Mammary invasive micropapillary carcinoma in a male cat: Immunohistochemical description and clinical follow-up

We describe the case of a 14-year-old Domestic Short Hair male cat that presented with a single mammary tumour one centimetre in diameter, classified as invasive micropapillary carcinoma. Histology and immunohistochemistry revealed a high mitotic index, a KI-67 index of 10%, a lack of reactivity to myoepithelial markers, and a dense infiltration with T and B lymphocytes at the periphery of the tumour. Micrometastases were detected in the regional lymph node at the time of surgery. Overall survival time was 10 months with a disease-free interval of 7.5 months. Distant metastases in the sublumbar lymph nodes confirmed the aggressiveness of this tumour, which has recently been subtyped in female cats. This is the first case reported in male cats with a complete follow-up, highlighting the importance of prompt and aggressive treatment in the presence of mammary tumours in male cats.     

Antiproliferative activity of Saponaria vaccaria constituents and related compounds

Total methanolic extracts of Saponaria vaccaria seed derived from several varieties, as well as various purified components obtained through successive chromatographic separations of total extracts were evaluated for their growth inhibitory activity in WiDr (colon), MDA-MB-231 (breast), NCI-417 (lung) and PC-3 (prostate) human cancer cells as well as the non-tumorigenic fibroblast BJ (CRL-2522) cell line using MTT colorimetric assay. Purified bisdesmosidic saponins segetoside H and I were further examined using microscopy and apoptosis assays. Bisdesmosidic saponins exhibited dose-dependent growth inhibitory and selective apoptosis-inducing activity. Growth inhibitory effects were particularly strong in a breast (MDA-MB-231) and a prostate (PC-3) cancer cell line. Total extracts exhibited a different preference being most active against a colon cancer cell line (WiDr). In a comparison of varieties, all of the total seed extracts exhibited similar dose-dependent activities, but with some variation in potency. Monodesmosidic saponins vaccarosides A and B, phenolic vaccarin, and cyclopeptide segetalin A, co-occurring seed substituents, did not exhibit activity. The non-tumorigenic fibroblast cell line BJ (CRL 2522) was growth inhibited but did not undergo apoptosis when treated with bisdesmosidic saponins at low micromolar concentrations. Saponin-rich extracts from Kochia scoparia seed and Chenopodium quinoa were also evaluated alongside Saponaria saponins but did not exhibit activity. Closely related Quillaja saponins exhibited activity but were less potent.     

Relationships among milk urea-nitrogen, dietary parameters, and fecal nitrogen in commercial dairy herds

Our study objective was to determine the ability of milk urea-nitrogen concentrations ([MUN]) to predict fecal nitrogen concentrations ([Fecal N]) in commercial dairy herds. A total of 83 dairy herds were each visited 3 times within 48 h after a monthly herd milk test. For each farm visit, forages were sampled for nutrient analyses, which were entered into a computerized ration evaluator, and fecal samples were taken per rectum from each of 6 cows (2 early-, 2 mid-, and 2 late-lactation). Fecal samples were pooled, mixed, and analyzed for nitrogen content. Fecal nitrogen concentrations were compared with the routinely measured nutritional parameters from the ration evaluation, and the herd average [MUN] for the previous milk test date using mixed linear regression analyses. Total protein supplied in the ration was significantly positively associated with [Fecal N], but herd average [MUN] was not associated (P > 0.10) with [Fecal N].     

Spontaneous left medial liver lobe torsion and left lateral lobe infarction in a rottweiler

The abdominal ultrasonogram of a dog admitted for acute onset of collapse revealed an abnormally displaced left medial liver lobe with no blood flow. Surgical and histological findings confirmed the ultrasonographic diagnosis of left liver lobe torsion. Ultrasonographic findings were useful and probably sufficient for a correct diagnosis.     

The effect of bovine viral diarrhea virus infections on health and performance of feedlot cattle

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infections (unapparent acute infections and persistent infections) on the overall health and performance of feedlot cattle. Calves from 25 pens (7132 calves) were enrolled in the study. Overall and infectious disease mortality rates were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in pens categorized at arrival as positive for type I BVDV and lower in pens that were positive for type II BVDV than in negative pens. Mortality attributed to BVDV infection or enteritis was significantly more common (P < 0.05) in the pens containing persistently infected (PI) calves than in pens not containing PI calves (non-PI pens). There were no statistically detectable (P > or = 0.05) differences in morbidity, overall mortality, average daily gain, or the dry matter intake to gain ratio between PI and non-PI pens. Although type-I BVDV infections in feedlots appear to contribute to higher mortality rates, the presence of PI calves alone does not appear to have a strong impact on pen-level animal health and feedlot performance.     

A model for simulating rock–water interactions in a weathering profile subjected to frequent alternations of wetting and drying

Physically based equations for unsaturated groundwater flow and solute transport have been coupled with kinetic rate laws for mineral dissolution–precipitation, and mass balance/mass action equations for aqueous species, in a numerical model that is capable of simulating rock–water interactions in a weathering profile subjected to fluctuating boundary conditions. A numerical experiment was conducted to demonstrate how incipient soil development may proceed in a warm subhumid environment. The simulation involved a hypothetical coarse-textured parent material that was subjected to frequent wetting and drying during an annual water cycle. The hypothetical weathering profile evolved rapidly; dissolution of primary minerals (enstatite, forsterite, and diopside) and precipitation of secondary clay–minerals (kaolinite and Ca-montmorillonite) occurred monotonically despite the abrupt fluctuations in soil-moisture content. In contrast, the activities of aqueous species and dissolution–precipitation rates of calcite were very sensitive to the changing moisture conditions in the upper part of the profile. Although the simulation involved numerous simplifying assumptions, reasonable results were achieved and the calculated (from the model) rate of chemical denudation fell within the range of contemporary denudation rates determined from the dissolved loads of rivers.