TCC undergoing treatment with chemotherapy that had at least 1 urine culture performed.

Methods

Medical records and culture results were retrospectively reviewed and ultrasound images were reviewed when available. Clinical factors were evaluated statistically for association with positive culture.

Results

Fifty‐five percent (47/85) of dogs had at least 1 positive culture during the course of treatment. Female dogs (80%, 40/50) were more likely than male dogs (29%, 10/35) to have at least 1 positive culture. Ultrasound examination determined that female dogs were more likely to have urethral (74%, 31/42) or trigonal tumor involvement (71%, 30/42) compared to male dogs (32%, 9/28 and 43%, 12/28, respectively). The most commonly isolated organisms were Staphylococcus spp. (23.9%, 29/121) and Escherichia coli (19.8%, 24/121). Dogs with urethral involvement of TCC were significantly more likely to have at least 1 positive culture than dogs without urethral involvement (75%, 30/40 versus 30%, 9/30).

Conclusions

Urinary tract infection is common in dogs with TCC highlighting the importance of regular monitoring for bacterial cystitis in dogs with TCC. In addition, clinical factors such as tumor location and sex may be predictive of positive culture and can help clinicians assess the risk of UTI.     

Vascular distribution in ruptured canine cranial cruciate ligament

Objective: To (1) determine the microanatomic vascular distribution in ruptured canine cranial cruciate ligaments (CCL) using specific vascular immunohistochemical techniques, and (2) compare vessel density between ruptured and intact canine CCL and between different areas of interest in ruptured CCL using histomorphometric analysis. Study Design: In vitro study. Animals: Dogs (n=41) admitted for surgical treatment of ruptured CCL and 19 dogs euthanatized for nonorthopedic conditions. Methods: Diseased (variable CCL rupture) and intact (normal control) CCL were processed for immunohistochemical staining specific to vessels (factor VIII, laminin). Mean vascular density was assessed and compared in areas of interest (torn end versus remaining core regions of CCL, proximal femoral versus distal tibial core CCL regions). Results: Ruptured CCL was more vascular than intact CCL; however there was no difference in vascular density between the torn end and the remaining core area of the ruptured CCL. Ruptured CCL was vascularized to a greater degree at the proximal portion than the distal portion of the CCL. Partially ruptured CCLs had a higher vessel density than completely ruptured CCLs. Conclusions: Vascular density is increased in diseased CCL compared with intact CCL. It remains to be determined whether this finding is associated with the cause of CCL rupture or is a result of CCL degeneration and rupture.     

Starch‐like exopolysaccharide produced by the filamentous fungi Ophiostoma ulmi and O. novo‐ulmi

This paper describes the chemical and biochemical properties of exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by Ophiostoma ulmi and O. novo‐ulmi isolates, the Dutch elm disease (DED) fungi. Some of EPS have been considered as pathogenicity factor in the DED complex. The selected isolates grow well and produce EPS in a medium containing various types of carbon and nitrogen sources. EPS obtained from potato dextrose broth (PDB) medium appeared to be opaque, firm and stained purple blue with iodine‐potassium iodide solution, whereas those from yeast extract (YE) medium were less opaque, jelly‐like and remained unchanged in iodine solution. The selected fungal isolates produced much higher molecular weight EPS from the medium containing YE than from PDB. The results of this study suggest that high molecular weight compounds produced by O. ulmi (W9) and O. novo‐ulmi (R136) are not involved in DED pathogenesis. Spectrometric analysis of acid‐digested EPS obtained from PDB and YE revealed the presence of a monomer similar to glucose used as a standard. Thin layer chromatography indicated that glucan‐1,4‐α‐glucosidase (glucoamylase) only hydrolyses EPS from PDB media and releases glucose. The results strongly indicate that isolates of O. ulmi and O. novo‐ulmi produce starch‐like EPS from PDB medium. The EPS obtained from YE medium lacked this characteristic. The biological significance and the potential use of these EPS are discussed.     

Acetosolv delignification of marabou (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dichrostachys cinerea</Emphasis>) wood with and without acid prehydrolysis

The chemical composition of marabou(Dichrostachys cinerea) wood and its treatment with acetic acid were investigated.Two different treatment approaches,direct acetosolv and combined acid prehydrolysis/acetosolv,were evaluated.The effects of acetic acid concentration(50%,70% and 90%) and temperature(normal boiling temperature and 121°C) on yield of solids,solubilization of lignin and hemicelluloses and recovery of cellulose were evaluated for both treatments.High solubilization of marabou components was observed in the direct acetosolv treatment at 121°C,especially at the highest acetic acid concentration,where around 84.8% of lignin and 78% of hemicelluloses were removed.When the material was subjected to acid prehydrolysis prior to acetosolv treatment,lignin solubilization was improved,especially at low acetic acid concentrations.Above 80% of the solubilized lignin was recovered from the liquors in the direct acetosolv treatment,but the recovery was lower in the combined treatment.Cellulose was well preserved in all the treatment schemes.     

Morphological changes,peptidase activity,and effects of exogenous enzymes in the early ontogeny of Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

Aquaculture International - During the early ontogeny, the transition from endogenous (yolk protein) to exogenous feeding (artificial diets) represents a critical period linked to the...     

Metabolomic fingerprint of cabbage resistance to Mamestra brassicae L. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

BACKGROUND

Plants defend themselves from insect feeding by activating specific metabolic pathways. We performed a metabolomic analysis to compare the metabolome reorganization that occurs in the leaves of two genotypes of cabbage (one partially resistant and one susceptible) when attacked by Mamestra brassicae caterpillars.

