Lymphangiosarcoma in 12 dogs: a case series (1998–2013)

Lymphangiosarcoma (LAS) is an uncommon malignant neoplasia arising from lymphatic endothelium; little information exists regarding therapy. Single institutional retrospective review for canine LAS histopathology diagnoses over a 15‐year period yielded 12 dogs. Ten dogs were presented for a mass and/or swelling at cervical, trunk or limb regions. Prior to diagnosis, 10 dogs received empiric wound therapy. Cytology performed in 10 consisted of mild inflammation. Survival ranged from 60, 168 and 876 days for three dogs with palliation; 90 days with prednisone in one; 182 days with chemotherapy in one; 240, 267, 487, 630 and 941 days for five receiving surgery; and 574 days for one receiving surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. One dog is alive with recurrence at 243 days following surgery and carboplatin chemotherapy. Clinical improvement existed in LAS dogs receiving multimodal therapies. Early tissue biopsies are recommended for progressive oedematous lesions of unknown origin.     

Cytological grading of canine cutaneous mast cell tumours

A cytological grading for mast cell tumours (MCTs) would be highly desirable, allowing to select the most appropriate therapeutic intervention prior to surgery. This study evaluates the applicability on fine‐needle aspirations (FNAs) of the novel Kiupel grading system, based on number of mitoses, multinucleated cells, bizarre nuclei and presence of karyomegaly. Fifty consecutive cases with pre‐operative cytological diagnosis were included. In cytological specimens, approximately 1000 cells were evaluated, and the histological grade was assessed on the corresponding resected specimens. On cytology, the above parameters were significantly different between histologically low‐grade and high‐grade tumours (P < 0.001). The cytograding correctly predicted the histological grade in 47 cases (accuracy, 94%; sensitivity, 84.6%; specificity, 97.3%). Two high‐grade MCTs (4%) were not detected on cytology. The cytograding can provide helpful insights to assist clinical decisions in most cases. However, the risk of underestimation in a minority of patients represents a limit to the overall utility of the technique.     

A spontaneously occurring malignant ovarian Sertoli cell tumor in a young Sprague Dawley rat

Primary ovarian tumors are generally uncommon in rats used in toxicologic studies. A malignant Sertoli cell tumor was present in the ovary of a 19-week-old female Sprague Dawley rat. Macroscopically, the mass was white and firm, 10 × 13 × 17 mm in size, and located in the right ovary. Histopathologically, the mass was composed of nests of pleomorphic cells, which formed seminiferous-like tubules separated by a thin fibrovascular stroma. The tubules were lined by tumor cells, which had basally located nuclei and abundant eosinophilic and vacuolated cytoplasm. In some areas, the tumor cells were arranged in a retiform growth pattern, mimicking a rete testis/ovarii. Disseminated metastases to the surfaces of the mesentery, spleen and liver were also present. Immunohistochemically, many tumor cells were strongly positive for vimentin, estrogen receptor α and Ki 67. Some tumor cells were positive for pancytokeratin and inhibin α. These findings closely resemble those of an ovarian-derived human malignant Sertoli cell tumor. From our review of the literature, we believe this is the first report of a spontaneous malignant Sertoli cell tumor in the ovary of a young laboratory rat. This case might provide useful historical control information for rat toxicity studies.     

CoCl2对Na2CO3胁迫下苜蓿幼苗叶片细胞膜的保护作用

本研究报道了CoCl2对Na2CO3胁迫下苜蓿幼苗叶片细胞膜的保护作用及机制,研究结果表明,在120mmol/L Na2CO3胁迫的前期,苜蓿幼苗叶片多胺含量及抗氧化酶活性显著升高,过氧化物酶除外,而活性氧水平、脂质过氧化程度和细胞膜相对透性无显著变化;当120 mmol/L Na2CO3胁迫延长至24~28 d时,乙烯产生速率大幅度上升,多胺氧化酶及二胺氧化酶活性显著升高,精胺、亚精胺和腐胺含量显著下降;抗氧化酶活性显著下降,活性氧水平与脂质过氧化程度显著提高,细胞膜稳定指数大幅度下降。在120 mmol/L Na2CO3溶液中加入CoCl2至50μmol/L,在胁迫的整个过程中乙烯产生被显著抑制,同时相对提高了抗氧化酶的活性,并在胁迫后期显著减轻了多胺氧化酶活性升高、多胺含量下降及脂质过氧化程度的增加,减缓了细胞膜稳定指数的下降,从而对Na2CO3胁迫下苜蓿幼苗叶片细胞膜表现出一定的保护作用。     

In vivo confocal microscopy in the normal corneas of cats, dogs and birds

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the applicability of in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in veterinary ophthalmology and analyze the morphology of living, healthy cornea. ANIMALS EXAMINED: Thirty-seven dogs, 34 cats and five birds. PROCEDURE: Various corneal sublayers were visualized in the central region using an in vivo confocal corneal microscope (HRTII/RCM). RESULTS: An investigation method was developed and adapted for use on animals with varying skull forms and eye positions. Real-time images of the epithelial cells, the corneal stroma and the endothelial layer were obtained. The corneal stromal nerve trunks and the subepithelial and basal epithelial nerve plexus were visualized. In dogs, full corneal thickness (FCT) was 585 +/- 79 microm (mean +/- SD) and endothelial cell density (ECD) 3175 +/- 776 cells/mm(2) (mean +/- SD). In cats, FCT was 592 +/- 80 microm and ECD 2846 +/- 403 cells/mm(2). There were no significant differences between canine and feline FCT and ECD and no morphologic differences could be seen between dogs and cats. The bird images revealed a number of structural differences. CONCLUSION: Noninvasive IVCM allows accurate detection of corneal sublayers, corneal pachymetry, endothelial cell density and corneal innervation in various animal species. For clinical usage, patients must be under general anesthesia. The confocal images provided anatomic reference images of various healthy corneal structures in dogs, cats and birds.     

苜蓿原生质培养及体细胞杂交技术的应用

阐述了植物原生质体培养和体细胞杂交技术以及苜蓿Medicago spp.体细胞胚胎发生特性,综述了该技术在苜蓿育种研究中的应用状况,同时介绍了我国苜蓿研究领域原生质体培养和体细胞杂交技术的研究进展.     

棉铃虫围食膜中Bt抗性相关蛋白的分离与鉴定

棉铃虫是世界性的重要农业害虫。围食膜作为昆虫抵御病原微生物入侵及有害物质的第一道天然保护性屏障,其上可能存在与Bt抗性相关的受体蛋白。本研究以Bt Cry1Ac抗性和敏感品系的棉铃虫围食膜为对象,采用NuPAGE电泳技术、配体杂交、质谱鉴定和生物信息学分析等技术,测定了围食膜蛋白含量,鉴定了蛋白质的组成及与Bt Cry1Ac毒素的结合能力。结果表明敏感品系围食膜中蛋白含量为22.19%,抗性品系围食膜中蛋白含量为26.99%。抗、感品系棉铃虫围食膜上存在与Cry1Ac毒素结合的6个差异蛋白,推测其中棉铃虫羧酸酯酶蛋白和血影蛋白是2个有意义的抗性相关蛋白,2个新蛋白可能参与Bt抗性。研究证明棉铃虫围食膜上存在Bt结合蛋白且与抗性相关,为进一步明确Bt抗性机制、制定合理的Bt抗性治理策略提供了理论依据。