Metastasising Granulosa Cell Tumour of the Testis: A Case Report in the Dog

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Aluminium-induced effects on growth,morphogenesis and oxidative stress reactions in in vitro cultures of quince

The effects of Al³⁺ [supplied as Al₂(SO₄)₃·18H₂O] addition to culture media (pH 4.0) on growth, morphogenesis (in leaf explants), and oxidative stress reactions in in vitro cultures of ‘BA 29’ quince were investigated. Aluminium (Al 0.5 mM) strongly inhibited shoot growth in the proliferation and rooting phases (Al 2.2 mM), reduced shoot proliferation (Al 1.1 mM), and induced tissue browning. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was increased in shoot cultures supplemented with 2 mM Al. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content of shoots was strongly increased by Al during proliferation (starting from Al 1.7 mM) and rooting (already at Al 1.1 mM), thus serving as a good ‘marker’ for Al toxicity. Even a low concentration of Al (0.5 mM) in the shoot induction medium was found to inhibit shoot regeneration. When standard (Al 0) shoot induction medium was used, leaf explant growth was only reduced by 2.2 mM Al in the subsequent growth phases. Following a preliminary selection for their growth on Al-enriched media, 82 potentially Al-tolerant quince somaclones were selected for further trials.     

Unusual Combination of Multiple Vascular Anomalies in a German Shepherd Puppy with Megaoesophagus

A 2‐months‐old male German shepherd puppy was referred for regurgitation and delayed growth. Radiographic and endoscopic investigations revealed a precardiac megaoesophagus and oesophageal constriction at the level of the heart base. At post‐mortem examination, a specific form of persistent right aortic arch characterized by an aberrant left subclavian artery in combination with a ligamentum arteriosum originating at the aberrant left subclavian artery (PRAA‐SA‐LA) was detected. A complete‐type persistent left cranial vena cava (PLCVC) was also observed. This is the first report describing the association between PRAA‐SA‐LA and PLCVC in a dog with megaoesophagus.     

Unilateral forelimb partial aphalangia in a kitten

Congenital limb deformities are rarely reported in the cat. The macroscopic and radiographic features of aphalangia are described in a 2-month-old male kitten showing a shortened limb that ended, at the level of the carpus, in a stump without digits. A nail was present at the level of the first phalanx and on the palmar surface only two footpads were present. The radiographs showed an absence of phalanges. The first metacarpal and the proximal and distal phalanges of digit 1 were present. The deformed metacarpal bones were reduced in length; the carpal bones were incompletely ossified. This defect is a rare condition in many animal species. To the author's knowledge, the congenital fore limb deformity described here is the first documented case in a cat.     

Immune response and milk production of dairy cows fed graded levels of rumen-protected glutamine

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with glutamine on the immune function and milk production of dairy cows. The experiment involved 24 Friesian cows, divided into three groups of eight each, according to the level of rumen-protected glutamine supplementation: a diet with no supplementation (Control), a diet supplemented with 160 g/day/cow (G160) and a diet supplemented with 320 g/day/cow (G320). At 0, 30, and 60 days of the experiment, lymphocyte response to phytohemoagglutinin (PHA) was determined in vivo for each animal. Humoral response to chicken egg albumin (OVA) and interleukin - (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 plasma levels were measured at 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 days. Results demonstrate that supplementing 160 g/day/cow of glutamine can modulate immune responses of dairy cows and enhance the amino acid profile of cow milk.     

Effects of water stress on emission of volatile organic compounds by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia faba</Emphasis>, and consequences for attraction of the egg parasitoid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trissolcus basalis</Emphasis>

When plants are damaged by herbivorous insects, blends of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are induced and released and can also be used by parasitoids to locate hosts. The aim was to determine whether VOCs induced by water stress affect the plant–herbivore–parasitoid system represented by broad bean (Vicia faba; Fabales: Fabaceae) stink bug (Nezara viridula; Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) egg parasitoid (Trissolcus basalis; Hymenoptera: Platygastridae). The effects of water stress (expressed as the percentage fraction of transpirable soil water [FTSW] supplied) alone and in combination with N. viridula damage (feeding plus oviposition) were determined according to: (1) the behavioural response of the egg parasitoid in a Y-tube olfactometer and (2) the plant VOCs collected and analysed by thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. With pot water capacity as FTSW₁₀₀, water stress was applied as mild (FTSW₈₀), moderate (FTSW₅₀) and severe (FTSW₁₀). Bioassays with plants under abiotic stress alone showed that egg parasitoids are more attracted by FTSW₁₀ plants than by well-watered plants. When plants were under abiotic and biotic stress interactions, the egg parasitoids are more attracted by FTSW₁₀ and FTSW₅₀ plants than by well-watered plants infested with N. viridula. Considering VOCs emissions, projection to latent structures discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) separated treatments according to egg parasitoid responses. Water stress alone and in combination with biotic stress induced changes in VOC emissions of V. faba plants that attract egg parasitoids. These findings contribute to our understanding of how water stress affects the interactions between plants, insect pests and egg parasitoids.     

Nutraceutical Properties of Herbal Infusions from Six Native Plants of Argentine Patagonia

Six native plants of South America traditionally consumed in the Patagonian region (southern Argentina and Chile), namely: Adesmia boronioides Hook. f., Apium australe Thouars, Buddleja globosa Hope, Drimys andina (Reiche) R. Rodr. & Quezada, Dysphania multifida L. and Solidago chilensis Meyen were investigated to determine the nutraceutical properties of infusions of their aerial parts. The infusions were characterized in terms of their antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid content, profile of phenolic compounds, general toxicity and cytotoxicity on two different human cell lines: T84 (derived from colon cancer) and HTR8/SVneo (not derived from cancer). Twenty-nine compounds, mainly phenolic acids and flavonoids, were identified. This is the first analysis of phenolic compounds in infusions from native plants of Patagonia. D. andina, B. globosa and S. chilensis showed high levels of antioxidants, even higher than those of Green Tea. The content of phenolic compounds correlated significantly with the antioxidant activity of the samples analyzed. The toxicity test indicated that the use of A. australe, B. globosa and D. multifida seems safe, but a moderate consumption is suggested for A. boronioides, D. andina and S. chilensis until more exhaustive and long-term results are available. Moreover, A. boronioides and S. chilensis showed anticancer potential due to their antiproliferative activity on human cancer cell lines.