RESULTS

The comparison of the metabolomic reorganization of both genotypes allowed us to identify 43 metabolites that are specifically associated with the insect feeding response in the resistant genotype. Of these, 19% are lipids or lipid-related compounds, most of which are modified fatty acids. These include glycosylated, glycerol-binding and oxidized fatty acids, the majority being associated with the oxylipin pathway. Some of the identified lipids are unlikely to be produced by plants and may be the result of biochemical reactions in the caterpillar oral secretions. A further 16% are phenylpropanoids. Interestingly, some phenylpropanoids were not present in the susceptible genotype, making them possible candidates for specific resistance-related compounds.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that glucosinolates do not have a clear role in the resistance to M. brassicae feeding on cabbage. Using an untargeted metabolomics approach, we associated the regulation of metabolic pathways related to lipid signalling and phenylpropanoid compounds with the resistance to this pest. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Association of Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P)/S1P Receptor‐1 Pathway with Cell Proliferation and Survival in Canine Hemangiosarcoma

Background

Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) is a key biolipid signaling molecule that regulates cell growth and survival, but it has not been studied in tumors from dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

S1P/S1P₁ signaling will contribute to the progression of hemangiosarcoma (HSA).

Animals

Thirteen spontaneous HSA tissues, 9 HSA cell lines, 8 nonmalignant tissues, including 6 splenic hematomas and 2 livers with vacuolar degeneration, and 1 endothelial cell line derived from a dog with splenic hematoma were used.

Methods

This was a retrospective case series and in vitro study. Samples were obtained as part of medically necessary diagnostic procedures. Microarray, qRT‐PCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblotting were performed to examine S1P₁ expression. S1P concentrations were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. S1P signaling was evaluated by intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization; proliferation and survival were evaluated using the MTS assay and Annexin V staining.

Results

Canine HSA cells expressed higher levels of S1P₁ mRNA than nonmalignant endothelial cells. S1P₁ protein was present in HSA tissues and cell lines. HSA cells appeared to produce low levels of S1P, but they selectively consumed S1P from the culture media. Exogenous S1P induced an increase in intracellular calcium as well as increased proliferation and viability of HSA cells. Prolonged treatment with FTY720, an inhibitor of S1P₁, decreased S1P₁ protein expression and induced apoptosis of HSA cells.

Conclusions and clinical importance

S1P/S1P₁ signaling pathway functions to maintain HSA cell viability and proliferation. The data suggest that S1P₁ or the S1P pathway in general could be targets for therapeutic intervention for dogs with HSA.     

Responses of eight chile peppers to saline water irrigation

Salt tolerance of five cultivars of Capsicum annuum L. Early Jalapeno, Golden Treasure, NuMex Sweet, NuMex Joe E. Parker, and Santa Fe Grande, two cultivars of C. chinense Jacq. Habanero and Pimienta De Chiera, and one accession of C. annuum, NMCA 10652, were evaluated in a field study. Seedlings were transplanted in late May to field raised beds containing loamy sand soils in a semi-arid environment. Plants were well irrigated throughout the experiment. Three saline solution treatments, prepared by adding NaCl, MgSO₄, and CaCl₂ to tap water at different amounts to create three salinity levels of 0.82 dS m⁻¹ (control, tap water), 2.5 dS m⁻¹, and 4.1 dS m⁻¹ electrical conductivity (EC), were initiated on 15th June and ended in late August. Among the eight varieties, NMCA 10652 had the highest survival percentage at 100% in the 4.1 dS m⁻¹ treatment, followed by ‘Early Jalapeno’, ‘NuMex Sweet’, ‘Pimienta De Chiera’, ‘Santa Fe Grande’, ‘Golden Treasure’, and ‘NuMex Joe E. Parker’. ‘Habanero’ had the lowest survival at 28%. Compared to control, final shoot dry weight of the plants irrigated with saline solution at 4.1 dS m⁻¹ was reduced by 92% in ‘Habanero’, followed by ‘Golden Treasure’ at 80%. For fruit fresh weight in 4.1 dS m⁻¹ vs. control, ‘Habanero’ had the highest reduction at 86%, followed by ‘Golden Treasure’ at 74%, while NMCA 10652 and ‘Santa Fe Grande’ had the least at 26% and 19%, respectively. NMCA 10652, the most tolerant to salinity, had the lowest leaf Na⁺ accumulation, while ‘Habanero’, the most sensitive to salinity, had the highest Na⁺ in the leaves. For leaf Cl⁻, ‘Early Jalapeno’ had the highest, while ‘Habanero’ had the lowest Cl⁻ accumulation in the leaves. Generally, sensitive varieties accumulated more Na⁺ and/or Cl⁻ in leaves, except for ‘Early Jalapeno’, which was relatively tolerant to salinity but had high Na⁺ and Cl⁻ accumulation in leaves.     

Delay of gratification in children

To function effectively, individuals must voluntarily postpone immediate gratification and persist in goal-directed behavior for the sake of later outcomes. The present research program analyzed the nature of this type of future-oriented self-control and the psychological processes that underlie it. Enduring individual differences in self-control were found as early as the preschool years. Those 4-year-old children who delayed gratification longer in certain laboratory situations developed into more cognitively and socially competent adolescents, achieving higher scholastic performance and coping better with frustration and stress. Experiments in the same research program also identified specific cognitive and attentional processes that allow effective self-regulation early in the course of development. The experimental results, in turn, specified the particular types of preschool delay situations diagnostic for predicting aspects of cognitive and social competence later in life.